JUDGMENT

Chapter Twenty Six

Diana looked at the last transporter as it lifted off with the civilians. The earth trembled beneath her feet. The quakes had begun to get more powerful and she looked at the volcano in some bemusement. It seemed that what Clark was doing was not helping. It was going to blow, and blow soon if those tremors were any indication.

She had tried contact him but kept getting static and once she made out his voice, which sounded pained and breathless. But he was insistent he was okay and to continue evacuating.

"Well, that's it, Diana. Everyone is loaded up and out of here. We should follow suit. That thing looks like it's gonna blow…"

She tuned to see the Flash dash next to her. "Yes, it doesn't look good."

"Where is Supes?"

She gestured a little impatiently, "I don't know. I keep trying to get him but there's so much static and…" Suddenly, the whole island seemed to tremble under their feet.

Diana looked up once more in the distance and said a little bemused, "I'm having trouble maintaining a link with him, Wally. I hope he's okay. Kal, it's Diana…What is going on? The volcano looks like it will blow…Kal?"

The line crackled. Clark's voice could barely be heard. "Go….I'm nearly…I'll follow…"

Diana looked at Flash a little shrug. "He says to go…"

"Well, let's go then. Blue will come when he's ready."

Diana seemed hesitate but eventually turned with Flash to head towards the Javelin.

Clark felt the creature's hand grasp his hair and lift him off the ground. They had been in a fierce battle for the last ten minutes. Clark had tried to speak to it and find out why it wanted to kill him. But it was not interested in talking. It had launched into a full scale attack.

And it had abilities that astounded him. It was fast as he was. Strong as he was. Never in all his life had he ever been hit so hard. Not even by Mongul. Even when Clark punched it back and slammed it into another chamber, it only got up and came after him again. It seemed bent on his destruction. In between the exchange of blows he had to contend with Diana's voice coming through the comlink.

He had fobbed her off as best he could, hoping he could handle the creature.

It was when he tried to penetrate its living tissue with his super vision he got the shock of his life. Fused in with the creature's strange genetic make up and some other stabilizing strand was his own DNA!!!!

It now punched him so hard he went flying again across the cavern, cracking the wall and falling into a river of magma. The whole volcano shook. Clark groaned and rose. The bony protrusions had broken his skin. His lip was split and blood was pouring out his nose. He saw the creature's fist coming again and this time Clark looked up and used his heat vision. He burned the creature's face. It growled in annoyance and stumbled back. Clark blew on it. Freezing breath encased it in ice.

"Kal?

Clark rose shakily. Diana's voice came again.

"Kal, it's Diana…What is going on? The volcano looks like it will blow…Kal?"

He winced and spat blood. "Go on…I'm nearly done… I'll follow…"

He saw the ice melting and the creature shattered its prison. It picked up a huge boulder and threw it at him. Clark punched it to pieces. He then flew at the behemoth, grabbing it around the waist and slamming it to the floor. Fists went back and forth and Clark got some forceful blows in and was about to use his heat vision again when it punched him in the eyes with a, "Not that trick again, Superman."

Momentarily blinded, the monster took him by the cape and swung him around. He slammed backwards into the wall, bursting out of the volcano and shattering a wall. In thick gushes of lava they both tumbled down to the jungle below.

Amanda Waller stood berating a supplier on the phone when the door to her office burst open. It was Professor Hamilton. He looked white faced and terrified.

Waller looked up irately, "How dare you barge in here…?"

The scientist gasped, "Doomsday is gone!!"

She blinked and shook her head as if she had not heard him clearly. "What?"

"The creature is gone!!! It was released from its restraints!!!"

Waller dropped the phone. "WHAT??!!! This has better be a joke. That thing was under guard and heavily restrained. There were also security codes that only we had…How could he be released?"

"Tala."

Waller's face hardened. "How do you know this?"

"The security cameras caught her using her magic to get in without detection and freeing it. She seems to have interfered with some of its programming. God knows why she would even do such a thing…"

"You don't know?" Waller looked at him cynically. "Who would benefit from having that thing released?"

Hamilton uttered, "Luthor?"

"Exactly. We must track it down before it kills innocent people…" She picked up the phone.

"Er, it has that tracking microchip in it and we know where it is going…" he said.

Waller looked at him with dread. "Where?"

