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Superman
Times Past, 1938
Danger in Bohemia
DANGER IN BOHEMIA: Part 1
The streets of Bohemia were silent on a gray September day. People went about their business without joy and without any unnecessary displays that would call down the wrath of those who watched from along the borders.
One man, however, looked out of place in this land, whose very destiny was being decided by a group of statesmen in the cold and sterile meeting that would echo through later history as the Munich Pact. This unholy pact with infernal forces would bring the end of any true nationalism to the ancient and proud Czech peoples. This was not known yet. While the stranger watched and listened keenly to all that went on around him in Bohemia in Southern Czechoslavakia, in Munich -- Daladier, Mussolini, Chamberlain, and Hitler made their agreement. The agreement or appeasement would essentially turn over 11,500 square miles of land to the Axis forces. The British and French leaders felt proud that they had so easily stopped German territorial aggression; however, as the dark haired man knew even now, that was very naïve.
He thought to himself that these good, honest farm folk were much like those he had known growing up in America's heartland. He also knew a good deal about dealing with bullies. "You don't gain anything by letting a bully push you around. He'll always come back for more!" had been the wise advice of his late father years before.
You were right, Pa! Hitler is nothing more than a bully, and laws can only do so much with his kind. Sometimes it takes one individual with power to make things right! Justice is what I stand for, and in this gray world of political trickery, that doesn't always coincide with law and order! he mused as he squinted across the city toward the Axis lands.
The date was September 29th, 1938, and his own legend had barely begun to form. He did things his own way with the best of intentions and a slightly rougher edge than would be the norm in later years. His name was Clark Kent, and he had come to Czechoslovakia to set things right. It would not go well!
DANGER IN BOHEMIA: Part 2
Clark Kent had arrived in Bohemia without official recognition. He needed no passport and he needed no plane. He simply flew on plane to a neighboring region and bounded across the country by night! Now he wore a white shirt and black pants. His handsome features were intent upon his surroundings. He had actually listened to the Munich Conference from where he stood and he grimly shook his head.
This is wrong! I can't change laws, but I can make people act differently. I did so with that killer Bea and I can do so with Hitler's pack of curs! I need to be ready to send his bullies running when they move into this stolen land! he mused.
Clark did not wear the glasses he had taken to using back home as a disguise. No one knew him here and he was not even wearing his Superman costume beneath the simple clothes he wore.
He planned to simply repel the troops and have a "talk" with Hitler afterward. That might just end all this before blood was shed needlessly.
He recalled a conversation Lois Lane and George Taylor had had back at the Daily Star about his other identity.
"This Superman gets things done! I like that! He won't let folks get hurt because of legal red tape. He stops crime with his bare hands!" said Taylor.
Lois sat on her desk and adjusted a chic new hat.
"True! He really has backbone... unlike some I could name!" she said with a glare toward Clark Kent.
"Say, now, Miss Lane! That's not fair. If we all had his power then we could all be as tough!" offered Clark.
"You can say that, since you know you'll never have his power, Kent! A good thing that is, since you would sooner run than stand up to Greta Garbo, much less Adolf Hitler!" sneered Lois.
Clark took her words to heart. He wanted to impress her, yet he knew that his role as meek Clark seemed essential for him to carry on the work of Superman without being suspected of a close tie to the Man of Steel!
Still, he wondered if he could use his powers to settle Hitler's hash! The Munich talks would determine much about Europe's fate. If they went badly, then Superman, or maybe... plain old Clark Kent... might take action for freedom!
DANGER IN BOHEMIA: Part 3
He thus found himself on vacation from the Star in the region of Bohemia, and he knew that he would have to act to repel the Axis Troops who would move in tomorrow to occupy the regions given over to Germany, Poland, and Hungary!
Before he could act, screams echoed from a building that burst into flames for no apparent reason.
He scanned the odd shack and frowned. A male figure stood amidst the fire and was unhurt. He saw the weird trappings of science and magic in the destroyed room and he knew that combination spelled trouble!
He rushed forward and shoved aside the rubble that blocked the door. "Come out! Are you hurt?" he asked in English, forgetful of the language barrier.
The man turned and gazed at him with red eyes beneath ridged brows and golden skin! Muscles rippled from beneath the ripped shirt that covered the huge figure's inhuman form.
"I am unhurt! I am born of fire and earth! I am the Skritek! I shall bring justice to this ancient land!" he roared.
He blasted Clark with glowing energy that bathed him in a weird light and left his shirt in rags. He stood barechested and dazed, and knew only that he had to stop the monster from Czech legend and that he had little time to do so!
The Hobgoblin (for such was the word in Czech) leaped away, bound for a murderous mission of his own.
Clark was greeted by passersby who gawked at him standing in the rubble, unhurt but stunned.
"Who are you? You are strange, to go near the home of the mad Alchemist!" said an old woman.
