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Suicide Squad
Suicide Mission
Part 1
Rick Flagg rubbed his eyes. He was tired of looking at computer files and dusty paper records. He had been scanning both for a long time with what he considered to be little success.
"Mr. Blake is here to see you," chimed in his loyal secretary, Karen.
"Thanks. Send him in," he replied.
Adam Blake, a.k.a. Captain Comet, had been a hero's hero for decades. His youthful features did not reflect this fact. Perhaps his mutated metabolism aged far slower than that of normal humans like the weary Flagg. Captain Comet smiled as he entered. His colorful red-and-blue costume attracted even more attention than did his handsome features. Karen certainly admired both.
"Rick, I am a little early but I couldn't wait to get started. I hope you don't mind my eagerness. After years battling various societies of villains, I can't wait to try to help rehabilitate a few. I've found a good possibility... but I am getting ahead of myself. What does the U.S. Government's Metahuman Rehab Director have to offer?"
Rick laughed. Comet's determination to do good was just one of the many traits that set him apart from most people. "I have a few names to toss at you, too. I know you know the basics, but to reiterate: Our policy is to allow certain empowered criminals or non-criminals to 'work off' their jail time by participating in crime-fighting-style missions as a team, the Suicide Squad, led by you in the field and me in the office."
"Sounds as good as it did when you first approached me after the Crisis. I know that world calamity made the potential good that could be done by those classed as felons all too clear. Seeing some of them fight the anti-matter walls side by side with heroes made that point for us."
"Of course, many did just the opposite. They tried to use it to their own gain as always," muttered Flagg.
"True, but I hope we can turn a few of them around," replied Comet.
Part 2
Comet and Flagg looked over a sheet of photos. "I like the use of Golden Glider, Killer Moth, and the British girl... but Cheetah?" asked Comet.
"She has no madness, now that Wonder Woman is dead. The news seemed to settle her mind totally. Her skills are useful, and your aide Dolphin can watch your back," said Flagg.
"Agreed. I guess all of them are entitled to a second chance. Any luck contacting the woman called Moonbow?" he asked.
"I'll keep trying. She does seem perfect, too."
"Let me know when we can start," said an eager Adam Blake.
Part 3
"This is it! There's a break-in at STAR Labs. Your team may make their name on it if you're quick!" yelled Karin.
Flagg gave a brief nod and said, "Good luck, Adam!"
Comet had no desire to take the full team out without more training. He barely knew some of them. "Come on!" he called as he passed the quarters of Lisa Snart, Dolphin, and the mysterious Cheetah.
"Yes, darling! I'm right behind your dreamy bod!" cooed the Golden Glider. Dolphin frowned and hurried on the posing Lisa.
The Cheetah bounded out and said, "I was born ready. I am eager to prove myself!"
Comet considered sending her back and getting the British girl or Killer Moth, but one was in the medical lab for a final check-up and he really didn't want to turn both Cheetah and Moth loose at once. "This may be the start of new careers for you all. Just follow Dolphin and I as we lead you."
The pretty blonde Dolphin wore a brief halter top and light blue hot pants. She was the only one he trusted fully. "Don't worry, Adam," she said as she opened the door to their sky skimmer.
Part 4
Debbie Domaine, a.k.a. the Cheetah, was almost climbing out of the skimmer as the team swept into STAR Labs. I must prove myself, she thought. I can do good for the environment and society as a whole if they trust me. Now that my hated foe, Wonder Woman is dead, I have nothing but a desire to use my gifts for the betterment of myself and others. All the black anger is gone... with that witch.
Dolphin eased the skimmer to a perfect landing. Comet had taught her well. She admired him so much. She hoped his plan would work. He so wanted to see these villains redeem themselves. She sighed and awaited his orders.
"Let's go! The raiders are still here! Pick a target and be careful. Watch out for civilians. Their safety is of paramount importance," he said.
"Don't worry that gorgeous head of yours, darling," cooed Lisa Snart, the Golden Glider. "I've got your back!"
Dolphin frowned in irritation at her partner's blatant flirtations but she merely herded them inside.
Costumed men were racing out with blasters firing as lab-coated workers ducked and alarms blared. The uniforms were nondescript and matching green.
That technology is advanced, thought Adam Blake as he charged forward.
"Get him!" yelled a green thug.
Blasters flared and hit his chest without harming him or slowing him down. "Not strong enough, boys. You need to get your money back!" he joked. Comet made himself the obvious target of the gunmen and deliberately attracted their gun fire.
Lisa Snart glided gracefully to a group of gunmen. She skated on a steady sheet of ice generated by her golden skates. She skated up to a perfect stop and spun around rapidly, blindingly, until her arch kicked the guns out of the hands of three green-suited goons.
"And now, a triple axle to your faces!" she laughed. A quick balletic spin sent the men tumbling down, buffeted by the speed and force of the graceful blonde's skillful movements. One moved upward and she belted him with a swift left. "Not bad. Now, where are my adoring fans?" she teased.
Meanwhile, Dolphin desperately watched as STAR staffers ran from the remaining fleeing gunmen. The demure blonde charged forward and ripped a gun from one thug with the alien-given power that had enabled her to dwell on the ocean's floor for years. She slammed him into a wall and he remained still.
"What are they after?" she asked a redheaded scientist.
Dr. Klyburn replied, "I have not been able to tell what storage pod they hit yet. I..." Her scream echoed out as more gunmen raced up to carry her off.
"We're gonna need you, babe!" said one. Dolphin tackled the closest one and pummled him with a quick effectiveness.
Cheetah pounced on three thugs and delighted as their cries rang out. She clawed their uniforms to shreds and held her temper and did not hurt the men... much. She flipped backward and landed a kick that dropped a fourth man. I could get to love this, she thought.
Part 5
As Debbie smiled, she noticed Klyburn's struggle. She leaped upward and soared through the air to land exactly on the back of the doctor's abductor. She brought both fists down on his head and he fell. She rolled off and helped the grateful Janet Klyburn up.
"Thank you!" she said.
"That's not needed. It's what I do," said Debbie with a new feeling of accomplishment.
Meanwhile, Comet jumped onto a flying craft that was lifting off with the rest of the gang. He pressed his hands into the metal and gripped it with his considerable might. The craft slowed its rise and turbos strained to escape the grip of one amazing man. "Got to ground this ship!" he muttered. The others watched as their leader slowly wrestled a technological miracle to defeat at the hands and will of one hero! He brought down the craft with a final heave. The impact shook the building and with a final electric groan the craft moved no more.
"Nicely done! Solid six-point-zeros!" said Lisa.
Dolphin ran up to congratulate Comet as he forced open the ship. "They seem to be all out cold," he mused.
"Not that one!" said Debbie.
He saw Dr. Klyburn ran out and asked her, "Are you okay?"
"Yes, thanks to you. I see no one at STAR was hurt. You saved the day," she said.
