The New Ultimate DC RPG - Season II

[Byrd Man]

​

Previously

Spoiler

30 Miles North of Maidugur
Nigeria
04:57 Local Time


I peak around the corner of a barracks to make sure the coast is clear. There's gunfire going off on the other side of the camp, but the coast is clear. I turn around and motion to Ben and Blitzkrieg to move up. I lead them from the edge of the barracks to the hut where Nightshade directed us to.

"Door's locked, Rick."

I look down at the padlock on the door and pull a handheld device from my pocket.

"Doesn't matter. This is more than close enough to create an explosion."

I slap the device against the door and press a few buttons. It begins to beep rapidly. Switching channels on my radio, I get Faraday's frequency.

"Flagman to Control, AA and SAMs have been disabled and the GPS beacon has been placed."

"Excellent. What about the intel?"

"Nightshade, Deadshot, and Vertigo are heading that up."

"Well, get what you can and beat feet. I'm sending the bomber the location on the beacon now. You've got ten minutes to get out once we break communications. Our plane is almost out of radio range, so I can't call an abort. Your chopper ride home is still headed your way. Only forty-five minutes to rendezvous with him."

"Why do we always got to cut these damn things so close?"
"It's part of the fine Suicide Squad tradition. Control, out."

Faraday breaks the line and I quickly switch my earpiece back over to the team frequency.

"Flag to Nightshade, give me a sit-rep."

"You need to get over here right now. We've got the commander of this base. You need to speak to him."

"There's not enough time. We've got ten minutes until this whole camp blows sky high."

"That's why you need to hear what he has to say. You won't believe it any other way."

I sigh and curse under my breath. "Fine, we're on the way..."

Sneaking and running, it takes the three of us almost four minutes to reach the center hut that acts as headquarters for the people running the camp. Deadshot is perched by a window, his sniper rifle back out and scanning the area. Vertigo leans against the open doorway, his pistol in one hand down by his side.

"Where's Nightshade?"

"She is in the back," Vertigo says, tilting his head towards the back of the hut. I walk past him and through an office into a back room, where Nightshade is talking to a fat African man sitting on a chair.

"Who is this?"

"He's the camp administrator. Go on, tell him what you told me..."

The man looks up at me and shakes his head.

"I no know Jihad," he says in broken English. "No rebel here."

"You drug me all the way back here for this?" I say with a scowl. "The man's lying."

"No, he's not."

Eve hands me an ID badge. The man sitting in the chair in front of us is on it. Underneath his picture is his name, Samuel Abaygoni, and his job title: Executive, Security Management.

"What's this supposed to be?"

"It's an ID badge for where the man works. African Petroleum. He's not a rebel, Rick, and this isn't a Muslim extremist camp. I read the files. These men are AP security guards. Two kilometers west of here is an oil field. All this extra security is for the oil fields."

I look down at the badge and then back up at Abaygoni.

"Faraday lied to us. I have to abort the bomb."

I switch channels on my earpiece, trying to reach Faraday.

"Control, this is Flagman...Come in, Control...Control? Faraday!"

I curse and change frequencies to a general frequency.

"Attention, attention, US Special Forces personnel trying to reach any bombers in the area. Call sign is Flagman."

"Roger that, Flagman," a voice chimes in. "This is your bomber, call sign is Jackrabbit. I am currently five minutes out from your site. Advise you fall back ASAP."

"Jackrabbit, I need to call an on-site abort of the bomb."

"Sorry, no can do. I am under explicit orders not to abort once my bombing run as begun. Get out right now. Going back to radio silence, Jackrabbit out."

The pilot cuts off and I kick the wall in frustration.

"****!"

I take a deep breath and try to calm myself. I turn to Abaygoni.

"In five minutes, this place is going up in flames. Get out of here right now. You get it? Boom!"

Even though his English is less than perfect, Abaygoni nods and stands up, running out of the hut.

"We've got a runner," Deadshot announces from the front.

"Let him go," I call back.

"C'mon, Flag, it'll be easy."

"What the hell did I say? Leave him the hell alone!"

I turn to Nightshade, lowering my voice as not to be overheard.

"We have to get out of here right now. Grab that file you were reading, and then whip up a portal that gets us the hell out of here."

She nods and grabs the folder. We walk back up to where the rest of the team is.

"Bomber is inbound. We've got three minutes left. Let's go."

Nightshade begins to put her hands together, slowly creating the portal. The energy in her hand is slowly expanding when Ben shouts out.

"RPG! RPG!"

A soldier with an RPG on his shoulder stands a hundred feet away, the weapon pointed at us. He squeezes the trigger and the rocket shoots forward.

"Get down!"

30 Miles North of Maidugur
Nigeria
05:15 Local Time

The RPG blasts towards us.

"Get down, get down, get down!"

I push Eve to the ground and fall beside her. Lawton and Vertigo hits the deck and Turner grabs Blitzkrieg, shielding the smaller woman from the RPG as it passes over our heads and hits the hut.

BOOM!

The headquarters of the camp goes up in a fireball. The concussion blast sends the six of us in the air and scatters us like shotgun pellets. I land on the ground hard and hear my shoulder pop as shrapnel tears into me. My ears are ringing and I try to stand. Time's running short. We only have a few minutes before a laser-guided bomb turns this whole camp into a crater.

Standing on shaking legs, I look around and try to survey the damage. Vertigo is slowly picking himself up. Deadshot is still laying on the ground where he easily picks off our attacker with a shot from his rifle. Blitzkrieg and Bronze Tiger are already on their feet. Ben is standing over Eve, who hasn't moved yet. The folder with the proof we need is beside her, burnt to a crisp by the explosion.

"Ben...is she?"

"No. Just unconscious. She must have got her bell rung pretty damn go-"

Ben stop short as he looks up at me.

"Flag..."

He points towards my midsection. I look down and see a piece of wood sticking in my gut. I hadn't even felt it.

"Huh...Would you look at that..."

The pain kicks in and I crumple to the ground, gritting my teeth and wriggling on the ground.

"Rick!"

Ben rushes to my side. Off in the distance, voices are shouting. The shouts are growing louder.

"Come on, we have to go."

"No...," I say with a sigh, pushing past the pain. "You're going. That RPG blast let the whole damn camp know our location. Time is running out, Ben. We can't fight them all and still make it out here. Eve is unconscious and I'm in no position to go anywhere. Leave me here while you get to safety."

"No. You Ranger types, you don't leave a man behind. Leaving you behind...that's suicide..."

I shoot Ben a look and he rolls his eyes.

"Former Staff Sergeant Turner, this is current Lt. Colonel Flag and I'm giving you a direct order. Get Nightshade and get out of here."

He curses under his breath and runs over to Eve, picking her unconscious body up and slinging her over his shoulder.

"Come here, Ben..."

He gets close and I lower my voice.

"Talk to Eve when you get back...we were set up. Faraday lied to us. Find out what angle he's playing."

"I'll do my best, Rick."

"Good. You remember what I told you a few months back, about my great-grandfather?"

"Yeah..."

"Remember what he said to his troops. Better to die on the battlefield with honor than as a coward in the safety of your bed. You're in charge of the Suicide Squad now. It's time for you to carry on for me."

I hold my hand out and Ben takes it with his free hand.

"Carry on."

Ben nods and turns around. With Eve on his back, he runs with the rest of the team. The soldiers are growing closer. I pick myself up and sit upright, pulling my .45 out and aiming towards the sound of their voices. One of the soldiers comes into view. I squeeze off two shots and drop him to the ground.

"Carry on, Ben," I grunt in pain. "Carry on."

A half-dozen more troops come into view, their guns all pointed at me.
From the distance, I hear the whine of a jet engine growing closer and closer.


IC: Bronze Tiger

The jet's almost on top of the camp now as the team climbs the ridge overlooking the camp. I hear the roar and turn back to look at the camp just as the bomb makes impact and the whole camp goes up in a fireball.

The heat from the explosion hurts my face, the wind ruffles my hair and clothing. The four of us just stare as the fiery camp lights up the desert night. Flag says we were double-crossed. If he was right, then Faraday has some explaining to do.

"Attention. Covert Team SS," a voice crackles on the radio. "This is your ride. Call sign is Sheba. I'm currently fifteen klicks from the rendezvous point. ETA is five minutes."

"Come on, we still have a rendezvous to make."

I turn away from the fire, making sure Eve is still secure on my shoulder, and lead the team across the desert towards our ride home.

 

[MST3K 4ever]

Dr. Strange listens as Emily finishes telling all about his mother's poltical dealings.

She says, "What were we discussing Dr. Strange?"

Hugo replies, "Oh things about your dreams and ambitions and your family."

Ellen says, "Oh right did I say anything embarassing about my family? My family inspite of my mother being the Mayor is very private."

