Post by Deleted on Mar 26, 2015 20:41:04 GMT -5
Titans West Chapter 2 — “The Problem With Heroes These Days...”
Written by: ArchKid
Co-conspirator/Editor: Power Guy
The Grand Hotel Lobby, Los Angeles...
“Next time you have a brilliant public event...go against your instincts!” the Grand hotel’s manager yelled at the desk clerk.
“But...what’s the harm, sir? They haven’t caused any trouble,” the desk-clerk responded, looking at his grey-haired boss.
“Do you have to try and plough through that god-d**ned crowd to get to your car parked?” the manager furiously asked.
“No, sir, I don’t have a car to park.” The desk-clerk responded, “I walk to work.”
“You would. Think of the business we lost! A whole floor vacated! Actual business gone, because of a publicity stunt. No money coming in, from an entire floor!” yelled the manager.
“Sir? Do you have high-blood pressure?” the desk-clerk inquired.
“No, why do you ask?” wondered the manager.
“No reason, sir,” the desk-clerk muttered as he walked away.
***
Room 102, The Grand Hotel, L.A....
A slam of the door, angry muttering, and the noise of a TV, those noises could be heard in this room. “Turn that thing off!” Came the voice of the Arachnid.
“No. I like this show.” Starman responded, ooking at his roommate. “What’s wrong with you?”
“I go downtown, in costume, I stop a bank robbery and nobody knows my name!” The Arachnid yelled, comically waiving his arms in strange motions.
“I don’t know your name either,” Starman responded.
“ I meant my code-name.” The Arachnid retorted.
“It’s Awhackrid, right?” Starman laughed.
“Alright Spaceman, I’ll take that as you volunteering to be my personal punching-bag!” Arachnid smirked under his mask, as he lunged at Starman. “Kaji Dha, Spaceman.”
Thumps could heard, furniture knocked was over, and random punches were thrown between the two.
“Ow! What the hell am I hitting?” Starman yelled, pulling his hand away from the Arachnid, after having thrown a punch.
“Armor…and I hope it hurts.” The Arachnid smirked, although unseen.
***
Room 101, The Grand Hotel, L.A....
“Isn’t this cool?” came the laugh of Supergirl, floating around in a nice blue dress, looking at any mirror she could see. “The mayor of Los Angeles invited the Titans West out to a dinner!” she squealed gleefully.
“Yeah, whoo-hoo...” Came the sarcasm-riddled voice of Bee-Sting. “I’m staying here. I have a meeting with Dr. Irons about the Metrotower. I’m asking him why it’s not ready yet. And from those noises down the hall, the “ows and son of a”, tells me a certain bug themed hero is up to his usual micheif.”
“Oh, well I’m going. I think it’ll be great!” Supergirl smiled cheerfully. “Though, I’d love to see Uncle John again.”
“Uncle John? I didn’t know you were so close to Dr. Irons.” Bee-Sting said with a look of confusion.
“I’m closer to him than my aunts, or my parents.” Supergirl smiled again. “In fact, I stayed with him for a whole summer a few years back.”
“Uh, right,” Bee-Sting murmured having become completely uninterested.
***
The Metrotower, L.A.
Kid Comet streaked towards the headquarters he was familiar with, the Metrotower, it was built, but for some reason, there was a moving van and a construction truck in the parking-lot. He raised his eyebrow in confusion. Floating down to the front of the Metrotower. “Excuse me. I thought the Metrotower wasn’t ready?” Kid Comet asked one of the construction workers, who was drinking a coffee.
“Well, uh, we were keeping you out until we wuz sure it wuz safe to move in,” the worker smiled.
“So, you’ve been charging us when you’re not even doing anything?” Kid Comet said slowly and angrily.
“Um, kinda...but y’see, we’ve been neglecting other projects to keep you heroes all nice and safe like.” The worker laughed, only to find a fist slam into him.
“Leave now, if you’re just sitting around. Movers! Are you working?” Kid Comet roared, having been flying around for a day now, Comet was less than the most negotiable person.
“Yes sir. We’ve been loading this stuff up less than a day. By the way, fella, there’s a whole lot of computers you need put everywhere. We should be done in three days. Is that okay?” The mover said, confident in his crew.
