23
Penny brought the Invisible Jet over the target area. Opening the bomb bay doors, she allowed Green Lantern to transport the team to the affected site below. Spy Smasher met them when they landed.
"Whoever attacked the Legion, they did significant structural damage as well as rack up an impressive body count. We're still collecting, tagging, and bagging," she reported, "Some of the perps aren't even in ARGUS' files."
"Try the DEO," Plastic Man suggested, "The Invisible Jet can relay a connection to you."
"The FAA approved an orbital flight plan for your jet over the Gulf," Spy Smasher told them, "How long can the bird stay aloft?"
"Roughly eight hours," Shayera informed her.
"We might be here dealing with this mess longer than that," Spy Smasher warned everyone, "Your pilot might want to start scheduling an aerial refueling."
"I'll let her know," Shayera promised, "Now, I need your agents and forensics teams to report in here to me. Col. Trevor has new orders for them and I'm here to enforce them."
"I'm on it," Spy Smasher guaranteed her.
"Maybe we should call you 'Commander' rather than Lt. Hol," John teased Shayera.
"You do that Sgt. Stewart," Shayera replied. John was the one person that could reference her past in Thanagarian Military Intelligence without getting sideswiped by her Nth metal mace. And he was the only person she knew that would make light of her role as an infiltrator. Times had certainly changed.
In an upscale condo in Gotham's Burnside District, Jaina Hudson spoke with the personification of her subconscious, the White Rabbit, "He won't agree to it."
"So, who needs him?" White Rabbit argued, "We have alternatives. If Waller can't be persuaded to our point of view, then we can approach Black Canary. She runs the League of Shadows now."
"But has she managed to gain complete control of the League of Assassins?" Jaina wondered.
"Nyssa married her," White Rabbit reminded her, "She won't let anything happen either to her wife or the new Ra's al Ghul."
"Yes, Dinah Lance is undoubtedly learning it's good to be both the king and the queen," Jaina assessed.
"Nyssa Raatko is in bed with our cause," White Rabbit pointed out, "Black Canary must have similar leanings to have married Nyssa and take over for Ra's al Ghul."
"Who everyone thought was Talia al Ghul," Jaina shuddered at the thought.
"Look, I'll contact Nyssa and get her on the case," White Rabbit offered.
"I'll look in on Grayle Hudson and Tim Drake," Jaina announced, "The poor boy is just starting to recover from his ordeal."
"It was made worse by Brucie tossing him away like garbage," White Rabbit reminded Jaina, "And the only person he still allows to visit Wayne Manor is Veronica Vreeland. He's a serious suck wad."
Jaina knew she was pushing to free Jaina from her infatuation with Bruce Wayne. White Rabbit had already shaken loose of her own crush on Batman. Things had reached a tipping point now that Jaina hadn't been allowed to see Bruce for several weeks.
"Yes, he is," she agreed with White Rabbit at long last.
Superman and Barda returned to Clark Kent's apartment where he resumed that life and she…well, Barda remained Barda. Clark quickly hit an information wall regarding Sam Lane. Officially according to the military, Lane was wanted for disobeying orders from his Commander-in-Chief, with overtones of treason involved.
But unofficially, rumors persisted that Lane and his Meta-Human Response Division were not only operating but had received additional support from something titled the "Ultramarine Corps". Clark wanted to narrow opinions down to some verifiable facts. Julian Assange and Wikileaks were delving into the matter but Clark didn't trust the whistleblower.
But Lois had shared a name with him. There was a colonel in military intelligence operating out of the Defense Intelligence Agency that would anonymously confirm situations, events, and developments within the Armed Forces that he felt needed public scrutiny. So Clark risked calling the drop phone Lois had provided him with. Much to his own surprise, he received a text verifying the sender's identity and a location for a meeting. A quick survey of government sites found the Colonel retired and now serving as the Deputy Director of Intelligence for the CIA.
"This entire universe will soon be pitted into a struggle for survival. Balance must be established equalizing the existence of both the Prime Universe and the Antimatter Universe. Both must survive but in order to do so, the AntiMonitor must be destroyed," Monitor told his guests.
"We're a little low rent for that," Red Hood warned him.
"This fight is for every champion of Earth Prime and the universe beyond. The AntiMonitor has gathered forces from across the Multiverse and he has aimed them all at this world in exchange for survival," Monitor explained.
"You haven't explained how we can explain your lack of dying to our employer," Ravager pointed out.
"Nyssa Raatko will believe I'm dead as will my clientele and my contractors," Monitor explained, "That shall suffice. Now Lyla will return you to Los Angeles."
Harbinger teleported with the group into Green Arrow's underground lair beneath the paint factory Oliver Queen bequeathed him. Then she also waited with them while they got their bearings. Green Arrow was horrified by their whereabouts.
"How do you know about this place?" he wanted to know from Harbinger.
"Because I'm supposed to," with that said, she vanished.
