22
Lobo delivered Mongul to Darkseid as agreed. His financial rewards were enough to purchase his own Warworld. But the opportunity to continue in Darkseid's employment offered even greater risks and rewards. Both of which Lobo thrived on.
Mongul had been beaten within an inch of his life. But even so humbled, the former despot was an insidiously dangerous sentient. Darkseid had prepared a holding cell to transfer a Kryptonian into. Mongul would be held there under heavy guard.
Lobo could see Apokolips was mustering for war. The war footing had troops and the Elite alike using boom tubes and other means of transportation to pierce the dimensional wall where the planet hung between the multiverse and Hell. New Genesis lay nearby suspended between the multiverse and Heaven. Beyond both lay the Source Wall.
"Most impressive, bounty hunter," Darkseid admitted as the two gazed upon the scattered fire pits that gave Apokolips its energy. Near those self inflicted wounds, the Lowlies and the Hunger Dogs toiled and labored to keep the war machine operating. The Lowlies were the menials and the Hunger Dogs were the skilled laborers who were also drafted as foot soldiers in intervals in preparation for exceptionally heavy losses for Darkseid's ambitious gains.
Amidst those great labors, Vreti and her Hunger Dogs Underground comrades sought a way to stymie the great onslaught Darkseid was unrolling upon the multiverse. Rumors circulated the human Justice League had confronted Darkseid's minions on the worlds labeled Earth-2, Earth-3, and Earth-9. But they'd returned to Earth Prime and grown complacent. The desperate goal now was to acquire a boom tube controller and spirit Vreti away to Earth Prime to consult with the Flash. Wally West knew Vreti and her cause and also knew she wasn't prone to exaggeration when she would tell him Darkseid's plan to choke off all fifty-one universes surrounding the Prime Universe and then collapse in on the final prize before marching on the outer dimensions and then Heaven itself.
"Would you prefer to slink away and enjoy your bountiful wealth or would you like to pursue even more rewarding challenges?" Darkseid inquired of Lobo.
"What'tcha got in mind fer the Main Man, crag face?" Lobo retorted.
Darkseid allowed the slight, once, "I require two things to begin with. But only when I call for them. It will require patience as well as delicacy."
"Hey, I'm a patient and delicate bastich," Lobo assured him.
"I'm sure you are," Darkseid was amused by the blatant lie, "In addition to a retainer to guarantee your services when I require them I will additionally recompense you for any lost bounties you abandon to serve my needs."
"Ya got my fraggin' attention," Lobo promised.
"Beware, Last Czarnian, I tolerate your flippancy only because you have proven useful. Fail me once, and your usefulness ends. Am I understood?" Darkseid advised him.
"Yer clear as mud, stone butt," Lobo quipped, "Now, what `bout those fraggin' contracts? Let's talk mullah. Who ya got a hard on fer?"
"I want you to deliver two distinguished persons to my presence," Darkseid's deep bass rumbled within him, "The first is merely a blood sample from the clone of Supergirl known as Galatea. Of course, Galatea has adopted the code name 'Power Girl' after her doppelganger from Earth-2. Simpering sentimentality aside, Power Girl has the key to unlocking the cloning process in regards to Kryptonian stock."
"I'll make `er bleed plenty," Lobo promised.
"Beware, bounty hunter. Power Girl is even more powerful than Kalea-El and is as highly trained," Darkseid advised him, "I believe you will find her nearly as ruthless as well."
"An' the second mark?" Lobo yawned.
"The Marvel formerly known as Mary Marvel. Black Mary now possesses the cumulative strength of four separate Marvels. Three originally doled out on Earth-3 and one on Earth Prime. Black Mary is stronger, faster, and more divinely wise than any foe you will ever encounter. And the Egyptian gods are nurturing the darkness I originally gestated within her. The Source may have ejected my inner shadow but Mary never sought to affect a repair of her soul, merely to quell its darkest impulses," Darkseid informed Lobo, "As such, her time in the Subtle Realms has caused her to embrace my darkness and make it her own. All thanks to the newfound influence of the Egyptian pantheon whom I have a pact with."
"The Main Man is yer man, crag face," Lobo whooped, "I got me an itch in my shorts ta bust some Kryptonian broad's face in."
"I've given you one warning, bounty hunter," Darkseid's eyes glowed with the Omega Effect.
"What `bout the Marvel chicky-poo? It ain't like she'll come reasonable-like. I'll have ta get…persuasive," Lobo warned him.
"I want Black Mary delivered unharmed," Darkseid reiterated, "If you cannot accomplish this, it would be better for you to admit so now."
"The Main Man can do anythin'," Lobo boasted, "And why the hell is this chick so important ta ya anyhoo?"
"Black Mary is my chosen vessel to defeat my daughter, Grail," Darkseid revealed.
