Team Players

February 12, 1941

"...that's all the votes. Hawkman is the new chairman of the Justice Society," said Alan Scott.

The members of the team congratulated him. Dinah could tell that Alan was relieved to no longer be the man in charge. His posture was already more relaxed. It was a close vote, nearly tied between Carter and Jay. For his part, Jay didn't look too beat up about not winning. Carter thanked them for their confidence.

There were the usual reports. Green Lantern had run into Sportsmaster and Tigress again, but they managed to give him the slip. The Hawks busted up a criminal ring in Midway that was intent on driving the Ojibwa people off their land. Wonder Woman was amassing her own rogue's gallery, fighting a number of villains with names like Eviless, the Blue Snowman, and a woman that claimed to be a queen of Atlantis. Dinah found it hard to follow Diana's stories at times. There was a blending of the real and the mythological that she wasn't sure how much she could take at face value. Dinah related her work with Wildcat.

"It's a shame he didn't want to join us," said Al. "I want to see what that fellow's made out of."

"Till he cleans your clock," said Rex.

Carter cleared his throat. "Diana, you said you had another announcement."

"Two actually."

"Let's hear them," said Jay.

"My role as ambassador of Themyscira is taking me abroad for a time. I'm going to England to discuss diplomatic ties between my people and their government."

"For how long?" said Alan.

"At least two weeks. Maybe more. Also, Shiera is joining me."

The look Carter gave Shiera told Dinah that the two had not discussed this up to now. Shiera filled the silence. "I'm accompanying Diana as a civilian expert. Apparently, the British are curious as to what the Nazis are up to with a number of archeological sites across North Africa and the Middle East."

"That is your specialty," said Carter. Whatever he actually felt about it wouldn't come up here, in front of everyone.

"I'm sure the folks in England will appreciate your visit. They need a bright spot in times like these," said Jay.

"There was one more thing," said Diana. "I have two prospective members for the team. If you'll have them."

Dinah noticed Wesley smile. Maybe he dreamed this moment.

"Well don't keep us waiting. Who?" said Al.

"They're already here. If you're intent on keeping your identity secret to them, you may want to cover up," said Diana. She got up and went to the door.

Al threw his mask back on, Carter and Shiera tipped their masks back over their faces and a flash of Green from Alan's ring reformed his mask. Rex seldom took his hood off, Kent already had the helmet on and Jay didn't seem to be concerned as his face didn't start to vibrate.

Superman and Batman entered the meeting room. Dinah counted herself a pragmatist, but she was still struck with a sense of awe at the sight of Superman this close. They had briefly met one another at the World's Fair back in '38, though Superman and Green Lantern were more focused on fixing the destruction wrought that day. Batman was an entirely different experience. It was shocking how he could be standing in a brightly lit room and continue to be the most menacing figure in it. Short of the Spectre, perhaps. The shadows almost clung to him.

Jay was up, shaking Superman's hand before anyone could blink. "It's an honor to have you here. You've been a huge inspiration to me."

"The feeling is mutual," said Superman. "I'm glad to meet so many of you for the first time. Or be reunited."

A lot of the team was star struck to some extent. Even Alan, who played it close to the chest, was beaming. Most of them were wearing a costume because of Superman's example.

"And Batman, it's good to see you…"

"Likewise. I see that Wonder Woman took the dramatic approach," said Batman.

"We understand you're finally interested in membership," said Hawkman. He was one of the few individuals not particularly moved by this development.

"We are. With conditions," said Batman.

"Conditions?" said Shiera.

"What Batman means is that we have responsibilities that would limit our ability to participate in all aspects of the JSA," said Superman.

"That's no different from the rest of us," said Carter. "We all make sacrifices to be a part of the group."

"It's the price of our involvement," said Batman.

"Superman, I can see making an exception for, but this guy?" said Al. "What's so special about him?"

"Easy friend. We don't mean to be standoffish," said Superman.

"Tell that to your pal," said Al.

Batman flipped open one of the pouches on his belt and tossed a small cylinder on the table.

"What's that?" said Rex.

"I understand you've been looking into a criminal organization run by a man known as the Yellow Claw. This is a microfilm canister with the sum of all my investigations into him. Consider it a gift."

"Batman's already been a valuable partner to the team," said Wesley. "This just makes it more formal."

Al appeared ready to argue more, but Rex put a hand on his shoulder and shook his head.

Carter looked around at the others. "Any thoughts?"

"They are a powerful duo, righteous in action," said Doctor Fate. "We would be wise to accept their aid."

