Post by Deleted on Apr 7, 2015 17:27:20 GMT -5
Titans of Justice East Chapter 11 - "Justifications"
Written by: JLU51306
Edited by: Power Guy
I zone in on the large computer screen. It says the one thing each candidate had in common was they were all three going to opt out the government funding for this state.
I ponder, "But why would that make Charles Wittfeldt feel compelled enough to kill them all?".
"The government funding includes the military funding. It says here that 2/3rds of the funding is going to the military base, right on the edge of Keystones city limits, all of the funding for the base is classified. So whatever it is they are using it for, it's something serious." Dark Arrow explained.
"And no matter who would become governor, they would all vote "No" on the government funding. So Charles had to get them all out of his way." I affirm.
Dark Arrow agree's, "Exaclty.".
And so the plot thickens.
Dark Arrow shuts down the computer, as we both head into the main room. Huntress has gone to take a shower before the pizza comes, and Sonic Boom is watching TV.
***
10 minutes pass
6:24pm
The Pizza arrives, as Huntress writes a check for it. 40 large pizza's is enough to feed an army, or a group of Super-Heroes.
"Are you getting any?", Helena asks.
I answered "I'm good.".
She continued, "C'mon, you haven't eaten all day!".
"... The Jalapeno one does looks good... I think I will get some." I decided.
"Hurry, before Goldbug gets there!" she exclaimed.
Sonic Boom walked by Huntress, giving her a look, which made Huntress comment, "Oh, go on!".
I warmed up, and started to talk to some of the other heroes. I have to say I like Argos the best.
***
A few hours have past, and I'm ready for bed, since I didn't get too much sleep last night.
"Hey, Helena. I'm gonna head out, if you'd give me a ride to my apartment." I asked.
"Why don't you stay here tonight?" proposed the Huntress.
"Where would I sleep?" I asked.
"You could sleep in my room... Y'know, if you want. Infirnia Verde usually sleeps in the bed across from mine, but she's on patrol duty tonight, so you can sleep there." offered Huntress.
"Are you sure?" I asked.
"Yeah! C'mon." she exclaims. She leads me to here bedroom, while the other heroes are either on a mission or are going on patrol, or are about to go to bed themselves.
I ask, "What I'm a going to sleep in?".
"Huh... I'll be right back.", she answers, leaving her room. She comes back soon, with a white T-shrt, and basic pajama pants.
"Where'd you get these?" I asked.
"From Dark Arrow's room. You can change in here, I'm gonna change in the bathroom." she affirmed.
I begin to take off the top of my marine uniform, and begin to undress the rest. I change into Dark Arrows sleeping clothes, and grab a new blanket, and pillow from her closet. By the time I've made up the other bed in her room, she's changed and out of the bathroom.
Soon after she cuts off her lamp, we here Dark Arrow yell, "Di Di! Where's my clothes! Thats what I sleep in!".
Both me and Helena start laughing. Everything gets quiet, and she tells me, "Good night.".
"Night." I affirmed.
***
I'm awake by 4:30am. Habbit of being a marine. I grab a cup of coffee from the kitchen. I see several heroes that were all patrol all night return, and crash on the couches throughout the Hall.
Todays agenda includes:
1.) I need to ask my source if he might know anything about government funding being funneled into the base in Keystone.
3.) I'm gonna need to do some excise before the mornings over.
4.) Helena told me before we went to sleep last night, that she let Knightvision in on what has been going on, and that he is going to interrogate the surgeon, so I need to see what Knightvision got out of him.
I think I'm gonna excise first.
I go into the front lot of the Hall, and run 7 laps around the building, and finish with 100 push-ups, and 100 sit-ups. I come in and get a shower in Helena's bathroom. My hair now smells like lavender and cherry blossoms because of her shampoo.
I go into the TV room, and sit next to a knocked out Goldbug, and Starman. I flip it to the news. Nothing too new happend since last night.
30 minutes passes. It is now 7:00am, and everyone seems to be waking up. That is, except Starman and Goldbug. I head to the main room, to see Helena in her costume, ready for whats next. Dark Arrow is getting coffee, and Sonic Boom is just getting up. I've already put Dark Arrows clothes I slept in, in the washer, and dryer, and placed them back in his dresser before he saw me wearing them.
I give everyone about 30 minutes before we head out.
While me and Dark Arrow are in the kitchen, drinking our last cup of coffee for the day, I once again, overhear Di Di talking to Helena. "Where'd he sleep last night?", Di Di asks smirking.
Helena gives her a look, "I'm not answering that.".
"So, he slept in your bed." Di Di assumes.
"No! He slept in Infirnia's, since she was on patrol!" Helena replied.
"Did he stay there?" Sonic Boom inquired.
"Whats with you?" Helena asked.
"Nothing! Just being curious... I know you took Roberts pajamas last night, he was fussing at me because of it." Di Di explained.
"He needs to grow up." Scoffed Helena.
Not only am I overhearing this, but so is Dark Arrow. When he first hear's Di Di and Helena's coversation, after pouring his cup of coffee, his attention focus' on hearing the rest of it. And by the end of they're conversation, he hears where his missing clothes went and Huntress' comment about him. He sets his coffee cup down, and looks at me with these shocked, surprised eyes. Most people would be embarressed, but I just give him a smirk, almost wanting to laugh from his priceless reaction.
Huntress and Sonic Boom walk into the kitchen, with Dark Arrow giving Huntress a shocked stare as well.
"Well, are we ready to go?" I ask.
Huntress replies, "Yep.", "I'm sure you all wouldn't want to cram in the Batmobile--".
Being interrupted by a quick answer from Sonic Boom, "Me and Arrow will take our bikes!".
We all leave the Hall for our vehicles. On the way out I tell Helena where we're going. She then relays this to Dark Arrow and Sonic Boom through her communicator.
We're headed to my source.
We arrive where he told me to meet him, the Quickstop connected to the Tesoro Gas Station. He pops around the side of the convienent store, and calls us over there out of sight.
Wally comments "I see you brought the team with you.".
"Yeah, they want to hear what you have to say first-hand." I replied. "What do you want to hear?" Wally asked.
"We have a motive for why Charles Wittfeldt would want the three major candidates dead. They all were all against accepting government funding. Funding that would secretly go to the Military Base in Keystone. More than half of the money was directed there. We want to know if you would know why?" I responded.
"..... Look, I did catch wind of the government, or more specifically Charles Wittfeldt, wanting to fund something "special" about a year ago. What he wants built is a "De-power Turret", he's got it against you Super-Hero types bad. I also heard that after he "de-powerizes" you "Super" ones, he was going to have the ones like Batman killed.".
Dark Arrow interjects, "You mean the non-super-heroes?".
"Right." Wally confirmed, he continued to explain, "About three months ago, thermal satellite images showed that something big was happening at the big complex building at the base... And thats all I know.".
"Alright, thanks, Wally." I reply, as we head back to our vehicles.
Dark Arrow says to Wally as he's leaving, "And next time, find a better spot than in an alley-way next to a gas station, where people can blatantly see us.".
We head back to the Hall of Justice to check out the some other satellite images of the Keystone Military Base.
***
We return to the Hall, and examine the military base on the Computer. Like Wally said, we found the big complex building in the image where he said it'd be. And the thermal radar is saying that something big, and hot, is in that building, but its highly unlikely that we would be able to even get to it. So we are going to have to wait until the Presidents State of the Union to confront Charles Wittfeldt.
I leave Huntress, Dark Arrow, and Sonic Boom in the computer room, to go ask Knightvision what he got out of the surgeon.
Knightvision reveals, "He spilled a new hint to me. He said what car would pick Charles Wittfeldt up after the State of the Union.".
"Why would he do that?", I asked.
"He told me that Ted Wyott told him to tell one of the Titans." Knightvision responded.
