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JLA
Times Past, "1966"
Hey, Isn't That Me?by XODLIRV
Part One
"So good of you to come today," the dark-haired man said to the man in the strange headpiece. "I understand how difficult it is for one so busy as yourself to tear himself away from his work."
"Your offer was more than generous, Colonel," the man in the headpiece said. "I can surely tear myself away to listen to what you have to say."
"Most gracious," the Colonel said. "I want you to listen to a tape recording. Please do not ask how it came into my possession, for I cannot divulge such information. But I believe you will recognize a few of the voices on the tape."
The man in the headpiece steepled his fingertips and sat back to listen as the Colonel punched a button on a tape recorder lying on his desk. A voice the Colonel's visitor did not recognize began speaking.
"--understand how important this is. The island nation of Vulnavia is in a very strategic location. The superpower that gets permission to build a submarine base there will take a giant leap ahead in the Cold War."
"The Justice League isn't used to playing diplomat, Colonel Wilcox," a powerful voice boomed. The man in the headpiece raised an eyebrow; it could be none other than Superman. "Of course we're willing to do whatever our country asks of us, but--"
"If I may interject, Superman," spoke a woman's voice, a mellifluous voice full of harmony and beauty but with an undercurrent of strength that was unmistakable. "I'm not at all sure it's the League's position to further the Cold War for either power. Isn't it our duty to prevent bloodshed rather than help it along?"
"I'm inclined to agree," spoke a voice with a strong lilt of royalty, a voice used to command. "I mean, what's next? Drafting super-heroes into the army to fight for you?"
"Aquaman, let's not be rude," Superman spoke again. "All we're being asked to do is meet a visiting foreign dignitary, welcome him to our country. And while America may not be your country exactly, wasn't your father a member of the U.S. Navy?"
"Besides, Aquaman, Wonder Woman," Colonel Wilcox said smoothly, "America seeks to prevent the Cold War from heating up. If the Soviets get Vulnavia, you can be sure it'll be a lot worse for the world in the long run."
"Well, I will bow to the will of the majority," Aquaman said. "Wonder Woman, you're our current leader; what do you say?"
"I believe the Colonel," Wonder Woman said. "While I am against the very concept of war, hot or cold, I do think the lesser evil would be for America to get the base. I say we help."
"Thank you, Wonder Woman," Colonel Wilcox said. The tape recorder was turned off at that point.
"I see your problem," the man in the headpiece said. "Vulnavia does seem to be the... key to your planned operations in the Atlantic."
"And who better to help us obtain such a key base," the Colonel chuckled, "than the Key?"
Part Two
"I don't understand the League's role in this," the Key said. "What are they being asked to do?"
"King Anton of Vulnavia is making a diplomatic visit next week," the Colonel explained. "He will meet with the President and discuss the benefits to his people of allowing America to build a submarine base there. While he is here he wishes to meet the Justice League."
"To what end?" the Key asked.
"Merely to meet them," the Colonel said. "King Anton is what you might call a 'super-hero groupie.' He follows the exploits of the American heroes almost religiously. He has even proclaimed a national holiday in his country to commemorate the Justice League's first case."
"Intriguing," the Key commented.
"He has been promised a meeting with the Justice League. Their full membership. If, at the last minute, they can be prevented from showing up, it will seem a slap in the face to him. It will cost America the base at Vulnavia."
"And then your country steps in," the Key said.
"Indeed," the Colonel nodded. "We understand each other, sir. Will you accept the assignment?"
"My own country has never treated me with anything but contempt, Colonel," the Key said. "I will gladly assist you, especially if I can destroy my hated enemies in the League at the same time."
"Wonderful!" the Colonel said enthusiastically, rising to his feet. "Let us seal our bargain with a drink!" The Colonel strode to the office bar and opened the door of the small refrigerator there. The Key's eyebrow raised again as the Colonel pulled out two glass bottles of Coca-Cola. Condensation ran down the bottles as he placed them on the bar.
"You wouldn't believe how hard it is to get in my country," the Colonel said, as he took out two glasses.
