Titans of Justice Unlimited Ch. 66 - "World War Justice Part 4"
Written by: Scotty2Hotty
Edited & Maxi-micros by: Power Guy


IADC Headquarters...

“You’ve got some nerve! What the hell are you doing here!?” Tom Tressor gasped as Mindy Trevor swiped her ID card at IADC headquarters.





“I’m coming to work.” She smiled. “Do you have a problem with that?”





Tom grabbed her arm and shunted her into an unoccupied boardroom.

“Mindy, you shouldn’t be here. What if Dark Arrow or the others see you?” Tom asked.

“Champion is outlawed. Not Mindy Trevor. I can come and go as I please. You don’t see me Wonder-spinning do you? Besides, I have my own bills to pay and I like my job…..and I like my supervisor.”

Tom stared at her for a moment. “I like you too. Mindy, I hope you know what I did was because I had to. The President is adamant about this. I have to follow my orders.”

“I understand Tom.” Mindy smiled. Despite their opposing views, Mindy was still, perhaps, even more attracted to Tom.

“If the Titans of Authority show up today, I’ll take care of it. Just be careful. Ok?”

“Ok.” Mindy smiled, turning on her heels and heading for her desk.

***

Beverly Hills High School…

“Connor, you have real talent. These water colors are beautiful and water colors are difficult to master.” Came the voice of Connor Trevor’s art teacher, Mr. Cardy.

“Really, Mr. Cardy?” I enjoy the water colors, the way they flow really chills me out, you know?”





“Well, you can count on an “A” from me. Good work. Jerrica will be very proud of you. She is a huge supporter of the arts and has contributed so much to our school.”

“Yeah, she’s the best.” Connor smiled warmly, noticing Hank Hall Jr and Katie in the doorway. It was a half day at school and the three of them had plans to enjoy the afternoon. They made their way to the parking lot, hopped into Connor’s convertible and sped away.

“Ugh, how I hate him.” Goldbug sniffed.





“Hate him? Why?” Corporal Marvel asked. Goldbug, Starman, and Corporal Marvel had been sent to Beverly Hills to monitor Superboy’s activities. Power Guy and Supergirl suspected mind control could be the reason their friends were acting against them and knowing of Luthor’s recent manipulations, they believed Superboy was worth following. The trio donned street clothes so they would blend in as they tailed the Boy of Steel.





“Look at him. Perfect teeth, perfect friends, high school straight out of TV.”

“Sounds like someone’s jealous. Superboy’s had it rough from what I’ve heard.” Corporal Marvel said.

“He has. Kept a prisoner all those years by Luthor and Brainiac. Seeing Ma Kent murdered. Besides, I’m good friends with Jerrica. She wouldn’t have fought so hard to adopt him if he wasn’t a good kid. “ Starman replied.





“Well, he certainly had no problem joining up with the IADC’s merry band of thugs.” Goldbug replied. The three of them followed Connor and his friends to the Hall Modeling Agency.

The three teen-agers were warmly greeted by Melody Hall, the former Electric Girl. She hugged her son.

“What are you three getting into today?” she asked.

“Just going to grab some lunch, Mom.” Hank Jr. smiled. “Where’s Dad?”

“He’s trying to find a model to endorse the line of fitness products and nutrition supplements.”

“I was thinking, Mrs. Hall.” Katie began, “Superboy has been seen around Beverly Hills lately. Even saving the day at school lots of times. He would be the perfect spokesmodel for the line.”

“Yeah, he sure would!” Hank Jr. winked at Connor, knowing his dual identity.

“Hmmmm. That is a great idea.” Melody smiled in Connor’s direction. “The pay would be good and could launch a great career.”

“I’m sure Superboy is too busy for that stuff, besides he probably has a life of his own.” Connor stammered.

“Oh well, something to consider.” Melody smiled, returning to her desk.

Connor, Hank Jr., and Katie then set out down the street to grab lunch.

“Guys, I don’t feel right…I feel so sad….like I have no reason to go on…” Katie started to cry.

“I feel it too…like I shouldn’t be here….my parents…they wouldn’t even miss me…” Hank Jr sobbed.

Connor looked around the outdoor shopping area which was filled with students from Beverly Hills High School enjoying the day. All of them seemed to be experiencing mass depression. Even Connor felt it gnawing away at him.

Suddenly a figure in gothic clothing appeared. “Yes, that’s it…come to me, come on……” the Weeper commanded.





Corporal Marvel’s eyes widened. “The Weeper, oh man this is bad news.”

Despite fighting the urge, Connor joined the other young people heading en masse towards the Weeper.