Hugo says, "Oh no my dear not at all. It was very useful. One's family can be a great source of motivation. I think we should spend as much together as possible for me to effectively guide you."

Emily replies, "I agree my Mother is hosting a party for Budget Director Higgins. I can get you an invite so you can get a better understanding of me in settings outside of the class room."

Hugo says, "That would be most delightful."

He smiles.

Soon very soon Gotham will be under my command.

 

[MST3K 4ever]

The Atom waits behind a bookend for Pete Ross to enter his office.

I thought he was my friend someone I could trust. He snowjobed me and I'll bet he's sooner or later going to figure out how to find my mother.

Just then Pete enters his office and takes off his jacket followed by his secretary who is taking notes.

He says, "Make sure get a hold of R & D this afternoon. I want those reports on my desk by tomorrow morning I'm supposed to meet with the President tomorrow afternoon, and it would be nice to have something to give him besides a hard time about our budget."

She replies, "Yes Mr. Ross. Oh and Miss Waller has called a record 3rd time this morning. She is demanding you call her asap about her current assignement."

The Atom listens closely.

Her latest assignment Ross you really must think I'm a fool her latest assignment was to take me out wasn't it? You are gonna pay.

Ross replies, "She made her bed now she can lay in it. Besides I here some of the Vendors in Bombay can be just as ruthless as her. Let her stew for a couple more days then I'll call her."

His secretary smiles and nods as Ross says, "I'll call her at 3am her time."

Bombay is she really gone? No! He is lying to her trying to keep her off balance from seeing how cunning he is. When she leaves he is all mine it'll look like a heart attack!
Ross' phone rings and the sceretary answers. She says, "Defense secretary Powell is on the phone."

Ross puts on the speakerphone and says, "Mr. Secretary how are you..."

He motions for his secretary to stay and take notes.

I can wait you out Ross...I may be small but my patience is for getting revenge is large. Just ask your friend Waller.

 

[Spike_x1]

Don't any of them understand just how precious life is? How can they even conceive of wasting it so carelessly?

I've been floating here at a low altitude above the streets of the capitol city of Pokolistan for almost thirty minutes already. Watching. It's a very small country, not big enough or influential enough to warrant much media attention in today's cynical world. Therefore, people who might otherwise care to do something about the warring factions likely haven't heard enough about it all to step in and take action, putting a stop to the bloodbaths that take place here every day.

Not a single one of the monsters fighting below have even stopped to wonder why their bullets haven't hit any of their targets. They're all too absorbed in the experience itself of their conflict and intense hatred for one another to notice that I've been disintegrating each and every bullet that has been moving through the air.

I can sympathize with wanting to fight for what one sees as a potentially better way of life, but this isn't the way. Their mutual murderous rage has overcome any yearning they might have to go about reaching their goals without bloodshed. At this point, I don't care what each of them are specifically fighting for. If they won't live peacefully with one another in this war-torn nation, I'll make them.

"ENOUGH."

It doesn't seem to matter if any of them speak English or not. I've gotten my point across as all of the maniacs cease fire and stare up at me, slack jawed. "No one else dies here today."

The smart ones run away, knowing how futile it is to challenge what I just said. The stupid ones, however...

Bullets pound away at my body as I destroy all of the ricochets. This reaction isn't entirely unexpected, although I can't say that I'm not disappointed. Ignoring the hundreds of tiny, insignificant impacts against my skin, I slowly descend to the ground. I hope that the casual nature of my movements will let them know just how useless their adherence to fighting and brutality actually is while I'm around.

Then I see what the fighters I called "smart" earlier were really running for. They weren't trying to get away from me. They were getting the cavalry.

Dozens more guerrilla fighters come bursting out of the woodwork, guns blazing.

Honestly, my tolerance is reaching its limit.

 

[Spike_x1]

Gotham City.

I have returned.

Spending a month away in the wilderness was more than enough for my purposes. I believe that... no, I know... what is required of me now. Despite my earlier reservations, I will stand my ground and take all that is his. The blood of kings and conquerors flows through my veins and I will now fulfill my destiny at any cost.

Stepping into the taxi outside of the airport, I ignore the driver's language as the car sinks closer to street under my weight. He is not worth the effort it would take to break his bones and find a new taxi. During the ride to my destination, I call to tell Trogg to prepare the organization for my return and for Zombie to ready my equipment. Seeing the sights of the city pass by the windows of the vehicle as I put my phone away might have aroused a sigh of frustration from me at one time. No longer. I am renewed.

"You sure you wanna get off here, buddy?" asks my driver as we pull up to my destination: The Cheetah Club.

A Syndicate operation.

After Sal Maroni's death, I absorbed many of his businesses -both legal and illegal- into my own empire. The Cheetah Club is one such entity that escaped my notice at the time. It has been a part of the Falcone organization since then, which makes it fair game to me.

"Here." I step out of the taxi and pull several hundred dollars out of my jacket. The driver has seen my face, but killing him would be inconvenient to my plans. "You never saw me."

The driver stares at the money in his hand, not having a clue how to proceed, so I give him instruction. "Leave now."

The car pulls away, squealing its tires down the street while I casually walk down an alleyway nearby. Pulling my mask over my face and opening my briefcase to don the rest of my gear, my heartbeat remains steady. I promise myself that I will own everything in Gotham City, or burn it to the ground.

I will rule the night.

 

[Byrd Man]

​

Previously

Spoiler

I pick myself up off the ground and take off after the green guy.

"I have no idea who you are, buddy, but you're about to be a greasy spot on the ground!"

I raise my fist and prepare to strike as I close to gap between us to just two feet...but I suddenly stop moving forward. My legs are going just as fast, but no progress is being made.

Then I look down. There's an emerald treadmill underneath my feet. Even now, as I speed along, the treadmill is keeping pace.

"Ahh, a wise guy, huh?"

Still running in place I bring my arms forward and spin them in a clockwise, creating a pair of cyclones that envelope the green guy and break his concentration, making the treadmill disappear. He seems to shrug off the twisters blowing them away with a projection of a giant green fan. He turns just in time to see me charging at him again.

"STOP!"

A gigantic grean steam locomotive leaps out of his ring and cuts through the air, right at me.

WHAM!

The train knocks me off my feet and continues to chug down an invisible railway a few feet above my body.
"Heh...did...did anyone catch the number of that train?"

I'm preparing to stand up when I'm suddenly lifted in the air, trapped inside an emerald iron lung.

"Listen, Flash," he says as he hovers a few feet beside me. "This is for your own good. You need to snap out of it."

"My thoughts exactly!"

I begin vibrating my body, shaking the projection and causing my attacker's arm to shake with it. I increase the vibration, going faster as I notice the cracks in the projection. It suddenly crumbles and I hit the ground running, going full speed through Southern California and hitting the Mojave Desert at break-neck speeds. I look behind me and see a green streak trying to keep up. I can't help but smirk...that is, until I turn around and run smack dab into a brick wall. A brick wall, made with green bricks and mortar.

WHAM!

I break through the wall and skid a mile or two across the desert sand, coming to a stop right beside a cactus. A shadow is hovering over me.

"Well, you got guts, kid. I'll give you that much."

I roll over and look up at my attacker, now standing on the sand above me.

"But now it's time to wake up."

He shoots chains and locks out of his ring. They wrap around me tightly and prevent me from moving an inch. I struggle and try to vibrate, but can't.

"Alright, J'onn, do your thing."

I struggle against my assailant's bonds, twisting and contorting my body at super speeds. My efforts are useless, though, as the emerald chains wrapped around my body stay in place.

"Lemmegolemmegolemmego!"

"Flash," a calming voice says from behind the green clad attacker. Chet, the big lizard that's been following me everywhere steps out from behind him and stands before me. "It's time for you to wake up."

"No!" Superman shouts, cutting through the air and taking a swipe at Chet. Chet goes intangible and passes his hand through Superman's chest, causing him to shudder and slam into the ground. Superman's body bounces off the desert floor and twists through the air before landing a mile or so away from the three of us.

"Now..where were we? Oh, yes."

Chet's body shifts and moves. While he shrinks slightly and takes on a more human look, his hue remains the same.

"It's time for you to wake up, Flash..."

J'onn J'onzz aka Martian Manhunter, a fellow Justice Leaguer.

"J'onn, what's going on?"

"You're still partially asleep, Flash. You're being manipulated by a powerful telepath that's invaded your dreams. She's strong, it's taking every bit of my mental concentration to project myself inside your dream right now."

"You're not even here?"

"No. I'm currently on Mars, searching my homeworld. I picked up a mental disturbance from the other members of the Justice League. The telepath, she's blocked off your minds to me. My mental link to you all is severely weakened. Which is why I sought out the help of Green Lantern."