Part Three
"Good Lord!" someone on the dock screamed. "Look!"
People on the shore pointed out into the bay. A helicopter had crashed into the water, was bobbing up and down in the ocean like a child's bathtub toy. Everyone had seen it go down; no one was sure what had caused it. The helicopter had just dropped like a stone.
"Someone call the police!" someone shouted.
"The Coast Guard!" someone else screamed.
"I'm calling the news!" another yelled. "They pay big for tips like this!"
Suddenly, a bright emerald light streaked across the sky over the onlookers' heads.
"It's the Green Lantern!" someone cried.
"Thank heavens! He'll save those people!"
Green Lantern heard their cries and smiled. He had to admit, he enjoyed the adoration of the public. He had only been a Green Lantern a couple of years now, but the thrill of the job showed no signs of diminishing. Hovering over the helicopter he concentrated, sending his mighty will power into his ring. A glowing green hand scooped gently into the water, lifting the helicopter out. The crowds on the shore cheered.
No one saw a male figure, dressed from head to toe in nondescript gray, skulking in the shadows of the second floor of a warehouse on the waterfront. The man in gray aimed an odd-looking rifle at the emerald champion as he brought up the helicopter, pulled the trigger. Silently, a golden projectile sped from the rifle and struck Green Lantern square between the shoulder blades. If the mighty hero noticed the shot at all, he gave no indication of it. Behind his full-face mask, the man in gray smiled.
***
The scene was repeated elsewhere in the country at about the same time. In Metropolis, as Superman talked a hysterical jumper off the Metropolis State Bridge. In the mid-Atlantic, as Aquaman summoned whales to help contain the oil spilling from a wrecked tanker. In Washington, DC, as Wonder Woman stopped an out-of-control truck from crashing into a group of tourists at the Lincoln Memorial. In Denver, as the Martian Manhunter saved a glider airplane from crashing into high-tension wires. Each hero was struck from behind by a mysterious assailant in gray, and none seemed to notice the shot. Only in Central City did the scene vary; a gray man tried to shoot the Flash as he whisked the tenants out of a burning apartment building, but the scarlet speedster moved too fast for the projectile to strike.
Five super-heroes, half the membership of the Justice League of America, struck in the line of duty -- but by what?
Part Four
The man who called himself the Key sat on a bizarrely-constructed throne in his secret headquarters. The backrest of the chair was in the shape of a keyhole; the armrests and legs, keys. He held his hands in front of his face, fingers laced together, index fingers steepled against his upper lip as he looked down at the six men in gray who stood before him.
"Key-Man One, report," he said simply.
"Metropolis operation successful," the man said. "Superman injected with the key-virus."
"Excellent," the Key said. "Key-Man Two, report."
"Washington operation successful," the man said. "Wonder Woman injected with the key-virus."
On it went, until the fourth Key-Man gave his report. "Central City operation unsuccessful," he said, a trifle nervously. "The Flash was too fast; I couldn't hit him with the virus."
A silent pause hung in the air. It was finally ended by the Key's voice, saying, "Unfortunate." His tone was no different from before. "Key-Man Five, report." Key-Man Four let out a sigh of relief as his colleague reported the success of the Denver Operation.
When all six Key-Men had given their reports, the Key leaned back in the chair and contemplated the ceiling.
"All is well," he said. "Despite Four's unfortunate failure in Central City, five of the Justice League have been infected with my key-virus. Their five most powerful members. Well, I suppose arguments could be made regarding who is more powerful, the Flash or Aquaman, but that is trivial. The point is, we have succeeded. Two days from now, the King of Vulnavia will be greeted by a mere half of the team he was expecting to meet. The insult will be unforgivable, and my employers will get what they want."
The Key turned his attention to a corner of the room, where life-sized wax figures of the ten Justice League members stood in silent attention.
"And I will get what I want," the Key leered, "when I wipe out the other five Justice Leaguers in one fell swoop!"
Part Five
"...And that completes our account of our battle with Felix Faust," Batman said.
