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Seven Soldiers of Victory
Times Past, 1945
The Victorious Seven
THE VICTORIOUS SEVEN: Part 1
Hollywood, 1945.
In a luxurious house overlooking the shore a powerful figure addressed his servant in tones of easily assumed superiority and command.
"This effort may be too late to achieve our goal; however, I do no give up easily. If nothing else occurs, our efforts will strike a demoralizing blow to the Allied swine."
The small man listened and nodded loyally. "Ja, Herr Baron! The lackeys have their orders. They little suspect their petty vendettas serve the glory of the thousand year Reich!"
"More to the point, they serve me," said the powerful man.
THE VICTORIOUS SEVEN: Part 2
The Seven Soldiers of Victory assembled were a rare sight these days. The Shining Knight had spent much of the war in embattled Britain as a personal protector of Churchill. The Crimson Avenger and Wing more often worked alone. Vigilante traveled across the southwest widely as needed. Yet, on this night the Law's Legionnaires, as they were often called, were once again gathered in full glory.
"No more valiant assemblage of heroism in full flower have I seen 'ere the Knights of Arthur's Camelot met at the Table Round!" said Sir Justin happily.
"I reckon we kin take that as a compliment!" joked the Vigilante.
"Indeed so, my comrade," said the Shining Knight.
"Actually, those are grand praises from someone who just left the side of Winston Churchill himself," said the Green Arrow.
"Aye, and that brave soul has proven most royal, though he be the scion of a noble and an American," offered Justin.
"He and FDR have worked well together thus far, as have we," added the Star-Spangled Kid.
"Yeah, we got our own lend lease deal goin' on, what with the Arrowplane subbing for our Star Rocket Racer," added Stripesy.
Speedy nudged Wing and said, "We'll need that speed to get to Hollywood in time for Greg's big moment!"
Wing agreed silently while his employer the Crimson Avenger spoke up: "This movie Greg is making affords us a nice opportunity to go out west together, and as a publisher I admit the stories of the west coast do attract me for purely business reasons."
"Ahh, ya'll cain't fool us! Lee, you got that crusading spirit driving you to look into the plight of the Japanese immigrants rounded up in those camps," said the Vigilante.
"True enough!" piped up Wing proudly. "Mr. Travis insists on covering up his compassion beneath a facade of business; however, he does care. He and I hope to even see a friend of mine from my old village in China who lives in the Chinatown area of Hollywood."
"The trip is one of auspicious portents. All bodes well for us," announced Justin.
"So, Caly-fornia here we come!" said the Vigilante.
THE VICTORIOUS SEVEN: Part 3
The Seven Soldiers had arrived in Hollywood, and after a brief rest they each set out on their separate journeys with a plan to meet again that night for dinner.
Sir Justin marvelled at the splendor of the Hollywood setting. A movie lot with a King Arthur theme caught his eye during a tour. Zounds! That poor varlet shalt ne'er equal the glory and the splendor that was my liege! he mused as he saw an actor reenact the sword in the stone legend.
A scream echoed on the set and the chivalrous champion of old Britain raced forward to see what was the matter. He saw a timid prop girl run screaming out of her office. Stopping her and calming her down, he asked, "Milady, how might I be of service to you?"
She nearly swooned at his courtly demeanor. "I... in the office! That evil little man! He has it!" she yelled.
"What is it? I shall assay to stop the bounder!" he said.
"The Maltese Falcon! The prop from the Bogart film. Movie buffs would pay a fortune for the one we used, and that man just broke in a took it!" She shuddered, then suddenly rebounded and looked into his blue eyes, saying, "Are you seeing anyone?"
Sir Justin smiled. "Duty ever calls the chivalrous away from fair maids like thou!" He then ran into the back office, where he spotted a fat, short man in a tux and top hat. "The Penguin! I have heard my ally Batman speak of your dastardly and craven perfidy!"
The Penguin frowned. "Any ally of that flying rat is assuredly an enemy of the Penguin!" He cradled the Maltese Falcon under one arm and waved an odd umbrella in the other.
The Shining Knight walked calmly forward as flames shot out to bounce harmlessly off his enchanted armor. "Wak! wak! You're fire-proof!" said the foul bird.
"Mine enchanted armor came from the heart of a meteor and was forged by none less than Merlin himself," explained Justin as he walked closer and snatched the umbrella away from the Penguin.
