X-O

Note : Certain lines of dialogue in the final two scenes are borrowed from the X-O Manowar / Iron Man Preview. They are included here only to accurately depict the scenes as they originally appeared. I make no claims to ownership to most of the dialogue in the final two scenes, though the descriptions and internal monologues are entirely mine.

X-O Manowar hovered in the air, oblivious to the various news helicopters which circled at a distance, like vultures sensing fresh meat. Bekhara was scanning the city below, searching for any sign, no matter how slight, of Alloy's presence. Where could he be, Good Skin? The part of him that is still Shanhara should register on your scanners... Unless Gamin was mistaken somehow. Could Crescendo have returned and faked the resurrection of Alloy for some reason? No... There would be no point. Damn Solar and his magicks! Nothing good ever comes of them! After a moment's reflection, Aric shook his head. That's not quite true. He did do me one favor for which I'm eternally grateful....

The brief crackle of static in his helmet was followed by Gamin's voice. It was warm and reassuring, making Aric's unease begin to pass. He had to admit that it was good to love again, though the pain of losing both Diedre and Randy Cartier still made him ache sometimes. "Aric, you're all over the news. You wanna come on down?"

"And what if they get a good picture of your face? The last thing we need is for CNN to show up at Orb wanting to know when you're going to market that spacesuit of yours. Besides, both Samantha and that Winthrop guy have figured out your connection to the xo suit, we don't need anyone else to do that."

X-O dove downwards quickly, streaking through the city streets and back-alleys until he was confident he'd lost all surveillance. Spotting his limo parked ahead, he set his feet gently on the ground. The sentient armor peeled back from his flesh, revealing a broad-shouldered blond man encased in a three-piece suit. His long hair flowed about his shoulders like a lion's mane.

Gamin, reclining against the side of the limo, wrapped her arms around his neck. She wore her skintight jumpsuit, an ankh necklance around her neck. She'd picked it up recently, following her own return to life*. "The bad guy got away, huh?"

Aric pressed her against him. "For now. But Paul won't be able to stay away for long. His need for vengeance is too great."

Ken Clarkson's prissy voice rang out from inside the limo. "Great news, Aric! Our stocks are up again. God, I wish I were really flesh and blood... I'd celebrate like nobody's business!"

Aric opened the door for Gamin, casting a glance at 'Holo-Ken.' Revived as a sentient hologram, he'd insisted on coming with them, claiming that his new existence was enormously boring. "You can celebrate anyway -- and this time you won't get sick all over the backseat."

Ken rolled his eyes, "You're all heart, Big Guy. All heart." He moved aside to let the two of them seat themselves. "We still going to the big shindig, since we're here anyway?"

"Because Drucila Morris isn't just running for re-election. She's setting up a Presidential run. This gal might be our first lady president, as soon as 2004."

Ken frowned, but never got to reply. Gamin took the liberty herself. "Because Ken thinks you might be able to buy your way into her good graces with a few campaign donations. Then you can call in a favor or two later on and land a government contract."

Aric glanced out the window. The news helicopters were still flying about, hoping to see another glimpse of the mysterous armored man. Perhaps Alloy would see Aric on the news and come out of hiding... "If it will keep you occupied, Ken. When is it?"

January 8, 2000. Caltech High Energy Research Facility, Pasadena California. 6:45 PM

Benjamin Grady sipped his coffee and cast a bored glance at the security monitors. He hated working here, spending 8 hours out of every day just waiting for some emergency that never came. He'd been a security guard for Caltech for over four years now, with nothing to show for it.

With a weary sigh, he settled back into his chair and pulled out a magazine. At least he got lots of reading--

The sudden explosion was bone-jarring, sending his coffee splashing over the rim of the cup. It scalded his hand, making him cry out.

As he fumbled to wipe off his hand, he saw that security monitor # 4 was filled with static. Christ! What the hell... Was it an earthquake?

As soon as the thought raced through his head, he knew the answer. Security monitor # 4 had flared back to life, though its image was filled with static. The armored men who were marching through the corridor, energy blasters in hand, looked like something out of a science fiction movie, but they were very real -- as the screams of those they encountered made all too obvious.

Grady picked up the phone, dialing for back-up. The armored invaders were heading straight towards Lab 8, where the research had been going hot and heavy in recent days. Some rock they'd dug up in Australia had all the science big-brains salivating at the sight of it. As soon as he heard the police dispatcher answer, he blurted out "Breaking and entering, in progress. Better call out the national guard for this one...."