"Dr. Klyburn! I found out what they wanted! Looks like they slipped off with it. The craft Comet stopped held all of 'em but one or two slipped out by conventional means with the missing item," said a panting scientist.
"What is missing?" asked a determined Captain Comet.
"A device called the Cardialink!" she said.
Part 6
Back at the government headquarters of this new program, a handsome man posed in front of a group of nurses. He flirted shamelessly and to his delight, they did respond to his polished and shallow charms.
"I have not seen such a bevy of beauties since my college days at Yale. Or was it Harvard? Those Ivy League places do run together, you know. One sorority is pretty much like another. Of course, getting such tender care by angels of mercy like you ladies was not part of the college experience. Seems they had some 80-year-old retiree with garlic breath at both schools!" he teased.
They tittered at his wit and watched Cameron Van Cleef as he gracefully exited to return to his quarters. In a room that was decorated with costly paintings and antiques, he relaxed. "No need to work the room if I'm alone!" he said with an idle sigh.
He was the costumed villain known as the Killer Moth and he had made a brief career in criminal circles as a sort of anti-Batman. He had offered to aid and protect crooks when summoned by a special signal for a sizeable fee. He'd had money, but his lifestyle led him to run through it all too quickly with women, travel, collecting, and women, so using his technical skill and his considerable physical abilities to enrich himself while enjoying adventure had seemed a perfect plan. Batman had stopped him. Batgirl had stopped him. Even Batwoman had beaten him. Still, he considered it all part of a grand game and bore them no particular malice. Great legs on that fiery redhead Batgirl, he had thought.
Now he prepared for his rehabilitation as a hero. The idea appealed to his vanity. Just maybe, he could make Killer Moth into something more than a mere "Batman wanna-be."
Part 7
"I've heard of the Cardialink. It was covered in a Science journal a few years back. It was designed to stabilize a weak heart in a radical way," said Captain Comet.
"My heart is weak around you," cooed the Golden Glider.
Dolphin glared at the flirty blonde and asked, "Who invented the device?"
Dr. Klyburn and Comet both answered, "Dr. Atley."
Cheetah prowled nervously around STAR and noticed a young man being tested in some manner by some lab coated men. "Will Payton is here now, Dr. Klyburn!" said an aide.
"Oh, excuse me. This young man has received odd powers from a ray of some sort from space. I am working with him. Could you help?" said Dr. Janet Klyburn.
Comet said, "I'd be fascinated to look into the matter... after I recover the Cardialink. May I have Dr. Atley's address, please?"
After giving the hero the information, Klyburn resumed her work with the brown-haired boy named Will Payton. "Was that Captain Comet?" he asked.
"Yes, Will. He may help you with your situation," she said.
"I admire him a lot. He and the JSA heroes from that other Earth are really noble. I'd like to use my new gifts like they used theirs. Starman, Dr. Fate and the others are even more appealing to me than the JLA," he said.
Part 8
Vivian d'Aramis was worried about her Revson Corp. She had been CEO for some time now, since her mentor's death, in fact; however, the lovely French blonde had seldom represented the company on her own. The convention of international vendors promised real wealth if Revson could work a deal. The weight of the proposal was entirely on the designer-dressed, silk-bloused shoulders of the mini-skirted, high-heeled blonde.
"Ah, Constance! Where have you disappeared to?" she pondered. Her twin sister had shared both the corporate leadership and their super-heroic identity of Crimson Fox with her for some time now. Constance had vanished, recently and Vivian feared the worst. She would search as soon as the conference ended. Several other CEOs passed her with admiring looks but she had no time for their leers.
Part 9
Dolphin reluctantly agreed to stay behind at STAR just in case more trouble loomed on the horizon. The pretty platinum blonde passed the time talking to Will Payton, the young test subject.
"It's so odd. I was just hit by the proverbial beam out of the blue. It gave me powers of flight, strength, and energy blasts. There could be more I haven't learned about yet. The Doc has been helping me learn if I'm going to blow up, or something," he said.
Dolphin sat on a table top and swung her shapely legs as she listened. "I am also the product of some kind of alien science fair project. I can live underwater and have extra strength and speed."
"Maybe we have some common UFO ancestors," he joked.
As she laughed, she considered asking the friendly and altruistic man to join their team. "Let's stay in touch. I am at this number and extension," she said, writing quickly.
"I'd like that very much," answered Will.
Part 10
Vivian D'Aramis joined the assembled business leaders at the convention seminar. She smoothed her black mini-skirt and brushed back her long blonde hair. Oh, Constance! Where have you ended up this time? she thought.
The other CEOs were silenced from their joking when a handsome man stepped up to the mike. "Greetings! Do you want more? Do you crave the best in life? If so, then join me. Join the millions of supporters who have left mediocrity behind and found total self-actualization with my plan. I'm Achilles Dahmmon. I can free you of doubt if you just surrender your will to me!"
His blond, wavy hair was perfectly styled and his suit seemed custom made for his broad shoulders. Vivian felt herself losing free will. She almost dozed, then abruptly jolted herself forward. Around her, CEOs murmured like ensnared rats following a mad piper. Vivian ran out. He's controlling minds, sapping will... got to get out!
She lost a high heels and kept moving. Then she was shocked to meet her exact double. "Constance, Mon Cher! It ees I, Vivian!" said the double -- actually her twin sister. She wore thhe Crimson Fox uniform and posed seductively across a divan.
"How did you get here? You never called when you reached the US for the business meeting. I was sick with worry! We must get out. That Dahmmon is taking over minds... that must be his secret to success. He gets CEOs to come here, then saps their will and takes their money," started Vivian as she kicked off the other heel.
"Non, non! He is wise and good and I serve him too. He found moi on the prowl before the Revson meeting. You know a girl can only be... how you say, all work so far! He found me in suit and brought me to the... arena, but he learned of us and had me send the invitation to you to bring you here, so he could have us both... and Revson too! Ees that not brilliant?"
Vivian stared at her mesmerized sister and shook her only to receive a swift right to her chin. She fell, rolled out of range and leaped up to perch on the back of a couch! Then Achilles Dahmmon entered and she knew no more.
Part 11
Captain Comet, Cheetah and Golden Glider stood in the small, but cozy, apartment of the Atley family. While Adam Blake talked to the portly scientist who invented the Cardialink and his beautiful young daughter, Caroline, the Cheetah curled up on a sofa, looking like nothing as much as her feline namesake.
Lisa Snart saw her pretty partner lounge and expected to hear her purr. She is into the character. Judges would like that, mused the ex-skater. Lisa saw the earnest Captain explain the potential peril to the family. He is even more stiff than the Flash! But cuter. I wonder if...
"So, someone may try to kidnap us?" asked the sweating Dr. Atley.
"We just want to be as safe as we can, sir," added Comet. At that moment, two hulking figures kicked in the door. "Glider, get the Atleys out, now!" ordered Comet as he tried to intercept the newcomers.
