29
An additional light cruiser and destroyer slipped into orbit over Talok VIII. The orbital positioning divided the planet's surface into four quadrants. The Dark Circle didn't employ missile pods in any vessel below the size of a heavy cruiser. A cruiser was among those neglected. But a heavy cruiser up to a battlecruiser and larger carried the planet killers. But the screening units could assume fire control over a collection of pods if the local senior officer deemed it fit.
Superman took Power Girl and Power Ring with him to deal with the heavy cruiser. He saw the action as a deterrent. He was uncertain how Galatea and Jessica Cruz viewed it.
Power Ring's Ring of Volthoom provided life support fields and communication as the JLers flew to penetrate the warship. This was easily done since Heavy Cruisers as a greater class of warship possessed magnetically sealed support craft launch bays. The field kept the atmosphere in yet was permeable to solid objects.
The resistance in the hanger quickly faded as Superman and Power Girl crushed the support landers and dual fighter craft. Power Ring capitalized on the defenders' fears and rendered them unconscious. Yet, the alarm was still sounded before the crewmen collapsed.
Superman located a ship's diagram, "I'll head to the bridge while you two contain the reactor core in case they try to overload it to kill us."
"Um…you can read that?" Jessica felt dimwitted.
"It's written in Interlac," Power Girl explained, "It's essentially an interstellar trade language. Greek and Aramaic would be the closest equivalents in ancient Earth."
"And of course you can read it too," Jessica groaned.
"Your ring can translate for you," Power Girl offered some advice.
"Whoa!" Jessica was amazed as the language converted to both a Spanish rendition as well as an English version to either side of the original display.
"Kalea taught me during my tenure of working with her," Power Girl explained.
Both Superman and Jessica detected a wistful element lacing that statement. Jessica decided to distract her, "Thanks. This stupid ring didn't come with any instructions. And it's too surly to explain anything."
"Essentially I go this way," Superman pointed, "And you proceed three levels upwards to seize the reactor room. Good luck."
"Sometimes I hate the boy scout," Jessica frowned.
"I wish it would get better but it doesn't," Power Girl sighed.
"Aren't you his cousin?" Jessica asked.
"Even genetically speaking I'm not," Karen Starr explained as she began to lead Jessica where they needed to be, "Kara isn't related to him by blood. The Kents took care of her as she matured but she still isn't related even by human legal definitions."
"Which means you're in the same situation despite your relation to Supergirl," Power Ring accepted.
"Kara isn't Supergirl anymore. Matrix is," Power Girl told her working partner, "Kara gave up the title to become a Red Lantern and now I understand she's a White Lantern."
"Which means?" Jessica was skeptical, "I barely know what, why, and who are in the Lantern Corps much less what each Corps represents."
"Kara is a champion of life," Galatea was easily proud of her progenitor/sister, "As such, she controls every emotional spectrum except for death."
"This superhero crap is so confusing," Jessica complained.
"That part does get easier over time," Power Girl promised, "Or at least most of it."
Jessica face palmed herself. A load grinding sound permeated the space and Jessica had to ask, "What now?"
The blast doors detached from their recesses and went horizontal to seal the reactor control room. Jessica looked to Power Girl.
"You've got be kidding me," Power Girl was not amused.
"What are those," Power Ring asked.
"Blast shields meant to contain radiation and force should the reactor core overload or be damaged. The entire complex is laced with lead so I can't see what's happening in the corridors outside this space," Power Girl shared.
"What do you think they're doing?" Jessica inquired.
"Probably setting up a network of force fields and barricades to further seal us in if we should break out," Power Girl informed her, "Not to mention an army of marines."
"Are we breaking out?" Jessica wasn't certain she wanted to.
"Any hot second now," Power Girl promised.
Superman reached the bridge through the marine security detachment. The Dark Circle Acolytes and Disciples didn't want to surrender the vessel, choosing to scuttle it instead. But the conscripted Believers mutinied and shut the controls down as well as capturing their officer corps. Superman himself secured the communications center.
"I need you to deactivate the missile pods orbiting this world," Superman instructed.
"We can't," a glum Believer admitted, "Deployment, fire control, and disabling the weapons can only be done by the captain or executive officer."
"Let's see if I can persuade them to," Superman frowned.
Barda's boom tube delivered her, Supergirl, Wonder Woman and Killer Frost into the very bowels of the Dark Circle light cruiser. Despite a greater marine contingent on the heavy cruiser, Barda expected stiff resistance. And said as much.
"Why?" Artemis had to ask.
"The Dark Circle is the single largest stellar empire in this galaxy. They also control greater amounts of territory and resources in other galaxies. They can absorb losses we can't even imagine," Barda explained.
"And that includes troops," Killer Frost immediately understood.
"Let them come," Artemis growled.
"Shouldn't we go to them?" Supergirl wondered.
"Exactly," Barda agreed, "Matrix will accompany me to the nerve center controlling this battle wagon. Artemis, you and Frost will seize control of the power plant. When we control those strategic positions of power and control, we shall dominate them all."
"Just remember that Shadow Lad and the Talokians are waiting to take possession," Supergirl pointed out.
An explosion could be heard aft, nearer to the heart of the ship. Wonder Woman looked pleased, "Finally, maybe there is an actual challenge aboard after all."
"They're trying to scuttle," Barda knew, "Convince them otherwise."
"Are we taking prisoners?" Killer Frost sought clarification.
"I won't ask if you two won't tell," Barda offered.
"It is war," Supergirl interjected her approval.
Barda knew little of the woman named Matrix. She knew Supergirl was an artificial lifeform intended to battle Kryptonians. She knew Supergirl failed in a spectacular fashion. Her entire universe was sterile and dead. And it hadn't been an easy death.
Since coming to Earth, Supergirl had befriended Sharon Vance, the woman known as Strange visitor. And Sharon's death was still an open wound for Matrix. And Barda knew from experience that those kinds of wounds lent themselves towards extreme behaviors.
Cascade relied on Network to map where she could slide the two plus Cruiser. They'd been selected to commandeer the frigate. Network mapped out the locations of the security fire teams. Cascade used the information to steer Network along with her as she headed for the bridge. Cruiser tackled the reactor control room.
Network used her scepter sword to maximum effect. The telescoping blade was as lethal as the smart metal was beautiful. That accounted for one end of the hilt. The other end possessed an extendable lariat. Like the blade, it too was composed of metal so in essence could be used as a noose or a whip. Seeing their opportunity, the conscripted crewmen and women mutinied against their Believer and Acolyte overseers.
Cruiser used his telekinesis to repeatedly smash the core techs' skulls against the deck. Using the controls, he sealed the area. He emptied an emergency weapons locker and waited for the marines to breach the blast shields. As he controlled a dozen or so rifles and their replacement power packs, Cruiser knew it would be a short battle.
