Fort Heywood, Arlington, Virginia, United States of America
9:15 AM EST, June 10, 1992
The new task force gathered together in a warehouse chosen by the William. Inside was filled with intelligence officers and CIA personal. Some he recognized from years of service. The colorful costumed men and woman walked through the crowd, eyes on them. This was a different kind of task force than they imagined. But this is what he needs. The country was under a threat he never imagined. A galactic war, thrust on them. In the briefing room, General Sam Lane of the Air Force and General Wade Eiling of the Army, were shocked to see the non-military personnel here.
"McIntyre, who are they?" Lane asked calmly.
"Sir, this Superman, Flash, Green Lantern, and Wonder Woman." he answered introducing his task force. Eiling was pissed.
"They are not soldiers, Colonel. You brought civilians into a military operation."
"I have fought more wars than the years of your age." Wonder Woman sharply said. Her words were true, as a cadet, William heard of the mythical Wonder Woman who fought in the World Wars. Until he had met her a few minutes ago.
"I was given the choice of whom to bring in. We are entering a war, the scale of which could be bigger than both World Wars. They are our best option."
The two Generals began to whisper to each other. Lane trying to cool the situation with the frustrated Eiling. Even if they order him to dismiss this team, he'll just go around them. A career ending move, but that would be better than extinction. To give his little girl a future. That's why he joined the Army. To make a future for her. The politics have always been a thorn in that dream. But this was beyond them or him. He had to take every chance, rolling the dice. The generals leaned back in their chairs, Lane nodding for the briefing to continue. The team sat in the chairs with the Lantern, scotching himself in the chair.
"Since your departure to Rhelasia they've been a thief in Gotham. An experimental stealth aircraft was stolen by a mask individual." Eiling said opening the files in front of them. William recognized the individual, the Owlman. Looked over to Superman, who just nodded. A small secret for now. "But we know little to nothing on the blue beings."
"Daemonites. They're called Daemonites." Superman said, surprising the Generals. "Diana interrogated one before it died."
"And Green Lantern is basically a space cop. He had dealings with these guys." Flash added. The two officers were stunned at the news.
"You're saying we're dealing with aliens?" Eiling asked, bewildered. The team nodded. The military has nothing that can counter this threat. Aside from the nuclear option. The Lantern projected a model of an alien ship.
"I encountered this vessel above Mars orbit, dropping infiltration models to the surface." he said.
"Why above that dust ball?" Lane asked.
"Oh, right. You guys never met the Martian people." At that, everyone looked bewildered. This was a crazy new world they're entering. "Anyway, the Daemonites have access to hyperdrives, plasma weaponry, long range missiles, energy shields, deflector shields, and adaptive nanotech."
Lantern showed and explained several more ships in the hostile's arsenal. Destroyers, Cruisers, carriers, assault cruisers, everything and so much more. If it looked like that, they had no hope. Until it came to the Daemonites themselves. For all of their abilities, they have one vital weakness. They can only survive out of their atmosphere for so long. A useful weakness to exploit. This was war. Either the hostiles die or humanity is wiped out.
"Can we weaponize this?" Eiling asked.
"Only if you expose them to an atmosphere, such as earth or space, you'll get the chance." Lantern answered, and the General smirked. He was up to something.
"Be ready. When we need you deployed, you'll need to hurry." Lane said standing up. The two Generals left the room, heading straight for the White House. Leaving the task force to discuss a strategy. From William could see, the Daemonite ships had almost no weakness, but everything has a weakness.
Lost Lake, Louisiana, United States of America
9:29 AM EST, June 10, 1992
The data on the ship was damaged after being submerged for so long. Trying to decrypt it was a challenge with some success. Shayera got the ship's travel logs from its launch centuries ago to only a few decades away. It seemed that the vessel was used for countless invasions. Dropping assault troops on a planet's surface. More evidence of a coming invasion. As she got old battle plans from conquered worlds, she thought of how this world can prepare. Their technology was impressive, but limited to this world. Space warfare will be key if they are to survive. Reading the files, she heard a squish behind her. Gripping the mace, she listened to the mud giving away the position of a possible hostile.
"Hawkwoman." a low, deep voice said. Launching into the air, the woman felt the power of her mace charge. Turning, she saw a human man dressed in a gray costume standing in the trees. A cape draped around him. He wasn't making a hostile move. Just stared at her. Lowering herself down, she examined his few movements.
"What you want?" she asked.
"You're an alien. I need information on an alien species."
