"Allies" Part Three
“Bot, intercept missiles and deactivate!” “Roger.” Bot shot out from his holding pattern around the jet towards the missiles, which were closing fast. The systems in his armour began relaying data on them via the electrodes that were plugged into receptors all along his body. In a second he knew that the front two were heat seeking, two others were locked on the jet as their target, and the final two were being guided manually from the command centre on the ground. Time to impact was between six seconds and twelve seconds as each pair were split and taking different routes. “Okay, Bot,” he whispered to himself, concentrating on the task at hand. “Let’s toast these toys. Switching to offensive.” His visor morphed quickly and smack in the middle of the now red display were crosshairs. He concentrated, and just by thinking the crosshairs moved and locked onto one of the missiles. A split second later, two small missiles flew out from tiny cannons located in his shoulder and sped out towards the missile. Without missing a beat, he turned his attention to another one to the west. Raising his right hand, the crosshairs locked just a few feet in front of the missile, and a pulse of pure energy rushed out from his knuckles. It hit the missile at exactly the same time as the shoulder missiles hit the first one, and both exploded harmlessly away from the jet. The heat seeking missiles locked onto these new sources of warmth and changed direction abruptly. Bot flipped over 360 as one of the manually controlled missiles shot over his head. He reached out, grabbing the tail of it and was pulled out towards the jet. The heat seekers hit their new targets and exploded. As he had calculated, the second manual missile was caught in the explosion as well, and exploded. That left the one was now improvising with, riding along on its coattails as it headed towards its date with the jet. “Three seconds to impact on that last one,” Mammoth said. “Evasive action…?” “He’ll make it.” Patriot announced as he watched the missile and Bot headed towards him, their forms filling up the cockpit window as they came closer. Bot reached up through the afterburner, his armour's cooling systems holding back the intense heat, and grabbed onto the opposite tail fin. A small compartment in the back of his hand shot open and a tiny metal disc flew out and clamped onto the body of the missile. His onboard systems used the disc to override the missile’s control systems and fed in new co-ordinates. He let go and flew upwards over the top of the jet, as the missile changed it course and flew down under the jet’s belly. “Phew,” Mammoth said. “Back home, boy,” Bot whispered, as the missile shot down towards the command centre below. “Mission accomplished, Patriot. Awaiting further instructions.” “Good job, Bot,” Patriot said. “Reconnaissance.” “Roger.” “Mammoth! Bug! Quickening! I want you on the ground, disabling their short and long range weaponry! Now!” “Any suggestions?” “Use your initiative, Quickening!” Patriot roared into the headset mouthpiece. “We have to deal with this situation as quickly as we can.” Two holes in the ceiling of the jet opened and Quickening and Mammoth both were shot out using hydraulic platforms. Once in the air, Mammoth’s molecules started to heat up causing his body to stretch and his bones to grow at a rapid rate. He closed his eyes to shut out the pain, but it was agonising. On cue, tiny needles shot into his skin around various parts of this body, shooting endorphins straight into his bloodstream. Quickly they raced around his body, soothing the pain and in the process adding to his strength. Quickening somersaulted through the air, gathering speed and momentum as he went. His legs pumped furiously, so when he eventually hit the ground his run had begun. In a split second he had robbed half of the Royal Flush Gang’s soldiers of their weaponry. “Thanks for the ride,” Bug said from his shoulder, followed by a mock salute. “Any time,” Quickening replied, his arms full of guns and rifles. Bug shot high into the air and flew around in an arc. She fixed her gaze on one soldier who was sitting behind some bushes and had Quickening in his sights. She flew down, and charged up her exoskeleton. Power coursed through from the enhanced but almost microscopic batteries that she wore around her waist disguised as a belt. She flew down into the soldier’s ear, and let loose with a barrage of electricity. The soldier screamed and pulled the trigger. Quickening had heard the roar, turned, saw the soldier, and stepped to the side before the trigger had been pulled. “I owe you one,” he said as Bug flew from the ear of the now unconscious soldier. “Think