"Hey, pay me enough an' I'll spank the little bitch fer ya," Lobo offered,
"Grail commands my Omega Effect. That is something that can even destroy the likes of you, Last Czarnian," Darkseid warned Lobo, "And she has no patience for your brand of ill humor. Black Mary has four portions of the divine endowments of the gods as funneled by a Lord of Order. She will suffice to serve my needs. And she will do so as an act of worship, not for mercenary gain."
"Hey! It's always `bout mercenary gain," Lobo countered, "Don't ever ferget that, crag face."
"Have you decided then?" Darkseid wearily asked.
"The price is right an' I've been lookin' fer a new challenge so yer on," Lobo gave him a middle fingered salute, "Be seein' ya, boss."
"Shall I have him followed?" Steppenwolf exited the hidden alcove where he'd stood by.
"Unnecessary," Darkseid assured him, "Lobo craves both the financial rewards and the accolades that will be heaped upon his reputation if he succeeds."
"And if he fails?" Steppenwolf wondered.
"Then he dies by an enemy's hand or by my own. No great loss either way," Darkseid decided.
"And if he approaches Grail to open negotiations?" Steppenwolf inquired.
"Lobo may be brutal, perverse, and sadistic but he is no fool," Darkseid promised, "He will locate Grail and leave her to me. Now, for your other news?"
"Mortalla is pregnant," Steppenwolf announced without preamble.
"So the false whelp Orion has impregnated my wife," Darkseid chuckled, "I wasn't certain he had it in him after Bekka filleted his manhood."
"Should I have her put to death?" Steppenwolf eagerly wondered.
"No, Orion's spawn will be raised by Granny Goodness to serve me and me alone. Orion will come to 'liberate' his bastard offspring to take it to New Genesis. Once he arrives, I will inform him Mortalla's life, and the life of this child, depend upon his serving me."
Steppenwolf chuckled malevolently, "As ever, Master. Your machinations go a step beyond."
"Which is why I always win in the end," Darkseid rumbled with pleasure.
Hours passed by inside LexCorp as Nightwing led the Question and Elongated Man's search through financial records. Huntress sent Katana to the roof with Animal Man and Crimson Fox in case of a second attack against the investigators. With Wonder Woman, Power Girl, and Hawkman standing by as heavy muscle and Vibe with the actual investigative team, Huntress was able to spare Vigilante, Vixen, Ri, and Darknight to go to local restaurants and delis and acquire food.
LexCorp's mail staff was more than happy to deliver the food. Huntress had been especially worried about Trajectory. General Glory purportedly received sustenance and endurance directly from his fabled "Spirit of Lady Liberty" but Trajectory's metabolism ran dangerously high. As high as either Flash's.
Jay Garrick had done studies to determine why he and Wally West processed the Speed Force more efficiently than Jesse Quick, Red Trinity, or Blue Trinity's sole survivor. Lady Flash made up for the deferential by taking Velocity 9. The others, Eliza Harmon included, ingested copious amounts of calories just as the Flashes did.
Whatever the case, food was welcomed by all.
Trajectory and General Glory eventually presented Nightwing with a list of twenty names. Each person listed had employment related to their field outside of LexCorp. Artists and artisans weren't included since their financial disclaimers attributed additional income to their wholly owned separate endeavors. All intellectual and creative copyrights were held in their entirety by the creators themselves and did not infringe on LexCorp's holdings. But Mercy Graves was looking into devising a creative arts division to exploit such talent.
"Give this list to Huntress. Have her send teams to investigate five groups assigned to four names apiece," Nightwing instructed, "Leaving Vibe here with my team and Power Girl, Artemis, and Hawkman to guard LexCorp itself."
"Will do," Trajectory vanished with a rush of air in her wake.
"She keeps doing that," General Glory was embarrassed to admit, "Us mere mortals strive to keep up."
"I bet," Nightwing smirked. It was like going swimming with Ulla.
Animal Man and Crimson Fox were doled out four names. They were driven by LexCorp Security to Dennis Wade, Elise Furlong, and Wade Graves' dwellings with little success. But Joanna Netz was obviously hiding something. Her increasing nervousness was heightened even further by the negative stimuli women had to Crimson Fox's pheromone load.
It created a competitive mating drive in fellow women. Now Joanna began boasting in greater depth and detail regarding her accomplishments in order to seem more attractive and successful than Crimson Fox. And she let it slip that she had a secret project developing at Wayne-Powers Enterprises in direct competition to her work with LexCorp. As soon as she'd spoken the truth she knew she'd already revealed too much.
Animal Man alerted LexCorp's Security Division and they took Joanna in for an investigation which could lead to breach of contract and trade secrets theft charges against her. LexCorp at least let her lock up before she left. Animal Man and Crimson Fox received a second car to drive them back to LexCorp itself.
"Did that feel right to you?" Animal Man asked Crimson Fox while they waited for their ride.
"Mon Cherie, both Constance and I have filled in as CEO before she took over the role permanently. You must protect your company's secrets or you will lose your competitive edge to those that would destroy you," Crimson Fox promised him, "Of course, Constance enjoyed the boardroom games while I prefer the hunt."