"The Daemonites." she said, leaving him unfazed. He knew of the alien threat, but not what they were. "There's a wreck ship in the lake. I was able to get some data."
The man walked over, grabbing the disk drive. He scanned the datapad, adjusting it to English. The Thanagarian was speechless. Earth didn't have this tech, but he adapted to it quickly. This human was skilled with technology. Far more than many people she knew. He was decrypting the data faster than she could, but skipped some of it. As she opened her mouth, the man interrupted her.
"I'm not looking for travel logs, personnel files, or battle plans. Just their next target." he said. His tone series, determined. The human knew what he was looking for. He just needed to find it.
"What's your name?"
"Owlman." he answered.
Shayera thought he was one of the new vigilantes. So many of them were popping up everywhere. After a few minutes of waiting in silence, his fingers stopped decrypting. He had found something. What ever it was, it might be the edge to turn the tide. Handing the datapad back to her, he turned away. Looking at the data, her eyes widened. These were landing coordinates for an invasion force. A gush of wind caught her off guard. Raising her mace, she saw Superman floating in front of Owlman.
"You wanted to see me?" Superman asked the Owl.
"An Invasion force is on their way. The coordinates line up with the UK."
"How long?"
"Not long. Get your task force overseas. War is here." Owlman said. A gush of wind followed Superman's leaving. The human turned to her. "I hope you're ready for the fight of your life."
Earth Orbit
9:37 AM EST, June 10, 1992
There was no sign of the Daemonite invasion fleet. Superman's hurried return, alerted everyone to battle stations. War was finally here. The plan was simple. While the task force flies over to the UK, Green Lantern was to watch the stars. Keep as many ships in orbit. If they make a break for the atmosphere, he'll destroy them. His ring was fully charged. It'll be a while until he needs a recharge. As he watched, a message came in. From Oa.
"Seeha here." he greeted Kilowog.
"Bad news. The Daemonites has formally claimed your sector under their territory." the Bolovaxian said.
"Figured. When should I expect reinforcements?" Koa asked, but silence followed. "Hell no. Don't you tell me the Guardians are going to let them invade."
"Your sector is in the outskirts. The Daemonites are sending a massive fleet because of the Corps. But they promise no major lose of life will happen. If the Corps pull out of the Sector."
"Screw that. They've already killed hundreds. I've seen what Earth is capable of. There is going to be a major fight with massive losses."
"Koa, if you stay the Guardians will be pissed." Kilowog said as Daemonite frigates exited hyperspace.
"Got to go." the Lantern said, ending the call before the Bolovaxian could argue anymore.
He created a battleship 16-inch gun. Firing a single round, it tore through a frigate with ease. Aiming the gun, he fired at the first fleet. The lightly armored frigates being torn apart. But soon cruisers and destroyers arrived. They were a little more tricky. Creating a Rann Plasma cannon, he fired without rest. More ships continued to arrive. Carriers, Dreadnoughts, Battleships, and even Assault Platforms. The stars began to fill with Daemonite vessels. He was outnumbered, they were closing in. Creating a large sword, he sliced the close ships. Protecting himself with a bubble as the nano turrets opened fire on him.
Fighters engaged him, he responded with blasting them apart. He was being overwhelmed. Warships were breaking through. Calling for the strength of his ring, he fired a beam of energy across the fleet. Pure energy surging through his arm. The darkness of space was filled with the explosions of hundreds of ships. Debris slowing the new arrivals. He needed to warn the task force.
"This is Lantern. Some ships slipped past me. More arriving."
"Superman, do you hear that?" Triumph asked on the comms.
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland Airspace
10:02 AM EST, June 10, 1992
Gripping the wings of an alien fighter, he swung it at a frigate, damaging it. Plasma rounds stuck him in vain. Looking at a cruiser, his eyes began to warm up, unleashing a powerful beam of heat at its port side. The ship was sliced horizontal. The debris falling to the surface, burning in the atmosphere. Missiles were fired at him in vain. They did little to the superhuman. Flying to a destroyer, the nanotech formed different types of weapons. Plasma and missiles failed to stop him from ramming. As his fists tore through the hot metal, he broke the sound barrier, shredding the ship's insides.
"This is Lantern. Some ships slipped past me. More arriving." Green Lantern said over the comms.
"Superman, do you hear that?" Triumph asked. At the last word, British fighters entered the fray. Missiles turning the alien fighters in spiraling infernos.
"Already on it." Superman said, using his heat vision to slice down a battleship.