“That will be fine. Can I take the tour?” Kid comet asked, a little suspicious at the moment.
“There’s all boxes everywhere. But, we’ll be done soon. Come back in three days, and I’ll personally give you the tour.” The mover smiled, “Hey, what’s with the chin-pubes?”
“What do you mean by that???” demanded an irritated Kid Comet.
“Well, is that, like, your look?” the worker asked curiously. “I just think you’re a bit young for facial-hair.”
“Not that it’s any of your business but I just plain like them,” Kid Comet responded.
***
Remember the secret underground base...?
“Tell me Brainiac, from what you’ve seen, does this seem like a Justice League?” The old, bald man laughed.
“No. But, you shouldn’t underestimate them. I believe the Justice League International was full of strangely competent incompetents,” Brainiac answered, coldly and tonelessly.
“Oh, yes, I remember them. An, uh, interesting group.” The old man said, rubbing his chin.
“Of course, your intellect is only matched by your memory, my friend,” Brainiac said, as emotionlessly as usual.
“We’re hardly friends, Brainiac.” The old man said, coldly looking at his android partner.
“You’re preparing me to battle them, correct?” Brainiac theorized, his cold, glowing, red eyes watching the old man’s screens.
“Of course. Of course, I could melt you down, and put you in a small, pathetic excuse for a body, and make you my little assistant instead,” The old man laughed.
“Please, stop, you annoy me.” Brainiac emotionlessly said.
“I annoy you? I swear, if I were twenty years younger...” the old man retorted.
“You’d still be old and worthless, save that brain of yours.” Brainiac’s normally emotionless face gave a slight grin.“I heard the sound of a monkey coming from your lab earlier. Should I ask?”
“I put a computer in the back of it’s head. I named him K.O.K.O.,” answered the old man.
“Of course you did...” replied a further annoyed Brainiac.
***
The Grand Hotel Lobby, L.A....
“Is everyone ready?” Came the commanding voice of Wonder Warrior, looking over the lobby, he was wearing a black suit and a pink, sorry, red tie. He looked over his shoulder, and saw Icemanling in a nice navy suit, with a turquoise tie, Supergirl in a nice blue dress, and Jemstone in a long purple dress. They all looked fairly professional. “I take it no one’s heard from Kid Comet, and I banned Arachnid and Starman from coming to this little meeting. What about Bee-Sting?”
“She’s meeting with Un--Dr. Irons about the Metrotower.” Supergirl responded.
***
Room 102, the Grand Hotel, L.A....
“This sucks.” The Arachnid whined, sulking in his chair, facing the TV. He and Starman had grown tired of wrestling with each other.
Starman sat next to him, sulking just like his roommate. “We were banned from a dinner with the mayor, because you had to start a fight…” Starman muttered as he glared angrily at his roommate.
“You called me “Awhackrid”, jerk!” The Arachnid yelled.
“Look, we’ve got three hours alone. Let’s just try and get along.” Starman said.
“Get along, right. Um, I’m going to call my manager,” the Arachnid said changing the subject.
“You have a manager. Are you an actor?” Starman asked, a little surprised.
“No, not at all, I hired a manager to advertise me as a people’s hero. I’m paying him half my salary.”
“We get paid,” Starman asked in disbelief.
“Um...I guess..?” The Arachnid weakly smiled, though not visible under his mask.
“We get paid!” Starman leaped up, and smiled widely. “Finally a bigger income! Wait, why do we get paid?”
“I don’t know, but most of our pay is what funding is left over after paying for everything in the Metrotower, or, more currently, this hotel. That’s why I don’t spend any money in this hotel,” answered the Arachnid.
“Because you already spend half of your pay on a public relations manager?” Starman asked sarcastically.
“Shut up!” shouted an irritated Arachnid crossing his arms over his chest.
***
The Dinner With The Mayor, Top-Secret, Downtown Los Angeles...
“Great to see you Titans. That footage of Gigantus’ rampage being stopped by you guys!” The Mayor laughed, smiling for several cameras. No-one would give up this publicity, no matter how top secret.
“Well, it was nothing, really sir, we were--” Wonder Warrior started to say, before being cut off by a third man, a different man.
“Just doing your job. It was a nice job. That Gigantus fellow mustn’t have been easy to beat, right?” a slick businessman said, he must have been thirty, or thirty-something.
