The last several months have been grueling, to say the least. Each of the Nova’s in the T2M:Europe project were secluded onto a small island of the coast of Italy, and were rarely granted with leave. On the occasions that they could leave, they were forbid from ever mentioning Team Tomorrow: Europe. Each of the Nova’s were put through their own rigorous training exercise, crafted specially to their individual abilities. The Nova’s were to eat together, and often train together. A group leader is yet to be selected. Often the Nova’s would be pushed to their limits, causing them to faint. Jonathan Church, the man in charge of the Nova’s lives, was always apologetic, and answered only to the Director of Team Tomorrow: Europe; Andrew Mercury. The past week has easily been the worse. The Nova’s were put up against odds that they had absolutely no chance in passing, but were forced to try until physically or mentally unresponsive.

It’s an overcast day on the small island where each of the characters resides. Rain threatens to inconvenience the few inhabitants of the island; inside the large building is grey as always. The walls, ceilings, and floors are all the same shade of grey. The people inside regard each of the members of T2M with courteous hello’s and small talk where applicable. These are the people who’ve you’d had to speak to for the last several months, with the few allowances of freedom that the members have received. The lecture room resembles that of a college classroom, with rows of seats elevating upwards as they extend backwards. In the front of the room, Jonathan Church resides. Jonathan is a lengthy fellow with salt and pepper hair. He wears the uniform required of all Project Utopia officials, which is blue slacks, white shirt, and a blue jacket. As the first arrives, Jonathan excuses himself after giving his greeting in a thick English accent. He tells the Nova to tell everyone he will be back in a few minutes.

Virago entered the room first and made her way to a seat in the front row. Typically, she had a dog-eared comic book with her that she was reading as she walked, the cover depicting a big purple guy in green trashing something. It had to be an issue of WildC.A.T.s, the comic book she rescued from oblivion. To say that Deanne had been a real fan was an underestimation. Now she owned the entire company that produced it.

As usual, the redhead wore her tight scarlet outfit, her dark red hair pulled back into a ruthless French braid. She was sculpted muscle and gravity-defying curves, her face a thing of cold, chiselled beauty though her deep brown eyes were surprisingly warm. In combat, she was a thing of precise action and deadly grace, capable of manifesting sharp silvery blades; outside, she was still self-confident, but very much the unashamed comic book geek she had been before eruption.

She waited for the others.

Dougal sauntered into the room a bit early and saw that only Virago was there ahead of him. Even after a year of being out of the military he still wasn't able to break himself of the habit of always arriving just a little early to meetings. Noting the everpresent comic book in her hands he smiled to himself and waited for her to look up before nodding in greeting.

"Whatcha readin lassy?" As he said it he found a seat and got comfortable. He had always had a fondness for comics, in the service they were always very popular with the soldiers. Virago reminded him of one of the big cats, a lioness perhaps, she moved with that kind of liquid grace. He thought of himself as being like that as well. Ever since his eruption he had been inhumanly fluid in his movements, not many could come close, but it was nice being among the T2M group where there were others of similar abilities.

"I guess we're finally gonna see some action, and about time too. I went through basic training once, then special forces training. I never expected to be put through the nova version of that here." He gave a sigh and contemplated when he would be able to get back to Rome or the Riveria and have some fun again.

The past several weeks had been hard for Ingot. It was not the training, or the lectures which he found to be dificult, but the isolation. A small island was bad enough, but not getting any leave was even more difficult. Needless to say, the dating scene was pretty anemic, and Ingot wanted to scream. He wanted to go to a big city, as soon as posssible. Hopefully, this meeting meant the end to their isolation. After business concluded, and if they regained their freedom, Ingot was going to have a night out on the town with a beautiful woman..or even two.

He was not even sure how his investments did while he was away. For all he knew, he could have lost millions of US Dollars in a mild recession. For some strange reason, he didn't seem to care. He was learnng about his powers, and realized that the gold he created was permanent. He knew that creating gold out of thin air, for monetary reasons, was not a good idea. Too much of it, and gold becomes worthless.

