They are the greatest of heroes. Their ranks have changed many, many times over the years, but their dedication to the Earths, to the universes safety has always been tantamount in their credo. They are the greatest of the great , the best of the best, and always have been, and always will be our best and first line of defense! They are the Justice League of America,

#273

Siege!
Part Deux

A
 
Crossover issue!

By Exiting Writer
Ralph Angelo

On the very precipice of the Watchtower stand three powerful figures. One mans armor reflects the light of the thousand, thousand stars about them, while the others green flesh and protruding brow mark him as one not born on Earth. The third, a lovely blonde tressed female, is also alien in origin, though the world of her birth was indeed an Earth, just not the one that spins below their position on the moon. Steel, the Martian Manhunter, and Supergirl have come to this highest point of their base for one reason only, to begin the rescue of Superman!

*"There."* Speaks J'onn J'onzz Telepathically to his two comrades. "The Man of Steel is there. I sense his thoughts aboard a ship in that quadrant. I have placed the exact location of where he is held captive within your minds. You must effect his rescue swiftly. I fear that we will need all our firepower to survive this ordeal."

Supergirl sighs mentally "J'onn, we'll have him freed, I promise you. I have to free him, He's been like a big brother to me for years now.."

"And a real friend to me as well." Ads in Steel over his communicator, which is linked to the subcutaneous Implants both J'onn and Supergirl wear. "We're going to save him J'onn, then we're all going to give this Mongul , and the Cyborg a whole pile o' wupass on top of everything else!" Steel slams one fist into the other for emphasis.

"Then go my friends, and may the Gods go with you in your quest, for the sake of us all." Answers J'onn somberly.

Without another word, Supergirl and Steel streak into the starlit sky*, above the embattled Watchtower, quickly disappearing into the black morass of the lunar sky.

*And into the pages of Supergirl #5!

J'onn J'onzz, the Martian Manhunter grimly turns his gaze downwards. As below him, The remaining members of the JLA fight for their lives against almost endless foes. His powerful Martian jaw set in anger, the Manhunter phases through the Watchtowers roof, and back into the battle!

Inside, Wonder Woman punches a Gordanian savagely, shattering its jaw, as it's powerful body flips through the air, to land atop three other attackers, another Gordanian, and two Branx.

"Send as many as you will, enemies of the Earth. I, as well as all the JLA will stand to defeat you all!" She howls angrily.

Nearby, the Flash whips through several Gordanian and Branx warriors striking quickly (Which is saying a heck of a lot for him!), leaving them all piled in a heap on the watchtower's now bloodied deck.

"Man, there're tons of these guys. Where are they all coming from?"

"From those ships above us, and between us and the earth." Answers Firehawk, who flies by Flash, as she fires a blazing blast of nuclear fire at the enemy troopers. "Man, these guys are tough, they're starting to wear us out with sheer numbers. We've been fighting for days already. When are we going to get a break?"

Then, a grim voice that chills even his own teammates to the bone with it's pent up fury answers Firehawk's query. "We don’t have that luxury. Either we win here, or we die. And with us, the Earth as well. There is no "Time out" in war."

Firehawk turns to stare at the source of that voice, a black armored suit covers his regular raiment's, something he doesn’t like to do, especially after recent events*, but this time it doesn’t matter . Batman will do whatever it takes, wear whatever suit of armor he must to insure the survival of the Earth, his own personal feelings be damned!

*See issues 269 & 270

Nearby, Plastic Man stretches his pliable form into a huge hammer, and smashes several of his enemies into the deck.

"Ouch!" He yelps, "I think that hurt me more then them!"

"Be Careful Plas," Shouts the Flash over the din of battle, "You just awoke from a coma a day ago*. We need you alive and kickin' , not out cold again."

*see last issue

"Will do mon ami!" Waves the flexible hero jauntily, as he grabs two spots with his hands, and stretches himself into a sling, which fires a half dozen enemy troopers into a solid wall, with a loud "Whack".

Suddenly energy blasts fill the air around them, and above their heads!

Zark! Zark!

"Fall back!" Orders Batman, as he raises his arm, to fire explosive Batarangs from his sleeve gauntlet, the same weapons which ended the menace of the Star Tsar.* That mixed victory still burns in his memory, like a festering wound.

*Again, #270

"Not so fast!" retorts Firehawk, as she turns up the heat, scorching Branx and Gordanian alike!

"Fall back , I said! Now!" Yells Batman vehemently, as the others follow his lead, he gives Firehawk an angry look, but also one of grudging admiration for her power.

As the team drops behind a bulkhead, Plastic man reaches behind them, and seals it shut.

"When I say fall back, Firehawk, I mean now. No discussion. Just do it." Growls the Darknight, mere inches from the young heroines face.

"Who died and left you boss?" Is her equally angry reply

"No one yet. That's what I'm trying to avoid, girl. We're at horrible odds here, dammit. They have us out manned a thousand to one. Now you wanted a breather a moment ago? Enjoy it while it lasts. It's likely to be the last one you'll receive for a while."

Then after a seconds pause, Batman continues, his jaw relaxing slightly. "How are you injuries? Are you able to continue?"*

*Firehawk, along with Red Tornado and Plastic Man were injured battling the Star Tsar in #270

Suddenly, heavy weapons fire erupts from the room they just evacuated,ending Batmans question before it can be answered, as the cries of surprised and suddenly pained Gordanians fill the air around them, and then just as suddenly cease.

"Open that door!" Grunts Batman, as he pushes past Plastic Man and Firehawk .

The door opens at Batmans quick insistence, and inside stands J'onn J'onnz , and over a dozen unconscious enemy troops, his eyes still glowing from his flash vision.

