Land of Heroes: DC Style comes from Harbinger of Kaos. I just write the reactions, and I still down own any of the characters.
Now we have the next part, the adventure with Aquaman. Speaking of which, the Aquaman here is the one from Young Justice. The encounter was also different. Instead of Aquaman being taking to the surface by Luthor, he and Superman met up when the latter was chasing Black Manta. So he's not as biased towards humans, so this isn't the same Aquaman.
Chapter 9: The enemy below…part 1
With Batman gone everyone waited for the episode to start.
"Think…what happened after our meeting with the manhunters?" Lantern asked.
Arrow said, "Don't look at me, I'm just a spectator to all of this."
Superman said, "Wait…I think that we encounter Aquaman and Atlantis after that. I think."
Lantern said, "Yeah, I think that's right. We could be wrong though, as this was some time ago. If it is you think we should bring him in?"
Diana said, "He might be interested in seeing his counterpart."
The conversation ended and
Over the Atlantic Ocean a storm raged making wind howl and sea churned in violent fashion.
Below it however all was clam and tranquil as the USS Defiant made its silent patrols over the ocean floor.
All seemed calm until, the ships Sonar began pinging.
"Sir! Unidentified craft approaching, bearing 0-1-0" the sonar operator said to the captain, as the image showed the unknown ship.
"At this depth? Establish radio contact." He orders to the young woman at the com station.
"Yep, Atlantis," Lantern said.
Diana said, "Do you think that this is going to end as well as our encounter?"
Flash said, "With how these worlds are, it is kind of hard to tell."
J'onn said, "Things here could be radically different. This Aquaman could be violent, or dangerous."
"I got all frequencies no response."
"Whatever it is, its big and closing fast." The man at sonar spoke.
"I don´t like the looks of this." The captain thought as he heard that.
"Evasive maneuvers, planes down twenty degrees." He ordered those at the helm.
"Twenty degrees, aye."
The submarine did lower itself however catching up at the rear was the vessel three time its size and with.
"Still closing sir, it's going to…"
"CRASH!"
The vessel rocked and short circuited as the larger vessel plowed into the smaller one.
"Damage report!"
"Starboard rudders' out."
"Captain the hostile craft is turning! It's making another run!"
He quickly reached for the radio mike upon hearing that.
"Prepare torpedo tubes!"
"There´s no time!" The officer at the sonar spoke as the image showed the vessel was to close to mount an offense.
Outside the vessel scrapped the hull causing a breach in the rear section and letting water in.
"This is USS Defiant! We are under attack and have sustained heavy damage! We are going down! Repeat we are going down!"
From the bridge of the large vessel a man watches as the submarine sinks.
"The surface dwellers ship has been disabled." He says to a man dressed in green and gold armor, and aura of power surrounding him.
"Good, let it sink." The blond hair man spoke in satisfaction.
Superman fast forwarded through the intro and paused it. Everyone sat back and began to think on what had just happened.
"Let's recap," Flash said, "not only does this version of Aquaman look different, he seems a bit more violent, and he just attacked a submarine, and is just going to let it sink…yeah, safe to say that isn't our Aquaman."
J'onn said, "I think it might be a good idea to bring in our Aquaman for this. He deserves to know."
Superman agreed. After a quick vote, they decided to bring in the king of Atlantis.
Minutes later, Aquaman entered the room.
"I got your call my friends," the king of Atlantis said, "What is it that brings me here?"
They all gave him the lowdown on the situation. Aquaman was shocked not only by what they had been sent, and found, but also what they had done. He was also shocked at the sound of his counterpart. With his interest peaked he immediately sat down.
Superman then restarted the episode.
Currently on board the watchtower…
John was currently manning a console and monitoring the situations the other members of the League were dealing with.
"So that is the Spartan," Aquaman said, "He seems as intimidating as you mentioned. I wonder how he would do against the members of my elite guard? Do you think I could get some blueprints to give to Atlantean scientists?"
Superman said, "We can figure that out when we are done here."
Batman was currently working on a case involving the Joker and Clayface, Flash was at a charity event in his city, Hawkgirl and J'onn were in Seattle investigating a shipment of supposedly stolen weaponry from Lexcorp, though they all figure it was a cover up by the man.
Redeeming was on board the Dawn, patrolling the outer rim of the Solar system.
Miranda was working on a missing person's case with some help from their new allies the Metal Men.
He recalled that after the revelation of their existence Doctor Magnus had explained to the media his breakthrough and realizing that certain people may try to use them for selfish gain had their identities hidden.
When asked what they would do now he replied they would worry about that later, though he did wonder what they could do.
"Professor Magnus?" Aquaman asked.
Flash answered, "Brilliant scientists…built awesome robots…all of which are possible league members…and the reason Bats isn't here. Knowing him, he's probably going all detective on them."
At that moment, the door opened, a batarang flew through the door, and then smacked Flash over the head.
"How?" the speedster asked/yelled.
John came up with the answer and Batman with the means to carry it out, or more precisely Bruce Wayne did.
The UNSC crew decided upon the revelation of the League, that if they were going to help humanity with their non-military tech they should start small and work from there.
So in a public showing of support to humanity he, as the Spartan, decided Wayne enterprises was the company that could help distribute the technology and they started off with the Polypseudomorphine and Biofoam they had given the Dark Knight, who was still analyzing the data he had from the samples.
"I heard of these objects," Aquaman said, "I take it you got them from here?"
This was met with nods.
Superman said, "Would you be interested in them for Atlantis' doctors?"
Aquaman answered, "Like you said, we will discuss this later."
After a battery of tests and safety inspections and protocols they were released to the public and the effects were both positive and immediate, as hundreds of hospitals around the country spoke how the substances help save many lives.
Bruce offered to share the royalties with him which numbered in the millions; he secretly asked for 10% to be added to their account, so as to finally stop having to use blood money from terrorists and other criminal elements and told him publicly to distribute the rest of the funds to charity organizations all around the world.
"A noble man," Diana said.
Aquaman asked, "He used blood money to fund himself."
J'onn said, "He was in a world, completely cut off from resources, and lost. Desperate times, and desperate measures."
This action had endeared him to the public for his kindness to those less fortunate and boosted relief work in areas of conflict and poverty in big ways.
The next advancement and the one needed for their plans to help the scientist was to build an engine capable of replacing current fossil fuels without having it turned into the next big weapon mishap.
Cortana had provided the plans to build a car engine that functioned based on clean emission fuels from water to alcohol, realistically they knew such a thing would be constantly put to test by those who had a firm grip in the oil industries, but since it was backed by a renowned company whose work was made to help better life and the name of the Spartan who was a member of the League, people would take notice.
It was also made in such a way that using it on anything larger than a standard car would not work thus making sure that no military official or otherwise, used it to power anything with less than noble intentions.
This is where Magnus entered, as Bruce came to him and asked if he was willing to work on this in his New York division were the project was taking place, he said that their mutual armored friend had recommended him personally to oversee its completion and any problems that surfaced, he was willing to have his entire staff there if he wished it so.
William knew this was the Spartan's way to help him protect his creations and accepted after running it by them.
Soon he, his robots and several staff members he wanted on sight moved to the facilities and got to work.
The Metal Men gained a lot of attention, especially when they decided to help the Spartan and Wonder Woman fight crime, they adapted quickly to both of their styles and worked well as a team, the people were a bit reluctant to accept the machines but as their success rate in rescue and crime stopping increased so did the public's trust in them.
