16
Goldilocks led the JLers through the Hall of Doom. It was canted at a twenty degree angle so she used hair tendrils to balance her. John Stewart floated Shayera Hol through owing to her broken wing. Spy Smasher and General Glory just made due.
So far they'd triggered and disabled a dozen anti-intrusion traps. The number and frequency of such fail safes increased as Goldilocks assured them they were nearing the central hub which served as the command center.
When they reached the command center, they found the primary systems all shut down and everything being operated by the reserve, emergency secondary systems and power cells. Goldilocks was the first to comment, "They shut Brainiac down. That means Luthor evacuated."
"Or the computer could be broken," John remarked.
"See that alcove? That's where the computer core is supposed go," Goldilocks insisted.
"It doesn't mean it isn't broken, though," General Glory added.
"Kryptonian computers just don't break," Goldilocks argued.
"But they can be sabotaged as we've already seen," Shayera weighed in, "But there would be no reason to extract a damaged computer core crystal."
"Thank you," Goldilocks felt justified.
"Not a problem. Just keep being right," Shayera replied, "We need Power Girl."
"Why?" Spy Smasher asked.
"She's had direct experience with Kryptonian tech," Shayera reminded her, "But we don't know where she is."
"ARGUS has always known where she is," Spy Smasher revealed, "They set up her secret identity years ago."
"Galatea has a secret identity?" John was as startled as everyone else.
"Blackhawk did to," Spy Smasher shared, "It was their retirement plan."
"Can we contact her?" Shayera hoped.
"No, but Col. Trevor can," Spy Smasher promised.
Karen Starr had just finished explaining her complete history with Starrware with Courtney Whitmore and Billy Batson. Both of whom were disappointed and a little hurt Mary Batson had taken off in her Black Marvel form of Black Mary. The whole point of the visit for them was to see Mary.
"Why 'Karen Starr'? Why not stay 'Galatea'? Courtney asked.
"My actual name is rather infamous and doesn't lend itself to blending in. And 'Karen' reminds me of Kara," they both knew she referred to Kara In-Ze, the woman she had been cloned from, "And 'Starr' reminds me of dad."
"Because he works for STAR Labs," Billy understood.
"I've gotten so used to Kara being gone with Matrix taking over being Supergirl," Courtney admitted, "I don't really think about her `cause she's with Kyle."
"She's my sister and I miss her," Karen shared, "I just hope Kyle Rayner is finally treating her right."
"Kyle only cheated on Kara because Carol Ferris messed with his heart," Courtney defended him.
"And his head," Billy reminded everyone.
"Let it happen between you two and see how forgiving you are," Karen countered, "Kara and Kyle had to do a lot of soul searching in order to stay together. It almost didn't happen that way."
Courtney looked pensive but Karen's mobile rang. She looked at the caller ID before answering on speaker, "Yes, Colonel? You realize this violates our bargain?"
"Bargains change," Steve Trevor replied.
"Hiya, Colonel," Courtney blurted.
"Courtney? How did she find you?" Trevor was irritated.
"My father's lips could sink ships," Karen sighed.
"I'll have a little chat with him," Trevor decided, "Is Mary there?"
"Um…no?" Courtney pointed at the other desk with the Mary Batson placard on it.
"I need to talk to her…sooner than later," Trevor advised everyone.
"How can I help you, Colonel?" Karen redirected the conversation.
"What do you know about Kryptonian computers?" Trevor inquired.
"I know Superman has one. My father inspected it before the Fortress of Solitude was built," Karen replied, "Ask them."
"I really need you to come in," Trevor insisted.
"Colonel, I'm no longer with CADMUS, the Legion of Doom, the Justice League in any form, the Justice Society, or ARGUS. Nor am I a soldier, an agent, or a living weapon. I strongly suggest you ask the men I mentioned about your topic," Karen hung up.
The phone rang several more times with chimes indicating messages had been left. Karen shook her head, "Those will be some nasty voice mails."
"How did you build a transnational corporation in a few weeks?" Billy wondered.
"I didn't. Karen Starr and Starrware were born back when I was with the JSA. It was my notion of a retirement savings program. By the time I left the Justice League of America, and Earth, I owned a multibillion dollar corporation," Karen shared, "After I got back I decided Karen Starr should go public."
"And Mary?" Billy worried about his sister.
"She's invaluable to the running of the company. She digests trade journals looking for investment opportunities like a predatory cat," Karen shared, "And our global monitoring capabilities let Black Mary operate on a global scale."
