“TROUBLE IN TRIPLICATE!”
Part I: Calm Before the Storm
WHAT HAS COME BEFORE: After the Champions traveled to the Soviet Union to free Bucky Barnes from the Soviets, they returned home only to battle the Avengers, sent at the urging of the U.S. government. The battle was halted by the appearance of Captain America and Nick Fury, who departed with Bucky and the Black Widow...
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♪ Theme Music: “Let’s Get it On” By Marvin Gaye ♪
Warren Worthington III lies on his back in his plush bed. His mattress is covered with silk sheets, which are strewn about around him. His headboard is stained oak, with solid gold trim. Above his headboard is a picture of his family, taken when he was still a child, nestled between his two parents. As he lies in bed, looking upward at the ceiling fan on his ceiling, he feels the beautiful woman stirring slightly. She has her head and upper body on his chest, and along his stomach, as she lies face down on him. A few strands of her red hair move along her face. Their bodies are both nude, but her lower body, just beneath her derrière is covered with sheets and bed covering.
He runs his hand along her smooth back, down to her derriere, as he recalls the pleasure of the night before. He feels refreshed, but he can start to feel the stirrings of hunger in his stomach, even as light comes in from the closed blinds covering the large windows along the walls of his bedroom. He closes his eyes, leaning back on his plush pillows, as he continues to run his hand along her smooth back and beneath the covers, enjoying the contours of her body.
With the beautiful guest in his bed, Warren reaches over to his nightstand, pushing a button to a speaker system. “Natalie?” he says softly, while trying not to move too much, for concern of waking her. “Can you bring breakfast to my room? Thanks. Yes, for two.”
Pushing the button again to turn off the speaker, Warren looks back down at Allison Blair, who looks back up at him, her head still against his chest. “Well, good morning,” she offers, moving her hand along his tight abs, as he smiles and nods in response. She rolls on top of him, moving up his body, as she kisses him passionately. Warren moves his hands along her body, as they continue their kiss with increasing passion, their bodies moving beneath the covers.
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♪ Theme Music: “Two Tickets to Paradise” By Eddie Money ♪
For the moment, let us give Angel and Dazzler a moment of privacy, and turn our attention elsewhere. Along the coastline of California, a few miles north of Los Angeles, a silver ‘76 Corvette t-top convertible hums to a stop off the lonely state road, pulling off onto a dirt corner, as the L82 engine shuts off. Bobby Drake looks over at the lovely Laynia Petrovna, who is wearing a bikini, a sarong tied around her waist, and a thin button-up shirt covering her bikini top.
“Why are we stopping here, Bobby?” she asks, pulling her hair back away from her face, even as a few strands linger along her eyes.
“I promised you I’d show you America, Laynia,” he explains, pulling against the door handle, and opening his door. He walks around the front of the car, and opens the door for her. Reaching out, he holds her hand, helping her out of the car. “And this is one of the nicest spots I could think to show you.”
“Don’t you think we have beaches in Russia, Bobby?” she asks with a smile, as they walk along a narrow sandy path, and through a fence, separating the path from the beach foliage around the fence.
“Yeah, but they’re frozen there,” Bobby returns her smile. “I think you’ll find this quite a bit different.”
The cool early morning breeze breaks the humidity permeating the air as the two stand against the shoreline, before walking closer to the wet shore. “It is quite a site, I must admit,” she comments softly, watching the waves beat against the damp sand, creating a foam that rises and falls against the coastline.
Bobby looks over at his companion, his eyes roaming along the curves of her body. “I agree,” he adds.
Laynia pulls off her shirt, tossing it onto the sand behind them. She slips out of her sandals, and tosses off her sarong. “The water looks too beautiful to not enjoy!” she says, smiling, as she takes a step towards the water.
Bobby looks surprised, grabbing her by the wrist. “Laynia!” Bobby says with some degree of excitement. “It’s winter!”
“Winter”¦” she responds with a smile, running her other hand along the back of Bobby’s hand, ““¦in California! The water temperature is much warmer than I’m used to!”
“Well, that’s probably true,” Bobby concedes, pulling the shirt off over his head. “It’s fine with me. I grew up in Florida, and I never got into the water in January! But, hey, I don’t think cold water will be a problem for me!”
