Infiltration, Part 2

Note, the parenthesis indicate languages other than Japanese, in this case, English.
Please Read and Review. I'd like to know what I'm doing right (to keep doing it), and what I'm I doing wrong (to correct it).

Tokyo-3

GeoFront, NERV HQ
Science Division.
7 Days After Sahaquiel

Shinji took the first hesitant step towards his plug. He walked with a certain rigidity, not wholly caused by his embarrassment to be walking away naked, right in front of his semi-indifferent quasi-sister and the tough yet brittle German-raised pilot.

No. Partially, his stiff steps were the result of a particularly grueling training session with Wildcat. The man was a complete and utter sadistic bastard when the mood stroke him!

Shinji almost could heard the rough voice of the ex-heavy weight champion. "(Guard up, kid! Flex your knees! Throw your weight in your punch!)" Followed by a devastating series of ´love taps´, though from anybody else, that would be an all-out assault!

Still, repeatedly kissing the canvas had been worth it. Shinji´s speed and strength had increased under Wildcat´s tutelage.

"(You know? It´s a pity Richard Dragon ain´t around anymore. That boy could show you things that can make me envious.)" Wildcat added between punches. "(He was a good trainer too. The faceless kook he took under his wing did give me my money´s worth back a couple of times after Second Impact.)"

"Who?"

"(That was the Question, kid.)" Wildcat took advantage of Shinji´s distraction to throw a high punch, which Shinji barely avoided. Wildcat continued to speak, while dodging Shinji´s punches, receiving the occasional hit. "(A guy I met a few times. Both before and after Impact. He had some kind of stuff he put over his kisser, and it looked like he had no face at all, just skin. Downright disturbin´ if you ask me, and I met Johnny Sorrow after he came back from his looong trip to the other side! But Sorrow was actually easy to understand, he was a drama diva with delusions of destroying the world. The Question had a voice so flat you could skate on it. Totally dead most of the time. Anyway, the Question and yours truly were recruited by the Bat when the Justice League of America incorporated most of the surviving heroes and teams into the Justice League Unlimited.)"

Wildcat´s eyes shone wet for a moment. "(Now, that was a true collection of heroes! The JLA, the JSA, the Ousiders, the Titans, even the freaking Doom Patrol and the Metal Men! Not ever since the Big One there had been so many good guys under a single charter. Pity it didn´t last for long. Those months after the Impact really did a number on us. There was hardly a single week no one of us died or disappeared.)"

He shook his head, the cat ears of his mask flapped for a moment. "(Back to the point, the Question was a weird guy, and I´ve worked with some weird guys. Well, we used to spar together in the early 2000´s. Actually, we even trained a few of the greenest guys and gals. Last I heard of him, he was missing in action some time after Second Impact. Somewhere in Yucatan, no idea what he was doing in Mexico.)"

Now it was Shinji´s chance to strike, as Mr. Grant´s eyes were lost in remembrance. He tried for a left hook, only to find out that Wildcat was apparently able to fight in autopilot! He blocked Shinji´s fist, and returned the favor an instant later.

Shinji was extremely glad the big man was on his side. He wouldn´t want to ever face him as an enemy!

After Wildcat deemed the boxing match was enough, they changed to a weird form of wrestling. The objective was to immobilize the opponent; preferably, by using his own strength against him. Shinji almost dislocated a shoulder, and had to tap out.

"(Still can't throw you with the big boys, kid. But you are getting there. Right now, you could be the top cat in any schoolyard scrap.)" Was Wildcat´s final verdict once they had finished training. Physically, the day was over.

Next, they went over theory again. Wildcat got his teaching degree from the school of hard knocks, and he liked to teach by example. Therefore, after the sparring matches finished, he and Shinji went over the salient points of what had the pilot done right, and how to improve it; and where had he gone wrong, and how to correct it. It was a humbling exercise.

During the meals in Nanda Parbat, Wildcat used to reminisce about the heroes he had met, the villains he had fought. Both alone, or with the JSA, the JLA; and after Second Impact, with the newly formed JLU. The most recent stuff Wildcat reminisced was completely new for Shinji, as it had happened after his books and magazines had been written. The paper rationing after Second Impact practically ensured that those newspapers had been recycled long ago. Somehow, the digital versions of the same data was very hard to come by. Inner Robin had suggested SEELE might have had a part in that.

