14
"Luthor's been here and gone. And he took El-Faddil with him so my leverage over him is spent," Saturn Queen scowled as the Secret Society arrived at Fort Siegel, "And the Legionnaires went with him as well."
"So Luthor survived," Virtuoso realized.
"Of course he did," Saturn Queen said with disgust, "It's what cockroaches do."
"I can find him, Mother," Ultraman offered.
"No, there's someone here you need to be reacquainted with," Saturn Queen led him to her quarters and strode in to find the Other and a blonde woman wearing a white uniform reminiscent of Power Girl's only with a "U" emblazoned on the chest where the cutout should otherwise be.
"Ultraman, I suppose you remember Kara Zor-L," the Other was certain.
"Ultragirl!" Ultraman embraced Ultragirl. She seemed less than happy about it, "Steady, Cousin. Alfred was barely able to get me and few others off Earth-3 in time."
"Time for what?" Ultraman asked.
"The destruction of our entire universe," the Other told him.
"You have to be lying," Ultraman angrily accused.
"He isn't, Kal-L. Legends in the 31st Century told of an apocalypse that decimated a mythical multiverse and made it a single universe," Saturn Queen shared, "It seems we're living in those days."
"What do you mean 'mythical'?" Other asked.
"I woke up in this century to find a multiverse to be factual if rarely believed in. From these days on it drifts into the fanciful because it no longer exists," Saturn Queen explained, "A thousand years from now it's barely a myth."
"Then how do you explain your fancy Legion?" Ultragirl asked.
"I see the Other has been speaking out of school," Saturn Queen wore a glacial smile, "The Legion of Superheroes was built on a dual legend, Superboy and Supergirl. But on Earth Prime Kal-El of Krypton never began as Superboy. And Supergirl became a White Lantern shortly after becoming an adult and meeting the LSH. The LSH's Superboy came from a pocket universe the Time Trapper created to steer and mold that Legion in the direction he wanted it to go. But Superboy sacrificed himself to liberate his universe and the future from the Time Trapper."
"Kara In-Ze doesn't know anything except the future has rejected her. So she went into space to join Kyle Rayner," Saturn Queen explained, "And the current Supergirl came from that pocket universe and the current Superboy is a hybrid clone of Superman and Luthor."
"What caused this destruction?" Ultragirl was proving to be a genius intellect compared to her oafish cousin.
"An evil that is seemingly all powerful and unrelenting destroyed the infinite multiverse," Saturn Queen told them all, "He can't be reasoned with or bargained with."
"But there is a future where everyone survived this being," Other reminded Saturn Queen.
"History can be changed. Look at my ongoing presence here in this time," Saturn Queen pointed out.
"I should have given my life for Master Thomas. He'd know what to do," Other lamented.
"Owlman would have sacrificed you on the altar of his own ambition," Saturn Queen made mention of his "dutiful" master.
"But I would have fulfilled my destiny in the service of the Court of Owls," Other intoned religiously.
"How vexing," Saturn Queen smirked.
"I can rid you of Saturn Queen," Luthor promised the Secretary-General, the directors of Spyral, SHADE, the DEO, and the delegates from the five permanent members of the Security Council.
"And in exchange you wish to rule the world," Katherine Webb-Kane didn't quite sneer.
"Indirectly. I want you ladies and gentlemen to continue as always and for your respective governments to continue business in the traditional venues. I merely want absolute veto authority," Luthor announced, "I say 'no' to any policy or agenda and my will is obeyed without question. In exchange I will eliminate the world's major criminal agencies and conspiracies to make your lives easier."
"And what is really in it for you?" The Secretary-General asked.
"One percent of the Gross National Product of every member nation," Luthor revealed.
"And if we should refuse, theoretically speaking," Director Bones asked.
"I'll destroy Saturn Queen with or without our deal in place," Luthor vowed, "But without it in place, I begin toppling governments as soon as I've finished with her. You have twelve hours to contact me either way. From there, I move forward regardless."
