The Conglomerate
Conglomeration and Amalgamation
by JSAGL
Continued from Funeral For a Friend
Chapter 1: Moving Day
Six weeks or so back:
The Conglomerate Flyer landed with the grace of an eagle outside of a bunker in Detroit. Thomas Kord was the first to disembark. As he did, he spread his arms wide and shouted, “My friends, welcome to your new home!”
The five heroes looked around for a moment. Sargon’s nose began to twitch, but not in a very Samantha Stevens-like way.
“What in the name of Satannish is that horrific odor?” Sargon asked.
Holding his nose, Animal-Man looked partly disgusted and partly amused. “I could be mistaken, but I believe that smell is the Detroit River.”
“Ah, what my life has become,” said Sargon. “Growing up on a palatial estate, summers in the south of France, and now I live downwind from the Detroit river. Death, claim me now…”
“Where the heck are we?” said a frowning Guy Gardner. “This place seems familiar, somehow.”
Thomas Kord headed for the door and pressed his hand to the plate. The scanner beeped its acceptance, and the door opened. “I bought this place from the grandson of an old… acquaintance of mine. He was anxious to unload it.” The six headed down the stairs and entered a darkened room. “Lights!”
The room suddenly came to life. A grand table sat in the middle. State of the art computers lined the walls.
Fire looked over the room, clearly impressed. “Madre de Dios, Mr. Kord. This place is fantastic. Who did you say you bought it from?” But before Thomas Kord could answer, the group turned to hear Guy utter a series of expletives.
“Guy?” Ice asked, not sure if she should have.
“Y’know, I thought being stooges for that scum Lord was about as low as we could sink — well, next to takin’ orders from Jordan — but this takes the friggin’ cake.” Guy pointed to a large picture on the wall which showed eight colorfully garbed heroes: Aquaman, Elongated Man, Zatanna, the Martian Manhunter, Vibe, Vixen, Gypsy and Steel. “We’re gettin the leftovers from the friggin’ Justice League of Detroit… the lamest group there ever was…”
A voice echoed from the far doorway, “Now don’t get yer knickers in a twist, Gardner. It’s always darkest ‘fore the dawn…”
“Who the $%&@ are you?”
Sargon stepped forward, a look of fear and relief crossing his face. “It’s…”
But before Sargon could complete his sentence, Bea and Tora both let out squeals and yelled at the tops of their voices: “STING!”
“Oh bloody hell. Not this palaver again!”
John Constantine cringed as Fire and Ice converged on him. This was not the first time he had been mistaken for the former lead singer of The Police. He backed up a few steps into Guy Gardner. “The greatest Green Lantern of all” looked at Constantine with a mixture of annoyance and amusement. “Hey, pal, don’t stand so close to me.”
“Oh my God! I have all your albums. Will sign an autograph for me?” Fire said, opening her jacket and shoving her, uh, well, you know, in Constantine’s face. Ice turned a bright shade of red and walked away.
“I am not bloody Sting, ya daft woman. My name is John Constantine, and I’m a friend of Sargon’s.”
Fire’s face curled up. “With that attitude I believe it! You’ll never get me wrapped around your finger that way!” And she stormed off to find Tora.
John lit a cigarette. Turning to Guy, he offered him one. “Fancy a fag?”
Guy turned a bright crimson, his ring hand glowing, “What did you call me? Guy Gardner is one-hundred-percent man, bub!”
Sargon came forward, barely able to contain himself. “He was offering you one of his cigarettes, Mr. Gardner.”
“Oh… oh, yeah, I knew that,” Guy said, discreetly heading to the door. “I was just playin’. Yeah, that’s the ticket!”
“Where did you find this group of morons, Sargon?”
“It is a long story, Constantine. I hardly expected you to be here after that primordial darkness business at Winters last year.”
John Constantine looked into Sargon’s face, raising one eyebrow. “You ever get a feeling of deja vu? Like we’ve danced this dance before?”
“We have,” said Sargon. “Last fall. Do you not recall? It was just before we gathered at Baron Winters with Steve Dayton and the others. John Zatara died. Zatanna went into mourning. It was a terrible business.”
“I know all that,” said Constantine. “But sometimes my memory plays tricks on me. Anyway, mate, I’m hoping you could help me out. I’ve got a problem in India that I could use your help with.”
“Not planning on throwing me to the wolves, are you?” asked Sargon. “People around you tend to die, Constantine.” He sighed. “Fine. I’ll take any excuse to remove myself from this place. All I ask is that you give me two hours. I’m expecting an imminent visit from Captain Comet, and I’d prefer it if you make yourself scarce. I’ll be waiting for you outside in two hours’ time.”
***
Two hours later:
“Well, how do ya like them apples?”