"I... don't know who I am!" muttered the man once known as Clark Kent.
The next few days passed as he took shelter with the kind old woman and her husband. He was not hurt, but the magical blast had robbed him of his memory.
The cries of fear that echoed out on October 7th roused him from helping the family with their chores. He knew only that people needed help, and somehow... he had the power to help them!
DANGER IN BOHEMIA: Part 4
Over the next few days, the people of Bohemia found a champion in the mysterious figure in black who seemed to almost fly over their community as he shattered the forces that threatened the nation. Nothing seemed beyond his ability. Bullets bounced off his skin and he was almost supernaturally alert. He was seemed tireless, though sorely troubled by a sense that something was missing -- some purpose, some direction. He became known to the people he aided as "The Unknown!" and this title sufficed.
He relished the irony of the name, because in truth he was unknown, even to himself. The magical energy had robbed him of his memory, but not his valor. He helped with amazing tasks, like driving back the tanks of the Reich Protector, or protecting the terrified President Benes. He also showed an equally strong humanity in taking the time to talk to children. He brought laughter and hope, merely by his confidence and caring.
The Nazi troops set to begin an official occupation, or division of the land, along with Poland and Hungary were equally plagued by the magical creature the alchemist had become. This "Hobgoblin" fought them in darkness with talons and sinews of iron-like might. He seemed to have been called forth to fight for all of his beleaguered nation.
However, as October drew ever closer to its mid-point, a terrible fate hovered over the head of the Unknown.
The Nazi troops had long since occupied Austria, and Hitler had even returned as a triumphant hero to his old homeland. This was old news. What were new and very frightening in its possibilities was that the Hapsburg Museum had also fallen to the Axis, and one exhibit was even now missing from the hallowed halls. One item had been sought by Hitler from the very start, and this item had been sung of from the early days in which he studied at the feet of those wise in the alleged lore hidden within the Germanic saga of Perseval! He was near mad with desperation and lust to possess the fabled Spear of Destiny, which had been stolen from the old Hapsburg. His troops searched the romantic streets and drew ever nearer to the talisman that, once within Nazi hands, would enslave all super powered beings vulnerable to magic!
Clark Kent did not know how very dangerous his situation was at that moment. However, lucky for him there was another within the city who had a strong knowledge of all things magical. His name was Nadir, and he was also very new to the life of a mystery man!
Nadir was a dapper young man who had mastered the ways of magic and sought only to use his skills for justice. He had journeyed halfway around the world in order to locate the very talisman Hitler sought.
Little did he know that he was so close to a man who would possibly be the father of all mystery men to come!
He sensed only the faint hum of power that came from the transformed Alchemist. It tugged at his own senses in will o' the wisp style, and it distracted him from his quest for the Spear. He finally gave in to the lure and vowed to discover the secret of this Hobgoblin before trying to wrest the Spear from its hiding place. Perhaps if he could trust the instincts he lived by, then somehow meeting this creature would be better than first finding the Spear.
DANGER IN BOHEMIA: Part 5
Nadir followed the mystic trail that led him to the ruins of a demolished old home in the southern part of the the region. He mustered his concentration and received a clear image of the yellow hued creature within.
He is not evil. He merely seeks to protect his homeland. I can't argue with that, yet something tugs at me to enter his presence and seek answers, he mused.
He did not get a chance to ask the questions, since the Skritek bounded out of the rubble to attack the elegantly-suited man.
He struggled against the monster's inhuman power with little luck. In a purely physical brawl, Nadir was truly a beginner! He tried a desperate ploy. He sent his thoughts across the city until they echoed in the mind of the Unknown! This being of power was not known to Nadir. He merely tried to summon help and by Fate's whims, a man with enough raw power to make a difference was near!
Bounding through the sky -- almost flying -- came the darkly handsome Clark Kent -- The Unknown!
He smiled boyishly and said, "I see you can't get along with anybody!" to the red eyed beast. He tackled the monster and rolled him off of a relieved Nadir.
"Great Scott! Superman!" cried Nadir who instantly sensed the hero's true identity through the misty veil that clouded his memory.
The Unknown caught a talon in one fist and twisted hard enough to wrench the creature's wrist out of socket. He hesitated as his keen ears caught the name Superman! "That is my name!" he recalled, only to shudder under a sudden blast of magical power from the Skritek!
Nadir took a chance and jumped forward to touch Superman's head. The memories surged back, fully restored, and he smiled grimly.
"Thanks, pal! Now, let me return the favor! This thing needs a lesson in picking his foes better. He must be trying to defend his home, and that's my goal, too. Though I've been going about it in an odd way these last few days, thanks to his spell!" he said. He lifted the beast skyward and heaved him through the stony rubble.