"So I was hunted," Animal Man realized.
"Of course, but the trick is to make the prey feel like the hunter," Crimson Fox winked at him, "I tried to catch you but you always evaded my snare. Until you wanted to be caught. And then my hopeless weeks of waiting ended."
"You really are something of a vixen," Animal Man realized.
"Oui, but don't tell, Mari. She would be so jealous," Crimson Fox laughed.
Ri and Darknight struck gold on their first visit. Kenneth Long practically threw himself at their feet to confess of more than just corporate sabotage. He was also a spy for the People's Republic of China.
Afterwards, the FBI was brought in and LexCorp sent their own liaison to the Bureau to ascertain what damage had been done. LexCorp Security's detail then took Ri and Darknight to visit Wendy Liu, Quentin Wu, and Mark Kim but they all passed scrutiny. So the couple returned to LexCorp.
Feodor Analov was a bust and so were Jess Sanders and Hans Guter. But Vigilante and Vixen helped determine E'toka M'bosa was guilty. While Vig steered M'bosa through standard questions, Vixen used her animal totem to channel a bloodhound's senses. And she quickly deduced their suspect was profusely lying.
With Vixen acting as a lie detector, Vigilante narrowed the questioning down. Vixen strayed towards M'bosa's home office and entered in to find a notebook filled with notations in Swahili. Which she read and spoke fluently. The evidence was damning.
"We got him," Vixen announced as she exited the office, "Everything LexCorp needs is in this."
M'bosa sagged. Vixen spoke in Swahili, "Next time as least use an encryption."
Trajectory and General Glory also found pay dirt on their first stop. While Trajectory rustled up LexCorp Security, General Glory's patriotically themed speech linked corporate espionage to high treason and Amber West was led away sobbing. The replacement detail drove them to Doug Fairbanks' home where they found out he shared the apartment with Jerry Ford.
They were obviously a couple but they weren't even in a domestic partnership because Luthor had established an anti-marriage rule at LexCorp. One married, or legally entwined, partner had to leave the corporation's employ. So Doug and Jerry were an open secret at work because their coworkers maintained the illusion they weren't a couple and Mercy, like Talia Head before her, still left the policy unamended.
Doug and Jerry passed General Glory's litmus test and the JLers went to Liza Benneli. Benneli turned out to be a Mafia princess on the lam. Her family had ignored her business ambitions and marginalized her in favor of awarding her hand in marriage to a diligent capo. So Liza changed her name and left NYC for Metropolis where she got a Master's in night school while interning at LexCorp. General Glory and Trajectory promised to keep her secret safe.
Katana singlehandedly made Toyo Harada beg to confess to anything. Huntress had to admit her estimation of Katana rose to stellar proportions on that merit alone. After Harada was taken away and a new LexCorp Security team provided, Huntress and Katana checked out Franco Peretti. Peretti was a bust despite Huntress causing him to lose bladder control.
Hauser Goetz and Elfi Tirpitz were caught red handed. They were a secretly married couple from Frankfurt and Munich that had lied about their marital status when recruited by LexCorp. And they were being blackmailed because of it by a fellow employee in Human Resources. In order to pay the blackmail, Hauser and Elfi took on industry side jobs.
Huntress felt like crap as LexCorp Security took away Hauser and Elfi to interview them. The corrupt HR scum would likely lose his job but so would Hauser and Elfi. And LexCorp would probably insure they lost their green cards as well since they were corporately sponsored. So no one won in the deal.
LexCorp threw lawyers and investigators at the supposedly non-detained employees. But none revealed a hidden connection with Luthor. The mole that had tipped Luthor off to the JLA's presence at LexCorp – Metropolis remained covertly imbedded in the company. But Nightwing's team found four corporate holdings that were acquired with LexCorp seed money but retained Luthor as a silent partner.
LexCorp had no oversight or policy author over the four companies. But Luthor was the single largest stockholder in each. The list included, but might ultimately expand beyond, Dura-Steel, StarrWare Software, Wet Works Security, and OmniTech.
Nightwing shared all of the details with Mercy Grave and left her to clean her own house while the Justice League of America departed to report their findings to JLA Director Amanda Waller. ARGUS' legal teams could then consult with the Justice Department and see how the government wanted to proceed with the matters.
Kathy Duquesne hadn't learned of any rival company's association with Luthor. But then Nightwing called in the information regarding Wet Works Security. Wet Works provided more than traditional security. They also provided mercenary services. So Kathy took everything her company had on them and relocated to the secret headquarters Sonia Alcona, Rocki Ballantine, and Kathy had established for their shared identity of Batwoman.
To Kathy's surprise, Rocki's costume was missing as well as one of the Bat Gliders. A rarified smart metal batarang was also lifted from the arsenal as well as traditional variants Batman, Inc. had provided and either paraphernalia as well. Kathy couldn't imagine Rocki taking up the mask again after what she'd said after they'd helped Margo Collins track down and accost Catman. But unless a stranger had managed to copy Kathy or Rocki's biometric data to get past the security system, there was no other explanation.
