CHAPTER TEN: EXTREME GAMES

Like most Parisian buildings, Madame Clouseau's Wax Museum was constructed with an exit that emptied into the main street. Mostly used as service entrance for kitchen staff and delivery men, it was also the absolute essential for philandering husbands. In Paris, where adultery had been raised to a national pastime, rating a notch below soccer, it was assured that most buildings came with this necessary addition. For Booster Gold, whose purpose was neither of the above, it provided a silent entry into the building.


The distraction that Cadmus had provided was being carried out even as he moved through the meandering corridor beneath the street that led to what was now the preparation room for the museum wax's works. The inspector was attempting to contact the Extremists under the guise of negotiating for the hostages release. Booster did not expect this to distract the group from their penchant for violence but at least it would take their mind off a possible rescue attempt for the moment.

The corridor was illuminated by single light bulbs protected by dusty mesh at regular intervals. So far, it appeared that his covert entry into the structure was unnoticed. Booster knew that he had to be extremely careful. While he had a force field and flight ability on his side, he had also had to face the nastiest group of paranormals that had emerged in recent times. Even super villains understood the notion of de ténte. Creating a nuclear holocaust would destroy the world they intended to dominate. Most had elected to leave such games to the politicians.

The Extremists of course, had no such restraints. They had already reduced their own world to a nuclear wasteland before penetrating the dimensional rift to reach this reality. Upon their arrival here, they resumed their Armageddon games until finally defeated by the Justice League's European branch. While their intentions in the wake of their present revival were unclear, it was certain that they intended to cause as much destruction as possible. As it was, the streets outside looked like a war zone and when he had left, ambulance and emergency services were starting to remove the dead and injured from the rubble.

He reached the door at the end of the corridor and put his ear up against it. Oh for the want of X ray vision, Booster sighed. Pressing his ear against the dust covered door, he could hear nothing in the immediately adjoining room. After a moment, he determined that it was safe to enter. Cadmus has provided him with a skeleton key that would open any lock in the building and Booster slipped it into the lock. He supposed Cadmus was so accommodating because he wanted his men out from the line of fire. Booster wished he had not let Catherine talk him into wearing his civilian clothing. While he realised she needed him to be inconspicuous if he was to be her bodyguard, in light of what had happened made that decision ill thought.

Booster entered the wax works and found it to be empty as expected. If the workers in this room had any sense, they would have left long ago. He stepped onto the concrete floor and immediately wished he was anywhere but inside this room. The sight of all those disembodied wax mannequins in the process of assembly was eerie. Arms and legs dangled in the air. Naked torsos were mounted on tables, with bald heads staring at him with blank eyes and expressions. It did nothing to assuage the nerves that were already becoming anxious at his situation.

If the hostages were anywhere, it would probably be inside the main exhibition area. Booster chose to fly through the stairway going up to that position because his footsteps could he heard. He had never actually confronted the Extremists face to face, so he was uncertain of their abilities. Nevertheless, he did not intend to give them any more of an advantage that they already had. He only hoped that Catherine had managed to get a hold of the other Crusaders. For a moment, he was struck by the notion that he was in a team again and despite his present predicament, Booster had to say that was a really nice feeling. It was good to know that there were friends who would soon come charging to his aid.

Let's hope real soon.

As he approached the main floor, frightened voices could be heard most clearly. He strained to listen, trying to determine just how many hostages were in the building. It was mid afternoon when the Extremists had attacked and at this time of the year, tourists were in abundance in the museum. He hoped that there were not more of them than he could handle. Booster was able to pick up the voices of children crying and realised that the bulk of the hostages would likely be children with a handful of well meaning adults who had brought them here. Hearing them only confirmed he had to do this carefully.

Flying a few inches above the floor, Booster found he had ironically appeared in the exhibit room for the Justice League. Not the old League that he had been apart of mind you, but the new dream team. The wax figures of Superman, Wonder Woman and Batman stared at him in heroic poses. Although having known Batman personally, he doubted that the Dark Knight had ever intentionally stood with hands on his hips wearing a big grin. Batman's face would crack if he smiled.

Booster swept past the wax figures, trying not to feel as if fate was attempting to be amusing. Suddenly, out of the corner of his eye, he noticed a figure that was not in the League. It took him a moment to realise what he had stumbled into when the figure came to life and jumped at him, claws extended and teeth bared. Even with his force field, the Extremist named Tracer slammed him into the wax form of Wonder Woman.