"Get him, my flock!" cried the Penguin.
Seven thugs charged the Knight, only to be whipped backward by the flat of his flashing blade. He drove them back, and with swift blows from his mailed fists, he knocked them cold.
"You do abuse the fair code of combat with your multitudinous assault, but I am worthy to best you all!" he vowed.
The Penguin made his escape, while Justin dodged and battered the gang.
THE VICTORIOUS SEVEN: Part 4
Sir Justin saw the Penguin race for a weird bird like car. He stood at the window and whistled, and from above his loyal stallion Winged Victory quickly descended. Justin leaped into the saddle and rode off in pursuit of the Penguin-mobile.
"Onward, my faithful steed! We do duel with a most nefarious fiend this eve!"
He swooped forward and soon out-distanced the odd souped up car, passing the car and riding onward, leaving an astonished Penguin to gaze in wonder.
"Wak! wak! The metal clad moron went right by me!" said the Penguin. "I guess in Hollywood this car doesn't stand out!"
He increased his speed, only to gasp as he saw the Knight turn and charge the Penguin-mobile with a lance drawn and positioned. Justin's aim was as true as was his noble heart, and the enchanted lance shattered the engine of the car and left it smoking in the street.
"Stay back, my friends, yon knave is a most fatal man!" he warned the crowd of autograph seekers.
The Penguin swung out of the wrecked car and fired another umbrella. A flock of mechanical crows appeared in answer to some signal and they swooped around the Knight with razor sharp talons.
The carrion crows of metal do seek to assail me! thought Justin. He doubted they could pierce his armor but his bare face was vulnerable. He drew his sword and, with a dazzling show of swordsmanship and aim, he carved every metal bird to bits before he could even be touched.
The Penguin tried to flee anew, but a man from the crowd stepped forward to trip him. He fell hard and jumped up to swing at Justin. Justin ducked and flattened the Penguin with his good right hand. He dragged him back to the police along with the priceless Falcon, "Thank you my friend for that timely aid!" he said to the handsome man who tripped the Penguin.
"Think nothing of it!" the man said with a sweeping bow and a twinkle in his eye. "Sir Justin, isn't it?"
Sir Justin replied, "Yes, and who are you, good sir?"
"Errol Flynn, a swashbuckler like yourself... only I do mine on camera!" he said.
Sir Justin nodded and headed for the authorities.
THE VICTORIOUS SEVEN: Part 5
Greg Saunders smiled as he strolled around the set of hist first movie. He was set to become the newest "singing cowboy" and follow in the boots of Gene Autry. He admired the set of Prairie Troubadour and marvelled at the sheer size of the Stellar Studios western lot.
I bet my grandpappy lived in this kinda place; he was the first Vigilante, and I hope he's lookin' down on me with approval. 'Course, his saloon weren't made of this fake Hollywood stuff! he thought with amusement.
He listened as Guy Bonde the director and the stunt man Rick Leeds explained the first scene of the morning.
"So, Greg, darling, just look starry eyed at Veronica while you sing the theme and ride the stage into Harmony," he was told.
Veronica Lake smiled and climbed up on the stage coach next to him. "Don't be nervous," she whispered. "Just pretend we're old friends out for a drive!"
"I reckon that'd be a whole lot easier if you weren't one of the biggest glamour gals to come outta Hollywood!" he said with a smile.
She looks like Liberty Belle, he mused. Maybe I kin just treat it like an All-Star Squadron case... minus the Brain Wave or Ultra!
As they rolled down the street of the Western stage set for "Harmony", he sang the theme and his nerves ebbed.
Then the horse neighed and raced off at breakneck speed! The wagon swayed dangerously and the crew caught their collective breath. The Vigilante (still dressed as Greg of course) grabbed the reigns and pulled back as Veronica clung to him in fear.
"No use! Somethin' spooked him fierce!" he said. "Gotta try another trick!"
He caught her up in his arms and leaped off the speeding wagon. He rolled in the air and landed hard with the actress cradled in his arms and cushioned from most of the impact.
Ignoring the pain, he jumped up and dove for the back of the speeding wagon. He gripped the edge and heaved himself aboard with effort. He climbed down to the seat and jumped between the horses, then landed and slowly pulled them to a stop by skill and daring.