But Kathy also had a nagging worry over Margo. Sonia would've left lots of prints all over their apartment. Could the disgraced Chicago PD detective be on the hunt for Catman again?
Kathy pinged the transponder in Rocki's suit and found it registered as being in Monte Carlo. Catwoman and Catgirl had a mission underway in Monaco. If Rocki were with them, the obvious question was why and why hadn't Waller said anything to her?
Plastic Man, Penny, and Hula Hula reported to their old boss, the International Security Agency's Chief. She coolly received the trio, "I wish I could say it's a pleasant surprise to see you all again. But Matron of Spyral informed me you'd be coming to lay down a list of false accusations against her."
"Did she say why we'd do that?" Penny was curious to know.
"Matron asked the ISA for an interagency cooperative effort to move Spyral teams across the globe," the Chief stated, "She pointed out that ARGUS would be jealous and the JLA would send the three of you to accuse us of abetting the Legion of Doom. So let me be frank, this is a United Nations matter. We're cooperating with ARGUS but we're alerting Matron of JLA teleports so Spyral can keep tabs on you at all times."
Penny flashed Plas a knowing look. They'd just discovered who the mole was. It wasn't inside LexCorp. It was the ISA itself.
"Just one question before we go," Plastic Man offered, "Have you ever cleared Agent Wayne's request through Director Webb-Kane?"
"Get out," the Chief ordered.
After the teleport deck reported their exit, the Chief did finally contact Katherine Webb-Kane. And she learned about how Matron had never sought authorization to move Spyral assets through the ISA teleporter network, Spyral hadn't actually ever moved anyone through the network, and an arrest warrant had been issued for Helena Wayne for conspiring with the criminal entity now know as the Court of Owls.
The Chief reeled at the news. She had the teleport logs of where the ISA had been moving these mysterious parties. But if she handed them over to Spyral, then the ISA's complicity would become common knowledge amongst the UN bureaucracies. More to the point, ARGUS would learn who the ISA had been spying for and it likely included criminal elements. The Chief chose to bury the data rather than share it.
"It's time to collect the Shining Knight," Saturn Queen shared with her coconspirators.
"Brainiac reports he is at the K-Star Ranch," Cosmic King informed the group, "He's prepared a software version of a nuclear strike to bog down their AI, Roxy. While she's bedeviled, we can utilize the Justice Leagues to get in and out in a surgical fashion."
"But we need him multitasking to discover where the Crime Syndicate slipped off to," Lightning Lord unhappily reminded them both.
"Have Captain Cold prepare preliminary plans to free incarcerated Legionnaires," Saturn Queen urged, "Just as we previously discussed."
"Why do these primitives matter?" Lightning Lord was irritated by the request, "They don't amount to anything but cannon fodder anyway."
"But they presently serve as our cannon fodder," Saturn Queen shot back at him, "We're about to enter the last phase of our operation. We need road blocks between the Justice Leagues and the remaining forces opposed to them. Kill enough of the allies and mopping up will be simplicity itself and prove our forces' resolve in the process."
"But why reward incompetence?" Lightning Lord complained.
"We've all been captured on occasion. Even you," Cosmic King argued, "Which accounts for us being trapped in the past to begin with."
"Very well," Lightning Lord relented.
"Laevar, exclude Booster Gold and Goldstar from the mission. Rip Hunter and the Waverider will be appearing any minute now. Booster and Goldstar have a more important mission in securing the time craft than in capturing a lone knight," Saturn Queen pointed out.
Sir Justin had vanished. Roxy couldn't find him on the grounds. Flash offered to cover them, "Maybe I should check out the fence line and see where he's off to."
"I think I should do it instead, Jay," Jesse Quick replied, "He's more compliant with a woman's touch."
"But he is all about brotherhood and the chivalric code," Hourman reminded her.
"Which is why I'm still the better choice," Jesse insisted.
The power to the ranch went out. The backup generators kicked in but the computers were all still inoperative. Mr. Terrific checked several options.
"Roxy? You with us?" he asked and received no reply.
Anna Fortune conjured a long prepared spell that garbed everyone not in uniform. Hawk and Dove accomplished the same thing by speaking their Avatar names. The Marvels transformed through the utterance of their trigger names. The assembled All Stars moved outside for the inevitable conflict that was brewing.
Blackhawk Express' bunkhouse and airfields were still fully lit. Mike Dugan patched into Mr. Terrific, "I'm with Roxy's servers and her diagnostic screens are showing a flurry of activity. Something invasive attacked Roxy. Best I can describe it as is a bomb. She's literally fighting for her life."
"See how you can help, Mike," Mr. Terrific instructed.
Blue flashes filled the grounds and the air surrounding the All Stars. Superman gazed coldly down upon them all, "Surrender the Shining Knight and no one will be harmed."
