LSH: The Battle For The Universe
By Bruce Wayne
Disclaimer: I don't own these characters, I'm just borrowing then for a while.
The characters are owned by DC Comics and I'm writing this just for the fun of
it.
CHAPTER 7 - Four Earth Dooms
"That's right," said Tazz in an intense voice. "It was your own Earth
of the 40th century, one thousand years from now, that did -- or will --
smash my drive for galactic domination." He glared at them with infinite
hatred. "You are the ancestors of the future people who are destined to
be my stumbling block. It is the human race alone that could stand in my
way."
"So you have come back in time merely for revenge against us?"
said Invisible Kid, shaking his head. "Because our far-future descendants
defeated you, you've come to give us a bad time."
"No," Tazz came back sharply. "I would hardly be that trivial in
my aims. Don't you understand? If I destroy Earth of the 30th century,
it will never exist in the 40th century. Its powerful warfleet and super-
weapons won't be there to oppose me. So when I return to the future,
my conquest of the galaxy will succeed, where it failed before."
The Legionnaires stood stunned at the enormity of the concept.
"But that's changing history," protested Lyle. "How can you tamper
with inexorable fate that way? If Earth did exist in the future and did defeat
you, how can that event be wiped out? Once a thing has happened, it
can't ... well, it can't unhappen."
Tazz sneered, as though he were talking with uneducated fools.
"Of course your primitive minds know nothing of science to come, and
future discoveries about branching time. Let me try to explain it ..."
"That's where you're wrong, Tazz," Brainiac 5 interrupted. The
villian had no way of knowing that Brainy was an expert in time travel
and had built the Legion's Time Bubble.
Brainy said, "I know quite a bit about the science and implications
of time travel."
Tazz ignored him and went on. "At any crossroads in history,
such as the outcome of a war, two different acts of destiny can occur,
naturally. If the war is won by one side, their 'real ' world goes on. The
other outcome, where the war is lost, is merely a branch of destiny that
never really occurs. Understand?"
"An 'if' world," nodded Brainiac 5, "or a 'parallel' world."
"But if you travel back in time," pursued Tazz, "and alter the out-
come of that war, the so-called real world becomes the if world, while the
if world then becomes the real one."
"That's double-talk, you creep," piped up Sun Boy. "You're just
juggling paradoxes around and coming up with zero. How can something
that is already real suddenly change and become unreal?"
Brainiac 5 answered the question before Tazz did, "By the great
chrono-conversion equation that was formulated in the year 2875. It is
similar to Einstein's famous equation of converting matter into energy, and
vice versa. And just as matter and energy are interchangeable, so are the
'real' and the 'parallel' worlds."
Invisible Kid, who was a scientist in his own right, digested that
staggering thought. "You mean that if you succeeded in destroying Earth
and wiping out the human race, here in the 30th century, all the future
events in which they took part will simply disappear out of history, as
you knew it in the 40th century?"
"Why not?" said Tazz blandly. "The parallel universe, in which Earth
is destroyed before its prime, then becomes the real universe."
Shrugging, he went on impatiently, "But it doesn't matter. Whether
you understand or care to believe is no concern of mine. The truth is that
by wiping out Earth today, I will insure myself becoming the emperor of the
Milky Way galaxy in the 40th century."
"Easier said than done, though," retorted the Legion leader. "A
giant comet smashing into Earth might wreck most of civilization and
annihilate many millions of the human race, but there will be survivors to
carry on -- and to become strong again in the 40th century."
"The giant comet," Tazz informed them in ominous tones, "is only
the first of four world-doom catastrophes which I shall cause on Earth.
All four superdisasters combined will make sure that not one human being
remains alive on your world. Understand?"
"Four dooms!" gasped Shrinking Violet. "You heartless beast!
Willing to kill -- to murder -- billions of people! I should beat you until you
cry for mercy!"
Tazz winced and stepped back a pace, but Invisible Kid said,
"Forget it, Vi. That wouldn't stop him. The question is" -- he turned to
Tazz -- "what are the other three dooms you plan?"
