 |
#2 |
| Let's do the Time Warp again... | |
By Tim Hartin
|
#2 |
| Let's do the Time Warp again... | |
By Tim Hartin
Let us forget the lapse of time; let us forget the conflict of opinions. Let us make our appeal to the infinite, and take up our positions there.
--Chuang Tzu
The moon.
Earth's heroes have been summoned to the JLA Watchtower's Hall of Justice.
"Aquaman. Black Canary. Blue Beetle. Booster Gold. Firestorm..." A voice falls silent as the names echo throughout the crowded meeting room. Dr. Hotchkiss continues with his role call of those missing in action. "...The Flash. Green Lantern. Martian Manhunter. Wonder Woman."
Almost every group - the JLA, the JSA, the Titans, the Outsiders, the Doom Patrol, the Metal Men, and many other assorted heroes - have answered the call to duty. Dr. Hotchkiss (Director of the Metropolis branch of S.T.A.R. Labs) has found himself acting as one of their unofficial scientific advisors during this crisis. Along with the Atom, Steel, Dr. Darwin Jones, Dr. Jenet Klyburn, and Dr. Niles Caulder, they have formulated an hypothesis about the current phenomena that has scourged the earth over the last few days and recognized the Hypertime Invasion for what it truly is. Now, they hope to put their ideas to the test and take the war on the offensive. At least that's the theory, thinks Hotchkiss as he prepares to speak...
"What's the news, Hotchkiss?" asks Robotman (a.k.a. Cliff Steele).
"Quiet, Cliff. Let the man talk," orders Niles Caulder (a.k.a. the Chief). He rolls his wheelchair next to his Doom Patrol.
"Thank you, Dr. Caulder." Hotchkiss clicks on a hand remote and an holographic image of the globe appears over the JLA's round table. Many areas highlighted in red pop up at various locations all over the world. "The designated areas have experienced dimensional portals over the last few days. At the moment, these attacks have subsided..."
"That's it? It's over? We've beaten the invaders back?" asks Gar Logan who stands with the rest of the Titans.
"I wish it were that simple, Changeling." Dr. Darwin Jones shakes his head. He waves his unlit pipe around to emphasize his conjecture. "We believe that the previous appearances have been preliminary excursions into our reality. To put it simply, they have been testing our defenses."
Jay Garrick tips his Mercury inspired helmet back as he scratches his head. "But who are they?"
Hotchkiss calls up another image that shows many frightening doppleganders of earth's heroes. "We've been able to identify most of the enemy as being either twisted versions of ourselves or of our supervillains."
"They appear to belong to two allied factions," adds Dr. Jones. He continues with the briefing. "From what we have learnt from our captive, the first faction swears loyalty to an alternate Ultra-Humanite. These International Justice Society are a mockery of our own gallant, JSA. The members of Skyman, Pyscho-Pirate, Savage, and Darkwing have been identified."
"Identified? How did you get all of this information?" asks a perplexed Nightwing.
Dr. Jenet Klyburn smiles and summons for Superman. He walks into the room with a large black ape attached to an equally large collar and chain. The ape struggles slightly but seems to be acclimitized to his condition. "May I introduce Savage... better known to us as Vandal Savage. We have designated his dimension of origin as Earth-U."
The room suddenly becomes silent with the mere mention of Vandal Savage's name. "An ape? How?" asks many of the assembled heroes while Changeling quickly changes into a green circus gorilla.
The large simian answers their question for himself. "I am... <grunt> Vandal Savage. Ultra switched my mind..." His speech is coloured with many animal grunts and noises. "<snort> ...into this creature's body... <grunt> he attempted to control me by separating my mind from my immortal body..."
"That's horrible!" declares Argent. She moves closer to Arsenal and Troia in an unconscious attempt to bolster her own morale. "Who is this Ultra?"
"Hope you never find out," comments Alan Scott (the original Green Lantern) rather sternly. The rest of the original JSA nod their heads in agreement.
"She... he... it... was one of our worst enemies from our war days," adds Wildcat. "Pray you never meet her."