Speeding over to a carrier, crashing through a descending destroyer. The small ships metal walls, revealed a sphere in the center of the ship. As he exited it, a thought came to him. When the carrier' reinforced it's armor with the nano tech, he aimed for the center of the large flat dagger. The liquid like metal cushioned his breach, but it didn't stop him from breaching the metal hull. Using his x-ray vision, he founded the reactor room. Four reactors where gathered together. Smashing through the walls, his fists broke through a reactor. A blast threw him out of the ship.
Regaining balance, he saw the carrier ripped apart. Falling to the surface in flaming pieces. Scanning for his next target, he spotted a Daemonite missile speeding towards a a British Hunter. Speeding over, he grabbed the missile moments before it could hit the fighter. Flying towards a frigate, he threw it at the warship. The explosion ripped the ship's side. Exposing the reactor. Using his heat vision, the reactor burned, turning the ship's remains into falling debris. But the battle wasn't over. There were ships and fighters to destroy.
International Airspace
4:53 PM EST, June 10, 1992
These were dark times. The Daemonite fleet was still arriving, Lantern has to recharge, and much of England was in ruins. Wonder Woman wondered what would be left. It was her new home. It was where she once had hope for a family. But for now she was with Triumph and Flash on the Ferris C-5 Galaxy. Ready to enter a new kind of war. As turbulence rocked the aircraft, the soldier, headed up to the cockpit. Leaving the warrior and the spedster. She examined his nervous fidgeting.
"You alright?" she asked.
"Yeah. Just a cop going to a warzone against aliens with a Greek themed warrior princess, a space cop, a costumed soldier, and the most powerful Meta on Earth." Flash sighed. "What in the world did I get myself into?" Putting her hand on his shoulder, she gave him a comfort stare.
"None of us thought this would happen. But here we are. Together." At the last word, Triumph ran out with alarms blaring.
"We got incoming!" he yelled the plane rocked. The straps of the seat, tightened as she was tossed back and forth. Then the plane dove down. Triumph was barely holding onto the straps on the wall. "We lost a wing!" This means they needed to escape, but the force of gravity was working against them. It seemed like death was about to claim them. But a whsiper enter her ear.
"Use the gift of the gods." a feminine voice whispered.
Undoing the straps, she felt the metal floor sliding beneath her feet. Kneeling down to stabilze herself, she used her strength to break through the rear doors. The wind engulfed her as she free fell. The C-5 was in a rough control while two Daemonite fighters circled back. Feeling power, she began to slow in the sky. Until she was floating. She was able to fly. She threw out her lasso, wrapping a fighter, pulling it into their wingman. Both exploded in bright blast. She pulled the lasso back as she sped down to the one wing plane. Reaching the broken wing, she gripped into the metal wing.
With the pilots aid, she was able to lift the plane. A temporary solution. They needed to land, fast. When Ireland's coast came into view, she looked over at the cockpit's window. One of the flight engineer signaled to land. Nodding, the group controled the damaged plane's descent. As the attitude dropped, they flew over the fields. She could only assume that the flight crew lowered the landing gear. When they touched the ground, she had to let go. Racing to the front, she gripped the metal nose, trying to slow it to a stop. Her strength pushing it in.
As it came to a stop, she landed on the overturned dirt. The landing gears had snapped. Looking up at the cockpit, the pilots were signaling that the door were jammed. Punching holes into the nose door, she pulled back. Breaking the large metal nose off. Tosing it aside, the two superheroes walked out. Shaken, but alive.
"You two alright?" she asked.
"I thought you didn't fly." Flash noted, getting a chuckle from her.
"Flash get to York. Tell the UK's 1st Armor that we're a bit late. And expect a Owlman to arrive soon. Get him what he needs." Triumph ordered. The spedster ran northeast. The soldier turned to Wonder Woman. "Let's go help Superman." he added. Both humans launched into the air, speeding east. The Daemonite fleet can be seen from here. The British Isle, in flames as well.
York, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
5:15 PM EST, June 10, 1992
War scars can be seen all over the island. As Flash was racing over the Irish Sea, a Daemonite carrier was crashing into the waves in dozens of pieces. Hundreds of fighters nearly striking him as they sunk. The situation in York was just as bad. A alien battleship crashed into the city, leaving a trail of destruction in it's wake. It was terriable to see. Thousands of homes crush, families killed. But this wasn't over. Reaching the British 1st Armored Division headquarters, he was surprised to see it was a hotel. But they were at war. Not much choices in the matter.
