The Five Earths Project: Christmas Compendium 2012 Page 4

  Szackas sighed ever so slightly. “Thank you, your majesty,” he said, though his heart was not truly into the words. “You are too kind.” Szackas steadied himself to get through the rest of the evening.

  Titans West: Holiday Blues, Chapter 3: Party at Gabriel’s Horn

  by Martin Maenza

  Hank Hall and Dawn Granger walked from the parking lot toward the nightclub. Underneath their coats, they were dressed for a party. From the streetlights hung wreaths of holiday green with bows of red. Dawn smiled. “This is one of my favorite times of the year,” she said. “How about you, Hank?”

  “It’s OK,” the young man said. “Certainly have the Bowl games to look forward to.”

  “Is that all you think about?” Dawn kidded him.

  “What else is there?” he kidded her back. She frowned at him slightly. “No, I was just pulling your leg.” He paused for a second. “No, the holidays are all right. But they aren’t the same, you know. Not since Don was killed.”

  Dawn put her arm around her friend to comfort him. She knew how hard it was on him. “I know you still miss him a lot.”

  “Yeah,” Hank admitted. “It was hard last year, being the first Christmas and all. Sure, we’d spent the holidays apart before, but this is way different. I mean, I can’t even call him to wish him a happy holidays or anything like that.” A tear began to form in the corner of Hank’s eye. He quickly wiped it away, but Dawn had already seen it. “Now don’t go thinking I’m turning all soft or anything.”

  “I’d never do that,” Dawn said. “Sometimes it helps to talk about it.”

  “Yeah,” Hank admitted. “It just that, well, I just never got a chance to say goodbye to Don, you know. I would have liked to be able to do that. Have that one last talk with him.”

  Dawn bit her tongue. For weeks, she had been planning to tell Hank about her visit by Don’s spirit, if you will. How his brother came to her, through a mystically granted means, so he could tend to a last bit of unfinished business. (*) Now Dawn felt awful that Don had chosen to come and speak with her instead of Hank. She knew she couldn’t tell him about it now, at least not when Hank was feeling a bit down about the holidays.

  [(*) Editor's note: See last issue, Titans West: Girl Talk.]

  She decided to change the subject. “Say, did I mention to you that today’s my birthday?”

  “Get out!” Hank said as he sniffed a bit. “You legal now?”

  “Yep,” Dawn said. She took Hank by the arm. “So, how’s about we get to the party so you can buy me my first drink.” The two walked across the street toward Gabriel’s Horn.

  Gabriel’s Horn was alive with colors and sounds. Strands of white, twinkling lights had been hung from the rafters with gold and silver garland strung throughout. Mal and Karen Duncan kept circulating to ensure the guests’ glasses were full and that they were all having a good time.

  “Say, Karen,” a Hispanic woman called to the hostess of the party. “Been meaning to catch up with you all night.”

  “Hi, Carmen,” Karen said. “Happy holidays!” She gave her coworker a hug.

  “I know we’re off the clock,” said Carmen Santiago, “but I knew you were interested in that case I was reviewing. Turns out the Jeanne Somner woman was showing signs of a triggered metagene, just as we suspected. Appears to have been brought upon by some chemical reaction to the drugs that were in her systems. Her abilities seem to have subsided some since their initial appearance, but we have been able to determine they appear to be telepathic and telekinetic in nature.”

  “Think I can take a look at the report next week?” Karen asked.

  “Sure,” Carmen said. “I’ll get it over to your lab.” She glanced across the way. “I’d better run and check on Jorge. If I don’t get him away from the three-layered dip, you’ll have a riot on your hands.” She smiled and made her way through the crowd.

  Mal worked his way around the bar and gave his wife a kiss. “What’s that for?” Karen asked.

  Mal pointed his finger to above them, to the small green sprig hanging from the ceiling. “Mistletoe,” he smiled. “Can’t go breaking the holiday rules, can I?”

  Karen laughed. “No, we can’t,” she said. Then she noticed who Mal had brought with him. “Hi, Cindy!” She remembered to call the young blonde girl by her other identity of model Cindy Simpson instead ofArisia, Green Lantern. “You look fabulous.”