Guy Gardner picked up a note left by Sargon. As he read it, part of him was glad to see the old square leave, but the other was beginning to wonder if a group with only four heroes in it could succeed. Not like any of us got the brains o’ Reed Richards or anything.
“What does it say, Guy?” Animal-Man asked.
Guy crumpled the note and tossed it. “‘Bout what I expected, Baker. Sargon took off ta fight some mystical warlock in India or sumthin’ like that.”
“Who?”
“How the hell should I know? I do know that it means that we’re down from seven members ta four, though, and, no offense, but running around with the powers of a chicken doesn’t exactly instill fear in anyone’s heart!”
“Yeah, and talking to people that way is sure going to inspire them to stay!” Buddy Baker yelled as he stormed out of the room.
“Ah, fer the love of Appa Ali Apsa,” Guy said as he kicked the nearest chair. “All right, Gardner, let’s get the show on the road.”
Guy stood for a moment and looked at the portrait of the so-called “JLDetroit.” He pointed his ring at it until the portrait became fluid. By the time the green glow stopped it had become a picture of the Conglomerate: Guy, Fire, Ice, Animal-Man, the Beetle, Sargon and Firestorm.
“Hmm, one little change…” The ring glowed again, and the image of Firestorm disappeared. “Now that’ll do it!”
Chapter 2: Propositions
Five weeks ago:
Out at sea two porpoises carried a coffin towards a tropical island. Kotto, the blue whale, could not get any closer, so he enlisted their aid. The two animals deftly guided the coffin towards the island, and the waves carried it to shore. Two natives, dressed in palm fronds and other native materials, approached as the coffin hit the sand on the beach.
“Another coffin?”
“Let’s bring it to the others.”
“How many does that make now?”
“One hundred and seventy-four.”
“I am telling you, we have offended the King of the Seven Seas. He has cursed this land to be the home of the deceased.”
“Isn’t that what Kooeykooeykooey means? Land of the deceased?”
“It does now,” he said as they dragged the coffin towards a special cave.
***
Four weeks ago:
The JLA satellite: 22,300 miles above the Earth.
J’onn J’onnz sat in front of the monitor screens, diligently looking for signs of trouble. It appeared that he had found one. On the monitor screen, a woman appeared. She was obviously distraught, tears welling in her eyes. A dark haired man appeared next, obviously angry, his rage apparent on his face.
“Damn you, Erica Kane! How could you cheat on me with another man, let alone my brother?”
The woman began to sob as the man stormed out of the room. “Travis! No, please, let me explain!”
J’onn’s vigilance was interrupted by a buzzing on the monitor board. He pressed a button, and another screen came to life showing a delivery person standing outside the entrance to the Mountain Sanctuary with a large crate. I wonder what this could be, J’onn thought as he pressed the button to speak. “May I help you?”
“Yessir, I have a delivery here for a Mister… Johns?”
“That would ‘Jones.’ I will be down in a moment.” J’onn walked to the teleporter tube, and in an instant he was in Happy Harbor. He quickly made his way to the entrance and greeted the delivery man.
“GAHHH!” The delivery man jumped about five feet when he saw the impossibly green, impossibly tall and large Martian Manhunter open the door. “Um… umm…”
J’onn chuckled and shook his head. He’d been on this planet, actively protecting it for years, and he still got this reaction from people. This was the reason he had worn a more human face during his first tenure with the JLA. He took the clipboard from the man’s shaking hand, signed it, and sent the man on his way.
J’onn easily lifted the crate and brought it into the Sanctuary, setting it down on the meeting table. He opened it, and inside were packages of Oreo cookies as far as the eye could see! “H’ronmmer preserve me!”
J’onn ripped open a package and began to munch. He then went over to the monitor board and punched in a member’s frequency. Wonder Woman’s voice answered, “Yes, J’onn, is there a mission for the League?”
“No, Nubia. I just wanted to let you know that I would be a little late this evening. It’s nothing that I require assistance with, but… something arrived here by courier that requires my attention as chairman of the JLA.”
“Hmmmm. I must say I am disappointed, but I certainly understand. Just do not be too long. I was hoping that you could give me more instruction in the ways of Patriarch’s World.”
“I… I will endeavor to be quick about. J’onnz out.” J’onn stared at the mountain of Oreos. Cookies or Nubia? Cookies or Nubia? J’onn packed the crate up, grabbing another handful. I will store these in my room here and then get to… well, she already knows I will be late. Just another few cookies will suffice.
***
Three weeks ago in Gateway City, the circus performer known as Mr. Miracle had just finished a performance and headed backstage. As he and his assistant, Oberon, entered the dressing room, they were surprised by two people already sitting in there.
“Who are you, and how did you get in here?” Scott Free asked with more than a little annoyance in his voice.