"To the Caribbean. The Justice League is there helping evacuate people on the islands from an erupting volcano…Most importantly, Superman is there…"

Waller's face hardened. "It's going after Superman." She dialed straight to General Eiling at the Pentagon.

His cantankerous voice answered. "What do you want? You know better than to call me here."

"We have a problem."

"What?"

"Project Doomsday has been sabotaged. Tala released the creature and it is heading towards the Caribbean. Specifically for the Justice League and Superman."

Eiling replied, "And how is that a bad thing?"

"General, are you stupid? That thing's programming has been tampered with and who knows what it's capable of doing! It is dangerous and the whole point of having it was as a deterrent against a rogue League. Not one that is helping humanity. The fallout from this would make Cadmus look like a bunch of paranoid murderers. The American people…the world would never forgive us for this! The creature is a loose canon and has to be stopped."

"Fine. We can do that," he said crisply.

"How…?"

"How do you think, Waller?" he retorted sarcastically. "How do you think we can stop a blasted monster that we engineered to take down Superman?"

"Eiling, I do not like what you are inferring…"

"Look, Waller, we can't have any evidence of this thing leaking to the president or media. If the League has any idea what went down, there goes all our careers. It's life imprisonment for all of us. We take out the evidence. The best bet is the cruise missile with its kryptonite warhead."

"But that blast could take out the whole island and generate tsunamis. The League…Superman…even civilians lifeboats are still within range."

"Collateral damage," he said dryly. "There has to be some casualties for the greater good."

"How will you explain the destruction of the island?"

"A damn volcano is about to explode and deliver hot gas and rock as great as 700 km/hr and temperatures of about 1830 degrees Fahrenheit. They will hardly notice it nor will they be able to track its point of origin. Time is of the essence. Eiling out."

Waller looked at the receiver. "Arrogant son of a…" She looked at Hamilton. "Go and see if there is any way we can override the creature!"

"But there isn't…"

"Go!"

Hamilton sighed and left. Waller picked up a satellite phone and dialed. The voice of the Batman sounded.

"How did you get this frequency?"

"I am privy to things you would be surprised, Batman. But you have to listen to me…"

Wonder Woman and Flash sat in one of the Javelins and lifted off. The volcano was spitting ash and lava now and it was rumbling loudly like a monster about to waken with a roar.

Flash said, "I'm glad this is over. I really need to unwind. I met this really cute girl…A reporter…"

Diana looked at him curiously as they lifted higher. "A reporter? I thought you had a crush on our newest recruit Fire?"

Flash jerked his head up. "Me??? I don't have a crush on her!! What makes you say that?"

Diana smiled. "Oh, I don't know. Maybe because you get all jittery around her and stare at her a lot?"

"Damn…I do that?"

"Yes, you do and if you like her you should ask her out."

"But…but she's so hot and that accent. She probably does not even notice me."

Diana patted his shoulder. "You would be surprised."

Flash looked at her hopefully, "You know something I don't?"

Before Diana could reply there was a beeping alert on the control panel. Flash flicked on the receiver and on a monitor was Batman.

Wally greeted him only to be cut off.

Batman's voice was urgent. "Clark is in trouble!!!"

Batman had come off the phone with Amanda Waller and he looked at J'onn. "Did you hear that?"

J'onn said worriedly, "I did. A cruise missile?"

"Yes. Packing a kryptonite warhead. They are sending it with the intention to take out the whole island, the creature and Superman."

"Why would she tell you this?"

"Waller is ambitious and misguided but she really thinks what she was doing was for humanity. She does not condone this kind of extreme action. We need to stop that missile J'onn!! We have minutes according to Waller."

J'onn said, "I will go. I can get to the hanger fastest, take out a Javelin and try to take it down before it hits."

Batman nodded as the Martian Manhunter phased through the floor of the control room. He pressed the frequency to the Javelin Diana was piloting. She and Flash were minutes from entry into the exosphere.

Flash's face appeared. "Hiya, Bats! What's up?"

"Clark is in trouble!"

Diana's face appeared as she leaned in next to Flash. "Clark is what?"

"Listen to me. Time is limited. It seems Cadmus has genetically engineered a creature using Clark's DNA, fused together with some extinct alien species. They felt they needed to have a weapon that could take Superman and the League down if we went rogue as with the Justice Lords. The creature was released prematurely and it seems it's heading right your way. Specifically for Superman."