Part 12
The Golden Glider moved with all her Olympic grace. She hurried across the room and nimbly dodged the new figures. She grabbed the Atleys and said, "Hurry, this way, folks! We'll keep the riffraff out!"
Comet felt a hard right as the first intruder hit him. Almost as strong as I am! Don't know the costume, he mused. The purple and blue costume had a mask that hid the intruder's features. The second felon did seem familiar to Comet's photographic memory. He's that stunt man, Vannuci, who turned actor-slash-would-be-hero. Comet saw his blond foe in a red and blue revealing suit. He said, "Isn't this a bit far from Hollywood for you, Vanquisher?"
His foe grimaced and grabbed for him, only to miss as Comet ducked and landed a left to the chin of Vanquisher. The other man said, "Funny. Too bad we're winning."
Comet used their size against them by tripping and pushing the slower pair into each other. "Dynamic, get off me!" moaned Vanquisher.
Cheetah pounced on the one called Dynamic and wrapped her legs around his upper chest. She scratched and clawed with all her might. Nothing happened. He's tougher than that swine, the Amazon, she thought.
Comet sent Vanquisher flying out the open door with a fast jab. He then tackled the struggling Dynamic. "Help Glider, Debbie. I'm more in this creep's strength league," he said.
Part 13
Golden Glider led the Atleys out the back door. "See, those oafs don't even know we're gone!" she giggled.
"But I see you!" said a woman's voice. Glider looked up just as a flying woman punched her in the jaw. Lisa moaned and tried to hurl a throwing blade at the white clad blonde. The blade skittered off of her spread white-clothed wingspan. She opened her mouth and sonic waves hit the threesome.
Lisa bravely (and surprisingly) pushed the Atleys behind her, but the sonics knocked all three to sleep. The Silver Swan looked almost sad as she carried off the three bodies one by one.
Meanwhile, Cheetah raced out to see the fleeing Swan. "You! I can't believe it!" She knew the Swan, a.k.a. Helen Alexandros, a ballerina-turned-magical-super-villainess. Cheetah leaped up, swung around a flagpole three times, and arched her magnificent body through the air. Her hands grabbed the Swan's slender ankles and she kicked out with both feet. Swan gasped and tried to shake her off. They struggled over the block, and then with a desperate shove, Silver Swan shook her loose. Debbie screamed and flipped franticaly into a garbage bin. It broke her fall, but left her stunned.
When Comet knocked Vanquisher out of the house, he had spotted the fleeing Swan. He followed his female ally and found the stunned Cheetah. She'd be perfect for the boss's arena. This Cardialink job is one he leased us out for, but he'll give us bonus points for a super-babe like this, the Vanquisher thought as he carried the stunned Debbie off into the night.
Part 14
Dynamic rolled out from under Captain Comet and received a punch to his masked chin. "This isn't fair! The Doc said I could reach my true potential! He brought back my powers after Supergirl made me lose them." He thought of running, since he was clearly outmatched by Comet and his allies had fled. He ducked his head and bullishly charged Comet. The sudden impact hurt... but the hero refused to fall.
Comet wrenched Dynamic's neck around and crashed him through a table. He got up, staggered once, and fell for good. Comet ran to check on the Atleys and his female partners, only to find all of them gone. He ran back... and even Dynamic had fled!
Part 15
Captain Comet tried to sound certain as he assured Rick Flagg that Cheetah and Golden Glider had been abducted by their foes and had not merely run away. "They both showed real courage on this mission, and neither seem to mind the duty. I'd say helping others appeals to Cheetah's activism streak from her days as Debbie, and Lisa loves the attention."
"Can you trace then with their costumes's micro-trackers?" asked Karin.
"Tom says there is no signal. I do think I can find them. I'll report back later," said Adam Blake. Comet did have an idea. In fighting Vanquisher he had picked up a brief telepathic image of an old house. He did not know where the house was, but his photographic memory recognized a distant, historic lighthouse from an old newspaper article he had once read. That would simplify his search.
He and a hastily-updated Dolphin hurried off with an accompanying Will Payton. "I'd like to help Dolphin. The suit the STAR people gave me is like a heroic costume, and my new powers may be of use," said the sincere, brown-haired young man. He wore a black and red costume with a star emblem on the chest. "I'm not worthy of the name, but since my powers came from a bolt from the sky... and I admire the Starman of that other earth from comic tales and news reports, I'm calling myself Starman," he said nervously.
"Sounds good. I think your help will be vital if we face many criminals," said Dolphin as she patted his arm. "That's the lighthouse. I see the old house or one like the one you described!" called the platinum blonde girl.
"Let's go!" said Blake as he piloted the skimmer down.
Meanwhile, far away Clark Kent stiffened and felt waves of pain. "Can't understand it. Feels like Kryptonite," he murmured. He moved out of the line of vision of any onlooker and tried to catch his breath.
Captain Comet and his team burst into the old house to see a very modernized lab and some odd figures. In addition to a worried-looking Dr. Atley and Caroline, Vanquisher, Dynamic, and a strong black-haired woman in a red mini-dress stood around a medical table. On the table reclined an odd mixture of man and machine. He smiled sinisterly.
"Ah, the good guys are here. Too bad you came too late."
"I know this creep. He's called Metallo," said Comet.
Part 16
"Yes, I am Metallo, also appropriately called 'The Man With the Kryptonite Heart'!" he laughed.
"That's the substance that hurts Superman," noted Dolphin as she moved closer to the Atleys.
"Yes, Mr. Mxyzptlk recently dumped the Kryptonite asteroid of Argo City on Metropolis and the place is flooded with the stuff. They're still trying to get rid of it all," sneered the villain as he jumped down from the table.
"That explains all. You're using the Cardialink to kill Superman! Not if I can stop you," said a determined Comet. He slammed into the evil cyborg and they struggled to the floor.
"Too late, do-gooder! The 'Link ties a user's heart to the Earth's very core... the pulse of the Earth, if you will. In some cases a damaged heart made earthquakes... in mine it merely permeates the very atmosphere with Kryptonite radiation. The very Earth is killing Superman as we speak!"
He hit the amazed Comet with a powerful left. The red-and-blue-clad hero shrugged off the punch and tried a frantic attack. He scooped up Metallo and flew through the roof. "If I can get you off Earth... the damage may stop!" he vowed.
"Not likely, fool!" said Metallo as his found his mighty cyborg arms pinned.
Dolphin danced nimbly between Vanquisher and Dynamic. Her lithe form easily avoided their clumsy charges. She spun and kicked the purple-costumed Dynamic with her leg. Stronger than normal humans due to her life amidst the ocean floor's crushing depths, she followed up with a second kick. Dynamic rolled forward into a machine that sparked, but he remained standing.
Starman faced the vain Vanquisher. He said, "Surrender now. I don't want to hurt you."
"I doubt you can, boy!" laughed the blond thug.