"A sneak attack was a good idea." Tracer hissed as he tried to slash at Booster unsuccessfully. "Too bad I could smell you the moment you came into the building."

Booster threw a punch into the man's face, connecting with his flattened nose that mimicked that of an animal. There was enough force to throw Tracer across the room, toppling the lifeless Green Lantern over him as he fell. The man sprang on his feet immediately, with lightning quick reflexes that started at Booster again. Realising that the situation was toppling out of control rapidly, Booster flew out of the room only to be slammed into another wall by a blast of energy that almost collapsed his force field. His left shoulder flared in pain at his impact and for a moment, he considered getting out of here. With his presence obviously revealed, there would be little hope of rescuing the hostages.

"We were wondering when one of you people would show up." A grating voice spoke over the stinging pain in his arm.

Lord Havok stood before him with the Extremists, Gorgon and Doctor Diehard. Booster supposed he should be grateful that Dream Slayer was not around either because the final member of the group was certainly the most powerful of them all.

"We were starting to get bored with local militia." Havok replied advancing on him. "We can play with you for a while until the rest of you so called heroes showed up."

Booster looked up at the skylight above their heads and saw his avenue of escape. He was started to fly towards him when Lord Havok stopped him with another blast. However, this time the blast was different. It did not appear to be offensive in nature but seem to scatter around his field in a sparkle of light. For a moment, Booster wondered if the man's weapon had failed.

"Warning, field strength down 26 percent." An electronic voice beeped from his gauntlet.

Oh crap, Booster swore under his breath. This was not meant to hurt him but to drain the power cells in his shields. He had to get out of here fast and he had to do it NOW. He resumed his attempt to reach the skylight, ignoring his ego's need to show these bastards what it was to take on Booster Gold. Object started flying at him as he continued flying upwards. Steel girders and other metallic object began rushing up at him. A steel table smashed into his side just as Lord Havok caught him with another blast from his energy absorbing weapon.

"Warning, field strength down 57 percent."

Booster definitely had to get out of here now. At 50 per cent shield strength, Lord Havok's offensive blasts would penetrate the shield. While he had still enough protection to stay alive, he would get badly hurt. By now, he was thrown into another room and the group had positioned themselves to confine him inside his walls. Booster surveyed the room quickly, hoping to find a way out before they closed in on him. Except for one small window that was barred from the outside, Booster saw no such escape.

He would have to go through them or not at all. Taking a deep breath, he sped out the way he came. Lord Havok jumped to intercept but Booster kept going until he collided with the villain. Havok chose not to let go once he had a hold of him and Booster realised the mistake he had made.

"This will go so much faster now." Havok replied and Booster could almost see the smile hidden beneath his metal exoskeleton. Pushing his hands against the invisible shield around Booster, his hands sparkled as he began drawing energy from the batteries in Booster's gauntlets.

"Warning, field strength down 75 percent."

"Warning, field strength down 93 percent."

Booster tried to shake him off desperately knowing that when that when his force field came down he would be as good as dead. They had him cornered in here like a trapped bird and unless he made it to open sky, they would have him. However, Havok was not letting go for anything in the world. His powered armour made his incredibly strong and nothing Booster would do could induce him to release his grip. He slammed against walls and into the exhibits but Havok was still holding on tight. The other Extremists were merely watching in amusement, as if they knew that he was theirs. It was just a question of how much of a fight he was willing to put up before he realised this too.

"Field power has terminated."

No sooner than he had said those words, Havok let loose a blast of energy. It tore into Booster like fire and sent him crashing to the floor as his clothes started to singe from its heat. There was barely time to cry out in pain when he felt tentacles wrap around his throat. Booster closed his eyes and concentrated hard, trying not to let the air escaping out of his lungs affect his judgement.

"I like this one." Another voice spoke but this one did not belong to Lord Havok. Booster opened his eyes long enough to see the rest of Gorgon's tentacles coming towards him. That was all the incentive he needed. Booster leapt into the air but got no farther than the length of the villain's tentacles as the grip around his throat became so taut that he was starting to lose consciousness.

"He's a little too spirited." Doctor Diehard grinned malevolently. "Maybe you should tenderise him a bit."

"I think you're right." Gorgon laughed and cracked the tentacle wrapped around Booster's neck.

Booster's body flopped like a rag doll from side to side as Gorgon shook him violently and then swatted him against the wall repeatedly. Each impact produced more blood until Booster could hardly see out of his swollen eyes. He had never felt so helpless in his life. The bastards had him caught like fish dangling from a hook. As he felt another bone snap as he hit the wall, Booster knew this could not go on. Even now, he was struggling to remain lucid but all he could feel was pain and their incessant laughter.

