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All-Star Squadron
Times Past, 1943
The Space-Time Gambit
Book Three
Continued from The Space-Time Gambit: Book Two
THE SPACE-TIME GAMBIT: Part 6
Luthor sat in his lair, with Doome across from him once more. "You did well, my friend," he said. "The heroes are safely here and are all under Halfdane's spell. Now, we merely need to send them out to defeat the All-Star Squadron, as the mystery men and women are collectively known."
Doome smirked. "True! I achieved total success. Now, have you selected the proper foe for each one?"
Luthor nodded. "My computer and the aforementioned probability scanner made the choices. The odds favor us in every encounter."
"You seem distracted," said Doome. "What troubles you?"
"Pure intellectual curiosity," replied Luthor. "I wonder if we may try a different techqiue than the one we discussed. I wish an experiment with one pawn and one hero, just for my own questing mind. Can we alter time entirely by removing the circumstances of the hero's origin, and if so, what ramifications will follow?"
Doome sat up alert and eager. "I love it! It appeals to me as well for of such paradoxical dilemma have I based my life's study!"
"Good!" said Luthor. "The other heroes will be defeated by our pawns as planned, but as a test we will try to wipe out one from time itself."
"Superman!" said Doome. "Of course!"
Luthor scowled. "Never! If he does not exist, then how could I receive the satisfaction of beating him for once and all? No, my friend. For this harmless experiment, I have selected one of his JSA allies. See for yourself!" He tossed a paper to Doome.
Doome's fat face brightened. "Excellent! The Green Lantern is a fine choice. I assume you used the probability scanner to learn exactly what his origin was?"
"Yes!" said Luthor. "Plus, the powers of our enslaved 'deadman' told me much!"
"So, in a few hours the All-Star Squadron shall be ours, and as a test of time paradox gone wild, we shall remove Green Lantern from time itself!" chortled Doome.
THE SPACE-TIME GAMBIT: Part 7
In a remote region of China, a lone figure stood gazing skyward. He was handsome, with an aura of nobility about his regal presence. This heroic figure stood as if ready to dare to challenge the stars themselves. Yet, ironically enough, this same proud hero was not in control of his own faculties. He was one of the heroes plucked from another world by the evil group. Even now he fought their control inwardly, but could not resist the magical power that robbed him of his strong will. To be free would be effortless for this man under normal conditions. His magic was strong, and it came from the spoken word and the talisman he carried in his right hand. However, Halfdane and Doome had made very certain that the words that would free their pawn could not be spoken.
He was not bothered by any who passed by in their carts or on foot. They feared him as a man of power. They were right to respect his power, but he was in reality a hero who would never dream of abusing his powers by harming anyone who did not deserve it. Thus he dreaded the action he had been ordered to perform, for he knew vaguely that in some way it might indirectly do harm to the world, for such wishes drove his new and cruel masters.
Just then, the flash of green raced across the sky! The green flame signaled the approach of a comet that would eventually end up in the hands of Alan Scott in the far future. The form it would then take would be of a train lantern and later of a ring of power. But first it would arrive in ancient China and work magic of various kinds before the slow passage of years would bring it to its current champion.
Slowly, Ibis the Invincible raised his Ibisstick and spoke the fatal words. "Ibisstick, repel that comet back into empty space!" The magic surged through the wand, and the magic in the comet flared in response, as if struggling against the other magical item. The comet finally yielded and veered wildly and impossibly back into the voids of space.
Ibis then sadly followed a precommanded flight back through time and space to Luthor's new American base.
In that century, miles across the nation, a grave marked the resting place of Alan Scott, who had died in a train wreck years before.
Luthor laughed in glee. "Amazing! We have removed the Lantern from time itself! I almost wish I had the leisure to do such things to every hero. What a world this could be without any heroes!"
In the far future, a wiry man with a rugged face and bright eyes smashed his fist against a table. His name was Mr. Weed, and he was livid! "Those snakes!" ranted the old man. "They play with time and space and I allow it. Doome, Degaton, Zee, Nichols, and all their ilk. Be their intent good or ill, I allow them their time games. But, now, this is too much! I tell you, by his rash act, Doome has robbed the world of a champion! Plus, now, his children are no more. The lovely Jade will never marry Henry King, Jr. to produce their heroic son, Mindflame and the noble Obsidian will never marry and reform Marcy Cooper to produce their brave daughter Phantasm! I must stop him! It is my duty as the first time traveler of Earth Two!"
THE SPACE-TIME GAMBIT: Part 8
Libby Lawrence Chambers was carried in the arms of her super fast husband through the streets of the city. Her long blonde hair fell forward in her trademark Veronica Lake style She did not even bother to brush it back, as the sheer velocity of his race kept it in her lovely face.
"Doorstep delivery, no extra charge!" he quipped as he set her on her feet. She was wearing her blue and yellow Liberty Belle costume and Johnny Chambers wore the red and gold that marked him as Johnny Quick.
