Issue Number Thirteen
"One Step Forward, Two Steps Back...."
WHAT HAS COME BEFORE : The Squadron has found themselves sorely taxed in recent days -- after a brutal battle with the Secret Society of Super-Villains, the heroes journeyed to the planet Almerac in hopes of freeing the captured hero group known as Extreme Justice. Now, the team tries to rest and recover, but find that the most dire threats of all come from within....
The headline for The Sun stared up at Dorcas Leigh as she held the tabloid in her hands. SQUADRON'S SECRETS REVEALED!
The golden-tressed heroine turned the pages numbly. There were photos of Katar comforting young Chandi, though the text beneath the photo suggested a more lurid reason behind the embrace. A series of pictures showed the Knight engaged in a heated argument with the Crimson Fox, with intimations that the argument was indicative of team relations overall.
There was much more, but Dorcas didn't need to see it. Furthermore, she didn't want to see it. "I can't believe it."
Constance D'Aramis, the Crimson Fox, stood near Godiva's bed in the Squadron's medical wing, her arms crossed. "It is all there, every damning photograph! Your boyfriend, Piers, betrayed us! He used you to get to us. And now we are laughing stocks throughout Europe!"
Dorcas glanced out the window of her room in Wordenshire Castle. Pain still troubled flared from the wound she'd sustained on Almerac, but right now the real pain lay elsewhere -- in her heart. She'd loved and left numerous men over the years, enjoying her celebrity and her beauty. But Piers... Piers had seemed different. And now she was the one left shaking her head, tears in her eyes. The irony of the situation wasn't lost on her -- when she finally tossed aside her superficial lifestyle and decided to settle down with one man, that one man turns out to be a male version of her old self, the one for whom love and life were a lark. "I'm sorry, Constance. I know this makes the entire team look very bad."
The Crimson Fox sighed and put a hand on her friend's arm. "Je suis désolé... I do not mean to act so cold, mon ami. Ze public perception of us is something that we cannot control -- as with all hero groups, it will fluctuate day to day. What is most upsetting is that zis... cad... has lied to you."
Dorcas forced a smile. "No worries here, luv. I'll leave him by the wayside and move on. I've never believed in giving my heart away, just for reasons like this."
Constance studied Godiva's face and nodded. She'd seen that same look in her sister Vivian's eyes more than once. Too proud to show her pain, but close to breaking on the inside. "If you need someone to talk to... I will be here for you. Even though we haven't been particularly close, I know what you might be going through."
"Thank you... but I really am okay. To be honest, all I really want to do is rest. Maybe take some time off from the team to heal"
"If... that's what you want. You know you're welcome to return whenever."
Dorcas waited until Constance was gone, biting her lip to keep in the tears.
When they came, she thought they would never end.
"How did she take it?" Ralph Dibny stood on the far corner of the kitchen, his hands around his wife's midsection. The two of them had been out shopping for baby clothes earlier in the day and had been the first members of the team to catch the breaking scandal when a reporter had approached them, seeking confirmation of certain details.
Constance let out a sigh as she entered the room. She had changed out of her costume, having adopted a stylish dress suit for the office. Since turning over leadership of the team to Ralph, her duties at Revson had proved easier to manage. "Terrible. She won't open up to me."
Ralph elongated his neck until his face was near Constance's. "Should I try talking to her?"
"No... Let her be. Either she will come to us or she won't. In ze meantime, I have to go to Revson for a few hours." Constance winked playfully. "I have ze most adorable man coming by for a job interview. Wish me luck!"
After she was gone, Sue poked her husband in the chest. "Why didn't you mention your findings to her?"
Ralph shrugged. "She's busy enough as it is -- besides, I wanna confront Revenant myself. Give him the opportunity to--"
"To do what?"
The ghostly form of Revenant shimmered into view, his red cloak whipping about him. From the tone of his voice, it was obvious that he wasn't pleased to find himself the topic of discussion.
The Elongated Man gently pushed his wife towards the door. "Say, honey, how about checking on Dorcas for me? Maybe she's changed her mind about talking."
