Earth-1874 All-Star Comics #3

Desert Hawks

Spring, 1943

The sun was only beginning to rise above the still waters surrounding the Allied HQ at the Suez Canal, but the makeshift base was already bustling with activity.  Soldiers, arms and armor were mobilizing for a push deeper into Africa, as the Allies continued to push the Axis forces back.  A fighting force consisting of British, Australian, American, and Vichy troops had been able to take and hold the North African region.  Despite their recent successes, there were rumors of an impending Axis attack, and everyone was on high alert.

Inside a large brick building that served as Allied Command, a small force of All Star Squadron members had been assembled.  Crimson Avenger, Superman, Liberty Belle and Johnny Quick sat on a couple of makeshift benches, waiting quietly for their briefing to begin.  The exhaustion of war, and constant pressures of the battlefield had begun to take their toll on the group.  Superman in particular hadn’t been the same since Tunisia.  The smiling farmboy had become withdrawn, even dour.  Crimson Avenger had seen this type of reaction before, in the first Great War.  He would need to keep an eye on Superman during this mission, for all of their sakes.  The Allies couldn’t afford to lose their most powerful asset, and he wouldn’t let himself lose a good man to the horrors of war.

As Lee was considering this, Captain America entered the room, flanked by two other men.  Clearly, these men were not soldiers.  They both wore tweed suits, and looked like academics.  What they were doing in the middle of a battlefield, he couldn’t begin to guess.  He and the other soldiers stood at attention as the men walked past them and took their place at the podium at the front of the room.

“At ease, soldiers.  Have a seat.” Captain Rogers said, nodding to them.  They sat on the bench, and waited for their captain to continue.

“As you may know, German troops have been gathering ancient relics of power from around the world.  We have acquired intelligence that suggests that Germany’s Hydra Division has unearthed a previously undiscovered ruin about 100 clicks to the south.  High command believes that whatever is stored there can’t be allowed to fall into enemy hands.  That’s where you come in.”  

Lee noted that Clark’s fists clenched involuntarily at the mention of the name Hydra.  He had read the reports from the operation in Tunisia.  This had the potential to get ugly fast if they ended up engaging Hydra troops.  This also made reigning in Superman a more difficult task, if things were that personal.  

The Captain continued, “I would like to introduce you to our two guests, archaeologist Carter Hall, and physicist Al Pratt.  These two men have volunteered to help us in this operation.  I’ll let them explain the rest.”  Cap stepped aside, and gestured to the two men to take over.  The taller of the two men stepped forward to speak.

“Ah, yes, thank you, Captain.” He cleared his throat, and turned his attention to the others before continuing.  “As Captain Rogers said, the Germans have unearthed ruins which we believe to be a series of tombs.  The contents of these tombs are unknown, but keeping these ancient treasures out of the hands of the Germans has been placed at the highest of priorities by Allied Command.  Al and I will be accompanying you on this mission, and my role will be to identify objects of importance and assist in recovery.  As for my associate here, well, I’ll let him explain.”  He stepped aside, allowing his diminutive associate to take center stage.

“Thanks, Carter.  So, once we’ve found objects worth taking with us, it’ll be my job to make them transportable.  My particular area of expertise has been in technology that allows us to reduce the size and mass of objects.  Shrinking them, basically.”  

He paused to let the group take that in, but found virtually no reaction at all in his audience.  “Huh, that usually gets people’s attention.  Ah well, I guess nothing surprises you super-types.  Anyway, I will be using this baby here to shrink down whatever we find.” He produced a small metal device from inside his jacket.  “It should let us put a whole pyramid in our pocket, so to speak.”

“Thank you, doctors.”  Captain Rogers said, moving back to the podium.  “You will be leaving immediately with these fine gentlemen under the command of First Sergeant Walters.” He said, gesturing to the Crimson Avenger.  He then turned to face a map of the area posted behind him before continuing.  “We have arranged transportation down the Nile, which will drop you at this point here.  You will then make your way due East to this point, where intelligence tells us the ruins are located.  Your ride is waiting outside.  Good luck and godspeed.”

************************************************************

Their journey down the Nile was tense, but uneventful.  Both Carter and Al had hushed discussions on the nature of the various settlements and ruins they had passed by.  While much of the area was under Allied control, it was still a war zone.  Lee took the opportunity to discuss strategy with his men, as well as areas of responsibility for the protection of the civilians and recovery of any artifacts they might find.  

As their small craft approached the drop point, all talking ceased.  Lee hoped they wouldn’t run into any serious opposition.  Intelligence reports were sketchy at best, and after the battle in Tunisia, they had to be prepared for anything.  Germany’s Hydra Division had proven to be deadly on the battlefield since then as well, employing energy weapons and other incredibly advanced armaments.  Allied scientists were desperately working to reverse-engineer these new devices, but it would take time to reproduce them or create effective countermeasures.  Fortunately, many of his troops were immune to these new weapons, including Superman.

