"The Gathering, Part Two"
Paris, France
"The bloody bastard's gone and died on us." Mirror Master nudged the man with a boot, putting away the laser-beam mirror with which he'd been torturing the poor soul. Locked away in an abandoned hotel, there had been no one close enough to hear the screams.
"The Master's going to be very upset that you didn't get the information..." The sultry blonde called Amber stood in a corner of the room, her tight-fitting orange and yellow costume accentuating every curve. She was one of the new recruits to the Secret Society, a neophyte villainess with the ability to produce a quick-drying secretion from her pores. The fluid would harden into an unbreakable prison within seconds, and could also serve as a means of defense for Amber and her allies.
None of that mattered one whit to the Mirror Master, however. To him, she was just one more whining accomplice. "Shut your trap, woman. The Master isn't going to be upset because I am going to get the info."
Amber chuckled. "And how are you going to question a corpse?"
The Mirror Master knelt and touched the man's chin, tilting his face so that the villain could look into his glazed eyes. "We want the ins and outs on all the empty JLI embassies, right? Where they're located, what equipment's in storage, all that rot? Well, just because this U.N. liason didn't spill the beans doesn't mean the game's over. You ever heard of Maxwell Lord?"
"Of course. He founded the International version of the League, right? But he's dead, too."
Mirror Master grinned in a cockey manner. "Yep... but his ex-wife is still alive. Claire Montgomery, the woman who formed the Conglomerate -- and I'd bet my bottom dollar that she'd have the goods...."
Amber felt a smile touch her own lips. "So we grab her and make her talk? Sounds like a plan to me... I'm in."
"Welcome to ze first meeting of ze Justice Squadron." The Crimson Fox, looking sleek and sexy in her costume, banged the gavel on the meeting room table. Assembled here in the Squadron headquarters, located in a small building purchased by Revson Corporation, were the Fox, the Elongated Man and Maya, along with the team's resident houseguest, Sue Dibny.
Maya glanced around at all the empty chairs. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn't keep the disappointment out of her voice. "This is it? No Green Lanterns or Dr. Lights? What about Power Girl?"
The Fox shrugged. "Most are busy elsewhere. I have had a few nibbles from interested parties, however. Fire has told me that she will try to come by in a week or so, to see how our operation is going. In addition, at least two members of ze former Global Guardians have expressed a desire to join." Sitting down, she opened up a small folder. Inside was a small slip of paper with a few notes on it. Being a leader was not something she was used to, but her long experience running her cosmetics company had taught her to be prepared. "First order of business... Ralph, any luck finding out about that mysterious apparition we saw at ze airport?"
Ralph, who had been keeping his nose buried in a copy of French in Ten Easy Lessons as a refresher course, looked up. "Not yet. I checked with airport security -- surveillance cameras caught the whole thing on film, but there's sign of the 'ghostly avenger.' Whoever he is, he doesn't show up on the tape. There have been three other reported cases of him interrupting crimes, though. All within the last two weeks. In every case, he's scared the bad guy's hair white and taken off."
Constance tapped the table. "Hmm. We must find out more about him -- he could be a very valuable ally." Moving on, Constance turned her attention to Sue. "How is ze headquarters working out? Is everything online?"
"All the computers are up and running. The JLA hasn't gotten back to us about our request to share their database, but we're now logged into Interpol's system and our makeshift teleporters are up and running." Sue noticed that Maya was staring at her and halted her spiel. "What's wrong, honey?"
Chandi leaned forward mischieviously. "Forgive me for asking... this could be taken rudely if you're not, but... Are you pregnant?"
Sue blushed furiously as Constance nearly jumped in her seat. "Sue? Is this true?"
Sue nodded slowly, reaching out to take Ralph's hand. The pliant hero was all smiles. "I'm not very far along, but... it's true. We're expecting."
"Magnifique! It is wonderful news!" Constance pounced over to Sue's side and hugged her. "Why have you not told us?"
Ralph answered before Sue could. "We were hoping to surprise everyone -- besides, we've been pretty busy getting settled in and we've only known for a little while."
"You're very lucky. I want to have lots of children someday." Chandi couldn't help but feel envious over Sue and Ralph's relationship. I should be so lucky someday. It's funny, given how strange my life has been the past few years, I'm not sure I'll ever find someone who can understand the things I've experienced. But if Ralph can, maybe I will, too.
While the friends celebrated this joyous news, a silent figure watched them. Once he'd had a name and a life like theirs, but both had been stolen from him. Now, he was sentence to serve his repentence on this world... a spectral wraith bereft of all hope. Revenant had followed the team back here from the airport and had learned much, despite the language barrier between himself and most of the team.
I wonder if they would ever accept me the way the Fox says they want to. If they knew the things I did when I was alive...
No matter. A dead man, especially a sinner like me, has no right to such hope.
Revenant turned away.
New York City
Claire Montgomery stepped out of the bath and wrapped a towel around herself. She was still young and attractive, but the past year had sapped some of her beauty. Losing Max, despite all their sniping and warfare, had been very hard on her. There were still days when she expected him to show up, hale and hearty, acting like he'd had everyone on for a good laugh.
She stepped into the living room, heading to the kitchen of her penthouse. A quick drink before bed and then she'd snuggle up with the latest Sandra Brown novel...
"Hold it right there, Ms. Lord. Or is it Montgomery these days?" The woman's taunting voice made Claire whirl about. An attractive young woman stood next to the balcony, a familiar man next to her.
"Mirror Master...? Here?"
Amber chuckled. "She recognized you."
"Bully for her." Mirror Master held up a mirror. It flashed several beams of light directly into Claire's eye, hypnotising her.
Amber nudged her partner. "How come you didn't just hypnotize the other guy?"