  The teenager twirled a little, letting the skirt of the white dress furl up. “Just another Mad Mod creation,” she said. “It’s kind of fun having your own personal designer, you know?”

  Karen noticed the two young men standing next to the girl. One looked to be in his late teens while the other looked a lot younger. “Oh, you brought two escorts, I see.”

  Cindy Simpson laughed. “Oh, no,” she said. “We’re not…”

  Mal jumped in. “No, dear,” he said. “I believe I mentioned these two to you before. They’re studying with Mr. Jupiter.” He saw a spark of recollection hit his wife’s eyes. “Karen, I’d like you to meet Hal Jordan.”

  The tall young man with brown hair nodded and shook Karen’s hand. “Nice to meet you, ma’am,” Hal said politely. Karen was surprised by his politeness and taken a back a bit by the ma’am comment.

  “And this is Edward Bloomberg,” Mal continued as he gestured towards the thirteen-year-old with red hair and freckles. “But everyone calls himGopher.”

  Karen shook his hand as well. “Glad you could all come,” she said. “Enjoy yourselves.” The hostess started to make her way across the crowded room again. While she enjoyed the parties, she wasn’t nearly as good at throwing them as her husband was. She glanced back and took a look at Mal from a distance. He was a good man and did his best to make everyone comfortable, even around their young friends. He was good around children. Maybe it’s time, she thought to herself.

  Suddenly, Karen felt someone spin her around and plant a kiss on her cheek. “Hey!” she said. Then she looked up and saw the red-haired man who had done it. “Wally!” She was excited to see her old friend, the Titan formerly known as Kid Flash and who was now the Flash, the fastest man alive.

  “In the flesh,” Wally West said. “Merry Christmas!”

  “Same to you,” Karen said. “Glad you could make it. Did you come by yourself?”

  “Yeah, I did,” Wally said. “You know how busy folks get around the holidays. I just wanted to zip out here and make an appearance. You know how much I enjoy your parties.”

  “Well, I’m so glad you came,” she said. “I really miss all you guys back out on the East Coast. We never get to visit much anymore.”

  “I don’t get to see them a lot, either,” Wally said. “Between two teams and Frances back in Central City, I’m starting to run myself ragged. But Donna, Dick, and Roy wanted me to tell you they send their best.”

  “Please give ours to them as well,” Karen said. Then she noticed two others coming their way. “Hank, Dawn, look who’s here!”

  “West?” Hank asked. “Just like you to come all this way for some free food and drink.” He clasped his friend’s hand and gave it a good shake.

  “Same old Hank Hall,” Wally replied. He noticed Dawn standing next to him. “So, how’d an old crab bag like you meet such a nice girl like this?”

  Karen listened to the two guys work one another over and smiled. The holidays were a good time for old friends to get in touch. It reminded her that she should probably call Sarah Charles. There was a good chance that there would be a spot opening up in the San Francisco STAR facility come spring, and Sarah was always talking about moving west. She made a mental note to give her a call and plant the seed.

  Just then, Charley Parker approached Karen. “Hey, Charley,” she greeted him. “I haven’t seen you all night. Having fun?”

  “Totally,” the young man said. “But I was, like, looking for someone, too.”

  “Oh?” Karen asked. “I saw Cindy arrive a few minutes ago. She brought some friends
with her — Hal and Gopher.”

  Charley blinked. “Oh, she did? Cool.” He looked about a second, glancing around the crowd. “Actually, I was looking for, like, someone else.”

  “Who?”

  “Remember your friend Lisa who you, like, introduced me to that one day at STAR? I was looking to see if she, like, made it to the party.”

  “Lisa Morel?” Karen asked. She glanced around the crowd once herself. “You know, now that you mention it, I haven’t seen her all night. I can’t recall if she RSVPed or not. We invited so many folks. I swear, I’m going to have to reign in Mal for next year.”

  “Oh? So she didn’t, like, call to say she was coming or not?”

  “Nope. Sorry, Charley.” Karen could see that the young man looked a little disappointed.