“And, you are?” Wonder Warrior asked, not sure who this man was.
“The name’s Maxwell Lord the fifth, I’ve heard the stories of my father. However, unlike him, I’m not one for government ties, just business ties. My pal, the mayor wanted me to meet the heroes of the hour. Where’s that Starman fellow, he helped stop that crazed giant, right?” Max Lord confidently, and slickly said, a light-hearted tone in his voice.
“You’re the son of the Maxwell Lord?” Wonder Warrior asked, avoiding the question of Starman.
“Well, yes I am. You dodged the question though.” Max laughed.
“Okay, this is most of the team. The pink-haired beauty is Jemstone, the blonde is Supergirl, the blue-skinned man is Icemanling, and I’m Wonder Warrior.” Wonder Warrior replied looking suspicious.
“Nice to meet you all. I love your pink tie.” Max smiled, acting as politely as possible.
“Thank you but it’s not pink, it’s red.” Wonder Warrior responded.
***
The L.A. Lab of John Henry Irons...
Bee Sting walked in the room as Steel looked up from his work-bench.
“Hello, Bee-Sting is it...?” Dr. Irons asked. “I was surprised you called me, since we don’t really know each other. You’re new to the business, I take it?”
“No. I’m actually from five years into the future.” Bee-Sting responded. “So, I kinda do know you. In a couple of years, I work for you.”
“Okay, I can live with that but no more future spoilers please,” Dr. Irons smiled. “What did you want?”
“Well the Titans West, we, well, we’re living in a hotel, and wanted to know why we aren’t in the Metrotower yet?” Bee-Sting practically spat out.
“You aren’t? Constructions done. You should already be in there,” Steel responded.
“It--it is?!!?” Bee-Sting yelled, and looked at the door, “I think I should go, Dr. Irons, it was a pleasure speaking to you,” Bee Sting said storming out.
“It was a pleasure to meet you. Maybe I can be of more help sometime.” John offered.
***
The Dinner with the Mayor...
“So, Mister Lord, why are you here? I mean really?” Icemanling asked Max Lord, looking for the real reason why Lord was even there.
“I’m forming my own super-hero team - with the U.N.’s full support. Surely you’ve heard of the Global Guardians?” Max smiled, leading the Mayor and the Titans to a large dinner table. “Order anything, my team of chefs will get it for you.”
“I’ve heard everything about the Global Guardians, my mother was a member of that original team and I nearly signed on to the new team,” Icemanling responded.
“Well, good. It’s shame you didn’t sign on, though. So far, Project: Guardians is being produced by every United Nation member but only a few are ready. I wanted to meet a faction of my inspiration.” Lord gloated. “Commander Steel, Rocket Red Nine, Impala, my team is growing, we’ll be ready for stage one in two weeks.”
“So...you wanted to meet the competition?” Wonder Warrior asked. He was then quickly caught off guard and tempted by several dishes that were being placed upon the table. “Oh, lovely, Greek food!”
“Your leader’s very strange.” Lord remarked.
“Yes, but he’s good at his job, and he’s from five years from now.” Icemanling responded.
“Is everything so confusing in your business?” Lord asked, politely.
“Not everything, but if you don’t get a headache in your first year related to the business, well...let’s just say your brain will explode by the second year.” Icemanling smiled.
“Frighteningly colorful explanation, my friend.” Lord smiled.
“So, what nations are starting your team?” Icemanling asked.
“Good ol’ America, Africa, Japan, Russia and Scandinavia.” Lord smiled.
“Sounds great. I hope we can meet them, team-up, the whole deal, sometime.” Icemanling smirked.
“Yes, that sounds great, think of the publicity both teams would get.” Max laughed, thinking of his team’s best interests already.
“I meant just meeting an international team.” Icemanling softly smiled. “So, Mister Lord, I’ve got to ask, why do you want to make your own super-hero team?”
“Because, my father wasn’t the best man in the world, but he did make the Justice League International. A smart move, since the whole world needs protecting. So, why not try it my way? A more honest way?” Max laughed. “Besides, it’s not like America’s the only country in this world.”
“This Greek food is delicious!” came the excited cry of Wonder Warrior as he stuffed his mouth with braised lamb.