It was at this point, that Superman paused the video and scanned the metal men on the screen. It then displayed their biographies and basic information, mainly for Aquaman who was out of the loop.
Of course they never went out alone, they knew someone tried to steal them for some dark purpose and were not going to take stupid risks, so they went in groups of four when they left the labs and always made sure the tracking beacons the Spartan and Cortana placed on them were always functioning.
Finally came the day he and the others repaid Cortana for her help in protecting them.
This got everyone's attention. They all leaned in, wondering what was going to happen to Cortana.
Flashback…
The Heroes, the UNSC crew and Metal Men were all on board the Dawn as Doctor Magnus had told them that the body was finally completed.
All were in the makeshift laboratory they had constructed for this purposes with constructors and Huragok overseeing all aspects of the work, leaving nothing to chance.
"Have you managed to create those robots?" Aquaman asked, as he could see how those would be useful in Atlantis.
Arrow answered, "Still beta-testing."
Flash said, "Haven't gotten to it yet."
"Thank you all for coming, I know it has taken some time, but I believe it is worth the wait, as you can see for yourselves." He spoke as he gestured to the stasis tank that held Cortana's body.
They used Platinum's body configuration for the body cast while her head was modeled after Dr. Halsey in her youth and Commander Keyes, very fitting in a way as she was related to them.
"What element was used Doctor?" Miranda asked.
"We used two actually, the Titanium and Vanadium used onboard the ship, the tests we performed on her personality matrix indicated these would bond most easily with her, as to what abilities it will grant her besides general shape shifting is unknown."
"Why not use Forerunner metals?" Superman asked as he was aware the metals used were stronger than anything on the market, with the exception of Metallo and Promethium.
"We have no way of knowing what effects it will have on her, hence why we are using earthen metals, though these are of the highest quality."
"Good call," Flash said, "The last thing we need is Cortana going through rampancy with a body. One Braniac is bad enough."
This was met with sound of agreement from each group."
"Does it have the features I asked?" Cortana asked in her miniature form on John's hand.
"Yes, you will be able to move from this body to the chip whenever you wish, or in case or emergencies, we've added several security measures to ensure no one can duplicate it or hacked it with or without you on board, there is a shield generator located near your reponsometer and sentinel beams included in the palms of your hands, as well line of sight data transceivers which will allow you to transmit and receive information or downloaded copies of yourself."
"Let do it." She spoke as she disappeared, and John placed his hand on the console that fed her into the body.
It took a few moments but soon the body twitched and moved.
"The process seems very simple," J'onn said, "I can also see uses for this. Givne that Cortana is no doubt a strategist, she can easily hold her own."
Flash said, "Not to mention she looks pretty good for a robot."
The others looked at Flash and Superman said, "Yeah, I'm not touching that one."
"Whoa this is so weird, can you let me out?" She asked, as William opened the pod.
She slowly got up and walked out.
"How do you feel Cortana?" The Spartan asked.
"Weird but in a good way, it's so strange to be able to move around like this." She said as she looked at everyone through her eyes, then at her hands, seeing them solid and not digital.
"Well Cortana let's test out your abilities first, try to shape shift, concentrate on your hands first."
She did as asked and morphed them into a ball of spikes, a hammer and oversized fist.
"Excellent, now try the whole body, pick a form."
She looked to Diana and willed the change; and she became the exact duplicate of her except still retaining the gray metallic color.
"The coloring will come eventually with practice, just keep practicing and have Tina or Copper give you pointers."
"Is that how shapeshifting is for you J'onn?" Superman asked, wondering if the process was similar for the Martian.
Said alien answered, "Yes. When we first learn how to shapeshift, we focus on shape first, then we move on to more specific changes, such as gender, and other distinct differences, making it a very complex process."
"Right Doctor Magnus."
The tests continued on after that, soon they discovered she was stronger than Iron by half and could form razor sharp blades from her body.
Once the tests were done, it came time to discuss what she would do were her newfound autonomy.
"I think I'll help around the agency and the ship, no offense guys but I don't think I'm ready to be a superhero yet." She said in all honesty.
"You sure? You could probably bust some heads out there." Flash said to her.
"Maybe but I think I should work from the shadows for now until I feel sure I can handle the stuff you guys do, plus I need to learn how to fight and operate vehicles in this form, not to mention how to act around humans now that I have a body."
"You sure?" Miranda asked.
"Yeah, besides I have to look after this big lug, this way I have a more means to do so."
"No, now you have a means to cause more trouble." He replied neutrally with a small smile.
"Oh like your one to talk." She said with a pout that got some chuckles from many.
Aquaman noticed the tight relationship that the two happened. No doubt hardened and made strong through years of war and combat.
End Flashback…
They established an identity for her as one Elizabeth Johnson, an estranged cousin of theirs, after extensive practice she could hold the coloring indefinitely.
She chose to have blonde hair and green eyes with white skin; many men appreciated the looks without realizing she wasn't human, she worked as the secretary of the agency as well as their CSI specialist.
"I can see hwo that would be useful given she's a walking computer," Lantern said.
Flash said, "Yeah, since unlike Bats, not all of us have a lab in a pouch…at least I think he has a lab in a pouch."
Diana and Miranda trained her in CQC and weapons training, while John taught her how to pilot the Pelicans, Albatross and Javelins, as well as the ground vehicles.
All in all she was doing quite well with her new body.
She, along with Diana, Superman, GL and himself were overlooking the Earth and kept ready in case they were needed in either their cities or in a group.
That soon came as an emergency communication came through the reserved channel.
"This is the USS Defiant, we have been attacked by unknown vessel and are taking on water, request immediate rescue, over."
As he heard that he hit the alarm and activated the intercom.
"Everyone to the Javelin bay now! This not a drill! I repeat this is not a drill" He spoke before he rushed to the vehicle bay.
He arrived to find the others there.
"What is the situation?" Superman asked.
"A nuclear submarine was attacked by an unknown vessel, it is currently taking on water and request rescue." He replied.
"Right, let's move it."
They all soon pilled in, with Stewart in the pilot seat, and Diana as co-pilot.
"John I have prepared some add ons for the MJOLNIR for this type of situation." She said as she led him to the back where they kept weapons for him.
"And now his armor and used underwater," Flash said, "Too bad Bat's is missing out on this. We'd probably hear the gears in his head grinding as he thought of ways to add them to his suit."
Aquamn hushed him as he leaned in, wondering just what his people would have to face in this upcoming battle with the Spartan.
She opened it and revealed some items he had not seen before.
First, she presented him with a rifle shaped decide that ended in an antenna array.
"This is a sonic pulse rifle that fires a beam of sonic energy that breaks objects down by extreme vibrations on a molecular level, like they do to kidney stones, it can be set to stun a person, shatter every bone in his body or liquefy his organs."
She then held a small object that had two protrusions on the sides which resembled insect mandibles except they angled out at 60 degrees than inwards at 30.
"This is a particle beam weapon based on the Forerunner hand held design."
"But won't it dissipate in the water?"
"No, the harmonic frequencies used prevent the loss of energy while maintaining heat and signal strength, it fires a beam with a 3-inch radius that will cut through most metals, it attaches to either forearm compartments for power, since you can't use the blades in that environment." She said as she hooks it up to his right arm and with a click it came on line.
