[20th December 2010]

[City Centre, Liverpool, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland]

"I think that went fairly well don't you?" I admitted to my assigned legal representative, as sat down and awaited my dinner. It had been a long day, preparation for court case, and then testimony; all of which had left me with a hunger for something nice to eat "...considering our initial concerns over consideration towards my expert testimony I mean. There were no challenges raised over my age, designation, nor of Zatanna and Black Canary here's identity...or lack given thereof"

It was a...less than ideal...meal in truth, private booth within this pub aside, with the presence of said teammate and her father alongside the designated SHIELD solicitor, Mr. Drummond of DLA Piper, and a civilian attired Black Canary. While not exactly hostile there was a slight awkwardness, or perhaps mild anger directed at me and Black Canary perhaps, from Zatanna's dad for having to drag his daughter into all this paperwork. Or near me, my magic, and all the other petty annoyances such as legal proceedings and requested help for 'expert' advice on coming publications. Still, it was a relief to be done (hopefully) with my part in this rather rapidly moving trial before the Crown Court, and dealing with the Wren Case overall. Dreadfulness the whole thing and at least the three murderous family members were now under lock and key.

"Not unsurprising, a member of the Justice League to vouch for a member of an affiliated training program, daughter of a publically acknowledged expert on the subject at hand. All covered under rules agreed under the United Nations Charter dating back to World War Two relating to superheroes and their secret identities..." Mr. Drummond replied motioning with his hand for seeming emphasis as the bar maid departed with our collective order for the evening meal "...and as to yourself agent, all your credentials are in order and full accepted by Her Majesties government. Yes the defence raised the issue of ages of both witness I acknowledge, but all expertise was confirmed for both of you, and confirmed then again by Mr. Blood, a further accredited expert. All of you were rather persuasive, in differing manners I must admit, to the judge and jury for a subject largely unknown till now I believe"

I sighed "Well that's good to hear, and should I expect any further involvement?"

"Yes, and for my daughter's attendance for any further matter I must inquire into as well?" Giovanni Zatara queried politely enough glancing at Zatanna sitting across from him beside me, and then Black Canary beside him "...other matters, such as her training, would be adversely affected if this was to become a time consuming endeavour"

Mr. Drummond held up a hand a smiled "No, I do not believe so. While these procedures are rather new they were clearly defined in the legislation, and all testimony has agreed upon and confirmed should other matters arise, or should the case be brought before the Supreme Court on a technicality. Only if there are provable flaws within the testimony given should an issue arise for a recall, and based upon the various secondary witness amongst the police and forensics to the after-effects of the magic I do not believe it can be challenged. Neither does the Crown Prosecutor during our meeting before this"

'Well that's a relief' I thought relaxing just a little bit back into the seating of the bench behind me. The past few days, aside from time for training I couldn't escape from, had been consumed by the case Constantine had plonked into my hands before running unto the next trouble spot down in London. Now I could admit it was a good sign that such effort was going into this and John's, but didn't mean it was ideal coming down from the crises of the past month and coming into the Christmas season. Not that I was a Christian to celebrate it of course , but it was a holiday season I was rather looking forward to doing very little for a few days before the New Year began once again.

But it was something I had to accept considering the career and choices I'd chosen for myself, from my turn upcoming pretending to be El Presidente for a few days, to doing the rounds through a few hospital wards come said New Year. On the bright side I still had few days left to finish up a few things, such as finishing off work on, or buying of in other cases, my Christmas presents/gear for my former/still-sorta teammates over in America. Something evidently noted by Mr. Zatara as our dinner arrived, and the conversation moved unto other matters it seemed; like magic and suppying said gear.

"I have been reading through my Zatanna's notes on your proposed joint...project..." Zatanna looked a bit embarrassed at that comment, shifting in her seat a bit and giving me a look as her father spoke "...in regards magically enhanced equipment for Artemis and Superboy. And, of course, for hers and my own input into these educational pamphlets you are proposing"

"Well it's hardly me on my own as Mr. Drummond here can attest, as I ran it by superiors and legal advisors before I broached the subject. Or at least in regards the educational material, the gear is my own initiative that's been allowed, agreed with Artemis and Superboy...cuz, well I said I'd do it for them. I asked Zatanna, well, because she's awesome with her magic and it's a learning experience. Plus, I don't think I'll get it done before Christmas unless I can get her help...it's only like four days left after all, and everything is at the almost finished stage"

Of course the other reason, at least with SHIELD as Mr. Drummond backed me up on the whole 'asking for permission' part on the equipment despite it been spur of the moment, was to get Justice League *agreement* on what we were putting out in twenty eleven. Even if it was just a *advisory from Giovanna Zatanna, Justice League Member* stamped somewhere in the notes; the bosses wanted a positive relationship with them despite, or likely because, of events of late. Easy for them to say, as it was me playing *liaison* with people who I had, and did in many ways still, looked up too but clearly did not get on with judging from clashes and been kicked from the Team due to...well, issues between our attitudes on legal matters I supposed.