“He’s definitely an interesting guy.” Lord laughed again, looking at the others in the room. “So, tell me, why didn’t you bring the whole team?”
“Well, Kid Comet took off yesterday and we haven’t been able to contact him, Bee-Sting wanted to check on our headquarters, and Starman and the Arachnid...couldn’t make it.” Wonder Warrior explained.
“Oh, of course.” Lord smiled, “I suppose they had something important to do?”
“Uh, yes, of course.” Wonder Warrior smiled.
***
Room 102, The Grand Hotel, L.A....
“So, you’re continuing a legacy started in the forties?” The Arachnid asked, looking at his roommate.
“Yeah. There was the Starman in the ‘40s, the ‘50s, the ‘70s, I think, the ‘80s or ‘90s too. Then there was a Stargirl...” Starman explained trying to keep the peace.
“Wow, and you found your gear?” The Arachnid laughed.
“Yeah. Well I was kinda given them. What’s your story?” Starman asked, holding the TV remote in his hand.
“Well, I possess the Blue Beetle’s scarab. I’m continuing the legacy of three men. Two also had the scarab, but it’s bonded to me differently. I’d rather not talk about what happened, or how I got the scarab though, it depresses me.” The Arachnid said, “Plus, it’s a long, long, long story...”
“Isn’t everything?” Starman laughed.
“Good point. Y’know, you’re not the biggest jerk in the world.” The Arachnid said, in a sarcastically complimentary way.
“Gee, thanks.” Starman muttered unsure if his roommate was being honest.
***
Rocket Base-1, Moscow, Russia...
<“You’re sure this Lord fellow can be trusted?”> A tall, bearded general of the Russian army asked a man in a red and white wetsuit standing next to him.
<“I seem to remember our organization having trouble with his father. However, I foresee no problems. Not with me representing mother Russia.”> The man in the wetsuit smiled.
<“But Project: Guardian could be so much more. I disagree with the idea of sending one of our greatest defense force sent out to the rest of the world.”> The general whined.
<“Well, you know General, I’ve been learning English for three weeks now. I think I’m pretty good at it...dude. Besides, I’m perhaps the best man you could send into the Global Guardians...”> The man in the wetsuit smiled with confidence.
<“Are you sure about that?”> The general asked, annoyed.
<“No, but I thought I’d give it a try.”> The wetsuit wearer smirked.
<“You’ll be the end of me Captain Pietviytch, but good luck. If this Lord fellow is anything like his father...you’ll need it...”>
***
A mountain bunker, long ago deserted by the only sentience ever found in there...
The old, bald man coughed as he entered the mountain bunker. His arms, legs, lungs, everything burnt as he fell to the ground.
“More health problems?” came the cold voice of Brainiac, as he walked up to the old man.
“Yes. I can work on my health later. That’s the body I want you to inhabit.” The old man said, pointing at a giant lifeless robotic body.
“Hm. It looks familiar to something...should I know what?” Brainiac asked, looking at the old man.
“It was made by a sentient computer, it was made to resemble the Construct, an old Justice League enemy.” The old man laughed, sweat at his brow.
“Interesting. It seems sturdy. Definitely hi-tech, it would make a great shell.” Brainiac concluded.
“I want you to use it. Pretend you’re the Construct, and simply, test the Titans West...” The old man laughed.
“Why? You’ve had twenty-five years to kill them. You could’ve killed them before they became heroes. Before they even became a team. Why did you wait so long and why start with this team?”
“It’s taken me 25 years to plan for everything in regard to killing the children of the JLA. The group grew, then split into two. I must perfect my plan first, then I’ll kill them.” The old man laughed.
“I’m just part of an experiment. That’s what I was freed for?” Brainiac questioned.
“You thought I free you for your insight. If I have to, I’ll free the White Martians, General Zod, or whoever’s in there! Just so I can test both teams of the Titans of Justice.” The old man said, walking over to the dead computer console. “This technology...it’s just like the kind Darkseid traded with me...it’s from the Fourth World.”
“Ah...yes...I see now...however, I can possess this body from afar, I don’t need to risk this shell.” Brainiac tonelessly laughed.
“Are you afraid of dying, Brainiac?”