"And Power Girl?" Courtney asked.
"I'm still quietly operating across the world," Karen promised them.
"Superman really has a Kryptonian computer core?" Billy was sliding back into his role as an investigative reporter.
"About the size of a softball. It ran his ship but it was oversized for that. My father determined the core was designed to serve a greater purpose after reaching Earth," Karen explained, "First it hypnotically implanted the history of Krypton into Superman's brain and then it instructed him in how to build his fortress."
"Awesome," Courtney exuded.
"But it didn't teach him a thing about Argo, the Phantom Zone, Kryptonian colonies, or Krypton's enemies and rivals," Karen complained, "All things that would have been useful to know."
"Wait `till we tell everyone you're just downtown," Courtney enthused.
"Do me a favor and don't tell them. The whole point of my new identity was to get away from the Justice League," Karen pleaded, "And I'm helping more people than ever as Power Girl and Karen Starr than Galatea Hamilton was ever able to."
Suddenly they heard a meow and Courtney looked down at the scruffiest cat in existence. It was even missing one eye, "Um…a refugee?"
"That's Stinky. Trust me; he used to live up to his name. I found him in a dumpster in an alley between our building and Lord Industries. I just couldn't leave him there," Karen obviously loved the animal, "Though sometimes I wish I would've."
"Gawd, this cat's breath reeks," Courtney griped.
"That's because he's a connoisseur of the finest rotgut cat foods," Karen smirked, "You should smell them before he eats them."
"He lives here?" Billy asked.
"He only thinks so. I have a carrier I use to get him to my apartment and back here again," Karen explained, "And it's a good thing I'm invulnerable."
"Um…he's licking my ankle. Am I gonna get rabies?" Courtney fretted.
Karen came around the coffee table where everyone was seated in recliners or the couch, "C'mere you."
It was obvious cat and woman were meant for each other. Karen held the cat while petting it and it purred and went utterly limp in her embrace, "So anyway, don't tell anyone where to find me or that you even saw me."
"Col. Trevor has been doing a good job of that," Courtney grumped, "He even made it sound like he didn't know Mary was here."
"Actually, he doesn't. She isn't covered in my deal with ARGUS so I haven't let anyone know she's here," Karen confessed, "And I know she doesn't want word getting out either."
"She didn't even want us knowing," Billy was truly angry over that.
"She's dealing with a lot of the same issues I had when I joined the Legion of Doom. Black Adam helped me and hopefully I can help her through them," Karen expressed her fervent desire.
"And she can be the stubbornest jackass I've ever known," Courtney fumed.
"I'll try to sweeten that up when I tell her about the visit," Karen grinned.
"Damn," Courtney was truly grieved to hear that.
The Global Concern ran several offices throughout the United States and the world. California was the only state with two. Los Angeles was actually the secondary office and San Francisco enjoyed its primacy. Dr. Zadar had left San Fran to join Falco Marconi in LA.
"So what do you have to tell me about these 'Red Hood and the Outlaws'?" Marconi asked without preamble upon entering Zadar's office.
"They seem quite genuine. Ravager and the Red Hood are known quantities despite their foray with the Teen Titans. The Knave has been called Red Robin or the Squire dependent on the year and country. Green Arrow and Speedy obviously chose to leave random vigilantism behind after the Justice League of America shut down. In other words, I believe they would be a worthwhile investment," Dr. Zadar reported.
"Even against Mr. Thunder and his Thunderbolt Organization?" Marconi asked, "Because Pirate Blue is applying a lot of pressure and the Deardon brat from Queen Consolidated is making noise that we're too vulnerable to do business with."
"The Outlaws can easily deal with the entirety of the Thunderbolt Organization. With or without the fabled E Dial in their possession," Dr. Zadar tried to convince him.
"So I'll hire them as 'security contractors' on behalf of the Syndicate Underground and see how they perform," Marconi mused.
"Have you ever considered working for me?" Dr. Zadar chuckled.
Elizabeth "KitCat" Fleischman was among the MLJ's brightest tech support personnel. She'd originally worked directly for the Web but when Latham caught wind of her he quickly broke the support personnel budget hiring her away from the Web. She broke the news to the Mighty Crusaders that Lancelot Strong was headed to their location via teleporter. Special Agent Carol Anne Strander just looked miffed.
"Problem?" Shield quietly asked her in the corner she occupied.
"I should be asking you that. This man believes it's his mission from God to replace you," Carol bitterly replied.
