Sinter heads into the building, careful not to touch anything.
Not having any ID, he emits a coded burst to verify his identity when queried. He will head in and wait as requested, not saying anything, but quite eager to meet the Man of Steel.
Whippoorwill glides in, tapping her communicator. "Whet, what have you got for me? I'm inbound."
A slightly annoyed voice comes on the other line. "Well, the talking heads were right. Superman says he's taking command of the League."
"Okay, that's... nice, I suppose. Anything on that thing I asked you about?"
"Well, everything I can find seems to indicate that unless you've got kryptonite or magic, just don't. I mean it, don't."
Whippoorwill rolls her eyes and shakes her head. "Just great, but that's what I figured. Okay, wish me luck."
"Always."
She lands on the steps, noting all the cameras around and unconsciously adjusting her domino mask a bit. She approaches the guards at the entrance who start to motion her through. "Go right on through, Hawkgirl."
"I'm not actually... well, nevermind. Thanks."
Holding her breath a bit as she walks into the chambers, looking for the other members of the Justice League. When her eyes fall on Superman, her breath catches.
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At the midway point Imagine's helicopter is met by another one. The LexSec jump over and transfer several large leather bags from that one to this one, and Kara signs several forms that are kept by the second helicopter. For the last leg of the trip Kara changes into an impeccably sailed pinstripe business suit.
Imagine's helicopter lands on a top-floor helipad, and the band boards several stretch HUM-V limousines for transport the last few hundred yards to the frenzied media site.
Imagine gets out and frowns, unable to muster a positive reception to the thronging horde. The LexSec respectively stay outsides as she walks in. At some point some floozy asks her for ID. At this she musters a smile. 'Awwww. That's adorable. ' She waves a hand in front of her. "You don't need to see her identification."
"We don't need to see her identification," the floozy repeats.
"This is not the superhero you're looking for."
"This is not the superhero we're looking for."
"She can go about her business."
"You can go about your business."
"Move along."
"Move along, move along."
Imagine keeps to the back of the ground and reaches out to the rest of the group.
'I'm 100% sure that is NOT the Man of Steel. When your family is now onto the second generation of figh--erm, interacting with someone, you get to know them. I know Superman. Superman is a friend of mine. That, lady and gentlemen, is no Superman.
So, what are we gonna do about it. You guys have a plan, right?"
Whippoorwill folds her arms as she studies the Senate chamber and everyone within. Her eyes glance around, picking out senators, aides, pages, security, media, and anyone who might look suspicious.
Imagine's mentally-projected opinion of Superman sends her further on edge, but she deliberately slows her breathing and wills herself to stay frosty. She then focuses on Superman himself. Never having met him, she still compares the one speaking with everything she knows about the legendary hero.
"Getting into a fight with Superman -- even a lookalike -- inside the Capitol is probably going to put the final nail in the coffin of the JL's reputation. I suggest watching and waiting for a time. Gather evidence. Then make a plan."
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'That...is a logical, lucid, and rational plan. If he was just saying "Hey guys, I'm back! Let's pop some caronas and all watch porn together" I'd be down for the watch'n'wait.
But he wants -immediate- power over -us-. Not cool. He'll send us to "training" exercises in Tibet while his buddies rob Ft. Knox in Kentucky. And then, apparently, talk to the press about how much we suck.
I mean, we didn't blow up the museum. We know that. But he's saying we did.
The -real- Superman would know that. He knows everything. Believe me, we've tried. For him to start off with a strawman-argument just isn't his style.
Hell, giving a presser isn't his style. Even asking for a position isn't his style. He doesn't do titles and paperwork. He just shows up, smiles, talks about the American way, and punches something into the sun.'
"Umm, how do you know it isn't him? I mean really know. He's been away a long time. He might have changed some. Anyway, Whipper is right, I think fighting here is a real bad idea. "
"No, Imagine, he said we failed to keep the museum from getting blown up. He's right. And you're jumping to a lot of conclusions about how he'll 'lead' the League."
"Think: if he's bad, we'll know soon enough. If he's got any sense, he'll want to gain our trust and confidence. If there's a sudden crime spree while Superman is in charge, people will talk and everyone's suspicions will rise. If he wants this to last for more than a single job, he'll need to establish himself as legit. That means doing good. Which means we'll have time."
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'Okay, you want to set up me getting a big, giant 'I told you so' later on when we're staring at a pile of ruin and tears. That's chill, it's been awhile since I had a good one of those.
Can you just do one thing for me? One easy thing. All of us or one, doesn't matter.