"If we are done reminiscing about the glory days, may we continue?" interrupts Niles Caulder. He ignores the cold stares from the assembled golden age heroes. "As my colleagues were trying to say, the invaders appear to be from two factions. The second faction owes their allegiance to an alternate Lex Luthor. We have designated his dimension of origin as Earth-L."
" That's all we need. One Luthor per world is more than enough." Superman shakes his head.
"As I was saying before the incessant interruptions," Dr. Niles Caulder nods to Dr. Hotchkiss who in turn changes the holographic image to one showing a sinister bunch of supposed heroes. "They call themselves the Lexcorp Justice League. The above members have been identified... Black Beetle (a.k.a. Blue Beetle), Hawk Lord (a.k.a. Hawkman), Rapidstrike (a.k.a. the Flash), and Warrior Prime (a.k.a. Guy Gardner)."
"I see I'm handsome in any dimension, " jokes Guy Gardner. But before anyone has a chance to tell him to 'shut up', Guy asks an important question. "How do we know that we can trust this talking King Kong?"
Savage grunts at the insult. "I have... <grunt> nothing to gain by lying. Besides... <snort> I might not be... able to gain my human body back... <grunt> but I can gain some satisfaction by stopping Ultra from achieving his plans. <snort>"
The heroes remain silent as they let the information sink in. It is Gardner who first breaks the silence. "But they can travel through dimensions... sure some of us have done it before but it isn't like catching the uptown bus. So what now? We just wait until they decide to attack again?"
The Batman walks forward. "No, we take the fight to them. Doctors Jones, Hotchkiss, Klyburn, and Steel have been able to modify our JLA teleporters for dimensional travel. I'll lead an assault team to Earth-L. We are hoping that we might find our missing teammates there."
Dr. Hotchkiss nods. "With the information that we were able to learn from an Earth-L Hypertime probe* and from our current guest, we've been able to extrapolate the information needed to cross the Hypertime barrier. My readings indicate that when the heroes disappeared, their energy trails led to Earth-L. As Batman has already stated, we need a team to go with him. I thought it best if we asked for volunteers..." Hotchkiss pauses for a moment. "...considering the experimental status of the equipment and the considerable risk of the mission."
[* The Deadman Unit from Hypertime Invasion #0 - 1.]
"We'll go," shout the JSA in unison. The original Green Lantern, Flash I, Wildcat, Hippolyta/Wonder Woman, and the newly joined Hourman II, Kiku Thunder, and Jesse Quick step forward from the crowd. While this JSA may be a mixture of both the old and the new, they understand all too well what it means to be heroes!
"Most of us have been fighting villains before some of you've been born. Besides, we have experience in alternate dimensions." Wildcat cracks a smile. "Just make sure we don't get stuck there for a couple more decades. Once was enough."
"I'll go with you," adds the Atom as he grows to his normal height. "You'll need someone with the appropriate scientific expertise for this mission."
"I'll go also." The young Green Arrow walks out from the crowd. I owe it to my father's memory to try to find Black Canary. he thinks to himself, or am I doing this to prove something to myself instead? The contemplative Green Arrow joins the rest of the assembled team. As Connor Hawke takes his place next to the original Green Lantern, he realizes why he is really going... he is a hero like his dad.
"Then it's settled." Batman knows he couldn't have asked for a better team. "I suggest we prepare for our reconnasance mission."
The Atom passes metallic arm bands to all members of the dimensional taskforce. "These will protect you from the ravages of Hypertime travel. They will also be your beacons back. Don't lose them or you might not be able to return!"
"Wait!" shouts Superman. "If we are dealing with Luthor, then I should go. I do have the most experience when it comes to dealing with his machiavallian mind."
Batman shakes his head. "I'm sorry, no. Your place is here leading the defence of the earth. After all, you are a symbol of hope to the world. Your presence alone will have a calming effect on those that might otherwise succumb to panic." Batman pulls a slender tube from his utility belt. He presses a small button and a cloud of gas shoots out from the tip. Savage grunts and coughs as he enhales the fumes deeply. The large black ape begins to gently sway side to side. Batman takes the chain leash from Superman. "I'll take Savage with us. His knowledge may prove to be useful. My tranquilizer gas will keep him under control."
