Sleeper (Volume 2) #11 is an issue of the series Sleeper (Volume 2) with a cover date of June, 2005. It was published on April 27, 2005.
Synopsis for "In the Crossfire"
An upset Veronica St. James confronts John Lynch, stating that she received a notice of being transfered back to Department P.S.I. after recovering her injuries from Miss Misery and demands to know why. Lynch only reply that she doesn't belong in I.O.'s field work and is more suited to analytical work instead. Veronica doesn't believe this, which Lynch restate that it is for her own good between herself and Holden Carver.
At Tao's office, Holden is tied to a chair and awakens in front of Tao and his Prodigals, Miss Misery and Peter Grimm. Tao then wants to "reason" with Holden.
Meanwhile, Veronica has gained access to a new communicator which allows her to track the radio messages exchange in I.O.
Back at Tao's office, Tao express his displeasure towards Holden for playing against him. Holden tells back that he was desperate and tired of being manipulated by both Tao and Lynch, and knowing that he would be kill in the future of this. Stating that he knows from their experience in Bermuda that their actions made them what they are, but refuse to see through of becoming a man who kills for no reason. Furthermore, stating that he has enough of Tao and Lynch's conflict and wanted only to be along on his island he longed for. Hearing enough of Holden, Tao decides to have him be made as a bad "example" to his men and have him kill at Peter Grimm's pleasure.
But before Grimm can kill Holden, a Blackguard comes in and informs Tao that something small and fast is coming to them according to his sensor. The object in question is a flying car, which appears in front of the office windows carrying Grifter, who shoots through. He fight off Grimm and is immune to his nightmares thanks to John Lynch's mental shields.
Just as Blackguards arrive on the scene, Misery suddenly betrays Tao and reveals that she is always on Holden's side, allowing a freed Holden to knock out Tao with his powers. Both Holden and Misery carries Tao onto the trunk of the flying car and flies off as Grifter is holding off the Blackguards. He notice their escape and, not knowing of their loyalties and Lynch's entire plan, disable the car with his gunshots before being facing Grimm again. Holden manage to pilot the car onto the building's roof. There Holden and Misery see that the car could only take them half-way to the I.O. lab in New Jersey. Holden then decides to call Lynch for transport, but also a chance for him to explain to Misery of his real intentions.
Across town, Veronica hears Lynch from the communicator and knows where Holden is.
After Holden explains to Misery of handing over Tao to Lynch, Misery is furious. Holden clarify to her that he want something better for themselves in which he wants a cure for his and Misery's conditions as well. This, however, only infuriates Misery more as she states that she is satisfied of her violent life as she proceeds to wake up and release Tao. Holden pulls out his gun and orders her to stop, but Misery replies that he can't shoot her. He relent but is immediately attack by Misery, who grabs his gun and prepares to shoot him. However, Misery is shot in the head by Veronica, who had just arrive. Holden is shock of this and return fire without thinking and saw that he had fatally shot Veronica. As Holden stands in abject horror, Tao has already regained conscious and cruelly laughs at the tragedy.
Appearing in "In the Crossfire"
Featured Characters:
Supporting Characters:
- John Lynch
- Grifter
- Veronica St. James (Final appearance; dies)
- Miss Misery (Final appearance; dies)
Antagonists:
- Tao
- Peter Grimm
Other Characters:
Locations:
Items:
Vehicles:
- Flying car
See Also