Latham assigned Special Agent Strander to vet Darkling. Web giddily handed over what he'd dug up. She disregarded the juvenile records on legal merit but they told an ugly story. Darla Lang had lived through an undesireable adolescence. And given her known associates, it was little wonder she'd skirted in an out of underworld circles ever since.
But Darla had been smart enough to avoid being involved as anything other than a document and money courier. She'd even kept her mouth shut and done an eighteen month stretch in women's correctional. Which seemed to have brought her to the Auctioneer's attention.
Her GED and IQ tests were off the charts. Darla was a high school dropout for social and economic reasons rather than academic. Of all the egos in the Simon & Kirby, only Fly Girl, KitCat, and Kenny Wisdom rivaled Darla for sheer intellectual brownie points.
Sending her results to Latham at Liberty Station, Carol reviewed Fox's statements regarding She-Fox. Carol and a team of FBI agents had been assigned to infiltrate a group of anti meta-human terrorists known as the Neutralizers. Only, Carol's partner was also a Neutralizer and Carol was the lone survivor of the ambush thanks to Frank Verrano.
While the MLJ Initiative was being organized. Jack Latham read Carol's report of the incident. And Latham scooped Strander and Verrano up together. Shield, Inferno, and Special Agent Strander went recruiting together. Meanwhile, War Eagle was utilized to contact Hangman and Black Hood.
Carol served as the Special Agent-in-Charge for MLJ field ops as well as its Law Enforcement Liaison. Latham had resisted his initial urge to put Shield in official charge but he preferred to let the cream rise when there was no official chain of command outside of himself and Carol. And Carol was documenting Web's jealousies and Black Hood's rebelliousness. But the others were all beginning to look to Joe Higgins as their natural leader.
Robert Dickering reported in and Carol knew the Hangman was an increasing liability even if Latham refused to recognize the fact. Comet confided in her there was another Hangman besides Dickering. She had KitCat do some digging and sure enough, there was another spooky strangely garbed man with mystical powers and a crow. Carol forwarded on the information to Latham. Hopefully he'd come to his senses and recruit one Hangman to replace another.
"This guy is good, Buster," Oracle reported to Karen Thomas, "He's a former terrorist with incredible mental abilities. And he knows how to go to ground and hide."
"Whatever happened to the woman who stole government and superhero secrets and sold them to super villains?" Buster teased, "`Cause I need her on the job."
"Your boss broke her back," Oracle said sourly, "And handed her over to Waller."
"I can't control Web. God knows he's betrayed both of us. But even his resources can't find Brain Emperor. But I've convinced him to cover your medical expenses regarding experimental treatments."
"The ones Waller won't cover," Oracle seemed amused, "Nice touch, Buster."
"I try, I really do," she admitted.
"Just to warn you, the US government is currently funding three separate clandestine meta-human containment agencies. 'Containment' being a euphemism for 'capture or kill'," Oracle warned Buster, "Anyway, I have three leads. Here they are…"
Once the National Guard secured the safety zone, Jonni Thunder took Jade up to her second story office. Jade seemed surprised to find a residentially zoned apartment hosting a business. And a law firm down the hall.
"The door says 'Thunder & Thunder Investigations'." Jade pointed out.
"Soon as I finished apprenticing Dad brought me on as a partner," Jonni explained.
"Where was he in all of this?" Jade asked.
"Six feet under," Jonni said sadly, "His murder set off all this Thunderbolt nonsense."
Jonni checked her messages. Most were panicky folks offering to pay her for protection. One was a police detective that seemed to have a heightened concern for her safety. Another was from another private investigator feeling the same way as the cop.
"Geez, two boyfriends and I can't even score one," Jade joked.
"One knows my secret and is basically a con artist that occasionally finds where he left his heart and the cop doesn't know and is a bit of a control freak," Jonni lamented.