She brought out another item about the same size as the beam weapon, but ended with a nozzle
"This is an electric bolt launcher; they attach to most surfaces and can either stun or kill your choice." She spoke as she took a spear round the size of a pencil.
She also attached it on.
"Finally, we modified your Gravity hammer." She as she handed it to him, and from the looks of things it was completely different than his usual one.
The staff was at half the original size and the head seemed to have been compressed as the blunt end was at a 90 degree angle with the blade having sunk half way, it look like a hand held weapon instead of requiring two hands.
"What did you do to it?"
"Twist the staff counter clockwise until you hear a click." She said with a secret smile.
He did so and the Hammer came to life as it resumed it usual configuration.
"If you're wondering how we pulled this off, the Huragok were able to rebuild the Manhunters staff weapons, and with it we modified the hammer with some of its features, such as its ability to alter its length and the ability to fire energy beams from the center, this by no means compromises its other functions such as gravity and magnetic manipulation, this abilities are also now present in its compact form as well."
Superman whistled at the sight of the various pieces of lethal/nonlethal weaponry and had to admit that the man was going in well equipped. The man was seeming more and more like an armored batman if he had joined the military.
Aquamn rubbed his chin and thought about adding such weapons to his army's forces. These weapons would be good for taking people alive, and could be used to fight against the likes of Orm, or Ocean Master, as he started calling himself. He also wondered what would happen if his trident and the Spartan's gravity hammer were to clash.
"Fred would to get his hands on a pair of this back home."
"Yeah he and Li were a bit obsessed with CQC." She replied as she continued.
"Your thrusters and nacelles will help you move and maneuver under water, they work just like in space or in the air, and the gel will keep you warm and absorb any impact while you're down there, as well prevent the pressure from squeezing the life out of you."
"Someone tell me that they are getting all this for bats because he is going to want it," Lantern said.
J'onn said, "I have it set to record. He will be able to watch it at his leisure."
"Got it."
"I don't know how this body reacts to water so you are solo on this one, think you can handle that?"
"Yes mother." He replied with as much sarcasm he could.
"Yep, we have developed your sarcasm well." She spoke as the headed back with the others.
He soon contracted the hammer and placed it on his back, while he held the rifle.
"Everything okay back there?" Superman asked.
"Yes just getting armed." He replied to the man of steel.
"Do you have to take a gun everywhere?" Stewart asked as he looked at the weapons.
Cortana however answered for him.
"I don't know Staff Sergeant Stewart…" she said as she pulled his rank into play "…do you have to take your glowing decoder ring to bed at night?" She quips.
That caused Superman and Wonder Woman to chuckle at the joke.
"Do you?" Flash asked, looking at his friend with a raised eyebrow.
Lantern answered, "I refuse to answer on count that you won't shut up about it."
"I swear I will get back at you and Flash for that joke." He grumbled as he piloted the ship.
"Still trying to," Lantern muttered.
"USS Defiant, this is the Justice League responding help is on the way." He sent to the downed vessel after they broke through the cloud coverage and configured the Javelin for aquatic travel, something it tested positive for during the initial field test, and had surprised the UNSC members, Cortana and Redeeming were hoping to do the same for the Longswords and Pelicans.
Stewart maintained the nosedive until they dove into the water and leveled out.
"Hmm, that's odd; there is no sign of any other craft in the vicinity of the Defiant." Cortana spoke from her station.
"Stay sharp, we don't know who's out there" He told her before turning to Diana "…Diana are you getting anything on sonar?" John asked her.
"Yes, I have located the Defiant; it is 1 mile north of our current position." She spoke as the sensors showed its position.
"Any hostile nearby?"
"I think one just found us, look." Superman pointed out as a massive vessel came out of nowhere and armed its weaponry.
"Well…this is going to leave a bad impression," Aquaman said.
J'onn said, "I think it is plain to see that your counterpart might be paranoid…or too quick to shoot."
Aquaman answered, "We do not know for sure yet."
"Evasive action Sergeant!" John spoke as he strapped himself in.
"On it!" He spoke just at the vessel fire two explosive orbs at them.
Though the enemy ship outclassed them in power and size, they had speed and maneuverability on theirs as Stewart piloted the smaller craft through the undersea terrain.
"Lantern over there!" Cortana pointed at some stone arches.
"I see them, hang on everybody!" He spoke as he sped up the Javelin, with the larger craft in tow.
They soon passed underneath them and before the crew of the other ship could do anything they were stuck underneath the weight of the rocks.
"Phew, that takes care of them." Stewart said calmly, a calm that was soon taken away by Cortana's next words.
"Yeah but now we have to deal with those guys!"
And she was right as several more vessels came from the murky depths and from the looks of things were not pleased with the League.
"We have to take the fight to them…" the Spartan spoke as he sat up and powered up the rifle "…the crew won't long at this rate."
Superman nodded as he stood up and reached for the overhead compartment and pulled out two breathing masks for himself and Wonder Woman.
"Spartan is right; we can't help if we can't get rid of this resistance."
"I'll pilot the Javelin while you're away." Cortana spoke as Stewart got out of his seat and she took his place.
"Let's go people." Stewart spoke as he encased himself, Superman and the Amazon in an emerald energy shield and John pressurized the armor and breathing systems.
All four were soon in the thick of things as they attacked the vessels.
Superman and Stewart dodged the incoming fire while the Amazon blocks the laser fire with her bracers.
Superman made short of the cannons as he ripped them out with his vast strength.
The Spartan was also proving to be the nuisance since he outmaneuvered the explosives and laser fire due to his small size and zero G combat training, he kept firing the pulse rifle at what he supposed were key structure point such as the rear end where the engine was located as well the weapon banks causing severe damage as the beam of sound broke down the molecular bonds of the hull letting the high pressured water in and cause more havoc.
Stewart took shots at the bridge causing the glass to break and let the ocean in.
Superman and Wonder Woman tag teamed two ships; Superman took the one on the right and Wonder Woman the left.
"Push!" He said to her as he pushed the vessel towards the other that now moved thanks to the Amazons strength.
The results spoke for themselves when both ships crashed into one another and blew.
Stewart concentrated his power and fired a beam that cut the forward section of the vessel he had engaged, and soon had it disabled.
John had engaged a ship that was tailing the Javelin, thankfully the modified armored they had provided and Cortana's piloting proved too much for the weapons limited targeting ability.
John placed the rifle on his back and took his hammer in his left hand, and activated his Forerunner beam weapon, he then accelerated and spun around the vessel in a spiral pattern while he fired both energy beams, the water bubbling from the incredible heat the released, once contact was made between the twin beams and the metal it quickly melted under the barrage and secondary explosions gave way."
-Thanks John, I was starting to think they would never take the hint that a girl isn't interested.—
"She's been hanging around you a bit too much," Superman said to Flash.
"Hey it isn't me, its Wally!" Flash defended.
"You're welcome; I'm heading for the sub." He spoke to her.
-That may have to wait you got incoming!—
He turned and quickly saw actual men without wetsuits riding on underwater bikes towards him; behind them he could see more ships.
"Well you don't see that every day." He thought as he extended the hammer and kept it pointed at the Atlanteans.
He noticed the lead rider was a long haired and bearded blonde man in green and gold armor, carrying a Trident; he was quite muscled and looked like a man who knew how to fight and win.
"Halt! You and your companions are trespassing on sovereign land."
"And thus, begins one of the hardest games ever invented…politics," J'onn said.
