The "Ultimate DC Universe" RPG: Season 2.0

[Blacklight]

Ultimate Zatanna​

"Thgilf!"

In the air I scouted for any signs of crime in Gotham. Hoping for any leads of Black Mask or the Batman. Luckily I found two gunned thugs standing outside an apartment building. Thought I'd kick their ass and see what they know.

"Hello, boys."

"Oh crap."

"Shoot her!"

"Dleihs!"

Then a mystical purple shield momentarily appeared, stopping all the bullets fling at me as I pushed towards them. Seconds before the shield dissappated, I could hear the clicking of empty guns. I then picked up one of them by the shirt and drew back my fist, about to hit him if he doesn't answer me.

"What are you doing here?"

"I ain't tellin' you s**t!"

Then I punched him, and cast a spell that might help.

"Gniraeh-repus!"

Then I could hear his heartbeat to see if he's lying.

"What are you doing here?" As I raised my fist.

"Okay. Okay. We're protecting Black Mask."

Then I listened into his heart to see if he was lying, but to my surprise he wasn't. Then my super-hearing picked up a conversation in the apartment building next to us. I then levitated next to the window where I heard it.

"Do you have any idea who I am?" he growled.


"You're a dead man, my friend," he laughed, slapping him with the hand not holding the knife.


"Wrong again Black Mask," he said, with a grin too big for someone who knew they were about to die. Normally when people saw Roman they ran away screaming, or broke down into tears. He was disconcerted.


"Who are you then? Hawkman?" he asked smiling. Tom shook his head.


"I'm someone who's done a little digging. I'm someone who knows who you are Roman Sionis," he said. The grin on Black Masks face vanished.


"Oh like I know nothing about you. Still go around in an orange suit and call yourself Catdude? What are you ******ed?" he asked, raising the knife high.


"THE NAME IS CATMAN," Tom shouted, grabbing Black Mask around his waist, and jumping out the small apartment window, pushing Roman before him. They landed in a small pile of garbage. Roman stood first, and lifted Tom out of it, before throwing him across the street. People started screaming and running away, shouting for the police. Roman raised a gun. It was an un-dignified way to finish an enemy, but he was pissed now.

Before a second's notice, my reflexes caused me to whisper a quick spell.

"Ytilibisivni."

Then I landed nearby the confrontation.

"Whatever helps you sleep at night. And believe me, my friend, you're going to be sleeping for a very long time,"

he said, raising his pistol.

BANG!

"Tellub eht pots!"

The bullet then stopped as I magically reappeared. Black Mask then pointed the pistol at me.

"Mrasid!"

Then all of his weapons levitated out of his pockets and flew to the other end of the alley. He then raised his hands. I turned to the man I just saved.

"Go."

"No. I'm staying right here."

"I said go! This is between me and him!"

Then the man reluntantly ran. Leaving just me and Black Mask...

 

[MST3K 4ever]

I only stare at the file on my desk. Name Uknown is written at the top of it, but everyone knows who's file it is.​

The anarchist who blowed into town like a chaotic whirlwind. The Joker.​

"Jim?"​

"Yeah, Maggie?"​

"You're um....you're spilling coffee on your pants."​

That's when I realize that there's a whole in the bottom of my coffee mug that's allowed coffee to drip all over my pants for the last five minutes.​

"**** You got a napkin or something?"​

"Here."​

I take the napkin and start to wipe my pants. They'll probably be stained.​

"You alright? You seem to be a bit out of it lately."​

I chalk it up to my double duties. Loeb has me on all the night shift and half the day shift. I barely see Sarah or Barbara. I feel like I'm a zombie at times. And the fact that Arkham's most dangerous criminals are out on the street and are actually working together contributes to alot of my sleeplessness.​

"Yeah, Maggie. I'm fine. I just need a good night of sleep."​

"Well, we have to go to S.TA.R. Labs. We're suppose to meet that Palmer woman. Loeb pulled some strings and she got one of their scientist to help out with forensics. We're going to use her today. A uniform called in. We've got a shooting outside a night club."​

I slip my coat on and grab my pack of cigs.​

"Lets roll."​

S.T.A.R. Labs
Twenty Minutes Later​

After Maggie and I flash our badges, the receptionist runs off to find Dr. Palmer.​

"Just wait here, I'll get her."​

I go to light a cigarette and she holds her hand out.​

"Sir, there's no smoking allowed in here."​

I kill the light and shove the lighter and cigarette back in my pockets.​

What a country.​

Rhiannon sits at her desk finishing up some paperwork.

A serious downside to a double life...getting seriously behind on paperwork. Well at least waiting for the police to show up gives me a chance to get caught up on everything. Just about finished two more mouse clicks and....

The Reciptionist enters Dr. Palmer's office and says, "Dr. Palmer the police are here to see you. Should I cover for you or..."

She looks up from her monitor and smiles saying, "Maggie it's okay I've been expecting them. Dr. Forrester and the Mayor's office set everything up for me to do some free-lance forensics for them until their staff is back on-track."

Rhiannon shuts-down her computer and grabs her medical bag.

She enters the lobby and seeing Gordon and Maggie says, "Good Evening I'm
Dr. Rhiannon Plamer. You can just call me Rhiannon."

 

[Byrd Man]

Rhiannon sits at her desk finishing up some paperwork.

A serious downside to a double life...getting seriously behind on paperwork. Well at least waiting for the police to show up gives me a chance to get caught up on everything. Just about finished two more mouse clicks and....

The Reciptionist enters Dr. Palmer's office and says, "Dr. Palmer the police are here to see you. Should I cover for you or..."

She looks up from her monitor and smiles saying, "Maggie it's okay I've been expecting them. Dr. Forrester and the Mayor's office set everything up for me to do some free-lance forensics for them until their staff is back on-track."

Rhiannon shuts-down her computer and grabs her medical bag.

She enters the lobby and seeing Gordon and Maggie says, "Good Evening I'm
Dr. Rhiannon Plamer. You can just call me Rhiannon."

"I'm Captain Jim Gordon. This is my partner, Lieutenant Maggier Sawyer. Commissioner Loeb told us about her plans to use you on the force. If you wouldn't mind. We have a crime scene we'd like to take you to."

The Kane Klub
The East End
Thirty-Five Minutes Later

Sawyer and I step underneath the crime scene tape with Dr. Palmer close behind us.

"Okay, what've we got?"

One of the uniforms next to us starts to talk.

"The two stiffs are Robert Young and Angus Collins. Owner of the Kane Klub and bartender, respectfully."

I walk over and bend down over the two bodies. There are about five bullet holes in each body and the blood that's covering the ground is black and dingy.

"Three guesses how they died...."

"Gunshot wounds?"

"Winner, winner, chicken dinner. Dr. Palmer, Care to do that voodoo that you do so well?"

 

[Eddie Brock]

"99 bottles of beer on the wall...99 bottles of beer," I sing drunkenly from atop the bridge as I wait. "Take one down..."

I hold my beer bottle over the edge and drop it. I watch intently as it falls hundreds of feet before shattering on the water's surface.

"Sorry, old chap...no passing around for you," I state to my kidnapped compatriot. I pull out another beer. "98 bottles of beer on the wall."