Superman stares at Batman. He knows that Bruce is right, but it doesn't stop him from wanting to go in his place. "Okay. But take care of yourselves. Don't underestimate Luthor. He is as ruthless and deadly as they come."
Batman nods in agreement. "Luthor better not underestimate me." With that said, Batman (with Savage), the Atom, Green Arrow, and the JSA, all walk out of the Hall of Justice towards the teleporter chamber. Steel fiddles with a few dials and adjusts a few more switches. He has taken the tubes apart and has constructed a large circular dias modified with various strange equipment. "A BOOM Tube it's not, but I think it will do the trick. The destination has been programmed. Ready when you are, and good luck."
"You will not need luck." Niles Caulder turns his wheelchair to get a better view of the departing heroes. "Our Hyperpulse Beam will get you to your destination."
Unknown to all in the JLA Watchtower, a lone invisible spirit drifts in the ethereal current as he watches the drama unfold before him. Boston Brand, the assassinated circus acrobat turned ghostly wanderer, watches the heroes as they prepare for their journey. Unlike those who answered the corporeal call to duty, Deadman felt something much deeper, and much more personal, draws him to the moon. He knew he had to be here.
The heroes (and one villain) step onto the teleporter pad and disappear in a burst of prismatic fireworks. Suddenly the dimensional teleporter begins to spark and flames explode from the jerry-rigged contraption. Superman takes a deep breath and quickly smothers the flames by removing the oxygen from the fire. "What happened? Are they alright?"
Steel studies the machine and the many readouts. "I'm not registering their beacons. I'm afraid they're lost in Hypertime."
Cliff Steele looks down at the Chief. "Your beam certainly got them somewhere, but where?"
"Or when?" Black Lightning is left wondering why everyone is staring at him, as the ghostly spirit of Boston Brand floats out of him. Deadman didn't mean to speak, but he was distracted by the pulsing light hovering over the teleporter pad. The assembled heroes don't see it, but Deadman can't help but stare at it. Pulsating spears of colour radiate from a single pin-prick within the fabric of reality. The colours blend into a mesmerizing collage of space and time.
Suddenly the colours stop as Deadman is sucked into the dimensional rift with an alarming speed. As Deadman passes beyond the hypertime threshold and out of our known universe, he wonders why he can hear the ticking of a grandfather clock...
A profit for LexCorp is a profit shared by all.
--Official Motto of LexCorp (adopted as the official motto for the Earth in AD 2010)
Greater Metropolis, AD 2012, capital to an ever expanding economic and stellar empire under the rule of one man, Lex Luthor
The cyclopean Lexcorp Ziggurat towers over most of Greater Metropolis. It is a constant reminder to everyone that they live in the shadow of Lexcorp, and their lives belong to their Grand Director.
Luthor stares out from his luxurious private penthouse located at the top of the ziggurat. He smiles at the knowledge that he controls not only this world, but also the Moon and Mars, and soon his forces will dominate many other worlds. Already the planets of Almerac, Bolovax Vik, and Lallor have been assimilated in a successful take-over bid. His legions have spread his name through the galaxy. Even now, the Thanagarian Empire has signed a non-agression treaty in the hope that he won't target them. They are fools, thinks Luthor, if they think that a mere treaty will stop me.
But Luthor's mind doesn't dwell on his successes, it dwells on his current alliance with the creature known as the Ultra-Humanite. He doesn't trust the ape and he knows it is planning some sort of double cross. He wonders if Ultra might be behind the strange glitches that have been afflicting the Deadman Units. That ape did originally re-engineer one of his units to gain access to his world. Maybe he is attempting to gain control over them all. Luthor's stream of thought is interrupted by a single touch...