"I wonder what Bob Crane wanted?" she said with a smile. "He sounded so excited on the phone. Well, as excited as a metal man's voice can get!"
"I don't know, doll," said Johnny. "Maybe old Robotman found himself a shapely female range!"
Libby smiled and said, "It's a good thing that I know that you're kidding, or I'd take a swing at you. But beneath that brash demeanor I know there lurks... a second brash demeanor!"
Johnny nodded. "Hey, I'm sorry. Remember, I did risk my own freedom back in that courtroom a year or so back to defend Robotman's humanity... and I went to considerable lengths to make him look good to the court. Bob is solid, as far as I'm concerned, and I don't just mean his construction!"
The couple climbed the stairs to the apartment of "Paul Dennis", where their robotic ally lived when he chose to do so. Dennis was just a fake name and identity that came complete with a humanoid featured mask which Bob Crane used from time to time. At the top they saw a beautiful redhead in a skimpy red costume and a huge metal man with a disconcerting smile on his artificial face.
"Hey, it's Brandy! How's it goin', 'Hotlips'?" called Johnny Quick.
The pretty woman turned. Despite her almost identical costume and powers, she was not Firebrand II, alias Danette Reilly. Rather, she was Carol Vance Martin, alias Wildfire of Earth-X! Libby shoved Johnny aside as flames gutted the spot he had been standing on. They charred nothing, but left intense heat waves that would have stunned, but not hurt the speedster.
"That's not her, and neither is that Robotman!" cried Belle as she flipped through the room to avoid the extended fist of the robot as it grabbed for her agile form.
"I am not your Robotman," he said in tones set to mimic perfectly Bob Crane's own inhuman voice. "However, as even your faulty human senses must show, I am a robot-man. You may call me Flexo."
Belle rubbed her belt, and energy surged through her spunky body. She generated a sonic force that rocked the redheaded Wildfire backward... for a few seconds until her flames cushioned her from any impact. I'd grab that hot mama, but I just know she'd say something like "I'm too hot to handle!" mused Johnny. He charged the metal man who turned to menace the All-American Girl.
Johnny streaked forward, only to receive an upper cut that rocked his eyes back in his head and sent him stunned to the ground. Belle also ran forward, only to pass out as waves of incredible heat blanked the room, while the bare shouldered Wildfire and the inhuman Flexo stood immune.
Liberty Belle fainted, and the mentally controlled pawns of Doome gathered up the married heroes. "With the real Firebrand and Robotman already captured in the back, we have met our master's quota," said Flexo. Debutante-turned-heroine Wildfire nodded with an almost tearful look in her blue eyes.
THE SPACE-TIME GAMBIT: Part 9
Shiera Sanders knew that she looked sensational in the yellow evening gown she wore. Her auburn hair was swept back, and her make-up was perfect. She was dressed to thrill every society page photographer in New York for the War Bond Fund Drive. She was tanned and fit and looked simply smashing, as a British old coot had assured her earlier that night while swatting her bottom in the receiving line. The problem was that her dress was not the right attire for an all out brawl miles over New York City's teaming streets.
She kicked off her high heels and punched out with all her might at the speeding woman who rocketed over the city, dragging the kicking and struggling heroine with her. True, she would plunge to her death if the auburn beauty carrying her dropped her, but she hoped her fiance would swoop down to save her in time. "Look, I don't know why you've kidnapped me like this, but I tell you that we don't give in to money demands, even if we are loaded!" she said.
The woman made no reply, except to say, "I know that I must bring you to my master, and that is enough!"
Hawkgirl, as Shiera called her alter ego, had a pretty solid punch, as many a drunken fraternity boy from the Hamptons could attest, but she had not even fazed the woman in red top, yellow short shorts and metallic helmet who had tackled her in the ballroom, and was now flying at remarkable speed over the city. She's got enhanced strength! That bullet or rocket shaped helmet even clues me in to what this dame's name is. But how do I stop her? wondered Shiera.
Meanwhile, Hawkman was duking it out with Bulletman and was holding his own, but doing nothing more. "Look, 'Rocket Man', the Buck Rogers film fest is back in Brooklyn!" he joked as the man determinedly hammered the feathered fury with blows. He had been upstairs when Shiera had been carried off by the woman and thus he'd barely had time to change to his famous identity before the male abductor spotted him and cut off his efforts to save the woman he loved. I can't play games with this bruiser all night, thought Hawkman. Not while poor Shiera is being taken who knows where!
He ducked and slammed his fist into the chin of the hero called Bulletman. He was not as strong as the altered police scientist named Jim Barr, but he fought all the more harder. He had to win! He was not about to lose the woman he had loved for over a thousand years. He blocked a punch and caught Bulletman solidly in the chin. A second roundhouse right sent the enslaved mystery man to the ground. Hawkman flew off at top speed and spoke in odd screeching sounds. Birds soon hovered above from the rookeries of NYC. "Where has the mate of Hawk been taken?" he asked in their language.
