20

Predictably, Reactron opened his attack by unsealing his chest aperture that held the gold kryptonite shard. But Superman recalled its safe distance all too well. Cyclotron hammered away at Superman to try and herd him into range.

Superman decided to deal with the former Cyclotronic Man first. But when he grabbed hold of Cyclotron's wrists, the former super villain began to convert the solar radiation inside of Superman's body into a flare-like release. Afterwards, Superman's power was exhausted even without the aid of gold kryptonite.

Reduced to Clark Kent's level as a reality rather than a fiction, Superman struggled to stay alive. Reactron and Cyclotron had other ideas entirely.


Guardian severed the power ties between John Stewart's power ring and his constructs. Guardian's golden shield was proving to an offensive and well as defensive weapon. Agent Liberty had also come prepared.

Agent Liberty's arsenal of taser guns and jet pack were all coated in golden paint. So he kept maneuvering for an open shot while Guardian engaged Green Lantern physically. And finally, his aim was true.

While John struggled to remain conscious, he tapped into a force within himself he never thought he had.


Atom rode one of Chrysalis' robotic bees. He felt the bee's electric discharge ramping up and he leapt to another one. He'd been doing so for several minutes and was closing in on the Exogenesis Lab that Lois was in. For an android, Chrysalis was displaying a lot of frustration.

Many of her attributes were familiar to Ray Palmer. He wondered if she were another design from the twisted mind of TO Morrow. Atom was so absorbed by the bees; he was unaware of his proximity to their hive mind. Chrysalis discharged an electrical surge like a bug zapper that knocked Atom out. And Chrysalis bore down on him as if to step on him like she were squishing a bug.


Barda blocked Olympian's first, second, and third blows before responding with one of her own. And then she mercilessly pummeled him into the ground. She determined he wasn't a child of Zeus or any of the main Greco-Roman pantheon but more likely a demigod born from another demigod.

Barda finally dislocated Olympian's shoulder before breaking his breastbone through his armored breastplate. Finally he snapped his femur in half with a kick. Then the growling began.

Barda only knew Tasmanian Devil peripherally but she knew he tended to be pacifistic. But seeing the object of his desire wounded and soundly beaten brought out Tasmanian Devil's most animalistic tendencies. And Barda was now in for a fight.


The Knight discharged his electrical sword at General Glory but he'd never seen anyone so acrobatic. Not even Beryl Hutchinson. And every time the sword discharged it had to build another charge before it could fire again. But the blade retained a stunning charge.

So Knight tried to strike General Glory with that blade. But General Glory evaded every attack. And he was dodging Squire's slingshot propelled explosive pellet attacks as well.

But General Glory wasn't fighting back. And that bothered both Knight and Squire. And then General Glory caught the Squire's pellet rather than dodge it. Throwing it at Knight's feet, he distracted the British hero and snatched the electric sword from him. And he used the blade to snare Squire's slingshot from him.

"Are you willing to be reasonable now?" General Glory asked Knight and Squire.

"You're holding the weapons," Knight grated.

General Glory handed him the sword with the slingshot hanging from its hilt, "Not anymore."

Knight and Squire were nonplussed to have their offensive equipment back. And General Glory just stood there waiting for their reply. Not that he hadn't proven he could dodge their attacks anyway, but he'd handed them every advantage.

"Let's talk," Knight decided and Squire was relieved.

"What do you know of Beryl Hutchinson's history after you dismissed her?" General Glory asked.

"She went to Oxford after I enrolled her," Knight insisted.

"ARGUS discovered she participated in the NOWHERE program under a male guise of 'Red Robin'. Afterwards she led the Teen Titans," General Glory informed Beryl's former mentor, "Now she's missing. But she began a romantic relationship with Deathstroke's daughter. And Ravager is currently wanted by the police alongside a female accomplice."

"Beryl was never comfortable dating boys," Knight admitted, "But I can't believe she's become a criminal."

"The International Security Agency suspects her of becoming a mercenary," General Glory revealed, "And if she has, she's known as the Knave."

"It's Beryl," Knight sighed, "The last boy she ever dated called himself the Knave and he died saving London and specifically Beryl.."

"Father, we owe it to Beryl to end this and find her to find out why she's doing whatever she's doing," Squire insisted.

"Good lad, Cyril. How can we end this futile struggle?" Knight looked to General Glory to lead.