Shinji was still lost in memories when he arrived to his plug. A dark silhouette, illuminated by the small emergency lights on the floor.

Opening the capsule, he settled in, and waited for the LCL to cover him completely.

Back in the lift, Asuka looked at Rei´s impassible face. "So, Robin is in the nest?". The redheaded pilot´s back was turned to the exit of the lift, while her colleague had simply remained in the same position, looking perfectly ahead.

Rei looked back at her. "He did not look back as you feared."

"I would think you and me would merit a look, naked as we are. Somehow, I feel kinda… insulted." Asuka´s forearms rested easily on the translucent partition between her place and the one Shinji had occupied.

Rei blinked twice, "I… I don´t understand you, Huntress. You made a valid observation about a probable behavior on Robin´s part. One that would have caused a loss of face or embarrassment on your part. And now it seems to me you are… complaining?"

"We need to work on your social awareness, Wonder Girl. I´ll explain at home. Away from those cameras, microphones, and peeping Toms!"

Rei nodded once. "I am not aware of any Tom working at NERV."

"Don´t be so literal, Wondy." Asuka realized then that there was a small smirk on Rei´s lips. "Dammit, Wonder Girl! You really got me this time!"

Her laughter was interrupted by Dr. Akagi. "Okay, Robin has closed his plug, and his comms are on sound only, now will either of you go to your plugs? I´d like to finish this test today."

Tokyo-3

GeoFront, NERV HQ
(Iruel´s Location)

Iruel´s first nanoparticles of sentience finally found what they had been looking for. A minuscule fracture, leading to a very appropriate medium. Soon, the few particles began to multiply. The fluid behind was incredibly pure, free of contaminants, except for a few molecules of residual metals and plastics, completely inert, biologically speaking.

As Iruel began to multiply his component particles, a sound so faint no human ear or instrument could pick up filled the chamber. "Ping! Ping! Ping!"

(Mental Plane)
New York
S.T.A.R. Labs
Dr. Victor Stone´s Office

The Phantom Stranger sat heavily on the plush chair. Somehow, he looked like he was waging a losing battle, just by sitting there. A black ID badge hung conspicuously from the lapel of his black suit.

Victor Stone observed his unusual guest for a few seconds, leaning back on his own reinforced chair, specially made to handle his above average weight with ease. "(Okay, Stranger. I know you have a reputation of only showing up when it is absolutely necessary, impart some cryptic advice, and departing as soon as you can. Having you appear at my door means something is going on.)" The cybernetically enhanced man rumbled.

"(Indeed. Dr. Stone. I have need of your help. A matter of no hurry at this point in time, but possibly of great importance later on.)"

"(Go to the point, Stranger. I have a lot to do, and I´d like to go back to my usual routine. I retired from active heroics a long time ago. What do you want from me?)"

"(I ask for your help to contact a group of cybernetic entities. They have been captured and neutralized. Their help will be invaluable to prevent Third Impact, and to help the Earth recover from the consequences of Second Impact.)"

"(Third Impact? Isn't that why there are Evangelions in Tokyo-3? Why don´t you contact NERV Japan?)"

"(I am a creature of magic, Dr. Stone.)" The Phantom Stranger looked around. "(Just being here, in a place that is the zenith of science and technology, is taxing my strength to the limit. My time here will be short, and I have other obligations to attend to.)"

"(Weird. I would have thought you would have more problems at the old JLA satellite or the JLU Watchtower on the Moon. those things had tech from Earth, Mars, Krypton, Thanagar, New Genesis and who knows where else.)"

"(This… place we are in, it holds tech even more advanced. I will tell you more next time I contact you. I will need your trust, your complete trust, before revealing the secret.)"

Cyborg shrugged. "(Your reputation precedes you, Stranger. I read all the files the JLU had about you. Not much, but enough for me to give you a chance. I think I can trust you.)"

"(This will need first hand experience, Dr. Stone.)"

"(As you wish. Now, what do I do?)"

"(Are you familiar with the Metal Men?)"

"(We didn´t get to work together in person, but yes. I know of them. I even consulted Veridium on a couple of technical problems.)"

"(They are prisoners, they sleep in their stasis cylinders, There is a storm closing on us, and they will be helpful for everybody to survive. I´d like for you to help them get up to date, to learn several languages. Japanese, German, maybe French and Spanish. Should you manage to add Interlac to the list, so much the better. But I need you to reach them without being detected.)"