Flash gasped. "What???"

"Amanda Waller has said that the creature is very dangerous and unpredictable and as with most things Cadmus has done, it has been done covertly and without the President's and Congress' knowledge. They are going to try to stop the creature by launching a missile loaded with kryptonite to take it out…"

Diana held her cheek. "Hera!! That will kill him!"

She undid her seatbelt and urged Flash to take over. "I'm going back!!!"

Flash began, "I'll come with you!"

Batman interrupted, "No! Wally, I need you to go and warn any life boats and civilians in range and see that they move out. J'onn is trying to intercept the missile but if he fails…"

Flash nodded. "I understand."

Diana rushed to the air lock and opened the side door. She flew out and headed back towards the island as fast as she could.

Clark felt a fist smashed at him again and he went hurtling through trees and vegetation, flattening everything in his path. The monster caught him by the head like a rag doll and flung him back towards the terrain, now molten with magma and hissing with steam.

Clark fell upon a rocky outcrop. The volcano was spitting gas and lava. Rivers were coming down the slopes on either side of him. He felt the monster land heavily upon the ground, cracking the surface.

It said, "You fight a good fight, Superman, but you are no match for me. I have been created to neutralize you."

Clark's uniform was torn in places. His blue shirt fell off his shoulders as the monster lifted him up high and brought his spine down on its knee. Clark groaned in pain. He could feel a couple of ribs crack. The thing flung him to the ground. It tore out a huge piece of rock and smashed it on his head. The rock broke into pieces but drove Clark's head deeper into the cracked ground.

"This is the end."

Clark saw it raise both its fists and it was coming down on his head.

He gritted, "No, it's not!"

A burst of heat vision pinpointed the creature's eyes behind the hooded protrusions. It roared in pain.

He caught the creature's wrists. He lifted it and sent it sailing over his head. Clark lifted off the ground and came at it before it could rise as his foot connected with its mid section. It fell backwards and he used all his weight to smash his foot into its face.

He grabbed it by the hair and lifted it. He punched its jaw over and over, every punch hurt. His knuckles were cut and bruised. Blood smeared the creature's face. He lifted it and hurled it towards the mouth of the crater.

The behemoth could not stop itself and it fell into the boiling lava. Before it could even come out, the volcano blew.

Clark watched the volcano erupt in a glowing cloud. The fire, ash, lava and rock suddenly collapsed and began to move down the flank towards him with great speed.

He must get up! But his legs collapsed under him as his body suddenly sagged with weakness. He could not summon the effort to fly. He was on his knees and gasping in pain. His eyes closed and he could feel himself about to pass out.

Two hands grabbed him before the deadly blast could reach him.

Clark was being hauled up and back into the air. He could see the island grow smaller and smaller. He could feel a softness against his back as the arms held him close.

A voice whispered in his ear. "I've got you, Kal."

The Martian Manhunter piloted the Javelin behind the missile. He needed to get to it before it could hit the island. He could see it hurtling ahead of him. J'onn possessed the speed and strength of Superman himself. And in a case like this, Superman could stop a missile and detonate it with his bare hands. But J'onn, could not. He was vulnerable to flame. He could not endure any explosive blast like Superman.

He pushed down on the accelerator and soon he was close enough to lock the Javelin's own missile on to it. He needed to detonate it here. Before it hit land. Anywhere close to Superman and the islands could result in innocent lives lost.

J'onn found the target and fired. The explosion of the two missiles sent a radial blast that swept the Javelin into a tail spin. J'onn could see he was going to crash into the side of a cliff face. He phased out of the Javelin just seconds before it hit the cliff and exploded.

Breathing a little heavily, J'onn pressed his comlink.

Batman's voice sounded. "J'onn? I saw the Javelin explode. Are you alright?"

"Just about. The missile has been stopped."

Batman muttered, "Thank god."

J'onn asked, "Have you heard anything about Superman?"

"Diana has him. They are docking as we speak."

Clark sat before the Atom in the infirmary some six hours later and allowed himself to be examined.

Ray Palmer said with a smile, "The solar lamps did its job. You're fully healed."

Diana, who was looking on a little worriedly, interrupted, "Are you sure, Professor? His ribs are completely healed?"

"Yes, Wonder Woman. Superman can get the all clear. You feel fine don't you, Superman?"

