Justice League of America Issue 10
"The Dynasty" Part 2
Written by Bodhi Ouellette
Coast City; Ferris Aircraft:
Inside of an office room, a Lawyer, who was an older man, wearing a grey suit and a blue tie, and balding on the head, staring down on a younger woman, with black hair in her mid to late 20's, wearing a pink business suit and dress. Her desk has an engraved name tag, with the name "Carol Ferris- Chief Executive Officer". Despite the older man barking down at Carol, she is calm and (almost) stress free.
Lawyer: ... My client is furious at you, Miss. Farris!
Carol: Mr. Jefferson signed the contract, sir. He should know that we are not eligible for any accidents or damages done.
Lawyer: Mr. Jefferson was not aware of that specific set of details, Ms. Farris!
Carol: He signed, the contract. If he had read the understood the contract completely, he wouldn't of signed it. Besides, anyone, and everyone who gets greatly injured at our company will get benefits coming from us.
Lawyer: That won't be enough for him. He want's more, Ms. Farris.
Carol: I don't know what to say. He signed the contract, he should've known what was on their, we're not eligible for. Now, I'm not in the mood to discuss this further. Offer him the offer to raise his benefit money, and tell him that he should've known what he signed up for.
The Lawyer angrily storms off out of the room. Carol lies back in her chair, rubbing the side of her forehead, and takes a huge sigh. She hears the door open back up again. She looks up to see Hal Jordan, entering into the room.
Hal: Hey, Carol.
Carol: Hi, Hal.
Hal: You seem stressed.
Carol: Tell me about it. I've been getting chewed at by some lawyer all day long. So, my entire day has been stressful, for the most part. Like every other day.
Hal: You still up to going to Barry and Iris' place for dinner?
Carol: Of course. I need something to take my mind off all this stress.
Hal: Alright then. Do you need to change into a dress, or are you just gonna go in that?
Carol: The former, please.
Hal: Give me a second.
Hal's Green Lantern ring glows, and his clothes turns into his Green Lantern costume.
Hal: Grab on.
Carol places her arms around Hal's neck. Hal, using his ring, opens one of the windows in her office, and he flies out of the office, turns back behind him, and closes the window. He the proceeds to fly off towards Carol's place.
Elsewhere; A few hours ago:
Out in an open runway, a private jet is parked, with it prepped and ready to take off. Coming out from a black car was Vandal Savage; his hair was combed, and his beard was trimmed and tied into a little braid. He was wearing a blue business suit, as he is escorted over and up the stairs, and into the jet. He makes his way over to one of the few seats in the jet. He gazes outside of the window, when a flight attendant walks up towards him.
Attendant: Would you like to start off with a drink, perhaps?
Savage: I'll just take water, thank you.
The Attendant leaves Savage with a menu. With Savage reading the menu, another man, a Dynasty member, wearing a similar business suit as Savage, but in grey, sits down on the opposite side of Savage.
Dynasty Member: What do you intend to eat, my lord?
Savage: I find eating such fine dining like this conflicts with my morals, to be honest. I don't wish to eat anything here. But I will eat, anyways.
Dynasty Member: Why is that?
Savage: I hate saying no to someone so nice and beautiful as her. Someone who's just doing her job. Call it pity, but when you've been living for thousands of years, where the wealthy dominates all classes, you can't help but feel bad for such poor women like her.
Attendant: Here's your water.
She gives the glass of water to Savage.
Attendant: Have you decided what you'd like to eat?
Savage: Yes, I will have the steak tips.
Attendant: How would you like them cooked, sir?
Savage: Medium rare, please.
Attendant: (turns over to the Dynasty member) Would you like anything to eat or drink, sir?
Dynasty Member: No, thank you.
The Attendant then leaves.
Dynasty Member: You are aware of what the plan is?
Savage: Of course I do; enter into the President's party he and his wife are hosting, as one of his guests. Once everything has settled, and the President makes his speech, I set the signal, and the President is ours. The real question I should be asking you is… do you know what the plan is?
Dynasty Member: Of course I do, my lord. There's one more thing I'd like to discuss with you about, though.
Savage: Oh? And what's that?
Dynasty Member: What are we gonna do about the one who betrayed us?
Savage: Him? What will he do, exactly? He is just one man. We are an entire group. If he believes that he can take us down, then he is more arrogant than I thought he was.
Dynasty Member: And what about the Justice League? Surely he could just go to them and tell all about us and our plans.
Savage: Hm. You have a point. But I doubt it. Unless the Justice League has a telepath on their team, I don't believe that we have anything to worry about. But, we should not leave this possibility out of the question. We must be precarious tonight. Keep our eyes out for not only him, but for security, and anyone we might think is suspicious towards us. Thank you for suggesting the flaws that could erupt.
Dynasty Member: I do it, all in the name of the Dynasty.
Savage: That you do, my child. That you do...