When Gorgon released him, Booster hit the floor hard. He knew he was badly injured. Pain screamed at him from a thousand wounds and he could feel jagged pieces of teeth inside his bloodied mouth. As he tried to get to his feet, his was suddenly forced down on the floor by the weight of body jumping on top of him. The soles of someone's feet dug into his back as they lowered to his ear to speak.

"Your scent says fear," Tracer smiled maniacally. "I like it."

Without warning, the Extremist sank all ten claws into his skin. Booster screamed as Tracer raked back his long sharp nails, tearing skin and flesh back simultaneously. The pain was agonising. It tore through him like a thousand knives, until it was so complete that all he could do was drown in its white hot depths. His scream was loud because his throat felt hoarse even before all of it had escaped his lips. However, the pain brought clarity to mind and while he still had the Legion flight ring on his finger, he had a chance to get out of here alive. The skylight was directly above him. Without his force field, he could be assured of injuries when he went through it but at least it would be a better death than at the hands of these monsters. If he lived through this, Booster managed one enraged thought, he would see them dead for this.

He remembered Tracer on his body when the Extremist yanked his head back and raked more sharp claws against his skin. "I liked to hear you scream." Tracer said. "I like it a lot."

"Then get ready for the ride of your life, you son of a bitch!" Booster roared as forced himself upwards as fast as he could.

"What are you doing?" Tracer managed to shout as he saw the skylight rushing up at them.

"Let go and you won't find out!" Booster replied, angrier than he had been seen the Overmaster took his arm. They had made him scream like some helpless child. The well of rage inside him was beyond control. He felt no fear, no concern about what all that glass would do to his body, all he cared about was going through it and maybe killing this animal in the process.

Tracer never had a chance to make a decision because no sooner than Booster had spoken, they went through the skylight. The other Extremists were too stunned by the sudden burst of strength from their prey and were unable to react before Booster had shot through the glass. Booster Gold closed his eyes as the glass rain down around him. He held his head down to protect his eyes. Through he sharp sound of breaking glass, he heard Tracer scream and felt the Extremist's claws dig deeper into his back as they continued their upward journey towards the sky.

"You are insane!" Tracer shouted as they pass through the wall of glass. The Extremist shook his mane of hair, dispelling the glass shards caught inside its strands.

He was scared. Booster thought triumphantly as they left the museum below them and continued gaining momentum. With the Legion flight ring, he could match the speed of the Blue Beetle Bug and he knew that there was no way that Tracer could hang on. Perhaps it was time the Extremist understood his situation.

"You better start thinking about letting go." Booster declared over the sound of the wind rushing at them. The Extremist was struggling to hold on now because Booster was picking speed the higher he went.

"Take us down or I'll cut you to pieces!" Tracer snarled angrily.

Even as he said that, Booster could feel his talons dig deeper into his skin but Tracer was not going to frighten him. They both knew that Tracer could not kill him in mid air because that would end the Extremist's sorry existence as well.

"Go ahead!" Booster retorted sharply. "Unless I forgot you can fly!"

"Don't try and frighten me hero!"

"You're already afraid." Booster shouted back. "Now you let go or I swear I'll keep going until the wind tears you off my back!"

Booster had never been so clear on anything in his life and never more certain that Tracer would yield. Perhaps not fearing death had given him an edge, Booster could not say for sure. All he did know was that this Extremist was going to give in or he would die in the process. Guy was right about animals like these. They did not deserve to live and he was not going to perpetuate hypocrisy by pretending that they should.

"Let go." Booster declared as he altered his trajectory and flew in close over the Seine River. He glanced at the water below and so Tracer would see the only option left to him. Booster had given him a way out if he was smart enough to take it.

"Okay hero," Tracer hissed with anger but clearly realising that he had not a choice in the matter. "You win this round but next time...."

"Next time," Booster said icily before Tracer could finish. "You better not get in my cross hairs because I'll rip your goddamn heart out and give you a scent to remember before you die. Not get your hands off me!" His tone indicated that he was not going to say it again.


Tracer let go and plunged downwards. Even from this distance, a drop from this altitude into water would have killed a normal human being but Tracer was tough. The mutation that had turned him into a living abomination would undoubtedly protect him when he hit the water.

Too bad.

