Group X “Not
So Black and White”
(Front cover. We see Group X fighting a team of
mutants.)
Cap (N): The
Lines Blur!
(Page 1, panel 1. Group X headquarters,
Cap (N1):
When you wear an X, life is not all action and glamour.
Cap (N2): Sometimes, things slow down and you can catch your breath.
Cap (N3): But not very often.
Cap (N4): So when it does, savor it as much as you can.
(Panel 2. Starshot turns to the computer.)
Starshot:
Computer, report.
Computer: There is nothing requiring our assistance at this time.
(Panel 3. Starshot is frustrated.)
Starshot:
Computer, open my personal log.
Computer: Log open.
(Panel 4. Starshot sits up.)
Starshot:
Personal journal, update: It’s been about a year since I first joined Group X,
and in that time I’ve learned so much. I’ve made a lot of progress on the path,
and I’ve made some new friends. But there’s one thing that eludes me that I’ve
wanted all me life... real love. I didna ever see me parents, so I donna know
what it’s like to be in me mother’s arms. Sure, the people in the orphanage
took care of me, but I wonder what it would be like with a mother I could talk
to. Someone who understood what it was like to be me. Sure, Lecita’s nice, and
I can open up t’her... but it’s just not the same as having a mum.
(Panel 5. Starshot continues to talk.)
Starshot:
What I really want is someone to love... but in this lifestyle, that’s not
easy... sure, Lecita has David, and Simon has Kirsten... but I doubt there’s
anyone on the team f’r me. End personal journal update.
(Page 2, panel 1. Mindpath and Odora pass by the
doorway, with an arm around each other.)
Starshot:
*SIGH*...
(Panel 2. The computer sounds an alert.)
Computer:
Attention: about 5 mutants have broken into a warehouse on Ambassador Row in
Starshot: Analysis, computer.
(Panel 3. The computer responds.)
Computer:
Recommend team of Starshot, Lotus, Diving Owl, Mindpath and Odora.
Starshot: Have them meet in the teleportation room.
(Panel 4. We see Starshot enter the teleportation room
to find Mindpath and Odora there, wearing their uniforms.)
Mindpath:
How bad is it?
Starshot: Not that bad, brother.
(Panel 5. The others arrive.)
Lotus: Let’s
go.
(Page 3, panel 1. A warehouse on Ambassador Row,
Dallas. We see 5 mutants there taking boxes of stuff.)
Cap (N1):
The Brookhollow section of
Cap (N2): A lot of shady warehouses are here, and old buildings that are
for rent.
Cap (N3): It’s also one of the highest crime-ridden areas of
(Panel 2. Suddenly one of the boxes rises into the
air.)
Blacklyte:
What in the --?
Lash: It’s a ghost?
(Panel 3. The box flies towards them.)
Tracker: No
- it’s that superhero group! <
(Panel 4. The mutants dodge the boxes as Diving Owl,
Lotus, Starshot, Mindpath, and Odora enter.)
Lotus:: Give
the man a prize - an all expense paid trip to jail.
(Page 4, panel 1. The mutants stop what they were
doing, and attack Group X.)
Tracker: Get
them!
Lotus: The hard way it is then.
(Panel 2. Starshot, armed with her knife, kicks Lash.)
SFX: UHN!!!
Blacklyte’s thoughts: (Who is she?)
(Panel 3. Mindpath psi-blasts Blacklyte, sending him
down.)
Blacklyte:
AAARRRGGGHHH!!!
(Panel 4. Odora blows a gas on Tracker.)
Tracker: Not
so fast, Odora.
(Panel 5. Tracker dodges the gas just to be hit by Diving
Owl.)
SFX: POW!!!
(Page 5, panel 1. The mutants flee, except for
Blacklyte, who is down.)
Tracker:
They’re as good as they said they were! Run guys!
Lotus: Follow them! Don’t let them get away!
(Panel 2. The last mutant, Flashtime, throws up a
barrier of fire.)