"No," Lightning Lord sneered, "Surrender the knight and you'll endure a painless death."
The division this caused was obvious to the observant All Stars. Saturn Queen and Cosmic King obviously thought it a waste of effort and provocation. Superman, Martian Manhunter, the Atom, Apache Chief, Samurai, and Black Vulcan also seemed uncertain in the face of it.
"You can't possibly win," Saturn Queen tried to reinject reason into things, "These are friends who are willing to kill you at our behest. Are you prepared to do the same in return? Because you will face that choice, I assure you."
"You may wear the face of a friend, sister. But there ain't nuthin' that'll keep me from pushin' it in," Wildcat warned her.
"Really? Could you bring yourself to harm Tessa? Sir Justin's beloved wife?" Saturn Queen mocked his resolve, "How do you think he would react to that?"
"Come down here and find out, why don'cha?" Wildcat goaded her.
"Maybe later, after the preliminaries have finished," Saturn Queen mentally boosted her thoughts to accompany her voice, "Justice Leagues, obey your queen. Defeat the All Stars."
It was a titanic rematch in the making. Captain Marvel confronted Superman once again. But where Superman had been driven by paranoia and anger the first time they faced one another. This time it was misplaced loyalty imbedded into his psyche. This time Superman had reservations about fighting a friend he knew to be in the right. And Captain Marvel could see that.
"Fight it, Superman," Captain Marvel urged, "We could end up taking out upstate New York if we duke it out. Fight this and turn it around against Saturn Queen."
That triggered Superman's involuntary reflex and his punch sailed Captain Marvel out across the horizon and out to sea.
J'onn Jonzz fought Captain Marvel Jr. But where Junior's Marvel form was more powerful than J'onn, the Martian knew enough to telepathically force Junior to recite Captain Marvel's name and revert him to being Freddy Freeman. Then it took the lightest of J'onn's blows to knock Freddy out.
Flash was overwhelmed by sudden, intense dizziness that laid him out. As Jay groped in an effort to recover, vertigo gripped him so severely, he passed out. Then the Atom exited his inner ear and grew beside Flash's fallen form.
"Sorry, Jay. I really did hate to do that," Atom lamented.
"Don't make me do this, man," Black Vulcan implored Aztek as the All Star floated before him.
"Then just don't do it," Aztek retorted.
"It isn't that simple," Black Vulcan complained.
Aztek landed on his feet and Black Vulcan shook his head in defeat, "You never should have grounded yourself."
Black Vulcan's electrical powers conducted through Aztek's armor and stunned Curt Falconer, "I got to find a better way to fight this conditioning."
Metamorpho studied the reticent Samurai, "Well? Ain't ya gonna try and kill me?"
"Perhaps we could take a moment to discuss what has happened up until this point," Samurai suggested.
"Like hell we will! Yer goin' down, ex-pal," Metamorpho transmuted into a cloud of nitrous oxide.
Samurai summoned Category 5 hurricane force winds and dispersed Metamorpho across upstate New York. Samurai looked inconsolable, "Not the best conversation I've ever had."
"Remember, I know your tricks, Chief," Commander Steel referenced all of the sparring sessions he'd trained with Apache Chief with.
"Perhaps you do not know all of them just yet," Apache Chief warned him, "Which would mean it is time to find an alternative to fighting."
"No one is surrendering to you traitors," Commander Steel promised, "The JSA All Stars don't fold because our so-called 'friends' become super villains."
"There are so many errors to your logic it staggers the mind to try and comprehend them all," Apache Chief sighed, "I hardly enjoy doing what I am forcibly compelled to do yet I am unable to stop myself. But I, and others, have made headway or else we would already be fighting."
"So this 'Saturn Queen' really controls you?" Commander Steel asked.
"Yes," Apache Chief wearily asserted.
"Then let's say I was to try and take her out?" Commander Steel asked.
Apache Chief rushed Commander Steel and phased his hand into the man's chest. Inside it, Apache Chief slipped through Commander Steel's artificial heart and increased his density by several measures. It interrupted the operation of the heart and Commander Steel suffered a mechanical version of a heart attack.
As Commander Steel slumped to the ground, Apache Chief pitied him, "Unfortunately, the strongest imperative that we all have is to defend our queen."
While it was true no person could touch Judomaster unless she allowed it, a human being transformed into water didn't face that block. Cascade transmuted herself into a bubble that engulfed Judomaster completely. After Sonia Sato was half drowned, the Indonesian woman called Cascade reverted back to being human. Judomaster lay helplessly at her feet hacking and coughing up water. Cascade wondered if she should feel anything.
"So you're supposed to be a demigod," Hourman sized up the enormously bulked up Olympian.
"It is true," Olympian boasted, "And I received power from the Golden Fleece as well as my own native god-like attributes."
"All that and modesty too," Hourman quipped.
Olympian tipped his head and used the ram's head cowl he wore as part of the Golden Fleece and charged into Hourman's jaw before he injected Miraclo. Hourman lay sprawled across the dirt and Olympian exalted in his victory.