Everywhere she looked, she saw baubles and trinkets that would fetch quite a few dollars on the open market. She bit her lip and held onto Aric's arm a bit tighter. Have to be a good girl, remember? No thievery. Not even a little.

Aric, seeming to sense her thoughts, smiled at her. He'd outfitted her in a breathtaking dress, far more expensive than anything she'd ever worn. The soft fabric outlined her lean, athletic body and stirred the fire in his blood. "If you see anything you like, I can buy it for you. Money and property in this age carries with it the same weight it did in ancient Rome."

Gamin grinned. "I can do without, I think." The young thief scanned the crowd, recognizing more than a few of the guests. Senator Morris was popular with the "in-crowd," and they'd turned out in droves for tonight's fund raiser. "Is that her?"

Aric narrowed his eyes. The Senator was walking towards them, Ken on one arm and Ferris Winthrop on the other. Morris was impeccably dressed, looking both capable and inviting. She was tall and blonde, with her hair pulled back. While certainly not a classical beauty, she had a certain quality which made her quite eye-catching.

It was Ferris who spoke first, however. "Dacia. Good to see you again." Ferris bowed at the waist, taking Gamin's hand. His lips brushed the surface of her skin ever so lightly. "And such a stunning companion."

Aric's face twisted in an expression of pure battle lust. He clenched a fist and moved towards Ferris, eager to drive him away from Gamin. Ken Clarkson hurriedly stepped between them. "Big Guy! This is Senator Morris."

Aric turned to face the woman, his expression immediately softening. Something about her was both familiar... and frightening. It affected him not only mentally but spiritually as well. Bekhara, bonded to his very soul, sensed a strange kinship in her.

She held out a hand to him. "I feel like I know you all ready, Mr. Dacia. I hope I can count on your support in the next election."

Morris let her hand fall away. "Not that I know of, Mr. Dacia. But I've followed your career with interest." She cast a wary glance at Ferris Winthrop. "You seem to have a way of captivating people's interest."

Aric's frown deepened. Was she implying that Ferris had revealed his secrets to her? That she knew of Bekhara?

Sensing that something wasn't going as expected, Ken attempted to salvage the situation. "Boy, does he! Looks like Fabio, with the business sense of Howard Hughes! Let me tell you, his support could mean a lot...."

"I'm sure. And I'd be more than willing to help Orb take the next step in its evolution -- some of the work your r&d divison has been doing... Breathtaking. Especially Project : Corebreach. If it's successful, it could revolutionize the world."

Gamin, bored by the political manueverings around her, stepped away. She moved towards a group of party-guests who were watching the news, whispering amongst themselves.

"...the whole world's turning upside down. Did you see the armored guy the other day?"

Gamin, who had picked up a cheese straw from the hors d'ouevres table, felt her mouth go dry. She broke the cheese straw in two and turned to catch Aric's eye. He seemed grateful to be able to excuse himself, breaking away from the bemused Senator very abruptly.

"Better check out the news, Aric." She cast a thumb in the direction of the television.

Aric's curse was a whispered one but the fury it contained was still enough to make nearby party guests jump in alarm. "Crescendo's Guardsmen." He bent forward, kissing Gamin roughly. Before she could even respond, he was moving towards the door. "Stay here and make sure Ken doesn't sell his soul to this senator."

Gamin touched a hand to her lips and smiled. Sometimes, girlfriend, I think we've really hit the jackpot with this one. Hang on to him tight.

Aric felt much more at home in his armor than in the suit he'd worn at the party. In the decade since he arrived in this strange world, he'd adapted to many things and, indeed, found himself quite fond of many of this century's odd conveniences. But these social affairs involving being polite to people whom you not only did not know well, but in some cases actively disliked, was quite tiresome.

Bekhara's scans picked up multiple targets within the Caltech facility. It wasn't hard to follow the Guardsmen, either, since they'd left a rather large hole in the side of the building. The security alarms were silent now, though Aric heard numerous police sirens in the distance.

X-O swooped inside, ignoring the sick and injured. It wasn't that he was cold, it was merely the fact that he knew that many more would die unless the Guardsmen were dealt with quickly. Doctors and healers would arrive soon enough to deal with any injured scientists that may be about.

X-O followed the carnage to one of the many laboratories scattered through the facility. Nearly two dozen Guardsmen were in the room, several of them hoisting a small crate. Aric's voice brought them all to full attention. "The cowards amongst you should step forward first, so that I can end their suffering. The others will remain alive long enough to tell me of Crescendo's plans -- then they'll join their comrades in hell!"