And General Glory was ready, "My plan is simplicity itself."

And so he told them what it was.


Hourman's muscle density was increased along with his strength and speed by the Miraclo. Which was the only reason he was still conscious. None of the Ultramarines fighting him were metas, gen actives, or even enhanced yet they were pounding away at him like an engine of destruction.

But the four were motivated by a lot of frustrated rage. First Batman had cut their funding and disbanded Batman Incorporated. Then they'd all joined the Justice League International only for it to fold as well. Dr. Mist's offer to join the Ultramarine Corps saved them from utter disillusionment. But the price of security was to serve at Gen. Lane's behest when needed.

And Lane's current wishes were utterly insane. But Wingman, Hood, Dark Ranger, and El Gaucho focused all of their anger, regret, and despair on fighting Hourman. And Hourman's Miraclo dose was burning its way through his system.


Cascade transformed into a wall of water. But before she could crash down upon Jesse Quick, Jesse spun like the Top used to and dispersed Cascade. But she was entirely confident Cascade could reconstitute herself.

Sandstorm transformed into the literal embodiment of his code-name. Jesse spun her outstretched arms and blew Sandstorm across the vast cavern. Which, like Cascade, was a temporary fix at best.

Centrix seemed unnerved. He was an average man. An exceptionally trained Canadian agent, but a non-powered human nonetheless. Still, she had to give him credit when he opted to press and attack.

Jesse streaked forward and her kinetic energy served to amplify her punch so that Centrix was not only knocked out but he was spun about in the air before hitting the floor. And then Sandstorm was upon her.


"Look, I think we should confab about this whole situation," Vibe told the now-armorless Warmaker One and the powerless Pulse 8 and 4-D.

"How about you explain how you deprived my comrades of their God-given powers and shattered my armor and I'll let you live," Warmaker One counteroffered.

"Hey, back off hermano," Vibe advised Warmaker One.

"Make me, runt," Warmaker One goaded Vibe.

So Vibe hit him with his vibration powers and knocked the soldier away and knocked him out as well. Pulse 8 and 4-D exchanged a telling look. Pulse 8 spoke for the pair, "Okay, let's talk."

But Vibe still didn't trust them.


Plastic Man herded Kid Impala and Nightrunner against a wall. And then he reshaped himself into a bulldozer and pushed Glob into them. While they all tried to extricate themselves, Plas returned to his human shape.

"Wanna sit down and hash things out yet?" he asked.

"No!" Kid Impala shouted.

"Your call," Plastic Man said wearily.


"Something's wrong here," Owlwoman realized. Jack O'Lantern was blasting away with mystical flames and Supergirl was nonchalantly standing there instead of being incinerated. And Owlwoman's enhanced vision let her see the flames weren't quite making contact.

"Okay, Jack. Stop what you're doing," Owlwoman instructed.

"Bloody hell, she's not even singed," Jack complained.

"Your lantern's fire never actually touched her," Owlwoman explained, "Neat trick by the way."

"It's useful," Supergirl admitted, "Especially in situations like this."

"I give," Owlwoman sighed, "What are you anyway?"

"Like I said before, I'm from another universe. A universe that's gone now. But Superman brought me here and gave me a new home," Supergirl told them.

"I'm called Owlwoman but my name is Wenonah," she shared.

"I ain't sharin'," Jack said grumpily.

"I'm Matrix," Supergirl happily revealed, "Now what are we going to do about this mess?"


"You killed Goraiko," Belphegor accused.

"Tosh, I just left him near Pluto," Anna Fortune replied, "Given Captain Atom and Major Force's established records, he should me it back to Earth within two months."

Anna studied the frozen Atom Smasher, "Now let's discuss this mental grip you have on my dearest Atom Smasher."

"I'm going to crush you with his body," Belphegor threatened, "I'm assuming you love him too much to harm him."

"You sorely overestimate me," Anna conjured and silver flames consumed Atom Smasher and he vanished, "Now mentalist, let's discuss your surrender."


A nearby metal folding chair floated into the air and smashed itself over Man-of-Bats' head. While he reeled, Raven Red pointed out Gypsy's prime weakness, "She still casts a shadow!"

"So she's still physical even when she's unseen," Man-of-Bats deduced.

"So we can track her and trap her," Raven Red gloated.

"But carefully," Man-of-Bats cautioned, "Shadows are her friend."

Gypsy decided life sucked.