"Soon, I will compile enough victories to earn my place amongst the pantheon of gods," Olympian promised himself.
Jesse Quick had been enveloped by a maelstrom. Sandstorm converted himself into being his namesake. He blew Jesse across the ranch courtyard and beat her off of ranch house walls until she was knocked out. Then he became human again and awaited further instruction from his queen.
Tundra evaded Sand's earth moving attacks and then she created a blizzard to force him into assuming his silicate form. Once he was literally composed of sand, she blew him apart with an Arctic wind. Having scattered Sand across the K-Star Ranch and beyond, she felt it was safe to assume it would take him some time to recompose himself.
"Ow!" Tasmanian Devil recoiled and rubbed his nose, "Watch it, mate."
"Ya used ta be a contender, Taz. Now yer a second rate henchman. What happened ta ya?" Wildcat wondered.
"No bloke calls me that and escapes a beating," Tasmanian Devil swore.
"Shoot! I was hopin' ya'd go fer it," Wildcat proceeded into Tasmanian Devil like the ex-heavyweight champion that he was.
Dr. Mid-Nite swiftly discovered the Hood was as used to operating in pitch black as Dr. Mid-Nite himself. And while the Hood was no Batman, he was a former member of Batman, Inc. Chosen by Batman himself to represent the ideal in his home country.
And as such, he'd received a high degree of hand to hand combat instruction. Higher than Dr. Mid-Nite anyway. When the blackout bomb dissipated, Hood was left standing next to the fallen Dr. Mid-Nite.
Nightrunner literally ran up a wall to drop in behind Cyclone. It took a single nerve chop to bring her down afterwards. And nearby, Dark Ranger quickly sorted out reality from illusion and put an end to King Chimera's struggles.
Dr. Light simply stood outside of Lightning's effective range until the girl had tired out. Then Kimiyo Hoshi volleyed a single photon blast into Lightning and knocked Jennifer Pierce out. At one time, Dr. Light would have reveled in such an easy victory. But now it seemed inappropriate.
Atom Smasher was completely unprepared for just how strong Maxi-Man was. Al Rothstein had always considered one of the founding members of the Conglomerate to be a joke. Maxi-Man's joining the Global Guardians hadn't improved Atom Smasher's opinion nor had the creation of the Justice League International. But Maxi-Man beat Atom Smasher unconscious before the big man could mount an effective defense.
Seraph was simply no match to Sentinel and his magic power ring. The power of the Green Flame overwhelmed the Israeli hero in seconds. Afterwards, Alan Scott surveyed the landscape to see where he was needed most.
Rising Sun melted down Mr. Terrific's T-Spheres. Then he nearly incinerated the man himself. Rising Sun took a moment to congratulate himself afterwards on such a staggering victory.
Stargirl knew Starman processed solar energy the way her Cosmic Rod and Cosmic Convertor Belt did. Prince Gavyn did this naturally but he was unable to use any of his powers without the harnessing bracelets that he wore. So Courtney Whitmore decided to test Starman's limits.
Throwing the full might of her cosmic equipment at Starman, she charged him like a solar cell until he was ready to explode with raw energy. Ascending into orbit, he discharged the extra energy and then passed out amongst the satellites he'd ruined.
Batman had sent the free members of the Justice League International to assist the All Stars in case of an attack. With Goldilocks already kidnapped, Shining Knight had seemed an obvious target to him. But Saturn Queen sensed their presence and Lightning Lord led a force to capture the nearby Shining Knight and deal with the JLI.
Godiva fought against the father/son team of Man-of-Bats and Raven Red. She'd barely manage to restrain one when the other would distract her with an attack. As the second party came under her control, the first would accidently be released. Wondering where in the hell Killer Frost had disappeared to, Godiva succumbed to the combined attack of Man-of-Bats and Raven Red.
Wingman managed to locate Gypsy despite her camouflage ability. Gypsy was hardly a proficient hand to hand combatant. A fact Wingman took advantage of.
Little Mermaid barely kept ahead of Fire and Ice's attack. Fire was dehydrating Ulla and Ice threatened to freeze her at every opportunity. Finally they both succeeded. Ulla managed to shatter the ice covering her and flee out to the nearest source of open water.
Black Bat maintained a relentless pace against Reverb. Her continuous physical assaults and thrown hand weapons made him constantly maintain a vibrational wave front. And Black Bat stayed ahead of the wave. Eventually she managed to slip behind him and knock him out.
Squire stood by while the Knight fought Batwing to a standstill with his electro sword. Batwing's batons were made of fiberglass and weren't conductive. Black Bat dropped the Squire with a single blow. Then she alerted the Knight to her presence. As Knight grew apoplectic, Batwing pummeled him into the dirt.
"Thanks yet again," Batwing offered Black Bat.
"Don't thank me so quickly," Cassandra Cain warned him.
