7 Justice League the Corps
Lady Blackhawk flew a Javelin into Manhattan. Leading the way was Superman, Wonder Woman, the Martian Manhunter, Hawkman, the Ray, Steel, Stargirl, and Red Tornado. Inside the shuttle sat the Question, Huntress, Catwoman, Plastic Man, Hawk, Vixen, Wildcat, Nemesis, Vigilante, the Shining Knight, Mr. Terrific, Hourman, Commander Steel, Apache Chief, Black Vulcan, and Samurai. Alerts had gone out to the Flash, Booster Gold, Captain Atom, Atom Smasher, Anna Fortune, and Starman but there had been no reply as of yet.
The Legionnaires had spread out from the epicenter that was Times Square. Lady Blackhawk brought the Javelin down as the flying members of the League cleared the intersection. As she touched down, another Javelin did a touch and go, disgorging Dove, Nightwing, and the Little Mermaid. Lady Blackhawk smirked at the stupidity of Ulla's code name.
"Could've come up something original," she snickered and then she activated the radio, "Blackhawk, that you?"
"As always. You know I can't resist a party," he replied.
She chuckled, "Neither can I. How's about we establish a little air superiority over this island?"
"Sounds good, LBH. I'll see you in the skies," he replied. His Javelin thrust straight up for five hundred feet and then applied vertical thrust and shot off, rising as it passed between buildings.
Not to be outdone, Lady Blackhawk also went up and then out. She flew in the opposite direction and then the two of them began a clockwise rotation around Manhattan. The ground pounders could call them in if needed and they'd be out of the way of the flyers. To her mind, it was an elegant solution.
"Do you have to go?" Claire asked Booster.
He pulled his mask on, "`Fraid so. It's a priority alert which means everyone drop your shorts and start running."
She smirked, "I'd like to see you drop your shorts."
He smiled, "Come here you."
Claire approached and wrapped her arms around his neck and drew him in for a kiss. It was a hungry exchange. They'd found common ground, a common ground that she'd begun to think she'd never find and the promise of the future called to her. She didn't want to see that future die so she was concerned over his leaving.
As if he could read her mind, Booster said; "I'll be back. Now that all cards are on the table, we could have a bright tomorrow. And since I happen to know what tomorrow bringsā¦"
She gave him a wry look, "Oh really?"
"Yup. It has us facing the challenges of this era together." He grinned.
"I'll hold you to that, mister," Claire warned him.
He kissed her again, "I expect you to. Now, I've gotta."
Claire sighed, "And it's such a lovely day."
He opened the screen door and stepped out, "Now that remains to be seen."
She smacked his butt, "You know what I mean."
He grinned mischievously, "Do I?" he raised his hands before she could comment, "Just remember, I love you."
His flight ring took hold of him at that point and he darted off into the afternoon sky. Claire watched as he disappeared into the horizon. With a heartfelt sigh she went back into the apartment and closed the door. She left it unlocked for him if he returned. Chastising herself she amended that to a when.
Gavyn pulled on his Starman mask and Roger looked forlorn. They were at Tessa's apartment and the call from both the Justice League and from Sir Justin meant that their plans for today were shattered. Tessa saw Roger's stricken face and wondered if she wore the same expression.
She nudged him, "You'd best say goodbye, just in case."
That didn't help Roger's mood any but it did prompt him into action, which is what she'd hoped. He caught Gavyn's hand.
"I don't know what you're about to face. All I know is it has to be bad. I just want you to know that I'll be here waiting for you to get back."
Starman smiled. It was warm and full of love, "I'll be back. I promised to marry you and I always fulfill my promises."
They embraced and kissed deeply. It was born of as much passion as desperation. Starman walked out the front door and exited the apartment building and took to the air. Tessa's apartment was on the wrong side of the building to see him go.
Roger collapsed into a chair, "You have any ice cream?"
Tessa grinned, "I always keep a tub of Chunky Monkey on hand for moments like this. I'll split it with you."
"Damn that man. He's going to be the death of my waistline," Roger sighed.
Tessa laughed, "I've put on twenty pounds since meeting Justin. He actually likes it. He likes curves."
"Men don't get curves," Roger said dryly.
"Maybe Gavyn's into handles," Tessa offered as a ray of hope.
"Meh," Roger grunted.
"Oh, come on!" Tessa exhorted him, "Gavyn does this for a living. You've got to get used to it."
"I thought I was. It's just the sound of these Star Sapphire and Sinestro Corps. He's told me about the original Star Sapphire and Sinestro. They're bad enough but to have more of them, it's just got me worrying," Roger admitted.
"Me too," Tessa admitted, "But since meeting Justin I've almost been eaten, kidnapped, thrown off of a building, and fallen madly in love. I'd say it's all been worth it."
Roger finally smiled, "I guess I've gotten off lightly."
Tessa gave him a rueful look, "Brother, you've gotten off too easy so far. This waiting bullcrap is nuthin'."
"Are we going to watch it on the news?" Roger asked.
"Oh, that's a prerequisite to ice cream," Tessa said authoritatively.
"I've always just waited," Roger confessed.
"Nuh uh, the not knowing is worse. The whole 'letter from the War Department' syndrome sets in. I'd not only eat ice cream but I'd order take out from every joint in Brooklyn," Tessa confided, "Of course, company helps too."
"Well, the company is excellent so I can only have faith in your other remedies," Roger shared.
Tessa smiled, "You silver tongued flatterer. It's no wonder Gavyn loves you."
"Oh, there are other reasons as well," Roger intimated.
"Do tell!" Tessa urged.
Booster spotted Starman crossing over the East River towards Manhattan and he flew in close, "How's it going?"
Starman appraised him, "You seem awfully chipper."
"Well, Claire and I reconciled." Booster shared.
