INCURSION

CHAPTER 22

Superman encased the downed aliens in blocks of ice with his super breath. He then freed the women hanging from the ceiling whilst Diana Prince hurried away on the pretext of getting help. The terrified women had been screaming hysterically throughout the entire ordeal. Some had actually fainted whilst Diana had been in combat with the aliens. The poor lighting had not permitted them to see all that was happening,and even after Superman appeared and released them, they still were not able to believe they were saved.

They clung to the Kryptonian,and he was relieved to see Wonder Woman appear and take the sobbing females into her care. Whilst she contacted an ambulance to come for them,he went deeper into the lair and found dozens of women in the dark, lying in groups in cages. Some were still unconscious,whilst others were awake, cowering in a corner,at the sound of movement. He used his x-ray vision and let out a low oath. In each of their wombs was an alien fetus.

He pressed his comlink."J'onn,we need help. And I mean,help."

"Tracking your co-ordinates,Superman."

"And while you're doing that,you need to put the League on red alert and inform the President. We are under attack by White Martians."

"H'ronmeer!"

Diana had come back from placing the nine women in an ambulance. She looked at Superman with real dismay."Kal,if Adam Butler was a White Martian,where does that leave Sophy?"

Superman looked disturbed."Do you think she is one?"

She cupped her cheeks."The possibility is high!I must go..."

"Okay. I'll remain with the women. The others will be here soon. Keep your comlink open and just holler if you need me and...be careful."

She took to the skies and flew as fast as she could to find the girl where she was sequestered with her grandparents.

Sophy Butler was lying in her bedroom,looking dully at the ceiling. Her grandparents had taken her after her father was officially reported missing. She was trying not to think about the furtive whispers she heard from servants and words of sympathy from friends of the family. They were well meaning but it seemed they were all suspecting the worst. She would not believe her father had been kidnapped nor was lying dead somewhere.

She swallowed and sat up. It just wasn't fair!Life which had seemed so great up until last week had seemed less bright with Miss Prince breaking up with him and now this happening!

She sighed and reached for her cellphone for the dozenth time and dialed his number,only to have voice mail come on. She flung it aside in frustration. She suddenly heard her name being called.

She rose and stared in amazement. It was Wonder Woman.

Speechless,she watched her step into the room."Don't be afraid,"the Amazon was saying.

"What do you want?"

"Sophy,I came because..."Diana looked around warily. She kept her distance from the girl."Something strange is going on...I need to check something. Hera,forgive me."To the teen's utter astonishment the heroine threw a lariat tightly over her and said,"Show me your true form!"

Sophy did not change and was exclaiming,"What are you doing?"

"Gaea,you're human!I am so sorry. Forgive me..."She undid the lasso,and took the bewildered girl by the shoulders."Listen to me,your father..."

"You know where my father is?"

"He...Athena,how do I say this?"She whispered sadly,"He's dead."

"You're lying!He isn't!"She shook her head."He isn't!"

"I'm not lying..."

"Why should I believe you?"

She held her face and said,"Listen and look at me. I would never lie to you. I cared about you and your father..."

Sophy gasped. She knew that voice."M-Miss Prince?I don't understand..."

Before she could explain,the girl's grandmother barged in with a look of real fear in her eyes and voice."Sophy!It's all over the news!Aliens are attacking humans!Turn on the t.v."

The woman stopped and looked at Wonder Woman."Wonder Woman?What are you doing here?"

Diana said urgently,"Those are White Martians. They have been living in secret amongst us for years...Your real father ,Sophy, was killed by one of them and his identity stolen. The Martian himself didn't even know what had happened to him until the last few days when they have been systematically wakening. Their plan is to take over the world..."She flicked on the television on the wall and sure enough,the networks were reporting attacks on Washington and New York.

Sophy looked as if she was in a daze. Speechless,she sank upon her bed and stared open mouth at the images. Her grandmother held her cheeks."Dear god!No!"