Can you get him to tell us where he's been? Really been. Not just a "been busy doin' stuff" kinda thing. Okay?
And we didn't ally ourselves with Black Manta! Okay, yeah, we did for a little while. But we totally kicked his but when he turned on us! He didn't mention that.
Doesn't it seem weird that the guy that has "Truth" as his first priority is now misleading with half-truths and facts artfully left out? I mean, if I did that, sure, that wouldn't be surprising, expected even. But HIM??'
You guys aren't seriously falling for this, right?
"I didn't say I was convinced it's him. I don't know. He is dressed kinda funny and all. "
Whippoorwill fights the urge to pinch her brow in frustration. "No, I'm not 'falling for it.' I'm skeptical. But I'm also skeptical about our chances if we decide to throw down with him right now in front of all the cameras. Waiting's the smart play. We don't know all the details, and yes, I'd also like to know where he's been."
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'Who said anything about _fighting_??!?? Ugh, all you people can think about is punching things. Try and figure this one out without violence, okay?'
'Okay, look, this is a public event, sort of. How about we start be just asking him, and then see how much we like the answer. How's that?
Go ahead Hawkgirl. ;)
People like you. Just raise your hand and ask. Let's see how it goes. =-D'
A sour look forms on Whippoorwill's face. "I haven't even formally joined the League yet. That feels rather presumptuous. There's no doubt Superman's aware of us. Let's see what he has to say."
An old and weathered looking man hobbles in with the rest of the team, having basically snuck in with the others. Creepily enough, the voice of a little girl seems to vibrate out from the spot where the octogenarian stands before the hearing.
"Excuse me, I am new here, but I must know. Who are you, and why is it you are here?"
"... or we have the clay guy speak."
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'YES!' Imagine's voice echoes happily in Clayface's cranium. From the girlish joy in the voice she's mentally clapping her hands and jumping up and down in a short skirt. 'Good job ClayManDudeFace! Hey, I know you're Whip's friend--I saw you two talking together--and just wanna say that I am -not- gonna judge her taste in guys. Dif'rent strokes, right? So I'd just like to introduce myself. I'm Imagine, and I am SO glad that I don't have to do that! =D
I'll totally support you in this, so feel free to let fly and don't worry about your rear area, 'cause I got it covered. ;)
Has anyone told you your behavior is both annoying and off putting. One, I am not Claymandudeface, I am Clay10. Two, I am not a guy, I am just clay. Three, none of you are my friends, I just met you. Four, I have no rear, no front, no sides, I am an amorphous blob of hydrous aluminium phyllosilicates mixed with organic material. Five, I didn't get to the justice league exhibit yet, so I don't know who any of you are. Six, and this is important, you shouldn't put yourself in other people without permission, how would you feel if I put myself in you without your permission?
Before Superman turns to respond, the Chair of the Committee bangs a gavel and says sternly, "Sir! This is not a town hall meeting. Officers, detain this man..."
As Senate police begin to close in around Clayten, Superman stands up and holds up his hands to stop everyone, with one hand pointed at the Chair and one at Clayten. He says, "That won't be necessary. This isn't a random person off the street, Mr. Chairman. This isn't just a random interloper. I believe he was assisting the Justice League with the Flash Museum incident. I'm sure he just tagged along with them, and if you'll permit me, I'll be happy to answer his questions..."
The situation diffused, the Chair says, "Oh, well, of course, proceed."
"My name is Kal El, though most people on Earth call me Superman. I an a Kryptonian, which is a kind of alien, and I was sent here by my father to escape the destruction of my home planet. People also call me the Man of Steel, the Last Son of Krypton, and sometimes the Big Blue Boyscout. As though being a boyscout is some sort of insult. For a long time I was a hero. I worked and fought with other heroes to make the Earth a better place and to defend it from those that would threaten it. About ten years ago I withdrew from public life because it seemed like the Earth didn't need me to go around punching things anymore. I left the Justice League in the hands of J'onn J'onzz and my cousin Kara. I spent some time traveling, and I used Kryptonian genetic technology to develop a perennial wheat that is helping to feed west Africa. Now, someone has attacked and seriously injured my friends and family, and the organization I helped found, the Justice League, seems to be floundering. So I came back to see if I could help out. When several of the founders stepped away from the League, we turned its administration over to a government agency called ARGUS, so I've come here to ask for permission to take the League back. It appears that you have a composition similar to that of Clayface, who my friend Batman fought for years in Gotham, but I don't think you are him. Maybe you would be interested in working with me to use your abilities to help people. Maybe you'd like to join the League."