Before he could do much more, the Nazi troops in the region of Austria closed in on the hovel of Heinrick Donher, who had stolen the Spear hours before the Axis forces took the city. He watched helplessly as an Axis leader ripped the talisman from his hands.
A shudder passed through both Nadir and Superman. Nothing had been "activated" yet, but the weapon would soon reach one who knew what its magic could do!
DANGER IN BOHEMIA: Part 6
The Skritek faced his foes warily. He seemed about to attack anew when Nadir and Superman worked as a team to restrain, and then reawaken the human mind within the monstrous form.
"Mein! What ist this? What have I wrought?" muttered the poor man through inhuman lips.
"We want to help you. We, or I rather, came here to drive back the thugs who bullied their way into taking a piece of this land. I'm the Unknown!" said Superman as if on whim.
Nadir understood the American's desire to act without drawing down repercussions upon his neutral homeland. Thus, for this case the hero would be called only The Unknown!
"I am Skritek! That is the name of what I have become. I am sorry if my zeal brought harm to you who could be allies!" he said.
Superman replied, "I'm rather hard to hurt, so don't worry yourself!"
"That is subject to change!" roared a massive creature who rose literally from the earth to menace them all.
It had multiple limbs and jagged teeth, and seemed to lack any purpose other than destruction of all living beings. It had been conjured up from the same regions out of which the benign Skritek also ventured through more scientifically-blended means.
Nadir gestured and the monster's smashing bulk crashed down apparently upon the suave wizard but in truth feet away from the man.
"Illusions? Nice method!" muttered Superman.
Nadir nodded, "I try!"
Superman stared at the creature and heat struck the body and it screamed.
"Heat vision?" said Nadir.
"I call it X-ray vision, but your name sounds more appropriate!" said Superman.
Skritek rolled forward and clawed the monster back, only to fall beneath a swinging limb.
The Axis troops in Vienna brandished the Spear. "The Fuhrer will be pleased!"
They little knew just what a treasure they had located.
DANGER IN BOHEMIA: Part 7
When word of the discovery reached Adolf Hitler, he immediately gave orders that a special envoy should waste no time in delivering the artifact to him. It was dispatched accordingly. Superman's fate rested in the hands of men who would hesitate at nothing to master his awesome powers. At this point the Axis intelligence could only confirm that a powerful being in black aided the nationalists.
At that moment, the Skritek fell as the creature summoned by accident thrust itself into his scaly hide with cruel talons. Superman charged the monster relentlessly as Nadir concentrated and tried to stave off further attacks. The fight raged on as pavement stones shattered in a rain upon the struggling figures.
With every second they fought, the Spear crept closer to the possession of the madman who would use it to enslave the super powered foes who dared invade his Axis dominion.
Superman froze the creature with icy breath and Nadir dashed forward to send his own commanding thoughts into the mind or what passed for a brain of the monster.
In a thunderous puff of smoke the beast was banished to its neither world home while the heroes bent over the wounded Skritek.
"Nadir managed to send it packing! Are you badly injured?" asked Superman.
Nadir frowned. "I think the poor man is hurt but will recover. He may heal himself magically."
Superman suddenly stiffened as the Spear of Destiny entered the Reich base that currently housed Hitler.
At that moment his future and, perhaps, the fate of the free world hung in the balance.
He was saved when a sandy haired man in a faded aviator jacket attacked the Nazi troops in Vienna as he fought to escape from within the Nazi stronghold. He slugged a trooper and kicked one flat. The Spear dropped for a second and he gripped it long enough to battle free before an agent retrieved it.
"Let the fool go! The Spear is of more importance!" ordered their leader.
"He was spying upon the Fuhrer!" whined another.
"He shall be dealt with," assured the leader.
The distraction made all the difference, since the delay gave Nadir the chance to urge Superman to cross the border with him.
"Why the urgency? I have a job to do!" said an annoyed Man of Steel.
"I can only say that something spoke to me through the ways of magic. It demanded that I get you out of Nazi-held lands immediately. Trust me on this: you must not return here until I personally vouch that the danger is passed. Will you trust me in this matter? I did restore your memories," urged Nadir in agreement to the magical compulsion that spoke to him from the Spear itself.
Superman agreed, and they returned to their normal lives. Nadir vanished not long afterward and thus never did get to fully explain the weird danger posed by the Spear. Perhaps he didn't know what it meant, himself.
DANGER IN BOHEMIA: Epilogue
The sandy haired hero who had fought his way to freedom and unknowingly gave Nadir time to get the greatest of the mystery men out of the range of the Spear was Cliff Cornwall.
He had spied upon the Nazi leader for a friend, and the government would one day thank him for it. If they could find him! This was uncertain, since Cliff was only one alias of many, all used by America's brave defender, Tex Thompson.
He would return to the heart of Germany years later and serve equally well before coming home and fighting on under dozens of other names!