[10th October 2010]

[Firing Range, Curragh Camp, Kildare]

Cccrrraaaaaacccckkkkkk

I hummed in thought as the sound of the gunshot seemed to linger on the morning air. Around me stood nearly two dozen people, watching as I was as the bullet slammed home and destroyed the magical construct with surprising ease. At least this time it did, it seemed it had only limited effects at best upon standard arcane ones...but if one infused infernal or demonic energies into the matrix then the bullets tore at the bindings with a rather shocking vengeance; and with regular bullets at that for ammunition. It seemed that the weapon was everything that the rumours and legends surrounding it had said.

Damn if something like this wouldn't be useful here and on other planes when dealing with certain more evil minded planar beings. Not that I was surprised by that from the feel of the weapon. Halo-steel from heaven, gems from hell, and saint's bones turned to dust it were what it had been described as...and it certainly gave off signature of such a construct. Course that brought up the question of how these ingredients had been assembled, by who, and the process of how exactly they'd been forged in this artefact. For now though it had clearly impressed those around me, much as the magic itself had throughout the various tests, which was a success in its own way.

Brendan Finn gave a soft whistle still starring out where the construct we'd created had stood "Oof. Would ye look at dat, like a hot knife through butter it were. Jaysus, can ye just imagine what'd it do a demon itself if we used it?"

"It was everything as indicated from the stories..." the voice of Georgina Snow announced melodiously and primly for her own nation's delegation, and possibly the three Americans present as well "...though best not to trying it against the real thing as yet. It'd be preferable to do our testing for a time first before taking the risk that denizens of that realm come to know of it being in the hands of authorities they'd prefer being able to kill them with ease. At least preferably now without some pressing situation demanding its usage...still one would call this a successful test, and rather interesting to watch I might add"

I nodded at that, it had been fascinating to see in action from the arcane sense. Hopefully, all the technical equipment that had been rigged up all over the firing range for today's tests would record something of use from the technological standpoint. Arcane energies were detectable after all, even if the technology available for a twenty-first century wouldn't be up to the task I expected. Especially without any of the shizo-tech that lurked around the world in certain lunatics hands; still, every bit of data that could be gathered made the task at hand easier. Knowledge was essential if we were to one day duplicate such a marvellous weapon as this after all.

"Well it worked on the tests that your people expect, which is a start. Unfortunately we seem to lack our own magical experts so I'll defer to your judgements on those matters..." the gruff voice of Amanda Waller filled the air as she crossed her arms across her chest "...Doctor Magnus? Were there any revelations on your equipment you'd like to make note of?"

Some memory recall spells had given me some mild concerns on their 'expert' as he wasn't more than a few years older than me and memories indicated some possible mental issues. Still he hadn't created his metal robot woman as yet, or been an apprentice to T.O. Morrow in this timeline so appeared to be alot more stable than I'd expected him to be. Plus he'd managed to get security clearance from Waller so that indicated something at least. Despite this I got the impression all this magic was agitating him somewhat as he looked up from the laptop on the table before him and gave a non-committal gesture to his employer.

"Sadly not at the moment Ma'am, there are a few unusual energy fluctuations in the background but I'll need time to analyse the data before any conclusions can be drawn"

"Hopefully there are..." I said as a few moments of silence lingered "...it'd be most useful to have some more scientific study of the subject than is currently the vogue. The more we know the better chance we have to duplicating something like the Ace, or at the very least towards producing more effective arcane based weaponry. On the other side how the record search being going?"

Doctor Serling Roquette would doing the same for ourselves off in Athlone of course, but her areas of focus seemed to be genetics and nanotechnology rather than more esoteric things like particles that could be influenced by the local version of the Weave and mages own personal power influences. Then again the influence of things like the Green upon the local magic fields, as Swamp Thing had shown, that maybe genetics wasn't a bad place to start from either. Much as I disliked Druids on principle there was a strong aspect of that 'feeling' in Green, and as such in the background energy of the world, that it'd be interesting to research into that through my past life's methods.