"Ginchy," Snapper Carr said, making a notation in the JLA Casebook. "What a far-out case!"
"If there is no other business," Wonder Woman, chairing the meeting, said, "I will remind everyone of our obligation to meet King Anton of Vulnavia at the United Nations the day after tomorrow, and then I will declare this meeting adjourned. Objections?"
Wonder Woman let a silent beat pass; no one objected.
"Very well, then... meeting is... is..." Wonder Woman began to feel dizzy; started swaying on her feet.
"Wonder Woman, what is it?" the Flash asked. "Are you all right?"
Wonder Woman's head dropped, her hand covered her face. Then suddenly she looked up, and rage was written large across her face.
"Traitors!" she snarled, in a more savage voice than her teammates had ever heard her use. "Assassins!" With all her Amazon strength, she hurled the meeting gavel across the room at the Flash. Even the Scarlet Speedster barely had time to dodge it before it buried itself in the cavern wall.
"What's going on?" the Atom cried. "What's wrong with Wonder Woman?"
"Killers!" Green Lantern suddenly growled, his power ring beam flashing out bright emerald. "Murderers!"
Hawkman tried to dodge the beam, but it clipped his right wing, shearing off the tip.
"Wonder Woman! Green Lantern!" Batman cried. "What's wrong? Why are you doing this?"
"Assassins!" Aquaman cried, throwing a punch at Green Arrow. The stunned archer barely had time to dodge it, took a grazing blow across the jaw.
"Killers!" J'onn J'onzz snarled, his Martian vision flaring out like lasers, almost catching the fast-moving Atom.
"Superman," Batman said urgently, "something's affecting our friends' minds! We've got to contain them, before they injure themselves or us!"
"Monster!" Superman snarled. "Demon!" And he lunged for the startled Batman.
Part Six
The Flash whisked the startled Batman out of Superman's grasp before his mighty fist could strike.
"Thanks for the save," Batman said. "We've got to get out friends under control, find out what happened to them!"
"I hear you," Flash agreed. "I'll be right back!"
In a twinkling, the Flash disappeared in the direction of the JLA trophy room. In the blink of an eye he was back with Dr. Light's light-wave weapon. He used it to shine a beam of concentrated red-solar energy on Superman, weakening him enough for several super-speed karate blows to render him unconscious.
"Everyone follow the Flash's lead!" Batman, rising to the role of leader, called out. "Pick your opponents and render them harmless, but without hurting them if you can avoid it!" To illustrate his own command, Batman quickly whipped off his utility belt, wrapped it around his right fist, and threw a punch at Green Lantern. The emerald gladiator, too enraged to block the blow, took it on the point of his chin and crumpled to the floor.
Green Arrow drew, notched, and fired an arrow at Wonder Woman. Instinctively, the amazon warrior raised her bracelets to deflect it. But the arrow was highly magnetized, and it drew her bracelets together. Her bracelets of submission thus "chained together" by a man, Wonder Woman sank to her knees, defeated.
Aquaman's powerful arms closed about Hawkman's neck and shoulders in a Greco-Roman wrestling grapple. In the ensuing struggle, Hawkman got his anti-gravity belt off his own waist and around Aquaman's. With Hawkman still in mental control of the belt, it sent Aquaman rocketing toward the ceiling, where his head struck with a loud thump.
The Atom, reducing his weight to a few ounces, bounced and leapt around J'onn J'onzz's head, enraging him. The Martian Manhunter grabbed at the swiftly-moving Atom, again and again. The Atom led the rage-blinded Martian out of the meeting room and into the vehicle hangar, where Atom used a remote-control device to start the League's special jet-craft. The flames spat from the jet afterburners, and J'onn staggered on his feet, weakened. Atom was able to render him unconscious with a single blow at his full 180-pound weight then.
"Good thing we practiced in simulated combat with one another," Green Arrow noted.
"Our friends were not in their right minds, or we'd never have beaten them that easily," Batman said. "Let's get them into the medlab. I want to know just what made them go off their respective rockers."