Flashtime:
Not this time, Group X!
SFX: WHOOMPH!!!
(Panel 3. Odora blows carbon dioxide on the fire as
the emergency sprinklers come on.)
SFX: HISS!!!
Lotus: We’ve got one of them - let’s take him in for questioning.
(Panel 4. Go to see someone lurking in the rafters. We
cannot tell who it is because s/he is in the shadows.)
Cap (Figure):
So, Group X is good... he will not be pleased about this one.
(Page 6, panel 1. Group X headquarters, in the
detention area. Diving Owl sets Blacklyte on the bed in their detention area.
also around them are Lotus, Starshot, Mindpath, and Odora.)
Cap (N):
Shortly thereafter...
Lotus: What can you get from him, Simon?
(Panel 2. Mindpath faces Lotus.)
Mindpath:
Not much, Lecita. His name is Blacklyte, and he can control darkforce. He
joined the other thugs after a lifetime of small, petty thefts and the like to
move to the big time. Strange thing is, he seems not to want this kind of life.
Lotus: That’s what I sense as well. He doesn’t have that destructive
aura around him that most criminals do. Well, we’ll get him in the morning.
(Panel 3. Eagle exits the cell as laser bars come on.)
Eagle:
Computer, engage security measures.
SFX: ZRT!
(Panel 4. They go off.)
Cap (N1):
They leave him for a moment.
Cap (N2): Little knowing what will happen.
(Page 7, panel 1. The next morning. Starshot holds a
tray of food for Blacklyte as she enters the prison area. She is in a modest
dress.)
Starshot:
Breakfast time, Blacklyte.
(Panel 2. Starshot slides the tray into the prison
cell.)
Starshot:
And pretending yuir asleep is fooling nobody.
(Panel 3. Blacklyte stands up.)
Blacklyte: Why
keep me here?
Starshot: What?
(Panel 4. Blacklyte takes the tray.)
Blacklyte: You’ve
got a telepath - I’ve felt him scanning my mind. You know everything I do . So
why keep me here?
Starshot: You’ll find out soon enough.
(Panel 5. Exit Starshot.)
Cap (Bl1):
Damn that woman.
Cap (Bl2): Teasing me like that.
(Panel 6. Go back to Starshot, who meets up with
Mindpath and Odora.)
Odora: How
was it?
Starshot: Terrible. He was undressing me with his eyes all the time I
was there. I’m not sae sure he can be saved.
(Page 8, panel 1. Lotus enters.)
Lotus: Nobody
is beyond redemption, Sara... nobody.
Starshot: I donna know about this one, Lecita... he doesna seem right.
(Panel 2. Lotus approaches Starshot.)
Lotus:
That’s just because you’re seeing his downside without seeing the good he can
do... just let things flow. I’ll talk to him awhile.
(Panel 3. Lotus goes down to see Blacklyte finishing
breakfast.)
Cap (N): A
little later...
Lotus: Well, I hope breakfast wasn’t to bad for you...
Blacklyte: What do you want from me?
(Panel 4. Lotus smiles sinisterly.)
Lotus: A
change of heart would be nice, Blacklyte. I sense that you really aren’t the
kind to want to hurt others or steal things.
Blacklyte: Just kill me and be done with it.
(Panel 5. Lotus is deadpan.)
Lotus: We
never kill around here, Blacklyte... that’s the biggest difference between you
and I right now. It doesn’t have to be that way.
Blacklyte: So you want to explore my psyche and find out why I’m doing
this, don’t you?
(Panel 6. Lotus pulls up a chair, and sits.)
Lotus: Have
a seat. This should be good.
(Page 9, panel 1. Blacklyte sits on the bed.)
Blacklyte:
All my life I’ve been told that I’m no good - that I’d end up behind bars. They
were right.
Lotus: And if someone said otherwise... ?
(Panel 2. Blacklyte stares at Lotus.)
