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#3

By Ken Hintze

Script Assist by Josh Krenz

 

<><><><><><><><> Z'ONN Z'ORR, ANTARCTICA <><><><><><><><>

The starship landed down in the landing bay of the Martian base of operations. Two alien figures exited the ship, one supported by the other. Following close behind two humans, Butcher and Starman, walked out on their own power. The party traveled into the main computer room, Jemm assisting J'onn into his chair.

It was clear that J'onn was still recovering from the flaming attack of Dreadnaught. The physical damage was great, but the emotional trauma seemed to be even greater. The wounds always healed, but the damage to his psyche drained away more and more of who he was. Every attack seemed to burn his soul in a different way than before.

The computer terminal illuminated as Jemm activated the system. Information unearthed in Darwin scrolled across the screen. The Martian Manhunter stayed slumped in his chair, his mind was distracted by the entire event. Back at the Justice League J'onn had been the nexus of information-too many things happening at once was his thing. But this.was beyond speculation. It was almost becoming overwhelming.

The data continued to flow before its morose audience, who sat sullenly and silently as they observed the mass of information. Names, dates, locations, histories.it was all there. Finally, Jemm broke the silence.

" There are some items we must discuss before we formulate our next plan of attack against the Ingento Corporation. First off, you faced Psi-Phon and Dreadnaught back at the corporate headquarters. The last time J'onn faced them he was also affected by Psi-Phon's ability to analyze the brains of super-powered beings and psychically prevent them from using their powers. Why were you not affected this time? "

J'onn responded, " Once you are aware of what Psi-Phon is doing, you can resist his power if you have an extremely strong will. I recognized his psychic probing back in the main complex, especially after William appeared to lose his strength to the security guard. That's when I set up a firewall for any possible attacks. "

" That explains you getting past Psi-Phon's power," Jemm nodded, " and of course John Butcher took Psi-Phon out of the picture when Butcher jammed his knife into Psi-Phon's spinal cord--which is when Will got his powers back. Still, I am confused. When I was finally contacted through communicator by John Butcher-you were on the Hawaiian Islands. "

"And it wasn't half bad, until you showed up!" Will replied, " rolling waves, palm trees-it was glorious. The best part was this-we weren't surrounded by lunatics from Ingento trying to burn, freeze, or flay us alive."

"So how did you get there?" asked Jemm.

"Snapper Carr teleported us. That green-polyester wearing pencil-neck is involved in this thing. He was there on the island when we landed. He proved his involvement in this whole mess by teleporting us away from Darwin. I imagine whoever is in control there just wanted us out of the picture for a bit. Not like a little bit of teleportation is going to keep me from heading back."

"And Snapper would simply teleport us away again. And who knows where we'd end up this time? The bottom of the sea? Deep space? A volcano? With every tick of the clock a new face seems to appear. We don't even know who else could be involved with this."

" Right, you are absolutely correct-we have no idea what we're up against. And you know what? We'll never find out if we just spend all our time checking out this computer. Call me impetuous, but I, for one, will not stand by and wait for Snapper to drop an a-bomb in our laps. Hell, we've already proven that we can handle what they're selling at Ingento. J'onn can block Psi-Phon's power. We can take down Dreadnaught. Jemm can fly the ship.and Snapper-well he can't teleport anyone if you break his fingers, John. All that leaves us is. "

Center stage, with everyone's full attention, Will Payton finally realized what he was saying. "Doomsday.let's do some more research from here."

J'onn rose to his feet. " Jemm, do you have anything else from your research? "

Jemm's fingers flew across the keyboard. Images slid from side to side as windows closed, opened, and shifted space on the monitor above.

"It took awhile to find, but hidden deep inside the cracks one name kept coming up. A contributor to both Ingento and the Hero Hotline.Claire Montgomery."

J'onn perked up. " Maxwell Lord's ex-wife?"

"Indeed. She has direct connections to both organizations. I also came across some information that suggests the Ingento Corporation has also sponsored some villains who claim to be reformed.a sort of, equal opportunity program for the criminally-minded. After the recent events at Darwin, we should assume that the following sponsored villains are also opposing us..Anatoli Knyazev, the KGBeast; Holly McKenzie, Sleepwalk; Byron Shelley, the Fog; Natalie Cho, the Quiz; Albert Desmond, Dr. Alchemy; and Siobhan McDougal, Silver Banshee. Under the proper guidance, this could be a very bad situation. "

A tingle ran through J'onn's mind, creeping down his spine like cold fingertips squeezing his axioms. Ice filled his thoughts and then vanished. J'onn glanced over to The Butcher who simply gazed at the screen.