Starman met his charge and remained unmoved. I guess I'm as strong as this guy, thought Will. He generated a mighy energy blast that shook Vanquisher to the ground.
Part 17
As Dolphin kicked at Dynamic, she also dove out of the path of the "bio-medical" blast of Vanquisher. The red-dressed woman grabbed the struggling girl in strong arms. "I am snap you like a twig," she laughed.
"Now, Ultimate, be modest. The Doc's actualization plan does not make you that strong," laughed Dynamic. She smiled and shook Dolphin hard from side to side. Dolphin braced her shapely legs and twisted. Ulitimate fell over the demure platinum blonde and yelled her anger.
Dynamic spun around as Comet suddenly sent Metallo crashing through the broken roof directly into him. "That will stop one of your goons," said Comet.
"Comet, the only way to shut the Cardialink down is to dig it up from the center of the Earth. This device traces the pulse. Hurry!" said Atley.
Comet nodded. He had realized his earlier plan was futile if Metallo was still so confident. He took the device and called Payton over to him, then crashing through the earth through their combined power. Miles and miles downward they pushed with all their might and Comet's jets blazing. He spotted the matching Cardialink and they soared upward. Got to pray I'm in time. Can't let my friend Superman die, he thought. They tossed the link into the sun.
Metallo roared his rage upon their swift return. "Curse you! Without that link in the core, I'm back to where I started!" Metallo ran toward Adam Blake, who brought his fists upward at top speed. He caught the cyborg and sent him down hard.
"I could have just tossed you into the sun," threatened Comet.
Starman once again traded blows with Vanquisher, whose blasts could not harm Payton's altered metabolism. Dolphin used her agility to toss the stronger Ultimate into Metallo's metallic parts. She staggered up and fell again.
Part 18
Starman caught the arm of Vanquisher and flew upward, dragging his foe along. He blasted the felon's left boot jet with his stellar energy and then let go of the vain villain. Vanquisher yelled and flailed around desperately before dropping to earth with a crash. "Happy landings," quipped Starman as he checked to be sure that the fall had only stunned the man.
Comet hit Metallo again... and again. "Where are the Cheetah and the Golden Glider? I know Vanquisher and his allies took them," he said.
"I assure you they did so only for their master, who helped them regain or realize their powers through what they call 'self-actualization.' I don't know who he is... he merely loaned them to me to do menial tasks, since you decimated my original team at STAR," said a now-sagging Metallo.
"I guess the cyborg's speaking the truth. I can't find anyone else here," said Dolphin.
At that moment Atley cried out, "My baby, help her! Caroline's heart is weak as mine was -- she's having an attack!"
Comet glanced at the pretty blonde who was pale and in obvious pain. "Can't get her to the hospital in time with that bad a heart! Could I save her with Atley's Cardialink?" asked the Man of the Future.
Captain Comet acted quickly, and with Atley's aid, he operated on Caroline with the lab's state of the art equipment. He had the skill and knowledge of a great doctor from his amazing mental gifts and decades of specialized reading and study. With Atley's expert aid, they implanted a Cardialink, and Comet and Payton buried it in the earth's core.
"By altering your basic valve-design to make it a one-way link, the new, improved Cardialink will give Caroline the stamina and power of the Earth's pulsing core... but won't allow her illness to cause the quakes your heart did or the poisoning Metallo's did. She may be better than before... a heroine, even!"
"Thank you, Captain! Thank you," gushed Dr. Atley.
Dolphin and Starman turned the Metallo gang over to the authorities. "You really came through," said Dolphin.
"I'd risk a lot for someone like you," replied the smitten Will Payton.
"Starman, would you like a job with us? We'd be glad to get someone with your power and your sense of decency. Dolphin and I vouch for you," offered Comet.
"I accept," said Starman.
"Now all we need to do is find Debbie and Lisa," said Comet.
Clark Kent breathed easy as his pains ended. How odd! Thank Rao they went away, he thought.
Elsewhere, Debbie Domaine, Lisa Snart, and Vivian D'Aramis awoke to find themselves in an odd cell. "Welcome to my Arena, my pretties," said a weird little man.
Part 19
Rick Flagg was thrilled that the team had worked well in stopping Metallo. He was less happy with the missing women. His science and weapons specialist assured him that the micro-trackers in their costumes should have worked.
"Should we turn out the newer, untried members?" asked Karin.
Flagg answered, "I suppose so... but after one quick call."
Part 20
Cat Grant of WGBS News, a pretty blonde in a short red suit, smiled for her audience. "This is Cat Grant here at the special press conference for the U.S. Government's new Metahuman Rehabiliation Agency. This section of the Federal Government will take established heroes and match them with former villains eager to pay their debt to society through fighting the very kinds of crime they once indulged in. The leader is Rick Flagg, and he is here to say a few words."
"Thanks, Cat! I am pleased to announce that under the able leadership of Captain Comet, trusted associate of the JLA, this agency is off to grand success. He recently saved the life of the Man of Steel himself, along with his newly trained aides, Debbie Domaine, Dolphin, Lisa Snart, and Starman. We have a statement from Superman himself.
"It reads: 'I appreciate the service this new team has rendered both to me and for justice itself. I have known and admired the heroism of Captain Comet for some time now. He inspires these former villains as he does us all.'
"I believe this support speaks volumes. Thank you," said Flagg.
"That was an endorsement of Captain Comet... and by extension his new Squad from Superman himself," closed Cat.
Comet slammed his fist on the desk in Flagg's office.
"What kind of self-serving nonsense was that? You don't save a life, then call him up to brag! Superman, of all people, should not have been made to feel this statement was required. Flagg, I don't like this sensationalism at all!" he yelled.
"That's too bad. Our press agent felt it useful," said Flagg.
"Who is he? Funky Flashman?" said Comet sarcastically.
"Funny you should say that," replied Flagg.
Part 21
Constance d'Aramis perched with feline grace on a window-ledge thirty stories above the city streets. Dressed in her Crimson Fox costume, she arched her lithe form through an air vent and crawled down silently into a plush office. Her pretty eyes had the vacant stare of the entranced, since she was now under the mental sway of the mysterious Achilles Dahmmon. She prowled the office like her namesake and curled up in a ball on the rug to wait. Her prey soon entered.
"What? Help!" he cried as she leaped through the air and brought the old man down effortlessly.
A brief costume change in the quiet office followed. Soon, the glamorously-dressed Constance d'Aramis swayed down the halls pushing a wheeled cart from a mail room. Her costly clothes and sexy legs attracted stares, but she left the Stagg offices unchallenged... with her kidnap-victim, Simon Stagg, hidden in the cart.
Sapphire Stagg, the gorgeous daughter of the old CEO, soon noticed the signs of his brief struggle and claw marks on the rug. She cried and called desperately, "Oh Rex! It's Daddy! Someone has attacked or kidnapped him. Can you and your team find him? Oh please!" she cooed.
"No sweat, doll! The Outsiders are on the case," promised the famous Rex Mason, a.k.a. Metamorpho.
