AFTER THE CRUCIBLE # 3

"The Caregiver"

By Barry Reese

CRUSADERS ROLL-CALL : Shield, Jaguar, Fly, American Shield and Steel Sterling

Classic superhero fun for the whole family!

WHAT HAS COME BEFORE : While the Crusaders have reformed and added a new member (Steel Sterling) to their ranks, the evil mutant known as the Brain Emperor has formed an evil alliance known as the Malevolent Legion. The Legion has made their base in the formerly-irradiated area of Evergreen, Washington. Their host is a man who may or may not be the Comet....

PROLOGUE - THE COMET DOME, EVERGREEN WASHINGTON

"I was born a mutant, set apart from humanity by my mental powers... I learned from a very early age that man hated those things that were different." The Brain Emperor stood in the ruins of what had once been the Evergreen City Hall, a small recorder in his hand. He spoke into it with the practice ease of someone who was used to speaking their thoughts aloud. "My telepathy was always present within me, letting me see every living being for the petulant beings that they are. By the age of 7, I was declared a prodigy, a child genius. I was studying Alexander the Great and Plato... I was going to rule mankind. I knew this as clearly as most seven year olds know they have to eat to survive. I set in motion, even then, the plans that will soon unite the world under my comma--"

"Excuse me, Brain Emperor? Could I have a moment of your time?"

The Brain Emperor turned off his recorder with a frown. He'd been so engrossed in making his memoirs that he hadn't even noticed the approach of Arachnus. He fixed a cold stare at the little fat man who scuttled into the room, borne aloft by his mechanical spider-legs. "Go ahead, Arachnus. But be quick -- I have little patience for whining today. I have heard more than enough of that from the Eraser."

"I just wanted to ask you -- why exactly are we here? You have sent the Legion out into the ruins of Evergreen to search for something, yet you refuse to make it clear what it is! How are we to know when we've found it?"

"As I said at our last briefing, Arachnus, you will know it when you find it. It shall be like nothing you have ever seen before!"

Arachnus grimaced. "You're still being so evasive! I agreed to serve you because I want to see the Fly suffer, not so I could be ordered around like some automaton!"

Arachnus suddenly howled, clutching at his head and clawing as if a swarm of bees were attacking him.

"I have reasons for keeping things from you, Arachnus. But you will have to accept that you are not in control here, I am! I could destroy all of you with but a thought, do you understand? Do you?!"

Arachnus nodded, his breathing labored and forced as the Brain Emperor ceased his mental assault. "My... apologies, Brain Emperor! I won't forget my place in the future." Nor will I forget this treatment... You'll live to regret this, Brain Emperor. I swear it.

ATLANTA, GEORGIA -- THE FESTIVAL OF LIGHT

"It's disgusting. Where are the police during all this? For that matter, where are the parents?" Joe Higgins, the Shield, couldn't keep the incredulous tone out of his voice as he and the other Crusaders made their way through the hazy crowd of college-age youth. The Crusaders were in street clothes, investigating an alleged criminal ring based in the area -- a ring that specialized in selling highly illicit drugs to the Atlanta community. The drugs appeared to be highly addictive and very often fatal. Victims reportedly looked like mummies when the drug was finished running through their system.

The "Festival of Light" they were currently attending was a music-based festival that had brought a large number of Southern youth to Atlanta's park areas, and the smell of pot was rich in the air. That, mixed with the humid air and the loud, blaring rock music, was enough to put a conservative hero like the Shield on edge.

Jason Troy shrugged. "Who would they bust? Everybody's smoking the stuff here. They'd only start a riot if they started dragging people off to jail."

Michael Barnes placed a hand on Joe's shoulder. He'd taken over the role of the Shield during Joe's absence and they'd become good friends since the original's return. He smiled softly. "Look, partner, I agree with you. But if you go around spouting lines like that, there's no way we're going to fit in. You already look so un-cool it's funny."

Jason chuckled at Joe's look of chagrin. "Yeah, Joe -- relax a little. Didn't our eight years together* teach you anything about enjoying life?"

(*See the first ever Crusaders : After the Crucible Annual, coming soon!)

Joe shook his head, as he navigated between two scantily-clad coeds who were downing beers. "It's just that these kids... most of them aren't even old enough to vote, let alone drink...!"

