Dr Dread
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Post by Dr Dread on Apr 25, 2006 21:51:16 GMT -5
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Dr Dread
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The Odious-1
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Post by Dr Dread on Apr 25, 2006 21:53:54 GMT -5
JSA: Legends End
Issue #1
Written by Scott D.L. Kruger
Cover by Tupper |
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Post by Dr Dread on Apr 25, 2006 21:56:32 GMT -5
THE WAR IS OVER!
The Japanese government, in the wake of the bombings of Hiroshima & Nagasaki by the Allied Forces, had unconditionally surrendered. Finally the hope of an everlasting peace is one step closer to reality. Finally those responsible for the deaths of millions will be brought to Justice. According to President Truman... – Excerpt taken from The Gotham Gazette, September 2nd, 1945 |
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Post by Dr Dread on Apr 25, 2006 21:57:16 GMT -5
Prologue: Adolf Hitler had been fascinated with the operas of German mythology, his favorite, Gotterdammerung, inspired him to search for mystical artifacts. In that tale, the doomed Allfather Woden (also known as Wotan) used a magical staff and ring of power to bring about the fall of the Gods. Throughout the course of World War 2, Hitler scoured Europe looking for mysterious, supernatural artifacts. Many of these he acquired by simply conquering the countries the artifacts resided. The combination of 2 of these artifacts made him untouchable, the "Spear of Destiny" and the "Ring of Rasputin". The spear, he simply used to keep the American "Mystery-Men" away from Europe for he had not yet tapped into it’s full power. The ring made its bearer virtually immortal to everything, except, ironically, magic. He had used the power of the ring to fake his death and retreated into a bunker deep within the Austrian wilderness. He housed all of his artifacts within this bunker, far from the eyes of his generals, he knew they would think him insane... And since his Government had declared him dead, they were now irrelevant. He wanted power. The kind of power that simple dictation could not provide. He desired omnipotence. He needed the power that none of the artifacts he owned could grant him. There was one, though, that he knew possessed unlimited power… one that he could use to conquer the world & scorch it free of the impure. The one artifact he desired over any other yet belonged to another… the all-powerful amulet of Fate. He had, in fact, become the Allfather Woden of German mythology. It was now time to bring about the fall of the Gods. |
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Post by Dr Dread on Apr 25, 2006 21:58:39 GMT -5
JSA: A Legends End From the Journal of Al Pratt aka the Atom (discovered amongst other artifacts in a "lost & found" box, Paris France 1972. The box was found in the cellar of an abandoned hotel) October 24th, 1945. London England.The American government had turned on us. Us, of all people! We kept the streets of America safe throughout the war and now the ‘United Nations’ says they can’t ‘trust’ us. Didn’t even have the courage to do it to us in our own damn country. Yes indeed, the first session of the "General Assembly of the United Nations" gave us an ultimatum: Unmask or Arrest.Well, couldn’t have that now, could we? If it hadn’t been for Kent & Inza, we would have been in a world of hurt. They used some of that hocus pocus of theirs to get us out of there. So… a very unceremonious end to the mighty Justice Society of America. If Carter were still alive he’d probably shove his mace right up… well, I’ll remain a gentleman. Anyway, Jay couldn’t be happier… finally a chance to settle down with his lady-friend Joan. And of course Rex is fine with it… he owns his owns a big company… Don’t even get me started on "Queen" Hippolyta, she almost jumped at the Assembly, axe swinging. What is it about her anyway? She’s supposed to be a queen of the Amazon’s or somethin’… all I know is that she is a looker & all, but not much on patience. She didn’t even wait for the smoke to clear before taking off spouting off about "The mascara" or something. Oh well. Everyone seems to have someone or something to return to, but what have I got? Nothing… nothing at all. Back to Manhattan with no future. Maybe Ted’ll let me stay with him at his gym… I could be a boxing instructor, as long as I keep my atomic punch to myself. |
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Post by Dr Dread on Apr 25, 2006 21:59:24 GMT -5
October 26th, 1945, still London, England
So, this is interesting. We didn’t quite disband like we were told to. Who’da thought that Mr. "Fair Play" would be the one to encourage us to break a rule? Apparently Kent & Inza (whatta looker) were using some of their hocus pocus again & found out that some real weird stuff is ‘on the horizon’ (What’s that s’posed to mean???). Anyway, it was big enough for Jay to call a secret meeting. The Nelson’s are gonna zap us all to France… meeting in some place called "the Loov". Rex’s been hagnin’ with me, seeing the sights around here… he says the Loov is an art museum. I hate art.
