Group X "Bolted to a Wall."

(Front cover. We see the members of Group X fighting the Thunderbolts. They are in a canyon.)

Cap (N): Thunderbolts strike!

(Inside front cover. We see the usual blurbs for Diving Owl, Spyre, Sonnos, Bander, Odora and Dormira. Below that, we see the blurbs for Atlas, Mach-1, Songbird, Moonstone, and Jolt. Page 1, panel 1. Team X headquarters, Fort Worth. We see Lotus and Diving Owl sitting in their meditation room.)

Cap (N1): All is quiet and serene with Lotus and Diving Owl.
Cap (N2): They are at peace.
Cap (N3): Things will change, however ...

(Panel 2. They come out of their trances.)

Lotus: Thank you, David.
Eagle: It is my pleasure, Lecita. I do not like seeing you in pain like this.

(Panel 3. They stand up.)

Lotus (1): Well, it's all part of being a woman, David.
Eagle: I cannot claim to know what you're going through, but I can tell you that I am here for you.
Lotus (2): Misery loves company.

(Panel 4. Eagle puts an arm around her, which she returns.)

Cap (N): It's that time of the month for her, in case you haven't guessed.
Lotus: That time of the month has never really been good for me.
Eagle: I have never heard of a woman who liked this time for you.

(Page 2, panel 1. Briefing room. We see Dormira and Bander there. She is in her uniform; he is in a polo shirt and slacks.)

Bander: Dormira, we've got a call from TAMS* headquarters.
Cap (N): *Texas Armed Mutant Service, of which Dormira is the liaison to.
Dormira: I will take the call.

(Panel 2. Dormira faces the screen, which now shows Major Burt Sagro on it. Physically, he is about 60, white hair, brown eyes, and tanned white male.)

Dormira: This is Dormira.
Major: Dormira, we got us a problem here. The Thunderbolts have been sited in the area of Palo Duro Canyon. Ah need you to git down there and stop them.

(Panel 3. Dormira nods.)

Dormira: We will go there immediately, Major. Dormira out.

(Panel 3. Dormira pushes a button.)

Dormira: Lotus, we need everyone assembled.

(Panel 4. Enter Spyre and Sonnos.)

Sonnos: It was a good workout, amiga.
Spyre: We work good together, Esteban.

(Panel 5. Enter Diving Owl.)

Eagle: Lecita will not be on this mission. She is having some ... problems. Anyway, what's up?

(Page 3, panel 1. Dormira faces the team.)

Dormira: The Thunderbolts have been spotted in the area of Palo Duro Canyon. We need to stop them now.
Eagle: Then go. Esteban, you're in charge.
Sonnos: Aren't you coming too?

(Panel 2. Eagle is serious.)
Eagle: I have to stay with Lecita. She needs comforting now.

(Panel 3. Palo Duro Canyon, West Texas. We see Goliath, normal height, sitting on the canyon rim. He faces out to the canyon. He wears his uniform.)

Cap (N1): Palo Duro canyon.
Cap (N2): His real name is Erik Josten.

Cap (N3): But he uses another name as well.
Cap (N4): Atlas!
Cap (N5): He's a troubled man right now.

(Panel 4. Enter Jolt, wearing her uniform.)

Jolt: Atlas, what's wrong?
Atlas: I've been thinking, Jolt ... how long can we keep this up?

(Panel 4. Atlas faces Jolt.)

Atlas: We can't keep running forever. We've narrowly escaped brushes with capture several times now. I have a bad feeling our luck will run out soon.
Jolt: We're a team. We've been looking out for each other for awhile now. I know that we've had several close calls, but it's because we worked together that we're free.

(Panel 6. Jolt sits next to Atlas.)

Jolt: Look, we've got to stay together, or we'll get caught.

(Page 4, splash page. We see Spyre and Dormira enter. Leave room for credits here.)

Cap (N1): Looks like Atlas was right.
Cap (N2): But there's always a monkey wrench in things.
Spyre: Stop right there! We've got you surrounded!
Atlas (Turns): Oh $*|+!

(Page 5, panel 1. Dormira and Spyre advance on them. Dormira pushes her badge.)

Dormira: Comrades, we have found Atlas and Jolt. Home in on us.
Spyre: We know you two are. Y'all can surrender now, or we're gonna take you in.

(Panel 2. Atlas grows to 30 feet tall.)

Atlas: That is easier said than done!