"He's a cop," Jade shrugged.
"He's on the short list to make captain. So he lives vicariously through my caseload," Jonni pulled a bottle of Wild Turkey out of her dad's desk, "I knew I kept this for a reason. Care for a snort?"
"I usually don't," Jade admitted, "But what the hell?"
"Can I ask why you're still green?" Jonni put out there as she poured double shots.
"Sure, if you'll describe your usual cases," Jennie-Lynn Haden countered.
"Sure," Jonni agreed as she handed over Jennie-Lynn's tumbler.
"What you see is what you get twenty-four/seven. I'm always green. The curse of my power," Jennie-Lynn shared.
"Hence the boyfriend problem," Jonni realized.
"Got it in one. You must be a detective," Jennie-Lynn teased.
"Smart ass. Now I'm not sure I should have given you cheap liquor," Jonni wisecracked.
"Now, for your cases?" Jennie-Lynn asked.
"Typically I deal with cheaters. Whether they be embezzlers or spouses, it all pays the same hourly rate," Jonni shared, "Occasionally I get the murder or missing persons case where the cops have either written it off or given up. I've even dealt with cold cases. Some of those have taken me out of state and pulled in the feds. I wish I could say I was a hundred percent successful but I have better luck than most of my competition. And that's without the Thunderbolt. With it I'm pretty damn unstoppable."
"Same with me and my power pulse," Jade held her left palm aloft, "But they always see me coming."
"I bet it's a helluva thing to get groceries," Jonni admitted.
"Takes a few hours with all the autograph seekers. The sob stories are the worst," Jennie-Lynn said miserably.
"I bet your super hates all the internet shopping you do," Jonni grinned.
"I guess you are a detective," Jennie-Lynn smirked.
"Look, there's a reason there's two couches in this office. I occasionally need to babysit clients. I suggest we get loaded and sleep it off right here," Jonni offered, "Take out is on me."
"Well, I must be turning into a cheap date because that sounds pretty good to me," Jade confessed.
"Pizza or Chinese?" Jonni neared the phone.
"Call it Thai and I'll move in," Jade offered.
"Vietnamese is the best the neighborhood can offer," Jonni warned her, "But the owners are genuine Boat People and their kids just took over with all the original recipes."
"I guess after last night we can't call it living dangerously," Jade decided.
"You won't be sorry," Jonni promised.
Luthor returned to Bailya to present El-Faddil to his mother, the Crimson Queen. The entire Crimson Jihad zealously stood all around to secure the queen and her heir. Scarlet Rose seemed particularly agitated by Luthor's presence.
"I suppose I should thank you," Crimson Queen warily commented.
"You can thank me by allowing me access to our son," Luthor countered, "And by allowing me to secure your borders."
"And why would I allow either?" she asked, "After all, at our last meeting. You killed me."
"You obviously got better," Luthor dismissed, "And I merely struck before you did."
"Would you like a firsthand demonstration of how well I can strike these days?" Crimson Queen grew excited.
Luthor activated his wrist watch and sunlight burst out it several times magnified. Crimson Queen cried out and retreated to the nearest shadow. The Crimson Jihad stood poised to strike on her command.
"Call them off," Luthor demanded.
"Why should I?" Crimson Queen's voice trembled.
Luthor shut his solar projector down, "Because they don't need to."
"You've never shown your throat to an enemy," Crimson Queen began to regain her strength.
"I don't consider you an enemy," Luthor confided, "An ally for now and when I claim this world to be transformed by Darkseid, you could still be a queen. A queen to rule while I topple Darkseid himself."
"Ambitious as ever," Crimson Queen allowed as she moved out from her shadow, "Does Darkseid suspect?"
"Of course he does," Luthor snorted, "But he knows he needs me."
"So, when he doesn't need you and you no longer need him, one of you will remain," Crimson Queen liked the sound of that.
"And whoever wins, you can be satrap over the Earth for," Luthor pledged.