Superwoman gave as good as she got. Bizarro was still stronger and faster but his simplistic fighting style made Superman look like an expert. On the other hand, Lucy was an experienced combatant.

When Lucy joined the Air Force, she qualified for the Special Air Police, both the military police and special ops branch of the Air Force. And Lucy quickly joined the elite. Garnering her father's attention when he was selecting a candidate for the Superwoman program.

Bizarro was frankly overwhelmed. Only his need for Lois kept him in the fight. And his delaying tactic was drawing the birth of Bizarro Lois ever closer.


Dr. Mist kept Gen. Lane apprised of the developments beyond the Exogenesis Lab. Seeing the Ultramarine Corps didn't have their hearts in the fight, Lane contacted Col. Dowd of the Sandmen. The Sandmen, Psycho Troopers, and Black Razors had formed a cordon round the Exogenesis Chamber.

But their orders radically changed. If anyone wavered, Ultramarines and Meta-Human Responders alike, the orders were to shoot to kill the Justice League and formerly friendly forces alike. Charges of treason would be filed after the fact. Anyone found disobeying the order would also be summarily executed and charged with treason afterwards.

And then the final process to transforming Lois Lane into Bizarro Lois began.


Red Hood found himself facing four active opponents and two that were sleeping off the pounding he'd given them. The Thunderbolt agents were very diversified but definitely second stringers. It was no wonder these clowns hadn't threatened the Justice League, Justice Society, or the Teen Titans.

Radiator shot radiation surges out of the boiler plate on his chest. Whitefire projected flames that froze rather than burned. Firecracker utilized small but powerful explosives. And Familiar could become the same substance as whatever she touched.

Red Hood decided to have a little fun. First he put a depleted uranium slug through Radiator's skull. As the radioactive agent fell, he lethally dosed Whitefire. In turn, Whitefire immediately began displaying advanced radiation sickness.

Red Hood grappled with Firecracker before throwing the man into Familiar. She absorbed his humanity and they perished together as the bombs all across Firecracker's bandoliers detonated. Then Red Hood performed a mercy killing by putting Whitefire out of his growing misery. Applying the last two of Firecracker's explosives to Arsenal and Crimson Star, Red Hood dealt with his fallen foes.


Ravager found herself fighting the bulk of the soloistic Thunderbolt agents. But Thunder Axe and Blade Master were attempting to coordinate their efforts. Off to one side, Spyderr utilized his six arms to try and get a shot off at Ravager. Like Wolf of the Council of Spiders, he could use each arm individually but he had nothing regarding the control the late Wolf had possessed.

Ravager spared a moment to throw a dagger in his eye and thereby into his brain. Then she unsheathed her second sword and began her dual with Blade Master and Thunder Axe simultaneously. Ravager may have only had one eye remaining to her but she was more than aware of Trojan flanking her.

She back flipped over Trojan as he committed to his ambush. He and Blade Master mutually impaled one another. As Ravager reengaged Thunder Axe, Hitpin threw a steel-aluminum alloy bowling pin at the back of Ravager's head. Which she nimbly ducked. And it struck Thunder Axe in the face, distracting him long enough for Ravager to slit his throat.

Turning to face Hitpin, Ravager wore a predatory smile, "That the best you got?"

Hitpin dropped his duffel and began throwing pins at Ravager. It almost seemed like an incompetent juggling act with pins flying one direction and not the other. Ravager repeatedly dodged pin after pin until she caught the last one and threw straight back at Hitpin. It cracked his skull open it struck with such force.

Ravager adopted a pouty demeanor, "Oops."


Knave employed her quarterstaff to disable Sky Raider's jet pack. But he threw himself out the window just the same. Knave knew his landing wouldn't be pretty.

Kaleidoscope created a psychedelic blend of colors and geometric shapes. But Knave began to "read" the patterns and found Kaleidoscope at the center of them. A quick jab of her quarterstaff ended Kaleidoscope's fighting days. But Knave couldn't bring herself to finish the other woman off.

Marionette tried to seize control of Knave's limbs while the berserker-like Maniak attacked her. Ravager lopped Marionette's head off, "Don't mess with my girlfriend."

Knave beat Maniak back now that she was unencumbered. But the battle was evenly matched. Then Ravager plunged her twin swords into Maniak's back and out his chest. Then she finished off Kaleidoscope.