(Panel 3. Spyre matches his height.)

Spyre: The name's Spyre ... and I can match you height fer height.
Atlas (surprised): Uh-oh.

(Panel 4. Atlas strikes Spyre, knocking her back slightly.)

Atlas: But can you match me strengthwise?

(Panel 3. Spyre strikes Atlas, sending him out of the panel.)

Spyre: Yep.

(Panel 4. Jolt runs, and Dormira goes after her.)

Dormira: Stop!

(Panel 5. Dormira fires a green ball at Jolt.)

Jolt's thoughts: (I hope I can outrun that ball.)

(Panel 6. The ball strikes Jolt in the back.)

SFX: CRACKLE!
Jolt: UHN!
Dormira: I can control how fast the ball travels, and where it goes. You could not have outrun me forever.

(Page 6, panel 1. Dormira picks up Jolt.)

Dormira: I will show you justice, comrade.
Spyre: Dormira, Don't!

(Panel 2. Enter the rest of Team X as Spyre restrains Atlas.)

Spyre: Talk! Where's the rest of your team!?
Atlas: Go to $#&*! I'll die before I rat!
Sonnos: Good work, everyone.

(Panel 3. Atlas shrinks in size, slipping from Spyre's grip.)

Spyre: What the --!? Atlas: I'm not going down that easy!

(Panel 4. Atlas runs into the woods. Panel 5. Atlas continues to run off, with the rest of Team X following him.)

Sonnos: Stop, gringo!

(Page 6, panel 1. Atlas runs into Moonstone and Mach-1. They too have their uniforms on.)

Moonstone: Atlas, what's wrong?
Atlas: We've got company, Moonstone!

(Panel 5. Enter Team X. Dormira carries Jolt with her.)

Moonstone: Jolt!
Bander: You should be worried about other things, Sofen!

(Panel 3. Bander strikes Moonstone with an adamantium fist.)

Moonstone: You! UHN!
SFX: WHAM!

(Panel 4. Songbird strikes Bander with a sonic bat. She has her sonic bird around her.)

Songbird: Leave her alone!

(Panel 4. Songbird's sonic bird suddenly vanishes.)

Songbird: What the --!?

(Panel 5. Songbird falls into the arms of Sonnos.)

Sonnos: For every sound, there is another sound that will cancel it out. It's just a matter of harmonizing to the right frequencies. Stalemate, señorita.

(Page 7, panel 1. Sonnos sets Songbird down, but keeps her hands behind her, in his hands.)

Sonnos: It's only a matter of time before we get your amigos too.

(Panel 2. We see Odora and Moonstone flying around each other.)

Moonstone: Stand still!
Odora: Right, like I'm going ta let ye hurt me.

(Panel 2. They continue their dogfight.)

Cap (O1): Swirling air currents.
Cap (O2): Makes it hard fer me ta get a good shot at her.

(Panel 3. Odora flies upward into the sun.)

Moonstone: Not so fast! I can fly too you know.

(Panel 4. Suddenly Odora appears just behind Moonstone.)

Odora: Say goodnight, lassie.

(Panel 5. Odora reaches around, covering Moonstone's nose and mouth, then blow a sleep gas from her hands.)

Moonstone: Sleep gas!
Cap (N): With nowhere to go but in Moonstone's lungs.

(Page 8, panel 1. We see MACH-1 flying around. Bander strikes his pack with an adamantium spike.)

SFX: CRACKLE!!
MACH-1: UHN!

(Panel 2. MACH-1 goes spinning out of control.)

Cap (MACH-1 1): He hit my stabilizers, I'm going down!
Cap (MACH-1 2): I've got to find a way to slow my descent.

(Panel 3. Odora and Bander catch MACH-1 in the air.)

Odora: Not so fast, Jimmy. Yer facing just like the others.

(Panel 3. We see that Team X has brought down the Thunderbolts.)

Sonnos: We've done the job, amigos. Let's bring them home.

(Panel 4. They each pick up a member of the Thunderbolts.)

Dormira: The major will like this.

(Page 9, panel 1. Team X headquarters, Fort Worth. We see the Thunderbolts behind bars. MACH-1 is without his battle armor, except for his helmet. On the other side, the members of Team X stand (as listed earlier) and now including Diving Owl.)

Cap (N1): Several hours later.
Cap (N2): Team X Headquarters, Fort Worth, Texas.
Cap (N3): And now, the Thunderbolts await their fate.
Atlas: So this is how it ends, hm? Taken off to jail and we never see each other again.
Jolt: It was fun while it lasted.

