Whither it is daring the far reaches of outer space or scouring the four corners of the world, the heroes of earth will always protect the principles of truth, justice, and the American way. Welcome to Alternate DC Presents
ADC Presents #2 “The Strangers Among Us”
Featuring The Doom Patrol
Written by Slick Mick
WARNING This story may not be suitable for all readers. Please read at your own discretion.
Miami, Florida
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A state stricken by fear for the latest and probably worst hurricane in recent years will be descending upon them shortly. Already the National Guard is doing there best to quill the riots that have erupted as people are trying to flee for safety. The rain pours and beats down with intense fury as the winds picks up in intensity. The National Guard had managed to lead some of panicked crowd inside one of the abandoned hotels that had a basement. The captain and his men made sure that the building would hold long enough for the transports, but he feared they would not get every one out in time. He then turned to the panicked crowd whom some of them had children and where cradling them and with a straight face he said, “Please calm down people we know that you’re worried about this hurricane and we are doing everything possible to get every one out of here as quickly as possible.”
One of the denizens of a nearby counties spoke up,” You heard what they said about that hurricane captain that storm is of an unclassified strength. If we all do not get out of here, we will die. I do not know about you, but I have children to think about. Where the hell are those old geezers the Justice Society when you need them? (1)”
Many of the other gathered people who had been led into the shelter from the storm started getting worked about their children and some worried about their own lives. The moments started to pass quietly as the Captain and his lieutenant walked along reassuring every one that they would be the last men out to make sure all of them got home. As the time continued to pass and their feelings of dread began to fade, the rioters who were looting the abandoned buildings and committing all kinds of vile acts started storming into the hotel.
“We are going to need help if we are going to stop these rioters and get every one out of here.” The captain of guards second in command said as they heard the crashing of furniture and the intense beating on the door.
“We don’t have time for back up kid. Quick you two privates Willis and Burns get something to barricade the door with. Lt. Johns try and radio for help.” The Captain said
“That will not be necessary Captain for I think my associates and I can be of more assistance then an entire platoon of men.” Some one said from behind the captain. When the captain turned around, he saw a man in a portable electric wheelchair, with mane of red hair matched by thick well-kept red beard. Behind the man where four people in purple and white spandex costumes and some orange skinned man in a trench coat with a derby on. The person on the far lift of the man was a woman with brown hair and brown eyes. The young man next to her had blue skin with deep black eyes and no pupils. His costume was complete with a modified cowl that left his ears sticking out the side as well as left his face in plane view, but the special purple fabric hid the rest of his head. The man next to him wore a black insulated mask with red lenses and some kind breathing apparatus. Then next to him was another woman who was lithe with tanned skin and she had short brown hair and hazel eyes. The last man on far right with the orange skin was covered up with the black trench coat and the derby so it was too difficult for the captain to make out his features.
“Listen Mac I think its best you and your friends leave here its dangerous. I can’t guarantee your safety.” The captain replied
The short haired woman walked up to the captain and placed her finger to his lips to hush him,” Now come on I am sure you want to listen to what the Chief has to say. I bet you will even be glad to have our help.” The woman said
The captain suddenly felt intense good vibes from the woman and confidence in listening to what the Chief as he was called had to say.
“Okay Mac I will listen to what you have to say.” The captain replied
“Thank you Faith.” The Chief then maneuvered his portable electric wheel chair to the side of the Captain,” Already people we have practiced and practiced this maneuver before. Begin maneuver x-13. Cliff and Vortex to front of the captain and I, Rita and Faith to their right. Larry you know what to do.
The five strangers then moved to their assigned patterns with the orange and blue man in front and the ladies to the side of them. While the guy with black mask took a defensive position behind the chief in order to protect his body while his powers were at work.
“Man that orange guy is a robot.” One of the soldiers whispered to his fellow troopers. The trooper nodded in agreement and said,” I bet that freak with the blue skin is some kind of metahuman like we came hearing about on T.V. and in the radio.”
Unknown to the two soldiers Cliff Steele’s robot body came with highly advance audio sensors, which allowed him to listen in on their conversation. “Man t’ think I could have been back at the base watching T.V, instead I get to enjoy the stares from these clowns.” Cliff thought to himself,” Oh well the Chief thought we need to start coming out in the open to let the people know that metahumans are not to be feared. S’funny I am not metahuman I am just a brain stuck in ceramic metal body, but Rita and the others they got their powers by either accident or by their simple genetic makeup. I hope….” Robotman’s thoughts are disturbed as the rioters break through the six-man barricade.
“Well that teaches me to sleep on the job.” Cliff said as he jumped into the fray grabbing some of the rioters and relieving them of their weapons. Faith’s telekinesis is being used to form a shield to protect the panicked people inside while Vortex is assigned to guard her. Vortex’s power is his silent scream, which is a form of concentrated soundless energy that is believed to be akin to a certain optical energy blasting X-Man, but Professor Caulder has been unable to fully disclose the source or the extent of Vortex’s power. Rita meanwhile uses her size changing powers to confuse her foes and then dispenses them with a quick addition of mass to increase her strength. Larry the man with the black insulated mask launches his negative form, in which he fires off blasts of radioactive energy to weary off the crazed rioters heading his way.