Tazz grinned maliciously, cunningly. "I would indeed be an idiot to
tip my hand. And besides, it will be more agonizing for you Legionnaires
to face unknown holocausts. However, I'll tell you this much. The other three
worldwrecking forces I've planned will involve fire, water, and air. Guess the
rest if you can. Now I will leave Mount Everest and waft myself elsewhere
on Earth, to launch doom number two. Good-bye."
He pressed a button on his belt and a plastic bubble materialized
out of thin air and surrounded him. Lightly as a soap bubble, it then rose
in the air and gathered speed.
"Follow him, Violet," whispered Invisible Kid. Let us know where
he goes next and what he's cooking up."
"Right, Lyle," piped Violet, flying away with her flight ring after the
receding plastic vehicle and the leering alien.
"Well, we've got our work cut out for us, guys," said the Legion
leader, looking at his four male companions grimly.
"We save worlds every morning before breakfast," said Sun Boy
flippantly, to hide the gnawing horror within him.
"But this is even greater," added Colossal Boy thoughtfully. "Not
only saving the world today but also saving the whole galaxy and ultimately
the entire universe of the future."
They stared solemnly at each other, and even Sun Boy couldn't
think of a wisecrack for that.
***
Following the plastic bubble, Shrinking Violet expected a long
journey ahead but, surprisingly, Tazz turned downward and landed in a
valley. Stepping out, he unhooked a small communications device from
his belt and spoke into it.
"Attention, my faithful aides," he said casually, as if putting through
a phone call. But Violet, overhearing, realized he was not merely calling
someone millions or billions of miles away but a thousand years away.
Tazz continued, "You sent me the ultramagnet, which did its work
nobly. Now I want you to send the three other machines to the 30th
century, launching three more Earth dooms simultaneously."
He paused to unroll a map that had been folded in his belt, then
resumed, "Send the Infrared Beamer to the Antarctic, on your map of
ancient Earth, at the spot marked X. Have the Vulcan Machine
materialize on that marked island in the South Pacific."
Violet wondered, suddenly, why a villian should be using an
Earthly language instead of his own native tongue. But then realized,
listening carefully, that there was no voice at all. He was, in reality,
beaming telepathic waves into his future-communication device.
Thought words, of course, were universal, understood by any intelligent
mind. That was why Violet could eavesdrop on Tazz.
"Last," Tazz was saying, "transport the Storm Satellite Launcher
to the Sahara Desert location marked on your map."
Grim curiosity tantalized the insect-sized girl.
Infrared Beamer ... Vulcan Machine ... Storm Satellite!
How would those three superscience devices from the future
create havoc on Earth? Would it be something even more devastating
than the ultramagnet pulling down a giant comet to strike Earth?
Sitting inside a buttercup flower near Tazz, Violet waited to
hear more. "As you know," came from the villian, "the Infrared Beamer
will be used to --"
But his words were drowned out by a large buzz and a huge
bumblebee came soaring straight toward the flower, evidently seeking its
sweet nectar. Violet didn't want to tangle with an insect much bigger than
she was and flew away to sit on the next flower. But the angry bumblebee
zoomed after her, obviously considering this patch of blossoms his private
territory, from which to drive out all other poaching creatures.
As the buzzing bully put on speed in chasing her, Violet realized
she couldn't escape his enormous stinger, which would sooner or later
jab her through and through like a spear.
"I'll fix you," she thought, willing herself to grow. Seconds later,
back to normal size, she swung the flat of her hand and knocked the
surprised bumblebee back into some prickly weeds. She smiled
triumphantly.
But that smile was short-lived when she suddenly noticed two
frosty blue eyes turning her way, startled at the abrupt appearance of
a full-sized teenage girl out of thin air. She was now exposed to Tazz!
"The female Legionnaire," he hissed. "How much have you
heard? Well, you won't hear any more ..." He was already pressing
his belt-button to release a killing ray.
Desperately Violet threw herself full length among tall weeds.
Tazz raked the green patch with his ray, converting it into blackened
ashes. But no human body was there, only a tiny insect that had flew
away unnoticed.
"Whew," thought Violet, "I shrank down again just in time. I'd
better not hang around here any more. Tazz will be on watch for any
insect coming near him. I'll make my way back to the clubhouse and
report what I did hear."
But it was a long way back to Metropolis for a pseudo-insect.
Violet flew high in the air and looked in all directions.