“Msr. Free, my name is Catherine Cobert, and I have a proposition for you.”
***
Japan, about two weeks ago:
Kimiyo Hoshi was interrupted from her nap by a knock on her door. “Who is it?”
“Dr. Hoshi, my name is Catherine Cobert, and I’ve come with a proposal on behalf of the Kara Zor-El Foundation.”
Dr. Hoshi opened the door. “Kara Zor-El was a friend of mine.”
Catherine smiled. “Yes, I am aware of that. May we come in?”
“What is it you wish?” Kimiyo asked.
“I have an opportunity for you,” Catherine Cobert said with a smile.
“Now is not the time for me to consider any new opportunities,” the Japanese woman said. “I am already due to be in the United States next month to work on an aircraft engine in California.”
Catherine was not expecting this in her plans, but the woman was a professional. She’d think of a way to roll with this new development.
***
A week ago:
Dmitri Pushkin looked across the vast field in front of his house. Life was good. He had a beautiful wife, two beautiful children, and he had just enlisted in Russia’s brand-new, elite Rocket Red Corps. He did not know yet what that would entail; it had something to do with some alien Green Lantern who decided to start spending time in Moscow recently. The sun was beginning to set as Dmitri’s wife came out of the house. “Dmitri, come inside. Your dinner is getting cold.”
He turned to her, a gigantic grin crossing his face. “Of course, Belina. How I love your borscht stew.” He walked up the steps and embraced his wife.
“Very funny. With you working on that project now, the government has provided us with real food: chicken, beef, and… your favorite…”
Dmitri’s eyes sparkled. “You mean…?” They entered the kitchen where their two children, Mischa and Tascha, were hungrily devouring their dinner. Dmitri sat down at the table, his mouth watering. “Oh, this is tremendous! How I love Spam!”
The family ate their meal. While the children were playing, Belina noticed headlights approaching the house. She went to the living room and got Dmitri. The two then headed outside to see a striking woman with flowing black hair walking up to their doorstep, accompanied by a mousy looking man.
“Dmitri Pushkin?”
“Who wants to know?”
“Comrade Pushkin, my name is Catherine Cobert. I have come on behalf of the comrade Chairman to make you an offer…”
Dmitri whispered to his wife, “Perhaps they bring more Spam…”
Chapter 3: Justice League International
Today in Detroit:
“And as chairman of the spankin’ new Conglomerate, I hereby call this meeting ta order.”
Guy banged his ring made gavel on the table. He looked around at the faces that beamed back at him. To his left, Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Black Canary and Hawkwoman sat. To his right, Fire, Ice, Batgirl, Firehawk and Arisia.
“Now, the first order of business is ta elect a permanent chairman,” Guy said.
Superman spoke, smiling that smile like no other could, “I believe you would be the most qualified, Guy. Metropolis keeps me pretty busy, and I would feel safe with you in charge.”
“I agree,” Batman said, “Even though I am not much of a group person, with the exception of the Outsiders and the JLA and now the Conglomerate, I can’t think of a better person to lead this group than Earth’s one, true Green Lantern.”
“That’s true, Batman. Everything I learned as a members of the Corps I learned from Guy,” Arisia said.
“Oh, Guy, I think you know we all love you, especially me!” Ice cooed, a look of love in her eye.
“You guys are makin me blush. I accept your nomination. Fire, you been awfully quiet. What do you think?”
Fire winked at Guy and licked her lips. “Guy, this is the most pathetic thing I’ve ever seen.”
Her voice had not come from those lips, however, and Guy snapped his head around to the doorway where Fire’s voice had come from. He looked back to the table, and, even though everyone had been in living color before, they were now all emerald green. They all quickly vanished, leaving Guy alone in the room with Fire.
“I… I musta dozed off!”
“You were supposed to be checking out all the equipment to make sure we’re ready to roll.”
Guy started scanning the room with his green beam. “See, I’m working! Uh, you won’t tell anybody about this, willya?”
Fire shook her head and laughed, “Oh, Guy, you know how much we all love you!”
Guy fumed as Fire left the room, her laughter echoing throughout the bunker.
***
Elsewhere…
“So, you want me to join your little group?”
Catherine Cobert shook her hair out of her face. “This group will be more than a little one, Mr. Mason. It will be an international group, fully sanctioned by the United Nations.”
“Sounds interesting,” Rex Mason said, obviously uncomfortable under his human mask, “but I’ve already got a group: the Outsiders. Sorry, but Metamorpho says no.”
***
A week later:
The limo pulled up outside the club. Not an unusual occurrence in and of itself, but the passenger was not the typical patron of this particular venue. The driver exited her door and went back to open the passenger door: out stepped Maxwell Lord in a $2500 Armani suit. As he approached the entrance, two burly looking security guards blocked his path. Both were at least a foot taller than Max and much more muscular.