*********

After Booster had escaped from the museum and had managed to get rid of Tracer, he struggled back to the inspector. Failure stabbed at him as sharply as the pain in his body. His thoughts as the agony increasingly dogged his return, were of the children whose tears were etched in his memory. They were still in there with those superhuman psychopaths. He did not relish the thought of any of those hostages going through what he had just done. His rage had managed to stymie his injuries during his battle with Tracer but now that the Extremist was gone, he felt his anger starting to dissipate. With its submission, he felt the pain of his injuries return in full force.


Booster could feel the slick wetness on his back even as he flew back to the police line. He knew there was exposed flesh on his back but he forced himself not to think about it. Nor did he think about the gravelly bit of enamel floating in his mouth along with blood. He had not been this injured for a long time and prayed that none of this was permanent. His vision was starting to blur and Booster gathered this was because of the amount of blood he was losing.

Suddenly the police line surrounding the museum became visible and Booster led out a sigh of relief as he began his descent.

"Look!"

Catherine Colbert turned around and saw the airborne figure coming down towards the police line.

Mon Dieu! It was Booster!

After she had contacted Guy, she had fought her way across town, through the crowds to see if there was any further news about the current situation. Only her diplomatic credentials had enabled her to penetrate the walls of police who had formed a barricade against the media people who were now on congregated around the disaster area. Judging by the pandemonium of the immediate area, she hoped that the Crusaders were here. At the moment, they were on their way back from Germany and would be in French airspace within the hour.

Her heart sank as she saw what state he was in when he drew closer to the ground. When he finally descended, his landing was anything but graceful. Towards the last few feet of his descent, it appeared as if controlled had slipped and almost smashed through the windscreen of a parked police car. Through the sea of uniforms that crowded around the vehicle following Booster dramatic entrance, Catherine saw a familiar face.

"Inspector Cadmus!" She called out.

Cadmus was ordering his men aside as he struggled to reach Booster who was lying flat on the bonnet of the police car, looking deathly indeed. He turned at the sound of his named being called out and saw Catherine trying to navigate through the uniforms barring her way. "Let her through!" He shouted to his men who stepped aside once the confusion had died, allowing the United Nations official through. She hurried forward and was not more than two steps away from Cadmus when she saw what state Booster was in.

"Oh my god!" She declared as she saw the blood starting to pool against the white machine finish of the car bonnet. Booster face was a pulpish mesh and his skin seemed shredded from a thousand cuts.

"Someone get a stretcher!" Cadmus ordered as he reached Booster first. Instinctively, he checked the superhero's pulse and noted with relief that the man was still alive. Barely however, Cadmus thought to himself. A few seconds later, Catherine broke through the crowd of policeman and emergency people and brushed straight past him. Without thought, she scrambled onto the bonnet of hte vehicle, desperate to be at Booster's side.

Making his descent had robbed him of his last ounce of strength and mercifully, Booster had slipped inot unconsciousness. However, his wounds were nothing short of appaling. Even as she knelt beside him, his blood was starting to soak in her clothes. Catherine was hardly aware ot it. While she realised that much of his injuries looked worse owing to all the blood he was losing she nevertheless felt responsible for this. "I should not have told you to leave the suit behind." Catherine said as she leaned over him and stroked his bruised face. This was her fault!


"Madamoseille Colbert." Cadmus intruded gently, "he needs hospitalization, immediately."

"Yes of course," Catherine nodded mutely, trying to keep her tears from coming. Normally, she could handle her emotions better than this. After reading casualty reports from places like Sarajevo and Rwanda, she had beleived nothing could shake her emotional fortitude. Now, Catherine knew better. She stepped aside as the paramedics moved past her, watching his face as they carried him onto a stretcher.

"Is he alright?" She asked after they had made a preliminary examination.

"We cannot say Madamoseille." the paramedics replied as they started pushing him away. "We will have to take him to hospital first."

Catherine nodded, biting her lip to keep herself from crying. "Am I allowed to ride with him?" She asked unable to keep her voice steady.

The paramedic exchanged glances with Inspector Cadmus who made his wishes known with a slight nod. "Of course," the young man nodded. "Please come with us."

Catherine offered Cadmus a faint smile of gratitude before she followed Booster and the paramedics into the waiting mouth of a nearby ambulance. Before she was too far out of earshot, Catherine called out to the inspector. "Cadmus, I have called for help. It will be here within the hour. I will tell them to report to you."

"The Justice League?" Cadmus asked hopefully.

"No," Catherine replied shortly as she started to climb into the ambulance. "Not the Justice League but I assure you, these heroes know the Extremists well."

Cadmus glanced at the museum and prayed that she was right.