Lee took a moment to glance over his troops before they disembarked.  Liberty Belle looked focused and stood side-by-side with Johnny Quick.  They had grown quite close over the course of their time in the field.  Lee wouldn’t be surprised if it was romantic, which would normally be problematic, but All Star Squadron worked outside of traditional military doctrine.  Lee felt it might actually be a strength to have two teammates so close.  Libby and Johnny were both great people that he knew he could count on in a pinch, and they would be responsible for the safety of Carter and Al in this mission.

His attention then turned to Superman.  The boy had been uncomfortably quiet during their journey.  Lee knew that Superman still felt responsible for the injuries that his team had sustained in Tunisia.  Even though they had all made it out alive, it seemed that seeing his comrades in such pain had taken it’s toll on him.  Lee had spoken to Captain America about it and, like the captain, agreed that Superman had the potential to be a very capable leader.  He just hoped the kid could pull out of this and find himself again.  Hopefully getting him out into the field would clear away Superman’s lingering self-doubt.

They began their trek inland, moving east across the shifting desert sands.  They didn’t need to travel long before spotting the trails of dust in the distance that indicated troop movement.  He sent Superman ahead to scout the activity, while the rest of them took cover behind a nearby dune.  Superman took off in a blur, and returned moments later.  

“It’s bad, sir.  Two Hydra tanks, and an entire platoon.  Looks like they have a couple of transport trucks as well.  They’re closing in on the target area fast.”  Superman, said, not even winded.

“All right, listen up everyone.  Doctors, I need you two to stay put.  Libby, Johnny, you two flank right, I’ll flank left, Supes, you hit em right up the middle.  Go!”

They broke out in their assigned directions without another word.  Quick carried Belle, moving faster than Lee could follow.  Superman waited at the top of the dune for Lee to get into position.  It was going to take him a minute.  Wishing, not for the first time, that he had super speed.  Panting from running in the soft sand, he reached his position and gave the signal to his team.

Superman ran full speed into the nearest tank, and with an incredibly loud screech of twisting metal, it was knocked onto its side.  Chaos erupted from the Hydra troops, and they began firing in all directions.  Crimson Avenger, Liberty Belle and Johnny Quick all broke from cover and rushed the enemy position.  Lee fired a gas pellet into the clustered ranks of infantry, sending them coughing into the dirt.  Meanwhile, Libby grabbed the barrel of the remaining tank gun and bent it backwards with ease.  Last but not least, Johnny ran through the enemy ranks at incredible speeds, disarming as many of the troops as he could.

The tank that Superman had hit caught fire, and Lee shouted to him, “Get out of there!  It’s gonna blow!”  But the boy wasn’t listening to him, instead Superman tore the turret off the tank and retrieved the occupants.  Hoisting them on his shoulders, he ran from the ensuing explosion.  The shells in the tank exploded sending most of the team to the ground from the violent shockwave.  The blast caught the second tank and the truck as well, and the resulting eruption  could be seen and felt for miles around.  

************************************************************

Lee awoke in a coughing fit.  He attempted to open his eyes, but it was useless.  The dust and smoke in the air was impenetrable, and it was nearly impossible to breathe, much less see.  He felt around his surroundings, trying to find a way to his feet, when a sudden blast of air knocked him right back down again.  He groaned and raised his arm to shield his eyes from the piercing wind that seemed to have come out of nowhere.  The air that was hitting his face felt out of place.  It was cold, extremely cold, and almost instantly froze the sweat on his skin.  As this wind blew the smoke and debris in the air away from the area, he could finally see what was going on around him.

His jaw dropped as he gazed at the massive pit that had formed in the wake of the explosion.  Stranger still, it looked as though it hadn’t collapsed, so much as erupted outward.  This must have been where the blast of cold air had come from.  He quickly rose to his feet and searched the area for his team.  He found all of them nearby, blasted away from the site as he was.  All of them, except for Superman.  The two scientists ran to join the team as quickly as they could in the rolling dunes of soft sand.  

“Incredible!  Did you see that eruption?!  It was as though some kind of pressurized capsule were opened!  We simply must investigate!”  Carter said excitedly, almost childlike in his enthusiasm.  

“Wait, where’s Superman?  Is he OK?”  Al said, panting from his run across the sands.  

“I’m not sure, but it’s possible he’s down there.” Lee said, pointing to the gaping chasm.  “Either way, we need to check this thing out.  I doubt any of those goons survived the blast, so it should be relatively safe.”

Please, sergeant, let Al and I lead the way.  We need to preserve the site as much as possible.  We can’t afford to damage anything unnecessarily.  Well, nothing that explosion didn’t already damage, I suppose.”