"He buzzed my noggin, told me the situation so I said I would help out. I'm apparently mentally connected to him through you or something like that. He uses big words lots of times, I just zone out."

"Well, let me out and I'll help you guys out."

"Not yet, Flash. The telepath still has her claws in you. You're still susceptible to her mind control. You need to fully wake up."

"How do I do that?"

J'onn's mouth twitches slightly, a slight smirk on his face.

"Green Lantern?"

"Right on."

My chains dissolve away and turn into a catapult with me sitting inside of it, ready to launch.

"Oh, nononono!"

"Take it from my, kid, nothing wakes you up faster than that feeling of falling."

Green Lantern hits the switch and the catapult shoots me in the sky.

"AHHHHH!"

I twirl through the air and begin to fall. My stomach lurches and I feel close to puking. Suddenly, my eyesight clears up and a fog that I didn't even know was there recedes from my brain.

I'm awake.

But I'm still falling.

"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"

I'm ten feet from the ground when a giant green pillow appears on the ground and breaks my fall. I bounce up and down on it a few times until all my momentum is gone.

"That was fun, huh?"

I stand up and walk off the pillow, shooting Green lantern a dirty look.

"I'm afraid of heights, you jerk."

"Really? Besides the wet stain on your tights, I hadn't noticed."

I look down at my crotch, only to find it dry.

"Real funny."

Green Lantern smiles and winks.
"We need to focus," J'onn says from inside my head. "Now that you're awake, Flash. We need to do the same to the other members of the Justice League. If you and Green Lantern can restrain them, I can reestablish my mental link with them and help wake them up."

"We're on it. Where do you need us first?"

"Metropolis. The Atom is dangerously close to committing murder. After that it's to Gotham and Batman. He's running amok in an insane asylum."

"What about Supes?"

"Those two are the ones in need of help the most right now. It's triage. Hurry before you can't save her."

"We're on our way."

I turn to Green Lantern.

"Think you can keep up?"

"Please. Just point me to this Atom and I'll do the ass-kicking that needs to be done."

"Beating up a tiny woman? That's mighty brave of you."

"And you're real bold, Mr. I'm-Afraid-Of-Heights."

"That has a nice ring to it. The brave and the-"

"Bold? Yeah, it does."

"I was going to say beautiful...but bold works better."

With that, I take off. Green Lantern takes off behind me, managing to keep up rather well. He flies behind me in my wake as we race across the country to Metropolis.

 

[Carnage27]

Cyborg
~Origins~
​

"You ready?" Mike McDaniels asks as the team crams into the tunnel that leads to the field. Mike is a senior, and a second-team All American from last year. "Because we're gonna need you tonight. Gotham has one hell of a defense."

​

I nod to him, even though I'm not exactly sure I believe it. Sure, I've played in front of some big crowds before, and I know I'm one hell of a player. But this is big time college football. It actually matters now. And the team is looking at me to carry the load this year.

Before I know it, my teammates in front of me explode out of the tunnel, and I break into a sprint to follow. I emerge into the cheers and screams of our hometown crowd, and the adrenaline immediately kick in.

Oh yea. I'm ready for this.

**********

"The handoff goes to Stone on the counter play. Stone fines a whole and he's into the secondary! Stone bowls over the safety Jones and is into the open field. Twenty! Fifteen! Ten! Five! TOUCHDOWN MU!" the announcer screams from the TV. "With ten seconds left in the game, Metropolis U is going to win this game thanks to super-freshman Victor Stone! Two touchdowns today, and one hundred forty-five yards on the ground. A spectacular game, and a spectacular way to start this young man's career."

"Spectacular is an apt word for the young man. A gift maybe. I'm glad you brought him to my attention."

"He seems to be the perfect candidate. Physically gifted, above-average intelligence, and seemingly durable to survive Division 1 college football. Shall I begin the preparations?"

"Yes. But be careful. Make sure he survives. This may be our only chance at this, and I've waited too long to fail."

**********

"One hell of a game, you guys! One hell of a game!" Coach yells to the assembled team, and we cheer out with him. "We showed the country that we deserve our ranking! Hell, we showed 'em we deserve to be ranked HIGHER!" Another cheer from the team and I. "And tonight's game ball goes to a man who showed us all why we recruited him so hard coming outta high school. Victor Stone!"

I stand on the chair next to the coach, and he hands me the ball, and the entire team mobs me. This is the reason I play college football. To win, and to help my teammates win.

"This is the first of many, boys!" I yell. "We're going all the way this year! No one is stopping us!"

**********

After I shower and change into my street clothes, I leave the locker room and head back for my dorm, exhausted. As I exit the stadium, a voice calls out behind me, "Hey 27, great game!"

​

I turn around to find Linda aka Kara Danvers smiling at me. Some of my other teammates give me elbows and smiles as they pass by. I smile and let them pass before heading back towards Linda, "Hey, so you did come."

"Oh, well, you know," she smiles playfully. "What's a girl to do when everyone else is here on a Saturday night. I have to admit, this might impress me more than being a mechanical engineering major. Of course it could also be the other sixty thousand screaming fans."

"Yea, they do have a bit of an affect, huh?" I smile back. "You should hear them on the field."

"I think I'll let you take the bone crushing hits, thank you very much," she laughs. I can't help but notice how cute of a laugh it is. "Going to a big victory party tonight?"

"If by big victory party you mean homework," I sigh, "then yea, I'm headed to a big party."

"Aw, the life of a superstar is so rough," she responds rolling her eyes. "Want some company?"

"Yea...that'd be great," I nod and lead her back to my dorm. Once there, I plop down on my futon and open a book and get cracking on homework problems.

Linda turns on the TV, which automatically goes to ESPN, and our highlights are on. She looks at me weird, "Is it crazy to watch yourself on TV?"

"Yea, especially when they talk about how good I am," I respond without looking up. "It's weird when people who never met you are talking about you like the second coming or something."

"Yea, I know the feeling," she mutters. I barely make it out.

"Huh?" I ask, looking up from my book.

She shakes her head, seemingly a bit distraught, "Oh, nothing. Wanna put on a movie?"

"Sure, go for it," I nod. The next two hours I spend barely paying attention to my work. I'm too engrossed with the beautiful girl sitting next to me. We barely pay attention to the movie, the two of us are too busy talking to each other, finding out more and more about each other. But the more I learn, the more I feel she's holding things back.

But I don't care, I'm having too much fun. And I can always finish my homework tomorrow.
​

 

[Saved]

To understand Arkham Island, you have to understand madness.

Because that's what it is. Madness.

Not the source of a cure, not an alternative means of therapy. It has become the very subject of it's treatments and exists only to torture it's disturbed prisoners. All the while it fools us all into believing it's an institution designed for the greater good, determined to weed out the sickness - the disease of madness - from the human mind in order to create a safer world where a place like Gotham City would never exist. And in a display of the true level of this city's corruption, it has been allowed to operate under the jurisdictions of the law without consequence.

Everyone in Gotham knows how it began. The man who erected the first of the Island's asylums, Amadeus Arkham, committed suicide after murdering his wife and three of his children in a rave of delusions brought upon months of listening to the woes of schizophrenics. His successor became a serial killer. Followed by a cannibal that ate his patients. Followed by a religious extremist that burned down the local churches. Even Arkham's own great grandson recently had a psychotic breakdown that nearly took the life of one of my closest friends. It isn't a result of coincidence. I'm convinced of that now.

Arkham is an entity. An entity that consumes and possesses it's inhabitants with despair and torment. It has to be taken apart from the inside, dismantled, and left to burn to the ground. Through the clarity of my dreams, I've finally realized what I have to do to win the war. Make an example of the fruit of it's labors. To ensure that this can be accomplished, I've let go of the deeper instincts that have held me back. The voices in my head that keep telling me this is wrong, that I'm going in reckless.

To hell with that. There's always a way back. For now, I need to concentrate. Because the mission has just reached it's point of no return.

During that first year after returning to Gotham, I spent several months preparing myself with careful study of the city's intricacies. Arkham was no exception. Securing the blueprints for the Asylum was simple enough, I learned where to go and how operate myself around maximum security and the cell blocks. The hard part was figuring out the methods I'd use to disable security and take out the staff, if I were ever forced to do so in the event of a breakout. Arkham's security guards switch shifts on a periodic table, it only occurs at certain times. For the guards outside of the gate on the night staff, it's at 3:00 AM.

It's already 3:01 and I'm watching them make their final rounds from afar.

My plan is simple. Disable the clearance modules through Oracle's encryption systems. Replace the cameras with a five minute loop if I can't disable the alarms. Disconnect telecommunications to buy me some time before anyone attempts to call the police. Then work my way out of Intensive Treatment and systematically take down the security guards by floor. Avoid the doctors unless it's decided a necessary action. I've armed myself with chloroform, batarangs, and flash grenades for any roaming patients. By the time the panic starts, evacuation of the staff should commence, allowing for my next phase to take place.