Diana said urgently,"There is going to be grave danger. You need to flee from the city centers...Have you anywhere you can go?"

The grandmother gulped,"We have a place in Vermont."

"You need to get there!Take food and essential supplies. Come on,Sophy,you need to pack a bag..."Diana was dragging a trolley bag from a corner. Sophy looked at her in despair."Dead?"

"Yes,I'm so sorry!"She took her in her arms. The teen began to sob. Diana patted her back and head soothingly. As they stood,with their backs turned,the grandmother suddenly morphed into a White Martian. She sneered silently and was going to push her claws into Wonder Woman's back. A burst of gun fire hit the alien from the behind. It screamed as it began to convulse and fell dead onto the floor. Wonder Woman and Sophy had dived to the floor. Now they turned in astonishment and saw her grandfather,a retired soldier, standing in the doorway, with a smoking rifle in his hand.

"Grandpa!"Sophy ran to him. He held her tightly."You okay,hon?"His eyes met Diana's."What God's name is happening here?What is that thing I just killed?Tell me that...that monster wasn't my wife!"

"It wasn't your wife. I wish I could explain,but there's no time. Your wife and Adam are dead. They have been so now for years. If you care for what is left of your family,you will take Sophy away from the city. Please,trust me. I need to go. Pack food and emergency supplies. Take whatever weapons you have and anything that can start a fire. The creatures fear it. The city will not be safe...soon nowhere will be safe." She touched Sophy's shoulder and said meaningfully,"Miss Prince will try to see you as soon as this is over,okay?"

Sophy wiped her tears."O-okay."

Diana gave them a grave nod."Courage."She took to the air and flew back to the warehouse as fast as she could.

It was fifteen minutes when the Javelin landed and the Manhunter, Green Lantern,and Hawkgirl appeared. Shyera covered her mouth in dismay as Superman fill them in on what was going on."What are we going to do with these women?"she asked worriedly.

Superman declared,"The creatures have to be removed."

"There must be about sixty women here. We don't have the time nor the technology to do that,"said Lantern."And what the hell do we do with those things?Destroy them?"

"Yes!" cried Shyera.

"No,"stated J'onn."These unborn young ones are not responsible for the actions of their elders. We cannot retaliate by killing them."

Superman said grimly,"J'onn,it'll be a matter of time before all hell breaks loose. You know these creatures and what they are capable of. What do we do here?"

The Manhunter said,"Off-world technology will be able to separate the women safely from the aliens. I will contact New Genesis. Scott will also be able to create an artificial breeding chamber for each fetus to develop and then maybe with the right environment, they can be nurtured to become less aggressive. And these that Superman have frozen,they can be imprisoned..."

Shyera scowled."Oh yeah,you have Barda and Scott play Pavlov and in the meantime what of these poor traumatized women ?"

J'onn said,"I will work with them."

Lantern patted her shoulder."Barring that,Scott makes the best traps,Shyera. So if the retraining fails,he'll be able to contain them."

Wonder Woman appeared,she looked anxious and said urgently,"We need to get moving. They've begun to attack some cities. J'onn we need to transport these women."

Superman said,"A boomtube makes the most sense right now."

J'onn nodded and phased out to the Javelin that was docked outside the warehouse. It was ten minutes before the sound of thunder alerted them outside. Scott Free and Big Barda were waiting,the women were assisted up and escorted to the yawning tunnel. The aliens were also taken away in magnetic snares. J'onn shook Scott's hand."We are obligated to you. As soon as we try to contain the invaders here,I will come to help with the women's rehabilitation."

The boomtube withdrew.

Green Lantern asked,"What do we do with the lair?"

J'onn said coldly,"Burn it."

Superman commanded,"Fall back."

He disappeared into the building. It was less then five seconds when the entire thing exploded and went up into flames. They had to cower to avoid flying debris and the heat of the conflagration.

