Interlude: The End of the Matter 
 Ellipsis, as Stephen Wolcott, is the only member of the Balance, the superhero team of Lansing and Michigan State University, due to graduate this June.  
Mike Roberts (the Mighty Tim) approaches him one day.   Hike thinks that, with his teleportation to bring Ellipsis to the battles as needed, the Balance need not lose its most powerful member.  But Stephen makes it clear to him that he wishes to start anew once he leaves Michigan.  
Mike wonders: why? Stephen's career as Ellipsis, leader of the Balance, was most successful! He did as well as any man could have done in his position - and even better!  His detached viewpoint towards normal humanity allowed him to treat all men - and all his teammates - equally.  He kept the Balance together even when Mike as the Mighty Tim was at the throat of Captain Gonzo, later an agile and valued teaJTlllate (while Gonzo lived).
 The mental powers of Ellipsis permitted him to strike most villains down, and to formulate battle plans instantly - and tell his te!1mates, without the enemy knowing.  Without physical powers of his own, his reactions were enough to joust singly with any hero or villain and hold his own.  And toward the end of their year together he gained the fabled power of total conversion - matter to energy! With that power he was the equal of anyone he fought, and almost always the superior!
But then Mike remembers: Ellipsis fought alongside Captain Gonzo on the night he died.  (The rest of the Balance may never know the full story of that night.)  One other fought alongside them that night - Christine Lassiter, with the powers of fire and ice that she had then - but she was insensate on the floor when Gonzo died.  Her story told them it was a valiant fight, but could not tell them the full details.  Stephen never told them the rest.  
All they know is that their longstanding9 foe, Dominatra, killed Captain Gonzo, with Ellipsis present.  All those within ten miles of Lansing felt his mental cry of grief that night.  
For her crime, Ellipsis led the Balance against her and neutralized her totally - and only mentally, so she still lives.  Does he still feel guilty somehow? 
 Shortly thereafter, Stephen joined a research team to discover the implementation of the total conversion principle.  Mike knows some of the members of this team.  They all say they were inspired, as if some outside force were enhancing their minds! (Stephen!) The team found three volunteers for the power.  One was Stephen; the other two went mad.  What about Stephen? 
During their year together, Stephen seemed to be coming out from behind his wall.  He made friends with his teammates, started to share his problems with them, and even found himself a girlfriend.  But since he got his new powers, he started to close himself up again.  As if he never wanted friends in the first place...

Stephen knows his achievements in the past year would be incredible if measured by human standards, but that matters null to him.  
For the first time, he interfaced with others on a regular basis.  And somehow he wound up leading thern!  That was different and definitely an achievement - but it was not enjoyable.  To lead is to be responsible to others, and he wishes to avoid that.  
He would like to start over.  But he knows he needs something to check his anti-human impulses, so long as he lives in the human world.  He needs one friend.
Julie Moretti had several job offers as a beginning journal st, one of which was in New York City.  She accepted that one, knowing he had an offer in NYC also.  (He knows this; she does no longer wish to hide her thoughts from him.) 
New York strikes him as being a congested hellhole.  But with Julie there, hoping he might be there also, what else can he do? In return, he shares all his thoughts with her.  He wants to be with her, at any price.  Together they arrange their move to New York City.

The College of Engineering holds a graduation ceremony separate from the rest of Michigan State University.  Stephen goes through this ceremony alone, save for Julie.  (His one surviving parent divorced his mother years ago.)  He gains First Honors for the college of Computer Science: He is thus foremost among MSU graduates in his major field of expertise.  Stephen regards that as only natural.  
But afterwards, the rest of the Balance in their normal identities (Mike Roberts, Laura Greene, and Tom Juergens) find him with Julie, and they all wish him luck.  
 For the first time they've known him, he cries.  
Laura Greene (Morningstar) hugs him.  Then (surprisedly) he hugs Mike Roberts (the Mighty Tim).  Tom Juergens (FOAD) just salutes him.  Ellipsis salutes back.

Stephen Wolcott has heard this song: 
“The cool times are the good times; 
The bad times slip away: 
The good times are forever, 
But the last time is today.”
It means as much to him as to normal people.  

Background: 
Stephen Wolcott, secretly the powerful mutant known as Ellipsis, has graduated from Michigan State University with a bachelor's degree in computer science.  He and Julie Moretti, a journalism graduate whose life he saved once or twice, have developed a great affection for each other.  As a result, both have accepted jobs in New York City: he as an engineer, she as a journalist.  Julie knows that Stephen is Ellipsis.  
Ellipsis has two major powers: mind control (his mutant power), and the ability to activate an energy field around his body.  The latter power was implanted in a scientific experiment during his college days.  This field, based upon the total conversion between matter and energy, can generate powerful bolts of energy and can transmute matter in simple ways.  It can absorb energy bolts and disintegrate non-living particulate matter • 
A total of three people received this power.  The other two went insane.
Occasionally Stephen's mental powers have gone out of control as he sleeps, resulting in nightmares.  Each time he clamps himself under tighter mental control; each time it works for two or three weeks.  