(Panel 2. Team X talks to the Thunderbolts.)

Odora: Why did ye do it?
Moonstone: Do what?

(Panel 3. They continue to talk.)

Odora: Each of ye were crims before, what made ye go straight fer awhile?
Moonstone: Well, that's a long and complicated story ...
Eagle: We have time.

(Panel 4. Focus on Meteorite's face.)

Moonstone: Originally We hoped that posing as poor superheroes, we could get government sponsorship, and then access to the top military secrets.

(Panel 5. Go back to a general perspective.)

Eagle: So what went wrong?
Atlas: A lot of things.
MACH-1: For me, it was people actually liking what I did.
Moonstone (1): We defeated the Wrecking Crew shortly after we were formed*, and suddenly everyone liked us ... it was a very intoxicating drug.
Moonstone (2): Being a psychiatrist, I could go on for hours about the addictive properties of fame.
Cap (N): *Thunderbolts #1.

(Page 10, panel 1. Exeunt all of Team X except for Diving Owl.)

Eagle: Everyone, I'd like to talk to them alone for awhile.
Sonnos: Lo comprendo, amigo.

(Panel 2. Eagle faces Jolt.)

Eagle: Now you, Jolt is it?
Jolt: What?

(Panel 3. Eagle and Jolt are face to face.)

Eagle: I sense no underlying evil tendencies in you. What made you get involved with them?
Jolt: Well, that's a complicated story.

(Panel 3. Jolt faces away from Eagle.)

Jolt: Things got tough for awhile, and I managed to keep them together. I only wanted to help others ... was that too much to ask?
Cap (N): Apparently so.

(Panel 4. Eagle is serious.)

Eagle (1): Interesting ... Well, we still have to turn you over to the authorities. However, if we had some kind of guarantee that you were going to stay on the straight and narrow, we might be able to cut a deal for you.
Eagle (2): After all, the Vault is overflowing as is ...

(Panel 5. Eagle exits.)

Eagle: I will let you think about it for awhile.

(Page 11, panel 1. We see Dormira contacting Major Sagro.)

Cap (N): Meanwhile ...
Major: This is Major Sagro.
Dormira: We have the Thunderbolts, major.

(Panel 2. Sagro is interested, and shows it.)

Major: Keep them there, Dormira. We'll get them back here.
Dormira: They are not going anywhere.

(Panel 2. The screen goes blank.)
Cap (D): I hope they get here quickly.

(Panel 3. Go back to the Thunderbolts. We see them in their separate prison cells.)

Jolt: Hey, we couldn't run from the law forever.
Moonstone: But what's sad is that we were beaten so badly when we were caught.

(Panel 4. Moonstone sits on the floor.)

Jolt: Hey, we'll find a way out of this.

(Panel 5. Reenter Eagle.)

Eagle: I am curious about something here. Why have you made no attempts to escape?
Jolt: When you're caught, you're caught. Something around here is suppressing my superpowers.

(Panel 6. Moonstone faces Eagle.)

Moonstone: Well, the inevitable has happened. It's only a matter of time until we're taken to the Vault and left to rot forever. Since we can't get out of this, we're stuck here.
Voice (From off panel): And that is where you belong.

(Page 12, panel 1. Dormira enters.)

Eagle: What are you doing here, Dormira?
Dormira: I have come to save you from yourself. Do not talk to them anymore.

(Panel 2. Eagle is steadfast, resisting Dormira's command.)

Eagle: This is an opportunity to study the minds of criminals who go good - I don't want to waste it.
Dormira: They are prisoners, comrade. They belong to the state, and until the state arrives, we should not talk to them.

(Panel 3. Eagle approaches Dormira.)

Eagle: Sorry, Dormira. I am not about to let this opportunity slip by.

(Panel 4. Enter Lotus, who is noticeably in pain.)

Lotus (annoyed): What are you two arguing about?
Dormira: He is doing something he should not do.
Eagle: This is a rare opportunity to study criminals who go straight - it might lead to a way for all criminals to reform.

(Panel 5. Dormira faces Eagle.)

Dormira: Nyet! Criminals never reform!
Lotus (still annoyed): You're making a mountain out of a molehill, Dormira. Let him talk to them.

(Panel 6. Dormira stares Lotus in the eye, with a very cold look.)

