Hatman tacked a picture of Gordon Verge onto the bulletin board on his wall. He had been tracking the attacks in Gothametropolis York, trying to find the connection. Until the attack on Verge, most of the targets were low to mid-level crime bosses.

    He wouldn’t shed a tear for the loss of the predators eating away at GMY, but he didn’t want to see anyone else dead. The thought of Boss Deadeyes getting whacked the same way had crossed Hatman’s mind, and he wasn’t entirely sure whether he hoped Deadeyes would be attacked or not. Just the fact he even contemplated the hope of another person’s death bothered him.

    He had several pins in the board with different coloured yarn linking them together. He was trying to determine who the next target was and how to protect them.

    Canada was his home and the Legion was his family, but he felt a certain responsibility for GMY. The corruption in the city, from the government to the police force, was a cancer, but the people still stayed. Parodiopolis was just across the river, but the people of GMY refused to be moved. It was their home.

    The Legion tended to focus on the more overt threats to Earth, but GMY was becoming Hatman’s own side project.

    He turned his thoughts to the group calling themselves the Abandoned Legion. Reports had been sketchy at first, but now that he had successfully planted Goldeneyed on their team in the guise of Space Warped he had a lot better intel.

    Bry had immediately determined that the faux-Sersi was the Suicide Blonde, his murderous cousin. Fortunately they had suspected the Blonde’s involvement and Al B. Harper had whipped up a device to obscure Goldeneyed’s power signature, preventing Bambi Bacall from sensing her kin.

    They still weren’t sure who the big guy was. He was strong, fast, and fired energy blasts from his eyes; other than the lack of an ability to fly, his powers seemed to match Premiere’s perfectly.

    Citizen Z was also a mystery. Beth Zemo was still locked up, so Hatman doubted it was her, though he wouldn’t put it past the Baroness to figure a way out of captivity to moonlight as a vigilante for kicks.

    Goldeneyed had reported that Killer Shrike was on the team, but seemed a little conflicted about what they were doing. Hatman wasn’t sure what Killer Shrike’s angle was, whether he was a mercenary for hire again or if he was trying to take down the group from the inside. Hatman had to concede that he might have been duped by their leader.

    His alternate reality counterpart, Doorman, was the organizer of the group. He was a sadistic version of Jay Boaz with all of the skills and attributes that made Hatman the leader of the Lair Legion, but bent towards evil and destruction.

    Hatman was planning on sending the Legion in to take down the Abandoned Legion, but he needed to bide his time. He suspected what Doorman’s plan was, but he needed to be sure, and with G-Eyed on hand he was sure the body count would stop.

    He hoped.

* * * * *

    Boss Deadeyes spread an old map of Gothametropolis across his polished desk. There was no computer taking up the desk space; Deadeyes didn’t trust them. He was a pen to paper man.

    Harvester hovered behind the crime boss, standing close enough to see over his shoulder but maintaining a respectful distance. The horticultural horror had quickly learned that if you treated Deadyes with respect he treated you with the same.

    Deadeyes indicated a several square block area on the map around Bendis Avenue and Maleev Street. “This here was Holeville’s turf,” explained Andredi. He pointed at the docks along the river. “And Gravestone had the docks. Had a fondness for cement overshoes, if you know what I mean.”

    The Boss pointed out several other areas that had recently seen their bosses murdered. “Looks kinda random to me, “ Harvester admitted. “There’s still controlled territories inbetween.”

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“That’s what they want ya to think kid,” Deadeyes said as he pulled a cigar from his coat pocket. Harvester helpfully supplied a match.

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“This here corridor is controlled by the EZ Rollers gang,” Deadeyes indicated Ennis Drive. “And here, the Yankee Street gang. They’re small potatoes, both of ‘em.”

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“Why do you let them operate in your city? “ In the time he had spent in Deadeyes employ Harvester had found Deadeyes had little use of the modern day street gang.

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“Gotta groom the bush leaguers for the show somewhere,” said Deadeyes. “The fuzz collar them now and again for a photo op, keeps ‘em out of my business.”

    Deadeyes studied the map further. “Someone is trying to create a power vacuum,” he surmised. “The gangs will fight over the turf and wipe each other out.”