Then he examined a saddle and found a thorn. "This here drove 'em wild," he said with a frown. "When I pulled the reigns they tightened up and the thorn stuck one of 'em. This weren't no accident."
THE VICTORIOUS SEVEN: Part 6
Greg frowned as Guy and Rick searched for answers. "Look, Rick was responisble for the equipment; what game are you playing?" accused Guy Bonde.
Rick Leeds turned red with anger. "I don't know what you mean!" he told the director. "I had nothing to do with this! I've been in this biz for years without any trouble 'til I signed on for your film!"
Greg expected more trouble, and he knew it was most likely going to be aimed at him. He did the next scene in the bunkhouse and prepared for the shoot-out.
He then saw his enemy Roger Gwen playing Black Bart! He knew they were to draw and fire the blanks at each other and he was to win.
The scene started when Greg spoke up. "Hold it! I want to see that gun." He looked over Gwen's gun and emptied it of real bullets.
Gwen almost fainted. "I could have killed you!"
Greg said, "I reckon that was the idee!"
Rick ran up. "I had those guns double checked. It's impossible!"
His aide Jim Jones grinned, "You didn't have me do the checking. You did it personally and that's not your style normally. I'd say what I heard last night when you were drinking explains it. You want Greg's job!"
Rick shouted "You liar! I didn't check the guns, you did!"
Greg stepped between them. "I can clear this up. I looked ahead at the ropes for the next scene. Sure nuff, they had been cut to break when I tried to swing across the canyon in that scene. The cut was made by a lefty. That ain't you Rick. That's Jim. He's the skunk anglin' for my job or yours!"
Jim Jones stepped backward. "I don't know what you mean. This is wrong. No proof!"
"I don't need no proof. I'm not a lawman. Just a justice seeker and I know your name and record too. I called a policeman pal of mine, and he says Jim Jones has a criminal record a mile long!"
Jones ripped out a gun. "Okay, you got me. But I can still see you dead!"
Greg fired first, for he had also drawn... and quicker! The gun flew out of White Star's hand. Greg waved him aside. "I outdrew ya, and I can make the next bullet go just where I choose!"
Jones knew his was outgunned. He was not a criminal in the league of the Shade or Per Degaton, and he knew it. "I give up. I did it all! I did want Rick's job." Jim Jones would plague the Green Lantern a few years later in 1948, as the criminal gunslinger known as White Star.
Greg tied him up and turned him in to the police. Veronica Lake kissed him and he said, "This actin' is a purty good life!"
THE VICTORIOUS SEVEN: Part 7
The sight of the relocation camp sicked Lee Travis. He had seen the bloodshed of many a battle in two identities. He had stood in the ranks of heroism with Zatara, Superman, Doll Man, Nadir, and Dr. Occult as one of the first mystey men. However, he knew this was a wrong unlike many he had battled because it was caused by his government and his country, not the Axis or a masked thug like Dr. Weerd.
He did not believe the loyalty of these Japanese immigrants and their children should be in doubt. His data showed that none (literally none) of those interred had been guilty of anything except of being born racially diverse.
Lee could do little about it as the Crimson, though he had been given the additional nom-du-crime of the Avenger as well. He hoped as newspaper publisher Lee Travis of the Daily Globe-Leader he could expose the injustice of the plight of those ripped from their homes for no good reason.
He and Wing left in despair after seeing the people within and their "protectors". Now, turning from the Japanese-Americans to the Chinatown district where Wing's childhood friend had settled, he hoped for some sense of peace.
Wing smiled with quiet pleasure as he hugged the demure woman named Lu Chan. She smiled and her beauty was evident.
She's just a kid, mused Lee. Younger than Wing, maybe younger than Speedy and the Kid!
She led them to her shabby apartment and eagerly offered them refreshments. "It is so nice to see Wing again. We were separated in 1937 when my family died during the mass evacuation because of the Japanese invasion of Suiyan."
Wing nodded. "It occurred so fast. Many were uprooted forever. Finding Lu Chan like this is due to your kindness and resources as a press man!"
Lee smiled. "Glad I could do something good."
A cry brought them to the window. Below they saw a bright figure in white and red. "What the--?" said Lee.
"The Red Dragon!" said Lu Chan. "He leads the gangs in our city! He is feared by many as a very evil man!"
