Superman part 5: Rough Justice
Clark and Kara had chosen not to reveal their extraterrestrial excitement, a mere few weeks before Lois and Clark's wedding. They kept the encounter with the night visitors to themselves, though Clark suspected that Jon already knew what happened, given his penchant for mental telepathy.
Kara had been feeling more comfortable in her role with the as yet unnamed group of dysfunctional and slightly eccentric superheroes. Her primary loyalties lie with Clark of course, but lately she'd come to appreciate the interaction with Gold Wing, Tim Servo, and their Falcon Claw, Nebraska friends.
If the Daemonstrata were truly making inroads to Earth, she and Clark would be the first line of defense, followed by Jon, and possibly the talented Amazon princess, Diana. Only the four of them seemed to possess supernatural powers. A strength and agility beyond the norm would be required, if they chose to face down the alien Daemonstrata advanced scout force.
During the small break, Gold Wing strolled up to Batman, Batgirl, and Nightwing, who had gotten up to stretch their legs. "So, why bats, anyway?" Laura grilled Bruce, catching him off guard.
"It's just this thing I have." Bruce grumbled. "Bats are often misunderstood creatures." Laura stared blankly at him. "Works for me." Gold Wing commented before grinning thinly. "What's your story?" Dick questioned Laura, whom he'd immediately found attractive. "My story?" Laura repeated.
"The short version is that I was born an exceedingly normal child." Gold Wing began. "When I was about ten years old, I encountered a mysterious element that reorganized my DNA, and basically turned me into a mutant, though I prefer the term 'Meta Human'." Laura explained. "Wow! That's incredible!" Barbara gasped. "Not really." Laura said with some humility. "I had to do something with these extraordinary abilities, so I joined up with these dysfunctional superheroes."
Kara had followed Laura's approach dealing with the caped crusaders, and enmeshed in her Linda Lee Danvers disguise, concentrated her hearing as Clark had taught her, on the young peoples conversation.
Batman had already begun psychoanalyzing Gold Wing, and was mentally ticking off all of the possibilities, both good and bad, for her. A Meta Human would be very useful fighting crime in Gotham, though the three of them had always tried their best, he silently rationalized.
Bruce had heard of Meta Humans before, and even had encountered some mutated forms of them, like the Man Bat, Killer Croc, Clay Face, Firefly, and others. Gold Wing was barely older than Dick or Barbara, he estimated. "So, do you know the mysterious Metropolis Blur?" Bruce interrogated.
"I do." Laura admitted without casting a glance towards Clark. "You might say that I know him intimately." Gold Wing stretched the truth a bit. She and Clark had been seeing each other for a while in between his on again off again romances with first Lana Lang, and then Lois Lane.
Nightwing's eyes widened, but no one could see them beneath his black mask. "Really?" Barbara gasped, feeling more intrigued than ever. Laura's directness had caught Batman off guard as well, a rarity indeed. "Can you tell us about him?" Bruce fished. "Not really. I heard that you'll all find out more about him as well as the super girl, within the next week." Gold Wing teased, enjoying the expressions on their faces.
"What can you do, if you don't mind my asking?" Dick questioned her further. "Well, I'm very fast, very strong, and I have enhanced senses. My eyesight, hearing, smell, touch, and taste are all beyond the norm. Oh and I recently found out that I was bulletproof." Laura shamelessly boasted.
Dick whistled. "How would you like to join us in Metropolis?" He asked without thinking it through. Laura snickered. "Tempting, but Oliver already has plans for me." Gold Wing explained. "I'll be assigned to watch over Lakeside City here in the Midwest. That place is crawling with crime."
"They'd be lucky to have you." Dick sucked up to Laura as both Bruce and Barbara rolled their disguised eyes. By now, Jon Jonz was ready for the final discussion wrap up. "Maybe I'll see you." Laura flirted by rubbing Dick's shoulder. Bruce was really worried now. Meta Humans would have a clear advantage over any normal human, he mused. He could only hope that if there were any more out there, they could be kept on the good side of crime fighters everywhere.
Laura took a seat next to Clark and Lois as Oliver returned to the podium. "Weren't you being a bit chatty with our caped crusaders?" Clark asked Gold Wing sarcastically. "Maybe, but they seemed generally interested in me." Laura replied as Lois chuckled. "Yeah, especially that Nightwing guy." She teased as Laura reddened, though most of her highly placed cheeks were located beneath the tacky black mask.
"Finally, our discussion involves extraterrestrial events that can and will affect human existence." Jon began solemnly, as a hush befell the small crowd. "This is privileged information, but mankind is unaware that there are over fifty five thousand populated planets in just the known galaxy, and not all of them will be considered friendly." Dick and Barbara stared at Jon open mouthed.
"What orifice did he pull that one out of?" Nightwing asked sarcastically. "I believe that he's right, Nightwing. I'd listen to the man." Batman said sternly. "There are astronomical events that can bring about the destruction of the human race." Jon continued menacingly. "Some of the known elements are asteroids, comets, larger meteorites, and in theory, an unusually strong solar flare, or a stray burst of gamma rays which can destroy or at least imperil the general population."
"Preaching to the choir, Jon!" Lois remarked quietly to Clark. "I suppose that Smallville is now known as the meteor capital of the world." Clark nodded in agreement, saying: "But, next time, we'll be ready for them." He added confidently. Kara shot him a knowing glance. This body language was not lost on Bruce, though, as he observed the row of young people in front of him. They know more, he mused.