So I wouldn't close of any angle of approach to research just yet, because even if it failed it would allow better documentation of things for a true start at developing a better Arcane Tradition on Earth. Or at least within my area of world, as Atlantis had decently organised tradition along with Themsycira – both based on the ancient Greek Pantheon and magical systems. And China had had one, an evil asholish one though, till the Communists gave it a good purging back under Mao. Maybe if I could get around to going to Japan to look into the Shinto tradition...

"Only in part, quietly researching that far back is going to prove rather time consuming but we can confirm several aspects of the story behind the weapon. It did appear in the ownership of a Texas Ranger named Nathaniel Greene sometime after 1874, and this individual seems to have some mentions of mysticisms in his background. His father was supposedly a preacher, or charlatan perhaps, from Germany or Austria, and his mother a Kiowa medicine woman. The last records of him hold that he was torn apart by wild animals in the middle of Austin, though no-one saw any according to the brief...investigation...that was launched" Waller grumbled out at us. It was somewhere to start at least I supposed as Constantine decided to give an opinion after he and Brendan shared a look.

"It were probably hellhounds then if that were true, and the stories are too. Supposedly he traded 'is soul in exchange fer the knowledge, so mighta he did the whole crossroads dealie and then is' time ran out and the they sent them damned awful dogs ah theirs after 'em to collect..." the English mage paused and hummed in thought as he let out the smoke from his cigarette "...did the gun go missin' after the attack then?"

Waller shook her head "Not immediately, supposedly it was found on his body after emptying whatever bullets were in it and then given over to his widow. Who sold it a few years later and that is where our trail goes cold, as well as on the other side of the scenario for when and how the weapon in question was produced. It may have a production stamp and serial number but if there a paper trail indicating how and why it was created it will be some time before we have it"

"Eh, be good if there were. Even if this Nathanial fella got the knowledge to make it seems to me he had to get someone in the factory to help'em build the damned thing with the way all the parts seem liuk pretty standard grade. What I can't figure is how in the hells he got steel from heave and gems from hell itself. Cuz damned if don't feel as if they are that. Or how they got whoever it were to part with real Saint's Bones, cuz a boat load of them are fake as all hell. Especially over in the States sorry ta say, an' can't see any priest partin' with'em just cuz someone asked"

I nodded in agreement with Constantine's opinion as we started into a technical discussion of where to go from here, and what we'd learned so far in this international effort of sorts. While the divinely forged steel wasn't entirely beyond capabilities, given time and effort, the whole issue with getting materials from the hells were up there with persuading Churches to hand over their holy relics. They tended to be rather protective of those after all I'd found in my experience. I glanced at my watch. Seemed time had flown by rather quickly once again, and pretty soon I'd have to rush to meet the others for our, well more there, request to wander around as 'former teammates' or some such...

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[10th October 2010]

[Back of Leprechaun Museum, Dublin City Centre]

"Still can't believe they put it here of all bloody places" I muttered to nobody in particular as I walk around the back of the building to required spot for the Zeta Tube and waited. It probably sounded like a great idea to someone I supposed, it was on outside a major shopping centre and on the Luas line stop, but something just screamed 'stereotype comic logic' behind this siting for the secret entrance/exit spot. Still it wasn't a far walk from my Sanctum here in the city so I shouldn't complain too much as I rested back against the wall and started to read the Independent while I waited. Oh, seemed T.O Morrow had been found and was a robot. Go figure...

Beep, and a faint flash brought my attention to the 'broken old phone booth' in the corner as people began to step through in single file. Kid Flash surprising at the front as he suddenly zipped in front of me and looked somewhat concerned, or eager, about something. Artemis too had a face like a thundercloud, arms fold across her chest as she came through next. I glanced at Wallace as I folded up my paper while the magically veiled area flashed ever so faintly again. Okay, what was the problem now I wondered?

"Out with it, what's the problem?"

"Problem!" he motioned with arms awkwardly "Problem? What problem? NotlikewebroughtyourreplacementwithusbecauseRobinthingsshescute..."

I blinked, then sighed...today was just going to be one of those days now wasn't it?

"I didn't quite get that Wallace?"

"Well, member' with Speedy an..." Kid Flash glanced at Artemis who glared at him causing him to shut up and give a nervous laugh as he stepped away from me and rubbed the back of his neck "...never mind, heh, heh, heh...M'gann thank God! You look lovely did I tell you that today yet?"