"There have been many Clayface. I am Clayface, just as my progenitor before me. If you are a hero, then I will stand with you. If you turn out to be untrue, then I will find some way to end you." There is no threat in the tone of voice, only statements of fact.
Sinter is pretty much in flat out awe at this point.
"It is him!"
Whippoorwill folds her arms, relieved that, for the moment at least, Imagine was out of her head while she updated her social media. It gave her a chance to ponder on her own without fears of Luthor's daughter listening in.
Superman recognized the old man with a child's voice as Clay from the Flash Museum? That would seem to indicate that he knew of the attack, and may have even observed it. But if he watched it, why didn't he intervene? There were enough bystanders in danger that just observing us to see how we handled the fight would be... very un-Supermanlike.
The chair of the committee says, "I think we have all of the information we need. If you will excuse us, Justice League and Superman, we will take some time to discuss these developments."
Superman, "Of course, Mr. Chairman. we will retire to the Hall of Justice and I will await your decision."
With that, Superman turns from his podium, his gaze touching upon each of you for just a moment, and he strides from the room. Those of you who are close to him as he passes feel the warmth radiating from him.
Sinter remains in awe of his boyhood idol and merely follows him to the Hall.
Whippoorwill falls in line after Sinter, following Superman and letting the politicians debate.
Shale takes a step forward from where he has been standing against the back wall of the council chamber. His grey clothes and short slim stature stand in contrast to the weight of his presence, and the confidence in his bearing. "Gentlemen; I request an opportunity to speak 'ere you retire."
Shale approaches the bench, looking across at the assembled representatives. Standing near the man of steel, he looks a head shorter, and a mere two thirds the Kryptonian's girth. Taking a moment to gather his thoughts, he begins.
Gentlemen. Ladies. I am known here as Shale. Like Kal-El, I am an alien here, but have chosen to make this planet my home. In order to be worthy of that home, I have chosen to render service unto mankind by utilizing my skills and power through the group known as the Justice League. While I have served with the League in various roles over the past few years it has only been with the recent tragedy at the Hall of Justice, in the initial attack by the Conqueror, that I have ascended to the Team's front line.
I have had the hearing of reports by your criers that the men and women of the League were a party, or even responsible for the destruction at the Flash Museum. I can assure you that nothing could be further from sooth. There was no sign aforehand, and no conflict that lead to its destruction, but rather that conflagration was the first tell of the urgent need there was of our intervention. The explosion took its patrons unaware, as there was no preamble or indication that else was but quiescent. It is to this we must attribute the injured, as none had forewarning, and many an innocent was harmed in the fell tiding.
This ambuscade seems weighed and measured to have drawn us out. For it was carried out by someone bearing upon his visage the likeness of one known to us; himself once a member of the league. However, this likeness was not borne true, for he bore upon him an affect most grim, powers unknown to him when he was among us, and no kindness or familiarity when he turned his countenance upon me.
Upon this take my measure, that this man bore his face without sooth faith, and it shall be proven false. An impostor posing as one of the League, a prior bearer of mine own mantel so called The Flash. And lo, it is at this time that another comes forth bearing the visage of the League. Mere moments after crisis has arrived and the very dust of this tragedy has not yet settled upon the ground; before investigations can be begun or concluded, and while tensions lie at their keenest edge; when faith has reason to be challenged, that this savoir arrives. And it is upon this face we see the most trusted and stalwart member of the League; he who begat it. Superman.
"I bear no accusation in this, for sooth, I hold upon my breath hope that this is our friend and mentor, for truly all would prosper if the man of steel were to walk among us again. However, I bear as well a tale of caution, just spoken, that faces and power do not make the man. That trust in any, particularly a trust so dear as command of Earth's heroes, be awarded only with time and knowledge that faith will be upheld."
"Every member of the League knows this risk, that there are many who would wish to misuse its power, and that this has happened before. I ask only that you not act out of fear and haste, but ensure all needed assurances can be sought that it is to one to whom the faith is well placed that we gift this authority. Should my misgivings be misplaced, and this most convenient presentation of our hero be borne out at a time when our vision is most shadowed by doubt and trepidation, then I shall be the first to bend a knee, and pledge to aid him however I might, as the true heart of Kal-El has never before led us astray."
"To you, who bears the familiar aspect of our friend and hero, I would ask to put aside your call for immediacy, to give credence to thine own past, where others have tried to extort your good graces through similar falsities. Your aid, and your company, we would gladly accept until such assurances could be made. Each of our presence, of ours and yorn, would act as safeguard to the other."
