#6: Public Enemy Number One (Burchette / Tupper)

Aquaman stood tall and regal, holding his trident atop the giant humpback whale that had surfaced from the depths of the Gulf of Mexico. His hair had grown a bit longer, but his face was that of a man holding a deep-seated contempt.

The water around him began to bubble and, with a sudden burst, Atlanteans broke to the surface, their heads covered in helmets that kept the water recycling so that they could survive above water. They began to climb up the sides of the oil rig, weapons in hand. The crews were screaming to take cover, to abandon their posts.

“These atrocities that you air breathers have created are destroying my waters and my kingdom. For too long have the land walkers laid false claim to that which has never been theirs. Those days are forever gone. I, and my people, will no longer sit by and watch you destroy our world. This is just the beginning as we reclaim what is rightfully ours. So proclaims the King of Atlantis, the King of the Seven Seas!”

As the men on the rig bailed out, the rig itself began to collapse. The Atlanteans and their underwater help toppled it as if it was nothing more than papier-mâché.

“This warning is not just for the United States, but to all nations, everywhere. We are taking back control of our property. The oceans are ours; cross them, abuse them, at your own peril!”

J’onn, we’ve got another situation coming out of Coast City, came the thought of Ray Palmer, also known as the Atom. Reports are coming in that a small army of Atlanteans are rising from the sea and attacking a small fleet of fishing boats. We’re going to need somebody to get there as quickly as possible.

Already there, came the voice of Barry Allen, thanks to the mental connection that the Martian Manhunter had established with all of them. I should have these guys wrapped up in a few minutes. It’s not a large contingency at all. Any word from the others?

Atom’s thoughts came back, J’onn and Green Lantern are finishing up the salvage operation in the Gulf. I just got word from Wonder Woman, and she wants everyone to get back to the Hall as soon as they can. They just left the White House. No word on Batman.

Might I suggest, Flash, interrupted the Martian, taking one of the Atlantean soldiers back to the headquarters with you. Once there, perhaps I can determine exactly what is going on.

Great idea, J’onn! Flash, do you think you can do that for us?

“Sure, not a problem,” Barry replied from behind Ray.

Palmer jumped and swung around to see the scarlet speedster placing the unconscious soldier down on a nearby table.

“Don’t do that,” Atom admonished with a bit of a grin. He still couldn’t help but be in awe of these heroes that he fought alongside of. “How did you get him unconscious without breaking his breathing apparatus?”

Barry shrugged sheepishly. “A quick visit to the hospital in Coast City and enough phenobarbital to knock out an elephant. I would have been here sooner, but it took me a second to actually find a chink in the armor that this guy was wearing.”

“What did you do with the others that were attacking?”

“Whipped up a quick tidal wave that probably dropped them somewhere between California and Hawaii. Also had to do a couple of quick repairs on two boats, but there were no major injuries, so we can be thankful for that.”

“How long do you think he’ll be out?”

“Until I wake him,” came the gruff voice of the Dark Knight as he appeared from the shadows.

Both of the other Leaguers jumped and turned around to find Batman eyeing their prisoner.

“I swear I’m going to start tying bells around everyone’s necks,” Atom said. “Any luck, Batman?”

He shook his head. “Ever since Aquaman’s first official appearance to the world, and his first meeting with Superman, Arthur had sent an Ambassador from Atlantis to New York as a sign of good faith with NATO. The Ambassador hasn’t been seen for over two weeks, and the office that was given to him at the United Nations building was cleaned out completely. The last person to see him was the personal assistant to the Ambassador of France; he says that the only thing they really discussed was the Channel Tunnel between England and France.”

“I don’t like the sound of that,” Barry said.

“Nor do I,” came the voice of Superman as he and his two companions walked into the room.

“Arthur would never go so far as to decimate something that large, with the possibility of hundreds of casualties.” This was not a question that Barry asked, but a firm belief that he was stating.

Diana sighed. “We don’t know what Arthur is capable of anymore. To be honest, I’m not even sure we’re dealing with Arthur, and, if we are, then something horrible has happened to him. I just cannot imagine what would make him turn like this.”

“Perhaps he was not the ally that you believed him to be. On Thanagar, one must always watch out for those who claim to be friends, but are out for only themselves or their House. It was one of the first rules that my mother taught me.”

“Aquaman is one of us,” Wonder Woman replied, feeling the muscles in her neck tighten. She controlled her hands, forcing them not to ball up into a fist. Katar Hol was new, and she had to remind herself of that.