Clark nodded. "Yes, I feel fine now." He took Diana's hand and squeezed it. "I had a good rest and am recharged. I'm good to go and we really need to deal with this creature. I understand it has been recaptured?"

Diana nodded. "It was encased in magma and the League managed to get it into restraints before it could waken. It's in one of our holding cells and we are waiting for you so we can decide what to do with it."

Clark looked sober. "I can't believe Cadmus would go to such lengths to keep the League in check."

"I know. They are supposed to be looking out for humanity," said Ray wryly. He took up Clark's chart. "I'm going to update your records, Superman. You are free to go."

Ray left them in the small bay and walked out into the main laboratory. Diana sighed. "What will we do, Kal? That thing could come after you again. It could kill you…"

He said wryly, "It almost did. I understand Luthor is behind this?"

Diana winced. "Yes. You were right. Waller admitted to Bruce that Luthor was funding them. But he is clever and has left no paper trail to tie him to Cadmus. Bruce said he told Waller that they must shut Cadmus down. If they don't then the League will expose them all."

"That would be the scandal of the century. Many so called good patriotic people were backing Cadmus. But Lex with his usual power hungry has used it for his own benefit. They would do well to shut down and count their losses."

Diana sighed. "It is all so complicated and makes me feel uncomfortable. In a way we would be doing it for our own preservation. If we expose Cadmus then we must expose what the Justice Lords did and that would cause mass hysteria. It seems both sides will be covering the truth."

Clark nodded gravely. "Yes. There are times we cannot tell the public the whole truth. We have to keep many things classified. I will ensure the President knows what took place here and hope by then General Eiling and Waller would have resigned from their posts."

Diana turned and picked up the fresh uniform she had brought for him. He was only in boxers as the moment.

"You should get dressed."

Clark took them and dumped them to the side of the exam table. He pulled her close so she was trapped between his thighs.

"I need to say thank you for the rescue."

Diana wrapped her arms about his neck. She said with a good natured reprimand, "You know I should be mad at you for letting me think you were okay in the volcano. I have told you time and time again; stop trying to shield me at your own expense."

He smiled unrepentant. "I can't help it. I will never stop trying to shield you. It's what men do for the women they love. "

Diana melted and hugged him tightly. "I love you, Kal. So much."

Clark held her just as tightly.

A cough behind them made them look up. Diana did not even step away from Clark. She remained in the circle of his arms. Clark smiled proudly. Diana had accepted her love for him and there was no shame or false pride in her to hide it.

It was Bruce and J'onn. Both could not help but smile wryly to see Wonder Woman being held by Superman.

"Sorry to interrupt, Clark," said J'onn, "but now that you are being discharged, can we have this creature tried? We want to do it in half an hour."

Clark nodded. "Yes. That's fine by me. J'onn, I understand you stopped the kryptonite missile?"

"Yes, I managed to do it."

"Thank you, my friend. You put yourself in harm's way for me. I know facing the possibility of fire is very difficult for you."

"It is what you would do for me," replied the Manhunter.

Batman stated, "The League is about taking bullets for each other, Clark. We all took an oath to defend truth and justice and it starts with defending those that we call brother…and," and his eyes fell on Diana, "and sister."

Diana smiled warmly at him. "Thank you, Bruce."

Clark teased, "And people shiver when you walk into a room. They don't know what a softie you are, Bruce."

"If you spread it around I will use that kryptonite ring you gave me," he warned.

"Speaking of kryptonite, how in heavens name do people seem to get hold of it?" began Clark drolly.

"Black market. But that was Cadmus's last stash. Luthor isn't so stupid to play around with it since it caused his cancer. Let's hope that's the last we see of it for a while."

"You think Cadmus will disband?"

"They have little choice."

"Waller knows your identity, Bruce," began Diana.

"Yes, but she is not a fool to spread it around. Cadmus knows it's time to call it quits."

Clark asked, "What will happen to all their experiments?"

"That's where we ensure every bit of research is destroyed."

"And Lex?" Clark grew grim faced. "He is the viper in the sandpit. How do we deal with him?"

Batman replied, "I know you want him badly, Clark, but he's a genius at being, not one, but a good five and six steps ahead of being captured. He has reinvented himself and is seen like the prodigal son that has come home. He has been using his money to help where the federal government failed."