The others silently began carting their comrades into the sick bay. They, too, wanted answers.
Part Seven
Batman, Green Arrow and Hawkman waited tensely in the meeting room while the Atom and the Flash ran medical examinations on their fallen friends with the medlab's equipment. Nobody said anything during the long wait. Finally, two hours later, the scientist heroes emerged.
"We've figured out what it was," Flash said. "A virus."
"A virus?" Green Arrow repeated. "What, you mean they've got the flu or something?"
"Nothing like that," Atom said. "This is some new strain, something we've never seen before. I'll tell you this, though; it's the most powerful virus I've ever seen."
"Yes, so powerful that a non-superhuman body would most likely be killed by it," Flash agreed. "It was strong enough to affect the likes of Superman and Wonder Woman to the point where it drove them mad, but a normal human--"
"But Green Lantern is a normal human," Hawkman pointed out. "His power ring is the greatest weapon ever devised, but that's all it is. He has no super-powers himself."
"His ring protects him from harm," Batman pointed out. "Apparently the virus was so strong it couldn't protect him completely."
"Batman's right," the Atom said. "Anyway, we think we can cure them of it, through constant bombardment of Wonder Woman's purple healing ray. But it will take time."
"How much time?" Green Arrow asked.
"Seventy-two hours, minimum," Flash said. Atom nodded in silent agreement.
"That's bad," Batman said, grimly. "We've already told Colonel Wilcox that we will meet King Anton the day after tomorrow. If half of us don't show up--"
"The Commies will get the sub base," Green Arrow finished.
Part Eight
"Impossible, Batman," Colonel Wilcox said over the two-way videophone. Batman stood in the JLA headquarters communicaton room, a grim look on his face. "We can't cancel now. King Anton will take it as an insult."
"I realize that, Colonel," Batman said. "But as I've said, something unexpected has happened."
"Deal with it," Wilcox said. "Your country is counting on you. Wilcox out." The image faded from the screen, and Batman turned to face his friends.
"Any ideas?" Green Arrow asked. "Five of our members are incapacitated for three days, but if they don't show up the day after tomorrow, America loses a vital military installation."
"What if we contact the Justice Society on Earth-Two?" Flash said, snapping his fingers. "Perhaps some of their members could impersonate our fallen comrades."
"Negative," Batman said. "I thought of that, but the Earth-Two dimension is currently out of phase with ours. We won't be able to cross the dimensions for another six months." Batman's grim expression softened somewhat. "However... what you said about impersonations gives me an idea. Superman once told me about... someone."
"And that gives me an idea," Green Arrow said, "concerning something J'onn J'onzz once told me!"
"And Green Lantern mentioned something to me that could help us," the Flash said.
"Come to think of it, I recall Aquaman saying something like that," Hawkman said.
"And Wonder Woman once told me something useful," Atom said. "You know, gentlemen, I think there may be a way out of this after all!"
Part Nine
"Thank you for receiving me on such short notice, Your Highness," Batman said, showing the proper respect for the royal personage who sat before him.
"Think nothing of it," the prince said, and Batman couldn't help but marvel at his face. "I am honored to receive the great Batman. Tell me, what can I do for you?"
"I come on behalf of a mutual friend of ours, Prince Mark," Batman said. "You knew him as Superboy; today, of course, he is known as Superman. He told me of how the two of you met."
"Yes, he helped me greatly, many years ago," Prince Mark said thoughtfully, reminiscing to years gone. "And you are here on his behalf?"
"Yes, Your Highness," Batman said. "Superman needs your help now, even as you needed his long ago."
Prince Mark, whose face bore an uncanny resemblance to Superman's, stood up at his throne.
"He shall have it," Prince Mark announced. "The affairs of state of Sardonia shall wait on Superman's welfare! How may I serve?"
***
J'onn J'onzz, to all appearances, sat at a makeup table in a small studio dressing room, putting finishing touches to his makeup. A knock came at the dressing room door.
"Sorry, no autographs until after the show," he said.