Lightning Lord struck Praxis down at range rather than get close to the supernaturally powered mentalist. Lightning Lord pulled out the still standing JLers. Black Bat advised Batwing.
"Secure the prisoners and tend to our fallen," she stated, "I will track down the Shining Knight and Killer Frost."
Cosmic King tried different lethal transmutations on Hawk and Dove. But they recovered from anything and everything. So he pulled back and let the JLI deal with them.
Superman dropped off Captain Marvel's unconscious body. The JLI was battling Sentinel, Wildcat, Stargirl, Hawk, and Dove. The Super Friends and his fellow JLU members stood by ostensibly awaiting Saturn Queen's further instruction.
Superman received Saturn Queen's orders in his mind and he snuck up on Anna Fortune as she battled Saturn Queen. He took her out with a single punch. The he laid her to rest on the ground.
"Excellent work," Saturn Queen congratulated him.
"Stand fast! Thou shalt return my wife to me or I shall run thee through with my blade," Sir Justin declared.
"And how will that get you Tessa back?" Saturn Queen asked.
"At least she shall know peace at last!" Shining Knight snarled, "Do what you may, demoness. I shall fight thee with my dying breath."
And then Sir Justin froze over. Saturn Queen smirked, "I wondered who you'd choose in the end."
"Miss me?' Killer Frost vamped.
"Your absence was noted," Saturn Queen said dismissively, "Whether for my purposes or not. In the end it didn't matter."
"Sorry to disappoint," Killer Frost drolly replied.
"Hold that thought," Saturn Queen summoned the JLers and the LSV. Blue teleport flashes removed them from the scene.
Sentinel used his ring to probe the area, "They really are gone."
"But we have prisoners," Black Bat announced as she made her presence known, "Reverb, the Knight and Squire have all been captured."
"Does anyone have a clue as to why they attacked in the first place?" Dove wondered.
"Their intent was to capture the Shining Knight," Black Bat reported, "And they succeeded."
"But why?" Stargirl had to wonder.
"Why did they capture Goldilocks?" Cassandra asked.
"They wanted him awfully badly. They had the opportunity to make off with most of us, yet they left the bulk of the team behind," Sentinel realized.
Black Bat needed to confer with Godiva to ascertain Killer Frost's true intentions in this matter.
Sir Justin had been thawed and disarmed. Cosmic King created manacles to hold him and had him on his knees before Saturn Queen in a briefing room. Lightning Lord brought in Goldilocks and buckled her knees as well. Saturn Queen knew her moment of revenge was at hand.
Cosmic King gagged Sir Justin when he began pontificating. Eve Aries plunged deep into Goldilocks' psyche and shoved Tessa's personality into Goldilocks' fragmented mind. It immediately took hold.
Saturn Queen withdrew, "Get ready!"
"Oi! What the bloody hell do you think you're doing in my mind?" Goldilocks protested.
"Isn't she supposed to change?" Cosmic King wondered.
"Can we just kill them already?" Lightning Lord was impatient.
"Something's wrong. Maybe her mind needs more time to adapt," Saturn Queen plucked at possibilities.
Sir Justin wondered what had they expected? Goldilocks to become someone else? What foolishness could that be?
"Lock them away in her room," Saturn Queen instructed, "We have time for this."
"You'd better be right, Eve. The last thing we need is for them to escape," Lightning Lord warned her.
"That won't be happening," Saturn Queen assured him.
Sentinel reported in the attacks to the Hall of Justice. The JLI stayed on with the All Stars in case of a second strike while Roxy recuperated from the cyber attack from Brainiac. Batman decided to call in the Teen Titans and divvy up the JLA into two squads to assist the Justice League Unlimited.
The Injusticers would be employed against a target. The Titans were still rehabilitating Arsenal so Batman wanted to leave Deathstroke to it. Batman would personally lead the dual JLU/JLA force. Col. Trevor would lead the purely JLA team. Red Robin was still leading the Teen Titans but White Rabbit had sent Ravager on an errand. Nyssa Raatko would naturally oversee the activities of the Injustice League, Injustice Rogues, and Injustice Titans.
Batman also knew Deathstroke had dispatched Horus to Kahndaq to ascertain what the Black Marvels were doing there. And Catwoman's team would be returning back to the United States on the red eye flight out of Monaco.
Batman's team went to Dura-Steel Conglomerates. A mining and metals refining corporation based out of Pittsburgh. Dura-Steel had quietly cornered the market of metals and where moving into minerals and rare earth elements. Batman used the JLA's law enforcement authority to get in the door.
The while the lawyers scrambled, the Justice Leagues took a look around. Green Lantern, Shayera Hol, and Flash operated as the other Justice League Trinity. Starling and Bat-Girl cooperated with Black Canary and Speedy in looking at the plant's operations. Azrael and Sister Lilhy worked alongside Plastic Man, Animal Man, and Crimson Fox.