A finger slides seductively up Luthor's arm. "You look stressed, my dear. I know the perfect remedy to relieve stress." A beautiful woman with deep green eyes smiles as she tosses her long red hair back. She is dressed in a tight red and blue spandex one piece outfit that leaves nothing to the imagination. She clings to Luthor's right arm.
"I agree. Let us take your mind off your problems," coos another sensual voice. Another attractive woman with dark black hair strokes Luthor's left arm as she slides up next to him. She wears a similar outfit as the first woman, but with the colour scheme switched. "Come to bed. The Universe will still be here when we get done." She kisses Luthor on the cheek.
"Not now Lois, Lana," dismisses Luthor as he shrugs off the two women and walks towards his desk, "I have many things to consider. Go to the bedroom and wait for me there. I have important matters to tend to first." Luthor sits at his desk and punches several commands into his communications consule. Lois Lane and Lana Turner obey their Great Director's wish and leave the office.
"Don't take too long dear or we might start without you," laughs Lana as the door closes behind her.
Luthor smiles at the thought, but his face quickly resumes its seriousness. He activates the security camera to his Science Director's private lab. He watches as T.O. Morrow studies a deactivated Deadman Unit. Cybernetic parts are intermingled with organic flesh. Luthor activates a communications channel, "Have you've located the anomoly yet, Morrow?"
T.O. Morrow jumps at the sudden interruption by his superior. "No, Grand Director. I haven't. But I'm preparing a procedure that should eliminate the problem."
Luthor nods as he watches Morrow on the video monitor. "Very well. But be quick. If you cannot do the job, maybe I should appoint another to take your place. I hear that Citizen Palmer has distinguished himself in his white dwarf research. He could easily become the next Science Director if you aren't careful. Do you understand me, Morrow?" Luthor's last sentence was less of a question and more of a statement of fact.
Morrow nods as he accepts Luthor's order. He is all too aware of Luthor's power and his ability to make others disappear. Many who have displeased him have done so. "Very well, Grand Director."
Luthor switches the security camera from the lab to his bedroom. He smiles as he turns off his monitor. He whistles while he walks out of his office. It's good being the Grand Director.
Science Division, Lexcorp Ziggurat
Lexcorp Science Director, T.O. Morrow, paces the length of his private laboratory. He is in deep thought over his current mystery. Something has been over-riding the command functions of the Deadman Units. Their trans-organic circuitry, powered by the natural decay of the host cadaver, should be immune to infection - both biologically and technologically. Only dead men should brave the horrors of travelling through Hypertime, thinks Morrow as he stops to inspect a disemboweled Deadman Unit.
Morrow studies the carcass to the minute detail. He adjusts his operating cable as he plugs himself, into the cadaver's onboard mainframe. He watches as the streams of information pass literally before his eyes. The Deadman's memories are downloaded neuron by neuron and absorbed directly into T.O. Morrow's brain via his neural implant. "Hmmmm... all systems read optimal efficiency. Then what is causing the sporadic energy drain? Individual targets seem to be effected for only a limited time..."
He pauses as he searches through the endless streams of cybernetic information. He instantly isolates what he has been searching for - the memory logs for the time period that the energy loss occurred. He speaks as a nearby hovering silver ball records his investigation. "Something has erased the memory record. I didn't think it was possible, but something... or someone has cracked the Deadman's database. Impossible! And yet..."
The door opens behind T.O. Morrow. A Lexcorp scientist runs into the lab. "Sir! We have captured test subjects as per your instruction. They await your inspection at laboratory Sigma-Theta-Alpha 964." The scientist stands at attention as he eagerly waits for a reply.
T.O. Morrow ignores his enthusiastic underling, and continues with his investigation. "And yet... If I download a trace virus into the Deadman Mainframe..." He picks up a small silver globe from a nearby shelf. Through the sensor pads planted in his fingertips, he accesses the tracer ball's command functions. He mentally reprograms the device's organic code to the specific specifications for the task at hand - locate, trace, and erase.