"You okay with that?" Ravager worried.

"More and more all the time," Knave confessed.

"Cool," Ravager grinned, "Personally I'm looking forward to all the 'hot damn, we survived' sex after we finish this."

"Let's hurry things then," Knave shared Ravager's mood.


Swarm converted herself into a literal swarm of insect sized duplicates of herself. But there was still only one collective consciousness. But Green Arrow was still too freaked out to realize it yet.

Blue Damsel Fly had insect wing and a bioelectric "sting". Pod was a failed genetic experiment and wasn't remotely human. Power Pirate stole super powers. If the foe had any.

Power Pirate waved around at Green Arrow, "Aha! Your powers are mine!"

"I have a bow and arrows. Do you really think I would be using them if I had any powers?" Green Arrow had to ask. Then he put an arrow in Power Pirate's eye.

Each of Swarm's "insect" duplicates also possessed bioelectric stings. So while he evaded them and Blue Damsel Fly, he imbedded Pod with explosive arrows that eventually blue the freak of nature apart. Blue Damsel Fly and Swarm exited through the shattered window at that point.


Metalliferro could coat anyone in steel; Silversmith did the same with silver. Speedy managed to send Nullifier into them, thereby robbing them of their powers. She rapidly shot both of them in the neck with razor arrows. Then Speedy tricked Nullifier into robbing Distortionex of his ability to disintegrate at a touch. Then she used heart shots to drop them both. Then she wondered why she'd bothered lecturing Ravager and Red Hood.

Red Arrow killed three out of the four agents confronting her. Bug Baron was first because his mechanical insects were bothersome. Aurora was next because her light wave powers were too annoying to endure. Windrider was killed at distance as he tried to flee. Only Naiad managed to escape. Not that her power over water was of much use in a dry room.

"Job's not over until we deal with Mr. Thunder," Red Hood advised the Outlaws.

"Which one is he?" Speedy asked wearily.

"Pointy hood and mask," Knave replied.

"He went down the stairwell," Ravager recalled, "Along with a few of his agents."

"It'll be a trap," Red Arrow advised them.

"So let's spring it," Green Arrow grinned.


K-9 had burst forth towards Ravager as Red Hood and Knave slipped by. Knave stood by in case the impossible happened and her lover needed help. Red Hood descended the stairs and killed Squid and Serpentina along the way. The archers descended to street level via grapple lines.

So they encountered a reconstituted Swarm and Blue Damsel Fly awaiting Mr. Thunder and Belladonna. Red Hood was right behind them. Mr. Thunder made to resist but his electrical gear malfunctioned.

"Ah hell," he sighed, "I give up already."

"The Syndicate Underground has an offer for you," Red Hood informed him.

"Do you really think I'm in any position to refuse?" Mr. Thunder retorted, "Let's go back inside and talk."

"Others have before," Red Hood confided, "It was usually their last act on Earth. Here's a number to call."

Red Hood handed him a business card, "This is a time sensitive offer so I'd call right now."

"I'll give Pirate Blue this, she's a helluva negotiator," Mr. Thunder quipped.

"And if you choose Intergang instead I'm authorized to tell you next time we'll play hardball," Red Hood told him, "We'll be in town until you accept Pirate Blue's terms."

"Good God," Mr. Thunder breathed after the Outlaws were out of sight, "They killed just about everyone and now they're threatening to get rough."

"I think we'd better enlist, boss," Swarm was afraid for her life.

"Swarm's got one hell of a point," Blue Damsel Fly agreed.

"Much as I hate to admit it, I agree as well," Belladonna, the mistress of poisons, also lent her voice.

"No," Mr. Thunder decided, "We aren't caving in. Intergang has some assets in town. They'll get us out of town."

Overseer came out of the building looking dazed and confused. A cab dropped off Iron Mask. Mr. Thunder made the call to Julie Sazia and they were on a departing freighter within the hour, abandoning everything they couldn't carry on their person.


The Auctioneer had rented the uppermost floor of a Los Angeles skyscraper. The room was an architectural achievement because it was actually two stories high. The Auctioneer had arrived by helicopter at the attached landing pad to oversee the final loading of his catalog of products. He'd hired locals as well as his permanent staff to deliver items to their newfound owners.