Dougal and Virago had already arrived at the meeting, and were siting and chatting lightly. Ingot noticed the comic book in Viragos hand and shrugged his shoulders. To Ingot, comics were something that children and geeks read for entertainment. He was neither. Ingot was a traditional, and conservative man, from a poor family in Brooklyn. While he enjoyed comics as a kid, the only time he ever touched one now, was if it was a potential business investment.

"Good morning" Ingot said to the others in a distinctly American accent. "It is good to see I'm not the only one here. I hope this means we are finished with the training. I could really use a night out, and a beer."

"Aye, I'll second that." Unlike Ingot's American accent Dougal's was very Scottish and sounded somewhere between Sean Connery and Ewan McGregor. "Mayhap after this mission we should make a trip to Rome or Ibiza for a bit of a celebration party." He smiled at the other two and finished, "For now I suppose we'll just have to get to work and do what they pay us for." He gave the large pistol strapped to his thigh a pat and made a tight hard smile. While he was at it he also adjusted the HK MP5 sub machinegun that he has slung over his shoulder. "Since I got a note to report, I figured we might be seeing some real action today."

His eufiber today is made to look like black military pants and boots and a black tshirt. His belt and pants contain a number of spare clips of ammo and other gear that he is used to carrying from his days in Her Majesty's special forces.

As if on cue there is a sudden wooooosh of displaced air traveling down the hallway. It bursts into the meeting room, sending papers flying and hair standing on end. When the bustle subsides Rapido stands at the entrance. Despite the speed and suddeness of his arrival he appears undisheveled, clean shaved (if, indeed, he can shave yet), and fresh faced. He is dressed in a dark and formfitting Eufiber training suit with several small blades afixed around his chest, waist, and upper legs.

He like to think the outfit makes him look dark and dangerous but his wide and guileless smile betrays his true personality. He is easily the youngest member of the team you have met so far, only brought onto the team at the insistence of the Italian government. "Molto lieto, amici." he says as he makes his way toward the group. As he continues his english could only be described at competent, obscured as it is with heavy Venetian accent. "I hope they are are at least ready to let us off the island. A mission...time off...even a grocery run would be welcome after the past week."

At that he trails off. The past week of training has been exhausting and Guiseppie is unsure if they were tested as thoroughly and repeatedly to the point of failure as he has.

Ingot, who's eufiber was formed into a business suit embossed with golden pinstripes, chuckled at Dougal and Rapido. "When, and if, we get out, the drinks, and transportation, are on me. I was actually thinkng of going someplace a little more exotic...say Tokyo. If only for a few days."

Ingot eyed Dougals firearms with genuine interest. "How is it that you were able to get that sub-machinegun and pistol in Europe. Didn't the EU and the UK ban all private ownership of firearms?"

Ingot had never fired a weapon in his life. Growing up and living in one of the Five Buroughs of New York, means having to do without one. Since he was a good kid who studied hard, he didn't get involved in criminal activities like some of his friends. As he grew up, several of his friends died at the hands of gun violence, and when he grew up, he thought they were more trouble than they were worth.

Even though he held this personal view, he did not think that law abiding citizens should be prevented from owning weapons if they wished. This was due to the fact that criminals always had them anyways, and there was never a cop around when you needed one.

"Special dispensation for the firearms. I have a little influence from my days in Her Majesty's armed forces, plus Utopia pulled a few strings." He smiles wickedly, "I will nae use em if they are not necessary, but I can only throw so many tanks using telekinesis before I run out of juice, then it's time to resort to these. Besides, they call me the best shot in the world for a reason, and I cannae live up to that reputation if I do nae carry a gun and use it. I'll give ya a demonstration sometime if ya wish."

"Hmm, Tokyo sounds interesting, they are nuts for Novas over there I hear. Could be a fun party."

Victor read the notification and shrugged. Not having to go through training was nice. It was good that it was teaching how how to find the exact spot to hit for the desired effect. The training had helped him hone his skill with his increased might in his metal form and it helped him test the increased toughness he posessed. It also showed him the collossal disadvantage of his metal form. While he was stil as mobile in it as he could normally, his increased strength didn't translate into increased jupming ability or anything else. For all his power he was still earthbound, More a bull dozer than a wrecking ball.