They screeched back in a tone known to him ever since that odd compelling dream had whispered to him of other ancient Egyptian secrets, like that of the gravity defying Nth metal. "She is near," they replied. "Her kicking has slowed her foe. Follow us!"
Hawkman did so, and his heart beat more quickly as he spotted his lover's yellow evening gown and auburn hair bending over a fallen figure. He swooped down on the roof and said, "Shiera! You beat that witch!"
She turned and knocked him cold with her own powerful left hook, which was enhanced by chemicals as well. She was Susan Kent Barr, and she had changed clothes with Shiera after knocking her senseless. Susan's husband Bulletman joined her as they picked up the underwear clad form of Shiera Sanders and her fallen partner.
THE SPACE-TIME GAMBIT: Part 10
Luthor watched as Psycho Pirate and Halfdane placed the Whip, Air Wave, and Tarantula in the glowing time spheres that already held Liberty Belle, Johnny Quick, Robotman, Firebrand II, Hawkman, and Shiera Sanders.
"See, Doome, they even defeated that dreaded avenger of the West -- The Whip!" mocked Luthor.
"Yes, yes," said Doome. "Laugh on. I still say that the Seven Soldiers are..."
"They are nothing more than the poor man's Justice Society!" he said. "They shall fall to the Freedom Fighters, just as Tarantula fell to the Ferret, the Hawks to the Bullets, and Whip to Shock Gibson."
Psycho Pirate eyed Shiera Sanders. "That's a real work of art! How come she's in her bra and panties?"
Halfdane gestured with his hands, and the debutante was clothed once more as Hawkgirl. "I summoned her wardrobe to her," said the bored wizard. "Now kindly sit down."
"I wasn't complaining, you jerk!" replied Hayden.
Doome saw Luthor's eyes light up. "What is it?" he asked.
"Nothing to worry about," said Luthor. "Merely enjoying the high spirits of your associate." In reality, the evil genius had just learned a way by which he might avoid his future death at the hands of Brainiac, but he was too cunning to share this news just yet. Plus, for now he was eager to see Superman's stunned form being carried in by the enslaved hero sent to battle the Metropolitan Marvel. That fight was happening over the California coastline even as he waited.
Elsewhere, Zatara battled the equally matched Tor and Merlin, while Sargon tried to hold off Ibis. The magical energies crackled around them as spells were shouted in backwards gibberish, and the Ruby of Life warred against the Ibisstick.
Tor fell to Zatara's skillful spell-casting, and the suave magician saw his buddy Sargon try a new tactic. He touched the Ibisstick itself and shouted, "Lose your power!" The spell failed, but resulting feedback dropped both John Sargon and Ibis to dazed sleep.
Zatara also tried a new trick, "Nilrem, eb eerf!" he cried. The spell cleared the eyes of the other mystic before a surge of stunning force shocked them to the ground.
"Good thing I placed that protective glyph upon each hero in case any magic user tried to free them from my power," said Halfdane as he watched through a crystal. "It stuns both instantly."
THE SPACE-TIME GAMBIT: Part 11
Superman was not used to fighting anyone with strength as great as his, so he admittedly struggled inwardly as well as physically when confronted with not one but two super human beings. Pa always told me that every man must sooner or later run up against somebody tougher and stronger then he is himself! He added that the thing to do in that case was to do your best and accept your limitations without being crippled by them. I guess this is my turn to do just that, he thought as he crashed into the Pacific Ocean after receiving a terrific blow to the head.
His enemies were different, but united in their grim and relentless desire to defeat him. They had fought across the California coast after they first attacked him in the studio where he had finished filming a war bond newsreel spot. The first foe had blond hair and wore a white shirt and black slacks; he looked like a normal, albeit strong man. However, this "Roko", as he was called by his ally, was as strong as Superman himself! The same could be said for his partner Hercules. The broad shouldered man seemed to live up to his name and the gold H on his belt buckle as he wrestled with the modern era's greatest titan.
"Well, the theme of that war bond film was never give up, and that is one lesson I'm taking to heart!" he vowed as his foes broke through the water to pummel him again. "They can survive the ocean depths as well as I can," he realized. Hercules slammed into Superman as he belted Roko with a right hook. He let himself fly from the impact until he went deep in the ocean floor and turned abruptly to charge back into Roko.
A blast of his X-ray vision melted the coral reef and sent it crashing down on top of Hercules. As he struggled free, Superman froze the water solid around him. That should hold him, he thought. He dodged Roko, who moved as fast as Superman himself. He connected with a right cross and then a left that dropped Roko.
Now to see about Hercules! he thought. As he turned toward the imprisoned man, the ice and coral exploded free as Hercules slammed into Superman with all his power. The impact knocked even Superman cold. Slowly Roko stood back up and together, he and Hercules carried the Metropolis Marvel to Luthor.
Luthor sneered with delight as Doome's device created a "null field of time" around him. "You can see and hear me, old foe, but you cannot move or speak. You can't vibrate free or do any of your tricks. You can only squirm with the idea that Alexei Luthor has won! You, and soon all of your costume ilk shall die at my hands. And then... I'll be free to make the world bow down, not to Hitler but to me!"