A local bank supplied the satellite remote for currency wire transfers. The Auctioneer had been warned by Pirate Blue to employ portable generators tied into the building's electrical wiring grid. They'd even brought a refueling truck to tender the generators. Pirate Blue had declared the building and its block a no-conflict zone. So the rioting and looting occurred everywhere else around them.

Sivana and Mr. Mind were among the early attendees. Pirate Blue and her entourage were among the last to arrive. Pirate Blue was escorted by the Persian. Brains gave her a jaunty little wave. Pirate Blue flipped her the bird in reply.

Three members of the Plunderer's crew waited in a van in the underground parking garage. First Mate was exactly that. Bonney was so called because of her striking resemblance to Anne Bonney, one of Pirate blue's personal heroines. Snips was the best weapons officer on the ship and she was also the smallest and most petite crewmember.

Roulette studied Pirate Blue and Persian as they passed. To be fair, Pirate Blue was surprised to see Roulette present as well until she read the catalog of items up for auction. Pirate Blue was delighted to see her "secret" posse had arrived as well.

The Queen of Diamonds was conspicuous no matter where she went. And she drew attention off of Cat-Girl and Pow-Girl. Cat-Girl was a supposed cat goddess in human form. It seemed implausible to Pirate Blue. And she had an unhealthy fixation on Jaguar.

Pow-Girl was a former Web Host who'd grown attracted to the Web. His "love `em and leave `em" philosophy after several sexual encounters irritated Pow-Girl. So she decided to go rogue and entrap the Web in a scheme of his own devising. Afterward, she'd torment him with sexual anticipation and lack of gratification until he begged for mercy. And made her his one and only lover.

Pirate Blue looked forward to the upcoming auction as scores of second tier villains arrived in an effort to bolster their reputations with second hand technology and abandoned artifacts. Pirate Blue and her cast of characters were only concerned with a single item. One Mother Box ready to be served up.


The Mighty Crusaders found their battlefield shifting beneath them. But the Evil Brain Trust relied on their superior numbers even in retreat. And the Web Hosts had broken off which shifted the balance of power even deeper towards the Trust.

American Shield would halt long enough to protect Weapon and himself while Weapon volleyed shots at Shield. Weapon was down to a .50 caliber semi-auto manufactured in Israel. The rounds were armor piercing spent uranium slugs that could penetrate main battle tank. But while they slowed Shield down, even they didn't kill him.

American Shield and Weapon were so engrossed in the foot chase they forgot Shield had a limited flight capability that was really more of a length "hop". When Shield disappeared from behind them, both men relaxed. Only to find he was now in front of them.

"It was worth it just for your expressions," Shield had to admit. Which amounted to their body language and their widened eyes given the fact both men wore full face masks.

"Gah!" American Shield finally exclaimed, "Why can't you just die?"

They'd reached a major thoroughfare and an exodus of cars was slowly headed for interstates and highways to flee Los Angeles. The gangs were letting them go, leaving their abandoned homes, apartments, and most importantly their belongings, behind. Weapon fired off a few tracer rounds and Shield wondered what had screwed his aim up so badly. The other man that never missed hadn't even come close to hitting Shield

As the first explosion ripped through the night and lit up the city bock, Shield realized Weapon had hit exactly what he'd aimed for. An automobile's gas tank. And then the other phosphorous laden tracers ignited other fuel tanks.

""You're scum, Weapon. When did civilian casualties become acceptable?" Shield demanded to know.

"No one has died yet," Weapon advised, "If you still hurry you can save everyone. So what is it to be, Shield? The mission or the bystanders?"

"There isn't a choice and you know it," Shield snarled as he went to pull people from burning vehicles.

"I would've chosen the mission," American Shield admitted to Weapon, "And still they chose him to be the Shield of America."

"There is a time and place for his brand of idealist," Weapon counseled American Shield, "Let me create a few more distractions on our exit and we can reach the rally point unhindered."

"A few bodies might slow him down as well," American Shield countered.

"No, these people aren't part of the fight, just our escape," Weapon aimed his pistol at American Shield's head, "Or should I make you a distraction as well?"

"I can't believe the American government, my government, hires you," American Shield spat.

"There aren't any more flags or borders. Just the haves and the have nots," Weapon advised him, "And the governments of the haves takes the money and liberties from the have nots to stay in power. You know this or you wouldn't be here."

American Shield didn't say anything as Weapon occasionally fired at a vehicle they departed. Weapon found that encouraging, "Good. so you know it's true."

