THUNDER Agents: NoMan: The Roar of Distant THUNDER

[DocQuantum]

This is Frank Murdock's reintroduction to NoMan, which remains incomplete, and goes along with the new THUNDER Agents stories now set in 1988 on Earth-4.

[DocQuantum]

-EARTH FOUR Presents-

T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents

featuring

NOMAN

The Roar of Distant T.H.U.N.D.E.R.

1.

T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Base:

Len Brown sat at his desk reading through a small stack of files when a knock came at his door. He looked down at his watch and smiled.

"Enter," he called out.

A tall man in his thirties walked in dressed in a tan business suit. He smiled as he took the chair in front of Brown's desk.

"Good day, Director Brown. How is the new job suiting you?"

Brown shook his head frowning. "It's fine Doctor if you don't mind dealing with bureaucrats and politicians."

The younger man let out a small chuckle. "Well, I do not envy your position Len," replied the man. "However, let it be of some solace to you that my position is not much different; dealing with all the paperwork required by acquisitions is no day in the park either."

The two men laughed.

"With that said," said the director pointedly, "how is everything else going with you? You're looking good these days."

The other man's smile grew larger. "So you like the look of the new Dr. Dunn, eh?"

"You look great Tony."

"Lucky for me the agency was able to locate all those old photos of me. That make-up crew sure is talented." Dunn's eyes then flickered with seriousness as they locked onto his director's. "So why did you call me in Len? I'm sure you wanted something more than to just tell me how beautiful I've gotten over the years."

The Director smiled shaking his head. "Of course not." Brown took the files he had on his desk and spread them out. "We have some situations across the world. These are the reports. As senior member of the T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents I'm giving you first pick. The new recruits will have the rest of them assigned to them according to fit."

Doctor Anthony Dunn let his eyes skirt over the files before picking them up. He thumbed through the six reports for several minutes before returning five reports back on the desk.

"Okay." He said. "I'll take this one. I believe my team and I will be quite capable of handling it effectively."

Len Brown looked down at the remaining cases and then back up at the blonde haired man in front of his desk.

"You sure know how to pick'em." He said smirking. "Good luck and I'll see you when you get back."

The younger looking man stood up. The Director followed. Each looked into the other man's eyes smiling as they shook hands. The Doctor then turned and headed for the door. AS he grasped the knob he turned back towards the older man who still stood standing behind the desk looking at him.

"Len?"

The older man gave a lop sided grin, a look of longing evident in his eyes.

Not knowing what to say, Anthony Dunn just smiled and made his way out the door. "I wish you could join me too." He said under his breath as he shut the door behind him.

Len Brown stood watching the door for several seconds before returning to his chair and attempted a return to his work.

[DocQuantum]

2.

T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Base, Research and Development Division

Jeremiah Washington throttled his powered chair forward towards the double doors with the words RESEARCH and DEVELOPMENT stenciled above them. Shifting the paper bag that rested on his lap he reached up and placed his hand on the scan pad for identification. After a few seconds of flashing lights beneath his hand a male voice came from a speaker inset above the doors.

"Voice identification please"

Jeremiah smirked. "It's me, Brainie. Hurry up and let me in already, time's a wastin'."

Without a reply the double doors opened. Jeremiah navigated his way forward through the entrance and into the lab beyond.

Once he was in, the young man saw that two of his colleagues were standing at a lab table, their attention focused on the item laying atop the table surface. Well, that was until he had arrived and they had shifted their attention towards him.

"Hello," he said with a large grin. "How are the beautiful ladies of T.H.U.N.D.E.R. doing today?"

A petite Korean woman smiled back at him. "Just fine, Jerry. How are you today?"

"Just fabulous, Shim. What are you guys working on over there?"

The other woman, a slightly taller Japanese woman adorned with a pair of glasses with her hair tied up in a bun responded.

"We are refitting a new weapon to one of the Noman slates, Mr. Washington. And what about you? What brings you into work so early - it's still before lunch." The last part of her statement said with a playful sarcasm.

Jeremiah let out a haughty bit of laughter and shook his head. "Always the subtle one aren't we Dr. Yamada?" He returned with a retort of playful candor. "I- I thought I'd come in early and, ummm, check on Brainy's system. y'know, make sure he's not got any bugs or anything."

Dr. Hanako Yamada pointed the screw driver she held in her hand towards Jeremiah. "How is it that you American's put it. 'Whatever'." She rolled her eyes as she shook her head. "The day you come in early to work Mr. Washington is the day you can be called a good liar."

Shim let out a giggle as Jeremiah's face took on a feigned look of aspiration and held one hand over his heart. "Y- you misrepresent me Dr. Yamada! I- I'm hurt by your accusation!"

Dr. Yamada let out an exaggerated sigh of relent as she set down the screw driver and picked up a cloth to wipe her hands on.

Shim Cheong, grinning, pointed at the bag on Jeremiah's lap. "What's in the bag, eh Jerry? Don't tell me that's your lunch. you live on Mountain Dew and Doritos - and that bag doesn't look large enough to hold either."

"Well," began Jeremiah, his eyes flinting back to Dr. Yamada and then back to Shim's. "It- it's some, ummm, It's some software I want Brainy to... ummmm."

Shim smirked. "Analyse?"

Jeremiah laughed again. "Yeah, that's it." He thumbed towards the back of the lab. "You know where I'll be."