Now, I know what you're thinking. It's probably not a good idea to get hammered in this situation. But do I honestly seem worried? All that's going to happen is this:

Bruce Wayne will show up on the verge of tears, begging for his butler back. I will force him to admit openly that I, Edward Nigma, have outsmarted him and thus, I am his superior. He will acknowledge this reluctantly, but nonetheless openly. I will then return his butler and serve time. And I will be gleeful as I sit in jail, reliving my triumph over and over.

It's so brilliant, no? Well, you don't get where I am without having something in the ol' noggin. And my intellect far surpasses any wretched specimen of pond scum, both here in Gotham and anywhere in the world.
​

 

[Batman]

In minutes, I make it to the bridge, parking just along the river, at the bottom. The structure's taller than I imagined... it may be difficult to make my way up, if Alfred is truly being held captive at the very top. It could be a trap... and it's a chance I need to take, but I'm almost sure it isn't. The message was meant for Bruce Wayne, and thus, the captor probably doesn't expect a fight. Why else so simple? After all, it started with the envelope at the Manor, and quickly became even more apparent when The Batmobile's scanners came across a radio report coming from the bridge itself. A traffic jam, due to an unmarked car beneath the street light. The officer reported that it was without prints or identification... simply, on it's windshield, a note. With another riddle.

"I'm cup without a C. I'm pup without a P. If I'm not DOWN, what can I be?"

Anger coursed through my body, the minute I heard it. It's beginning to annoy me how simplistic all of this could have been. The answer was right infront of me the entire time... literallly. And now, the captor continues to insult both Gotham and myself with these delluded mindgames. I feel like if I'm forced to solve another riddle tonight, I'm going to have to hurt someone. Fortunately, that moment may soon come...

Leaping out of the cockpit of the Batmobile, the shields engage behind me, leaving me with a prompt and protected means of getting Alfred home, should he be here. Should I have enough time to save him. Reaching into my belt, I produce a grapnel launcher, and fire directly to the top. The hook embeds itself, silently, into concrete many stories above me. Again, the simplicity... I have better ways to occupy my time. But Alfred is someone I will not allow to be taken from this world. He's given me too much... I feel an obligation to at least spare him the indignity of a death at the hands of a puzzle obsessed extortionist.

With a tug, I'm airbourne, and to the wall in an instant. Wind brushes against my face, as I grab the line, and begin climbing. Fewer, precise steps, Bruce... you learned this, years ago, in Alaska. Can't let those tireless nights simultaneously fighting hypothermia and phemonia go to waste. Especially for Alfred. This is the kind of situation I always feared, going in... the kind that doesn't involve crazed lunatics mugging a helpless woman, or a gang of hoodlums shooting blindly outwards during a hostage situation. I trained for those... I prepared for every possible outcome, in every random situation imagineable, be it success or failure.

But personal vendettas are something I never wanted to prepare for. This mission... it was never about me. It was never supposed to be about me, or the ones I love. My parents were to be the last, in a long line of tyranny that has gripped the citizens of Gotham for decades, now. I've failed that promise... I'm not failing this one. Hang on, old friend... I'm coming for you.

* * *

Grabbing the ledge, I pull up, and peer out onto the bridge. No one visible, from this angle, but I suspect the towers hold a different story. Once, in a recollection of irony, I had pondered placing some equipment in these very towers, for emergency situations... Batarangs, spare suits, hang gliders, first aid... whatever I needed. Now, I can only think of how foolish I would have been to do so, given someone has already infiltrated them.

With a sharp tug, I leap onto the ledge, and maintain my footing. Need to be careful... a wrong move, and I'm sent hurling towards 50 foot thick concrete, at least nine stories below. Not going to be able to reach a Bat-line when that harsh reality is jamming into your skull at one hundred and seven miles per hour...

Alfred's bound to be in the tower. The captor knows that in order for his message to work, there must be a bait willing to follow. And the towers are the only means of making it up... conventienally. I only scaled the bridge to avoid tipping him, or them... whoever kidnapped him, off. Alot of effort for a man who's possible perverse thrill lies within strategically stumping the mind of Bruce Wayne.

Throwing a line above the tower, I pull, and swing, leaping into the air, and heading for the thick glass. Not going to waste any time, with Alfred in there. So I'll have to take a less than purposeful route...

*CRASH!*

With a roll, I prepare myself for the attacker within. In the rush of things, I'm not even sure who I'm looking at, right now... but I know one thing. I've found Alfred, and he's alive, thank god. I turn to the attacker immediately.

"Whoever you are, your twisted game is over."

 

[Eddie Brock]

​

In minutes, I make it to the bridge, parking just along the river, at the bottom. The structure's taller than I imagined... it may be difficult to make my way up, if Alfred is truly being held captive at the very top. It could be a trap... and it's a chance I need to take, but I'm almost sure it isn't. The message was meant for Bruce Wayne, and thus, the captor probably doesn't expect a fight. Why else so simple? After all, it started with the envelope at the Manor, and quickly became even more apparent when The Batmobile's scanners came across a radio report coming from the bridge itself. A traffic jam, due to an unmarked car beneath the street light. The officer reported that it was without prints or identification... simply, on it's windshield, a note. With another riddle.

"I'm cup without a C. I'm pup without a P. If I'm not DOWN, what can I be?"

Anger coursed through my body, the minute I heard it. It's beginning to annoy me how simplistic all of this could have been. The answer was right infront of me the entire time... literallly. And now, the captor continues to insult both Gotham and myself with these delluded mindgames. I feel like if I'm forced to solve another riddle tonight, I'm going to have to hurt someone. Fortunately, that moment may soon come...

Leaping out of the cockpit of the Batmobile, the shields engage behind me, leaving me with a prompt and protected means of getting Alfred home, should he be here. Should I have enough time to save him. Reaching into my belt, I produce a grapnel launcher, and fire directly to the top. The hook embeds itself, silently, into concrete many stories above me. Again, the simplicity... I have better ways to occupy my time. But Alfred is someone I will not allow to be taken from this world. He's given me too much... I feel an obligation to at least spare him the indignity of a death at the hands of a puzzle obsessed extortionist.

With a tug, I'm airbourne, and to the wall in an instant. Wind brushes against my face, as I grab the line, and begin climbing. Fewer, precise steps, Bruce... you learned this, years ago, in Alaska. Can't let those tireless nights simultaneously fighting hypothermia and phemonia go to waste. Especially for Alfred. This is the kind of situation I always feared, going in... the kind that doesn't involve crazed lunatics mugging a helpless woman, or a gang of hoodlums shooting blindly outwards during a hostage situation. I trained for those... I prepared for every possible outcome, in every random situation imagineable, be it success or failure.

But personal vendettas are something I never wanted to prepare for. This mission... it was never about me. It was never supposed to be about me, or the ones I love. My parents were to be the last, in a long line of tyranny that has gripped the citizens of Gotham for decades, now. I've failed that promise... I'm not failing this one. Hang on, old friend... I'm coming for you.

* * *

Grabbing the ledge, I pull up, and peer out onto the bridge. No one visible, from this angle, but I suspect the towers hold a different story. Once, in a recollection of irony, I had pondered placing some equipment in these very towers, for emergency situations... Batarangs, spare suits, hang gliders, first aid... whatever I needed. Now, I can only think of how foolish I would have been to do so, given someone has already infiltrated them.