American Shield's face burned beneath his mask.


War Eagle wondered why wings were so popular now. It seemed everyone wanted to be a winged meta-human these days. First, Hawkgirl had appeared followed by the Thanagarians. Then Hawkman had revealed himself. Sparrow Hawk and Hummingbird had been next to show themselves.

Now it was crooks with artificial wings and flight gear. Supposedly Buzzard had acquired his gear from Professor Anthony Ivo. Then Owl had stolen his equipment from MARS Corporation's ARMS Control division. And Crow had gained his suit and flight equipment from the Gadgeteer when the latter was trying to finance a new pet project. It seemed nature could be duplicated by technology these days.

Special Agent Carol Anne Strander had briefed the Mighty Crusaders that the MLJ was chasing down rumors that the Brain Emperor was assembling cadre of Mighty Crusader foes. War Eagle knew they'd consist of gen actives, gen latents, technologically enhanced, and baseline humans as well as a smattering of the magically empowered and dark arts practitioners.

The Mighty Crusaders Nazi enemies had joined Captain Nazi's Fourth Reich en masse. Even with recent losses, the Fourth Reich still attracted new members from the Mighty Crusaders' rogues gallery. The Hun was the latest addition to the Fourth Reich's ranks. And rumors also had it that Dr. Demon had a failsafe in the advent of her death.

War Eagle refocused on the task at hand. She could easily outrace Buzzard and outlast Owl. But they were intent on reaching the Port of Los Angeles and War Eagle wanted to know why and who they were meeting.


Inferno still thought of himself as "Frank Verrano" despite his true nature being revealed. Latham had honored their agreement but it hardy endeared the general to what passed for Inferno's "heart". Whoever the real Frank Verrano had been, his identity had been erased from worldwide databanks as well, presumably, his life. MLJ experts theorized that the original Frank Verrano's personality had been transferred to Inferno with regards to his memories. Which also explained Inferno's innate moral compass. His structural design was reminiscent of Ivo and TO Morrow's work yet oddly original as well. The closest analogue being Silas Stone's work when he transformed his son Vic into Cyborg.

Captain Commando and Radiation Rogue had "liberated" an "abandoned" truck after its owners had been hung at Hangman's whim. Inferno spotted a truly abandoned SUV in an alley. He found jump starting it ridiculously easy. A skill he'd obviously been programmed with since no one in living memory had shown him how.

Radiation Rogue fired off potshots at Inferno. Inferno promised himself if Radiation Rogue irradiated anyone he'd fry the man crisp like bacon. That's if Captain Commando's high speed manic driving didn't kill someone first.


Lancelot Strong had already decided a foot chase pursuing physically enhanced people was a drag. Doc Strong had been the first to be improved through the physical processes that would be further improved to yield Mighty Man and Lancelot himself. But Doc Strong had conditioned himself and increased the output of the externally energized serum that originally transformed him.

The CRUCIBLE Project had developed superhumans since World War II. After the rise of the Justice Society, both the Allied and Axis powers had scrambled to harness gen factors. The goal was to corner the market on mystery men and women. after the war ended, the Cold War continued that race.

The USSR and the Warsaw Pact competed with the USA and NATO for dominance in harnessing gen actives. The People's Republic of China and others come to the fore afterwards. And the Kryptonian Ranger Scouts had decimated Russia and China's state run super operatives. So the race had resumed.

But Lancelot was determined to run down Doc Strong and Mighty Man no matter how far they ran.


Web left the now unarmed Firefly behind to track Deadly Force. Deadly Force had been Web's first enhanced opponent. And there had never been a clear victory between them.

Web's suit had very limited fight capability and he was lagging behind Deadly Force and losing altitude. Deadly Force's armor had been software patched so Web couldn't hack it again as he had during their last encounter. Something Web found irritating unacceptable.

John Raymond was the master of a corporate empire and had a personal net worth of five billion US dollars. Covertly developing tech for his own use and the use of the Web Hosts hampered his ability to produce upgrades as fast as they were needed. Even openly supporting his alter ego and the Web Hosts hadn't sped the process up owing to the necessity to garner an acceptable profit margin.

John Raymond's father had used his last words to pass the company to him and to tell him he was a better businessman but his older, social worker brother was a better man. And to add salt to the wound, his brother was killed right after John had become the Web. These events reshaped John Raymond's life.