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“Sounds messy,” said Harvester.

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“It would be,” Deadeyes agreed. “And I don’t need that right now.” The Boss considered the different scenarios.

    He turned from his desk and looked out his window. “Spread the word Harvester. I’m taking over the territories.”

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“And I need you to set up a meet,” added Andredi.

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“With who?” asked Harvester.

    Boss Deadeyes told him.

* * * * *
    
    Citizen Z removed the saber from her belt and handed it to the security guard. She knew it would not be permitted where she was going but she also knew she would not need it.

    From the intelligence she had received she knew she was not the only person currently masquerarding as Citizen Z. Beth Zemo was still locked away in the SAFE, yet she knew of at least one other who had claimed the mantle.

    It didn’t bother this Citizen Z at all. In fact, it actually served her purposes well.

    She walked into the opulent meeting room decorated in pinks and purples. Only one crimelord was powerful and confident enough to employ such décor.

    Akiko Masamune turned to greet her guest. “Welcome my friend,” she said with a smile. “We have much to discuss.”

* * * * *

    Quake smashed the table in front of Doorman. “I want to know when we move on the Legion!” he demanded. Ever since Doorman had brought him back to this time period he was dying to reacquaint himself with Donar.

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“When it suits my plans,” replied Doorman coolly.

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“What’s to stop me from just leaving and going after them myself?” snarled the time displaced supervillain. “I don’t need any help to destroy them.”

    Doorman bolted to his feet and jabbed his finger into Quake’s chest. “Because if you abandon the plan now I’ll never send you home. Or maybe you’d prefer to go further back, see how the dinosaurs lived maybe? Or I could just open a door in Skree space and dump you there, how would you like that?”

    Doorman left out the part about how difficult it had been to open the Doors of Time and that he wasn’t even sure he could do it a second time to send Quake home.

    Quake glowered at Jay Boaz. He was confident he could find another way to travel through time back home; the Legion was bound to have something he could use. But even he couldn’t survive in the coldness of space for long if Doorman sent him there. He chose to bide his time.

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“Fine. But I want some real action, not these petty mob killings.” Quake turned to stomp out of the room. “And soon.”

    The Suicide Blonde approached Doorman as Quake left. “He means it, you know,” she said as she stretched herself out on the sofa.

    Doorman rubbed his temple; he felt a headache coming on. “I know,” he snapped. “I suppose you feel the same?”

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“I’m in no rush to take on the Lair Legion,” she admitted. “But I think it might be time for the second phase of our plan. With Hatman currently absent from the team the time will never be better.”

    Doorman thought about the Blonde’s advice. “You know, I think you may be right.”

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“It’s time to go public.”

* * * * *

    Gideon Book was a powerful man. As the CEO of Odyssey Enterprises he had amassed a great personal fortune, all dedicated to the pursuit of absolute order. While some would call him a supervillain he did not see himself that way. In a world of black and white, he was the Word, master of the Order of Order. He had a divine purpose.

    Book had contracted the scientific development arm of B.A.L.D. for a very specific task, and he had just been delivered the final product. As he looked over the device a hologram materialized in front of his desk.

    The Word checked his watch and looked up. “You’re late,” he said coolly.

    The image of the diabolical Dr. Moo looked back at him. “You can’t rush genius, darling,” she replied. “I received your message, and what you propose is interesting.” She smiled a ruthless smile. “And expensive.”

    Lisa was not the only one in the family who knew how to negotiate.

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“The expense is of no concern, as long as you can guarantee success,” said the Word. “Can you do it?”

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“I’ve always liked a challenge. Creating the biological form from the template you’ve provided is child’s play, but programming the body to be inhabited by an artificial intelligence? That will be tricky, but I believe it can be done.”

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“And the final component?” the Word prodded.

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“Until you get it to me for analysis I cannot be sure,” admitted the zaftig villainess. “Are you sure you can get it?”

    The Word indicated the Impossibilitium Tracker in his hands. “It is only a matter of time.”