Aric blinked. He saw three spider aliens move out from around a computer console. Spider Aliens... So the alliance is not just between them and the Dromak, but Crescendo as well? This bodes ill, Good Skin.

The Guardsmen let loose a volley of energy blasts, supplemented by laser fire generated by the Spider Aliens' hand weapons. Bekhara withstood them all, as Aric let out a battle cry. He plunged forward, picking up one Guardsman and slamming him into a wall. Blood gushed from the man's shattered skull. "Curs! You do well at assaulting innocents -- now taste the fury of a true warrior! X-O Manowar!"

Another Guardsman perished as Aric blasted a hole right through the man's armor and belly. His entrails slipped to the floor, causing one of the Spider Aliens to slip and fall. Aric stomped down hard, shattering the alien's head like a melon.

While the battle raged, two of the Guardsmen fled outside with their treasure. One of them panted, "Hurry! Mistress Crescendo will have her prize! The barbarian must not intefere!"

The other concurred, listening to the cries of his compatriots. He could well understand his Queen's hatred for the Visigoth -- he was gutteral and crude, like a wild animal cloaked in human flesh. His actions in battle were chilling.

X-O Manowar, meanwhile, let loose one final energy blast. The beam struck one of the many electrical outlets and produced a startling explosion. Limbs and debris floated through the air as Aric strode back into daylight. His heart seethed with anger. She was back, and had allied himself with his most hated enemies, the Spider Aliens. I don't know what you're up to, Crescendo. But you will pay for this crime.

The mind-witch sat on her throne, silently recounting the ways in which she would torture the barbarian. His people had stolen so much from her, beginning with her empire long ago. And, in more recent times, he had twice tried to take her life*. Only her sheer force of will, coupled with her extraordinary mental powers, had allowed her to seek out new bodies and mold them into copies of her original.

To be honest, she had not though much past her coming victory. She would have to share it with the Dromak and the Spider Aliens, of course, but their needs were easily met. After Dacia's death, which would not be long and drawn out as her last attempt had been but rather quick and painful, she would restore her empire with the Rock of Reality, molding this world into one that she approved of. The Dromak would desire a large parcel of land and resources, while the Spider Aliens needed foodstuff. Crescendo would grant both to them their prizes, as long as the majority of the world was hers and hers alone.

The sound of her aide, Augur, entering broke her reverie and made her sit up straighter. Her anticipation was running high. "Mistress... We have the fragment."

Augur moved forward, bowing low. "X-O tried to intercede... He cut down twenty of our men."

Crescendo's smile never faltered. "Twenty, twenty thousand, twenty million -- A small price to rule to the universe. If our allies have done their jobs elsewhere, claiming the other pieces of the Rock, then nothing -- not even X-O Manowar -- can stop us!" She rose, moving towards the two Guardsmen who entered, the crate between them. "Now show me this "Rock of Reality", Augur."

Crescendo waited as they lifted the lid away from the fragment. When combined with the other fragments already found, it would give her the ability to do what she had only played at before with illusions and deceptions -- she would be able to twist the world, shape it like clay. What wonders could she create, when granted the powers of God?

With a look of triumph, she turned to Augur and whispered "Aric of Dacia, last of the Visigoths, shall know pain like no other. And the world will bow down before it's true Queen once more!"

And around the world certain beings of great power, such as Solar and the Geomancer, felt a chill go through them. A danger long forgotten, long hidden away from man, had returned -- in the hands of the deadliest woman in the world.

Hell was coming.

TO BE CONTINUED

Coming up in X-O Manowar # 83 : Part One of "All My Pasts Remembered", which will send this series off in directions that no one is expecting!

Some of you may recognize certain elements of this story from the Iron Man/X-O Manowar crossover. That's because I'm finally delivering on something I've been building towards for months : my take on the event. I plan to do my version of the story (actually a whole new story that spins out of the same beginning), which is definitely inspired by the real one, but with far less of a "greed factor." I'm not out to sell a video game or promote a new line of comics. There won't be any Iron Man involved, nor any reference to the Marvel Universe. I made that decision for several reasons, but one of the simplest was that, as of Armageddon 1999, the multiverse is a much harder place to travel across. Besides, I want to use certain elements of the crossover, but I don't want to re-tell an already told story. So what we'll see is a story in which Crescendo and her allies have gained the Rock of Reality... and her ultimate revenge on Aric Dacia becomes a reality.

X-O MANOWAR # 82