Forged in the fires of World War II, eight mystery men appeared to halt the invasion of Adolph Hitler and the Nazi regime. Under the advisement of President Roosevelt, these eight champions united to form the very first super team in order to battle injustice wherever they could find it. Now, decades later, after a lengthy retirement they have reunited to lead the second generation of heroes. They are The Justice Society of America! Hawkman and Hawkgirl --Winged Warriors! Dr. Mid-night -- Blind Adventurer! Sentinel -- Original Emerald Guardian of Justice! Wildcat -- Second-generation champion! Captain Atom -- Atomic Powerhouse! Hour Man -- Man of the Hour! Dr. Fate -- Mystic Supreme!
JSA Volume 1 Issue #4 �The Chinese Connection Part 3: On Deadly Ground�
By
Slick Mick
Somewhere outside Beijing
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�Shiera should be here any time now.� Hawkman said as he looked to the skies for his lover and teammate. The team had spent most of the day looking for shelter until they could meet up with their contact in Beijing who would help them find the secret passage that led to inner lair of the Ultra Humanite. As the skies grew dark, the beating of wings could be heard and the lovely form of Hawkgirl descended to greet her teammates.
�Hello guys I have brought word from General Beck about where we can meet our contact at and also I have something that John wanted me to give to Captain Atom.� Shiera said as she landed softly on the ground.
�What�s that Hawkgirl?� Captain Atom replied as he walked up to his new teammate
�They gave me a C.M.R. (1) unit to give to you so you can keep in touch with the pentagon and they can keep track of our progress.� Hawkgirl said as she gave him the small looking headset
�That is some good thinking on Irons part if we get into any trouble that we can�t handle we just call in the cavalry.� Captain Atom said rubbing his chin
�What cavalry you know the military can�t come in here without a legitimate reason.� Rex replied with a confused look on his face
Captain Atom looked at him with a grin,� Don�t worry I have that taken care of.�
�I think it�s about time we headed out we don�t want to be getting caught by any border patrols looming around. Alan you and Nathaniel will be our eyes and ears as you two scout ahead to make sure we don�t run into any trouble. As for the rest of us let's make sure we are prepped for the trip. Does every one have their gear?� Hawkman said
A show of hands showed that every one was ready and eager to go including Yolanda who Hawkman had been worried for because this was her first mission and he did not want it to be her last.
�Okay every one let�s move out!�
Gotham
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�Well it looks like were down to two of the fearsome five kiddies now let�s see if we can rap this caper up before our local police department decides to barge in on our fun.� Green Arrow said as he stood next to Gizmo who was nailed to the wall by a bola arrow
�I estimate five minutes until local authorities arrive and three minutes thirteen seconds for the four of us to dispatch these two villains.� Indigo replied
�Why take three minutes when I have something that can end this fight now. T-Spheres taser field activate and surround those two.� Mister Terrific said as he directed his T-Spheres to shock the senses out of Jinx and Mammoth.
�Well that was all in days work, all members of the fearsome five defeated in record time sorta. Ah where�s Grace?� Firestorm quipped
�$%*#$ Let me get my hands on that little witch I will tear her limb from limb.� Grace said as she pulled herself from the hole in the floor that was made by the giant piece of machinery landing on her head.
�How long have you been done their? And what is that awful smell?� Jade said as she hovered over her teammate
�That stupid #&$*$^&$ dropped somethin� on my head and sent me all the way down to the sewers below Gotham as for that smell what do you think it is.� Grace replied
�Boy Gracie your gonna need one hell of a bath to get rid of that stench.� Green Arrow said as he held his nose
�Yeah well *&$$^ you Queenie I may smell, but at least I am a lot better looking then you are.� Grace said as she turned her head
�I am sure you do when you�re not covered with all that filth from Gotham�s sewage system Gracie, but right now I think you should take a bath.� Green Arrow replied
�Enough we have to get out of here before we get arrested by the GPD to the Peqoud now.� Mister Terrific said as he started climbing the stairs to the roof
�Last one their smells like Gracie.� Firestorm said mockingly as he flew up the stairs
�Why you little *^*%%&^%&^ when I get my hands on you I will turn you inside out.� Grace said as she chased him up the stairs.