There was no sign of Superman for a full minute .Wonder Woman began,"He's taking too long..." She was about to take to the air when he emerged from the burning shell,shaking off the fire as if it were dust particles.

He said,"Done."

Diana frowned at him."You want to give me gray hairs,don't you?."

He gave her a mischievous look."What?Worried about the Man of Steel?"

She made a face."Show-off."

J'onn suddenly turned and shouted,"Incoming!"

The destruction of their lair had brought over a dozen of the Martians,Procyron leading the pack. He roared,"Our lair!"

All five heroes took to the air and met the group head on. The fight was swift and brutal. Hawkgirl used her mace and smashed three into the ground. Superman used his heat vision on four of them. Lantern used his power ring and clobbered three into the atmosphere. J'onn had the ability to teleport and took them by surprise,and also defeated four more. Wonder Woman went for Procyron. She was in no mood to be merciful. She took him head on and they tumbled in the air. Procyron phased out and punched her behind the head,then tried to influence her thoughts. Diana could feel herself moving towards the fire. She could feel the heat and she gasped and soon she was hovering over the raw flames.

Procyron sneered,"Throw yourself in,woman. Do it!"

Diana gritted her teeth and screamed,"Beast!You will not control me!You killed a decent man!You tortured innocent women!"She broke free of his telepathic hold and flew down to the burning building and picked up, with her bare hands,a burning piece of timber and came at him. Fear crossed his eyes,as the flaming plank smacked him so hard that he carved a depression in the ground and laid unconscious.

The League alighted to the ground. Superman looked at Wonder Woman's burnt palms and tore pieces off his cape and bound her hands. He said grimly,"Now who wants to give whom gray hairs?"

J'onn held his forehead,"They are close now."

Superman looked at the horizon."They're coming for us again!"

True enough more Martians were coming and this time there about thirty of them. J'onn said gravely,"My being with you is endangering you. How far away are they,Kal?"

"Five minutes away."

The Manhunter said,"We need to split up. Kal,take Diana and go west. John,you and Shyera go south. Find the safest transports that you can. I'll take the Javelin. I can use my telepathy to send them off course. We'll meet back at the Satellite in an hour. Be careful with your thoughts,trust nothing you see and remember, like me,they are vulnerable to fire."

They split up as directed. The Manhunter projected a false image for the hordes to chase. He took the Javelin and climbed towards the clouds. He was nearly breaking into the troposphere when a face appeared on the windshield of the Javelin. Protex was sitting on the nose of the craft,grinning at him. J'onn tried to veer and go into a tailspin to throw him off,but more Martians appeared on the wings and tail, and before he could break into the heat of the stratosphere,Protex phased into the cockpit of the Javelin and a struggle began.

Lantern and Hawkgirl were flying towards Gotham to use the transporter in the Batcave. They had gotten hold of Batman,who was reporting chaos erupting everywhere. The Martians were using their telepathic powers to cause mayhem and fear. People were attacking each other unprovoked,and those who tried to stand up to the white alien hordes, like the police or army, were attacked ruthlessly. The authorities tried to use fire to attack the invaders but the Martians were shrewd enough to use humans as shields.

Batman was with all his allies trying to fight off the hordes in Gotham. Lantern looked at Hawkgirl as they saw a group of people fighting with each other."We can't leave them ."

Shyera looked around and nodded."No. Tell J'onn we had to make a detour."

Lantern pressed his comlink."Damn. Nothing. You don't suppose?"

She bit her lips but couldn't reply as the innocent people turned on them."Look out!"

"Great. Now we have to deal with zombie-like civilians!"He used his ring to create a shield to protect them from being stoned. Some had guns and were firing at them. The Batmobile roared up and several cannisters were flung into the midst of the crowd. Teargas burned the crowds' eyes. The people yelped in pain but it snapped them out of their spell.

Batman stepped out of the car with Catwoman.