By the time I reach the Arkham Mansion on the West of the Island, I'll pick the locks and have access to my primary target - the foundation pipes for sewage and water, wires for electricity, tunnels to the basements. That's where I set up a series of remote charges that'll blow the main Asylum off of the face of the Earth. And every single psychopath it holds with it.

The rest are variables. And I intend to let nothing stand in my way.

Arkham burns tonight.

"Oracle, patch me into the control module for the front gate of Arkham Asylum."

By now, it should be giving me the prompt for the access codes I was given by Jason. Instead, I'm given something peculiar. Talkback.

Do You Really Think That's Such A Wise Move, Mr. Wayne? Maybe You Should Think This Over. You Don't Seem Like Yourself Right Now.

Hhn. The artificial intelligence is acting more potent than usual. Guess that upgrade's finally kicking in. But only at the most inopportune moment imaginable, as it usually does. Taking a firm tone to fit my current mood, I tape the side of my cowl and link into Oracle's main database.

"Don't ever question my commands. Open the goddamn gate."

A moment later, and I'm in. Gate opens a few minutes after. I can hear the guards heading to the front to investigate what's going on. They don't see me creep up behind them as they look at eachother in confusion, watching them from the bushes. The fools. They've been drafted by an enemy they didn't even know existed. But I did, and I swear on everything that has taken me to this moment, I will free them of this sanctum of hell.

I leap out of the shadows and grab them both from behind, securing them with a nerve pinch to each neck. They both fall onto the concrete like a pair of ragdolls. Searching through their belts, I grab both of their clearance cards and stuff them into my boot. Satisfied, I grunt and sneak my way through the gate. This is it. This is going to take me further beyond anything I could have thought in my mission to cleanse Gotham of evil. They'll talk about this night long after I'm dead.

This is where I become the hero Gotham deserves.

Red Hood​

Jason sits in his swiveling chair behind his desk. Intently, he stares at the computer screen before him, his fingers clicking away at the mouse as he moves between two browsers. On one screen his bank accounts rest open before him - the staggering totals kept hidden from all but himself. At the base of a spendature list is a peculiar purchase- an unlisted transaction coming to a large amount. Jason clicks through the red tape, approving the purchase with brash intensity. As he completes the transaction, he grins slightly - a secret thought running round in the bowels of his mind.​

Minimizing the window, he turns his attention to a computer program he has running. Using his best knowledge, he has the script encoded and hidden from Arkham's main servers. The program is directly linked to the computers back at Jason's apartment; it consistently runs a search and check of various indecrepencies in Gotham's info-net. Wearily, Jason rubs his eyes as the program runs. He waits eagerly, perhaps impatently now, for a lead in his search for the escaped Arkham inmate William Tockman.​

Suddenly, a message pops up on Jason's main Arkham account. As the assistant director, part of his new duties include monitoring shift changes and unscheduled arrivals. Every time a gate, door, cell, or corridor is opened without having been preapproved the previous day, Jason must approve it himself.​

Jason moves the mouse to the alert and opens it to view the pending action. He sees the heading, "security: front gate".​

"Curious," he says as he delves deeper.​

::: Report :::
Type: Clearance
Details: Main Gate unlocked and opened.
Reason: Undefined
Approval: Pending ...​

"Hmm, very strange," Jason speaks aloud as he rubs his chin. "No reason for the gate to be opened at this hour." Jason picks up the phone and dials a code before hearing the familiar dial tone.​

"Front Gate, this is Assistant Director Todd," he speaks. "Hello?" No reply. Jason rises to his feet and grabs a packet of paper, the night shift roster, at the other end of his office. He rifles through it as he looks for the list of security guards supposedly on duty.​

"Horrace," he says, grabbing the phone and bringing it back to his face. "Horrace!" Still no reply. Jason slams the phone down in a burst of anger. He moves back to the computer and promptly closes out of all the windows, including his specialized program. "Wasting my time," he mutters aggressively. "Someone's going to answer for this ridiculous lack of respect. "No wonder the security here is terrible." ​

Moments Later ... ​

Jason soon finds himself at the front gate, treking down the long dirt road to the security station. As he reaches the building, he opens the door open with a loud bang. "Alright, where's-" he cuts himself short as he finds something he hadn't expected to see. Propped up against the wall are the two guards, carefully tucked away out of sight - completely unconscious. "What the..." ​

Jason gets in close to investigate; he anaylzed the two guards as he looks for any clues. As he turns the one over, he finds his smoking gun - a small gray smudge on the back of his light blue uniform. Jason rubs his finger over the infintesimal piece of grime, picking it up in one pass. He brings it right to the tip of his nose and analyzes it with a brief sniff and a careful eye.​

"Well, well, well," he says with a grin, an odd calmness overtaking him. "It appears there's a bat in the belfrey."​

Jason pulls off his white coat and lies it carefully on the table inside the small outpost. Loosening his tie and unbuttoning his shirt, Jason sheds his garments to reveal his tight spandex body suit beneath. He reaches into a pocket at the breast and pulls out a small, red domino mask. With precision and tact, he rests the mask over his face - fixing it into position in one attempt.​

"Ashame I didn't have sufficient notice," he says in a determined tone. "It doesn't matter. I have a rodent infestation to resolve."
​

 

[Byrd Man]

​

Previously

Spoiler

30 Miles North of Maidugur
Nigeria
05:15 Local Time

The RPG blasts towards us.

"Get down, get down, get down!"

I push Eve to the ground and fall beside her. Lawton and Vertigo hits the deck and Turner grabs Blitzkrieg, shielding the smaller woman from the RPG as it passes over our heads and hits the hut.

BOOM!

The headquarters of the camp goes up in a fireball. The concussion blast sends the six of us in the air and scatters us like shotgun pellets. I land on the ground hard and hear my shoulder pop as shrapnel tears into me. My ears are ringing and I try to stand. Time's running short. We only have a few minutes before a laser-guided bomb turns this whole camp into a crater.

Standing on shaking legs, I look around and try to survey the damage. Vertigo is slowly picking himself up. Deadshot is still laying on the ground where he easily picks off our attacker with a shot from his rifle. Blitzkrieg and Bronze Tiger are already on their feet. Ben is standing over Eve, who hasn't moved yet. The folder with the proof we need is beside her, burnt to a crisp by the explosion.

"Ben...is she?"

"No. Just unconscious. She must have got her bell rung pretty damn go-"

Ben stop short as he looks up at me.

"Flag..."

He points towards my midsection. I look down and see a piece of wood sticking in my gut. I hadn't even felt it.

"Huh...Would you look at that..."

The pain kicks in and I crumple to the ground, gritting my teeth and wriggling on the ground.

"Rick!"

Ben rushes to my side. Off in the distance, voices are shouting. The shouts are growing louder.

"Come on, we have to go."

"No...," I say with a sigh, pushing past the pain. "You're going. That RPG blast let the whole damn camp know our location. Time is running out, Ben. We can't fight them all and still make it out here. Eve is unconscious and I'm in no position to go anywhere. Leave me here while you get to safety."

"No. You Ranger types, you don't leave a man behind. Leaving you behind...that's suicide..."

I shoot Ben a look and he rolls his eyes.

"Former Staff Sergeant Turner, this is current Lt. Colonel Flag and I'm giving you a direct order. Get Nightshade and get out of here."

He curses under his breath and runs over to Eve, picking her unconscious body up and slinging her over his shoulder.

"Come here, Ben..."

He gets close and I lower my voice.

"Talk to Eve when you get back...we were set up. Faraday lied to us. Find out what angle he's playing."

"I'll do my best, Rick."

"Good. You remember what I told you a few months back, about my great-grandfather?"

"Yeah..."

"Remember what he said to his troops. Better to die on the battlefield with honor than as a coward in the safety of your bed. You're in charge of the Suicide Squad now. It's time for you to carry on for me."

I hold my hand out and Ben takes it with his free hand.

"Carry on."

Ben nods and turns around. With Eve on his back, he runs with the rest of the team. The soldiers are growing closer. I pick myself up and sit upright, pulling my .45 out and aiming towards the sound of their voices. One of the soldiers comes into view. I squeeze off two shots and drop him to the ground.

"Carry on, Ben," I grunt in pain. "Carry on."

A half-dozen more troops come into view, their guns all pointed at me.
From the distance, I hear the whine of a jet engine growing closer and closer.


IC: Bronze Tiger

The jet's almost on top of the camp now as the team climbs the ridge overlooking the camp. I hear the roar and turn back to look at the camp just as the bomb makes impact and the whole camp goes up in a fireball.