"(Where are they?)"

The Phantom Stranger brought out a curious object from a pocket, at first sight, it seemed like a blot in reality. A black spot of un-being, but instantly, it became something that looked like a common data stick. "(Down at a section at NERV Japan, code named Garden of Eden. You will find the way to connect to their caskets port in these plans. Be subtle, take your time, Dr. Stone. Don´t awaken them physically unless Third Impact is upon us, or if I ask you to. This information cannot be compromised in any shape or way. Your very life would be in mortal peril if NERV, or their masters, even suspect there is something out of their control.)"

"(Dammit. Business as usual, then. I wish I had the rest of the Titans around.)" Cyborg whispered, a distant look crossed his right eye for a moment, he shook his head. "(Anything else?)"

"(Clifford Steele.)"

"(Robotman? I know him, we worked together a couple of times.)"

"(If you can find a way to contact him, he would be invaluable too.)"

A cable slithered out from Cyborg´s right hand, connecting itself to a USB port in the desk. The light in Cyborg´s left eye dimmed for a moment. "(He disappeared too. Back in 2003.)"

"(Try to locate him. Beware of the Brain.)"

"(That guy gives me goose skin. Quite a feat, I can tell you.)"

The Stranger stood up. "(Thank you for your attention, Dr. Stone. I will contact you soon.)"

"(Wait a minute. How will I contact you when I locate the Metal Men?)"

"(I will know. It´s not their bodies that are lost, but their souls.)" With those parting words, the Phantom Stranger disappeared like mist under the sun, the badge he had been issued fell to the floor, clattering for a moment.

Cyborg returned his attention to his computer terminal. Distractedly, he activated the intercom. "(Sandra? Tell Lori I´ll return the black badge when I go home. Our guest has left the building through unorthodox means.)"

"(Yes, Dr. Stone. Did it go well?)"

"(Not exactly, I just got a special job dumped on my chromed lap. This whole matter goes right into the deepest restriction files. Don´t talk to anybody about it, forget it right now. The same goes for Lori.)"

"(Understood, sir. I´m partitioning the CCTV memory too, just in case.)"

"(Well thought. Keep on like this and you´ll get a nice bonus at the end of the year.)" Victor Stone released the Intercomm button, and leaned back on his chair, he needed a moment to think. Something the Phantom Stranger had said was nagging at him, right at the back of his mind. He replayed the conversation from beginning to end. He found it right at the end. "(Souls? The Metal Men have souls?)"

Vladivostok, Russia

"(Alright, boys, The circus has closed! Everybody! Get a good nite o´sleep! Tomorrow it´s time to pack everything!)" the foreman´s voice rang loud and clear all over the temporary site for the Haley Circus. "(Make sure you have your passports ready and at hand, next week we set tents on Japan! I want to get there on time and in order! If you have any problem, talk to me after breakfast!)"

A beautiful woman huddled next to her tent. The foldable furniture had already been packed, as soon as the last customer had gone. Madame Xanadu sat on the chest containing her personal effects, ready to be picked up by the workers.

The strong man, a massive hulk of a human, huddled in his big and warm overcoat. "(Say, Ma´am...)" He spoke nervously, in awe of the dark haired woman. "(I… I jus´wanna thank you for da advice.)"

"(You did all the hard work, Tiny. I bet your Father will be happy for you.)"

"(Yeah… He is...)" Tiny blushed, a curious sight for anybody who didn´t know the man. He might be strong as a bull, and almost as big; but he was a kind soul, a gentle giant, devoted to his family and friends. "(Dad, well, he is already askin´ for me an´ Dana to go visit him back home in Georgia. I´d just like ta know how did you knew Dana would…)"

"(That she would like you?)" Madame Xanadu smiled warmly at the big guy, patting a forearm that was thicker than her tigh. "(I just know. That´s my job.)"

"(Well… I am thankful you talked sense into my hard noggin´, Ma´am. I… I know it´s hard ta believe… A big guy… like meself…)" Tiny´s shrug was almost like watching a miniature glacier moving.

"(Tiny, my dear friend; sometimes, the big and strong guys are the ones who have most problems to follow their hearts. Let me tell you a story, about a big and strong man I met once, back when you were just a little baby.)"

"(Aw… cm´on, Ma´am Xanadu. You are not that old.)" Tiny answered shyly.

