Future's Guardian 14

Issue 14 2019

From another time and from another world, Galatea Future arrived in the world of the Champions to do the one thing she tried so desperately to avoid before … to live. It ’s not easy, though, when you ’re over a thousand years old and suddenly you ’re given a new life in more ways than one. Life is literally starting over again for her, and yet she is still doing what she does best: serving humanity as …

While investigating the heavily radioactive areas of Burning Sands, New Mexico, Galatea Future comes across a device that causes strange mutations in the area. When she starts to examine the device, however, it activates, and she experiences something... Different.

Future’s Guardian #14 is created using original characters in the Champions Online Multiplayer Online Roleplaying Game. Copyright © 2009 -2019, Perfect World Entertainment, Inc. This story is an independent not -for -profit derivative work of the Champions Online Game. All original rights are reserved by Cryptic Studios and Perfect World Entertainment, Inc. Cryptic Studios is a trademark of Cryptic Studios, Inc. Perfect World Entertainment is a trademark of Perfect World Entertainment, Inc. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners. Battlerock Comics is a subsidiary of Get Brutal Productions and makes no claim on the intellectual property owned by either Cryptic Studios or Perfect World Entertainment. Elite Ice and Keira Fyre are the creations of David 2 and Theresa Setting. Galatea Quantum. USS Starreach, and all related characters appear courtesy of Star Trek Online, also reserved by Cryptic Studio and Perfect World Entertainment with permission from CBS/Paramount.

“Captain’s log. stardate: 96597.41 The U.S.S. Starreach has completed its survey of the Briar Patch and our mission of cataloguing trans-dimensional anomalies.”

“We are heading to Starbase 42, where I will update Starfleet command on the new hazards In in the area, including the new Klingon threats that we encountered while inside the Briar Patch.”

The ship and crew are well.

But... We are understandably looking forward to a change in scenery and a bit of a respite.

Thankfully, Starbase 42 has plenty of...... Both... End log.

Lt. Cmdr. Galatea Quantum Captain, U.S.S. Starreach

What... What is going on?

I’ve been captain of this ship for over a year now.

And yet it feels like this is the first time I’ve been aboard.

It’s not “déjà vu”... More like “Deja New”.

T’Vrell...

Scan to see if there are Is there any temporal anything anomalies in specific? No... Just... the area. Anything out of the ordinary.

Lt. T’Vrell Science Officer

Sensors readings Okay, keep are checking, and negative. if you pick up Understood, any kind of captain. abnormality, no matter how small, let me know.

Something wrong, Captain? It’s... A little hard to describe, Elsa. Anything I should know? It’s like... Part of me is suddenly a first- year cadet again. Lt. Elsa Flores First Officer I feel like... Like I should be in the desert somewhere, looking for some green-skinned monstrosity.

Very funny. As long as you’re punching It’s a good thing out an Orion we’re not a strict slave trader or by-the-book ship a gorn. or else I’d be citing you for insensitive comments about Federation allies.

Sorry. Old habits. No, it’s okay, So do you want to Elsa. It’s stop the ship and probably check it out? just me being I mean, this is a tired. science vessel. It’s sort of what we do.

I’m going to take a walk to Sickbay. Ms. Flores, you have the conn. Huh... Strange.

Just like that... The feeling has faded away. Still, better get checked out in Sickbay just to make sure.

In the world of the Champions...

Burning Sands, New Mexico

What the hell? Why is it daylight all of a sudden?

Where was I?

Galatea Future Otherworld Guardian

NO OO Oo... Oh no... What now?

... ooOo!

Stand still, please.

Sidestep? All will be told soon. Where the hell am I? Right now I need to record the shift in Where the hell was I? your quantum energy signature before it dissipates.

Actually there was a temporary cognitive connection between So I wasn’t yourself and your hallucinating. counterpart in that universe. I was in A woman named another Galatea quantum. universe!