The young man swiveled his chair around and began towards his targeted direction. Stopping in front of a door he twisted a knob and moved inside the office beyond. Before shutting the door he yelled back towards the two women.

"Do me a favor - let me know if you see the boss coming, 'kay?"

The two women stood looking at him, both smiling and saying nothing. Jeremiah Washington, unsure how to take the silent answer, gave a small wave and disappeared behind the door.

The two women shared a moment of mischievous understanding between them before returning to their work.

----------

"I think, despite Mr. Washington's interruption, that our work here is finished." Said Dr. Yamada as she finished wiping her hands free of oil before placing the cloth on the table.

"Me, too. Can I take it down to the range for testing?" asked Shim.

"I believe so." Replied the older woman as she began to wipe her glasses. "Run the weapons system through the complete protocol. I want a ballistics check, a diagnostics on the targeting system, and a recoil analysis." Returning her glasses to her face, Dr. Yamada pulled a small box from a cabinet and placed it on the table. "While you're doing that I'll take another look at the Lightning device and specs. There has got to be a way to work out the flaws in this death trap."

"Sure thing, Doctor Haraku" replied Shim as she lifted the weapon onto a cart.

Dr. Yamada looked over at her assistant for a moment before speaking.

"Shim, have you given anymore thought to going back to school for your degree in weapons design? You are such a natural at this sort of thing."

The young Korean girl looked up at her senior colleague and shook her head.

"Not really, Dr. Yamada. I mean, I'm doing fine as a freelance agent. and the U.N., well, they pay me well."

Dr. Hanako Yamada laid down the cloth in her hands and turned towards the younger woman.

"I do wish you would reconsider Shim," she said in a tone that inferred friendship over professionalism. "I know your aptitude in this field is on the level of genius, but trust me, having those credentials after your name carries a lot of weight."

Shim Cheong dipped her head in obvious shame. "I know, doctor, but since my last attempt at going to school."

The elder woman pressed her finger to the younger woman's lips before embracing her in a comforting hug.

"Shhhh." Said Dr. Yamada gently. "I understand. Just remember, when you are ready, the agency has a scholarship program that will allow you to finish that which you have begun."

The younger woman looked up at her friend and supervisor, A crooked smile upon her face redirecting the lone tear that fell from her eye. "Thank you Doctor. I appreciate your support and understanding."

The older woman smiled before stepping back from her assistant.

"Anytime, Shim. I'm always here if you need me."

"I know," replied Shim as she wiped the tear from her face.

Turning from her friend and mentor, Shim Cheong began to push the lab cart towards the doors that lead down towards the firing range when the lab doors suddenly opened and in walked a blonde haired man.

"Hello, Dr. Dunn" she said with a smile.

----------

Dr. Anthony Dunn made his way through the halls of T.H.U.N.D.E.R. base. His mind was deep in thought. After all his years of planning and political maneuvering the agency was back on line. He felt like a million bucks. He chuckled to himself at that thought.

~I feel like a million bucks, but I'm easily worth a hundred times that.~

He thought of his meeting with Len and how well it had gone. He knew his old friend missed being out in the field, but unfortunately for the retired super spy, age had crept up on him making him unfit for the rigors of the job. Anthony Dunn knew that setting Len up as the Director was a far cry from engaging the enemy like they had in the 60s, but he hoped that the veteran hero would find some solace in knowing he was still a part of the team. The senior agency man thought to himself, ~Len may not know it yet, but he was soon going to discover just how important his position is going to mean for the on-going survival of the agency as a whole.~

But that was something that would come in time. Right now he had work to prepare for.

Gripping the mission file in his hand Anthony Dunn felt justified by the actions he had taken over the past 15 or so years since the agencies decommission. Sure some of those actions would not be considered all that ethical, but in the eyes of the Justice Department and the World Court they were legal. In a world that wasn't always black and white, Anthony Dunn had learned to survive and eventually thrive in the gray.

As the senior member of the T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents rounded a corner and made towards the last leg of reaching his final destination, he thought about how much more prepared this team was compared to those early days when it was he, Len, John, Lawson, and Gilbert. He winced at the thought of Virgil Gilbert. Gilbert's death had always been a sore spot for both the agency and him personally. He'd never forgive himself for Gilbert's death and he'd be damned sure no one else would meet the same demise. The Lightning Suit was a death trap for anyone who used it for too long. If he and his team could not work out the glitch in the weapon's design, and the agency was not willing to decommission the device, Anthony Dunn had made sure other protocols had been put in place to protect future agents from befalling a similar fate. No longer would a single man be committed to the Lightning legacy. Instead a different agent would be pulled from the ranks of the T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Squad for each mission. No agent would don the costume more than twice. No one!

Dr. Anthony Dunn was pulled from his soliloquy when he reached the end of a hall that dead-ended at a pair of reinforced double doors. Above the doors in block letters read: RESEARCH and DEVELOPMENT. Inset on the wall to the side of the doors were a keypad and a palm identifier. The palm scanner was set lower than the keypad so that his computer tech and hacker, Jeremiah Washington could reach it from his powered wheelchair.

The keypad had been installed specifically for Dunn. While the rest of his research team and those few other privileged admittants could be easily identified by their palm scans and voice recognitions; Dr. Dunn and the rest of the security team had considered the potential security risk he might open the agency to if he were to follow a similar protocol. The risk that one of the agencies enemies might retrieve one of his robotic hands after a mission gone afoul was to high to consider anything else. Some had actually argued that even is the enemy had one of his hands that entry would be nigh impossible because they would not be able to pass a voice recognition. However, when his robotics specialist, Navin Chanbrashekara noted that had the enemy somehow gained access to one of our slates voice simulators. well, the keypads had been integrated throughout the building.