nothing of it,” she said and sped out towards the other soldiers. Ten leapt from the mobile command centre and headed for the rocks as the missile that Bot had reprogrammed headed down towards her. She activated the rocket pack on her back at just the right time, the force of the ignition throwing her high over the rocks just as the missile hit the command centre and exploded on contact. In seconds the command centre was reduced to rubble, and debris rained down all around the area. Quickening dashed all around catching and placing debris far from harms way. He knew that the soldiers were the enemy but he also knew that they were soldiers and were being commanded to fight that day. They didn’t deserve to be killed, just as the innocents they were attacking didn’t deserve to be killed. “King!” Jack shouted. “King!” “I can hear you, Jack,” the voice of King shouted through Jack’s earpiece. “Its all falling down around us!” Jack shouted. “Compose yourself, Jack!” King roared. “Reassemble the soldiers! Turn the attack back on these metahumans!” “But, King!” “That’s an order, Jack!” “Yes, sir!” King found his way to a cave and leapt inside. There, Queen sat beside a portable command centre. “Were all operations re-routed in time?” King asked. “Ten managed to do it before the impact, yes,” Queen replied. “Excellent,” King said. “They think our powers weakened, and we will use this to our advantage. Raise Ace for me, and get Ten back here to assist us.” “Yes, my King.” In the air, Mammoth had grown to full size, almost one hundred and fifty feet tall. The pain had completely subsided and his body now coursed with an energy and power that would kill an ordinary man. Gently, he stretched his left leg out and placed his left foot on the ground. A second later, his right foot also touched earth and he stood majestically, towering over the soldiers below. “Hold!” he bellowed. The sound of his command caused some of the soldiers to fall to the ground, cupping their ears to block out the noise. For others, the force of his breath blew them back several feet, causing them to lose their remaining guns and fall to the ground. For the majority, the mere sight of him towering hundreds of feet above them instilled a fear in them that they had never experienced in their lives. They threw their arms in the air and fell to their knees, cowering from the colossus who stood over them. Mammoth grinned. The excruciating pain when he grew was worth it, especially when he could easily instil such fear into his enemies. Then, he felt a stabbing pain in his left leg. He looked down to see the entirely white costumed body of Ace gripping his leg with his hands. Ace dug his nails into Mammoth’s flesh, and pulled. Taken by surprise, Mammoth lost his balance and crashed back onto the ground, smashing onto the ground and demolishing several police vehicles as he went. In the air, Ten flew down towards Mammoth, setting off two small missiles that shot out of shoulder cannons. They locked onto their target, in this case his head, and sped off towards him. Mammoth raised a hand in reflex, swatting the missiles away. A few seconds later, they exploded harmlessly a few hundred feet away. Ten was stunned and immediately launched another attack, but this time she was thwarted by Bug ,who had shot out a tiny electromagnetic pulse which wasn’t strong enough to hurt Ten but was easily able to render her jetpack and armour useless. Ten gasped in horror as she plummeted towards the ground. Ace raced to catch his colleague, but Bot sent out an energy pulse that Ace just managed to dodge. The resultant blast from the impact with the ground, sent Ace reeling. Before he could get his balance back, Mammoth kicked out a foot and smashed him right in the fact. Ace was sent careening back, where his head made contact with a large rock buried in the ground and sent him straight into unconsciousness. “Enough!” King roared from his vantage point, on a small hill to the right of the beach. Queen and Jack stood beside him, cradling unfeasibly large guns in their arms. King held a small device in his right hand. “Lay down your arms now!” King shouted, waving the device high in the air. “This is a detonator, and it controls a small thermonuclear device which we have hidden close to this location. Give up now, and meet our demands or I will detonate!” Queen and Jack smiled. If they had taken a moment to look behind them, their demeanour would have changed considerably. Out in the sea, a huge tidal wave was rushing towards them, and riding on top was the figure of Torrent. The White House Lex Luthor sat in the Oval office, the telephone receiver pressed firmly to his ear as he watched the pages churn out from his