Jason Todd unlatched his Red Hood helmet and went to the fridge. Inside were blood stores and plasma along with groceries. He grabbed a frappacino bottle.
"Uh…help yourself?" Conner Hawke threw back his hood and slipped off his mask.
"You're a pal," Jason saluted him with the bottle.
"He seemed to think we were all cozy with one another," Mia Deardon doffed her own hood and mask.
"Shouldn't we be?" Beryl Hutchinson slid her own mask off, "And I don't think this Monitor fellow makes random mistakes."
Rose Wilson-Worth slipped off her two tone skull cap, "So is everyone a volunteer now or were we just drafted?"
"Ask her," Conner nodded towards Mia.
"I'm reconsidering my early 'no' vote," Mia admitted.
"That means 'yes'," Conner explained.
"It does not!" Mia protested.
"You know, you're really cute when you're flustered," Rose grinned.
"Yes. It does," Conner insisted.
"Fine. It does. Happy?" Mia huffed.
"They sound just like you two," Jason indicated Beryl and Rose.
"In light of everything we just heard, what's the point of this little outfit?" Mia had to ask.
"Pest control," Jason swigged his coffee.
"Say again?" Conner asked.
"Our mission statement is to remove meta-human threats and career criminals. For money," Beryl informed them, "Monitor must haave chosen us to continue that work and in doing so, eliminate future pawns of the AntiMonitor."
"So we kill bad guys, get paid doing so, and save the universe while we're at it?" Mia was skeptical.
"Not all of us are billionaire heiresses," Rose checked Mia's sarcasm at the door.
"Rose, would you answer a personal question?" Mia inquired.
"Depends on what you ask," Rose shrugged.
"You're a platinum white blonde with slightly exotic looks. Care to explain how that happened?" Mia wondered.
"I'm Amerasian. My mother was Vietnamese. I was ten when Slade found me and took me out of Vietnam," Rose explained, "Word is he had the whole village executed so no one would have a living record of me or that I would have any relatives other than him."
"And your hyphenated last name?" Mia asked one final query.
"My family name was Gia tri, which translates into English as 'worth'," Rose told the group, "Or it can mean 'value' but Worth sounds better."
Beryl was surprised at Rose opening up. Until now that was a secret she'd only shared with Beryl herself. She could see the surprise on Jason's face as he discovered how little he knew his teammates.
"What about you?" Conner asked Beryl.
"I was thirteen when I found the Knight drunk outside of the public library. I took it upon myself to sober him up for good. In exchange he trained me to be the Squire. Or until his ex-wife died and he gained custody of his estranged son," Beryl freely shared, "I was booted out and found by NOWHERE where I met these two lovelies. I became Red Robin and disguised myself as a bloke."
"Didn't. Fool. Me. Ever," Rose bragged.
"So we escaped NOWHERE's custody and ended up with the Teen Titans. I was outed as a girl and a lesbian before the Kryptonians killed basically everyone and we merry three went our way together," Beryl revealed.
"Except we were caught together in the Hall of Justice back when she pretended to be a guy," Rose quickly added.
"There was that," Beryl mused.
"I thought my past sucked," Mia told Rose.
"At least I don't have HIV," Rose replied, "Slade would've used that as a method of controlling me."
"He sounds like a monster," Mia stated.
"You really have no idea. I took my own eye out to prove to him I was worthy of being his daughter while being under the influence of a mind controlling cocktail he injected into me on a daily basis," Rose confessed, "He didn't expect my healing factor to eventually immunize me."
"I only have one question," Conner interjected, "When did you realize you were bisexual?"
"Before I even hit puberty, "Rose told him, "Which ain't easy in a rice paddy village."
"So we'll skip the rest of the biography channel," Jason insisted, "I need to check our website to see if any offers have come in for our services.
"How's that work anyway?" Conner asked.
"We took a lesson from Slade and Beryl set up the site on a private server," Rose said.
"We advertise our services and personal record and then require a ten thousand coin nonrefundable deposit to even consider a written description of the proposed task. We apply the deposit towards the retainer to meet with the potential client. Having established the particulars, we decide as a group whether or not to pursue the contract," Beryl launched into her description, "Once we accept the proposal, and the retainer of half the agreed fee is in our accounts, then we mobilize to accomplish the task at hand."
"God, she's so sexy when she's being technical," Rose declared.
"You're simply biased, love," Beryl warned Rose.
"Who's Falco Marconi?" Jason asked from a terminal.
"He runs the Syndicate Underground's legitimate ventures and holdings in Southern California," Conner replied.
"And the Syndicate Underground is the underdog in a competition with Intergang to unite every criminal enterprise under one banner," Mia elaborated.
"Sounds like they could provide a lot of work," Jason mused.
"Maybe," Conner warned him, "The Syndicate carved up North America. The Patriarch controls everything east of the Rockies and Pirate Blue has everything else and Mexico included."
"Pirate who?" Rose laughed.
"She operates out of a Russian sub and she has blue hair and dresses like a movie star pirate," Mia explained, "Rumors have it her crew is entirely made of women."