Now it all starts to fit into place, Ted was afraid for his life, and didn't want a part in this conspiracy, so as a last ditch effort, after probably realizing he's going to be 'silenced' anyway, he told the surgeon to drop an incriminating hint if he was captured, that Charles Wittfeldt would be picked up in a black cadillac. But neither Ted or the Surgeon knew we had figured out that Charles Wittfeldt is behind this, so this hint should have seemed alot more vague, but it's more helpful than I think Ted could have ever realized. Maybe Ted thought that if the surgeon told one of us that he was hired by him, that we would come for him, in where he would reveal answers, hoping for protection, in return... We were too late. I ask Knightvision if there is anyway of knowing where the General will be, to get a hold of him quicker, but he tells me that he's already searched, and there's no way of knowing where he'll be, because he is such a low-profile part in the Presidents cabinet.
***
Two Days later
I blew off two days, doing nothing, to make the Presidents State of the Union come quicker, where I knew Wittfeldt would be. I asked Huntress to give me a ride back to my apartment after talking with Knightvision, so I could sleep there over the past two days, and follow anymore leads that may arise to me, alone. She understands... I think. Working alone is what makes me so efficent. Too many variables to worry about when being a part of the team.
I call Helena, and ask her to come pick me up, and gather Dark Arrow and Sonic Boom.
***
9:00pm rolls around. The end of the Speech. I see several politicians leaving, by the time Sonic Boom has tied up Charles' driver, and I put on his uniform over mine, a soothing charcoal suit. I get in his car, assuming the role of his driver. Huntress is on a building near the capital building, watching the cadillac from above. Dark Arrow spots Charles, and gives me the go ahead to pull up infront of him, to pick him up.
He gets in, and says, rudely, "Take me home.".
I retort, "Maybe.".
He replys shocked, scoffing at my humor, "I said take me home!".
I lock the windows, just so he doesn't try and roll them down asking for help. This makes him try to open the door, but thanks to Sonic Boom, the child safety locks are set on both back doors. You gotta love child safety locks! I pull the vehicle down to a small street 7 blocks east from where I picked him up, while he's yelling, demanding I let him out. I park the car, and wait for Huntress, Sonic Boom, and Dark Arrow to arrive shortly in the Batmobile.
Until then I pose to the General one simple statement: "I know about your "Turret", Charles.".
His reaction will tell me everything, and it does. His eyes bulg, as he then tries to push his way to the passenger door, to get out, while I then shove him back in his seat. I role up the back window, seperating him from me, while I remove the drivers suit, to reveal my Marine Corps uniform. By this time, Huntress, Dark Arrow, and Sonic Boom arrive.
I get out of the cadillac and explain to them of how he incriminated himself. Sonic Boom asks, "Did the camera I put in there record it?".
I replied, "Yes, Di Di, it did!".
"What about the truth serum?" Helena asked.
"His reaction to my statement is enough, so I'm just going to skip that part.".
We see the General start kicking at the windows of the vehicle, cracking one of them, "I didn't want to do this.", I remarked, as I open the trunk, and grab out a rag, and a bottle of chloroform. I pour a small amount on the rag, and open his backseat door. He lunges out, right into the rag, as I smother it over his mouth for about 20 seconds. Rendering him unconscious long enough to get him to Waller, who would be easier to get to than the President. She's located at an office in a building within Washington D.C.
I place him back in the vehicle, and drive to her office, where Dark Arrow opens a secure line to Waller, explaining what has transpired over the past few days. She's pissed. She informs that the four of us turn ourselves in, but Dark Arrow persuades her, miracously, to agree to see us, under the terms that if we are wrong about the General, we turn ourselves in. Dark Arrow convienently forgot to mention that we still have the General unconscious, in the cadillac outside, as we enter her office.
Waller, askes furiously, "Where is he?!".
"He's safe. But where he's at really isn't important." I explained. Di Di sets down a laptop on the oval office desk, that plays the recording of my brief conversation with the General. She see's what I say, and she see's his reaction on the video, I can tell she knows nothing about it.
"What on Earth does this prove? You do realize that when you turn yourselves in, the laws you have broken will be punished by the death penalty?" Waller explains rhetorically.
Huntress interjects, "Ms. Waller, we have proof he's building this weapon to depower superheroes, and kill them. Thats what the turret is. Charles Wittfeldt is responsible for the murders of three candidates for governor, because not one of them would accept the government funding for that state, which secrectly housed money to build this turret. Work has already started on building it, after he found different ways of paying for it. He killed those three candidates out of revenge, not because they were stopping him from doing what he wanted!".
"Do you have proof that this turret even exists?", Waller demanded.
"We'll have proof, if you'll follow us to the Military Base just inside the city limits of Keystone." I confirmed.
"And who are you?" Waller inquired, "Johnny Hex, former marine." I said.
"Are you with the ToJ?" asked Waller.
"No ma'am." I replied.
"If you'll just come with us, we can prove everything we're saying." Huntress stated.
"..... No." Waller answered.
"What?!" Sonic Boom exclaimed.
"I am not going with you." Waller reiterated.
"We came all this way, went to all this trouble, to uncover a conspiracy in our government, that is attached to a military General you appointed when you took office, who is still there today!" Dark Arrow vented.
Waller waves her hand, saying "Security.".
"Don't do that." I said.
"You don't tell me what to do!" Waller asserted.
"You don't remember me, do you?" I questioned.
"Should I?" Waller asked.
***
6 years ago
"Will that be all, Miss Waller?", my commanding Sergeant asked.
"Yes." Waller almost certainly decreed.
I hop on the helicopter along with two other Marines. We are in Iraq, headed for Afganistan. Waller is joining the President in Afganistan, to tour the Military base just set up in Afganistan. Her flight landed her in Iraq, we're flying her to Afganistan from here. Her and the Presidents appearance is nothing more than that, an appearance. To look good in the eyes of the media. As I was climbing into the helicopter, one of the soldiers ahead of me made a comment:
"Why does she even need protection? No one will care what happens to her either way...".
***
Present
"Your...?" Waller asked, shocked.
***
6 years ago
We land in Afganistan, 4 and a half miles from the base. My seargant, the soldier who made that comment, another soldier driving, me, and Waller enter one humvee, with the rest of the soldiers entering a second humvee that will be driving ahead. We reach a curve in the road ahead, which is adjacent to a sloping sand dune to the left. A soldier in the humvee ahead of us radio's to ours that he's spotted something over the hill to our left. By that time, Waller asks for a bottle of water. The Seargent looks out the drivers side window from the passenger window, but a gust of wind blows sand, making the visibility poor. The Soldier beside me that made the comment, reaches for a bottle of water.
The sound of a gunshot, from a very powerful gun is heard. The soldier drops the bottle of water, and blood drips on it in the floor-board.
***
Present
"Your... Him..." Waller continued.
***
6 years ago
The soldier with the bottle of water has been shot, with a bullet from a sniper rifle. The wound is in his gut. He is in severe pain. It must have been a hollow-point bullet to penetrate deep enough to pierce his vest that easily. We are all shell-shocked. The driver of our humvee is startled by another shot that hits his drivers side door, and swerves into a gully on the right side of the dirt road. I open the back, right side door, slowly push the dying soldier out, my Sergeant jumps out of the humvee, after a third shot rings out, being a lethal shot to the driver. I grab Amanda Waller her from her seat in the back of the middle of the vehicle. She makes it to the back, right side seat, where the dying soldier was sitting, and a fourth shot is heard.
I keep moving, as me and Amanda Waller escape the vehicle. We see the humvee ahead of us jolt to a stop, as the the soldiers in that vehicle intend to exit, armed. All I see is the quick trail of smoke following a missle, which hits the humvee. I can feel the heat of the explosion. It feels like an oven. Shrapnel from the humvee is thrown suddenly. Fortunately, none of it came near us. I'm not investing in any hope of surviving though, it seems it's only a matter of time, before we here a second missle launch for us. Me and the Seargant both know, that if we try to run away from the humvee, we're all targets to get sniped, but if we stay behind it, using it for cover, we're an easy kill from someone with a missle launcher. I see blood on the sleeve of Wallers suit, thinking she most have been hit. I look for a bullet wound.