Sue Dibny started to protest but held her tongue when she saw the look in Ralph's eyes. He was afraid, and not just for her safety -- but for his own, as well. She sent him a look that told him that she wasn't going far from the door, in case he needed help.
Revenant waited patiently, though he felt turmoil within. He'd expected this, dreaded it, ever since he'd joined the group. "You've been digging into my past, haven't you?"
Ralph saw no point in denying it and nodded. "Sure have -- and I don't like what I've found. Jon Kincaid, the son of a Japanese woman and a French diplomat. Ties to the Yakuza and various European crime cartels, you committed your first murder when you were just 14 -- bashed in the head of a school rival. Your father's influence saved you from prison, but just barely. From there, it got worse as you eventually became a hired killer, a man known for enjoying his work above and beyond the call of duty. You were diagnosed as psychotic and antisocial, with stints at Breedmore, Arkham and more. Rumor has it you killed your own father... Is it true?"
"You know it is. Otherwise, you wouldn't have confronted me with it."
"And you don't have anything to say for yourself?"
"We all make mistakes, Dibny. All of us. Mine were just a bit more... severe... than others. Since dying and seeing what awaits all of us who sin, I've... changed. I'm not the same person I once was. That's why I don't answer to the name Jon Kincaid anymore. It's not my name."
Ralph couldn't help but make a face. "Mistakes? I estimate you're personally responsible for at least 24 deaths and I'm sure that's a low estimate! If the press finds out who you were... who you are... it'll ruin us."
"Aren't you the one who said we should always stand by our friends?"
"Are you our friend? You've barely said one word to us since you joined and now I find out that you're not just some petty thief or adulterer -- you're a serial killer! I knew you'd sinned, but not like that!"
"What do you want from me? An apology? I can't change the things I did -- I can only make the most of my second opportunity. I'm trying to help now."
"You're not trying to help anyone but yourself, Jon! You wouldn't be here except for the fact that you're damned if you're not! All you care about is tallying up more good deeds than sins, so you can go to a better afterlife. That's not right."
Revenant clenched his fists. "So you want me to leave?"
Ralph sighed. He hated doing this, but he felt that in good conscience it was the only decision he could make. He had to think of the safety of the entire group. "Yes. I won't tell the others about your past -- We can just say you went your own way. That way... that way, you can maintain your dignity. Okay?"
"I'll see you in hell, Dibny. I was a fool to believe I could be accepted here." With those words the ghostly avenger vanished altogether.
I hope I did the right thing. God, I really do. Ralph Dibny lowered his head and prayed.
INTERLUDE
Dmitri Pushkin Gorki stared at the crimson helmet before him. He hadn't worn his Rocket Red armor in many months, having finally stepped down from his role to spend more time with his family. The many changes in the former Soviet Union had caused confusion as to where his loyalties lay, as well. It had seemed easier to just put it all in the past.
"They could certainly use you, Dmitri. You really should consider my offer."
Dmitri turned to his guest and shook his head. The two of them were standing in a workshed beside Dmitri's home, the snow falling hard outside. "I cannot. My family... they need me."
"The world needs you. Something is coming, Dmitri... something will lay waste to Europe and beyond. The Squadron is good, but they lack a certain amount of power that you could give them. I've seen them up close and personal -- and right now, they can't stop what's coming."
Dmitri frowned. He was a large man, with a thick beard that made him resemble a bear if he let it go unkempt. Right now, he was furry enough to be mistaken for the Tasmanian Devil. "But what is this threat?"
"That... I cannot reveal. But in time... Look, Dmitri, you still have long enough to put your affairs in order and prepare your family for your departure. Think it over. Use the Squadron communicator that I gave you -- it'll let you access the team's teleporters to join up with them in London."
Dmitri fingered the communicator he held in his hand. It was very similar to the one that the League used during his tenure with them. "But why me? Why not others?"
"I... considered... others. But, in the end, I saw you as being a more important factor."
"And the Squadron knows that you have invited me to join them?"
Maxwell Lord flashed his most dazzling smile. He put his hands deep into the pockets of his suit and nodded. "Now, Dmitri, would I lie to you?"