The destroyer was dealt with by Indigo's team. Finale came accompanied him to the bridge. After she slew the officers, the enlisted conscripts eagerly joined forces with the Sovereigns. Rampart and Reflex dealt with power plant. Rampart's forcefields served them in good stead while Reflex's near Speed Force velocities unmanned the service techs.
In short order, the Justice League and Sovereign Seven had captured all four vessels. Shadow Lad and his resistance compatriots eagerly took command. The conscripts willingly, for the most part, accepted their leadership. The dissenters were taken to the surface to await transportation to their respective home worlds. Messages began pouring in from other captive star systems. Revolts had begun as word of Talok VIII spread. Some failed but a majority of the peripheral worlds succeeded. Plans were underway to unite the captured warships and make a fighting advance towards Papal Center.
As Fighting American, Speedboy, and Freedom knocked out an individual Free Association body, the mental control over the remainder strengthened. And the trio began to realize that as Free Association's hive mind had fewer concerns, the better it was at fighting on a selective scale.
Finally, through arduous effort, Free Association's entire collective was unconscious. Mary Loo acknowledged once again why Johnny/Nelson Flagg was the Fighting American and she wasn't. And it had side benefits for her as well. Her wife had enough worries regarding Mary's new occupation as Freedom.
"Surrender, or we'll force the issue," Shield warned.
"Look, you idiot! These agents were mind controlled," Superwoman angrily retorted.
"Likely story. I'd tell it too," Black Hood pulled the bolt plunger on his AR-15.
War Eagle was growing restless as well. Web was blatantly agitated. Katana looked poised to begin killing anyone and everyone.
Guardian interposed himself before Superwoman, "Maj. Lan is speaking the truth. These men weren't in their right minds.
"They're right," Steel Sterling approached from behind the Mighty Crusaders and Suicide Squad, "I've been tasked with mopping up the periphery after providing internal security. Special Agent Strander had me scout the ops center. It's been ugly here."
"And why are you here again?" Fly Girl demanded to know.
"Waller isn't the only major threat to this country," Superwoman explained, "I've come to warn Gen. Latham of Gen. Lane's plans and their extent."
"Which is?" Fox wondered.
"The extermination of any meta or mystery operative not under his control," Superwoman answered.
"Which is why we're here too," Nightshade corroborated.
"I'm sorry I asked," Fox groaned.
KitCat and Kenny Wisdom began a general recall of all personnel not affected by Military Industrial Complex and Gross National Product. When they fell into unconsciousness, so too did their victims. The Shadow Crusaders took over the scene while Carol and her agents secured the prisoners and the medical staff triaged the fallen.
Shieldmaster assumed control of the group. Flag Bearer readily complied. The younger Web was more defiant. The Marvel and Press Guardian were akin to unruly children wanting to survey Liberty Station and Destruction Island in order to each score an exclusive story. Provided Latham didn't slap a media blackout over the whole affair.
Phantasm held a private conference with Latham and Gwen Cormaugh. Latham was incensed, "You'd better explain why you killed someone in my ops center. Several someones, actually."
"Phantasm is my agent, General," Gwen reminded him, "The MLJ and Task Force X enjoyed a mutual détente until now. My agent roster may be drastically reduced and I may be forced to tender my resignation but I'll be damned if I let you crucify any of them for doing their duty as I deem fit."
"Your facility and island grounds weren't secure. So I secured them alongside the rest of the squad," Phantasm's modulated voice sounded like her late father's so Latham had no clue he was addressing Andrea Beaumont under her concealing garb and armor plating. But he was all too aware of the scythe she wore as a glove over her right hand.
Gwen produced a large USB flash memory stick, "This provides all of the ciphers you'll need to get into ARGUS' restricted file archive vault. The drive is a specialty item developed by LuthorCorp. It's tech that isn't available to the public yet. Not that Joe Public would want to spend a thousand dollars a pop."
"That's what black budgets are for," Latham said wryly.
"What taxpayers and oversight don't know won't alarm them," Gwen agreed rather ruefully.
"But we couldn't operate otherwise," Phantasm reminded the agency director.
That statement reminded Gwen of something the director of the International Security Agency had told her when she attempted to resign to accept Waller's offer to join up with Task Force X. The Chief refused to accept the resignation. Instead she reminded Gwen of the oaths she'd taken first as a Constable in Cardiff and then as she joined the ISA. Task Force X was exactly the type of roguish operation the United Nations intended for the ISA to monitor and rein in. Barring restraint, the ISA would deal a literal blow to ARGUS.
"Most of my people earned clemency. The rest were volunteers that were never convicted of a crim," Gwen reported.
"Then they should be looking for an opportunity to serve," Latham opined.
"Some but not all," Gwen glanced at Phantasm.
"I can help you, General," Phantasm stated, "But I'll need autonomy and no questions ever asked."
"Define 'ever'," Latham insisted.
"Until the heat death of the universe and time as we understand it ends," Phantasm replied.
"That's very…specific," Latham looked towards Gwen for support. She didn't give him any.
"You'll get what you pay for," Phantasm promised.
"And what is the payment terms?" Latham asked dubiously.
"I've already given the to you. I want complete immunity for and all crimes I commit during my infiltration of ARGUS and afterwards," Phantasm explained.
"Will there be crimes?" Latham inquired.
"Just a few hundred of them not even including the dozens of murders and assassinations I'll undertake," Phantasm revealed.
"I'm not sure I can do that," Latham didn't like the conversation at all.
"War is hell. And this is war. If you haven't realized that yet, you've already lost," Phantasm warned.
"I'll discuss your terms with the President," Latham decided to deflect the decision making responsibility upwards.
"She's compromised. Every communication is monitored and every visitation strictly controlled. No one in Congress or the Cabinet can aid you either," Gwen cautioned him.
"And the military?" Latham had to know.
"Oblivious to the fact they no longer serve the Commander-in-Chief," Gwen told him.
"Time isn't on your side," Phantasm was getting irritable, "And you're so far behind you may be impotent at this point already."
"You can't have your consent," Latham made the hard choice, "I just can't condone this."
"I will find someone who will then," Phantasm guaranteed it.
Smoke enveloped Phantasm and then she was gone. Latham was startled, "The door is still closed and never opened. Same with the window."
"He is scary good," Gwen maintained Andrea's gender fiction.
And where did you find him?" Latham asked.
"That's classified. But he's from Gotham," Gwen supplied an answer.
"That certainly explains it," Latham grumbled, "Crazy is in the water."
Hangman sat down on Liberty Station's helipad. His crow scouted Destruction Island before entering the facility through one of its multiple breach points. When he was satisfied, Eric Adams summoned the crow to guide him within. It seemed he wasn't the only one needing to explain events.
