"Not as much as that, but probably."
"And that'll do… What?"
On it's own? Probably nothing. But it gives someone else a
hook into you, that they could tug on, and...
Mr. Free looks up from where he's been using his multi-cube to repair his costume. This room wasn't really intended for the number of specialists we've brought into it, but we need to go somewhere and if those of us who've touched the stuff can be tracked in some way… It's best that we not look like we've moved.
True, the master of the stuff
is probably able to monitor those touched by it. Probably not
passively, but I bet they're watching OL
very closely, given his track record.
"It connects you to the Anti-Life. People who've been using the Anti-Life on Earth have been using single concepts. It twists the minds of anyone near it to agree with it, but it can be resisted." Alan nods. "That's not what this does. This is-. It's more like the broadcasters on Apokolips. You hear every part, and if there's something that chimes for you, that's what you get. Orange Lantern, Blue Lantern, Doctor Mist, you're all vulnerable. I…"
Oh, that does not make this scenario play out any
better... At least it's only a
partial sample.
He looks at Zauriel.
"I don't know about you."
Zauriel smiles. "My mind is not so small that I cannot doubt. There are avenues of attack which the Anti-Life could use."
Yeah, that's how you ended up in your position, after all. The
doubt, not the Anti-Life.
"If they exist, it'll use them."
Batman nods. "How do we block it?"
And stop the opponent from turning you against your allies... Because I have no doubt that if the unknown master of this stuff tugged on it, everyone infected
would fall in line with their will.
"The Alliance of the Just have it tied to their teleportation system. Stepping foot inside their new buildings will result in it being inflicted upon you. And you will also be teleported ehway. I had thought that blocking the teleportation acquisition system would be simple, but if what Scott Free says is true, they may have access to New God technology. Thet…" He shakes his head. "I cannot be certain."
"Is the Anti-Life effect immediate?"
Yeah, New God technology has a
lot more metaphysical horsepower than anything short of the Life Entity itself. I don't fancy that any Earthly defence could resist a
concerted attack for long.
Mr. Free shrugs. "I don't know. It was for me, but I got a dose right from the source. Orange Lantern had it for hours and didn't realise anything was wrong."
Batman's eyes move in my direction
Oh, is that a amused 'would we even
notice?' glance or a worried 'how strongly were they able to affect him?' glance, I wonder.
"I compared my behavioural baselines before and after. No change."
A small nod, and his eyes moves back to Mr. Free.
Of course, you saying that doesn't
prove anything. If someone
was controlling you, they could tell you to
say that...
"Can everyone affected be exposed to the Anti-Life at once?"
"I don't know. On Apokolips, yes, but they've got a whole lot more equipment. And the Alliance's teleportation centers aren't broadcasters; those are very recognizable."
But, if they could target one person at a time and take control long enough for them to disrupt an attack...
"Are you certain that Darkseid is on Earth?"
"No. I just-. That's what he can do. And I can't imagine him sharing that ability with someone else. They'd be a threat to him, his control. On the other hand… Yeah, there isn't much that's stopping him just turning up on Earth one day. He doesn't usually do things like that because it's not a good use of his time, and… We should be seeing a whole lot more than we're seeing now if he was actually here."
Indeed, Darkseid is not one for
subtlety, especially when coming in His capacity as an invading Tyrant. No, this may not be Him, but He's almost certainly holding the
leash of the one who is...
"And Canis wouldn't be able to shut up about it."
Batman nods again.
Ha, even
he knows Canis would be crowing about it from the rooftops.
"Whether it's Darkseid or not, we still have to prevent the spread of the Anti-Life. Zauriel, can you destroy the mist?"
Zauriel opens his mouth and the background sounds of the room vanish for a moment. The both Dr. Balewa's spell and the mist are both gone.
...Well, that was anti-climactic. Though no doubt very
conditional.
Zauriel nods. "As I thought."
"How did you manage thet?"