“No...I simply do not believe in waste. I am based on logic...pure, unemotional logic.”
Written by: ArchKid
Co-conspirator/Editor: Power Guy
The Grand Hotel Lobby, Los Angeles...
“Next time you have a brilliant public event...go against your instincts!” the Grand hotel’s manager yelled at the desk clerk.
“But...what’s the harm, sir? They haven’t caused any trouble,” the desk-clerk responded, looking at his grey-haired boss.
“Do you have to try and plough through that god-d**ned crowd to get to your car parked?” the manager furiously asked.
“No, sir, I don’t have a car to park.” The desk-clerk responded, “I walk to work.”
“You would. Think of the business we lost! A whole floor vacated! Actual business gone, because of a publicity stunt. No money coming in, from an entire floor!” yelled the manager.
“Sir? Do you have high-blood pressure?” the desk-clerk inquired.
“No, why do you ask?” wondered the manager.
“No reason, sir,” the desk-clerk muttered as he walked away.
***
Room 102, The Grand Hotel, L.A....
A slam of the door, angry muttering, and the noise of a TV, those noises could be heard in this room. “Turn that thing off!” Came the voice of the Arachnid.
“No. I like this show.” Starman responded, ooking at his roommate. “What’s wrong with you?”
“I go downtown, in costume, I stop a bank robbery and nobody knows my name!” The Arachnid yelled, comically waiving his arms in strange motions.
“I don’t know your name either,” Starman responded.
“ I meant my code-name.” The Arachnid retorted.
“It’s Awhackrid, right?” Starman laughed.
“Alright Spaceman, I’ll take that as you volunteering to be my personal punching-bag!” Arachnid smirked under his mask, as he lunged at Starman. “Kaji Dha, Spaceman.”
Thumps could heard, furniture knocked was over, and random punches were thrown between the two.
“Ow! What the hell am I hitting?” Starman yelled, pulling his hand away from the Arachnid, after having thrown a punch.
“Armor…and I hope it hurts.” The Arachnid smirked, although unseen.
***
Room 101, The Grand Hotel, L.A....
“Isn’t this cool?” came the laugh of Supergirl, floating around in a nice blue dress, looking at any mirror she could see. “The mayor of Los Angeles invited the Titans West out to a dinner!” she squealed gleefully.
“Yeah, whoo-hoo...” Came the sarcasm-riddled voice of Bee-Sting. “I’m staying here. I have a meeting with Dr. Irons about the Metrotower. I’m asking him why it’s not ready yet. And from those noises down the hall, the “ows and son of a”, tells me a certain bug themed hero is up to his usual micheif.”
“Oh, well I’m going. I think it’ll be great!” Supergirl smiled cheerfully. “Though, I’d love to see Uncle John again.”
“Uncle John? I didn’t know you were so close to Dr. Irons.” Bee-Sting said with a look of confusion.
“I’m closer to him than my aunts, or my parents.” Supergirl smiled again. “In fact, I stayed with him for a whole summer a few years back.”
“Uh, right,” Bee-Sting murmured having become completely uninterested.
***
The Metrotower, L.A.
Kid Comet streaked towards the headquarters he was familiar with, the Metrotower, it was built, but for some reason, there was a moving van and a construction truck in the parking-lot. He raised his eyebrow in confusion. Floating down to the front of the Metrotower. “Excuse me. I thought the Metrotower wasn’t ready?” Kid Comet asked one of the construction workers, who was drinking a coffee.
“Well, uh, we were keeping you out until we wuz sure it wuz safe to move in,” the worker smiled.
“So, you’ve been charging us when you’re not even doing anything?” Kid Comet said slowly and angrily.
“Um, kinda...but y’see, we’ve been neglecting other projects to keep you heroes all nice and safe like.” The worker laughed, only to find a fist slam into him.
“Leave now, if you’re just sitting around. Movers! Are you working?” Kid Comet roared, having been flying around for a day now, Comet was less than the most negotiable person.
“Yes sir. We’ve been loading this stuff up less than a day. By the way, fella, there’s a whole lot of computers you need put everywhere. We should be done in three days. Is that okay?” The mover said, confident in his crew.
“That will be fine. Can I take the tour?” Kid comet asked, a little suspicious at the moment.
