PANEL 1
PLATINUM PRIESTESS
BAH! THE MEN WHO ATTEMPTED THE GREY WORKING WERE NOTHING LIKE ME!
PANEL 2
CAPTION
“THEY WERE CHILDREN, GRASPING AFTER POWER THEY COULDN’T EVEN BEGIN TO UNDERSTAND.”
“IF I HAD KNOWN WHAT THEY WERE PLANNING, I WOULD HAVE KILLED THEM ALL!”
PANEL 3
PLATINUM PRIESTESS
WE’VE BEEN CAREFUL. AND I KNOW EXACTLY WHAT I’M DOING.
ANNIHILATOR
SO YOU SAY.
PANEL 4
ANNIHILATOR
I’M NOT A FOOL, SIRCEA. I KNOW WHAT I AM.
I’M A CRIMINAL. I’VE DONE MANY RECKLESS THINGS FOR WEALTH AND POWER. MORE THAN A FEW PEOPLE HAVE GOTTEN HURT.
PANEL 5
ANNIHILATOR
AND I HAVE BEEN CALLED A “SUPER-VILLAIN” FOR MOST OF MY LIFE.
A SLY BIT OF GOVERNMENT MARKETING TOO RIDICULOUS TO EVER TAKE SERIOUSLY…
PANEL 6
ANNIHILATOR
BUT TONIGHT I AM DECIDING THE FATE OF MILLIONS, NO, BILLIONS OF PEOPLE.
YES, I CAN ARGUE THAT AT LEAST SOME OF THEM WILL BENEFIT AS WELL FROM OUR ACTIONS HERE. BUT YOU CANNOT DENY THE FACT THAT WE ARE LITERALLY CREATING A HELL ON EARTH.
PANEL 1
PLATINUM PRIESTESS
YOU HAVE EXECUTED YOUR PLAN FLAWLESSLY.
I EXPECTED PRIDE.
ANNIHILATOR
AND A GREAT DEAL INDEED HAS BEEN WRITTEN ABOUT THE FRUITS OF PRIDE.
PANEL 2
ANNIHILATOR
I HAVE QUITE LITERALLY MADE A DEAL WITH THE DEVIL.
THERE ARE A NUMBER OF WAYS THIS COULD GO VERY WRONG.
PANEL 3
PLATINUM PRIESTESS
NO. WE’VE MADE AN ARRANGEMENT WITH A SPIRITUAL POWER. ONE THAT TOOKS MONTHS FOR ME TO HAMMER OUT THROUGH INTERMEDIARIES, ONE THAT HE CANNOT BREAK AND THAT WILL, ALONG WITH ALLOWING US A FEW FRINGE BENEFITS, ULTIMATELY PROVIDE A SOLUTION TO A RATHER DIRE THREAT.
PANEL 4
PLATINUM PRIESTESS
WE’RE USING A DEVIL. NOT SERVING IT.
AS I HAVE ASSURED YOU, WELL-TROD GROUND, WALKED BY MANY WHO ARE NOW REVERED AS SAINTS.
ANNIHILATOR
AND, AS IT HAPPENS, GROUND ALSO TROD BY MAGIC-USERS LIKE YOURSELF WHICH CREATED THE DAMAGE IN THE FIRST PLACE.
PANEL 1
CAPTION
MEANWHILE…
PANEL 2
PLATINUM PRIESTESS
DUNCAN, DARLING…
YOU’RE BROODING…
PANEL 3
PLATINUM PRIESTESS
PENNY FOR YOUR SECOND THOUGHTS?
PANEL 4
ANNIHILATOR
IT’S BEEN MY LONG BELIEF THE ENDS ALWAYS JUSTIFY THE MEANS…
PLATINUM PRIESTESS
BUT NOW, YOU’RE NOT SO SURE?
PANEL 5
PLATINUM PRIESTESS
YOU’VE CHOSEN A DANGEROUS MOMENT TO LOSE FOCUS, MY DEAR.
ONE FALSE STEP TONIGHT AND WE’LL BOTH BE DEAD.
PANEL 1
COMMANDER
THEN IT’S SETTLED.
PANEL 2
COMMANDER
LOOK. WE’RE NOT GOING TO FIGHT. WE’RE GOING TO FIND THESE BASTARDS AND CALL DOWN UNCLE SAM’S ALL-MIGHTY FURY BEFORE THEY EVEN BEGIN THIS THING.
BUT IF IT COMES TO A FIGHT, I’M GOING TO NEED ALL OF YOU.
PANEL 3
MS, COMMANDER.
COMMANDER
OBVIOUSLY, I’M NOT GOING TO ORDER YOU TO DO IT. THIS ISN’T SOMETHING I CAN ORDER YOU TO DO.
BUT I MIGHT NEED TO ASK. SO, IF I DO, ARE YOU ALL UP FOR THIS?
PANEL 4
FLUKE
WELL, YOU KNOW I AM.
KYLE
JUST TELL ME WHAT YOU NEED ME TO DO AND I’LL DO IT.
PANEL 5
FLYBOY
ME, TOO.