"A private Sapphic paradise?" Rose snickered.
"So Mia, being Chairwoman of the Board of Queen Consolidated, is being courted by Marconi for business considerations," Conner added.
"As such, you could meet with Marconi and skirt around your knowledge of the truth behind Marconi's 'investors' and your hesitance at partnering with a firm with so many viable competitors," Beryl suggested.
"Jesus, is it any wonder I'm in love with her?" Rose cheerleaded again.
"That could work," Mia admitted.
"And I'll contact Marconi and request a neutral meeting," Jason offered.
"Where are you two staying?" Mia asked the women.
"A fleabag," Rose cast a scathing glare Jason's way.
"Not anymore," Mia decided, "I booked an entire floor at the Beverly Hills Hilton. You can simply move into a suite as my guests."
"What about me?" Jason protested.
"Cash some coins and shop around for better lodgings," Beryl chided him.
"It seems the surviving Rogues and Brotherhood of Evil have opted to side with me," Luthor told Ultra-Humanite.
"Ivo is playing his role to perfection and Shaggy Man will be at your disposal," Ultra-Humanite reported, "And Sivana and Mr. Mind have reached Los Angeles. Sivana's brood has joined him there."
"Clock King's team is overseeing ARGUS' investigation of the Hall of Doom," Luthor informed his lieutenant, "But the Justice League sent Vibe with their investigators. It's a slim possibility but he may detect the chronal signature from the temporal engine."
"I thought you wanted the League to figure out what happened," Ultra-Humanite replied.
"I want them to discover the existence of the Secret Society of Super Villains Saturn Queen has assembled," Luthor explained again, "I want them harassing her, not us."
"Your planning has accounted for every contingency thus far," Ultra-Humanite reminded him.
"Of course it has," Luthor said smugly.
Web searched the Underweb for more details concerning the Outlaws and the Monitor. He assembled file footage of their times with the Teen Titans and the Justice League of America. There was even some CCTV coverage from London of Beryl in action as the Squire. In addition, visual archives had recently been recovered from the wreckage of the NOWHERE camp in the Arctic.
He presented the data to Shield but the Shield insisted Web present the facts at hand and he would assist in the analysis portion. After they concluded their remarks, the floor was opened to discussion. And it seemed most everyone had an opinion or a question.
"Green Arrow and Speedy seemed lethal enough with the JLA," Steel Sterling complained.
"And they acted under the sentencing authority of a federal court," Dickering was present because it was day time and the Hangman was in recession.
"A secret court trying criminals in absentia," Fly bitterly reminded everyone, "In a clear violation of the Constitution, federal laws, and the Bill of Rights."
"Do terrorists retain any rights?" Black Hood asked.
"In Brazil, meta-humans are classified as living weapons of mass destruction and have to be registered with the government," Jaguar elaborated, "Partly due to my predecessor. It was another reason to study abroad."
"There's proposed legislation and even a discussion to amend the constitution to do the same here," Fox pointed out.
"After what the country has endured from various bad guys, can you blame John Q. Public?" Comet asked.
"You'd be on their list," Inferno interrupted, "We all would."
"But we registered when we signed on with the MLJ," Fireball protested, "Or at least most of us did."
Web, Black Hood, and Dickering received stares. Fly Girl broke the tension, "Us techies, photogs, and soldiers would be under scrutiny too."
"Misconceptions are just as dangerous as the practical evils we fight every day," Shield spoke, "Our only defense is to lead by example and practice transparency so there's no reason to fear us."
"You should run for Congress," Steel Sterling added.
"I can do more good for the average citizen as the Shield," he remarked.
"Still, the politicians should work beside us for a time and serve the public rather than just themselves," War Eagle broke her silence.
"I think we can all rant about politicos," Comet ventured, "Trust me I know about corruption in government but we can't let our disgust totally color our perspective."
No one knew that Rob Conners' girlfriend was Victoria Johnson, a news reporter for a local network affiliate in Evergreen, Washington. Or that he'd gained his powers by accident after the government ordered the military to forcibly shut down his parents' lab and kidnap them. And all the while, a powerful US Senate committee coerced local authorities and state congress representatives to bury the truth.
"So how do we find these 'Outlaws'?" Jaguar asked.
"You said they advertise as troubleshooters and problem solvers," Fireball recalled from the briefing, "So why not hire them to shoot at someone?"
"They specifically target costumed super criminals and meta-humans," Web clarified, "And they do that for rival criminal enterprises."
"Eliminating the competition before turning on their former employer," Steel Sterling understood.
"So why not pose as a super villain wanting to rub out his rivals?" Inferno inquired.
"Latham authorized securing a deposit to get our proposal along those lines even read," Shield divulged, "Given the continued lack of response, the group consensus is the Outlaws did some fact checking and learned our super villain is currently incarcerated."
"So given their local presence, who would seem to be a legitimate employer?" Fly asked.
"Falco Marconi," Fox answered.