The door opened, and Green Arrow entered the room. "I'm not here for an autograph, Mr. Clark."
Barry Clark did a double take. "You -- you're the Green Arrow! What brings you here?"
"A mutual friend of ours," Green Arrow said. "The Martian Manhunter needs your help, Mr. Clark."
"What, now?" the actor said. "But I'm due on the set in ten minutes! I'm one of the celebrity contestants on the $10,000 Ziggurat this week! Me and Adam West!"
"Who?" Green Arrow asked. Then he shook his head. "Forget about that. Look, the Manhunter helped you out when you really needed it, saved your career and, the way I hear it, your life. You gonna help him now, or are you gonna play games?"
Clark looked ashamed. "Of course. Forgive me, Green Arrow. What do you want me to do?"
Part Ten
At a posh outdoor cafe in California, Jim Jordan was having lunch with his girlfriend, Sue Williams.
"This chateau briand is excellent," Jim said. "Probably the best I've ever had."
Before Sue could comment, there was a scarlet blur and a sudden gust of wind. Then a figure in crimson and gold was standing beside their table. "Sorry to interrupt," he said.
"Th-the Flash!" Jim stammered in surprise.
"I knew it!" Sue cried out in triumph. "I always knew you were Green Lantern, and this proves it! The Flash must be here to get your help on a case!"
The Flash smiled indulgently at Sue. "I assure you, Miss, Mr. Jordan here is not Green Lantern." Flash turned to Jim, the younger brother of the man he knew as Green Lantern, his close friend. "But I do require your help, Mr. Jordan."
"W-what do you mean?" Jim asked.
***
In a building in Lima, the capital city of Peru, the telephone rang. "Moulton Street Shelter, Miss Prince speaking," a dark-haired nurse with glasses and a severe bun said in Spanish. "How may I -- oh!" She gasped as a tiny figure hurtled out of the telephone receiver. The figure landed on her desk and looked up at her.
"Wow!" the Atom said. "I can't believe it! You really are a dead ringer for Wonder Woman! You could be her twin!"
Nurse Diana Prince looked down and recognized the Atom from the American newspapers she subscribed to since she moved to South America to join her fiancee Bill White. "She told you, then, about the deal we made, when she first came to America?"
"She did," Atom nodded. "She's in trouble now, Nurse Prince, and she needs your help."
"How, exactly?" Diana asked.
***
"Hey, John," a young CPO said excitedly, poking his head in Lieutenant Blake's office. "Wait till you see who's out here!"
Blake half-rose from his desk as a tall, muscular figure strode into his office. The man folded the wings on his back together as he passed through the narrow doorway.
"Hawkman!" Blake exclaimed. "This is a surprise! What brings you to a naval recruiting station? Don't tell me a high-flying hero like yourself wants to sign up for the service of the seas?"
Hawkman was silent a moment, marveling at the uncanny resemblance between his JLA colleague and this naval lieutenant. "No, sir, nothing like that. I've come because a mutual friend of ours is in trouble."
"Aquaman?" Blake asked, raising an eyebrow. Hawkman nodded. "Aquaman turned my life around, got me back on the right track. Whatever I can do to help, Hawkman, please let me know."
Part Eleven
"I feel ridiculous," Jim Jordan said, looking down at himself. He was wearing a Green Lantern costume; he felt very self-conscious, like the whole world was staring at him. The Flash was staring; he couldn't get over how much Jim looked like the real Green Lantern.
The five impostors had been brought, blindfolded, to the JLA's secret mountain headquarters, where they had been outfitted with costumes to carry off the impersonation. Batman stood before them, inspecting them for detail.
"I think it will work," he announced finally. "The resemblances are unbelievable, but if I didn't know better myself, I'd swear you were the genuine articles!"
"We won't have to do anything, will we?" Barry Clark asked. "I mean, on stage I have props to help me simulate the Martian Manhunter's powers, but..."
"No, we'll just have to show up," Batman said. "Mr. Jordan, is that phony power ring I made for you working?"