Elsewhere, the annoyed Comet stared in dismay at Funky Flashman -- the felon turned PR agent for the Metahuman Rehab program. "Cappy, darling, that costume's got to go! No scintillatin' superdude would be so L-7! Add some claws or an arm cannon! Yeah, that's the ticket, true believer!" spouted the garrish conman.
"Fire him. Now!" said Comet as he gathered his team.
Part 22
"A visitor for you, Rick!" said the perky secretary Karin to her tired boss, Rick Flagg.
"I just tossed out that Flashman guy at Comet's orders! Now what?" asked the ex-hero. "Rip Hunter! Come on in, pal," he exclaimed at the sight of his old friend from the Forgotten Heroes.
"I am here on important business. I... my machine... I can save them! I can save them all!" he rattled. Hunter seemed nervous, distracted, and not at all himself.
"What? Slow down. You look as if you haven't slept in days!" said a worried Flagg.
"I mean the Crisis dead: Flash, Supergirl, Dove, Green Arrow, the others! I can use my time machine and rescue all of them... will you help me?" he said feverishly.
"I'll do anything to help. Explain yourself," said a now-fascinated Rick Flagg.
Part 23
The Cheetah gasped as she saw the dwarf called Dr. Psycho leering down at her and the other captured women. "Doctor Psycho, so you're behind this," she growled.
"I am behind this little arena as a hobby. My associate, Achilles Dahmmon is employing my talents in his own little project. This is pure pleasure, not business," he sneered.
Golden Glider said, "Ooooh! Who is that creep?"
"He's our captor," said a determined-looking auburn-haired beauty in a green, ragged bikini and thigh-boots. "I'm his first victim. You can call me the Thorn," she said.
"I guess that makes me number two!" smiled a famously-costumed second woman.
"The Catwoman," gasped Glider.
"Ah, my fame preceeds me," she joked.
The other, Crimson Fox, muttered in French as the women exchanged glances in their Arena.
Part 24
Captain Comet looked over his newest team: Dolphin stood close to Will Payton. Near the wall leaned the Killer Moth. Across from Comet sat Mayflower, the British recruit, and lastly paced the Hooded Hangman.
"I know you new recruits understand that a lot is riding on your performance. If you follow orders from me or Dolphin, then it all adds to making your rehabilitation that much closer. We are in search of some missing team members, Cheetah and Golden Glider. Here's what little we know: They were abducted by thugs working for some mysterious employer who spoke of self-actualization. That reference comes up after some computer work by Dolphin to a seminar around the city. Could be harmless, but we need to check it out."
Killer Moth grinned beneath his green mask. "Sounds like some info-mercial to me. Next you'll be hawking those ginsu knives," he joked.
"It's not funny. Debbie and Lisa could be in danger," said a worried Dolphin.
"That's all part of the game. In the ring or out," grunted the former wrestler called Hooded Hangman.
"Spare us the Hulk Hoganisms, Luv," said Mayflower as she tossed her long brown hair.
"Okay, let's move out," ordered a worried Comet.
Part 25a
Metamorpho paced nervously around the office of the missing Stagg. "He's a rat. He's a crook. He's a heartless old money grubber... but he's my angel's dad and I said we'd find his rotten hide!"
Halo giggled. "It sounds like you and he are not any closer than ever."
Rex Mason relaxed his chalk white features. "Kid, he's not the warm and huggly-feely type."
Katana scowled. "His type of ruthlessly efficient businessman has ruined the traditions of the East."
Looker posed on the desk and said, "I hate his decor. It clashes with every possible shade of eyeliner!"
Batman cleared his throat. "Regardless of his personality, ethics, or sense of style, he deserves to be found. Halo what do you notice about the room?"
The pretty little blonde started up and looked around. "Uh... the rug is frayed... torn as if by sharp heels, or claws, maybe?"
"Exactly. Artificial claws tore the rug and scored the outer air vent. His abductor entered that way and obviously did not fly. They climbed with catlike agility and claws or talons. That suggests a few potential suspects... almost all of whom are unaccounted for, officially."
"I'd say he's at 1611 Bayside," offered Black Lightning.
"What led ya to that, Holmes?" asked Rex.
"Oh, keen deduction... and this business card he dropped," said Jefferson Pierce.
"Let's go," commanded Batman.
Part 25b
Cheetah and her five imprisoned females were barely aware of each other's presence when a new arrival tumbled into the pit. She had flowing blonde hair and cover girl looks on display in her skimpy white costume. "The Silver Swan! I thought you worked for these creeps," said Cheetah.
"Yeah, I owe her for a few bruises," snapped Golden Glider.
The Swan shook her curls and said, "I was under Psycho's sway, as you all will be soon. He frees me... and all his women from time to time, to torment them. I am sorry for any pain I've caused you."
"I'd say we should work together instead of playing cat fight... no offense to some of you," said Thorn.
Catwoman nodded. "Nicely put. How do we get out of this Arena?"
"I have an idea..." offered Crimson Fox.
Dr. Psycho returned to the pit and smiled as Cheetah flung herself on Crimson Fox. "I'll show you who is Queen of the Cats," she snarled as she shook Fox by her straggling blonde locks. They rolled around frantically as the Glider spun into the flying Swan and they wrestled in mid-air.
Catwoman pummeled at the dodging Thorn, whose green bikini showed her exquisite atheletic form. The battles raged on, until suddenly without warning they all attacked their netted prison cage roof. The sonic blasts, razor claws, and cutting blades tore it to shreds and the agile women were on Psycho before he could react.
Part 26
Captain Comet and his team reached the seminar address and spread out with Dolphin and Starman, keeping a careful eye on Moth, Hangman, and Mayflower.
"This place is quite posh! I expected less here in the Colonies," teased Mayflower.
Moth admired the pretty British girl's figure in her tight Pilgrim costume. Nice legs on that one, he thought.
Hangman clinched his fists as if he was spoiling for a fight. Dolphin leaned close to Starman. "If there's trouble -- you watch Moth and I'll watch the other two," she whispered.
Will nodded. "I only have eyes for you, but I'll do my best," he said. The platinum blonde smiled as she punched him playfully on the arm.
Then, seven figures appeared from the shadows. "Mayflower! Where are the rest of those Force of July creeps?" asked a concerned Halo.
"I recognize Killer Moth, too," muttered Metamorpho.
Katana spun around and challenged Hangman with her sword. He crounched and circled the swordswoman warily.
"Wait, Batman! You know me!" yelled Comet.
The Dark Knight nodded and said, "I don't like the company you keep these days. Moth and Mayflower are felons, and I put the Hangman away twice before."
"I can explain. Call off your team," said Captain Comet as he moved rapidly to block the charging Geo-Force from Dolphin. The sudden impact dropped Geo-Force to the ground, but he bounced back up and gestured. Comet struggled as intense waves of gravity hit him. "We're with the government," he said between gritted teeth.