Selina remarked,"Well,good to see reinforcements."

"How's it going?"asked John.

Batman replied,"In a word?Bad."

"So I see...Is it like this in other cities?"

"Yes,they're taking over the Seaboard first. They know where the corridor of power lies. Where's J'onn?"

"He left us. He took the Javelin and is hoping to go back to the Satellite...We were with Superman and Wonder Woman and had to split up."

"The question is, how do we even stop this?" asked Hawkgirl.

Batman said,"Fire is the obvious solution but we can't blow civilians up in an attempt to take them out."

Lantern said gravely,"If we can't contain this,believe me the military will justify dropping a nuclear warhead to prevent extinction."

Selina said dryly,"Nuclear holocast to prevent genocide. Nice."

Hawkgirl said,"John and I need to use the Batcave teleporter, Bruce. If things get worse we will have to call in New Oa or Thanagar."

Superman and Wonder Woman flew towards Metropolis to use the transporter. On the way they were waylaid by aliens. They fought their way through,only to see another batch appear in the distance. Superman muttered,"This is wasting time. There are too many of them. Metropolis is overrun. We need to take another transporter."

Diana asked,"Where?'

"Kansas."

To her bemusement,he scooped her up in his arms."Clark,what are you doing?Put me down!"

"No disrespect,Princess,but I can fly faster than you. Let's go!"

He took off like a launched missile ,and Diana had to wrap her arms tightly about his neck as he moved like a blur through the air. They were soon landing in the middle of a cornfield on the Kent property. He deposited her gently and said swiftly,"Just need to check on Ma."

Before she could use her comlink to contact the satellite to beam them up,Superman was back.

"How is she?"

"She's down in the storm cellar. I told her to stay there. The Midwest hasn't been breached yet...Let's hope it stays like that..."

Diana pressed a button and she and Superman ported out.

Wonder Woman and Superman appeared on the platform of the satellite. Green Lantern and Hawkgirl greeted them.

"Thank god,you made it."said Hawkgirl,coming forward.

Diana looked around. The satellite seemed dead."Where's J'onn?"

Lantern said,"He's down in the vault. Looking for any weapon we may use against them."

Superman walked towards the large screen. There were images and data coming in. The aliens were spreading beyond Maine,New York, Pennsylvania,Maryland,Ohio,Virginia and the Carolinas. He saw that the military had come out and members of the League,the Outsiders,Teen Titans,Justice Society,and others were trying to contain the aliens from spreading further.

He said urgently,"We need a plan. We need to get Wally and Bruce here!Shyera,call J'onn..."

Before he could turn, Lantern had morphed into Protex and Shyera changed into Primaid. Superman felt a tail knock him in the back and he was sent flying into the large screen. Diana was grabbed around the neck by Primaid. She felt the alien try to strangle her. She gritted her teeth and moved forward and threw Primaid over her head. They ended up in a grapple and fought their way out into the corridor. Superman rose and his eyes glowed. Protex's teeth bared and he phased in and out, one second ahead of the heat vision. Superman blew icy cold air at him and he tried to phase out but he wasn't fast enough. Ice encased his feet and he couldn't move Superman used his laser vision to cut through the beams running across the ceiling and heavy metal planks fell upon Protex. Superman turned and saw scores of aliens flying in the vacuum of space,coming at the satellite. He flew out into the corridor to find Diana throwing the lasso over Primaid. Diana dragged her to her feet.

"Where are J'onn and the others?"The Amazon Princess grabbed her neck.

Primaid replied,"He is going to provide us with some entertainment. And the other two are imprisoned for now. They were easy to capture. We then had them give us the security codes to the Satellite."

"You will release..."

Superman grabbed Diana's shoulder."More of them are coming. We must retreat!"

"But J'onn and the others..."

