Headlines - 2 May 2000

Metahuman History Grand Opening Marred by Destroyers

Crackerjack, Inferno, Fuxion Captured by Unidentified Paranormals

(Stacey Beckman, Chicago Tribune - May 2, 2000)  The widely publicized grand opening of the new Metahuman History exhibit at the Field Museum of Natural History, located in downtown Chicago, was disrupted yesterday by the criminal metahuman team known as "The Destroyers".    The guest speaker, Mr. Francis Solomon, President of Solomon Industries, was interrupted by four of the Destroyers from the top of the museum as he was welcoming a large group of nearly 200 spectators.   Congressman Rod Blagojevich (D - 105th District), and former "Team America" members, "Liberty Belle", "Archangel" and "Dynamo" were also present as guests.   The PRIMUS Guardians team had been scheduled to appear, but had left minutes prior to the ceremony to respond to an emergency.

The Destroyers were apparently attempting to take Mr. Solomon and Rep. Blagojevich hostage in order to demand the release of their companion, John "Master Blaster" Young, who is currently awaiting trail at the Stronghold metahuman penitentiary for numerous murder and assault charges.   At the appearance of the Destroyers (Denise "Misery" Crosby, Walter "Fuxion" Schmidt, Neville "Crackerjack" Farnsworth, and "Inferno"), several unidentified paranormals leapt to the defense of Mr. Solomon and Rep. Blagojevich.

Dynamo was viciously assaulted by Crackerjack, and later died of his injuries.   Liberty Belle and Archangel got Rep. Blagojevich to safety, while an unknown metahuman in an yellow "Mercury" outfit sped out of the crowd, grabbed Mr. Solomon, and sped off to the end of the block with him.   A battle ensued between the Destroyers and defending metahumans.   Of this group, only "Titan", a metahuman with ties to the Chicago Police Department, is known.  One of the unknown defenders, a young woman capable of firing bolts of electricity, was later identified as "Shocker", and is wanted by the Chicago police for questioning in last year's huge gang war down in the old Chicago warehouse district.

Most of the spectators escaped unharmed, except for Ling Hsin, 24, of Schaumberg, and her baby Elizabeth.   Hsin and her daughter were injured when Fuxion leapt into the crowd.   The mother and daughter were whisked to the University of Chicago Hospital by the yellow garbed "Mercury", where they are recovering in the intensive care unit.   Their condition is reported as serious, but stable.

Fuxion, Inferno and Crackerjack were apprehended, and taken into custody by Titan and PRIMUS, who arrived shortly after the fight had ended.  They were assisted by two unidentified men in costume.
 
 

Dynamo, Former Member of "Team America", Dies in Chicago Destroyer Brawl

(Jeffrey Sinclair, Hero Times -May 2, 2000)  It's a sad day for America.  One of our foremost heroes, the Human Dynamo, died from injuries sustained while fighting Crackerjack of the Destroyers in Chicago.   Dynamo gave his life to protect Congressman Rod Blakojevich and Mr. Francis Solomon, CEO of Solomon Industries, from a hostage-taking attempt by the Destroyers at a Chicago museum.

Dynamo first made his appearance on the superhero scene in 1962, when he single-handedly stopped a bank robbery.   After going solo for the next three years, he teamed up with Blackjack, Liberty Belle, and Archangel to form Team America.     Dynamo was never comfortable in public gatherings, and tended to let his teammates have the limelight.   When Blackjack died in 1985, Dynamo became the team leader.   The team decided to retire in 1988, citing age and slowing reaction times as the reason. Dynamo continued to operate solo for several more years, however.

Dynamo's bravery and unflagging sense of duty to help humanity will always be remembered.   He told me, in a 1997 interview, "I want to go out fighting".   You got your wish, Dynamo.  We'll miss you.
Copyright 2001 - Mike Whitney
Page last updated January 28, 2001
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