He chuckled. "Oh well, at least I'm a smart precision bulldozer."

His Eufiber colony flowed around him reforming into a simple short sleave tan buttondown and black slacks and he made his way to the main building quietly. He heard the tail end of the ongoing discussion and laughed. His was a deep laugh, coming from deep within his chest. "They do go pretty crazy for novas over there, and you're right about it being a hell of a party." His German accent was thick, but his English was passable." His rich baritone voice rumbled through the room.

He nodded to Virago and the others. "I trust everyone's been enjoying the training program."

Virago set aside her comic book, the title clearly stating WildC.A.T.s, and looked up at the others. "Hello," she said, her Australian accent faintly noticeable under the cool imperiousness of her voice. "Jonathan will be back in a few. How is everyone?"

The auburn-haired woman gave Rapido's weapons a wry gaze. Nice cutlery, but compared to what she manifested, very tame.

He listened to Dougal with an amused smile. "I prefer hand to hand combat when I'm out of juice. I don't do a lot of damage, so I will accept your offer of instruction."

When Eisenfaust spoke of Tokyo, Ingot responded. "I have read that a few times. I don't remember being there, but I know I have...if that makes any sense. Besides, I would love to see their reactions...personally." A mischevious grin crossed his face, as if he was reminiscing. "Tokyo it is. Once we get some time off, I will have my jet waiting for us."

"I am good, thank you" Ingot says politely to Virago. "Will you be coming to Tokyo as well?"

"As for enjoying training..I guess so. Though I'm a little sick of entrapping people in giant gold nuggets."

Virago smiled wryly at Ingot.

"Of course. I need to scout out the anime and manga producers for someone to adapt the comics for the Japanese market."

He nods to Ingot. "Sounds like a plan to me. As far as training goes, I too grow tired of getting shot at to see if it'll hurt."

Jonathan Church walks into the room, seemingly grim. When the others notice him, he obviously has to push forth a smile. Church was always smiling, except for when he was getting chomped at by Mercury. This was obviously no exception.

"Well, looks like Vajas still hasn't arrived. How apt that one his." He laughed a bit, and continued to the front of the room. "So what are we talking about? Everyone excited for part two of their training? If you thought this last week was tough, man, you're in for a reckoning. We've still got six more months on this island, and I intend to use all of that."

He starts chalking chicken scratch on the board.

Damnit damnit damnit! Why did I took today to good off on the beach before checking my daily schedual?!

Vajas was running towards the meeting room as he had dubbed it. Cursing under his breath at being the slowest out of the group, he kept running.

He was no athlete himself, he could run fast but he had the stamina of a normal human, nothing to be proud of realistically, he was already sweating from the sun, the running and being nerveous from being late. At the last second, he managed to slide himself into the classroom.

His forehead covered in beads of sweat, he cleaned them in a handkerchief he pulled from his breast pocket, he was wearing what could be only 2 pieces of a 3 piece suit, the coat forgotten somewhere along the way. His black hair kept behind him a tight ponytail as his glasses threatened to slip from his nose from his heavy breathing.

"Va..Vajas reporting in...sir.." He almost collapsed into one of the chairs, trying to regain his breath.

Church smiles at Vajas. "Nice of you to join us, Prompt Vajas. I was just telling your team mates here that we got another six months to go before we're getting off this island, and this time we're under complete lockdown, too. Did I mention that before? The lockdown?" Church was still smiling, his normal mood returning.

私は冗談を言っています

That is what he wrote on the chalk board. Anyone can figure out that it is an Asian script. "Figure that out. Once you figure out what that says, we will continue." He looks at each, looking at Ingot last. "Don't worry, it's an easy one."

Ingot let out a chuckle. "That is kind of humorous, in a blunt sort of way."

He looked over at Church and smiled, before continuing. "Why not come out and tell us the joke, instead of 'I say joke'."

After few seconds, Ingot starts laughng. "Actually, I do get the joke"

"Very good." On the chalk board, he wrote 'A+'.