They saw the Red Dragon and his gang frightening the residents of the street stores with random acts of violence.
"He has never acted so ruthlessly. He loses profit by this damage!" said Lu.
"He'll lose teeth soon!" vowed Lee.
THE VICTORIOUS SEVEN: Part 8
The rapid disappearance of Lee and Wing and the sudden appearance of the Crimson Avenger and Wing was no mystery to the clever Lu. She knew Wing and thus knew at once who was behind the mask. She could be trusted, however, since the Chinese girl had a secret all her own.
The Red Dragon fired flames from his wrists where tiny nozzles shown beneath an ornate costume. "Death to all who oppose me!" he cried in Chinese.
"Count me on that select list, villain!" said The Crimson Avenger.
Wing raced through the teaming streets of Chinatown to pull children and old people to safety and to halt the rampaging Dragon gang. His martial arts skills enabled him to subdue them with little effort. He spun, punched, and jabbed with precise aim and little brutality, and soon made his presence known.
The Red Dragon flamed up again and fired at the Crimson Avenger, who leaped for cover and released his red mist. It obscured the street scene and painted a garish picture of the Dragon's gleaming armor and the darting shadowy Avenger.
"I need not see you to bring you out, American!" said the Dragon. "I may burn this village of rabble to the ground unless you step out!"
The Crimson Avenger shoved a straw dummy out into the street from an open store. The Dragon destroyed it, and in that moment Lee was upon him. He fought with a silent rage, for he could see that this Dragon was not acting randomly, but on orders from the Nazi cause. That made this Chinese man a traitor to his people. It angered Lee. He pounded him ceaselessly and with little grace. For once the Avenger avenged without regard for his own conduct.
The battered Dragon ripped free from his grip and clicked a device. The nearest building suddenly erupted in flame!
Wing gasped in horror as the walls buckled toward them. Then a rapid blur raced by them and with sheer will and power shoved the crumbling wall aside away from them. She wore a green and white costume and was a Japanese American.
"Tsunami!" cried Wing.
"Yes, I followed you from visiting the Relocation Camp where I have family," she said. "I admired the passion and concern you displayed so clearly. I followed you, and I fear I have learned your secrets, but I am glad to be in service to one who is not blinded by race and sees clearly, unlike justice!"
Wing saw the angry Dragon race off and stop suddenly as a costume woman blocked his flight. She wore black and gold, and her lovely face was masked by silk. She moved with speed and talent and kicked the Dragon flat.
"I know that move -- I taught it to you!" said Wing.
"It's Lady Fear!" cried a watcher. "She has stopped the Dragon's reign at last!"
Lady Fear (Lu Chan behind the veil) nodded and disappeared in the streets.
"Wing, you have a very special friend there!" said The Avenger.
Tsunami nodded. "As do I, if I may call you both allies." They shook hands with her and watched her walk off.
"Odd, one Chinese man who is a traitor to his people and one Japanese-American who is loyal to our cause," mused Lee. "The one who is locked away (or would be) is our ally, while the criminal one is legally free until now."
"Justice is often imperfect," said Wing.
The Avenger nodded grimly.
THE VICTORIOUS SEVEN: Part 9
The Star-Spangled Kid and Stripesy were locked in a fierce combat with a hulking brute on the Hollywood hills.
"Stripesy, move number 34!" called the Kid as he flipped wildly through the air.
Stripesy grinned and rolled to position himself where the agile Kid landed. He caught him and heaved him up and back so he landed in the face of the Monster.
"Arrrgh!" screamed the Monster. "You insipid brat! I'll strangle you and that oaf as well!" He grabbed for the Kid, who was just too nimble and spun to the left.
Stripesy slammed a ham-like fist into the black cloaked man's face. He barely blinked and tried to choke the big red headed man to death.
The Star-Spangled Kid frowned. "We can't overpower this guy! Yet we don't want to hurt him, since he's not in control when he's in this form! He's a modern day Mr. Hyde, according to what Sandman told the Avenger once!"
The Monster had appeared suddenly with a mad threat to blow up Beverly Hills as revenge upon the so-called beautiful people who lived there. The Star-Spangled Kid had heard the news on the radio and rushed in search of the madman with his pal Stripesy. Now, having tracked him down through use of a radio wave frequency detector suggested by the Kid and built by Pat Dugan, they fought a wild battle against the ugly and sinister figure.