With a sharp tug, I leap onto the ledge, and maintain my footing. Need to be careful... a wrong move, and I'm sent hurling towards 50 foot thick concrete, at least nine stories below. Not going to be able to reach a Bat-line when that harsh reality is jamming into your skull at one hundred and seven miles per hour...

Alfred's bound to be in the tower. The captor knows that in order for his message to work, there must be a bait willing to follow. And the towers are the only means of making it up... conventienally. I only scaled the bridge to avoid tipping him, or them... whoever kidnapped him, off. Alot of effort for a man who's possible perverse thrill lies within strategically stumping the mind of Bruce Wayne.

Throwing a line above the tower, I pull, and swing, leaping into the air, and heading for the thick glass. Not going to waste any time, with Alfred in there. So I'll have to take a less than purposeful route...

*CRASH!*

With a roll, I prepare myself for the attacker within. In the rush of things, I'm not even sure who I'm looking at, right now... but I know one thing. I've found Alfred, and he's alive, thank god. I turn to the attacker immediately.

"Whoever you are, your twisted game is over."

Batman?! Jesus Christ...Bruce Wayne has friends in high places! No matter...I came prepared for worst-case scenarios. Though I never factored in a self-righteous vigilante in my plans.

"Batman, I presume," I state in a bored tone. "You'll have to forgive me for not being more excited. See, I've already got you figured out."

I relax my stance and lower my staff, using it as a cane now. I begin to pace slowly as Batman watches me warily.

"The bat motif is clearly some unconscious phobia manifesting itself...the need to travel through shadows and theatricality shows deep-seeded trust issues...and you fight crime because some horrible injustice was done to you, correct?"

After rattling off my observations, I try to stifle a yawn. I'm actually not as firm as I'm pretending to be, but I can't show fear...not around Batman, anyway. He feeds off it. So my bravado is helping to keep the field level.

I draw my revolver and aim it at Batman's chest. "That note was intended for Bruce Wayne. How you came across it, I don't know."

I pull back the hammer of the pistol.

"But nothing will stand in the way of my victory. And though I find it distasteful, if I have to kill...I won't hesitate."

I'm not bluffing, either. My plan wasn't to physically hurt anyone. But Batman poses a serious threat to my impending defeat of Bruce Wayne, and he must be eliminated from the equation.

"Riddle me this, Batman...how many bullets do you think I put into this gun?"

My finger twitches on the trigger before tightening slightly. I smirk.

"None."

I pull the trigger, and the bomb in my Chevy El Camino goes off. It shakes the support beams of the bridge. Mind you, it's not powerful enough to destroy the bridge. But the split-second of distraction is all I needed to get a running head start.

It's only then that I realize that I just blew up my car. How exactly did I plan to escape? Not allowing these thoughts to dampen my concentration, I continue to race along the top of the bridge...on foot. How near or far Batman is, I don't know. Chances are, he stopped to untie Wayne's butler before chasing me. That gives me another few seconds.
​

 

[MST3K 4ever]

"I'm Captain Jim Gordon. This is my partner, Lieutenant Maggier Sawyer. Commissioner Loeb told us about her plans to use you on the force. If you wouldn't mind. We have a crime scene we'd like to take you to."

The Kane Klub
The East End
Thirty-Five Minutes Later

Sawyer and I step underneath the crime scene tape with Dr. Palmer close behind us.

"Okay, what've we got?"

One of the uniforms next to us starts to talk.

"The two stiffs are Robert Young and Angus Collins. Owner of the Kane Klub and bartender, respectfully."

I walk over and bend down over the two bodies. There are about five bullet holes in each body and the blood that's covering the ground is black and dingy.

"Three guesses how they died...."

"Gunshot wounds?"

"Winner, winner, chicken dinner. Dr. Palmer, Care to do that voodoo that you do so well?"

Rhiannon puts on a set of rubber gloves and kneels next to Robert & Angus and looks at both of them.

She then pulls out a peice of chalk, outlines the body, begins taking pictures of the crime scene and then kneels next to the bodies again pulling out a thermometer.

She puts the thermometer in each body and touches each body.

Rhiannon looks at Gordon & Sawyer and says, "The bodies are still warm and Rigor hasn't set in this didn't happen too long ago. Judging by the size of the bullet wounds and the blood splatter paterns the shooter was very close. Also..."

She points to Robert's right hand and says, " He was holding something maybe the receipts for the night they were less than a block from a bank and I'll bet a check of the bank accounts will show that A & H was their bank. Now this is just theory but...."

Rhiannon pats Angus's down and points to the back and says, "He has a gun. It's cold he never got a chance to fire it. While Robert is unarmed with a cell-phone holder and a missing cell-phone wanna bet the shooter took it with it because Robert tried to make a call. My working theory is the shooter got Angus first. Take care of the protection with a couple of shoots and lay in a few more later just to be sure after nailing Robert."

She sees the corner's wagon approach and says, "I'll be able to tell more once the corner takes the bodies to the morgue."

She stands up and asks, "Are we lucky enough to have witnesses? Anyone who saw these two go outside?"

 

[Byrd Man]

Rhiannon puts on a set of rubber gloves and kneels next to Robert & Angus and looks at both of them.

She then pulls out a peice of chalk, outlines the body, begins taking pictures of the crime scene and then kneels next to the bodies again pulling out a thermometer.

She puts the thermometer in each body and touches each body.

Rhiannon looks at Gordon & Sawyer and says, "The bodies are still warm and Rigor hasn't set in this didn't happen too long ago. Judging by the size of the bullet wounds and the blood splatter paterns the shooter was very close. Also..."

She points to Robert's right hand and says, " He was holding something maybe the receipts for the night they were less than a block from a bank and I'll bet a check of the bank accounts will show that A & H was their bank. Now this is just theory but...."

Rhiannon pats Angus's down and points to the back and says, "He has a gun. It's cold he never got a chance to fire it. While Robert is unarmed with a cell-phone holder and a missing cell-phone wanna bet the shooter took it with it because Robert tried to make a call. My working theory is the shooter got Angus first. Take care of the protection with a couple of shoots and lay in a few more later just to be sure after nailing Robert."

She sees the corner's wagon approach and says, "I'll be able to tell more once the corner takes the bodies to the morgue."

She stands up and asks, "Are we lucky enough to have witnesses? Anyone who saw these two go outside?"

Damn. I thought I was the detective.

"Let's see...just a the bar's piano player was the last one to see them. We've got some uniforms already taking down his statement."

I walk back to the bodies and crouch down to look them over once more.

"His phone..."

"What?"

"Someone try to find out his cell phone number and put a trace on it"

The coroner comes over with his stretchers.

"Excuse me, detectives. But I have to take the bodies in if there's nothing else you can find."

"Yeah sure, go ahead. Dr. Palmer you can ride with us back to the station."

GCPD Headquarters
Later

I light up a cigarette and look around at Maggie and Dr. Palmer.

"Okay, I checked the local bank. Niether of the stiffs had bank accounts there. They did their buisness uptown. Felt the banks on The East End weren't exactly robbery-proof."

"I ran a trace on the cell phone. We picked it up in a garbage can halfway across town. Along with the receipts for last night."

"Aha. The plot thickens. Right now, this is looking like a fake mugging. Someone had it out for these two men and tryed to throw us off the trail by making it look like a junkie."