* * * * *

    Killer Shrike sat back and watched the live coverage of the Lair Legion’s assault on the Aryan Ideal. He had been following all the reports lately about the Lair Legion’s campaign to create a super-powered army throughout the world. From the times he had interacted with CSFB! he was sure his heart was in the right place, but Maddicks knew he was going about things the wrong way.

    As the cameras caught images of the LairJet smashing into Karl Braun’s headquarters the feed suddenly switched to the local GMY news outlet. Shrike sat up to pay attention; they wouldn’t interrupt the live broadcast of the Lair Legion for something unimportant.

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“This is Tyanna Wain live from the Market District in downtown Gothametropolis. A group of H.E.R.P.E.S. troops have taken control of an entire city block and are threatening to destroy it if their demands are not met,” the pretty redhead reported.

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“The Mayor’s office has issued a statement that they do not negotiate with terrorists,” continued the reporter. “The GMY Swat team is holding position waiting for back-up from the National Guar—wait, there’s movement over there! Tony, are you getting this?”

    Simon, along with all the other viewers, watched as a large combat robot stomped into view. It had been repainted in H.E.R.P.E.S colours but Killer Shrike still recognized it.

    The Obliterator.

    Simon pulled on his cowl as he thumbed his Abandoned Legion Communicard. “Abandoned Legion, Line Up,” he spoke into it.

    With the Lair Legion occupied and Klein too stubbon to call in any other super-powered help, Shrike knew that the Abandoned Legion were the only ones positioned to stop the murderous robot.

    In the past Maddicks would have steered clear of taking on a menace like the Obliterator. But in the past weeks with the Abandoned Legion he couldn’t shake some nagging doubts about what they were doing. He needed to prove to himself that the Abandoned Legion was doing the right thing, and taking down a menace to an entire city seemed like a good way to do it.

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“It’s hero time.”

…To be continued

All sorts of interesting developments as the series aligns with current Untold Tales events. So there are multiple people currently running around as Citizen Z, eh? I'll be interested to see who it is on the Abandoned Legion, and how Masamune fits in.

The Word and Dr. Moo also have an interesting teaser of a scene, one that doesn't seem to immediately tie into the large goings on.

Looks like shrike has thoroughly been seduced by the hero way of life here. Dancer would be so proud. Now he just has to live through his impulse...

Really fun stuff! I look forward to the next chapter!

Actually I was originally going to make Lisette the new Citizen Z, not realizing she already was in UT. I'd forgotten that the Amnesia persona was her current status quo, so it wouldn't have worked as planned. I hope what I've come up with will work.




I'm trying to graduate to sub-plots. For the first time in a long time I've actually now plotted out the main story beats that I need to hit for everything to tie together.




It remains to be seen how he reacts when he learns Doorman has been yanking him around.




I've gotten re-excited about writing it with some new plot points I've come up with, so hopefully I get it out soon.

~Hat~

A very fun chapter, with a lot of interesting cameos. I look forward to finding out all the bad guys' plans, especially how the new players Akiko and the Word play into all this.

I'm glad to see it continue.

I'm glad to see 'The horticultural horror' (heh).

I'm glad to see subplots and new familiar villains.

I'm glad to see the mysteries continue. Don't be in too much of a hurry to explain everything either.

Looking forward to more!

Al B.

I'm glad I found the time to write it; this is one of the busiest times of year for me at work.




I think Killer Shrike came up with that one and I stole it.




Subplots are something I haven't done enough of, so it should be fun to play with.




I often find I rush that, so hopefully I restrain myself.




Thanks!

~Hat~

Splendid stuff.

Remember that the Obliterator is usually a city block high. You may want to explain how he survived the ground zero Galactic Nobbler blast in Untold Tales #140 (Pegasus' last stand), the last time we saw him as far as I know.

If it helps, Galactivac got restored when the Nobbler blast was reversed. Maybe the Obliterator did also?

I always picture the Obliterator being the size of Dominus (or Dominex, I mix the two up sometimes), so no worries there. I needed something big enough to threaten Quake and the Suicide Blonde, two very powerful villains.

I've been researching some other elements of the story (I don't want to spoil what's going to happen with what I've been researching) but I hadn't gotten to the Obliterator yet, so thanks very much.




Possibly.

~Hat~