Miss Martian blinked in confusion as she stepped out of the transport device and the red headed boy flashed over to her. Seemed they were doing the whole psychic communications things again as I saw looks being exchanged between them as the others stepped through. I ignited my own spell and 'connected' to the 'network' of sorts.

'Okay who did what now?'

'You'll see. If you're not happy then we'll get rid of her for you. I've said nothing yet...but this is wrong and we figured let you decide' Artemis there sounding as angry in tone in her mind as face said she was. M'gann's tone was friendly but annoyed.

'That's not fair! She's been really nice and we all agreed to give her a chance'

'Still not seeing...' I started to project before the light flashed again and a pretty black haired girl stepped through dressed in white shirt, dark grey dress and a black jacket. Stepped through, one hand gripping an elbow and a face that was looking a little like she was reconsidering the whole stepping through the shizo-tech marvel right now. Wow, so that's what the younger version of Zatanna looked like. Guessing Dad didn't let her out dressed like in her later years comic versions that I could recall. It was all rather conservative really. Oh this is what they were all on about "Ah...I see now. Right-e-o then, Hi there!"

An awkward wave, glance up at me, then at the ground "Ummm...ummm...hi"

"John, Zatanna. Zatanna, John! She's here with us to say hello and talk about magic stuff. Just she's a wizard like you and we can all be friends together right?" Robin stated cheerfully while mentally projecting at the others, and myself by default 'Guys come'on be nice like we promised. We don't scare here off!'

'Who says we don't?' well this seemed to have been a terrible way for them to introduce my evident replacement to me as I noted Artemis's unhappy mental retort.

'Hey we were nice to you?' M'gann pulsed back followed by a 'It's not the same!' from my blonde haired friend. Great, we were all standing awkwardly in a few moments of silence where the uninvited by me guest stood looking uncomfortable as I ignored the back and forth psychic row starting up. Seemed my former team were split between welcoming in Zatanna, and seeing if I'd drive her out. Well wasn't that great to hear?

Okay, do something idiot. She will be an awesome mage one day, and would a big help to your teammates...and she looks pretty genuine and awkward. Say something...

"So you're the next step on the Justice League's dastardly diversity plan to replace all members of the Team with more attractive female members?"

'Ah bollocks not that!' my mind informed me as I managed to keep it being broadcast as the others looked at me in surprise. I shrugged defensively as Zatanna startled and stared at me.

"What? First it was Red Arrow with Artemis here...whose much easier on the eye let me tell you, and now it's replacing the terrible skull masked lunatic with the good looking stage magician!"

Robin stared then laughed nervously 'What?' he projected at me as his mouth worked "Heh heh heh. That is totally not the case dude!"

Hmmmmm...well it's defusing the tension so let's go with this path I mused as the unease gave way to confusion and bemusement, along with a little embarrassment looked like from a startled magical girl and blonde archer. Serious voice time "Oh yeah, totally is. Yours is going to be a smoking hot redhead, and Connor's will be a blonde, and Kadur's will be...probably an Atlantean of some sort and named Aquagirl because unimaginative code-names people..."

Kid Flash was staring at me "What dude? Oh, Oh, Oh...what about me?"

I frowned...had there had been a female version of Kid Flash? I think there'd been a female Flash once...

Placing a hand on his should I smiled "Wally, Wally, Wally...you're irreplaceable...and I've already named sunglassed Robin heres fictional replacement as a red-head so I'm afraid you'll just have live in a harem of beautiful female superheroines!"

"Hey that's my drea..." Robin stammered about before snapping his mouth shut and the excited tone turning all stoic and calm "...I mean...you shouldn't joke about that Skulls buddy!"

"But I'm an evil supervillain. I'm supposed to mess with the heroes!" I stated back before holding out my hand and smiling at my evident replacement "Hello again, I'm John...I'm also pretty sure your Da doesn't know your here...and within a hundred miles of John Constantine if I might ask?"

"Nooo...who?" she stammered out taking my hand on some automatic instinct. I gave it a firm shake.

"Nobody important, but I wouldn't mention that name unless you want to get grounded...forever basically. Anyway your a mage huh? Cool. Wanna talk some shop while we all get dinner. I'm bloody hungry let me tell you..."

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