LSH: THE EVIL DR REGULUS

By Bruce Wayne

Based on the plot in Adventure Comics 348 "Target: 21 Legionnaires"
by Jim Shooter

Disclaimer: The characters that appear in this story belong to DC Comics.
I am writing this for pleasure, and sharing it with friends. I am, in no
way, getting paid for it.



CHAPTER 12 - DR REGULUS CONTROLS THE LEGION


Rokk Krinn was walking down yet another corridor in the massive
ship of Dr Regulus. By his estimation, he was about four levels below
the top of the vessel. He decided that since he hadn't run into trouble
so far that it might be a good idea to quicken his pace.

Cosmic Boy found it very strange that he hadn't heard from or
seen anyone since the Legionnaires split up to make their way to the
bridge. He stopped and decided that it might be good idea to coordinate
with his teammates.

He activated his Legion flight ring communicator, "Invisible Kid,
are you there?"

There was no reply.

He waited a few seconds. "Cos to Brainy, do you copy?"

No reply again. Now he was becoming concerned.

He tried a third time, "Luornu? Tinya?"

He only received silence. Rokk was beyond concerned. Now he was
worried.

"Not good," he thought to himself. "Not good at all."

He decided that he better get to the top level as soon as
possible and began a jog down the corridor.

Cosmic Boy was approaching a doorway when suddenly golden,
non-metallic clamps came shooting out of an opening in the wall and
ensnared the Legionnaire.

The impact from the clamps, which grabbed his upper torso and
legs, was so jolting that it knocked Rokk out cold. The tight grip of
the clamps were holding his unconscious form off the ground.

Cosmic Boy was just dangling in the vice-like grips when the
now familar laugh was heard on the speaker system. Another Legionnaire
was down. Now there was only one left.


***


The last Legionnaire would be a little more difficult to
capture because, in fact, he couldn't be seen. Invisible Kid had
made his way to the outside of Dr Regulus' bridge.

He had never heard Cosmic Boy calling him because he had
turned off his flight ring communicator out of fear of giving away
his position. He had hoped that by waiting outside the ship's nerve
center, some of the other Legionnaires would make their way up and
join him. None ever came.

Lyle wasn't sure how he could enter the bridge without
whoever was in there knowing it. How does one explain a door
opening for no reason?

A few moments later, he heard sounds coming down the corridor.
Then he saw a robot carrying an unconscious figure dressed in pink in
its arms. The robot shuffled past the invisible Legion leader and the
door to the bridge slid open.

This was Invisible Kid's opportunity and he took advantage of
it. He followed the robot carrying Cosmic Boy onto the bridge.

What he saw when entered the room was a highly-computerized
bridge. Other than the robot and the unmoving Rokk Krinn, there was
an older man busying himself at a console.

Unbeknownst to Invisible Kid, a yellow light flashed on
Dr Regulus' console. The warning light alerted him to a certain
expected presence in the room. Namely, Invisible Kid.

Regulus ordered his robot to lay the out cold Cosmic Boy
down along a wall on the bridge.

Then Lyle saw something that turned his blood cold. Along the
wall were cells and inside the cells were ... Legionnaires. Among them
was Superboy who appeared to be writhing in pain. A bright green chain
was wrapped around his body.

Colossal Boy was in one cell and Brainy was in another. They both
appeared to be knocked out, just like Cosmic Boy.

Phantom Girl and Duo Damsel shared the last cell he looked at. They
were okay, but looked angry enough to tear something ... or someone apart.

He was the last one left. The best way to handle the situation, he
thought, was to sneak up on the human controlling the ship and put an end
to this right now.

As Lyle was about to make his move toward Regulus, a large portion
of the floor slid open to be replaced by a grill beneath his feet! Brilliant
light illuminated the room from the grill. And for just a moment, Invisible
Kid felt a terrific electrical-like charge surge into his body before he
too slumped to the floor unconscious.

Regulus laughed as the knocked out Invisible Kid became visible.
"And then there were none," he said. "Pure golden sun light was just too
much for him."

The evil scientist ordered his robot to lock Invisible Kid in the
cell with Colossal Boy and had Cosmic Boy thrown in with Brainiac 5.

After that was done, Regulus marched up and down outside the
cells appraising the prey that he had captured. Naturally, he laughed
as he looked from one cell to another.

He stopped in front of the cell holding the two female
Legionnaires. Regulus looked at Phantom Girl and placed his right
hand over his heart.

A violent kick into the cell door was all he received back
from Tinya. Her face was flush with anger.

Regulus chuckled as he looked at her. "Ah, beautiful and ...
feisty. You shall enjoy ruling the universe with me, my love."

"Never!" Tinya screamed at him. "I'd rather die!"

"Ah, be careful what you wish for, my dear." he snickered. "I
can make your every wish come true."

"Why can't I phase out of this cell?!" she asked angrily.

He chuckled. "Because, my lovely, each one of these cells has
been specially designed for this little club that you presently belong
to. The walls of the cell you are in are charged with anti-phantom
energy. Now, when you eventually come to your senses and realize that
I am the greatest man that you have ever met ... then I might consider
letting you out."

"What about my friends?" Tinya wanted to know.

Smiling, he nonchantly replied, "Why, I'll have them killed!
Painlessly, of course!"

Phantom Girl's mouth dropped open. "You're nuts! You know
that, don't you?!"

Regulus sighed, oblivious to reality. "Ah, you'll eventually
come around and love me for the man that I am."

Tinya just pounded her hand against the cell door.

Regulus laughed. "Ah, now, my dear, it's time to get rid of
some of this excess baggage we're carrying around. These five males
that you and the other female, there, are of no use to me and only
pose a danger to our love and the fulfillment of my overall plan ..."

"To conquer the universe," Duo Damsel interrupted.

" ... to conquer the universe!" Regulus echoed boldly. He
looked at Luornu. "I'd be quiet if I were you. Don't think I forgot
what you did to me."

A defiant Duo Damsel replied with sarcasm dripping from her
voice. "Oh? Or what? You'll kill me, too?"

"There are some things far worse than death, young lady," he
told her.

Talking as though he were lecturing a school class, Regulus told
the two female Legionnaires, "When I pull this switch, the entire sun-
force of this ship will be directed at the two cells that are holding
four of your friends. They will be disintegrated and will cease to exist.
Superboy, there, will just slowly die from Kryptonite poisoning. Isn't
this wonderful?"

Now it was Duo Damsel's turn to pound on the cell door.

Roaring with laughter, Regulus slowly reached for the switch
that would end the lives of Invisible Kid, Cosmic Boy, Brainiac 5 and
Colossal Boy.

Phantom Girl thought to herself, "I don't see anyway out of
this one."



TO BE CONTINUED ....


***

Come visit me and/or Chris Dee and the other fine writers at Gotham After
Dark Message Board at: http://pub101.ezboard.com/bgothampm