-Hawkman
Five years ago, near Roswell New Mexico.
The sounds blasting and explosions echoed around them as the very ground shook beneath the 155th out of Santa Fe ducked behind their Humvees. “Sir what are you orders?” a man dressed in black tactical military gear asked as he ran up behind an older man with slick black hair ducked behind the car. “The commander looked to his Lt. and then back over seeing what looked like a man made fully out of water going after another man made of complete metal. It was the dammedest thing he had ever seen. The two men peered over the vehicle watching the water man’s form starting to turn into something that looked like metal with the metal man inside of his watery form fighting for its very life.
Before the two men a crushed burning car exploded, two screams of anguish could heard through the air as the metal man began to glow, seconds later there was a flash of light. Then puddle of water covered the ground as both men were gone. The soldiers moved up guns at the ready. Colonel Oran Sanders stood up in disbelief “What are you orders sir?”
Five years later
Gotham Airport
James Howard strapped himself in the seat making sure it was snug and tight and noting all exits. Just in case there was a problem. That was after checking the emergency parachutes, first aid kits and air mask. One never knows when one might have to dive out of a plane for some reason or other. He then had inspected the seat belts and chairs. His sister Cassy Howard made fun of him saying in a sing song voice “There James goes Monking out again. The next thing you will know he will be touching the post as he walks and wearing surgical gloves ever where he went.” Howard knew better than even acknowledge her teasing. But she did not have the past experience of six past lives each one being cut short before their time. His mentor’s curse was something that he did not wish to continue. Finally with all his worry allayed he leaned his head up against the chair head rest and closed his eyes.
Today he was leaving the pain of his life here in Gotham, the death of his parents and all the ugliness that ensued before and after that, and loss of so many dreams. But Gotham was not the home he knew anymore, now it was a plague of criminals and pain. And far enough away from a certain beautiful federal agent who blamed him for a death of a friend of hers. . . Little did she know Ray was his friend too, but he had gotten there too late to save him. No now a new city new job, new place, new start for him and his bratty sister. As of yesterday, he was Dr. James Howard Head of the Archeology Department and curator of the Prince Khufu exhibit. The person who got him his new job also provided an apartment a new parole officer for his sister Cassandra and the ideal that maybe this new city will be the new start he so longed for, for peace. How had his life changed, three years ago he was a promising you professor at Gotham University with parents and a much younger sister that were somewhat happy and healthy everything was going well, but life threw them a curve ball. His father died after loosing a corporate takeover battle with his father died of an aneurysm and less than two months later his mother took her own life. This left him to raise his teenage sister all alone, something at first that did not work out well.
Cass was busted for being in a stolen car, though she denied it most everyone thought her boyfriend now ex was the one who stole the car, but Cass got the wrap and a parole officer. A parole officer who she has to meet with once a week and it was the same parole officer who suggested James take Cass on his dig in Egypt for spring break. ”Ouch!” he yelled as something hard hit his knee. This sent his eyes open as his jumped then was pushed back by the seat belt.
Cass looked at her brother as she put a bag that looked like a long rod up above in overhead storage. “Neat ride. Forget first class private jet is the way to go. No lines, no TSA, no crabby passengers to complain about anything and all the soda I can drink. Plus there is the ditching of a certain lady FBI Agent who wants to put us away for life. You know big brother I think this move is just what we need. Fresh start, a city full of bad guys to.”
James leaned forward putting his hand to his mouth to shush her. “What-I’m just saying!!! And why are you so jumpy. It’s a plane for god sakes, not a bomb. And you should at ease flying your Hawkman you fly around all the time. A plane should be no big deal to a guy like you!”
He put his hand to his mouth once more then in a low voice but angry tone whispered “Because as Hawkman I can control the flight if there is a problem I can fix and I have an idea on what I’m dealing with. Here all we know is Sharon and David need our help protecting the girl. Then some new “friend” of theirs shows up giving me a job and apartment in a city I don’t know. Call me crazy but my gut does not like the sound of this.”
Cassy looked at her brother, “Then why do it?”
“Simple it’s the right thing. Hero or not a friend asked for help, and I can give it. Case closed. Plus you get a new start too. Your new parole officer is a friend of his Collins guy other than that you have a clean slate, no ghost to tie you down no past to hold you back. “
“And no FBI lady who your crushing on to hunting us.”
James nodded his head yes in a firm manner “Exactly! Now put your earbuds turn on your Ipod and let me try to relax, ok?” as his annoyed voice trailed off Cass stuck her tongue out at him then put her earbuds on and began to jamming to whatever god awful music kids listened to today. Please don’t let it be Justin Beiber!!!
This was Hawkman and Stargirl.
