Chapter 11.
WASHINGTON, D.C.
(MAY 27, 1968)
"We traced the demonstration of the Danner Formula derivative to a Russian army field hospital in Sinkiang," reported Larry Lance. "About twenty-five miles east of Urmuchi, the capital city. The North Vietnamese army officers in attendance were to be shown its effectiveness by a fight-to-the-death. Between an unarmed Spetsnaz commando. . .and a man-eating Siberian tiger. The tiger lost. Miserably!"
"And what were you two doing, while this was going on?" asked Major Eiling.
"Absconding with every test tube of the formula we could carry," replied Slade Wilson. "The rest we left behind. . .along with a time-delay satchel charge."
"I see. Any collateral damage?"
Wilson shook his head. "No, sir."
"Not with the help provided by our new Moscow asset," added Lance.
Eight years later, he brought that asset (and their seven-year-old daughter) over to the United States.
"Do you, Quentin Lawrence Lance, take Lorelei Circe to be your lawful wedded wife?"
"I do."
* * * * *
STAR CITY, OHIO
(JUNE 17, 1982)
The examination was conducted in the padded cell of the local hospital's psychiatric ward. But, only because high-pitched screams were not an uncommon occurrence, there! Ergo, Carolyn Lance and her father were hiding in plain sight. At least, for the time being.
"Well, Doc?" asked the private detective.
Dr. Clark Savage, Junior looked him square in the eye.
"You said your wife once worked for the KGB, posing as an operatic soprano?"
Larry Lance nodded.
"And that the initial mutation was an unforeseen side-effect of using the Danner Formula to strengthen her throat muscles?"
Another nod.
"Well, then based on the available evidence? I'd have to say that a good portion of that formula was metabolized by Mrs. Lance while she was pregnant with your daughter. Resulting in Carolyn genetically inheriting that same ability!"
Lance's eyebrows arched higher than a McDonald's logo. "Good Lord! That means. . ."
It was now Savage's turn to nod. "Yes. What happened during the argument at Carolyn's thirteenth birthday party could happen again. Unless you'd be willing to let me train her the same way I was trained! Which is to say, in mental-strengthening disciplines like yoga and transcendental meditation."
Lance had only to mentally picture the wheelchair-bound form of his wife in order to mutter his approval.
* * * * *
WASHINGTON, D.C.
(JUNE 17, 1990)
". . .to defend the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic," recited Lt. General Eiling. "Human or superhuman."
". . .to defend the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic," repeated Carolyn. "Human or superhuman."
"So help you, God."
"So, help me, God."
Whereupon, Eiling smiled and shook hands with the young woman.
"Welcome to Task Force X, Agent Lance."
SAN HIDALGO, GUATEMALA
(JANUARY 1, 1993)
"Happy New Year, Dr. Savage."
The Man of Bronze opened his eyes, and sat up in bed, in less time than it takes to tell.
"Nice try. But, I'm the one who _taught_ you how to disguise your voice. Remember?"
"Oh, yes," replied the Batman. "Just as I also remember that it was the work you did with Otto Schimmel, during the Fifties, that allowed Amy Franklin to keep Titano in a cryogenic coma. Up until seven years ago, that is."
Clark Savage, Jr. sprang to his feet. The angriest of glares on his usually impassive face.
"Then, you should also remember that I _resigned_ from Task Force X- -voluntarily and permanently- -because of that fiasco!"
To describe the ensuing silence between these two living legends as "strained" would have been putting it mildly. But, out of deference to a former mentor, the Dark Knight decided to be the proverbial bigger man.
"I'm sorry. I truly didn't come down here to reopen old wounds. I came to recruit you for a mission of mercy. There's a badly injured young woman, in Gotham City, who could greatly benefit from your surgical skills. As well as your cryogenic expertise."
The Man of Bronze instantly searched his eidetic memory.
"Christine Conway? The so-called 'Ice Princess?' "
Batman nodded. Prompting "Doc" Savage to ruefully grin.
"Where'd you park the VTOL?"
GOTHAM CITY (JUNE 29, 2001)
The armored figure looked at Batman. "How do you know about the task force?"
The Dark Knight literally did not even blink. "A giant mutated gorilla told me. Mr. . .?"
"Sergeant," the former corrected, "Sergeant Steeljacket. At your service."
"If you truly are military," retorted Batman, ". . .then leave. Immediately! Under the Posse Comitatus Act, you have no authority to arrest anyone on non-Federal property."
But, the armored figure would not budge; literally or otherwise.
"Special exception, Caped Crusader. This head-hunting E.T. is coming with me. No if's and/or but's about it."
The Dark Knight pretended to be considering this as he turned to his right, while covering his mouth with his left gauntlet.
"Robin, you in position, yet?"
"One more second."
"Let fly when you have a good shot."
"Affirmative."
While this terse conversation was going on, "Sgt. Steeljacket" was carefully bending down to pick up the Predator like it was a newborn baby. But, even with the enhanced servo-mechanical musculature, built into the suit, it was not proving as effortless as lifting a gunnysack full of feathers! Which is why the Predator's regaining of consciousness, at that particular moment, was very inconvenient (to say the least).
"I would much rather stay here, thank you."
Everyone froze at the utterance of this statement from the Predator. Especially, "Agent Dixon Hill," as he had recognized that distinctly feminine voice.
"Sela!" he whispered.
tbc
Just in case you were wondering?
I picture Sergeant Steeljacket (my version of Rocket Red) to resemble Hugh Jackman's prize-fighting robot from "Real Steel." Except he can fly like Iron Man and is painted red-and-white!
"Carolyn Lance" was a character on the ABC one-season wonder called "Birds of Prey." Loosely based on the DC comic book, of the same name, and first telecast back in the Nineties.
Amy Franklin: the fictional scientist played by Linda Hamilton in KING KONG LIVES! (1986).
Christine Conway: an in-joke reference to the ill-fated hostage in BATMAN RETURNS (1992).