"It doesn't work on some people -- some folks just won't enter the right state of mind." The Mirror Master moved forward and snatched away Claire's towel. "Niiiiice. For an older woman, that is."
"Pig. Just get the info so we can go."
Mirror Master leaned close enough to Claire that he could smell her shampoo and soap on her skin. "We want to know where all the JLI's old equipment is housed. The transporters, the databases, everything. The U.N. wouldn't turn it all over to the new League, would they? So where is it?"
Amber glanced up. "Hey... do you hear something funny?"
The window suddenly crashed inwards, a beam of energy striking Amber hard enough to send her flying.
Mirror Master ducked and rolled, his experience paying off. He withdrew a laser mirror and peered over the side of the couch that he was using for cover.
There, amid the smoke, was a hulking, armored figure. "You want information about the old League? You think you can come here and frighten an innocent woman to get it?"
Mirror Master blinked. The man's voice sounded oddly familiar. "Listen, pal, if you're out for revenge on the League, too -- we can work something out. See, I'm with a group called the Secret Society of Super-Villains and...."
The armored man raised a hand and fired another energy beam. This one cut the couch neatly in two and nearly did the same to the Mirror Master.
"You don't know who I am, do you?"
"Uh... no." Mirror Master withdrew another mirror. Just one more second and I can teleport out of here, go to the mirror dimension... Just one more sec--
The armored man shot out an arm and grabbed Mirror Master by the throat. He slammed the villain into the wall repeatedly until the criminal was limp and unconscous, bleeding profusely. "I know more about the League than you ever will, scum. And I won't stand by while you hurt my ex-wife..." He bent low and whispered, "Too bad you're probably dying. You might be interested to know who I am... Maxwell Lord. But now I call myself LORD HAVOC!"
Wordenshire, England
Castle Wordenshire had stood, proud and tall, for centuries. The various Earls had always been noble men, cognizant of their place in the world and the responsibility that their titles brought.
Cyril Sheldrake remembered the day his father had passed away, making him the newest Earl of Wordenshire. The pain still flared very brightly.
Cyril stood in the basement of the castle, in the private lair that served as the Knight's headquarters. From here, he could tap into satellite and computer signals throughout Great Britain. With the aid of such devices, he had snared such criminals as the Flying Yank, the Buzzcutter and Slaygirl again and again. Such victories had made the Knight a household name in England, if still somewhat unknown overseas.
Not that he cared for the notoriety. Much.
Cyril stared at the printout before him. A rash of superpowered crime throughout Europe, committed in large part by American criminals. The names read like a Who's Who of villainy : the Mirror Master, Hi-Jack, Matter Master and more.
The Knight had fed the names into his database and discovered that, in one way or another, many of the criminals involved had former associations with each other -- via the Secret Society of Super-Villains.
Have they reformed and set their sights on England and the rest of Europe? If so, I may not be able to handle this on my own. I may have been too hasty in my refusal to join the Squadron.
Cyril glanced up as his young partner, Squire, entered the chamber. Her real name was Julie Days and her family had served the Sheldrake family for years. Julie, however, was the first to serve in this particular capacity. "Hello, Sheldon. How did your trip to Paris go?"
Cyril sighed. "I fear I made a grave mistake. England is threatened by something far larger than you and I. Since my relations with the Ultramarines is strained these days, we have no choice -- we shall have to contact the Justice Squadron!"
Paris, France
Constance stared at the picture before her. Rex Mason, known to most as Metamorpho. Oh, Rex... Why did you have to die*?
(*See JLA # 1.)
<Is he an old boyfriend*?>
(*Translated from the French.)
The Fox jumped up, sniffing the air. Normally, her senses were acute enough to detect any intruders. She blinked as she saw the young man from the airport before her. <How did you get in here?>
<It's not hard -- I can make myself immaterial and invisible. Comes with being dead.>
<Dead?>
Revenant smiled. He'd stayed after the team meeting on a whim, but when he'd seen the beautiful woman before him crying... He'd had to say something. <I was a sinful man who did many crimes when he was alive. Upon my death, I was sentenced to return to Earth and perform good deeds. Hard to believe, but true.>
Constance felt her heart skip. <Can you... communicate with those who have passed on?>
Revenant's smile faltered. <Sometimes, but it's difficult. It's best just to accept that your loved ones are gone and move on.>
<I see...> The Crimson Fox composed herself. <Well, we have been looking for you. If you are a hero, we could use you in the Squadron....>
<You... wouldn't want me. I meant what I said about being a sinner in life. I'm more like the people you put away than the rest of the team.>
Constance reached out and was surprised to find him solid and warm. <There is always a chance for redemption, yes? And if you are to remain here on Earth until you have served your sentence, why not let us help you?>
Revenant started to pull back, but the need in her eyes held him. She was so gorgeous and sincere... Despite himself, he nodded. <A trial basis only. If it doesn't work out, I'll leave.>
Constance nodded. <Very well. But it will work out. I just know it.>
When she said it like that, Revenant almost believed it, too.
Coming up in Justice Squadron # 3 : Lord Havoc pays a visit to the Justice Squadron, who are in jolly old England to meet with the Knight! Plus : "There's Something About Maya", a special back-up feature detailing the history of our youngest member!
AUTHOR'S NOTES
For those of you who are surprised by Lord Havoc's appearance this issue, please refer to JLA # 100. Maxwell Lord, who had been dying to that point, became the new Lord Havoc in that story. It was kind of cool, kind of goofy. I'm going to deal with it here and hopefully we'll end up with a Maxwell Lord that we can all live with. The fact that he's continued to watch over Claire should be an indication that our old Max is alive and well, somewhere inside that evil shell.
Maya's gotten the short end of the stick so far, but she'll get a back-up feature next issue.
Hope you're enjoying things,