Olivia McKay personally greeted Amanda Waller in the Oval Office, "Hello, Madam Secretary. Your appointment to Secretary of Meta-Human Affairs is contingent on your ability to provide safety to our citizens. So when I received word your Suicide Squad mounted a lethal attack upon the MLJ Initiative I had to doubt your capacity to do so. Interagency rivalry is as old as organized government but this won't be tolerated."
You're denying me my rightful role in this government?" Waller was incensed.
"Unless you can explain how super powered convicts managed to escape Belle Reeve without your knowledge. And in that case, I would demand your resignation," McKay shared, "A step I believe I'll simply skip."
Web Agents came from behind Waller and Agent Liberty revealed his hidden presence. Waller was close to losing her legendary composure, "The American people will begin a new revolution when they learn you're an alien in disguise,"
"And you honestly believe you'll ever leak that information?" McKay was amused, "Simply put, you don't have enough friends for that move."
"We'll see," Waller was angry now.
"And Gen. Lane is going to throw you not only a bus but bury you underneath it," McKay warned.
Waller was tirading at the Web Agents as they dragged her out of the White House. McKay turned to Agent Liberty, "Discreetly inform the members of the government they're safe for now and will be as long as I'm in office. Then locate Lane and all of Waller's former CADMUS allies."
"And when I and the Web Agency do?" Agent Liberty looked for a specific answer.
He didn't get it, "I want them under observation with extraction plans placed as a contingency," McKay instructed, "I want Lane isolated and without allies when he makes his eventual move."
"How did you get so good at these operations?" Agent Liberty wondered.
"I grew up during a civil war," McKay informed him, "And I should make it a point to teach you the Durlan version of 4D chess."
"I understand the 3D model. You have horizontal and diagonal with vertical. What's the fourth dimension?" Agent Liberty was understandably curious.
"Time," McKay revealed.
That gave Agent Liberty pause.
Hal Jordan and Kilowog set down before the entrance portico stretched out before the Hall of Justice. Kilowog saw that Hal created a conical device. And he swiftly understood its purpose as Hal spoke into the megaphone and it amplified his voice by several degrees.
"Come out Stewart. Face your justice," Hal commanded.
"Subtle," Kilowog grumbled, "Ya know they ain't gonna just let us take Johnny-Boy's power ring any more'n they're gonna let us force Jessica Cruz ta remove her Ring of Volthoom and replace it wit John's ring."
"The Guardians decreed it as their final order before they vanished," Hal reminded him.
"But dey were nuts. Ya gotta remember dey made ya First Lantern `bout that time too," Kilowog tried to jog Jordan's own memories with some unvarnished truth.
"The ring knows. They always know. Only John's stubbornness is keeping it with him," Hal insisted.
"Or da ring likes him," Kilowog replied.
"Never!" Hal snarled.
John and Shayera Hol stepped out together.
"Hiya, Shay! How's my fave Thanagarian?" Kilowog enthused.
"I'm well `Wog and going out of my mind with this pregnancy," Shayera happily informed him, "I can eat a food cart's entire inventory by myself these days."
"It still looks good on ya," Kilowog admitted.
"Everyone says I glow," Shayera was amused.
"You do," John assured her, "Why are you two here?"
"To arrest you and repossess your power ring," Hal was snippy.
"This true, Kilowog?" John asked.
"Yup. I got decades in da Corps an' I get turned inta a cosmic repo man," Kilowog complained.
"We need all the Lanterns we can get. So we need all the power rings we can get ahold of," Hal tried explaining.
It fell well and truly short of logic, "You need Lanterns so you're firing me?"
"It's nuts, right?" Kilowog was obviously unhappy with the present scenario.
"May I ask what I'm accused of?" John wanted to know.
"You're were condemned by a trial conducted by the Guardians of the Universe," Hal proclaimed haughtily. He seemed to think that settled the matter.
"But I wasn't able to defend myself before my accusers. Which happened to be the judges as well," John replied.
"Dereliction of duty," Hal was quite smug about it.
"And when was John, of all people, negligent in regards to his role as a Green Lantern?" Shayera was stunned by the accusation.
"He married you," Hal pointed at her, literally and figuratively.
"You're lucky I can't bash your skull right now," Shayera angrily grated.
"Try it," Hal taunted her.
Shayera plucked her ever present mace off her belt, "You self-righteous sonuvabitch."
"Easy, Shay. I got this," John promised.
"You're lucky, you bastard. And that's in insult to bastards," Shayera was still livid, "No wonder Carol dumped your ass."
"I left her!" Hal screamed.
His vehemence unnerved both Shayera and John. They'd literally never seen him lose control like that before. The Sapphire Queen's rejection of him might have actually unhinged him.
"My ring agreed with me that it should wait before leaving until another solution could be found for Jessica's recruitment," John shared. "And then it would still stay with me."
"That's a lie!" Hal actually lobbed spittle when he shouted.
"I won't say never, but not about this," John confessed.
"It ain't like der ain't any other rings ta choose from," Kilowog said sadly.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Shayera was concerned at her friend's despondency.
"The Green Lantern Corps consists of we three, Laira, and Jessica Cruz," Hal revealed.
"So, power rings are scouring the universe for new bearers and you want mine too?" John was incredulous.
"This is about Jess, isn't it?" Shayera remained an ace investigator, "And her ring."
"I need the Ring of Volthoom," Hal was irrational again.
"So you want the ability to terrorize the universe without begging Sinestro or Atrocitus for a ring," John got it all at once.
"Sinestro only has a handful of Fear Lanterns. So does Saint Walker and Indigo-1. They've got less than half dozen Blue Lanterns and Indigo Tribesmen.," Hal was happy to report.
"And Carol?" Shayera prodded him.
"Unfortunately the witch lives," Hal literally spat his rage.
"So it's two on one," Shayera pointed out.
"I ain't takin' sides here," Kilowog backed away.
Hal turned on him. The focused green energy of will shattered his power ring as Hal definitely proved he was insane. Kilowog and Johyn were still stunned.
Hal turned to face Shayera, "Maybe I should solve your motivational problem. Would appreciate that gesture, John?"
General Glory interposed himself between the First Lantern and his intended victim, "I don't know what you're capable of but I'm will to wager the Spirit of Lady Liberty will protect me from it."
"You're an imbecile," Hal was annoyed.
A giant green house fell on him. John was pleased with the effect but he knew it wouldn't last, "No, he's a friend."
Owlwoman and Jack O'Lantern pulled Shayera indoors. Owlwoman cautioned the Thanagarian, "Don't risk your pregnancy. We'll have John's back as well as yours."
"Damn right we will," Jack pledged.
Shayera caught Owlwoman's look of approval. The Native American had to have a weakness for Irishmen. She was surprised when his head caught fire.
"Liam, I don't know what to say," this came from Owlwoman before Shayera could express the same sentiment.
"You'll figure it. Ya always do," Flames licked out his body as he went outside to join with General Glory.