"That makes it better somehow?" asked a sarcastic Metamorpho. His morphing form ensared Starman all too briefly. The stellar-powered hero rocketed out and the Element Man sloshed into a messy pool.
"I'll wrap you up for Father Christmas," said Mayflower. Tendrils of leafy bark snaked up to pin the blonde called Halo in its embrace at Mayflower's command.
Black Lightning ducked as Moth lashed out at him. "Got to be faster than that! I'll break out the Raid -- Bugman," he said. An electrically-charged punch caught the agile Moth and he reeled back.
"Dust in your eyes -- Reddy Killowat!" he sneered as he tossed a blinding dust in Lightning's face.
Dolphin jumped upward and kicked out at the tall redhead called Looker. She was deflected by a mental blast, and a drawling voice said, "Looooove those darling hotpants!"
Meanwhile, Katana delivered several fast blows that dropped the lanky Hangman many times in a row. Starman charged into Black Lightning, and a quick series of punches knocked Pierce out. Geo-Force's teeth shook at the force of Comet's right hook. "This is needless. We're here to rescue an abducted teammate or two. This is a front for some crook," he explained.
"Stop!" said Batman in a deadly calm tone. The Outsiders froze at his words. "I believe you, Comet. Sorry about the mix-up. I know your record is flawless, but I have doubts about the viability of Rehab," said Batman.
"I'd love to do something with your hair! And something else to you, honey," said Looker respectively to Dolphin and Starman.
Moth rubbed his arm and offered a hand to the groggy Lightning as he stirred. "No hard feelings, old man," he asked.
"Nothing I can't forget after a good eye rinse," he answered.
Part 27
The entranced Constance d'Aramis sat on her legs on a crouch. The handsome Achilles Dahmmon stroked her blonde locks like she was his pet. She did not bat an eye. Stagg sat entranced as well. "You were very naughty not to come to my self-actualization seminar, but now you are here and you will sign your assets over to me now," said the mellow-toned Dahmmon.
Stagg sweated and said, "Not my money!"
Odd. The old man resists, thought Achilles.
A loud crash echoed through the complex. The Outsiders and Comet's team charged inside. "Give up the Cheetah and Golden Glider and let Stagg go!" ordered Batman.
"Oh, I prefer to fight," said Dahmmon.
"Sounds good to me," said Hangman.
Part 28
The Cheetah curled into a ball and spun through the netting. She crashed into Dr. Psycho, who had moved too close to watch the "mock fight" between the women. She clawed his face and hurled her full body weight against his tiny frame.
The newly-liberated Silver Swan carried Lisa Snart with her as they soared upward to freedom. "You know, you'd make a great skater in that outfit. I can see you in a wonderful Swan Lake!" said Lisa.
Swan smiled. "I was a ballerina."
"We've got a lot in common," said Lisa.
They helped Thorn, Fox, and Catwoman climb out, then watched as Cheetah continued to beat the stunned Psycho. "Easy, Deb, you've got him," said Glider as she touched her friend.
"I did it! I beat the creep!" said Debbie.
"Nicely played, mon cher," said Fox.
"Not done yet," groaned Psycho! He hit a machine on the wall and glowing light materialized several costumed figures.
"Wonder Woman!" shrieked Debbie.
Part 29
Wonder Woman did suddenly appear and charge forward, silently. Cheetah felt rage surge up in her chest. She was back! She would spoil everything. She'd make Debbie the bad girl again! She ducked the spinning golden lasso and tugged hard on the end. Wonder Woman held fast on her end and a struggle began.
Golden Glider started to intercede when she saw a green clad man spinning toward her. "Roscoe! But how?" she whispered as her ex-lover the long dead Top spun into her with jarring force.
Thorn shuddered, not from her brief little bikini but from the sight of a fierce-looking but demure blonde in a pink turtle neck and long wool skirt. "I am taking over! Rose lives and you must die, you wicked harlot," said the blonde. She knew subconciously that this could not be... since she was Rose! Yet, here was her alter-ego!
Vivian and Constance d'Aramis made another mirror-like encounter possible as the twin Crimson Fox pair wrestled madly. "Mon Cher, it is Moi! Fight this madness," said Vivian.
Catwoman snarled as the golden-suited Catman grabbed her in a passionate embrace. "C'mon, baby, we were made for each other... or you could just die," he said as he squeezed the purple-dressed beauty.
Silver Swan also circled warily above a second Wonder Woman, who menaced her relentlessly. "There can't be two Wonder Women! It's a trick -- an illusion created by that machine Psycho activated!" called the astute Swan. Cheetah ignored this advice and suddenly let go of the lasso. She sent her Wonder Woman falling backward with the slack. She leaped on her with her full weight and they crashed to the floor. She wrapped the lasso around her foe's neck and ordered her to sleep. She did so suddenly and an angry Cheetah raised her claws above her hated foe's pretty neck.
She hesitated as Captain Comet's words of praise echoed back to her. "No! You won't rob me of this new chance. I'll show you up by becoming twice the heroine you ever were," she vowed and left the prone Amazon alone.
Meanwhile, Thorn reeled away from her other self. "I can't fight you. I can't fight you," she moaned. Rose closed in on her and a sudden sonic blast from the Silver Swan rocked her to the ground. Thorn smiled at this new help and immediately snapped out of her revelry. She kicked up like a Rockette and knocked the second Wonder Woman back from the blonde Swan.
Swan smiled. "A trade-off." She blasted Rose with a second blast of sheer sound that stunned the demure blonde.
Catwoman kneed her foe below the belt and clawed his face. He groaned as she tore away his cloak and hit him again. "Not so tough without this little item, are you?" she taunted. He growled and charged blindly as she spun to the side. He fell over the stunned Wonder Woman, and Cheetah and Catwoman added punches that sent him down for good.
"We're a regular team. The Cat Squad," said Catwoman.
"Anything but the Kitty Litter," quipped Debbie Domaine.
Lisa Snart knew Top was dead, but he was capable of anything. She also knew she could take him in a fight. So she lashed out at him, and with the skill of an expert spinner, upset his balance and sent him reeling into the fighters. Catwoman kicked him in the back of the head and he fell dazed. Glider added a sudden dropkick and he fell still.
"I'm sorry, Roscoe," she murmured.
The other Wonder Woman grabbed Thorn and hefted her in the air with ease. She raked the Amazon relentlessly, but her grip did not slacken. Finally, she copied Cheetah and draped the lasso at her foe's hip over one arm. "You'll smash that machine to dust!" she ordered. The Amazon did so with grim efficiency.
Psycho roared his anger. "Not my new ectoplasmic extractor!" As he rushed up, Swan kicked him in the chin and slapped his face.
Part 30
That left the twin d'Aramis sisters wrestling furiously in a fight neither could truly win. "Sister, it is moi! Fight this power," said Vivian.
Constance suddenly embraced her twin and whispered, "I am myself again! That horrible man enslaved me."
