Showcase: Nemesis

Beyond Redemption

by Vendikarr DeWuff
NEMESIS: Part 1

The old bodyguard finished reading the diary left for him, and he made a decision. He took pen to paper, and began writing the letter that would save her.

Mr. Grant,

My name is Rocky DeCio. You don’t know who I am, but I know who you are. I worked for a long time foe of yours, the Yellow Wasp. I came to work for him after he gave up his costumed identity, and came back to the ‘family business.’ I became his trusted bodyguard, but there were things he never told even me.

All the truths are in the enclosed diary, but let me spell it out for you. He discovered you were Wildcat. Not too hard, actually. Just compare the old fight films of you against that WW II newsreel shot of you on the docks fighting the Fifth Columnists. Fighting style doesn’t lie.

He took your son, and it was his greatest laugh that your son be raised as his own. I didn’t know all this at the time, but now it explains so much. Vincent, as your son was called, was a good, sweet kid. He didn’t have the instincts to be a success in the business.

And Mr. B hated him. Treated him so poorly, like he was garbage. This diary explains that too. One time Mr. B was ready to take the business back, and retire Vincent. But then it happened. Lena was born. That old man loved that girl as much as he hated her father.

You never saw an old man spoil a child so. I was the same way. I never had any family of my own. And when Mr. B asked me to keep her safe, I was thrilled. I taught her all I knew: guns, knives, fighting. Everything. Vincent didn’t approve, but I didn’t care. If she wanted to know, I showed her. Now I wish to God I hadn’t.

Vincent made recent overtures to the DeLuca family in Chicago, trying to pool business. Mr. B told him that was a mistake. At the big meeting, the DeLucas wiped out the family, and moved to take their business. I got Lena out in time, but everyone, including Mr. B, bought it.

The Old Man had given Lena a key to a safe deposit box; told her if anything ever happened to the family to get the contents and it would tell her what to do. We did that this evening.

I got shot for my troubles, and Lena got me to safety. Imagine that, the kid saved me. She read the diary, and knows who her real family is, namely you. I think Mr. B felt she should go to you if she needed someone. But that kid has a different idea. She said she’s gonna make her own costume, and get the DeLuca family. That she would become their Nemesis. Even commented that was a good name.

Please, Mr. Grant. I know you don’t owe me nothing, and owe Mr. B less than nothing. But she’s your flesh and blood. You’re the only one who can save her soul, and possibly her life. I beg you, please save my little Helena Bertinelli.

Rocky DeCio.

He sealed the letter and the diary in a large envelope, and made his way to Gotham City. Marked Wildcat on the front, he left it at the front door and rang the bell. He walked down past a couple of houses, and waited until the front door opened and a young woman picked up the package, bringing it inside. He then headed back to New York, hoping to hear from Lena.

NEMESIS: Part 2

She laid in her bed, tossing and turning, as the events of the evening replayed in her dreams.

After three nights of watching the club, Lena made her move. She wore a red wig and a bright red dress. Standing out like that allowed her to hide in plain sight. Giving the doorman a coy smile, he let her in, assuming she was just another working girl.

The DeLuca family used this secret club on Lower Wacker Drive as their gambling headquarters. Not only was it a lavish casino, but their bookmaking business ran out of the back rooms. Her family’s contacts told her he moved three or four million through there a night, making it a perfect place to hurt the DeLuca family.

Lena had just wanted to kill them all, but amended her strategy first. She wanted to teach Dominic DeLuca that you have to be thorough. He forgot her, and he would learn that lesson. She did. Lena knew she had to kill all of them. She didn’t want them coming back after her some day.

Lena walked in, her fur draped over shoulders, her red dress with the slit up her leg very obvious. She smiled and headed straight towards the back. He had heard someone snicker and say Tony’s lunch had arrived. Tony DeLuca was Dom’s little brother, and he ran the gambling operation… poor Tony.

She knocked on the door, and a big man peered out at her. She smiled and said she was here for Tony. The man looked her over, then admitted her. That was his last mistake. After the door closed, she pulled the pistol with its silencer out of its holster in the fur, and shot him in the head. Then she removed the second gun, and started opening doors.