personal fax machine built into his desk. “Yes, coming through clearly, Professor,” he said as he took one or two pages and flicked through. “Excellent work.” “Thank you, Mr. President,” Professor Ludlow said, a little less nervously now that Luthor was pleased and calm. “Will there be anything else?” “I have all the information I need at present,” Luthor replied as his fax spat out the last page and the familiar bell noise went off. “I will need to discuss some finer points with you later.” “Anything, sir.” Ludlow said. “Can you stay there for half an hour or so?” Luthor asked, looking over at his bodyguard Mercy who stood silently beside the doors. “I’ll call you back then.” “Thank you, Mr. President,” Ludlow began, but before he could say any more, Luthor slammed the receiver down. President Luthor nodded over towards Mercy. “Show him in,” he said coldly. “And close the door behind you.” Mercy nodded, opened the doors and exited, closing them behind her. A second or two later, there was a knock at the door and she walked back in, ushering Secretary for Education Jefferson Pierce into the room. “Ah, Jefferson,” Lex Luthor said, standing up and dropping some of the faxed pages onto his desk. “Take a seat.” He gestured to two chairs in front of his desk. Pierce then walked towards one of the chairs. He placed two hands on his trousers and pulled the material up a little, as he sat down. Mercy left through the open doors and closed them behind her. “Good to see you, Jefferson,” Luthor said with a smile. “Mr. President,” Pierce said, acknowledging the comment. Luthor paused for a moment. “No small talk, then?” he asked. Pierce did not respond. “Very well,” Luthor said picking up a grey file from his desk and walking around to stand in front of Pierce. He waved the file in the air for a few seconds. “I like your proposals here, Jefferson. Damn good work.” “Thank you, sir,” Pierce replied. “You really think this redevelopment will work?” Luthor asked. “Of course, Mr. President,” Pierce replied. “It can and it will. All it needs are the right funding packages, high profile publicity and some very devoted people and we can turn the school system on its head.” “And lots of faith,” Luthor said, laughing. “That is something we are not short of in this country, Mr. President.” “Of course,” Luthor said. “Well, I have no problem with any of those requirements in principle.” He turned and tossed the file onto his desk. He then leant back until he half sat on the desk. “We will be putting this before the Senate in the coming weeks,” he continued with a smile. “Thank you, Mr. President.” “No, thank you, Jefferson.” Luthor said with a smile. “Now perhaps you can help me with something else.” “I’ll try, Mr. President.” “You see, Jefferson,” Luthor began. “I have a delicate operation which I need someone I can trust fully to carry out. That person is you.” “I’m flattered, Mr. President,” Pierce said. “I’ll do anything I can to help.” “Excellent,” Luthor said. “Excellent.” Pierce looked at Luthor. He still couldn’t fathom this man, even after being his Secretary for Education for just over a year. They worked closely, and yet the President did like to keep himself at arms length from his staff and even, it would seem, his close friends and family. “I’ll cut right to the point, Jefferson,” Luthor said. “Please do, Mr. President.” “Well, do you ever feel… ill when you come in here?” “I…” Pierce paused, feeling another wave of nausea hit him. “Yes, sir.” “That is because the Oval Office is covered in metahuman dampening equipment.” “I’m sorry, Mr. President?” Pierce said. “I don’t think I understand.” “Of course you do, Jefferson,” Luthor said, standing up straight and wandering behind him. “I know about you, Jefferson.” Luthor stopped when he was directly behind Pierce and placed his hands gently on his shoulders. Pierce flinched slightly at the touch. “You are Black Lightning, are you not?” “I…” but Pierce knew it was useless pretending. The President had to have had him checked out and would have found out at some time that he was Black Lightning. “How long…?” “Quite some time, Jefferson,” Luthor said, lifting his hands and walking back around to his desk. “Well before the Presidential race, in fact.” Pierce’s eyes followed Luthor as he walked over to behind his desk and lowered himself gently into his seat. “Now you’re wondering what I want you to do, aren’t you?” Luthor asked. Pierce noticed that all the while, the President had been grinning inanely. “I am curious, Mr. President,” he replied softly. “Don’t worry, your job as Secretary for Education is safe,” Luthor began. “We both share the same ideal that the children of America should be given a good and