�Kids these days will they ever grow up.� Green Arrow said to himself as he ran up the stairs
The Pentagon
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General R.J. Beck sits in his leather chair and observes the working men below him who are monitoring the world�s greatest super team�s progress in Beijing he then turns his attention away to his desk and pulls one of his drawers out, reaches to the bottom of it, and presses a switch which activates a monitor hidden in the bookshelf of his office. Upon the monitor appear the emblem of the United States of America and then the face of President George W. Bush who turns to his monitor to see how the Justice Society is doing.
�General Beck how is the Justice Society proceeding in their mission in Beijing we need to apprehend the Humanite in order to discover the identity of Kobra.� The President said as he looked at General Beck
�Sir we are not even sure Kobra is one man for all we know Kobra could be an identity assumed by various people in the organization.� General Beck replied
�We can�t take any chances General with our country in danger and my promise to end terrorism so that all countries may live in peace we must find Kobra and all of his allies so that can be prosecuted with in the full extent of international law. � The President said with a determined look in his eye
�Yes sir now what do you want me to do about the flying man that has been seen on the news and in the paper?� General Beck said
�I don�t think he will be a problem General already we have some people working on trying to get these new mystery men to work for us.(2) �
�Very good sir, Now what do we do about Project Tin Man? Dr. Irons has finished the prototype and it has already been field tested with our team verifying it active for duty.�
�I want Project Tin Man to be our last resort General Beck that wreckage that N.A.S.A. found was not something to be toyed with and despite Dr. Irons assurances that it�s safe I still have my doubts. I mean how he figured out how to incorporate the alien wetware into his armor still has my people baffled even the people at Waynetech are having problems figuring out what he did to make it work.� The President replied
�Well all I can say sir is that Dr. Irons is the best engineer and ballistics expert I have ever met. Already the new stun guns that we are using at Alcatraz have worked wonderfully. (3)�
�That�s wonderful news to hear General Beck. We estimate it will be four more months before the Slab will be ready, but Alcatraz has already proven its worth as the legendary inescapable prison again. I think I will work it into my new budget plan come reelection to provide Alcatraz with some funding so that we can keep it running in honor of the great job that has been done to make sure those dangerous criminals that have been captured do not escape. Well General Beck I have to get going I have to meeting to attend to with Vice President Cheney and Colin Powell to discuss my next course of action on the war on terror. Good bye.� The President said as he turned off his end of the transmission
�Good bye sir General Beck out.� The General replied as he switched off the monitor
The general then shut the drawer and opened another with some files in it labeled top secret. He looked at the one-labeled Suicide Squad and another labeled the Eden Project. He puts the Eden project file on top of his desk and opens it revealing the discovery of a meta-human that appeared with the wreckage they found and the amazing powers that he possessed.