Superman's pained expression spoke volumes.
The Psycho-Pirate announced, "Dakor the Magician just beat Dr. Fate! I owe him a good beating myself. He seems like a panty waist these days; could be that weird half helmet he's wearin'."
A black man in red and blue carried in Amazing-Man. "I loved the irony of sending the Will Everett of that unnamed Earth after his Earth Two counterpart," laughed Doome. "Microman was more than a match for Amazing-Man! What is in a name, after all?"
"I am more fascinating by your comment, 'it takes a dead man to beat a dead man'," said Halfdane.
"I referred to the battle between the Spectre and his two foes," smiled Luthor.
THE SPACE-TIME GAMBIT: Part 12
Jim Corrigan was a busy man. He was working as a police detective and, while he needed no sleep, even he could only do so much in a given day... unless he tried to freeze time itself -- that was an idea!
The redheaded man was not what he seemed. At face value he was a tough but dedicated police man. He was all that, but he was also a dead man! He had met his fate at the hands of the thugs of a gang boss named Benson years ago, and now he roamed the earth as an avenging ghost sent back to the living world to preserve justice and avenge wrongs. As the Spectre he was learning that he could do almost anything, but that invincible might came with a price of its own. He was becoming increasingly less sure just who Jim Corrigan was, and he was losing touch with humanity. Who knows? he mused. Maybe someday I'll lose my ability to even feel emotions or touch other living people. I'll just be this force of supernatural power! That was one reason why a being of such raw power chose to hang around with heroes like the JSA. They could accept him on his own terms, yet not be so very super human in their reactions as to not be of benefit to him in his quest for constant contact with his humanity.
It was for that exact reason that he allowed himself to act on very rare occasions, like the initiation of Johnny Thunder into the JSA, like a fun loving guy in a costume and not a being from beyond the mortal pale. He also showed this side more in the company of his partner, Percival Popp, "The Super Cop".
He now had paper work to do, however...
Then suddenly he was the Spectre once again, and the office was no longer in sight. He floated on a cloudy plane that was not of the earth.
"I summon the ghost of Jim Corrigan! Eternity!" cried a boy standing on the clouds.
The Spectre frowned. He had been unable to resist the weird magical summons. Now, faced with this boy, this youngster in a white turtle neck sweater and gray slacks with a red sash, who seemed to hold power from the very same source from whence his own was granted, what could he do? Nothing! He could not raise his hand against the youth for some reason. Perhaps it was because he was an innocent.
He had no time to ponder, since a man stood nearby with eyes that looked sorrowful, then blazed over entirely with blue fire. "I seek this, but not of my own will," he said with a quiet dignity. "Know that I do not use my powers against you freely." His whole form then blazed with blue fire, and he blasted the Spectre with fire that burned even his mystical frame.
The Spectre groaned and sought to fight back, but again the boy spoke and said, "Do not resist! Eternity!"
The combination of magical forces drove the Spectre into a frenzy. "I shall not be overcome!" he roared. Yet, the strong fists of the Blue Blaze and the whispered cries of Kid Eternity brought the Spectre down at last.
Doome muttered from a distance as the time displacement field covered the Ghostly Guardian, "This Spectre scares me. If that magic wears off, he'll destroy us all!" He was correct.
THE SPACE-TIME GAMBIT: Part 13
The Seven Soldiers of Victory gazed around a lush living room in appreciation.
"Wall, I reckon you kin afford this spread, Oliver, but I'd be a mite worried bout the upkeep!" drawled the Vigilante.
Green Arrow smiled. "This coming from Nashville's hottest singer, with an income to make even a jaded capitalist like me take notice."
The Crimson Avenger frowned. "You know, it worries me about our incomes. I keep a tight look over my holdings. Do you do the same? It would be so easy for one of us wealthy men of mystery types to accidently pollute the environment or even finance a sweat shop!"
The very wealthy Star Spangled Kid said, "My pater does not worry much. He pays someone else to do his pacing."
"Very funny, 'Little Lord Starbucks'!" quipped Stripesey with the easy familiarity of a close friend.
"Anyone for coffee?" asked Speedy as he passed around a tray.
"Truly, this mansion is most regal, friend Arrow. Yet can even the most splendid of dwellings ere be as fitting an abode for an archer of your skill as the green of olde Sherwood?" smiled the Shining Knight.
"I see you've been studying up on British history and legend again," smiled Green Arrow.
"Aye!" said Sir Justin. "'Tis much I have to learn 'bout my sacred isle."
A hum of energy came from all sides as the walls literally exploded. A man in a white containment suit then rushed inside, with a gloved hand holding a second glove free from a bare glowing hand.
"The Human Bomb!" muttered the Vigilante.
At the same moment, the gleaming Ray sped inside from another hole created by his raw energy. The other holes revealed the smashing fists of Uncle Sam and the blaster of the Black Condor.
"Say, what is this?" said the Kid. "You Freedom Fighters are supposed to be on that Earth X!"