Finally, J'onn broke the moment of silence. " Agreed ," he said focusing on the distant but familiar faces, "a nd I believe we will need to increase our ranks. I also believe that all of the 7,500 people kidnapped were meta-humans, but how did they discover who all of these people were? Not even Brother-Eye held that kind of information. "

Will's eyes widened with revelation. "Yes, yes there is!" His attention shifted, "What's Brother-Eye?"

"A story for another time, Will."

"Okay, okay-here's the deal. A few years ago, remember? Back when Snapper was still with the Blasters? Don't you remember that alien Invasion that happened years ago.you know, the Dominators, Psions, Khunds, Thanagarians, Citadel, and those fish-bowl type guys.The Doom Patrol was still around, and Max Lord became a psychic.. Remember when they set off that meta-gene bomb in the earth's atmosphere and it infected every meta-human? All these sick meta-humans, no one really knew what to do. Some people, who didn't even know they had powers, found out they were meta-humans because of it. "

J'onn looked on in astonishment as he said, " Lex Luthor! It was LexCorp that had the facilities to take care of everyone..they did that when you and I went to the Dominion home world to find the meta-bomb cure. Lex Luthor.why didn't anyone think of this before? Lex must have kept a listing of every single person who fell ill. He could know the identity of possibly every meta-human on Earth. "

" But J'onn," Butcher said, " could Luthor really be behind this? These disappearances have happened for two- years. Luthor is a busy man, and this past year he has devoted almost all of his attention to other matters. "

J'onn nodded slowly to himself. If Luthor really wanted to use that information, he would have taken advantage of it years ago. Other members of LexCorp could have easily accessed it during Lex's time in office, or Talia Head's reign of the company.

"We must gather more recruits. We require others for this quest. Enough rest, it is time to make a difference. We leave in fifteen-minutes."

The group started to disperse. "John," the Manhunter started, "I must speak with you alone."

Will and Jemm continued into the next room to prepare for departure. Payton's grumblings could still be heard as the last child of Saturn and the Starman exited. John Butcher took a seat next to J'onn.

"I know what you're going to tell me already J'onn. I know you sensed it in me."

"You are correct, John Butcher. I sense a murderous angry streak running through your mind-something you constantly battle to keep in check. It seems that you have never truly escaped your past."

"It was something Jemm said-about the 'criminally-reformed'. Doesn't it seem unfair to assume that they will work towards evil again? Isn't there hope for change?"

"Yes, John-it is unfair. However, we cannot deny the facts. These people seem to be involved in one of the greatest crimes to cross this globe. We are not their juries or executioners-we are, however, the ones that will bring them to justice."

"It felt good to plunge my knife into flesh again, I will admit that. You will never understand the truth taste of vengeance, J'onn. You understand truth and justice, but I understand finality."

"There are consequences to what you do, John Butcher-remember that. Some of my closest friends have been learning that over the past year. You will always be held accountable."

"J'onn-Diana and I know that better than anyone else in this world."

With that John Butcher stood up and started towards the next room.

"You know," Butcher contemplated, "if you can read my thoughts, feel my emotions, and sense my desires-you too would have felt the gratification. Maybe the pleasure of handing out death is something you are only willing to experience vicariously?"

Butcher walked out of the room.

J'onn leaned back in his chair. His body hurt and his mind ached. He needed rest, he needed to recuperate. As his muscles throbbed and seared from his encounter with Dreadnaught he longed for sleep, but it would have to wait. Right now there were more important things, and new membership to be had.

John Butcher's murderous habits were inexcusable, but J'onn trusted that his old friend would be able to keep them in check. These new prospects, however, might prove less loyal.

 

<><><><><><><><> GOTHAM CITY, ARKHAM ASYLUM <><><><><><><><>

The starship landed just beside Arkham Asylum. Lights flickered and trees rasped as heavily armored guards rushed to greet the visitors-guns pointed. J'onn stepped out of the starship and identified himself, hesitantly the guards lowered their weapons and escorted J'onn into the complex.

