CXXXIX
A League Is Born
One short week ago, had Bruce Wayne stood before Congress and gave the speech he just did, they would have committed him to Arkham Asylum…
But too much had happened to them in that one short week… and none of it had been pleasant. There were still one hundred and forty-four members of the House and Senate left standing, leaving America with one-third of her federally elected representatives.
And now they were all staring at him incredulously while he had asked for their understanding.
Thirty minutes ago, just after the doctors had done a hasty follow-up, Raven had been kind enough to teleport back to Wayne Manor and get them both a change of clothes while General Johnson had (once again) prepared what was left of Congress. This time, Bruce and Raven Wayne were able to address the remaining Representatives and Senators assembled at the Pentagon.
He shouldn't have been surprised at their reaction. After all, they were dealing with things that had seemed impossible only days ago. Things that none of them could be prepared for…
The detonation of a Kryptonite/Plutonium nuclear device in Kahndaq that had cost him his adopted son… and almost plunged the world into war.
The dramatic loss of their elected President Lois Lane – along with their friends and colleagues - to an anti-matter bomb sent by the League of Assassins that had left a circular lake where the White House had stood only two days ago… prompting Military Law to be enacted in the Land of the Free.
Then there was the deaths of the entire population of Kahndaq by a nanite weapon capable of instantly ending all human life on Earth… which almost did.
But the most shocking event by far had been the appearance of a two-hundred-foot-tall demon who made an entire nation disappear by teleporting its citizens to the moon… and who also happened to be the new acting President's father-in-law.
To cap it off, only hours ago, the appearance of Green Lanterns and the forced realization that they weren't even significant players in this new Universe.
Thankfully, there had been one thing that had prepared Congress for such improbable events. One being who had - at the very least - sparked the realization that such fantastic realms were conceivable. They had whispered about his existence and the things he could do for years now…
Congress was aware of Clark.
If these people gathered before him acknowledged that there was a man who had been sent from another world, a man who tossed 70-ton tanks aside like child's toys, who shot lasers from his eyes, deflected armour-piercing bullets off his chest and then flew around the world in mere seconds… then… did all that Bruce Wayne had just explained to them really seem impossible?
If this super-man named Clark from another world lived among them, was the concept that god-like beings on other worlds so difficult for them to fathom? The existence of Clark by himself meant that humanity was alone no longer. They had been left alone because they had been deemed insignificant.
Bruce reminded them that as their ancestors had immigrated to a brave, new world and eventually forged a great nation, so now was it their time to take their place in the Universe – Except that the Universe had washed upon their own shores.
They were the most powerful nation no longer… fore there were nations beyond the stars with powers they could not dream of – gods could appear and walk among them… or over them, perhaps without even realizing they existed.
Bruce reminded them that their great nation had been founded on inclusion, friendship and acceptance. It was the idea… the chance of a better tomorrow that had built America. So too would Earth seek acceptance and inclusion with its new allies from the stars while still holding true to its guiding principles and fight for a better tomorrow. To assure Congress, Bruce Wayne spoke the words of Patrick Henry who had first uttered them in 1775…
"There is a just God who presides over the destinies of nations; and who will raise up friends to fight our battles for us. The battle, sir, is not to the strong alone; it is to the vigilant, the active, the brave…"
Bruce told them of the evil God Darkseid. How a life-or-death war for their liberty was approaching… And this was not a battle they could fight on their own. It would take the combined resources of all worlds to stop Darkseid. But they must play their part…
Bruce stopped in mid-sentence as a gruff, elder spokesman slowly stood up and simply began speaking…
"I beg your pardon, President Wayne… but I think we should take a good, long look at the state of the nation… and even the world… before you go on... Put simply, everyone's scared as Hell... Oh, I'm Senator Bard from Maryland by the way….
Now look son, it's not that anyone here doubts the terrible things that you're speaking of, it's all been a little too real lately, like some horror movie come to life, and we need it to end. We just can't go though that again. Not now…
Citizens are starting to lose faith in their government.. or any government. It wasn't until they saw that video of your red-headed Green-Lantern girl blasting that demon-thing to smithereens that they stopped to take a breath. That alone allowed them to hope again… To think that maybe it was all over and that they could try to go back to a normal life… Hell, we were all hoping that.
Even now, we're still in deep waters… People are roaming the streets with guns, or have barricaded themselves in their homes. Everyone went a little crazy. Looting and riots are breaking out and the Police, National Guard and even the Army is stretched to their breaking points… This country needs a lot of reassurance right now - to know that everything is going to be alright.
What I'm saying President Wayne, is that the American public is not ready for this Darkseid revelation. And although no one will come out and say it, there's a belief that you're at the center of all this otherworldly trouble. That maybe you fell in love with someone that you shouldn't have. As for me, I just have to say you're one of the bravest sons-of-bitches I've ever laid eyes on.
But… I think I speak for all of us when I say that frankly, we're way out of our league here. Your recollection of history is correct, Sir… This country was fought for and it was won by brave men and their sacrifices… but that was a war against men… not Gods. I'm sad to say that the only thing we know how to fight is… ourselves. None of us have any blasted idea on how to stop a God that can snap its fingers and send six million people to the moon just as easy as you please.
As humans, we're just not equipped to deal with that kind of power. But somehow, Mr. Wayne... I believe that you are. You're no damned politician, but you're the kind of man we need right now. It's your call, Mr. President – but I just wanted to remind you that you're dealing with people, for better or worse. And right now, they're worse. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to take my seat again… my hips aren't what they used to be, young man."