�Sometimes I wonder if I should have canceled this project along time ago. This metahuman is dead, but something about him makes me feel uncomfortable, (4) But with what we have discovered with his D.N.A so far we will be able to make the perfect solider that only follows the orders of United States of America and its people. Then we won�t need all these freaks out here with their capes and costumes thinking they are the law. Until then let the Justice Society relish in their return as America�s champions, but one day I will be the hero who takes the center stage with my own personal army.� General Beck thinks to himself
Elsewhere
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�How much longer till we get their Shiera?� Wildcat whined
�Not much longer Yolanda.� Hawkgirl replied
�I still don�t get why I�m stuck with you I mean I should be with the others helping them find our contact not patrolling the area. This is boring and you�re not exactly miss personality.� Wildcat replied
Hawkgirl stopped and turned to the young JSAer in training,� This isn�t some game young lady we could end up holding the fate of the world in our hands. I don�t have time to baby-sit some teenager who thinks that she should be a hero simply because she thinks its fun.�
�I am sorry Hawkgirl I really want to live up my godfather�s name I�m just worried about the others that�s all.�
�Listen I know you want to carry on his legacy, but you�re going to have to be serious about the work that we do. You cannot treat everything as a game otherwise; you will end up costing those you work with to lose their lives. Do you understand everything I have just said?� Hawkgirl asks her young teammate in training
�Yes I understand and I will keep in mind what we have talked about today.� Wildcat replied
Meanwhile
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�Well whoever our contact is sure has made it hard to find him. I am starting to doubt the validity of General Beck�s information.� Hawkman said as he flew high over Beijing
�I�m sure that Beck would have made sure that this information was valid before sending it along with Hawkgirl. As for finding our contact I think I just spotted the little devil.� Sentinel said as he used the emerald energies now with in him to create a giant maze for a young boy who was running away once he spotted the two heroes flying over the city.
�This boy can�t be our contact he is probably only eleven or twelve years old. What kind of parents would send their kids out to work as spies for other governments?� Hawkman said as he descended beside Sentinel who had the boy cornered
�I have no parent�s bird brain they died along time ago. I live here in Beijing on my own and I serve as whatever a person wishes as long as the pay is good.� The boy replied
�I see the boy has no manners either.� Sentinel tried to muffle a laugh
�Let�s see you build a life here with out a family or some one to count on old man. I have been on my own since I was six years old and I have never had any one to rely on through the problems I have gone through. Most of it I learned through experience alone.�
�I know what that feels like I kid I lost my family in the war and had to start all over again, but their isn�t a time that I don�t think about the loved ones I lost.� Sentinel replied
�I am sorry about your problems kid if there is anything we could do to help�� Hawkman said trying to get a word in
�No bird brain let�s just get this job over with so I can get some thing to eat.� The boy interrupted
Hawkman looked at Sentinel who was chuckling at the young boy�s ever-pleasant personality which reminded him of a young strapping youth he used to know.
�Something on your mind Alan or you just chuckling about that kid calling me bird brain?�
�That boy just reminds me of myself when I was young.� Sentinel replied
�Yeah he has quite the wit and I am sure that he will never let up on calling me bird brain.� Hawkman said as he shook his head
The two men then lead their little companion to where the rest of their teammates who are waiting for them
The Humanite�s Lair
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�So far everything is going to plan Kobra I just hope that you have the materials that I need so that I can get out of this miserable body.� The Humanite said as he looked at his monitor with Kobra on it
�Don�t worry I have kept up with my end of the bargain in fact you should have the body and materials that you asked for sometime today.� Korba replied
�Good expect the JSA�s heads with in the next few days after I am done with them.� The Ultra Humanite said and then terminated the connection,� Fool does he really think I would hand them over to him when I could use them as a limitless resource of D.N.A. in which to create the perfect body for my perfect mind. No matter I will dispense with him once I make the final preparations for the operation.�
Half a world away
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�Does that monster really think that I would trust him when I have an empire at my command that can flatten most nations? He is merely my pawn in a bigger game wither he realizes it or not.� Kobra thinks to himself
Kobra then reaches over and switches on his monitor again, but this time there is a female at the other end,� You know what I want you to do and I have already paid you handsomely for it.�
The female on the other end shakes her head in agreement then takes out a lighter and burns the picture of the Ultra-Humanite while laughing as she does it.
�Good I like your spunk and I expect results otherwise you will feel the venom of Kobra.� Kobra replied and then terminated the transmission,� Soon I will have killed two birds with one stone and have the world at my knees.�
The room filled with Kobra�s laughter as he thought about how his base of power will now expand across the world.
