(no subject)

[lexcorp-media.livejournal.com]

(The screen shows CNN anchor Thomas Roberts on the screen.  The time of day at this moment is 11:06 AM per the rolling clock at the bottom of the screen.)

"...reports state that this new virus, being called "Degeneration Y" by some accounts, has hit over 50 different cities and towns across America, with no apparent pattern or reason to date.   The only thing that can be confirmed is that only children and young teenagers are being affected by the virus - there have been virtually no reports of anyone over the age of 16 being affected.  Doctors feel that there's a possibility that the onset of certain stages of puberty can make victims immune to the effects, although no scentific evidence exists at this moment.

"Millions of children are currently filling hospitals to overflowing, and reports of some early deaths as a result of the disease are...

(He pauses, looks offscreen for a moment, then continues)

"Excuse me, there's some late breaking news.   In a brief statement to press, the U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan has stated that representatives of the Justice League, who due to security reasons shall remain nameless, contacted the UN less than 30 minutes ago to request an audience with the UN General Assembly at around 5 PM tonight.  Annan would only state that the address was of major importance and dealt directly with the current crisis, and that the source of the request has been verified as genuine.   We will, of course, have coverage of that meeting, should it occur.

"With us now is Surgeon General of the United States..."

Comments

[dr-black-light.livejournal.com]

A couple seconds later, a voice speaks.

"It's 11:15 AM. Do you know where your children are?"

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

Superman's blood runs cold.

"Light..."

[dr-black-light.livejournal.com]

"Not yet, Kryptonian. Have the League's pet switchboard operator open channels to your colleagues. ALL of them. JLA, JSA, Titans, everyone. I'd comply quickly. If I get the sense you're not complying, this transmission ends. You do the math from there."

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

The voice that speaks is of controlled fury.

Well, somewhat controlled.

"Oracle, please comply."

[oracle-watching.livejournal.com]

"Channels opened."

[dr-black-light.livejournal.com]

"Thank you."

"Let me begin by saying that this transmission tap is magically based, and keyed specifically to your specific communicator frequency. It took awhile to pinpoint it, but it was satisfying work. Everyone will hear me, Kryptonian, but only you will be able to respond in a way that I'll be able to hear. That said, I'd shut up and listen."

"What you are facing is perhaps one of the greatest efforts ever created by a scientist few people know about. The virus specifically affects those who have not gone through the full process of puberty yet. It was released into the atmosphere of every city in America with at least one costumed 'hero' in it that calls that city home. Symptoms will begin to show from 24-72 hours after contact. It is highly communicable but only affects those previously described, although adults can be carriers of the disease. Once contracted, they will feel flu-like symptoms of increasing severity before the disease attacks their nervous systems, affecting other systems such as the respiratory and cardiopulmonary systems. The average child will die of this disease within 48 hours after contact. Some more, some much less."

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

"What...is it...that you want, Light. You obviously want something, you preening, melodramatic..."

[dr-black-light.livejournal.com]

"Sticks and stones, Kryptonian. You know damn well what this is about. You and your league lobotomized me, altered me, magicked me up, then fed me to your Junior Brigade. You fed me to your children."

"Today, Superman, I will feed your children to you. Why do you think this is happening now? I waited for your damn birth annoucement. Tell me, Superdad, tell me what you're going to be feeling when your days old mewling infant son contracts this disease and dies?"

"And you're the one I know about. I'm certain there are others. I remember something about Green Arrow's ward having an affair and fathering a child. Of course you won't confirm, but there has to be others. Some of your ilk...some of those I hate the most...HAD to have kids at some point. Hell, you have the Bat to thank for this - when I tapdanced through his mind in New Orleans, I got the briefest glimpse of a young child. Trust me, if THAT image was in THAT man's mind...it has to be someone who's death would hurt him very...very...much."