“There’s all boxes everywhere. But, we’ll be done soon. Come back in three days, and I’ll personally give you the tour.” The mover smiled, “Hey, what’s with the chin-pubes?”
“What do you mean by that???” demanded an irritated Kid Comet.
“Well, is that, like, your look?” the worker asked curiously. “I just think you’re a bit young for facial-hair.”
“Not that it’s any of your business but I just plain like them,” Kid Comet responded.
***
Remember the secret underground base...?
“Tell me Brainiac, from what you’ve seen, does this seem like a Justice League?” The old, bald man laughed.
“No. But, you shouldn’t underestimate them. I believe the Justice League International was full of strangely competent incompetents,” Brainiac answered, coldly and tonelessly.
“Oh, yes, I remember them. An, uh, interesting group.” The old man said, rubbing his chin.
“Of course, your intellect is only matched by your memory, my friend,” Brainiac said, as emotionlessly as usual.
“We’re hardly friends, Brainiac.” The old man said, coldly looking at his android partner.
“You’re preparing me to battle them, correct?” Brainiac theorized, his cold, glowing, red eyes watching the old man’s screens.
“Of course. Of course, I could melt you down, and put you in a small, pathetic excuse for a body, and make you my little assistant instead,” The old man laughed.
“Please, stop, you annoy me.” Brainiac emotionlessly said.
“I annoy you? I swear, if I were twenty years younger...” the old man retorted.
“You’d still be old and worthless, save that brain of yours.” Brainiac’s normally emotionless face gave a slight grin.“I heard the sound of a monkey coming from your lab earlier. Should I ask?”
“I put a computer in the back of it’s head. I named him K.O.K.O.,” answered the old man.
“Of course you did...” replied a further annoyed Brainiac.
***
The Grand Hotel Lobby, L.A....
“Is everyone ready?” Came the commanding voice of Wonder Warrior, looking over the lobby, he was wearing a black suit and a pink, sorry, red tie. He looked over his shoulder, and saw Icemanling in a nice navy suit, with a turquoise tie, Supergirl in a nice blue dress, and Jemstone in a long purple dress. They all looked fairly professional. “I take it no one’s heard from Kid Comet, and I banned Arachnid and Starman from coming to this little meeting. What about Bee-Sting?”
“She’s meeting with Un--Dr. Irons about the Metrotower.” Supergirl responded.
***
Room 102, the Grand Hotel, L.A....
“This sucks.” The Arachnid whined, sulking in his chair, facing the TV. He and Starman had grown tired of wrestling with each other.
Starman sat next to him, sulking just like his roommate. “We were banned from a dinner with the mayor, because you had to start a fight…” Starman muttered as he glared angrily at his roommate.
“You called me “Awhackrid”, jerk!” The Arachnid yelled.
“Look, we’ve got three hours alone. Let’s just try and get along.” Starman said.
“Get along, right. Um, I’m going to call my manager,” the Arachnid said changing the subject.
“You have a manager. Are you an actor?” Starman asked, a little surprised.
“No, not at all, I hired a manager to advertise me as a people’s hero. I’m paying him half my salary.”
“We get paid,” Starman asked in disbelief.
“Um...I guess..?” The Arachnid weakly smiled, though not visible under his mask.
“We get paid!” Starman leaped up, and smiled widely. “Finally a bigger income! Wait, why do we get paid?”
“I don’t know, but most of our pay is what funding is left over after paying for everything in the Metrotower, or, more currently, this hotel. That’s why I don’t spend any money in this hotel,” answered the Arachnid.
“Because you already spend half of your pay on a public relations manager?” Starman asked sarcastically.
“Shut up!” shouted an irritated Arachnid crossing his arms over his chest.
***
The Dinner With The Mayor, Top-Secret, Downtown Los Angeles...
“Great to see you Titans. That footage of Gigantus’ rampage being stopped by you guys!” The Mayor laughed, smiling for several cameras. No-one would give up this publicity, no matter how top secret.
“Well, it was nothing, really sir, we were--” Wonder Warrior started to say, before being cut off by a third man, a different man.
“Just doing your job. It was a nice job. That Gigantus fellow mustn’t have been easy to beat, right?” a slick businessman said, he must have been thirty, or thirty-something.