"Very well, I agree to your terms," Crimson Queen announced, "But I will require warning before you attempt to see El-Faddil."
"Easily done," Luthor pledged.
"And Lex, I prefer dealing with you rather than the Fourth World New God. Stay alive so I can," Crimson Queen exhorted him.
"Of course," Luthor said with all due gravity.
He vanished into a boom tube. Scarlet Rose approached her undead sister, "Can you trust him?"
"Lex has finally learned humility of a sort," Crimson Queen was amazed to state, "He isn't boasting. He has a means to kill Darkseid."
"But will he hold faith with you?" Scarlet asked.
"He knows I'll kill his son if he doesn't," Crimson Queen said nonchalantly.
"He's your son too," Scarlet tried to remind her sister.
"He was my son before I died. Now he's just leverage to hold over Lex Luthor and Mercy Grave's heads. But see to it the boy that he lacks for nothing," Crimson Queen exited the throne room.
"Everything except a mother," Scarlet was disgusted to have learned.
"How long have you known this skank?" Mia Deardon asked Nyssa Raatko and Rose Wilson-Worth, "I'm not surprised by his knowing her."
"Hey!" White Rabbit and Jason Todd yelped as one.
"You first," Jason demurred to White Rabbit.
"Jaina Hudson clothed me when my physical body manifested," White Rabbit huffed, "Jaina is pretty prim and proper. My outré appearance is intended to dissociate any potential connection between us."
"Shado taught me the same," Emiko Queen added, "Hence my Red Arrow attire to associate me with Oliver Queen rather than her."
"Can you just say 'mom and dad'?" Conner Hawke wanted to know.
"I was unaware you had a substantive relationship with Oliver before he died," Emiko retorted.
"Cool it. And try to remember I was the original Red Arrow and I sure as hell don't appreciate you appropriating the name," Mia snarled.
Nyssa just coolly watched as the Outlaws disintegrated.
Rose was amused as she cast a cautionary look Beryl Hutchinson's way. Beryl brought her fingers to her mouth and let go of a shrill whistle, "Shut up!"
"Wow!" White Rabbit worked her jaw to clear the ringing in her ears.
"What the hell?" Conner complained.
"Shut. Up," Beryl warned, "Next time I'll be unpleasant."
Mia was amazed. Beryl had always been so jovial and laid back. Now she was the drill instructor from hell.
"We all came together, some very willingly and others not so much. We came to give back to criminals what they'd dealt out. And we deemed it necessary to so outside the confines of the legal system. And we determined to do it with a degree of finality the Justice League and Teen Titans failed to do it with," Beryl reminded everyone, "And we determined to do it outside the fanatical control of the League of Assassins."
A hint of a smile played at Nyssa's lips. Beryl concluded her message, "Our aim is to build trust in a syndicate in order to destroy their rivals and finally to destroy our employers. Simplicity itself."
"So let's cut the crap and find out what you really want from us," Jason interjected.
"I believe in a common good to be achieved here," Nyssa shared.
"And I have a fairly similar definition of 'common' good," White Rabbit shared.
And Nyssa and White Rabbit got down to business.
Black Canary studied the worldwide reports coming in from the League of Shadows. Intergang and the Syndicate Underground were at each other's throats. Leviathan and the Court of Owls were broken. Basilisk was under threat. Saturn Queen and Brain Emperor had each embarked upon global missions.
What was left of the Court of Owls had infiltrated the United Nations, particularly Spyral, SHADE, and the DEO. The last Talon standing worked for Spyral. And Dinah Lance was surprised to find Helena Wayne was Lincoln March's daughter. And Lincoln had sold the necessary shares to Derek Powers to oust Bruce Wayne from his family's company.
Dinah decided to destroy the remaining Owls and the last Talon. Even if it meant razing cities across the globe. Basilisk would be the next to fall.