Inside the gothic structure J'onn sat with Milo Bender, a psychiatrist and doctor at the asylum.
"I seek information on two of your inmates here: Lani Gilbert and Kay Challis, " J'onn asked. "Can you help me?"

The small doctor raced his fingers across carefully organized manila folders, ultimately pulling out of the two names from the pile. Milo glanced into the pages, refreshing his memory of the many occupants of Arkham Asylum. After a few minutes he quizzically glanced at the Martian sitting in front of him and finally handed over the folders.

J'onn studied the files, reliving most of the events in his head. The Velvet Tiger and Crazy Jane.

"I wish to see them."

The doctor nodded.

The two walked in silence towards the visiting room, uncertainty and confusion ran through the Milo Bender's mind. He was trying to put the pieces together, J'onn figured out, but was missing too many crucial pieces. They finally arrived to the small room for gathering, visitation, and on certain occasion interrogation. Milo left J'onn alone in the room.

First to come in was Kay Challis, as she uncomfortably sat down across from J'onn.

J'onn said, " Kay Challis.it is a pleasure to once again see you. Do you remember me? "

"Of course, you're Marvin Martian and you're here to blow up the world! " replied Kay.

J'onn smiled, " No Kay, I am J'onn J'onzz and we met years ago when the Doom Patrol worked with the Justice League. Do you remember being a member of the Doom Patrol.do you remember Cliff Steele.do you remember being Crazy Jane? "

Kay smiled back and replied, " I don't remember any of that.but Kay does.and so does Flit. Black Annis, she doesn't like you very much though. "

" Who am I speaking with now? " asked J'onn.

" Why Pretty Polly's my name.I think that we've never met before. Nice to meet you.you have a nice way about you. " replied Pretty Polly.

J'onn stood up placed a hand on Pretty Polly's forehead, mentally connecting them. J'onn sifted through the years of abuse Kay had suffered as a child at the hands of her father. Sick and twisted images of physical and mental abuse angered J'onn, as he witnessed Kay creating multiple personalities to equally bear a portion of her trauma. J'onn also witnessed Kay's personalities each gaining their own distinct superhuman abilities with the meta-gene bomb explosion during the Invasion, and then her horrible breakdown when she started to deal with the abuse all at once, bringing her to end up in Arkham Asylum at the referral of Cliff Steele.

J'onn started to piece together some of the fractured elements of Kay's multiple personalities, eventually finding the personality of Flit. Standing in the ethereal realm of Kay's mind, J'onn was surrounded by the over sixty different personalities of Crazy Jane.

"You have no right to suffer this fate with us!" screamed one of the personalities, the Sin-Eater.

"Don't think you should be stopping in here," yelled Driver 8, "most of us are just passing through."

"GET OUT!" roared Hammerhead.

J'onn then broke the psychic contact, as Kay's face became blank.

"Who am I speaking to right now, Kay?"

Kay blinked in confusion for a moment as she pondered the question.

" Flit.who else would it be? What's going on green-man? We doing something or what? "

J'onn took Flit by the hand and said, " Flit.I need your help. I am the Martian Manhunter and you're one of the only people who can help me in saving the lives of almost 8,000 people. "

Excitedly, Flit replied, " WOW! Me? I'll do what I can sir.The others, well they're not so happy right now. What should I tell them? You know, they don't like you very much. Especially Black Annis. But hey-save EIGHT-THOUSAND-PEOPLE! Count me in! I feel so in control of all the others. "

J'onn cut her off, " Thank you Flit. Please wait outside with the doctor and I will be with you shortly. " Flit walked to the door and then joined the doctor in the hallway. Across the room another door opened and Lani Gilbert entered. She walked slowly and cautiously. The uncertainty of her psyche bled into her movements. Finally, her attention was drawn towards J'onn located in the center of the room.

Lani Gilbert, formerly the criminal known as the Velvet Tiger, looked less than amused when she saw J'onn waiting for her.

" What the hell do you want, Manhunter? " she asked with plenty of attitude.