In the long breath taking moments, the five strangers use their unique powers and skills in unison to batter and scare off the rioters, but not hurt them at least not too much. Once Cliff has knocked out the last rioter the quintet breathes a sigh of relief as they managed to accomplish their task much easier then they did in practice.
“Well that takes care of that.” Larry says as his negative form reenters his body yet, it wasn’t as Cliff’s audio sensors picks up a young girl’s cries for help.
“Hey I hear somebody outside cryin’ for help.” Cliff said
“Are you nuts Cliff with those intense winds and the storms striking every where I doubt there is any place for a person to be safe. Obviously that brain of yours is getting mixed signals.” Larry said.
Cliff grabbed Larry and picked him up off the ground,” Listen here flyboy I know when my sensors are malfunctioning because my brain would either stop registering all of electronic coded impulses that is constantly being fed into it or receive mixed coded impulses, which would leave me disoriented. Well I have not felt any disorientation, but you will be if you keep doubting me.” Cliff replied
“Enough you two. If there is some one out their then we must make an effort to try and save them.” The chief said he then pulled a portable headset out of his pocket and slipped it on,” Nudge can you read me?”
Fifteen miles to the east of the abandon hotel
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“Yeah chief I hear you. I have been monitoring your progress like you told me.” Nudge replied
“Good. Now Nudge I want you to pilot the tread skipper closer to the hotel because we need some of the equipment onboard it. Do you think you have learned your flight lessons well enough?”
“Yes chief I paid good attention to Larry sigh…I just wish he wasn’t so boring.” Nudge said she then grabbed the controls in front of her and started maneuvering the tread skipper towards the hotel where the others where waiting. Unfortunately as she got closer to the hotel the hurricane’s strong winds picked up in intensity and starting throwing the tread skipper off course. After many tries at maneuvering, her way through Nudge finally calls the Chief back.
“Chief I can’t get through. For some reason the winds just picked up and it’s too difficult to get through.”
“…I see then we must try something else before the hurricane descends upon on us.” The Chief replied through his headset.
Back at the Hotel
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The Chief tried to think of some other way to get out there and help whoever was out their, but his fellow adventurer temper finally gets the best of him.
“I’m tired of all this waitin’ some one out their needs our help and I’m not going to let them down.” Cliff said and then charged out the door to find the girl by himself.
Rita tried to chase after him, but the Chief called her back,” Rita let Larry’s Negative form follow Cliff for I am not sure even with your enhanced physiology if you could survive out there.”
Rita stopped in her tracks as Larry’s negative form flow off in a hurry to catch up with his metal plated teammate.
The Pentagon, Washington DC
__________________________
General Robert James Beck fidgets in his leather chair as he looks through the most recent file on project matrix and how slowly things are proceeding, which greatly disturbs him. If he is to ever prove that those has been the JSA are useless then he must get project matrix off the ground, but how can he achieve such a task. His entire staff is completely incompetent and there is no one else that he can trust with his true purpose. Suddenly the phone disturbs his thoughts
*RING*
“Hello? Who is this?” the General answered
“General Beck I presume. I hear your having delays with project matrix. If you’re wishing for some help I may of be some service.” The voice on the other end replied
“Exactly who are? Why should I trust you?”
“Let’s just see that I also would like to see the JSA put in their place and I’m even willing to work with you to do it, but it will come at a cost.” The voice said
The General thought about the offer for a moment and the first thing that came to mind was how did this guy know about project matrix. Only a select few know of its existence. He then wondered who was on the other side of the phone was, but as he kept thinking the thoughts of crushing, the JSA and being proclaimed a hero kept appearing in his thoughts.
“Fine I will play along with this guy to see if what he has to offer is legit and if it isn’t I will easily have him removed just like any one else who stands in my way.” The General thought to himself
“Okay pal you have yourself a deal, but be warned if you double cross me I bring the full weight of the power I have down on your sorry ass.”
The voice on the other cackled at the General’s reply and then hung up the phone. The general set the receiver down and the pressed the button to call his Secretary “Whoever this nut ball is he better think twice before betraying me. Denise, get your pretty ass in here.”
“Yes, General Beck.” Denise replied speakerphone
After a few minutes, she walked in the General’s office and as always the perverted General givers her a look over. From head to toe, she is truly a gorgeous woman. Her blond hair being shoulder length is nicely pulled back into ponytail, her stomach is nicely shaped and toned, her breasts firm and her blue eyes like a cascading tide coming onto a beach. The General felt himself stiffen and then shook the unpleasant thoughts from his head. Normally he would hint on her like crazy with which she always let him get away with it for some reason (2), but right now, he had important work for her to do.
“Uh yeah Denise I need you to get me in touch with Colonel Black immediately. I have an offer for him and his team.”
“Why me? Shouldn’t you have Corporal Douglas do that?” Denise replied. She cocked her head slightly and had a wide grin on her face.
“I could, but Corporal Douglas…has been assigned to another division so for now I have no one to serve as the M.D. (3).”