Blacklyte:
Nobody has said otherwise. I suppose you want to blame my behavior on a drunken
mother or abusive father - well, you aren’t going to find that here. All you’ll
find is someone who’s a nobody.
(Panel 3. Lotus leans forward in her chair.)
Lotus: I won’t
accept that because I know it’s not true. You are someone - you wouldn’t exist
if you weren’t. You know you have the power to do good in life, but you choose
not to do so.
Blacklyte: I ain't no good - and you know it. Just kill me and get this
over with.
(Panel 4. They continue to talk.)
Lotus:
You’ve got a great opportunity to turn your life around, Blacklyte. I’ve seen
into your past lives - you’ve been on a treadmill since day one. But you hold
the key to unlock the chains you throw onto yourself.... I’m here to get you to
use it.
Blacklyte: There ain't no key, woman! I’ve made my bed, now I’ve got to
lie in it.
(Panel 5. Lotus stands.)
Lotus:
Resisting me is futile. You know deep down I’m right.
(Page 10, panel 1. Go back out to see the other members
of Group X there.)
Eagle: So
how goes things?
Lotus: He’s going to be tough, but I think I can do things to him... get
him to change.
(Panel 2. Go back to the other mutants, Lash, Tracker,
et al. We see them sitting around a table.)
Cap (N):
Meanwhile....
Tracker: So do we go after Johnny or not?
Lash: In this war there are always bound to be casualties.
(Panel 3. Go back to Blacklyte. We see him talking to
the computer.)
Blacklyte:
Computer, what is the name of the redheaded woman of this team?
Computer: Her name is Starshot.
(Panel 4. Blacklyte continues.)
Blacklyte:
Tell me more about her.
Computer: Request security authorization before proceeding.
(Panel 5. Blacklyte is somewhat frustrated.)
Blacklyte: I
don’t have that. Tell me what you can without security authorization.
Computer: Her name is Starshot.
(Panel 6. Blacklyte sits back.)
Blacklyte: I
should have guessed...
(Page 11, panel 1. Enter Starshot with a tray of
food.)
Starshot:
What ye be wanting with me?
Blacklyte: You’re going to think it’s silly.
(Panel 2. Starshot gives Blacklyte the tray through
the bars.)
Starshot:
Try me.
Blacklyte: Well, there’s just something about you, Starshot.... I can’t
explain things, but I feel very attracted to you.
(Panel 3. Starshot grimaces.)
Starshot:
Yer gonnae have t’do a lot of work if you even want t’come close t’being me
lover... starting with listening t’Lecita.
(Panel 4. Exit Starshot.)
Cap (Bl1):
Do I love her?
Cap (Bl2): I can’t say at this point.
Cap (Bl3): But more importantly,
Cap (Bl4): If I do love her, will I be willing to do what it takes to
get her to love me?
(Panel 5. Blacklyte eats the meal.)
Cap (Bl1) I
have to think about this.
Cap (Bl2): What is it about her that fascinates me?
Cap (Bl3): Is it her eyes?
Cap (Bl4): Is it her hair?
Cap (Bl5): Is it her Irish Brogue?
Cap (Bl6): I wish I knew.
(Page 12, panel 1. Blacklyte finishes the meal as
Lotus enters.)
Blacklyte:
Back to torment me further already?
Lotus: You know why I’m really here. I know you can do good; you are
choosing not to do so.
(Panel 2. Blacklyte faces Lotus.)
Blacklyte:
All right, I’ll play your little game. If nothing else, it will while away the
time until you kill me.
Lotus: We’re not that way, Blacklyte. We do not kill unless we have no
alternative. And unlike your friends, we won’t abandon you when things get
rough.
(Panel 3. Go back to Tracker, Lash, et al. We see them
sitting in a bar, drinking.)
Cap (N1):
That afternoon, in a bar on
Cap (N2): Blacklyte’s former friends relax and drink.
Tracker: We’re going to get a good haul today, guys. I can feel it.
(Panel 4. The waitress serves them more drinks.)