"We've come to bring the freedom of the grave to you all!" said Phantom Lady in complete mimicry of Doome.
Black Condor was a fighter with strength, skill, grace, and wit; however, he had been ordered to end the fight quickly by his evil master. Thus, instead of using his strength of limb, he fired the black blaster he carried at his side, shooting Stripsey in his broad chest, and the hulking redhead fell like a timber.
The Star Spangled Kid rushed forward, only to tripped by the Phantom Lady, who had turned invisible. As he leapt back up, she brought both fists down on the back of his head. "Guess you'll be seeing stars now!" she teased.
The sultry woman then turned visible, only to have her blackout ray switched on and her arm wrenched so that the device blanketed the Ray in total darkness. The clever Crimson Avenger had acted quickly.
THE SPACE-TIME GAMBIT: Part 14
The Crimson Avenger shoved Phantom Lady backward so her black-light ray enveloped The Ray. When in total darkness the Ray was still a force to be dealt with, but he lost power with every second. This allowed the Green Arrow to fire an arrow of a dark inky cloud in his path.
Then, however, the bowman's bow shattered into pieces at an arrow that blew it to bits. Another archer aimed a second bolt at him from across the room. "The Spider!" he cried. Speedy was then slapped to the ground by a rapidly growing Doll Man, who seemed to come from out of nowhere.
The Vigilante squarely off with the colorful Firebrand.
"I don't know, and I don't rightly care what made a sissy yahoo like you attack us, but I aim to settle the debt with your teeth, pretty boy!" he said. Firebrand spun around to kick the gun out of the lawman's hand. The Vigilante rolled aside to dodge the next punch, but ended up right in the path of the explosive fist of the Human Bomb. He was knocked across the room and did not rise again.
Firebrand tackled the struggling Green Arrow, who was weaponless, thanks to the skillful shooting of the Spider. "You're Oliver Queen, a spoiled playboy -- how I hate your kind!" said a tongue in cheek Firebrand. He jabbed a quick left and sent the Arrow down for the count.
"I am loathe to use even the flat of mine enchanted blade 'pon the living embodiment of America, embattled Britain's sole support in this hour of trial, yet I must not allow mine allies to be harmed!" declared Sir Justin.
He and Uncle Sam struggled furiously. "Too bad!" said Sam. "Cause I'ma gonna whip your tail like we did in the Revolution and the War of 1812."
The Knight twisted free and belted Sam in the chin. Then he used his gleaming blade to deflect a Ray-cast light bolt into a stunned Firebrand. He also dodged left to connect with a solid punch to Doll Man's chin that left the mid-shrinking hero flattened.
The Crimson Avenger's loyal aide Wing charged inside from parking their car, and launched a kick that sent the Human Bomb spinning to the floor.
Phantom Lady kicked the Crimson Avenger below the belt and said, "Your red mist versus my lens! Seems fair!"
The Avenger's crimson mist bellowed from a dropped pellet and Phantom Lady dove through the blinding cloud to land a left cross on Lee Travis's chin.
"Guess I can see through it, handsome!" she said as she ducked his punch and landed a series of blows that finally left him stunned. "Not bad for a girl, huh?" she teased.
Sir Justin fell beneath the blows from Uncle Sam and the Black Condor after landing a punch that decked the drained Ray as well. Wing also fell when Phantom Lady smashed a chair over his head. Uncle Sam said, "These boys fight well! Lucky for us we had superior numbers!" They gathered up their foes and brought them to Doome's gloating presence.
"I allowed the Freedom Fighters to keep their personalities, since it aided them to fight more naturally. It worked, since they defeated my most hated foes!" he laughed, and slapped Green Arrow.
Luthor said, "Yes. Well, I'm glad. But now I have bigger fish to fry!"
THE SPACE-TIME GAMBIT: Part 15
A mad, high-pitched laugh echoed over the dark streets of Gotham City. Batman and Robin raced after the darting clown who led them on a merry chase.
"Gosh, Batman, this clown can really move!" said Robin.
Batman nodded. "Save your breath, chum, you'll need it when he rounds this corner and realizes that it's a dead end!"
Sure enough, Batman and Robin faced the cornered Jester, except the mind-enslaved hero was not alone. He had tricked the Dynamic Duo!
A woman in a very short red dress and heels kicked Batman in the chin as he rounded the corner. A second woman in a green evening gown and heels tackled Robin.
"Gosh, we can't hit girls!" said Robin as the skilled Lady Luck wrestled with the brave youth.
Batman twisted away from the agile Miss Masque to send her falling out of the high heels into the dirt. "Those heels make for poor traction!" he said as she rolled back up and swung a mean right that missed him by inches.
Robin flipped Lady Luck over his head and she fell, tangled in her long gown. "Yeah, and that dress sure won't let her move too fast!" said Robin as she fell flat.
Batman noticed the side slits and said, "I rather think that particular outfit gives her other advantages over adult male foes!"
Robin frowned and sprayed her with a mist from his belt. "Knock out spray for a knockout!" he punned.