Central City; Barry & Iris' House:
The kitchen was steaming with warmth and smoke, as Barry Allen and Iris West were doing double time, cooking a roast chicken in the oven, mash potatoes with gravy, chopped carrots and broccoli on the stove, and in the other corner, a mixer, where the desert was being made in; tiramisu pudding. Barry was operating the stove, while Iris was busy making the desert.
Iris: Are the potatoes cooking properly, now?
Barry: Let me check… Yep! They're finally cooking properly now.
Iris: Good. That's the last time I buy potatoes from Sean again.
Barry: Why do people keep giving you free stuff at work?
Iris: That's a good question. My answer is probably because they all think I'm single.
Barry: So, you haven't even told anyone at work that I exist?
Iris: No. I've told a few people. Select people, however.
Barry: (beat) I'm gonna just end this conversation here. Chicken's done. Carrots are done. Mashed Potatoes will be done in a few. And what about the tiramisu?
Iris: Almost done with that, too.
Barry: Great. Hal and Carol will be here pretty soon, so we should get ourselves prepared-
*Ding Dong*
Barry was about to go to answer the door.
Iris: I'll get the door. You set up the table, honey.
Iris walks out of the kitchen and heads towards the front door. Iris opens the door to see both Hal Jordan and Carol Ferris, now wearing a loose dress, and a belt around her waist, standing at the front door.
Iris: Hi!
Hal: Hey, Iris.
Carol: Hi, Iris. It's so good to meet you. (Iris and Carol shake hands)
Iris: Likewise. I apologize for what I'm wearing right now, Barry and I are still trying to get dinner ready.
Carol: Will it take long?
Iris: Nah, I don't think it'll take that long. Barry! Are you almost done in there?
Barry: (beat; voice) Yep! Just give me another second!
Iris: Thanks! So, I hear from Barry, and Hal, that you're the C.E.O. of Ferris Industries?
Carol: That's right. I took it over a few years ago, once my father retired, and appointed me as the head. We can discuss more about my business stuff at dinner, what about you? What do you work as?
Iris: I work as a six o'clock WCCA Channel 8 news-anchor.
Carol: Oh, wow. Is it a fun job?
Iris: You have no idea how fun it is; working with the other co-workers, and messing around with them is probably my favorite thing about my job.
Carol: Sounds exciting, unlike my job, where I have to go to meeting after business trip after screaming lawyers. By the way, all of this happened today.
Iris: Just today?
Carol: Yep.
Iris: Oh, my. Well, I guess my could be worse. I mean, I don't think it could get any stranger when I receive random items from most of my male co-workers on the floor I work on.
Carol: Like what?
Iris: Well, for instances, someone from my work, named Sean, gave me a whole sack of potatoes.
Carol: What?
Iris: Well, I mean, he was giving bags to other people around the office-
Barry: - Ladies and gentlemen! (Appears in the middle of the doorway) Dinner, is served!
Hal: Thank, god.
Iris: Alright, I'm going to change into something more appropriate, so, you guys can get started without me!
Carol and Hal then proceed into the dining room, where the both take their seats at the table. Barry was about to sit down, but he stops himself from doing it.
Barry: Wait! I should be changing too. Be back in a sec-
Barry speeds out of the room with his super speed, and even before the second was over, he came back, wearing clean clothes; a blue button on shirt, and plaks.
Barry: (Cont.) There we go. Now, for Iris to come down, and we can begin dinner.
Hal: How's it been with you and Iris, now that you two have moved in together?
Barry: Great. Not to sound hokey or anything when I say this, but, you know when a relationship gets to that point where the two move go to the next step and buy their own house together? That's where Iris and I are right now.
Carol: I was only just talking to her for a few minutes, and I can already see some of the similarities between you two. I hope all goes well with you, Barry.
Barry: Thanks, Carol. And you and Hal go together, like Peanut Butter and Chocolate.
Carol couldn't help but go red at it, and Hal felt a bit embarrassed by Barry's comment. But both laughed at Barry's claim.
Barry: (Cont.) What? Was that too far, even for you guys?
Iris enters into the room, now wearing a fancy shirt, and dark jeans. Iris then takes her seat at the table.
Iris: Alright, now we can eat.
The four begin to dig into the dinner.
Iris: Before we begin to stuff our faces with chicken, we should probably thank them for stopping the Martian invasion. And, instead of going to the President's party, you wanted to spend the time with us.
Barry: To me -maybe not for Hal over here- but I prefer spending my victories with my family. Besides, we already had planned for this to happen, so It would've been a waste of money for Iris and I to buy that chicken if all four of us weren't gonna eat it. Oh, well. We'll ask Sups how the party was tomorrow.
White House:
Hundreds of politicians and high government officials enjoy the time of their lives inside of a huge ballroom, located in the White House. A party was being held, with the President as the host. Present at the party was many members of the Justice League, including Amanda Waller and Maxwell Lord, and team members Superman, Martian Manhunter, Blue Beetle, Atom, and Adam Strange. Superman was the only one of the other Leaguers who was not wearing a dressed suit, but rather his costume instead. John Jones was standing next to a punch bowl, where someone was pouring themselves a glass of Punch. The guest looked next to him to see John, in his Martian form, and became scared for a bit. He then slowly walked away from John. John was hurt from this, as he turned his head over towards the other members.