The two rush into the water, as the water crashes against their ankles and feet. They ignore the sand sticking to their feet, which is quickly washed off by the water surrounding them. Bobby catches Laynia, holding her by the waist, as he turns her to face him, the water rising to just below their waists.
“I think I could get used to this!” Bobby offers, as the lovely Laynia leans into him.
“So could I!” she responds, as the two kiss, their bodies pressing against each other, even as the water crashes against their bodies.
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♪ Theme Music: “Highway Song” By Blackfoot ♪
Johnny Blaze throws his head back, taking a shot of Jack Daniels out of his shot glass. It’s a tradition for Johnny, who always likes to take a shot before a big stunt. In the old days, before he was possessed by a demon, he used to say it was to steady his nerves. Now, it’s become a tradition for him, one that he’s done for so long he doesn’t even think of how it all started.
Outside of his small trailer, he can hear the shouts of the crowd outside. He allows a smile to cross his face. He knows that the thrill of the crowd gives him just about as much of an adrenal rush as the jump itself””almost, but not quite. Ever since he learned how to ride a bike, he loved to test the limits, to try a new stunt. In the past couple of years, his stunts have gotten bigger, more dangerous. Some of his critics in the press have postulated that he has a death wish. Johnny laughs to himself at the thought. He knows he doesn’t have anything waiting for him there. He just wants to enjoy life to the fullest while he’s here. He’s never wanted to regret not doing something before he checks out for the last time. That’s the way he’s always lived his life, and he doesn’t see that changing any time soon.
“The crowd’s cheering for you, my boy,” Fenton Ellsworth says, looking down at Johnny, who is still seated at a circular table. Ellsworth is a middle-aged man, overweight and with gray hair. “But, I like your style. It’s good to keep them waiting for a while”¦keeps them more interested when the jump takes place.”
“Yeah,” Johnny responds, his thoughts distant.
“Johnny!” a voice calls out, as the trailer door opens and slams shut. When Johnny turns in his chair, he sees Roxanne storming over to him. Ellsworth takes a step back. He’s seen the fiery Roxanne before and knows it’s best to stay out of her way. “Have you lost your mind?!”
“Wow,” Johnny responds sarcastically, with an even tone, “never heard that one before.”
“Twenty-two cars?!” Roxanne exclaims loudly. “What are you trying to prove?”
“Maybe that it can be done,” Johnny returns, getting to his feet. “Good to see you too, Roxanne.”
“Come on, Johnny!” She exclaims, hands on her hips, as he turns to walk out the door. “22 cars?! Just like daddy!”
“It’s okay, Roxanne,” Johnny responds, with a smile, closing the door behind him, “I do this kind of thing all the time.”
Roxanne looks stunned. She turns to Ellsworth, who was leaning against a half-wall, drinking a bottle of cold beer. He shrugs his shoulders, and Roxanne shakes her head. She storms out the door after Johnny, slamming the door behind her. By the time she sees Johnny, he is on his motorcycle, revving up the engine, to the thrill of the cheering crowd. There are two towering ramps, separated by a valley of twenty-two mid-sized cars, stacked side-by-side.
Hercules stands near the entrance ramp, a beautiful woman, clad in a skimpy bikini, on each arm. “Go forward, Johnny!” Hercules offers. “‘Tis time for glory!” At his side is a very uncomfortable-looking Bill Foster, who at this moment would like very much to be in the lab at Champions Headquarters.
“Johnny, you fool,” Roxanne remarks, shaking her head. “You’ve always had something to prove. She rushes over to Johnny, who is making his last pass. He stops his bike long enough for her to come over to him. “Johnny!” she exclaims. “You don’t have to do this!”
“It’s a done deal, Roxanne,” Johnny returns. “The crowd’s waiting.”
“I guess there’s no talking you out of it then,” she says, resigned to the inevitable. Johnny shakes his head. She leans over, kissing Johnny on the lips. “Here”¦for good luck!”
“If that’s for luck, I can’t wait to see what I get when the jump’s finished!” Johnny comments, smiling. She merely looks over at him, shaking her head in mock disapproval, and waving him off.