Rocky had been an excellent teacher, and she never missed what she aimed for. Doors opened, and men fell dead. She got to the final counting room and found Tony DeLuca… and a surprise. He had brought his son into work. She raised her gun, and fired, hitting Tony in the chest.

She walked over to him, and introduced herself. Tony looked up at her with fear, and she told his kid to turn around. The boy, Tony Jr. refused. Lena looked at the kid and demanded he turn around again. He again refused. The kid must have thought she wouldn’t kill his dad with him watching. Stupid kid. Lena told Tony Sr. to remember her on the way to hell, and shot him dead. She turned to the boy, hearing her own words echo in her head “Kill them all.” But she couldn’t. She decided instead to give this kid a break. She told him to run. Tell his uncle that his Nemesis was coming, and time was short. She fired at the kid, and he ran off.

Lena then pulled off her coat, and stripped out of the long, red dress, revealing a short, black dress. She pulled off her red wig, revealing her own raven-colored hair.

Strapped to the back of the fur were enough explosives to destroy the club, and Lena set it to go. She then ran from the room into the club itself, screaming about a fire.

People started scrambling to the door as an explosion was heard in the back area of the club. She had done it, had her first blood.

But she tossed and turned, her dreams only seeing the hatred on that young boy’s face. Knowing she had taken one step in her journey to hell.

NEMESIS: Part 3

Detective Jose Delgado sat at his desk, reviewing reports on the alleged “Nemesis.” A vigilante with a mean streak for anything regarding the DeLuca family. He had to smile at her effectiveness. She had hurt this family more in a month than others, including the police, had in decades.

The fire at DeLuca’s casino, the bombings of his laundrymat chain, the destruction of his gentleman’s club. All screamed of someone who knew mob life. Delgado knew she was either a rogue cop or a mob hitter.

DeLuca’s “trusted lieutenant” in Milwaukee stole the northern operation, shutting DeLuca off from all that revenue. DeLuca’s coup on the Bertinelli family of N.Y. didn’t pay off because he didn’t move fast enough, and a former Bertinelli lieutenant took over first.

Delgado then picked up the composite sketch of the woman responsible. Pretty face, but he doubted this was her. The witness descriptions had been too varied from one location to the next. What he wouldn’t give to meet this dynamo.

He reflected on how much she had accomplished. DeLuca was finished in Chicago. The only thing he had left was the DeWulf house, a high class bordello in the Bridgeport neighborhood, blocks from the Mayor’s mansion. And that burned down last night.

It was rumored that the clientele of DeWulf house were taped “in the act,” and the tapes helped the DeLuca family with their business. Most cops on the squad knew the Chief of Police was on the tapes, since the manpower thrown at capturing Nemesis was overkill. But that was yesterday.

The order came in to disband the special squad looking into her activities, and Delgado was left with the assignment alone. Jose just knew she got the tapes before she burned the place down. And now she was calling the shots in Chicago.

Delgado admired her and her accomplishments. Her call to action made him think about past decisions. He once taught grade school in Metropolis, trying to hide from his gang roots. He had gone into the army, and became a ranger, needing the discipline. But once he got out… he taught school. Until the day Superman spoke at the school. He spoke of living up to potential, not wasting a day.

Those words hit Jose hard, and he resigned that day, coming home to Chicago, and joined the Police Department. And he was glad Chicago had never caught the vigilante fever that most eastern cities had. He admired what they did.

And tonight, he decided to join them. He would continue his investigation of Nemesis, but from the streets. He had toyed with the idea for a long time, but now was his chance. To break up the crime families and gangs that ruled the streets. Bring back order… as Gangbuster.

And Gangbuster would be someone Nemesis would trust. She would come to him for his aid. And then the real problem would begin. Should he turn her in, or work beside her?

NEMESIS: Part 4

Cameron Chase stood at baggage pick-up at O’Hare International Airport in Chicago. Her ride was late, and she was more than a little upset. Then a man in a sportshirt and slacks walked up to her.

“Ms. Chase?” he asked. Cameron just nodded her head.