Dormira: This is state business. You must leave by my authority in the state government.
Lotus: Well, be that way then. Come on, David. I need some more loving.

(Page 13, panel 1. Exit Lotus and Eagle.)

MACH-1: I don't suppose our opinion matters in this, hm?
Dormira (Turns): Be silent, criminal.

(Panel 2. Go over to Sonnos. We see him reading the bio-scans of the Thunderbolts. Spyre and Bander are with him.)

Bander: Levels of Thycerium hydrothiogermanate HCL are slightly above normal in them, Esteban.
Sonnos: Gracias, amigo.

(Panel 3. Bander faces Sonnos.)

Bander: What does that mean?
Sonnos: They're scared of facing justice. After what they did, I don't blame them for being scared in the least.

(Panel 4. Briefing room. We see Dormira and Eagle there.)

Eagle: There must be some semblance of order, Dormira. I will not tolerate this flaunting of my authority here. We agreed that as long as Lecita was incapacitated, I would be in charge.
Dormira: I do not question your authority. I answer to someone higher, comrade.

(Panel 5. Eagle narrows his eyes.)

Eagle (1): I'm going back down there and talk to them - with or without your approval.
Eagle (2): And if need be, over your unconscious body.

(Page 14, panel 1. Dormira strikes Eagle, knocking him into the controls.)

Dormira: NYET!!
SFX: POW!!

(Panel 2. Eagle stands, looking at Dormira coldly.)

Eagle: Team X members, report to the briefing room at once.

(Panel 3. Eagle moves to the table.)

Eagle: We are going to decide whether or not to kick Dormira out of the team.
Dormira: You cannot do that!

(Panel 4. Dormira and Eagle go toe to toe with each other.)

SFX: WOK! WOK!

(Panel 5. Eagle and Dormira continue to fight as Sonnos and Bander enter.)

Sonnos: Santa Maria!
Bander: What's going on here?
Dormira: Stay out of this!

(Page 15, panel 1. Bander puts metallic handcuffs on Dormira, stopping her from hitting Eagle.)

SFX: THWIPP!
Dormira: HEY!

(Panel 2. Dormira faces Bander.)

Dormira: Take this off at once!
Bander: Not until we get to the bottom of this. Now, why were you attacking him, Dormira?

(Panel 3. Dormira approaches Bander.)

Dormira: He was flouting the authority, comrade.

(Panel 4. Enter Spyre and Odora.)

Spyre: What's goin' on?
Sonnos: Dormira attacked David.
Dormira: Let me go! He was violating a direct order from the government!

(Panel 5. Eagle is pragmatic.)

Eagle: Everyone, sit.

(Panel 6. They sit at the table.)

Eagle: This is not the first time Dormira has chosen to disregard the order we have established.
Bander: Let's get the facts, first. Show me where they told you that we shouldn't talk to them.

(Page 16, panel 1. Dormira is frustrated.)

Dormira: You have to ask?
Bander: Yes.

(Panel 2. Dormira stands.)

Dormira: Take these off of me at once!
Odora: So ye weren't told that.

(Panel 3. Eagle is deadpan, facing the other members of Team X.)

Eagle: It is with much regret that I have to do this. I must bring to the floor this issue: Dormira is out of control, and often goes against the team's goals. Do we kick her out of the team?

(Panel 4. Dormira stares daggers at Eagle.)

Dormira: I am the state liaison to the team. You cannot kick me out. I will not stand for this kangaroo court.
Sonnos: Nobody is irreplaceable, Dormira. Even me.
Bander: We should contact your boss at TAMS.
Odora: Aye.

(Panel 5. Dormira turns to the computer.)

Dormira: Computer, contact the Major. Code Dormira 32 Rho.
Voice (from off panel): There's no need for that, Dormira.

(Panel 6. Team X turns to see Major Sagro and two other TAMS agents there.)

Major: Jest what's goin' on here?
Bander: Your liaison attacked one of us.
Dormira: They were making contact with the prisoners.

(Page 17, panel 1. Eagle stands.)

Eagle: We were studying them to get into their minds, find out what was going on.

(Panel 2. Major Sagro is serious.)

Major: We'll overlook that. Jest git us the Thunderbolts.
Eagle: We wish to be at their trial.

(Panel 3. The members of Team X stand.)

Major: That's not up to us to decide, but we'll put in a word for you.

(Panel 4. Eagle and the others approach the members of TAMS.)