Stripesy said, "I'll shut you up!" He broke free of the Monster's iron grip and tackled him anew.
The Star-Spangled Kid took that moment to rip free the wires that were set to blow up a huge section of the landscape. Can't use the bombs against the poor jerk! he mused. He stopped thinking and kicked the Monster in the head to give Stripesy a breather. The Monster roared and ripped at the Kid who tumbled safely away. Got to trick him, since we can't muscle him down! thought the Kid.
Stripesy wheezed and nodded that he was game to try anything. They had worked together so long and so well that they needed little more than a look to communicate their plans.
Kinda feel sorry for that guy, mused Stripesy. I'm a bit like a monster at times. I often feel like a dumb, oversized palooka too...
The Kid (wealthy Sylvester Pemberton) lacked any of these self-doubts, since he had been good at most everything he ever tried all his life. But he had been lonely as well, and Stripesy had filled that void since his folks were often busy. His older brother was never home and was a stranger in all the ways that mattered.
The sympathy they felt for the mad Monster did not stop them from doing, however, what they had to do to stop his rampage.
THE VICTORIOUS SEVEN: Part 10
Sylvester had an idea. Perhaps they could forcibly change the Monster back into the meek industrialist he was before he became the Monster; they lacked the brute strength to knock him unconscious, thereby changing him back into industrialist Jason L. Rogers, but the Kid hoped that another idea might work just as well.
He grabbed the wiring that led to the bomb and ripped them free of their casing. The sparks were dangerous, and he risked much to try the next move. He shoved them into the Monster's back as Stripesy rolled to safety. The high voltage surged into him and began the rapid transformation back from misshapened brute to a confused old man.
"Oh dear! Did I do it again?" asked the frail man.
"Yeah, but don't worry, we stopped ya before anything got hurt!" said Stripesy, patting him on the back.
The Kid grinned. "Yes, in fact I believe we may have performed our own shock therapy. Maybe you'll never need to transform again!"
They walked off as the meek man turned himself in to the authorities.
"Shock therapy? That was pretty lame!" said Stripesy.
"I didn't hear you come up with any gems of comedic wisdom," said Sylvester.
"Now you're talkin' like an egghead again. I thought I cured ya of that!" said Stripesy.
"It pops up once in while!" laughed the Kid.
THE VICTORIOUS SEVEN: Part 11
The Hollywood hills offered a beautiful view for Oliver Queen and Roy Harper as they took the Arrowplane out for a tour.
"Gosh, Oliver! The scenery is wonderful, and I don't just mean Joan Fontaine and Portia Storme!" said Roy.
The Green Arrow smiled at his partner's youthful excitement. "I'm glad you didn't just lose yourself in the glamour girls of Hollywood!"
"No! I..." cried Speedy, then hearing something, he turned up their special radio. "Listen!"
"That's some kind of flight radio between planes!" said Green Arrow. "Our specially-built radio can pick up cloaked signals, unlike other planes. We've stumbled on to an invasion, or at least a bombing raid over California's munitions works or shipyards!"
"The others need to know too! What do we do?" said a worried Speedy.
"Signal them with the plane's special flare!" yelled Green Arrow as he banked sharply and watched his partner release a flare in the form of a "7" over California.
The others were even then battling their foes, as described before. However, the maniac named Clayface had struck and been stopped by another visiting hero, so as luck would have it, the archers were above ground to pick up the signal.
"They'll meet us when they can!" said Oliver Queen. "We'd better track that signal."
"I think that won't be necessary! They're coming over on the horizon!" shouted Speedy, pointing towards a flight squadron of eight bombers which appeared over the horizon, headed for the defense works below.
"I know those planes from newsreels," said a grim Oliver Queen. "The White Lions -- Hitler's hand picked pilots, led by film hero-turned-Nazi, Death Mayhew! No better propaganda victory could they ask for then having a former U.S. movie hero bomb California in service to the Nazi cause! The others must be busy with distractions sent by those creeps!"
"Yeah, if we hadn't been up here, they would've sneaked in on the coast!" said Speedy.
"I guess it's up to us to stop them!" said Green Arrow.
"We're good, but they're experts!" said Speedy.
"Son, we just work with what we've got!"