I light up another smoke and focus my attention to Dr. Palmer.

"What did we get at the morgue?"

 

[MST3K 4ever]

Damn. I thought I was the detective.

"Let's see...just a the bar's piano player was the last one to see them. We've got some uniforms already taking down his statement."

I walk back to the bodies and crouch down to look them over once more.

"His phone..."

"What?"

"Someone try to find out his cell phone number and put a trace on it"

The coroner comes over with his stretchers.

"Excuse me, detectives. But I have to take the bodies in if there's nothing else you can find."

"Yeah sure, go ahead. Dr. Palmer you can ride with us back to the station."

GCPD Headquarters
Later

I light up a cigarette and look around at Maggie and Dr. Palmer.

"Okay, I checked the local bank. Niether of the stiffs had bank accounts there. They did their buisness uptown. Felt the banks on The East End weren't exactly robbery-proof."

"I ran a trace on the cell phone. We picked it up in a garbage can halfway across town. Along with the receipts for last night."

"Aha. The plot thickens. Right now, this is looking like a fake mugging. Someone had it out for these two men and tryed to throw us off the trail by making it look like a junkie."

I light up another smoke and focus my attention to Dr. Palmer.

"What did we get at the morgue?"

Rhiannon looks at Gordon and says, "The bullets we pulled from the bodies were from a small caliber weapon a 22. Designed to do some serious damage but not kill instantly. Chances are likely the killer wanted these guys to bleed and suffer for a while. Once the killer thought they suffered enough they got their head-shots."

She stands up and fixes a cup of coffee and says, "The tox-screen came back negative these guys were clean and sober. Nothing under the nails that we can use for DNA analysis."

Rhiannon finishes her coffee and says, "Now if you all will excuse me I going back to the crime scene and try to get some answers."

"Like what?"

She replies, "For example there were 10 bullet holes, we pulled out only 8 shells. Secondly if youwere going to kill someone what would be the first thing you would do? Get rid of the gun that's the biggest peice of evidence. 22's are small and disposible. So again my guess is..."

Rhiannon goes to the city map and says, "Okay for the sake of theory the murderer got rid of the gun before he or she got rid of the phone and receipts. That gives a radius of 4 blocks, again my guess down the sewer. Figures that will be the last place we'd look and that it would wash out to sea."

Gordon nods "Sounds semi-plausible, but it's still a lot of guess work and theory get me some hard evidence Dr. Palmer that I can give to the D.A."

Rhiannon starts to leave and Sawyer pipes up.

"Dr. Palmer something I have to know. You know a lot about forensics for someone who has never set foot on a crime scene, how is that? And don't tell me that it's because of CSI "

Rhiannon says at the door, "I'd rather not say it's personal."

"Not good enough. If the entire GCPD, the D-A and the Medical Examiner are putting their trust in your word we have a right to know."

Rhiannon turns back around and says, "Look do you all remember J.J. McEntyre?"

They both nod and Gordon even smiles a little bit "Double J was the best forensics expert I ever saw. When he brought something into court it stuck to a perp 10 times out of 10. Kind of out there sometimes and very private but a great guy overall. The crime lab took a serious hit when he died in that car crash last year."

Rhiannon says, "We dated for over 18 months. The night he died they pulled an engagement ring out of his pocket I still have it."

She pulls out a necklace with the ring around her neck and continues,"We kept things quiet because we wanted our privacy. Well after he died his parents gave me his medical notes and case notes. They thought since we were both scientists I would want them. So as part of the grieving process I studied them day and night over and over until I could quote them, and I began approaching my work like he did. That's how I know what to look for."

Maggie nods "Thank you for telling us this, and I'm sorry if I pryed into your personal life."

Rhiannon says, "It's okay you had a right ask Detective. If you all will excuse me I need to get moving while the scene is still fresh. I'll contact you if I find anything. Oh is there anything else you two can tell me before I get going. Anything else I might be overlooking."

They both look at her as if she has 2 heads.

Rhainnon replies, "This is my first murder I will always yield to experience unless you both want to go with me?"

If they say no that might help, because then I can turn into the Atom and move around a bit easier.

She waits for their response

 

[Byrd Man]

Rhiannon looks at Gordon and says, "The bullets we pulled from the bodies were from a small caliber weapon a 22. Designed to do some serious damage but not kill instantly. Chances are likely the killer wanted these guys to bleed and suffer for a while. Once the killer thought they suffered enough they got their head-shots."

She stands up and fixes a cup of coffee and says, "The tox-screen came back negative these guys were clean and sober. Nothing under the nails that we can use for DNA analysis."

Rhiannon finishes her coffee and says, "Now if you all will excuse me I going back to the crime scene and try to get some answers."

"Like what?"

She replies, "For example there were 10 bullet holes, we pulled out only 8 shells. Secondly if youwere going to kill someone what would be the first thing you would do? Get rid of the gun that's the biggest peice of evidence. 22's are small and disposible. So again my guess is..."

Rhiannon goes to the city map and says, "Okay for the sake of theory the murderer got rid of the gun before he or she got rid of the phone and receipts. That gives a radius of 4 blocks, again my guess down the sewer. Figures that will be the last place we'd look and that it would wash out to sea."

Gordon nods "Sounds semi-plausible, but it's still a lot of guess work and theory get me some hard evidence Dr. Palmer that I can give to the D.A."

Rhiannon starts to leave and Sawyer pipes up.

"Dr. Palmer something I have to know. You know a lot about forensics for someone who has never set foot on a crime scene, how is that? And don't tell me that it's because of CSI "

Rhiannon says at the door, "I'd rather not say it's personal."

"Not good enough. If the entire GCPD, the D-A and the Medical Examiner are putting their trust in your word we have a right to know."

Rhiannon turns back around and says, "Look do you all remember J.J. McEntyre?"

They both nod and Gordon even smiles a little bit "Double J was the best forensics expert I ever saw. When he brought something into court it stuck to a perp 10 times out of 10. Kind of out there sometimes and very private but a great guy overall. The crime lab took a serious hit when he died in that car crash last year."

Rhiannon says, "We dated for over 18 months. The night he died they pulled an engagement ring out of his pocket I still have it."

She pulls out a necklace with the ring around her neck and continues,"We kept things quiet because we wanted our privacy. Well after he died his parents gave me his medical notes and case notes. They thought since we were both scientists I would want them. So as part of the grieving process I studied them day and night over and over until I could quote them, and I began approaching my work like he did. That's how I know what to look for."

Maggie nods "Thank you for telling us this, and I'm sorry if I pryed into your personal life."

Rhiannon says, "It's okay you had a right ask Detective. If you all will excuse me I need to get moving while the scene is still fresh. I'll contact you if I find anything. Oh is there anything else you two can tell me before I get going. Anything else I might be overlooking."

They both look at her as if she has 2 heads.

Rhainnon replies, "This is my first murder I will always yield to experience unless you both want to go with me?"

If they say no that might help, because then I can turn into the Atom and move around a bit easier.

She waits for their response

"I'll go with you, Dr. Palmer..."

"No, Maggie. We've got to interview the piano player along with the two men's wives. If this is shaping out like I want it to. This..."

I look through the paper work scattered on my desk and finally find it.

"John Flynn is our top suspect. He was the last one to see them alive, if we can find probable cause for him to kill either men. We'll move on it. I just hope you can have some evidence ready for us, Dr. Palmer."