"I reset that portion of reality to the 'default'. Since the mist-like substance had no soul of its own it could not resist. It is… Not something which I can teach you. And I do not think that my song would work as a defence in any other circumstance."
So if it's hooked into someone, their own soul will act as protection for the globs...
Batman looks at Dr. Balewa. "It's gone completely?"
"So far as I can determine, thet is so. But since I do not know the mechanism by which it spreads, I cannot say thet it was not recalled by its creator."
That would be a mind-fuck, wouldn't it? Letting them think they've dealt with it, only to discover it right back where it was...
Mr. Zatara, who had been listening quietly next to Angelica, steps forward.
"I should check whether my particular abilities work against it."
...All signs point to 'No.' After all, you're only
human. This stuff is forged by a
god.
Alan nods. "Apparently, I'm infect too. Take your best shot."
"Tsim fo eht Efil-Itna, traped!"
Though it's certainly going to be a
dramatic attempt.
Alan frowns, then shudders as the mist rises through his skin for a moment before being sucked back inside him!
"Are you al-?"
Ow. That would feel
unpleasant as. Probably like having someone scrape their fingernails down the chalkboard of your
soul...
"Traped! Traped dna od ton nruter!"
This time the mist only rises grudgingly, floating on the surface of his skin rather than leaving him. Mr. Zatara keeps up his effort for several second as the strain makes him grimace and sweat, before sagging and lowering his hands.
Not enough metaphorical horsepower. He's a Ferrari trying to outpull a
tank.
The mist immediately re-enters Alan's body.
"I am.. sorry, Alan. I cannot do it."
Don't be ashamed of failing. At least you tried, and confirmed it's there.
Alan nods, staring at his own body for a moment. Yeah, Giovanni Zatara's ability makes him a remarkably capable and flexible magician despite his minimal formal training, but his peak power output isn't all that great. Not compared to his colleagues Dr. Balewa and Angelica. He might be able to improve that, but when exactly is he likely to be able to find time to do that sort of self-study?
Dr. Balewa conjures a new white orb while Batman turns to me.
Yeah, even with a tap to Order Magic, he's not got a lot of flow-through. He's more suited to precision work.
"Can you destroy the teleporters without collateral damage?"
"I don't want to say entirely without, but it should be simple enough. The sites have a standard design, and I don't need to physically enter the building to shoot at it." I shrug. "Just trigger the fire alarm first. Might be a problem with Alliance members afterward, particularly if they're Anti-Lifed. I could call Alpha Centurion first?"
...And warn the bad guys you're coming. Yeah. That's a hard nope.
He considers it. "Doctor Mist. Could you use their system to remove it from people more efficiently?"
"Perhaps? I…" He frowns. "No. I do not believe so. The magic aspect of the teleportation system is in the guidance rather than the transmission. It would be no easier for me to use it than it would be to use any other structure."
Like injecting something into someone. You're not gonna be able to suck it back out once it's dispersed...
"In that case we can have Flash or one of the Lanterns bring the victims to you." He focuses on me. "Preventing Father Bruno infecting anyone else takes top priority. We can smooth things over with the Alliance afterwards."
"Understood. Just tell me when and where you want me."
Just be honest with them: A dark God's followers tried to manipulate their systems into setting up an army of blindly-loyal slaves...
"Mister Miracle, is the core of the system in Washington or in Hub City?"
"The teleportation network doesn't need a core. But New God technology needs a New God to be… 'Plugged into'.. it. And an Anti-Life control system wouldn't exactly be small. If Orange Lantern didn't see something he didn't recognize in Washington then it's probably not there."
A New God... Or something with similar
traits. And as
BR549 pointed out earlier,
Anita Fite is still missing...
"Doctor Mist, Zauriel, Orange Lantern. Go to Hub City with Mister Miracle and try to locate the control system. Orange Lantern, be prepared to need to attack other locations at any time. I'll brief the rest of the League."
And hope that nothing goes
badly wrong in Hub City...
No Jinx.