Group X “Not
So Black and White, Part II”
(Front cover. We see Starshot and Blacklyte holding hands, staring
into each other’s eyes. They wear their uniforms.)
Cap (N):
Love for Starshot?
(Page 1, panel 1. We see
Starshot and Blacklyte kissing. She is in her bed, wearing a nightgown, and he
is over her, wearing a nice shirt and slacks. Next to Starshot on a nightstand
is a breakfast on a tray.)
Cap (N1):
Sometimes love strikes in the oddest of combinations.
Cap (N2): Case in point: Starshot and Blacklyte.
Cap (N3): This time last week he was planning
to go on a bank heist.
Cap (N4): And she was fighting aliens.
Cap (N5): Fate brought them together.
(Panel 2. They part lips.)
Blacklyte:
Wow... never have I had a kiss even close to that.
Starshot: I havena either, love... see, it does pay t’be good.
(Panel 3. Blacklyte sets the breakfast tray over Starshot’s
lap.)
Blacklyte:
Come, have some breakfast, Starshot.
Starshot: Call me Sara, Johnny.
(Panel 4. Blacklyte smiles.)
Blacklyte: Sara... that’s such a beautiful name... just like the
woman who has it.
Starshot: (blushes slightly) Oh, stop it, love...
(Panel 5. Later. Starshot is now
wearing a nice dress, and Blacklyte has left the room.)
Cap (N1): After
breakfast in bed, a shower, makeup, and a change of clothing,
Cap (N2): Starshot is ready to face the day.
Starshot: All right, ye can come back now.
(Page 2, panel 1. Blacklyte
reenters, and smiles.)
Blacklyte:
(1)My, you look wonderful, Sara.
Blacklyte: (2) Then again, you’d look great in a suit of armor.
Starshot: Flatterer. Come on,
let’s go f’r a walk.
(Panel 2. They go off arm in arm.)
Blacklyte:
I’m so glad I have a chance to be your lover.... I feel like the luckiest man
on earth.
Starshot: We’ve still got a lot of work t’do to
make it work... and that involves time, patience, and a lot of energy.
(Panel 3. The two of them run into Lotus, who is wearing a
blouse and pants.)
Lotus: So, we’ve got love here, hmm?
Blacklyte: You were right, Lecita. There is good in me. And with your help, I’ve seen the light.
Starshot: Now we get t’ have the reward of being in love the right way,
something I’m teaching him...
(Panel 4. Lotus smiles.)
Lotus: Well,
the Divine One does get his power from love... so
enjoy yourselves.
Blacklyte: Thank you, Lecita.
(Panel 5. Exit Starshot and Blacklyte.)
Cap (L1): I
hope you know what your doing with this one.
Cap (L2): Looks like he’s idolizing her for her looks and she’s thinking
she can reform him.
Cap (L3): A formula for disaster.
(Page 3, panel 1. Go back to
Starshot and Blacklyte. They walk out of the building, towards the street arm
in arm.)
Starshot:
Well love, now that we’re together, I have something serous t’ask ye...
Blacklyte: What is it?
(Panel 2. Starshot is serious.)
Starshot:
What is it that attracted you t’me?
Blacklyte:
That’s a good question... I’d have to say your aura. Something about your
presence puts my mind at ease, Sara... I can’t explain it all.
(Panel 3. Blacklyte thinks.)
Blacklyte:
If I had to point to one thing, I’d say it was your aura.
Starshot: Good. Yuir not basing yuir f’r me on
something superficial like looks.
(Panel 4. Blacklyte smiles.)
Blacklyte:
I’ve moved beyond that, Sara. My life is like a new, blank slate to write on...
and you’re holding the pen when it comes to love.
(Page 4, panel 1. Blacklyte
is serious.)
Blacklyte:
So what has love been like for you?
Starshot: That’s a good question, love....
(Panel 2. Starshot thinks.)
Starshot:
I’ve had one or two relationships before... but they always left me flat.
(Panel 3. Starshot gets close to Blacklyte.)
Starshot:
But I’ve learned from them, and I’ve learned not t’bring in my emotional
baggage from my last relationship. I know it’s gonnae
take time, Johnny.
Blacklyte: We have all the time in the world, Sara....