And so the team moved to the chasm, looking down into it for the first time.  The midday desert sun illuminated the chamber extremely well, and they were awestruck by what they saw.  A beautiful tiled chamber lay some 30 feet below the surface.  The tiles glistened in the sun, and steps on the far side led up to what appeared to be some sort of throne.  Furniture and entire rooms full of artifacts were preserved in such a way that they had not aged at all in what might have been centuries.  In the middle of it all lay Superman, and on top of him were the soldiers he had rescued just before the explosion.

“You think he’s alive?” Al croaked, gulping as he looked down on the young man.

“I’ve been fighting alongside Superman for a long time now, and I haven’t seen anything that could keep him down.” Lee replied.

“Well then, we’d better go help him up.  Let’s get climbing!” Liberty Belle said as she began her descent.

The climb was not as hazardous as they expected, with ample footholds to be found in the ancient rock face of the chamber walls.  Carter reached the bottom first, and ran to Superman’s side.  

“It looks like he fell on something!” Carter yelled back to the rest of the team, who were still descending the steep rock walls.  He reached under superman and felt the haft of a weapon as well as a belt made from some type of metal.  As soon as he touched it, his entire body felt as though it were on fire.  His vision went white as he screamed in agony.  Flashes, images of another life, raced through his mind.  Another time, another body, but at the same time so familiar.  He saw a beautiful woman as well.  Shiera.  Yes, that was her name.  His beloved.  How could he have forgotten her?  The images began to fade, and with them the pain that wracked his body.  He found himself standing over Superman with a massive mace in his hand.  His body was now covered in some kind of armor, and his back, wings!  He was reborn, and it was all so clear to him now.  Carter Hall was but a vessel, and this metal had refilled that vessel and restored his power.  But, Shiera, where was she?  Could she be alive as well?  

“She is indeed, Hawkman, and you will be joining her soon enough!” A voice spoke and Carter, Hawkman, spun to face it.  From the shadows near the throne, a pair of figures stepped forth.  The one who spoke was slender, and garbed in ancient egyptian attire of a royal purple color.  The other was unlike anything Carter had ever seen.  Blue armor covered a massive frame, and the face was so inhuman, so alien.  

“No, not alien. Mutant would be the colloquial term, I believe.”  The voice said coldly as he sat himself down upon the throne.  “My servant's name is En Sabah Nur, and you may call me Immortus.  We have been slumbering here for many centuries, awaiting your arrival.  I am not disappointed. You have even done me the courtesy of wounding Superman with your mace.  How considerate.”  He gestured to the bodies of the soldiers that Superman had rescued before continuing.  “They, however, will not be necessary.”  He glanced to En Sabah Nur.  “You may remove them.”

“Like hell you will, monster!” Hawkman yelled, as he charged towards the blue-armored giant.  Its blue lips curled upwards in a sinister smile and his arm shot out towards Hawkman faster than he could see, sending him sprawling back towards Superman.  

“Immortus calls me by my true name, but you may call me Apocalypse!” A booming voice roared from the blue giant.  “You are all inferior creatures, unfit to survive!”  

As Hawkman shakily pulled himself to his feet, he saw Superman doing the same.  The rest of the team had nearly reached them now, but there was no time.  Time.  He felt everything slow down around him as though it were all under water.  Carter slowly turned to see Immortus gesturing towards them with some device.  Whatever it was, it was slowing them to a crawl!  Apocalypse, however was unaffected, charging towards Superman at full speed.  Hawkman couldn’t shout a warning to his friend in time, and Superman was sent flying against the rock wall.  Apocalypse then reached down and picked up the two Hydra soldiers that Superman had saved, smashing their heads together with sickening force before throwing them aside like dolls.

Liberty Belle was the first to reach the battle, yelling a battle cry as she attempted a double-fisted uppercut on the armored giant.  It was no use, however.  They all seemed to be moving like molasses, and Immortus simply laughed as Apocalypse swatted the brave heroine away like an insect.  Crimson Avenger fired a gas pellet into the fray, but it too had no effect on Apocalypse.  Johnny Quick ran in to grab Belle, but even his speed was no match for the towering mutant.  Hawkman struggled to stand as the world went black around him.  Where was Al?  He hoped his friend was okay.  As he collapsed onto the tile floor, he heard only the sound of Immortus’ laughter...    

Earth-1874 All-Star Comics #2

All-Star Comics #2

Fall, 1942

The All Star Squadron had participated in Operation Torch, designed as an Allied invasion of North Africa via amphibious assaults at Casablanca, Oran and Algiers.  It had been a bloody conflict on both sides, but All Star Squadron had made it through the fighting intact.  They had supported the British and American troops in battles all along the coast, and the rumors of superheroes on the front lines spread to Axis and Allied forces alike.  Many of the troops had heard of the mystery men that now patrolled their streets back home, but few had ever seen one in the flesh.