"He's a maniac who would murder millions. Do people really have that short a memory?"

"Yes, unfortunately they do. Especially when the League has been responsible for a lot of damage and casualties in our battles with villains. Lex nearly grew a kryptonite island but we have smashed up buildings, roads, cars and caused injury fighting bad guys. Some people feel our presence is more of an attraction than a deterrent for the more insane psychopaths."

Clark winced. It was true. Metropolis had been through hell and back over the years and the people had always been forgiving of him …the alien. So why should they not forgive a son who had repented and been miraculously healed?

Clark said tightly, "Doesn't help he has half the media on his payroll either. Damn it! We have him but not one ounce of proof!!" He moved his arm from around Diana's waist. "Let's go and get this over and done with. I need to go and see the President."

Lex looked at Tala and Artemis.

"So our Doomsday project failed?"

"It would seem so. Cadmus has been disbanded and their research destroyed."

Lex fingers curled around the glass of wine he was drinking. It was all he could do to not smash it to the floor. He put it down and asked coolly, "The creature?"

"I have heard nothing. It seems as if it has vanished off the face of the earth."

Lex looked at Artemis. "This armor you speak of, Amazon, is it really that powerful?"

"It was created by the God Hephaestus himself. It is the ultimate weapon of war and nigh unstoppable. It feeds off rage and fear and blood. It only stops when it loses that fuel."

Lex stroked his chin. "I see. It must possess immense magical energy?"

"It does. The Amazons of Themyscira have it under heavy guard."

"You know how to get to it?"

"It is kept underground beneath their city and, yes, I know the way. But it will not be as simple as just strolling in and taking it even if we have Tala with us. The Amazons have magical weapons and are highly trained."

"Well, we will make sure to send in our best people." He looked at Tala. "Get a team together and you and Artemis will go in."

Artemis said darkly, "I want the assurance that we will take down Superman and Wonder Woman, Lex."

He gave her a dark look as if not quite liking her temerity to even question his intentions. But Lex knew he needed the silly, man-hating child. "Why stop at them? We will take down the League."

Diana's eyes opened and the first thing she did was reach for the other side of the bed. It was empty. She got up and blinked. The room was quiet and still in darkness. There was never anyway to tell what time it was outside of the Fortress other than looking at a clock. She sat up and stretched luxuriously. It could be morning; they had gone to bed at midnight but then they did not get to sleep right away. So it could be past lunch time if she went by the hours of rest she usually needed after making love with Clark. Diana reached for his cape which was draped carelessly on the back of a chair and wrapped her self in it. She did not have many possessions here (although that was something that she was sure would change with time) and she really did not want to put on her Wonder Woman uniform. Besides, she loved the feel of his cape. It also smelled of him.

It was the first time since they became lovers that they had managed to have a whole day without interruption. No emergencies for either of them. J'onn was possibly being very kind to them after the Doomsday incident last week.

She headed out the bedroom to look for Clark.

She found him in the armory. He was checking on his weapons, something he systematically did to ensure all were in working order. It wasn't that he needed them or used them but the last thing he needed was any of them to go missing or even malfunction as they were very powerful technology gotten off world. Also, part of her knew at the back of his mind was the creature. He was not afraid for himself but for everyone close to him. The creature had stared at her during the trial and Diana had felt a shiver down her spine.

The creature had been tried and was expelled to the Phantom Zone after the League decided that there was no reforming it or controlling it. It had been a difficult decision but a unanimous one. Diana knew Clark hated doing it but they had no choice. She prayed to her Gods that would be the last they saw of it.

Later Clark had admitted to her as he was banishing it to the Phantom Zone, it had whispered for his ears alone, "I can smell you on her. This is not done, Superman."

His back was to her and she could see he was shirtless with only his blue tights on. He must have come straight here upon rising.

Clark knew she was there. He could hear and smell her long before she came down the corridor.

"You're up. I'll be with you in a moment." He put the safety catch on to a very large laser rifle and slotted it on a wall. He turned and saw her standing in the doorway. His lips turned up as she walked in. Her hair was bed tousled and she looked very, very sexy in his cape. He wondered if Diana knew that.

She said, "You should have woken me up. I could have helped you with your chores."

"You look so peaceful and angelic it would be a sin to wake you up. It was all I could do to leave the bed and not watch you as you sleep."