"Ah yes, you've been quite concerned over her. Did she tell you why she broke things off to begin with?" Starman asked.
"She was once a he and she thought that would dissuade me," Booster confided.
"And did it?" Starman was intrigued by this.
"Hell no," Booster laughed, "Like I keep reminding everyone, I'm from the future. Sexes have equal rights where I come from. All sexes."
"So I take it her state of being is nothing new to you then?" Starman inquired.
"Nope. So she has a penis. So what? It adds a little spice to things," Booster enthused.
Starman came to a halt and Booster stopped with him, "What?"
"You," Starman answered, "You're surprisingly enlightened. I didn't expect that from someone as self-centered as you."
"There's levels to me you've never seen before," Booster assured him.
"I'm beginning to see that," Starman admitted. An explosion rocked the center of the city. Starman and Booster resumed their flight and Gavyn spoke, "It seems we're needed even more than I'd feared."
"Sad, isn't it?" Booster asked.
Captain Atom came flying in from Metropolis. He was buzzed by a Javelin shuttle. He could've sworn it was being flown by Lady Blackhawk. He was afforded an excellent view of the UN building. Star Sapphires swarmed around a few JLers. It was obvious Shayera and Captain Marvel Jr. were being overwhelmed. As he watched, Captain Marvel returned and began to assist but the tactical advantage lay with the Sapphires.
Captain Atom used his signal device to reach the Hall of Justice and request instructions. He didn't like the orders that he received. The UN was to be abandoned in lieu of stopping the Legion of Doom. Only his training and indoctrination in taking orders moved him along.
He repeated this exercise when he passed with eyesight of what used to be the women's penthouse. Kyle and Supergirl were facing at least a dozen Yellow Lanterns, led by Sinestro himself. Once again he called it in and once again he got the same reply.
Angry now, he dove for Times Square. The surrounding area was full of Legionnaires and JLers.
Kara dove headlong for Sinestro. She found herself blocked by a wall constructed by a half dozen rings. Sinestro used his own ring to hit her with a battering ram and send her over the edge of the building.
"Kara!" Kyle cried out. He used his ring to propel him to the edge. She was nowhere to be seen.
He wheeled around to face the Elite, "Murderer!"
That irritated Sinestro, "She can fly, you fool. Maybe she took my advice after all."
Kara suddenly shot up and she nailed Arkillo, sending him hurtling towards the ground. Next she kicked Tekik across the face. The robot smashed into the apartment building. Karu-Sil unleashed her beast constructs and they brought Kara down into the wreckage of the penthouse. When she threw one off, then the other two would attack together. Kara deduced that for the animals to be so realistic and such coordinated pack hunters, they came from Karu-Sil's past.
She unleashed her heat vision and although the constructs couldn't feel pain, Karu-Sil screamed as they disincorporate. Tekik then brought a hammer down atop Kara. That momentarily stunned her. The hammer fell again, and again. In the end the floor gave way and she went tumbling into the apartment below. Tekik and Karu-Sil were joined by Maash as they pursued her.
Romat-Ru, Tri-eye, Low, and Murr engaged Kyle. He dodged and weaved between their constructs and led them into attacking one another. He swatted Low into Murr when the pair got too close. Murr could melt him with physical contact and Low would suck his blood and lay eggs in him if he dropped his personal field. As it was the two began to grapple with one, fields up of course.
He slammed Romat-Ru with a pile driver that was so ornate that the Xudarian didn't have a clue as to its function until it was too late. It smashed him through the floor. Kyle winced and hoped that he hadn't just dropped a world of hurt onto Kara.
Kyle was suddenly trapped from the shoulders down in a cube. Sinestro had personally constructed this trap and Kyle struggled to free himself. Sinestro drew in closer. Lyssa Drak and Kryb hung just off of his shoulders while Slushh and Bedovian hung out in the space between buildings.
"Settle down, Rayner. I'm not here to settle accounts between us. You're merely bait for my true prey," Sinestro revealed.
"And who's that?" Kyle wondered.
"Carol Ferris," Sinestro enlightened him, "The star sapphire craves you. I'll be doing you a favor by destroying it. The truth is, you should assist me. I know I wouldn't want to be the object of desire to that wretched stone. Carol only believes she's free of its influence. It will compel her to come for you while she's on Earth and when she does, she'll face me and my forces."
"Sure, I'll join you if you free me," Kyle offered.
The cube tightened and he grunted. Sinestro was displeased with his answer, "I'm not a fool, Rayner. I will only believe you when you drop your personal field and allow me to monitor your vital statistics and metabolic functions while you answer."
"Well, that isn't happening," Kyle grumped.
Sinestro smiled at this, "Is it really that hard to offer me a modicum of trust?"
"Considering that you tried to kill me on our first meeting I'd have to say, 'Yes'," Kyle retorted.
Sinestro's skin grew even redder as he grew angry, "Do not test me, Rayner. This construct can be even tighter. Much tighter."
Kyle noted the increase in pressure as Sinestro spoke. He channeled all of his will into one last effort. It would either succeed or weaken him to the point where Sinestro could have his way with him.
The cube exploded as green light expanded into a force bubble around Kyle. Sinestro, Lyssa Drak, and Kryb were knocked off of the apartment building. Kyle tried to recoup his strength so he could assist Kara.
A yellow force beam hit him and shattered his bubble and knocked him over. He was lying on his back and struggling to get up as Slushh approached. The green glob quivered in delight, causing the skulls and bones trapped within his form to jiggle and move. The thought of getting to dissolve a Green Lantern and bear his bones and ring within him made him practically giddy.
Bedovian covered his advance. His ultra sharp vision cueing him into Kyle's every move. The oversized hermit crab kept his own ring trained on Kyle and ready to disable the Green Lantern at the slightest hint of resistance.