The others agreed as they leaned in to see how this would go.
John activates his armor's speakers.
"I wasn't aware the ocean floor had ownership." He spoke not lowering the hammer.
Aquaman studied the armored man before him as he spoke.
"You are in the borders of Atlantis, surrender or suffer the consequences."
"Considering your hostile actions against the crew of the submarine I shall take my chances." John replies as he sees the others approach.
"This man… I sense much strength and resolve in him." Arthur thought as he analyzed the man's gestures and tone.
"Aquaman!"
"So we meet again Superman." The ruler spoke never breaking eye contact with the Spartan while he did the same.
"We apologize for the intrusion into your lands, but we received a distress call by the Defiant and came to aid them." The kryptonian spoke to the man he had once rescued from Luthor's clutches.
The undersea monarch spared a glance at the wounded vessel and responded with disdain.
"They should have stayed on the surface where they belong."
"Did they attack you first?" John asked all of a sudden to the man.
"I do not see this ending well," Aquaman said.
Superman said, "Given that you attacked the sub with not provocation, I should say so."
Flash said, "Yeah, and we've seen this guy in action. If you piss him off, you are guaranteed a trip to the emergency room or the ICU."
"What?"
"It's a simple question, did they attack you?"
"No, they did not, what of it?"
"According to the rules of Naval engagement unless hostile intent is declared no vessel may fire upon an unknown vessel, by your own admission you have attacked a vessel which clearly had no such intentions towards you and therefore you have labeled your people as a hostile force."
"Are you threatening my people?" He said in a neutral tone that was belied by him tightening his grip on the trident
"No I am informing you that if you do not allow us to perform this rescue there will be conflict between the surface and your kingdom, are you willing to bet the lives of your people for misplaced aggression?" He spoke to the man not the least bit concern of the man's anger.
"Please, let us help them or they will drown." Diana added.
"Hmm, there is truth in his words, but…"
"Take your people and inform your leaders to never trespass upon our borders again, the submarine stays here though." He said in a tone that said he was not going to budge on this.
"Like hell!" Lantern spoke as he heard the man's ludicrous condition "…That is a nuclear submarine, what makes you even think we'll…"
"You are in no position to make threats or demands, take the offer or leave it I care not."
"Please tell me I was not this bad," Aquaman said.
Superman said, "No…you were much more reasonable. I think that your counterpart is a bit paranoid about outside forces, like J'onn said. Lantern's actions and words aren't exactly helping with his attitude."
The lantern grumbled as he heard this.
Aquaman nodded and said, "Yes, I'll admit I was worried about outside forces, but doing so can leave you blind to other threats."
Everyone realized what the leader of Atlantis was saying and they realized what might happen.
Stewart power flared but Superman stopped any further aggressions.
"Our priority is the lives of the sailors; time isn't in our favor here." He told the man who relented in view of the circumstances.
The Spartan gave the king of Atlantis on last look before leaving, though he contacted Cortana through the private channel.
"Cortana patch me through to the Defiant."
-…Done.—
"USS Defiant, this is Spartan-117 of the Justice League do you read?"
-We read you loud and clear Spartan, what's the situation? — The captain spoke.
"We shall begin rescue operations immediately; have your men ready for evac."
-Much obliged Spartan.—
"Also can you deactivate missile warheads?"
-…-
-Negative Spartan, damage to the ship shorted out the disarming system.—
"Damn." He thought at that bit of news.
"So we have unguarded nuclear material at the bottom of the sea," Lantern said, "Who do you think is going to snatch it up?"
Superman said, "My money is on Orm. Knowing him he'd use it to strike out at the human world, or maybe frame them for an attack. He'd get that war against humanity that he always wanted."
Aquamn said, "I believe Black Manta. With that material he could turn the water around the area toxic. He could destroy Atlantis from the inside out."
The others nodded in understanding given what the two villains wanted. It left them wondering who would be behind this."
"Acknowledged Captain."
-The Lantern isn't going to likes this one bit. — Cortana spoke and took his silence in agreement
Under the watchful eyes of the King and his men the League evacuated the sailors from the derelict.
Superman decided to try for a diplomatic solution.
"All of this could have been avoided in the future if you wanted."
"How?"
"Go to United Nations, and air your grievances to the leaders there."
"You would have me go there like some beggar?" He asked not to keen on the idea.
"No, like the King of your people." He spoke before he joined the others
Aquaman took those words with him as he orders his men to look for wounded and salvage what they can.
He then turns to one on of the leaders at his side.
"I want a garrison placed here; no one goes near that vessel unless I order it."
"Yes my King."
"Smart," Lantern said, "If there are guards then no one would go to the sub to get the material."
Aquaman nodded at his coutnerpart's action before a frown came over his face.
"Unless they're in Orm's pocket."
He nods before ordering his remaining troops to withdraw from the place and head home.
In Atlantis…
Aquaman was currently in his throne room listening to one of Generals arguments to attack the surface dwellers, to his right was his half-brother Orm, a man who he trusted to keep a cool head during times of crisis and tempers flared, this being one of them as it was well known that General Brak was all in favor of teaching mankind a lesson they won't soon forget.
"And Orm is still there," Aquaman said, "I know where this is going."
"This situation cannot continue my King; I say that the surface dwellers are barbarians, they have invaded our sovereign borders, experimented their weapons recklessly in the seas, pollute our waters with their garbage, kill and take the sea life without any restraint, and they sail their weapons around with impunity!" He paused as he lets that sink in before continuing.
"It is high time that we put a stop to this before they will become too much for our people to bear! And we in the military have a solution."
Arthur knew full well the evil of man all too well when the man known as Lex Luthor captured him in order to learn his secrets, if not for the intervention of Lois Lane and Superman he would have remained in that tank like a fish on display.
"Okay, that didn't happen," Superman said.
"Wait…what?" Flash asked, "How did you two meet then?"
Superman answered, "I was on patrol when I found Black Manta was moving weapons given to him by Lex Luthor. When I tried to stop him, he used a kryptonite laced net to take me down. If it wasn't for Aquaman's intervention, I probably wouldn't have made it."
Aquaman said, "With that different introduction to humans, no wonder my counterpart is unwilling to give them a chance. I just hope he doesn't jump to war."
However, that did not mean he wanted a war on his hands, not if he could prevent it, he would be dammed before he brought the ugliness and savagery of war to his family and his people, still he might as well listen to the generals' solution.
"So long as he doesn't wish to activate THAT weapon." He thought.
"What is this solution you propose?"
"Our technology is at its peak, our men more than ready to battle the surface dwellers, give the order and we shall wipe them of the face of the earth!"
Diana said, "You locked him up after he sided with Orm, right?"
"Yes," the king answered, "I also made sure to revoke all licenses and privileges that came with it."
He did not like the sound of that.
"What does he take me for? Some bloodthirsty tyrant?"
"General Brak…I decide policy in Atlantis, not you." He replied coolly and with a steely gaze.
Brak sadly felt the need to press the issue much to the ruler's annoyance.
"But we cannot delay any further my King! We must act now before…"
"Enough General Brak! You are being disrespectful to your King." Orm spoke from his brother's side.
That seemed to have cowed the uppity man.
"My apologies Lord Orm, I did not mean to overreact." He said as he bowed.
Aquaman thought over everything spoken both here and out with Superman and looked at his wife Mera and their son as they entered the room.