I thought the only “Versions”, other version of myself was the actually. Plural. alternate version But that itself is in the Paraverse.* a subject for another day.... If at all.

(* Galatea Future is an alternate future version of Galatea Powers that exists in the now-defunct City of Agent Sidestep Heroes Universe.) Multiverse Operative

Sufficient to say, there are numerous versions However, you should not of you that exist in all have been able to forge of the multiverse. that kind of shared connection with your Not all of them are like counterpart there at all. you. Not all versions of you have superpowers. What were you doing to create that kind of The one that you shared a environment? brief experience with is one of them, but she is unique in her own way.

I was investigating an abandoned camp Create it? in the desert. I didn’t do I was reporting on anything of a strange device the kind! that was causing spontaneous mutations, and then... Blink!

I’m a spaceship captain.

Spaceship captain... High levels of Delta radiation Fascinating. in the radioactive area of this PROPHET: list universe are similar to the similarities between delta radiation present in the the Desert area and space vessels of universe Designation Beta-two Beta-two-two-zero-one-two. -two-zero-one-two.

No other similarities detected.

No, but it may Okay... I know that I explain why don’t have hyper- that universe intelligence was chosen. anymore*, but that doesn’t sound like that itself should result in my experiencing another person’s life.

(* Galatea lost most of her Incarnate powers when she came to the Champions Universe.)

I would suspect that the device you were examining The very existence of this reacted to the faint kind of device causes quantum signature that concern. This is not you still carry from your something the people of this time in your previous universe should be able to universe, in addition to possess at this time. the delta radiation in the area and somehow opened a limited connection to designation Beta-two- two-zero-one-two.

And the fact that it’s connected to people that used to be heroes and became And I to my suicidal villains is superiors something that I as well. need to report to Major Cross. Return to the pad and I will send you back.

Project Greenskin

A joint PRIMUS/UNTIL operation

Director Kaufman...

Robert Kaufman Project greenskin Director

Not at all, Mister Van ... I trust I Cleef. am not interrupting What brings anything. you out here?

Alexander Van Cleef VARTECH

Galatea Future. If that’s the case, My people tell me I’ll have her under she’s found Camp house arrest for Runner and may disobeying orders. have discovered the devices there while We have more than they were active. enough manpower here to bring even her down.

While I’d be curious to see you There is another try, Director, I way to still keep know that it would the full extent be a stupid and of the program futile gesture. under wraps. Her arrest would I suggest that bring too much you employ that attention on what “other way” while is really going on you still have here in the area. the influence.

Millennium City, MI Weapons training Room

Powerhouse Training Facility

Caution: Live fire in progress

Candace Sinclair Attorney-At-Law

Target down. Retargeting.

You’ve certainly proven to be a fast learner, Thanks, but I’m just Miss Sinclair. doing this for my own well-being. If you ever decide to be a hero, I’d I don’t ever want to be honored to rely on the help train you. protection of anyone again, even from my friends.

Project Mycroft Hideout

Just outside Project Greenskin We’ve received the data package you sent of all the evidence you collected from Camp Runner.

Even without what “Dangerous” is an Agent Sidestep understatement, told you, there’s Major. more than enough Those cages... They evidence for us were doing live to conclude something experiments with dangerous is whatever those going on there. devices are!

Major Xavier Cross Project Mycroft

Don’t get ahead However, with what of yourself, you've sent, Galatea. including the photos, documents, You’re there and the readings just to gather from your information, wristband devices, not to make you’ve pretty much conclusions. completed your That’s for our assignment. superiors. Come on home.

Home... After all But... There’s one this time... more thing that I have to do while I’m here. It’s... Personal. It’ll just be for a few more days.

Millennium City, MI

You don’t mess with the New Purple Gang! This is our territory!

You call This is that a punch? how you hit a

Uh oh... person!

Anyone else want a free lesson on humility?