"I assumed you needed assistance." Is all the Martian Manhunter says to his awestruck teammates .

"Wow." Is all Firehawk can say in reply.

Moments later…

The assembled team makes its way through darkened corridors as more and more enemy troops enter the fortress known as the Watchtower.

"Man," grins Plastic man in a barely audible whisper, "These guys are like cockroaches. The more you step on, the more come outta the woodwork. Wish I had a humungo hose I could just wash 'em out the door ."

Batman stops in his tracks, and turns towards Plastic Man, and almost, almost smiles. "You're a genius, Plastic Man."

"What is it Batman?" Asks J'onn "Do you perceive a way out of all this?"

"Maybe, J'onn. We'll have to see." Answers Batman in his trademarked monotone. "I have to get to a working computer module. Hit and run our foes, I'll be back."

Without another word, he leaps up to a ceiling panel above their heads, and pushes through it, disappearing almost instantly into the hidden recesses of the Watchtower.

"Forward my friends." Intones Wonder Woman. "This may be our darkest hour, but it's always darkest before the dawn ."

"Where've I heard that one before?" Questions The Flash

Three corridors east of the Team, Batman drops from the ceilings recesses , landing as quietly as a dream to the floor beneath him. After a quick survey to make sure he's alone, Batman quickly punches in a code into the computer interface hanging on the wall before him. He nods to himself in minor satisfaction, then activates his space armors communicator.

"You have twenty seconds to clear that section of the Tower. Move it, now!"

Across the tower, the rest of The JLA fight again against a veritable wave of Gordanians and Branx, Batmans voice rings in all their ears simultaneously.

"Great, he says jump, we have to ask how high." Grunts the Flash, as he speeds around his foes, wrapping them up in steel cable that had lain nearby from a newly constructed corner of the Watchtower., before Wonder Woman picks up the mass of writhing aliens , and heaves them at Plastic Man, who creates another sling out of his body, and catches them, then fires them back towards the solid concrete and steel bulkhead , where they impact disastrously.

Pa-Qwoom!

Martian Manhunter quickly gathers the team together, and forces them out another airlock-like hatchway, that closes behind them. "Quickly, I have read Batmans mind from afar. We must be gone from here immediately."

Wordlessly, the assembled team rockets away through the corridors, as suddenly, and very loudly, the halls behind them reverberate with explosions!

"Wha?" Stammers the Flash, "He's blowing up the place?"

"Yes Wally," Answers J'onn. "He is sending the shattered Gordanians and their ilk back into space."

"So much for the "No Killing" thing." Grimaces Firehawk.

"This is not the time, nor the place to discuss ethics." Chides Wonder Woman. "This is war. One we did not start. The Earths very survival depends upon ourselves, as well as every other hero upon its surface. From what J'onn gleaned from these things minds, this is no mere invasion, but a plan to kill every living being upon our world. We cannot fail. The stakes are to high. If we must break our most sacred credo to insure our victory, then so be it."

"Y-your right Wonder Woman, I-I'm sorry." Nods Firehawk.

"Do not be sorry, Lorraine Reilly," Begins J'onn. "Just fight. Mindlessly if need be, as if you were an automaton, but fight nonetheless, and only to win."

She nods stoically, her jaw set. As would befit a heroine of legendary stature. Nearby, Wonder Woman grins inwardly at the young woman's bravery.

"Good." States J'onn simply. "Now we must split up. Firehawk, you will remain at my side. We go out to the Lunar surface to battle those small ships they continually buzz the Watchtower with. Wonder Woman, take Plastic Man with you to section A-23, I am sensing a plethora of alien minds there. Flash, join Batman in section B-12. He is under siege as we speak, and requires your assistance.

"I'm outta here." Speaks the Flash, and is gone in a blur of motion!

Wonder Woman and Plastic Man quickly head towards their destination, as Firehawk and the Martian Manhunter just as quickly leave through an airlock nearby to the stark lunar surface.

"J'onn, " She begins, "I have to tell you, I'm frightened."

"You are not alone in this emotion, Firehawk. It is something we are all feeling to some degree."

"Even you?" She asks

"Yes, even I. What we face is something never before seen in the history of the universe. So many varied and deadly forces aligned against one small world. Our success against such odds is impossible to say the least. Yet, as always, we must persevere, and make the impossible a reality. Such is what it means to be a member of the JLA."

"You think I make a good member here, J'onn?" She asks, while staring at the approaching attack craft.

"You are a fine addition to our ranks, Lorraine. You do the league proud."

"Thanks. Now lets kick some alien butt. Uh, no offense meant."

He smiles at her uncharacteristically, his deep set eyes sparkling, "None taken. Now prepare for battle!"

Suddenly the airless void around them is filled with blaster fire, as the two heroes fly skywards to engage the enemy! And then , just as suddenly two huge green hands appear, to swat several of the attack craft together in their massive palms!

"Is this a private party, or can anyone join in?"

Both heroes turn towards the sound of the voice, as Kyle Ranier, Green Lantern streaks from the sky above the moons surface to their sides!

"I got back here as quickly as I could. The rest of the Lanterns went to attack Mongul himself. You should've seen Hal! Man was he PO'd! I wouldn't want to be in Monguls shoes right now."

"We have enough worries of our own, Green Lantern," Warns J'onn, "Your timely return bought us a quick respite, but even now, more of our seemingly limitless enemies are upon us."

The three heroes turn towards the oncoming horde as one, Firehawk fighting back a wave of nausea at their sight. She gulps hard, and turns towards the two men next to her, as all three leap to the attack!

And nearby, on the lunar surface,as if from nothing, a strange glow begins to spread and grow, and within its pulsing nimbus, figures can be seen…

To Be Continued in

Cold Armageddon: Final Fury!