  The End

  Justice League of America

  Deck the Halls ’86

  by Martin Maenza

  The holidays usually mean lots of parties with friends, and the Justice League is no different. Join the members of the team and a few guests as they toast the Christmas season. But will an unexpected old toymaker give the team holiday woes?

  Chapter 1: ‘Tis the Season

  Chapter 2: Toy Soldiers

  Justice League of America: Deck the Halls ’86, Chapter 1: ‘Tis the Season

  by Martin Maenza

  In orbit 22,300 miles above the Earth’s surface, a young man in a red, white, and blue costume sat at the main console of the planetary surveillance systems and watched carefully for any signs of crisis. So far it had been a fairly quiet night. Hank Heywood III, better known as Steel, hoped it would continue to be that way.

  He thought about the past year or so and what changes it had brought him. J’onn J’onzz had rallied the team back together and convinced many of the older members to return once more — Superman, Batman, Green Arrow, Black Canary, Hawkman, and all the others. The team had moved out of the bunker his grandfather had built in Detroit and back into this rebuilt satellite. The Justice League of America was home once more and stronger than ever before. They truly were the world’s greatest superheroes. And Steel was happy to be counted among them.

  Still, Hank couldn’t help but miss his old friends, especially around this holiday time of the year. He hadn’t known Vixen, Gypsy, and Vibe very long, but the short time they had together had still left a strong impression with him. Together they were all rookies in the team during a time when the League was going through severe changes.

  Hank sighed slightly. And now they were all dead or stuck on the parallel world of Earth-Two behind an impenetrable barrier that had been erected to keep the five Earths from merging together as they had done during the Crisis on Infinite Earths. What Hank wouldn’t give to see them once more, even Paco.

  “Enough of that,” Steel said aloud as he checked the time display on the console. “Time to perk up some.” He glanced to a table nearby that had lights and other decorations stacked upon it. “I wonder if I should…?”

  Suddenly, the transporter tube across the way began to hum and glow. Steel was familiar with the sound; it meant one or more of the members of the League was teleporting up. A form began to appear in the tube, an outline of a single figure. As the machine completed its task, Steel could tell who had just arrived from the planet below.

  A figure dressed in a scarlet red costume with yellow lightning bolt trim stepped from the tube. “West! It’s about time!” Steel said. “You do realize the party starts in an another half-hour.” He glanced over to the table. “And you had volunteered to help decorate.”

  The young man who now carried the mantle of the Flash with pride simply smiled. “Relax, Steel,” he said. “You’re talking to the fastest man alive. It’ll take me no time at all to have this place looking like Christmas.” He glanced around. “Didn’t you get the tree out of storage?”

  “Uh, no,” Steel admitted. “I kind of forgot.”

  “No problem,” the speedster said. “Be back in a flash!” And with a quick blur and a small breeze, the Flash was heading for the storage area three decks below.

  Steel was rather impressed with how quickly the main console area and adjacent meeting room were instantly transformed. Moving at super-speed, the Flash strung up various strings of colored lights, assembled and decorated a ten-foot-tall artificial tree, and made the place all set for the League’s holiday gathering.

  Soon, the Flash was done and sitting in the other chair by the console, drinking a canned beverage. “Well?” he asked. “That good enough or what?”

  Steel looked around as lights of green and red blinked. “I’m impressed,” he had to admit. He noticed what his friend was drinking. “Wally, you could have brought me…” Before he could finish, a can appeared in Steel’s hand. “…one.” He glanced down. “Oh, thanks.”

  “No problem.” The Flash leaned back in his chair. “I sure hope we don’t have any interruptions tonight. After the party here, I have another out on the West Coast. I could use a night to relax.”

  “We can only hope,” said a voice from across the room.

  Steel and the Flash both turned to see a familiar figure in a long, dark blue cape and cowl step from the shadows. “Batman!” the two exclaimed in unison.

  “We didn’t see you arrive,” Steel said.

  “He likes to do that every now and again,” the Flash said. “Nightwing does it, too. You get used to it.”