Waitress: Is
there anything else I can get you?
(Panel 5. Lash strikes her bottom.)
Lash: How
about a night with me, babe?
SFX: WHAP!
(Panel 6. The waitress smiles sinisterly.)
Waitress:
You really want it, do you?
Lash: Yea... give it to me, babe.
(Page 13, panel 1. The waitress pulls out a gun, and
shoots Lash.)
Waitress:
You asked for it.
SFX: BLAM!
Tracker: What the --!?
(Panel 2. The waitress fires, killing the others
there.)
Waitress:
Justice is served!!
SFX: BLAM! BLAM! BLAM!!
(Panel 3. The gang falls, dead.)
Waitress:
That’s what you get for degrading women... and breaking the law.
(Panel 4. Go back to Blacklyte and Lotus. We see them
talking to each other.)
Blacklyte:
So you’re saying everyone has the power to do good?
Lotus: Oh yes... you choose whether or not you can do good or evil...
It’s all in your hands.
(Panel 5. Blacklyte stands.)
Blacklyte: I
want to do good.
(Panel 6. Lotus opens the prison cell.)
Lotus: Then
come with me.
(Page 14, panel 1. They enter the training room.)
Lotus: We’ll
see how well you can do in a battle situation here.
(Panel 2. Lotus pushes a button.)
Lotus:
Mindpath, Sonnos, Diving Owl report to the training room... wait. Add Starshot
to that list. Be in uniform.
(Panel 3. We see those mentioned earlier in the room,
wearing their uniforms. Lotus is in her uniform as well.)
Lotus:
Blacklyte says he’s going to join us here... let’s put that to the test to see
if he can fit in. Computer, run training program 4.
(Panel 4. The room springs to life with lasers,
rockets, falling blocks, and the like. The members of Group X defend
themselves.)
Lotus:
Remember to work as a team.
(Panel 5. Blacklyte opens a portal, engulfing a
targeting camera in darkforce.)
Blacklyte:
That should confuse it for a little.
(Panel 6. Blacklyte narrowly avoids getting hit with a projectile.)
Blacklyte:
Woah!
Starshot: This isna a picnic, Blacklyte! Ye got ta keep sharp here!
(Page 15, panel 1. Blacklyte opens a portal, and a
laser shot meant for Starshot enters it.)
Blacklyte: I
certainly will, Starshot.
(Panel 2. We see the others disarm many of the
pitfalls, traps, and weaponry.)
Lotus: We’re
doing good here. Keep it up, gang.
(Panel 3. Blacklyte opens a portal next to Diving Owl,
into which a projectile flies.)
Blacklyte: I
get it now.
(Panel 4. The room stops.)
Computer:
Program complete.
Lotus: Well, let’s see how well we did.
(Panel 5. We see that the members of Group X are
fine.)
Lotus: So,
Blacklyte, what do you think?
Cap (Bl): I think I’m in love.
Blacklyte: I can handle this.
(Panel 6. Lotus smiles.)
Lotus: Good
- because you’re on guard tonight.
(Page 16, panel 1. That evening. We see Blacklyte
looking over the computer.)
Blacklyte:
Computer, what is Starshot doing?
Computer: Starshot is sleeping.
(Panel 2. They continue to talk.)
Blacklyte: I’d like to see her.
(Panel 3. The screen shows Starshot sleeping in bed.)
Cap (Bl1):
She’s so beautiful...
Cap (Bl2): I find myself enraptured by merely looking at her, even when
she’s sleeping.
(Panel 4. Enter Lotus.)
Lotus: So,
how is night watch so far?
Blacklyte: It’s good... so far, it’s been pretty quiet.
(Panel 5. Lotus approaches Blacklyte.)
Blacklyte:
But I get the feeling that this isn’t the reason why you visited here and now.
Lotus: You’re starting to catch on very quickly, Blacklyte...
(Panel 6. Lotus sits near Blacklyte.)
Lotus: So
why are you looking over Starshot? She’s pretty safe in her bed now.