Maria, wife to the Fly and the superheroine known as the Jaguar, wrapped her hands tighter around herself. Though she was confident and outgoing in her Jaguar form, she was much more insecure as Maria. She wished that the Crusaders had chosen a different route in locating the man called "Caregiver." Caregiver was reputedly the mastermind behind a series of chemical concoctions ravaging Georgia and Florida. She glanced over at Josh Sterling, the team's newest member, and smiled at him. "You look as uncomfortable as I am."

Josh smiled, his handsome face beaming. It was enough to make Maria's heart skip a beat, even if she was happily married to Jason. "Nah, I'm not put off by this kind of scene. I did a bit of partying myself in college, so this doesn't shock me the way it does the Shield. I'm just not sure I belong in this group -- the four of you are legends! When I think about how you faced Kalathar or Indigo...."

"Surely you're not frightened. As a bodyguard, you faced danger everyday -- and you were there with us during the final showdown with the Comet*. You didn't buckle under the pressure, then."

(*See Crucible # 6.)

"That was different, though. I didn't have time to panic while we were in the Crucible. And protecting Mr. Jordan wasn't like putting on spandex and giving myself a silly name...."

Maria chuckled, a soft sound that made Josh smile even more. Maria had a way of making everyone comfortable, he'd noticed -- which was in stark contrast to her presence as Jaguar. A nearly seven foot tall, gorgeous young woman had a way of making every man in the room quiver. "You'll do fine, Joshua. I promise."

Josh was so intent on Maria that he nearly walked right into the suddenly halted Joe Higgins. "Whoa!"

Joe had clenched both fists. "I think our effort at detective work was wasted. He's right out in the open."

Josh followed Joe's gaze and his mouth fell open. Josh had anticipated that the group would have to make a few contacts at the Festival and then head into some seedy slum area to find the elusive Caregiver. Instead, they found him after only a few minutes of searching. Ahead of the Crusaders was a large tent with folded chairs within. It looked like some backwater revival meeting was going on, though the sign that rested on the tent's flap revealed the truth : "The Caregiver is in."

SALEM, MASSACHUSETTS

"Nothing. There's nothing here." Darkling stared at the lot that, on her Earth, had served as her home for many years before she met the Crusaders*. But on this world, there was only an empty field dotted with a makeshift skateboarding area. She ran a hand through her long, dark hair and pulled her cloak tighter arounder herself. Even though her costume wasn't clearly visible, she was still attracting attention as people walked past. They stared at her with looks of distrust and fear -- being an arcane being sometimes set people ill at ease.

(*Darkling was a member of the Crusaders on the old Red Circle earth and is trapped on this one after a battle with her world's Brain Emperor.)

"Can I help you, miss?" An old man stood at her side, his hat in his hands. He smiled at her kindly, as if sensing her sadness.

Darkling nodded. "Yes, I think perhaps you can. This might seem strange to you, but have you ever heard of the Crusaders?"

The man laughed in surprise. "Have I? Of course I have! Now mind you, the current group can't hold a candle to the old American Crusaders*, but they're not half bad...."

(*The American Crusaders were the 1950s superhero team who inspired the current group.)

Darkling reached out to touch the man's hand. Excitement coursed through her -- she'd already come to the conclusion that this world was not her own and was close to resigning herself that she wouldn't find any help here. But if there were Crusaders here... "Where are they? Do you know?"

The man scratched his head, a bit put off by her obvious interest. "Well... I think they've got an office in D.C. but I'm not too sure."

Darkling kissed him on the cheek, bringing a smile to his face. "Thank you! You've done a wonderful thing!"

Darkling stepped back and, before the man could say another word, she had spun her cloak. The ebony garment swirled around her and teleported her away. I may not be sure how to find my homeworld again, but I can certainly find my way around this one. If these Crusaders are anything like mine, they may be my only hope....

ATLANTA, GEORGIA -- THE FESTIVAL OF LIGHT

"And how may I help you, my children?" The Caregiver sat behind a small fold-up card table, looking like a rather genteel middle-aged Asian man. He wore small glasses and had a long Fu Manchu moustache. His clothing was a rather simple black kimono.

Joe started to speak but Jason cut him off quickly. He knew that the Shield was the group's leader, but he also knew that Joe Higgins wouldn't be able to restrain himself. His moral fortitude was too strong to let him stand by and watch someone pervert his beliefs. "We heard from some friends that you were the man to see if we came here." Jason tried his best to give the Caregiver a "knowing" look.