"Ah, a spaceport to the south, probably in what was called
northern India. I'll hitch a ride there.
And so it was that a transport-liner carried a tiny stowaway
to Paris. From there, Violet transferred to another transport bound
for Metropolis. The entire journey took a little over three hours in the
30th century.
"Being small certainly has its advantages," she said to herself. "No
fare to pay, and all kinds of seats -- on the ceiling."
***
At the Legion clubhouse, many more Legionnaires had responded
to the call back and were awaiting word back from Violet impatiently.
"If she doesn't come back ..." groaned Colossal Boy for the tenth
time, but they all forgave him. Suddenly, all of them turned in unison, as
Violet ran into the room.
"Miss me?" she asked with a smile.
The blonde-haired Saturn Girl, wearing her red-and-white tunic with
the planet Saturn emblazoned on it, with red pants and white boots, was all
no-nonsense. She asked immediately, "Did you overhear any plans of Tazz,
the Invader?"
"Yes, some," Violet answered, and she recited her story. When she
was through, Invisible Kid banged his fist against the wall, causing a crack.
"Easy, leader man," admonished Star Boy. "Our good benefactor
R.J. Brande pays for the repairs. Go punch Sun Boy if you have to let off
steam."
"Oh, thanks," grunted Sun Boy. "That won't cost Mr. Brande
anything -- it'll probably just cost me a handful of loose teeth." He
glowered at the brown-haired Star Boy in his purple costume with
black trunks and yellow gloves, boots and band around his waist. His
uniform was completed with a long white cape and a large white star
on his chest.
Sun Boy then looked at Invisible Kid, "What's eating you?"
"It's just not knowing Tazz's full plot," explained Lyle. "All we
know is that earth disasters involving water, fire, and air will occur. But
how will these three machines he's ... uh ... importing from the future do
it?"
"Worse yet," spoke up Ferro Lad, "we only know vaguely where
each machine will operate -- in the Antarctic, in the South Seas, and in
the Sahara. All of those are big places if you don't know the exact spot."
"And for that reason," said Saturn Girl, "we can't turn this mission
over to the military or the Science Police. You can't send them halfway
across the world to an indefinite place. This calls for specialized skills and
training. Therefore, it's a mission for the Legion only."
"You're right, Imra," agreed Colossal Boy. He turned to Invisible
Kid, "But which of the three Earth menaces do we tackle first?"
"That brings up the most significant thing," said Brainiac 5 thought-
fully: "that Tazz, according to Shrinking Violet, will launch his other three
earth-wreckers simultaneously."
"Right," nodded Invisible Kid. "And that means we have to split
up and try to stop all three at the same time, as soon as possible."
He looked at the group of Legionnaires before him. "Let's see, we'll pair
off like this: Saturn Girl, Element Lad, Matter-Eater Lad, Ultra Boy and
Bouncing Boy to the Antarctic. Violet, Colossal Boy, Sun Boy, Brainy,
Ferro Lad and myself to the South Seas. And ... Phantom Girl, Dream
Girl, Star Boy, Karate Kid and Light Lass will go to the Sahara. Duo
Damsel and the Princess will stay with the clubhouse."
"I'd really like to go," piped up a disappointed Princess Projectra.
Projectra, the Princess from the planet Orando, had short white hair and
was dressed in a very revealing, low-cut, royal blue bodysuit with shorts
that left little to the imagination. The costume was completed with a long
red cape that had a high, upturned collar, high, red boots and long white
gloves that went up to her elbows.
The Princess had the ability to create very realistic illusions.
Invisible Kid tried to explain to her, "I know, Princess, but we
really need someone to stay here in case Superboy, Mon-El and a
couple of the others make it back here. Someone has to explain to
them what's happening."
Projectra pouted by nodded in understanding.
"We'll take care of the clubhouse, Lyle," Duo Damsel acknowledged.
Most of the males in the Legion would've agreed that the 18-year-
old, long, brown-haired Luornu Durgo was one of the -- if not the -- most
attractive girls in the Legion. She wore a purple mini-dress uniform and had
legs that wouldn't quit. She also wore a burnt-orange cape, with a wide-belt
of the same color, black boots, and long white gloves.