"We have a rather informal chain of command within the team. As long as he respects that and everyone else in it, he should fit right in," Shield offered.
"Like the Web has," Carol snorted.
"So we're a work in progress," Shield admitted.
"I'd kick a boot up his butt and remind him that even as a sergeant you still outrank Corporal Lancelot Strong. I wish Latham had been able to clear up your military record now that it's known you were unjustly tried and convicted in that court martial. Everyone had been bribed to convict so you could meet the rank eligibility standard of the Shield program," Carol shared.
"The CRUCIBLE Director isn't facing charges in the scandal and the Army is self satisfied now that the nanites have bonded with me," Shield reminded her, "The wheels of bureaucracy only move as fast as inertia allows."
"Still, I'd be pissed off," Carol stated.
"Whoever said I wasn't?" Shield quietly asked, "But I have my duty to my country and fellow citizens."
An already impressed Carol was almost smitten with him now. KitCat's announcements kept going, "The Justice League is backing us up on this one."
"All the more reason not to need help," Carol interrupted.
"I can see Big Blue kissing our asses!" Comet cheered.
"The JLU is global and we're domestic," Web pointed out.
"But this 'Monitor' operates internationally," KitCat continued, "Making the Justice League our partners."
Lancelot Strong entered the room, "I can't believe I busted my hump to join such a chicken shit outfit."
"How would you like a tracheotomy?" War Eagle threatened.
"It gets better," Steel Sterling promised.
"No, it doesn't," Black Hood dourly complained.
"Marconi already hit the website," Beryl Hutchison reported to her coconspirators, "With double the required deposit."
"Who is the target?" Jason Todd asked.
"It's a them actually. Mr. Thunder and his Thunderbolt Organization to be precise. There seems to be over thirty meta-human targets," Beryl shared.
"Finally, a challenge," Rose Wilson-Worth enthused.
"Do we have to kill them all?" Mia Deardon wondered.
"Depends on the contractual requirements," Jason replied, "Most prisons can't handle metas and those that can are facing severe overcrowding conditions. That's why we pose as criminals eliminating the threats straightaway and solving the crowding issue."
"It's why I'm in. The meta revolving door prisons have is ridiculous," Conner Hawke explained to her, "Plus, JLA or not, law enforcement thinks Green Arrow is a killer anyway."
"They don't have to be right," Mia complained.
"Look Princess, last I checked Speedy had put down over a dozen baddies," Rose was irritable now, "So spare us the sanctimonious whining."
"Set up the meeting on the Santa Monica Pier," Jason instructed, "And we'll get firsthand info on the proposed body count."
Mia's face burned with anger.
Clark met with the CIA's Deputy Director of Intelligence, Norm Breyfogle, at Metropolis' Monument Park. Breyfogle advised Clark, "You might want to tell your overprotective girlfriend that a six foot four brunette in a halter top and shorts in a snowy February attracts attention.
"I'll mention it to her," Clark promised, "What can you tell me about Gen. Lane?"
"Lane is still running the Meta-Human Response Division with the Pentagon's blessing despite it being officially shut down and censored. And Dr. Mist and his Ultramarine Corps are working with Lane on Bakers Island," Breyfogle revealed.
"Why would Mist work with Lane?" Clark was baffled.
"Lane was almost your father-in-law so shouldn't you already know?" Breyfogle retorted, "And this favor was for Lois. Don't ever contact me again."
"Understood," Clark replied, "And thanks."
"Just shut Lane down," Breyfogle was already walking away.
"We done here?" Barda asked Clark when he approached.
"Yes," he confirmed it.
"Good," Barda sounded disgruntled.
"Have you ever thought about…blending in?" Clark wondered.
"Why bother?" Barda asked.
"No reason," Clark grinned.
Clark and Barda returned to find Superwoman in their apartment. Lucy Lane snorted in disgust, "Oh, for God's sake! Those glasses aren't enough of a disguise to hide her too."
"I…" Clark faltered while Barda marched to Lucy and hefted her off of the couch by her tunic.
"Talk!" Barda snarled.
"Put me down and I'll gladly discuss things with you," Lucy said reasonably.
"Talk first and then I'll put you down," Barda counteroffered.
"Ladies, are we five years old?" Clark found his voice at last.
Barda simply dropped Lucy but the other woman's Superwoman suit allowed her to merely float in place. Now Barda was angered, "Why did you want me to let you go if you're just going to hover in place?"
