They can wisecrack their way through the rest of this horrible mess, but the topic of Jan sobers even Lyle.

"I'd say we should try to keep an eye on him to prevent that, but the Arenas seem to be pretty big. Brainy and I found each other through a combination of sheer luck and the fact we think alike; it's possible we won't find him until after he activates his powers. And it's possible that, when that happens, we might be without our own."

He traced his fingertips over the tabletop, mouth set in a grim line.

"What we'll be able to do will be limited to what weaknesses his limited powers leave us."