Yeah, run you sorry grape You mess with losers! these students again and you’ll And tell the rest answer to of your cheap Italian gang that Ravenswood is off limits!

Elite Ice Elemental Mystic

Ravenswood Academy

Millennium City Satellite campus Thank you again, Elite Ice, for ridding us those thugs.

Any chance to help Ever since we opened out my Alma Matter, up this satellite Professor. branch, the students have been Besides, you know hit by loan sharks me... I hate bullies! and protection scams by that “New Purple Gang”.

Uh, excuse me... Excuse me... I’m Pardon me... sorry... But it’s Elite Ice? urgent that I get in touch with your boss at U.N.T.I.L.

I presume that it’s important enough to warrant Believe me, her interrupting a boss will want polite discussion. to hear what I have to say.

It better be. U.N.T.I.L. control, this is Elite Ice. Put me through to Major Cross.

United Nations Tribunal on International Law (UNTIL) Sub-Sub-Basement

Millennium City Headquarters This is not exactly what I had in mind for Not all of us a meeting place. have the luxury of penthouse office suites.

You insisted we meet, that it was urgent, and that Well... As I said it needed to be before, my name is secure. Mike Messenger, and I am the You are, it is, so executive vice- start talking. president for a company called X-Tend Services.

Basically we’re an outsourcing firm There are a half- for super-powered dozen firms like individuals. that around the world, Mister People who are tired Messenger. of the whole “hero” thing but still want So far you’re not to use their powers. telling me anything new. That sort of thing.

Right... Well, the reason why X-tend Services stands out above the rest is that we have So you’re talking exclusive contracts with about what is some of the most lucrative going on at private organizations. Project Greenskin. One of those is a research firm that has a contractor permit for experimentation in the radioactive hot zones.

Director Kaufman Our client, Witt was rather Energy Research, insistent that I was doing speak with you to... experiments on a as he put it... “set new device that the record was authorized straight” before by Director your investigation Kaufman. there spins into a jurisdictional conflict.

“As you may know, in 1978, the U.S. Army detonated a new ‘Delta’ bomb, which had a detrimental effect on the area.” “The device being tested was designed to convert that radiation into something that would be “The area was tolerable for humans.” flooded with Delta radiation, making most of the former White Sands area “It would, in a unlivable.” sense, neutralize the radiation.”

Tony Atwell and Emily Streeter, Something whom you know went wrong. as “foreclosure” and “Philly Buster”, along Something with a few other former heroes, went horribly were there to wrong. provide security for Witt.

“The devices had an adverse effect on the Delta radiation in the area.”

“The ones that became irradiates “The ones that were the lucky ones.” survived that did not mutate ended up with stage 4 cancer.”

I promise you, we But they knew they tried to give them would still be the best in dead soon anyway. medical coverage. But... So where does Galatea Future fit in all of this?

Unfortunately Atwell “At the time, Gold and Streeter and the was boasting the others blamed fact that he Markman Gold for ‘owned’ the legal their situation. rights to Galatea Future.”* They believed that Gold sent them to us, knowing that we’d send them to the desert, and knowing that they would end up dead. (* “The Lost Adventures of Galatea Future” #4)

“Atwell and the others had no “So they believed that idea that the best way to hurt Galatea would Gold was to deprive win back the them of his prize.” rights to her own name.* And, even if she did, Gold would just find “They set out to destroy another way to Galatea’s name and own it again.” reputation so Gold wouldn’t be able to make money off her.”

(* Issue #1)

So let’s see if I got this right... Your group recruited Markman Gold’s What am I failed heroes. missing here? You sent them to the I wish I could tell Desert. They come you, Major. back with cancer. All I know is that I was asked to try to explain everything And they blame that I know about the Markman Gold situation so the and decide to wrong people won’t hurt Galatea be blamed for it. Future.

You’re going to If that’s the case, give me a list of then you better everyone involved get yourself in that incident. comfortable, because I’m FAR Heroes, techs, from done with support... The you. whole lot.