Soldier tried to stop him, but he was too fast. Racing through the hotel, he search for the General in charge. Arriving to the command center of this building, he stopped inside. Starrtled guards raise their rifles at him. Terrified of seeing him just appear out of no where. They were trained to on the edge and this invasion was worst.
"Where the hell are you?" Major General Rupert Smith asked sharply.
"The Flash. Colonel McIntyre sent me." At those words, the soldier lowered their weapon. "Our transport was ambushed over the ocean. But we're here. Ready to help anyway we can." The General gave a sigh of relief. This would be good news for the officer after the events of the day.
"Our AA weapons and fighters have held off the aliens. But evacuation efforts have been slow. We weren't trained for this kind of war. None of us were."
"Got it. Also an Owlman will be arriving soon. Get him what he needs." Flash said, before racing out to find people. Innocent people caught in the crossfire. As he raced down to London, the hot spot of this invasion, he found so many burning ships. Entire towns were set ablaze. At these towns, he ran in, searching the ruins. Getting people out. After the fourth town, he had counted twelve survivors. This was out of his league.
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland Airspace
5:41 PM EST, June 10, 1992
The airspace was set ablaze. It was worst than Owlman imagined. Thousands of pieces of debris burning in the atmosphere. Hundreds of warships falling onto the English countryside. The death count would be mounting. Searching for a air base, he saw the fields burning. It was horrifying. The world was burning. The radar spotted a RAF base and he hail for them. "EGDA this is Owlman. I need fuel and eight Harpoons. Do I have permission to land?"
"This is EGDA. You better hurry. We got Harriers returning. Expect some burning runways." the air traffic controller said.
As the attitude dropped, he thought of how crazy this was. He was fighting in a war against aliens. Just because he wanted to bring down the Court. One event changed everything for him. Reaching the runway, he Batwing decreased speed, gears down. Touch down. Traveling down the runway, he turned to the taxiway. Several hangers were in ruins. Jet fighters laying in ruins. Getting to a stand, ground crew rushed over, fuel hose in hand. Others pushed the air-to-air missiles over. He opened up the weapons bay. Counting the minutes going by, he saw three Harriers in the distance. The forward jet was too low.
The pilot ejected moments before the fighter crashed and rolled into the ground. The second jet landed safely, trailing smoke. As it entered the taxi, the third jet landed on it's belly. Flipping over turning into flames. Emergency vehicle rushed over to clean up the destruction. The ground crew gave him a thumbs up. Closing the weapons bay, he pushed forward. He had no choice but to use the taxi way as a runway. Rapidly gaining attitude, he turned east. Heading straight into war. Minutes passed by before he was over the remains of London. It was an inferno. The skysrapers were flatten with fires reaching the skies.
The task force was keeping the alien threat at bay. But too many were dying. The computer got a lock on a descending ship. Without hesitation, he opened the weapons bay, fired a single missile. The large warhead sped off as the bay closed. An exposion shined through the smoke from the city. It didn't take long for the computer to lock onto another ship. On radar it was massive. Larger than the Nimitz. Opening the weapons bay, he launched two missiles. Praying it would at least damage the warship. Closing distance, he feared the worst. The missiles hit the target. Moments later he broke through the smoke, flying above a long cylinder sharp ship. The missiles did miminal damage. Entering the smoke, he circled around. Launching two more missiles. The open bay exposed his radar cross section. Two AA missiles were heading for him.
When the doors closed, he bank right. The enemy missiles speeding past him. Circling back over the ship, rings formed around it, AA guns firing too late. Back in the cover of smoke, he circled to the stern of the ship. This time he fired one missile. Unlike the last four, this missile hot the critical engines. A expansive light burned through the smoke. Radar showing the ship in a rapid free fall. Banking left, he search for the next target.
Republic of Ireland Airspace
6:58 PM EST, June 10, 1992
Daemonite fighters spotter Hawkwoman over Ireland. Gripping the mace, she flew in between the plasma blasts the fighters, distance closing, power surging through her weapon. When they met, the mace slammed into the fighter's wing, cutting through the metal. It spiraled out of control as their wingman sped past. Seeing the pilot eject the Thanagarian dove down. Their jet boosters guiding them in the air, but one heavy strike of the mace smashed the Daemonite's head in. The nano tech disolved as the limp body free fell. The second fighter circled around. Before it could fire, a woman flew to its side, slicing it in half. As the debris fell, the human woman flew over to the winged woman. The human was dressed in colorful armor. It reveal much of her skin, but was practical.
"I'm guessing you're friends with that Owl guy." the woman asked. Hawkwoman nodded.