"So you two are twins," said Glider as she smoothed her blonde curls.
"Oui! But it ees... how you say... a trade secret," replied a Fox. They heard a fight nearby and decided to investigate. "It was Achilles Dahmmon who enslaved me, so I guess his control ended abruptly. He must be otherwise occupied," said Constance.
The women rushed into a frantic scene where the handsome, blond Dahmmon confronted the Outsiders and the Suicide Squad. "You can't stop me! I have mastered self-actualization, as these pawns will show you." He gestured, and dozens of CEOs ran out to attack the heroes. "They give me their assets and I use them as I see fit," he said.
"There's Stagg," called Metamorpho as the old man joined the other mind-controlled millionaires.
"Don't harm them. They are civilian pawns," yelled Batman.
Comet agreed and said, "I'll take the fight to the real source." He flew upward over the struggling mob and approached Dahmmon. Halo flew up as well and the cute little blonde sent a purple tractor beam downward to shove several men away from the heroes.
Starman punched desperately with half his strength. Got to be careful. Don't want to hurt these poor people.
Dolphin ducked a man that looked like Donald Trump and slapped him to the floor. "I tried to be gentle," she said sheepishly.
Mayflower laughed, "Hello, Luv!" as her vines roped around several angry women and men and tied them together in a cocoon. "Brin'ing folks together! That's what I do," she teased.
The Hooded Hangman watched the crowd and something snapped in his mind. A red rage surged through him and he clutched Batman from behind. "I'll choke the life outta ya this time," he said. Batman struggled against the rapid attack.
Geo-Force used his intense gravity powers to send several men to the floor under a crushing weight. His pal, Black Lightning, dodged as often as he could and reluctantly shocked a few pawns. Metamorpho enveloped Stagg to protect and contain the maddened old man. "Snap out of it! Remember Sapphire? It's me, Rex. Why are you fighting me?"
"I know it's you, you buffoon," sneered the bitter man. "I just don't like you!"
Metamorpho grinned. "Guess cutting you off from the sight and sound of Dahmmon broke you free since he hadn't had ya too long."
Part 31
"You can't stop me!" echoed in Comet's mind as he closed in on the tall, blond Dahmmon.
"I can match your mental powers. In fact, I can shut them down completely!" vowed a determined Captain Comet.
"Not if I make you my pawn!" whispered the man as sweat broke on his golden locks.
"I'd not advise you to try that... for your own good!" offered an ernest Adam Blake. Dahmmon laughed and sent a wave of mental might surging through Comet, who winced.
Then the man known as Dahmmon shimmered out of sight. In his place levitated a small man in a chair that floated above the ground. His head was huge in comparison to his withered body. "Hector Hammond!" said Comet. "I should have known with those powers. Plus, Achilles killed Hector in myth and Dahmmon is a virtual anagram for Hammond."
"Psycho's device allowed me to have a perfect body with which I could lure the CEOs here and gain control of all they owned. I allowed him his arena where your teammates are now," rang out in Comet's mind.
The CEOs stopped fighting. Hammond was limp and still. "I warned you not to try to control me. That's happened to me twice and I installed some mental safeguards that shut out anyone who tries to dominate my mind," explained Comet.
The Batman slammed his elbow into the Hangman's ribs and spun him over one hip. He fell to the ground and bounced upward only to be met by a right hook from Batman. Looker posed seductively and blasted the purple Hangman with a mental force. "We simply must do something about that costume," she yawned.
Batman nodded. "He does lack your style."
The Cheetah hurried over with her friends to greet Comet and his team. "You came for us," said Golden Glider as she embraced Comet and kissed him passionately.
"I came for all of you," said a blushing Comet.
"Stagg's back to his mean old self, too," said Metamorpho.
"I can still destroy you all," thought Hammond audibly.
"Self-destruct device," muttered Batman.
"Get everyone out!" ordered Comet and Batman almost at the same time.
As the heroes ushered out the people, Catwoman and Batman exchanged greeting. "Selina, nice to see you weren't mixed up in this."
"I'm a reformed little kitty," she said.
Starman pushed Hammond out as they raced outside the complex.
"Wait, where's Psycho? He's still in there!" said Swan.
"I'll get him!" yelled Killer Moth who had been oddly silent during the fight.
"My vines and plants can muffle the explosion a little," said Mayflower.
"Should I get him out?" asked Geo-Force.
"Let Moth try," said Batman. Moth nodded pleasingly at his old foe and swung in the burning building as bombs rocked the structure. Psycho tumbled out and Moth gave a thumbs up at the window. Before he could follow, the building collapsed on him. Dust rained down with the entire sagging building.
"Oh no," cried Dolphin as Starman flew forward with Geo-Force and Comet. They lifted the wreckage but found no body.
"Could he have escaped?" asked Comet.
"Moth is oddly capable. He has come back from seeming death at least once," said a grim Batman.
"Well, it's true that he died a hero if we did lose him," said Starman.
Comet felt Glider embrace him again and this time he did not push her away.
Part 32
The Outsiders hurried off with these words between the team leaders: "Captain Comet, Adam..." said the Batman, "I was wrong to assume the worst of you. Your team has a chance to reform and I know you can make a difference in their lives. If you need my help, just call."
"Yes, darling, call me anytime," offered Looker.
"Thank you all," said Comet.
Catwoman had slipped off and Comet had placed the Hooded Hangman in custody.
"I guess he's just not ready to reform," said Dolphin.
Starman hugged her and added, "I suppose some guys never learn."
"I have an offer for you ladies," said Comet to Thorn and Silver Swan. "How'd you like to join our team? I'll explain all about it if you like."
"Thanks. Find me if you need me, but I work best alone," said Thorn.
"I can help you with that mental personality split," whispered Comet.
"I have no problem," she said, and walked off.
Silver Swan stepped up. "I would love to belong... somewhere," she said tearfully.
The Crimson Fox started to leave (Vivian had slipped into the woods earlier to minimize the damage done to their trade secret). "Hold on! That young lady kidnapped me, and I want her in jail!" shouted Stagg.
"She was under Hammond's control, like you were," growled Batman.
"Still, a crime is a crime. I'll bring her to trial and expose her identity," he yelled.
"You creep!" shouted Rex Mason.
"Unless..." smiled Stagg.
"Unless what?" asked a concerned Crimson Fox.
"Unless you come work for me," he grinned like a funeral display.
Epilogue 1
CRISIS REVISITED
Flagg listened as a feverish Rip Hunter raved on about his idea.
"We can take my time machine back to the Crisis and rescue the dead heroes BEFORE they died! Flash, Supergirl, all of them!" he said.
Karin looked at Rick in surprise. "Could it be possible?"
"Anything is possible with my time machine! Will you get this new team of yours to help me?" he asked.
"I have no team at the moment. They are all on assignment. Can you wait?" said Flagg.
"No, it must be now! The chronal storms are still out there in the time stream. The window of opportunity is all too brief!" shouted Hunter.