The one to his right spoke, “Your kind isn’t welcome here.”
Max looked at them for a minute. He contemplated doing the usual, but he didn’t want to get any blood on his suit. He looked at their badges for a moment and then spoke: “Thelma, Louise, would you let Rob Lowe in here if he was standing in front of you?”
Thelma looked at Louise and laughed. “Hell, no. We don’t allow that kind of p**** in here!”
“What about Benjamin Franklin?”
“Considering he’s dead, yeah, why not?”
Max pulled out his billfold. “How about six of him?”
Moments later, Max entered the club. He could feel the pulse of the music. It was something new they called the Orlando sound. All Max knew for sure is that it wasn’t Tony Bennett, which made it crap. He scanned the club. All around him he saw sweaty female bodies gyrating and moving. Some were topless. Some shouldn’t have been. I’ve died and gone to heaven. No, make that hell. All these beautiful women and none interested in men.
As Max approached the bar, the bartender gave him an evil look. “How the hell did you get in here?”
“Thelma and I used to date.”
The bartender let out a giant “Bwa-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha!” When she recovered she said, “You’re all right for someone with a Y chromosome. What’ll you have?”
“A bottle of champagne. I’m feeling lucky tonight.”
“Pal, you’re gonna need more than champagne to get lucky in here tonight.”
As Max sipped his champagne, he saw a woman with platinum blond hair approach the bar. She was stunning to say the least. Max decided to make his move. “So, what’s a nice girl like you doing in a place like this?”
The woman looked at him. “Are you retarded?” she replied in English with a slight Nordic accent. “Have you noticed that there are only women in this club? You rich guys are so pathetic. You think money can buy you anything. Well, newsflash, this is a lesbian bar, and lesbian does not mean just hasn’t found the right man.” She spat at Max as she took her drink and started off.
“Perhaps not, Sigrid, but that’s not why I’m here.”
Sigrid Nansen stopped dead in her tracks. She did an about face and looked at Max. “How did you know my name?”
Max smiled that snake oil salesman smile of his. “Name’s Maxwell Lord. I’ve got a proposition for you, and no, not that kind…”
Sigrid sat on the stool next to Max. “I’m listening.”
***
Paris, France…
In the executive offices of Revson Cosmetics, Vivian D’Aramis was greeted by an old friend. “Catherine!”
The two women embraced and kissed each other on the cheek as was the French custom (not to be confused with any customs in the previous scene).
“Vivian, it is wonderful to see you again. I trust that Constance is well?”
Vivian motioned for Catherine to take a seat. “Oui, but if I know Catherine Cobert, and I think I do, you came for reasons other than social ones, non?”
Catherine had to laugh at that. “As always, the more perceptive sister. You are correct. I have come to offer the Crimson Fox membership in the new Justice League International.”
Vivian’s face turned white. “Crimson Fox? What does she have to do with me?”
“Vivian, I know that you and Constance share the identity of the Fox. You may be able to fool others, but not your own sorority sister.”
Vivian studied Catherine’s face for a moment. She knew there would be no point in denial. “All right, tell me about this Justice League International…”
***
And back in Detroit:
“I hereby call this first meeting of the Conglomerate to order…”
Guy banged the gavel on the table. Fire, Ice and Animal-Man were seated.
“Any old business?”
Silence.
“Any new business?”
Silence.
Guy hung his head down. Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea after all.
***
Gotham City:
“Justice League International?”
Metamorpho was seated at the Outsiders meeting table as Batman stood a few feet away from him, “That’s what she said, Bats: Justice League International. It sounded kind of fishy to me, so I’m telling you about it.”
Batman went to the computer terminal and pressed a button. The viewscreen came to life to show Black Canary. “Canary. I need you to locate J’onn for me. I’ve tried his communicator frequency, but I get no response.”
The Canary smiled. “Well, hello to you, too, Batman. Yes, I’m fine. What’s that? Oh, Ollie’s good too. To answer your question, J’onn’s out for a night on the town with Nubia, which may be why he’s not answering.”
“I see. Send someone out to find him. I’m calling a meeting of the Justice League International.”
“The what?” Dinah said, not sure if she heard Batman correctly.
“You heard me correctly.”
***
Beatriz DaCosta sat in her room at Conglomerate Headquarters and wondered what she was even doing here. The Beetle was dead. Sargon was gone now running on almost two months. Now there were only four left. How could this team function with just four members? Maybe it was time to just let the dream die the way Ted had. She decided it was time to get Tora and go home. I wonder if Dr. Mist will take us back?
As Bea headed out of her room, the whole building began to shake. “Madre de Dios! What is happening?” She was quickly joined by the other three in the monitor room.