Black Canary respected Batman, as any self respecting Demon's Head would. But he'd lost control of Gotham and Knightfall had claimed it just as Powers had stolen Wayne Enterprises out from underneath him. Dinah didn't want the League to cross paths with Batman. But she knew it would happen.
Zatanna's reverse magic spell was simplicity itself. Lady Blaze's hellfire balls didn't harm her when they reflected back at her. But when the necrotic energy backlashed it damaged her human nature.
Zee tried to transport Blaze to the Rock of Eternity so Shazam could deal with her. But she was unaware of the fact Blaze was his daughter. But as a result, she would learn that hidden fact.
Damian Darhk had summoned the Valkyrie but he still lacked the means to achieve a clear cut victory. So he had Brunhilda and an elite squad of mounted Valkyrie fly to his hidden sanctum sanctorum. The rest of the Valkyrie remained behind to extract the surviving members of the Injustice Society. Darhk knew full well it would place the Injusticers in his debt and he intended to collect.
Anna Fortune saved Gypsy from Shiv. But the Valkyrie saved Shiv from Anna. That infuriated Anna and she intended to use her wrath to mete out justice.
The JLD survivors gathered to reassess their option. Madame Xanadu decided not to reveal Goldilocks'' apparent treachery. Her cards told her larger things were underway and that Goldilocks was where she was destined to be.
Gen. Lane's new forces teleported in over the ARGUS network. The Fighting American had been a Cold War operative at the same the American Crusaders operated. But he'd been killed in action. Using a transference process his brother's mind had been transplanted into the Fighting American's body. And his wounds had vanished. But the brother's body had decomposed.
It took thirty years to complete the process but now the Fighting American had been reactivated by Waller through secondary functionaries. The Fighting American's patriotic zeal was only matched by General Glory. And Fighting American's zeal for legality and adherence to established laws made him a problem for Waller's ARGUS.
Lane was already prepared with dozens of legal fictions. Waller had given him many more. So everyone was confident they could control Fighting American. They never took his two sidekicks into account. They were looking for him and they wouldn't stop until they found him.
Weatherman loaned Lane his observation platforms and Jenny Quantum, Projectionist, and Backlash's services. Backlash was a human/Kherabim hybrid. One of the few to remain on Earth. He'd been an ARGUS agent before joining Stormwatch.
Crimson was his daughter and similarly gifted. Her friend Ditto was gen active. And they had come along with the remaining Stormwatch personnel manning the platforms.
Captain Triumph was eager to lead the Crusaders into combat once again. She was gen active and nearly a Majestic-level meta-human. She'd also led her team into slaughtering dozens of Afghan encampments, enemy or not.
Citizen X, Libertine, and the second Magno had gladly followed Captain Triumph in killing noncombatants and their entire village populations. They adhered to the unit credo "Might Makes Right". And they'd determined to never be wrong. The Department of Defense locked them away but Waller arranged for their release.
The Civil Defense Corps was comprised of thirteen members from three regional units. Their leader, Old Glory, was another personification of the American ideal like Uncle Sam and the Spirit of Lady Liberty. ARGUS had brought in the assorted mystery men and women to curb their radicalism. And now they were Lane's responsibility.
The Americans were modeled after a comic book team. There was the Commander, patriotic super soldier. Hornet, an insect sized woman with wings and a bio-electric sting. Storm-God, a Norse demigod descended from Thor. Tank Man wore armor that gave him super strength, flight, and a variety of weapons with the wearer being the greatest inventor on the planet. And Finally, Titan began his career shrinking to insect size but now he could grow to rival Giganta.
Waller had detached her former Freedom Fighters to reunite with restored Uncle Sam, the new Miss America, the latest Red Bee, the new Human Bomb, the new Ray, a new Black Condor, the latest Major Victory and Lady Liberty. The original members didn't know whether to be insulted or overjoyed. But Lane assembled his united force, thus depriving them of time to process.