Voice (from off panel): AAAHHH!!!
(Panel 4. Starshot grimaces at Blacklyte:)
Starshot: Ye
just had t’open yuir big mouth, didna ye?
Blacklyte: Oh, like I could have foreseen that... come on.
(Page 5, panel 1. They round
a corner to see two people being mugged by Smoke and
Vomit Retchquist.)
Starshot: Ye again.
(Panel 2. Smoke and Vomit turn to see Starshot and Blacklyte
there.)
Smoke: Well,
you just have to show up again, Starshot... so who’s the loser?
Blacklyte: The name’s Blacklyte... and as for being a loser.... have you taken a look at the geek standing next to you?
(Panel 3. Vomit approaches Blacklyte.)
Vomit: Who are you calling a geek, bozo?
Blacklyte: You, or apparently I haven’t made it obvious enough.
(Panel 4. Vomit swings, Blacklyte ducks,
and the potential victims flee.)
SFX: Swish!!
(Panel 5. Smoke turns the air around Blacklyte into Smoke.)
Blacklyte:
*Cough!*
(Panel 6. Starshot strikes Smoke with a fist to the jaw.)
SFX: WHOK!
(Page 6, panel 1. Blacklyte
emerges from the smoke to see Vomit coming after him.)
Blacklyte:
*COUGH!* Man, that was horrible.
(Panel 2. Blacklyte constructs a wall of darkforce, which Vomit
hits.)
SFX: WHAM!!
(Panel 3. Starshot connects with a foot to Smoke’s stomach.)
SFX: POW!!
(Panel 4. Dazed, Vomit pulls back.)
Vomit: We got to get out of here, Smoke!
(Panel 5. He pushes a button, and he and Smoke vanish.)
SFX: Phift.
Blacklyte: They knew you, Sara. Who were they?
Starshot: The lad was Vomit Retchquist, and she was Smoke. They’re from
the Army... they’ve been a pain in our sides f’r awhile now, love.
(Panel 6. The two of them approach each other.)
Blacklyte:
Are you all right?
Starshot: Aye. It would take
a lot more t’ hurt me, love.
(Page 7, panel 1. Blacklyte puts an arm around
Starshot.)
Blacklyte: I
wouldn’t have you any other way. Now, I believe we were on a walk,
and exploring each other’s feelings...
Starshot: Aye...
(Panel 2. She turns his arm, and both of them smile.)
Starshot: I
have the feeling this is the start of something wonderful.
(Panel 3. They go off together.)
Blacklyte: Definitely.
(Panel 4. Go back to Lotus. We see her sitting in the briefing
room, wearing a nice dress. She is relaxing.)
Cap (N): The calm before the storm.
(Page 8, panel 1. Enter a
young man, wearing a t-shirt, tennis shoes and blue jeans. His shirt reads
“Mojo Nixon and the Toadliquors tour de
Reg: (Young man) Yo, Lecita.
(Panel 2. Reg waves his hand in front of Lotus’ face.)
Reg: Home
girl, what’s up?
(Panel 3. Reg shakes his head.)
Reg: Out in la-la land again, hm?
(Panel 4. Exit Reg.)
Reg: (from
off panel) Yo, Eagle man, yer ball and chain’s out in la-la land and it’s time
for my session.
(Panel 5. Enter Diving Owl.)
Eagle: Lecita?
(Panel 6. He touches her shoulder.)
Eagle: We
need you back here.
Lotus: Huh? Oh - sorry David.
Wandered a little too far astrally.
(Page 9, panel 1. Eagle exits
as Reg enters.)
Reg: Yo,
how’s it hanging?
Lotus: Have a seat, Reg.
(Panel 2. We now see Lotus with a young woman, who is pregnant.
She wears an old, faded dress with about 4-5 patches on it.)
Woman: I
don’t want to get pregnant all the time.
Lotus: Make him use contraception.
(Panel 3. The woman turns.)
Woman: He
won’t use it - ever.
Lotus: Then don’t make love to him.
(Panel 4. The woman faces Lotus with fight in her eyes.)
Woman: Are
you kidding? He’s 6’3” and 300 lbs. of muscle. I’d have better luck pushing
down the barn with a feather.