“What’s going on, Guy?” Ice asked as she tried to maintain her balance.
“Damned if I know. The computer says it’s an earthquake,” Guy responded.
“There aren’t earthquakes in Michigan, Guy,” Animal-Man said as he almost fell.
Before Guy could respond, a voice boomed through the bunker: “Come out and face us, Justice League! If you dare…”
A grin crossed Guy’s face. “All right! Let’s get ready ta rumble!”
Fire grabbed Guy’s arm. “Hold it, Guy. Whoever that is out there thinks we’re the Justice League. Are we ready to take on one of the JLA’s foes?”
“Better question is, babe, are they ready ta take us on? C’mon!” Guy was gone before the other three could even start moving.
“Oh no, Guy!” Ice squealed. “Oh, he’s going to get himself hurt. I thought we were supposed to be a team?”
As Guy phased through the top of the bunker, he saw a group of costumed people floating in mid-air. One he definitely recognized.
“Major Disaster! I should’a known. And who the hell are these clowns?”
Disaster sneered at Guy. “So you’ve taken Jordan’s place in the League? No matter. Even you are no match for the might of the new Injustice League: Major Disaster, Multi-Man, Cluemaster, Clock King, and someone you may already be familiar with.”
A figure descended from the clouds and landed right in front of Guy. A fuzzy figure.
“I don’t know how this Justice League turned you to the dark side, Mr. Gardner, but I’ve got to take you in, otherwise, my name isn’t G’nort Esplande Gneesmacher, the one, true Green Lantern.”
Chapter 4: The Injustice League
“You have got to be kidding me!” Guy Gardner could scarcely believe what he was seeing. Moments earlier, he and his teammates – Animal Man, Fire and Ice – were literally rocked out of the Conglomerate HQ, the former JL Detroit bunker, by the power of Major Disaster and his new Injustice League: Multi-Man, Clock King, Cluemaster and someone unexpected. Out of the clouds came a Green Lantern, but not any GL that Guy had ever seen before. This ring wielder was not human, but canine and some said he had fleas. But how reliable are the reporters at the Intergalactic Inquirer anyway? His name is..
“G’Nort? What kind of name is that?” Fire looked at Guy like someone had pulled her leg.
“Ya got me, Bea. Ain’t never heard of this mutt. Yo, dog boy, what do you mean brainwashed? Major Disaster here is a major league villain.”
G’Nort shook his head, “They told me you would say that Mr. Gardner. I’m sorry, but you’ll have to come with me.”
Guy just laughed, “BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!”
Multi-Man turned to Major Disaster angrily, “Can we please get this over with? I am not having a good day and I need to get home and take my meds!”
Shaking in frustration, the Major yelled, “FINE! Let’s just get this over with so we can take on the real Justice League!”
The wind began to blow harshly as the Major raised his hands to the sky. Fire started off after Cluemaster, while Multi-Man began to stretch towards Ice. Animal Man called upon the strength of the rhinoceros and charged towards the Major. Above the fray, G’nort Esplande Gneesmacher and Guy Garnder were facing off.
“You really want to take on the best Green Lantern there ever was, dog breath?”
Clearly nervous, G’Nort replied, “Whatever it takes to release you from this evil spell you are under, Mr. Gardner.”
“Then take your best shot…”
G’Nort’s fist came flying towards Guy’s face.
Guy’s hand came up and grabbed G’Nort’s hand? paw? appendage? and stopped it cold. “Uh uh, doggie. No more one punch..now or ever. Time for the one true Green Lantern to take you to the dog pound!” Guy said with a stern tone.
“Dog pound?” A feral grimace crossed G’Nort’s snout and he began to growl at Guy. At that moment, an emerald newspaper appeared in front of G’Nort and smacked itself across his snout. Instinctively, G’Nort whimpered and flew off.
“Hey! Wait!” Guy yelled after the canine GL, “Ah, jeez….HEEL!” and Guy took off into the sky after the canine Green Lantern.
Elsewhere, Fire had the Cluemaster pinned behind a building. “You might as well give up, hombre. Smoke pellets aren’t going to do you a bit of good against a woman made of el fuego.”
Cluemaster came out from where he was hiding, his hands in the air, “You’re right. They won’t.”
Fire slowly came towards him, “Good. Glad you have some sense even if your amigos don’t.”
Cluemaster broke out into a smile, “You misunderstand. I agreed that smoke pellets would be ineffective. I didn’t say anything about these…” Cluemaster quickly threw some pellets that he had between his fingers, and the resulting explosions caught Fire off guard. “I’m not just a one trick pony, you stupid woman.”
Meanwhile, Ice and Animal Man were squaring off against Major Disaster. Behind them was a very frozen Multi-Man. “You fools,” Major Disaster cried as he fended off the heroes attacks, “I command the power of nature itself. Your resistance is futile!”