"I'd explain it but the words would probably be too big for a Neanderthal like you," Lucy riposted.
"Lucy, you're not helping your case," Clark advised her.
"You know about Lois?" Lucy asked in revulsion.
"Yes, I've been trying to trace your father's location down. I have it now so I can enlist the Justice League in stopping this monstrosity from being born," Clark sounded twice as decisive as Barda ever recalled. It suited him.
"It gets better. Dad oversaw the CADMUS project that produced Doomsday. Something he's in complete denial over," Lucy shared.
"Because Doomsday killed Lois," he realized.
"So a Bizarro Lois rectifies that mistake in his mind," Lucy shared, "And you don't have much time. Luthor surrendered his Bizarro cloning lab to CADMUS. The Division's techs are rebuilding it even now. We might only have minutes rather than hours."
"Why are you here?" Clark wondered.
"Exactly," Barda agreed.
"Lois was my sister. Whatever they clone won't be her but some mockery of her life," Lucy's impassioned statement even swayed Barda, "You never had siblings but I was led to believe you felt similarly with Kara In-Ze and the Galatea project. Galatea is a fully functional person. A Bizarro clone won't be, so it's even twice as horrific."
"I'd stop this anyway but I'm relieved you see the insanity of all of this," Clark told Lucy.
"I may have joined the military and serve under my father but he's clearly out of his mind on this one," Lucy told them.
"This is pointless," John Stewart complained to Shayera Hol, "Professor Hamilton's advice and descriptions are useless because we can't find Brainiac's core crystal."
"You mean this bloody rock?" Goldilocks asked from across the slanted room. The core was burnt and fractured. It was obvious no earthly technology could salvage it.
"Where was it?" General Glory was calm, as if they hadn't spent the better part of two hours searching for it.
"Imbedded in that panel. It must've fallen there when the Hall of Doom was tipped over," Goldilocks explained.
"It can't have been that easy," John was growing suspicious of their newest member.
"It was beneath that debris I moved around while you two argued the finer points of whether or not we'd ever find the thing," Goldilocks happily threw back at him.
"John, she's right. Let it go," Shayera advised her husband.
Spy Smasher interrupted and potential reply, "One of your people says he's found something."
"Who?" Shayera wondered.
"Vibe," Spy Smasher answered. That certainly piqued Shayera's interest.
"What is it, Cisco?" Shayera asked.
"There's weird distortion over thattaway. No one else can see it," Vibe reported.
"But it has eyes on most of our efforts here," Spy Smasher sounded like almost admired whatever, or whoever, it was.
"Take it down," Shayera instructed him.
Vibe focused his powers through his outstretched hand. Clock King's temporal distortion came into view. He could be seen throwing switches and activating controls while Lady Lunar prepared for a fight. In a convulsive energy wave, the time craft vanished at the cost of burning out its drive system.
"That went well," Spy Smasher sounded amused.
"I think my people are done especially since I'm getting a recall order," Shayera advised her.
"We'll start setting up lights," Spy Smasher promised her, "I have additional personnel arriving within the hour."
"Good luck then," Shayera signaled John and he used his ring to scoop the JLers up and lift them to the approaching Invisible Jet. Penny made a beautiful recovery and Shayera spent the flight filing reports.
Inside the Hall of Justice, Steve Trevor and Hula Hula did have additional questions for Darkling but her relative inexperience with the Mighty Crusaders precluded her from answering. Anna Fortune finally signaled that enough was enough, "If you don't mind, I shall get the poor girl to her teammates. I shan't be a moment."
"It's just as well," Trevor conceded, "Superman just alerted us to a potential crisis and he's desperate for our help."
"Heavens forefend," Anna quipped.
Who'd a thunk it?" Atom Smasher joined in her humor.
"And the MLJ has begun hearing rumors from Los Angeles' criminal classes that a major operation will be going down within the next twelve hours," Hula Hula warned Darkling.
"I need to go," Darkling insisted.
"One moment," Anna requested as Atom Smasher took the young woman out to the foyer, "I can see in your eyes you are both aware of Dora's health issues."
"We're aware that she broke out of a lockdown psychiatric facility," Trevor explained, "But Gen. Latham vouched for her and since the MLJ is fully aware of the situation, it's not our place to quibble."
"Thank you," Anna breathed a sigh of relief. Outside, she whisked Darkling to Los Angeles without ever leaving the Hall of Justice.
Pirate Blue summoned the Persian to meet with her. She used a sequence of teleportation jumps to join Pirate Blue in her private cabin aboard the Plunderer, "You wanted to see me?"