“However, Hawkman has a valid point,” Batman said.

Diana turned to him, this time the anger came forward. “How can you say that!? Aquaman is a founding member and has been there for us numerous times. If this really is Arthur, I refuse to believe that he has suddenly turned against the human race.”

Batman stared back at her coldly. “And I’m saying that nothing is impossible. I’ve seen very good men snap for large and small reasons alike. I’ve seen men, with the best of intentions, turn against their fellow man.”

Superman shook his head. “Not Arthur. From the moment I met him, I knew he was one of us: a good man, with a belief in justice.”

“The first time you met him, you two beat the hell out of each other,” Batman reminded him.

Before Clark could issue a retort, the door opened again and Green Lantern and Martian Manhunter came in.

“Well, hopefully, we can find out soon enough,” Ray said, relieved by the interruption. “Maybe, with J’onn’s help, we can figure out exactly what is going on in that mind of Aquaman’s.”

“Have you been able to locate him at all?” Diana asked the Martian.

He shook his head. “I am afraid not. It is as if his thoughts have completely dropped off the face of the planet. Somehow he has found a way to block me from even the most intense probes.”

“Then this guy is the only lead we have in helping our friend,” Superman said, as he turned his attention back to the soldier.

“…Or bringing him in for his crimes,” Batman stated.

King Faraday turned off the television and leaned back in his chair. This was unexpected, but not surprising; not after everything else that had been happening lately.

On his desk at the DEO were three phones, and nobody knew for sure what the third one was for. It was untraceable, and several within the organization had tried. Faraday had only barely had time to reflect on the President’s words, when that particular phone began to ring.

He picked it up. “King,” was all he said. He listened for a few minutes and nodded. “Agreed.” He swung his chair around so that he was looking out of the window of his office. “It would be unfortunate, but if things head south with this situation, we may have to intercede, and if we do, we would run the risk of being revealed sooner than we had planned. However, that is not our concern; it’s the President’s call. All we can do is prepare and be ready. The soldiers have been tested, they are ready to go. We just await the order.” Another pause. “Again, I concur, but do not call me here again. I will call you if and when the time comes.” He turned in his chair and began to hang up the phone, which was when he saw Chloe Sullivan standing in the doorway, a puzzled look on her face.

“Umm…” was all she could say.

“None of your business, Sullivan,” Faraday said, cursing himself for not locking the door when the phone rang, as he usually did. “I suggest that you pretend you didn’t even hear any of that conversation, and next time, knock on the damn door before you barge in.”

The blonde DEO agent nodded, her face mixed with conflicting emotions.

“What did you want?” Faraday asked, even more irritated.

“I brought you the tape that you wanted. The one on Hal Jordon.”

“Good,” he said as he got up and took it from her, ushering her back out of the door at the same time. “I’ll call you when I need you.”

He shut the door behind him and cursed out loud. Of all the people to overhear him, it had to be Agent Sullivan; the DEO’s own version of a bloodhound. He tossed the tape down on the desk and began to pace. It was coming, he could feel it; he always had a sense for these kinds of things, and he knew that this was going to be big… very big.

Okay, guys, I’m here. Flash’s mental thought came into their minds. Any idea where this attack is going to take place?

J’onn, who was carrying Batman, replied, I know it’s coming from the Hudson River, but where exactly, I could not tell you. It is unfortunate that we were not able to contact the Titans; they could have been a big help at this point.

Batman nodded in agreement as he saw the world’s largest city rise before him.

Contact, Barry exclaimed a bit too loudly. Except, that this little army isn’t interested in New York, folks. It’s heading towards Hoboken, New Jersey.

Makes sense, Batman responded. A lot of waste is deposited from that side of the river as well as New York’s side. Flash, there should be a Willingham Corporation chemical manufacturing plant that sits right off the river in Hoboken. My guess is that is where they are headed.

On it, Batman. There are about three dozen guys here, folks. Wouldn’t mind a small hand if anyone has a free one.

Hawkman pulled out his mace and made a dive towards the army.

Katar, Batman called. These soldiers are innocents, just following orders. Incapacitate them, but that is all. Be wary of their breathing helmets; if you smash them, they will suffocate.

Yes, I believe you have reminded me of this three times on our short journey here.