Jim clenched his right fist, and a flash of green light shone from the ring on his finger. "Working fine, Mr. Batman," he said.
"Good, it should lend credence to the illusion. Before we go, I want to thank you all for agreeing to do this. It's a great service you're performing for your country."
"There's nothing dangerous about it, is there?" Diana White asked. "I mean, it's just a meet and greet, right?"
"We wouldn't ask you to do it if we thought there were any danger, Mrs. White," Batman said. But in the back of his mind, indeed in the minds of the other heroes as well, was the nagging worry: What if whoever did this to their five most powerful members decided to strike again?
Part Twelve
"Nice place you've got here," the Mad Hatter said, looking around the room at the key-shaped light fixtures and keyhole-shaped doorways. "Who's your architect? I'm looking into having my hideout redone."
"You should have seen the Mirror Master's last digs," Captain Cold said. "Mirrors everywhere! By the time I could find the bathroom... well, I didn't need it anymore."
"By the way, Key," Mr. I.Q. said, "what's your angle in bringing us into your caper? If you have knocked out the five most powerful JLAers like you've said, why do you need us to help you polish off the others? Why not grab all the glory for yourself?"
"Don't let your own greed color your perceptions, I.Q.," the Rainbow Archer said. "The Key merely wants to share his greatest triumph with men of similar minds. Isn't that right, Key?"
"Precisely," the Key said. "Our victory will be great enough to go around! This time tomorrow, when the mighty Justice League is no more, the entire underworld will be at our command as the conquerors of the world's greatest heroes!"
"And the fruits of our labor will be bountiful indeed," Plant Master said. "When do we strike?"
"Tomorrow morning at ten," the Key said. "The Justice League is due to meet King Anton then. While they are tripping over their capes trying to explain why only half of them showed up, we will attack and destroy them!"
And the six costumed villains laughed.
Part Thirteen
The next morning, the Justice League met Colonel Wilcox at New York Harbor. The area was cordoned off, closed to the public. Armed military guards lined the docks.
"Thank you for your promptness, Batman," Wilcox said, greeting the super-heroes. "I'm glad you managed to solve your problem. I knew you would."
"A little ingenuity is all it took, Colonel. When will King Anton's ship arrive?"
"It's just twenty minutes out of port. You can just about see it now."
"If this King Anton is such an important guy," Jim Jordan whispered to Hawkman, "why didn't he fly?"
"I understand he has a fear of airplanes," Hawkman explained. "Perhaps 'fear' is too strong a word; 'mistrust' may be better."
"Don't knock ocean travel," John Blake said. "It's got air travel beat a million ways to Sunday."
"Nervous, Clark?" Green Arrow asked.
"Only a little," the actor said. "Don't worry, I always get a few butterflies before a performance. It never affects me once I'm on stage and the show has begun. I was nominated for a Tony last year, you know."
"Yeah? How'd you do?"
He thought a moment before answering. "It's an honor just to be nominated."
***
"The place is crawling with soldiers," Mad Hatter observed from their hiding place in the top floor of a dockside warehouse. "I can't even see the Justice League. Are you sure they're here?"
"They are, or they're going to be," the Key said. "Half of them, anyway."
"Won't the soldiers try to blacken our prospects, once we attack?" Rainbow Archer asked.
"I have a squadron of my key-men positioned nearby," the Key announced. "They'll keep the soldiers busy."
"I just wish the damn thing would start," Captain Cold complained. "I hate cooling my heels in here!"
"Patience, my icy friend," the Key said. "Look -- the ship is docking now!"
The villains crowded to the window and watched as the gangplank was lowered. An advance bodyguard for the king was first to come down; he spoke to Colonel Wilcox, making preparations, getting assurance that all was in order. Then, finally...
"Here he comes!" the Key said in a hissed whisper. "The king is coming down! Any second now the heroes will step out to meet him! Get ready to attack!"
The anxious villains fingered their weapons, preparing to strike.
