Chapter 8: The Tough Get Going
Massive home repair is easy when one has Green Lantern moonlighting as a builder. Beneath Alan Scott, Mr. Terrific supervises reconstruction. The Emerald Crusader corrects damage done by devilish demi-men at 1940 Fox and Gardner. The power ring efficiently puts framework back into place, whether wooden or not, and reapplies plaster. It even replaces fried wiring and plies new copper through the walls.
All materials have been paid for by Bruce Wayne who has hired Plastic Man to replace, from outside, blown windows from ground-level to high. In the second story's interior, Batman staidly assesses how to build a better armory vault. Perhaps, a Dr. Fate incantation could make the vault more impenetrable. Perhaps, metallurgist Genius Jones could design walls more adamantine.
In the vault's vicinity, Robin scrubs sooty walls, which is what Black Canary does elsewhere on the property. Red Tornado, the Justice Society's housekeeper anyhow, cleans like a whirlwind around the whole fouled estate. Above Robin, Sandman and Hourman renovate sleeping quarters. Above Wes and Rex, Hawkman and Wildcat repair the residence's roof. Atom aids where he can—for awhile. Then, he assists street repair outside the estate. The construction workers appreciate JSAer Atom amiably throwing asphalt with them.
After the alien attack, the Justice Society considered abandoning Gotham for a mansion in Manhattan, which industrialist Wesley Dodds charitably offered. However, heroes don't run, said Flash, and they represent resilience to the rest of the world, deemed Dr. Mid-Nite. Sandman, Wes Dodds, saw what they were saying. So did others.
Within the Society's sanctum, two strategy sessions occur while repairs occur around them. Six superheroes strategize in one place while Superman and Dr. Fate consult at another.
In the main meeting hall, Dr. Mid-Nite, Wonder Woman, Starman, Phantom Lady, Flash, and the Spectre sit at the wide round table surrounded by vaulted space. They have a voyage to Venus to plan. Militant Martians have absconded with some of Earth's worst weapons and the Society's most prized assets.
Sharp astronomer Starman states, "I have studied Venus thoroughly. However, Wonder Woman is the only Societarian who has ever been there. Thus, I propose. Diana, why don't you debrief us."
"Sure thing," Wonder Woman winks, "Awhile back, during the war, Nazi Hans Gootsten captured me, cooped me in a rocket, and catapulted the capsule to Venus [see All-Star Comics #13]. There, I found a full-on conflict occurring between warlord Solaris and his men and Desira, Queen of Venus, and her women warriors. I helped repel the raiders. Subsequently, Desira's domain has had two other would-be world conquerors who I helped halt: Dominus, madman [see Sensation Comics #11], and Velma Boswell, mad scientist [see Wonder Woman #12]. Once, the queen and her kind came to my rescue when Mercurial giantesses got me on Venus' neighbor orb [see Wonder Woman #26]. Each time, Desira and I summoned the other via a special psychic bond that we share."
"I see," says Dr. Mid-Nite, "How strong is this connection? Do you know? Is Venus invaded yet?"
"No, I don't know," divulges Diana, "Neither she nor I can casually connect. The astral projection takes immense concentration."
"It's okay," assures Starman, "I stowed a signal device on the Kriglos' craft, amidst our stolen stuff. Someday, all humanity will enjoy such outstanding outer space radio satellites. For now, my gizmo sends me information. Please know. The Martians are millions of miles from the Morning Star this morn."
"Good," goes Flash, "How can we run and catch them?"
"That could be tricky," notes Ted Knight, "I acknowledge that we must cover nineteen million miles to do so. That distance is the dastards' head start."
Spectre intones, "The Spider-Men can run an infinity. They shall not escape vengeance. They may vamoose Earth to Venus to the Vega System. They shall suffer severely their sins."
"And, we shall get our stuff back," Jay gibes.
"So, how do we make the journey, Cousin Ted?" Phantom Lady inquires. Starman and she are kin.
"Well, Cousin Sandy, we could use the teleporter operating at Holliday College," Ted Knight eyes a beneficent Amazon.
Holliday College sits in Washington, D.C. The Holliday Girls are Wonder Woman's ingenious and capable helpers there. One of them, Prof. Paula von Gunther, designed a teleporter.
"No, we cannot use that wondrous device. Venus already has the transporter—permanently," sighs Wonder Woman, "Recently, Envy herself wrecked it there in a petty fit [see Wonder Woman #22]."