“I see so you want me to be the M.D. till you can find a replacement?” Denise replied
“Yes as a matter of fact I will see that you get extra pay for services rendered as well as how shall we say it. Some extra benefits.”
Denise put the eraser tip of her pencil to her lip and looked like she was in deep thought though many people in the DEO division believed her to be lacking a brain to do anything that requires actual thought.
“Okay I will do it.”
“Good now contact Colonel Black and tell him to meet me at his earliest convenience okay?”
“Okay General!” Denise saluted and then turned on her heel as she made her way out.
In a destroyed section of Miami
______________________________
Robotman searches valiantly for the poor young soul who has been caught in this terrible storm yet so far he has lost all signs of her. His advanced audio sensors lost track of her cries a few moments ago which elevates his fears that perhaps they are too late. That is until he sees Larry’s negative form shooting at pile of debris.
“What the hell are you doing?” Cliff said, as he got closer to the energetic form
“Look down here tin head and you’ll see why I blasted this hunk of junk out of the way.” The negative form replied
Cliff looked down and noticed that there was a hole, which leads into the sewers. With blood stained around the rim of it. Cliff set his optical sensors to maximum and saw the young girl down there barely hanging onto life.
“Hang on girl I’m coming!” he hollered. He then looked for a good distance away from the girl where he could land without landing on her and jumped down.
“H…hel…help…m…me…” the girl said and Cliff could tell it took almost all of her strength just to say that.
“Don’t worry I will get you some help. LARRY! GET YOUR ASS DOWN HERE!”
Larry’s negative form floated down and saw how bad in shape girl was in which he referred the information to Professor Caulder.
After a moment Larry’s negative form finally said something of which it looked like it was listening to some one,” The Chief says we have no time to waste Cliff she has lost a lot of blood and it would be best if I carried her back.”
Cliff handed the girl to Larry’s negative form and it shot off faster then he ever thought possible. Cliff then ran his fingers into the wall to make handholds so he could climb back up. Cliff found scaling the slick surface to be difficult, but after giving the handholds, some extra pressure he managed to climb back up. He then dashed like mad all way back to the hotel to see if the Chief could save the girl and as he made his way back. He found the storm had mysteriously died down and their was a bunch of military vehicles parked out front.
“Looks like the cavalry has gotten here late as they usually do.” Cliff thought to himself. He then noticed that the soldiers drew their guns on him, as he got closer to the building.
“Its that monster that helped kill that poor girl!” the soldier on the left said
“Get your hands up freak!” the soldier on the right said
“What do you mean helped kill the girl?”
“Don’t play dumb we know that you and those gene jokes killed that kid and started this hurricane that destroyed this city. We are taking you freaks in.,” the soldier on the right said
“Like hell you will. We’re not getting blamed for something we didn’t do. We tried to save that girl. Hell if it wasn’t for us those people would be dead.” Cliff said as he walked forward
The two soldiers kept saying halt, Cliff continued forward until finally they opened fire, yet their bullets proved as useless as they do against Superman.”
As Cliff got close, enough he grabbed the guns from their hands and crushed them. He then picked up speed to free the others. Of course, when he got in there he saw a giant pissed off Rita with dozens of soldiers dangling off of her, Faith floating in the air with the Chief, Vortex, and Larry and Nudge lowering the tread skipper through the hole in the roof that Rita made.
Cliff wondered how could something so right could have gone so wrong as he leaps up and on to the hatch of the tread skipper. As he climbs in and grabs Rita’s hand that shrinks as they take off. He thinks of that poor girl whose life he tried to save and the voices of the soldiers saying he was partly responsible in killing her.
THE END?
Great News: Besides the fact that I finished this issue to intro the Doom Patrol, which is mostly because I was hitting writer’s block of some sort. I have sent a proposal to a group called marvel2k, which is one probably one of the best if not the best marvel fan fiction groups around. I applied for their open slot, as the writer of Ultimate X-Men, which I am hoping, will help me gather back up the steam I lost for the Doom Patrol. Now this does not mean I am necessarily in because one of the Editors in Chief did give it a look over, because for one as you know I am a slip up on continuity that was until I read Dino Pollard’s wonderful take on the UXM. Of which if I get the book I hope to take a slight similar approach to the book. In addition, if I get this gig it will not mean I will have to drop any of my responsibilities here because they said all writers are able to write at their own pace, but you know me. I like to write many issues whenever the whim takes over me. Anyways if you like marvel fan fiction, I suggest you check out marvel2k at http://marvel2000.cjb.net/ already some of the stuff I checked was pretty darn good such as the Scarlet Spider series, Ultimate Avengers and lets not forget Ultimate X-Men! As for next month, Firstbornson will be doing a story focused on the most powerful of the New Gods in only a way he can and you better believed this EIC has his eyes peeled for it.
-Slick Mick
1) See the current JSA series to see what is up with our favorite old geezers
2) Don’t worry I’m not one those discriminate men who pick on women and as for why Denise is letting General RJ get away with his vile acts. Well let us say there is more to her then meets the eye.
3) Military Dispatch which is a person/s who keeps in contact with other military bases/outposts etc.