Superman used his super vision and saw Lantern and Hawkgirl were locked in a holding cell several decks down. Both were lying unconscious. Then he saw the Manhunter was actually spread out on an exam table in the lab,and had probes inserted in his body.."They're alive...but if we remain now we won't be able to help them. Over a hundred of them are coming,Diana. We must get reinforcements..."

She undid her lasso,and gave Primaid a punch that knocked her out."What do we do?Suppose they kill J'onn?"

He grabbed her hand."If they wanted to kill him they would have already. We need to get out and consider our options."

"How?They'll trace our co-ordinates if we use the teleporter..."

Superman said swiftly,"The Invisible Jet. Quickly!"

They flew down to the hanger,aware of the aliens breaching the satellite and coming at them. Wonder Woman slid into the pilot's seat. Superman could see alien claws trying to come in through the walls of the Invisible Jet. But Diana was already lifting off. Heat vision sliced off the claws,and the plane shot out of the hanger.

Superman made her fly to to the Fortress. It was unlikely the aliens would breach this bastion in the Arctic...at least not yet. Here they would have access to other Satellite feeds to see what was going on in the world and more importantly,Superman had an armoury of alien weapons that near rivaled those in the satellite itself. Once they had landed,they flew to the giant door. Superman had the codes to open it and they flew in.

They had gone no further than the large foyer when a growl and bark greeted them.

Superman turned to Wonder Woman."Keep behind me. It's Krypto."

"Your dog?"

"Yeah...he's not very sociable nor has any respect for anyone's belongings..."

She looked up to see the white dog appear. He bared his teeth automatically. Krypto hated any outsider. He had met Batman,Lois,Ma Kent,even Supergirl and he just wasn't keen on sharing his master's attention with anyone. Clark usually had him chained when guests came over.

Superman said sternly,"Krypto!Quiet!"

Diana peeped around Clark's arm and let out a gurgle of delight."What a fine looking animal!"

Clark said wryly,"Don't let him fool you. He'd chew the wheels off your Invisible Jet if he could."

"Oh,don't exaggerate. Hey boy,come here."

Krypto's ears perked up and he sniffed at the air. He eyed her and when she stepped in front of his master and went down on one knee and said,"What a handsome boy you are!"he warily came forward. This female creature had his master's scent surrounding her and her dulcet tone was so soothing!When she touched him and smoothed his spine and tickled his neck,he submitted completely. He knew at once he could trust her!He wagged his tail and licked her face.

Diana's brows quirked."You call this unsociable?"

Krypto fell onto his side and rolled over so she could tickle his stomach.

Superman shook his head at the dog."You shameless animal."

Diana laughed."He's a good boy,aren't you?"

Clark asked amused,"So you like her,eh?"

Krypto barked as if in the affirmative and then went to Clark for attention. He gave his head a good ruffle."Typical fella. Falling for that lovely face." Diana smiled.

A few minutes later they walked into the main control room,Krypto trailing after them,and they went to the computer. They got news from international feeds as some of the local networks had broken down. Clark said worriedly,"They've taken over a third of the country,Diana. It's chaos. It's estimated that thousands are injured,hundreds dead."

Diana clenched her hands."What do we do?"

"We need reinforcements. But we can't wait for New Oa or Thanagar or Tamaran to take this to debate in a council before they send help. There isn't time. We must get J'onn free and get back the Satellite."

Diana touched his arm."My mother. We could get help from the Amazons."

Superman frowned."Hundreds of Amazons died the last time they helped us. Are you sure your mother will sanction help?"

"She may if I explain the danger. It's our best option. I will fly the jet to Themyscira..."

He didn't look too happy about that but she wasn't prepared to negotiate on this one. He hunted out a huge laser gun and flew it into the Invisible Jet,and also threw in flame throwers and grenades for good measure.

They stood out in the freezing winds and faced each other. She was about to fly up to the door of the plane; it was already hovering a few feet off the ice,ready to take flight.

He was still wearing that uneasy look on his face. He ordered grimly,"Get there safely."