varied education.” “Thank you, Mr. President.” “What I want is some help from your… alter ego,” Luthor said. “I want Black Lightning to… how shall I put it… give me some information on this team, the Redressers.” “You want me to spy on them?” “Not at all,” Luthor said laughing. “Spying is so passé nowadays. No. I need someone to operate with them. Perhaps help educate them in the ways of the metahuman. Teach them superhero right and wrong.” “With all due respect, Mr. President,” Pierce said. “I’m not sure whether they need my help.” “On the contrary,” Luthor said, sitting back in this chair. “They definitely need your help, just as I need your help.” Pierce thought for a few seconds. He was still slightly shocked at Luthor’s knowledge of his Black Lightning persona, and the dampeners were taking their toll as well. He was having trouble concentrating. “Take your time,” Luthor said, as he smiled. “You don’t have to give me an answer straight away.” King stood alone. He was soaked from head to toe, and extremely disorientated. Queen and Jack lay unconscious on the ground, the force of the tidal wave having knocked them out immediately. “Looking for someone?” King turned, just in time to see Patriot’s gloved fist swoop in from the left-hand side. It connected swiftly with his face, and the impact knocked out three teeth. As he hit the ground, King moaned and then passed out. Patriot stood over King’s unconscious body. He felt at once elated and dismayed; elated because his team had rode into battle and defeated the enemy with no loss of life to either them, innocents or their foes; dismay because while the victory tasted sweet, it would not be the last time they would have to deal with such evil. “The device?” Patriot asked. “Deactivated,” Torrent replied. “Why do these imbeciles always invade the oceans with their weapons of destruction?” “At ease, Torrent,” Patriot said firmly. “Give the others a hand clearing up the mess.” Torrent nodded begrudgingly and headed off towards the other members of the team. “Good work.” Patriot spun around. There, just a few feet away from him stood the Batman. “Thank you,” Patriot said, stepping forward, reaching out with his free hand. “It’s indeed an honour coming from one such as you.” Batman backed away. It was only 1 or two steps but it was noticeable and Patriot stopped. He lowered his hand. “I suppose you know who I am?” he said. “I don’t have a dossier, if that’s what I mean,” Batman replied. “Although someone assuredly does.” “It's no less than I expected,” Patriot nodded. “But you would do well to be wary of the person who does have it.” Batman said as he started to walk towards the beach. Patriot watched him for a few seconds and then looked around. He saw that the rest of the team were guiding the defeated members of the Royal Flush Gang and their minions into government custody and then set off behind the Batman. “Why are you here?” Batman asked, stopping just at the edge of the beach, his gaze fixed on the lighthouse on the small island across the bay. “I would have thought that was obvious,” Patriot replied. “Indulge me.” “We want to save lives,” Patriot said. “We few have powers and abilities which are far greater than normal men and women. These can be put to good use, and they will be.” “Are you sure?” Patriot arched his eyebrows. He stepped forward, stretching his arms out to the sides. “What is your problem?” he asked. “Believe me,” Batman said, as he turned to face Patriot. “You are not the first person to have asked that of me.” “I’ll bet,” Patriot growled. “We in the league are… concerned.” “About?” Patriot asked. “About the potential threat that you and your colleagues present to the world.” “I see,” Patriot said, turning to look out at the lighthouse. “So, we are the enemy?” “I didn’t say that. I…” “You didn’t need to,” Patriot said. “It’s written all over your face.” “I’m…” “Stop it!” Patriot shouted. “Don’t even think of patronising me!” “I wasn’t about to…” “So, the mighty JLA sit in their moon base, aloof from the world and dictate who can do good, and who can’t?” Patriot roared. “And by definition, you also can tell us what we can and cannot do?” “I never said that, Patriot,” Batman said coldly. “But we all know,” Patriot said, pointing his finger sharply at Batman. “Everyone outside of your little clique, thinks it. You are gods, sitting in your heaven and you send down your commandments and when your subjects do not comply then you cut them down, is that it?” Batman spun around to face Patriot, the anger in his face mirrored with that in Patriot’s. “You are out of line, Patriot!” Batman growled. “Really? I would say that from where I’m standing it is you that are out of line!” Patriot