“Tell that to Mutli-Popsicle, Major.” Animal Man said as he charged towards the Major. Suddenly, a rather large arm came out of nowhere and grabbed Buddy, slamming him to the ground.
Major Disaster smiled, “My secret weapon, Animal Man. He may not be the brightest villain ever, but he is immensely strong. He CAN hurt you.”
Ice looked in horror as the hulking figure came closer….
***
Elsewhere, at Lord Enterprises, Maxwell Lord stared through the large glass window as the doctors worked meticulously on Mace Gardner.
Excellent. Everything is proceeding according to schedule. Four recruits signed up and if everything else plays out as I suspect it will, they’ll never know what hit them. Max exited the observation room and walked down the hallway to the elevator.
Amazing what can come to you in a dream. These new mental powers of mine seemed to have tapped into an alternate world. Hmmm. If they get any stronger, I’ll be able to put spandex on myself.
As he walked off the elevator, Max noticed that the door to his office was open. Miss Wootenhoffer had already gone home for the day. There shouldn’t be anyone in there.Max approached cautiously.
“Whoever you are, I can have my security team here in under ten seconds. Show yourself.”
The lights popped on and Max saw a figure sitting in his chair, “Greetings, Mr. Lord. Won’t you come in? It is your office after all…”
Max was fuming, “What in the hell are you doing here?”
***
Back at Conglomerate HQ, Animal Man found his air supply being cut off by the giant hand that was holding him. “Tora….”
Major Disaster was insufferably pleased with himself, “Every group needs some muscle. Of course, the Conglomerate seems to have forgotten that. He wasn’t my first choice, but after a few years in prison, he was more that willing to come work for me. May I introduce Bork?”
The hulking man monster began to laugh, “After tangling with Batman and the Flash, these geeks are hardly worth the effort, Major. Shall I kill him?”
“Nooooo!” Ice let loose with a blast of ice that sent Bork crashing back into the frozen Multi-Man, shattering him into a million little pieces. Animal Man fell to the ground clutching his throat.
Major Disaster hovered over Animal Man and Ice, “Enough of this game playing. Time for you two to surrender or die!” The look on Disaster’s face changed from pleasure to pain as someone blasted him from behind. He crumpled to the ground next to Animal Man.
Buddy looked skyward, expecting to see Guy, but instead he saw…”Who the hell are you?”
Bork and Major Disaster lay unconscious in the shattered pieces of Multi-Man. Animal Man was being helped to his feet by Ice as another figure joined them, someone they had never seen before.
“Are you all right, Animal Man?” the stranger asked.
“I’m fine. But who are you?”
The man standing before them was tall and good looking (like there are any heroes who aren’t?). His costume was gold with blue accents. His blond hair was framed by a blue mask that resembled high tech sun glasses. He stuck out his hand. “Name’s Booster Gold. Looks like I showed up just in time.”
Tora looked at him with confusion, “Booster? What does that stand for? Usually our names mean something or reflect our powers in some way. I don’t understand.”
The man called Gold smiled, “Well, I like to think of myself as worth my weight in gold, and I’m something of a shameless self promoter, so…” Booster was interrupted by a tinkling sound. The pieces of Multi-Man were coming back together. Bork and the Major were also rousing.
“Tora, we need to get the others,” Buddy said suddenly realizing how dire the situation had become. But as the trio of heroes tried to depart, they found themselves unable to move.
“Looks like my powers this time aren’t so useless,” Multi-Man gloated.
“Can I hit them now, Major?” Bork said with a sadistic grin on his ugly puss.
Major Disaster walked slowly towards the immobilized heroes. He began to stroke Ice’s face, “All but this one You my dear, have a choice. I can love you, but Bork can hurt you. Do what you will with the other two. Then we’ll deal with Fire and Guy Gardner.”
“Get your damn hands off her!”
Major Disaster looked up just in time to see the Cluemaster drop on top of him. Fire was the one who dropped the villain, as Bork closed in on the three immobilized heroes.
“Let them go, Multi-Man, or I won’t hesitate to barbecue your behind!” Multi-Man raised his other hand to immobilize Fire, when a green boxing glove came out of left field and clocked him. Animal Man, Booster and Ice regain their mobility just in time to see an emerald blur.
“That takes care of the pointy eared freak,” Guy Gardner said as he landed between Ice and Bork, “Now it’s your turn, you cheap Kilowog wanna be!”
As the heroes piled on to Bork, Major Disaster climbed out from under the Cluemaster, shaking his fists, “I have had enough of this!” The Major was about to summon the storm when he felt something tearing the flesh on his leg. He looked down to see G’Nort… biting him. “GET OFF ME YOU, STUPID MUTT!”