I begin to feel the sensation of having someone trickle water down my left arm. I realize I'm not wet from water. I'm wet from blood. The fourth shot must have clipped my arm. I soon find the bullet wound, located between my bicep, and shoulder. It seems to have missed the arteries, but if I don't get medical attention soon, I'll die of blood loss. I have low expectations that the soldier with the wound in the stomach is going to live. He's pale. He's losing blood fast. I grab a medical kit under the drivers seat of the humvee. I open it to grab out a rag, and some kind of gel that will steralize the wound. I grab a second rag out, rub the gel on it, and give it to Waller, and tell her to keep pressure on the mortally wounded soldiers stomach while I tie my rag tightly around my bullet-wound. She hesitates, understandably, but she does it. I am comforted at the sight of my Sergeant pulling out an assualt rifle. It looks like a Famas. Thats a 3 round burst gun. But it has great accuracy. I watch him kill the terrorist with the missle launcher before he gets it shot off. I see the terrorist with the sniper duck down behind the hill.
Waller grabs my attention, "I think he's dead!", she says.
I look to see the soldiers eyes rolling slowly into the back of his head. I respond to her, "He's gone.".
She releases pressure, and sets the rag to the side, and ducks down further behind the humvee. I can sense the dead silence. It's deafening. The only sound we hear is the slight roaring of the fire engulfing the burning humvee that was in front of us. Me and the Sergeant see the terrorist rise back up above the hill, confidently, holding his comrades missle launcher. That is the cue for us to run. I help Waller up, as she starts running away from the humvee. I see the Seargant try to drag the soldier that was shot in the stomach away from the humvee.
I pry his hands off the dead soldiers arms, exclaiming, "Leave him! He's dead!".
We both start running away from the humvee, trailing behind Amanda Waller. We hear the whistling of the missle headed near us. The best thing you can do, is duck down as far away from the blast as you can get. I dive at Waller, covering her from the missle. The Seargant dives down too. The missle hits the humvee, and we can feel the wind from the shrapnel flying just above us. Me and the Sergeant both suffer second degree burns on the back of our legs from the intense heat, Amanda Waller remains unharmed. After lying there for about a 30 seconds, I come to a miraculous assumption that the terrorist has left, most likely because he was out of missles. This "theory" still doesn't explain why he didn't go for the sniper rifle and finish us off, but why look a gift horse in the mouth? The Sergeant checks that the area is clear, and decides that we should head back to where the helicopter landed, in the military camp. We have a 2 mile walk.
Possibilitiy we'll get shot in the back: 57%.
Slightly discomforting, but thats a normal feeling when you look at things with calculation.
I walk behind Waller, and the Seargant walks in front of her, so that if someone were to try and shoot at us, they would hit us. Although if they use a hollow-point, it could go right through all three of us. But we're not gonna tell her that.
We make it to the military camp. Before Waller is seperated from us at the medical tent, she shares with me and the Seargant her gratitude. "Thank you both, so very much, I am in your debt..."
***
Present
"... Your in my debt, Miss Waller." I furthered.
She seems to be shocked. She pauses for a moment before she asks, "Hows the Seargant?".
"He died of bone cancer 2 years ago." I replied.
"I am very sorry to hear that." Waller commented.
Dark Arrow, Sonic Boom, and Huntress seemed surprised by the story, but share my sentiments: "You, Miss Waller, are in my debt. You owe me. All you have to do is come with us, to the military base, and you'll see what we're talking about. Okay?" I proposed again.
"... Fine. As much as I don't want to, I will come. I keep my word where I give it. But I'm of course bringing a hefty amount of guards with me.".
"Of course!" Huntress affirms.
***
In the Cadillac Car
Charles Wittfeldt is slowly stirring from the chloroform which put him unconscious. After a few minutes of deliria, he regains his composure. Oddly enough, instead of dialing an expected "911", he calls one of the military Sergeants and says, "Destroy the turret."
***
With Johnny Hex
"Where's the general?" Waller asked again.
"He's in this car. We had to sedate him because he was getting too 'rowdy', trying to escape." I reassured.
"Here, you can talk to him, if you would like?" I continued.
"I would like." Waller said.
I open the back left door to have Waller standing right between the General, and his exit, knowing he wouldn't act as desperate as he was in front of her.
"They kidnapped me, Mrs. President! Stop them! Have them arrested! They're enemies of the state!" Charles tried to explain.
"I'm not a "Mrs.", Mr. Wittfeldt. "I suggest you come with us." Waller continued with a demanding tone.
He got out of the cadillac, adjusting his military suit. Straightening his medals. Me and Dark Arrow walk behind him, escorting him to a limousine which we are all riding in. As we get in, I can see the sweat pouring down his forehead. Waller notices it too. The ride is nothing short of awkward.
About 45 minutes later we arrive.
***
En route to the base, Wittfeldt secretly pulls out his phone, and texts a message to the Military base computers, reading, "Do NOT destroy turret. Make it operational before I get there".
***
Charles Wittfeldt starts to shake from his nervousness. He's incriminating himself. The front gates to the base open on a whim for Waller. The soldiers seem nervous too. Trying to distract her. Asking her a ton of questions. They are tripping over themselves. If my life, whether I'm on death row, or am free with Charles Wittfeldt in prison, wasn't riding on this, I would laugh.
Waller demands to see the building where the turret is housed. One of her secret service agents pulled up the location of the complex, from the longitude/latitude we gave him. She's asking to see there reactions. For once, Waller seems to be on our side. She's taking us right to it. The big sliding tin doors are locked, shut together by a metal chain, and padlock. Charles doesn't say a word. But several soldiers come between Waller and the complex, until she demands, "If you do not move out of my way, I will have all of you dishonorably discharged for abstruction of justice. I may decide to do it after the fact. If what these "Super-Heroes" say is true, anyone related to this, in any way will be brought down!".
Soon after Wallers 'persuading' comment. The military Sergeant of the base unlocks the doors, hoping to seem oblivious to whats inside this complex. "Thank you, Sergeant...", Waller continues to say after the doors are open, "... But its too late to try and save yourself.".
Di Di whispers to her Brother: "Wow. She's one cruel b****.".
Dark Arrow respondes, "Atleast she's on our side this time.".
The Turret is covered with a blue tarp. Waller has her guards remove it. I wouldn't want to be at the end of the barrel of that thing. I give Dark Arrow an affirming nod, and he seperates a special arrow in his quiver from the rest, for easy accessability. Charles, I notice, gives one of the soldiers in the complex near the machine a nod also. Thats Dark Arrows cue. The soldier runs over and jumps in the chair attached to it like a side car, and cuts it on. Wallers Guards jump into action, removing they're M9's from their holsters. I do the same with my Dragoon. Dark Arrow grabs out his EMP arrow, and shoots it right inside the main barrel of the turret. Static sparks can be seen inside the barrel, before it shuts down completely.
Charles runs for the Sergeant, and quietly tells him, "We all have nothing to lose. Stop them all from leaving this facility.".
The Sergeant respondes, "How?".
"Anyway you have to, just do it!" Charles retorts.
"I will not! Sir, you are under arrest.", the Sergeant exclaims.
"You are just as guilty as me. So don't you take the high road." Charles tries to explain.
"Sir, I am guilty of nothing, you lied to me, and to the President, and went behind his back using tax-payer money for your own personal agenda. You've got alot to answer for.".
He turns his head away from the Sergeant, and see's the barrel of my Dragoon. He backs down, and follows the orders of the Sergeant to get on his knee's, and put his hands behind his back. As he begins to kneel, he lunges at me. I fling my Dragoon out of my hand purposefully, to keep it from accidentally being shot at someone. Wallers Guards try to intervene, but Dark Arrow stops them. He knows I have to fight my own battles. I'm gonna have to remember to thank him later. Me and Charles tussle on the ground. He grabs my Desert Eagle out of my holster. I push him away from me with my legs. We both get up. I take my time, while he stumbles trying to get up so fast. I look at him and smile. I signal with a hand motion for Wallers Guards to disarm him. He pulls the trigger desperately to find its not even loaded.