“I’m Chris Chance; I run the DEO office here. It’s a pleasure to have you here.”

“I’m sure it is,” said Chase, sarcastically. “Get my bag and let’s go.”

Chance picked up her bag, and then walked to his car, double parked in the pickup lane. Chance walked over and pulled the ticket off the windshield and tossed it in the back.

“Don’t worry about that; it’s a game we have. They give me tickets, I throw them away.” Chance put the bags in the trunk and went to let Cameron into the car, but she had already seated herself. He frowned, and took his place behind the wheel.

“First time in Chicago?” he asked.

“Yes, but I am not interested in a tour, or the best place to eat. Just give me the update on the targets.

Acting all business, Chance proceeded:

“A couple months ago, a vigilante began working in the city. She targeted the DeLuca family, and has succeded in crippling his operation. She left a bodycount, not seen here since the ‘twenties. Police investigations of her activities were curtailed to just one detective, after she burned down an alleged brothel, believed to have filmed high ranking people in the act, so to speak.”

Chase nodded to him. Having read all of the reports, she just needed a refresher on things. “Then what?”

“Well a few weeks ago, another vigilante appeared here. Codenamed Gangbuster, he’s concentrated on eradicating street gangs here. It appears he wants to keep them from filling the vacuum caused by DeLuca’s fall. He’s very precise in his planning and execution. Seems to have a military background. We have been monitoring both situations per instruction.” He pauses, then, “May I ask why you’re here?”

Chase smiled, ever so slightly, and said, “It appears some of your data gathering is faulty. Did you know Wildcat entered town day before yesterday?”

Stunned, Chance nodded his head no, and Chase continued, “He was greeted at the airport by Detective Delgado, the man investigating the Nemesis problem. They talked, and had dinner. Last night, there was an unconfirmed report that Wildcat was active in the Cabrini-Green area, with Gangbuster. Did you know that?”

“No, ma’am,” replied Chance, obviously humbled.

Chase continued, “We have conducted our own investigation of Nemesis, and learned that she is most likely Helena Bertinelli, daughter of Anthony Bertinelli. Helena is the only member of the Bertinelli crime family whose death has not been confirmed. Her former bodyguard was visited by my boss, who managed to get him to reveal certain information during questioning.”

Chase paused, then said, “Do you have any water? I’m thirsty.”

Chance nodded his head, then said, “Umm, what did your boss learn?”

“That Bertinelli is the granddaughter of Wildcat, and he’s out to stop her before it’s too late. JSA commitments kept him from getting here any earlier.”

“Before it’s too late? She’s a one woman murder machine. She’s beyond redemption.”

“No, Chance, she’s pissed. And I don’t think there is any way to stop her until she’s achieved her objective. To wipe out the DeLuca family.”

“Well, where is Wildcat now?” asked Chance. He hated not knowing what was happening in his own city, but it appeared Cameron Chase had all the answers.

“He disappeared. So did Delgado. It’s our belief that Delgado is your Gangbuster. Now he and Wildcat are trying to find Nemesis.”

“Well, we let them, right? Let the JSA clean up after itself,” said Chance.

“No Chance, we get her first. Commander Steel wants her, and he’s a man who gets what he wants.”

NEMESIS: Part 5

“Yes, hon, I’ll call you when I have her,” said Ted Grant into the telephone. “You too,” he then said and hung up the phone.

“You can come in now,” Grant called out to the younger man. Jose Delgado entered the room, just as Grant pulled on his cowl. Delgado was in his ‘union suit’ as Wildcat liked to call them.

Grant took stock of the young man. A cop run into the wall, he took the only option he saw open: He went outside the system. Grant remembered another cop he knew that did the same, old Jim Harper. Jim had vanished years ago, never to be seen again. Grant made a mental note to track Harper down one day.

Wildcat only had one reservation about Delgado. He didn’t know where he stood on Helena once she was caught. Yeah, Ted knew she deserved lots of prison time. But she was his blood, and he had to spare her that. Would Delgado turn her in, or help her out?