" Lani, you have the opportunity right now to make a favorable impression on the courts. If you cooperate with me in a case I am investigating, then I will put in a good word for you and you could get anything from a reduced sentence to a full pardon. I need your help in saving the lives of almost 8,000 people. I have one simple question for you, I will only accept the answer of 'Yes' or 'No'. There are no 'buts', 'ifs' or 'as long as'. No exceptions, no alternatives. Will you help me? " asked a very serious J'onn.

Lani sat there for half a minute. J'onn could sense her mind rolling over the possibilities and the alternatives. She knew that he was serious, and that this opportunity would never come again. Finally, she reached a conclusion. " Yes Manhunter.count me in. But if I get nothing out of this-if no judge will hear my case, no psychiatrist willing to re-evaluate my situation--then it's on your conscience! "

J'onn nodded.

"Doctor Bender," J'onn called into the next room, "please come back in, and bring our guest's paperwork along as well."

Milo entered the room with Kay and the two folders. He handed the manila files to J'onn who quietly scanned through the pages one last time. Finally, he reached the last page of each folder.

"Do you have a pen on you?" J'onn asked Dr. Bender.

The ball-point pen scratched J'onn's signature into the white paper, ultimately setting the two inmates free.

"I am signing the two of you out, under my supervision. You will both answer to me, and I am at this point your legal guardian. If I suspect that either one of you is up to something I will return you to Arkham-or maybe worse-in an instant."

J'onn handed the pen back to Milo Bender.

"Doctor Bender-I am recruiting these two into my fold for a very special mission. I hope that I have your trust in taking these two into my custody-and that you will waive their responsibility into my guardianship. If you feel uncertain about this in any way, please bring it up now."

Milo shook his head and signed the paperwork.

"Good," said J'onn, "it is done."

He stood up and walked towards the doors. A moment later he noticed that no one was following him. He turned around.

"Well?" asked J'onn, "are you coming, or what?"

 

<><><><><><><><><><> DETROIT, MICHIGAN <><><><><><><><><><>

The starship landed outside of Detroit, as five figures waited by a grassy clearing. J'onn exited the starship and welcomed them on board, as all five people entered the starship.

As the vessel lifted off, J'onn said, " I would like to welcome these five individuals to our group, as they have all agreed to join us. This is Praxis, Gypsy, Armando Ramone.Reverb, Carrie Donahue.Vapor, and Terri Eckhart.Echo. I have a plan for our return to Darwin, Australia and I need to let each of you know only what you need for your role. If any telepaths are there, I don't want the whole plan being discovered. " Everyone nodded in understanding, as J'onn took a seat in the starship. Jemm cranked up the speed.

 

<><><><><><><> APPROACHING DARWIN, AUSTRALIA <><><><><><><>

"So wait," Will Payton asked Butcher, "that chick can step through time, that chick makes illusions, that chick bounces sound waves around.and that chick has the possibility of blowing up when she gets.you know.randy?"

John Butcher's eyes rolled backwards as he shook his head. "Sometimes I wonder why I don't just ignore you completely."

The starship touched down and its occupants unloaded. The group lined up, shoulder to shoulder awaiting orders from their leader.

J'onn turned to Flit and said, " This is your time to help us Flit.I need you to teleport each of us individually to the Ingento Corporation headquarters as fast as you can. I will remain here. As soon as we have infiltrated the building I will set up a mind-link, enabling us to work together. "

With that being said, Flit teleported a member with her to the site one at a time, taking about fifteen-seconds to finish the job in total. J'onn was left at the starship alone. He turned shifted his biological functions, allowing himself to become invisible as he flew into the air towards the Ingento Corporation. " I am taking no chances here.if any of them are telepathically scanned, I will be nowhere to be seen and I can still be ready to help if anything comes up. "

 

<><><><><><> INGENTO CORPORATION HEADQUARTERS <><><><><><>

" These are the divisions I want us moving in. Starman will lead Strike Team 1 with Echo and Reverb. Jemm will lead Strike Team 2 with Gypsy, Vapor, and Flit. Butcher will lead Strike Team 3 with Velvet Tiger and Praxis. You have your positions, so go looking for any signs of the kidnapped people and be ready for Psi-Phon, Dreadnaught, Doomsday, or anything else you may come across.follow my instructions and you will come out of this fine. "

