11
"Where are we?" Maxima wondered as she gazed around the ruined spires of Metropolis, "Have the humans fought some devastating war in my absence?"
"These humans have," Mr. Miracle consulted his Mother Box interface, "This is Earth-9. Here, the conflict known as World War Two never ended. A political group called the Nazis has almost conquered the entire planet."
"And your beloved Mother Box thought sending us into a war zone would be our best hope for protection?" Maxima was incredulous.
"It is counterintuitive," Barda reasoned with her, "So it may dissuade your pursuers from coming here."
"My chief pursuer is my own daughter," Maxima grated, "And she will stop at nothing for the chance to destroy me."
"We're fleeing from your own daughter?" Mr. Miracle asked.
"Who is the father?" Barda wondered.
"Yes, Kalea is trying to kill me and her father is Kal-El of Krypton," Maxima explained, "The man you know as Superman."
Scott Free and Barda exchanged wary glances. Barda spoke first, "If you knew this Kalea was coming for you, why didn't you tell Highfather?"
"I knew once I left New Genesis Kalea would lose all interest in your world," Maxima shared, "What I don't understand is Almerac exists in the Prime Universe yet Kalea breached the dimensional barrier to attack New Genesis."
"And she could only have done so so easily with help from Apokolips," Barda scowled.
"Darkseid isn't behind every evil in the multiverse," Mr. Miracle chided his wife.
"Name one he isn't behind," Barda grated.
"Come out and be identified," a German accented voice commanded. Nazi Germany had conquered all of Europe, the Soviet Union, Africa, and the greater part of Asia. They'd tipped their hand and attacked Imperial Japan so their one-time ally now fought against them. That left North and South America, Japanese occupied Asia, and Australia as the last bastions of resistance. And now it seemed the Nazis had reached the American East Coast.
Maxima hefted her sword, "Shall we surrender?"
Coming out from behind the concrete wall in the bombed out parking structure they occupied, the trio was confronted by a platoon of storm troopers, and four men in mechanized armor. That armor had a distinctive Apokoliptan flavor to it.
"What were you saying about every evil?" Barda snarkily asked her husband.
Each man and armor unit bore an eagle carrying a swastika superimposed over a red letter "D". Mr. Miracle shook his head, "Then the rumors are true. Darkseid is employing proxies across the remaining multiverse to conquer the varied Earths."
"Can we just kill them now?" Maxima impatiently wondered.
"We need at least one alive," Mr. Miracle decided.
"Fine," Maxima was sullen.
Barda opened fire with her mega wand. The armored troops were staggered but the enhanced metallurgy withstood the blow. Barda wore a feral smile as she decided to see how well these Apokoliptan-Terran hybrids stood up to a real beating.
Maxima attacked the storm troopers with her sword. The same telekinetic talent that enabled her to fly deflected away their bullets. But she quickly realized these weren't the average ballistic weapons of Earth Prime. These were electromagnetically powered rail guns firing smaller rounds at hyper-velocities.
Mr. Miracle used his hover discs to fly circles around the Nazis. He dropped gas bombs all around them. But he quickly discovered they wore rebreathers from Apokolips around their necks. So he dropped several flash bombs. The contact lenses he and Barda wore were linked to Mother Box and instantly compensated for the intense flash of light. Maxima wasn't so lucky.
Mr. Miracle swooped in and pulled her out of the line of fire. He settled her where they'd been behind cover earlier, "Stay here."
He flew off and missed Maxima mumbling, "And just where the hell is 'here'?"
The hybrid armor compensated for the flash bombs but only a second after they'd already blinded the occupants. Barda began selectively targeting key systems on each suit of armor. She saw her husband swing around the armored soldiers. He slapped a scrambler patch on each one and when he triggered them, the electronic systems controlling the suits shorted out. But fail-safes built into them also engaged and electrocuted the wearers.
