Chapter 21: Fury's Ex Wife
As we entered the hangar bay it was surprisingly orderly. People waited for the ships to open and be filled and then moved to the next one until that ship was launched. Then it was replaced with another Javelin by the Watchtower lift.
This was happening at every bay door. But it wouldn't be enough. I ask "How many ships do we have? Will it be enough to get all the civilian manpower off the tower?"
T'challa who was very smart did some calculations and replied "No, there won't be if we don't overload some of the Javelins. Give me a moment to calculate."
After about 3 minutes, "The average load a Javelin can support can be exceeded by 3-4 people if the ship is just doing an earth run. It may overwork the engines in atmosphere entry but its within tolerance." T'challa said.
Figuring the emergency situation we were in, I decided to use my telepathy to reach everyone as the sound of the Javelins leaving would drown out any single voice. {Everyone listen, we need to add 3-4 passengers to each Javelin to evacuate quicker. It will also ensure that there is enough room. Black Panther and Wonder Woman have approved this method.}
Most everyone turns my direction and notice me waving my hand as I stand next to Wonder Woman and Black Panther who were discussing the chances of Ororo powering a Zeta Tube herself to avoid placing further strain on the breached core.
Surprisingly 3-4 individuals didn't react to my message and ran to a Javelin and took seats and then most of the rest of the workers started doing the same. They also stated loading more people into the ships than seats available.
I quickly spoke to Black Panther and Wonder Woman and said, "Those 4 in the Javelin at spot 5 didn't hear my telepathic message."
Wonder Woman spoke to T'challa, "Go, I can handle this." And he took off like a bullet and boarded the Javelin in question just before it closed its door and left the bay.
After 5 minutes of working Wonder Woman sighs and says, "With the raw voltage of my lightning I would overload the fuses on this Zeta Tube before anyone could escape."
"There must be something more we can do to speed up the evacuation." Ororo said slamming her fist into her other hand.
A woman's voice came over the speakers, "Justice League Watchtower, this is Amanda Waller abord Space Platform 1. I am the Director of Sentient World Observation and Response Department. Our readings show a critical build up in your power core, do you require assistance?"
I see Wonder Woman shake her head, "Great now we have Fury's ex-wife 'conveniently' showing up."
Hitting the communication panel, she calls out, "J'onn, what's going on up there? Don't tell me we have to ask this 'Gorgon' for help."
J'onn replies, "I am currently battling The Annihilator, Mr. Plastique, Captain Boomerang, another individual I believe to be Deadshot and an unknown in the command center. They appear to be trying to leave via the teleporter here in the command center. Atom Smasher is down, and I could use some help."
I look at Wonder Woman and say, "You have to help him, he can't use full strength on them without tearing the Watchtower apart. I bet they are taking advantage of that to get out of here."
Over the speakers we hear "Again this is Director Waller of S.W.O.R.D., we have intercepted a Javelin drifting with King T'challa unconscious on board with no one else aboard. Do you require assistance?"
Coming across the comm's we hear "Negative Mrs. Fury, sorry Director Waller your assistance is not required at this time. The core leak is locked down and I'm Sure Wonder Woman will be with you shortly to retrieve King T'challa and the rescued Javelin. Captain Atom out."
"I do not recognize the rank of Captain unless it is part of Earths service rank Miss Carrol Adam. You can send Wonder Woman to get her fiancé any time however the Javelin was unfortunately damaged beyond repair in our efforts to rescue him. I'm sure you understand!"
Wonder Woman spoke "Quickly, with me Gar." and she sprinted for the elevator. She simply grabbed me and started to fly up the shaft towards the command center I assumed.
I quickly changed into a snake and forgoing any perverted thoughts I simply wrapped myself around her arm to reduce any drag.
As soon as we get there, we see a man holding what looks to be a block of C4 over the mouth of Atom Smasher who is unconscious. J'onn backing away and 3 men on the teleporter platform with a giant set of armor.
I tell Ororo, {Throw me at the bomb!} thinking I could smack it away and enlarge to capture the man but before I can finish the thought she is standing before the man and has taken to bomb in her hand and knocked him out. The bad part is she moved so fast it left my stomach back at the exit from the elevator and relaxing I fell off her arm dizzy.
One of the men on the platform shoots at the bomb trying to detonate it as they teleport away but Wonder Woman blocks it with her bracer. J'onn races to the teleporter controls to see where they went and maybe recall them but as soon as he approaches the console blows to pieces.
J'onns frustration vibe rolls off him in waves as everyone realizes the bad guys got away. Moments later J'onn walks toward a blond man in maintenance clothing and says, "Hello Vance, we need to talk. I find it interesting that I can't read your mind."
After doing what I could to help after the evacuees returned, which was 'stay out of the way' I ran into J'onn and asked if he was ok.
"I am unharmed physically, but I will never understand betraying a trust. Besides Vance from the control room, we found a total of 7 more suspicious individuals who either didn't show or today's video shows someone else using their ID cards. Other Leaguers are looking to ensure they are ok or filing missing persons reports if they can't find them. The 4 you found suspicious are ones that used other people's credentials to get here with."
"That reminds me, what happened to Black Panther?" I ask
"Zatarra, our local magician says he was hit with a powerful knockout spell that would erase memories, so he doesn't remember even meeting you at this point. He says the last thing he remembers is asking Ororo to spar with him." J'onn says.
"So, what now?" I ask
"Unfortunately, it means we can trust no one, much to Devilbats amusement. He had warned us our screening process was far too shallow." J'onn grinned
"Hmm when I met him, I didn't think anything could amuse him." I say.
J'onn chuckles, "Only dark humor affects him. Speaking of the Devil, he has recommended that you spend some time on his turf and train with him and Robin for a time. What are your thoughts?"
"That would give me some good experience to see if this Hero gig is even what I want to do. Don't get me wrong, I want to learn about this power I have and push my body to its fullest. And I can't see myself standing bye if I see something wrong, but I also am not sure if I want to look for something wrong either." As I say it, I try not to look at J'onn not wanting to see if he is disappointed in me for my thoughts.
J'onn replies, "I will let him know but until then we can continue to explore your powers and train here together."
"So, any chance you can tell me what happened today?" I ask, happy that J'onn doesn't seem too disappointed in me.
"I am afraid that is information only discussed among the League today." J'onn says.
Later that evening in a room with a large round table several heroes are going over the events of the day.
Devilbat, "So an unknown group got into the Watchtower archive, somehow modified the Annihilator, a Golem created by Hephaestus himself, to overcome its one weakness of not attacking those that don't attack it. Set of an explosion that damaged the power core and released radiation causing an evacuation and a perfect distraction for them to escape. Worst of all several of our civilian workers were plants by any number of government agencies and Black Panther is only alive because someone didn't want to kill him. Does that about sum it up?" It was hard to tell with Matt Wayne if he was mad or just running a summary. After all he spoke the same way when he ordered lunch.
J'onn, "This is my fault, I did not realize that I could not read the minds of several individuals on the Watchtower."
Superman, "No J'onn you can't take this blame. Out of respect for others you have been trying to close your mind off to those around you. Even though it is the exact opposite of your Martian upbringing. Also, we have asked you not to directly attempt mind reading without reason. This was a failure of our screening process and failure to take the advice of members on this counsel."
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