turned and began to walk hurriedly towards the jet. “Do not cross us,” Batman hissed. “I would give you the same advice!” Patriot shouted behind him. S.T.A.R. labs, Washington D.C. Professor Ludlow waited patiently for the President’s call. He sat in his office, and reread his notes on the Redressers again and again, just so that he could answer whatever questions were thrown at him. He waited for two hours, and had given up all hope of speaking to the President when his telephone rang. He almost leapt out of his seat, and quickly grabbed the receiver. “Professor Ludlow,” he said nervously. “There’s a courier to see you at reception, Professor,” the receptionist said. “Uh…” he muttered, disappointed that it was not the President. “I’m waiting for an important phone call. Could you sign for it, please?” “I’m afraid that he won’t allow me to,” she replied. “It has the President’s seal on it.” “What?” Ludlow shouted, as he stood up straight. “Eh, I’ll be right there!” Ludlow slammed the receiver down, and walked out of his office. He paused, and then went back in, changing his lab coat for his suit jacket. After a few seconds brushing some dandruff from his shoulders he left the office again. As he passed one of the many utility cupboards he didn’t notice the door opening. The figure was on him in and instant. They wrapped piano wire around his neck and pulled it tightly, which served to not only inflict pain and cut into his throat but also allowed the attacker to drag him back into the utility cupboard. Professor Ludlow tried to scream, but the wire had already sliced through the skin of his throat and was making inroads into his oesophagus. Central City The seafood restaurant had closed at the request of a red and black health inspector. The manager was more than happy to allow the routine inspection to go ahead, and agreed quickly. However, the inspector had insisted on warbling on for at least half an hour citing over three hundred local, state and national violations that they would be checking against; much to the chagrin of the male and female junior investigators with him. If the manager hadn’t been in the business for so long and recognised only a few of the violations, he might have thought that this was an actor rather than a real health inspector. He spent the rest of the day relaxing with his family. “Was that really necessary?” Wonder Woman asked as she began her search of the restaurant. “Would you as Bobby De Niro that?” Plastic Man asked. “Hoffman? Pee Wee Herman? I think not.” Wonder Woman sighed. “I’m going to look out back, J’onn,” she said walking over towards the steel double doors. “See if you can’t control him.” “Sheesh!” Plastic Man said, turning to the Martian Manhunter. “What’s eatin’ her?” “An apt question to ask in a restaurant, Plastic Man,” J’onn replied. “Now, back to the matter in hand. Where was he sitting?” Plastic Man pointed to the corner table. “Ah,” J’onn said. “Thank you. You check out the rest of the dining area and I will check the table.” “Okay dokey,” Plastic Man said and fell to the floor in a heap. The Martian Manhunter sighed and walked over towards the table where their quarry the evening before had been sitting. “So,” Plastic Man began, spreading himself out flat covering as much of the floor area as possible. “Is anyone going to tell me what this artifact is, or what it can do?” “We still do not know that, Plastic Man,” J’onn replied. “All we have been told is that it is not meant to be on Earth and if it were to fall into the wrong hands…” “Or tentacles,” Plastic Man continued. “What? Yes, tentacles. Well, if the wrong… thing gets a hold of it, it could have serious repercussions.” “I see,” Plastic Man said. “And who gave us this nugget of information?” “Oracle says it is from a reliable source,” J’onn replied. “Oh, I see,” Plastic Man said and leapt to his feet. “So, Oracle says its okay info?” “Yes,” J’onn said as he turned towards Plastic Man. “Is there a problem?” “And she doesn’t give their name?” Plastic Man asked, his right eyebrow arcing until it was five feet above his head. “Doesn’t that seem strange to you?” “I…” J’onn stuttered, as he suddenly realised that indeed he hadn’t pressed Oracle for the information. “Think about it,” Plastic Man began. “Oracle sends us to look for something, which she doesn’t give any information on and it’s on the tip off from someone whose name she hasn’t revealed. Is it just me, or is that a tad odd?” J’onn did not reply. He simply stood there speechless. Plastic Man smiled wryly. “I think we’ve been had,” Plastic Man sighed. To Be Continued... Next: What is Luthor’s plan and what does it have to do with Quickening and Sleight? Previous Issue | Next Issue |