The Science Behind Ellipsis: 
Every cell within Stephen Wolcott's epidermis has a trace amount of a certain molecule implanted within, bonded to the cell nucleus.  The molecule is scientifically identified as “Thiotimoline”, but it's commonly called “Unobtainium”.  The molecule has been fancifully described in various science-fiction magazines, but its actual behavior only became obvious when it was first synthesized in a laboratory in the 1980s.
Each concentration of the molecule has an associated energy field.  When the field is at its highest energy level, the molecule has a trans-dimensional element which is positioned into a parallel universe of antimatter.  (The existence of this element supports the theory that each element of matter in this universe is a projection of a multi - dimensional construct into a three - dimensional field.) 
When the energy field is in a certain configuration, the molecule will act as a catalyst to draw subatomic particles of antimatter forth from the parallel universe.  This has the effect of disintegrating nonliving particulate matter within the field, and converting it to energy.  Any energy within the field may be expelled into our own universe or may be shunted into the antimatter universe.  The field may be manipulated to produce any form of energy.  
'When the field is in another certain configuration, the molecule will act as a catalyst to capture energy, split it into matter and antimatter, and expel each into its respective universe.  The field may be manipulated to produce any element of matter.
Living animal tissue was found to inhibit the field, while being the only substance which could activate the catalyst.  This is probably due to interaction with amino acid reactions.  Thus.  no living animal matter is affected by the field.  Also, only the cells on an epidermal surface may support' the energy field, so long as the cells contain the catalyst.  Other cells within an epidermis may have concentrations of the molecule, but the reaction there is inhibited.  It is theorized, atmospheric exposure is necessary for the reaction.  It's still being investigated what sort of atmosphere is required, and why the separate parts of Earth's atmosphere (whether nitrogen or oxygen) within the human body do not suffice.
Only animal (or human) cells which have been imbued with the catalyst, may initiate the associated energy field.  The catalyst may be imbued into any form of organic material and support the energy field, though.  (Thus Stephen Wolcott's clothing, if imbued with the catalyst, does not disintegrate when-the energy field is activated.) 
If any concentration of the catalyst is at the threshold energy level, it may begin the reaction and provide the energy to initiate the reaction in other adjacent concentrations within the field radius.  (The maximum field radius is about one centimeter.) Otherwise, an infusion of energy must be provided.  Energized cells emit white light radiation to some extent.  (Stephen Wolcott generally keeps four square centimeters of his body energized, at the back of his neck.) 
The energy field reacts to short-range wavelengths which the brain radiates, above a minimum threshold.  Thus, any sentient being may control and manipulate the field.  However, it is deduced that the field produces an energy feedback which is harmful to human minds.  With mental control it is possible to shield against the effect, but this requires more control than human minds possess.  It is yet to be proven whether the mutant mind of Stephen Wolcott has sufficient control to shield him at all times, but it is like1y that when his mind is most occupied with other matters (e.g.  attacking mentally while also controlling the field to produce energy bolts) some detrimental effect occurs.
("It is hypothesized by some that the field was most closely calibrated to the mind of one Stephen Wolcott, who took the lead role in programming the simulations to test the field and volunteered to be the first test subject.  The lack of calibration to the other subjects might be part of the reason why their minds were unable to control the reaction.  The truth of this hypothesis will remain unknown, unless and until the full data and principles of the energy field reaction are released by the Michigan State University Biochemistry and Engineering Departments for scientific evaluation.  The status of Stephen Wolcott at this date is unknown." -- The American Journal of Biophysics, October 1993) 
The reaction of the cells with the energy field causes the outermost cellular layer of the epidermis to die when the field is deactivated.  When this happens, the catalytic molecule within each dying cell merges with the nearest concentration of the molecule via magnetic attraction.  Thus the amount of the molecule within the epidermis remains constant.  
he magnetic attraction has no effect on concentrations implanted within live cells, due to the bonding of the molecule with the cell nucleus.  However, the magnetic attraction between cells shows up on sophisticated scanners.  
When the cells of Stephen Wolcott's epidermis form new cells via division, the molecule divides also.  Thus the molecule remains equally distributed.