Butcher, carefully following the plans, led Strike Team 3 into the building the same way he snuck in previously, taking full advantage of the mind-link to guide Praxis and Velvet Tiger. They worked their way through a service vent, sliding down fortified ducts and past insulated pipes until finally pushing open a vent cover and slipping in to the boiler room. Butcher scanned the room to see if anyone was there. Finally he decided it was safe and worked his way down a hallway. At the end of the hall sat the backdoor into the control tower. John Butcher looked at Velvet Tiger. With a glance and a nod in the direction of the door Butcher communicated her task. Velvet Tiger responded psychically, " I assume that's one reason I'm here.I mean, I've mastered the ability to move against temporal inertia. To you two, it'll look more like super speed, kind of like what that Zoom fellow does. "

It was no simple door. The contraption seemed to involved high speed lasers quickly slicing back and forth across their vertical plane. A foreign object introduced along their path would quickly be sheared by the intense heat and speed of the condensed light.

With that, Lani moved into a temporal pocket. For her, time stopped. The Velvet Tiger simply sauntered past the laser door into the computer room. The place was filled with attendants, all frozen in time. With a quick tap and a well-placed nudge, one by one she rendered everyone unconscious. After the room had been cleared, she finally returned to the hallway with Butcher and Praxis. Time, for the Velvet Tiger, caught up. Lani said, " Everyone's asleep.your turn. "

Praxis touched the electric keypad, as the light changed to green and the lasers disappeared. They moved inside the room, double checking the unconscious bodies.

"Don't trust my work?" Lani taunted.

J'onn mind-linked to Praxis and thought, " Praxis.I need you to use you power of electrical control to operate the computer systems and find anything you can on the missing people.Upload anything you can find on them to the starship's wireless open link. " Praxis started the computers and began his search, as Butcher and Velvet Tiger stood ready.

Flit teleported all of Strike Team 2 into the hallway just outside of the circular test room. Gypsy moved ahead of the others, with her chameleon powers keeping her hidden from sight. She quickly moved down a hallway, followed by Jemm, Vapor, and Flit. J'onn mind-linked with them next, " Once you come to the end of the hallway, there should be a door marked with a blue painted stripe on it. Vapor will need to use her ability to become living gaseous material to slip into the room through any cracks in the doorframe. Once inside she can see if the coast is clear enough for Flit to teleport the rest of you inside. You need to look for any transportation devices in this loading bay area. They could not have teleported that many people in a systematic manner-there has to be some kind of vehicle down there."

Vapor slipped past the door, and then gave the signal that the coast was clear. Flit then teleported everyone past the door, as they again followed Gypsy down the corridors. After moving about seventy-five feet through a winding corridor, they came across an underground river with multiple submarines being loaded for transport. There were thousands of people, all wearing different primary colored jumpsuits, being moved in an orderly fashion to the underwater machines. Gypsy moved in, practically touching the line of people, as she started searching for any signs of immediate trouble. She moved to look closer at the submarines, when an alarm sounded off.

The people in jumpsuits immediately ducked down for cover as Amazo and the General came running into view.

"Isn't he dead?" Vapor asked through the mind-link.

"He's an android. There can always be more than one." Jemm responded.

Amazo scanned the area using his power ring. The green ray grazed the surface of the ground picking up the trail of Gypsy. The glowing ray from the power ring finally caught up to Gypsy-trapping her in its presence. Gypsy tried to force realistic images into Amazo's mind, but it had no effect on the android. She struggled, but couldn't get free of the holding cell created by Amazo.

Flit instantly teleported into the bubble, grabbing hold of Gypsy and teleporting her back to Jemm and Vapor.

"Get her back to the ship," instructed Jemm.

As Flit teleported away with Gypsy in hand Vapor shifted her physiology into a transparent gas. Jemm stood to face Amazo and the General--clenching his fists, preparing for the fight of his life.

Strike Team 1 made their way into the round testing room. Starman melted through the metal panels where lower doors had opened earlier, as they saw empty tunnels in each entry.

"Alright green-guy" Will Payton asked through the mind-link, "where to now?"

" We have Strike Team 3 at the computers and Strike Team 2 locating the kidnapped victims. Now I need your team to find a way down to the underground river and help Jemm's team.if you stay where you are, I can have Flit come teleport you there. "

"Hey-while I have you on the line, can we discuss a name change?"