New Orlias
Inner City
The Weigh Station
Chris Collins, Jo Le May, David Dither and Sharon Dithers all sat on bar stools all but the last drinking clear hard liquor and sitting in quiet repose. “Damn it you three it is 8 a.m the bars not open yet. You especially you Dr. Dithers should be drinking at this time of day. What about your patients?”
The tall dark hair girl whose eye matched the midget male behind the bars own eyes shook her head, “Sorry dad rough night last night. We were tracking a lead when some guy jumped Cody. Fell from two stories up and broke her arm. Three pins in her left arm, shell be out of the game for a few months. Not mention hurt her designing more gowns for people. It will hurt her if she can’t draw.”
Trick shook his head; his daughter 30 years old never missed a chance to make a smart remark when he spoke “I am truly sorry to hear that. Dakota is a very nice girl. I’m sure she will be fine though. So today’s the big day isn’t it?” the small man said polishing his bar top and trying to change the subject to help lift the others spirits.
David shook his head negatively “You mean the day the city goes to pot as Lochlan Stuart goes into office as mayor or the fact that your buddy Miss Vauger has been put on the hospital board. She takes her seat today “The dark haired doctor smarted off polishing off another glass and slamming his shot glass down on the dark mahogany bar.
“Hey do you know how expensive that is!!! And that is one of the softest woods in the world. I should make you pay for that. “Trick said pointing at David.” First that Prada wearing bitch is no friend of mine, and second I was referring your friend who is moving in to help with that little problem. He is moving in today. Or at least that what Chris said last week.”
The blond haired man in his early 40 perhaps younger looked up at him” They’ll be here in three hours. I’m picking them up personally and delivering them here. Have you-?”
“It’s on the books as the two of them being my property so movement around here should be fairly easy. I have also sat a side Tuesday afternoons at 4:30 to take the girl to her parole officer. Though why a girl so young needs one of those I will never know. The apartment is ready for them.”
“Thanks.” Chris said sitting down his glass “It’s good the Ash will be overseeing the girl, maybe it will put her on the right.”
Sharon Dithers reached across the bar and grabbed the remote “Shut up guys look who’s giving his first speech as mayor.” Sharon said turning up the volume on the T.V.
As they watched a tall man with dark curly hair and dark eyes who appeared to be in his 60’s stepped up to the podium:
- “Good morning all, I am going to keep this short. As your new mayor
I am grateful for the chance to serve you as mayor. As you know
there were detractors who said this would be Stuart Miltech turning
New Orlias into a company town. But I am here to say that is not
the case. That is why till the end of my term as mayor I am turning
the reigns over to son Jason.
And as my first act as mayor is to announce that New Orlias
Museum of Art and History has just acquired the Prince
Khufu treasure on display permanently here in our fair city.
The man who found the treasure Dr. James Howard I am also
Pleased to announced is going to head up our Egyptology
Department this fall at New Orlias University. And to celebrate
The good doctor and all he has given to our city we are having
Celebration in his honor tomorrow night. Thank you “
“It would take a jackass like that to take credit for something you did. This city is going to hell in a hand basket.” Trick said pouring himself a glass of Greygoose. The other looked at him “What that guy as dog catcher means the end of the world, and now he’s mayor. I think I would rather spend the rest of my life drunk.”
The protectors of New Orlias
Metropolis
Casey Morgan was packing up the last of her files when a knock came at her door. The dark haired olive skinned lady dressed in a business suit looked up to see her boss Director Jeff Adams of the Vigilante Squad leaning against the frame with a piece of paper in his left hand.” You sure about this. You will not have Bureau back up there.”
As she put the last of her files in the box she sighed “Call it a hunch. I know that there is something bigger going down with Professor Howard than he’s telling. He lied to be about the dagger. And seeing as he is my only hope of finding Jack’s killer I have to take it. You understand don’t you?”
With a heavy sigh the Director placed the paper on her desk. “Then your transfer is through. You are officially assigned to New Orlias office. Transfer was confirmed an hour ago. You’re to meet with Commissioner when you get there. “Pulling the paper back for a second “Don’t make me regret this.”
She snatched the paper out of his hand and looked it over “You won’t wish me luck.” She said putting the paper down on her desk so that she could close the file box. “I’ll make you proud.”
“You better Agent Morgan.”
Somewhere above Earth Orbit
The veil between time and space is thinner than most would think. It is like a locked door, only a certain key will unlock it , but once unlocked the door swings open to let anything on the other side through. This was the same for the time/space veil that holds this universe together. And when it tears . . . .
It started as a sliver crack in the blackness of space eeking slightly open. Then as it seal itself up a white hot explosion followed a red streaking comet hurdling toward the earth faster than man people could comprehend.
The firey ball of light fell as black smoke billowed behind it faster still till. . .
Some near new Orlias the object hit the ground causing an explosion and crater. As dust and ash exploded out of the earth and rained down hot ash all around the form of a white make with dark hair could be seen laid in a fetal position unconious in the crater.