“You have some real good moves, kid. As good as the best. If you’re serious about staying in that suit, look me up at JSA HQ when this is done; I can give you some first class training.”

“Thank you Mr. Grant, I will keep that in mind,” replied Delgado.

“So, where we headed tonight?”

“Lake Forest. It’s a fancy suburb north of the city. It’s where DeLuca lives. Nemesis has hurt him all she can at this point. Only thing left is to take it home.”

“Then let’s go. And this time, I drive the motorcycle. I could teach you a few things.”

Cameron Chase poured over the records on the DeLuca family, and she saw that his wings were clipped. He had nothing left, and if Nemesis didn’t get him, old rivals would. He had turned his home into a fortress, and he was preparing for a long siege. Poor fool. Making himself an easy target for someone as skilled as Bertinelli.

“Chance!” she called out to the bureau chief. In moments, Christoper Chance entered the room, and said sarcastically, “You bellowed?”

“Yes. Get the car; we need to head out to the DeLuca house. The girl hasn’t been active in a while, and her target just sent out the welcome mat.”

“Yes ma’am,” replied Chance, as he left the room.

Chase grimaced at the ma’am comment, but quickly brushed it off. Then she picked up the phone.

“Munro? Is he in town?” A pause, then, “You did remind him that being a part of Operation Liberty is forever, didn’t you?” Another pause, then, “Good. Things are going to get hot here, and I need my own heat. I will meet him at the target.” Then she hung up the phone.

Chase then grabbed her gun and headed for the door, wondering why Steel wanted this loose cannon on her assignment.

She sat in a tree, perched near the home of DeLuca. She had been observing him for days, even going so far as to have slipped in and bugged his home. It would have been so easy for her to kill him then. But she needed him to see her, to beg. To plead. For his own life and his family’s. Then, and only then would she kill him. When he felt all was lost.

She checked her watch, and saw the car leave. His family was being evacuated. He knew the end was near. Suddenly, the car was engulfed in a blue flame, almost like a gas fire. Then it exploded, and the last of the DeLuca family was dead, with the exception of her target.

Helena swore and cursed. Someone had beaten her to the kill. His rivals, no doubt. That clinched it for Helena, she moved tonight. The kill belonged to her. No one else.

NEMESIS: Part 6

After the explosion of the DeLuca family’s car, the area was swarmed with police and reporters. And the whole time Helena sat and watched. DeLuca was visibly shaken, and Helena was mad. Someone had beaten her to the punch, and dealt him a horrible blow. After fighting with herself, she decided that it was for the best. Her conscience had been bothering her of late, and it would be easier for her to sleep knowing she hadn’t killed the children.

The police searched the grounds, but they were local suburban police, and had no real clue about how to solve a crime. Helena knew she was safe in her high hide until they left.

It would all be over soon was all that ran through her mind.

Moving through the grounds of DeLuca’s property, Wildcat and Gangbuster were dispatching the guards in their way.

“Well there’s another one we’ve saved,” commented Delgado.

“True enough, kid. Given Helena’s M.O., it’s doubtful she would let them live on her approach to the house,” replied Ted Grant.

“You think it’s tonight, Jose?”

“Given what happened here earlier, no doubt about it. The death of DeLuca’s family will push her to finish it today.”

“You’re sure she didn’t kill them then?”

“No chance of that. She has been confronting her opposition face-to-face. There is no way she would resort to killing them by bombing. That was someone else trying to get their licks in while the dog is down.”

Wildcat chuckled at the comment, then replied, “Well, leave it to the daughter of a cat to take out a dog. We just have to get her before DeLuca does… or the cops,” added Grant. Delgado just nodded and they continued toward the house, now within sight.

The car pulled up to the gate of the DeLuca house, and Chase showed her ID to the guard. He stopped to call up to the house, and then admitted their car.

“Not being too careful, are they?” remarked Chance.

“Wouldn’t you? He just lost his family. And he knows he’s next.”

They drove on silently, noting the number of men patrolling the grounds.

“I think he must have called in every man he has left to guard the house,” commented Chance. “Too bad he doesn’t stand a chance,” he then added.

