X-Force: X-Force Only Comm

Or at least half of it. The profitable half.

You've probably all slept better for the last month or so knowing I haven't been rummaging in your thoughts during your working day or drifting through your dreams at night. I might note that I could hardly cope with the desolation of not being subject to Mr Wisdom's endless internal rants about the state of American politics.

However, considering your skills as super-secret-spy types you may have taken note of the fact that Wall Street appears to have collapsed in a smoking, calamitous ruin with the current government approaching the problem with all the finesse and subtlety of a Madripoor pirate who has been smoking some particularly fine hashish.

If you did manage to notice this state of events, it may have flitted across your mind that Frost Enterprises could be in trouble and you may have to, perhaps, go out and undertake some form of honest work for a living.

However, my abhorrence of honest work and, quite frankly, phenomenal business acumen has come to your rescue. Auntie Em's little company is doing just fine and I've spent quite a large period of the last month buying mid to large-cap companies with excellent asset bases, committed work forces, long-term government contracts and unalloyed profitability at fire-sale prices.

It is entirely possible now that I may rule the world.

Fear me.

Really.

Fear me.

Before I commence my reign of terror and particularly nice shoes, however, I thought I should reward my loyal yet secret employees with a pleasant meal and an open bar next Saturday. Due to the fact that you are my secret employees, I shall be organising catering at the brownstone.

Jubilee: do not yet expect upgraded travelling arrangements. The financial system has a while yet to run through the complete cycle of golden parachutes, despair, destruction and resurrection. My plans for world domination and a new private jet thus remain on hold for the moment.

Betsy: welcome back.

Emma

Frost Enterprises is calling - there are a number of contracts I need to finalise and meetings I can no longer put off. As such, I will be returning to the States later today.

I still have not been able to locate Amanda on the Astral Plane and my continued presence in the UK is not going to fix that. The Plane is still primarily a ruin and Amanda's presence is - elusive. She is there, though. You will find her. If the search advances and you need my assistance, call. I will be here, even if I have to steal the Blackbird or kidnap Clarice to do it.

The corner office will be free for the next few weeks. Frost Enterprises is in the process of selling a few rather exquisite pieces of avionics software to a number of major and minor world governments and the minions require supervision when it comes to multiple billion dollar figures.

Amanda - I regret I won't be able to attend your birthday party. If at all possible, allow Bishop to purchase a whiskey for you - the man has exquisite taste in alcohol. There may be something cheap, tacky and violently coloured from the third world dictatorship of your choice for you on my return.

Everyone else - please don't break the furniture or anyone irreplaceable before my return. I believe we've reached our quota for this month.

Everyone who is filling out a spreadsheet or has expense accounts to reconcile, I expect them to be waiting for me on my return.

Enjoy the peace while it lasts and remember, if all of the contracts come through, then nobody needs to get fired. It may surprise some of you, but on the balance of evidence so far, I consider this a good thing.