Blacklyte: I can’t explain it ....
(Panel 7. They continue to talk.)
Lotus:
Sounds like someone is falling in love here.
Blacklyte: All right, you got me there. But she’s not about to take me
into her arms and hold me close.
(Panel 8. They talk some more.)
Lotus: You
never can tell with her... I can tell you she’s been feeling without love for
awhile now. She’s not dating anyone at the moment.
Blacklyte: Really... so do you think I had a chance with her?
(Page 17, panel 1. Lotus is deadpan.)
Lotus: Right
now, definitely not. However, if you were to do a few things, change yourself a
bit... you might get closer to what she wants.
(Panel 2. Blacklyte is deadpan.)
Blacklyte:
I’ll do what it takes to be what she wants.
Lotus:That’s a mighty tall order, my friend...
(Panel 3. Starshot’s room. She sits in a corner,
meditating.)
Cap (S1): I
need answers, Divine One.
Cap (S2): Sure, he is cute, but I donna know about this.
Cap (S3): Should I love him?
Cap (S4): And if I love him, will it be cause enough to straighten him
out?
(Panel 4. Later. We see Blacklyte teleport into the
bar where his friends were killed, along with Lotus, Starshot, and Diving Owl.
They wear their uniforms. The place is deserted, and the four dead bodies are
slumped over where they died.)
Cap (N):
That afternoon...
Starshot: Woah! What’s that smell?
Blacklyte: Oh my God!!
(Panel 5. Blacklyte rushes over to Lash, and pulls him
up.)
Blacklyte:
Lash! Tracker! Talk to me!
Lotus: It’s too late, Blacklyte... they’re dead.
(Panel 6. Blacklyte drops Lash, who slumps over.)
Blacklyte:
I.... I could have been with them when they were killed....
Lotus: But you weren’t, and that’s what is important. They will go onto
other lives where they will have more chances to be straight. But you have
yours now, Blacklyte.
(Page 18, panel 1. Blacklyte turns to Lotus.)
Blacklyte:
We should call the authorities.
(Panel 2. Later. We see Lotus, Blacklyte, Diving Owl
and Starshot outside the bar, while four body bags are being taken away. They
talk to a policeman.)
Policeman:
So you only know them as Lash, Tracker, and Flashtime?
Blacklyte: They never told me their real names. It’s not something they
would readily give out.
(Panel 3. The policeman scratches his head.)
Policeman: I
see...
Blacklyte: (turns) Hey! Give that back!
(Panel 4. Blacklyte runs over to follow a
purse-snatcher running off with a purse.)
Blacklyte:
Give that back!
(Panel 5. Blacklyte tackles the man, sending him to
the ground.)
SFX:
POUNCE!!
Man: UHN!!!
(Panel 6. The others approach them as Blacklyte takes
the purse away from the man.)
Lotus: Good
job, Blacklyte.
Blacklyte: Thank you, Lotus. Now, who does this purse belong to?
(Page 19, panel 1. A woman comes forward. She has some
scrapes on her.)
Woman:
That’s.. mine...
(Panel 2. Blacklyte gives her the purse.)
Blacklyte:
There you go. Hopefully, nothing’s missing.
(Panel 3. The woman exits.)
Cap (S1): He
seems t’have reformed.
Cap (S2): Or is he doing it f’r a showing in my presence?
(Panel 4. Group X teleports out.)
Cap (N1):
They go off again.
Cap (N2): Ready to strike when the call goes out.
(Page 20, panel 1. Exercise room at Group X
headquarters. We see Starshot and Blacklyte there, in their uniforms still.)
Cap (N):Later,
after things have calmed down a bit, Starshot shows Blacklyte the exercise
room.
Starshot: When yuir one of us, ye have t’be in top shape, Blacklyte.
Blacklyte: Let’s not be so formal. My name’s Johnny Roark. Call me
Johnny.
(Panel 2. Starshot approaches a set of free weights.)