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Post by Dr Dread on Apr 25, 2006 21:59:41 GMT -5
October 27th, 1945, Paris, France
Apparently the German’s hated France worse than I hate art. The place is a wreck. The Louvre is spelled all weird like most of everything else here in France… so it’s not the loov, it’s the Lou-vre… go figure. Anyway, Kent & Inza say there’s some kind of "mystical convergence" going on in central Austria. We’re going in tonight to check it out. Kent seems to think that it’s big & could ‘destroy the very fabric of space & time’ blah, blah, blah. I’m just happy that we can actually come over here now. When this is over I want to stay & help re-build some of these cities. Actually use my powers again for a worthy cause. Whattaya know, now I have something to come back to now! It’s just the regulars on this trip, Wesley, Johnny, Rex, Ted, Libby, Dinah, Kent (and Inza), the new guy Terry, our fearless leader Jay & me... Anyway, off to Austria and who knows, maybe we’ll get to kick some Nazi butt for once!
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Post by Dr Dread on Apr 25, 2006 22:01:46 GMT -5
Chapter 1: Fate’s Calling
December 14th, 1985, Egypt, the Valley of Kings.
The warm wind & sand pelted the tent just outside of the dig-site. Hectors weathered, sun drenched skin made him look as though he had been born to the region, but not so. He was an American archeologist on loan from the St. Roch Museum in Louisiana to the Great Museum in Cairo. Anthony Haston, the curator of the museum in Cairo, had given Hector great sums of money to find the location of Khufu’s tomb. Haston was a fellow archaeologist, not much older than Hector, but equally enthralled with the exploits of Hector’s family.
When Hector was a small child he was told the tales of Carter & Shiera, his parents. Carter was the famed archaeologist that found the tomb of Prince Khufu, the young Pharaoh of the 3rd dynasty, although, his specialty was in ancient weapons.
According to his grandfather (Papa Saunders, he called him), Hectors parents were in Egypt during most of World War 2; They were killed while investigating an old papyrus that contained clues to the location of an ancient tomb when a nazi air-raid destroyed the museum they were in. Hector was only 2 at the time. He knew very little about his parents due to his age at the time of his death. In fact, there was only one picture that his grandfather kept in the mansion, his parents, on their wedding day, in 1943. He always believed there was more to their deaths than a Nazi bombing, but if there was, Papa Saunders wasn’t telling.
For years after receiving his doctorate in archaeology, Hector had been in Egypt trying to live up to his parents legacy, digging up tomb after tomb, only to find disappointment. Most had been emptied by tomb raiders, long ago, those that had not, were ravaged by time with very little of their once great history left. This tomb was different though. This legendary Pharaoh was a true enigma, a worshipper of Horus, he was loved by his people, yet his reign, by all accounts, was one of the shortest. Murdered on the eve of his wedding, along with is bride, after a great victory. Carter had discovered its location before Hector was born, but after his parents death it had simply been "lost". Swallowed by the greatest sandstorm in recorded history. Most of the tomb’s treasures were left in the tomb by his parents’ insistence… the thought of finally seeing the treasures his parents had carefully guarded was a bit overwhelming.
Over the last 40 years, the legend of Hectors parents had grown to mythic proportions in his mind. He placed Carter & Shiera Hall on a pedestal none could touch. After years of trying to live up to that memory, Hector was on the verge of the greatest discovery of his & his parents lives… the re-opening of King Khufu’s tomb. Back in his fathers hey-day there would have been reporters, dignitaries, Presidents, Kings, Queens & scholars. In this day & age though, there was National Geographic… and that was about it. No pomp, no circumstance, just a reporter & her camera… a photojournalist. Avery attractive photojournalist, but just a photojournalist nonetheless.