You’re going to give me the hierarchy of “X-Tend Services” that knew I-I don’t know about what happened to what you mean.. those heroes and what kind of medical services you actually provided to those fallen heroes. And you’re going to give the name of the control agent they reported to.

Don’t lie to me, Mister Messenger. You’re going to give me those names, You know as well as I do Mister Messenger. that Foreclosure, Philly Buster, and Rotiart all Or I’ll just assume had control agents giving it starts with you. them orders when they acted on Galatea Future. They were not lone wolf operatives with a grudge.

I’ll be right back with a notepad and plenty of pencils and pens.

two hours later...

I still can’t He didn’t give up believe he gave anything that up everything. he wasn’t told I expected him to tell us. to wait it out. Did you run the names that he provided?

John Battle Legacy Warrior

Most of the “heroes” that he listed are dead from cancer or There was one complications name absent from treatments. from that list: Rotiart.

Atwell’s friend. You want me to bring Messenger The one that said back? his grudge was personal.* He shouldn’t be far from here. He wasn’t there, but he was still part of the team.

(* Issue #2)

No, he’s already done his part. I’ve been ordered to close this part of the case. Apparently the brass is a little You never too nervous about know what what else we might might come find out if we keep up from them. Galatea there.

But... I still want to keep a file open for Witt Enterprises.

It’s done. I only told them who was at Camp Runner and who was connected to them. I didn’t tell them anything about you.

But... You You may want to should know minimize your that X-Tend connection to Services is now us should they on their radar. decide to dig deeper.

Keira Fyre Elemental Archer

Days later...

Be it ever so humble...

The hero-friendly home of Athena Rose Fairmore.

Hmm... For a ... There’s second... no place like home. That sounded like scurrying.

One long shower and change of clothes later...

This is the most important message, Hello Athena Fairmore... deemed “priority”. This is your automated Two hours ago. messaging service. Welcome back. Hi Athena. It’s Candace. Welcome back. I’m sure you have a ton There are four-hundred of things to get caught and fifty-two messages up on, but I wanted to waiting for you to let you know about two listen to. very important gifts.

In fact I’d be surprised if you haven’t What? found the first one by now... *Purrrrr*

*Mew*

He’s got food in Ohmigod! So the pantry... So all that’s who I he needs is a name. heard scurrying! You’re just a cute little Furball!

Well, I just gave him one. Ronin Omega said he’s Isn't that right, called a “travel kitten”. Furball? I think Ronin said he stays that size forever.

And there’s It was the least I one more could do after... gift waiting You know.* for you in the closet! Anyway, call me when you get in. Something more for Bye. your “day” work.

(* See Issue #10)

I guess this means my travel Come on, days are over Furball. with, huh? Let’s see what’s in the pantry for both of us.

Welcome. It feels like I should be selling over- saturated What kind of sugar foods universe is this? and cheap plastic toys. It’s so... Hideous!

It was only fair since Oh that The continuum you were wasn’t decided to... As behind the myself, the humans say... brief per se. Tap you on the cognitive shoulder. merge with the Galatea of this world.

The Continuum is My only part was well aware of the in choosing the threat posed by subject. certain people of this world. Of all the various constants in the Threats that you and multiverse, I’ve your Council of found my Galatea Light have not, as to be just as of yet, addressed. interesting as Jean-Luc.

And I have found the *chuckle* Galatea of this world to be the same, And there it is... That even if this is not her faint mark of ignorance native universe. and arrogance that makes you closer to the Rest assured, though humans than you would she is no threat to dare admit to. the multiverse. I have verified that myself.*

(* Back in “The Lost Adventures of Galatea Future” #2)

The continued threat What makes you to the multiverse... think that I was referring to Galatea Future?