He places the virus ball on the forehead of the cadaver. As the ball melts, silver liquid pours down the Deadman's pale skin. The liquid is quickly absorbed through the skin. Morrow checks the Deadman's readouts for the diagnosis. It has absorbed the new command functions, as he desired. He now waits for the program to alert him to the next attack. He continues his verbal notes. "Then, the culprit will be mine."
T.O. Morrow unplugs his operating cable from the Deadman. It quickly retracts back into its socket at the base of Morrow's skull. "Very well. Let's go and visit our guests." Morrow walks past the waiting scientist and exits the laboratory.
Citizen Palmer nods as he obeys. He wonders at the many implants that dot T.O. Morrow's body. He is a walking advertisement for cybernetic enhancement, thinks Ray Palmer as he follows his superior down the corridor, especially once you consider that it was his genius that created the field in the first place. Palmer continues wth his hero worship as he trails the research Head to the lab, unaware of the rancour that Morrow harbours towards him.
Morrow opens the door to see an attractive young blonde woman strapped to a table. A large computerized brace secures her throat and face. She isn't alone. Three other bodies are secured to similar examaning tables. "She appears to be a dimensional dopplegander of our own citizen, Dinah Queen, a.k.a. Black Raven of the LJL," explains Palmer.
"I do recognize her, Citizen Palmer." T.O. Morrow casts a condescending glance at his assistant. He remembers Luthor's words about the eager scientist. "I have no further need for you. You may return to your insignificant duties." Morrow turns to the captured Black Canary (from Earth-DCL)*. A sinister smile spreads across his face as he begins to toy with the various settings on her neck brace. "Let's have a look, shall we. Let's see what you are made of..."
[* naturally, Earth-DCL is our heroes' home universe.]
Black Canary tries to struggle but she can't. She tries to scream as a laser pierces her neck. T.O. Morrow plugs himself into the various scientific equipment and supervises his explorative surgery via his cybernetic implants. "Let's see what happens when I manipulate this tissue..." Morrow smiles as he watches Black Canary form a silent scream as several more lasers bombard her throat. "Go ahead and scream if you can, my pretty bird. It will do you no good. There is no one to rescue you here."
Lower Metropolis Midtown Sector, Old Gotham.
Steam screams as it bellows out from a cluster of tall rusty flues. Aquaman (a.k.a. Arthur Curry) stumbles through the metallic maze as he wanders from one dirty corridor to another. His skin has begun to crack as it dries out. Arthur knows he must submerse himself into some water soon, or he will slip into a coma. It has been too long since he has hydrated himself and the reserves within his costume are empty. He daydreams of Atlantis, and her cool waters, as he battles the heat and steam. He is becoming more and more delirious from the dehydration.
Aquaman appears to be in some sort of industrial maze with many pipes and tubes that zig-zaging as far as the eye can see. Arthur doesn't know where he is or how he has gotten there. It feels like days since he was on the coast of Newfoundland fighting against dimensional invaders.* He was struck by some sort of energy discharge and then blackness. "I woke up in this foul place!" shouts Aquaman as he thrusts his hand into a mud puddle. He feels the water slip between his fingers. "I have never seen water as polluted as this." He sighs. "Or air that is just as bad..." He inhales deeply. "...or worse."
[* See the end of Hypertime Invasion #1 for details.]
"It almost reminds me of New Jersey," jokes a friendly voice. A man with fiery hair floats in the air as he looks down to his fellow JLAer. "You don't look so good, Aquaman."
The Blue Beetle stands to the left of his teammate. "Is this place hot enough for you?" The Blue Beetle quickly regrets his joke when he gets a good look at Arthur.
"Oh, it's you. Excuse me while I..."Aquaman falls to his knees, splashing mud and dirt over his green and gold costume. Aquaman lies face first on the ground. He tries to move but his muscles don't obey his commands.
"Quick, Firestorm!" shouts Blue Beetle. "Change that metal into a pool and create some water for Aquaman."