G’Nort looked up at the Major, a feral snarl on his… face? Snout? “Grrrrr. You lied to me. Mr. Gardner explained it all”
G’Nort let out a yelp as Major Disaster kicked him away, “This is beyond humiliating. You’d never see Hawkman pecking me to death. Time to salvage what dignity I still have.” Summoning the power of the storm, the Major separated his cohorts from the Conglomerate. Using the gale force winds to keep the Conglomerate at bay, the villains made good their escape. “We’ll be back!”
By the time the heroes could regain their bearing, the villains have disappeared, leaving some confused heroes in their wake. “Whose this jerk?” Guy asked, pointing at Booster.
“He saved us, Guy,” Animal Man said, “His name’s Booster Gold.”
“Uh huh. Well, Rooster, thanks for the help. How about you take your feathers and molt?”
“Hold on a second, Guy. Booster did us a good turn. Maybe we should consider him for membership?”
Had anyone else besides Ice uttered those words, Guy might have suggested what cliff they should jump off of. In this case, he decided to hold his tongue. “All right. Let’s take this back inside.”
“Ooo. Ooo. Can I come too Mr. Gardner?” G’nort said as he raised his, uh, paws, and bounded up and down off the ground.
Guy put his hand over his face and dropped his head, “All I wanted was a new JLA, and instead I get all the rejects from the Gong Show…”
Chapter 5: Under Any Other Name
Meanwhile, 22,300 miles above the Earth, “Monsieur J’onzz, did you receive the Oreos without trouble?”
Looking at the image of Catherine Cobert on the monitor screen, the Martian Manhunter replied, “I did indeed, Ms. Cobert, but I am unsure as to why you sent them. I do not want to seem ungrateful, but I cannot think of any logical reason for you to send them to me.”
“Consider them an incentive.”
“Incentive? For…..?”
“I am in the process of recruiting the final members for the new Justice League International and I was hoping to have your endorsement.”
J’onn appeared to be perturbed, “Ms. Cobert, the name Justice League is not for sale, no matter how much you might bribe me.”
“I see. I had hoped to do this with some civility, Mr. J’onzz, but it appears you have left me no choice. I am faxing some papers to you now. It seems that no one ever bothered to copyright or trademark the name Justice League of America. Or more accurately, no one until me. Rest assured, you will still be allowed to call yourselves the Justice League…of America. Or perhaps Justice League America, non? I would not want the bad publicity. However, the Justice league International will move forward whether you like it or not. Good day, Mr. J’onzz.”
J’onn sat in front of the screen, then turned to his left, “That was our conversation, one week prior, Batman.”
“That jibes with the conversation that Metamorpho had with Ms. Cobert. After the Maxwell Lord incident, I was keeping an eye on her activities, but with her virtually stealing the Justice League name out from under us, I am more convinced than ever that there’s something wrong here.”
“I agree, Batman. While you look into the legal issue, I have a visit to pay on someone. My relief should be here momentarily and…”
As if on cue, the teleporter hummed to life, coalescing in the forms of Green Arrow and Black Canary. J’onn and Batman both did a double take as the archer and the bird lady exited the tube. “Before you say even one word, I tried to talk her out of this, “Green Arrow said shaking his head.
“By the Gods of Mars, Dinah! What were you thinking?”
“I am not going to take fashion advice from a green Martian who runs around with red straps across his chest and little blue trunks that don’t leave much to the imagination” Black Canary said as she sat down at the meeting table.
Her new costume was something of a departure from her classic uniform: black leather body suit, black fishnets, black biker boots, black leather jacket with pushed-up sleeves, black choker with white canary figure at throat, black fingerless biker gloves, and black flattop haircut
“And I thought I was angry!”
“Oliver, you know why I changed my costume. I wanted to get out from under my mother’s shadow. The jumpsuit obviously didn’t work, so that’s why I chose this. It honors my mother’s costume and at the same time says ‘Don’t mess with me’.”
J’onn said something that the Canary couldn’t quite hear.
“What was that, J’onn?” she asked.
Suppressing a grin, the Manhunter replied, “I like it. Quite a looker.”
“If we’re done with all the snappy banter, three of us need to pay a visit to Ms. Catherine Cobert. Since I’m assuming you’re staying behind, Oliver, there’s a couple of people I need you to call for me.” Batman said as Canary and the Manhunter head to the teleporter tube.
***
Outside the meeting room of the Conglomerate, Booster Gold and G’Nort waited anxiously to find out if they were going to be inducted into the Conglomerate.
“Rooster, congratulations! You’re the first new member of the Conglomerate!” Guy said as the doors slammed open. He clasped Booster’s hand and his shoulder.
“That’s Booster, Guy.”