Owlwoman joined them as well, "I'll get Kilowog to safety."
"I've got ya, Wenonah," Jack promised. And Owlwoman actually believed in him at long last. Now she knew what to say to him but she was afraid he'd never believe her.
"Stargirl is in Manhattan with Mary Batson. We could certainly enjoy their combined power," General Glory mused.
"We got this, General. No one is hurtin' John and there ain't nuthin' getting' through us inta the Hall of Justice," Jack encouraged him.
Now General Glory knew why Owlwoman's feelings had definitely changed towards Jack O'Lantern. Liam McHugh wasn't the Jack O'Lantern his cousin, Daniel Cormac, had been. But now he was the Jack he needed to be. And everyone wanted him to be. Especially Wenonah Littlebird.
"Milady, the Dominators are trying to withdraw but Lady Kalea's force is preventing them from doing so," the chief of naval intelligence reported, "However the Khunds continue to press forward."
"It's little wonder there's n word in Khundia for 'retreat'," Maxima was displeased, "It's time to draw in our reserves."
"And what of the tenders?" the flag captain inquired.
"Captain, they're still protected by their escorts. I have little wonder that a squadron of pocket battleships can defend against whatever fragments of the Khund fleet that reach them."
"Milady," the intelligence chief touch his cochlear implant, "Lady Kalea is engaging in a most unorthodox tactic."
"She wouldn't be my daughter if she wasn't," Maxima sighed.
"We have confirmation," the flag captain reported, "Her fleet is engaging the enemy at point blank range."
"What?" erupted from Maxima's lips.
"She's ordered her force to utilize their point defense lasers and matter cannons," the captain explained, "Signal traffic indicates she will employ her missiles at that range."
"Heavens forfend," Maxima whispered in terror.
"Alert the fleet to fire at will. One salvo and then present as aspect change from port to starboard and fire for effect," Kalea instructed.
Hero knew Kalea-El's titles had been restored and that her leader was once again the Crown Princess. Hero had also followed Kalea on many successful forays during the war with the Gordanians. But she'd never been asked to willingly commit suicide under Kalea's watch. Maybe that day had arrived.
"Milady, their shields, our proximity has collapsed them," Her was in thunderstruck awe, "The missile strikes are tearing through the Dominator ships as if they were made of tissue."
"Dominators never share technology. But there were survivors who attested that their elctrostatics were weak at this proximity," Kalea explained.
"And if they retaliate?" Hero had to ask.
"The detonations would destroy them just as effectively as our own barrages," Kalea informed her, "And our superior point defenses will destroy any launches as soon as they clear the Dominators' launch tubes."
"Only a madwoman would have devised this strategy. But I'm more than happy you're insane," Hero felt relieved at a crushing weight lifting from her. She'd begun to think she'd have to relieve Kalea of command. A mixed problem given Kalea's dual Almeracian and Kryptionian heritages.
"So do I keep my command?" Kalea seemed very amused.
"Um…of course," Hero was ashamed at being so obvious.
Word came Maxima wanted to speak with her daughter. Hero was proactive, "Shall I clear the flag deck?"
"Why bother?" Kalea shrugged, "It won't be the first time I was chastised in public."
"Why would she criticize you in this moment of triumph?" Hero was stricken by the thought.
"Why indeed?" Kalea was extremely resigned to her fate. Hero wasn't.
Bekka and Guy's rings detected a broad stream transmission intended for all the Lanterns for word from Maxima and it seemed the empress finally deemed it necessary to speak with them.
The Star Sapphires' rings also alerted them to Maxima's summons. Miri Raim asked an obvious question, "Which command ship do we go to?"
"The crazy commander would be Kalea," Miss Bloss surmised.
"Making the larger fleet being led by Maxima herself," Race clarified.
"Will we attend?" Miri asked.
"Of course," Carol seemed very amused, "This meeting should prove…interesting."
No one disagreed. It could wrong in infinite ways. And probably would be.
The four Star Sapphires met the two Fear Lanterns in the dreadnought's boat bay. Guy leered at them all.
"It seems certain reactions are as immutable as the universe," Carol scowled at him.
"Where's the love?" Guy mocked her and her companions.
"Is there any way to prevent you from coming with me?" Bekka sneered.
"Hey, I'm all `bout cummin'," Guy sniggered, "And there ain't no way I ain't scopin' what Superman hit up."
"You're despicable," Race accused.
"Hell yeah!" Guy crowed.
"Is this an act or are you really this misogynistic?" Miri demanded to know.
Guy grabbed his crotch, "I got yer answer right here, Tootsie."
Race's ring flared to life, "I'd keep your distance or your 'answer' will disappear."
"Our escort has arrived, children," Bekka disdainfully informed the other Lanterns.
The Lanterns were led to Maxima's flag bridge. There she stood beside a life size hologram of her daughter. Bekka erupted with rage.
"Where are you hiding, coward?" Bekka shouted, "I will rip this armada apart until I find you."
"Boring," Kalea remarked as she looked to her Empress, "Would you?"
"Bekka, you know me from the time we shared in Supertown," Maxima jogged her friend's memory. When Kalea arrived over New Genesis she was playing a dangerous game designed to fool the Democratic forces and yet restore me to my throne. When the New Gods attacked, she responded in kind. Her assumption was that you were holding me rather than protecting me."
"Lies!" Bekka hissed.
"My daughter's frank honesty is as refreshing as it is irritating," Maxima admitted, "In every dealing have had with her from childhood on, she has never deceived me. She has instead made her positions and intentions plain. She doesn't prevaricate."
"I don't believe this," Bekka snarled, "She bombed my planet to hell and you had to flee and you're saying now that it was a misunderstanding?"
"It's a little more complicated. The forces under her command were sent to kill me. They were very dedicated to their cause," Maxima furthered her explanation, "How many died?"
"What?" that baffled Bekka.
"How many casualties did the forces or civilians of New Genesis suffer?" Maxima clarified.
"None," Bekka couldn't see the point.
"Do you really think Almerac's military is completely incompetent?" Maxima's tone was accusing.
"Barda said you were addled," Bekka snorted.
"If you think that, leave," Maxima commanded.
"What?" Bekka felt insulted.
"If you no longer deem me fit to defend my people, you should leave rather than insult your intelligence," Maxima was laying the imperious bit on thick.
"No, I don't think you're unfit. Maybe unwise. But that's a discussion for later after Almerac and her empire are safe," Bekka decided.
"Great," Carol interjected.
"Hey! I'm waitin' fer the frackin' cat fight. Ten on when everybody get knocked down, I'll pick `em up and they'll suck my dick outta gratitude," Guy boasted, "Or…"
"Stop while you still have your precious 'dick'," Race warned.
"Ya want some, sweetie?" Guy leered at her now.
"Gardner you give Yellow Lanterns a despicable name. And that's a pretty low bar to sink to," Miri was disgusted.