  Batman merely smiled. Suddenly, the transporter tube sprang to life once more, and a trio stepped from the tube. Two wore similar costumes of yellow, green, and red with large wings attached, while the other woman was dressed in a tuxedo jacket with tails and fishnet stockings. “Zatanna, Katar, Shayera,” Batman said as he greeted them. “Glad you could all make it.”

  “I had an afternoon show in Midway City,” the young brunette replied. “I figured I’d hitch a ride with the Hawks here.”

  The Flash rushed over and extended his hands to help with the large covered dish that the winged man held. “Can I take that for you, Hawkman?”

  “Why, yes, Wally,” he said. “Thank you.” The speedster rushed it back to the meeting room and returned.

  “What’d you bring?” the Flash then asked.

  “Oh, just something I whipped up in the kitchen,” Hawkman said.

  “Katar, please!” Hawkwoman said. “He tries to act so nonchalant about it, but he spent hours meticulously preparing his famous Thanagarian goulash.” Hawkman shot his wife a slight look, but she gave him a reassuring hug of his arm.

  “It smells great,” the Flash said. “Can’t wait until we eat.”

  The transporter tube began to hum again. “You shouldn’t have to wait too long, son,” Hawkman said. “Looks like our party is about to get into full swing.”

  Before long, the JLA Satellite was buzzing with conversation and music. A majority of the members had already arrived and were taking a few moments to get caught up with one another. Holiday classics played in the background on the satellite’s intercom system.

  Glancing around, Nubia felt good to be surrounded by so many of her allies. A year ago they had welcomed the new Wonder Woman into the fold as if she were an old friend; they made her feel comfortable both in times of crisis and celebration. She turned back to J’onn J’onzz, the one member she had become extremely close to over the past year. The green-skinned Martian was smiling and laughing as he talked to his old friend Superman.

  The Man of Steel turned to the warrior woman. “So, Nubia, what’d you bring to our little festive holiday table?” he asked.

  The dark-skinned woman in the red, white, blue, and gold costume pointed toward the food nearby. “I made a dish native to the island where I was raised,” Nubia explained. “Though I had to substitute a bit, not having access to wild boar and some rare spices here in the States.”

  Superman nodded. “I’m sure it’ll be delicious.” The Kryptonian then turned to his fellow alien. “And how about you, J’onn?”

 
“Crushed Oreo pies,” the Martian Manhunter stated plainly. “I found the recipe in a magazine recently. It is very tasty.”

  Superman smiled. “I’m sure it is, my friend. I’m sure it is.”

  Suddenly, the transporter sprang to life once more. A blonde-haired woman wearing a flowing white gown stepped from the tube. In her hands, she held a small child with dark curly hair.

  Superman noticed their arrival first. “Hippolyta! So glad you and Diana could make it.” The Man of Steel hurried over to the Amazon queen’s side. “I was worried the invitation wouldn’t make it to you on time.” He smiled as he looked down at the young girl, their former comrade Diana and the first Wonder Woman. The toddler Diana smiled and giggled as she saw Superman’s face.

  “It did, Superman,” Hippolyta said. “We thank you for having us.” She was pleased to see Diana’s positive reaction. The young child reached out to him.

  “May I?” Superman asked. The queen nodded and handed Diana to him.

  J’onn glanced over to Nubia. Even without his telepathy, he could often tell what his lover was thinking. “What a pleasant surprise,” he said. “I did not know they were coming.”

  Nubia nodded. “Nor did I, J’onn. But it is good to see them.” She then glanced up and realized where they were standing. She tapped J’onn on the shoulder and pointed up to the small green sprig hanging above them. “Mistletoe. Is there not a tradition involving this plant?”

  J’onn smiled. “There is indeed,” he said. “We must follow custom, after all.” He then took Nubia in his arms and gave her a passionate kiss.

  ***

  “Snapper!” Black Canary embraced the brown-haired young man who was dressed in a dark sports coat and gray shirt. “So glad you could make it.”

  “Thanks for inviting me, B.C.,” said Lucas “Snapper” Carr.

  Green Arrow gave the young man a light punch in the arm. “Hey, kiddo, how’s life been treating you?”

  “Good — real good. I’m a research assistant now at STAR Labs in California.”