Lifting his hand up to the keyboard, Dr. Anthony Dunn began to type in the 12-thousand character encryption his computer brain recalled. His fingers moved with computer accuracy and speed taking him a mere 30 seconds to fully input to the system. A second later a light on the palm scanner lit up and the double doors turned in on their hinges.

When he walked in he was greeted by his weapons specialist's assistant, Shim Cheong.

"Hello, Dr. Dunn." She said baring a smile.

---------------

Jeremiah Washington shut the door behind him and let out a sigh of relief. ~Finally,~ he thought to himself as he navigated his wheelchair around a desk, pushing the office chair aside.

"Brainy" he said out loud as he tossed the paper bag on his lap onto the desk. "Ready for a work out today?"

A male voice came from the surround sound speakers built into the office walls.

"Mr. Washington. Good day. I was not aware that a systems check was on the docket for today."

Jeremiah smiled as he removed a small box from the bag and tossed the paper into the trash bin beneath the desk. "Oh no, little buddy." Said Jeremiah as he tore the packaging apart with a childlike excitement. "We ain't got no systems check going on here."

The computer sat quiet for a few moments as Jeremiah discarded the packaging and slipped its contents into the computer's mainframe.

"Mr. Washington!" the A.I. retorted with a hint of exasperation. "What sort of computer system do you take me for!?"

Jeremiah let out a laugh and began to run his fingers over the keyboard.

"C'mon, Brainy. this is the latest in."

The A.I. cut his developer off in mid sentence.

"Sir, I am the Brain Inter-Active Construct, not the Atari 2600! I must insist you not put my talents to use in such a trivial manner!"

Jeremiah plugged a joystick into the terminal interface and pressed one more button before the A.I. could make any further protests. A large grin spread over the black man's face and a twinkle in his eye reflected off the terminal screen as a familiar musical score blared out over the sound system.

"C'mon, Brainy - even you can appreciate STAR WARS," Jeremiah chuckled. "Let's us bust some Tie-Fighter ass!"

----------

"Hello, Dr. Dunn" said Shim Cheong as the department head entered the room. "How was your meeting with the Director?"

Dr. Dunn smiled as he walked further into the room, the doors closing behind him. "Good afternoon, Shim. The director is doing well." He waved the folder he was holding in the air.

"Is that another project?" asked Dr. Yamada.

"Yes," replied Dr. Dunn. "Just not the kind you may be suspecting."

Dr. Yamada raised an eyebrow. "Indeed."

"Indeed." Repeated Dr. Dunn with a wry smile. "Gather up the rest of the team. we've got a mission to prepare for."

Shim's face took on an expression of surprise. "Wow. Really?"

"Really," returned Dr. Dunn. "Where is the rest of the team anyways?"

Shim pressed a finger to her lip and rolled her eyes up. "Ummmm, Navin and Philip took H.E.R.B.I.E. and went down to the supply depot for some components. Navin said something about refitting some slates with teleoptics and Philip needed more synth flesh..."

"And what about Jeremiah?" asked the doctor, dragging out the A in and.

"I- I'm not sure where Jeremiah stepped out to.ummm, Hanako?"

Dr. Yamada turned without pause and pointed towards the back of the room. "He's in there."

Shim gasped in surprise. Dr. Yamada merely smirked.

Anthony Dunn shook his head and grinned. "Thanks, Hanako. While I deal with Jeremiah, I'd like one of you to contact Philip and Navin. Have them report here as soon as possible."

The two women nodded as Dr. Dunn turned away and started towards the back of the room. Dr. Yamada stopped Shim as she started to reach towards the lab phone. Shim looked at her questionably as the older woman pressed a finger against her lips and nodded in the direction of the Department Chair. Shim's eyes grew large as Dr. Yamada let a wicked grin cut across her face. Shim put her hand over her mouth in surprise of her supervisor's actions. The two women stood and watched with interest as Dr. Dunn approached the door.

----------

Doctor Anthony Dunn approached the door at the back of the lab. In a brass plate tacked to the doors exterior read: Dr. Anthony Dunn Department Chair. He had mixed feelings about how he had come to own that title. To some extent he had earned the position - and on the other hand he had inherited the position once T.H.U.N.D.E.R. had been shut down all those years ago.

Pushing back the memories of those years between then and now, Dr. Dunn pressed his ear up against the door and listened quietly. Had he been in one of the Noman slates he could have heard a pin drop in the room beyond from up in Len's office; but because his civilian slate had been presented to him as a sort of good will gesture from the agency after the T.H.U.N.D.E.R. decommissioning, he had no complaints.

From outside he could hear the sound of electronic bleeps and the occasional blurt of profanity from within. Grinning, Dunn grasped the door knob and rotated it quietly before suddenly throwing it open.

"Mr. Washington! What are you doing in my office!" he yelled.

----------

Jeremiah Washington's eyes flickered to and fro across the 32" terminal. The computer images of Tie-Fighters sending strafing fire across the nose of his ship made him squirm in his seat as if he were actually participating in one of the commercial hit battles.

"Damn." He said as he jerked the joystick to the left. "$#!*." He followed as he took a starboard hit before jerking quickly to the right.