Johnny makes his last pass down a lane leading to the entry ramp, as Roxanne watches with concern. He revs his engine one final time and increases his speed, approaching the ramp with ever-increasing velocity. Johnny’s bike races up the ramp, and high into the air, soaring over the first of the cars, as Roxanne and the on-lookers arch forward, taking in the sight of the daring jump.
At the small stoop outside the trailer, Ellsworth looks on with interest. “If he makes this jump, his fortune’s made as a stuntman!”
# # # # # # # # # #
INTERLUDE
♪ Theme Music: “You Ain’t Seen Nothin’ Yet” By Bachman-Turner Overdrive ♪
Colorado. The mountains are covered with a fresh covering of thick snow, which is precisely what brings Scott Summers and Jean Gray here. They stand at the top of the snow-covered peak, looking at each other. Both are dressed in heavy, water-resistant parkas, and their feet are attached to skis. The ski lift that dropped them off mere moments earlier makes its way back down the hill, to pick up additional skiers.
“Well, Jean, it looks like we’ve got the peak to ourselves,” Scott offers.
“Let’s make the most of it then, Scott,” Jean returns, leaning into Scott. The two embrace in a passionate kiss, oblivious for the moment to their environment.
“Wow!” Scott comments, with a sly smile. “Is it cold out here? I couldn’t notice.”
“More to come when we get back to our cabin, Scott,” Jean comments. “Which won’t be long. We’ve been skiing all day. This is our last trip down the hill. I’m about ready to head back to our room.”
“Sounds good to me, Jean,” Scott returns.
“Well,” she says, smiling seductively back at him. “Keep up with me, then!” So saying, she launches herself down the hill. Jean has been skiing for years, and her experience shows, as she winds her body down the hill, moving around trees and small underbrush with amazing skill.
Scott watches her for a moment, before he too launches himself down the hill. Jean looks back, watching him also make his way down the hill, and she moves ever faster, wanting to win this race.
As she continues down the hill, she narrowly avoids a small tree, curving herself around the tree, and ducking under a jutting limb, as she curves down the hill, the end in sight. As she passes on the other side of the tree, her eyes catch the sight of a bright red flash, which seems to shoot out across the sky. It catches her off-guard, and she loses her balance, falling from her patch, and tumbling down the hill for forty feet, before she can stop her descent near the bottom of the mountain.
Kneeling on the ground, she looks back to the path behind her. “That looked like Scott’s repulsor beam, but”¦” She looks around, trying to see if she can spot him, but there is no sign of him along the path that she took. “I don’t see him.”
Jean immediately becomes Phoenix, a flare of energy surrounding her. Her parka is replaced by her Phoenix costume, and she effortlessly takes to the air, rising high above the mountain to see if she can spot Scott from a higher position.
Feverishly, Jean flies over the area, looking for any traces of Scott, but she can find none. “I don’t understand it!” she exclaims. “I don’t see him. There’s no sign of his skis, his clothes”¦nothing. It’s like he”¦vanished!”
END OF INTERLUDE
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♪ Theme Music: “Seasons in the Sun” By Terry Jacks ♪
SHIELD Helicarrier, flying near Los Angeles, California. James Buchanan Barnes sits on an observation table, eyeing his new arm. Unlike the old Soviet arm, it looks like flesh and blood. He notes that it even has hairs (or some reasonable facsimile) growing along his new forearm. Behind Bucky, her hands on his shoulders, is Black Widow. Captain America and Dum Dum Dugan look on with interest.
“I appreciate the new arm, Fury,” Bucky comments, looking over at Nick Fury, who nods back in return. “The Soviets are efficient. The old arm was functional, but the Soviets didn’t care how the arm looked, as long as it did what they wanted it to do.”
“Yeah,” Dugan chimes in. “I’ve seen their cars. Boxes on wheels.”
“The eggheads say that the new arm produces the same heat as the rest of your body,” Fury responds.
“It’s warm to the touch,” Black Widow agrees, running her fingers down his new arm. Bucky’s responds to her touch.
“I can also feel things with this new arm,” Bucky comments. “It’s not just metal.”
“No, it has nerve-like sensors,” Fury explains. “Not sure how they work, but they say it can fool any sensory equipment we’re aware of”¦including checkpoints at airports and sophisticated scanning at high level government offices.”
“What did the doctors say, Nick?” Cap asks. “Did he check out okay?”