Mera was a beautiful woman and wore the green robes and crown of Atlantean royalty and had her deep red hair in the way she wanted as her crown held it back as she held their son.
He could tell she was worried and no doubt deep in thought as to what was going on.
He knew that she loved to live in a peaceful kingdom and raise their son in a safe environment, he desired the same thing as well, their safety, happiness and love was the only thing that surpassed his love for his people.
He turned and spoke to both Brak and Orm as he stood up from the throne.
"General Brak, I will consider your counsel on the matter with the surface dwellers, this is not a decision that is to be taken lightly, I will take time to consider our options and I will give my orders when I come to a decision, now leave me to my thoughts."
"Yes my King." They replied as the left.
He soon left to his chambers.
"You know that he isn't going to be letting go of that so easy," Lantern said.
Aquaman said, "Much like me at one point, I too am blind to the threats from within my own kingdom. Unfortunately, it may be too late by the time we learn the truth."
In the Royal Chambers…
Aquaman held his child in his powerful arms as he looked down warmly at his progeny, the young prince replied in kind as he held his air and laughed in wonder.
He placed him in his crib as his wife joined him.
"He has a strong grip." He told as he watched him rest.
"Just like his Father." She replied as she held him.
"Awe," Diana said, showing her more feminine side at the sight of the baby.
He smiled at her, though it dimmed as he turned to look at his city, his home.
She sensed this and spoke to him gently.
"Something troubles you greatly Arthur, what is it?" She asks.
"She could always read me so well." He thought as gathered his thoughts.
"She could and still does," Aquaman said.
Flash said, "Must be a pain when it comes to anniversaries."
The king of Atlantis said, "You have no idea."
"Am I doing the right thing Mera? Am I steering our people and our kingdom in the right direction?" He asks before continuing.
"The surface dwellers have committed many evil things that much I know is true, but…"
"But what?"
"But there are also those among them I respect and going to war with them…"
"It causes you grief doesn't?" She asks as she places herself in his arms.
"I may have been willing to go to war once, but being with you and our son…I do not feel a war is something our family and our people need, sigh, I'll I want is a safe and bright future for our son, am I strong enough to do this? To make sure we are all safe and at peace?"
Mera could tell he was torn by this decision and made sure to help him as best she could.
"You're hands are strong enough Arthur, I will gladly place my life and my future in them…and I can say the same for our son and our people." She said with a loving voice to him.
Arthur returned the smile and look over their child.
"There has to be a way to solve this peacefully, I shall allow all we have built be torn down by the ravages of war."
With that in mind he made his choice and would seek his advisors to inform them of them.
Meanwhile on board the Watchtower…
John and the others decided to regroup after safely seeing to the safety of the crew.
Superman was currently getting in contact with the U.S Navy headquarters.
The rest were all thinking what to make of the situation.
"How you holding up Chief?" Cortana asks as she and Diana approached him.
"I am…conflicted."
"About leaving the Nukes or his highness?"
"Both, I realize that saving the lives of the crew was the primary objective, but I don't feel comfortable with leaving nuclear armament in foreign hands, I know he is doing what he thinks is right for his people, but he is also painting himself into a corner with a lot of enemies at his sides."
Superman said, "I've seen that before. So busy looking for enemies that you wind up making more than you can handle…didn't Batman do that?"
Lantern said, "Given he had a habit of beating up corrupt cops, I'm not surprised."
J'onn said, "At some point, we might all have been there."
Both could agree with him there.
"I understand your very well Admiral, and I wish we didn't leave those weapons behind, but lives were on the line and we couldn't deal with both." Superman spoke over the channel they set up with various world agencies.
Stewart was naturally in agreement with the Admiral's concerns in regard to the missile payload and voiced them to all.
"The Admiral's got a point, we should have never left those nukes down there, we should have gone back there and take them to be sure. Now they are in the hands of that madman who refuses to see reason." He said in an aggravated tone they all heard.
"Aquaman isn't a madman, he is a king, and as such is the sovereign leader of his people, he is simply doing what he thinks is best to try and protect his people and their ways." Diana spoke in attempt to defuse the situation.
"Oh yeah? Then who is going to protect us from him?" He asks in response to her comment, before turning and leaving.
John decides to intervene before things escalate, so he talks to her.
"You both have valid points Diana, Lantern is right to be concerned, I am too, you remember when we explained about nuclear weaponry and its effects on the world?"
"Yes, they tipped the scales in favor of the United States before the Russians built their own, starting the Cold War."
"That's why we are concern, nuclear weaponry is a deterrent at best, but the use of them destroys many lives, which is why we are concerned, because we don't to see that happen as our mission is to safeguard the world."
"But you have a point as well, I know all too well the weight that comes from being a leader, you have to make hard choices in times of peace as well as times of war." He spoke as memories of the past came to him, the death of Sam, Johnson's medical data, leaving Cortana.
"It seems that it is something that he is more familiar with than most," Aquaman stated hearing the heaviness in the super soldier's voice.
"You have no idea," the others all thought at the same time.
"It is neither easy nor enjoyable, but it has to be done, people count on you to keep them safe and alive. I pity the fools who believe it is a simple job, Chief Mendez once told me on the day I became Squad leader, that following is easy but leading is a nightmare."
Diana pondered the meaning of this and remembered that her mother as queen of her people never had an easy time during the rebuilding of their culture after the Great War.
"I understand Chief; I just hope Stewart does too."
"We can only hope Diana, in the meantime we must tread carefully I have a feeling something is big is on the horizon." He said to her, to which she nodded.
With the Green Lantern…
Stewart had decided to launch his own investigation into the matter and returned to the scuttled ship.
"Hmm, lots of activity around here." He thought as he saw the many guards and patrols around the ship.
He carefully made his way through until he reached the sub.
He went into vessel and when he reached the missile bay he found nothing, no missiles at all.
He went deeper and discovered the rods were also gone; needless to say he was livid.
On the surface…
There was quite the commotion as Aquaman had made his way from the beach and further inland to see the world leaders.
His presence created quite the uproar as he ignored the passerby's and drivers, though when one irritated him enough he smashed his fist into his car to silence him.
"There is a new thing called subtlety my counterpart," Aquamn said, "You could probably learn to use it."
Flash said, "Dude, look at yourself and us. Aside for Bats, I don't think any of us have any sense of subtlety."
The police tried to arrest him, try being the key word, as he quickly grabbed the man and lifted him up easily.
"Where is the United Nations Building?" He ordered.
Back in the Watchtower…
J'onn had returned after he and Hawkgirl resolved the matter in Seattle, the Spartan reporting everything that had occurred when the Lantern came in, from the looks of things he was not happy.
"I knew we couldn´t trust that fishman!" he yelled as he made his way towards them "The subs been stripped and the Plutonium is gone."
"And you think Aquaman´s responsible?" Diana asks, though inwardly she is worried.
"Could I have been wrong about him?"
"Who else princess? We got to back at Atlantis and get some straight answers." He spoke as it was the best course of action.
Superman chose that moment to speak up.
"If its Aquaman you want he´s not in Atlantis." He spoke as he observed the latest news the others soon joining him.
-According to eye witness accounts, Aquaman then forced his way past the guards and into closed session of the world delegates. But as to why he is here or what he wants will have to wait for further developments— Snapper Carr finished.
"Is it just me or do the news crews always seem to be in the right place at the right time, or is it all just some cosmic coincidence?" Flash asked.
