Presenting ... The All-Star Squadron!

[jla-extras.livejournal.com]

As the chatter dies down, Liberty Belle takes the podium. Even after a couple years of doing this, her breath always catches when she looks out at this assemblage.

"All right, everybody," she says, casting a glance absently at Johnny Quick. "Settle down. According to Black Canary and the JSA. we have a serious problem on our hands. Bulletman, a mystery man from Fawcett City, has been beaten to an inch of his life by Capt. Nazi, who seems to be active on U.S. soil. And to make matters worse, Zatarra's old enemy, The Wizard, stopped Capt. Nazi from finishing the job, and warned us that ... and I'm quoting here ... 'Hell is coming to America.'"

She looks around at their faces ... confusion, concern, uncertainty --- all of that, yes. But also determination, courage. Not a one of them is shaken by this news.

"So the question is," she says. "What do we do?"

Comments

[http://users.livejournal.com/_black_canary_/]

"Stop it." The Black Canary voices the obvious. "Find out if Captain Nazi survived that fall? Find the Wizard and see what he knows? Has Bulletman woken up yet?"

[jsaboss.livejournal.com]

"Bulletman's going to pull through, ma'am," says Mr. Terrific. "But he's going to be out for a long time. We know he works for the military, some, so we've put in a call to find out what sort of mission he might have been on. He and Capt. Nazi are old sparring partners, though, so the villain may have just come gunning for him."

[allstargal.livejournal.com]

"Maybe," says Firebrand hesitantly. "But that doesn't explain the Wizard. I've fought both of 'em, and trust me, the Wizard wouldn't care about some grudge match. He'd only care if he himself were in some sort of danger."

[http://users.livejournal.com/_black_canary_/]

"Who could threaten him, besides Zatara?"

[jsaboss.livejournal.com]

"Or Dr. Fate. Or the Spectre. Mind, I've never really believed there's anything supernatural about any of them, but ... say, Where is Fate? The Spectre doesn't answer messages sometimes, but Fate usually makes an effort to show."

[reducing-ray.livejournal.com]

"Hey!" says the Atom,a s all Justice Batallion eyes turn toward him. "Don't look at me! I called him, but his phone just rang! Usually he just knows when he's supposed to show up!"

[http://users.livejournal.com/_black_canary_/]

"Maybe he's already shown up somewhere else. Not here." She looks around. "Unless...."

[jla-extras.livejournal.com]

Johnny Quick shrugs in his seat, with a cocky grin.

"Maybe he had a hot date?"

[midnite-md.livejournal.com]

"If that were the case, he would need to reexamine his priorities."

[http://users.livejournal.com/_black_canary_/]

"Thank you, Doctor Mid-Nite." The Black Canary crosses her arms and gives the speedster a perturbed look. "What if whatever's coming to America has distracted Dr. Fate, so Dr. Fate can't interfere?"

[jla-villains.livejournal.com]

"My, word. As I live and ... well, my word," says a figure familiar to most strolling down the aisles. "So many of my favorite people, all gathered together, looking so fine and heroic."

The ghost walks calmly down the aisle, right between enemies who've chased him for years.

"Miss Liberty Belle," he says, bowing when he reaches the front. "I do beg your forgiveness."

[jla-extras.livejournal.com]

"The Gentlemen Ghost!" she exclaims, preparing for a fight. "What are you doing here?"

[jla-villains.livejournal.com]

"Now, now, madame," he says gentilely. "I'm not here for fisticuffs, although I've sparred with more than one of you in the past. No, madame, I am here on urgent business, although my time is short and my honor prevents me from revealing too much."

[allstargal.livejournal.com]

"Then get to it, Ghost," says Firebrand, tiny flames leaping from her eyes and fingertips. "What's going on?"

[jla-villains.livejournal.com]

"Miss Firebrand," he says, nodding his invisible head. "I can only say that yes, your good Dr. Fate is in trouble, but he is not the only one of your allies in need this night."

A roll-down map of the world on the side wall unfolds with a sudden snap.

"I'd hurry if I were you," he says, as the map catches flame and then, just as suddenly extinguishes, an X left burnt into a patch of the Pacific ocean. "There are some predators that will even haunt Hawks. As well I know."

And suddenly the lights cut out, and the darkness is filled with a maniacal laughter. There's a flurry of activity as heroes struggle to find the switch, or to break the darkness with their own powers, but when the light returns, the Ghost is gone.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_black_canary_/]

The Canary springs to her feet and hurries to examine the map. "The Pacific...." she murmurs. "Now why am I thinking this isn't an invitation to tour the exotic Sandwich Islands?"

[jsaboss.livejournal.com]

"I don't like this," says Terrific, by her side examing the map. "First of all, we're being led around by our enemies, and that's never a good idea. And worse ..."

He touches his fingers to the map, as though reluctant to give voice to the concern in his head.

"This is contested territory here. And we know what happens if a mystery man with superpowers enters territory where Hitler holds sway."

[http://users.livejournal.com/_black_canary_/]

"So send someone who doesn't," she says impatiently. "Me, for example."

Hey, Dad? Your little girl never became a cop, but she's going to fight for her country. Hope I don't see you too soon.

[jla-extras.livejournal.com]

Libby casts a glance at the newcomer. She doesn't know her at all, and even those vouching for her don't know her well. And wasn't she once a costumed criminal, too?

"We'll send two teams. One to the Pacific, and another to check in on Fate."

[http://users.livejournal.com/_black_canary_/]

The Black Canary stands as tall as she can. "I can't help with magic stuff. But I infiltrated 'Socks' Slade's mansion and retrieved the Kooblin Sapphire after he'd stolen it."

[http://users.livejournal.com/_black_canary_/]

Watching the others talk, the Black Canary has never been so glad to be a normal human.

Well, as normal as a young woman can be when she studies judo.

[lanterns-light.livejournal.com]

The Green Lantern stands close at hand. He observes the proceedings with a stoic and serious demeanor, yet somehow manages to maintian an air of friendly and comforting confidence. It's an odd dichotomy.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_black_canary_/]

I'm standing next to the Green Lantern! she thinks in amazement she knows better than to show. "What do you think, sir?" she says instead. "Are the Wizard and the Gentleman Ghost trying to razzle-dazzle us?"

[lanterns-light.livejournal.com]

"I'm not sure young lady. Whatever they're up to, it's not going to be in anyone's interest but their own. Where they go, evil always follows." He turns to her and extends a hand, "I don't believe you and I have worked together before. I'm Green Lantern."

[http://users.livejournal.com/_black_canary_/]

She looks surprised, but grins and shakes his hand. "Black Canary. From Gotham, sir." She suppresses a schoolgirlish urge to tell him about her father and his time in the GCPD.