"And you are?"
"Diana. The boys call me Wonder Woman." Wonder Woman said and the Thanargarian chuckled.
"Sure you are Princess." she said. Seconds after a boom echoed behind them. Looking over a large warship was falling in flamming pieces. "Guess we got more to deal with."
London, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
7:21 PM EST, June 10, 1992
London was gone. Left in ruble. Hundreds if not thousands were still trapped beneath the ruins. Triumph stood over the body of headless Daemonite. Despite the aliens taking heavy losses, some survive. Taking host bodies, sabotage the defense effort, kill more humans. Walking over the dead alien, he kneeled next to the poor host. A kid. Not even ten. Innocent life. He was forced to kill the host because of the alien. He didn't felt like a hero. Not deserving of his name. The night sky was lit with the flames of the warships. But those were growing fewer and fewer by the hour. Checking the comm set on his ear, he wanted to make sure it wasn't damaged.
"Lantern. Sitrep." he said.
"Good news. The Daemonites stopped arriving. But I'm low on power." Lantern reported, giving the soldier a moment to let out a sigh of relief. This battle was almost over.
"Get back to Washington. Recharge that ring. Everyone else, finish off the stragglers." before he could finish the last word, Lantern yelled.
"Lantern!" Flash yelled.
"I'm good. Just got surprised by new warship." Lantern said. The soldier knew from the sound of his voice, something was up. This wasn't over yet. "We got one big warship. Bigger than anything I've seen." Looking up, he saw a blue light through the smoke. Moments of silence followed. When the light faded, the soldier try to make contact with Lantern. "I'm alright. Dangerously low on energy. This thing is more powerful than anything you guys can throw at it."
Those words were concerning. But the task force has to stop whatever was coming. He couldn't see through the smoke and smog. All he could do was wait. Minutes rolled by before the sky turned into a red blaze. This warship was bigger than anything ever built on this world. A bright blue light beamed down on the horizon. Superman was down, but the beam continued firing. More blasts filled the sky. Countless pilots were being picked off. Flash found Wonder Woman being carriered by Hawkwoman. Owlman was with them. The entire task force was down in moments. This one ship is the end. If it lands, all of this devestation, mindless deaths, innocent lives lost, it'll all be for nothing.
Standing up, he knew what to do. Reaching for the sky, his hands created the all too familir haze. Feeling power surging in his body, he push his power beyond the limits. He felt the beams of metal in the ship's hull. Feeling the turning off the nano tech. He could fell the curves in the metal. The marching feet against the metal. The electic wire surging with power. As he felt the very molecules of the alien metal, he bent them to his will. Pulling pieces of the ship apart. Tearing apart the hull as if it was butter. Twisting the deck together. Crushing many of the weapons into deadly explosions. But it wasn't enough. he saw the blue plasma blast barreling down towards him. In his final seconds, he thought of his little girl. He prayed Mina will have a future.
Reading, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
7:32 PM EST, June 10, 1992
The beam of plasma stopped blasting Superman, giving him time to hear metal being torn apart. Looking through the smoke, he saw the alien ship handing by threads. As he stood up, he found nothing but a crater around him. Launching into the air, he found the alien ship engulfed in smoke. Flames spurting out of the cracks in the hull. It was falling apart. Unleashing his heat vision on the starboard side's wing platform. The metal fragments melted down, seperating the warship. While the wing dropped down in an inferno, the main ship spiraled to the surface. Once it crashes, more lives will be lost. Speeding to the side, he was able to grab the main hull. Using his strength, he pushed the ship toward the Channel. When he saw the reflecting of fire in the water, he let go. Watching the remains sink to the floor. Most of it still exposed to the surface. Listening to the world, he heard no more explosions in Europe. It was over.
"Is everyone alright?" Superman asked over the comms.
"This is Flash. I got Wonder Woman, Hawkwoman, and Owlman with me." Flash reported.
"I just got back in Orbit. Looks all clear here. But I'll keep a watch." Lantern said. But there was a notable silence from Triumph.
"Triumph. Do you copy?" Wonder Woman asked.
Listening for the soldier, he only heard others suffering. But couldn't find the man. Flying over London ruins, he saw the streaks of the Flash speeding all over. As Superman looked at the last warship's burning wing, he thought of something.
"Lantern, did you do any damage to the last ship?"
"No. Why?" At that Superman just floated in the air.
"He's gone. He gave us our victory." he said with a pain in his heart. When the two met, they fought. Had distrust in the other. Now the Superman had respect for the hero.