"Can we table this discussion, as fun as it is?" Miss Bloss redirected their attention back to Carol.
"Buncha lezbos," Guy muttered. After all, what woman could ever resist the Guy Gardner charm. Worked great in brothels.
"Kyle signalled me. The Kandorians are on the warpath. And it seems the attempt to recruit the Daxamites has failed," Carol informed the assemblage.
"So Rayner's still got a boner fer ya," Guy sniggered, "An' he's bangin' Supergirl."
"According to Sapphire law, Kyle and I will remain married until we die," Carol was irritated, "But we're each free to conduct our relations as we see fit."
Guy chortled, "So the kid can't ditch ya but he can sleep wit any skirt he wants ta chase."
"We must conduct rescue operations for the trapped and wounded," Maxima advised them all.
Maxima's military advisor joined them, "Milady, White Lanterns have appeared on Almerac. They foretell that the enemy will be upon us in just a few hours."
"This battle won't be fought in space," Kalea warned her mother, "It'll be on the ground and in the skies."
"Yo, prophetess. I'm so gonna hit you up when this is over," Guy boasted.
"Only if you want to die in the attempt," Kalea felt merciful.
"Why ya skank. I'm gonna make you gag on Guy meat," Guy raged,
"Easy, if anyone kills her it'll be me," Bekka warned him, "Don't provoke her."
"Do we even have time for this confab?" Kalea was dismayed.
"We can transport a vessel to Almerac," Carol informed Maxima, "Choose your best and brightest warriors."
"I also suggest we move the Home Fleet away to defend against other threats. We've lost enough ships today," Kalea added to the discussion.
"Let's do this then," Bekka was feeling hyper aggressive. Which said a lot.
The Lanterns opened the rift to bring Maxima home. Carol delivered the empress to Victory Square, stretching before the Royal Palace. Within the palace Maxima was the executive, the Council of Advisors and Imperial Senate served as a legislative branch, and the newly reconstituted Tribunal functioned as the supreme judiciary. They'd been alerted to Maxima's impending arrival. The Grand Vizier stood in place of the Council and the Chief Justice had arrived outside to show the Tribunal's endorsement. Traditionally Almerac loved a wartime liege. So the Empire rarely avoided conflict.
The Star Sapphires descended from the skies along with the Fear Lanterns. Most were dismayed at the sight of Guy and Bekka's arrival. Kyle met Carol on her approach to Maxima.
"Seems like old times," he tried to sound positive.
"It does," Carol sighed. Hal Jordan had been the dream man of Carol's youth. The evil Carol had selected Kyle because of kindness, compassion, and artistry. It was the choice Carol herself, now freed of the star sapphire's influence heartily agreed with. She'd been in control of her mind and heart when she married Kyle. It was just tragic he'd chosen Kara In-Ze over her.
"Is this going to an issue?" Kyle asked.
"What issue?" Carol was stalling.
"You and me. Me and Kara," Kyle forced her back into the conversation.
"Kyle, it hurts me every day that you left Zameron. That you left me," Carol confessed, "But I can pull up my big girl pants and work with both of you. I don't like it but maybe I'll learn to someday."
"God, it's no wonder they keep making you the Sapphire Queen," Kyle was in awe of his wife.
"Despite my many protests and repeatedly handing the title over to successors," Carol was rueful.
"No one else can do it like you," Kyle observed, "Or at least for now."
"But when does 'someday' finally arrive?" Carol grudgingly asked.
"When it does," Kyle shrugged.
"So much for your brilliant wisdom," Carol complained. But she did feel better and more relaxed with Kyle again. Maybe they just needed a periodic crisis to reunite them. Or maybe he could just show up on his own initiative.
"Carol?" Kyle seemed intrigued with her for some reason. She didn't mind, "Hm?"
"Have you gotten…younger?" Kyle hesitant to ask.
'What?' Carol had the star sapphire conjure her image so they could both see it. Carol was shocked. She'd been in her forties, ten years older than Kyle, when they bonded. Now she was distinctly younger than him. She was nearly a teenager again. And the power gem confirmed it. But wouldn't reveal why. Though Carol had her suspicions.
"I had no idea," Carol said softly.
"I think we both know what did it. But why?" Kyle wanted to know.
"I think it's about you," Carol sadly admitted.
Kyle was dumbstruck.
Kara met up with Kalea as she stood back from her mother's briefing the heads of state. Of course, Kalea heard the approach. Even though Galatea deemed Kara a younger sister after the two reconciled, Kalea wasn't so chummy.
"I understand you and Clark reconciled," Kara broke the brief silence.
"Of a sort," Kalea replied, "We still differ on methodology."
"These things tend to take time," Kara reassured Kalea, "Galatea says the same things about him."
"Someday never comes as fast as we wish it to. Only as fast as its arrival is needed," Kalea remarked, "Or easily because a cheap victory is actually a defeat."
That degree of insight startled Kara. She knew despite Kalea's appearance of inching out of her teens, she was really only nine years old. Almeracians' tremendously runaway growth spurt during puberty frequently left emotional health behind. Maxima had revealed to Clark she'd only been fifteen years old when she kidnapped to make him her mate
Kara's own observations of Kalea's bitterness and impetuousness in regard to seeking revenge was that Kalea's efforts were epically legendary. And the galaxy was abuzz regarding her wartime efforts. Kalea's own ambition to restore Maxima to the throne had led the Justice League into what had loosely been dubbed the Crisis on Multiple Earths. The JLers involved had visited three parallel reality before returning to their own Prime Universe. And from there, Kalea took them to Almerac where she toppled the very regime she'd helped install. Victory had been almost decisive but Kalea had killed its leader, her lover, Marcus.
Rumor had it that Kalea rarely spoke his name if ever. And no courtesan reported any sign of her grieving. Yet, Kara's mastery of all the emotional spectrums gave her insight into Kalea's heart through her white power ring. And Kalea, all for her stoic façade, had a heart so broken, Kara wondered if it would ever truly heal.
And as even Clark had seen, Kalea had a touch of madness. Her insanity was focused on serving Almerac's empress and the dictates of Almerac's security concerns. Maxima had to know. Yet she'd reinstated Kalea as her heir. The question simply was: when Maxima was no longer alive, would Kalea burn the empire down?
"You're full of surprises today," Kara stated.
"Never underestimate being surprising. It keeps you alive in the face of dangers from every front. And everyone you know," Kalea said offhandedly.
That degree of cynicism was frightening. It also explained why Galatea was so close to Kalea. Kara saw both as extended family. So she would help in any way she was allowed to. If Galatea was a former foe turned friend, then Kara could spare no effort in cementing her own relationship with Kalea. The worst that could happen is they would be enemies yet again.
Ultraman and Ultragirl led the Kandorian force to a planet with an atmosphere that could support Kryptonian life. Ultraman addressed the crowd. Telepathically coached by Saturn Queen at some distance, Ultraman spoke but it was her voice they heard.