“Yes, that’s it. Come to me….come to me……” The Weeper smiled. He started handing out razor blades and nooses, encouraging the crowd to take their own lives. “All of you, so pretty…so perfect. You were probably all born with silver spoons in your mouths. You know no loss, no pain.”

“We have to stop him!” Corporal Marvel exclaimed. “All those kids, it’ll be Fawectt City all over again!”

Starman transformed into his costume as did Goldbug and Corporal Marvel.

“Waitaminute.” Goldbug said. “What if some of the Titans of Authority show up and try to start something…”

“This is no time to worry about that!” Corporal Marvel said. “Now, come on!”

“Yes, that’s it, that’s it. Here take this razor blade, slash your wrists open!” The Weeper commanded, handing Katie the blade. “And you, take this noose and throw yourself off the side of the building!” he said to Hank Jr.

“Why do you hesitate?” The Weeper asked Connor Trevor. “End your life, end it all!”

“But…I…I have known sadness…lots of it….never wanted to kill myself….” He mumbled.

Like a bolt of lightning, Corporal Marvel flew through the crowd collecting the lethal devices the Weeper handed out.

“You…you aren’t supposed to be here…” Connor said, trying to come out of his haze.

Goldbug was helping the teen-agers and Starman was fighting The Weeper.

“Man, get over yourself. We’ve all had our share of problems.” Starman said, as he punched the pale villain.

Just then Connor Trevor snapped out of his haze and ran into an alley. Seconds later, Superboy emerged.

Melody Hall had noticed the commotion and saw Hank Jr. with a noose around his neck connected to a railing and about to leap.

“My baby!” she cried, transforming into her Electric Girl costume and streaked off to catch her son.





“Whew.” She gasped, carrying her son to the ground. “Mom…what happened…how did I get here?”

She hugged her son tightly and said, “Don’t worry baby. I’m here.”

The Weeper had managed to wrap his whip around Starman’s neck. Starman gasped for air and struggled to retrieve his dropped cosmic rod. Corporal Marvel made sure all the kids were alright and Goldbug ran to Starman’s side.

Superboy joined the fight. “What are you three doing here?”

“Helping save your butt!” Goldbug spat.

“I don’t need your help, thank you very much.”

“Oh? And would you have let these kids take their own lives while you struggled with your own demons?” replied Corporal Marvel.

Superboy shot him a dirty look and punched The Weeper in the face, knocking him out cold.

“Weirdo goth.” Superboy said.

“It’s people like you that made the Weeper what he is. Not everyone is a pretty jock with a convertable.” Goldbug announced.

“What would you know about it, Golddork?” Superboy laughed.

“Alright, kids that’s enough.” Starman said. “Come on, we’re leaving.”

“Oh no you’re not. You three are wanted criminals and I intend to bring you in!” Superboy said, charging the three of them.

“Superboy!” Katie yelled. Electric Girl realized what was going on and ran off to assist him. She had heard that the Titans of Justice were wanted by the government.

Corporal Marvel struck Superboy in the chest with his hammer, knocking the wind out of him.

“Guys, don’t hurt him…just distract him long enough so we can get out of here!” Starman said.

Superboy rammed Corporal Marvel’s hammer back into face, sending him flying backwards into Goldbug. They both collapsed onto the ground.

“3 on 1? I never cared for bullies.” Electric Girl said, the air becoming thick with static electricity.

Superboy smiled at her as the two of them charged the Titans.

“Oh sh----“ Starman said as Superboy punched the three of them and Electric Girl poured on millions of volts of electricity. The 3 Titans twitched on the ground and passed out.

“Electric Girl. It’s my pleasure to work with you.” Superboy smiled shaking her hand.

“The pleasure’s all mine. You know the IADC approached my husband and me about joining. We had to decline, but offered to help if we were ever needed. “ she flew into the air, dropping behind the modeling agency, and turned back into Melody Hall. She burst out the front door and joined Hank Jr and Katie. Superboy then collected the three unconscious Titans as well as the Weeper and made his way to the Titans of Authority transport tubes.

“WOW! Superboy and Electric Girl on the same day.” Katie smiled. “But where did Connor go?”

“He’s here somewhere, probably in the crowd. Come on, we’ll find him.” Hank Jr said, watching Superboy fly away.

***

IADC Headquarters...

Tom and Lilith greeted Superboy.

“You better hurry and contain these three.” Superboy said. “Not sure how long they’ll be out. Plus I bagged the Weeper.”

Lilith hugged him and said, “Melody called and said you were on your way. Good work!”





“I’ll say. You took 3 of them out all at once.” Tom agreed.

Mindy happened upon the scene and gasped at the sight of her teammates.

“Tom! What is she doing here?” Superboy said, startled.