Still, Maxima had been good to her word and left one Nazi alive. Barda brought Maxima to him. Despite her still seeing bright globs of color across her vision, this task required her telepathy rather than her vision.
"The war began as a mad quest by a man named Adolf Hitler. A Per Degaton had been a scientist in the employ of Hitler. Degaton unlocked the secret of time travel and vanished from history until Hitler died after an unnaturally long life suspended indefinitely by Nazi science," Maxima told the couple from New Genesis, "Darkseid is using Degaton as his proxy. Degaton will harvest the meta-gene in exchange for dominion over this world."
"Sounds like the same deal Darkseid made with Lex Luthor," Barda grunted, "He wants to breed a superhuman army and conquer the multiverse with it."
"I don't understand half of what you all just said but you beat the ever luvvin' crap outta these Ratzis so I'm betting that makes you square in my book," Uncle Sam said from behind them.
Maxima and Barda wheeled on the Freedom Fighters, ready for another fight. Uncle Sam held up his hands, "Easy ladies, I get the feeling we're all on the same side."
"Barda, Plastic Man and Hourman are with them," Mr. Miracle pointed out.
"Plastic Man how is Penny and her baby? Are they unharmed?" Barda hailed Plas.
"Who?" Plastic Man asked with some confusion.
"Different Earth means different relationships," Mr. Miracle advised his wife.
"Where is Superman in all of this?" Maxima wanted to know.
"I take you aren't from local parts," Uncle Sam realized, "Superman and the mystery men of the Thirties and Forties died back in Fifty-Two. The whole Justice Society got wiped out in one fell swoop."
"And no one dared face the enemy afterwards?" Barda found it hard to believe.
"There was a group called the Doom Patrol in the Fifties but they died in Sixty-six facing the first Ratzi invasion of America," Uncle Sam explained, "The All Star Squadron formed up afterwards. Hourman here is the last of `em still standing."
"What about Jesse Quick?" Barda wondered.
"You must mean Jesse Chambers," Hourman realized, "Hitler's Ubermen killed Johnny Quick and Liberty Belle twenty years ago. They took Jesse and my son, Rick, then. They'd be thirty years old now if they're still alive."
"So who are you people?" Mr. Miracle asked.
"Just a buncha American blessed with abilities or skills beyond the average soldier's. I'm Uncle Sam and I'm the living embodiment of the Spirit of America.," he explained, "You seem to know Plastic Man and Hourman. This pretty lass is Phantom Lady. She can create and control darkness, including bringing it to physical life."
Uncle Sam pointed at a six inch high male on Phantom Lady's shoulder, "This here fella is Doll Man. He's our scientific genius. Between his gizmos and his flight pack he's more `n a match for any Ratzi goose stepper."
"This here is Black Condor. He can fly. He ain't telling how and no one is asking," Uncle Sam continued the introductions, "The guy in the padded suit is the Human Bomb. He can turn anything he touches into an explosive and can control it with his mind. And if you seriously tick him off he can throw up what he calls a detonation field like he blew himself up."
"Firebrand is picking up where her uncle left off in the All Star Squadron. She's what the science boys call a pyrokinetic. Which is all right with me," Uncle Sam bragged, "Red Bee is a master of every kind of unarmed fighting. Which comes as a nasty surprise to Ratzi storm troopers when they think they got him cornered."
"Alias the Spider is as deadly with his bow and arrow as his name is long," Uncle Sam shared, "Neon the Unknown uses what he calls neonic energy to pretty much blow up or cut through just about anything."
"Ms. America can convert any alloy into its base elements and then transform those elements into any other ones she wants to," Uncle Sam said proudly, "Jester thinks he's pretty funny but the Ratzis know he's pretty dangerous. Let's just say you don't want to be the butt of one of his jokes."
"Magno controls magnetism. Which is pretty darn handy," Uncle Sam sounded grateful, "Invisible Hood's name is self explanatory. When he throws the hood of his cloak on, he turns invisible. Simple enough."