She made a light hearted attempt at a joke."Yes,my lord."

"I mean it,Diana."

She tilted her head "So serious."

"If anything happens to you..."

She put her finger to his lips."It won't. I will be careful."

He frowned."Promise?"

"Promise."

She reached up and brushed her lips against his cheek."I'll see you soon."She flew inside and the door slid shut. He flew backwards as the jet lifted off and shot up into the clouds.

The Invisible Jet landed safely on the island of Themyscira. The Queen of the Amazons was in the Senate,looking over petitions and plans,with her councilors,when her daughter barged in. Hippolyta dropped a scroll in surprise."Diana!Child,what are you doing here?"

They met half way. Hippolyta embraced her and looked at her anxious face. She touched the cuts on her arms and looked at her bound hands and asked,"Merciful Minerva,what happened?"

Wonder Woman looked at the other women,and informed them of the alien threat and the the current situation the world was facing."It is extinction we could be facing,Sisters. The League is stretched and we need your help."

Hippolyta frowned."Daughter,you know we lost over a thousand of our best warriors trying to help the Patriarch's world months ago?"

"I do know it but we cannot stand by and watch an alien horde take over the earth!Themyscira is part of this planet too."

Artemis said,"Themyscira has stood for three thousand years without any discovery from the outside. Wars have come and gone,empires have risen and fallen,invaders have conquered and lost,...these Martians may make no difference to our survival."

Wonder Woman gasped,"How can you say that?These creatures are like pestilence. They will devour and destroy and then move on. Themyscira will not be worth it's reason for being if it stands by and let such a thing happen!The Gods never fashioned us to be selfish and self preserving. That is not the Amazon way."She went to the women and looked at them pleadingly."Do you remember when we were nearly decimated?Remember the one who aided us?It was J'onn Jonzz. He is a Martian too but the last of a great race,and he came here,willingly,not because he had a world to save or his gods were in danger. He came because I asked him and helped us save our island. He is in their clutches as we speak. They have captured him and will no doubt torture and then destroy him."

There were murmurs amongst the women. Some seemed to have reservations,others looked at the Queen and nodded as if to give their support. Hippolyta said,"Daughter,I cannot force anyone to fight. But of those who may want to go with you,how can a mere handful help you?"

Diana said tightly,"If no one comes with me,I will leave here and return to the outside and make a stand."

"You put yourself in danger..."

"All my friends are doing that as we speak and I will not abandon them. You taught me that a good warrior never lets a friend go into battle alone"

Cleo,a royal scribe,rose."Princess,I will accompany you. I will not have history record that I failed the Manhunter and League in their hour of need."

Phillipus stepped up."I agree."

Mala stood up."As do I."

Artemis said irately,"This is all well and good but do we put our women under threat of extinction for these useless men?"

Wonder Woman said soberly,"Artemis,the Martians have been using women to gestate their offspring."

Artemis snapped,"What?"

"Yes,and I have no doubt if they ever breach the defenses of Themyscira,our women will be seen as able vessels for their breeding program."

Artemis said icily,"Let it not be said the Bana allowed this to happen."

Hippolyta looked at her daughter wryly,"Well,you have gotten yourself an army."

It was some half an hour later when the army of Amazons were assembled. The Queen was with her daughter on the balcony of the Palace looking upon the columns of women on their robotic chariots. Diana had advised against them using the winged horses, as the animals would be torn to shreds by the White Martians. Hippolyta had also made certain her daughter had been attended to by Epione. The healer had salved Diana's burns with a magical concoction of herbs and bandaged it properly.

"We have two thousand strong,"said Hippolyta.

"They are a formidable enemy,Mother. They have strength,flight,ability to teleport,and can read and manipulate minds."

"We have the Gods and our magic on our side. So,where will we be going to?Washington?"

"No...we will first assemble in the Arctic..."

"The Arctic?"

"Yes,at Superman's Fortress of Solitude."