Jeremiah was in heavenly bliss.

Until the door from behind him suddenly flew open and he heard his boss yell.

"Mr. Washington! What are you doing in my office!"

----------

T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Base, The Office of Dr. Anthony Dunn

Dr. Anthony Dunn stood with his face rigid and stern as he laughed inside. The black man sitting at the terminal looked as if he had been bit in the ass. The look on Jeremiah Washington's face was a comical sight taken from the days of Hollywood during the Jim Crow years.

"I asked you a question," continued Dr. Dunn, ashamed of what he was doing to the young man, but not enough to stop.

"Nu-nuthin, sir!" he replied nervously. "I- I mean, I was just testing your system m- making s- sure everything is ru- running ri- right."

The young man immediately turned back towards the computer terminal and began pushing keys like a pianist on speed. "E- Everyth- thing is lo- looking great," the man stammered. "I- I ju- just have a f- few th- things to f- finish here and."

Dr. Dunn stood perched against the frame of the door holding his hand over his mouth in order to contain his laughter.

The young man looked up at the doctor with a mix of fear and confusion on his face.

"Wh- What.?!?"

Doctor Dunn nodded his head still smiling. "I'm aware that the new StarWars game came out today. Were you at least able to get a high score?"

Jeremiah Washington slowly wheeled his chair around to face his boss. "Ummmmm"

Dr. Dunn stepped to the side of the door to make wave for his physically challenged friend. "Next time just ask." He said to the young man as he navigated his wheelchair past. "Now, grab your gear and find yourself to the conference room. When Navin and Philip return we are going to have a meeting."

Jeremiah Washington knew not to look a gift horse in the mouth. Stammering a quick affirmative to his superior he quickly fled the office.

Watching the young man leave Dr. Dunn shut his office door behind him and took a seat at his desk.

"Thank you, sir." Came the voice of Brainiac through the sound system.

Dr. Dunn placed the mission file upon his desk and opened it.

"No problem, Brainiac." He said to the A.I.. "I need you to run a search on the following individuals.."

----------

Jeremiah quickly exited the office of Dr. Anthony Dunn and found himself face to face with Shim and Dr. Yamada. He frowned as he saw both were holding back their laughter.

"Yeah, reeeeeeeal funny." he said with a hint of sarcasm. "Why didn't you guys warn me or something?"

The two women were no longer able to contain their laughter.

"Whatever." Shot Jeremiah as he turned his chair towards the door and entered the hallway. "Women."

TBC

[DocQuantum]

T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Base, Supply Depot

"Sirs."

"Not now, Herbie."

"But sirs."

"Jose! You are stepping on my head!"

"Uhh, sorry Azaad."

"Sirs."

"Not right now, Herbie." Said the young Hispanic man. "Focus your light up here a little more - I can't see."

"You can not balance either it appears." Retorted the Indian.

"Is that right. how about YOU can't hold me straight?"

"I do not think this is the problem."

"Jose stood awkwardly on the shoulders of Azaad He was attempting to pull a box down from the top shelf but had found it difficult to budge.

"Sirs."

"Not now my little friend," said Azaad calmly. "We are trying to do something very idiotic."

"Hey!" shout Jose. "What's with you, man? Why you gots to be like all that?"

"Perhaps it is because you keep stepping on my head. Why will you not use the ladder?"

The Brazilian let out a huff of annoyance.

"I told you amigo, we don't need no stinking ladder!"

"No." replied Azaad flatly. "YOU need some common sense."

Jose wiggled the canister in his hands and felt it give. "I think I feel it loosening. Just a little more."

The little robot watched on as his human companions partook in what he had mathematically equivocated as what most people would call madness. If the little droid had had eyes of flesh they would have bulged in shock at what happened next.

"Sirs." began the droid known as Herbie short for Humanoid Experimental Robot B-Type Integrated Electronics. "I do not believe the current plan of action by master Masa would be strategic. The statistical probability that."

But before Herbie could finish his warning the ball had already begun to roll.

"Just one more good tug and."

The tug had been a little to much.

"Oops." Said Jose.

"Ouch!" yelled Azaad.

"Hang on to me Azaad!" cried Jose.

"By the great Brahma!" exclaimed Azaad.

*crash*

"Aaaah!"

*smack*

"No!"

*thud*

"Ooooooh"

If Herbie had been programmed with a sense of humor he may have laughed at the situation. Below him lay the form of Azaad Hoon spread eagle on the floor, his large round glasses cocked unevenly on his face. Laying atop the Indian robotics engineer lay Jose Masa in a similar position rubbing his head holding a large canister of special effects material he called "synth-flesh."

Both men were moaning.

"I detect that the two of you are in good health." Said Herbie without emotion. "Aside from some minor bruising and possible crushed egos you should be fine."

"Did you program him with that sick sense of humor, hombre?" said Jose.

"Not me," responded Azaad. "I only built him. Jeremiah does all the programming."

"Figures," retorted the Brazilian. "By the way, man - You okay?"

"I think I will be fine once you find yourself off my body." Responded the Indian.

"Sirs." said Herbie.

"What now, little dude?" said Jose rubbing his head. "Ain't you got your jab in already?"

The little droid levitated down to head level of the two men.

"I have no jabs master Masa. I merely wanted to let you know that lady Cheong has informed me that Dr. Dunn has requested your presence back in the Research and Development Lab."