Luornu was born on Carggg, a triple-sunned world of triplicating
people. Before becoming a Legionnaire, she split into three and
accompanied each of the founding Legionnaires individually to their
clubhouse, revealing her triplicate existence. She was, along with Phantom
Girl, one of the first non-founding members of the Legion, calling herself
Triplicate Girl. It was Brainiac 5's renegade computer, Computo, that killed
one of Luornu's bodies and she renamed herself Duo Damsel.
"Since time is of the essence," Invisible Kid went on. "We'll use
the Mark III Legion cruisers. We all better be in top condition for this
most important mission. We'll get going in six hours. That gives us all
time for some sleep, a shower, a hot meal and whatever."
Ultra Boy and Phantom Girl looked at one another on the word
"whatever."
Lyle paused, his eyes going bleak.
"The giant comet that was pulled toward Earth will arrive in ten
days, Tazz revealed. His other three Earth dooms must be timed to occur,
or reach their peak, at that same date. In short, if we fail, the end of the
world will come before this month is over."
They all winced.
"The deadline of doom," murmured Shrinking Violet, "is what we
Legionnaires are racing against this time."
"And not only doom for 30th century Earth," Brainiac 5 reminded
them, "but for all the thousands of galactic worlds in the future. This is
literally a battle for the universe."
"If we fail," added Light Lass with a tremor in her voice, "we lose
the world and Tazz wins the universe."
"It'll serve him right," drawled Sun Boy. "If all the people on those
twenty thousand other worlds are ornery jackasses like humans on Earth,
then poor Tazz will have some mess to rule over. I'd let him get away with
it except for one thing ..."
He paused to strike a pose. "I don't want history to be robbed of
my lifelong exploits and fabulous feats of heroism. But how can I be a
hero to millions of screaming girls if Earth ends this month? So, between
Tazz and me, Tazz has to go. I have spoken."
A lot of giggles and snorting was heard in the room.
"What?" The astonished Dirk Morgna glared at his fellow
Legionnaires. "You think I'm kidding? I've never been more serious in
my life."
"You know," muttered Phantom Girl to Ultra Boy, "sometimes I
don't know if that guy is ribbing us, or not."
To be continued ...
By Bruce Wayne
Disclaimer: I don't own these characters, I'm just borrowing then for a while.
The characters are owned by DC Comics and I'm writing this just for the fun of
it.
CHAPTER 7 - Four Earth Dooms
"That's right," said Tazz in an intense voice. "It was your own Earth
of the 40th century, one thousand years from now, that did -- or will --
smash my drive for galactic domination." He glared at them with infinite
hatred. "You are the ancestors of the future people who are destined to
be my stumbling block. It is the human race alone that could stand in my
way."
"So you have come back in time merely for revenge against us?"
said Invisible Kid, shaking his head. "Because our far-future descendants
defeated you, you've come to give us a bad time."
"No," Tazz came back sharply. "I would hardly be that trivial in
my aims. Don't you understand? If I destroy Earth of the 30th century,
it will never exist in the 40th century. Its powerful warfleet and super-
weapons won't be there to oppose me. So when I return to the future,
my conquest of the galaxy will succeed, where it failed before."
The Legionnaires stood stunned at the enormity of the concept.
"But that's changing history," protested Lyle. "How can you tamper
with inexorable fate that way? If Earth did exist in the future and did defeat
you, how can that event be wiped out? Once a thing has happened, it
can't ... well, it can't unhappen."
Tazz sneered, as though he were talking with uneducated fools.
"Of course your primitive minds know nothing of science to come, and
future discoveries about branching time. Let me try to explain it ..."
"That's where you're wrong, Tazz," Brainiac 5 interrupted. The
villian had no way of knowing that Brainy was an expert in time travel
and had built the Legion's Time Bubble.
Brainy said, "I know quite a bit about the science and implications
of time travel."
Tazz ignored him and went on. "At any crossroads in history,
such as the outcome of a war, two different acts of destiny can occur,
naturally. If the war is won by one side, their 'real ' world goes on. The
other outcome, where the war is lost, is merely a branch of destiny that
never really occurs. Understand?"
"An 'if' world," nodded Brainiac 5, "or a 'parallel' world."