Guy’s face turned a little angry, “And that’s Mr. Gardner ta you, bub.”
As the others gathered around Booster to welcome him aboard, they heard a whining sound. G’Nort could be seen jumping up and down, his tail wagging. “Oh damn. I forgot about him,” Guy said as he walked over to the canine GL. G’Nort’s face lit up.
“What about me, Mr. Gardner, what about me?”
“Ah, jeez, G’Nort, ummm, well, we were discussing things and well, you being a fellow GL and all, though I’m not sure how that happened, um…”
Fire jumped in and put her arm around G’Nort, “What Guy means, G’Nort, is that you being a fellow GL presents a problem. There’s a law here on Earth that only allows for one Green Lantern per team. The JLA has Hal Jordan…”
G’Nort’s eyes went wide, “The greatest Green Lantern of them all!”
Guy was about to say something when Ice put her hand over his mouth and dragged him away. Fire continued. “Right. And we have Guy. So you see, even though we’d love to have you, we just can’t.”
G’Nort looked a little dejected, but he kept a brave face, “I understand, Miss Fire. So are there any other groups here on Earth?”
“Well, as a matter of fact, I can think of two that don’t have a Green Lantern. The Titans and the Outsiders. I am sure that either Nightwing or Batman would love to have you!”
As Fire walked off with G’Nort, Animal Man was watching Guy, Ice and Booster chat.There’s something about that man I just don’t like. I can’t place my finger on it, though. Something’s just not right about that Booster Gold.
As Animal Man went back to his room to call his wife, Ellen, Booster was chatting with Guy and Ice. “I can’t thank you all enough for voting me into the group. I’m curious, though, where’s the Blue Beetle?” Booster asked with a genuine look of concern on his face.
“Geez, Rooster, you ain’t very good with names, are ya?” Guy said, “His name was the Beetle and he got himself killed when we were fightin’ Despero.”
Ice punched Guy in the arm and gave him a dirty look, “Guy Gardner! Don’t you dare disrespect Ted like that! He died a hero, Booster. Guy makes it sound so awful.”
Booster looked a little shaken, “He did…I…I thought, I mean, in my time…oh wow…”
“Your time?” Ice asked.
“Um, yeah,” Booster said as he scratched his head, “You see, I’m originally from the future. I read about your adventures in holovids, and boy was I surprised when I saw myself in them. I couldn’t imagine how, but then one day, things happened and I ended up back in the 20th century. But it looks like things aren’t exactly as the old records said. I mean, Blue Beetle and I were supposed to be a team, but he’s dead. And the group was supposed to have another name. It wasn’t the Conglomerate, it was supposed to be…”
Booster is interrupted by a voice from behind, “Justice League International, perhaps?”
Epilogue: Flag and the Wall
Two months later:
In the office of Amanda Waller at Task Force X headquarters in Washington D.C., the heavyset black woman was sitting at her desk, pouring over paperwork, when her door opened. She hadn’t heard her secretary buzz. Without looking up, Amanda calmly grabbed the gun attached to the underside of her desk and looked up. “Flag. What the hell brings your sorry ass in here?”
“Nice to see you too, Wall. Why so jumpy? Deadshot giving you problems?” Rick Flag said as he sat down opposite Waller.
“I’m a busy woman, Flag. State your business or get the hell out.”
As director of the Metahuman Rehabilitation Agency under which the Task Force X directive operated, Rick Flag was technically Amanda Waller’s boss. But nobody could boss the Wall, and he generally kept his nose out of her business. While he ran the public face of the MRA that included Captain Comet’s Rehab Squad, Waller was the administrator of a covert ops version of that public team called Extreme Justice. Trying to be flippant while his eyes betrayed the concern he felt, he said, “Fine. I need your help. Karin Grace –Goldstar — has disappeared, and I need your help finding her.”
A big grin crossed Amanda’s face, “Wait. Let me get this straight. You lost your girlfriend, you have almost as many super-losers at your disposal as I do, and yet you come to me of all people for help. That’s rich.” Amanda stood up and crossed in front of the desk, getting in Flag’s face. “Why?”
Flag stood as well, nose to nose with Waller. “Precisely because they are a bunch of super-losers. We might have had a few successes in the past, but I don’t want anyone knowing she’s missing, and the costumed types in the Squad attract a lot of attention. Besides, it’s gone all to hell with so many people quitting, and despite all my efforts I’m positive Captain Comet will be the next to leave with General Logan interfering so much lately. You have a reputation for being a hell of a lot more covert and quiet than I can be. Damn it, Amanda, she’s missing, and I don’t have a clue where or why or who. I need your help.”
“What’s in it for me?” Waller asked.
Flag thought for a moment. “Name your price.”
To Be Continued