Steve Trevor's group reported to Wet Works Security. The directors seemed quite nervous to have an ARGUS unit on site. Batwoman and Wonder Woman did their best to intimidate everyone. Hawkman held Vibe off to the side. Guy blustered and Trajectory and General Glory snooped around. Question and Huntress got into the company's financials. Vigilante, Vixen, Ri and Darknight looked over the grounds. Katana and Power Girl headed for the basement.
Beneath the building they found an access tunnel. Power Girl forced it open and the duo explored as the tunnel led to others and eventually came together in a network underneath Fawcett City.
Red Robin led the Teen Titans in investigating StarrWare Software in San Francisco. Karen Starr, the CEO and founder of the company bore a remarkable resemblance to Galatea and Supergirl. But she was purely human rather than an Argoan. Miss Martian quickly determined Luthor was Karen's silent partner. StarrWare developed one of kind software products for Luthor. Many of which incorporated Kryptonian algorithms.
While Red Robin and M'gann investigated, Red Hood led Fairchild, Bunker, Skitter, Kid Flash, Solstice, Superboy, and Wonder Girl in interviewing employees. What became revealed was StarrWare had another exclusivity deal with Lord Enterprises and its Innovative Concepts foundation.
All the software was artificial intelligence engines. Where did Lord Enterprises store an AI and why hadn't it ever been revealed to the public or Max Lord's investors?
Nightwing reported to the K-Star Ranch to head up the investigation of what had occurred. He was also there to check on Ulla. She'd been reported missing before he'd set out and she had just reported in as he arrived. With Mr. Terrific's permission, Nightwing headed up the interrogations of the captured JLI members.
Jakeem Thunder happily joined Stargirl in approaching the Squire. Nightwing chose the Flash to head up the Knight's questioning. Jay had Commander Steel and Judomaster with him to assist him. Sentinel stood in with Wildcat to interrogating Reverb.
Afterwards, Nightwing arranged for transportation to the lockdown holding the other non-liberated JLers. But every prisoner had corroborated that the Shining Knight's capture had been their only explicit goal. No one could determine the why behind it though.
The Injusticers invaded an office space across the street from OmniTech. Nyssa paid the office manager and her staff enough to justify taking a week off en masse. Nyssa immediately began organizing.
Wrath used his experiences from running Caldwell Arms to arrange for an inspection of OmniTech by a group of interested investment partners. Nyssa would take Lady Flash, White Canary, Dark Archer, and White Lighting and go take a tour.
Blue Jay reverted to bird size and flew to the penthouse atop the building to flutter around and peek in windows. Silver Sorceress set up a scrying window and tried to peer into the corporate tower. But something prevented her from getting anything more than a sporadic glimpse.
Dark Archer and White Canary grumbled as they changed clothes. They wanted to carry a minimal set of weapons. White Lightning was just discontent to wear anything other than biker's leathers. Lady Flash was the only one happy with the plan.
David Cain used the internet to discover OmniTech had other facilities in town. Blacksmith took the remaining Injustice Rogues and went to Anaheim. The Injustice Titans traveled to Pomona. Major Disaster and Big Sir joined Aresia, the Wrath, and Cain in preparing an all out assault should anything go wrong.
Arsenal now bore a cybernetic prosthetic right arm. He'd never accurately draw a bow again but his primary weapon had already become his crossbow. Deathstroke set up a training schedule to bring Arsenal back up to fitness and proficiency standards with his new arm. Cheshire took care of thanking him for his sacrifice when he wasn't training. Deathstroke's hidden facility in Boston remained a secret from ARGUS.
Horus arrived in Kahndaq to find infighting consuming the country while Libya and Egypt gathered at the borders. Sporadic reports listed sightings of the Black Marvel Family. Horus knew Black Adam had already devised his own solution to the problem. Horus would forgive Teth-Adam for marrying Adrianna Tomaz if the fool could actually establish peace and security for Kahndaq. After all, the reprobate had ruled Kahndaq for a thousand years after Khufu died and Nabu had become a Lord of Order.
And if Shazam were to intervene, Horus didn't owe the meddling wizard anything. His own patrons, Blaze and Satanus, would pay handsomely for their father's head on a pike.
Saturn Queen searched her own mind. There were no traces of Tessa left. So the graft had been successful. So why wasn't there a trace of her inside Goldilocks? Was she being too impatient? She still had all of Tessa's memories. Did the personality also require the memories to manifest? The questions were driving her crazy and she knew she needed a definitive answer.
Power Girl and Katana came upon a massive complex built beneath Fawcett City's city hall. Spillways emptied out into the river from drainage tunnels from across the metropolitan area. And at its heart stood a vast array of computerized equipment. Lex Luthor manned the equipment and the humbled Female Furies formed a loose perimeter.
"Alert Col. Trevor," Katana instructed, "I shall remain here to observe."
"You're sure?" Power Girl wanted to be certain.
"With your speed, you can alert him and return within mere minutes," Katana reasoned it out.
"See you in a few," Power Girl promised before disappearing with a rush of displaced air.