Adventure: Power 
In Egypt, a man raids the pyramids.  He somehow knows how to find what he wants, even though others have explored the pyramids for centuries and not found it.  He gets into the proper crystal chamber: despite all the traps - at the right time of day, at the right time of year.  He holds the gem he finds therein in the proper way as the sun strikes it.  
No!  It's too much!

In New York City, Stephen Wolcott and Julie Moretti move in to their apartment.  With the rents being what they are, each needed a roommate, so once more they room together.  They rented a U-Haul truck together and split the driving; his mental endurance kept them both going.  Stephen has never been so exhausted: NYC was as hell ish to drive through - and park in - as he imagined.- 
The two of them moved all their furniture up to their apartment, alone - as Stephen ever has been.  None of Julie's extensive family offered to help.  Now that they have finally finished, Stephen collapses on the sofa, askew in the living room.  Julie collapses into his arms.  

Meanwhile, a man raids the museums - each one which has an Egyptian exhibit.  At each one he easily slaps the guards aside.  At each one he easily gains what he needs.  His master might finally be satisfied.  He returns the artifacts to his apartment (which resembles a Pharaoh's temple by now).  He lays some upon the altar in his living room, and others elsewhere, each upon a separate pillar.  Is it good enough this time
What?!? No!! He is surrounded by glowing force, stabbing out from the artifacts.  YIII! 
YIII! Stephen Wolcott wakes up screaming, rolling Julie off him onto the floor.  Julie slowly picks herself up and asks: another nightmare? Yes.  He was attacked by the gods of Egypt! Julie replies, 'Stephen ••• I think you were dreaming this time.' 

The head of a 15-foot being in godly attire is sticking through the floor of Erma Loy's apartment.  She screams and runs for the closet.  As the demigod contemplates this plane of existence in this time, Erma returns with a broom and swats him on the head.  Beams from his eyes turn the broom to ashes.  
He has been away for so long!  The world must once more fear him!  But a hiss in his head denies him for now.  He has been given other tasks to perform.  The demigod takes a talisman in his hand and bursts out the front of the building.

Stephen has joined Julie in straightening the apartment.  But again he mentally notices something.  The demigod of Egypt, in human form, now strolls down Tenth Avenue in uptown Manhattan.  
Ellipsis goes out to find out what the hell is going on.  He quickly encounters the man-god.  
But before he can act, he is immobilized! He bolts the man-god - and the bolts bounce away from his target!
His opponent gestures.  A fog forms around him - hissing at his mind! 
But the mind of Ellipsis will not be defeated! He makes himself a being of will, and breaks the attack.  
The god's hand slams into him.  Ellipsis falls.

The god goes on, fully intending to demolish this strange city.
But first, his master must be appeased.  The demigod carries a talisman which must be placed as his master commands.  With mystic stealth, he fades away.  
He reappears outside an edifice which proclaims 'NYNEX" on the front.  Is Nynex a rival to his master perhaps? But it is not his to know only to place the talisman within.  Bulling his way in and subduing all opposition, he plants the talisman beneath a bank of machinery.  Now he may have his pleasure!  His master promised!
Ellipsis revives, and returns to confront the mad god once more.  This time he attacks with all his power, mental and physical, and in a way calculated to disorient the ancient god: Ellipsis mentally bombards him with rock/symphony music in concert with the mental and physical strikes.  
The combat lasts several minutes, till Ellipsis finds his enemy's weak point.  Then he begins his final assault.
Pushing his 1imits to the extreme, Ellipsis doubles his force.  Residual lightning bolts strike buildings all around; residual mental force lets all onlookers know what the attack upon the mad god must feel 1ike.  
For three more minutes, the assault continues.  Ellipsis gradually gains ascendancy.  
Finally the mad god is confronted with an awesome visage: Ellipsis rising on clouds and lightning, directing power upon him from all sides (-with a reflective ellipsoidal force field-) - and with the image of the true gods of Egypt standing behind him.  The mad god resists another fraction of a minute, then collapses.  
Ellipsis, victorious, surveys the scene.  He then collapses also.

Postlude 1: Ellipsis revives in an alley.  Apparently he was dragged there and stripped of mask, by people looking for valuable items on his body.  Heh.  He doesn't go out with ID, and they can't get his Unobtainium.  And without mask and costume, he's unrecognizable by the people searching for him.  He goes home.
Postlude 2:  Julie finds Stephen with them, physically recovered.  He is acting noticeably less coherent.  
Postlude 3:  Beyond the worlds of men, a serpentine figure broods.  Though his underling was an utter fool, he did not fail his master-: the talisman is in place.  In time Set shall return to the worlds of men!