"Further," Jon redirected their attention toward him. "There is the possibility, though remote, that Earth could suffer a sudden polar shift, which could devastate the planet's ecosystem, thereby killing most life upon it. Even less likely, though the possibilities cannot be ruled out, Earth could get swept up in a migrating black hole, or get caught in a sea of chronoton particles, meaning time travel would be possible. Also, alternate realities, dark matter storms, and even a sliver of antimatter could annihilate the planet."
"Well, I really want to go get some chocolate mousse and strawberries now!" Lois heckled. Wonder Woman raised her hand as the hall lights reflected off of her silver wrist bracer. "Yes, Princess Diana?" Jon invited courteously. "It is just Diana while I am here in Man's World." She corrected. "So we should just crawl into a corner and cry until our deaths? That is not the Amazon way!"
"No, that's not our way, either." Oliver pointed out. "It will be up to us to either avoid these cataclysmic events or limit the casualties and damage that would be caused. Even the Metropolis Blur knows that he can't save everyone all of the time. That's why we've decided on the creation of this League of Justice." Lois smirked. "League of Justice? That has a nice ring to it." She commented.
"How about shortening it to Justice League?" Clark put in. Oliver smiled brightly. "A very good suggestion, Mr. Kent. We will consider that, and put it to a team vote." Jon noted that the audience murmurs had begun again. "Be that as it may, we have one last topic to discuss." Jon refocused the group. "As I alluded to earlier, of the fifty five thousand inhabited worlds, some races of beings will be bent on conquest, or the exploitation of Earth's many resources."
"I suggest that we must prepare for this inevitability." Jon continued. "The most powerful among us are the Metropolis Blur, the Super Girl, and Gold Wing. They will be our front line of defense against extraterrestrial invaders." The irony of a Martian speaking on behalf of humans against otherworldly invaders was not lost on Bruce. Beings that wielded this kind of absolute power worried him greatly.
"Arguably, Wonder Woman, Hawkman, Hawkgirl, and Cyborg would be our second line of defense." Jon added. "I will be second to no one!" Diana snapped. "I will wrestle any of your top heroes for physical superiority." Nightwing snickered. "I'd love to see that." He said before Barbara elbowed him in the ribs. "Wonder Woman?" Diana repeated. "Uh, that's my suggestion, Diana." Lois admitted. "Like it?"
"I meant no offense, Diana." Jon backpedaled. "The particulars still need to be discussed." Wonder Woman flipped her hair as she made an attempt to reign in her temper. "Agreed." Diana said after a brief cool off. "Man, I'd hate to piss her off." Cyborg joked. "I don't know. I think that I can take her." Gold Wing said half seriously. Kara flashed Laura a dirty look.
"Anyway," Oliver took over the lecture. "Each of us here have a certain specialty, be it extraordinary strength, exemplary speed, or a control over the elements both natural and supernatural." He nodded towards AC, Bart, and Zatanna. "The key is that we must work as a team."
"Now, it's time that we got everyone on the same page." Chloe said as she got up and stood next to Oliver. "We'd like to formally invite Gold Wing, Zatanna, Diana, Batgirl, Nightwing, and The Batman to join us." The whole room burst into applause. "We'd like to have you, if you'll have us." Oliver added after the noise subsided. "Woo Hoo! I'm in!" Gold Wing stood up and fist pumped the air.
"I'll be happy to help in any way that I can." Zatanna stood and clapped as she spoke. "I would be honored to join this heroic group, provisionally." Diana said elegantly as the room silenced. "What are those provisions?" Jon inquired formally. "I must hold onto my claim to the Amazon throne should something happen to my mother." Wonder Woman stated. "Agreed." Oliver confirmed.
"Further, I want to be on the lead team." Diana demanded, though she took some of the edge off of her tone. "You want to be a leader with The Blur, Jon, and I?" Oliver clarified. "Yes. Those are my concerns." Diana stated. "We'll have to discuss this with the Blur, but I don't see it as a problem." Jon answered. "What about you, Batman?" The Martian put Bruce on the spot.
"I still have some concerns and questions." Batman growled as the room went deathly silent. "Can we address them now, or would you rather meet again?" Oliver inquired. "I'll keep in touch." Bruce remained uncommitted. "Very well. Do you speak for Batgirl and Nightwing?" Jon questioned.
"We'll discuss this at home and get back to you." Batman replied vaguely. "Would it help if you talked to the Blur?" Clark asked as Lois gawked at him. "It might." Bruce grumbled. "I can arrange that at a time of your convenience." Clark offered. "The Blur talks exclusively to Lois Lane and I."
"We're his contacts with the media." Clark added as Lois nodded. "Interesting." Batman commented. "I guess that's all we can cover today." Oliver said as he began to bring the meeting to a close. "Thank you everyone for coming, and please enjoy the snacks and drinks that we have for you."
"Class dismissed." Gold Wing joked as she immediately stood next to Nightwing. Laura had moved so fast that Bruce and Barbara hadn't even seen her. Bart was the first to zip to the snack table. "Impulse! Make sure that you leave some food for the guests." Oliver teased from the edge of the stage.
Clark, Kara, and Lois began to surround the Batman, Batgirl, and Nightwing. Bruce's scowl was evident, even beneath the mask that covered most of his square-jawed face. "Something else I can help you with?" Batman challenged in his gruff, menacing, synthesized voice.
(Continues in Metropolis, 2012.)