"The joke was that I was being hyperbolic. You're free to go, leave this island, little birds." He reached under the desk in the front of the room, and pulled out a pile of manilla folders. "Deanne, mind passing these out? You have three days as civilians.. or as civil as you rowdy nova's can be." He laughed at this. "In three days you will be in Paris, at the address enclosed. Included in the folder is a check for several thousand dollars, which can be exchanged at any NBT Bank. Use it to buy something lavish, because in Paris, you will be attending a dinner party and press conference. Team Tomorrow: Europe will be official, and revealed to the word. And 'Lord' Mercury says that if any of you say so much as a word about this, he will remove your genitals personally. 'That goes for the girl too'. Thats a direct quote. Any questions?"

Virago handed out the folders before flipping through her own, whistling through her teeth in an impressed manner. She pulled out the silver ring and put it on her finger, knowing that the jewellery would not interfere with the handling of her quantum blades. She then grabbed a pen, signed a piece of paper, and handed it to Church.

"I've got no problem with it. Alan Moore is one of the few writers without his head up his ass, so long as I can roust up Horacio Domingues for flashbacks - the guy's a freakin' genius - and Jim Lee or Travis Charest for 'present'," she told him cryptically.

Guiseppie slowly makes his way through the contract, occasionally asking the Scotsman and the Yank for help with the english text. Once he was satisfied he understood he signs off without hesitation. He honestly couldn't imagine getting into that much trouble in the next three days. Of course, he hadn't ever been out celebrating with other nova before...

"Signore Church," he begins nervously as he hands over the signed document."Not a word to anyone? Including mia famigia?" When he receives the expected affirmative he slumps, looking at the same time a little disappointed and relieved."Then maybe it is best I don't visit them before the announcement. With all do respect to the training we've gotten here, the gentleman who trained us on interrogation resistance last week has never met mother."

"If we are having some fun, ameici, lets at least choose a country where I am old enough to drink, eh? Mr Church tells me.." he produces a personal note from his materials with a flourish "...'chicks always dig the speedster'...is that true?"

Thanking Virago for handing him the folder, Ingot opens it and inspects the contents. It seemed to be standard welcome packet. He removed the ring and placed it on his finger. He was not surprised when it fit. He looked at the conract, and nodded to himself periodically.

He looked up at Mr. Church after inspecting and signng the check. With a business-like look in his face, Ingot addressed him "Could you donate this check, in my name, to the 'Young Entrepreneur's Society of America'. They educate poor and disadvantaged children in the ways of business and entrepreneurship."

He looked over at Dougal and the rest of his team members. "I'm ready when the rest of you are. I'll have my plane waiting at the Rome airport in two hours."

Focusing on Rapido, Ingot tries to ease his apprehension. "We won't have to worry about a drinking age in Tokyo. They would never even think of asking you your age. Besides, last time I checked, you could drink there at 18."

Victor nodded as he accepted the folder from Virago. Viewing the contents made him smile, then he looks over to Ingot. "Sounds like a plan to me."

He placed the ring on his finger like the others and made sure that the signaturees bore his particular flourish on the contract and the check.

He nods to Rapido. "I agree with Ingot on this one, I don't really see it as being a problem. Just remember, if drinking loosens your lips about this team, there'll be hell to pay when we get back to Paris." He gives him his best smile, making it easy to see he isn't making a threat, just reminding him of what they've been told.

Dougal smiles at the conversation with Rapido. "I don't think you have to worry. Just show off your speed and you'll have a horde of groupies and people pushing drinks into your hands."

He thinks of something and turns to Ingot, "Just occured to me that we won't be coming back to the island before Paris. Think it will be alright if my weapons are stored on your plane?"

"It shouldn't be a problem" Ingot says to Dougal. "We will be using the private terminal. Although, the weapons will have to be secured while on board."

He winks at Dougal. "I don't want you trying to highjack my jet. It is one of the new hypercombustion models."

"If anyone else has anything they need to bring to Paris, that would be considered weapons, they will also need to be secured."

Vajas, being again the last to act, takes his folder from Virago with a a smile and a "thank you", he read the notes and as everyone else, slid the ring on his finger.