 

[MST3K 4ever]

"I'll go with you, Dr. Palmer..."

"No, Maggie. We've got to interview the piano player along with the two men's wives. If this is shaping out like I want it to. This..."

I look through the paper work scattered on my desk and finally find it.

"John Flynn is our top suspect. He was the last one to see them alive, if we can find probable cause for him to kill either men. We'll move on it. I just hope you can have some evidence ready for us, Dr. Palmer."

Rhiannon studies Flynn's file and leaves headquarters.

She heads down a back-alley and transforms into The Atom.

The Atom floats off to the crime scene and begins scouring everything.

Let me see here...shooter is here and bodies here....and...now we are looking for two bullets...right about...Bingo!

She floats over to a nearby wall and returns to normal size. Rhiannon then pulls out a plastic bag and a set of tweezers and removes the bullets.

She puts them away and transforms back into The Atom.

Okay now for the literal and perverbial smoking gun. Which at my size could take days to find...however my size does present a serious advantage as well. The smell of a freshly fired gun is pretty distinct at my size...need to shrink a little smaller and...

She shrinks to almost microscopic size and begins sniffing around as she floats through the city. About two blocks from the reciepts and phone location she notices something..a very distinct odor.

I smell gun-powder...it's faint...but it's there.

The Atom follows the smell to a dumpster.

Great I'll bet a year's pay that the gun is at the bottom of that dumpster.

She grows to about 6 inches and dives into the dumpster and begins digging around.

Thankfully I have gas filter on my mask...hope I find that gun soon I never realized how dangerous a dumpster is...and...wait a minute....there it is!

She grabs the gun and then feels something else...

What is that rumbling...that...oh no! It's the garbage truck and I am stuck in here...this gets better and better.

The Atom looks around and sees that she is at the bottom of the dumpster.

Not enough time to escape from the top...but..what about...

She shifts her weight and kicks a sizable hole in the bottom of the dumpster. She then grabs the gun and floats away back to Police Headquarters.

The Atom changes back into Rhiannon Plamer and enters Gordon's office

She says, "Captain, Detective I got some news for you all. I got the other two shells and I just pulled..."

Gordon and Sawyer look at her and she says, "I'll get a shower in the locker room and borrow a set of clothes from the department I am sure the undercover unit can spare them for this..."

She lays the shells and the 22 on his desk and says, "How much you want to bet that gun is the murder weapon? Everything is within 3 blocks of Flynn's apartment. I am willing to go visit Flynn once I get cleaned up, what have you all found out so far?"

 

[Byrd Man]

Rhiannon studies Flynn's file and leaves headquarters.

She heads down a back-alley and transforms into The Atom.

The Atom floats off to the crime scene and begins scouring everything.

Let me see here...shooter is here and bodies here....and...now we are looking for two bullets...right about...Bingo!

She floats over to a nearby wall and returns to normal size. Rhiannon then pulls out a plastic bag and a set of tweezers and removes the bullets.

She puts them away and transforms back into The Atom.

Okay now for the literal and perverbial smoking gun. Which at my size could take days to find...however my size does present a serious advantage as well. The smell of a freshly fired gun is pretty distinct at my size...need to shrink a little smaller and...

She shrinks to almost microscopic size and begins sniffing around as she floats through the city. About two blocks from the reciepts and phone location she notices something..a very distinct odor.

I smell gun-powder...it's faint...but it's there.

The Atom follows the smell to a dumpster.

Great I'll bet a year's pay that the gun is at the bottom of that dumpster.

She grows to about 6 inches and dives into the dumpster and begins digging around.

Thankfully I have gas filter on my mask...hope I find that gun soon I never realized how dangerous a dumpster is...and...wait a minute....there it is!

She grabs the gun and then feels something else...

What is that rumbling...that...oh no! It's the garbage truck and I am stuck in here...this gets better and better.

The Atom looks around and sees that she is at the bottom of the dumpster.

Not enough time to escape from the top...but..what about...

She shifts her weight and kicks a sizable hole in the bottom of the dumpster. She then grabs the gun and floats away back to Police Headquarters.

The Atom changes back into Rhiannon Plamer and enters Gordon's office

She says, "Captain, Detective I got some news for you all. I got the other two shells and I just pulled..."

Gordon and Sawyer look at her and she says, "I'll get a shower in the locker room and borrow a set of clothes from the department I am sure the undercover unit can spare them for this..."

She lays the shells and the 22 on his desk and says, "How much you want to bet that gun is the murder weapon? Everything is within 3 blocks of Flynn's apartment. I am willing to go visit Flynn once I get cleaned up, what have you all found out so far?"

"We talked to the two victim's wives."

I smile as I take out my note pad and light up another cigarette.

"Seems Mr. Flynn was having an affair with Mrs. Young."

"Mrs. Young told us she and Flynn had been involved for almost two years."

"She broke it off. Flynn got crazy. Saying he was in love with her and that they were going to be happy. No matter what."

"If the gun and bullets have Flynn's prints on them. It's an open and shut case."

 

[SenseiofCheese]

Mirror Master

The older one has regained consciousness. All the good that'll do him, going from one kind of darkness to another.
They talk, but I don't hear them. Don't much care to, either. It's been a long time before I brought someone in here, and it's time to brush off some of my tricks. This is my very own playground, after all, and I make the rules.
I reach my hands out towards them, straining. Their bodies begin to cramp and twitch, and I know they can feel the cold, immense pressure surrounding their bodies, breaking them.

"Now, I don't much care if you boys piss or go fishing, as long as you don't go dying on me so soon."


​

 

[MST3K 4ever]

"We talked to the two victim's wives."

I smile as I take out my note pad and light up another cigarette.

"Seems Mr. Flynn was having an affair with Mrs. Young."

"Mrs. Young told us she and Flynn had been involved for almost two years."

"She broke it off. Flynn got crazy. Saying he was in love with her and that they were going to be happy. No matter what."

"If the gun and bullets have Flynn's prints on them. It's an open and shut case."

Rhiannon gets a shower and changes clothes.


Rhiannon begins testing the shells and the gun. She then calls Gordon and says, "Captain pick him up. Flynn wore gloves we got nothing on the handle or the trigger. But the shells and the gun-chamber couldn't be more obvious if he autographed it. A perfect thumb and index print this guy is toast. I'll make some final findings for the report while you all go get him."

Rhiannon hangs up the phone and makes some quick notes.

Flynn is a desperate man right now. When Gordon and Sawyer pick him up I'll bet he won't go down without a fight. It might be nice if they have someone on the inside to help out.

Rhiannon slips outside and down a back-alley she changes into the Atom and floats to a pay-phone.

She calls Flynn and when he answers she travels into his apartment un-noticed. The Atom then floats to a book-shelf and hides behind a bookend.

Now all I can do is wait for Gordon and Sawyer to show up..and try to stay out of sight...if they see me my secret identity is toast.

 

[Byrd Man]

Rhiannon gets a shower and changes clothes.


Rhiannon begins testing the shells and the gun. She then calls Gordon and says, "Captain pick him up. Flynn wore gloves we got nothing on the handle or the trigger. But the shells and the gun-chamber couldn't be more obvious if he autographed it. A perfect thumb and index print this guy is toast. I'll make some final findings for the report while you all go get him."