Web had an internet help line. The Web Hosts dealt with the bulk of the requests while the Web assisted those who were truly helpless to alleviate their condition. But in order to distance himself from the Web persona, Raymond echoed Bruce Wayne's portrayal of a vapid playboy.

Finally admitting that he wouldn't catch Deadly Force, Web queried the Web Hosts to determine their status. Then he deployed them across the San Fernando Valley to track down Deadly Force while he reported in at the Simon & Kirby building.


Carol called off Comet's pursuit of Rogue Star. Radium King was irradiating police and civilians. ARGUS was overwhelmed by the LAPD and FBI's assistance requests. Comet groaned as he diverted to deal with the threat. he was so angry that he came in blasting away with cosmic energy to blast Radium King before he could harm another person.

The law enforcement officers and agents were as afraid of Comet as they were of Radium King when thy collected the villain and took him into custody. Comet groaned again, filled with remorse as he returned to the Simon & Kirby. he knew he'd catch flak after Carol was briefed by her fellow FBI agents.


Lodestone and Brontosaurus stood their ground as Steel Sterling rapidly approached. Steel Sterling opted to match Lodestone's polarity and he bounced off the man's magnetic field. That propelled both of them in opposite directions.

Steel Sterling had been prepared for the repulsion so he halted his flight within seconds. And then he headed back to deal with Brontosaurus. he just hoped he could do so before Lodestone reappeared.


Gadgeteer set up an ambush and lobbed a fire retardant grenade that coated Fireball. Then he threw his other two to saturate the air around Fireball. Gadgeteer presented himself to Fireball, who found his pyrokinetic power utterly neutralized.

"How does it feel to be helpless?" Gadgeteer gloated.

"You'll know soon enough," Fireball promised.

"I don't think so," Gadgeteer warned. Then he shot him twice in the heart and once on the forehead. Then Gadgeteer whistled a merry tune as he finished his escape.


Elasto stretched his legs so that he took massive strides to cross town. Crow flew above him while Fly chased them both. But then Elasto headed south and Crow turned north. Fly turned north as well but Crow vanished. So Fly turned about and head after Elasto. Unaware that Crow was now tracking him.

Dream Demon sat on the steps leading to a home when Darkling confronted her. Darkling lashed out with her darkness and Dream Demon easily deflected it. Darkling was incensed.

"You shouldn't have screwed with my memories," Darkling warned Dream Demon.

"Such lovelies," Dream Demon sighed, "You should be proud of your horrors."

"I'll be proud of this," Darkling struck with such force it penetrated Dream Demon's defenses. And masked her eyes so she couldn't see.

Dream Demon sobbed as she tried to restore her sight. Darkling was remorseless, "How's that grab you?"

Dream Demon stumbled to her feet and sank to her knees as Darkling strode away without a second glance.


Black Hood continued his motorcycle mounted pursuit. Jewel and Stunner continued to flee on their purloined bikes. And they shot bystanders along the way to dissuade Black Hood's relentless chase. Which only made him angrier if that was humanly possible.

He managed to shot both rear tires of the two fleeing villains as they got onto the I-5 North. They laid their bikes down and drew their weapons. Black Hood came to a halt and dismounted. He held a gun in each hand as he made his way beside traffic to confront his quarry, "Now we play the game my way."


Jaguar bounded from rooftop to rooftop, hurtling over four lane boulevards when needed. But Spider launched himself off into a multi-building gap. He used his psionic web line to swing the distance and then he scaled the building. Jaguar's cat-like vision witnessed as he gave her a jaunty wave. Seething inside, she promised herself it would go much differently on the next go-around.


Fly Girl paced Lady Spider as the latter fled the scene. She supposed she could have caught Lady Spider by now but she was more interested in finding out where the villainess was headed to. She flew above Lady Spider and so far she hadn't been detected. But she'd lost track of the Fox and she worried he'd gotten into more trouble.

Fox had managed to keep up for about two blocks. Then came a four lane crossing. he realized by the time he managed to grapple his way across and scale the building, the two women he was chasing would be long gone.

Fox had trained with I-Ching and then the same kendo masters that Katana had studied with. He was formidable using martial arts but he was nearly unstoppable with a katana in his hands. And Shield had persuaded him, for the last time he promised, not to carry his sword, nunchuks, or shuriken. So Fox felt badly outclassed.