"We can now add attempted to murder along with this rap-sheet of yours, Mr. Wittfeldt." Amanda Waller explained, "Arrest him, please." she furthered.
I pull out the clip to my gun, and show him. A little narcisistic, I know, but It gave me a good feeling inside.
The Guards hand-cuff him, but before leaving, he makes one final monologue like statement, "I am a patriot to my country! I don't care what any of you think, when my nation becomes unable to protect itself from you super-freaks, is when I intervene! And you of all people, Waller, should know what I'm talking about!".
He is put in a military humvee, and is taken to a special holding cell in Washington D.C., until all of the charges can be proven. Waller assures me he's not getting a slap on the wrists, he's getting 25 to life, in a special cell area of the Virginia state prison. At least, thats Wallers expectation. Before Waller leaves, she notifies the Sergeant and soldiers involved that they will not be charged with anything for they're good actions today, with an exception for the soldier who tried to fire the turret. He is also under arrest.
"Hey, Johnny...", Huntress says as she picks up my pin off the floor, "... Here's your American Flag pin. I guess it got torn off.".
I put it back on. "Thank you.", I replied.
Waller gave us a ride back to the Hall of Justice. I know, I was shocked too. Hopefully we've made good with her, or at least that the ToJ have. While in the limousine Huntress points out that the American Flag pin is upside down on my uniform.
"I know." I said.
"Why?" Dark Arrow asked.
"An upside down flag is a signal of distress or duress." I explained.
"So why do you have it upside down?" Waller questioned.
"If a surgeon can be black-mailed with his possessions to kill someone, a candidates' own bodyguards hire someone to kill who they are suppost to protect, and a distinguished General that orchistrated all of it, who's hell-bent on killing super-heroes, and anyone who gets in his way is what is in my country, than I think I have good cause, and justification for it being upside down.".
The limosuine arrives at the Hall of Justice, and on my way out of the vehicle, Waller makes the comment, "So I guess we're even now?".
"For now.", I reply, smirking.
***
Inside the Hall of Justice
"Johnny, I would like you to meet Power Guy!", Huntress exclaimed.
"Hey, how's it going?" Power Guy asked.
"Aside from a long week, I'd say it's going." I responded with a smile.
"So...", Power Guy furthered, "Huntress has been talking all about you. And from what I've heard, you have more than earned the right to join this team. As a preliminary member for now, until we work out a spot for you in the future.".
"As much as I would like that, I really do work my best as a loner. For now atleast. No offense I hope." I explained.
"None at all. I completely understand. The offer will still stand, until your ready." Power Guy assured.
"Cool, thank you. I'll keep it an option." I replied.
Power Guy heads into the computer room, leaving me and Huntress to ourselves.
"I know you would like me to join, Helena, but I'm just not... Ready for all of this.".
I can see her eyes are slightly watered. She was really hoping I would accept the offer. "It's okay, I understand." Huntress said.
"I'm glad..." I assured, "I really need a shower, can you drop me off at my place?" I continued to ask.
"Sure.", she answered, smiling.
***
At my apartment
I'm about to get of the Batmobile, when she asks me, "Why is your Gun never loaded?".
"My Desert Eagle?... I never have the intentions to shoot someone. Ever. I use it as a scare tactic. I use my Dragoon incase an emergency ever happend." I explained.
"I just wanted to know, thanks." Huntress affirms.
"Alright, I guess I'll see you later." I furthered.
"Alright...", she pauses, and leans in and kisses me, "... Bye, Johnny." she continued.
I smiled, and told her bye, and went into my apartment.
***
2 months later
Me, Huntress, Dark Arrow and Sonic Boom are awarded Presidential Citizens medals, for "Performing exemplary deeds or services for his or her country or fellow citizens.", by Waller herself.
***
6 months later
I'm sitting on my couch watching the live trial of Charles Wittfeldt. He has, unfortunately, been aquitted of the murder charges under "lack of evidence". He is getting a slap on the wrists, 15 years, with possibility of getting out early for good behavior, all because of his posi-- former position as a military General in the Presidents cabinet. He'll be out on bail within the week.
***
This world, is filled with everything immoral about humanity. Some of it happens in broad daylight, other parts of this outrage occurs in the darkened shadows. It angers me, it saddens me, it disturbs me, and it alarms me. But that doesn't mean that it's a bad world, or that humanity is bad. There are some good people out there. I met some today. Some I call my friends. But the worlds knows them as what they are; Heroes.
***
Epilogue
I got a letter in the mail, that I am suppost to meet a man about my 7th-great-grandfathers will. I go to the funeral home, located in El Paso, Texas. The buisness has been there for over 200 years. I enter the building, and am directed to the office of a William Rodgers.
"I can't believe your really him!" Mr. Rodgers exclaimed.
"Excuse me?" I retorted.
"Sorry. It's just a surprise. In 1902, a Mr. Jonah Hex made his Will here. His only possession was--", William stops, and grabs for something in his desk, "-- This bottle of whiskey... From 1901, and a 2,153 acre ranch! It had kind of been a myth, you know, that it was made out to his 7th-great-grandson, the shear luck his name continued and that he did have a "7th-great-grandson" can only be described as a miracle, or that he was a fortune teller!" Rodgers joked. "He even made it out to your full name, "John Peter Hex"?, thats your name right?" William askes.
"Yes, it is." I replied, shocked.
"Me and some other guys were even discussing if you were a real person! Now, if you could just show me you I.D. to prove you are indeed "John Peter Hex", and you sign these papers, and you obtain Jonah Hexs' possessions that were left to you." William explains.
I remove my I.D., proving I am Johnny Hex, and fill out the papers. William has given me a map to the location. It's located 60 miles north-west of here.
***
I drive there on my new Motorcycle.
I arrive there about an hour and a half later. A dirt road leads me to the entrance, adjoined to the fence. I pull out the key William gave me, and use it to unlock the padock attached to a chain on the rotting wood of the gate, and ride up to a home set about 300 yards away from the entrance. It looks like a shack thats falling apart. On the porch, I see two rocking chairs. One is occupied. I walk up onto the porch, realizing that an elderly man is sitting in the rockering chair. His cowboy hat it tipped slightly downwards, masking his face.
"Hey." I greeted, while taking a seat in the rocking chair next to him.
"So yer him?" he replied.
"I'm Johnny Hex, yes sir." I answered.
"Huh... Military man?" he inquired.
"Former Marine." I responded.
"Don't know nothin' 'bout no "Marine." he mumbled. He continued, "Whut do ya do fer a livin'?" he asked.
"Nothing much. I live off my government check for serving." I answered.
"Ya get payed to serve?! I might rejoin!" he laughed with a rasped voice.
I'm slightly puzzled by his statement. Soliders have been receiving checks for their time in the military since WWII. "When did you serve?" I asked.
He hesitates "... I read about ya receivin' an award for arrestin' some crooked general." he stated, ignoring my question.
"Yeah." I replied, continuing, "So how long have you lived here?"
"Oh it seems like a lifetime." he answered.
"Does the house have electricity, water?" I questioned.
"No 'tricity', but there's a well in the back." he gestured behind his house.
"Bathrooms inside?" I asked.
"Yes sir, installed it, oh, 40 years ago." he replied.
"Thats good." I stated, assured.
"Well, I'm gonna leave ya to the land." he says, as he begins to walk off his porch, and into his rusty truck he has parked to the side.
"Alright, thank you, Mr..." I paused, continuing, "I'm sorry, I didn't catch your name?"
He turns his head, and lift up his cowboy hat, "I'm Joseph Hex.". For a split second, I thought he was Jonah, but he is not. Before I can ask, he reveals, "I'm his grandson.".
"But you would have to be--", I said, with him interjecting:
"106 years old." he remarked. "After Jonah came back as that "Black Lantern" thing, I buried him on this ranch." he commented.
After my initial surprise, he takes off his cowboy hat, and twirls it to me. I catch it, with him commenting, "It was Jonahs, so I want you to have it.".
He gets in his truck, and rides out of the ranch, stirring the dirt on the road up.
As it settles, I put the cowboy hat on. "I think I'm gonna like this." I stated.