Lotus: It’s your body. Eventually too many kids will put too much of a
strain on your relationship. You have to take the lead and stop now. After the
kid is born, get your tubes tied, or make him get a vasectomy.
(Panel 5. The woman turns away.)
Woman: Any
time I mention anything about not having more kids, he gets all mad and changes
the subject.
Lotus: If he’s not willing to respect your feelings, then perhaps it’s
time to find another lover.
(Page 10, panel 1. Go back to Starshot and Blacklyte. They are in the
meditation room together, meditating.)
Cap (N1):
Now they quietly repose together.
Cap (N2): Meditation is always good for the soul.
(Panel 2. Go to their vision. We see them in a vacant lot, in a
suburban neighborhood. The place has several weeds here and there.)
Blacklyte:
Well, let’s go see what these weeds are that need
pulling, hmm?
(Panel 3. Blacklyte pulls out a weed.)
Blacklyte:
Ah, this one’s a real hornet’s nest.
Starshot: Then put it back.
(Panel 4. Blacklyte approaches Starshot.)
Blacklyte:
Sara, that’s what this weed is about - I feel like you’re the woman I want by
my side when I get old and gray, but you haven’t decided whether you want me by
your side at that age either.
Starshot: I know, love, but I like t’keep the future open f’r me. It’s
just me nature t’be careful.
(Panel 5. The weed vanishes.)
Blacklyte: All right.
I know women are indoctrinated to be very careful about who they choose as a
mate, especially if they’re beautiful...
Starshot: I donna know whether t’be offended or
flattered by that.
(Page 11, panel 1. Go back to Scourge. She is wearing
the standard uniform and is outside an office.)
Cap (N):
Meanwhile...
Scourge: Kxe3fsm.
(Panel 2. The door opens, and then Scourge enters the
place.)
Scourge:
Voice: (from off panel) Not quite.
(Panel 3. Scourge turns to see another member of scourge there
as well, in his uniform.)
Female Scourge:
What do you mean? I shout all of them.
Male Scourge: One lives.
(Panel 4. He shows her today’s newspaper, which has a photo of
Group X, with Blacklyte in it. The headline reads:
“Who is the new member of Group X?”)
Female Scourge:
That’s Group X, 1047. They are on our side.
Male Scourge: Not their new member. He is a wolf
in sheep’s clothing. He must be killed.
(Panel 5. The Female Scourge nods.)
Female Scourge:
I understand.
Male Scourge: Remember the penalty for failure, 11025.
(Page 12, panel 1. Back with Starshot and Blacklyte.
We see them holding each other close.)
Cap (N): We
return to Group X...
Starshot: I canna say what it’s like t’kiss here... but you’ve got me wanting to find out.
(Panel 2. They kiss.)
Cap (N): And
they find out firsthand how it is.
(Panel 3. They part lips.)
Blacklyte: Wow...
intense....
Starshot: I haven’t had a kiss that good ever, love.
(Panel 4. Go back to the circle. Starshot and Blacklyte come
out of their trances.)
Blacklyte:
You just keep getting better and better, Sara.
Starshot: Aye... so de ye.
(Panel 5. They stand.)
Blacklyte:
Well, it’s dinnertime.
Starshot: Then let’s go t’dinner.
(Page 13, panel 1. Go back to the female Scourge. She is now in a nice
dress, standing in front of Group X headquarters.)
Cap (S1):
Where else can I go?
Cap (S2): Perhaps they can come up with a solution.
(Panel 2. She enters the place to see Spyre sitting at her
desk, talking on the telephone.)
Spyre: (1)
Wellp, y’all take care of yourselves.
Spyre: (2) May I hep you?
(Panel 3. Spyre hangs up the phone.)
Scourge: I am
in trouble, and I need your help.
Spyre: Jest what’s wrong?
(Panel 4. The woman is serious.)
11025: Well,
the powers that be have ordered me to kill one of your
members. If I don’t , I get killed then someone else
gets the assignment.
(Page 14, panel 1. They continue to talk.)
Spyre: Which
one is it?
11025: Blacklyte.
(Panel 2. Lotus enters.)
Lotus: You...
(Panel 3. 11025 faces Lotus.)
11025: I
don’t know what to do anymore...