To you, Masters of law, I ask that thee make ye not your deliberations with swoopstake haste. Rather, I prithee thee bear all due wit and measure upon your decree. Representatives, I thank you."
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Kara is immediately on her feet, clapping with great ebullience. "Yes! At last someone speaks the truth! At last we have a hero worthy of the name!" she calls, unable to contain herself as she goes on clapping, heedless if hers are the only hands to do so.
Whippoorwill had to pay close attention to keep up with Shale's speech, so she had cause to wonder if his message would be lost on the assembled congresspeople. She also took a second to appreciate the irony of a speedster who spoke in such an archaic manner being on the same team as a telepath who communicated with emojis.
"In other words," she mutters beneath her breath, being far to prudent to allow herself to be heard by anyone other than those standing directly near her and those with super hearing, "let's take this slow and make sure we're all who we say we are, shall we?"
She watches closely Superman's reaction to Shale's speech.
Superman seems slightly bored, and possibly a little angry, at least tense, during Shale's speech. Nevertheless, he retires to the Hall of Justice to await the deliberations. Once there:
"I understand that you don't have any reason to accept that I am who I say I am. That's fine. The point, for the moment, is that Earth needs a Justice League that can function at a high level. Pounding on Cyclotron until he exploded was bush league, the kind of thing Supergirl and Green Arrow might have pulled in their hot-headed early years. With you, we have all the pieces we need. Well, we could use a Batman, but I wasn't able to find him. We started with Flash, we have Shale. We started with J'onn, we have Imagine. We started with Hawkgirl, we have Whipporwill. We don't have Batman, and that is a weak point, but Sinter and Clayface have unique and useful abilities. I've reached out to see if can get a Green Lantern. We can look into some upgrades for everyone, and we can train. We need to be a team."
Whippoorwill folds her arms in front of her, not able to keep the distaste off her face. She had missed out on Cyclotron exploding, being inside the museum, but that wasn't the point she wanted to make.
"With all due respect, sir," she begins, "I'm not Hawkgirl. I've heard she's an alien, or maybe Egyptian or something. I'm a human from modern day Earth who underwent an experiment. I may have wings like her, but I can't do the same things as her. The bottom line is this: trying to plug me -- or any of us -- into the roles of former Justice League members because of a passing familiarity is a mistake."
She glances at the rest of the team before continuing. "I'm willing to trust that you want what's best for the League, but you seem to think the best way to help us out is to make us into your old Justice League. Expecting us to live up to your lost comrades and friends is a recipe for disaster."
"As Whipporwill has stated, we are not those heroes. They were great, and some of us follow in the Legacies of those men and women. I am not the Flash. I am both much less and far more than the prevìous Flashes. There are things they could do that I daren't dream to perform. And yet, there are things I can do that none of them would attempt."
"Please accept that I meant no offense in my words at the hearing; I feel that erring towards the side of caution is prudent in such a case. Where so much is at stake, the clear path is one of safety, where we assume you are likely an imposter until your identity is confirmed. I was genuine in my second assertion as well; if the doubt is proven unnecessary, you will have my deepest regrets, and my loyalty."
"However, until your identity is confirmed I will continue to see evidence of it in both directions. A reminder as well; until the hearing is completed, you are not officially our leader yet."
Clayten waits and listens, balancing all the given opinions in his head while trying to formulate his own decisions on what is happening.
Sinter is now confused after Shale's speech, being somewhat dubious on the Big Blue Boyscout having returned, but he still hopes it's no imposter. He still remains silent, knowing he really can't add anything smart to the debate.
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[to all:]'Ugh, you're comparing _me_ to the Last Martian Standing. Puh-lease. That's like comparing apples to 1978 Thunderbirds because they both happen to be red. And you're getting your red dainty panties in a twist because we don't have a normal human who spends more time brooding than working with a team?? Oh, I might be a tad temperamental, but if Batty spent as much time fighting Brianiac as he did _not_ working with the old JL because he 'was busy' then they'd have to call him Dumbdiac, amirite?
You know what's better than the World's Greatest Detective? A dozen pretty good detectives that have a reputation to uphold and don't charge der diem. Hell, I'll get a whole minivan of private dicks over here right now if it'll make you feel warm'n'fuzzy.'
Imagine gets out her phone and texts Jeanine about which private investigation firms they have on retainer. And, since she has her phone out anyway....
'Old Man Supes stuck in the past! If he advances his outlook 20 years he can join ppl in the 1950s! #NewWorldNewHeroes.'