Blacklyte:
Well? Aren’t you going to tell me your real name?
Starshot: Ye can start on the exercise machine.
(Panel 3. Blacklyte is taken aback.)
Blacklyte:
Fine, then don’t tell it to me, Starshot. It’s not like it’s going to hurt
you.....
(Panel 4. Starshot picks up two 10-kg dumbbells.)
Starshot:
I’ll tell ye things when I’m good and ready.
Blacklyte: You know, everyone else seems to have accepted me into the
team but you... why?
(Panel 5. Starshot faces Blacklyte.)
Starshot:
Like I said, I’ll tell ye things when I’m good and ready.
(Page 20, panel 1. Blacklyte gets on the leg press,
and starts doing leg presses.)
Blacklyte:
All right... but you should consult with higher sources before you give me the
brush off.
Starshot: (apprehensive) What do ye know about higher sources?
(Panel 2. Starshot approaches Blacklyte, who adjusts
the weights on the leg press.)
Blacklyte:
At the moment, not much... but I am learning.
Starshot: So are ye learning it because it’s right... or because I
follow it?
(Panel 3. Blacklyte stops, lowering his defenses.)
Blacklyte:
All right, I admit originally I did... but I now see that the pathway is its
own reward. I may not be very far along it, but I can see that you’ve hit the
plateau - a point where you are unable to progress further alone. You’ll always
be more spiritual than me...
Starshot: I’ll have t’ think about it all. Right now, just work out.
(Panel 4. Starshot lifts the dumbbells, in a curl.)
Starshot: Ye
got t’ work out your body, mind and spirit, Johnny.
(Page 21, panel 1. That evening. We see Starshot
getting ready for bed. She wears a sexy nightgown as she pulls the sheets
back.)
Cap (N):
That evening...
Cap (S1): Why can’t I get Johnny out of me mind?
Cap (S2): Sure, he’s got a nice smile.
Cap (S3): Is he really Mr. Right,
Cap (S4): Or just Mr. Handy-at-the-moment?
(Panel 2. Starshot enters her bed.)
Cap (S1): I
wish I knew.
Cap (S2): Divine One, give me a sign.
(Panel 3. Starshot pulls the covers over her, and
drifts off to sleep.)
Cap (N): Ah,
to sleep, and perchance to dream...
(Panel 4. Fade to Starshot’s dream. We see her climbing
the Wall, the one that one must climb to reach the Chaste.)
Cap (S1):
What Am I doing here?
Cap (S2): I’ve got to get t’the top.
(Panel 5. She gets near the top, and sees a hand
reaching out to her.)
Cap (S1):
That’s someone I know helping me...
Cap (S2): But whom?
Cap (S3): Only one way to find out...
(Panel 6. She takes the hand.)
(Page 22, panel 1. Starshot is now at the top, and the
hand she holds is that of Blacklyte.)
Starshot:
Johnny...?
Blacklyte: Sara, you’ve got to be with me for awhile... let me touch
you, and you will be touched deeply.
(Panel 2. Blacklyte puts Starshot’s hand over his
heart.)
Blacklyte:
Feel the power of my heart - a power you woke up.
Starshot: All right, it does feel nice, Johnny...
(Panel 3. Blacklyte embraces Starshot.)
Starshot: I
canna believe I’m doing this.
Blacklyte: Let it flow, Sara. You’re holding back is not in accord with
your divine nature.
(Panel 4. Starshot returns Blacklyte’s embrace.)
Starshot:
I’ve never let love flow like this before... sure, I’ve had one or two
relationships before... but I never thought I could have a relationship that
could work out.... until now.
(Panel 5. Starshot wakes up to see Blacklyte serving
her breakfast in bed.)
Blacklyte:
Good morning , Starshot. I hope I didn’t wake you too early.
Starshot: Come here, ye big galloot...
(Panel 6. Blacklyte gets near to Starshot, who kisses
him.)
Starshot: I
love ye too, Johnny.
To be Continued