Firestorm does what Blue Beetle suggested and fires a blast at a series of pipes. He hopes he is doing this right. The pipes quickly morph into a large, crudely shaped pool. The Blue Beetle picks up his fallen teammate and places Aquaman inside it. "I hope it isn't too late," states Firestorm as he concentrates and converts the surrounding air into a gentle rain. "You okay?"
Aquaman slowly starts to revive as the water level creeps up his body. "Better, thanks." He rubs the back of neck as he savours the surrounding water. "You have any idea of where we are?"
"Nope," answers Firestorm. "We were hoping that you would know. We were with Booster Gold, Wonder Woman, Martian Manhunter, and the Flash in Morocco fighting some sort of invasion and then we were zapped to here. I wager the same happened to you."
Aquaman nods. He quickly shares his own story to Blue Beetle and Firestorm.*
[* See Hypertime Invasion #1]
Blue Beetle takes in his surroundings. "This place looks like a cross between Blade Runner and some fifties sci-fi flick. I tried approaching some of the natives, but they just ran away from me." Ted Kord pauses. "You should have seen their eyes - they were terrified of me."
"We need to locate the rest of the JLA. And then, we need to find our way home." Aquaman rises, completely refreshed, thanks to Firestorm. His costume's resevoirs have been replensihed, and Aquaman knows that they will last for some time.
"If we can find where home is," adds Firestorm as he flies ahead through the maze of pipes and steelwork. "This direction is better than any. I think I recognize some of the landmarks as belonging to Gotham." Firestorm hovers in the air and then doubles back from his previous heading. "But I could be wrong..."
Aquaman looks at the bleak industrial site before him. He doesn't know if any of his other teammates have survived, but he does know that he can't give up on them. Arthur watches Firestorm. He can tell Firestorm is nervous, but, then again, they all are. "Gotham or not. We go forward."
Blue Beetle shrugs his shoulders. "Why not. What's the worst that can happen to us?"
Unknown to our surviving heroes, they are being watched by a lone sentry. His sleek black body and red cape are hidden by the thick smog that drifts in the dark, polluted sky. The android, known as the Red Tornado 6.01, hovers in the air as he scans the intruders.
His soft mechanical voice reports to unknown allies over a scrambled radio channel. "First biological unit scans as AquaLord. Memory banks has this organic listed as deceased. Anomolous readings suggest further surveillance. Second biological unit scans as Plasmafire. Third biological unit scans as Black Beetle. Warning! Hostile! This unit is proceeding with caution. Recommendation: Prepare the Outsiders to intercept hostile units."
Red Tornado 6.01 hovers through the air as it silently stalks its quarry.
THE HYPERTEMPORAL VORTEX
Time, space, and causation are like the glass through the Absolute is seen ... In the Absolute there is neither time, space, nor causation.
--S. Vivekananda
Somewhere/when between the multitude of Hypertime realities
A lone, battered body silently floats through a void that exists just beyond the very edge of reality. This is the hypertemporal vortex - a place where there is no place. It touches all realities and yet it isn't there. It is a moment outside of the then and now.
Deadman Unit L001 had an unfortunate accident with a Lightning Beast from Korbal. Its whole left side is burnt black and small sparks spit out of a large bite hole in the corpse's body. Ruptured cables hang from dead flesh. It was that accident that caused Deadman Unit L001 to make a desparate jump into the vortex. The resulting influx of hypertemporal energy crashed the Deadman's cybernetic neural matrix.
Suddenly the battered corpse begins to move again. Colour returns to the Deadman's otherwise pale complexion, as a light appears in its once dormant, black eyes. It tries to speak, but cannot. The damage is too extensive. But nonetheless, Deadman Unit L001 flares to life once more as the Rama Kushna Virus downloads into his matrix.
The Rama Kushna Virus carries the disembodied AI program of its creator, Boston Brand, via a concentrated Hypertemporal surge through interstitial hypertime from Deadman Unit to Deadman Unit throughout the multiverse. The digital psyche and persona of Boston Brand awakens from the void as he gains control of another Hypertime Unit.