"I mean it's Superman we're talking about. And I can testify firsthand how much Batman's done for Gotham," said Dinah.

"There's only one answer that makes sense," said Alan.

"I guess," said Al.

Carter nodded. "Then it's official. My first act as chairman is to welcome Superman and Batman to the Justice Society."

The team didn't immediately disperse after the meeting. Even Kent and Jill were around, as the group fragmented into pockets of conversation. Jay remained electrified from the new developments. Superman, on their team. And Batman was a nice addition too, even if he gave him the creeps.

"You're allowed to talk to him more you know?" said Dinah. "He's just a guy."

Jay rubbed the back of his neck. "I don't want to embarrass myself. A grown man acting like this."

"I understand," said Alan. "Though I think he can probably hear all of this anyway."

"Oh lord."

Dinah laughed and Jay joined her at the absurdity.

"I hear you got your degree," said Alan.

"Yep. Finally done with my studies. Not Midwestern though. Barely was done shaking the dean's hand when they turned around and offered me a job."

"That's great Jay," said Dinah.

"I suppose a few of the faculty left in the past year. Including one of my professors. Needed some fresh blood. How's your bigwig job Alan?"

"Survivable."

Dinah pushed his arm playfully. "Someone please help this poor man, with his corner office."

"Turns out keeping up with the news is a hell of a lot of work. My boss, Wheeler, is always looking for the next way to make money. We've got radio reporting, TV broadcasts, serials and comedy shows. It's a lot."

"We live in eventful times," said Dinah.

"You could be nicer," said Diana. Batman merely grunted.

"I tried to tell him before we got here," said Superman.

"This is an assemblage of people like you. Working for the same goals," said Diana. "What's not to like?"

"More people means disputes over how to conduct ourselves. How we carry out our mission."

"It also means fresh perspectives. Alternate solutions we can't come up with on our own. Even you," said Diana.

"Also friends," said Superman.

"If I wanted a social life, I'd have never put on the mask. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to get back to Gotham."

"You don't want a ride?" said Superman.

Batman's glare answered that as he stalked off.

"The idea will grow on him," said Superman.

"I know. I suspect he's afraid of the vulnerabilities presented with having a team."

"So, this trip to England… Is it purely diplomatic?" said Superman.

Diana cocked her head at him. "What are you implying?"

"I've wanted to get involved, to protect people caught in this war. More than you could know. But, there's something over there. Something that can keep people like us away. I've sensed it the few times I've gotten close."

"I'm not storming France on my own if that's what you're imagining," said Diana.

"All I'm saying, is that I know how much life means to you. To all of us. I don't want you to get lost."

Jill Corrigan wasn't sure why she was still here. The others were filtering out, but she had no impulse to go. Her time in LA was a hollow thing, just drifting from one case to the next, a pantomime of her real life. Her teammates didn't exactly like her, but they tolerated her and that was more than she could expect.

"Haven't seen you in a while." It was Rex. He sat across from Jill.

She didn't know how to respond. They hadn't talked to one another since the events at Camp Siegfried. From what she heard in her other form, there had been debate as to whether or not the Spectre should be allowed to remain.

"What do you think of our new members?" said Rex.

"They're good additions." Superman was one of the few people that the Spectre hadn't internally bristled at.

"I find Batman a bit creepy. That voice," said Rex.

"I don't have the best perspective on what's creepy anymore."

Rex leaned forward, his voice lower. "Why didn't you talk to me? After all that happened."

"What could I tell you that would make up for it?"

"Anything. Anything's more than the nothing I got."

"You wouldn't understand."

"Only because you won't let any of us. Kent knows more than the rest of us, but he clearly isn't in the mood to share much anymore. I want to hear it from you."

When Jill didn't respond, Rex got up and walked to the window. He leaned against the corner of it.

"I don't claim to understand you. But, it seemed like you weren't fully in control. Like you're never in control when the Spectre is around."

Jill waited for her passenger to react, but they never did. This was beneath the Spectre's interest.

"I can sympathize with that. I tried to stop being Hourman for a while… Near the start, before any of this," he said, gesturing to the headquarters.

"I couldn't do it. My work slipped. I had trouble being around my friends. My family. All I could think of was how exciting life was when I was in the costume. Nothing compared."

"Has that changed?"

"No. It really hasn't. I just stopped fighting the impulse. If I didn't have the team...this outlet. I don't know what I'd do."

"You've saved people. Hourman's a hero," said Jill. She got up and joined him at the window.