Diana smiled. "You are so sweet with words, Kal."

"Oh, it's easy. Comes from writing for a living."

She pouted and slapped his chest. He chuckled and took her hand and kissed it. "But it's the truth."

Diana looked around. "You are finished here?"

"Yep."

"What about the animals and plants in your menagerie?"

"All fed and watered."

Diana's eyes fell on the phantom zone ray which was locked in a special glass case with an electronic force field around it and she gave a little shiver. "It's here."

He followed her eyes. "Yes. But it's under rigid security protocols."

"Has anyone ever escaped the phantom zone, Kal?"

"Yes. The Kryptonian criminals I told you about."

"They're in there too?"

He nodded. Diana took his hand and tugged at him. "Let's go. It feels oppressive in here."

They left the armory. He slipped an arm around her waist as they walked along towards the habitat area. "I can do us some lunch."

She declared, " Finally. Something to do. I will help you with that."

Clark grinned. "Will help?"

She smiled. "I could help…if you want me too. I have said it over and over; you are not my servant, Kal."

His grin grew wider and mischievous. "In that cape you could say and do what you want. I would gladly be your servant."

She gurgled with laughter. "Very well, how about if I let you do lunch while I go and bathe myself?"

The way it was said and the images it conjured up was tantalizing. Diana bathing herself… Water sluicing over her smooth, olive skin and her soapy hands moving over her body. His pulse sped up.

Clark frowned and pulled away. He complained, "Couldn't you just say a shower?"

She lifted one arm to run it through her rumpled hair and repeated coyly, "Very well. I'm going to have a shower."

He stared at her and shook his head. "No, that did not help."

She added further insult to injury by turning her back on him and beginning to walk away with a purposeful sway to her hips, "You could always join me if you wanted."

Clark's reply was not in words. In the blink of eye he had caught her up and flown them both to the glass cubicle in the bathroom. His cape went flying to the floor along with his tights.

Diana collapsed upon Clark's chest and he held her close. Both were breathless and sweating. They took deep gulps and waited for their hearts to slow down. They lay upon the mattress of the now broken bed.

She whispered against his neck, "Gods, it gets better and better."

He stroked her back and hair and murmured, "You were amazing."

She said wryly, "Sorry about your bed."

"It's okay. Seems there is only so much strain it can take. It stood up well this past week all things considering. I'll just have to get a stronger alloy."

Diana rolled off him after a minute and snuggled into his shoulder. "What time is it?"

He lifted his head. "Five twenty five."

Diana blinked. "Hera, Shyera was right."

"What do you mean?"

"That in the beginning couples are very hungry for each other."

He grinned. "Yes, it's true. Lunch has come and gone and we still haven't eaten."

She sighed, "Well, I am truly starved for food now."

As if to confirm the truth of her words her stomach growled. Clark laughed and put his hand on her flat abdomen and rubbed it as if to soothe it. "I really should get a meal going."

Diana's eyes fell on his hand resting there and she looked at him curiously. "Kal?"

"Hmm?"

"Have you ever wanted children?"

"I've thought about it."

"With Lois?"

"No. Just generally. But I can't with human women. They're fragile and human DNA is not compatible with mine."

"Could I have been compatible with your DNA?"

"Clay and a soul fused together with magic of the gods? Who knows? But you are one of the few women that could have carried my child. Why are you asking these questions, Diana? I know you are not becoming broody."

"No. It's not that. But I just wondered maybe if you wanted to have one and how you felt knowing you are with me and I cannot give you one."

"Diana, I love you. And to be honest, I'm just happy to have you. I really never let myself long for something I know I could never have."

"But you could have had progeny with that Almeraci Queen you told me about."

"Yes, but I did not love her. Why would I want to raise a child with her?"

Diana said gravely, "My Gods created me as an immortal being. I am not like normal women that bleed with the lunar cycles. I think they deliberately did it that I would not bear any man's child."

Clark bent and kissed her lips. "It does not matter. I am grateful for the life I have been given and meeting someone like you. How about we try and get dinner going?"

She smiled. "I think that's a wise idea."

The both got up and began to dress. Clark had found a shirt of his for her to wear when Diana's communicator started alarming.

Diana looked at him wryly. "Hera, I can only guess what that means."

He picked up her communicator and gave it to her. "Well, we can't complain. We had a whole day and three quarters together."