Ted Kord: Cheer up, John. They'll learn to like who you are.
Ray Palmer: Martians are capable of turning themselves into anyone they'd like. So why didn't you turn yourself into your, uh... human form?
John: I can't. Lord demanded that I stay as my Martian form for this ceremony. He says that it'll bring better light on the Martians.
Superman: A point I strongly agree with. It shows you're comfortable as yourself with others.
John: I actually showed my family what I look like now as the Martian Manhunter.
Adam Strange: And what did they think?
John: My son loved it. Thought it was cool to see his dad as a superhero. My wife was more mixed about it, though. But if what you guys are saying is right, then I believe she'll learn to grow with this new... me.
Over on a small stage, a man gets up on stage with a microphone in his hands. He taps the top of the mic, to make sure it was working. Everyone redirects their attention over towards the man.
Man: Good evening, everyone! I am proud to present to you all, our host, the President of the United States of America!
Everyone in the room applaud, as the President made his way up onto the stage, grabbing the mic from the man's hand.
President: Thank you all, my fellow Americans. We are here tonight for many reasons. One, is to commemorate the actions of our members of the Justice League, for the help in stopping the Martian Invasion. For this bravery, we are giving all members of the team metals for not only helping to save America, but also saving the world. Many of them could not come tonight, but we will still honor them in their absence.
Applaus signalled the League members, along with Waller and Lord, to come up on the stage. They all stood proud for their actions, and the President began attaching their metals onto their clothes or suits.
Sitting at one of the tables was Vandal Savage, watching patiently as the President handed out the metals. Once the President was finished giving the metals to the Justice League members, Savage lifted his arm up, and snapped his fingers. Multiple people inside of the room began pulling out smoke bombs, and dropping them on the floor. The effect of these smoke bombs seemed to have great effect, as the smoke quickly began developing, almost engulfing the entire room. John, not greatly affected by this, looks over to Superman, who was also not affected by the smoke.
John: Can you see anything?
Superman: Yes. I can see 20 people who are coming right towards us.
John: (beat) And their after the President.
Superman: What? How-
John: Read their minds. We need to get rid of this smoke.
Superman: I'll do that. Open the windows for me, and protect the President.
Superman flies up into the air, and John, using his telekinesis, opens all of the windows. With that, Superman prepares one large breath, and exhales all of the air inside his lungs. All the smoke scatters out of the windows. With the room cleared of smoke, Adam Strange and Ted Kord both pull out their signature duel wielding blasters and started shooting at the intruders who were heading towards them. Ray Palmer shrunk down at a Microscopic size. Even Waller decided to get into the action.
Waller: John! Get the President out of here!
John begins to escort the President out of the ballroom. As John and the President made their way to a hopefully safe travel, Vandal Savage turns the corner and appears in front of the two.
Vandal Savage: Hello, Mr. President. We've got a lot we need to talk about.
President: What are you doing? Are you the one who set this whole thing up?
Savage: You'd be correct, Mr. President. Can we hurry this up, please? I'm on a busy schedule.
John shapeshifts his legs into a snake, and forms his arms as blades, lunging towards Savage. It seemed apparent that Savage was aware of what a Martian's weakness was; as Savage pulled out a simple small lighter out. The sheer sight of the flame stopped John dead in his tracks.
John: How... do you... ?
Savage: I know of many people who are members of this state government, who work for me. Vandal Savage. I am the leader of the Dynasty.
President: The Dynasty? You mean the group that started the riot in Afghanistan?
Savage: Precisely. I figured that I would let my group be known by all, and to have those under a corrupt government gain the will to fight back.
President: I don't understand what you're talking about.
Savage: You will. Soon…
Coming out from the back of another man, wearing a white suit and black pants, with brown hair, grabbing Savage from his back, and flinging him towards the wall. Savage looks at the blood that started dripping from his nose.
Savage: Klarn!
Klarn: Stop this, Savage! Is this what you and your Dynasty is doing now? Kidnapping Presidents and starting riots?!
Savage: You of all people should understand my reasons for why my Dynasty and I doing what we must do now!
Klarn: But it's against what we've been doing for so long!
Savage: Times change, Klarn. And unfortunately, change has not come to you.
Once Savage said that, he grabs Klarn's head and gives him a strong headbutt, that makes Klarn dazed. This attack left Klarn dazed long enough, that when he finally got his senses back, he saw that the Savage, and the President, were gone. Klarn walks over at the lighter that had fallen on the ground, still with it's flame out, and right besides John, and he closes the lighter's head. John gains his consciousness back, as he looked up at a stranger helping him up.
John: Thank you. Where's the President?
Klarn: Gone. My bet is that Savage took him. I fear for what Savage has planned for him.
John: My question to you is… who are you?
Klarn: My name is Klarn Arg. And I am The Immortal Man.
To be continued in Justice League of America Issue 11!