“Yeah, I was just lookin’ over that,” Fury responds, flipping through some pages on a clipboard. “It looks like he passed the physicals, and don’t show any ill effects from being put under so many times in Commieland.”
“That’s what I was concerned about,” Cap replies. “The men who replaced Bucky and myself for a brief time in the 50’s had ill effects from the suspended animation, and a different version of the Super Soldier Serum.”*
[*As told in Captain America #153-156.]
“Yeah, we’ve got them out of commission for a while,” Fury responds. “But, Bucky’s medical reports all came back fine.”
“Does that mean the docs are through poking and prodding me, Fury?” Bucky asks. Black Widow still has her hands on his shoulders, but looks at Fury, also eager for the answer to that question.
“Yeah, it looks like it, Barnes,” Fury returns. “We did a lot of bloodwork. We won’t have all of it back for a week or two, but for now, everything looks fine.”
“I don’t know what your plans are,” Captain America offers, “but you know you’re always welcome to stay at my place”¦or Avengers Mansion. You’re welcome to join. We’d love to have you.”
“I think he has other plans!” Black Widow chimes in. Bucky turns his head slightly, looking back in surprise at Natasha, who nods.
“I do?” he asks.
“We’ve got a place for him at Champions Headquarters,” Black Widow explains. “I’ve already talked to the others about it. We’re looking forward to him being one of our team.”
Cap looks surprised, but nods in understanding. “Well, that’s your choice, of course,” he says to Bucky. “I’ll support whatever you decide.”
“You’ve got a good team, Cap,” Bucky returns. “And I’d like the opportunity to fight with you again. I’m sure we will. But, for now, Natasha’s right. I’m going to stay in L.A. for a while and help out however I can.”
Bucky gets off the observation table, and shakes Cap’s hand. “Good to see you again, Steve.”
“Same here,” Cap returns. “You’ve got a lot of adjustment to do. Feel free to call me anytime I can help.”
“Thanks, Cap.” He then turns to Fury. “We’ve got to have a talk sometime about some of the cover stories you did for me, Fury. I know you had to be secretive, but saying my dad was a new recruit”¦?!”
“We couldn’t tell anyone he was in the OSS,” Fury responds defensively. “He was doing some very sensitive work when he and your mother were killed.”
“I know,” Bucky replies. “But I think enough time’s passed to give him proper recognition.”
Cap nods. “He was a good man, Bucky,” Cap comments. “I didn’t care for the cover story either. He’s buried at Arlington, though. And he received full military honors.”
“Don’t worry, Bucky,” Dum Dum remarks. “The record will get fixed. He worked with Nick’s dad, you know. He did OSS work, too, after his World War I flying days.”**
[**His World War I adventures were told in Sgt. Fury and His Howling Commandoes #76.]
“Yeah, and you know how the “˜official’ accounts get messed up,” Fury responds. “I even read one time that my father was supposed to have died in 1918.*** That was news to me!”
[***This was related in Strange Tales #159.]
“All right, Fury,” Bucky says with satisfaction. “One more question””how do we get down from this flying contraption?”
NEXT ISSUE: What happened to Scott Summers, and what’s this have to do with the Champions? Bucky adjusts to his new role in the group! All this and more in 1970’s Champions #10!
CABLES OF CHAMPIONS
Okay, this issue brings Bucky full-force into the 1970’s. The only question is: who will he be? As seen in this issue, Bucky will join the Champions, and assume a key position there. One of the questions I’ve been toying with has been what to call him. I’ve never known Bucky by any other name than Bucky (of course, his secret identity was known, but I mean as far as his heroic name).
One of the things I’ve done, to get the readers’ input, and to include y’all in the process, is to create a poll at the M2K message board. That poll is here:http://corywiegel.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=alternate&action=display&thread=943&page=1 . Feel free to vote in that poll and make your opinions known on that issue. You have to sign in/log in at the main board page, which is here: http://corywiegel.proboards.com/index.cgi .
In the months to come, we’ll have some more on Ares’ group. We’ll also have some very familiar 70’s characters pop up in the title, including more on a certain group of mutants, as you’ve probably guessed from this issue.
If there’s anything you’d like to see, drop me a line and let me know. And your letters are always welcome here if you’re interested.
Thanks for reading.