Part Fourteen
"King Anton, on behalf of the United States of America, I welcome you to our country," Colonel Wilcox said, shaking the king's hand. Anton was a comparatively young monarch, barely forty, with a thinning head of blond hair. He smiled warmly.
"The pleasure is all mine," King Anton said. "Long have I wanted to visit your glorious country and meet some of your legendary figures!"
"No time like the present, Your Highness," Colonel Wilcox said. "King Anton, I present the Justice League of America!"
At Colonel Wilcox's words, the heroes began walking out of the port terminal building. In single file they strolled up to greet the visiting king.
***
"Key, what the devil is this?" Captain Cold demanded. "That's the whole Justice League!"
"It -- it can't be!" the Key stammered. "It just can't!"
"Well, it is," Plant Master snarled. "I should have known you were delusional! You took out the League's most powerful members all by yourself. Ha!"
"But I did!" the Key protested. "I swear I did!"
"Then who's that shaking hands with King Anton now?" Mr. I.Q. asked. "From here it sure looks like Superman!"
"You key-headed clown," Captain Cold grimaced. "You're asking us to take on the whole Justice League! I was in a group that tried that once, and all it got us was bruises and jail!"
"Far be it from me to turn yellow," Rainbow Archer said, "but this is a fool's errand, and I want no part of it!"
With that, the Archer turned and stalked toward the stairs. The other villains followed him, turning their backs on the Key.
"Come back!" the Key protested. "I swear, it's some kind of trick! They -- they're impostors, or robots, or -- oor something! Come back!"
But the villains did not return. They did not even answer the Key. The only sound was Plant Master asking the Mad Hatter if he could catch a ride with him.
Part Fifteen
"Bah!" the Key snarled. "I don't need them! If they don't want to share in the glory, fine! This has to be some kind of trick -- but the League won't fool me!" The Key took out a keyhole-shaped device, pressed a button on the side of it, and spoke into it. "Attention all key-men! Change in plans! Repeat, change in plans! My colleagues have had a change of heart. Attack the Justice League at will! Repeat, attack the Justice League at will! NOW!"
***
"--was once fortunate enough to see you in person," King Anton said to John Blake. "You rescued a small fishing boat from a hurricane and took the fishermen to the nearest island for help. This was about two years ago. That island was Vulnavia! Unfortunately you left just as I arrived on the scene, so I did not get to meet you then."
"I'm sorry to have missed the opportunity, Your Highness," Blake said, well into his role of Aquaman. "I'm glad I had another chance to meet--"
Blake's speech was drowned out by gunfire. All heads turned to see a couple dozen men in gray costumes charging the dock, guns blazing.
"Those costumes look familiar, Batman?" the Flash asked.
"Key-men!" Batman hissed. "I guess that explains who's behind our friends' malady!"
"Oh, my!" Diana Prince gasped. "Y-you said there wouldn't be any danger!"
"Try to keep clear, Nurse Prince," Hawkman said, taking to the sky. "We'll protect you."
"This is marvelous!" King Anton cried, clapping his hands. "Not only do I meet the wondrous Justice League, I get to see them in action!"
The Atom shook his head at Anton's comment and charged into battle.
Part Sixteen
The five true Justice Leaguers leapt into the fray, fists flying, to meet the onslaught of the key-men head-on. The five impostors held back, wanting to bolt for cover but frozen in their tracks.
"Why do those Justice Leaguers not do something?" Anton wondered to himself. "Ah, they must be protecting me while their comrades press the attack! Excellent!"
One key-man broke away from the fight and aimed his gun straight at John Blake.
"I don't know how you recovered from that virus I shot into you," he snarled, "but let's see you shake this off!"
But before the disgruntled key-man could fire, a dolphin leapt out of the sea behind Blake, sailed over his head, and struck the key-man down before plunging back into the sea on the other side of the dock.
"Marvelous!" King Anton cried. "Excellent counter-attack, Aquaman!"
Batman smiled as his manipulated a control device in his utility belt. He remarked to himself how fortunate it was that he had kept that robot dolphin as a trophy after the Terrible Trio used it against him. He hadn't thought it would be useful for more than show today.