"Red Torpedo is our wheel man. He can build anything that drives, flies, or floats and drive it too," Uncle Sam finished his introductions, "And who might you folks be?"
Mr. Miracle explained who they were and why they were on Earth-9. Uncle Sam mulled it over, "You say your enemies of the guy supplying Degaton with all this advanced technology?"
"For as long as we were born," Scott Free omitted explaining that Barda had once been a Female Fury in Darkseid's service.
"Look, if Kalea finds her way to this world and threatens it, I'll surrender to her," Maxima promised, "In the meantime, I'd like to assist in your fight."
"My wife and I intimately know the weakness inherent in the tech Degaton is deploying. We can teach you how to defeat it," Mr. Miracle promised.
"That's a good offer," Red Torpedo opined.
"And it'll be nice having another couple of women around," Phantom Lady stated.
Maxima stared at Phantom Lady's rather exposed breasts, "Those can't possibly be real."
"What else would they be?" Phantom Lady laughed.
"It isn't natural," Maxima considered her own augmented, yet decidedly smaller, chest.
"Don't worry, lots of women feel slightly inadequate around me because of all the attention I get," Phantom Lady consoled Maxima.
"Which why you cover your breasts with pieces of string," Maxima surmised.
"We each have our own foibles," Phantom Lady confided.
Maxima cast a resentful look Barda's way. Barda wore a hint of a smile as she shrugged. She didn't feel threatened because she was confident she could kill anyone on this planet.
"What do you mean Mr. Miracle and Barda took Maxima to another Earth?" Superman wanted to know from Lightray.
"It's that simple," Lightray replied, "New Genesis and Apokolips sit outside the Multiverse and have access to all the multiple universes. But where there were once an infinite number of universes, creation has been pared down to just fifty-two."
"But I'm from one of those worlds," Troia suddenly felt panicky.
"Which one?" Lightray asked.
"Luthor called my home Earth-52," Troia revealed.
"Then you are in luck," Lightray informed her, "Luthor used New God reckoning in his labeling. The remaining Earths were sequentially numbered, each existing closer and closer to the Prime Universe. Supreme and the other comprising Luthor's 'New Justice Lords' have all lost their worlds. Supreme is mad enough to revel in this fact."
"But how can Darkseid destroy an entire universe?" Mary Marvel was horrified.
"Darkseid has discovered a method for merging a matter universe with a portion of the antimatter universe," Lightray explained, "Since there is only one Antimatter Universe, it possesses enough substance to wipe out every matter universe."
"What's Darkseid's ultimate goal?" Sue wondered.
"As best as we've determined, Darkseid is seeking to control the meta-gene found on each and every one of these fifty-one universes adjacent to the Prime Universe and breed an army to conquer the whole of the Multiverse," Lightray described Darkseid's mad plan, "Is it any wonder why the Prime Universe shall be the last to fall? You alone possess Oa amidst the fact that the meta-humans found here are more powerful than their counterparts spread across the multiverse."
"And since you're free to travel to any universe, you deemed it fitting to hide Maxima amongst a less hospitable universe in order to minimize Kalea's chances of suspecting Maxima's actual location," Anna Fortune ventured, "I also strongly suspect you have complete access to the various mystic realms as well."
"Well said," Lightray applauded her.
"I had excellent teachers," Anna inclined her head in thanks.
Atom Smasher interposed himself between Lightray and Anna, "Let's save the love fest for later."
Anna and Al Rothstein had their masks off. She smiled as she caressed his cheek, "Have no fears, Handsome Stranger. No one can replace you in my heart."
She watched as his eyes lit up with unadulterated happiness. Al gently squeezed Anna's arm, "You're quite a prospect, Anna. And this guy is a known player."
"Tosh. I don't get played," Anna reassured him, "I only give out my heart after careful consideration and much reticence. And I have freely given it to you."