-Jeff Melton
Part I: Calm Before the Storm
WHAT HAS COME BEFORE: After the Champions traveled to the Soviet Union to free Bucky Barnes from the Soviets, they returned home only to battle the Avengers, sent at the urging of the U.S. government. The battle was halted by the appearance of Captain America and Nick Fury, who departed with Bucky and the Black Widow...
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♪ Theme Music: “Let’s Get it On” By Marvin Gaye ♪
Warren Worthington III lies on his back in his plush bed. His mattress is covered with silk sheets, which are strewn about around him. His headboard is stained oak, with solid gold trim. Above his headboard is a picture of his family, taken when he was still a child, nestled between his two parents. As he lies in bed, looking upward at the ceiling fan on his ceiling, he feels the beautiful woman stirring slightly. She has her head and upper body on his chest, and along his stomach, as she lies face down on him. A few strands of her red hair move along her face. Their bodies are both nude, but her lower body, just beneath her derrière is covered with sheets and bed covering.
He runs his hand along her smooth back, down to her derriere, as he recalls the pleasure of the night before. He feels refreshed, but he can start to feel the stirrings of hunger in his stomach, even as light comes in from the closed blinds covering the large windows along the walls of his bedroom. He closes his eyes, leaning back on his plush pillows, as he continues to run his hand along her smooth back and beneath the covers, enjoying the contours of her body.
With the beautiful guest in his bed, Warren reaches over to his nightstand, pushing a button to a speaker system. “Natalie?” he says softly, while trying not to move too much, for concern of waking her. “Can you bring breakfast to my room? Thanks. Yes, for two.”
Pushing the button again to turn off the speaker, Warren looks back down at Allison Blair, who looks back up at him, her head still against his chest. “Well, good morning,” she offers, moving her hand along his tight abs, as he smiles and nods in response. She rolls on top of him, moving up his body, as she kisses him passionately. Warren moves his hands along her body, as they continue their kiss with increasing passion, their bodies moving beneath the covers.
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♪ Theme Music: “Two Tickets to Paradise” By Eddie Money ♪
For the moment, let us give Angel and Dazzler a moment of privacy, and turn our attention elsewhere. Along the coastline of California, a few miles north of Los Angeles, a silver ‘76 Corvette t-top convertible hums to a stop off the lonely state road, pulling off onto a dirt corner, as the L82 engine shuts off. Bobby Drake looks over at the lovely Laynia Petrovna, who is wearing a bikini, a sarong tied around her waist, and a thin button-up shirt covering her bikini top.
“Why are we stopping here, Bobby?” she asks, pulling her hair back away from her face, even as a few strands linger along her eyes.
“I promised you I’d show you America, Laynia,” he explains, pulling against the door handle, and opening his door. He walks around the front of the car, and opens the door for her. Reaching out, he holds her hand, helping her out of the car. “And this is one of the nicest spots I could think to show you.”
“Don’t you think we have beaches in Russia, Bobby?” she asks with a smile, as they walk along a narrow sandy path, and through a fence, separating the path from the beach foliage around the fence.
“Yeah, but they’re frozen there,” Bobby returns her smile. “I think you’ll find this quite a bit different.”
The cool early morning breeze breaks the humidity permeating the air as the two stand against the shoreline, before walking closer to the wet shore. “It is quite a site, I must admit,” she comments softly, watching the waves beat against the damp sand, creating a foam that rises and falls against the coastline.
Bobby looks over at his companion, his eyes roaming along the curves of her body. “I agree,” he adds.
Laynia pulls off her shirt, tossing it onto the sand behind them. She slips out of her sandals, and tosses off her sarong. “The water looks too beautiful to not enjoy!” she says, smiling, as she takes a step towards the water.
Bobby looks surprised, grabbing her by the wrist. “Laynia!” Bobby says with some degree of excitement. “It’s winter!”
“Winter”¦” she responds with a smile, running her other hand along the back of Bobby’s hand, ““¦in California! The water temperature is much warmer than I’m used to!”
“Well, that’s probably true,” Bobby concedes, pulling the shirt off over his head. “It’s fine with me. I grew up in Florida, and I never got into the water in January! But, hey, I don’t think cold water will be a problem for me!”