"The Lanterns fled before you! Almerac will soon be a wasteland and their empire will be yours. And like Krypton of old, you will enslave empires," Ultraman orated.
Ultragirl found Saturn Queen's message boorish. Krypton's racial prejudices had crippled the Kryptonian empire and forced them back from the universe to a doomed planet. In her universe, even Argo had been forsaken.
Still, the race would go on in New Krypton. There Ultraman would lead them as Saturn Queen's puppet. And Ultraman and Ultragirl could breed a new species from the ashes of the Earth-3 universe. Kara Zor-L looked forward to becoming Kara Kal-L. And let the genetic imperatives that forbade such close familial unions be damned. Abominations had been born from such unions in ages past. Ultragirl didn't care if descendants were monsters. Monsters were survivors.
Eve Aries, the infamous Saturn Queen, surveyed the Thanagarian landscape. The entire planet's infrastrucre had been devastated long before her arrival. Having reprogrammed Laira Omoto into being a dutiful slave, the Green Lantern was assisting Thanagarian survivors. And refugees the galaxy over were returning home in convoys.
Even the Shrike Queen of Thanagar herself had escaped Gordanian custody after the lizards' horrific losses before Almerac, the Khund Empire, and the Dominators. Where Thanagarians had faced extinction, the Gordanians literally were extinct now. Or didn't have the numbers to viably reproduce enough genetically stable enough population without crippling mutations drove them into actual extinction. So it really was all the same.
The telepathic plugs she'd stolen from the Legion of Superheroes received her mental broadcasts as projected through technology. Poor Kal-L didn't know he was not transmitting her messages but also her hypnotic powers. After all, he simply wasn't that persuasive with anyone other than his degenerate cousin. Her thoughts were always pornographic. She'd have Ultraman kill Ultragirl as soon as her usefulness wore off.
On Daxam, Fatality, Saint Walker, and Munk stared death in the face. Quite literally. The charges to their respective Corps rings had worn off hours before and the Daxamites had well prepared for any form of Lantern. The damping fields they'd employed drained the rings early. And with inability to muster enough power to retrieve their power batteries, they were helpless before the aggressors dominating this culture.
A purer definition easily labelled Daxam's population as being xenophobic. But that hatred and fear of other races extended to hysteria. And Lanterns were seen as the epitome of detestable and intrusive aliens. Fatality had unwittingly sentenced her comrades to death by urging them to accompany her here.
Lar Gand was a rarity amongst Daxamites. He was not only an intrepid explorer but he embraced and celebrated the cultures he visited. His deeds as Valor resonated throughout the galaxy. And they would so until he escaped Glorith's banishment in the Phantom Zone. Having arrived in the 31st Century, Valor would change his moniker to M'Onel to deflect the overwhelming hero worship he witnessed.
Lar Gand's one spot of hope would be his distant relative, Laurel Gand. Laurel was named after Lar Gand's cousin. And Laurel had served in the Legion of Superheroes as Valoria even before M'Onel's eventual arrival. But when Valor "died" Valoria joined him. Saturn Queen knew Laurel Gand better as Andromeda. And Laurel, Ayla Ranzz, and Salu Digby had been Kara In-Ze's closest friends during her own tenure with the LSH. After Kara left that era at Brainic 5's request, Laurel shared her own unrequited love for Brainy with him. And so, history was made.
But even in the 21st Century, the Laurel of that time was an expeditious soul. She saw how corrosive to the soul bigotry was. And she led a covert band of fellow rebels seeking to alter their planet's destiny by first altering its perceptions of anything non-Daxamite.
"Look, "I'm not going to just stand here and let our people sacrifice what's left of their souls to Darkseid. I was on Earth after he seized control of the population's minds. If my cousin, Lar, had been with us maybe he would've been able to resist the mad god," Laurel Gand lectured the Resistance in its entirety, "Now, we did learn something from that tragedy. Yellow, orange, and green suns give us unbelievable abilities. And these prototype yellow solar harnesses will give us the power to rescue the Lanterns."
"But we only have three harnesses. And one is wonky," Sev Ur complained.
"We each had the power to crack planets in half under yellow suns. Twice as much under green and half as much exposed to orange stars," Laurel said scornfully, "I think it won't take two of us to shake the tribunal and the entire praetorian guard."
"We'll have the element of surprise," Susa Parka complained, "They all think we're too stupid to work these systems."
"They may be right," Varden Ru was their chief engineer.
"I can't afford to hear that now," Laurel growled.
"We have only one unit completely operational," Varden winced, "Each prototype is different requiring different operations to activate and maintain them. Another is partially activated and the third might as well be an ingot."
"I'll take the operational harness. Support me however you can," Laurel attached the armor-like harness.
The suit powered up and trace lines of solar energy emitted visible light. The conduits served as both internal emitter and external solar cell. The conversion from red sunlight to yellow was boosted by internal renewable fusion cells.
"Gods, what a rush!" Laurel enthused, "Here I go. Try and keep up."
"What is that?" Saint Walker asked from his X frame he was wire bound to.
"I believe it is a person flying towards us," Munk observed.
"It's a Daxamite," Fatality realized.
"She isn't wearing a flight pack," Munk stated.
"And are those lines yellow?" Saint Walker felt his hope spring up again.
As Laurel landed, cracking the permacrete beneath her feet, Fatality grinned, "Indeed they are."
"Give me a moment to free you," Laurel requested, "I'm still absorbing energy to reach my maximized potential. But first I have to speak to the Magistrate and Judges. My people across Daxam also need to hear this."
Dozens of holo cameras flew to her. Knowing she had a planetary audience, Laurel began her address, "Citizens, hear me! We lived peaceable, if isolated, lives before Darkseid found us. I won't debate his deity. Instead I want to address a simple point."
"Daxam was settled by Krypton. Our ancestors mutated because of the environmental conditions native to our world. Krypton ostracized us due to our 'genetic deficiencies'. And for a millennium we stood alone. Krypton died but we survived. And maybe other Kryptonian offshoots did as well," Laurel hypothesized.
Fatality, Saint Walker and Munk exchanged rueful glances as Laurel continued, "How would we greet such strange visitors? Indeed, how will we respond to the galactic powers blockading our solar system? They aren't entering to invade our planet. Nor are they destroying our own colonies within the system. Neither do they steal from us. They are self-sufficient and they've left us our own independence in every avenue except extraplanetary travel. And except for my cousin, no one has left Daxam to reach beyond our own system for a thousand years."
"So we have the ability to choose our destiny. Will we stand apart? Will we give the outsiders provocation to destroy us? We must decide, each and every one of us. But I've already made my choice. I stand in the spirit my cousin obeyed when he left Daxam and went out into the stars beyond. And that choice means I free these Lanterns," Laurel snapped the wires pinning the Lanterns to their posts.