Miss Masque jumped up and over Batman's head to land a kick to his back. As he moved with the blow, the dancing and madly laughing Jester dropped down to smash a brick over his head.
Robin gasped, "Batman!"
Miss Masque then pulled the boy close to her and kissed him on the lips. He fell flat and she smiled. "My narcotic lipstick works well."
Thus fell Gotham's defenders!
THE SPACE-TIME GAMBIT: Part 16
The elderly man shook his fist at the charts in front of him.
"Curse you, Luthor! Those poor women would never had attacked heroes like Batman and Robin except for your time travel machinations! I'll fix you! I'll fix you yet! I'm forgotten by all of the Earth Two heroes, but Mr. Weed will save the day!"
He raced out into the sleek time car and soon found himself back in ancient China. "I'll just warp that green flaming comet back down from space, even if that will drain my car of most of its power. I'd rather fix the damage than fight the villains personally," he said.
Soon, a golden flare of fire seemed to open a hole in the sky, and a green comet crashed down to land in the spot it had been destined for before Ibis had sent it into space. "Good thing he did not destroy it completely. Could the Ibisstick have done that, or did Ibis fight back as best he could?"
History once again occurred as normal and, generations later, in Gotham City, Weed entered Alan Scott's home in 1943. "Green Lantern, only you can save this Earth's heroes from sure and certain death!" he yelled.
Alan Scott frowned. "Good night! Tell me more!"
Seconds later, he charged his ring and said, "And I shall shed my light upon the dark things, for they cannot stand the light... the light of the Green Lantern!"
Then the possibly single most courageous mystery man of all flew off to do battle for the lives of his friends and the fate of his world.
THE SPACE-TIME GAMBIT: Part 17
Halfdane watched Luthor work. "Luthor, what is this new game of yours? You've taken no interest in our triumphs since we brought in Superman!"
Alexei Luthor considered this man. "Ah, why not? I know now how I may cheat death and prevent the future doom foretold for me by Doome! I used the time device and my probability scanner after every captured hero was brought in from all those worlds. Using their combined knowledge, I have learned of three artifacts of great chronal power that may allow me to prevent the future fate from occurring in my case!"
Halfdane smiled. "Really? What are they?"
"I'm keeping that secret to myself for now," said Luthor. "You just watch that snake Doome and his madman the Psycho-Pirate, as I ordered."
Luthor was then alone again and he laughed. "What are the three items, indeed!" he said coldly. "Merely a trio of creations from three different Earths! The first is a piece of a cosmic landmark called the Rock of Eternity! But... how do I get it? I suppose I need a gang. An Injustice Gang!"
THE SPACE-TIME GAMBIT: Part 18
Wes Dodds, Rex Tyler, and Charles McNider sat around the booth of a small diner.
"I eat here all the time!" said Rex. "When I first moved here this place was my hangout when I wasn't in the lab. The prices are low and the food isn't bad."
Charles grinned. "Wes may never have actually been inside a common diner before, so you'll have to give him time to adjust to going without a waiter in a tux!"
Wealthy Wes Dodds smiled. "I've seen the inside of many a seedier place, I assure you."
"Yeah, but you weren't wearing a designer suit then!" added Rex. "Wait, come to think of it, you probably were..."
The three friends tried to keep up an easy banter, since two of them had a more serious intent. Charles McNider was a doctor, and he wanted to urge chemist Rex to stop using the dangerous miraclo drug which had caused the Man of the Hour to suffer a heart attack not all that long ago. Wes was Rex's best friend, so he was along to add support.
"Seriously, though, I may have to adjust to a quieter life whether I like it or not," continued Rex.
"The blacklight idea is still a possibility," whispered Wes. "Don't rule that out."
"Yes," said Charles. "I am intrigued by the theory. I still wonder about that other idea I proposed."
"Not that old inner potential or 'meta-gene' idea," smiled Rex. "Sell that one from the back of a wagon with a banjo!"
The roar of a strong wind outside and the flapping of passing women's skirts attracted their notice. "Strong weather!" said Wes.
They looked out to see an inhuman figure land in the square. He was black and blue, but his features were totally immobile with no trace of expression or emotion.
"What is that?" said Rex. "A robot?"
Charles said, "I think we'd better get out there."
They slipped to the men's room and returned out the window and around to the front in their heroic costumes.
"Rex, why'd you suit up?" said Dr. Mid-Nite, alias Dr. Charles McNider. "This is not going to be a situation in which you can take that pill!"
"Okay, 'mother'," said Hourman, alias Rex Tyler. "Just let me be here if needed. It gives me something to do!"
The Sandman, alias Wes Dodds, approached the robotic Dynamic Man. "What do you want here?" he said slowly. "You're scaring people."
"That is my intent, for by doing so, I attracted the targets," he said coldly. As the Sandman reached for his wirepoon, Dynamic Man turned to face Mid-Nite. "My electro sensors allow me to see even in absence of all light. It is futile for you to employ your blackout bombs."