The two rush into the water, as the water crashes against their ankles and feet. They ignore the sand sticking to their feet, which is quickly washed off by the water surrounding them. Bobby catches Laynia, holding her by the waist, as he turns her to face him, the water rising to just below their waists.
“I think I could get used to this!” Bobby offers, as the lovely Laynia leans into him.
“So could I!” she responds, as the two kiss, their bodies pressing against each other, even as the water crashes against their bodies.
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♪ Theme Music: “Highway Song” By Blackfoot ♪
Johnny Blaze throws his head back, taking a shot of Jack Daniels out of his shot glass. It’s a tradition for Johnny, who always likes to take a shot before a big stunt. In the old days, before he was possessed by a demon, he used to say it was to steady his nerves. Now, it’s become a tradition for him, one that he’s done for so long he doesn’t even think of how it all started.
Outside of his small trailer, he can hear the shouts of the crowd outside. He allows a smile to cross his face. He knows that the thrill of the crowd gives him just about as much of an adrenal rush as the jump itself””almost, but not quite. Ever since he learned how to ride a bike, he loved to test the limits, to try a new stunt. In the past couple of years, his stunts have gotten bigger, more dangerous. Some of his critics in the press have postulated that he has a death wish. Johnny laughs to himself at the thought. He knows he doesn’t have anything waiting for him there. He just wants to enjoy life to the fullest while he’s here. He’s never wanted to regret not doing something before he checks out for the last time. That’s the way he’s always lived his life, and he doesn’t see that changing any time soon.
“The crowd’s cheering for you, my boy,” Fenton Ellsworth says, looking down at Johnny, who is still seated at a circular table. Ellsworth is a middle-aged man, overweight and with gray hair. “But, I like your style. It’s good to keep them waiting for a while”¦keeps them more interested when the jump takes place.”
“Yeah,” Johnny responds, his thoughts distant.
“Johnny!” a voice calls out, as the trailer door opens and slams shut. When Johnny turns in his chair, he sees Roxanne storming over to him. Ellsworth takes a step back. He’s seen the fiery Roxanne before and knows it’s best to stay out of her way. “Have you lost your mind?!”
“Wow,” Johnny responds sarcastically, with an even tone, “never heard that one before.”
“Twenty-two cars?!” Roxanne exclaims loudly. “What are you trying to prove?”
“Maybe that it can be done,” Johnny returns, getting to his feet. “Good to see you too, Roxanne.”
“Come on, Johnny!” She exclaims, hands on her hips, as he turns to walk out the door. “22 cars?! Just like daddy!”
“It’s okay, Roxanne,” Johnny responds, with a smile, closing the door behind him, “I do this kind of thing all the time.”
Roxanne looks stunned. She turns to Ellsworth, who was leaning against a half-wall, drinking a bottle of cold beer. He shrugs his shoulders, and Roxanne shakes her head. She storms out the door after Johnny, slamming the door behind her. By the time she sees Johnny, he is on his motorcycle, revving up the engine, to the thrill of the cheering crowd. There are two towering ramps, separated by a valley of twenty-two mid-sized cars, stacked side-by-side.
Hercules stands near the entrance ramp, a beautiful woman, clad in a skimpy bikini, on each arm. “Go forward, Johnny!” Hercules offers. “‘Tis time for glory!” At his side is a very uncomfortable-looking Bill Foster, who at this moment would like very much to be in the lab at Champions Headquarters.
“Johnny, you fool,” Roxanne remarks, shaking her head. “You’ve always had something to prove. She rushes over to Johnny, who is making his last pass. He stops his bike long enough for her to come over to him. “Johnny!” she exclaims. “You don’t have to do this!”
“It’s a done deal, Roxanne,” Johnny returns. “The crowd’s waiting.”
“I guess there’s no talking you out of it then,” she says, resigned to the inevitable. Johnny shakes his head. She leans over, kissing Johnny on the lips. “Here”¦for good luck!”
“If that’s for luck, I can’t wait to see what I get when the jump’s finished!” Johnny comments, smiling. She merely looks over at him, shaking her head in mock disapproval, and waving him off.
Johnny makes his last pass down a lane leading to the entry ramp, as Roxanne watches with concern. He revs his engine one final time and increases his speed, approaching the ramp with ever-increasing velocity. Johnny’s bike races up the ramp, and high into the air, soaring over the first of the cars, as Roxanne and the on-lookers arch forward, taking in the sight of the daring jump.