Eagle: We'll take you to them at once.

(Page 18, panel 1. Go back down to the Thunderbolts. We see the TAMS enter, and look them over.)

Major: Well, y'all have caused a lot of trouble here, Thunderbolts.
Moonstone: Just get this over with.

(Panel 2. The doors open, and then Atlas, Songbird, Jolt, and Moonstone get a glowing bracelet on their wrists.)

Eagle: I see a potential for reform in you. Contact us when you are on trial, and we will help.
Moonstone: Right.

(Panel 3. The Thunderbolts are lead out of the place.)

Sonnos: Well, there they go.
Dormira: Good riddance.

(Panel 4. Eagle faces Dormira.)

Eagle: I cannot believe how callous you are. What happened to you that made you so uncaring about others?
Dormira: That is classified.

(Panel 5. Dormira exits.)

Spyre: It's like gettin' blood from a stone, talkin' to her.
Eagle: She cannot keep things dammed up forever. The waters will overflow ... and heaven help us if she goes off the deep end.

(Page 19, panel 1. Two days later. Sonnos is having a birthday party. We see the dining area dressed up, with a banner that reads "Feliz cumpleaños Esteban" on it. There are several presents in the room. Members of Team X [Lotus, Eagle, Starshot, Spyre, Odora, and Mindpath] are there.)

Eagle: Is everyone ready?

(Panel 2. Enter the Vazquezes, namely Dominica, Sonnos' sister. She is a comely young Hispanic woman, about 13. With her is Eduardo Vazquez, Sonnos' uncle. He is in his mid to late 30's, and is a Hispanic male.)

Eduardo: Well, my Esteban turns 15 today.
Eagle: Yes, now, he should be coming in at any moment now.

(Panel 3. Enter Sonnos.)

All but Sonnos: Feliz cumpleaños, Esteban!
Sonnos: Santa Maria!

(Panel 4. Sonnos is lead to the head of the table.)

Eduardo: Mi primo, it is good to see you have done well.
Sonnos: Tio Eduardo? It is good to see you again.

(Panel 5. Eduardo shakes hands with Sonnos.)

Eduardo: I am very proud of you, mi primo.
Dominica: [You've really been hard to keep up with, mi hermano.*]
Sonnos: Dominica?
Cap (N): *Translated from the original Spanish.

(Page 20, panel 1. Sonnos faces Dominica.)
Sonnos: [Mi hermana, it is good to see you as well.] Dominica: [Si, mi hermano. I hope you are not too busy today. The news is always filled with stories about you.]
Sonnos: [I always have time for family.]

(Panel 2. Bander and Aura bring in a large cake which reads "Feliz Cumpleaños Esteban" on it. There are two candles on it, which are in the shape of 15. Sonnos is touched by this.)

Sonnos: You are the best amigos un hombre could have.

(Panel 3. Sonnos blows out the candles.)

Sonnos (1): I may not have lived as long as some of you have, but in my life I have had a full, rich experience. I wouldn't trade anyone here for anything.
Sonnos (2): I just wish mi amor could be here.

(Panel 4. Jubilee comes out of nowhere, from behind Sonnos. She puts her hands over his eyes.)

Jubilee (in a heart shaped word balloon): Guess who?

(Panel 5. Sonnos perks up.)

Sonnos: You thought of everything. I'm glad to have amigos like you.
Eagle: Well, Jubilation can never resist a good party.

(Page 21, panel 1. Sonnos faces Jubilee, and they put their arms around each other.)

Jubilee: Well, it's time for the birthday kiss.
Sonnos: And there's nobody else I would want to give it to me.

(Panel 2. Sonnos and Jubilee kiss. Panel 3. They part.)

Jubilee: I hope you have a totally wonderful birthday, Esteban.
Sonnos: With everyone here, it's already wonderful.
Eagle: Come, we have presents and cake to give out.

(Panel 3. Later. Sonnos and Jubilee are in the garden, by themselves.)

Jubilee: Everything's been a major drag over at the Academy, Esteban. I'm totally glad to get another chance to see you. There's so much I want to tell you.

(Panel 4. They stop by a rose bush in bloom.)

Jubilee: But I like don't want to get you down - after all, it's your birthday.
Sonnos: Mi amor, we should enjoy what little time we have together.

(Panel 5. Sonnos and Jubilee kiss.)

Jubilee: And this is the best way to do it.

--End--