"Cut the damn whispering, you two!" Sue snapped, "We're still in a briefing."
"Upbraided by the school marm again," Anna sighed.
"You all have been selected for two criteria. Those being availability and skill set," Sue told those gathered.
Superman mentally reviewed this present. Besides himself and Lightray, the Flash was also present. Mary Marvel and Troia were amongst the more powerful Justice Leaguers present. Anna Fortune and Atom Smasher were still largely unknown elements since no one yet knew their ultimate limits. Superman had doubts regarding Hawkman but he readily approved of Captain Atom" inclusion on the team. Commander Steel, Judomaster, Vibe, Katana, and Dr. Mid-Nite just seemed superfluous to him. They needed the power to move mountains not street level fighting.
"What's the exact mission?" Commander Steel inquired.
"To secure Maxima's safety and keep her out of the hands of the Almeracian fleet," Sue described it.
"We're talking a literal fleet?" Hawkman asked.
"One hundred battleships," Sue divulged, "And to put it in perspective, Kalea brought twelve battleships when she invaded a few years back."
"There is more," Katana interjected, "What mission goal haven't you shared yet?"
"To put Maxima back on her throne," Sue revealed.
"Is that even a good idea?" Flash had to wonder, "And who says that's our job?"
"Maxima is an ally of Earth and New Genesis," Superman stated, "Putting her back in control of her former empire assures us we won't face another invasion from that front."
"Excuse me, but Maxima didn't want to blow up the planet beneath her favorite boy toy's feet," Flash argued, "Admittedly Kalea feels differently."
"Flash, Kalea led a fleet here less than an hour ago. Then it vanished in a massive boom tube," Sue let that settle in.
"Boom tube technology we did not provide," Lightray added.
"Given the fact Darkseid seems to have established a working relationship with Almerac, the UN Security Council deemed it necessary to sever that relationship. That's easily done if Maxima sits on the throne," Sue shared.
"Okay, we're traveling to a different Earth," Vibe put out there for consideration, "Just how different will it be?"
"I have no idea," Lightray admitted, "It would be best to brace yourself for the worst."
"Wonderful," Captain Atom muttered.
"I need to contact Mother Box and learn which Earth they traveled to and then I can proceed from there," Lightray offered, "But I shall need the station's dimensional scrambler to be deactivated."
Sue signaled Hula Hula and made arrangements, "You'll have five minutes."
Lightray studied his controller until it displayed a green access key. He opened the boom tube and they all went through. Sue signaled Hula Hula to send in the next group.
Elongated Man brought the second team in. Supergirl frowned, "Why do I get the feeling we just missed something?"
"Take a seat and you might learn something," Sue ordered.
Kara meowed at Sue. Galatea sat down beside her "sister". She was puzzled why they'd been summoned if there was no emergency. She and Blackhawk had plans as soon as the Blackhawk Squadron finished inducting new recruits.
"You wanted to brief us?" Sentinel broke the ice.
"You're all being put on notice," Sue explained, "Any crises or situations develop and you'll be the point team on it. And we've just dispatched a group to reset Maxima back on her throne."
"You're kidding me?" Galatea didn't want to believe it.
"I have to side with the kid here," Wildcat lent his support.
"Need I remind you you're now biologically younger than she is?" Sue wondered.
"Yatta yatta," Wildcat quipped, "Puttin' Max back in charge of Almerac is a recipe for disaster."
"The UN Security Council feels differently," Sue told him.
"So who gives a flyin' flip about the UN?" Wildcat wanted to know.
"Look, the UN decided this was a priority after Kalea flew all the way here to arrest her mother," Sue said.
"And if the other team fails, Earth has just declared war on Almerac," Jay Garrick spoke up, "And we didn't exactly fare very well last time."
"What our largest looming threat is that known terrestrial threats will learn Superman is off planet and launch a strike somewhere. Also given all our members who are Green Lanterns and our sole Star Sapphire are all off world as well, that leaves us in a vulnerable position," Sue advised them all, "The Marvel and Black Marvel Families will be held in reserve should the worst happen."