"I can join you... but that's it," said Flagg.
"We need power! Don't you have any metahumans?" said Hunter as he paced nervously.
"Rick, I have not been able to locate the woman called Moonbow you wanted. I could see if the prison would let us try someone."
"That's all too risky. Who do they have?"
"I'll check on it," said the pretty secretary.
"I do have an idea! I'll call in a favor a hero owes me," said Rick. "Is this the Green Lantern Corp Headquarters?" he asked after dialing a number. "I got this number through special connections. I'm Rick Flagg of the U.S. Government," he said. "Sounds like I'm talking to a chipmunk from a Disney cartoon," he whispered. "Can you put the real Green Lantern on?" He listened for a moment. "What do you mean? You're all real GLs?" A pause. "I mean, the human one!" Another pause. "Okay. Thanks. I am Rick Flagg. The first GL knows me. Could you have him come to this address in DC ASAP! Thanks." He hung up. "The Corp seems to be overrun with aliens. Couldn't reach the human, brown-haired JLA GL!" said Flagg.
"No one is ready for potential use," said a breathless Karin.
"I guess it's just you and me," said Flagg.
They hurried out to a lot near the city, where a small, shack-like building rested near a spacious lab. "This is my temporary headquarters. The time machine is in there," explained Hunter.
Karin, who drove them, said, "I see a green light! Maybe a Green Lantern is joining us, too." Sure enough, a figure alighted in the famous Green Lantern uniform.
"She's a kid!" said an irritated Flagg.
"Hi, I'm Arisia! I came as quickly as I could. The GL you know is busy. How may I help you?" The pretty orange/yellow-skinned little girl did indeed belong to the recently formed, Earth-based Green Lantern Corps.
"I am Flagg. This is Hunter. We'll explain on the way. Climb in this sphere and prepare for a trip through time itself." They entered and activated the device.
Arisia smiled. "That sounds like fun."
"Well, she's fearless enough," said Flagg. As the machine started to glow, Karin leaped inside. "What do you think--?" started Flagg.
"I'm here to help. And you know you're short-handed," said the blonde as she posed with her hands on her hips.
"She's got you there," said Hunter.
The machine blinked out of sight before he could reply.
Arisia smiled in wonder as the universe blinked in and out of view outside Hunter's time sphere. She had seen space many times as the heroine who protected an entire section of the cosmos for the Oans. Still, time travel was... cool!
Rip nervously worked the controls as Rick Flagg argued with Karin, his adventurous secretary. "What did you think you were doing?" he raved.
"You need me. You always did," she insisted with a charm all her own.
"So do we save Flash?" asked Arisia. She knew Barry Allen had been the best friend of her hero and crush, Hal Jordan.
"NO!" roared Hunter. "I mean, that is too risky. The word in heroic circles, of which I am on the fringe, is that he died saving the universe. If we pluck him away from that... we could all be dead! We go for Supergirl. She died after an energy blast from the Anti-Monitor hit her. We can pluck her away right before impact if you follow my orders. She can be saved without lessening the impact of what she did," he said as sweat poured down his brow.
This guy is too intense. Something's wrong, mused Arisia.
Flagg spoke to his old pal, "Rip, fellow, easy. This is getting you too worked up. Calm down."
"After we do the job. When we blink into this location, you must pluck Supergirl away right before the creature strikes! If you're too slow he'll get us as well," warned the agitated Time Master.
A stony edifice appeared with heroic figures and shadowy nightmares swirling around. A stark figure battled the beautiful Maid of Steel. She won until she looked back at a yelling Dr. Light. "You turn your back on a foe, girl?" asked the monster. He let loose a blast of anti-matter energy.
"Now!" screamed Hunter. Arisia generated a shield that enveloped Supergirl and pulled her away into the time sphere. Hunter gunned the controls as Flagg steadied the battered, blonde heroine. They blinked away seconds ahead of energy that flickered and passed harmlessly through the now-intangible craft.
"We did it! Now for Green Arrow?" asked Karin.
"No! The ship was damaged by the tail of that blast. We're out of control!" screamed Hunter.
Supergirl blinked wearily and sat up alive and unharmed, except for a few cuts and bruises. "What are you? A witch?" she asked Arisia.
"No... I'm a Green Lantern. Recognize my costume?" asked the puzzled but excited girl.
"Oh, of course. I'm just a bit dazed," said Supergirl as the sphere careened through time.
As Rip Hunter worked to stabilize the time sphere, energy erupted from a central core. It hit the three passengers, yet ignored Supergirl. Arisia gasped as chronal energy irradiated her teen form. She began to age rapidly into womanhood and her uniform ripped as inches and curves were added to her form.
The reverse appeared to happen to Flagg, Hunter, and Karin. They lost years and became young adults again like they had been at the start of their heroic careers. Hunter slammed shielding back in place as Supergirl welded it firm with her heat vision. "We're young again!" cooed an excited Karin.
Flagg gasped at her. "I can't believe it. It's too wild. Are you hurt?" Flagg grinned madly. "You're reinvigorated! It's a side effect of this engine's sudden absorbtion."
Arisia concentrated and her costume changed to a mini-skirt and low cut top. "I always wished I was already an adult. I can hardly believe my luck!"
Wait 'til Hal sees me, she thought to herself.
Supergirl said, "I am glad you are unharmed. Thank you all for rescuing me."
Odd, she isn't curious about the outcome of the Crisis or her cousin, mused Arisia.
They lurched forward and settled down at a strange plaza. "I did it!" beamed Hunter. "I brought this damaged ship to the place we needed to go for replacement parts!"
"Where... uh, when are we?" asked Karin.
"2462 -- the Metropolis Space Museum... home to one of my machines, based on the matching chronal energy signature," crowed a now-cocky Rip.
"Let's go inside!" said an excited Karin.
They entered with the aid of Arisia's ring and glanced amazedly at the exhibits. "There's my baby," said Hunter. He pointed a time sphere. "Now to just adjust a few capacitors," he muttered.
As they finished the work, they started to leave when Karin spotted an odd exhibit. It seemed to call to her, so she impulsively smashed a case and pocketed the odd shaped device. It glowed faintly. "Star-band," she read on the case label... Then, entering the sphere, they vanished once more.
"What is that you are wearing?" asked Flagg.
"It's some type of battle suit. I figured it would make me more of a team player," said Karin as she fingered the star-band.
"Just don't blow us up," said Flagg.
Arisia smiled as they argued. She was eager to see Hal in her new, improved state. Supergirl remained silent and oddly cold. I'd always thought she was really caring, thought Arisia.
Hunter scanned the controls. "Aside from a brief hallucination in which I thought I saw some man in the sphere... the chronal energy has only helped me. I feel my mind is clear for the first time in days." At this, Supergirl smiled enigmatically.
The sphere journeyed back to land at Hunter's shack. "We did it! We're home once more," he announced.