Dr. Mid-Nite did not doubt the truth of the artificial man's words. "Then I guess I can just do this!" he said as he threw a punch at the menacing figure. However, Dynamic Man caught his arm in a vise like grip and lifted him bodily in the air.
"Put him down!" cried Hourman.
"Like so?" said the robot as he tossed Mid-Nite toward the oncoming traffic.
The Sandman fired his wirepoon and snared his buddy just inches away from a speeding truck, yanking him to safety even as Dynamic Man slammed into him with his own fist. Sandman fell hard, and as he rose again, the robot extended a cold arm and fired a ray beam that knocked his weapon from his numb hand.
Dr. Mid-Nite rose to drop a blackout bomb down the slight opening at the creature's back. The "foom" of eruption sent black trails coming out of the robot, but did not noticeably slow his speed down. He spun a full 180 degrees on his waist and slapped Mid-Nite cold.
Sandman kicked out at him, all the while watching for signs of life in the fallen Mid-Nite. He was met by two extended fists that froze his system with frigid air. Hourman knew what he had to do.
THE SPACE-TIME GAMBIT: Part 19
Rex Tyler could not stand by and let his buddies fall to the deadly robot, nor could he risk taking the adrenal boosting drug that empowered him. I'm not just Hourman, I'm also a good chemist. I know science. That can help too! He looked around and spotted a telephone call box. He strained to open the rusty box and, with effort, did what he might once have done without a second thought. He wrapped his long sleeves around his hands and carefully extended the wiring within the box until it dangled loosely. This better work! he thought.
He reached out to pull the closer Sandman to him. The robot had arleady picked up the stunned Mid-Nite. He said, "Release him and surrender." Hourman then rubbed the sparking ends of the wires counter-clockwise across his metal foe's chest. The resultant discharge repelled the robot through the dinner wall. He did not rise, but sparked slowly. Rex smiled. "I guess I just saved the day without that drug!"
Hourman turned to look at his friends, but in doing so he neglected to see Dynamic Man rise after a rapid self-repair function activated. "Too late!" he groaned as he too fell to the crushing metal fists.
Dynamic Man gathered up the three JSAers and carried them back to Luthor.
THE SPACE-TIME GAMBIT: Part 20
Diana Prince slipped inside the old barn that housed her invisible plane, and changed into her more flamboyant Wonder Woman costume. "Praise Hera, after hours of typing military dispatches, it feels good to unwind at bit," she said.
"You're a bit premature in that sentiment!" said a pretty girl in red and gold who flew out of the shadows to wrap Diana up in a tight metal coil.
Wonder Woman strained to get free, and was about to burst the metal to shreds when a boy wrapped the wire tighter around her wrists.
"Being bound by a male robs you of your power," said Captain Marvel Junior.
Mary Marvel smiled. "Doesn't take the wisdom of Solomon to see that!" She backhanded Wonder Woman to the ground and she did not move again.
THE SPACE-TIME GAMBIT: Part 21
Wildcat, the Atom, Mr. Terrific, and the Guardian knew that they had plenty to talk about. They had heard reports of other heroes being attacked without rhyme or reason. They had intended to meet anyway to discuss a project to help inner-city kids escape the streets through boxing and other sporting events to be held at the Fair Play Boys Club in Gateway City.
Mr. Terrific owned the club, and he spoke first: "As important as it is to fight crime, I place a higher priority on helping our youth. We need to remember that every criminal was a child in need at one time."
The Atom grinned. "True! But I can't see some of the clowns we've tangled with as kids. Take that Baron Blitzkrieg or Kung, for example. Those two were probably seig heiling in their cribs!"
The Guardian frowned. "I agree with Terry. I've taken in a group of lads myself. The Newsboy Legion are a real handful."
Wildcat grinned. "When I was a kid, I spent more time studying or working out. Never had time to just goof off. My old man was pretty keen on higher education. He wanted me to become a doctor. I'd like to see a way to help other kids live his dream, since I failed to do so."
Their conversation ended abruptly as several costumed figures attacked them from four sides. Wildcat was tackled by Marla Drake, the leopard skin-clad beauty called Miss Fury. They fell to the floor as she clawed at his mask. The Atom leapt up, only to encounter the hero called Neon the Unknown. His stout body was rocked down by neonic energy blasts from the other hero's hands. Mr. Terrific dodged a magnetic pulse from Magno, only to be struck by an invisible foe, known as the Invisible Hood. The Guardian felt his shield being ripped from his arm as he turned to see a red, white, and blue costumed man with a round shield of his own. The Masked American slugged the Guardian with a strong left while his girl sidekick Miss Victory stole the golden shield.
The Atom reeled back and kicked Neon in the face. A second punch dropped the energized hero flat. "I guess Neon was full of hot air!" he smiled.
Mr. Terrific rolled aside from a second blow from the Invisible Hood and thought quickly, grabbing a fire extinguisher from the club wall and spraying the air all around him. The foamy outline of a man appeared from thin air, and the Man of 1000 Talents dropped him with three rapid and expert blows.