PANEL 6
TSUNAMI
I ALREADY SAID I WAS IN.
LET’S JUST HOPE SPOOKS IS ACTUALLY AS GOOD AS HE THINKS HE IS AND WE GET THERE AHEAD OF TIME.
PANEL 7
SPOOKY JONES
WELL, I’VE JUST NARROWED DOWN THEIR RITUAL SPACE TO THREE POTENTIAL LOCATIONS WHICH IS AS GOOD AS IT’S GOING TO GET WITHOUT A VISUAL INSPECTION.
PANEL 8
COMMANDER
ALL RIGHT THEN. GIVE FLYBOY THE COORDINATES FOR THE FIRST LOCATION AND LET’S HOPE WE REALLY DO HAVE SOME LUCK ON OUR SIDE.
PANEL 1
SPOOKY JONES
THE PLATINUM PRIESTESS AND THE ANNIHILATOR ARE VERY DANGEROUS. THEY’VE MADE A PACT WITH ONE OF THE MOST POWERFUL DEMON KINGS IN EXISTENCE. AND THEY’VE BEEN PLANNING THIS RITUAL FOR YEARS.
PANEL 2
SPOOKY JONES
ORDINARILY, I’D SAY OUR TEAM WOULDN’T HAVE ANY REAL CHANCE OF STOPPING THIS THING.
PANEL 3
SPOOKY JONES
BUT NOW WE HAVE SOMETHING THEY DON’T. SOMETHING THAT I THINK COULD MAKE ALL THE DIFFERENCE IN THE WORLD.
TSUNAMI
AND WHAT’S THAT?
PANEL 4
SPOOKY JONES
WE HAVE OUR VERY OWN PRINCE OF HELL.
PANEL 5
SPOOKY JONES
AND IN MY PROFESSIONAL OPINION, IF ANYTHING’S GOING TO EVEN THE ODDS DOWN THERE, IT’LL BE KYLE.
PANEL 1
COMMANDER
“READY” IS A LUXURY IN REAL COMBAT.
THEY’RE READY ENOUGH TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE AND THAT’S WHAT MATTERS.
PANEL 2
COMMANDER
AS I SAID, I ALWAYS APPRECIATE YOUR INPUT. BUT WHO IS CHOSEN TO PARTICIPATE IN OUR MISSIONS IS NOT YOUR DECISION. IT’S MINE.
AND IN THIS CASE, IT’S FINAL.
PANEL 3
COMMANDER
AS FOR KYLE, THERE ARE ONLY TWO PEOPLE ON THIS BOAT WHO CAN ANSWER WHETHER HE’D BE A LIABILITY DOWN THERE–AND THAT’S KYLE AND SPOOKY. KYLE SAYS HE’S UP FOR THIS.
PANEL 4
KYLE
I WON’T LET YOU DOWN, GUYS. I KNOW I WON’T.
PANEL 5
COMMANDER
SO THAT LEAVES SPOOKY, WHO AS YOU WELL KNOW, HAPPENS TO BE THE WORLD’S FOREMOST EXPERT ON DEMONS AND MAGIC.
OR AT LEAST THE ONLY SANE ONE.
PANEL 6
COMMANDER
SPOOKS, IF WE NEED TO BE THE ONES TO STOP THIS RITUAL, COULD KYLE’S PRESENCE HURT US?
PANEL 1
COMMANDER
I CUT YOU ALL A LOT OF SLACK WHEN IT COMES TO DISCIPLINE, BUT WHETHER WE GET DIRECTLY IN THIS FIGHT OR JUST POINT THE CAVALRY IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION, THIS ISN’T A TRAINING EXERCISE OR FIRST-RESPONDER SUPPORT.
THIS IS A MAJOR LEAGUE CRISIS AND, AS OF RIGHT NOW, WE’RE THE ONLY ONES WHO HAVE ANY CHANCE OF STOPPING IT.
PANEL 2
COMMANDER
ALL THIS NONSENSE ENDS RIGHT NOW.
PANEL 3
COMMANDER
GORDON, KYLE ISN’T JUST A FRIEND, HE’S YOUR TEAMMATE, WHO HAS SAVED ALL OUR LIVES, MANY TIMES OVER.
AND, WHILE I APPRECIATE YOUR INPUT, IF THIS COMES TO A FIGHT, I’M GOING TO NEED EVERY RESOURCE I HAVE. AND THAT WILL ALMOST CERTAINLY INCLUDE FLUKE AND MITCH.
PANEL 4
TSUNAMI
BUT… YOU CAN’T MEAN THAT! THEY’RE JUST KIDS! WE’RE THEIR LEGAL GUARDIANS! WE’RE SUPPOSED TO-
PANEL 5
COMMANDER
WE’RE SUPPOSED TO LOOK OUT FOR THEIR BEST INTERESTS. AND IF IT COMES TO A FIGHT, IT MEANS OUR TEAM IS THE ONLY THING STANDING BETWEEN THE ANNIHILATOR AND A LITERAL HELL ON EARTH.