“And, you are?” Wonder Warrior asked, not sure who this man was.
“The name’s Maxwell Lord the fifth, I’ve heard the stories of my father. However, unlike him, I’m not one for government ties, just business ties. My pal, the mayor wanted me to meet the heroes of the hour. Where’s that Starman fellow, he helped stop that crazed giant, right?” Max Lord confidently, and slickly said, a light-hearted tone in his voice.
“You’re the son of the Maxwell Lord?” Wonder Warrior asked, avoiding the question of Starman.
“Well, yes I am. You dodged the question though.” Max laughed.
“Okay, this is most of the team. The pink-haired beauty is Jemstone, the blonde is Supergirl, the blue-skinned man is Icemanling, and I’m Wonder Warrior.” Wonder Warrior replied looking suspicious.
“Nice to meet you all. I love your pink tie.” Max smiled, acting as politely as possible.
“Thank you but it’s not pink, it’s red.” Wonder Warrior responded.
***
The L.A. Lab of John Henry Irons...
Bee Sting walked in the room as Steel looked up from his work-bench.
“Hello, Bee-Sting is it...?” Dr. Irons asked. “I was surprised you called me, since we don’t really know each other. You’re new to the business, I take it?”
“No. I’m actually from five years into the future.” Bee-Sting responded. “So, I kinda do know you. In a couple of years, I work for you.”
“Okay, I can live with that but no more future spoilers please,” Dr. Irons smiled. “What did you want?”
“Well the Titans West, we, well, we’re living in a hotel, and wanted to know why we aren’t in the Metrotower yet?” Bee-Sting practically spat out.
“You aren’t? Constructions done. You should already be in there,” Steel responded.
“It--it is?!!?” Bee-Sting yelled, and looked at the door, “I think I should go, Dr. Irons, it was a pleasure speaking to you,” Bee Sting said storming out.
“It was a pleasure to meet you. Maybe I can be of more help sometime.” John offered.
***
The Dinner with the Mayor...
“So, Mister Lord, why are you here? I mean really?” Icemanling asked Max Lord, looking for the real reason why Lord was even there.
“I’m forming my own super-hero team - with the U.N.’s full support. Surely you’ve heard of the Global Guardians?” Max smiled, leading the Mayor and the Titans to a large dinner table. “Order anything, my team of chefs will get it for you.”
“I’ve heard everything about the Global Guardians, my mother was a member of that original team and I nearly signed on to the new team,” Icemanling responded.
“Well, good. It’s shame you didn’t sign on, though. So far, Project: Guardians is being produced by every United Nation member but only a few are ready. I wanted to meet a faction of my inspiration.” Lord gloated. “Commander Steel, Rocket Red Nine, Impala, my team is growing, we’ll be ready for stage one in two weeks.”
“So...you wanted to meet the competition?” Wonder Warrior asked. He was then quickly caught off guard and tempted by several dishes that were being placed upon the table. “Oh, lovely, Greek food!”
“Your leader’s very strange.” Lord remarked.
“Yes, but he’s good at his job, and he’s from five years from now.” Icemanling responded.
“Is everything so confusing in your business?” Lord asked, politely.
“Not everything, but if you don’t get a headache in your first year related to the business, well...let’s just say your brain will explode by the second year.” Icemanling smiled.
“Frighteningly colorful explanation, my friend.” Lord smiled.
“So, what nations are starting your team?” Icemanling asked.
“Good ol’ America, Africa, Japan, Russia and Scandinavia.” Lord smiled.
“Sounds great. I hope we can meet them, team-up, the whole deal, sometime.” Icemanling smirked.
“Yes, that sounds great, think of the publicity both teams would get.” Max laughed, thinking of his team’s best interests already.
“I meant just meeting an international team.” Icemanling softly smiled. “So, Mister Lord, I’ve got to ask, why do you want to make your own super-hero team?”
“Because, my father wasn’t the best man in the world, but he did make the Justice League International. A smart move, since the whole world needs protecting. So, why not try it my way? A more honest way?” Max laughed. “Besides, it’s not like America’s the only country in this world.”
“This Greek food is delicious!” came the excited cry of Wonder Warrior as he stuffed his mouth with braised lamb.