This isn't my intended destination. This isn't Earth-L. The Boston Brand AI scans the chaotic miasma that surrounds him. He can sense the build-up of hypertime energies, but the unique aspect of his surroundings doesn't allow him to pin-point the exact location. This body is too damage for him to successfully manipulate some of his hypertemporal properties.
Suddenly a corona of red and white fire erupts from above the drifting Deadman Unit. He is helpless as he watches a ghostly form accelerate towards him. The Boston Brand AI is surprised as the spectral form of Earth-DCL's Deadman falls into the cadaver body and disappears. Instantly, the AI can feel another presence merge with his programming.
Who, or what are you?" wonders the Boston Brand AI.
"I should ask you the same thing," answers the ghostly Deadman, who has now possessed the deceased body. Its soundless voice somehow echoes in the surrounding void. "The limbs are stiff and clumsy, and the body feels cold and damp. Never did like inhabiting the dead." He can feel an echo of himself inhabiting the same body. "Strange. How can the dead not be dead? You're not a ghost, but a machine?"
I'm more than any machine. I'm a hypertemporal AI... Suddenly the two variant aspects of Boston Brand share an intensive gestalt as they are flooded with the memories, dreams, and ambitions of each other. Images of growing up on the lunar colony flash through Earth-DCL's Deadman, as images of the circus appear within the Boston Brand AI's programming. As quickly as the gestalt started, it subsides. For that brief moment, the two deadmen where one. Now both deadmen understand, and recognize each other for who, and what, they are.
I have found the goal of my search. The body of the first Deadman Unit. I have to return to the Earth-L dimension. I must try to put a stop to Luthor's mad scheme for power, explains the AI.
"And how do you plan to do that? You can't even move this body." Deadman flexes the corpse's dead arms. He looks at the battered remains of the body he is currently possessing. "Why would you want this body?"
I have been scouring the Multiverse in search of this body. It holds the key in defeating Luthor once for all.
"This burnt-out corpse is special?" Deadman becomes silent as he catches his reflection on one of the metallic implants that dot his arms. "I know that face. You mean that this is none other than..."
...LexCorp's greatest Aerospace Pilot, Hal Jordan. It was just after the Thanagarian Skirmish of 2008 when Hal Jordan disappeared from the public view. It was rumoured that he was working on something top-secret for LexCorp. It was said he was piloting some deep space mission to the farthest reaches of the Galaxy. But...
"But in reality, he had been kidnapped and experimented on by Luthor's Science Police," echoes Deadman as he remembers the AI's digitalized memories. For that brief moment, their souls were revealed to each other.
He became the very first Deadman Unit, L001 - this very body. Luthor had him terminated and experimented on because he didn't like Jordan's growing popularity. He saw Jordan as a potential rival and dealt with the problem as such. My discovery of the truth lead to my death.
"That doesn't explain why this body is so important."
He was the first Deadman Unit to successfully penetrate the Hypertime barrier. Even this crippled cavader has enough power to destroy Luthor's ability to travel through Hypertime.
"How do you plan to do this?" asks Deadman. He knows the answer already as he listens to the Boston Brand AI speak to him inside his head.
I plan to destroy Luthor's Deadman processing plant. That will cripple his cross-reality acquisitions, and give your world the peace it deserves. Will you help me?
Deadman takes another look at his adopted body's face. He wonders if there is an universe out there where Hal Jordan is treated like the hero he is. He hopes there must be. "I'll help. Besides, you'll need me to control the body. So where is this processing plant?"
In the Archimedes Crater, within the eastern border of the Mare Imbrium (Sea of Rains), on the moon.
"And if I'm lucky, I'll find a few heroes from my own world while we're at it." The void shimmers and possessed Deadman Unit L001 vanishes from its drifting trajectery back to reality... but which one?
Life is harsh, but the Ultra-Humanite is harsher.
--Popular saying of the people of the occupied North American Zone
Gotham City, 1946.
Where the original JSA brownstone headquarters once stood, now stands a golden monstrocity known as the Ultra Dome. The building is a reminder to the people of who won the war - the Ultra-Humanite did. The members of both the Justice Society of America and the All Star Sqaudron are dead or missing. The Ultra Humanite has crushed the world into submission.