Jose shook his head. "Man, what did Jeremiah do now that's going to get us in trouble?"

Azaad shook his head and shrugged his shoulders.

"What ever it is I did not do it."

The two men gathered the boxes and canister they had come for and loaded them onto a gurney wearily before they began to make their way back to the lab.

[DocQuantum]

"Sir, it is time." Came the electronic voice.

"Thank you Brainiac." Replied Dr. Anthony Dunn as he pushed back from his desk and stood. "Is the mission file readied in the system?"

"Yes sir."

"Good. Thanks." Said Dunn as he cinched up his tie in a mirror and straightened his shoulders. "See you in the meeting room."

Dr. Anthony Dunn exited his office, turned left and started down the short hall towards the R&D meeting room. The cards had been dealt and now was time for some serious poker. he hoped all the recent changes to the new T.H.U.N.D.E.R. had stacked the deck in their favor. with a few wild cards up its sleeve to boot.

When Dr. Dunn entered the conference room he found his staff seated around the circular meeting table.

"Okay. let's go through Progress reports before I detail you on the NoMan mission. I think it would be helpful to know what the current status of the team is as we strategize a game plan."

The group of professionals nodded in understanding as they began to tap into the table mounted keyboards at their seatings.

"Dr. Yamada."

The Japanese scientist tapped a couple of keys on her keyboard. From the table's center rose a circular flat screen that stopped just inches from the surface. She tapped another key and a three dimensional image took form above the screen.

In The image was of a muscular built man baring the Dynamo costume and belt.

"Isn't he just handsome," giggled Shim Cheong.

Dr. Yamada rolled her eyes and let out a sigh of disbelief. The rest of the team grinned, some held back laughter.

Shim Blushed. "but, he is."

Dr. Yamada gave Shim a sidelong glance of disapproval before clearing her throat and speaking.

"Recent tests demonstrate that the Thunder Belt and it's wearer have bonded successfully. Diagnostics confirm genetic coding to be 100% successful. The current barer of the belt has demonstrated a pressing capability of 18 tons. Molecular density testing and weight are compatible with recorded historical norms. Ballistics reports confirm subject as being near invulnerable during belt activation. At this time all testing data suggest that the Thunder Belt is performing as expected."

She tapped another few keys and the image changed. Floating in the center of the table stood a rotating woman wearing the Menthor uniform and Cybernetic helmet.

"Project Menthor has demonstrated similar positive outcomes. The barer has expressed no discomfort with using the Cybernetic Helmet."

Dr. Dunn noticed his colleagues pause. "But.?"

Dr. Yamada looked over at the department chair.

"I'm not sure." she continued cautiously. "While running a psychometric scan during the barer's exercises, readouts showed a blurring of the wearer's brainwave activity.. It was scattered throughout the graph. episodic, not continuous. When I saw this I double checked the scanning equipment, but found nothing wrong.. Nothing In the hardware. nor were there any software glitches according to Brainiac's coding scans. "

Dr. Dunn lifted an eyebrow.

"I'm not sure what to think about the data. I suggest we continue to monitor this situation very closely."

"Brainiac. please note Dr. Yamada's scepticism in the record. Also add in a recommendation for continued monitoring of the Menthor initiate as she progresses." Dunn then looked back towards Dr. Yamada.

Dr. Yamada tapped a few more keys and the image at the table's center shifted once again. The image of a female clad in the Raven uniform and flight harness replaced that of the prior agent.

"Diagnostics run on the Raven Flight Harness have shown better than expected results. The upgrades made to the harness power cells have proven to enhance the anti-gravity system devised by Dr. Jennings fifty percent. Radar has clocked the harness capable of reaching speeds nearing 150 mph. Energy output has been minimized and system testers have reported better handling. Mr. Lawson said off the record the suit works like a charm."

Dunn smiled. "Good ol' Lawson. they couldn't have put a better man in charge of that project."

Once again Dr. Yamada tapped some keys and the holographic image altered to that of someone wearing the Lightning uniform. The image continuously changed, shifting in a rotation of five distinct individuals, highlighting the current initiates in Project Lightning.

"There have been no changes in the performance of the Electromagnetic suit. However research continues to pursue solutions towards reducing those side affects brought on by the speed module's current design. Currently we are testing the speed governing micro-circuitry developed earlier this year. So far testing data has shown positive results suggesting that the initiates are unable to break the speed of sound at this time."

Dr. Yamada sipped from a cup of coffee and then continued.

"Team Lightning reports each member of the program is demonstrating proficient progress in high speed testings. Even when at the suit's max speeds of 1,234 kilometers per hour, that all inductees are performing well. Furthermore Team Lightning has stated that their latest test results solidly confirm that the speed module increases body metabolism at a rate of one year for every 24 hours of use. As a way to protect the wearers of the suit from the physical symptomologies historically demonstrated by prior bearers, Team Lightning has incorporated a daily exercise routine, a high protein and carbohydrate diet, and a daily regiment of high potency vitamin and mineral injections in hopes of reducing aggressive metabolic breakdown."

Dr. Yamada tapped another key or two and the holograms disappeared. She looked towards Dr. Dunn.

"How about the Vulcan project or the Undersea program?" asked the Department Chair.

Dr. Yamada shook her head. "Nothing so far sir. At this time those projects are still in the birthing stages."

Dr. Anthony Dunn nodded. "How about other projects? Is there anything I should be updated on before we move on to Project NoMan business?"