Johnny Hex
The End
Written by: JLU51306
Edited by: Power Guy
I zone in on the large computer screen. It says the one thing each candidate had in common was they were all three going to opt out the government funding for this state.
I ponder, "But why would that make Charles Wittfeldt feel compelled enough to kill them all?".
"The government funding includes the military funding. It says here that 2/3rds of the funding is going to the military base, right on the edge of Keystones city limits, all of the funding for the base is classified. So whatever it is they are using it for, it's something serious." Dark Arrow explained.
"And no matter who would become governor, they would all vote "No" on the government funding. So Charles had to get them all out of his way." I affirm.
Dark Arrow agree's, "Exaclty.".
And so the plot thickens.
Dark Arrow shuts down the computer, as we both head into the main room. Huntress has gone to take a shower before the pizza comes, and Sonic Boom is watching TV.
***
10 minutes pass
6:24pm
The Pizza arrives, as Huntress writes a check for it. 40 large pizza's is enough to feed an army, or a group of Super-Heroes.
"Are you getting any?", Helena asks.
I answered "I'm good.".
She continued, "C'mon, you haven't eaten all day!".
"... The Jalapeno one does looks good... I think I will get some." I decided.
"Hurry, before Goldbug gets there!" she exclaimed.
Sonic Boom walked by Huntress, giving her a look, which made Huntress comment, "Oh, go on!".
I warmed up, and started to talk to some of the other heroes. I have to say I like Argos the best.
***
A few hours have past, and I'm ready for bed, since I didn't get too much sleep last night.
"Hey, Helena. I'm gonna head out, if you'd give me a ride to my apartment." I asked.
"Why don't you stay here tonight?" proposed the Huntress.
"Where would I sleep?" I asked.
"You could sleep in my room... Y'know, if you want. Infirnia Verde usually sleeps in the bed across from mine, but she's on patrol duty tonight, so you can sleep there." offered Huntress.
"Are you sure?" I asked.
"Yeah! C'mon." she exclaims. She leads me to here bedroom, while the other heroes are either on a mission or are going on patrol, or are about to go to bed themselves.
I ask, "What I'm a going to sleep in?".
"Huh... I'll be right back.", she answers, leaving her room. She comes back soon, with a white T-shrt, and basic pajama pants.
"Where'd you get these?" I asked.
"From Dark Arrow's room. You can change in here, I'm gonna change in the bathroom." she affirmed.
I begin to take off the top of my marine uniform, and begin to undress the rest. I change into Dark Arrows sleeping clothes, and grab a new blanket, and pillow from her closet. By the time I've made up the other bed in her room, she's changed and out of the bathroom.
Soon after she cuts off her lamp, we here Dark Arrow yell, "Di Di! Where's my clothes! Thats what I sleep in!".
Both me and Helena start laughing. Everything gets quiet, and she tells me, "Good night.".
"Night." I affirmed.
***
I'm awake by 4:30am. Habbit of being a marine. I grab a cup of coffee from the kitchen. I see several heroes that were all patrol all night return, and crash on the couches throughout the Hall.
Todays agenda includes:
1.) I need to ask my source if he might know anything about government funding being funneled into the base in Keystone.
3.) I'm gonna need to do some excise before the mornings over.
4.) Helena told me before we went to sleep last night, that she let Knightvision in on what has been going on, and that he is going to interrogate the surgeon, so I need to see what Knightvision got out of him.
I think I'm gonna excise first.
I go into the front lot of the Hall, and run 7 laps around the building, and finish with 100 push-ups, and 100 sit-ups. I come in and get a shower in Helena's bathroom. My hair now smells like lavender and cherry blossoms because of her shampoo.
I go into the TV room, and sit next to a knocked out Goldbug, and Starman. I flip it to the news. Nothing too new happend since last night.
30 minutes passes. It is now 7:00am, and everyone seems to be waking up. That is, except Starman and Goldbug. I head to the main room, to see Helena in her costume, ready for whats next. Dark Arrow is getting coffee, and Sonic Boom is just getting up. I've already put Dark Arrows clothes I slept in, in the washer, and dryer, and placed them back in his dresser before he saw me wearing them.
I give everyone about 30 minutes before we head out.
While me and Dark Arrow are in the kitchen, drinking our last cup of coffee for the day, I once again, overhear Di Di talking to Helena. "Where'd he sleep last night?", Di Di asks smirking.
Helena gives her a look, "I'm not answering that.".
"So, he slept in your bed." Di Di assumes.
"No! He slept in Infirnia's, since she was on patrol!" Helena replied.
"Did he stay there?" Sonic Boom inquired.
"Whats with you?" Helena asked.
"Nothing! Just being curious... I know you took Roberts pajamas last night, he was fussing at me because of it." Di Di explained.
"He needs to grow up." Scoffed Helena.
Not only am I overhearing this, but so is Dark Arrow. When he first hear's Di Di and Helena's coversation, after pouring his cup of coffee, his attention focus' on hearing the rest of it. And by the end of they're conversation, he hears where his missing clothes went and Huntress' comment about him. He sets his coffee cup down, and looks at me with these shocked, surprised eyes. Most people would be embarressed, but I just give him a smirk, almost wanting to laugh from his priceless reaction.
Huntress and Sonic Boom walk into the kitchen, with Dark Arrow giving Huntress a shocked stare as well.
"Well, are we ready to go?" I ask.
Huntress replies, "Yep.", "I'm sure you all wouldn't want to cram in the Batmobile--".
Being interrupted by a quick answer from Sonic Boom, "Me and Arrow will take our bikes!".
We all leave the Hall for our vehicles. On the way out I tell Helena where we're going. She then relays this to Dark Arrow and Sonic Boom through her communicator.
We're headed to my source.
We arrive where he told me to meet him, the Quickstop connected to the Tesoro Gas Station. He pops around the side of the convienent store, and calls us over there out of sight.
Wally comments "I see you brought the team with you.".
"Yeah, they want to hear what you have to say first-hand." I replied. "What do you want to hear?" Wally asked.
"We have a motive for why Charles Wittfeldt would want the three major candidates dead. They all were all against accepting government funding. Funding that would secretly go to the Military Base in Keystone. More than half of the money was directed there. We want to know if you would know why?" I responded.
"..... Look, I did catch wind of the government, or more specifically Charles Wittfeldt, wanting to fund something "special" about a year ago. What he wants built is a "De-power Turret", he's got it against you Super-Hero types bad. I also heard that after he "de-powerizes" you "Super" ones, he was going to have the ones like Batman killed.".
Dark Arrow interjects, "You mean the non-super-heroes?".
"Right." Wally confirmed, he continued to explain, "About three months ago, thermal satellite images showed that something big was happening at the big complex building at the base... And thats all I know.".
"Alright, thanks, Wally." I reply, as we head back to our vehicles.
Dark Arrow says to Wally as he's leaving, "And next time, find a better spot than in an alley-way next to a gas station, where people can blatantly see us.".
We head back to the Hall of Justice to check out the some other satellite images of the Keystone Military Base.
***
We return to the Hall, and examine the military base on the Computer. Like Wally said, we found the big complex building in the image where he said it'd be. And the thermal radar is saying that something big, and hot, is in that building, but its highly unlikely that we would be able to even get to it. So we are going to have to wait until the Presidents State of the Union to confront Charles Wittfeldt.
I leave Huntress, Dark Arrow, and Sonic Boom in the computer room, to go ask Knightvision what he got out of the surgeon.
Knightvision reveals, "He spilled a new hint to me. He said what car would pick Charles Wittfeldt up after the State of the Union.".
"Why would he do that?", I asked.
"He told me that Ted Wyott told him to tell one of the Titans." Knightvision responded.