Ultra's many quislings and sycophants cheered his cult of personality. They have plastered his image on every wall, painting, and even in scultpure, throughout the world but especially in the world capital of Gotham City. The image is always of a powerful white simian body in various heroic poses. The most famous statue being the one in front of the Ultra Dome is a sculpting of the Ultra Humanite standing tall and victorious over the fallen body of Superman. This statue stands in its full glory, surrounded by a halo of 'black and red' flags of the current regime.
The black and crimson (such is what the Injustice Society call their flag) flaps in a quick burst of wind. The banging of the doors opening and the snaping of the flag breaks the Ultra-Humanite's concentration. He raises his giant white gorilla body from his equally large chair, and lumbers towards the open double doors. His brow is heavy, and slightly pulses with each thought. He has been pondering the future.
The Ultra Humanite knows he can't trust Luthor. He tried to peek into Luthor's mind, but he couldn't break through his force of will. Ultra knows he cannot dominate such a man easily (if at all) and as such, he knows he will not be able to control him. He closes the large double glass doors and the wind subsides as quickly as it appeared.
Ultra turns and smiles a sharp, animal grin. He admires his image in the reflective barrier of his Superman Monument and, laughs at the helpless body trapped within the sparkling green fluid. Superman stands ever silent within his prison, or as some would call it, his tomb. Ultra slides closer to the monument.
"So tell me Superman, what would you do?" The bestial voice of the Ultra Humanite rings out in rhetorical vigour as he asks his question. He snorts a quick apeish chuckle and continues, "I need other worlds to fulfill my ambition. This world is so worn out."
Ultra's loud voice suddenly becomes a whisper, "What would you do, Superman?" His whisper turns into a deep chuckle. "You can't do anything because I defeated you!"
The Ultra Humanite suddenly becomes quiet as he turns towards a lone invading figure. "What do you want, Curtis?" he snarls, "I did not send for you, so why are you here?"
"I've detected a hypertime surge originating from the target Earth. It appears to be some sort of crude transmission interference..."
"Enough! You risk your daughter's life on this?"
"I detected super-human life signs, and the transmission is moving towards Luthor's world... Earth-L."
The Ultra Humanite stands to his full height, a full eight feet of simian pride. "I want that transmission! Redirect it here!"
Dr. Terrance Curtis, a.k.a. Cyclotron, nods. "Already done. I took the liberty and redirected the transmission to the Gotham Colloseum. They will arrive within the next hour or so."
The Ultra Humanite ignores Cyclotron's initiative and smiles. "Good. Summon my Justice Society. I want our visitors to receive a warm reception when they materialize. The warmest welcome, indeed."
Cyclotron turns to leave , but he stops as he hears the Ultra-Humanite call out his name once more.
"Curtis... Cyclotron. Make sure there are no slip ups with this mission. The last disaster doesn't leave me with much confindence in your survival... or your daughter's, for that matter. Do you understand me?"
Cyclotron grips his hands until his knuckles go white and then he suddenly lets go and his fingers dangle from his open hands. He lowers his head and nods a defeated nod. "I understand. There won't be any mistakes."
The Ultra-Humanite watches Cyclotron leave to attend to his orders. He once had hopes for Cyclotron, but he now recognizes the man's faults... his compassion for others. It will be the utter ruin of him in the end, chuckles the Ultra Humanite to himself as he prepares for his future guests. His mind reaches out and he casts a mental summons to his underlings. Wotan! Baron Blitzkrieg! Mr. Terrific! Quakemaster! Solomon Grundy! Come to me. I need you for a special mission.
NEXT ISSUE: The JSA, Batman, Green Arrow/Connor Hawke, & the Atom/Ray Palmer arrive on Earth-U. Will they be able to save the planet from the Ultra-Humanite? What about the Earth-U JSA? Are they truly dead? Find out about this and much more in Hypertime Invasion #3.
Coming soon to a millennium nearest you!