"Yes, and I can understand such an effort..." he answered politely, then sighing "...but my daughter will not be traipsing about foreign lands without my permission, which I have told her I am not giving. She has been most insistent on the matter though, so, as she has been staying in Mount Justice of late as I ward it, I will permit such a project to continue there under my supervision if she is to be involved"

I sighed "Well...that'd be fine by me, but I would say I...well, I'm not a blacksmith and tend to use modern tools and equipment to finish my projects..." such as for the Army Ranger Wing and my own personal use "...and that's in the Curragh, with a small tool bench in my Sanctum as well..." and a much bigger, more efficient, one being created as my workshop under the Temple in Tropico "...so it'd be rather difficult to complete them there, nor am I...really supposed to be there, not being on the Team and all"

"Something of a matter we wish to discuss if you could attend..." Black Canary cut in before Mr. Drummond after a sharing a glance with me and giving the briefest of nods "...but the Justice League had its own facilities in the Mountain, and they can be restored by the time you arrive tomorrow as it would merely be a matter of moving what you require into the room if you confirm what you'd need to do so"

'Well that's...a surprise I guess' I thought pausing in thought, glancing at the legal representative provided to deal with crap like this. Zatanna of course looked delighted, at least trying to hid looking excited after her father glance at her. What to say to that, I so much to do and this reeked of dragging me back into things I'd managed to get free from "I...personally would see limited issue with that, though it's Bosses, through Mr. Drummond here, that you'd have too..."

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[20th December 2010]

[The Watchtower, Low Earth Orbit]

"Luthor is currently meeting with the Martian delegation tomorrow in regards discussing sharing of technology and 'ideas' as he put it..." Arthur Curry, otherwise known as Orin King of Atlantis and Aquaman heard as Batman provided a summary of events to their small group for this brief meeting of available members of the Justice League "...J'onn will attending of course to insure nothing untoward from Luthor and his allies, and to continue the effort to avoid diplomatic incidents arising due to differing cultural norms between our worlds"

"Similar to the Hawks with their own people?" he asked looking up at the scowling cowled man 'chairing' the meeting "...it's been successful, though I'll admit somewhat harder on our own side due to the lack of involvement of Atlantis with the surface nations till...my reign began in truth. Due to that...has there any progress with getting your people to engage Diana?"

The princess frown, shaking her head "There are debates raging even as we speak, but Mother is unsure whether it is wise to engage till our people will not react adversely...and my presence does little more than inflame the rhetoric. Change is...slow within Themsycira in the wake of the magics unleashed of late, and the stirrings by the Gods in response to them"

Arthur winced at the mention of that difficulty. Such matters had begun to rage within the City-States themselves at home due to the failure of the Gods to respond in their hour of need. Now the rally cry of defeating the Starfish had begun to fade the anger had returned, clashes between the more devout followers of the Gods and those rising in anger against them had begun to overshadow the Pureblood madness. Now that all the children who had attended the great magical Upheaval had returned from the surface world knowledge had begun to spread.

Opening eyes and spreading knowledge as he, Mera, and Orm would put it, while others called it corruption and tainting of tradition. Worse a small group of Mera's students had, rejecting their own patron deities, sought out the aid/advice of the Fortune lad's supposed deity...and received a vision and dream quest in response. Something the knowledge of not having spread so far, but the Conservatory of Sorcery was already engaged in a massive debate on what they'd seen on the surface so...

"I can understand, but I'd advice, though I doubt it counts for much, them to do so. I, and Orm whose life I've made much busier unfortunately, are engaging in talks with both the United Nations on my part and the governments joined to this SHIELD over discussion of magical traditions. Trained sorceress or priestess of the amazons would garner much respect, and would add greatly in ensuring a favourable response to this engagement by my wife and Prince Orm for the Conservatory of Sorcery"

'As we somewhat need the aid' he didn't say before continuing "Speaking of which; your friend Doctor Fate has been promoted it seems"

Diana nodded "Aye, though it seems Kent is retiring, not entirely but over the next months or maybe year or two, as others have been chosen as acolytes to bear the burden of hosting Nabu, and serving as Doctor Fate. It...Kent and he wished to attempt such things before till politics denied them, and I would count it a positive that he shall head this organisation, especially as it seems to be building links with the United States and Canada"

"The intelligence services and military of the United States only for the moment..." Batman clarified "...as the political crisis within the government continues to grow. I can see no easy resolution, though the State Department and dealings with our alien visitors continue, largely unaffected, by the crisis. Both Houses and the White House, for differing reasons and despite their internal trouble, appear to have common cause in ensuring a successful resolution"

"Good to hear that at least..." Lantern Stewart stated arms folded across his chest and looking tired "...as it's hectic down below. The Russkies Rocket Reds back in business, these super-functionaries the Chinese are rumoured to be discussing, and now we've actual Red Lanterns appearing to freak out the Guardians down below. And we still haven't gotten around to figuring out we can expand the League to include non-super-powered support staff either."

"Doing so requires clearing things under our UN mandate, while also ensuring the security checks so we do not have a repeat of Mount Justice and the Joker"

"I know Diana, but the sidekicks have actual helpers, friends their age I'll admit, but still actual help we've security cleared and we're stretched as we are. I'll admit myself, and both Hal and Gardner, have been unable to focus on League business with the Guardians here but others are seemingly recruiting from the same pools are we are. That and we're seeing national teams of meta-humans and mages...and not ideal if nations come to blows"

"Black Canary and Zatara are attempting to defuse such with the SHIELD nations as we speak, and I think we need to approach the Chinese and Russians now rather than later..." Batman noted and Arthur rapped his hand off the table in agreement as his friend continued to lay out the scenario. Pessimistic of course, but was just the way the man was he'd found, and for now they'd survived a very bad year full of multiple world ending crises; now they just had to stabilise things in an orderly manner that brought the world closer together in the wake of the larger universe closing in on them...

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