If she’s not Because if you the threat, truly understood then why the threat that involve her at exists in this all in your universe, the little “tap”? Continuum would not have to make such a telling gesture at all. Why not tell me Believe me, it directly? Why all pains us to have the ambiguity? to be this vague.

If you and your If Galatea is not the operatives, threat... Then you including Galatea involved her so I Future, are not able would have to tell to stop the threat her about her from going beyond counterparts. this universe, then So you think that she the Continuum will can play a role in have to take action. stopping the threat.

No... I And you suppose really not. do not want us to take action.

The Powerhouse Powerhouse Theatre Lobby

January, 2016

Starlett Street vigilante

Hi... What’s up?

Well, it’s been a while since the two of us talked about anything.

I know things have been crazy this past year I heard you... or so... And I’m sorry I haven’t In the studio. had a chance to talk with you to Telling your say what needs friend who you to be said. really are.*

(* Issue #12)

It wasn’t And I trusted that right... I mean... you never told Markman Gold I made my hero about it... even career bringing though you could down slimy have at any time agents with to save your own video cameras. career.*

(* Last Issue)

I couldn’t let Gold get his hands on That’s how I knew I that video of you could trust you exposing who with knowing that Malizia was and part about me. who you are. I do consider you Even if I didn’t my friend, Starlett. know you, it still would have been I just wanted you to wrong. know that.

Thank you... Yeah, I should be getting ready for the I’m glad I’m your big event. friend as well. Listen, you want to So.. Uh... Is there attend? I can reserve someplace that you a seat for you. should be right now?

No... That’s okay. Anytime... And maybe I’m more of a after this I can techno-metal fan stop by the club and than stage shows. we can catch up But... thanks for some more... You asking. know, off-duty.

An hour later...

Ladies and Gentlemen, please welcome back to the Powerhouse Theater... Celebrated author Athena Rose Fairmore!

Thank you. Tonight you’re Thank you everyone for coming here going to hear excerpts from tonight. my new book, “Sentinels of Love: Sands of Wasteland”, which will hit the shelves tomorrow.

Athena Rose Fairmore AKA: Galatea Future

With the dialogue as read by members of the Powerhouse Players.

Dee Risk AKA: Starlett

I’ve often said that “Sentinels of Love” is more than just a love We all face loss in our story between two heroes. lives. It’s how we deal with it and recover It’s also about knowing from it that we know who they are outside of our true character. their masks. That’s something my That is no more true than adopted mother told me when they face loss. when I was a child, and it still holds true.

Speaking of dealing The Children of Detroit Fund with loss... has been helping children dealing with loss and Tonight’s proceeds disaster ever since the will be going to a Battle of Detroit in 1992. group that knows the subject all too well. With your help, they work to make sure that no child has to deal with the heartbreak of loss alone, and work to provide a better future for them and for us all.

Thank you...

And now Our “The harsh desert sands story begins... whip past her face, each grain against her cheek felt like a slap...”

Later...

Thanks, Can, Whew! I but I’ll stick forgot to being a how that Are you kidding? writer. felt! You’re a natural! I go through You should have enough been an actress. “changes” as it were.

Would you believe Emilio Von Frere*? That outfit, by the way, looks He sent it over as a great! gift. He said “A writer of heroes Who made it? should not always appear in frills.”

(* Find out why that means something in Issues #2 and 3.)

If only he really I was thinking we can knew who he was change into giving it to... something a little less formal and pay So... Where to now? Club Caprice a visit. Our usual pizza place for ‘za and smoothies?

So I get to Actually I was meet DJ Risqué thinking of finally? giving “Sentinels Or... Is this of Love” a break for research for a bit. for your next I’ve been thinking book? of doing a story about a female captain on a spaceship.

End

Words of wisdom from writer and creator David 2.