Now it all starts to fit into place, Ted was afraid for his life, and didn't want a part in this conspiracy, so as a last ditch effort, after probably realizing he's going to be 'silenced' anyway, he told the surgeon to drop an incriminating hint if he was captured, that Charles Wittfeldt would be picked up in a black cadillac. But neither Ted or the Surgeon knew we had figured out that Charles Wittfeldt is behind this, so this hint should have seemed alot more vague, but it's more helpful than I think Ted could have ever realized. Maybe Ted thought that if the surgeon told one of us that he was hired by him, that we would come for him, in where he would reveal answers, hoping for protection, in return... We were too late. I ask Knightvision if there is anyway of knowing where the General will be, to get a hold of him quicker, but he tells me that he's already searched, and there's no way of knowing where he'll be, because he is such a low-profile part in the Presidents cabinet.
***
Two Days later
I blew off two days, doing nothing, to make the Presidents State of the Union come quicker, where I knew Wittfeldt would be. I asked Huntress to give me a ride back to my apartment after talking with Knightvision, so I could sleep there over the past two days, and follow anymore leads that may arise to me, alone. She understands... I think. Working alone is what makes me so efficent. Too many variables to worry about when being a part of the team.
I call Helena, and ask her to come pick me up, and gather Dark Arrow and Sonic Boom.
***
9:00pm rolls around. The end of the Speech. I see several politicians leaving, by the time Sonic Boom has tied up Charles' driver, and I put on his uniform over mine, a soothing charcoal suit. I get in his car, assuming the role of his driver. Huntress is on a building near the capital building, watching the cadillac from above. Dark Arrow spots Charles, and gives me the go ahead to pull up infront of him, to pick him up.
He gets in, and says, rudely, "Take me home.".
I retort, "Maybe.".
He replys shocked, scoffing at my humor, "I said take me home!".
I lock the windows, just so he doesn't try and roll them down asking for help. This makes him try to open the door, but thanks to Sonic Boom, the child safety locks are set on both back doors. You gotta love child safety locks! I pull the vehicle down to a small street 7 blocks east from where I picked him up, while he's yelling, demanding I let him out. I park the car, and wait for Huntress, Sonic Boom, and Dark Arrow to arrive shortly in the Batmobile.
Until then I pose to the General one simple statement: "I know about your "Turret", Charles.".
His reaction will tell me everything, and it does. His eyes bulg, as he then tries to push his way to the passenger door, to get out, while I then shove him back in his seat. I role up the back window, seperating him from me, while I remove the drivers suit, to reveal my Marine Corps uniform. By this time, Huntress, Dark Arrow, and Sonic Boom arrive.
I get out of the cadillac and explain to them of how he incriminated himself. Sonic Boom asks, "Did the camera I put in there record it?".
I replied, "Yes, Di Di, it did!".
"What about the truth serum?" Helena asked.
"His reaction to my statement is enough, so I'm just going to skip that part.".
We see the General start kicking at the windows of the vehicle, cracking one of them, "I didn't want to do this.", I remarked, as I open the trunk, and grab out a rag, and a bottle of chloroform. I pour a small amount on the rag, and open his backseat door. He lunges out, right into the rag, as I smother it over his mouth for about 20 seconds. Rendering him unconscious long enough to get him to Waller, who would be easier to get to than the President. She's located at an office in a building within Washington D.C.
I place him back in the vehicle, and drive to her office, where Dark Arrow opens a secure line to Waller, explaining what has transpired over the past few days. She's pissed. She informs that the four of us turn ourselves in, but Dark Arrow persuades her, miracously, to agree to see us, under the terms that if we are wrong about the General, we turn ourselves in. Dark Arrow convienently forgot to mention that we still have the General unconscious, in the cadillac outside, as we enter her office.
Waller, askes furiously, "Where is he?!".
"He's safe. But where he's at really isn't important." I explained. Di Di sets down a laptop on the oval office desk, that plays the recording of my brief conversation with the General. She see's what I say, and she see's his reaction on the video, I can tell she knows nothing about it.
"What on Earth does this prove? You do realize that when you turn yourselves in, the laws you have broken will be punished by the death penalty?" Waller explains rhetorically.
Huntress interjects, "Ms. Waller, we have proof he's building this weapon to depower superheroes, and kill them. Thats what the turret is. Charles Wittfeldt is responsible for the murders of three candidates for governor, because not one of them would accept the government funding for that state, which secrectly housed money to build this turret. Work has already started on building it, after he found different ways of paying for it. He killed those three candidates out of revenge, not because they were stopping him from doing what he wanted!".
"Do you have proof that this turret even exists?", Waller demanded.
"We'll have proof, if you'll follow us to the Military Base just inside the city limits of Keystone." I confirmed.
"And who are you?" Waller inquired, "Johnny Hex, former marine." I said.
"Are you with the ToJ?" asked Waller.
"No ma'am." I replied.
"If you'll just come with us, we can prove everything we're saying." Huntress stated.
"..... No." Waller answered.
"What?!" Sonic Boom exclaimed.
"I am not going with you." Waller reiterated.
"We came all this way, went to all this trouble, to uncover a conspiracy in our government, that is attached to a military General you appointed when you took office, who is still there today!" Dark Arrow vented.
Waller waves her hand, saying "Security.".
"Don't do that." I said.
"You don't tell me what to do!" Waller asserted.
"You don't remember me, do you?" I questioned.
"Should I?" Waller asked.
***
6 years ago
"Will that be all, Miss Waller?", my commanding Sergeant asked.
"Yes." Waller almost certainly decreed.
I hop on the helicopter along with two other Marines. We are in Iraq, headed for Afganistan. Waller is joining the President in Afganistan, to tour the Military base just set up in Afganistan. Her flight landed her in Iraq, we're flying her to Afganistan from here. Her and the Presidents appearance is nothing more than that, an appearance. To look good in the eyes of the media. As I was climbing into the helicopter, one of the soldiers ahead of me made a comment:
"Why does she even need protection? No one will care what happens to her either way...".
***
Present
"Your...?" Waller asked, shocked.
***
6 years ago
We land in Afganistan, 4 and a half miles from the base. My seargant, the soldier who made that comment, another soldier driving, me, and Waller enter one humvee, with the rest of the soldiers entering a second humvee that will be driving ahead. We reach a curve in the road ahead, which is adjacent to a sloping sand dune to the left. A soldier in the humvee ahead of us radio's to ours that he's spotted something over the hill to our left. By that time, Waller asks for a bottle of water. The Seargent looks out the drivers side window from the passenger window, but a gust of wind blows sand, making the visibility poor. The Soldier beside me that made the comment, reaches for a bottle of water.
The sound of a gunshot, from a very powerful gun is heard. The soldier drops the bottle of water, and blood drips on it in the floor-board.
***
Present
"Your... Him..." Waller continued.
***
6 years ago
The soldier with the bottle of water has been shot, with a bullet from a sniper rifle. The wound is in his gut. He is in severe pain. It must have been a hollow-point bullet to penetrate deep enough to pierce his vest that easily. We are all shell-shocked. The driver of our humvee is startled by another shot that hits his drivers side door, and swerves into a gully on the right side of the dirt road. I open the back, right side door, slowly push the dying soldier out, my Sergeant jumps out of the humvee, after a third shot rings out, being a lethal shot to the driver. I grab Amanda Waller her from her seat in the back of the middle of the vehicle. She makes it to the back, right side seat, where the dying soldier was sitting, and a fourth shot is heard.
I keep moving, as me and Amanda Waller escape the vehicle. We see the humvee ahead of us jolt to a stop, as the the soldiers in that vehicle intend to exit, armed. All I see is the quick trail of smoke following a missle, which hits the humvee. I can feel the heat of the explosion. It feels like an oven. Shrapnel from the humvee is thrown suddenly. Fortunately, none of it came near us. I'm not investing in any hope of surviving though, it seems it's only a matter of time, before we here a second missle launch for us. Me and the Seargant both know, that if we try to run away from the humvee, we're all targets to get sniped, but if we stay behind it, using it for cover, we're an easy kill from someone with a missle launcher. I see blood on the sleeve of Wallers suit, thinking she most have been hit. I look for a bullet wound.