The heat from the explosion hurts my face, the wind ruffles my hair and clothing. The four of us just stare as the fiery camp lights up the desert night. Flag says we were double-crossed. If he was right, then Faraday has some explaining to do.

"Attention. Covert Team SS," a voice crackles on the radio. "This is your ride. Call sign is Sheba. I'm currently fifteen klicks from the rendezvous point. ETA is five minutes."

"Come on, we still have a rendezvous to make."

I turn away from the fire, making sure Eve is still secure on my shoulder, and lead the team across the desert towards our ride home.

Belle Reve Federal Penitentiary
Terrebonne Parish, Louisiana


IC: Bronze Tiger

I watch Nightshade slow and steady breaths from her hospital bed in the infirmary. She's been unconscious ever since Nigeria, going on forty hours now. The doctors say she's alright, but we'll find out when she finally wakes up.

"Checking up on her?"

I turn around as Faraday strolls into the infirmary.

"You should get some rest, Turner, tomorrow's a big day."

"What are you talking about?"

"You made it through all your missions alive. First time we've had this happen, but you're getting your sentence commuted to time served. Economos has got your pardon ready to go."

I turn back around at look at Nightshade.

"No."

"No?" Faraday walks up beside me with a curious look on his face. "Why the hell not?"

"The mission isn't over until we recover Flag's body."

"Please. Did you see that blast? All that's left of Flag is a greasy spot in the desert. All that 'no man left behind' crap is just that: crap. Even if Flag's body is mostly intact, he's been erased from the system. Rick Flag III never served in the US Army. His military career died at that camp."

I turn on Faraday, staring him in the face.

"Speaking of that...you said that was a training camp members of the Jihad were using...but I never saw any signs or indications it was them."

"You know how it is," Faraday says with a shrug. "Jihad is real quiet. You didn't except a huge banner announcing that it was their camp, did you?"

"No...but I did happen to notice a few of the trucks and jeeps had African Petroleum stamped on the sides of them."

Faraday's face turns to stone. He looks me over impassively before turning to walk away.

"Economos will see you in the morning, Turner. He'll get you ready for release."

I walk after Faraday.

"No. Talk to me Faraday, what the hell went on out there? You got Rick killed!"

Faraday stops and spins, pointing his right index finger at me.

"This conversation never happened, Turner. You so much as breath a word to anyone about the mission and I will tear your pardon up and make sure you spend the rest of your twenty years in a deep, dark hole you can never get out of."

He pulls his hand back and rolls back the sleeve of his left jacket, revealing a metallic wristband identical to the one Flag wore on missions.

"Or better yet, I'll go ahead and bump your sentence up to capital punishment."

"You son of a *****..."

"I'm calling the guards, Turner. Get back to your cell before they get here or else."

With that, Faraday storms out of the infirmary in a huff. I shake my head and turn back to Nightshade.

"Dammit, Rick. Why'd you have to up and die on me like an ***hole?"


12 Hours Later

Economos leads me to the front gate. I'm in the same cheap suit I wore the day I was sentenced. In my arms is a box of my things. Books, a few pictures.

"Here's the end of the line, Turner," Economos say as we come to the prison exit. "One more parting gift."

Economos reaches into his pocket and pulls out a vial of clear liquid. "Drink this. It'll take a few days, but it'll wash the nanites out of your system. Gets rid of that nasty little thing in the back of your head."

I take the vial with one free hand and place it in the box.

"Thanks."

"I called a taxi from New Orleans. They're waiting outside and they'll take you as far as the city. After that, you're on your own You know the drill, stay out of trouble and keep your mouth shut when it comes to your work with the Squad."

I slit my eyes and think about Faraday.

"Yeah, I got it..."

"Well, best of luck, Ben. Hope I never see you again...I mean that in a good way."

"Yeah," I say with a chuckle. "I got what you meant."

I walk out of the prison and across the dirt path towards an idling taxi. For the first time in years, I'm free...but it's a hollow victory. Flag's dead, Faraday is crooked, and I sullied my freedom by not getting justice for Rick.

****

Benjamin Turner climbs into the back of the taxi cab and the car pulls away down the dirt road of the Louisiana Bayou. Across the parking lot of the prison, a black sedan starts up. The serious looking man puts the car in drive and rolls forward.

Pressing the gas, he speeds the car up and pulls on to the dirt road, following the clouds of dust the cab leaves in its wake. The dark-haired man lays his left hand across the top of the wheel. The glove on his hand fits tight and rides up, showing just a hint of metal at the wrist.



"Yes, ma'am," the man says into a mic on his wrist. "They're on the move. I'm following. Sarge out."​

 

[MST3K 4ever]

The Atom waits patiently as Pete & his Secretary continue their conversation with the Secretary Powell.

I've got to give Waller some credit to get into her former position she had to put up with a lot of B-S conversations like this. If this gets any longer I may have to risk everything and try to take Ross out with his secretary in the room. Not a problem I can make it look like a heart-attack very easily.

Secretary Powell says, "Pete what's the latest from our operative in London concerning the attempted bombing at the palace?"

Pete replies, "Tell you what Mr. Secretary I'm supposed to have a briefing with him in about 10 minutes. We can link you to the video conference and if you have any questions you can address him personally."

Powell replies, "That sounds good to me call me when you're ready."

Pete says, "Yes Sir Mr. Secretary."

The two hang up and Pete and his secretary leave the room closing the door.

The Atom is furious.

Oh no Ross! You're not getting away from me that easily! I don't care who sees it you've just lived your last full hour on Earth!

She floats down off the shelf and begins to float to the door.

 

[Byrd Man]

​

En Route

I pass through Missouri without a second look. Green Lantern is flying right beside me. To his credit, he's keeping up...but then again I'm not going full-speed either.

"...so each Green Lantern is responsible for keeping order in their space sector."

"So you're a space cop?"

"Pretty much, except not any jerk who wants to push people around can be one. You have to be chosen. You have to have willpower and the ability to overcome fear."

"So you're like Jedi?"

Cutting across Illinois and Indiana now. Both states pass by in a blur, as does Ohio.

"We're a lot like Jedis, even have little green dudes in charge."

"Dude," I say with an eyeroll as we race across Pennsylvania to New York. "The word 'Jedis' doesn't exist. Jedi is like moose, it's both singular and plural. How do you now know that?"

"Sorry, it's my fault. I spent my time in high school getting laid."

"...Yeah, well...you suck..."

Green Lantern snickers as we tear through New York and reach Massachusetts and Metropolis.

"J'onn, are you still with us?"

~Yes. Atom is on the other side of the city, preparing to murder an innocent man. Follow my directions and I will get you there~

We follow J'onn's directions to the letter and wind up right where we need to be.

​

The two hang up and Pete and his secretary leave the room closing the door.

The Atom is furious.

Oh no Ross! You're not getting away from me that easily! I don't care who sees it you've just lived your last full hour on Earth!

She floats down off the shelf and begins to float to the door.

I vibrate through the wall and come to a skidding stop in the office. Green Lantern is floating outside, waiting to be let in.

"Atom!" I call out in the office, unable to see her. "It's me...Flash, where are you?"

 

[MST3K 4ever]

​

Green Lantern snickers as we tear through New York and reach Massachusetts and Metropolis.

"J'onn, are you still with us?"

~Yes. Atom is on the other side of the city, preparing to murder an innocent man. Follow my directions and I will get you there~

We follow J'onn's directions to the letter and wind up right where we need to be.



I vibrate through the wall and come to a skidding stop in the office. Green Lantern is floating outside, waiting to be let in.

The Atom begins to float down to the bottom of the door when she hears


"Atom!" "It's me...Flash, where are you?"

The sound of Flash's voice stop her in her tracks.

Flash? A Justice League member? Here how?

She turns and grows back to 6 inches in height.

The Atom floats over to Flash and with a crazed look in her eyes she says, "Flash! Wow I'm glad to see you! I can use your help!"

She moves a little closer and says, "There's something we have to do. It's morally questionable, but if we don't stop him he'll destroy not only the Justice League but every Meta-Human on the planet! It's for the greater good! We have to stop him! No one else can! This organization is too powerful!"

The Atom can tell Flash is not exactly on the same page.

She says pleadingly with desperation in her eyes, "PLEASE FLASH YOU HAVE TO HELP ME! WE HAVE TO STOP HIM AND SAVE OURSELVES! PLEASE HELP ME!"

 

[Byrd Man]

She turns and grows back to 6 inches in height.

The Atom floats over to Flash and with a crazed look in her eyes she says, "Flash! Wow I'm glad to see you! I can use your help!"

She moves a little closer and says, "There's something we have to do. It's morally questionable, but if we don't stop him he'll destroy not only the Justice League but every Meta-Human on the planet! It's for the greater good! We have to stop him! No one else can! This organization is too powerful!"