"Stop them!" the Magistrate's amplified voice roared.
Streams of plasma spewed forth from hundreds of rifles. Laurel intercepted each bolt blocking it each and every one. Then, still moving at ultra speed, she disarmed the assembled pacifiers. They reached for the sidearms only to find they too were already confiscated.
The guards charged the arena. Laurel was annoyed, "Really?"
In a whir, she punched every guard. Laurel looked back at the housing the Magistrate and the Tribunal, "Do you really want to do this? I could kill every person sent after me but I choose to let them live. But you? I don't have to be merciful if you continue to threaten us."
The three Lanterns were grateful to be included. Saint Walker interrupted the heated one-sided debate, "My lords and lady, may I be indulged?"
They nervously acquiesced so he pressed on, "We came not as invaders or enforcers but to plea with you for your assistance."
"We recognize the emotional and political duress you endure," Munk took over, "To end these ongoing oppressions you must prove yourself to the galaxy beyond that you no longer pose a threat to their safety and security. Indeed, you could and should ally yourself with them. The benefits would be without reckoning and you would still retain your sovereignty and secure your borders against unwelcome visitors."
"Xa'al knows we don't want to force you into anything, except sparing our lives and granting us our freedom. But another Kryptonian colony has been found. Almerac dealt them a lethal blow but the survivors gathered on the Thanagar under the rule of a criminal from the future. She had played to the Kandorians' desire for revenge. But they won't simply stop with Almerac and its empire. They, under Saturn Queen's guidance, will conquer the known universe," Fatality explained.
The Magistrate looked stunned, "We knew of Kandor and its so-called 'New Krypton'. They were a penal colony. Like Daxam, they would have been excluded from Krypton's decree recalling every colonist. And legend has it they were the worst of Krypton's criminals not quite deserving of death."
"Krypton developed a device called a Phantom Zone projector. It would shift an orbital prison into this nether region beyond our dimension," Saint Walker revealed, "Saturn Queen knows this. And the assemblage of criminals from universes beyond ours could also be interned there."
"Saturn Queen knows the designs behind the projector," Munk divulged, "So she may have already begun harvesting 'talent' from the zone."
"I must confer with my advisors," The Magistrate's voice ground, "I will have your accursed power rings restored to you. But do not abandon my world as your kind are wont to do in a crisis."
The Magistrate excused himself while the Tribunal oversaw their "prisoners". Fatality looked to Laurel, who stood by to protect them if necessary, "Thank you. But what the hell was that about?"
"Before there were many Lantern Corps, the Green Lanterns enforced the Guardians' will. They didn't like us very much. Their attacks and plundering left us devastated every generation," Laurel described the history.
"The Guardians recently went mad and faded from our plane of existence," Munk felt pity for the Daxamites' continually tragic history.
"But we fear the road to insanity was very long and very drawn out. We're beginning to hear more and tales like your society's," Yrra Cyvil admitted.
"And who are you? And what Corps and emotion do you each represent?" Laurel had to wonder.
"My birth name is Yrra Cyvil but I'm called Fatality because I'm the only survivor of the death of my world. It was destroyed by a Green Lantern. I represent the Star Sapphires and their power derives from Love," she shared.
"I could see that," Laurel admitted.
"I am Saint Walker," he saw this amused Laurel, "I lead the Blue Lanterns and we embrace Hope."
"And I am Munk," he declared, "I belong to the Indigo Tribe and our light is that of Compassion, the rarest spectrum of all. And who may ask are you?"
"I'm Laurel Gand, freedom fighter extraordinaire," she smirked.
"Our freedom, at least," Munk murmured.
"You wouldn't happen to be related to Lar Gand?" Fatality asked.
"He's my cousin!" Laurel enthused, "Have you heard of him?"
"The entire galaxy has, sweet child," Saint Walker was happy to report, "He is a beacon of hope renowned throughout known space."
"His battle to rescue captives being experimented on by the Dominators was an act of compassion that has become legendary amongst the saved," Munk was also pleased to share.
"And his deeds of love as the hero now known as Valor have inspired trillions of sentients," Fatality happily reported.
"Valor? Even we've heard of him. I had no idea he was Lar," Laurel was awestruck, "But what became of him? Why hasn't he returned? He would be an example of what my people should be."
"He…vanished," Fatality was loathe to admit.
"What kind of 'vanish' are we discussing?" Laurel was dismayed.
"He was simply wiped from existence by a gloved hand from beyond," Saint Walker told her the dismal news.
"But we have reasons to believe the deed was committed by one of two temporal beings. The competing beings are the Time Trapper and Glorith, who once served him. But his power waned as hers increased. And the Time Trapper once possessed such power as to shave off a moment of time and create his own pocket universe," Munk revealed.
Fatality and Saint Walker had unaware of that information until then.
Anthony Gallo was the single most powerful gambling concessions franchiser in Las Vegas and Reno. Which simply meant he was the top crook in Nevada. Originally from Metropolis, Gallo still wore a kryptonite ring to ward off either Superman or Power Girl. Or both simultaneously.
Gallo had gone west to seek his fortunes. Especially after Guardian and Gangbuster had shattered his east coast rackets. Even the damn Newsboy Legion and Little Boy Blue and the Blue Boys had a part in his downfall. A downfall Intergang wouldn't forgive or forget.
But how could he win when even friggin' children were after him. Gallo had to admit kidnapping Little Miss Redhead had been low even for him. But with the Syndicate Underground fighting for its life against Intergang, power vacuums had developed in the landscape. Voids he was more than happy to fill.
Pirate Blue and Henry Ballard were too busy niggling over worthless territories for the mere prestige it seemed to momentarily offer to notice that Gallo had carved a sizeable chunk of the southwest and his people were loyal because he'd preserved their seeming independence and prosperity.
The Syndicate Underground would take the blame for the Julia Sazia debacle. In truth, Gallo had hired the mercenaries and assassins through the Global Concern. Dr. Zadar was more than happy to outsource to anyone willing to pay despite his organization's close ties with the Syndicate Underground.
Domino, or Ariel Pryde, was more than happy to assign contractors to a hit that belied Pirate Blue's interests. But Pirate Blue had established some autonomy away from Brain Emperor's Evil Brain Trust. Her loose association with the mentalist often proved detrimental to her business schemes. Brain Emperor needed Pirate Blue's cash and infrastructure. In turn, Pirate Blue required the Global Concern's freelancers on occasion.
But Gallo didn't need any of them. And he certainly didn't need the hierarchal Intergang 100 and 1000. Besides the fact that Intergang wanted his life, Gallo definitely want to be a 1000 member peon again. He'd become a major crime lord in his own right. Reverting back to a district or regional manager just gagged him.