Epilogue: Brooklyn, New York
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�Man I never thought I would get that gunk off me. I had to use ever kinda soap there is just to get rid of the smell.� Grace said as she stepped into the woman�s locker room
�Well if you ask me you need to take another round of scrubbing Gracie because whatever that fragrance is its starting to turn my nose.� Green Arrow said from the entrance of the women�s locker room
�Shut it Queenie I don�t stink not after all that washing and that fragrance is my perfume not that you have a sense of taste either that musk your wearin� is too strong. I can hardly breathe in here.� Grace replied
�You must be kidding Gracie I know alotta women who have not only been charmed by my dashing good looks, but this cologne I�m wearing.�
�Sure they have and I�m bettin� that you didn�t pay your way with any of them.�
�Are you saying I�m a man without integrity?� Green Arrow asked with his eyebrow arched
�I�m sure that you�re like almost every other guy you will spin your rhymes about being faithful etc.� Grace said as she finished putting on her clothes
�Well I assure you that I�m not like almost every other guy and I will prove it. Why don�t we go out on a date say Friday I will show some of the best places around this city. In fact I will give you a tour of Star City while I�m at it.�
�I don�t know sounds like your tryin� to pull a fast one to me, but I guess one date wouldn�t hurt its not like you�re going to get very far with me any ways.� Grace said as she gave Green Arrow a wink
�Ah I challenge I so do enjoy a challenge I haven�t had one in ages.� Green Arrow quipped
A sewer system running miles below Beijing
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�Are you sure this is the only way in kid?� Hourman said as he climbed down into the sewers
�Yep his lair is down this way and white lotus inn is right above it.� The boy replied
�Well then we better get a move on then if we are going to capture the Humanite off guard.� Sentinel said as he levitated down
�Don�t forget me guys.� Wildcat said as she jumped down after them
�I am sorry Yolanda, but this could be extremely dangerous and we can�t risk you and the boy�s life. You stay here with the boy while we take care of the Humanite and his machine.� Hawkman said as he handed the boy over to disappointed Wildcat
�But�Man I really want to go and bust some heads.� Wildcat muttered
The JSA made their way through the long trails of the sewer before coming to an opening once they made it through an opening they suddenly saw bars made of unique metal surrounding them.
�What the hell?� Captain Atom said as he struggled to bend the bars,� This metal is different then any I have encountered I can�t seem to break it.�
�Let me try Captain.� Sentinel said as he focused his emerald energies into a powerful laser in which to cut through the bars yet the metal reflected the beam back at him.
�Well their goes that plan not that I have any better ideas.� Hourman said as reached into a hidden pouch for his miraclo pills yet he thought better of it as Ultra-Humanite walked out from his hiding place with in his hidden lair
�I see that you fools fell for my trap I pity that I could not capture all of you like I had hoped.� The Humanite snorted
�Well don�t think too much of it Humanite we will escape eventually.� Dr. Mid-nite replied
�I�m sure you will try, but I have prepared for such an event as did I prepare for Kobra betraying my trust by sending this loathsome cur to kill me.� The Humanite said as he showed them the corpse of a female they have never seen before, �Now if you do not mind I have some preparations to make now that I have a body and the materials I need.�
�What do you mean Humanite? You don�t think that you will actually get inside one of us do you.� Captain Atom said as gripped the bars and squeezed tightly,� I won�t let you hurt any of my teammates even if it costs me my life.�
�How do you plan on stopping me when can�t even free yourself. Now don�t worry Captain Atom I have plans for your powers and I will make sure that what I have been planning does not hurt too much.� The Humanite laughed
To Be Continued�
1) Compact Multiband Receiver
2) See the JLA who will be making appearances in Superman and will be showing up in a limited series later on
3) See Alternate Dc Presents for everything that is happening in Alcatraz
4) See further developments on who this mystery metahuman is in Alt-Dc�s JSA 5-14
-Starting in October Alternate DC�s Outsiders will have their own ongoing series with the opening story arc �Tried and Convicted!� With two Fearsome Five teams running loose the Outsiders are stuck in the middle trying to figure out who is who while the mastermind behind this clever scheme goes after Indigo who is all alone in the Raven�s Nest.