"But if you travel back in time," pursued Tazz, "and alter the out-
come of that war, the so-called real world becomes the if world, while the
if world then becomes the real one."
"That's double-talk, you creep," piped up Sun Boy. "You're just
juggling paradoxes around and coming up with zero. How can something
that is already real suddenly change and become unreal?"
Brainiac 5 answered the question before Tazz did, "By the great
chrono-conversion equation that was formulated in the year 2875. It is
similar to Einstein's famous equation of converting matter into energy, and
vice versa. And just as matter and energy are interchangeable, so are the
'real' and the 'parallel' worlds."
Invisible Kid, who was a scientist in his own right, digested that
staggering thought. "You mean that if you succeeded in destroying Earth
and wiping out the human race, here in the 30th century, all the future
events in which they took part will simply disappear out of history, as
you knew it in the 40th century?"
"Why not?" said Tazz blandly. "The parallel universe, in which Earth
is destroyed before its prime, then becomes the real universe."
Shrugging, he went on impatiently, "But it doesn't matter. Whether
you understand or care to believe is no concern of mine. The truth is that
by wiping out Earth today, I will insure myself becoming the emperor of the
Milky Way galaxy in the 40th century."
"Easier said than done, though," retorted the Legion leader. "A
giant comet smashing into Earth might wreck most of civilization and
annihilate many millions of the human race, but there will be survivors to
carry on -- and to become strong again in the 40th century."
"The giant comet," Tazz informed them in ominous tones, "is only
the first of four world-doom catastrophes which I shall cause on Earth.
All four superdisasters combined will make sure that not one human being
remains alive on your world. Understand?"
"Four dooms!" gasped Shrinking Violet. "You heartless beast!
Willing to kill -- to murder -- billions of people! I should beat you until you
cry for mercy!"
Tazz winced and stepped back a pace, but Invisible Kid said,
"Forget it, Vi. That wouldn't stop him. The question is" -- he turned to
Tazz -- "what are the other three dooms you plan?"
Tazz grinned maliciously, cunningly. "I would indeed be an idiot to
tip my hand. And besides, it will be more agonizing for you Legionnaires
to face unknown holocausts. However, I'll tell you this much. The other three
worldwrecking forces I've planned will involve fire, water, and air. Guess the
rest if you can. Now I will leave Mount Everest and waft myself elsewhere
on Earth, to launch doom number two. Good-bye."
He pressed a button on his belt and a plastic bubble materialized
out of thin air and surrounded him. Lightly as a soap bubble, it then rose
in the air and gathered speed.
"Follow him, Violet," whispered Invisible Kid. Let us know where
he goes next and what he's cooking up."
"Right, Lyle," piped Violet, flying away with her flight ring after the
receding plastic vehicle and the leering alien.
"Well, we've got our work cut out for us, guys," said the Legion
leader, looking at his four male companions grimly.
"We save worlds every morning before breakfast," said Sun Boy
flippantly, to hide the gnawing horror within him.
"But this is even greater," added Colossal Boy thoughtfully. "Not
only saving the world today but also saving the whole galaxy and ultimately
the entire universe of the future."
They stared solemnly at each other, and even Sun Boy couldn't
think of a wisecrack for that.
***
Following the plastic bubble, Shrinking Violet expected a long
journey ahead but, surprisingly, Tazz turned downward and landed in a
valley. Stepping out, he unhooked a small communications device from
his belt and spoke into it.
"Attention, my faithful aides," he said casually, as if putting through
a phone call. But Violet, overhearing, realized he was not merely calling
someone millions or billions of miles away but a thousand years away.
Tazz continued, "You sent me the ultramagnet, which did its work
nobly. Now I want you to send the three other machines to the 30th
century, launching three more Earth dooms simultaneously."
He paused to unroll a map that had been folded in his belt, then
resumed, "Send the Infrared Beamer to the Antarctic, on your map of
ancient Earth, at the spot marked X. Have the Vulcan Machine
materialize on that marked island in the South Pacific."
Violet wondered, suddenly, why a villian should be using an
Earthly language instead of his own native tongue. But then realized,
listening carefully, that there was no voice at all. He was, in reality,
beaming telepathic waves into his future-communication device.
Thought words, of course, were universal, understood by any intelligent
mind. That was why Violet could eavesdrop on Tazz.