"Who?" Fly Girl was stumped.
"The head off the Syndicate Underground's legitimate business interests in SoCal," Black Hood explained.
"Does anyone still refer to Southern California as SoCal?" Fly Girl quipped.
"We have a probable target if the Syndicate Underground were to hire the Outlaws," Special Agent Carol Anne Strander interjected into the discussion, "Pirate Blue has made overtures to buy out a meta-human agency that supplies muscle to low- to mid-rent criminal groups. Pirate Blue doesn't give a rat's ass about the talent but the owner of the agency acquired, through unknown means, an E Dial."
"A what?" War Eagle voiced everyone's bafflement.
"In the Sixties, two H Dials appeared. By dialing 'HERO' the wearer would transform into a meta-human for one hour. When the hour expired, the wearer was free to dial again and become a completely different kind of meta," Kenny Wisdom shared.
"But the E Dials appeared when the Crime Syndicate launched what's now known as the 'Forever Evil' campaign," KitCat explained, "With them you dial 'EVIL' and transform into a super villain with all the same rules as an H Dial."
"Pirate Blue's usual operatives are being closely monitored by Intergang," Carol told the group, "So these 'Outlaws' may be perfect for her needs."
"Because Intergang won't be watching them and the agency won't be expecting them at all," Jaguar realized.
"Gen. Latham is boosting our on the scene manpower," Carol announced, "CRUCIBLE has green lit Lancelot Strong's admission to the Mighty Crusaders."
"I remember him," War Eagle said warmly.
"What's Darkling's status?" Shield inquired.
"The Justice League Dark says they've completed her training," KitCat answered, "Anna Fortune from the JLU is delivering her after Latham debriefs Darkling."
"In the meantime, I know the perfect contact to keep tabs on Marconi," Fox shared, "Her name is Jonni Thunder."
Joe Higgins, John Sterling, and Paul Patton had been chosen as the MLJ's representatives to hire the private detective named Jonni Thunder. Her father, Jack Thunder, had been drummed out of the LAPD on false charges stemming from his refusal to take bribes and his insistence to turn in those that did. It just happened Internal Affairs was in on the bribery.
Jack licensed with the state as a private investigator and apprenticed his daughter, Jonni, in the arts of investigation after her technical schooling in the same was completed. He had just made her a full partner a week before he died of an allergic reaction to lead bullets being put in him.
The trio helped themselves into her offices with a little help from John magnetically picking the lock. Paul continued his narration on Jonni's history, "Jack died two years ago. Jonni's made a name for herself since then. Because she gets results and also because irritates the hell out of the LAPD for solving cases they claimed were hopeless."
"Web looked up stories filed on Jonni's successes," Joe shared, "She definitely has a love-hate relationship with local law enforcement."
"She feels she can because her life got a little weird after Jack died," Paul added.
"Meaning?" John didn't appreciate mysteries.
"She'll tell you if she wants to," Paul deferred to her wishes.
"Maybe she should tell us anyway," John suggested.
"John, you seriously do not want to piss this lady off," Paul warned him.
"We might want to wait outside," Joe suggested in a whisper, "We wouldn't want her to go Thunderbolt on us."
"Who put it together?" Paul wondered while John made himself comfortable.
"Kim with KitCat's help," Joe shared.
Kim Brand continued to impress Paul even more every day, "I'm all for stepping out, Sarge."
"She was one of the original Web Hosts," Joe reminded him.
"As you all know, Luthor paid us a retainer in te advent of Saturn Queen's forces besting the Legion of Doom," Slade Wilson addressed his Titans team, "It appears that Grodd's insurrection cost the Legion more than the entire Secret Society combined. Luthor's force is at approximately a third off it former strength.
"So Baldy wants us to kill Saturn Queen?" Roy Harper asked.
"More like chastise her. Luthor want to deal with Saturn Queen himself," Slade replied, "But he wants the Secret Society disillusioned with her leadership. So we'll break them and make them amenable to following Luthor. Casualty counting is off the books. We do whatever is necessary to push them into Luthor's waiting arms."
"Too bad Rose isn't with us," Cinder remarked.
Slade glared at her, "Horus and I are the only ones that can get near Saturn Queen. So he and I'll deal directly with her while the rest of you break the Secret Society's backs."
"Literally," Jade Nguyen relished the thought.
"And Vigilante retired to take care of Mari McCabe. So the title is yours if you want it," Slade informed Pat Trayce.
"I'll get my gear out of mothballs," she grinned.
"We have twelve hours to fly to the States and pick up Saturn Queen's trail," Slade informed the team.
"What's the take on this?" Tattooed Man asked.
"Twenty times the retainer for a successful completion of the assigned tasks," Slade appealed to their greed.
Always a healthy motivator with most of this crowd.
No one at Starrware knew that their founder and corporate figurehead, Karen Starr, was in reality Galatea Hamilton, more publically known as Power Girl. Or that her aide, Mary Batson, could transform into Black Mary. Karen wasn't an inventor herself but she was fluent in various programming languages and had created a few more of her own proprietary operating systems that made Microsoft cry in terror.