"Eat lead, heroes!" another key-man growled, spraying the dock with gunfire. The bullets were aimed right at Nurse Diana Prince. Instinctively she threw up her arms to protect her face. Miraculously, when the gunfire ceased, she was not harmed.
"Ha!" King Anton jeered. "Stupid gunman! Have you not heard of Wonder Woman's great bullet-deflecting bracelets?"
The Flash grinned as he dumped the bullets he had plucked out of the air at invisible super-speed into the sea.
Part Seventeen
"Get the King!" one key-man cried. "If we can't take out the heroes, we can at least get him!"
Got to stop them! Jim Jordan thought. But what can I do? I'm not Green Lantern, no matter what Sue thinks! Hey -- maybe I can blind them with this phony ring!
Jordan aimed his fist at two key-men who were leveling their guns at the King. Suddenly the pavement at their feet exploded, and they were thrown backwards.
"Phenomenal, Green Lantern!" King Anton shouted. "That will show them, eh?"
Green Arrow winked at Jordan. The bright green light had prevented King Anton -- as well as the key-men -- from seeing the green exploding arrow he had fired.
"That's it, I'm out of here!" one key-man shouted, throwing down his gun. "The Key ain't paying me enough for this!"
Time for an improvisational performance, Hawkman thought, and he concentrated. Barry Clark suddenly lifted into the air, flying after the fleeing key-man. Hawkman had outfitted him with a belt of anti-gravity metal similar to his own for short flights to impress King Anton. Clark, used to impersonating the Martian Manhunter, grabbed the fleeing felon as Hawkman mentally steered him right into the crook's path.
Part Eighteen
"Enough of this foolishness!" a new voice suddenly snarled. The Leaguers looked and saw The Key himself, standing next to King Anton, aiming a key-shaped pistol at his temple.
"Very good, Justice League, excellent performance," he jeered. "You may have fooled King Anton and everyone else, but I am not fooled! Before I kill King Anton, I will execute every one of your impostors -- beginning with this one!" The Key aimed his pistol at Prince Mark, the nearest one to him. The young royal did not flinch but met the Key's gaze evenly.
"Go ahead and fire, Key," he said in a voice untinted by fear. "You know your gun can't hurt me."
The Key laughed shortly. "Oh, that's rich, it is! Your fake Superman believes his own press! I'll tell you what, fake; I'll give you a free shot at me!" The Key lowered his pistol and thrust out his chin. "Go ahead, take your best shot! Then I'll take mine!"
"As you wish," Prince Mark said. "I'll pull my punch, so I don't seriously injure you."
"Much obliged," the Key sneered.
Prince Mark drew back his fist, and threw the punch. The Key took it on the chin and was lifted off his feet and thrown back off the dock to plunge into the water below.
"The man was mad!" King Anton said. "To give the mighty Superman a free punch at him! What could he have been thinking?"
"Search me," Prince Mark said. "I'll ask him when he wakes up." Out of the corner of his eye, Prince Mark watched the half-inch high Atom land on his shoulder. Mercifully, the Atom had adjusted his weight down to a fraction of an ounce from the full 180 pounds he had used when he collided with the Key's chin.
Epilogue
"--and landed right in the drink!" the Atom recounted. The five heroes in the sickbay beds laughed at the account.
"I wish I could have seen his face," Wonder Woman giggled.
"That was brilliant, getting all those imposters together," Superman commented. "Everything worked out for the best, then?"
"Vulnavia has given America permission to build the base," Batman said. "America wins another undeclared battle in the Cold War."
"And the Key had better hope they put him in solitary confinement in Leavenworth," Green Arrow said. "I don't think there's anyplace else he'll be safe from his former employers."
"I'll have to look Lieutenant Blake up when I get out of this sick bed," Aquaman said.
"To thank him?" Hawkman asked.
"No... to ask him to step in for me again, the next time Green Arrow tries out a new chili recipe on us!"
And the headquarters of the world's greatest heroes rang with laughter.