LONDON
Hawkman descended, carrying aloft Maya. The young girl had her arms thrown around the Thanagarian's neck, her eyes wide with excitement as they swooped over the rooftops. "This is so thrilling! I wish I could fly!"
Hawkman felt himself smile, despite the dark cloud that had hung over him in recent days. Shayera was still missing, possibly dead... and it was looking increasingly unlikely that he would be able to find her. "It's difficult for me to imagine an existence without flight. On Thanagar, I wanted to be a Wingman from an early age. I've always been flying, one way or another."
"Thanagar sounds wonderful. I wish I'd grown up there rather than in India."
"No... Thanagar was anything but wonderful. It was a greedy, awful place that lost its way long before I was born. Earth is truly the jewel of the galaxy, a place where one can rise above their station and become something more."
Maya considered his words. It had never occurred to her that humans could draw envy from aliens. Other worlds always seemed so exotic and exciting... It made her think of the other things she might have taken for granted.
The brightly dressed duo landed at the Heathrow Airport, attracting a crowd of onlookers that swarmed to them. Maya smiled at the wellwishers and began dispensing autographs while the more stern Hawkman pressed his way through to the airport's main office. The guard who was waiting there stepped aside as he saw the Squadron member approach. "She's waiting for you inside, sir."
"How is she?"
"Fine now, sir. The doctors wanted to take her to a nearby hospital but she refused -- She was very insistent that she see someone from the Justice Squadron!"
Hawkman allowed himself to be led into a small room where an attractive Japanese woman sat. She looked haggard and weak, her clothes somewhat askew. She clutched the costume of Dr. Light in her hands.
"Kimiyo Hoshi? I'm Hawkman and --"
"I know who you are. I'm not crazy, not matter what these fools might have told you." Kimiyo stood up and locked gazes with Hawkman. "I came from Japan to see the Squadron, to ask them for help. But... en route... I felt a calling. It was my lover, Erewhon. He's been kidnapped and..." A sob choked off her words, making her clutch the costume in her hands tighter. "...he's been calling to me. I have to find him!"
Hawkman nodded, studying her. She was clearly distraught, but from what she was saying... Could this be connected to Shayera's disappearance? No reason why it should be related, but still... He felt his heart speed up as the thoughts ran through his mind. "We'll help you, but we're somewhat short-handed. I'm not sure what--"
Kimiyo's eyes flashed. "Short-handed? Fine. Consider Dr. Light signed on for the duration, then. But make no mistake about it -- I'm here for Erewhon. Agreed?"
"Agreed. Do you have any leads that we can follow up on?"
"I have more than a lead, Hawkman. Just prior to leaving Japan, I managed to make a match on the energy signature that accompanied Erewhon's disappearance. I've traced it to a country the League knows very well -- Bialya!"
In Justice Squadron # 14 : The Justice Squadron investigate the Erewhon mystery, with more surprises than you can shake a startled monkey at! Plus : What the heck's up with Lord Havoc, aka Max Lord? Be here to find out!
EUROPINIONS
This issue was designed to be a much "smaller" story than the Secret Society and Almerac plotlines, though I think it is just as important to the continuing saga of the Justice Squadron. Next issue begins another of our multi-issue epics and I hope that you're all looking forward to it as much as I am.
The revamped roster of Elongated Man, Crimson Fox, Maya, Hawkman, and Dr. Light will be around for the next few issues, so get used to it! LOL. But don't worry -- both Revenant and Godiva will remain as supporting players and they may return to active duty in the future. And, as hinted in this issue, Rocket Red may be on the way back, as well. I'm going for a 'Roy Thomas/Steve Englehart' approach to the team's lineup, harkening back to their respective runs on Marvel's Avengers series. Members will come and members will go, but a core group will always remain.
I felt somewhat uncertain about running this particular storyline so soon after "Monarchy," since both stories are kicked off by former associates arriving and seeking assistance. I decided not to hold off on it, however, since I wanted to bring back Kimi as soon as possible. I give you my word of honor that future storylines will have the team in a more pro-active role.
Keep in touch,