Karen's gift was in spotting underdeveloped and underfunded technologies or software applications with potential high yield returns or someone with vision. Starrware had existed on paper for several years but hadn't had physical locations until Karen consolidated all off the various holdings into a Palmer Technologies building she bought from underneath the Atom.
Starrware had swung into full production before Blackhawk's death. Afterwards, Karen had left Earth with Kalea-El. Now that she'd returned, she fronted the company and contributed investment advice while the various department heads went about skyrocketing the company's stock value. In just a handful off months, Starrware ranked in the top Fortune 100 companies. Karen's personal worth was more than Bruce Wayne's after the Wayne-Powers merger.
"Oh hell," Mary blurted.
"Problem?" Karen asked from her desk on the same penthouse floor. Karen and Mary were the only occupants. A hidden dressing was secreted behind a wall.
"Security is checking on Courtney and Billy," Mary groused, "How did they figure it out?"
It was Karen's private revenge on ARGUS that she fronted her company in plain sight with no one seemingly the wiser, "Dad told them. How else?"
"But he knows better," Mary complained.
"Yes, he does. But he's also a very proud father. It's probably his one chance to boast about what I've achieved. Blackhawk could hardly keep his mouth shut either," Karen frowned, "Call Security and have them escorted up here."
Mary held up a tablet from the coffee table, "I took a look at what you're reading. What language is this anyway? Google Translate doesn't even dent it."
"It's Kryptonian," Karen answered, "Argoan to be more precise. Kalea had me undergo a hypnotic crash course in Kryptonian and Argoan hoping one of the dialects would match what I'd find on Kandor."
"So now you read and write alien languages?" Mary was impressed.
"Several versions of the same language, actually," Karen corrected her.
"Ooh, I'm sorry," Mary pretended to be scared, "What's it about?"
"The end of the multiverse," Karen told her, "Kryptonian and Argoan scientists detected a slip between interdimensional barriers where the various universes occupied the same space on the same frequency for half a second and it nearly destroyed everything and everyone."
"But there are fifty-two universes," Mary sought comfort.
"Scientists on Almerac had records of there being an infinite number of universes but that same principle was selectively applied until there were only fifty-two left. And then the process stopped," Karen explained, "And no one knows if or when it'll resume. But the same antimatter signature accompanies each and every destruction."
"And on that depressing note, I'm outta here," Mary stepped out onto the balcony and summoned the mystical lightning from Shazam. Having transformed to Black Mary, she flew out across Manhattan.
The elevator chimed and Karen braced herself.
"I can't believe ARGUS didn't shutter this CADMUS facility," Gadgeteer said as he drooled over the next event motor pool.
"They obviously intended to return given the fact the armory is fully stocked with weapons and ammo," Weapon observed.
"ARGUS already maintains a disguised base inside of Los Angeles," Captain Commando explained, "They saw no reason to staff two facilities."
"But they would maintain a disguised operations station for covert operatives," Deadly Force reasoned, "Which is why your access codes still work."
"And outer mechanical locks which are easy to manipulate magnetically," Loadstone found that uproarious.
"Why exactly are two-plus government types with us anyway?" Lady Spider asked in a dangerously silken tone.
"This country is fatally weak. Either we jump start a resuscitation or we tear down the decadence and rebuild from the smoldering ruins," Captain Commando recited.
"You help us lead the uprising and show just how defenseless people really are and you get to carve out your own niche in the New World Order when the public rises up in arms," American Shield promised.
"So it's about projecting power," Dr. DeFeet decided.
"It's about reestablishing authority," American Shield sought to clarify.
"And you'll dispose of anyone who disagrees with you because, after all, your way of thinking is the only right way of thinking," Spider ventured.
"We do that and we're called 'super villains'," Eraser stated, having joined them after escaping an interdimensional prison.
"Let's finish the tour," Captain Commando suggested, "Pick out your quarters as we do so."
"You plan on being here long enough to need quarters?" Owl asked.
"After we attend to that business we need to start planning our little operation," Buzzard insisted.
"First we need to make overtures to the separatists and the political militants before Captain Commando and I approach them and unite them under our common banner," American Shield proposed.
"A remarkably lucid idea," Dream Demon opined.
"The extra confusion can help our effort and muddle who's to blame," Rogue Star was delighted to realize.
"Meh," Brontosaurus grunted.
"He's ecstatic too," Dream Demon promised.
Jewel offered the use of his service and gang to arm the militants. Owl made the next practical suggestion, "I'll visit the mayoral mansion tomorrow night and eliminate the mayor. That'll leave a city in crisis in the hands of a deputy."
"To further that cause, Crow and I will asset you by eliminating the deputy and the city council," Elasto offered.
"I can permanently deal with the police chief," Radiation Rogue promised.
"And I'll do the same for one of the three police captains," Radium King guaranteed.