Then he spun to confront the intruder behind him. She wore a rust colored version of his costume and a mask shaped like the chest emblem he bore. he had to ask her who she was.

"I'm She-Fox, silly," she said in a familiar, sultry alto.

"Delilah?" he yelped.

"Shh. Secret identity and all that, Paul," She-Fox chided him, "You know all the stuff that caused our breakup."

Delilah Monaco had been Paul Patton's girlfriend before his fateful trip to Japan. He'd finally revealed his secret to her as his explanation for going. She took the fact he'd lied to her for two years harder than his farewell. After he'd returned, he found Delilah had left town and instructed all of their mutual acquaintances not to tell him where she'd gone. That had been over a year ago.

"How?" Fox stammered, "Why?"

"How is you're not that secretive. Only I went to Hong Kong rather than Japan," She-Fox humored him, "And why is because it's fun."

"It really isn't," Fox replied.

"You just got stuffy," She-Fox accused, "The old Fox was a devil-may-care type. I don't know why you got superhero religion but I can get your head back to where it was."

"I really need to arrest someone," Fox said weakly.

"Yeah, half the damn city," She-Fox retorted, "Look around. People everywhere need real help. Not this Mighty Crusaders bullshit. Come play with me."

"My friends need my help," Fox told her.

"Your friends left you here with me," She-Fox argued, "Look, if you won't help at least don't hinder me."

"I won't but turnabout is fair play," Fox countered.

"I can't promise anything," She-Fox actually giggled, "Later, lover."

She went over the roof's edge. Fly Girl radioed Fox, "Where the hell are you?"

"Sorry, Fly Girl. I hit an unexpected delay," Fox replied.

Beneath the ledge, She-Fox listened intently. She determined to learn all there was about Fly Girl.


Jonni Thunder, and especially Thunderbolt, were garnering a lot of attention Jonni would just as soon avoid. Sooner or later someone was going to ask her to be a goddamn superhero. And Jonni had a few choice words for that person.


Funky Flashman took over the United Nations' press agency to posit the Secret Society of Super Villains growing list of demands. Saturn Queen had briefed him on all the major points. And she monitored the crowds surrounds the Dome to adjust policy as it was being announced. Saturn Queen had unabashedly declared herself empress of the world.

Saturn Queen supposed if Belphegor had performed these services to Dr. Mist the Global Guardians or Justice League International would still be the in-house police force. In order to keep house, Saturn Queen had sent Libra with a team to deal with Spyral. Virtuoso had taken the former Legion of Doom and done the same to SHADE.

The attacks should have already begun. Saturn Queen was pleased her timetable was right on schedule.


Amanda Waller had received additional requests for assistance from Spyral and SHADE. So she sent the information along to Gwen Cormaugh and Task Force X at Belle Reeve Prison. Col. Rick Flagg and Special Agent Karin Grace were ramping the teams up for deployment. Katana, Nightshade, and the Unknown Soldier assisted in the preparations and intelligence briefings supplied by King Faraday.

The Suicide Squad's new expert hackers would supply Faraday with constant updates. Oracle was a human genius restricted to a wheelchair. Hack was gen active and could talk to computers with her mind. She could transform people into digital signals and transmit them over mass communications lines.

Flagg wasn't taking any more chances with the squad after Cupid managed to get her neck bomb out and survived. Her choker had hidden the incisions and crude sutures. Enchantress had replaced Cupid.

June Moone had volunteered to be inducted into the Suicide Squad because she was afraid after she'd lost control of the witch that used her as a host body.

June was an excellent graphics artist who was now unemployable because the Enchantress never let her meet a deadline. Professionally blacklisted, June saw the Suicide Squad has a chance for redemption both personally and professionally. June would deploy with the squad and transform on the event of a "Code E". It was up to Flagg to get Enchantress to release her grip and restore June to the mortal world.

Killer Croc was another new arrival. He'd been found by ARGUS after the abortive coup at the Hall of Doom. And sparks were already flying between Enchantress and Croc.

Flagg's team roster was fuller than it had ever been. Which meant the Suicide Squad was even more unstable than ever before. Especially since they would be splitting into three squads this time.

Flagg had every confidence in Nightshade and Katana to keep their troops in line. He wasn't as sanguine about the Unknown Soldier doing them same for Flagg's team. The Unknown Soldier was a provocative figure and thrived on conflict. Not the best choice to have around a team of super villains, neck bombs or not.