Magno brought a group of metal chairs hurling at the heads of the heroes, and soon the sheer weight brought down the Atom and Mr. Terrific.
Wildcat shook free of Miss Fury and admired her jungle cat lithe form. Man, that babe is tough. I hope I don't have to ever fight another dish like her with the huntress motif! He ducked her sharp nails and reluctantly connected with a punch that knocked her cold.
Meanwhile, the Guardian was caught between two patriotic foes. Both were agile and tough, so he used these traits to his own adavantage by feigning being stunned, then jumped aside to let the team crash into each other. He smiled over their fallen forms until Magno's final pulse brought the roof down on all the heroes. He lifted it back up to reveal a magnetic shield which had protected his allies while leaving the four All-Stars to be stunned.
THE SPACE-TIME GAMBIT: Part 22
Luthor grinned as his team brought in the last of the beaten heroes: Johnny Thunder, the Flash, Starman, and Captain Triumph.
"It is done!" said Halfdane smugly. "We have captured every known All-Star member except for worthless children like Sandy and Little Boy Blue, or nobodies like the Red Tornado and the Guardian Angel."
"Good," said Luthor. "Now, Doome, send the heroes of Earth X and Earth S back to their own proper times without any memory of what has occurred. I have no need of them, and we need not tax our resources so greatly. I have a more pressing project in mind."
Doome obeyed, and the Freedom Fighters from two different times (Uncle Sam's group from 1949 and the original group with Neon the Unknown from 1941) returned to their respective eras. Some, like Neon the Unknown, had been plucked from mere minutes before their deaths. They now returned without ever knowing they had left. And sadly, Neon, Magno, the Red Bee, and others still died. Mary Marvel, Ibis, Bulletgirl, and others returned to Earth S without any memory than they had ever been plucked from their home. That left only the heroes from the unnumbered Earths, like Blue Blaze, Miss Masque, and the Ferret to wait in a trance-like state on further orders.
The entire heroic membership (minus Green Lantern) of the All-Star Squadron all hung suspended in null time fields outside of the normal time or their world.
"So shall we kill them now?" asked Psycho Pirate eagerly.
"Not as yet," explained Luthor. "Let Doome toy with his Seven Soldiers for a while later; I will amuse myself tormenting Superman. Now, I seek a team composed of villains plucked from time and space to run an errand for me."
"What errand?" asked Doome.
"I need three items from three worlds, with which I believe I can alter the fate you saw befall me decades from now in the Crisis," he said. "To get these items will require sending someone to the Earths called One, S, and here on our world."
"Why did you not send the Earth S heroes on quest for it?" asked Doome.
"Frankly, I wanted to use villains who could act freely and with no taint of mind control, for this errand is vital to me," explained Luthor.
"Ah, money is the great motivator for most of our ilk," said Halfdane.
"True enough. Assemble such a team."
Doome glared at his back. "Soon I shall rebel and repay him for every rude comment, but for now, as a student of time, I am eager to witness what his genius has produced!"
THE SPACE-TIME GAMBIT: Part 23
Billy Batson smiled eagerly at the assembled Billy Batson Fan Club. This group was new, since the original had been formed back in the 1940s before he fell into the Sivana-created suspendium trap that left him and many others in a trance for thirty years or more. However, since he had become a TV reporter on station WHIZ, young Billy had gained many more fans.
Holy Moley! he thought nervously as he gazed out at the audience. TV really draws a big crowd. I thought radio couldn't be beat, but I guess for this generation, pictures mean everything!
A pretty girl in a pink dress and high heels waited by the podium and shot him looks of frustration. Her name was Cissie Sommerville, and she was Billy's girlfriend. She was acting as mistress of cermonies tonight, and was irriated that Billy had just missed his cue.
He finally rushed out and said, "Hi, folks!"
Soon, his nervousness fled as he related a Captain Marvel adventure to the thrilled members. A lovely young woman named Mary Bromfield nudged a young man to whisper, "Billy's a real ham when he gets started! Just watch my brother work the crowd!"
Freddy Freeman grinned. "Yes, Billy is surely not tongue tied, which is good considering the nature of our powers."
All three of the ever-youthful adults received magical power due to a transformation triggered by the shouting of various magic words. The being who had bestowed or enabled Captain Marvel himself to bestow the powers was called Shazam. Presently, this old wizard saw much that disturbed him, as a strange craft from another earth warped into view.
"They are coming, and they seek to meddle with forces no mortal should ever dare to touch. I must summon my family!"
Mary, Freddy, and Billy all stiffened as the mental voice echoed in their minds. "You are needed at the Rock of Eternity! Come forth, my Marvel Family!" Mary smoothed down her short blue skirt and led Freddy outside, while Billy rushed things to a quick close on stage.
"I guess that's all we have time for tonight!" he said. "Thanks for coming, folks!" He rushed by a startled and still-staring Cissie, who found herself alone on stage in front of the still present crowd.
"Uh, I could sing for you?" she said frantically.