"I'll take another," Mighty Man volunteered.
"I'll deal with SWAT team," Eraser declared, "Phantasmon is looking for a challenge; let him have the deputy chief and the chief of detectives."
"Leaving the last police captain to me," Stunner was pleased.
"Once we organize the citizen uprising, we'll forward the details of our plan to Pirate Blue. Her contacts in the LAPD and have them muddy the waters further," Captain Commando decided.
"And they'll emerge as heroes. Leaving the LAPD as Pirate Blue's private police force," American Shield declared.
"Let the glorious revolution begin," Dream Demon applauded.
Anna Fortune had persuaded Darkling to accompany her to the Hall of Justice. Gen. Latham's promised presence, even by teleconference, comforted Darkling. As various ARGUS personnel greeted Anna by name, Darkling couldn't contain herself any longer.
"Is your name actually Anna Fortune?" she inquired.
"Of course," Anna smiled as she pulled her mask down.
"Oh," was all Darkling said, seemingly unsure how to accept Anna's revelation.
Hourman, Jesse Quick, and Power Ring chose to sit in as observers. Col. Trevor and Hula Hula also attended as official ARGUS representatives. Jessica Cruz was whispering as she argued with the Ring of Volthoom. Anna noted that seemed to relax Darkling more than any other sight or sound within the Hall of Justice.
Next, Atom Smasher introduced himself, "Hi, I'm Al. This beautiful lady probably neglected to mention me."
"I truly was getting to it but you seem to have accomplished the deed yourself," Anna teased him.
"And you are?" Atom Smasher asked their guest.
"They call me Darkling," she answered, "But my given name is Dora Keane."
"At long last, progress!" Anna theatrically sighed, "Excellent work, darling Albert. You may join us."
"I already had," he retorted.
"Tentatively at best, Dearest," Anna warned him.
"You're far too kind," Atom Smasher replied.
"I know," Anna said smugly.
"They seem to have patched into Liberty Station," Darkling said quietly.
Latham's holographic image occupied a chair. The five holo cameras in the ceiling recorded everyone else and relayed their images to Destruction Island.
"I hope you realize that I'm not prepared to divulge the answers to most off the queries you sent me, Colonel," Latham's image began.
"General, the interagency information requests were authorized by Director Waller under the direct authorization off the National Security Council. The Secretary of Homeland Security personally signed off on those queries," Trevor reminded Latham.
"The MLJ isn't ARGUS. We were training superhuman government agents developed or discovered by the CRUCIBLE Project long before ARGUS was a spasm in someone's skull. After CADMUS imploded, the MLJ was divested by the Department of Defense. We answer to the Department of Justice," Latham explained.
"Be that as it may, the Attorney General signed off as well," Trevor played hardball.
"The Mighty Crusaders don't only depend on the MLJ Initiative to support their law enforcement activities but also to protect their privacy," Latham stubbornly clung to his refusal to cooperate.
"General, we don't want everything on your people. But basic profiles with team strengths and weaknesses would greatly assist us in supporting the Mighty Crusaders should the Justice League get called in," Hula Hula broke his silence.
"You're nothing like the imbecile the ISA Chief paints you out as," Latham realized, "Colonel, give your Chief of Operations a raise because he's the one the persuaded me to cooperate. Darkling can answer your questions. She only worked with the Mighty Crusaders briefly but I understand they made quite an impression on her. Out!"
Latham's image vanished. Hula whistled, "That was a quick call."
"Latham anticipated having Darkling answer our questions. That's why he had us bring her here," Trevor explained.
"What is the MLJ anyway?" Jesse asked.
"Like Latham said, a former DOD agency handed over wholesale to the Justice Department after the disaster that was CADMUS. We're still cleaning up CADMUS programs. NOWHERE is just a recent example," Trevor explained, "The MLJ ran the Freedom Fighters and other meta groups overseas while the Justice Society defended the United States during WWII. They continued to do so until their departmental transfer. Latham undertook expanding the Mighty Crusaders and operating them as a federal agency after the Justice League of America folded up."
"You make it sound like you expected the JLA to shut down early," Hourman stated.
"Hardly, but it was an experimental model taking mostly veteran JLers and throwing them into the federal bureaucracies," Trevor told them all, "Latham's genius is taking rookies and molding and shaping them into an effective team. Right, Miss Darkling?"
"Um…sure?" Darkling replied.
"Aren't you certain?" Hourman badgered her.
"Of course I am," Darkling showed a little fire for the first time since arriving.
"Just tell him he's being a pompous windbag," Jesse urged.
"Thanks, Hon," Hourman sighed.
"Just keeping you honest," Jesse replied.
Darkling began to relax again as Hula Hula coaxed her to speak, "Anything you could tell us about each Mighty Crusader and as a team would be invaluable."
"I met the Mighty Crusaders when they came to Fawcett City," Darkling began, "The Marvel Family was off with the Justice League and the Fourth Reich came to town. Certain Nazis had a history with some of the Mighty Crusaders and the city officials were happy for the help."