Green Arrow turned to fly toward them and released a special button. A huge arrow-shaped projectile erupted from the plane and shattered a wing of one White Lion plane. The pilot bailed out and the plane burned to a crash.
"You did it!" said Speedy. "You shot down one of them!"
"Yes, but that one device is all we've got, except for the smoke screen which I'm releasing now!"
"What do we do after it clears? We can't outfly seven expert Nazi fighters!" said Speedy.
"We pray," said a grim Queen.
THE VICTORIOUS SEVEN: Part 12
The Shining Knight saw the flare as he left the Penguin in the hands of the law and flew across the lot to signal to Greg Sanders, who changed into his Vigiliante outfit and leaped onto Winged Victory behind the Knight.
"What's up, pard?" he asked.
Sir Justin said, "I fear the worst since our comrades have summoned us thusly!"
"Where are the others?" asked the Vigilante.
The Crimson Avenger and Wing were at the airport, where they persuaded a pilot to take them up immediately. They swooped low and spotted the Star-Spangled Kid and Stripesy racing to the airport as well.
"Can you drop the ladder?" asked the Avenger.
The pilot nodded. "Sure! Let them climb up now!" Soon, the foursome was reunited in Hop Harrigan's plane.
They spotted the Arrowplane through a thick fog of smoke, and saw the winged stallion bring up their friends as well.
"The Nazi rats!" said Stripesy. "Trying to bomb Hollywood like this! Can't believe their guts!"
"Let's endeavor to teach them a lesson about dropping in uninvited!" said the Star-Spangled Kid.
Wing sat nervously as they drew near to the planes. This was not the first time in his life that he had seen death from the sky.
The Knight rose up and charged a White Lion on his horse as his sweeping lance deflected several bullets from above. He flew up and around the plane and saw the Vigilante jump from the horse to a plane. He gripped the metal frame and kicked in the glass window.
"Reckon I better just take over here!" he drawled. He knocked the startled pilot cold with a left hook, then dropped into the seat and steered the plane wildly into a second one before diving out.
Justin swooped desperately and caught his friend. "Valiant as ever, but a most perilous journey, my friend!" he said. The sword he whipped out sliced through another plane's front, and as he twisted away, the pilot bailed out.
"That takes care of four of them, and there's four left!" said the Crimson Avenger. "Pull up close, Harrigan! Let me drop this out."
The pilot obeyed, and before long a crimson fog covered the closest White Lion windshield. The Nazi plane steered into the ocean in a blinding red mist.
"Is the pilot safe?" asked the Avenger.
"Yes, I think all have escaped via their chutes," said Hop.
The Kid frowned. "I wish we could help, but what can we do up here?"
"I got an idea," said Stripesy. "Let me modify that radio device the Monster was usin'. I can create some static and ruin their pilot's concentration!"
He did just that, and by linking on to the White Lion frequency given them by Green Arrow's radio, he startled the remaining Lions, including Mayhew!
"They won't be able to fly or even think straight with that loud roar in their headsets!" said the Kid.
THE VICTORIOUS SEVEN: Part 13
Death Mayhew was made of sterner stuff, though, and he pullled out of a spin to unleash a rain of bullets on the Arrowplane! It burst into flames as the archers bailed out.
Sir Justin charged Mayhew's plane and hurled his enchanted sword directly at the cockpit. The blade shattered the glass and nearly impaled the pilot. Justin flew near and retrieved the blade as the Vigilante jerked the dashing pilot out.
"I guess you better surrender now, ya no good rattler!" he said. "Less'n you wanta just jump down on your own!"
Death reluctantly climbed onto the horse, and they all landed. Green Arrow and Speedy had parachuted to safety as well.
The Crimson Avenger and Wing greeted them warmly. "Nice work guys! You'll make pilots yet!" said Lee Travis.
Hop Harrigan grinned as well. "You two are aces!"
Speedy laughed, "Hey, we didn't even need a boxing glove arrow!"
They questioned Death Mayhew, but he kept his silence, and elsewhere an angry Baron Blitzkrieg made his escape via sub.
"I tell you, those Seven Soldiers ruined my plan!" he shouted disdainfully. "I hoped no heroes would even be on the west coast, and those seven villains were to create enough chaos to distract all from my bombers! However, it is all too clear that even with the Justice Society occupied, America has plenty of other equally worthy if less famous defenders."
His aide remained silent as they sank below the dark waters.