Lotus:You’re
looking at some serious jail time.
(Panel 4. The woman runs.)
11025: Never!
(Panel 5. Lotus goes after her, but Spyre stops Lotus.)
Spyre:
Lecita, she didn’t want to kill him.
Lotus: None the less, she’s done several
murders already - and she has to pay for it.
(Page 15, panel 1. we see 11205 by herself, getting
into her car.)
Cap (woman1):
So much for that approach.
Cap (woman2): Now I’m gonna pack my bags for
(Panel 2. She turns the key to start her car. Panel 3. The car explodes, creating a large fireball and
blowing out the windows and the doors.)
SFX: WHOOM!!!!!!
(Panel 3. The members of Group X enter, with Spyre. The car
burns wildly, in a large fireball.)
Spyre: Oh mah Gawd!
Lotus: Vicki, call 911.Everyone else, let’s try to contain this fire.
(Panel 4. Lotus shifts into her spirit form, and enters the
blaze. Sonnos tries to make a wall of sound to cover the blaze up, and smother
it. Spyre exits.)
Sonnos: This
could take awhile, amigos.
(Panel 5. Inside the car. As fire
burns all around her, Lotus looks things over.)
Cap (L1):
She’s dead.
Cap (L2): Nobody could survive this.
Cap (L3): I should leave now.
(Panel 6. Lotus exits the car.)
Lotus: She’s
dead. Burnt to a cinder.
(Page 16, panel 1. Lotus is deadpan.)
Lotus: We’re
going to visit that address... now.
(Panel 2. Go to the place of Scourge. There is a knock at the
door.)
Man: Password?
Voice (from off panel): Rmp3xq8.
(Panel 3. The man opens the door to see Lotus dressed as
Scourge. She also holds a box in her hands.)
Man: Report, 11025.
(Panel 4. Lotus opens the box to show Blacklyte’s head in it.)
Lotus:
(disguising her voice) Sorry I couldn’t bring the rest of it to you... but it
was so messed up and I didn’t have a pair of tweezers handy...
Man: Well done, 11025. We will give you
the next assignment tomorrow.
(Panel 5. Exit Lotus.)
Cap (Man 1):
I don’t buy that for a minute.
Cap (Man 2): It didn’t seem right.
Cap (Man 3): I’m taking charge of this one myself.
Cap (Man 4): Although I don’t see why Group X is protecting him.
Cap (Man 5): And I know 11025 is dead.
(Page 17, panel 1. Back with Lotus. We see her
teleporting into Group X headquarters with the box.)
Cap (N): And
back at Group X headquarters....
(Panel 2. Lotus lets go of Blacklyte, who turns solid. His head
is out of the box now.)
Blacklyte: Curious experience, using your spirit shifting
powers.
Lotus: Well, it doesn’t work for everyone, just those who want to follow
the truth.
(Panel 3. Enter Starshot, whom Blacklyte approaches.)
Blacklyte: Ah, Sara.
It’s good to see you again.
Starshot: Aye...
(Panel 4. The two embrace.)
Blacklyte: I
hope I have erased as much of my criminal career as possible. I don’t want
anything to take me away from you, darling.
Starshot: Well, I donna want t’leave you
either, love.
(Page 18, panel 1. The two of them go off by themselves.)
Blacklyte:
Now I hope nothing will keep us apart.
Starshot: Aye...
(Panel 2. The two embrace, and kiss.)
Cap (N1):
Enjoy the pleasure.
Cap (N2): Because when you wear an X,
Cap (N3): It’s mostly pain.
(Panel 3. Briefing room. Lotus and Diving
Owl are getting assignments from the computer for the night.)
Lotus: Well,
looks like we’ve got more time on Harry Hines and
(Panel 4. Lotus pushes a button.)
Lotus: Gang,
we’ve got patrol tonight.
(Page 19, panel 1. We see Lotus, Starshot, Odora and Spyre out on Harry
Hines, dressed in sleazy clothing. Blacklyte is nearby, dressed as a pimp.)
Cap (N1):
Later...
Cap (N2): Group X goes out.
Cap (N3): The ladies here get to catch
panderers on Harry Hines.
Blacklyte: Well, here we go...
(Panel 2. They look around the place.)