“Not from Nemesis. If she wants him, she’ll get him. She won’t rest until he’s dead,” said Chase.

“And we’re here to prevent that, right?”

Chase just sat beside him stonefaced and said, “Let’s go meet the man.”

The car stopped outside the house, and the two agents exited the car. They were immediately stopped.

“The woman stays outside. Mr. DeLuca doesn’t want any strange women in his house,” said the man standing at the top of the stairs.

Chase laughed at that, and then replied, “Fine, then you tell Mr. DeLuca to get his butt out here and talk to me. If he doesn’t, I will drag him out of this house and downtown for questioning regarding the death of his family. Does he want to be out of his fortress right now?”

Before the guard could say anything, a call from inside was heard. “It’s OK, Charlie. I’ll talk to the lady outside.”

Charlie backed away from Chase and allowed his employer to step up to her.

“How can I help you?” asked DeLuca.

“I’m here to catch the woman who’s ruined you. I believe she’ll strike soon.”

“Oh, and why do you say that?”

“Well she just saw your family killed. She didn’t do it, so she will move fast before she loses her chance at you,” replied Chase.

“Makes sense. It’s what I would do.” He pauses, then, “Who is she?”

“Well DeLuca, your people messed up their last big job. They missed a Bertinelli. And she’s mad.”

“Damn… that kid? I told my boys to let the kid go. Guess I have a soft spot for young girls.”

“I’ve heard that about you DeLuca. And between you and me, I hope she does kill you before I catch her. You’re dirt, and deserve what you get.”

“You can’t talk to me like that. Boys… get rid of these two.”

NEMESIS: Part 7

Charlie then pointed his gun at Chase, and fired. However, the bullet never struck its intended target. Christopher Chance leapt in front of his boss and took the bullet for her. Chase pulled him behind the car, and asked, “You OK, Chance?”

“Yeah — cough cough — just fine.” He looked down and lifted his hand off of his wound and looked at the blood. “Guess you can call me the Human Target now.” He coughed again, and slipped into unconsciousness.

“Damn,” said Chase, as she pulled her gun and started returning fire. At that moment, the men to her left went down, and she spotted two costumed men working on the next group of DeLuca’s troops. She immediately identified them as Wildcat and Gangbuster.

To her right, she heard what sounded small arms fire, and saw two more of DeLuca’s men go down, and Chase doubted they would be getting up soon.

Looking down at her wounded partner, she had to end the stalemate quickly. She pulled a radio out of her coat, and said, “Fire.” At that moment, DeLuca’s home erupted in a bright blue flame.

The house was quickly engulfed, and DeLuca was distracted. Having nowhere else to turn, he dropped his weapon and surrendered to Chase. He then signalled Charlie to do the same. Looking around, he saw he had no other men standing.

“I give up. Get me away from here, into jail.” He looked up and saw the raven haired woman dressed in black approach him, a knife in hand.

“I demand to be arrested!” screamed DeLuca. Chase just looked at him. The powerful crimelord, reduced to begging for arrest and safety. She almost felt sorry for him… almost.

Wildcat and Gangbuster made it to the house, and stood in front of DeLuca. Helena was steps away. Ted saw his granddaughter for the first time.

NEMESIS: Part 8

“Helena, it’s me… your real grandfather. You can’t do this. Let the law have him.”

“The Law? There is no law except for what you make.”

“You’re wrong, Helena. I know you’ve been hurt, and think you lost everything. But you haven’t. I’m here.”

Helena stopped, and looked at the man in the cat mask.

“And where were you all my life? For all my father’s life? He never knew, but he wasn’t one of those people. He was decent and kind, and couldn’t survive in that world. The world you left him in. Where in the hell were you?”

“Helena…” he paused, “I’m sorry. I spent years searching for Jake… err, Anthony. The Wasp hid him well. I never stopped loving him. Once.”

“Why should I believe you? How can I believe you? You left your own son to die, and me? What about me? Don’t you think I would rather have had a good man for a grandfather, than the type of people I grew up with? I hate you!!!”