At the small stoop outside the trailer, Ellsworth looks on with interest. “If he makes this jump, his fortune’s made as a stuntman!”
# # # # # # # # # #
INTERLUDE
♪ Theme Music: “You Ain’t Seen Nothin’ Yet” By Bachman-Turner Overdrive ♪
Colorado. The mountains are covered with a fresh covering of thick snow, which is precisely what brings Scott Summers and Jean Gray here. They stand at the top of the snow-covered peak, looking at each other. Both are dressed in heavy, water-resistant parkas, and their feet are attached to skis. The ski lift that dropped them off mere moments earlier makes its way back down the hill, to pick up additional skiers.
“Well, Jean, it looks like we’ve got the peak to ourselves,” Scott offers.
“Let’s make the most of it then, Scott,” Jean returns, leaning into Scott. The two embrace in a passionate kiss, oblivious for the moment to their environment.
“Wow!” Scott comments, with a sly smile. “Is it cold out here? I couldn’t notice.”
“More to come when we get back to our cabin, Scott,” Jean comments. “Which won’t be long. We’ve been skiing all day. This is our last trip down the hill. I’m about ready to head back to our room.”
“Sounds good to me, Jean,” Scott returns.
“Well,” she says, smiling seductively back at him. “Keep up with me, then!” So saying, she launches herself down the hill. Jean has been skiing for years, and her experience shows, as she winds her body down the hill, moving around trees and small underbrush with amazing skill.
Scott watches her for a moment, before he too launches himself down the hill. Jean looks back, watching him also make his way down the hill, and she moves ever faster, wanting to win this race.
As she continues down the hill, she narrowly avoids a small tree, curving herself around the tree, and ducking under a jutting limb, as she curves down the hill, the end in sight. As she passes on the other side of the tree, her eyes catch the sight of a bright red flash, which seems to shoot out across the sky. It catches her off-guard, and she loses her balance, falling from her patch, and tumbling down the hill for forty feet, before she can stop her descent near the bottom of the mountain.
Kneeling on the ground, she looks back to the path behind her. “That looked like Scott’s repulsor beam, but”¦” She looks around, trying to see if she can spot him, but there is no sign of him along the path that she took. “I don’t see him.”
Jean immediately becomes Phoenix, a flare of energy surrounding her. Her parka is replaced by her Phoenix costume, and she effortlessly takes to the air, rising high above the mountain to see if she can spot Scott from a higher position.
Feverishly, Jean flies over the area, looking for any traces of Scott, but she can find none. “I don’t understand it!” she exclaims. “I don’t see him. There’s no sign of his skis, his clothes”¦nothing. It’s like he”¦vanished!”
END OF INTERLUDE
# # # # # # # # # #
♪ Theme Music: “Seasons in the Sun” By Terry Jacks ♪
SHIELD Helicarrier, flying near Los Angeles, California. James Buchanan Barnes sits on an observation table, eyeing his new arm. Unlike the old Soviet arm, it looks like flesh and blood. He notes that it even has hairs (or some reasonable facsimile) growing along his new forearm. Behind Bucky, her hands on his shoulders, is Black Widow. Captain America and Dum Dum Dugan look on with interest.
“I appreciate the new arm, Fury,” Bucky comments, looking over at Nick Fury, who nods back in return. “The Soviets are efficient. The old arm was functional, but the Soviets didn’t care how the arm looked, as long as it did what they wanted it to do.”
“Yeah,” Dugan chimes in. “I’ve seen their cars. Boxes on wheels.”
“The eggheads say that the new arm produces the same heat as the rest of your body,” Fury responds.
“It’s warm to the touch,” Black Widow agrees, running her fingers down his new arm. Bucky’s responds to her touch.
“I can also feel things with this new arm,” Bucky comments. “It’s not just metal.”
“No, it has nerve-like sensors,” Fury explains. “Not sure how they work, but they say it can fool any sensory equipment we’re aware of”¦including checkpoints at airports and sophisticated scanning at high level government offices.”
“What did the doctors say, Nick?” Cap asks. “Did he check out okay?”