"You don't like Strike Team 3?"

"Well, we're not really a 'Strike Team'.we're more of a 'Walk Into An Empty Room Team'. But that's not what I was talking about."

"William, this really isn't a good time."

"No, no, no-hear me out-'The Starmen'. Sounds more cosmic, global-and, well, more PC."

Suddenly a large dent appeared in the wall.

"Huh. That wasn't there a minute ago."

The first dent was followed by another. Then another, and another. Finally the wall ruptured, giving way to the massive booming force behind it. Debris rattled in place as the hulking grey figure of Doomsday stepped into the room. With dead eyes he watched the three Manhunters, hunger and fury bleeding from his gaze. Starman fell silent as his throat went dry. Reverb, however, was quick to act--sending shockwaves around the group to create a solid sound wall for their protection. This only antagonized the beast, who rushed full strength at the field. Reverb was losing his concentration as Doomsday bludgeoned his mace-like hands into the wall of energy.

"Uh.J'onn.we have a.slight.problem down here."

Doomsday finally crashed through the barrier, sending Reverb flying. Doomsday reached his massive hands back and swung his arms down in a club like fashion. Reverb screamed in pain. Starman and Echo tried to react, but the beast simply knocked them aside like dolls in the confusion.

Quickly J'onn became intangible as he made his way through the complex trying to find the telepath he knew was there. J'onn floated beyond levels shown on any map, dropping further and further into the ground. Finally, J'onn's figure dropped into a hidden room, not shown on any map. People lay captive, strapped to bizarre devices and locked into obscure positions. J'onn desperately wanted to stop it, but he knew there was something bigger at the end of the room that he had to find first before rescuing the prisoners. Phasing through the walls, J'onn entered the last room.

The room was dark and smelled of ammonia. Rows upon rows of circuits, vials, and panels lined the walls. Electricity sparked through the room like small gnats gliding back and forth on invisible currents. Massive machines for monitoring levels flickered on and off, buzzing like a porch light. However the largest apparition in the room was a gargantuan cylindrical device slowly spinning in place. As the machine rotated through its cycles humanoid forms could be detected-all bound in place. Held captive to the machine, thirty White Martians slowly oscillated. In the center, between the mass of semi-conscious forms sat an empty chair.

J'onn rushed over to examine the chair. Clearly it was Martian technology-something distant in J'onn's memory. J'onn wondered if the White Martians, those previously imprisoned in the Phantom Zone, had been forced to create this machine. The machine complete, their captor finally assimilating them into the abomination. Having been linked to the machine, their psychic abilities were fully harnessed and enslaved.

J'onn flew over to one of the occupants on the device. " Get me off of this thing.before you get caught too J'onn. "

J'onn readied to free the White Martian, a voice behind him spoke. " Step away from the machine.or you will deal with me! "

J'onn turned around and saw a green female Martian floating in front of him. His head started to pound inside his skull. Visions, memories, and fantasies passed before his eyes. Slowly he started to sink into one of his favorite illusions. His wife, his former life-his children. He could watch them, feel them, and smell them. They were once again in his life. Somehow he found a way to focus his concentration long enough on reality to say, "A Green Martian.ALIVE? "

" Yes traitor.K'Hym is alive and well, " she replied coldly, " but even though I have biological ties to you.you are not MY father. I have a true father.one who didn't abandon me years ago for a planet of humanoids. My true father is the one who really loves me.and raised me. You.you chose the humans over me. "

The words hit J'onn like a pile-driver. Thoughts and words bounced within his skull as the pieces started to come together. He felt his balance shift from under him. His daughter.

Another voice joined the room. Somewhere, behind him in the once empty chair boomed a voice.

" Manhunter from Mars.drop down on one knee and beg for my mercy. Bow now before your king, and kneel before ZOD! "

 

NEXT ISSUE : Is it safe to say that the proverbial sh*t just hit the fan? Maxwell Lord's ex-wife connected to both the Hero Hotline and the Ingento Corporation? Amazo and the General vs. Jemm and Vapor? Doomsday vs. Starman and Echo? J'onn's daughter alive? General Zod? How can the Manhunters possibly get out of this? Check back next issue in Manhunters #4!