Fortunately he had certain "understandings" with the LVPD and the resident vigilante, Blackjack. And when his stooges got uppity, the cops or Blackjack reined them in. Usually with an excess of punches, kicks, or even bullets. Which all suited Tony Gallo.
The Outlaws regrouped at the League of Assassins safe house and staging area. Knave and Ravager found the hidden door that led to a basement filled with weapons, training equipment, and up to date digital interfacing equipment to give a user global access. The others were equally annoyed with Red Hood for not revealing the effects earlier.
"I swept the room," Conner's hand held device read negative, "There aren't any active bugs or cameras here."
"That won't last," Emiko warned, "The League hardly grants access to their facilities without monitoring the users."
"And we know there'll be a heavy price for being here," Mia was understandably apprehensive.
"I thought you and Nyssa had a falling out," Beryl admitted.
"Maybe they kanoodled and all was forgiven," Rose snickered knowing Nyssa was a very out lesbian.
Jason decided now was the moment to share a few things. Things that were vital to their mission. And they certainly couldn't be hidden anymore.
"Dinah disbanded the Leagues," Jason referred to Dinah Lance, the current Ra's al Ghul and Nyssa's wife, "But she's rebuilding everything along specific lines. Lines Nyssa agrees with. And as the Demon's Hand, Nyssa enforces the Demon's Head's dictates."
Mia was still disturbed by Black Canary's seeming change of ethos, "But you're saying the Outlaws are Nyssa's scheme?"
"No," Beryl interjected, "He's saying he concocted this endeavor With Dinah and Nyssa's complete support. Material support as well as personnel, I assume."
Jason was annoyed with Beryl once again. As Red Robin she'd assumed control over the Teen Titans despite her hiding her identity and gender from them. Even after her deception was broken by Beast Boy, the Titans had blindly continued to follow her. But the Teen Titans had been massacred and it took Jason's expertise and past affiliations with Batman, the Outsiders, and the League of Assassins to get the survivors to safety. He didn't even dare mention the White Rabbit.
"My mother, Shado, is a mortal nemesis of Lady Shive," Emiko reminded Jason, "If the Demon's Head is rebuilding the Leagues then she does so with Shiva's support. And if the vaunted League of Shadows and its arm, the League of Assassins, are vulnerable, Shado and her rallies will strike them."
"I can guess who stayed to fight for Black Canary and Nyssa Raatko," Rose shared, "And they're a few steps away from being geriatric in this game."
"I bet Black Bat will go on a recruiting drive," Jason shared.
"Or get the hell out of Dodge," Conner quipped.
"I rather doubt Cassandra is the type to retreat, after meeting her," Beryl said.
"Remember, there were reasons why the last Ra's excommunicated his eldest daughter," Emiko stated the painful truth, "As well as her younger sister doing so when Talia rose to the throne. There is the simple fact Dinah Lance is the new Ra's is simply because Nyssa mounted a revolution to place her in that position."
"Which makes Nyssa the proverbial Grey Cardinal," Beryl mused.
"My little brainiac is so sexy," Rose chuckled as she saw the reference fall flat.
"Which means we need to prepare for the whole operation to implode," Conner advised.
"And prep for Nyssa to come after us next," Rose added to the conversation, "Hey? What? Treachery is a lifestyle."
"She is quite correct," Emiko agreed, "As you are well aware of, Jason."
Jason knew his activities with the Outsiders and White Rabbit would haunt him.
"I did what needed to be done," Jason stiffly replied.
"We could bicker all day," Beryl stepped again, "But we need to have confidence. In ourselves and each other otherwise the enemies we face down will destroy us after dividing us. And we will destroy our selves and each other without provocation."
"Why aren't we following her rather than him?" Mia demanded to know.
"Probably because she hasn't asked for the job," Conner shrugged.
"Look, my connections gave us access to a network of these facilities," Jason inwardly groaned at where the conversation had led, "Let's use them while we still can and select our targets and then do what we need to do."
"In other words, deriding your polite speak, we kill them until they're dead," Rose relished the thought.
"There is that too," Beryl conceded.
"That is why I joined you," Emiko confessed, "Twice already."
Jason's secure mobile buzzed and he checked the message, "Damn. Sazia has a secondary target for us."
"Who, pray tell?" Beryl wondered.
"That Blackjack guy. Seems he's in Gallo's pocket," Jason shared.
"So a bad guy playing the good guy," Conner smirked.
"Kinda trumps our supposed good guys playing definite bad guys," Mia sarcastically quipped.
"Or, he could simply be playing the same part as we," Emiko suggested.
"Sazia's on a tangent. She wants to clean up Intergang and remake it in her image," Rose observed.
"And Knightfall wants to burn Intergang to the ground," Beryl recalled.
"You'd think Sazia could content herself with Boston and Knightfall could settle for Gotham," Mia complained.
"Intergang undoubtedly thinks Knightfall will utilize her policing program to give them unlimited access to cities under her protection," Jason told them, "Sazia isn't stupid. Aggressive and ambitious to a fault, yes. But her proximity to Knightfall will endanger Knightfall."
Rose used her right eye to meet Beryl's two. Jason was revealing himself. The connection that he'd established with Knightfall had been seen to pique her interest. It seemed Red Hood reciprocated Charise Carnes' attraction. Then again, Charise infamously bedded two men simultaneously. Could Jason adapt and accept such a role? Or could he love her enough to happily join in the merriment?
"Do we accept the contract?" Beryl broke the confused silence. It was up to Jason to share his personal life as he saw fit.
"Undoubtedly," Emiko spoke first.
"Why not?" Conner asked.
"It'll be a challenge of a sort and I never back away from a challenge," Rose admitted. That trait had led to dubious choices in service with her father. Moral ambiguity didn't begin to cover those situations.
"Why the hell not?" Mia sounded defeated.
"I make it a quorum," Beryl agreed at last.
Jason noted the hesitation however subtle it had been. Beryl frequently had difficulty with the hard way. He decided to look further into her past before she'd become Red Robin. Her days as the Squire should prove invaluable to his interest and understanding off her.
Blackjack observed the League home in his civilian guise. Had hadn't been able to close further than half a mile after being briefed on Rose's metagifts. A bookie had loaned him the home he sat atop of in exchange for a few collection details.
Blackjack knew the Outlaws were considered criminals but could the mercenaries be playing at being double agents? God knew he walked that line. The LVPD was in Gallo's pocket. In order to freely operate in Vegas he had to court both sides of the law. It worked to perfection and confused the hell out of crooks targeted by Gallo or the cops. Usually by both.
He was using his telescope to keep tabs on the home while surfing property records with his tablet. He nearly fell off of the rooftop when he learned Talia Head had transferred the deed to LexCorp. When she left the top job, Mercy Graves sold it to an Arabic holding. After three dozen transfers through shell companies, the title was now held by Nyssa Raatko. And that name nearly gave him a heart attack.