Rhiannon hangs up the phone and makes some quick notes.

Flynn is a desperate man right now. When Gordon and Sawyer pick him up I'll bet he won't go down without a fight. It might be nice if they have someone on the inside to help out.

Rhiannon slips outside and down a back-alley she changes into the Atom and floats to a pay-phone.

She calls Flynn and when he answers she travels into his apartment un-noticed. The Atom then floats to a book-shelf and hides behind a bookend.

Now all I can do is wait for Gordon and Sawyer to show up..and try to stay out of sight...if they see me my secret identity is toast.

I follow Maggie down the hallway towards Flynn's apartment. We're just taking him down to the station to print him. The case is slowly mounting, we have something on him, but I still need enough.

"Alright, Maggie. Take the strap off your holster, I don't think he'll be violent. But you can never tell when someone's backed into a corner."

I knock on the door as I reach to my hip and pop the strap off my gun holster.

Flynn opens the door and stares at us, he's a goof looking guy, to say the least, and his hair is messy.

"Can I help you?"

I flash my badge to Flynn and I see him tense up instantly.

"Mr. Flynn? I'm Captain Jim Gordon, this is my partner Detective Sawyer."

"We'd like to talk to you about Mr. Young and Mr. Collins' murder this morning."

"Umm...I already gave the cops my statement."

"We know, we just want to take you back down the the station, see if we got it all."

"Can't we do it here?"

"Not unless you're a professional notery and can stamp an affidavit."

He sighs and he retreats to his apartment.

"Fine, fine. I'll get my coat."

 

[Green Lantern]

Mirror Master

The older one has regained consciousness. All the good that'll do him, going from one kind of darkness to another.
They talk, but I don't hear them. Don't much care to, either. It's been a long time before I brought someone in here, and it's time to brush off some of my tricks. This is my very own playground, after all, and I make the rules.
I reach my hands out towards them, straining. Their bodies begin to cramp and twitch, and I know they can feel the cold, immense pressure surrounding their bodies, breaking them.

"Now, I don't much care if you boys piss or go fishing, as long as you don't go dying on me so soon."


​

As Barry grimace is hidden beneath his mask, he clenches his teeth and fights to ignore the pain.

"The only thing threatening my life, is your horrible banter."

He whispers to Bart.

"Hold out kiddo, just shrug it off."

 

[MST3K 4ever]

I follow Maggie down the hallway towards Flynn's apartment. We're just taking him down to the station to print him. The case is slowly mounting, we have something on him, but I still need enough.

"Alright, Maggie. Take the strap off your holster, I don't think he'll be violent. But you can never tell when someone's backed into a corner."

I knock on the door as I reach to my hip and pop the strap off my gun holster.

Flynn opens the door and stares at us, he's a goof looking guy, to say the least, and his hair is messy.

"Can I help you?"

I flash my badge to Flynn and I see him tense up instantly.

"Mr. Flynn? I'm Captain Jim Gordon, this is my partner Detective Sawyer."

"We'd like to talk to you about Mr. Young and Mr. Collins' murder this morning."

"Umm...I already gave the cops my statement."

"We know, we just want to take you back down the the station, see if we got it all."

"Can't we do it here?"

"Not unless you're a professional notery and can stamp an affidavit."

He sighs and he retreats to his apartment.

"Fine, fine. I'll get my coat."

THe Atom hears the converstation.

"Fine, fine. I'll get my coat."

Oh I think that's my ride back to the station.

She shrinks down to an inch and floats into Flynn's coat pocket and immediately realizes something.

His gloves are in here and...oh I can smell the gunshot residue on them. Got find a way to get these to Gordon without being seen. In the meantime might as well enjoy the ride...bouncy as it may be.

Once they reach the interrigation room at Police headquarters The Atom listens carefully,

"I want my lawyer if you guys got nothing to book me on I'm gonna walk right now."

The Atom smiles for a moment and uses her strength to push the gloves out of Flynn's pocket.

They hit the floor and she hears Maggie say, ""What have we here?"

She sees Maggie pick them up

YES! This guy is on his way to Blackgate...downhill and on roller skates.

Flynn starts to protest, "Hey you can't...."

Gordon barks"Sit-down and shut-up! This is plain sight evidence! It's admissable."

He turns to Maggie and says "Get Palmer down here right now. She is going to want to see this."

The Atom shrinks to microscopic size and floats through the vents back to the lab. She turns back into Rhiannon Palmer and quickly sits at microscope as Maggie enters the room.

"Interrogation room 3 right now. I think you're going to want to see this and bring your rubber gloves."

She follows Maggie and enters the room Gordon points to the gloves and says, "Test those gloves now"

20 minutes later she returns and says to Gordon, "Gun-shot residue on the gloves and his prints are inside the gloves. I suggest he gets his lawyer down here a-s-a-p."

 

[Catman_prb]

​

BANG!

"Tellub eht pots!"

The bullet then stopped as I magically reappeared. Black Mask then pointed the pistol at me.

"Mrasid!"

Then all of his weapons levitated out of his pockets and flew to the other end of the alley. He then raised his hands. I turned to the man I just saved.

"Go."

"No. I'm staying right here."

"I said go! This is between me and him!"

Then the man reluntantly ran. Leaving just me and Black Mask...

"Oh my god! How unfair is that? I mean, I can beat seven kinds of crap out of you with my bare hands, but getting rid of my weapons? That buck knife was a gift dammit!" Black Mask raged, almost jumping up and down on the spot. Who was this woman anyway? She seemed vaguely familiar.

"Have I met you before? I mean I've heard of quite a few of these freaks that interfer with other peoples buisness, but I've never had the pleasure of making your aquintance...Oh I know now!" Black Mask said looking thoughtfully at her. He pointed his finger "You're Jarvis Tech's ****e aren't you? Or ****e by another name...what was it? Oh yeh, fetish doll....just so you know dressing up in leather and fighting crime as "The Fetish Doll" is really weird. I mean even weirder than dressing up as a cat and doing the same thing..." Black Mask rambled. He had his hands in his pocket, and felt something digging into his side painfully. He fingers grasped a shard of glass from where he'd jumped out of the window. The Fetish Doll wasn't saying much, but who could blame her? He'd just ID'd her in about two seconds. That was her amazing disguise gone.

"So what's your power then Miss ****e? I mean, you froze time or something when i caught you at Jarvs'. Magic? Do you have to say the magic words? Open sesame and such like? Sesame...Did you ever watch Sesame Street as a kid? I did...loved The Count. He so obviously used to work as an extra in some kind of vampire movie...Oh right sorry, rambling aren't I? Well let's get to buisness then...shame to beat you too badly...such a pretty hero," Roman said, inching closer with each word. When he finished, he brought his fist up in a powerful hook, and heard a satisfying crunch as he broke her jaw.

"Let's hear your magic word now," he said triumphantly.

 

[Byrd Man]

THe Atom hears the converstation.

"Fine, fine. I'll get my coat."

Oh I think that's my ride back to the station.

She shrinks down to an inch and floats into Flynn's coat pocket and immediately realizes something.

His gloves are in here and...oh I can smell the gunshot residue on them. Got find a way to get these to Gordon without being seen. In the meantime might as well enjoy the ride...bouncy as it may be.