"That's true. But, I don't know that that's what makes me put on the mask. I'm afraid it's all about the thrill."

"The Spectre isn't the same...But, there is an impulse, a need for retribution… one that I can't control. They hunger for it. It's all the Spectre can see," said Jill. "That doesn't leave much room for a life outside of them."

Rex gave her a sad smile, one that didn't fully reach his eyes.

"I guess it's good that we have the team. For those of us who couldn't manage without it."

What would the Spectre look like without the outlet of the Justice Society? Would their thirst for blood grow unchecked? Jill already felt as though she were the last barrier holding back the floodwaters, the effort a little harder as time wore on.

She only hoped that the others would be there to stop the Spectre when at last her will failed.

February 14, 1941

Alan Scott fell to the ice. Again. If his arms and knees weren't covered in bruises by the end of the day he would be shocked.

"If I had known this would be so traumatic, we could've picked another activity," said Molly Mayne.

"I'm figuring it out." He got back up, his hands clinging to the railing around the sides of the ice rink.

"Don't let me interrupt your process."

Alan followed her, with wobbly legs. Molly was a natural. She skated circles around him, executing spins and maneuvers that would have him facedown on the ice. Loads of people moved in a circular loop around the rink, many of them couples, skating hand in hand. Kids played alongside their parents. Alan took solace that he wasn't the only person struggling.

The rink had been a part of the World's Fair grounds, which had finally completed it's run. The mood of the Fair was hampered by the war in Europe. The Soviet pavilion had been burned down at one point. Alan could still see the top of the Perisphere and Trylon. Martin told him that the city was debating about tearing them down. He felt it was a shame to remove such a sight.

"If nothing else, I admire your persistence," said Molly.

"I've got a great model to follow," said Alan.

He listened to Ted Knight, belatedly, about accepting Molly's advances. She was a swell gal, one of the better parts of his job at the GBC, though there wasn't really a spark of attraction on his side. Alan supposed it was out of his control. He had never met a woman he wanted to be with, not in that way. Still, it was fine company and she seemed overjoyed, though how much of that was watching Alan skid on the ice was unclear.

Later, when they were walking through the park, Alan let her take his hand. Her cheeks were flush from the cold as she told him all about her childhood, how she managed to not only keep pace with all her many brothers in their athletic endeavors, but outdo them again and again. Alan couldn't help but let his mind wander, to imagine this same scenario, but with Jimmy. Or Ted. There wasn't a place for that reality beyond his thoughts. That side of his happiness was boxed up, filed away in some part of him that contained only flights of fancy. Alan had to be content with what was real. His job, his friends, Derby, the team, helping people. Spending time with someone like Molly.

They found a busy Italian restaurant where the change in temperature fogged up Molly's glasses as they sat at a small table wedged in the corner. The conversation inevitably circled back to work.

"Leonard's been driving you nuts, hasn't he?" said Molly, as she wiped her glasses with her scarf.

"Not much more than usual. He wants me to scare up some new programs." Alan was worried they were overextended as it was.

"Like what?"

"Radio dramas. He tells me the people want distraction. A way to tune out the troubles."

"And he wants more advertisers."

"Precisely."

A waiter took their order, while Molly took on a look of concentration.

"Have you ever considered getting Green Lantern to do a show?"

"What?"

"Or any of the heroes. I bet they would make a keen serial."

"How would that work?"

"I don't know all the specifics. Look at the papers though. They have those comic strips where they do the stories on the heroes. One of my friends works at New York Times. She tells me that the Superman strips sell like crazy."

Alan considered her idea. He had done his best to keep Green Lantern as far away from the GBC as possible. For their safety as much as his secret. The ring continued its trick of appearing innocuous, but he didn't want to test that effect.

"I don't know Molly. Don't you think that trivializes them? Doesn't Green Lantern have better things to do than be on our program?"

Alan immediately recognized that was the wrong thing to say. Molly took it in stride, but he saw the spasm in her jaw as she clenched it.

"Forget about it."

The rest of their meal was less energetic, even though they maintained the conversation. Alan tried to seem as interested as possible, but Molly was colder. He kicked himself.

It was on the way out of the restaurant that Alan spied something in the newspaper that a man was reading by the door. Something that stopped him from leaving.

"Sir, mind if I see that for a moment?" The gentleman handed it to him. Molly waited, a mixture of impatience and curiosity.

"What is it Alan?"

"The headline…"

Molly leaned around his shoulder.

"Red Lantern destroys naval vessel. Dozens killed, more missing."