I begin to feel the sensation of having someone trickle water down my left arm. I realize I'm not wet from water. I'm wet from blood. The fourth shot must have clipped my arm. I soon find the bullet wound, located between my bicep, and shoulder. It seems to have missed the arteries, but if I don't get medical attention soon, I'll die of blood loss. I have low expectations that the soldier with the wound in the stomach is going to live. He's pale. He's losing blood fast. I grab a medical kit under the drivers seat of the humvee. I open it to grab out a rag, and some kind of gel that will steralize the wound. I grab a second rag out, rub the gel on it, and give it to Waller, and tell her to keep pressure on the mortally wounded soldiers stomach while I tie my rag tightly around my bullet-wound. She hesitates, understandably, but she does it. I am comforted at the sight of my Sergeant pulling out an assualt rifle. It looks like a Famas. Thats a 3 round burst gun. But it has great accuracy. I watch him kill the terrorist with the missle launcher before he gets it shot off. I see the terrorist with the sniper duck down behind the hill.
Waller grabs my attention, "I think he's dead!", she says.
I look to see the soldiers eyes rolling slowly into the back of his head. I respond to her, "He's gone.".
She releases pressure, and sets the rag to the side, and ducks down further behind the humvee. I can sense the dead silence. It's deafening. The only sound we hear is the slight roaring of the fire engulfing the burning humvee that was in front of us. Me and the Sergeant see the terrorist rise back up above the hill, confidently, holding his comrades missle launcher. That is the cue for us to run. I help Waller up, as she starts running away from the humvee. I see the Seargant try to drag the soldier that was shot in the stomach away from the humvee.
I pry his hands off the dead soldiers arms, exclaiming, "Leave him! He's dead!".
We both start running away from the humvee, trailing behind Amanda Waller. We hear the whistling of the missle headed near us. The best thing you can do, is duck down as far away from the blast as you can get. I dive at Waller, covering her from the missle. The Seargant dives down too. The missle hits the humvee, and we can feel the wind from the shrapnel flying just above us. Me and the Sergeant both suffer second degree burns on the back of our legs from the intense heat, Amanda Waller remains unharmed. After lying there for about a 30 seconds, I come to a miraculous assumption that the terrorist has left, most likely because he was out of missles. This "theory" still doesn't explain why he didn't go for the sniper rifle and finish us off, but why look a gift horse in the mouth? The Sergeant checks that the area is clear, and decides that we should head back to where the helicopter landed, in the military camp. We have a 2 mile walk.
Possibilitiy we'll get shot in the back: 57%.
Slightly discomforting, but thats a normal feeling when you look at things with calculation.
I walk behind Waller, and the Seargant walks in front of her, so that if someone were to try and shoot at us, they would hit us. Although if they use a hollow-point, it could go right through all three of us. But we're not gonna tell her that.
We make it to the military camp. Before Waller is seperated from us at the medical tent, she shares with me and the Seargant her gratitude. "Thank you both, so very much, I am in your debt..."
***
Present
"... Your in my debt, Miss Waller." I furthered.
She seems to be shocked. She pauses for a moment before she asks, "Hows the Seargant?".
"He died of bone cancer 2 years ago." I replied.
"I am very sorry to hear that." Waller commented.
Dark Arrow, Sonic Boom, and Huntress seemed surprised by the story, but share my sentiments: "You, Miss Waller, are in my debt. You owe me. All you have to do is come with us, to the military base, and you'll see what we're talking about. Okay?" I proposed again.
"... Fine. As much as I don't want to, I will come. I keep my word where I give it. But I'm of course bringing a hefty amount of guards with me.".
"Of course!" Huntress affirms.
***
In the Cadillac Car
Charles Wittfeldt is slowly stirring from the chloroform which put him unconscious. After a few minutes of deliria, he regains his composure. Oddly enough, instead of dialing an expected "911", he calls one of the military Sergeants and says, "Destroy the turret."
***
With Johnny Hex
"Where's the general?" Waller asked again.
"He's in this car. We had to sedate him because he was getting too 'rowdy', trying to escape." I reassured.
"Here, you can talk to him, if you would like?" I continued.
"I would like." Waller said.
I open the back left door to have Waller standing right between the General, and his exit, knowing he wouldn't act as desperate as he was in front of her.
"They kidnapped me, Mrs. President! Stop them! Have them arrested! They're enemies of the state!" Charles tried to explain.
"I'm not a "Mrs.", Mr. Wittfeldt. "I suggest you come with us." Waller continued with a demanding tone.
He got out of the cadillac, adjusting his military suit. Straightening his medals. Me and Dark Arrow walk behind him, escorting him to a limousine which we are all riding in. As we get in, I can see the sweat pouring down his forehead. Waller notices it too. The ride is nothing short of awkward.
About 45 minutes later we arrive.
***
En route to the base, Wittfeldt secretly pulls out his phone, and texts a message to the Military base computers, reading, "Do NOT destroy turret. Make it operational before I get there".
***
Charles Wittfeldt starts to shake from his nervousness. He's incriminating himself. The front gates to the base open on a whim for Waller. The soldiers seem nervous too. Trying to distract her. Asking her a ton of questions. They are tripping over themselves. If my life, whether I'm on death row, or am free with Charles Wittfeldt in prison, wasn't riding on this, I would laugh.
Waller demands to see the building where the turret is housed. One of her secret service agents pulled up the location of the complex, from the longitude/latitude we gave him. She's asking to see there reactions. For once, Waller seems to be on our side. She's taking us right to it. The big sliding tin doors are locked, shut together by a metal chain, and padlock. Charles doesn't say a word. But several soldiers come between Waller and the complex, until she demands, "If you do not move out of my way, I will have all of you dishonorably discharged for abstruction of justice. I may decide to do it after the fact. If what these "Super-Heroes" say is true, anyone related to this, in any way will be brought down!".
Soon after Wallers 'persuading' comment. The military Sergeant of the base unlocks the doors, hoping to seem oblivious to whats inside this complex. "Thank you, Sergeant...", Waller continues to say after the doors are open, "... But its too late to try and save yourself.".
Di Di whispers to her Brother: "Wow. She's one cruel b****.".
Dark Arrow respondes, "Atleast she's on our side this time.".
The Turret is covered with a blue tarp. Waller has her guards remove it. I wouldn't want to be at the end of the barrel of that thing. I give Dark Arrow an affirming nod, and he seperates a special arrow in his quiver from the rest, for easy accessability. Charles, I notice, gives one of the soldiers in the complex near the machine a nod also. Thats Dark Arrows cue. The soldier runs over and jumps in the chair attached to it like a side car, and cuts it on. Wallers Guards jump into action, removing they're M9's from their holsters. I do the same with my Dragoon. Dark Arrow grabs out his EMP arrow, and shoots it right inside the main barrel of the turret. Static sparks can be seen inside the barrel, before it shuts down completely.
Charles runs for the Sergeant, and quietly tells him, "We all have nothing to lose. Stop them all from leaving this facility.".
The Sergeant respondes, "How?".
"Anyway you have to, just do it!" Charles retorts.
"I will not! Sir, you are under arrest.", the Sergeant exclaims.
"You are just as guilty as me. So don't you take the high road." Charles tries to explain.
"Sir, I am guilty of nothing, you lied to me, and to the President, and went behind his back using tax-payer money for your own personal agenda. You've got alot to answer for.".
He turns his head away from the Sergeant, and see's the barrel of my Dragoon. He backs down, and follows the orders of the Sergeant to get on his knee's, and put his hands behind his back. As he begins to kneel, he lunges at me. I fling my Dragoon out of my hand purposefully, to keep it from accidentally being shot at someone. Wallers Guards try to intervene, but Dark Arrow stops them. He knows I have to fight my own battles. I'm gonna have to remember to thank him later. Me and Charles tussle on the ground. He grabs my Desert Eagle out of my holster. I push him away from me with my legs. We both get up. I take my time, while he stumbles trying to get up so fast. I look at him and smile. I signal with a hand motion for Wallers Guards to disarm him. He pulls the trigger desperately to find its not even loaded.
"We can now add attempted to murder along with this rap-sheet of yours, Mr. Wittfeldt." Amanda Waller explained, "Arrest him, please." she furthered.