“The Past Is Prologue” This issue is special in many ways. This is the first comic that actually includes two different characters from two different MMORPGs. While this series and the preceding “Lost Adventures of Galatea Future” have teased Galatea’s connection to another MMO, specifically the now -defunct City of Heroes universe, we’ve never really shown that other MMO in these comics. We’ve always played around with it, partially because they are two different MMOs with content from two different companies. So when we see Galatea Future in her Omega Incarnate form, it’s not exactly as she appeared in “Guardians of the Dawn Spotlight”, but rather how she would have appeared if the story took place in the world of Champions Online. Likewise, when we got to see a flashback of her childhood as Leona Powers in “Future’s Guardian” #13, we got to see it through CO’s eyes, not as we saw her in “Spotlight”. Again, this is because these are two different MMOs owned by different companies. But showing Galatea Quantum and the crew of the U.S.S. Starreach is slightly different, because even though it is also a different MMO, it’s still being owned and controlled by the same company. The world of Star Trek Online may be owned by CBS/Paramount, but it is also being managed by Arc/Perfect World, the same people behind Champions Online. They were also developed by Cryptic Studios, the same group that designed not only Champions Online but also City of Heroes. Here, we felt we could bend the rules just a little bit and incorporate just a little bit of each into this story because of the connection they have, and not just with a character named Galatea. The world of Star Trek Online is considerably different from what you’ve been seeing on TV and the movies. First of all, the MMO takes place decades after “Star Trek: Nemesis”, and things have not been doing well for the Alpha Quadrant. Old alliances with the Klingons have broken off. They’re now the enemies. Times have been tough for the Romulan Empire after the destruction of their homeworld as seen in the rebooted “Star Trek” movie. The Borg are back. The crystalline creature is back. And a lot of the elements seen in the rebooted “Star Trek” movies, as well as “Deep Space Nine”, the original TV series, and the new “Star Trek: Discovery” are suddenly thrown into the picture. It is... well, it is a mess. But it’s not entirely their fault. It is how the central stories keep changing with every new series and every new twist. And thrust into this mess is Galatea Quantum and her eclectic crew of the U.S.S. Starreach, a science ship dedicated to exploring the things that still need to be discovered in the galaxy. Will she get her own comic series? Who knows? Maybe Athena Fairmore will write one. Or maybe we will. Time will tell. Speaking of time, it’s time we bring this series more into the present. I’ve commented in the previous issue that nothing has really changed in Continues on next page... 33

Continued from previous page... the world of Champions Online, and that has been both good and bad. Great for me in terms of getting caught up with stuff, but bad in terms of the overall stagnation for the city. I mean, what will it take for Mayor Biselle to leave office so we can have someone else running the city? When we brought the series back from our prolonged absence, there were several issues that were unresolved that we needed to address. It’s safe to say that with this issue, we’ve resolved most of them. We can now skip ahead to 2018... Whoops, I mean, 2019. Skipping ahead three years will not mean that we won’t have a few changes. The most visible of these changes you already saw with Galatea Future’s appearance in the CoX Comics series “The Crucible”, where she’s sporting a slightly different outfit. You will see more of her in that series as well as seeing how that look will translate in this series starting with the next issue. There are also several new characters that will be appearing in the pages of this issue as well as a few old ones coming back. Some of these returning characters are directly connected to the changing times in our own world. Something that was brought up in this issue is the idea of similar characters from other universes. We know there are multiple versions of Galatea. There are three in the now -defunct City of Heroes universe, one in Champions, and now we know there is one in Star Trek Online. But Galatea isn’t the only person with multiverse counterparts, and you’ll see an interesting variation of one of them in 2019. Finally, I would ask that you keep checking out my friend’s series “The Crucible” over at CoX Comics as his main characters are still visiting the world of Champions Online and you’ll be seeing a little more of Galatea Future there, as well as the reference to a certain group there that played a minor role in this issue. You can find CoX Comics over at their official website... www.CoXComics.com ... Or you can find links over at our official site...

We’re going to jump ahead to 2019... What’s going on now in Millennium City?