Blacklyte: I
must say, I never thought I’d be doing this.
Starshot: Johnny, you’re who you are... in a way.
(Panel 3. Blacklyte rolls his eyes.)
Blacklyte:
Gee.... typecast as the pimp.
Lotus: Cut it! We’ve got potential customers.
(Panel 4. A plain blue car stops in front of them. There is a
man in the shadows.)
Man: Say, what’s going on here?
Blacklyte: What do you want?
(Panel 5. Blacklyte approaches the man.)
Man: I need
a little... entertainment tonight.
Blacklyte: I see.
(Panel 6. The man pulls out a gun.)
Man: It’s
time for you to die, Blacklyte!
Blacklyte: What the --!?
(Page 20, panel 1. The man shoots an exploding bullet into Blacklyte’s
chest. The ladies rush to him.)
SFX: BLAM!!
Starshot: Blacklyte!!!
(Panel 2. Blacklyte falls to the ground, blood gushing out of
him. Starshot throws a knife, striking a tire of the car. The man exits the car
to show he is Scourge.)
Man: Justice
is served!!
Lotus: Scourge!! You murdering lunatic!! We are trying to reform him!!
(Panel 3. Scourge vanishes, teleporting out.)
Scourage:
There is only one way to reform a thief... death!!
(Panel 4. Starshot grabs Blacklyte.)
Starshot: Computer, medical emergency! Teleport to the infirmary now!
(Panel 5. Starshot and Blacklyte disappear.)
Odora: Will
he make it?
Lotus: I pray he will...
(Page 21, panel 1. Infirmary. Blacklyte lies on
a bed, with Starshot standing over him. Sonnos is nearby.)
Starshot: He
was shot, Esteban.
(Panel 2. Sonnos scans Blacklyte.)
Sonnos: lo siento, amiga. The bullet exploded in him, and turned his insides
out.
(Panel 3. The two of them stare solemnly at Blacklyte.)
Sonnos: He
died instantly.
Starshot: I want t’be alone for awhile.
(Panel 4. Exit Starshot.)
(Page 22, panel 1. Outside Group X headquarters.
We see the team gathered around a memorial with the name “Johnny Roark, alias
Blacklyte” on it. Starshot is singing.)
Cap (N1):
Two days later.
Cap (N2): It is the funeral for Blacklyte.
Starshot: Where are the legs with which you run,
ha-roo, ha-roo,
Where are they legs with which you run, ha-roo, ha-roo
Where are the legs with which you run, when first you went to carry a
gun?
Indeed your dancin’ days are done
Johnny I hardly knew ye.
(Panel
2.
Starshot sings some more.)
Starshot: Where are the
hands f’r me t’hold, ha-roo, ha-roo
Where are the hands f’r me t’hold, ha-roo ha-roo
Where are the hands f’r me t’hold, ye traded it all and grown real cold
And now you’ll never live t’get old
Johnny I hardly knew ye.
(Panel
3.
Starshot continues to sing.)
Starshot: For you haven’t an
arm you haven’t a leg, ha-roo, ha-roo
You haven’t an arm you haven’t a leg, ha-roo, ha-roo
You haven’t an arm you haven’t an leg, you’re
an eyeless noseless chickenless egg
You’d have to be
put in a bowl to beg
Johnny I hardly knew ye.
(Panel
4.
Starshot continues to sing some more.)
Starshot: But I’m happy for
to see you home, ha-roo, ha-roo
I’m happy for to see you home, ha-roo, ha-roo
I’m happy for to see you home, all from the
So low in the flesh, so high in the bone
Johnny I hardly knew ye.
(Panel
5.
Starshot finishes her song.)
Starshot: With your drums
and guns and guns and drums ha-roo, ha-roo
With your drums and guns and guns and drums ha-roo, ha-roo
With your drums and guns and guns and drums the enemy went and slew you,
My darling dear you look so queer
Johnny I hardly knew ye.
(Panel 6. They stand in silence.)
Cap (N1):
These are the original words to “When Johnny Comes Marching Home.”
Cap (N2): A song changed for a world that glorified war.
Cap (N3) The world knows differently now.
Cap (N4): Johnny, we hardly knew ye.
(Panel 7. They continue to observe the silence.)
--End--