"Yes, sir." Said Shim Cheong from across the table. "Security surveillance has been upgraded as of yesterday. Brainiac is now on line and monitoring."

Dr. Dunn turned towards the young Korean woman. He had brought her on the team as an acting consultant for her expertise in security systems, weapons targeting systems, and electronic counter measures. She hadn't had the educational degrees that many of the T.H.U.N.D.E.R. staff had, but when she had demonstrated her ability to crack through all of the organization's original security and defense systems in a matter of minutes during her interview, he pressed hard to get her on his team. This young woman was probably one of the organizations greatest assets.

"Please.. Ms. Cheong, do tell."

"Jerry and I were able to network Brainiac into the security system.." The dainty asian started. "Brainy, pull up the network file and activate initiative 317.5."

In the center of the table appeared a fully featured hologram of T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Base. A series of colored lights illuminated the image in an extraordinary display of computer graphics.

"What you see here is a detailed hologram of T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Base and it's perimeter." Began Shim. "It highlights every aspect of the complex. Electrical systems, plumbing systems, heating and air conditioning ducts, telecommunication and computer networks, and most importantly, security and surveillance systems."

Shim began to fidget with the pen she was holding. Anthony Dunn knew the girl was nervous. This had been her first independent project since she joined the team.

"As of midnight Brainiac has taken over all base and perimeter surveillance. He will also be monitoring all telecommunication lines and will be able to trace all incoming and outgoing calls. He is also tapped into the base's computer network and in much the same way as the telecommunications network, is programmed to monitor all messaging in search of questionable activities. For what it is worth, Brainiac is he who watches the watchmen."

The young woman used the pen she was holding to point at locations on the hologram.

"For all intents and purposes T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Base is a virtual fortress. She is as secure as physically possible utilizing the technology we have available at this time. For instance you will notice a series of colored dots throughout the hologram. The blue dots are security. red are soldiers. yellow are administrative personnel. and green represents those of us who work on the various T.H.U.N.D.E.R. projects. In each of our identification cards there is a microchip that allows each of us to be tracked throughout the complex. The four digit alpha-numeric code next to each dot identifies exactly who that dot is based on the code stamped on our badges. This way in a pinch each of us can be located such as might be the case one of us becomes incapacitated and cannot call for help. Non-personnel are easily identified by Brainiac's instant cross referencing. when there is a person say in corridor 38 and there is not a corresponding dot, Brainiac immediately contacts security and warns of a possible security breech."

Anthony Dunn smiled at the young woman. "Very good, Ms. Cheong. has security been notified of Brainiac's operating status?"

"Yes, sir." replied Shim. "Mr. Wiley has been notified as has Mrs. Kane per your request."

Anthony Dunn smiled. His team seemed to be on top of everything.

"Is there anything else..?"

Jeremiah nodded his head. "I'd like to let everyone know that H.E.R.B.I.E. has had a new memory chip placed into his processing unit. He is now able to serve not only as a translator, scientific calculator, encyclopedia, dictionary, but also as a master of comic-book, science fiction, horror, fantasy, and adventure trivia!"

"Woo Hoo!" exclaimed Asaad from across the table. "This is a very good thing you have done Mr. Washington! How I love your American funny books. they are so helpful for creating in my mind!"

Everyone around the table turned to look at the excited Indian. A large smile cast across his face.

"Great." sighed Jose. "First you guys name the computer after a comic-book villain. then you name the utility droid after one in another comic-book. and now you guys turn the little guy into a geek's dream, a game of Trivial Pursuit. Aye carumba!"

Shim giggled shyly and Dr. Yamada closed her eyes and sighed with dismay.

Anthony Dunn shook his head, a grin cutting across his face. Had Anyone been listening in on their meeting they probably would have considered this group to be made up of an assemblage of immature amateurs. But he knew otherwise. Despite their individual quirks and foibles, this group of scientist and professionals were some of the best their individual countries could offer. If outsiders found them a bit crazy they would be thinking very two-dimensional, for in fact they were some of the finest and most intelligent people he had ever had the pleasure of working with. besides, he of all people knew genius and insanity often bordered on a razor's edge.

"How about Project NoMan.. Where are we in regards to preparedness?"

"We have many upgrades to the robotic slates, sir." Reported Dr. Yamada. "Perhaps we should start with Mr. Washington."

Anthony Dunn turned to face Jeremiah. "What do you have for us Mr. Washington?"

The black man grinned.

"Brainy, close this file and bring up NoMan Project file 429.4."

In the center of the table the hologram changed from T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Base to that of a familiar blue and tan figure.

"This as we all know is an image of one of Dr. Dunn's original NoMan slates. Brainy, phase the image and give me a close up of the electronic brain."

The holographic image of the robot became translucent displaying its inner workings. Then the image shifted from a full body image to a close-up of the robot's head where could be seen a series of wires and optic sensors plugged into what appeared to be a box the size of a pack of cigarettes. Again the image shifted and all that remained was the small box.

"This is the genius of Dr. Anthony Dunn, robotics developer extraordinary." Said Jeremiah with a side long glance at his boss. "Even after 20 years, this is still considered state of the art technology - the electronic brain that not only regulated and monitored the robotic body in which it was installed, but also served as the cockpit for the good doctor when he transferred his consciousness into it."

Jeremiah sipped from his can and wiped his lips on his cuff.

"Crack it open, Brainy." said the man in the wheel chair.