"Superman?"Hippolyta's spine stiffened.

Diana tried not to blush."It was from there I came to you. We had to flee the satellite and had no option but to go there."

The Queen frowned."You and he were alone in this...Fortress?"

"It's not what you think,Mother."

Hippolyta clutched her arms tightly and demanded,"So there isn't anything going on?Tell me,daughter!I must know!"

Diana looked at her sadly. This reaction had taken her by surprise. She tilted her chin and looked her mother squarely in the eye. She admitted,without a tremor,"I love him."

"Love him?"The Queen let her go abruptly. She turned her back on her and clenched her fingers."Well,things have progressed!And I imagine he loves you too?"she asked sarcastically.

Diana sighed,"He has never told me so..."

Hippolyta looked over her shoulder."He never told you...?What do you mean?"

"He believes anything deeper would endanger my life because of the number of enemies he has."

Hippolyta tried to keep the look of dawning relief off her face."That was very sensible of him. And he is right in way. Two heros such as your selves cannot have a normal life. You are Princess of Themyscira...Let him remain with his reporter woman."

"He broke it off with her..."

"He did?When?"

"Shortly after Gog."

Hippolyta blurted out,"And he never tried to..?"

"Tried to what,Mother?"

"Nothing."She seemed to shake her head in disbelief. She gestured,"We will talk of this further when time permits. The women are ready. Go to your jet. We will follow."

Wonder Woman bowed and flew off the balcony. Hippolyta looked at Phillipus in bemusement as the General came to escort her out."Do you know,Phillipus,that the Kryptonian has actually kept his word?"

"And does that surprise,Your Majesty?"

"It does!And Diana just told me he has broken off the other relationship. He has been free since July...Is it possible,General,that this man may be worthy of my child?"

"Any man that respects a mother's wishes before his own heart's desire must be worthy."

Hippolyta looked pensive."It is something I must ponder on some more. It is a pity we don't have the time for me to consult the Oracle. Let us go."

The army of Amazons traversed the skies under a cloak of magic,following their Princess to the Arctic Circle. They landed on the ice before the Fortress. Standing at the doorway was Superman. He bowed and said to Hippolyta."Your Majesty. Welcome to the Fortress of Solitude."

Hippolyta gave him the respectful greeting accorded to an ally,and she did not miss the look between her daughter and the Kryptonian as Diana alighted from the jet and came to stand deliberately at his side. Artemis folded her arms and seemed to frown. Phillipus just tried to look polite and disinterested.

The women waited outside,whilst Phillipus,Artemis and the Queen went inside with the two Leaguers. They stood before the large screen looking on in dismay at the images.

"What is the plan?"asked the Queen.

Superman said,"I've been in contact with several other Leaguers. They have their hands full and cannot aid us in retaking the satellite. I am hoping we can draw out Protex and Primaid in order to get to J'onn."

"And how do we do that?"queried Phillipus.

"Full frontal assault of the satellite. Draw them out. Diana's jet is comprised of Lansarian technology. One small piece can morph into whatever is required of it. You can use it to power your chariots to allow you to fight in the vacuum of space."

Artemis tilted her head."So while we draw them out,you do what?"

He looked at Wonder Woman."Diana and I get into the Satellite and try to free J'onn."

Phillipus rubbed her chin."The old diversion strategy. Yes,it may work."

The Queen asked,"And once the Manhunter is free?"

Superman replied wryly,"We keep our fingers crossed and hope J'onn has a plan."

Artemis shook her head."Oh great. No contingency plan. You're not a good General,Superman."

Superman said gravely."There is a contingency plan. I have an ion cannon in the fortress and I will program it to automatically fire and blow the JLA satellite out of orbit. In two hours time Protex and Primaid will be destroyed whether we achieve our objective or not."

Phillipus' brows rose."That is piling on the pressure."

Hippolyta waved her hand at them."Well,let us not tarry. We go into battle."