"But Mary got a summons to the Watchtower earlier today," Galatea recalled.
"Mary is on Superman's team," Sue informed her.
"You are aware that Ray died three weeks ago and Mary is on bereavement leave?" Kara had to wonder.
"Mary volunteered," Sue said dispassionately, "She's on the team to keep an eye on Troia."
"Isn't Troia facing disciplinary action?" Sand wanted to know.
"The Question hasn't filed his report yet," Sue defended her choice.
"Hasn't or won't?" Sand asked.
"I'm certain it's just a case of 'hasn't'," Sue was getting irritated with this line of inquiry.
"It seems to me that the JLU is getting far too relaxed about taking human life," Hourman brought up, "The JSA was certainly stricter about maintaining human life at all costs."
"Care to clarify that position?" Sue wanted to know.
"No serious disrespect intended but the Question is a man who tried to kill Luthor. He's married to a mob princess that has been kicked out of the League twice for trying to kill her opponents and excessive violence," Hourman reminded everyone.
"And Troia belonged to the Legion of Doom because she came to our world fleeing Amazon justice for killing her lover and her Wonder Woman," Jesse Quick pointed out, "Maybe the Blockbuster incident is just her reverting to type."
"And what type is that?" Galatea snapped as she crushed the armrest of her chair, "There aren't any 'types'. There are simply choices that we make. Donna chose to leave the Legion and she chose to join the Global Guardians before she was offered a position with the Justice League."
"And maybe that offer was a mistake," Jesse retorted.
Kara caught Galatea as the clone left her seat. Hourman chided her, "You're not helping her case...or your own."
Sentinel and Wildcat interposed themselves before Galatea and Kara. Jay approached Hourman and Jesse, "You both know Galatea and Donna have bled for the cause. We just don't know enough about what happened while Donna faced Blockbuster."
"And we don't know enough about what happened while Galatea faced the OMACs," Hourman argued.
"We're still waiting for Mary's testimony," Jay argued back.
"And whatever she says will be tainted," Jesse interjected.
"Hold that phone, sister!" Stargirl jumped out of her seat, "Mary has literally been through hell over the last few years for this League and now you want to throw her under a bus?"
"If we have to then we have to," Hourman insisted.
"If you wanna toss Mary and Donna out then I'm going with them," Courtney threatened them.
"Maybe that's best," Jesse replied.
"How would you like me to blast you through a bulkhead?" Stargirl asked.
"On a space station?" Jesse mocked Courtney, "That's intelligent."
Suddenly a high pitched sonic shriek nearly deafened everyone. Every eye turned to find Gwen Cormaugh holding a palm sized shrieker, "Am I interrupting?"
"Sorry Gwen, but this is League business," Sand warned her.
"So is this report, ass hat," Gwen quipped, "I thought you all should know we've made progress into the disappearances of Mr. Terrific and Aztek."
"Is that really vital right now?" Sue wearily asked.
"We know where they both are," Gwen informed the group, "What we don't know is how to reach them."
"All right, you have five minutes," Sue allowed.
"Hula Hula briefed me on Lightray's presentation and this is interrelated," Gwen said.
"They went to New Genesis?" Cyclone asked.
"No, but Gizmo's weapon opened an interdimensional tear just as the Key did as well," Gwen explained, "And both Mr. Terrific and Aztek were hurled into to the same Earth Gizmo was sent to as well. Everyone arrived on Earth-2. The Earth we know from an incursion from their world into ours."
"Why do I have the feeling we won't like the rest of this revelation?" King Chimera asked.
"Because Earth-2 is the home of the Justice Lords," Gwen told them all, "The originals and not Luthor's copies."
Everyone only had a moment to digest this news before Hula Hula paged the conference room, "Look sharp people! The Legion of Doom is on the move!"