Looking up from the letter to the ongoing conversation, he put the folder down and looked at his team mates. "So already making plans to have fun without me?" Vajas looked around the room, realizing that, yes he was the oldest one of the group. "Tokyo is a beutiful city, but its also a very expensive city, you boys think you can keep up with good ol' me on a party?"

"A good thing I won't be getting drunk," Virago said as she stood in one smooth movement. "PLease remember that being novas, we'll be sought out by the paparazzi. If we embarrass Team Tomorrow before it's formally announced, Church'll have more than our genitals on a silver platter."

"Hey, don't throw this on my lap. I've been fighting for weeks to get you guys these few days off. Andrew will have my balls if you fuck up." Church looks at his watch. "Speaking of, I gotta run. See you in Paris."

Church swiftly moves to the top of the stairs. "And don't make me regret this." He leaves.

"Like any of us could actually get drunk with anything short of a direct 100% proof I.V. Virago, you worry too much. Unless some of us have a thing for chasing underage japanese girls, I doubt we will have too much trouble" Vajas winked at Virago, before smirking. His past worry slowly melting as he regained his breath.

Ingot lets out a chuckle at Vajas warning. "We will just have make sure they are 18."

Ingot stands up and looks at the others. He adjusts his suit before speaking. "Well, I don't know about you guys, but I have some packing to do. I'll meet you at the airport in three hours. The plane will leave in four."

"By the way, I'm having a helecopter fly me over to the mainland in an hour. You are welcome to join me."

"I appreciate the offer for transport, I'll catch a lift with you if it's alright. I'll be at the helipad by the appointed time." Victor too then turns to leave and go pack his things for the little vacation.

Virago smiled and nodded gratefully to Ingot before leaving to pack a small bag of toiletries and comics she needed to review.

"Japan is in need of more people like us, with money and free time" Vajas smiled. "I will be in the Heliport as soon as I can, might take something to read tho"

Rapido meets the others at the Airport, having arrived early. He explains that he grew bored of waiting at the helipad and decided to just run oversea to the mainland and Ingot's jet. He really wanted to try running to Tokyo on his own until an operations officer at the base explained to him that, no, it probably wouldn't be a good idea to go running unannounced through several sovereign nations (including Russia and China).

Dougal smiles at Rapido. "There will be plenty of time to stretch your legs now that we're getting off the island." As he stows his weapons and gear aboard the plane he looks up, "Now me... I want a good massage. After all the training that's about all I can think about right now." Once he says that he climbs aboard Ingot's very expensive plane and picks a seat and gets comfortable.

Victor makes his way to the helipad and boards the waiting copter without much fanfare. He has a a single set of actual clothes, his laptop, and a few Engineering mags tucked inside. He takes a seat and waits for Ingot and the others who'd be riding the copter to the mainland.

A short man, dressed in blue checkered pants and shirt walk onto the plane. His hair is black and mussy, and is covered by a flat-top hat. He has a heavy Eastern European accent.

He looks at the two, and smiles. He is very, very pretty. "Eh, uh. Hello. Where is.. uh.. Mr Williams?" He moves to the front of the plane, and another walks on. She looks a lot like the guy, except that she dresses in Pink Checkers. Her accent is a british one. She is also very, very pretty.

"Don't worry bout it, Brother. He will be here soon enough, I should think. Ello gents! I shall be your waitress today! I am Ping, and my brother here is Blip." She walks to the front of the plane, and kisses him on the lips.. and not a sisterly kiss. She turns back to the others, and his face is bright red. "Don't worry gents! He's the best pilot in the world! We'll have you to that island soon enough."

Vajas got into the plane just as soon as Ping kissed Blip, and thinks Damn, this kids get all the good tail around this place

Plopign down on his seat, Vajas sticks into the overhead compartment a small duffle bag with what appears to be some clothing, and some equipment. "Wake me up when we get to Tokio, if I hate something more than anything is Jetlag"

Virago arrived with a much bigger bag than she intended - a duffel, full of clothing and comic books. The redhead had changed from her eufiber into a pair of tight denim jeans with extra fabric at the gusset and a maroon turtleneck that showed off her gravity-defying curves. Her hair, when looser, easily fell to the hips and beyond.