“Hold on Connor. I’m here as Mindy. Not Champion. I’m still an employee of the IADC. I’m not Champion right now and so far, no one has seen Champion in public. I haven’t violated the decree.”

“It’s ok Connor. I checked her with my ESP. I detect no ill will.” Lilith smiled.

“I still don’t like it.” Superboy said, suspiciously. “Look, people will start asking where Connor is. Gotta go!” he waved, stepping back into the transport tube and heading to Beverly Hills.

“You probed my mind?” Mindy asked, upset that her personal thoughts had been invaded.

“Just a precaution.” Lilith said coldly.

“What will happen to Starman and the others?” Mindy asked.

“Not sure. The President summoned Tom into his office when they were en-route. He has to meet with him now that they’re here.”

Lilith and Mindy watched as IADC agents stripped the fallen heroes of their costumes and devices.

“What are those collars for?” Mindy asked, growing more and more concerned.

“Power dampeners.” President’s orders.”

“Lilith, my aunt told me all about her friendship with you. This seems so…so..out of character for you. Why are you going along with this?” Mindy questioned.

“I wanted to make a difference. Over the years I’ve seen my friends murdered and resurrected more times than I can count. The threats we face are so much more severe…much scarier than Mad Mod or Ding Dong Daddy ever were. Just between you and me, I don’t approve of seeing the Titans arrested like this. But they are violating the decree.”

“I guess so, but it just seems so….wrong.” Mindy said as the two women made their way inside the compound.

Mindy returned to her desk. “I can’t take much more of this. I’ll look at the files on the Titans of Justice and see what’s really going on.” She logged into the system, selected the Titans of Justice file and entered her password.

“ACCESS DENIED. CLEARANCE REVOKED.” The message popped up, surprising Mindy. “So much for that.” She thought.

In the President’s office Tom was seated before the leader of the United States.

“Good work from Superboy today, Tom. I’m pleased. I’ve already reported to the leader’s council that these three have been apprehended. I want you to oversee their interrogation.”

“Interrogation?” Tom asked.

“Yes, we need to know where the other Titans are. So we can bring them all in and shut them down once and for all.”

“Sir, I respect you very much. But, I wasn’t aware this was the approach we were taking. I mean, we effectively shut them down. The Titans of Authority have decreased crime and terrorism in a big way. So far none of the other Titans have even shown their faces. The Hall of Justice is under lockdown.”

“Are you telling me that would prefer not to interrogate our prisoners?” the President said, leaning over his desk.

“Sir, I respectfully decline.” Tom said, becoming very uncomfortable.

“I understand. I’ll turn them over to one of the other top agents. One who isn’t so….squeamish. Perhaps Director Waller? That is all.”

“Sir….what it sounds like you have in mind…it violates all kinds of ordinances…conventions…”

“Tom, the Council has granted me the power to keep us safe. You may excuse yourself. We’re through here.”

Tom Tressor stood up, not knowing what to think. He walked briskly back to IADC headquarters.

Upon his return to his office, Mindy Trevor burst in.

“Tom, some of my clearances have been revoked.”

“Mindy, what did you think I would do? And by you telling me that just proves you were looking for stuff to help the Titans.”

“Of course I am! They’re my friends!”

Mindy got in his face.

“I’ve got bigger problems than that right now.” Tom huffed.

“The bigger problem is that you don’t trust me!” Mindy shouted.

“You just gave me all the reason in the world not to trust you!” Tom shouted back, even louder.

Suddenly, Mindy kissed him with explosive passion. Tom kissed her back, almost violently. They separated gasping for air.

“Wow….” Tom smiled.

“Tom…I’m sorry.”

Regaining his composure, Tom said “Don’t worry about it…I’ve been thinking about you and me…I hope…I hope you and I are still on the same page, all this Titans stuff aside.”

“We are.” Mindy said, her face flushed.

“I want to continue this conversation later. Right now you have to get to the interrogation chambers and help your friends. You’ve been trained in interrogation techniques. I think you can get in there and take over without raising suspicion.”

“Wait. Who’s getting interrogated?”

“Starman, Corporal Marvel, and Goldbug.” Tom explained. “Something’s going on and I don’t like it. The President is taking this whole thing further than I thought. When this initiative was launched, it was simply to be more proactive and stop the big bads. When the Titans charter got revoked, I was suspicious, but now….now I’m worried.”

“Don’t worry Tom. I’ll step in.” Mindy said. She walked to the elevator and accessed the control panel to the underground chambers of the IADC. As the elevator doors opened, she heard a scream.

“Goldbug…” she thought. She pushed her glasses up and took a deep breath.

Mindy swiped her access card and was permitted into one of the chambers. She was not prepared for the horror in front of her.


TO BE CONTINUED!