And then she turned toward DeLuca. “And I hate you for taking away the only family I have ever known. I hope you hurt. I hope you understand what it’s like to lose everything. Now we are alike.”

DeLuca just stared at her, trying to remain brave. Chase thought he was staying quiet to keep from angering her further. DeLuca probably thought he could still walk out of here.

Helena took another step toward DeLuca. Wildcat took another step toward her. “You still have family. I found your grandmother. We want to be your family.”

“Yeah, my family from jail? You think these cops are going to let me stay free after I finish here?” She met DeLuca’s eyes, and quickly threw her knife at him. Had it hit him, he would have been killed, however, it was swatted out of the air by the nun-chuks used by Gangbuster. “Sorry, Ms. Bertinelli, you’re done.”

DeLuca dropped to his knees sobbing, and Chase could see that he had wet himself. She smiled.

“This has to end, Ms. Bertinelli. You have to go now,” said Delgado. Both Helena and Ted looked up at him in surprise. “I decided to resign from the force. I can’t bring her in. Plus, I need to do this. Chicago needs me more as Gangbuster than as Detective Delgado.”

Chase then stepped up. “I’m sorry, but I have to say something here.” She then stepped close to Nemesis and Wildcat. “I am with the Department of Extranormal Operations, a government agency responsible for the super-human community. I just can’t let Nemesis walk away from here. And I am certain Mr. Wildcat will back me up.”

Ted stared at her, then looked at Helena. “Honey, I stood on the right side of the law my entire life. I have to ask you to give up. It’s done. I will do all I can to help you, but it’s the right thing.”

Helena began to protest, but then Chase spoke up, “Excuse me… I am not arresting her. I have a deal.” She then stopped, and once she was sure she had everyone’s attention, she continued.

“I can offer her a place in our organization, doing ‘community service,’ until she works off her debt. Once that’s completed, she will be free to go, with no criminal record.”

NEMESIS: Part 9

” ‘Community Service’?” asked Wildcat. “What kind of service?”

“I’m not at liberty to discuss that with you. But I can tell you if she doesn’t come with us, I will have to turn her in, along with Mr. Delgado. He has broken several laws himself. Policemen can’t run around and do what he’s done. Do we have a deal?”

Ted looked at Chase, and then at Helena.

“I really have no choice, do I? I’ll go with you, lady, but can I have a minute?”

“Sure,” said Chase, as she turned and started speaking into her radio again. Sirens could be heard in the distance. “Better be quick.” She then went over to check on Chance again.

“Ted…”

“Yeah, I know, kid. Do what they need you to do, and your gran’ma and I will be here when you get out. And see if you can write. I really want to get to know you.”

“It’s not that… I don’t want to get to know you. I had a family, and you think that showing up after a slaughter, that I will just fall into your arms and be the obedient granddaughter. Forget it.”

She turned and walked away from Ted Grant, having wounded him more than any villain in his entire life could have done.

“That bitch…” said Delgado, then Grant stopped him. “Mind your mouth, son, she’s still my granddaughter. She’ll come around one day.”

And with that, Ted Grant pulled off his mask, and headed back toward the motorcycle. As Delgado was getting ready to leave, Chase called to him.

“Mr. Delgado, my organization is setting up a full fledged region centered here in Chicago. And I had been instructed by the head of the organization to offer you the chance to be the director of the midwest region.”

“Lady, you just threatened to throw me in jail, now you want me to run the region? You’re crazy!”

“The jail threat is still valid… but we can use a man like you here. You have power to staff on your own, with one exception. The former bureau chief here stays on as assistant director. Think about it.”

Chase then turned away from him, and Delgado ran to catch up to Wildcat. Nemesis helped Chance into the car, and waited. Chase used her radio one more time.

“Fire.”

Then a blast of flame erupted from above, and DeLuca and his assistant were incinerated. A stick match bounced off Chase’s head, and she bent down and picked up. Then over the radio she heard:

“Tell Arn I said ‘hi.’ And tell that bastard Steel I am done.”

“Now, Matches, you know no one ever leaves Project Liberty. Have a good night.”

Chase then got in the car and drove off to O’Hare airport and her waiting plane.