I pull out the clip to my gun, and show him. A little narcisistic, I know, but It gave me a good feeling inside.
The Guards hand-cuff him, but before leaving, he makes one final monologue like statement, "I am a patriot to my country! I don't care what any of you think, when my nation becomes unable to protect itself from you super-freaks, is when I intervene! And you of all people, Waller, should know what I'm talking about!".
He is put in a military humvee, and is taken to a special holding cell in Washington D.C., until all of the charges can be proven. Waller assures me he's not getting a slap on the wrists, he's getting 25 to life, in a special cell area of the Virginia state prison. At least, thats Wallers expectation. Before Waller leaves, she notifies the Sergeant and soldiers involved that they will not be charged with anything for they're good actions today, with an exception for the soldier who tried to fire the turret. He is also under arrest.
"Hey, Johnny...", Huntress says as she picks up my pin off the floor, "... Here's your American Flag pin. I guess it got torn off.".
I put it back on. "Thank you.", I replied.
Waller gave us a ride back to the Hall of Justice. I know, I was shocked too. Hopefully we've made good with her, or at least that the ToJ have. While in the limousine Huntress points out that the American Flag pin is upside down on my uniform.
"I know." I said.
"Why?" Dark Arrow asked.
"An upside down flag is a signal of distress or duress." I explained.
"So why do you have it upside down?" Waller questioned.
"If a surgeon can be black-mailed with his possessions to kill someone, a candidates' own bodyguards hire someone to kill who they are suppost to protect, and a distinguished General that orchistrated all of it, who's hell-bent on killing super-heroes, and anyone who gets in his way is what is in my country, than I think I have good cause, and justification for it being upside down.".
The limosuine arrives at the Hall of Justice, and on my way out of the vehicle, Waller makes the comment, "So I guess we're even now?".
"For now.", I reply, smirking.
***
Inside the Hall of Justice
"Johnny, I would like you to meet Power Guy!", Huntress exclaimed.
"Hey, how's it going?" Power Guy asked.
"Aside from a long week, I'd say it's going." I responded with a smile.
"So...", Power Guy furthered, "Huntress has been talking all about you. And from what I've heard, you have more than earned the right to join this team. As a preliminary member for now, until we work out a spot for you in the future.".
"As much as I would like that, I really do work my best as a loner. For now atleast. No offense I hope." I explained.
"None at all. I completely understand. The offer will still stand, until your ready." Power Guy assured.
"Cool, thank you. I'll keep it an option." I replied.
Power Guy heads into the computer room, leaving me and Huntress to ourselves.
"I know you would like me to join, Helena, but I'm just not... Ready for all of this.".
I can see her eyes are slightly watered. She was really hoping I would accept the offer. "It's okay, I understand." Huntress said.
"I'm glad..." I assured, "I really need a shower, can you drop me off at my place?" I continued to ask.
"Sure.", she answered, smiling.
***
At my apartment
I'm about to get of the Batmobile, when she asks me, "Why is your Gun never loaded?".
"My Desert Eagle?... I never have the intentions to shoot someone. Ever. I use it as a scare tactic. I use my Dragoon incase an emergency ever happend." I explained.
"I just wanted to know, thanks." Huntress affirms.
"Alright, I guess I'll see you later." I furthered.
"Alright...", she pauses, and leans in and kisses me, "... Bye, Johnny." she continued.
I smiled, and told her bye, and went into my apartment.
***
2 months later
Me, Huntress, Dark Arrow and Sonic Boom are awarded Presidential Citizens medals, for "Performing exemplary deeds or services for his or her country or fellow citizens.", by Waller herself.
***
6 months later
I'm sitting on my couch watching the live trial of Charles Wittfeldt. He has, unfortunately, been aquitted of the murder charges under "lack of evidence". He is getting a slap on the wrists, 15 years, with possibility of getting out early for good behavior, all because of his posi-- former position as a military General in the Presidents cabinet. He'll be out on bail within the week.
***
This world, is filled with everything immoral about humanity. Some of it happens in broad daylight, other parts of this outrage occurs in the darkened shadows. It angers me, it saddens me, it disturbs me, and it alarms me. But that doesn't mean that it's a bad world, or that humanity is bad. There are some good people out there. I met some today. Some I call my friends. But the worlds knows them as what they are; Heroes.
***
Epilogue
I got a letter in the mail, that I am suppost to meet a man about my 7th-great-grandfathers will. I go to the funeral home, located in El Paso, Texas. The buisness has been there for over 200 years. I enter the building, and am directed to the office of a William Rodgers.
"I can't believe your really him!" Mr. Rodgers exclaimed.
"Excuse me?" I retorted.
"Sorry. It's just a surprise. In 1902, a Mr. Jonah Hex made his Will here. His only possession was--", William stops, and grabs for something in his desk, "-- This bottle of whiskey... From 1901, and a 2,153 acre ranch! It had kind of been a myth, you know, that it was made out to his 7th-great-grandson, the shear luck his name continued and that he did have a "7th-great-grandson" can only be described as a miracle, or that he was a fortune teller!" Rodgers joked. "He even made it out to your full name, "John Peter Hex"?, thats your name right?" William askes.
"Yes, it is." I replied, shocked.
"Me and some other guys were even discussing if you were a real person! Now, if you could just show me you I.D. to prove you are indeed "John Peter Hex", and you sign these papers, and you obtain Jonah Hexs' possessions that were left to you." William explains.
I remove my I.D., proving I am Johnny Hex, and fill out the papers. William has given me a map to the location. It's located 60 miles north-west of here.
***
I drive there on my new Motorcycle.
I arrive there about an hour and a half later. A dirt road leads me to the entrance, adjoined to the fence. I pull out the key William gave me, and use it to unlock the padock attached to a chain on the rotting wood of the gate, and ride up to a home set about 300 yards away from the entrance. It looks like a shack thats falling apart. On the porch, I see two rocking chairs. One is occupied. I walk up onto the porch, realizing that an elderly man is sitting in the rockering chair. His cowboy hat it tipped slightly downwards, masking his face.
"Hey." I greeted, while taking a seat in the rocking chair next to him.
"So yer him?" he replied.
"I'm Johnny Hex, yes sir." I answered.
"Huh... Military man?" he inquired.
"Former Marine." I responded.
"Don't know nothin' 'bout no "Marine." he mumbled. He continued, "Whut do ya do fer a livin'?" he asked.
"Nothing much. I live off my government check for serving." I answered.
"Ya get payed to serve?! I might rejoin!" he laughed with a rasped voice.
I'm slightly puzzled by his statement. Soliders have been receiving checks for their time in the military since WWII. "When did you serve?" I asked.
He hesitates "... I read about ya receivin' an award for arrestin' some crooked general." he stated, ignoring my question.
"Yeah." I replied, continuing, "So how long have you lived here?"
"Oh it seems like a lifetime." he answered.
"Does the house have electricity, water?" I questioned.
"No 'tricity', but there's a well in the back." he gestured behind his house.
"Bathrooms inside?" I asked.
"Yes sir, installed it, oh, 40 years ago." he replied.
"Thats good." I stated, assured.
"Well, I'm gonna leave ya to the land." he says, as he begins to walk off his porch, and into his rusty truck he has parked to the side.
"Alright, thank you, Mr..." I paused, continuing, "I'm sorry, I didn't catch your name?"
He turns his head, and lift up his cowboy hat, "I'm Joseph Hex.". For a split second, I thought he was Jonah, but he is not. Before I can ask, he reveals, "I'm his grandson.".
"But you would have to be--", I said, with him interjecting:
"106 years old." he remarked. "After Jonah came back as that "Black Lantern" thing, I buried him on this ranch." he commented.
After my initial surprise, he takes off his cowboy hat, and twirls it to me. I catch it, with him commenting, "It was Jonahs, so I want you to have it.".
He gets in his truck, and rides out of the ranch, stirring the dirt on the road up.
As it settles, I put the cowboy hat on. "I think I'm gonna like this." I stated.
Johnny Hex
The End