Once again the image changed and a display of the box's inner circuitry was presented for all to see.

"As you can see this technology is very complex, a lot of it I had to sit and process for several weeks. it may have taken me much longer had I not had Brainy by my side. I mean, this technology is a piece of electronic genius in the way that it so closely replicates the synaptic functions of a real live brain!"

Dr. Dunn smiled as he looked at Jeremiah.

"Excuse me, Mr. Washington," he said. "But I suspect there is more to this demonstration than to express your adoration."

"No. I mean, yes.. That is." Jeremiah blushed. He quickly regained his composure, cleared his throat and continued. "Yes, sir. as I came to comprehend the workings of the brain box it occurred to me that it might be possible to imprint other functionalities upon the box that might prove useful on missions. things such as data, skills, and possibly other personalities that you could access any time you wanted."

Anthony Dunn's attention was firmly hooked on Jeremiah.

"So what I did was have Brainy upload a number of skills, maps, voice simulation programs, and brainwave templates taken from myself with slight alterations to alter things such as speech patterns and mannerisms. In essence I dropped a series of artificial intelligences into the system that you can access and control with a thought."

Jeremiah looked at his Department Chair.

"All it needs is a test run, sir. but I believe that if my posits are correct, you could be anyone a mission called for you to be. The ultimate spy."

The Department Chair rubbed his chin as he looked at the holographic image.

"Very interesting, Mr. Washington." he said slowly. "The possibilities."

Jeremiah cocked his head and shrugged smugly. "t'weren't nothing, boss."

"Brainiac," Dunn called. "check my schedule for next week and set up a time for Mr. Washington and me to meet. let's set up time for some testing."

The A.I. voiced acknowledgement.

"Okay," said Dunn in his 'let's get back to business' voice. "anybody else?"

Dr. Yamada spoke. "there appears to be some modifications to the slate design."

Anthony Dunn turned towards Asaad. "Mr. Hoon. what have you to report?"

The excited robotics engineer quickly began to key in commands to his terminal. In the center of the table the hologram of the original NoMan slate was replaced with that of a mechanically enhanced skeleton.

Jose rolled his eyes. "I don't believe this."

"Dr. Dunn," started Asaad. "I would like to introduce you to my latest creation for your mission purposes. I am calling this the T2. I have got this idea from watching this wonderful American movie and reading some funny books called Captain America."

Anthony Dunn grinned. "Really, Asaad. please, tell me more. what exactly is this creation of yours capable of?"

Asaad smiled. "It is very safe for your brain box, Doctor. You will see that I have shaped it like one human skeleton. A compound of very powerful ceramics is what we used in forming this endo-frame because it is so lite. Much military firepower it would take to hurt this wonderful design. Field testing I have had Miss Cheong perform on this body and it has demonstrated being capable of taking one missile from a launcher and keep on ticking!"

The Indian paused.

" A second direct one not as much.."

Asaad punched a few more keys and the image closed in on the chest cavity and skull. Both became semi-transparent revealing a series of cables connecting various metallic boxes and sensors.

"As is easy to see with this display," continued Assad. "The brain box which you are storing your consciousness in is behind this chest frame very much safe. The optic, olfactic and audio sensors are very much safe also. protected by what Americans call a thick skull."

Jose buried his head in his hands and groaned. Jeremiah nearly spat a stream of Mountain Dew across the table. Shim held back a giggle as Dr. Yamada raised an eye brow.

"These cables here run from the sensors to your brain box, Dr. Dunn. In very much the same way I have connected your speech modulator." Assad stopped speaking and pressed another series of buttons.

The image shifted once again to the full skeletal form. Colored strands of illuminated graphics traced the inner areas of the robotic skeleton's structure.

"Inside these ceramic endo-skeleton run a series of titanium cables connecting the sections to one another to allow for movement. These cables also carry the electrical system to activate various hydraulics and muscle simulation plates. These hydraulics make you plenty strong. There is even room still available should you want to add weapons like RoboCop."

Jeremiah's face scrunched up. "RoboCop. ?"

Jose dropped his head to the table and groaned.

Asaad pushed his glasses up onto the bridge of his nose still smiling. "Yes. it is a very good movie being filmed last summer! Maybe in theaters this fall."

Dr. Dunn was smiling. "So tell me, Mr. Hoon. I see you got the skeletal design from a 1984 blockbuster hit, but what part was it exactly that you got from the. ummm. Captain America comic-books?"

Asaad's eyes lit up and his smile had grown larger if such a thing was possible.

Jose put his hands on top of his head and groaned. "He had to ask.."

"Oh Dr. Dunn. in this wonderful funny book the hero Captain America is fighting a very bad man who is a brilliant geneticist. His name is Arnin Zola and he has a situation very much similar to your's, Dr. Dunn. In order so that he would live forever Mr. Zola genetically engineers himself a body that he feels would be most practical."

Asaad scratched his head.

"There is some things about American funny books I do not understand. When Mr. Zola captures the American Captain he begins to boast to his captive very much telling him of how he is going to make him pay to no end. I do not know why this is, but in American funny books the bad person always must tell his origins. "

The Indian shakes his head and follows with a shrug.

"Oh, yes. where was my story ending? Of coarse.. Mr. Zola is no different. As he tells his story he reminds me very much of you Dr. Dunn, because he too is transferring his consciousness most capably. As I have told you before he is most brilliant and therefore has engineered his body to be very much practical.. Instead of having himself a head, he has moved his brain box to the center of his very powerful body and replace his head with what he calls an ESP Box. This ESP Box looks much like a camera and many of his other senses. Reading this gave me a pause for reflection . I had thought how good of an idea was this. and so was it I created T2."