J'onn answered, "He wasn't exactly subtle. His little walk across city probably caught a lot of attention."
Superman nodded and said, "Not the good kind if this the going the way I think it is."
"Well isn´t that just great." Cortana spoke as she palmed her face.
"Time to get some answers then." Stewart spoke as he move to the elevator.
"We might as well, before he creates an international incident." John said to the rest of the heroes who nodded and followed the Lantern.
At the United Nations…
Things were not going smoothly at the assembly as Aquaman had barged and started to let his terms for peace known.
However, the terms he set were both preposterous and costly.
The representative of France made this known.
"First you sink a nuclear submarine, then you threaten us to make peace! Who gave you the right!"
"I am the born ruler of Atlantis." He replied firmly.
"A country we do not even recognize."
"And he can manipulate sea life to attack ships," Aquaman said, "mess with the ocean currents and all sorts of other maladies that can ruin trade and many sea faring weapons. In other words, if he wanted to, he could destroy the surface world if he wanted to."
Superman said, "He is trying to smooth things over, but he's making more enemies in the process."
Flash said, "It's going to get worse before it gets better."
"These are my final terms refuse them at your own risks." He spoke in all seriousness.
The spoke person next to him voiced his objections.
"But your demands are outrageous; they would compromise our entire global defensive economy!"
"Your problem, not mine." He said with no care for the man's valid reasoning.
Aquaman found himself groaning in frustration and rubbed his temples. It made him glad that he had tried more peaceful methods when he attempted to look into the surface world.
This only angered the delegates further.
"This was a waste of time, I should have realized that they wouldn't change their ways." He thought as he surveyed the men and women who yelled at him.
"Aquaman!" The voice of the man of steel was heard as he flew in through the doors with the others following behind him.
"I offer them a chance for peace and this is their answer." He said to the man with disappointment.
"Please these things take time…"
"I´ve wasted too much time already"
"Wait!" Wonder Woman spoke hoping to salvage the situation, but the man simply pushed her aside much to her and the Spartans annoyance.
"A real prince charming."Lantern spoke.
"No kidding." Cortana added from the armor as they couldn´t afford to explain her physical presence right now.
Aquaman made his way outside avoiding the reporter's questions.
However up on an adjacent building a figure preps a high-powered weapon and aims at the monarch.
"Oh crap," Flash said, summing up everyone's thoughts.
Upon reaching a good distance he fires the rocket to an unsuspecting King.
"BOOM!"
Caos soon reigns as everyone is in a state of panic, the League rushes out and finds the aftermath.
"No!" the man of steel speaks as the worst possible scenario comes about, quickly the rush to fallen man.
John taking out his rifle and scanning the area for the shooter.
"This is bad John, real bad."
"I know Cortana, hack the buildings security, and check video logs, every single angle, the works we need to get this contained fast or all hell will break loose."
"Way ahead of you Chief."
John wasn´t too far off in his assessment.
"Oh boy," Flash said
In Atlantis…
Orm and some of the General watched the newscast showing the League moving their King into an ambulance for medical treatment; needless to say they were shocked.
In that state Orm had found them, curiously already in the royal armor and trident of the King.
"Well looks like it was Orm after all," Aquaman said, "Though I feel I shouldn't' be surprised."
J'onn said, "Your brother has already seized control if the armor is any indication. No doubt he hired the mercenary who attacked you."
Flash said, "And I just happened to run out of popcorn."
"We cannot allow this treacherous attack to go unpunished!" he spoke in evident anger.
The Generals surprised to see the King´s brother dressed as such and even more his tone of voice showing what he planned to do, one of the clearer headed ones spoke against that line of thought.
"With all due respect Lord Orm, but you are in no position to give that order, the King…"
"The King maybe already dead…" He said as he passed the man and headed for the others "…and the prince is still an infant."
"But even so the law of succession must be respected…"
"The prince will take control once he has come of age, but in the meantime this outrage must be avenged…"
"Orm did you hear!" Mera spoke as she came to him once the news reached her ears.
"My dear Mera all of Atlantis mourns your loss." He said in an effort to comfort.
"Wow…he is a terrible actor," Diana said, seeing right through the guise of comfort."
Aquaman said, "If he lays hands on my wife, I don't care if he is my brother's counterpart, I will find our Orm and beat him to a pulp."
"You speak as if he will never come back."
"I pray he will, but who knows what horrors the surface dwellers may visit upon him." He spoke to the distraught Queen.
Back in the hospital where Aquaman was admitted…
"We got a line in yet? I need him stabilized." The doctor spoke as he placed an oxygen mask on the comatose man.
"Negative, his skin is tougher than a Rhinos." The nurse replied as she showed the bent needle.
"Oh right, good old fashioned different biology," J'onn said, "We really should work on that."
Diana said, "What do you want red sunlight needles so you can get an inoculation?"
Superman said, "Nevermind."
He checks the EKG and did not like what he saw.
"His vitals are falling…this is hopeless."
The League was outside observing the scene as the doctor came out; Wonder Woman asked the question they had on their minds.
"How bad is it?"
"Hard to tell, his physiology isn't like ours, it´s unlike anything I have ever seen." He spoke in all honesty.
"But can you help him?" Superman asks.
"I don´t know."
At that moment someone came with a solution.
"Then maybe I can." The Dark Knight of Gotham spoke as he came out of the shadows.
"And there we go with the patented Batman reveal," Flash said, "Right up there with the bat vanish. Join us next week when we discuss how he does this all in the span of a few minutes."
Suddenly, another batarang flew through the door and smacked Flash over the head again, prompting another round of chuckles.
"Seriously how!?"
Quickly Superman led the orderlies and the patient into a room with Batman standing next to a large tank of water.
Superman gently places him inside after the doctor hooks up the monitoring sensors.
"His vitals…they´re stabilizing." The man says in relief, he is approached by the caped crusader with a clipboard in hand.
"Make sure to keep the saline level at 3.5%"
"But how can you possibly guess that?"
"He´s a fish out of water doctor…" he replies as he looks at Arthur "…salt water."
The media was camped out in front of the hospital while the League members were in the room with the Atlantean monarch.
"Vultures," diana mumbled as she saw them standing around the hospital.
"He´s coming around." Clark says for all to hear.
Stewart decided they have waited enough, he wants answer and he was going to get them.
"Good, now maybe we can get some answers…" he spoke before he…"delicately" banged on the tank.
"Seriously man?" Flash asked, "Even after he's nearly been shot to death you have to question him?"
Lantern said, "Hey, excuse me if I'm a little over the top when I feel that we're being threatened by nuclear material and a guy I think is insane."
"What did you do with the Plutonium!"
"Sergeant you are about as delicate as a bull in a china shop." The Chief spoke at the man´s lack of tact.
"No kidding," Flash said, earning another grumble from the lantern.
"So long as we get some answer for the man, I don´t care."
Aquaman quickly awoke having heard the two.
"At least one of them has some discipline." He thought as he came up.
"Plutonium?" He asked as he got and removed the sensors from his chest.
"From the submarine, you stole it." The Lantern accused.
"My orders were to leave that vessel where it lay." He replied though he did not like the man´s blatant disregard for his word.
"You expect us to believe that?"
"Believe what you want, someone tried to kill me I need to find out whom?" he spoke as he moved to the window.
"You are not leaving until we get some answers!"