"(You´d be surprised, young man.)" Madame Xanadu smiled cryptically. "(Now, as I was saying, once upon a time…)"

Author Notes:

Back before Crisis in Infinite Earths, Roy Thomas, one of the best and most prolific writers in comics, put his love and knowledge about the World War II era to good use in DC Comics. Along with his collaborators in art, he managed to weld together a coherent canon using the characters that would form the Golden Age DC pantheon, incorporating characters that originally belonged to other companies. The original JSA formed the core of a much larger group, incorporating most heroic characters from several companies.

The result, the All-Star Squadron, used the stories published back in the late 30s, early 40s as basis for a complete reworking of the WWII era.

Later on, the Crisis made impossible to keep several characters, like Batman, Superman, Green Lantern, Flash, and Wonder Woman; by eliminating the concept of parallel universes. The All-Star Squadron had to be relocated from its original Earth-2, and folded into the New Earth resultant from Crisis. Several replacement characters were created. All-Star Squadron was cancelled, and a new title, Young All-Stars, continued the story, focusing on the younger heroes.

Now, to the point, one of the members of the All-Star Squadron was, obviously, Wildcat. The old man has been around since the 1940s, except for that unfortunate gap between the Golden and Silver Ages.

In this story, the All-Star Squadron was the inspiration for a similar move. It was Batman who came up with the idea to absorb other heroes and teams into a larger group, the JLA was the core group, incorporating the Titans (including the former Titans West), the Outsiders, the third Doom Patrol, former members of the JLI, and any other heroes and groups available.

Obviously, there was need for a lot of coordinating the teams. Much like in the JLU animated show, Mr. Terrific II was one of the top coordinators, along with Batman and Superman (actually, the Martian Manhunter). For this version of the story, I´ll be keeping the original appearance of the character, basically an update of the original Mr. Terrific´s costume, in green, yellow and red. That was only used in the first appearance of the second Mr. Terrific (The Spectre, issue 54, Jun 1997). The black and white look (with the mask-like "T" covering his eyes, nose and mouth) came up much later. I admit I have a fond spot for the original, drawn by Tom Mandrake.

Johnny Sorrow is a very strange character. Originally a second rate thief (retconned into continuity), the guy was thrown into an other dimensional space, where his sanity was broken, and reformed into a conduit for Eldritch forces. Now, instead of a crude disguise, he wears a perfectly tailored red suit, but the most striking feature of the new and improved Johnny Sorrow was that his complete head was completely invisible. Only a (very expresive) red mask, floating over the suit. BTW, taking off the mask released arcane forces, driving everybody present into madness and/or death.

He clashed with the JSA a few times. Including one time he and his gang got the chance to face Wildcat with a broken arm.

Curiously, Johnny Sorrow is much more expressive tan the Question, in both voice and body language. And mask.

No, I have not forgotten about our Friends in Haley Circus, it´s just that they have things to do that are not very important for the story, but once they get to Tokyo-3...

Anyway, Tiny Jr. is the son of the original Tiny, a supporting character back in the early adventures of Deadman; when his story was centered in and around the circus he was murdered at. Obviously, the name is an ironic nickname, as Tiny is a towering guy, who seems to be made exclusively of muscle, bone, and more muscle. He is the nominal strong man in the circus; though M´Raia can easily surpass him in strenght alone, they are very good friends, and enjoy playing tourist in every city they visit.

Dana is a russian woman, (non canonical) daughter of a very minor character who was barely seen back during the JLI age, Rosa Rubikskova. She and her twin sister were part of the staff at the JLI Russian Embassy. Sadly, Dana was killed by the Extremists, in Justice League Europe 15 and Rosa was last seen in JLE 16.

The story arc was called The Extremist Vector, and is one of the ever best stories of the JLI era, in my opinión. I will let you be the judge of that. The Extremist Vector ran for five issues, in Justice League Europe issues 15 to 19, cover dated Jun 1990 to Oct 1990.

I´m not completely sure about the accuracy of the information, but I´ll just use it as part of the background. Back when X-Files was a new show, one of the episodes was set in a small town in Florida, where retired carnies went to live their old age, and the circus performers spent winters in a relatively private place.

For this story, Florida was practically covered by the Atlantic Ocean, and the survivors of the towns and cities relocated. Tiny Sr. went to a nice Little town in Georgia, where he still lives.