"I have a special task for you," Pirate Blue sipped her champagne but didn't offer any to the Persian, "Tell me what you know of the Monitor. You've worked for him on occasion."
"I prefer the Global Concern as a contracting agent. The Monitor tried to regulate his contractors," Persian replied, "Why?"
"I need you to access his files and see what he has on a group calling themselves the 'Outlaws," Pirate Blue answered.
"Is this for business or pleasure?" Persian asked.
"Depends on what you find," Pirate Blue confessed, "The Syndicate Underground has hired these 'Outlaws' to deal with an obstinate group of freelancers that refuse to commit to either side between us and Intergang. A show of strength is required to convince other likeminded contractors that neutrality is detrimental to one's health."
"And the fact these are former 'hero' types just adds to the flavor," Persian smirked knowingly.
"I always said you were the best and brightest of your rarified profession," Pirate Blue wore a seductive smile.
"And I never sleep with my employer, regardless of gender," Persian reminded Pirate Blue, "And my usual fee will apply."
The Persian vanished in an energy distortion. Pirate Blue saluted the empty space with her glass, "Bring me what I want and you'll never lack for work again."
Jongleur and the Superior Five presented El-Faddil to Saturn Queen. She was utterly delighted, "Take the toddler to the day care center I had these military imbeciles construct. Then reward yourselves with time off. I'll summon you when you're needed."
The Superior Five strutted past the Axis Amerika. Saturn Queen addressed them, "Gudra, you and your men dealt with the Crimson Jihad in a flawless manner and you personally delivered my message to the Crimson Queen. You also have earned a respite. Go enjoy yourselves."
"Send me Ultraman and Shara," Saturn Queen demanded. She felt like a little vicarious sex.
Luthor had expected Saturn Queen to contact him for some time now. He'd even lowered his mental defenses to allow her to do so. So when her flushed cheeks image appeared before him, he knew his patience had been rewarded.
"Eve, where is my son?" Luthor asked straightaway.
"It's a shame you only pretend to be a father when the boy is threatened," Saturn Queen retorted.
"He was safe enough with his mother until your forces struck," Luthor grated.
"It's really a shame you killed Grodd. He argued that I should spare you. Of course, mercy wasn't a motivator but rather then desire to heap humiliations upon you," Saturn Queen informed him, "I may or may not be able to break you but I can inflict horrors upon your son that would even make you squirm."
"Yes, it's said your exploits with the Legion of Super Villains were so vile the future authorities wiped your identity and transplanted you in the past rather than resign you to the prison planet, Takron-Galtos," Luthor stated.
"You've done your homework, I see. So much the better. You realize I don't bluff," Saturn Queen was insufferably pleased with herself, "You have twenty-our hour to surrender to me. Afterwards, the torments begin. Little El-Faddil will be converted into jerky."
"I see," Luthor replied.
"No, you really don't," Saturn Queen promised him, "But you will should you fail to appear. Then I don't think it will be my wrath you need to worry about."
"It seems I have no choice then," Luthor conceded.
"No, you don't," Saturn Queen's mental image vanished and Luthor began to plan.
Darkling just appeared in the shared federal building the MLJ currently occupied.
"What the hell?" Kenny Wisdom leapt out of his office chair, "Did the teleporter just hiccup again?"
"Link ups with Liberty Station show the teleporter functioning as well as it ever does," KitCat answered.
"We need a better system than something the government seized from a super villain and auctioned off to other agencies," Kenny complained.
"So build one, genius," KitCat retorted.
Special Agent Strander charged into the Ops Center leading a security team. She spotted Darkling, "Did the teleporter just deliver her unannounced?"
"Nope," KitCat confidently replied, "And her arrival didn't register on a single instrument. I'd say we're looking at magic here."
"Did the Justice League just poof you here?" Carol asked Darkling.
"Courtesy of Anna Fortune," Darkling was relieved to finally be consulted regarding her own arrival.
"Given her reputation I'm not surprised your arrival was unorthodox," Carol shared, "Gen. Latham said you were briefing the Justice League. How did that go?"
"I stuck to just giving away information regarding the team members' professional work. I stayed away from personal info and could only offer a few impressions of the group's team aspects," Darkling reported.
"The General felt confident you understood his position on what to say and not to say," Carol shared, "Follow me and I'll deliver you to your new teammates."