The Atom can tell Flash is not exactly on the same page.

She says pleadingly with desperation in her eyes, "PLEASE FLASH YOU HAVE TO HELP ME! WE HAVE TO STOP HIM AND SAVE OURSELVES! PLEASE HELP ME!"

~She's still in her dream world, Flash. I need to get inside her thoughts to help wake her up. Try to keep her calm while I work.~

~I'll do what I can.~

I turn to Atom and put on a calming look.

"Don't worry. It's all going to be okay. Talk to me and I'll help you any way I can. Now, what's going on exactly?"

 

[Carnage27]

Cyborg
~Origins~
​

"Come on, rook," McDaniels says, patting me on the back hard. "You gotta come out with us tonight. We know you don't have class tomorrow, and our game this weekend is a joke. We'll never have a better chance during the season. Don't be the lame rookie."

I shrug, not sure of whether or not I want to go to this party with the team. I don't want to be left as the team outsider. We all need to work together to make it to our ultimate goal, and being viewed as the loner isn't going to help in that department.

"Yea, sure," I nod. " Can't hurt. Who's driving?"

"Not sure yet, we'll figure out later."

**********

"You're going there?" Linda asks, seemingly disgusted over the phone.

I sigh, " Yea, with the team. I've been putting this night off for months. They've been trying to take me drinking since spring practice, and I've been pushing it off since May. Don't wanna destroy team morale or anything like that. Wanna come?"

"And watch as you're mobbed by the assorted football ****s in attendance? No thanks," she jokes, even though it's that joking-tone where you know the girl isn't really joking. "Besides, I've got homework to do. Not all of us can have off on a weekday."

"Alright, guess I'll just have to hang out with a football ****," I respond jokingly.

"Watch yourself, mister."

**********

It's an hour and a half into the party, and I'm already sick of it. I mean don't get me wrong, the atmosphere is great, but the people are terrible. Even though I knew they existed, I really wasn't expecting to be mobbed by the girls like Linda joked about.

But holy crap are they persistent. "Jenny" has accosted me three times, "Gina" twice, and "Jamie" is winning so far with seven tries to get me to go home with her. It's insane. I shouldn't feel too bad about rejecting them, though. It looks like my teammates are gobbling up the others I've rejected. It's sick, but hell, they enjoy it so who am I to judge.

I slide up to Jack Peterson, our punter who got roped into driving tonight. He's a good kid, but he doesn't look to happy to be the designated drive. "How's it going Jack?"

"Could be better," he says as he takes a sip of water. "Why don't punters get any tail?"

I don't know whether to laugh or be confused. The other guys told me he's gay, and I wouldn't be surprised if he's just putting on a show for the rookie. "Because you're a punter, man."

"Yea, I guess," he says and heads out to the backyard, leaving me to another advance from Gina.

"Listen, I have a girlfriend," I respond before she even says anything. It's a lie, even though I'd like it not to be. As much as my teammates may hate it, I've been wishing I stayed home and hung out with Linda. She's basically all I can think about anymore.

**********

Outside, Jack sits on the back of his car smoking. He knows he shouldn't but as the smart-ass Stone just told him, he's just a punter.

As he takes a long drag, a tall, handsome, blond guy stumbles up and leans on the car next to him, "Hell of a party, huh?"

"Oh, I wouldn't know," Jack responds, shaking his bottle of water. "Designated driver."

"Doesn't mean you can't have some fun," the man says, and leans in, kissing Jack. The punter puts down his water bottle during the embrace, not noticing as the mystery man places a pill into the liquid, and it dissolves. He breaks the kiss, and says, "Maybe I'll cya around sometime."

"Yea..."

**********

After another hour of torture at the party, we're on our way home, and luckily I call shotgun and hop in the front seat, leaving three of my drunk teammates in the backseat. Even Jack seems to be in a better mood, but I have no idea why.

The first few moments of the ride home are uneventful, save for the guys in the back yelling out about how awesome the party was, and about how many hot chicks were there were.

But then, as we're passing over Hobb's River, Jack, without warning slumps over the wheel and the car careens over the rail and towards the river. I can't even react, it all happens so fast. As the windshield turns to face the water, my teammates start to scream behind me, but their voices are drowned out. Time slows down, and all I can think of is my parents, my friends, and yea Linda.

I know I'm never going to see any of them again. I know I'm never going to play football again. I know I'm never gonna go on a date again or kiss a girl, or-

And then the car explodes, flinging me into the night sky, and as I tumble towards the water, I go into shock, losing consciousness.

**********

"Well, did you retrieve him?"

"Yes, sir. Badly burned and broken, but nothing beyond repair. We've placed him in the induced coma as you instructed. We will be moving him to the facility now."

"Good. I want the procedure to begin as soon as we're prepared."
​

 

[MST3K 4ever]

~She's still in her dream world, Flash. I need to get inside her thoughts to help wake her up. Try to keep her calm while I work.~

~I'll do what I can.~

I turn to Atom and put on a calming look.

"Don't worry. It's all going to be okay. Talk to me and I'll help you any way I can. Now, what's going on exactly?"

The Atom takes a couple of deep breaths and gathers her thoughts.

Okay Bishop always taught me not to let the situation overwhelm me, but to work the situation and not let it work me. Flash is, I guess he is, a friend. I can trust him, but I gotta be careful how much I reveal otherwise two & two will come together and my secret identity is out.

She says, "I know I sound borderline psychotic right now, but this guy Pete Ross is the head of an organization named Checkmate they monitor metahuman activity. Well I thought I could trust him he helped me out with getting some equipment for our HQ and turned over the list he had of all known metahumans with bios and videos the whole deal."

The Atom takes another deep breath and says, "It turns out though he is working with a supposedly defunct organization called CADMUS a very dangerous organization within Checkmate, and an agent named Waller it's the only way to explain what's happened to me today. It's the only thing that makes sense. I know things about the CIA, Checkmate, CADMUS that would make your head spin Flash!"

She steadies herself and says, "Flash we stop Ross the nightmare and the threat is over for us. Now you see why I need your help. We have to stop them!"

 

[MST3K 4ever]

Giganta watches Majestic and Black Adam battle it is truly a magnificent sight to behold. The two battle to a stand still until Adam summons a barrage of lighting bolts and Majestic is staggering but so is Black Adam.

Time to strike while Adam is recovering.

She moves quickly and grabs Black Adam in her hands.

Seeing Majestic is back to full strength Giganta says, "This time I won't make the same mistake! !"

And with that she begins to stretch on Black Adam and he lets out a cry of agony that echos throughout the land.

She nods at Majestic who flies at Black Adam and upon impact Adam's body is torn apart like meat from a chicken bone. The area transforms quickly from a Temple setting back to a mountain top area.

The people gathered look around and are slowly coming out of their dazed state.

They see Giganta and they quickly retreat back their village.

Giganta tells Majestic, "Let's take care of disposing Black Adam and I'll file a report with Mr. Luthor. Then you can head back to the villa or to Metropolis your choice. You more than proved your worth to Mr. Luthor Majestic."

She takes the bottom half of the Black Adam and flings it into the ocean. Still holding the upper half she rips his head off. Giganta digs her heel into the ground and gives the upper half to Majestic. He buries it deep into the ground and Giganta moves some dirt her heel and covers it.

Giganta returns to normal size and takes a picture of herself and Majestic holding Black Adam's head. She then types out a brief report on her L-Pad Stating the following:

--Mission Accomplished.
--Majestic fought with honor and has proven himself.
--Remains of Black Adam disposed of. Half in Ocean other half on land. Head will be dealt with.
--Heading back to Coasta Mirada villa for a few days of downtime. Majestic heading to either the Villa or Metropolis..

She uploads the picture and sends the report on to Lex. Majestic and her shake hands and congratulate one another on their mission.

As Majestic takes flight Doris puts Black Adam's head in a special bag and then begins to make her way off the mountain.

She arrives back to the villa in Coasta Mirada, changes, steps into the hot-tub with glass of Champagne, and orders not to be disturbed unless Lex contacts her.

Holding up the glass she says, "And to the victor goes the spoils."

 

[Byrd Man]

​

The Atom takes a couple of deep breaths and gathers her thoughts.

Okay Bishop always taught me not to let the situation overwhelm me, but to work the situation and not let it work me. Flash is, I guess he is, a friend. I can trust him, but I gotta be careful how much I reveal otherwise two & two will come together and my secret identity is out.

She says, "I know I sound borderline psychotic right now, but this guy Pete Ross is the head of an organization named Checkmate they monitor metahuman activity. Well I thought I could trust him he helped me out with getting some equipment for our HQ and turned over the list he had of all known metahumans with bios and videos the whole deal."