Once they reach the interrigation room at Police headquarters The Atom listens carefully,

"I want my lawyer if you guys got nothing to book me on I'm gonna walk right now."

The Atom smiles for a moment and uses her strength to push the gloves out of Flynn's pocket.

They hit the floor and she hears Maggie say, ""What have we here?"

She sees Maggie pick them up

YES! This guy is on his way to Blackgate...downhill and on roller skates.

Flynn starts to protest, "Hey you can't...."

Gordon barks"Sit-down and shut-up! This is plain sight evidence! It's admissable."

He turns to Maggie and says "Get Palmer down here right now. She is going to want to see this."

The Atom shrinks to microscopic size and floats through the vents back to the lab. She turns back into Rhiannon Palmer and quickly sits at microscope as Maggie enters the room.

"Interrogation room 3 right now. I think you're going to want to see this and bring your rubber gloves."

She follows Maggie and enters the room Gordon points to the gloves and says, "Test those gloves now"

20 minutes later she returns and says to Gordon, "Gun-shot residue on the gloves and his prints are inside the gloves. I suggest he gets his lawyer down here a-s-a-p."

I pull my cuffs out and walk towads Flynn...

"John Flynn, you're under arrest for the murders of Robert Young and Angus Collins. You Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law....."

Later....

I sit on the other side of the two-way mirror with Palmer while Maggie talks to Flynn.

"Looks like he's gonna confess and cop a plea...should get life instead of the chair."

I light up a smoke and look at Palmer.

"Good work out there, Doctor. If I didn't know any better, I'd say you were a natual for the force..."

 

[Byrd Man]

As Barry grimace is hidden beneath his mask, he clenches his teeth and fights to ignore the pain.

"The only thing threatening my life, is your horrible banter."

He whispers to Bart.

"Hold out kiddo, just shrug it off."

I grunt in pain as Barry talks.

"I'm still gonna kick your ass!"

In a desperate move, I start to rub my hands together at superspeed, the electricity from before starts to bulid up and in one strained motion, I send all the energy out towards the Scotsman and it strikes him dead in the chest.

"Ha, bullseye, mother****er."

 

[SenseiofCheese]

I grunt in pain as Barry talks.

"I'm still gonna kick your ass!"

In a desperate move, I start to rub my hands together at superspeed, the electricity from before starts to bulid up and in one strained motion, I send all the energy out towards the Scotsman and it strikes him dead in the chest.

"Ha, bullseye, mother****er."

When the blue bolts connect with my body I feel my limbs being to twitch as I'm sent spinning through the blackness. Completely free of any control over my abilities, the emptiness brings up the first mirror of thousands that pop into my head as I violently spasm and flail about.
Me and the two bloody magicians are sent flying into a small living room, in a house in Scotland. I crash into the wall as the searing pain starts to wear off, and I realize where I am.
Ms, McCulloch's Orphanage. As I look around it feels like a dream about a life long passed. It's exactly the same as when I left it; the kids,the stains on the wall, the torn furniture.
The loud thud that echoes through the building brings every child in the place to the living room. They all stare in wonder, alternating between looking frightened of me and looking in awe at the two costumed bastards who are just about to get on their own feet.
With little time to act, I rush towards the group of children and grab a black haired boy. He screams in protest and tries to fight but it's not like he's going to be much of a match for me, is it?

When the two heroes have stood up I'm standing across from them holding the boy, pressing a shard of glass to his neck, where a small drop of blood runs down from the cut.
Below the child, who I'm holding up, floats a mirror suspended in mid-air.

"Now, I've just about had it with you two minky basturts, so I'll give ye a choice. Back off, or this wee lad here is either going 'ta die slow or spend the rest of his life where we just came from. It'll drive a person mad, y'see." I say, as I smile and cackle. Better to have these tossers think I'm absolutely off in the head.

But then again, just because I happen to be sane doesn't mean I won't cut the child ear to ear.

 

[Green Lantern]

"Bart, you grab the kid, I'll get the creep. On three."

Barry whispered to Bart, who seemed eager and restless.

"One, two, run as fast as you can, three!"

Pictures fell from the wall as a gust of wind accompanied the speedsters, and McCulloch's chest exploded in pain as he was pounded on several times in one second.

 

[Andy C.]

(IC: )

Delphi.

The old stories once claimed it to be the center of the world, home of the omphalos stone and the eternal flame of Apollo. Most importantly, it was where the Oracle once looked into the future and professed events to come.

I touch ground on the slopes of Mount Parnassus, one of the few places in Greece where the gods of Olympus still hold some small vestiges of their power. Here is where the Oracle's temple once stood, now long ruined by the ravages of time. And here is where I will meet the new Pythia, the woman through whom the Oracle will speak.

She is dressed in modern attire, denim jeans and a heavy coat rather than ceremonial robes, as she likely knows little of her true heritage. Her eyes are wide and blank, staring right through me as I approach. Whatever the Oracle has seen, it must have driven her to the brink of her sanity.

"Hail, Pythia," I greet her, "I am Diana of Themyscira, champion of the Amazons and heiress to their throne. I come to hear the message for which the Oracle has sent me."

The Pythia does not speak, but rolls her eyes back and convulses for a moment as the Oracle of Delphi takes hold of her voice.

"Long have I rested, but the world must hear my warning," speaks the Oracle, "And you are the only one who can deliver it."

"I have looked into the world to come, and it is one of terror and bloodshed. I have seen the greatest cities of the Patriarch's World made into tombs, monuments to a war that knows no nations or armies. I have heard the silence of millions following the laughter that tore their lives away. I have seen planets devouring planets, and the awakening of the eternal mind that is now hiding where it cannot be found.

"I see black globes hovering over the world that was, wherein Society grins at those they deemed unworthy. Below, an army of monsters will strike at the innocent, bearing the heads of their foes as trophies. They bring horror to those who cannot defend themselves, then slink away back to the heels of their master.

"This army of evil, this legion of doom, swears allegiance to one man, a man who created the cities in the sky for Society to escape his wrath. Those he cannot control, he kills. Those he cannot kill, he has others kill for him. This man will break the back of the world, from a palace that was meant to be a symbol of liberty...

"...the White House."

Merciful Hera.

"The American President wishes to conquer the world? The United States will surely be met with opposition, and--"

"No, this is not a matter of nations against nations. This is not about the Americans and the rest of the world. This is about one man rising to power, in order to bring war against all of humanity. He must be stopped at all costs.

"Be warned, Diana of the Amazons...when Society rises...humanity falls."

With that, the Oracle leaves her host, and the Pythia faints. I catch her so she doesn't hurt herself on the limestone rocks around us, then lay her down before flying away.

What does it mean? There is a great evil approaching, and the world must be prepared to face it. But who is this man in the Oracle's warning? Who would so willingly bring all of the world to such pain?

Perhaps my allies in America should be warned as I have. On the other hand, what if the man is one of them? Superman could easily have the power to overrun armies as he pleases. Likewise, the Batman is clearly a man of great wealth and influence to afford his weapons. Who in all of this can I trust?

The last words of the Oracle ring in my ears again and again...

When Society rises...humanity falls...

********************************************

God exists, wrote Lex Luthor, and he's American.