Bruce couldn't help but grin. For all Bard's impertinence, the old codger had brought up some valid points. Darkseid had to be stopped of course, but the government also needed to avoid a mass panic and regain control. Humanity had narrowly dodged two extinction events in two days and the news that there was more to come could tear them apart. If at all possible, it would be best to keep this fight away from the Earth and let them recover…
"Thank you for your candour, Senator Bard. I do appreciate your insights and frankness. But first, I must defend my wife's honour. Raven Wayne has not only saved this world at great personal risk from the weapon that destroyed Kahndaq – but also the entire Universe - by standing up to and challenging her father. We are all alive because of her actions.
It was Trigon's intention to destroy all life on all worlds, and that includes ours, ladies and gentlemen. It would have happened whether I fell in love with Raven or not. You say that I am the bravest man you have ever laid eyes on, Senator Bard… I would like all of you to know that whatever courage you see radiating off of me is only the pale reflection of the incredible bravery and heroism that shines like a star from Raven Wayne's soul.
But I do agree with you. As humans, we are out of our league here… I would propose that we make a League of our own. That we gather the strongest beings on this planet and then travel to seek our allies abroad. Let us send champions to the stars. A League to maintain justice…"
A middle-aged woman spoke up from the front.
"…Are you suggesting a space mission, Mr President?"
"Not exactly… My wife has the ability to transport people across vast distances, even to the edges of the Universe. We will gather our greatest heroes and then travel to the planet of New Genesis - perhaps also to the home world of the Green Lantern Corps - to aid them in the battle against Darkseid. It would be best if this battle was fought elsewhere."
Everyone murmured in agreement and nodded their heads.
"What would you like the rest of us to do, Sir?"
"What you were elected to do… Give the people hope and order. Get rid of Military Law. Get us back on the road to recovery again. Announce that there will be emergency federal elections held within six months to replace our fallen brethren. Rebuild the White House and erect a memorial in memory to those who lost their lives.
If anyone asks, tell them the President and First Lady have embarked upon a diplomatic mission to the home-world of the Green Lantern Corps – along with Barbara Gordon - to secure protection for our planet against any future threats from space."
"Thank you Mr. President. Well then… God bless and good luck, Mr. and Mrs. Wayne. We'll pray for your success and safe return. In the meantime, we should get back to business…"
With that, the President and First Lady excused themselves while Congress moved onto other political issues. Walking from the large room, Raven could feel the sadness and profound disappointment in Bruce's heart as she reached out to take his hand in hers.
"You tried, my love. The world they have known has been torn asunder and taken from them. I felt fear and confusion in their hearts."
"Fear comes from the unknown, Raven. I'm frustrated because they have no willingness to face what lies beyond our own skies. To action their fears and overcome them. They need to open their eyes!"
"The people of this world still fear one another… you could not expect them to embrace strangers from other worlds... not yet."
"No, they'd rather stick their heads in the sand and pretend nothing happened."
"Humanity will come to accept alien life, my love. They only need time. Let us hope that they are allowed that opportunity."
"Yes… I hope Darkseid can wait that long… Is there a cafeteria around here? I'm starving!"
"I am as well. I would prefer one of Alfred's meals and his company though. It would be nice to speak to him one more time before we must depart."
Bruce stopped and took Raven's other hand as the two lovers gazed at one another.
"Well, Mrs. Wayne, shall we? I'd like to see the old man again as well."
In a cloud of black smoke, Bruce and Raven Wayne suddenly appeared before a startled Alfred Pennyworth back at Wayne Manor.
"Master and Mistress Wayne! What a pleasant surprise! I hope I shall not be required to perform emergency First Aid this time?..."
Bruce smiled at his old friend and proudly pointed at his new eye patch.
"No Alfred, the doctors at the Pentagon forced me to have surgery for this."
"Yes, I have heard those doctors can be quite insistent regarding such trivial matters as grievous wounds incurred by the President... Shockingly callous of them."
"I suppose I deserved that… Unfortunately, our time may be short, Alfred. I'm afraid the situation is no better than the last time we spoke, although we're hoping to take the battle off-world. The Pentagon says that Earth won't survive Round 2 of this war if it happens here, and I happen to agree with them.
Raven and I need to gather the few super-powered individuals we've identified on Earth and then form an alliance with the rest of the Universe against Trigon - but more specifically against his power-mad brother Darkseid."
Alfred placed a hand on his charge's strong shoulder, his eyes once again brimming with tears.
"I see then… It was incredibly thoughtful of you to visit this old man once more before you depart, Master Bruce. I will send my prayers and hopes with the both of you and aid you in any way I'm able. If there's anything you need me to do while you wage this war so far from home, I would be more than happy…"
Bruce Wayne looked sheepishly at the floor.
"Actually, old friend… we were hoping for a meal before we left. Neither of us have eaten since yesterday…"
Alfred smiled at Bruce and actually began to laugh. It was one of the few times he had heard the old gentleman laugh out loud.
"Then it is true what Mrs. Fisher said about food, Master Wayne… First we eat, then we do everything else."
Authors Notes:
The "Mrs. Fisher" that Alfred is referring to is Mary Frances Kennedy (M.F.K.) Fisher who was a pre-eminent American food writer in the 20th Century. Alfred is a fan of her work.
This was one of those "state of the world" chapters where I wanted to show that even though the bad guys seem to be defeated, the world-at-large is still struggling to recover in their aftermath. Fear and panic extracted a heavy toll on the day-to-day operations of the world.
Hmmm…. A League of Justice, whatever could that mean?...
Next Chapter: A romantic Barbara and Clark get paid an unexpected visit.