"Last," Tazz was saying, "transport the Storm Satellite Launcher
to the Sahara Desert location marked on your map."
Grim curiosity tantalized the insect-sized girl.
Infrared Beamer ... Vulcan Machine ... Storm Satellite!
How would those three superscience devices from the future
create havoc on Earth? Would it be something even more devastating
than the ultramagnet pulling down a giant comet to strike Earth?
Sitting inside a buttercup flower near Tazz, Violet waited to
hear more. "As you know," came from the villian, "the Infrared Beamer
will be used to --"
But his words were drowned out by a large buzz and a huge
bumblebee came soaring straight toward the flower, evidently seeking its
sweet nectar. Violet didn't want to tangle with an insect much bigger than
she was and flew away to sit on the next flower. But the angry bumblebee
zoomed after her, obviously considering this patch of blossoms his private
territory, from which to drive out all other poaching creatures.
As the buzzing bully put on speed in chasing her, Violet realized
she couldn't escape his enormous stinger, which would sooner or later
jab her through and through like a spear.
"I'll fix you," she thought, willing herself to grow. Seconds later,
back to normal size, she swung the flat of her hand and knocked the
surprised bumblebee back into some prickly weeds. She smiled
triumphantly.
But that smile was short-lived when she suddenly noticed two
frosty blue eyes turning her way, startled at the abrupt appearance of
a full-sized teenage girl out of thin air. She was now exposed to Tazz!
"The female Legionnaire," he hissed. "How much have you
heard? Well, you won't hear any more ..." He was already pressing
his belt-button to release a killing ray.
Desperately Violet threw herself full length among tall weeds.
Tazz raked the green patch with his ray, converting it into blackened
ashes. But no human body was there, only a tiny insect that had flew
away unnoticed.
"Whew," thought Violet, "I shrank down again just in time. I'd
better not hang around here any more. Tazz will be on watch for any
insect coming near him. I'll make my way back to the clubhouse and
report what I did hear."
But it was a long way back to Metropolis for a pseudo-insect.
Violet flew high in the air and looked in all directions.
"Ah, a spaceport to the south, probably in what was called
northern India. I'll hitch a ride there.
And so it was that a transport-liner carried a tiny stowaway
to Paris. From there, Violet transferred to another transport bound
for Metropolis. The entire journey took a little over three hours in the
30th century.
"Being small certainly has its advantages," she said to herself. "No
fare to pay, and all kinds of seats -- on the ceiling."
***
At the Legion clubhouse, many more Legionnaires had responded
to the call back and were awaiting word back from Violet impatiently.
"If she doesn't come back ..." groaned Colossal Boy for the tenth
time, but they all forgave him. Suddenly, all of them turned in unison, as
Violet ran into the room.
"Miss me?" she asked with a smile.
The blonde-haired Saturn Girl, wearing her red-and-white tunic with
the planet Saturn emblazoned on it, with red pants and white boots, was all
no-nonsense. She asked immediately, "Did you overhear any plans of Tazz,
the Invader?"
"Yes, some," Violet answered, and she recited her story. When she
was through, Invisible Kid banged his fist against the wall, causing a crack.
"Easy, leader man," admonished Star Boy. "Our good benefactor
R.J. Brande pays for the repairs. Go punch Sun Boy if you have to let off
steam."
"Oh, thanks," grunted Sun Boy. "That won't cost Mr. Brande
anything -- it'll probably just cost me a handful of loose teeth." He
glowered at the brown-haired Star Boy in his purple costume with
black trunks and yellow gloves, boots and band around his waist. His
uniform was completed with a long white cape and a large white star
on his chest.
Sun Boy then looked at Invisible Kid, "What's eating you?"
"It's just not knowing Tazz's full plot," explained Lyle. "All we
know is that earth disasters involving water, fire, and air will occur. But
how will these three machines he's ... uh ... importing from the future do
it?"
"Worse yet," spoke up Ferro Lad, "we only know vaguely where
each machine will operate -- in the Antarctic, in the South Seas, and in
the Sahara. All of those are big places if you don't know the exact spot."
"And for that reason," said Saturn Girl, "we can't turn this mission
over to the military or the Science Police. You can't send them halfway
across the world to an indefinite place. This calls for specialized skills and
training. Therefore, it's a mission for the Legion only."
