Crap. 30 minutes. That is all I get? I don't have time for recon, ensuring security...nothing! So what can I do? We can't just meet on 30 minutes notice and not expect someone else to also show up. I am sure there are lots of other smart guys listening in on our conversation. So what can I do? What's that answer?
Well, as my friend Terry Pratchett would say, "It's probably Quantum!" Yeah, that guy cracks me up every time.
OK, I got it.
He hits the PRINT button and runs over to the laser printer, then back to his bench. "Not safe for use at home, but these guys can handle heavy metals...I hope." Jim shot a glance at the clock..."Crap! 18 minutes..."
He clicked back his hair...and then smiled at the camera. Oh crap. Almost forgot. Jim activated his exoskeleton, and his lab outift melted away to be replaced by the fine, black suit and a black mask over his head. Nice!
"I'm XO. Nice to meet you. Well, it was brief, and this doesn't really count, and, dude, 30 minutes -- what were you thinking?"
...
He arrived at the park with no time to spare. Under the large ring of a sculpture, he squared off the poster board with his printed plane image against the steel plaque in the concrete. Stood up and started heading South as if he were just out for a stroll.
He got only a football field down the sidewalk when he spied something frightening through the plate glass in the building to his left. Holy crap! That guy is wearing power armor or something, and a huge power pack on his back. He froze and turned to walk back the other way, pretending he hadn't seen a thing.
Then ahead he say the man in the blue costume shrug off a hoodie as he stood under the large ring sculpture. From hind him to the right the wild woman leapt through the air to land next to him. They were here! And looks like they got his message. Good, now get the hell out of here!
But no...a flying villain approached them and challenged them. Then that armored guy ran out of the building and also took to the air.
Jim couldn't help it. He froze, unmoving...and then darted to the left to take cover under and behind the tree he saw the beast woman jump into and disappear. Maybe if she was still in the tree he could get her attention...
...Maybe that was a bad idea. He was still in his--what? My labcoat? Crap. You total nerd, Jim!
Then the third guy ran out of the building, slower, and maybe heavier, too...it looked like he was cracking the sidewalk where we ran. I think I better try to get across the street and out of here.
Well, I hope they get to safety, too.
And I hope they get my message.