The Atom takes another deep breath and says, "It turns out though he is working with a supposedly defunct organization called CADMUS a very dangerous organization within Checkmate, and an agent named Waller it's the only way to explain what's happened to me today. It's the only thing that makes sense. I know things about the CIA, Checkmate, CADMUS that would make your head spin Flash!"

She steadies herself and says, "Flash we stop Ross the nightmare and the threat is over for us. Now you see why I need your help. We have to stop them!"

~The telepath is playing into her paranoia. Keep her calm, I'm starting to puncture the telepath's barriers and they will most likely try to lash out at you through Atom. Try to focus her attention elsewhere and be prepared if she acts violently.~

"Atom, you know me. You're my friend, so how about we just clam things down? Whoever this Ross is, he can wait. I need your help with something, Atom, something only you can fix."

 

[MST3K 4ever]

~The telepath is playing into her paranoia. Keep her calm, I'm starting to puncture the telepath's barriers and they will most likely try to lash out at you through Atom. Try to focus her attention elsewhere and be prepared if she acts violently.~

"Atom, you know me. You're my friend, so how about we just clam things down? Whoever this Ross is, he can wait. I need your help with something, Atom, something only you can fix."

The Atom is now wrestling with the debate within.

Help the League or finally end my nightmare with the CIA?

The Atom says, "A mission what kind of..."

She pauses and her mind begins to become an intense ball of confusion.

Ross is using them. He got to The League! What have I done???? I led him right to the League and now he got them.

She says, "Flash they got to you! That's gotta be it! No wait you don't know about them, but maybe you do I...I don't know...I..."

The Atom then looks up with an almost savage look and says, "If you're not going to help me you've got to be stopped!"

She grabs a letter opener and lunges towards The Flash.

The Atom says very focused and cold, "Sorry it has to end this way Flash! I really liked you, but it's time to end this!"

 

[Byrd Man]

​

The Atom is now wrestling with the debate within.

Help the League or finally end my nightmare with the CIA?

The Atom says, "A mission what kind of..."

She pauses and her mind begins to become an intense ball of confusion.

Ross is using them. He got to The League! What have I done???? I led him right to the League and now he got them.

She says, "Flash they got to you! That's gotta be it! No wait you don't know about them, but maybe you do I...I don't know...I..."

The Atom then looks up with an almost savage look and says, "If you're not going to help me you've got to be stopped!"

She grabs a letter opener and lunges towards The Flash.

The Atom says very focused and cold, "Sorry it has to end this way Flash! I really liked you, but it's time to end this!"

I step to the side and avoid Atom's attack ages before she even gets close. The benefits of super speed, I guess.

"You're still asleep! Wake up! C'mon, this isn't you."

I grab Atom by the wrist and dodge the her as she stabs at me with the letter opener. All of a sudden, she disappears. No...disappear isn't the right word...she shrinks.

"Ack!"

I reach for my throat as it closes up. There's something blocking my air passage, something tiny. She's strangling me from the inside.

"Gee L! Heep mi!" I try to call out for GL, but my voice comes out small and raspy. My vision is going black and I crumble to the ground. Gasping for air, I try a last ditch effort. Vibrating my body, I start to become intangible. Atom tries to hold on, but she passes through my throat and hits the floor. I gasp and cough as air rushes back into my lungs.

"GL," I call out in a choked voice, rubbing my throat. "I've got a situation here!"

 

[MST3K 4ever]

I step to the side and avoid Atom's attack ages before she even gets close. The benefits of super speed, I guess.

"You're still asleep! Wake up! C'mon, this isn't you."

I grab Atom by the wrist and dodge the her as she stabs at me with the letter opener. All of a sudden, she disappears. No...disappear isn't the right word...she shrinks.

"Ack!"

I reach for my throat as it closes up. There's something blocking my air passage, something tiny. She's strangling me from the inside.

"Gee L! Heep mi!" I try to call out for GL, but my voice comes out small and raspy. My vision is going black and I crumble to the ground. Gasping for air, I try a last ditch effort. Vibrating my body, I start to become intangible. Atom tries to hold on, but she passes through my throat and hits the floor. I gasp and cough as air rushes back into my lungs.

The Atom is clearly frustrated by Flash's counters to her attacks.

Maintain control Atom. Stop and evaluate! His vibration power is impressive but...if I grab hold of one of the molecules and break it down his molecular integrity will become compromised.

She grows back to 6 inches and sees Flash on his knees.

The Atom says, "Impressive Flash, but I've got a mission of my own and clearly you're hindrance."

She then hears Flash say "GL," "I've got a situation here!"

This gives her a moment to pause and she says, "What's a GL?"

 

[Byrd Man]

She grows back to 6 inches and sees Flash on his knees.

The Atom says, "Impressive Flash, but I've got a mission of my own and clearly you're hindrance."

She then hears Flash say "GL," "I've got a situation here!"

This gives her a moment to pause and she says, "What's a GL?"

A bright ball of energy crashes through the window and stands before Atom and I.

"Me."

He shoots out another ball of energy and scoops up Atom, wrapping her inside an emerald bubble floating a few feet above the floor.

"Thanks for the save," I say hoarsely. "J'onn, I think we've got her mostly under control. Do your thing."

 

[Batman]

I'm getting closer. I can feel it.

The alarms have started going off as I realize that my presence has been discovered. Someone must have found the guards at front. But despite the overwhelming odds that such a variable creates, I decide to tread on, allowing nothing to stand in my way. If the city's blueprints of Arkham are to be my only viable resource, then it means that I'm currently making my way towards the patient pacification chamber. Another right should take me into decontamination, leading to the holding block. A nearby elevator shaft from there should provide me with sufficient access to ventilation. From there, it'll be simple enough to make my way to the chambers underneath the mansion. But frustration bites back at me as I suddenly stop, reminded by the nearby cries for help of Arkham's staff taken hostage. Can't take the shaft's route if I have to save them first. Have to take another path, the distraction of a rescue attempt will only be minor. Then I'll be content enough to bring ruin to the Island itself.

Despite the system's numerous protests, Oracle alerts me to the prescence of two oncoming "guards" that approach from the far left. I retreat into the shadows and allow them to pass. Using the encryption that I implemented, the security cameras should be stuck in a loop for hours. They won't have a lock on my real location until I'm long gone. Such knowledge gives me the advantage, but I have to be careful not to engage the others until the time is right. If I attack, they're liable to send more. And then it won't matter what I can do to fight - I'll be caught in a crossfire of heavily armed ordinance. Have to play this hard if I'm going to send a message. But have to play this smart if I stand a chance in hell of surviving long enough to do.

Waiting until the guards from earlier cross into the next hall, I make a sprint for decontamination. The notion that I could never see Arkham for the atrocity that it is becomes even more absurd as I catch a glimpse of the methods they use to clean the patients. Blades of scapels jot out from the walls. Industrial hosing for chemical baths. Blood stains riddling the floors. It's much more akin to a torture chamber than a decontamination unit. How could I have let this evil run it's course for so long? I was idiotic and blind before now. This place deserved much worse than it's getting years ago.

"He's in there! Alert Director Crane, he's in decontamination!"

My eyes go wide with surprise as they shoot upwards towards an observation deck. One of the patrolling grunts entered while I was distracted by my surroundings. Sloppy on my part, I need to be better. Producing a batarang as he heads for the door, I toss it up towards the glass and shatter it, firing a grapnel towards the ceiling inside. The guard backs away in fright as I leap in, growling at him. I can practically taste the sweat dripping from his brow.

"Jesus!"

"That was a mistake."

He tries to open fire, but I dodge any attempt as bullets align the walls. Kick the gun out of his hands, strike him in the throat with a hard jab. He falls onto his back, choking for dear life. I use the bottom of my heel to crush the back of his head against the wall. An injury like that, he'll be out for a week. Provided he survives the explosion I'm going to use to tear this place apart.

Subduing his belt and gaining his access card for the grounds, I leave the room and use it to lock him inside. Then crush the card itself in my palm. With Oracle on my side, access is only a matter of patience for the data key infiltration systems. These idiots are left with nothing but plastic cards from their leader.

Crane. That's the second time I've heard his name tonight. My resolve to find him and end this madness only strengthens. He will suffer at my hands for what he's helped turn Arkham into.

The intercom sounds off as I enter the next hall. Speak of the devil.

"Attention Arkham staff, this is Director Crane. We have a level three security threat roaming the halls of the Intensive Treatment facility. I advise all of my directorial staff to seek immediate shelter and secure themselves in a safe parameter while this threat is promptly dealt with. Security, be advised, the threat is armed and extremely dangerous. That is all."

I'm sure it is, you bastard.

 

[MST3K 4ever]

A bright ball of energy crashes through the window and stands before Atom and I.