"You're right, Imra," agreed Colossal Boy. He turned to Invisible
Kid, "But which of the three Earth menaces do we tackle first?"
"That brings up the most significant thing," said Brainiac 5 thought-
fully: "that Tazz, according to Shrinking Violet, will launch his other three
earth-wreckers simultaneously."
"Right," nodded Invisible Kid. "And that means we have to split
up and try to stop all three at the same time, as soon as possible."
He looked at the group of Legionnaires before him. "Let's see, we'll pair
off like this: Saturn Girl, Element Lad, Matter-Eater Lad, Ultra Boy and
Bouncing Boy to the Antarctic. Violet, Colossal Boy, Sun Boy, Brainy,
Ferro Lad and myself to the South Seas. And ... Phantom Girl, Dream
Girl, Star Boy, Karate Kid and Light Lass will go to the Sahara. Duo
Damsel and the Princess will stay with the clubhouse."
"I'd really like to go," piped up a disappointed Princess Projectra.
Projectra, the Princess from the planet Orando, had short white hair and
was dressed in a very revealing, low-cut, royal blue bodysuit with shorts
that left little to the imagination. The costume was completed with a long
red cape that had a high, upturned collar, high, red boots and long white
gloves that went up to her elbows.
The Princess had the ability to create very realistic illusions.
Invisible Kid tried to explain to her, "I know, Princess, but we
really need someone to stay here in case Superboy, Mon-El and a
couple of the others make it back here. Someone has to explain to
them what's happening."
Projectra pouted by nodded in understanding.
"We'll take care of the clubhouse, Lyle," Duo Damsel acknowledged.
Most of the males in the Legion would've agreed that the 18-year-
old, long, brown-haired Luornu Durgo was one of the -- if not the -- most
attractive girls in the Legion. She wore a purple mini-dress uniform and had
legs that wouldn't quit. She also wore a burnt-orange cape, with a wide-belt
of the same color, black boots, and long white gloves.
Luornu was born on Carggg, a triple-sunned world of triplicating
people. Before becoming a Legionnaire, she split into three and
accompanied each of the founding Legionnaires individually to their
clubhouse, revealing her triplicate existence. She was, along with Phantom
Girl, one of the first non-founding members of the Legion, calling herself
Triplicate Girl. It was Brainiac 5's renegade computer, Computo, that killed
one of Luornu's bodies and she renamed herself Duo Damsel.
"Since time is of the essence," Invisible Kid went on. "We'll use
the Mark III Legion cruisers. We all better be in top condition for this
most important mission. We'll get going in six hours. That gives us all
time for some sleep, a shower, a hot meal and whatever."
Ultra Boy and Phantom Girl looked at one another on the word
"whatever."
Lyle paused, his eyes going bleak.
"The giant comet that was pulled toward Earth will arrive in ten
days, Tazz revealed. His other three Earth dooms must be timed to occur,
or reach their peak, at that same date. In short, if we fail, the end of the
world will come before this month is over."
They all winced.
"The deadline of doom," murmured Shrinking Violet, "is what we
Legionnaires are racing against this time."
"And not only doom for 30th century Earth," Brainiac 5 reminded
them, "but for all the thousands of galactic worlds in the future. This is
literally a battle for the universe."
"If we fail," added Light Lass with a tremor in her voice, "we lose
the world and Tazz wins the universe."
"It'll serve him right," drawled Sun Boy. "If all the people on those
twenty thousand other worlds are ornery jackasses like humans on Earth,
then poor Tazz will have some mess to rule over. I'd let him get away with
it except for one thing ..."
He paused to strike a pose. "I don't want history to be robbed of
my lifelong exploits and fabulous feats of heroism. But how can I be a
hero to millions of screaming girls if Earth ends this month? So, between
Tazz and me, Tazz has to go. I have spoken."
A lot of giggles and snorting was heard in the room.
"What?" The astonished Dirk Morgna glared at his fellow
Legionnaires. "You think I'm kidding? I've never been more serious in
my life."
"You know," muttered Phantom Girl to Ultra Boy, "sometimes I
don't know if that guy is ribbing us, or not."
To be continued ...