"I've never heard of a Red Lantern," said Molly.

"Neither have I."

March 5, 1941

Dinah Drake finally found a city that outdid Gotham at its own game. Hub City was a cesspool. The infrastructure outdated and worn down, the neighborhoods rife with crime and poverty, services failing everywhere. There was no subtlety to it, no attempt to cover it up. It was reeling even before the Depression came and knocked it over. The local government was crawling with charlatans and grifters of all stripes, intent on carving off as much of the score as they could.

For better and worse, Black Canary wasn't in town to save the city from itself. She and her comrades were after the criminal known as Rag Doll. A hyper-flexible nut with a penchant for inspiring cult-like behavior, the villain robbed an armored car on its way through Illinois and fled into Hub City to lay low. He hadn't accounted for the fact that the JSA would be hot on his trail. The only question was if Hawkman could make it through their time here without strangling their guide. Plastic Man.

"So you tell me that this 'Rag Doll' is skulking through the streets of my city?" said Plastic Man.

"For the last time, yes, we know it," said Hawkman loudly. He lowered his voice. "We came to you as a courtesy."

They were in Plastic Man's "headquarters," a dingy back alley flophouse with a smell best not investigated. His case board was covered with photos from his various exploits. A rotund man in a garish green suit had let them in. His partner, Woozy Winks. Hawkman was on the verge of losing his temper. Jay didn't look much better.

"I'm glad you did. We are professionals after all," said Plastic Man. His form molded into a cartoonish rendition of a private detective, replete with a fedora tipped over his eyes and an oversized trench coat. He put his feet on the desk. The man was constantly changing shape, only constrained by his colors. Red, black and yellow.

"Professionals," echoed Woozy.

"Now if you could just point us to any likely hiding spots…" said Hawkman.

"This could be but the tip of the iceberg."

"What?"

"We've had our own streak of robberies as of late. Armored cars. I don't think it would be a stretch to connect the two," said Plastic Man.

Dinah groaned. Jay bounced his leg distractedly. Hawkman looked like he was going to explode.

"Follow me," said Plastic Man.

Plastic Man brought them on a winding journey through Hub City that only reinforced Dinah's appraisal. It was hard to square the chaotic nature of their guide with the urban rot that engulfed them.

"Hang in their boss," said Dinah to Hawkman.

"I should be more patient. I just can't stand wasting time."

"Just be glad he turned down the JSA when Sandman asked."

The Flash was the only one making a serious attempt to talk to Plastic Man.

"And this fella that's been running the robbery circuit here is the Spider?" said Flash.

"Yep."

"Black Canary, didn't Sandman fight a guy named the Spider?" said the Flash.

"I think so."

"You reckon it's the same one Plastic Man?"

"No idea. You know how many Spiders and Black Hoods and such and such are running around the country right now? I don't know if crime doesn't pay, but I know it doesn't make criminals all that creative."

"Why do you think your Spider is working with Rag Doll?" said Black Canary.

"Timing. Proximity. Methods used. There's plenty of places your man could have run that weren't this city. Plus our friend Spider had backup that matched the description of Rag Doll's cultists."

"Not bad."

"I'm not just a pretty face," said Plastic Man, his features suddenly growing effeminate.

Their destination was the decrepit warehouse to end all decrepit warehouses.

"Allow me to knock," said Plastic Man, he shifted into a red and black suit his eyes once again covered by the shade of a hat.. He sauntered to the front door.

"We should have Flash do a quick survey," said Hawkman. "I can hit them from the air."

"It's his turf. Let's give his a shot," said Black Canary.

Plastic Man knocked on the door and it opened. Dinah couldn't hear the conversation that took place, but she did hear the gunshots that followed as Plastic Man stumbled backward from the entrance.

"There's your shots," said the Flash.

A man in one of the more ridiculous costumes Dinah had ever witnessed came out of the warehouse, flanked by Rag Doll and a cadre of goons. He wore a suit, but his head and shoulders were topped by a giant green arachnid contraption, with six arms, most of them holding pistols.

"So much for Plastic Man," said the Spider.

Their victim lay unmoving on the ground, his limbs splayed out. Then one by one, the bullets popped out of his body. A body which vanished like a thread being unwound as Plastic Man rose up behind them, wide as a wall and taller than a light post.

"Yeah, who needed that loser anyway," said Plastic Man.

As the real fight began and the Flash darted away to join it, Dinah shared one last glance with Hawkman, whose mouth was open. She shrugged.

"When in Hub City…"