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Post by Dr Dread on Apr 25, 2006 22:02:06 GMT -5
Lyta Trevor despised Egypt. There was nowhere in the world she would rather be less than Egypt. Yes, she was a photojournalist for the National Geographic, but if you’ve seen one empty tomb, you’ve seen them all. She went into the business shortly after college with a strong desire to see the world, photograph rare & exotic animals... not traipse through the desert photographing grave robbers leftovers’. But, Anthony Haston of the Great Museum in Cairo requested her specifically. He said he was a great fan of her work… Lyta just found him creepy.
The only upside to the crappy assignment was that she was finally teamed with an archeologist that wasn’t hard on the eyes… a little old for her taste, but definitely worth looking at. Like a cross between Harrison Ford & Richard Chamberlain, but really tan, with white hair, a beard and a doctorate. Her friends, if she had any, would consider him "definitely do-able", but who has time for friends in the big hustle & bustle life of a photojournalist?
Yes indeedy, she needed a life… badly.
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Post by Dr Dread on Apr 25, 2006 22:02:30 GMT -5
"… Yes… Of course, Mr. Haston. We look forward to your arrival then… Yes. Good day to you too, sir. Over & out." Hector ended the transmission on the CB radio. "Well, Khepri… looks as though our benefactor will be joining us."
"Yes, Mr. Hall, I will have my son prepare a tent for Mr. Haston." Khepri said with a nod.
"Thank you." Hector replied before stepping out of his tent into the sunlight. He walked with purpose toward the entrance they had found the day before. He wasn’t sure why he felt the need to keep its discovery from Haston overnight. He just knew he needed time to search through the tomb first. He would now have at least a day before Haston arrived.
Hector smiled and glanced over his shoulder catching sight of Lyta Trevor stepping from her tent.
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Post by Dr Dread on Apr 25, 2006 22:03:04 GMT -5
Lyta Trevor pulled her blonde hair back into a ponytail and capped it off with a wide-brimmed hat before she stepped out of her tent into the hot, arid Egyptian sun. At least it was a dry heat, the always wise, if not ill timed, words of her mother, Diana, came into her memory. She glanced around at all the activity surrounding her as workers cleared dirt from the tomb entrance. There stood Hector, making the final inspection of the tomb’s entrance. She couldn’t help but feel an odd sensation in the pit of her stomach every time she was near him. As if she had known him, all her life, which was ridiculous since she had only been there less than a week. He had treated her with such kindness that it was easy for her to forget the 20-year age difference between them.
"Lyta, you may want to get a shot of this," Hector called to her with a smile. As she approached he continued, "as you can see there are no markings around the tomb suggesting entry. The seal is fully intact. It should be just as my parents had left it!" The excitement shone through his every word.
"Unless someone came in through the back door…" She offered, taking him aback.
"What makes you think there’s a back door Ms. Trevor?"
"I’ve seen Raiders of the Lost Arc," she smiled.
"Funny, my dear, but this is no movie and I am no Indiana Jones."
"Isn’t that the truth," she smiled as she began taking photos of the entryway. All the while thinking to herself, all you need is a bullwhip & a shave.
The wind kicked up strong as the midday sun began to burn down on them. Grains of sand pelted them all as if to warn them to stay away.
"You will notice the almost complete lack of Hieroglyphs around the entry portal. Except for this single word here," Hector points to the very top of the portal to the etched in 4 images: Water, a bent arm, the bottom half of a leg with a foot & a small bird. "It means ‘Nabu’"
"What is Nabu?" Lyta’s curiosity ebbed.
"According to legend, Nabu was the Kings most trusted advisor, he was said to be the wisest man in all of Egypt. In fact, many considered him to be almost a God, like Khufu himself. That’s not quite right, you see the Pharaohs were considered Gods… he was more like a Demi-God… a keeper of order in the kingdom." Hector explained with almost childlike enthusiasm.
