Interlude -- The Watchtower
Ray Palmer wanted to be on the Dr. Light mission -- he's got as many axes to grind with him as just about anyone, save maybe Ralph -- but he's also monitoring a white dwarf implosion in Quadrant 4875 and talking a team of U.N. scientists through disarming a recovered Psion Science Cruiser with all sorts of nifty defense mechanisms, so monitor duty it is. At least he's not bored -- he's got the mission monitor ready and is ready for anything the team needs.
That's when the situation board lights up with a sudden flare of energy.
OMEGA-LEVEL DISTURBANCE -- LOCATION: DEATH VALLEY, CALIFORNIA -- SWITCHING TO AUTOMATIC NOTIFICATION -- JUSTICE LEAGUE MEMBERS ON OR NEAR SITE: ZATANNA (NO RESPONSE), ZAURIEL (NO RESPONSE), DR. FATE (RESERVE, NO RESPONSE) ...
"Holy ..." says Palmer, leaping to the communicator. "All hands, we've got an Omega Level disturbance ..."
But the lights on the board flicker out.
"What the ..."
It's OK, Ray, says a voice from the shadows. We've got it under control, but you can't send the JLA in there. They'll die. This is what Fate was warning Superman about.
"Who are you?" shouts Ray, frantic. "How the hell did you..."
The form steps out of the shadows.
"Oh. I know you ... but you're ..."
I am, says the figure. But that's never stopped me before. Just keep the capes out of there. We'll do the rest. I promise.
The figure disappears, and the board lights up again.
Ray gulps, he knows what he needs to do.
"This is the Atom broadcasting on all frequencies. Do not, repeat, do not intercede in the Omega-Level situation in California."
Ray's not a praying man, but he crosses himself anyway, and hopes to God he did the right thing right there.
That's when the situation board lights up with a sudden flare of energy.
OMEGA-LEVEL DISTURBANCE -- LOCATION: DEATH VALLEY, CALIFORNIA -- SWITCHING TO AUTOMATIC NOTIFICATION -- JUSTICE LEAGUE MEMBERS ON OR NEAR SITE: ZATANNA (NO RESPONSE), ZAURIEL (NO RESPONSE), DR. FATE (RESERVE, NO RESPONSE) ...
"Holy ..." says Palmer, leaping to the communicator. "All hands, we've got an Omega Level disturbance ..."
But the lights on the board flicker out.
"What the ..."
It's OK, Ray, says a voice from the shadows. We've got it under control, but you can't send the JLA in there. They'll die. This is what Fate was warning Superman about.
"Who are you?" shouts Ray, frantic. "How the hell did you..."
The form steps out of the shadows.
"Oh. I know you ... but you're ..."
I am, says the figure. But that's never stopped me before. Just keep the capes out of there. We'll do the rest. I promise.
The figure disappears, and the board lights up again.
Ray gulps, he knows what he needs to do.
"This is the Atom broadcasting on all frequencies. Do not, repeat, do not intercede in the Omega-Level situation in California."
Ray's not a praying man, but he crosses himself anyway, and hopes to God he did the right thing right there.