PANEL 6
COMMANDER
AS I SAID, I WILL CONSIDER DIRECT ENGAGEMENT ONLY AS A LAST RESORT, BUT IF WE WERE TO FAIL, MITCH AND FLUKE WOULD VERY LIKELY WIND UP DEAD SOON AFTER. OR AT LEAST WISH THEY WERE.
AND WE WILL NEED THEM IF WE ARE GOING TO HAVE ANY CHANCE IN A FIGHT.
PANEL 7
TSUNAMI
EVEN IF THEY ARE NOWHERE NEAR READY FOR THAT.
PANEL 1
FLUKE
LIKE HOW ABOUT MAYBE YOU FINDING OUT THAT KYLE’S ACTUALLY INTO GUYS?
YOU HAVEN’T EXACTLY MADE IT A SECRET YOU DON’T LIKE THE GAYS.
PANEL 2
TSUNAMI
SCREW YOU, PAUL! I MIGHT NOT BE THRILLED HE DECIDED TO SHARE HIS SEX LIFE WITH THE YOUNGEST MEMBER OF OUR TEAM, WHO’S BARELY FIFTEEN, BUT I PERSONALLY DON’T GIVE A DAMN ABOUT WHO ANY OF YOU MESS AROUND WITH DURING YOUR OFF-HOURS!
PANEL 3
FLYBOY
GORDON, C’MON, THAT’S NOT-!
PANEL 4
PANEL 5
SPOOKY JONES
FOCUS, MITCH…
FLYBOY
GOD DAMN IT!
PANEL 6
TSUNAMI
ALL I CARE ABOUT IS YOUR SAFETY AND THE SUCCESS OF THE MISSION AND IN THAT ORDER, THANK YOU VERY MUCH!
KYLE HAS LIED TO US, HE’S BEEN HANGING OUT WITH THE GUY RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL THIS FOR GOD KNOWS HOW LONG AND HE’S AT LEAST HALF-DEMON!
I DON’T GIVE A DAMN HOW CLOSE YOU TWO ARE, ALL THAT MATTERS TO ME IS THE SAFETY OF THE TEAM! SO DON’T THINK FOR ONE SECOND THAT YOU CAN JUST CALL ME A-!
PANEL 7
COMMANDER
ENOUGH!
PANEL 1
KYLE
YEAH. I’VE THOUGHT OF THAT.
AND I DON’T BLAME YOU FOR WANTING TO BE CAUTIOUS…
FLUKE
YOU DON’T BLAME HIM?!
PANEL 2
FLUKE
GORDON, IF THIS IS REALLY ABOUT THE DEMON THING, SPOOKY’S ALREADY GIVEN KYLE A PASS ABOUT WHO HIS REAL FATHER IS!
PANEL 3
FLUKE
YOU DON’T THINK HE’S GOING TO MAKE THINGS WORSE DOWN THERE, IS HE, SPOOKS?
SPOOKY JONES
NOPE.
AND WE’RE DOWN TO SIX POTENTIAL LOCATIONS.
PANEL 4
SPOOKY JONES
HEAD TO ABOUT 10:30, MITCH. AND RAISE US ANOTHER 3000 FEET.
PANEL 5
FLYBOY
YEAH. O.K.
PANEL 6
FLUKE
THANK YOU, SPOOKY.
RIGHT. SO WITH ALL THIS BULL ABOUT KYLE NOT BEING “HONEST,” LOOK ME IN THE EYE AND TELL ME THIS ISN’T REALLY ABOUT SOMETHING ELSE.
PANEL 7
TSUNAMI
SOMETHING ELSE? LIKE WHAT?
PANEL 1
TSUNAMI
IT MEANS THAT WE’VE JUST FOUND OUT THAT KYLE HASN’T EXACTLY BEEN HONEST WITH US FOR A LONG TIME, THAT THERE’S A LOT OF THINGS WE’VE JUST FOUND OUT ABOUT KYLE THAT WE NEVER KNEW ABOUT, AND IF THIS COMES TO A FIGHT, THE FEWER UNKNOWN VARIABLES, THE BETTER!
PANEL 2
FLUKE
UNKNOWN VARIABLES? JESUS, GORDON! THIS IS KYLE!
SPOOKY JONES
DOWN TO NINE, GUYS…
PANEL 3
TSUNAMI
I KNOW. AND I KNOW YOU TWO ARE TIGHT.
LOOK, I’M SORRY. I DON’T MEAN TO BE A JERK HERE. I LIKE KYLE JUST AS MUCH AS EVERYONE ELSE.
PANEL 4
TSUNAMI
BUT DID YOU KNOW ANY OF THIS ABOUT HIM, PAUL?
DID YOU, SPOOKS?
SPOOKY JONES
NO.
DOWN TO SEVEN…
PANEL 5
TSUNAMI
KYLE, THERE WERE THINGS YOU SAY YOU DIDN’T EVEN KNOW ABOUT YOURSELF THAT YOU JUST FOUND OUT ABOUT! CAN YOU BLAME US FOR WANTING TO BE CAUTIOUS?
MAYBE THEY EVEN NEED YOU THERE FOR THIS SPELL. HAVE YOU THOUGHT OF THAT?