'And what would -you- have done with Cyclotron anyway? Protip: I bet it would've involved punching him into the sun. That's super, Supes. Just rip on everyone that isn't you and we'll be bestest buddies forever #sarcasm.'
"I would have moved Cyclotron out of the densely populated area, Ms. Luthor, found some way to contain him rather than violently release him from his containment suit. And I would have known it was a containment suit because I would have studied my foes. Your ignorance of your enemies has led to near disaster on several occasions. So far, you have been lucky. And that's fine. I've been lucky a few times, too. But you have to bend the odds beyond luck. You have to control yourself, control the battlefield. But let's move to more pressing matters."
He turns his attention from you to the air above your heads, "VICTOR, is there anything you can do to allay these people's fears, to prove that I'm me."
"I have been running a wide variety of comparisons between you, the newly appeared Superman, and what we have on record in the Justice League files. Based on biometrics, study of his gait and flight form, and DNA analysis, I conclude a 99% chance that this is Kal El of Krypton. The fact that he also knew all of the passcodes and ident codes for access to Justice League resources suggests that he is who he says he is, or that he has deep access to Kal's mind. It seems possible that he is a Martian impostor, but his lack of response to Sinter, who is composed of living fire, would suggest that he is not."
"Viktors information helps, but it also stands to reason that few would be foolish enough to attempt an impersonation if they could not circumvent even the first or second hurdle. I am sorry, I acknowledge that there is a degree of bias to my doubts, and that a non-testable hypothosis is neither fair nor scientific. I cannot yet think of a means by which your identity can established with certainty, but I will dedicate my efforts to identifying such a method."
"Ms. Luther, if you are still interested, perhaps we can get that drink while we await the council's orders."
Just as everyone is settling in to wait for a decision, or possibly move to a more pleasant location, a klaxon rings out. The holoprojectors spin up an image of a city by the ocean, soon labeled "Coast City."
"Justice League, there is a major earthquake occurring in Central City, USA. First readings suggest a 9.2 on the Richter scale. Major casualties are possible. Deploy immediately."
Sinter will use the transporters since it is marginally faster.
Having no other way except a long flight to the west coast, Whippoorwill follows Sinter to the transporter. "Knightingale talked about these things. Nothing to it. Just having my atoms scrambled and shot across the country. Yep. Nothing to it," she mutters under her breath.
Sorry. Brain malfunction. Should be Coast City.
"Yes, they are pretty old tech by now. Don't worry. We rarely have accidents anymore. " he says right before stepping in.
Clay watches as the others step in to the tubes and transport out. Slowly, he assumes the form of an average human male and steps in to the tube...
... and instantly triggers an old blue and gold express subroutine, transporting Clayten to a small warehouse in the naval yard.
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[to Shale]: 'Oh really? Oh yes, that's a great idea. Did...did you want it to be just us or everyone. Hmmm, I think _Accelerante`_ is open, I could probably--'
Then VICTOR breaks in to the interlude with an URGENT MESSAGE!
[to Shale]:'Sry. Let's try again when we get back.'
Imagine and her minions calmly take the teleporter to Coast City
'Hey, dudes, didn't daddy buy up some real estate around here back in the day?'
"Yes, they are pretty old tech by now. Don't worry. We rarely have accidents anymore. " he says right before stepping in.
"That's so relieving," Whippoorwill replies drolly as she steps in herself.
When the world reforms again, she notices the sun is three hours earlier in the sky and the weather is much fairer. And everything was in chaos.
She takes to the sky immediately as she surveys the destruction.
Her eyes are quickly drawn to a large building with a giant "W" on it sporting a crack nearly from its base to halfway up its side. What's worse, several floors have collapsed and people are beginning to slide toward the fissure. She sees Superman as a red-and-black blur heading in that direction.
"He's gonna need help. Sinter, help him weld that crack! Clayten, do you have muscle? Help Superman pull the building back together; if not, try to catch people in your mud if they fall. Shale, get inside and tell us where the cracks are! Imagine, have your people get the bystanders to safety! You and me, we're on aerial rescue!"
Shale takes his own path to the site of the earthquake, preferring to both trust his own feet, and to be able to assess the area on his way in. He keeps an eye out for where the damage begins, and makes a mental note about how far out from the epicentre the destruction extends.
"Victor! Can you give us the exact location of this event's epicenter? Please relay the information and cross reference with local events calendars to identify any locations such as concerts or sporting events that may represent a concentration of endangered civilians and represent potential mass casualty clusters."
"Whipporwill; request acknowledged. I will attempt to assess the severity of ground instability and survey the area of impact in order to report on both casualties and hazards."