Hawkman saw Flash as the Thanagarian picked up speed, heading towards the middle of the army, his mace pulled back. He watched as the flash of red began collecting weapons from the unaware soldiers. His face turned grim in determination as he plowed through the Atlanteans, striking them in the gut and chest, but making sure not to connect with the helmets or breathing apparatuses that they had strapped to their backs.

Laser fire was flying all around him, and he did all he could to dodge the incoming beams as he continued to flail his way into the middle of the army.

“He is as fearless as Green Lantern,” J’onn mused, as he lowered himself and Batman down.

“There is very little as dangerous as a warrior who is out to prove himself,” Batman said, as he leapt into the battle.

J’onn nodded, but said nothing as he turned invisible and made his way towards the leading troops who were now in front of the chemical plant. He watched as they took out some kind of grenades and began to throw them towards the building. He fired beams from his eyes, detonating them before they reached their destination. The men turned around in confusion, not knowing where the blasts had come from. By then, however, it was too late for them as Batman was already hitting them with batarangs.

That’s the last of their weapons, guys. I say we send them back to where they came from, Barry thought to the rest of them.

I concur, J’onn said. Then he turned around to see fighter jets heading their way. We have a new problem. I suppose we must turn them over to the proper authorities.

Batman agreed. I just hope the other team has better luck finding some answers.

Two hours later, the Justice League stood around a now-conscious Aquaman who was watching the videos of himself with shock and awe etched on his face.

“I did this?”

“You don’t remember anything?” Hal asked.

“No. One minute I was with Garth, scouting the outer edges of Atlantis, for Black Manta, and then suddenly I was here. By Neptune’s trident, what have I done?”

Diana and Clark walked into the meeting room, both looking more than a little upset.

“We just got off the line with President Lord. He wants us to turn Arthur in… now.”

The King of the Seas stood up, “As well he should, Diana. I have to explain to him that I was not in control of myself. I must also pay for my crimes.”

Superman nodded. “We figured you were going to say that.”

“Except you can’t go,” Batman said, as he came in from a side room. “They’re not going to give you a trial. They want you, so that they can shut you away, and use you for experiments.”

They all turned to him shocked. Atom was the first to speak. “What are you talking about? How do you know this?”

“I don’t reveal my sources, at least not yet, but I know that they will not be giving Arthur any kind of chance to explain himself. They’re going to find a way to lock him up and use him for experiments, like they are doing with other meta-humans. There’s a lot more going on here than meets the eye, and if he turns himself in, he’s as good as dead.”

“Are you one hundred percent sure?” Superman asked him.

“On my parent’s grave, I swear it,” Bruce said, somberly. “They’ve already got some of Arthur’s people hidden away. I haven’t been able to find out where yet, but from what I understand, they’re as good as dead.”

“Then what do we do?” Barry asked in frustration. “If we don’t turn him over, we’re going against our own government, but if we do, then we’ve condemned him to a fate worse than death.”

“This is my choice, my friends,” Arthur said. “I must turn myself in.”

“No,” Superman replied with a heavy sigh. “No, Arthur. You are a member of the Justice League, and if we turn you over now, there will be no justice. We’ve got to figure out exactly what happened to you first, so that we can prove it to the people of the world. Only then can we make sure you are given fair treatment.”

“Who’s going to tell President Lord?” Hal asked, looking around with a touch of a smirk on his face. “Because this is going to go over like a fart in church.”

“We’ll do it,” Wonder Woman said as she looked at Batman and Superman. They nodded in agreement and headed back to the monitor room.

In a darkened meeting room, the phone rang, and the man the President had spoken to earlier, picked it up. “Hello, Mr. President. Yes, we saw it. I see. Well, it might help us if you could tell us who the sleeper agents are? Of course, Mr. President, but remember, we stand ready, and await your signal.”

The man hung up the phone and turned to the shadowed people gathered around the table.

“It has begun…”

New York, Metropolis, Gotham City, Keystone City, Star City, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, and every other major city witnessed it all at once. Soldiers, dozens of them, marching down the streets of their cities. They were dressed head to toe in armor, their helmets covering their faces.

The national news informed the people of America not to be alarmed. The soldiers were there for everyone’s protection. They were a military regiment that had been created in case of this very emergency.

In Gotham City, an old man and his wife watched them in horror as they marched through the streets.

“It’s for our own safety,” the old woman said, clinging to her husband.

The old man held his wife’s arm, his nostrils flaring. “That’s what they told us in Berlin as well… remember.”