"Isn't it easier just to call them the 'Crusaders'? Hourman butted in again.
Jesse elbowed his gut, "Please, go on."
"Latham knows his team rosters. The government has sponsored two previous meta teams with 'Crusaders' in the name. The American Crusaders and the short lived group simply called Crusaders," Trevor explained.
"Mom and dad used to mention the American Crusaders from their time with the All Star Squadron," Jesse's parents were the Earth Prime Jonny Quick and Liberty Belle.
"Anyway, the team needed some help so I revealed myself and what I can do," Darkling admitted.
"And you agreed to train and join the team," Hula Hula added for those that didn't already know, "But because your powers are mystical SHADE agreed to give you a reference to the Justice League Dark and they trained you."
"They were already training Misfit so they just caught me up and then trained us together," Darkling shared.
"The MLJ reported the CRUCIBLE Project cleared another candidate to join the team," Trevor told her, "His name is Lancelot Strong."
"I met him once," Darkling admitted.
"And?" Trevor asked, "What were your impressions of everyone?"
"Lancelot was trained as a replacement for the Shield project should the nanites fail to bond with the host. But the Shield procedure worked so Lancelot wouldn't be deployed until they'd fully mapped what he could do. I guess they finished that," Darkling divulged, "Both Shield and Lancelot Strong are soldiers but Shield is a natural leader and kinder, more human. Pretty ironic considering what they turned him into."
"What about Steel Sterling?" Hula Hula inquired.
"He's super strong and pretty invulnerable with magnetic powers. But he just woke up having survived a smelter pouring molten steel on him," Darkling explained, "But he doesn't know how he got there are how the metal got poured on him much less how he survived. He's brave but reckless and he throws himself into situations without think it out first."
"Which might explain the smelter," Trevor remarked, "What do you know about Fly Girl?"
"She'd just become Fly Girl when I first met her. She was one of the Web's original Web Hosts before she built her own suit and buzz guns. She might be the smartest one in the room. She also had a thing for the Fox, not the Fly like everyone assumes. That's Jaguar's territory," Darkling reported.
Trevor seemed disconcerted by the personal information, "We'll get to them in a minute. What can you tell us about the Comet?"
"Nothing," Darkling shrugged.
"You agreed to help us," Trevor reminded her.
"I can't tell you what I don't know. No one knows anything about the Comet except that he's potentially one of the most powerful Mighty Crusaders and he lives in Evergreen, Washington," Darkling had to confess.
"Do you have any idea how he got his powers?" Hula Hula tried again.
"He told me when a momma comet meets a daddy comet they make little comets," Darkling looked embarrassed.
Hourman chortled and Jesse elbowed him again. Trevor resumed, "You mentioned the Fox."
"He's a photojournalist that put on a costume to stop muggers and photograph himself doing it to freelance to various news outlets," Darkling shared, "But something happened a few years ago and he got serious. He spent three years in Japan with the same kendo and bushido masters that trained Katana. He's a fun guy but he's also a freak magnet. That's probably Fly Girl's attraction."
"What about Fireball? What can you tell us?" Hula asked.
"Basically he hasn't grown up yet. A rebel without a clue," Darkling opined.
"And Inferno?" Trevor wanted to know.
"A mystery even to himself. He has no memories but he orients towards doing the right thing instinctively," Darkling replied.
"And one of the two FBI agents assigned to investigate his past is now with the MLJ," Trevor pointed out.
"Special Agent Strander," Darkling confirmed it, "Her partner on the case died trying to kill her."
"Killed by Inferno," Trevor revealed.
"He was exonerated," Darkling retorted.
"What about the Web?" Hula Hula wondered.
"Has to be a multi-billionaire playing hero considering his resources," Darkling said distastefully, "Does not play well with others and will not take direction from anyone."
"The Fly?" Trevor resumed questioning her.
"An idealist but so narrow minded in his ideals he'll turn on a comrade if they violate his code of ethics," Darkling shared.
"And the Jaguar?" Hula Hula interjected.
"The latest in a line of male and female Jaguars dating back to Brazil's native past. She's possessed by an animal spirit that transforms her and gives her power. Jaguar left Brazil because the previous host was wanted for mass murders and was killed by federal troops. Because of the country's experiences and the history of the previous Jaguar, they outlawed meta-humans as weapons and any meta in the country or visiting has to surrender themselves into federal custody. So Jaguar relocated to Elm Harbor, Michigan."
"What about the Black Hood?" Trevor asked sharply.
"The hood itself is an enchanted executioner's hood. It's cursed to compel whoever wears it to seek justice. But because of its origins justice is usually lethal," Darkling explained.
"Hangman?" Trevor shifted topics.
"An even bigger mystery than the Comet. But they say there's been a Hangman since the Civil War and that there's more than one," Darkling stated.
Everyone cast a glance towards Anna. She nodded, "The Hangman, or Hangmen as it were, aren't a recent phenomena nor were they all created by the same power for the same reasons."