The Caregiver examined the small group before him and raised his eyebrows in surprise. Around him, his devotees were singing songs and passing around joints. The stench was enough to make Jason's head spin. "Really? Me? I am merely an idealist, who seeks to share the wonder of compasson with the world. I have literature if you'd like to look it over...."

Michael leaned forward. He was still haggard these days, still recovering from injuries incurred years before. When he was in costume as the American Shield, he looked as healthy as a horse, but out of it he was almost frightening up close. Now, with his sunken eyes and his scarred face, he smiled at the Caregiver. "Please, man. Don't play games. You got the stuff, right? I need it. The pain is terrible."

Jason blinked. He didn't know Michael all that well -- he hadn't been one of the group who'd disappeared for all those years -- but he sounded so sincere when he said that. Jason wondered if Michael really was in pain.

The Caregiver stared into Michael's bloodshot eyes for a long moment, as if weighing the man's soul. Then he smiled softly and touched Michael's cheek. "Come, my child. I have something that will calm your pain." The Caregiver stood and took Michael by the arm. The other Crusaders watched as they stepped out of the tent with one another, then moved in pursuit. They kept a safe distance as the Caregiver led Michael towards a small trailer near the portable bathrooms.

"I never had any idea that Michael was such an actor." Joe rubbed his chin thoughtfully.

"I don't think he is. He was speaking from experience -- he's been in a lot of pain before. Maybe still is."

Joe glanced at Jason. "He told me he was almost 100% recovered."

Maria shook her head. "Jason and I visited his home a few weeks ago. I met his wife and she still seemed very concerned about him. She has no idea about his current work as the American Shield."

Joe frowned. He thought of Michael as a good friend, but perhaps he hadn't been concerned enough about him. If he was ill, how could Joe ask him to take part in the Crusaders?

The inside of the trailer was strewn with garbage and the thick scent of incense. Michael knew his teammates were just outside, but that knowledge didn't stop the sudden quell of panic that was threatening to overtake him. He frowned. What is it about this old man that's making me so nervous? I've stared into the Comet's eyes and not felt this weak.

The Caregiver smiled and moved towards a small cooler. "Your pain is very severe. I can smell it around you. For some of my children, I merely give them a taste of the Kel solution. Even then it is too much for some of their spirits. But you, Michael Barnes, you are special...."

Michael watched as the Caregiver opened the cooler and reached inside. Water sloshed from the interior as something struggled in the light. How did he know my name? Michael wondered, a buzz beginning to ring in his ears. There was a smell of something in his nostrils, but he couldn't place it.....

Stars began to obscure his vision and he stumbled forward. The Caregiver reached out to steady him. He held a syringe in one hand. Michael could see something octopoid swimming in the murky cooler. "There, there. It is hard for the unitiated to stare into the visage of a star-spawn. But its blood...! It will show you things and give you strength! You shall be a new man, my child. Reborn!"

Michael started to pull away but his eyes refused to look away from the brown thing that swam before him. "What is...that?"

A pinprick of pain distracted Michael from the answer. The needle sank deep into his neck. "He is the savior of mankind....."

As soon as the Crusaders heard the sound of struggling inside the trailer, they each sprang into action. Jaguar and the Fly both transformed into their enhanced forms, while Steel Sterling stripped of his shirt to reveal the muscle shirt he wore beneath. The Shield, meanwhile, depressed a small stud on his belt. It was the newest addition to his arsenal -- and one that both Michael and he welcomed. No longer did they have to put on the suit piece-by-piece. A touch of the button and the suit materialized on his form, ready to use. Technology continued to march on....

The Jaguar growled as she tore the door to the trailer away. She prepared to jump in but what she saw chilled her blood. Standing there before her was the American Shield, his eyes glowing red and hateful. "American Shield...?"

The American Shield backhanded her fiercely, sending a spray of blood from her lip. "Accept the vision, Champions. The Star-Spawn are ascending!"

NEXT ISSUE : The origin of the Caregiver! American Shield vs. the Crusaders! And the Brain Emperor's group finds what they've been looking for... and it may spell the doom of everything!

AUTHOR'S NOTES

Welcome to issue three. This one was a bit different than the first two, I think, given the nature of the Caregiver. I promise that "gritty" issues won't be the norm here.

No real character notes to go here, most of them were covered last issue -- though I'll point out that the Caregiver is a new foe.

Still waiting for letters. ;-)

Barry Reese