"Aw shucks," utters Flash, "And, I relish hyperspace travel too. Sometimes, I can run that fast. Unfortunately, do not expect me to be the Society's interplanetary shuttle service. I theorize that most superheroes would not survive warp speed." In this era, supersonic travel is conceived extraordinary, so lightspeed is preternatural.
"Could Superman save us now?" inquires Phantom Lady, "He sometimes flies folks between planets. I would tuck under his cape."
"I bet that you would," physician McNider thinks, "I bet that your outfit gets chilly." Phantom Lady famously knows how to save cloth during the Great Depression and Second World War.
Starman shakes his head, "Superman cannot join us in this foray. Dr. Fate tells me so."
"Why?" Wonder Woman raises a brow.
"Fate had a vision, I guess. He told me over morning victuals," Knight notifies, "Therefore, the Man of Tomorrow cannot occupy us today. Fate and he discuss his destiny in an upstairs den."
"Then, I shall deliver the Justice Society all the way to Venus!" shouts Spectre, arms shoved wide, "By divine power, I can ferry our force forsooth—through Hell itself!"
"Or," offers Starman, "We could borrow Captain Midnight's spaceship The Meteor."
"There is a Captain Midnight?" Dr. Mid-Nite queries.
"Yes," Spectre speaks, "He travels this solar system and occasionally associates with the Shazam family in their reality."
"Sometimes, my mate Midnight and I like to snuggle up and listen to his radio program," adds Phantom Lady adjusting her outfit.
"Anyway," interjects her cousin, "I am acquaintances with Ichabod 'Icky' Mudd, Captain Midnight's goofy chum, sidekick. We super-astronomers must associate, even across Einstein's alternate dimensions. It so happens Icky informs that The Meteor is currently on our Earth."
"I know," Wonder Woman nods, "Its captain has brought Jagga the Space Raider, infamous rogue, to Washington D.C. to stand trial [see Captain Midnight #55-56] for crimes against humanity—and aliens as well."
"Ergo," assesses Flash, "an ace spaceship is available. However, why is it preferable to, let's say, the Invisible Jet that is also spaceworthy and even more available?"
"Assured speed," Starman states, "The Meteor serially accomplishes interplanetary travel almost magically. Surely, it can travel faster than even our foes' saucer. It can catch the Kriglo craft if any can."
Dr. Mid-Nite deems, "Let us get to D.C. and solicit Mr. Mudd and his boss. We can tell Captain Midnight that we have intermittently encountered Captain Marvel [see All-Star Squadron #36-38 & 51-53]. That connection could help."
"Down south to the District then," Diana declares.
Down the hall, Superman and Dr. Fate sit across from each other. The Man of Steel studies his solemn reflection in Fate's golden helmet face, and he attempts assessing the sorcerer's obscured eyes.
"So, you foresee the death of Superman," Clark calmly comments.
"Under certain circumstances, yes," Fate affirms, "You cannot complement the Venusian venture. Your JSA teammates must meet the Martians on their own. The mission has enough big guns—Spectre and Starman among them—to likely succeed."
Supes sighs, "And, you say that I should also not support Societarians against certain assembled evil-doers in Gotham. A coterie of crumbs plan to steal uranium across the U.S. before bringing an atomic bomb to Fox Street just outside this very locale. This business is also not a job for Superman."
"Correct," Kent Nelson tells Clark Kent, "Initially, the devastating device heads for Keystone City, Flash's stomping ground. However, for some reason, it reaches here. And, you die if you meet the danger here in space and time. You will be naturally unavailable when needed soon after."
Superman pensively scratches his chin, "A-bombs are serious threats, my friend. Common sense says that you could use the Man of Tomorrow soon. However, I hope that the powers of Nabu know of what they project. . . . . Fine, I recuse myself from both the Venus and home missions."
Dr. Fate states, "You will save the day later, Superman. Specifically, Dr. Mid-Nite will need you in the future. For now, Doc Mid-Nite will need Dr. Fate nearby, and I shall do my best to bolster his vital efforts."
"You are joining him in space?" supposes the Man of Steel, "You aid the all-important All-Star?"
"No. I must remain here."
"Oh. That's interesting," Superman is curious why not. However, hero Fate's helmet is a perfect poker face.
Meeting silence, Supes supposes the meeting adjourned. He rises and prepares to propel up, up, and away—although not through the recent roof repairs. Rather, Big Blue bolts to Gardner Avenue, waves to nonplussed passers-by, and soars off to other amazing action adventures.