“He’s definitely an interesting guy.” Lord laughed again, looking at the others in the room. “So, tell me, why didn’t you bring the whole team?”
“Well, Kid Comet took off yesterday and we haven’t been able to contact him, Bee-Sting wanted to check on our headquarters, and Starman and the Arachnid...couldn’t make it.” Wonder Warrior explained.
“Oh, of course.” Lord smiled, “I suppose they had something important to do?”
“Uh, yes, of course.” Wonder Warrior smiled.
***
Room 102, The Grand Hotel, L.A....
“So, you’re continuing a legacy started in the forties?” The Arachnid asked, looking at his roommate.
“Yeah. There was the Starman in the ‘40s, the ‘50s, the ‘70s, I think, the ‘80s or ‘90s too. Then there was a Stargirl...” Starman explained trying to keep the peace.
“Wow, and you found your gear?” The Arachnid laughed.
“Yeah. Well I was kinda given them. What’s your story?” Starman asked, holding the TV remote in his hand.
“Well, I possess the Blue Beetle’s scarab. I’m continuing the legacy of three men. Two also had the scarab, but it’s bonded to me differently. I’d rather not talk about what happened, or how I got the scarab though, it depresses me.” The Arachnid said, “Plus, it’s a long, long, long story...”
“Isn’t everything?” Starman laughed.
“Good point. Y’know, you’re not the biggest jerk in the world.” The Arachnid said, in a sarcastically complimentary way.
“Gee, thanks.” Starman muttered unsure if his roommate was being honest.
***
Rocket Base-1, Moscow, Russia...
<“You’re sure this Lord fellow can be trusted?”> A tall, bearded general of the Russian army asked a man in a red and white wetsuit standing next to him.
<“I seem to remember our organization having trouble with his father. However, I foresee no problems. Not with me representing mother Russia.”> The man in the wetsuit smiled.
<“But Project: Guardian could be so much more. I disagree with the idea of sending one of our greatest defense force sent out to the rest of the world.”> The general whined.
<“Well, you know General, I’ve been learning English for three weeks now. I think I’m pretty good at it...dude. Besides, I’m perhaps the best man you could send into the Global Guardians...”> The man in the wetsuit smiled with confidence.
<“Are you sure about that?”> The general asked, annoyed.
<“No, but I thought I’d give it a try.”> The wetsuit wearer smirked.
<“You’ll be the end of me Captain Pietviytch, but good luck. If this Lord fellow is anything like his father...you’ll need it...”>
***
A mountain bunker, long ago deserted by the only sentience ever found in there...
The old, bald man coughed as he entered the mountain bunker. His arms, legs, lungs, everything burnt as he fell to the ground.
“More health problems?” came the cold voice of Brainiac, as he walked up to the old man.
“Yes. I can work on my health later. That’s the body I want you to inhabit.” The old man said, pointing at a giant lifeless robotic body.
“Hm. It looks familiar to something...should I know what?” Brainiac asked, looking at the old man.
“It was made by a sentient computer, it was made to resemble the Construct, an old Justice League enemy.” The old man laughed, sweat at his brow.
“Interesting. It seems sturdy. Definitely hi-tech, it would make a great shell.” Brainiac concluded.
“I want you to use it. Pretend you’re the Construct, and simply, test the Titans West...” The old man laughed.
“Why? You’ve had twenty-five years to kill them. You could’ve killed them before they became heroes. Before they even became a team. Why did you wait so long and why start with this team?”
“It’s taken me 25 years to plan for everything in regard to killing the children of the JLA. The group grew, then split into two. I must perfect my plan first, then I’ll kill them.” The old man laughed.
“I’m just part of an experiment. That’s what I was freed for?” Brainiac questioned.
“You thought I free you for your insight. If I have to, I’ll free the White Martians, General Zod, or whoever’s in there! Just so I can test both teams of the Titans of Justice.” The old man said, walking over to the dead computer console. “This technology...it’s just like the kind Darkseid traded with me...it’s from the Fourth World.”
“Ah...yes...I see now...however, I can possess this body from afar, I don’t need to risk this shell.” Brainiac tonelessly laughed.
“Are you afraid of dying, Brainiac?”
“No...I simply do not believe in waste. I am based on logic...pure, unemotional logic.”