"Enough! You two need to cool off and shut up!" The Spartan spoke as he had enough of both of the men anger issues.
"Oh boy," Lantern said, as he had a feeling he was about to be trolled again, only this time by the Spartan instead of the computer program.
This also shocked the group as they had never heard the man raise his voice before. It showed just how tired he was of the situation.
Aquaman also noted the man's bravery, or foolishness for shouting at a king.
All were surprised to hear the man´s apparent displeasure, the heroes because they had never heard him raise his voice, and the king had never once been addressed by anyone with such a tone.
John wasn´t done as he got between them, and spoke with an authority and disciplined he used to lead troops into battle, he started off with the Lantern.
"Sergeant, you need to let go of your anger now, this situation calls for cool heads."
"But Chief…"
"Do not but me soldier!" he spoke as one would an unruly private "…now you may not be a member of the Marine corp. anymore, but you will uphold the tenets by which you served with or so help me I shall shove my armor platted foot up your neon green ass, do you get me?"
"Yes sir." He said in a quiet voice.
"Do you get me soldier!"
"Sir, yes sir!"
"Now there´s the Chief I know and love!" Cortana said privately to him.
"Dang…this guy would have a horrifying drill sergeant," Lantern said, with his eyebrow raised.
"Good, as for you…" He said to the wide eyed King "…under normal circumstances I would be diplomatic and respectful to you, but right now I do not give a damn about that, you need to let go of your bias anger or else every man, woman and child in Atlantis will suffer from a war that could have averted if you only accepted the help that is offered to you."
"You would dare…"
"Be silent and listen! I know you don't like to hear this but you need our help as much as we need yours, because I did not spend the better part of my life crawling through blood and guts defending mankind just to see it all happen again here, you must see that we are trying our damnedest to help and you are not contributing to that, now will you at least let us try to help?…sir."
Everyone was silent upon hearing the man´s display, he did not know it but a lot of them had an even greater respect for him now.
"…"
"If he wasn't a soldier he would be a very good negotiator," Diana said, seeing how convicing the Spartan could be.
"How do you plan to do that?" the King finally spoke.
"First let's analyze the situation, obviously someone knew you were coming to the surface and also took into account your unique body type." The Spartan spoke neutrally once more.
"That would mean the assassin was given prior knowledge of him." Batman added.
"Did you inform anyone of your coming here?" Superman questioned.
"Only my wife knew of my attempt for peace, no one else." He replied.
"That doesn´t a whole lot to work with." Diana says as she joins in.
"Not necessarily, someone could have been listening in on your conversation without you being aware of it." John says calmly.
"Are you suggesting I have a traitor in my kingdom?" Aquaman asks incredulously.
"And we now go two steps back," Aquaman said.
"It is the only logical answer, it is too convenient for an assassin to know, where, when and how to attack you, and if I'm right he will try again if news of your death doesn´t reach him soon."
"This is outrageous,
"Called it," Aquaman said.
no one would be foolish enough to try and kill me, the penalty for such and act is death, and even then the law states only my immediate next of kin would succeed me."
"like I said it is the only logical conclusion."
"I think I know a way to get the information we want, but it´s going to need your cooperation." Batman said to the King.
Soon enough news came out informing everyone of the man was going to a better facility for treatment.
Green Lantern was in the room with the King much to both of their displeasure.
Wonder Woman and John were on one building's roof, john having brought some equipment along, that being his MA5C, the BR he was currently holding, the M6 Mags and his hammer, while Batman and Superman were at another.
J´onn was playing the role of Aquaman as he was carried out in the hospital gurney to the ambulance.
-I hope this plan of yours works Batman—She said to him through the comlink as he looked through his binoculars.
"Just keep your eyes open."
"Here he comes." Superman spoke as the trap was set.
As all eyes were on the transformed Martian, a man in disguise came out of a manhole between the adjacent buildings; he carefully made his way until he reached a mailbox and pulled a rocket launcher from his bag.
"Overkill much?" Flash asked, raising an eyebrow at the man's choice of weapon.
Wonder Woman caught site of the man.
"There!"
"I see him." Batman spoke as he hurled a batarang with uncanny precision to the front end of the launcher causing him to misfire.
Having failed at getting at his target the unknown assassin soon ran to the very manhole he used to get there, quite quickly as the Spartan began to take shots at him, he reached his destination and he went down and covered the hole.
Superman was the first to arrive and met quite the shock in the literal sense of the word as enough voltage ran through him that he was knocked unconscious.
"That had to hurt," Superman said, seeing it took a lot of power to knock him out.
Batman arrived to check up on the Martian, who was perfectly fine, before they both went in the direction Superman and the assassin took.
The man in question removed the disguise to reveal a man in a red and gray suit, this was the notorious assassin known as Deadshot, whose escape plan included the use of a high-speed motorcycle he was currently boarding.
"Deadshot," Diana said, recognizing the man.
"Now I'm glad he went overkill," Flash said, "If he hadn't, we might not have found him."
Batman and the Martian arrived to find Superman unconscious; Batman handled that while J´onn phased into the sewers just in time to watch Deadshot drive towards him with no intention of stopping, he phased just in time as the man reached him, he reached for his comlink to inform Wonder Woman of the man´s heading.
"Diana, he is heading in your direction!"
Diana nodded as she quickly moved off the building she was on and quickly struck the street sending out a shockwave that caused the road to cave down, forcing the assassin to the direction she wanted.
She wasted no time and ripped out the grid and moved down to the sewer.
The man turned his right to stop as Diana spoke.
"End of the road!"
The man replied calmly at that.
"I'll take a detour." As he raised his left arm and fired a missile at the street above her.
Wonder Woman had no choice but to shield herself when the roof came down on her and buried her in rubble as he sped away in the opposite direction from her.
Diana moved the rubble away and tried to look for the man but it was clear that he got away from them; she however kept her cool and reported to the others.
"He managed to get away from me but he's moving to the other tunnel to the right."
Meanwhile Aquaman and Lantern waited for the news of the man´s capture.
"I have a distinct feeling that I am about to do something very stupid," Aquaman said.
Lantern responded with a "Ditto."
"What is taking so long? I must return to Atlantis." The ruler said as he near the former Marine.
"Sit down your highness will tell you when it´s safe to go."
"Besides I don´t need another dressed down from the Chief." He thought.
Aquaman seemed to comply, that is until he delivered a left hook that knocked him out.
"Of course," Aquaman said rubbing his temples, "This is going to end badly. I just know it."
"You presume too much."
And with that, he left with thoughts on what the Spartan suggested.
Back with the others…
Deadshot kept the bike running and was about to be forced to take a turn, not knowing he had more company waiting for him.
Batman used his grapple gun after leaving a present for the man in the form of miniature spike mines.
Deadshot ran over them and crashed, though not hard enough to compromise him.
"Deadshot, I should have known it was you, make it easy on yourself and don´t move." The cape crusader spoke in a tone that left no argument, having dealt with this man before in Gotham.
"We all know he isn't going to listen," Flash said, earning nods from everyone.
Deadshot however wasn´t about to make it easy as he launched several smoke bombs at him and took off running, soon reaching his secondary vehicle a green van with hatch in the bottom and filled with plenty of weapons.
"I found him." Superman spoke as he trailed the man.
-Lead him towards me Superman— John spoke through the channel.
Superman did just that as he made the man accelerate in traffic.