She pressed it. "Yes, J'onn?"

The Martian Manhunter's said, "I am sorry to disturb you, Diana. But you need to contact Julia Kapatelis at once."

Diana looked bemused. "J'onn, what is it? Is Julia alright?"

"Julia is fine but she says you need to come to Boston. It's urgent."

Diana looked even more perplexed but acquiesced. "Fine. Tell her I'm on my way."

Diana looked at Clark. "What could Julia want?"

"Do you want me to come with you?"

She shook her head. "No. It can't be anything dangerous or else she would have told J'onn. I'll contact you if I need help."

Diana landed at the back of Julia's house in a quiet part of the suburbs. She knocked and waited.

Julia appeared after a minute and her face lit up with relief. "Diana!"

Diana hugged her. "How are you?"

"I'm fine. Come in, honey."

She stepped into the kitchen and asked worriedly, "J'onn said you wanted to see me urgently. What is the matter, Julia? Are you okay?'

"I'm fine. I…someone is here to see you."

Diana frowned. "Who?"

Julia led her into the living room and standing at the window as if staring at the outside was a woman in Amazonian garb.

"Mala??!!!"

Mala turned and saw Diana. "Diana! Oh thank the Gods! Oh sister, I am so glad to see you!!"

Diana hugged her and stroked her hair. Mala seemed charged with emotion. "Mala, what is it? Why are you even here?"

Mala looked at her with real fear and dismay. "Diana, Themyscira was attacked."

Diana exclaimed, "What?! By whom?"

"We do not know them. They were led by a sorceress. It is the only way I can imagine they found us. The came in flying monsters that made a noise like a hundred thundering hooves. Cleo called them helicopters. They had weapons from the outside world. Guns. And Artemis was with them! She led them to the Necropolis where the Annihilator was guarded and they stole it!!"

Diana blinked. She could not believe what she was hearing. But her first thought was her mother and sisters well being.

"Mala, is my mother. Is she…?"

"The Queen was shot…"

Diana gasped.

Mala's eyes were filled with tears. "Cleo is using the purple ray on her…I do not know if she will survive."

Diana sank upon a chair and Julia went to her and held her hand tightly.

Mala continued huskily, "The guns, however, did kill a dozen sisters and injured many. Even when we got our magical weapons it was too late. The Sorceress was able to hold us off whilst they lifted the Annihilator and escaped."

Diana took in a breath. "Who sent you, Mala?"

"Phillipus. She knew you needed to be told. I am here to bring you back."

"But my banishment…"

"According to the law Phillipus is to assume authority…should the Queen or heir be indisposed.… The General knows you would want to come home and see your mother."

Diana got up. "The Senate agreed to this?"

"They have no choice. Themyscira was breached and we lost the Annihilator. The situation is grave beyond words."

Diana said, "Give me a few minutes."

Diana contacted J'onn and told him the situation. J'onn listened gravely. "A sorceress? With a banished Amazon sister? A tactical team with helicopters? Diana, that sounds like Tala and she works for Lex Luthor."

"I know. If Lex wants the Annihilator then that does not bode well. Tell Kal I am going to see my mother. I will be back as soon as I can and we need to track down that armor. If there is a positive in all this we at least know how to stop it."

Diana looked at Mala. "Let's go."

Author's Note: In the Doomsday Sanction, Batman ran from the control room of a huge rotating satellite all the way down to the hanger, jumped in the Javelin and went to stop a missile in seconds. I did not know Batman was meta-human. And the Martian Manhunter, who could fly and even phase through floors just stood there. What a load of rubbish. J'onn is the only one who could have gotten to that missile but no, they had the Batgod doing it. JLU used J'onn poorly.

Also if Bruce even helped saved Superman's life he would never be such a jerk to Superman and tell him he took a bullet for him. Neither would Wonder Woman stand up like a dummy whilst it was said.

I think the Cadmus arc was one of the strongest storylines because it does present a lot of ethical issues. The role of the League and what they do and how they do it is a reasonable question. Waller for example is not evil and the destruction and chaos resulting when the League does battles could never be easy for civilians. In real life this would have caused a lot of anger and Cadmus would probably get a lot of support. But there must be some suspension of disbelief and so we will hope the public is forgiving and we will always expect to see Lex or the Joker coming back when they probably should be dead.