She blinked at Blip and Ping before grinning broadly. "I have to put you two in a comic book," she laughed, sounding amused, but not maliciously so.

A short ride helecopter later, and Ingot was in Rome. First though, he had some business to take care of. While the others offloaded their stuff, Victor went to the duty-free store where he picked up several English version, finanicial magazines and newspapers. It had been quite some time, since Vicor had any good information of the outside world.

Victor returned to the plane and spoke briefly with the captain, befor taking his seat. It was a good sized jet, with a passenger complement of 20. The cargo hold was more than capable of holding everyones gear. The more dangerous items were locked away in a jettisonable safe, of which only the captain had a key.

"I don't remember how long this flight is, but have heard it will take us about 8 to 10 hours. There is a wet-bar in the compartment behind the passenger area. Once we are in the air, we can grab some drinks."

The helicopter ride was uneventful. Victor boarded the plane and nodded as he stowed his gear. He took his laptop with him and the few magazines he'd picked up and took a seat. "Eight to ten hours sounds about right. Should give me enough time to do a little studying. Though I do have one small question and confession. Is anyone here actually fluent in Japanese? Unfortunately I am not. I know a few words, but not enough to hold conversation."

He pats his laptop "I plan to try to learn a little more on our trip acrross Asia and most of Europe."

Blip walks silently into the cockpit area, followed shortly after by Ping, as she closes the door behind her. Some muffled chatter happens, than yells in a foreign language unknown to anyone else. Ping slips out of the door, and removes her hat to reveal her short and messy black hair. Either she is a nova, or she's the prettiest damn baseline in existence. She smiles at each of the passengers.

"We're about to commence take-off, Rome to Tokyo non-stop flight. The duration the of the flight will be approximately eleven hours. If you will please buckle yourselves in until the light above my head turns off, we can begin. If you have any requests, please, ask me anything." She smiles again, than repeats the instructions in Italian, with a flawless accent, than once again in Japanese perfectly.

Ping travels to each person, asks how they are doing with a friendly smile, and makes sure they are buckled in properly before moving to the back of the plane and using the phone. Again, she speaks in a foreign language, and the plane starts moving for the takeoff.

Virago shook her head at Ping before opening a comic book entitled Stormwatch and going over it with the sort of scrutiny saved for a fine-toothed comb.

"I speak Japanese fluently", Ingot says with a confused look on his face, as he looks at the two checkered figures now running his jet.

He had no idea when these two were brought into the fold, but it would have to wait. He didn't have time to look for his normal pilot at the moment. It was obvious that someone in management had been making decisions while he was gone these last 6 months.

"What seems to be the problem Ingot? Aren't this your usual employees?" Vajas relaxed on his seat, propping his feet up and lazily sinking into the comfortable jet seat.

"I don't remember these two being a part of my organization. Sometimes, while I am away, I will have someone make vital decisions for me. Changing my personal crew, isn't something I consider a vital decision." Victor says, leaning slightly into the aisle, to sneak a peek at Ping. "I can't remember who I put in charge of making those decisions. I fact, I don't even remember who my accountant is. It's all a little embarassing."

Dougal curses under his breath and leans very close to Ingot and whispers in the quietest voice possible, "I can't fly, and I'm not about to leave the ground with unknowns at the controls. If you don't know these clowns, then we are going to have to take action before takeoff and replace them with someone we trust. We'll exit the plane incase they are hostiles, that way your plane doesnt' get trashed if there is a scuffle, besides we will need room to manuver to be effective." He will repeat this converstaion quickly and quietly to the other novas, then he will move to the door and quickly exit the plane hopefully followed by the others.

"If you are really worried Dougal..." Vajas focuses his node, looking at what appears to be the prettiest Baseline in the world and tries to forcefully enter her mind, as to be able to hear the echos of her mind.

Closing his own eyes, Vajas exudes a small quantum aura as his powers activate and his node flares.

Virago, half-listening to the conversation, lowered her comic book and looked up with warm brown eyes as she waited silently for results.