"Me."

He shoots out another ball of energy and scoops up Atom, wrapping her inside an emerald bubble floating a few feet above the floor.

"Thanks for the save," I say hoarsely.

The Atom soon finds herself encased in a green transparent ball.

She growls, "Oh nice trick GL! Too bad I know a few tricks of my own!"

The Atom proceeds to shrink down.

I get to the sub-atomic level I can break the protein-bonds and alter the molecular structure with no problem.

The Atom notices though as she gets smaller.


The molecular bonds and protein-bonds aren't like anything I've ever seen before. I wouldn't know where to start I...

"J'onn, I think we've got her mostly under control. Do your thing."


J'onn he's involved this thing is just out of control! Aliens are in on it too I...

~"Atom time for you to comeback to reality. The reality you are dealing with now is being manipulated by a powerful telepath. She is making you act out of character the whole League is under her sway.~



The Atom looks a round for a moment.

How do I know you're not involved with her? How do I know I can trust you?

~If you don't believe me. Then believe yourself and believe him..."~



Just then a memory plays out in The Atom's mind. A memory of when she was in college.

She sees her Father Thomas angrily say, "How could you be so irresponsible? Out of all the things you could do in your life this is one of the most irresponsible ones of all Rhiannon!"

Rhiannon replies, "I'm sorry dad! You and mom are the ones always telling me to lighten up and have fun and so I did!"

Thomas says, "Within reason Rhiannon! You've always been so good at thinking things through and now you pull something like this!"

Rhiannon shouts, "I'm so sorry that you've got a daughter who makes a mistake every once and a while! Must be nice living in that ivory tower of yours! Obviously my being pregnant is too upsetting for you, and who knows how mom is going to take it, so I've got some money in my account and move out on my own."

She turns to leave and Thomas says, "Don't go."

Rhiannon stops and says, "What?

Her father says, "Please stay here. I'm sorry I flew off the handle, but this is something I wasn't ready for. Well not yet, and J.J.McEntire? Oh boy. You had a lapse in judgment we all have those from time to time, but the important thing is that we learn from them. Let's think this through together. You're my daughter Rhiannon and I love you. Believe it or not I'm also looking forward to being a grandfather"

He smiles as he says "grandfather" and the two embrace.

Thomas says, "It'll be all-right we just need to think things through. We'll tell your mother together. We need to think things through."

And the words "Think things through" echo through her mind.

Just then The Atom looks around.

Pete Ross' office...I remember bits and pieces and...None of what's going on makes any real sense. Pete, the way my mom and my dad acted. Pete has had numerous chances to get me why wait until now? Not to mention he sounds like he hates Waller as much as any of us. Time to think things through

She shakes her head and feels the effects of her dream state rapidly fading. The Atom looks up and sees Flash and Green Lantern standing in front of her.

The Atom grows back to 6 inches and says, "Flash. What's going on? I remember bits and pieces of some kind of dream. Like I was in my body but not in control and I...J'onn mentioned something about a telepath being in control of the League and.... "

She notices Green Lantern and says, "Who's the guy with great fashion sense and nice looking ring? I bet this is where this green ball came from. Hey the chemical compound and make up of the ball is so fascinating. You know I..."

The Atom notices both heroes are just stairing at her and she says, "Sorry I didn't mean to go into babble mode. I do that around other super-heroes sometimes ask any of them. I'm back now, so what's next?"

 

[Byrd Man]

And the words "Think things through" echo through her mind.

Just then The Atom looks around.

Pete Ross' office...I remember bits and pieces and...None of what's going on makes any real sense. Pete, the way my mom and my dad acted. Pete has had numerous chances to get me why wait until now? Not to mention he sounds like he hates Waller as much as any of us. Time to think things through

She shakes her head and feels the effects of her dream state rapidly fading. The Atom looks up and sees Flash and Green Lantern standing in front of her.

The Atom grows back to 6 inches and says, "Flash. What's going on? I remember bits and pieces of some kind of dream. Like I was in my body but not in control and I...J'onn mentioned something about a telepath being in control of the League and.... "

She notices Green Lantern and says, "Who's the guy with great fashion sense and nice looking ring? I bet this is where this green ball came from. Hey the chemical compound and make up of the ball is so fascinating. You know I..."

The Atom notices both heroes are just stairing at her and she says, "Sorry I didn't mean to go into babble mode. I do that around other super-heroes sometimes ask any of them. I'm back now, so what's next?"

"Somebody has their hooks into the League, getting us all in our sleep and warping our minds and using us to complete their agenda. J'onn's the only one not affected, he's still on Mars, yeah I know that sounds so awesome, but he was too far away to be affected by the mind control."

"With all of you out of commission, he reached out to me for help. Hey, Green Lantern, pleased to meet you."

He looks down at Atom and eyes her with a smirk.

"Tell me, little lady, do you get any bigger than that? I'd love to show you a good time."

"You might want her to stay at that size. That way she won't laugh at your tiny, little di-"

GL waves his hand and green duct tape wraps around head, covering my mouth several times over.

"Mmph!"

"There we go, that's better."

I claw at the duct tape and shoot Green Lantern a look. He smirks and the tape dissolves.

"Real funny, jerk. Come on, we have to go."

I hold my palm out for Atom.

"All aboard the Flash Express. Next stop is Gotham. Time for a date with a borderline psycho, but enough about our green friend over here. You ready to take it to Batman?"

 

[Andy C.]

The world is a blur of blood and fire, the wind carrying the sound of a thousand dying men's screams. All around me, the Cult of Kobra lies in pieces, bloody shreds of flesh that were once the fanatical terrorists that drove me out of my home and killed the man I love.

I have traced them to the ends of the earth, leaving ruin and carnage in my wake. I have squeezed information out of the mouths of devout believers who would sooner die than betray their master.....then I kept squeezing til their heads burst. I have hunted those who hunted me, and slaughtered them like the beasts they are.

All that remains now is the head of the serpent himself.

"You have impressed me, woman," Kobra says, strolling almost casually through the wreckage of his own lair. "You have fought well, and killed all who stand in your way. An admirable quality. You are truly beyond good and evil now, worthy to face the god-king Kobra himself."

"I still know evil when I see it, you monster," I say, wiping a smear of blood from my face and bringing my fists to bear. "And I also know a maniac when I see one. My powers were granted to me by every god and every goddess that has ever been, every power prayed to by mortal man. And I don't remember you being one of them."

Kobra simply sneers, then lashes out with a fist that is impossibly fast for a mortal man. I deflect it with my Gauntlet, but only just. It is all I can do to defend from his flurry of blows.

"Perhaps I do not abide on the top of the highest mountain, or in a castle on a cloud, or in the hearts and minds of good men. I am not like those dusty old relics, long since swept away by the fickle and the feckless. I walk among the world of the secular, I appear to devout and faithless alike. I am a god made flesh, just as you."

I duck under a fist, then pop back up with an uppercut to his jaw. Kobra reels, and I take to the air.

"You're a murderer and a beast," I say, hovering over him.

"As are you," Kobra responds, spitting out a wad of blood. I swoop down for an attack, but he sails over me with ease, grinning.

"Perhaps before you die by my hand, you will see the true nature of the gods. Benevolent or tyrant, almighty or weak, the gods demand belief.....and they feed on human sacrifice."

It is then that I notice how keen my senses have become. I feel my heart racing, the rush of battle. I feel my muscles tightening, harder and stronger than they have ever been. I feel unmatched power coursing through my body.....

.....and I see the splatters of blood all over my hands.

".....this.....this cannot be...." I say, stunned.

"You were created by beings who gain their strength through the loss of others. Fatted calves, first-born sons, tortured martyrs, they all serve the same purpose: feeding the gods with mortal blood. How strong have you become, Wonder Woman, champion of the gods? And how many men have died for it?"

"Stop it!" I shout, striking at his chest. He does not block, or duck, or even flinch. He just stares at me, mockingly, while my hand drives straight through his ribs, shoving his heart out of his back.

"I.....dedicate this death......to Wonder Woman," he says, before falling to the ground.

I look down at the dead man, and I don't see Kobra's face. I see Steve Trevor's.

The shredded remains of Kobra's minions bear familiar faces as well. Donna, Etta Candy, Terry Long, my mother and father. The Flash. Batman. Superman.

I fall to my knees, unable to do anything with all of the power I have gained.

I have strength and speed beyond anything that has ever lived. And so very many people have been sacrificed to make it so.

In the corner of my eye, I see a golden strand reaching down from the sky. It twists and dances through the air, finally stopping just within arm's reach.

I could reach out and grab it. But it doesn't matter.

The world is a blur of blood and fire, the wind carrying the sound of a thousand men's dying screams.

I am Wonder Woman, the champion of the gods.

My will be done.