Lane appealed to everyone's patriotic zeal and professional jealousies. And he painted every super team on Earth as a threat. Withholding the Mighty Crusaders until his planned power struggle with Gen. Latham was won or lost. Which would also determine the Mighty Crusaders' fate.
The JSA returned to the K-Star Ranch before Power Girl and Black Mary returned to the Hall of Justice just to set out again to Baker Island. Shayera Hol and Steve Trevor disappointed when the ladies didn't return with the JLU. The news from Baker's Island was universally dismal despite some glad reunions.
John Stewart and Shayera's glad reunion was epic in scope and they quickly left the Hall. Hula Hula was overjoyed to see Plastic Man and Penny were hale and hearty. And Plas and Penny were overjoyed to find Plas, Jr. already happy and enthusiastic to see his parents again.
Trevor was most disturbed by the news of the Ultramarine Corps disbanding. Dr. Mist had proven to be resilient and resourceful at keeping the former Global Guardians united. But where and answering to whom?
The Titans were preparing to assassinate JLers. Vigilante walked away until the mission was something her ethic could approve of. But Vigilante travelled to Gotham instead. Knightfall was too much of a mixed message. Pat Trayce wanted clarity.
Deathstroke assembled a task force of deadly individuals. Most of them came from competing agencies and organizations. Deathblow was a long time associate of Slade Wilson. And an even longer rival of Deathstroke.
Threshold and Bliss were former NOWHERE students gen activated by John Lynch. Then they'd become instructors and enforcers for ARGUS Special Ops. Now they worked for a former gen tech named Ivana Baiul who answered to no agenda outside of her own.
Rose Tattoo was also a fellow spirit personification. But Rose Tattoo was an independent operator. She'd literally danced on Lynch's grave and was more than willing to send Ivana to hers.
Jakita Wagner. Ambrose Chase, and the Drummer represented the private organization called Planetary. They were funded by and answered to the Fourth Man. And Planetary purported to be a beneficial entity but Deathstroke knew better.
Pat was met at the airport by Bonebreaker. The driver took them to the Carnes' Development's latest project. Charise Carnes had instigated the Three Towers project in Cherry Hill as soon as she left Arkham and took control of her father's company. She'd amazed everyone by have the building constructed in record time while boasting a record lack of accidents. She'd proven that if you threw enough money at a project to hire sufficient manpower that twenty-four hour construction could yield so-called "miracles".
Now Charise made her home, and her lieutenants' homes, in Three Towers. And it was there she met with the woman most now called Vigilante.
"You'll find I allowed to keep your personal weapons, former Detective Trayce," Charise told Pat as butlers prepared drinks. It was early in the day so caffeinated beverages were everyone's choice. Even Bonebreaker's.
"I wanted you to feel safe and comfortable," Charise explained, "I'm a great fan of your police work and what's occurred since then."
"Look, I'm flattered to be here but I need to find someone and this is just delaying me," Pat argued.
"Not really," Charise grinned, "I'm Knightfall. This is Bonebreaker, my chief lieutenant."
I rather doubt that," Pat distrusted Charise's reliability given her stint in Arkham.
"Show her," Charise instructed.
Bonebreaker rose and gripped one end of the couch and lifted it and Pat over her head. Charise wore a triumphant smirk, "Now you know why I have metal framed furniture."
Bonebreaker sat everything, and everyone, down. Pat was confused, "Why reveal yourself to me?"
"Because I want you to join my cause because you'll find we want the same things," Charise told her.
Gwen replayed the video mail for the fourth time. Waller was suspending Task Force X. Not shutting the program down but Congress was wondering how a Marine Force Recon soldier ended up beside super villains. So the entire program needed to disappear until scrutiny let up.
Administrative staff had been put on paid leave. The trustees were also allowed to leave Bell Reeve as long as they did so only as civilians. Gwen wondered if she could convince them all to travel with her to the British Virgin Islands.