-Now Superman disable the rear tires, I´ll handle the front. —
Superman did so as he fired twin beams at the right rear tire, he looked up and saw that John was in front with his Battle Rifle at the ready, firing three rounds to the engine block at the out of control vehicle was enough to make the assassin lose control of the van, making it land hard on its side and some of the ordinance blow.
Superman wasted no time and ripped of the door and pulled the groaning man out, John kept a gun on him as soon as he was set down but kept in the firm grip of the Kryptonian.
"Okay, okay, I give up." He spoke seeing as he had no other means to escape.
Superman wasted little time as he knew that they had to hurry since time was of the essence.
"You tried to kill Aquaman, why?"
Deadshot decided to take the more sarcastic route in this matter as the others arrived.
"Gee. Why would a hired gun try to shoot somebody? Could it be someone paid me to?"
"I forgot how much of a smart ass he can be," Lantern said.
Superman was quick to get the sarcasm, but ignored it for now as they were joined by J'onn, Diana, Batman, and the Spartan, Diana was the next one to ask, though her question was more focused on finding out who had paid Deadshot.
"Who?" getting closer to get the answer.
Deadshot looked at Diana and could help but mentally whistle at the very attractive woman, so ignoring his situation he decided to have some fun at her expense.
"Oh come on babe, you know I can't tell you that professional ethics…" he said as he checked her out, something neither she nor John missed "…but then again, he he, if you make it worth my while."
"Oh man Bats is going to lose it," Flash said, knowing that the caped crusader has a thing for the Amazonian princess.
Diana frowned darkly at the implication in the man's voice, and the Spartan for some reason he could not understand found himself wanting to hurt the man for his audacity, he chose to act on this.
"Leave him to me Superman, I´ll get him to talk." He spoke as he neared him and grabbed him by the throat with his left hand.
"Or he will…" Flash said, surprised.
"I think it is safe to say that he may admire the Amazon," Aquaman said with a smirk glancing at Diana.
The woman, in turn, simply raised an eyebrow.
"Oh look it´s the green tin man from Oz, watcha going to do to me big boy." He asks with no fear of the giant now holding him.
John answered by punching him gently, by at least his standards, in the gut.
Flash said, "He does know that the big guy has a habit of brutally beating down on criminals, right?"
Superman said, "Some people thought Batman was a monster before it was cleared up that he wasn't a killer. He probably thinks that the Spartan's brutality is only rumors."
J'onn said, "That actually makes sense. When I was first revealed to the world, people thought that I ate brains."
Aquaman asked, "Really?"
The Martian answered, "Yes…thankfully it was cleared after a couple of months."
"Guh!"
He let him fall to his knees before he roughly grabbed his left arm and held his hand between his own arms.
"You´re…cough…supposed to ask…gah… me a question before you do that."
"That was to let you know how serious I am about getting this information, now who hired you Deadshot?"
"Mother Teresa."
"Wrong answer, here´s a penalty." He said before he grabbed his pinky finger and bent it.
"CRACK!"
Everybody wined at the sound. If there was ever going to be any questions about how brutal the Spartan could be, they were most-likely going to be cleared up after this.
"Son of a…!"
"That was your punishment, now I ask again, who hired you?"
"Fuck you!"
"CRACK" There goes his ring finger.
Another round of grimaces, as some rubbed their hands in phantom pain.
"Who?"
"Gah, kiss my ass you freak!"
"CRACK!" Index is bent.
"Is this guy being stubborn, or he just refuses to give up a client?" Superman asked, seeing the torture continue.
Flash said, "If he did, he wouldn't be a very good assassin."
"You really believe I won´t continue? Think again, I will break every bone in your body if it helps prevent a war, now talk!"
"I´ll talk! I don´t know who it was! He kept himself hidden and I don´t ask, but the way he paid me was odd, check the van it´s in there."
Superman did and saw that it was scattered all over, Batman approached the stash and was surprised by what he saw.
"Spanish Doubloons."
"See I told you it was weird now get this maniac off me!" The assassin implored.
"Oh man," Flash said, "If Deadshot is scared of him, I can see a lot of people not wanting to go after him."
Superman said, "I think this may change a few things, given they know that he's as brutal as they claim in the media."
"I will but first apologize to her." He said to him as he pointed at a surprised Wonder Woman.
"Are you out of your fucking mind!"
Flash said, "Am I the only one thinking Deadhsot is an idiot because we all know what happens next."
"CRACK!"
"There it is," the speedster commented as he winced at the sound again.
"I´m sorry! I´m so sorry!"
"Good." He said as he released the men and knocked him out with a right cross.
She gave him a questioning look for the gesture he just did.
"I don´t like people insulting my friends." He said to her getting a smile out of her.
"Yes, it is quite clear that he carries a flame for the Amazon," Aquaman said with a smirk.
Diana simply smiled and pushed down a small blush that threatened to form on her face.
"Will talk about your interrogation methods later Spartan, right now we need to get back Aquaman, this proves someone in Atlantis is trying to kill him." Batman spoke
"A bit late for that." Stewart spoke as he joined them nursing a sore jaw.
"What happened?" Superman asked, though he had a pretty good idea.
"That royal pain in the neck is already gone, I couldn´t stop."
"This just went from bad to worse." John said out loud
"Hera help him." Diana says with worry as she can only imagine what will occur to the monarch.
In Atlantis…
Arthur returned to his kingdom and saw many surprised by his return, apparently someone deemed it fit to declare him dead in his absence.
"No! Could that man be right? Who would dare spread such rumors?" He thought as he made his way to the throne room.
He arrived just in time to hear his brother Orm speak to his Generals.
"My friends, now is the time for action! Now is the time for mighty Atlantis to rise up and strike terror into the hearts of its enemies! Are you with me!
Hearing the cheers of his men was enough for him to take action.
"Orm!" He yelled as he entered the room much to everyone shock.
"Could Orm be the traitor as the surface dweller in armor said to me? How many are in on this conspiracy against me"
(And could Brak be on his side?)
"What treason is this!"
Orm then spoke as Aquaman came closer.
"No treason Brother I thought you were…"
"Dead!" He finished for him.
"That´s no reason to plunge Atlantis into a foolhardy war! I left specific orders…"
Orm glared at him and replied darkly to his brother.
"I´m only doing what you never had the courage to do."
"Enough! I´ll hear no more, Arrest the traitor!" He ordered, but none moved to heed the command.
Orm spoke in an arrogant and utterly satisfied tone to the soldiers with him.
"You heard him."
The soldiers leveled their weapons…not at Orm as Aquaman hoped, but to him…
"The armored man was right! I have been betrayed! By my Brother no less!"
"In hindsight," Aquaman said, "even if I hadn't been declared dead, Orm would have probably done the deed himself and framed the surface world for the attack."
"What!"
"You are the traitor; you abandoned your people, sold them out to the surface dwellers…" He paused as he basked in the moment of his triumph "Look around you Brother, I´m in charge now." He said darkly, as Aquaman could only look on in anger.
With that, the first half of the episode ended. Flash moved immediately putting in the next episode to show what was happening.
"So much for that Black Manta theory," Superman said.
Aquaman said, "Yes, well, given that he wants to destroy Atlantis and could probably do so with the nuclear material, I'm not surprised that we thought that."
With that note, the image began to change, showing the next episode was starting.
Cut! Okay, not much to say here, but I hope you all enjoyed it. Okay, later.