“Yeah, I was just lookin’ over that,” Fury responds, flipping through some pages on a clipboard. “It looks like he passed the physicals, and don’t show any ill effects from being put under so many times in Commieland.”
“That’s what I was concerned about,” Cap replies. “The men who replaced Bucky and myself for a brief time in the 50’s had ill effects from the suspended animation, and a different version of the Super Soldier Serum.”*
[*As told in Captain America #153-156.]
“Yeah, we’ve got them out of commission for a while,” Fury responds. “But, Bucky’s medical reports all came back fine.”
“Does that mean the docs are through poking and prodding me, Fury?” Bucky asks. Black Widow still has her hands on his shoulders, but looks at Fury, also eager for the answer to that question.
“Yeah, it looks like it, Barnes,” Fury returns. “We did a lot of bloodwork. We won’t have all of it back for a week or two, but for now, everything looks fine.”
“I don’t know what your plans are,” Captain America offers, “but you know you’re always welcome to stay at my place”¦or Avengers Mansion. You’re welcome to join. We’d love to have you.”
“I think he has other plans!” Black Widow chimes in. Bucky turns his head slightly, looking back in surprise at Natasha, who nods.
“I do?” he asks.
“We’ve got a place for him at Champions Headquarters,” Black Widow explains. “I’ve already talked to the others about it. We’re looking forward to him being one of our team.”
Cap looks surprised, but nods in understanding. “Well, that’s your choice, of course,” he says to Bucky. “I’ll support whatever you decide.”
“You’ve got a good team, Cap,” Bucky returns. “And I’d like the opportunity to fight with you again. I’m sure we will. But, for now, Natasha’s right. I’m going to stay in L.A. for a while and help out however I can.”
Bucky gets off the observation table, and shakes Cap’s hand. “Good to see you again, Steve.”
“Same here,” Cap returns. “You’ve got a lot of adjustment to do. Feel free to call me anytime I can help.”
“Thanks, Cap.” He then turns to Fury. “We’ve got to have a talk sometime about some of the cover stories you did for me, Fury. I know you had to be secretive, but saying my dad was a new recruit”¦?!”
“We couldn’t tell anyone he was in the OSS,” Fury responds defensively. “He was doing some very sensitive work when he and your mother were killed.”
“I know,” Bucky replies. “But I think enough time’s passed to give him proper recognition.”
Cap nods. “He was a good man, Bucky,” Cap comments. “I didn’t care for the cover story either. He’s buried at Arlington, though. And he received full military honors.”
“Don’t worry, Bucky,” Dum Dum remarks. “The record will get fixed. He worked with Nick’s dad, you know. He did OSS work, too, after his World War I flying days.”**
[**His World War I adventures were told in Sgt. Fury and His Howling Commandoes #76.]
“Yeah, and you know how the “˜official’ accounts get messed up,” Fury responds. “I even read one time that my father was supposed to have died in 1918.*** That was news to me!”
[***This was related in Strange Tales #159.]
“All right, Fury,” Bucky says with satisfaction. “One more question””how do we get down from this flying contraption?”
NEXT ISSUE: What happened to Scott Summers, and what’s this have to do with the Champions? Bucky adjusts to his new role in the group! All this and more in 1970’s Champions #10!
CABLES OF CHAMPIONS
Okay, this issue brings Bucky full-force into the 1970’s. The only question is: who will he be? As seen in this issue, Bucky will join the Champions, and assume a key position there. One of the questions I’ve been toying with has been what to call him. I’ve never known Bucky by any other name than Bucky (of course, his secret identity was known, but I mean as far as his heroic name).
One of the things I’ve done, to get the readers’ input, and to include y’all in the process, is to create a poll at the M2K message board. That poll is here:http://corywiegel.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=alternate&action=display&thread=943&page=1 . Feel free to vote in that poll and make your opinions known on that issue. You have to sign in/log in at the main board page, which is here: http://corywiegel.proboards.com/index.cgi .
In the months to come, we’ll have some more on Ares’ group. We’ll also have some very familiar 70’s characters pop up in the title, including more on a certain group of mutants, as you’ve probably guessed from this issue.
If there’s anything you’d like to see, drop me a line and let me know. And your letters are always welcome here if you’re interested.
Thanks for reading.
-Jeff Melton