Hector called over to his men and they began to work on removing the doorway to the tomb. Once the doorway was pried open, Hector entered the tomb along with a few Egyptian archaeologists and workers. Lyta was instructed to wait outside until they are sure the entry was free of traps. After about half an hour a very sullen Hector emerged.
"What is it Dr. Hall?" Lyta asked, though she already knew the answer somehow.
"Well, looks as though someone may have used the ‘back door’. Or, who knows, perhaps this was the back door. The ante-way has been emptied, as I’m sure we’ll find the rest of the tomb." He noticed the sorrowful look in her eye & perked up a bit, hiding his tremendous disappointment from her. "But Hey! This is just the first chamber, you never know what you may find deeper down."
He let her pass through the entryway "Don’t go farther than the first chamber until we’ve had an opportunity to explore first, alright?"
"Right," she replied with a forced smile.
Hector left the tomb behind and strode into his tent.
"DAMMIT!" he shouted, throwing his fedora into the far corner of the tent.
No, he was no Indiana Jones at all.
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Post by Dr Dread on Apr 25, 2006 22:03:38 GMT -5
Lyta carefully stalked through the first chamber of the tomb, photographing what she saw. Which, for all intents & purposes was a whole lot of nothing. Very odd for an Egyptian tomb, she thought. Usually on the walls one would find elaborate tales of the life of the great Pharaohs. Here there was nothing. The tomb had been picked clean years earlier, yet there were no marking in the sandy floor at all except for the footprints of Hect… of Dr. Hall and his assistants.
She noticed a faint light out of the corner of her eye, coming from the wall at the far end of the room. Coming from the crack where the floor & the wall met. A golden light.
There is no way this could be sunlight; this section of the tomb is still buried under a few tons of sand.
Lyta turned & ran out of the tomb excitedly toward the tent where Hector sat feeling sorry for himself. Some of the workers noticed her excitement level & entered the tomb after she had left, but the light had faded, showing nothing but the empty chamber.
"Hecto… um, Dr. Hall? Please, you have to come with me." She urged, unsure of why it was that she was so excited, after all, she hated archaeology.
"What is it Ms. Trevor?" he asked not bothering to look up from his parchment.
"I saw something…" she began as she ran back out of the tent, forcing him to pursue.
They both ran back into the tomb, with a line of intrigued Egyptian workers following. As Lyta entered the light beneath the wall began again. She turned as Hector entered to see his face. He looked in shock at the wall…
"My God, that wasn’t there before…" he whispered.
"I know, the light appeared when I walked up to the wall…" she blurted out as he walked past her only half listening.
"No, not the light… well, yes, the light, but this… the word… in the center of the wall." He stammered.
Lyta walked beside him and gazed at the wall. "That wasn’t there a moment ago… it wasn’t even here when I just walked in."
"Lyta… walk outside for a moment & come back in."
She turned and walked out quickly. As she did the light dimmed, but the word remained. Why had I not noticed this before?
"Come back!" he called to her.
As she returned so did the mysterious light. He explained what had just happened.
"I’m going to walk out, stay here, tell me what happens."
As he left, the word faded, but the light remained. "Hector, come here, come here!" she shouted unable to contain her excitement. As he returned, the Hieroglyphic word reappeared. They stood before the wall side by side. One more test. He called to one of his assistants. Khepri entered, and both the light & Hieroglyph disappeared. Hector quickly dismissed Khepri.
"It has to be us… for some reason you & I together cause this." Hector whispered to himself.
Goose bumps covered Lyta’s arms, "is this what archaeology is all about, if so, I’m sold."
"No. To say this is odd is the understatement of the century." Came Hectors hushed reply.
He moved closer to the wall to read the inscription, but a thick covering of dust clung to it. He blew the dust from the wall so he could read the inscription clearly. A slug, a bent arm, the top half of a circle & 3 palm leaves standing side by side. Lyta reached for his hand and as they touched the light from beneath the wall intensified & the Hieroglyphs on the wall lit up as well.
"What does it say?" Lyta whispered.
"Fate" came Hector’s whispered reply.
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Post by Dr Dread on Apr 25, 2006 22:04:09 GMT -5
To be continued!
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