Lancelot Strong seemed to be the only one disappointed to see Darkling's arrival. He seemed jealous of sharing the new arrival spotlight. An aspect of his personality that Shield and Carol would be discussing in private later that evening.
"Yeah! This is what I'm talking about. We need to boost the estrogen level of this team," Fly Girl enthused.
"Amen," Comet remarked playfully.
"Watch it, buddy. Or I'll break off your Little Dipper," Fly Girl warned him.
"We accept you provisionally until you've proven yourself," War Eagle declared.
"See what I'm coping with?" Fly Girl lamented to Darkling.
"We're just happy you've rejoined us. No provisions need," Fly promised Darkling.
"Now that everyone's present we can undertake our mission brief in the theater room in ten," Shield informed everyone, "Agent Strander and I will be delivering the latest revisions to our objective here in Los Angeles."
Steel Sterling took it upon himself to show Lancelot Strong to his assigned quarters. Jaguar volunteered to do the same for Darkling, "How did you manage to maintain your roots all platinum white blonde with the Justice League Dark for the past six months?"
"My hair is naturally white so no maintenance is needed," Darkling explained and saw she had a growing audience, "When I was eleven, things attacked my family and ritualistically slaughtered my parents, brother, and sisters. It scared me so bad my hair's been white ever since. The cops couldn't explain what happened and my story was deemed too weird to be true so I was locked away in a state mental hospital and grew up inside it."
"Then how did you meet us?" Jaguar wondered.
"I escaped and later joined a cult trying to find what killed everyone and repay them in kind. The ceremony that was supposed to summon those creatures bonded darkness too me instead. I gave up trying to get revenge and simply tried to find a way to help make sure something like what happened to me didn't happen to anyone else. And then I was shown the Mighty Crusaders and knew what I had to do," Darkling told everyone.
Blackness itself enveloped Darkling leaving a bright white arrow shaped on her chest and her face was covered with white light rather than the ever present darkness, "And that's all about me."
"Awesome," Comet almost seemed to sing a ballad in her name.
"You're such a breath of fresh air," Fly Girl promised Darkling, casting disparaging glare Robert Dickering's direction, "You survived hell and came back stronger for it."
"She hasn't seen the real Hell," Dickering interjected, "Not yet anyway."
"You're just jealous, Doc," Comet accused, "Someone else finally has a creepy factor to match the Hangman."
"For once I agree," War Eagle opined.
"Thanks," Comet grinned.
"Never mention it again. I'll categorically deny it if you do," War Eagle warned him.
"Aw, you hurt his feelings," Fly Girl observed.
"Good!" War Eagle, Inferno, Web, and Fireball said in unison. Oddly enough, the Black Hood kept his opinion to himself.
"Jeez," Comet went off to sulk.
"I hope you're all happy," Jaguar angrily threw at them.
"I certainly am," Web retorted.
Black Hood flipped the Web off. Shield intervened at last, "It's too late to show Darkling her room until after the briefing. Jaguar, you're still up for that?"
"Of course," she promised.
"Psychopaths only get a free ride for so long," Web declared.
"Grow up," Black Hood replied.
"You're pretty brave when you have that rag over your head," Web accused.
"And you hide behind a mask and angry comments," Dickering pointed out, "Which is the greater crime?"
"Buncha juvenile delinquents," Lancelot Strong decided from the doorway, "To think I busted ass to play with children."
"I wanted to join as well," Darkling declared, "And now they're already like family."
That certainly ended the bickering.
Captain Commando and American Shield had successfully contacted over a dozen "patriotic" militias. Jewel had begun delivering weapons for a "modest" commission. His Jewels Gang didn't subscribe to charity work.
The various, and competing, militias were armed to fight an insurrection for several months. And they'd all agreed to set their differences aside for the joint effort Captain Commando and American Shield had outlined.
The Eliminators prepared to cripple the city's infrastructure. Pirate Blue instructed the Syndicate Underground's personnel and cartels to take to the streets after the power and water were cut. And she used intermediaries to contact the rival the street gangs and broker a truce in exchange for a night of reckless abandonment.
Persian appeared in the Monitor's compound. He greeted her warmly, "Ah Persian, so good to see you again."
"Save it. I'm here on business," she told him.
"Yes, the files on the Outlaws. They're on that table. Feel free to take them," Monitor offered, "Afterwards; Harbinger could transport you to where you need to go without resorting to so many individual teleportation jumps."
"No thanks," Persian scooped up the digital records and vanished.
"So impetuous," Monitor scolded her memory.