"And the team dynamic?" Trevor inquired.
"There really isn't one. Just a group of individualists that work well together. Usually," Darkling clarified.
"If you'll excuse us, we'll go over your statements and see if we have any further questions," Trevor dismissed Darkling.
"There goes my day," Darkling muttered to Anna.
"So Dora, would you care for somethin to eat or drink? Or perhaps even both?" Anna's eyes twinkled merrily.
"Sounds good," Darkling was agreeable.
"Lead on kind sir, or forever be branded a bounder and a cad," Anna declared to Atom Smasher.
"Care to share what's bothering you, Jessica?" Trevor said after the trio departed.
"My ring shared a few secrets with me," Power Ring explained, "Secrets Darkling keeps hidden."
"Like what?" Hula Hula found himself instinctively liking Darkling.
"She's a cultist and an escaped mental patient," Jessica Cruz hated to share.
"Our airspace has been violated," the Bailyan defense minister reported to Scarlet Rose, "It appears the queen is under imminent attack."
"Marshall your forces and I'll do the same with mine," Scarlet Rose commanded.
Scarlet Rose knew her sister, the Crimson Queen, was hardly a target. The queen had been raised from the dead by Mary, Queen of Blood, only to be transformed into a succubus just days before the vampiric undead were wiped off of the face of Earth Prime. There was little anyone could to harm the Crimson Queen except deprive her of sexual partners.
Scarlet Rose summoned the Crimson Jihad, the queen's elite force of meta-humans. No one had dared trifle with Crimson Queen since Grodd's abortive support for Malik al Thaka failed. Even the presumptive Brain Emperor couldn't tamper with the Crimson Queen's mind and that had been his undoing. But he controlled everyone else and therefore escaped.
The Crimson Jihad had prepared for the day Lex Luthor came for his heir. And it seemed his détente with the boy's mother held. For this was the Secret Society of Super Villains and their allies come to take Luthor El-Faddil.
The Superior Five sailed over the palace atop of Hindenburg. Axis America joined them. All except Gudra who rode her winged stallion as befitted a Valkyrie.
Gudra dismounted and led the attack against Scimitar. Fledermaus fought Falcon, one of the few remaining Chaos Avatars on Earth. Usil the Golden Archer and Horned Owl fought Jewel, Ramrod, and Pylon to a standstill.
The Superior Five approached the nursery from separate vantage points. Scarlet Rose created a psionic rose in bloom and launched its razor sharp petals at Tremor, Splitshot, and Lagomorph. Tremor effectively dodged them all while Splitshot down two of them at a time. Lagomorph lounged against a wall and looked insufferably pleased with herself.
Scarlet Rose realized three things. First, Lagomorph was the brains. Second, these three weren't the entire team. And third, Scarlet Rose was guarding the wrong passageway.
Scarlet Rose halted her attack and Lagomorph looked even more triumphant, "All that psionic energy takes it out of you, doesn't it?"
"Who are you people?" Scarlet Rose asked.
"Just concerned world citizens wishing to reunite a family," Lagomorph said dramatically.
And Scarlet Rose finally realized the trap was for Luthor not her sister, "You're avoiding my question."
"And you're stalling for time for potential reinforcements to save your nephew," Lagomorph fully realized.
"Who do I tell my sister stole her son?" Scarlet Rose asked directly.
"We used to be the Inferior Five. In fact, I was called 'Dumb Bunny'. My the times are a changin'." Lagomorph laughed, "And yes, we number five. Knowing won't do you any good anyway."
Gudra had made her way past Scimitar and to the throne room where the Crimson Queen waited in regal fashion. The queen quirked an eyebrow, "You're protected by magic."
"I am a Shieldmaiden of Odin, a Chooser of the Slain," Gudra boasted, "One elevated to commanding the Valkyrie."
"Until Freya found out you were bedding Odin and you were exiled after a spectacular set up for failure," Crimson Queen immediately understood, "What are your plans for my son?"
"He'll live provided his father comes for him. Afterwards he will be returned to you," Gudra promised.
"I have your vow?" Crimson Queen bargained.
"Yes, I swear by the All Father your son will be delivered to you safely in exchange for the father's life," Gudra pledged.
"If you fail to deliver, we'll revisit this moment," Crimson Queen made her own vow.
"Do your worst, succubus," Gudra scoffed.
"Oh, I shall," Crimson Queen confirmed it as Gudra choose to depart.
Jongleur retrieved the boy and made it back out of the palace to where Hindenburg began to reinflate himself for their passage to the Caspian Sea. The remaining Superior Five joined them alongside Axis Amerika. Gudra mounted up and took the child and used dimensional folding to arrive nearly instantly at Fort Siegel.
Scarlet Rose roused the Crimson Jihad to attack the departing Secret Society members. But the Crimson Queen personally intervened. Despite her sister's assurances the situation was under control, Scarlet Rose's chest burned with shame. It would only be quenched with the blood of others.