After only a few hours poring over the sample of Brainiac's OMAC virus, he had realized that the potential for such fantastic technology could be utilized for far more than just killer robots or the like. He had been sketching designs for a myriad of different inventions based on the nanite designs, everything from new forms of communication to self-sustaining moon bases to toasters which applied the correct toppings for you, but all of that would mean nothing to the general public if it weren't put into correct context.

Lex was now writing what would be his mission statement to the world. His manifesto. His covenant.

The Gospel According to Lex Luthor.

In light of the recent attack on Metropolis, I have been doing a great deal of what I do best...thinking. I have thought about the cybernetic army that enslaved over a million people worldwide. I have thought about the extra-terrestrial machine behind the attack itself. More importantly, though, I have been thinking about the so-called 'protectors' who fought for us that day, and why we were so willing to let them do it.

Over the last year or so, we in Metropolis--indeed, we as a species-- have been living with the undeniable fact that we are no longer the dominant form of life on this planet. We have been witness to a new breed of people, ordinary and otherwise, who have gained possession of abilities far beyond those of the rest of us. Some act as benefactors to the public. Others have endangered countless lives for their own gain. No matter which side they take, humanity has been pushed to the sidelines, merely spectators to this clash of the new titans.

God exists, and he's American.

Faster than a speeding bullet. More powerful than a locomotive. Able to leap tall buildings in a single bound. Waging a never-ending battle for Truth, Justice, and the American Way.

You've all read the stories. Many of us in Metropolis have seen him in person. And though he has thus far only acted in the interests of the common good, few people are willing to admit how dangerous Superman truly is.

Think back on the devastation brought about by the tsunami in the Pacific, or the hurricanes that wreak havoc on the American southeast. Now multiply that power by a thousand, and give it a will of its own. Give that storm eyes of fire and the ability to travel anywhere in the world within seconds. Such destruction is easily within Superman's abilities.

And what is truly disturbing is that Superman is far from alone now. Ever since Superman's arrival, countless others have joined the superhuman ranks.

In Gotham City, the urban legend regarding a vigilante 'Bat-Man' has grown into a public craze, constantly-changing stories of a bogeyman who uses totalitarian fear tactics to frighten people into obeying the law. Other Gotham stories include a 'shrinking woman' who fought against the OMAC onslaught, or a blonde in fish-nets with a voice like a sonic boom.

Keystone City is the apparent home of people who can move at nearly incalculable speeds, somehow doing this without their bodies being torn apart. This 'Flash,' as he's being called, may be even faster than Superman, according to some stories.

And let us not forget about those vigilantes who claim to be supernatural in origin. During the attack on Metropolis, many eyewitnesses claim that the illusionist/entertainer Zatanna Zatara was present, using 'real magic' to fight the OMAC swarm. The battle also saw the return of the 'Wonder Woman,' who claims her powers come from the gods of ancient Greece. Whether or not these claims are true, they have exhibited abilities that make them very serious risks should their powers be turned against us.

These are just the ones who work as public protectors. There have been several others, from the monster Lobo, to the brutal serial murderer known as the Joker, to the alien invader Brainiac, who have actively attempted to overthrow the civilization that we, not them, have spent thousands of years establishing.

Many would claim that I am being irrational by taking these rather fantastic stories as fact. But in a world where an alien in tights is accepted as our protector without question, what counts as 'rational' anymore?

We have let ourselves become lazy, allowing these super-people to safeguard our future, while our own potential is stymied. And that simply will not do. In order for humanity to survive, we must arm ourselves for the tomorrow that awaits us.

The pages that follow this introduction are not a mere bit of wishful thinking, but a plan that is already being set in motion. This is my promise for the dawn of a new age. An age of reason. An age of unlimited potential. An age of...

Luthor thought for a minute, searching for the right word. One word that would sum up the long and the short of his goals. He smiled as he found the word he was looking for, and wrote it down.

...Society.

 

[Blacklight]

Ultimate Zatanna​

"Oh my god! How unfair is that? I mean, I can beat seven kinds of crap out of you with my bare hands, but getting rid of my weapons? That buck knife was a gift dammit!" Black Mask raged, almost jumping up and down on the spot. Who was this woman anyway? She seemed vaguely familiar.

"Have I met you before? I mean I've heard of quite a few of these freaks that interfer with other peoples buisness, but I've never had the pleasure of making your aquintance...Oh I know now!" Black Mask said looking thoughtfully at her. He pointed his finger "You're Jarvis Tech's ****e aren't you? Or ****e by another name...what was it? Oh yeh, fetish doll....just so you know dressing up in leather and fighting crime as "The Fetish Doll" is really weird. I mean even weirder than dressing up as a cat and doing the same thing..." Black Mask rambled. He had his hands in his pocket, and felt something digging into his side painfully. He fingers grasped a shard of glass from where he'd jumped out of the window. The Fetish Doll wasn't saying much, but who could blame her? He'd just ID'd her in about two seconds. That was her amazing disguise gone.

"So what's your power then Miss ****e? I mean, you froze time or something when i caught you at Jarvs'. Magic? Do you have to say the magic words? Open sesame and such like? Sesame...Did you ever watch Sesame Street as a kid? I did...loved The Count. He so obviously used to work as an extra in some kind of vampire movie...Oh right sorry, rambling aren't I? Well let's get to buisness then...shame to beat you too badly...such a pretty hero," Roman said, inching closer with each word. When he finished, he brought his fist up in a powerful hook, and heard a satisfying crunch as he broke her jaw.

"Let's hear your magic word now," he said triumphantly.

The pain in my jaw was unbearable. Luckily my healing spell was the easiest to say and perform.

"Leah."

Then my jaw started to hell instantly. In seconds I could speak again.

"You may know my nightjob, but you still don't know who I am. As far as you know, I'm the Z. Who just happens to be a fetish doll when she's not a superhero."

Then I punched him back, twice as hard. Didn't want to use to much magic. I felt his nose break underneath his black skull of a mask.

"I heard your name. Roman Sionis. Now I'm taking you in!"

 

[MST3K 4ever]

I pull my cuffs out and walk towads Flynn...

"John Flynn, you're under arrest for the murders of Robert Young and Angus Collins. You Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law....."

Later....

I sit on the other side of the two-way mirror with Palmer while Maggie talks to Flynn.

"Looks like he's gonna confess and cop a plea...should get life instead of the chair."

I light up a smoke and look at Palmer.



"Good work out there, Doctor. If I didn't know any better, I'd say you were a natual for the force..."

Rhiannon smiles and says, "Thank you Captain. It's just I know about making little things work in my favor."

She fixes herself a cup of coffee and says, "I wouldn't mind if my assignment here became extended. I mean know I am here only because of some deal making with the mayor's office and the Governor's office, but I would be willing to go through the licensing process to be assigned here."

Rhiannon takes a sip and says, "I enjoy working with you and Maggie I now see why JJ had sucn a high opinion of you both."

She takes another sip and says, "I hope you don't take this the wrong way, but the local press paints a pretty bleak picture of this Police Department with a broad brush of coruption. It's nice to see that isn't exactly true. That Rachel Dawes is right about you and Maggie and some guy named Bullock. You all are the best examples of this department doing their jobs."

Rhiannon sips again and notices Gordon look at her with concentration and nods.

She says, "You have the look of a man who has something on his mind. Something other than 'Good thing this case is over' like you wanna ask a favor."