Jose shook his head. "Hey, man. you had to tell us the whole freakin' comic-book just for that? "

"Very interesting, Mr. Hoon. Thanks for your update.. "

Dunn looked over at Jose. "Mr. Masa?"

Jose scratched his head before punching some keys. Everyone watched as the image of the T2 added another two components into its chest cavity. From the two components ran a series of red and blue lines. The blue lines ran along the arms, legs, and neck. Another blue ran into what looked like a large bladder where a person's intestines would rest. The red lines seemed to coil around the entire body to some degree.

When the graphics stilled Jose pushed back from his seat and began to walk around the room.

"As you know my specialty is in special effects. I've spent my life working on all kinds of movies with all kinds of budgets." Jose paused and licked his lips. "When Asaad showed me his Terminator project I must admit that I too went back to the film and re-watched it. The special effects in the film were. ah, okay. But it wasn't the film's F/X I was interested in, it was the rationale for the robots design. The machines wanted to pass for human. Well, I figured so did the Doctor when he was undercover. but how to do that was going to be tricky. then it came to me!"

Jose grabbed a pointer and aimed it towards a blue box in the T2 hologram. The box rested just to the left of the robot's brain box.

"This device here in the chest is a miniature water pump. It runs off the same energy supply that the Doctor's brain box does. This bladder tucked away in the robots torso is filled with pig's blood. These blue lines here that run along the arms, legs, and neck are made of a variation on synth-flesh. I'll get to that soon. that is shaped into tubes, or veins if you will."

Jose drops the pointer down to the T2's torso and rests it on a blue kidney shaped image.

"The pump moves blood from the bladder. which is stored in the torso of the robot for reasons I will explain. around through these tubes. Why you might ask. because. Say the Doctor is captured and someone decides to cut his throat. he'll bleed. If someone shoots him in his leg. he'll bleed. If he has a chunk of his arm blown off. he'll bleed. If he gets stabbed in the stomach.. He'll bleed. If someone touches or tastes the blood, it will taste and feel like human blood. ain't all that much difference between man and swine unless you put it under a microscope. This facade will come off real enough to pass. unless someone gets close enough to look at the wound."

By this time Jose had made his way back to his seating area. He tapped a couple more keys and the image covered over with what looked like muscular tissue.

"Over the years I have developed a formula for something I call Synth-flesh. It's basically a compound that is made up of materials from a group of Thermal plastic elastomers like polyvinyl chloride and silicone, creating a substance where the atoms bond with high resiliency. This means that the atomic memory of synth-flesh is malleable, yet when not under pressure will return to it's original form. Because of the process I use to make this stuff I can vary the density of the material."

Jose used the pointer and moved it over the T2 hologram, stopping in areas of interest.

" So, for instance, I can simulate cartilage for the nose or ears. muscle tissue for arms, legs and stomach regions."

He then aimed the pointer towards a red box in the chest cavity of the T2 and trailed the lines that ran from it along the length of the robotic form stopping at other places of interest.

"The red box represents the power matrix and heating unit. This unit is placed somewhere just behind the brain box and mini-pump. It not only serves as the energy supply for the robot, but also to maintain a warm temperature of about 98.8 degrees to simulate human body temperature. It is located near the pump and keeps the blood at a relative level. These lines that run from the heating unit connect to the muscle simulator plates and the brain box. This helps to maintain the illusion that our robot is alive and not just an animated doll. The synth-flesh is not only warm to the touch, but it also flexs and moves like a real person. much like Dr. Dunn's daily slate does. winking eye lids, muscle twitching, curling lips, etc., etc., etc.."

He moved back to his keyboard and tapped another combination of commands. The image now looking like a nude male, bald and hairless.

"After the ground work is laid I merely place the unfinished slate into a preformed molding unit and with Brainiac's help inject the synth-flesh for a full body coating. After the flesh cools I step into artist mode and begin to detail the slate. Things like eye lashes, hair, teeth, maybe a birthmark or scar for a touch of reality. I set fingernails, toe nails, and maybe do some touch up air brushing to bring the slate to life."

Jose tapped another key or two and the T2 image looked like a well chiseled man who appeared clean cut, but worldly.

".and that's that," said Jose pressing a final button and shutting down the hologram projector. "The entire process takes me about eight hours on a good day. you can't rush fine art like mine."

Jose sat back down at his seat and looked over at Asaad. "See, amigo. no Captain America.. No RoboCop. just good original creativity, eh?"

Asaad shook his head. "You are very wrong my good friend.. look again."

Jose looked back at the holographic image. there was something different than his original demonstration.

"It looks very much like Arnold Schwarzenegger, yes?"

Jose looked at Asaad and then back at the hologram. He was right, the image looked like Arnold in his physical prime.

"What!?" spat the special effects wizard. "How.?"

Jeremiah was grinning. So was Asaad. Shim, Dr. Yamada, and Dr. Dunn held back their laughter.

Jose growled. "I'll get you guys for this."

The Department Chair nodded in Jose's direction before addressing the group.

"It sounds as if everything is running smoothly for the newly reformed T.H.U.N.D.E.R. organization. This is good because as of now Project NoMan has been given its first mission .."