For the Axis soldiers, to see a man take a tank shell and remain standing against them was enough to shake their resolve.  Most of the Allied troops were just thankful that these costumed heroes were on their side.  All Star Squadron had the Vichy defenders on the run as the Allies pressed inland.   Their weapons seemed useless against a squadron of men and women who could fly, cast magic, or move with superhuman speed.  As a result, many of the defending soldiers had abandoned their positions at the mere sight of these heroes.  

And so it was that the reputation of All-Star Squadron had begun to grow and spread to friend and foe alike.  The inspiring sight of Captain America’s shield or the Crimson Avenger’s signature red trench coat was enough to bolster morale in a way that few things could.  Many of the allied soldiers who had been fighting in the early stages of the war wished that these superheroes had shown up earlier, but were grateful nonetheless.  For now, heroes and soldiers alike were camped in the port of Algiers, awaiting further orders.

*********************************

Captain America laid the map down on the table that rested in the middle of the dining room.  Allied officers had turned one of the least-destroyed buildings in Algiers into a War Room.  It was here that the missions to push into Tunisia were being planned.  A few kerosene lanterns lit the otherwise barren room.  Most furniture and other goods had been destroyed or looted in the battle.  The chatter of distant gunfire sounded in the distance, but otherwise, things were quiet.

“Orders from the top, lady and gents.  Direct from General Ryder himself.”  He let that sink in for a moment as he regarded the team he had assembled.  Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman stood before him, in full costume as always.  “He wants me to lead a small strike force into the port of Tunis to gather intel and sabotage the emplacements there.  You’re my strike force.”

“Good, I was starting to get bored.” Wonder Woman said with a half-smile.  Out of the entire squadron, she was always the most eager for combat.  Namor came in at a close second, but Steve didn’t entirely trust the ousted Atlantean king to follow orders.  Namor’s temper was outmatched only by his arrogance.  Yes, Wonder Woman was definitely a better choice any potential combat they might run into.

Batman stooped to get a better look at the map.  “This is the central port for all of Tunisia.  I wouldn’t be surprised to find heavily fortified.  It makes sense that they would send a small force before the main strike.  Do you mind, sir?”  He gestured at a pencil on the table.  Steve waved his hand, and Batman immediately began drawing on the map.  “I would expect emplacements here and here, with possible snipers here.  If we enter through this channel, we should be able to sneak through undetected.”  The kid’s mind was a steel trap, and Steve had to admit that he loved watching him in action.

“Great, there’s our entry point settled then.  The defenders should be Vichy troops like those we've encountered so far.  Intel says that, so far, the krauts have left them alone.  We can expect that to change soon, which is why we need to hit Tunisia fast.  We’re heading out in a small patrol boat tomorrow at oh-four-hundred.  The boat is going to drop us a few miles off the coast, and we’ll swim the rest of the way there.  Any questions?”  He looked from the map to his team. “Dismissed.  Get some rest before we leave.”

The team left the room, but Superman lagged behind.  “Something wrong, Kent?” Captain America looked at the boy as he slowly turned to face him.  Superman had quickly lost his taste for adventure and excitement once he saw real war.  It was something that happened to most, if not all the men in time.

“No, sir, nothing’s wrong.  I guess...I guess I’m just not sure why you chose me for this mission.”  Superman’s eyes rose to meet the Captain’s, and Steve could see the uncertainty in them.

“You have incredible abilities, and you’re a natural leader, you just don’t know it yet.  That’s why I chose you.” He paused and crossed the room until he was face to face with Superman. “You may not like what you’re doing over here, and I can’t say I disagree with you, but we’re doing it for the right reasons.  People with our abilities have a responsibility to use those them for the benefit of others.  There’s no question that the people we’re fighting represent pure evil, and if we don’t stand up and fight against it, we don’t deserve the gifts we've been given.  That’s what I believe, anyway.”

Superman’s face brightened slightly and he nodded.  “Thank you, sir.” He then turned and went out into the war-torn streets of Algiers.

  ********************************

The waves crashed against the port with incredible force as early morning rain pounded down along the coast of Tunis.  The water was freezing, but the swim to shore was easy enough.  Captain America and his team crouched behind the rocky outcroppings of the port.  Batman and Superman put their capes on, having taken them off for the long swim.  Wonder Woman took a moment to take in their surroundings.

Even in this early morning hour, the port was alive with activity.  Captain America could see the outlines of several patrols moving around the port, while workers and technicians moved gigantic crates from ships in the port.  There were more troops here than he expected.  That was fine with him, that’s why he had brought the best.
“OK, Wonder Woman, you create a distraction down on the beach while we move up into the port.  We need to find out what their loading, and trash anything we can along the way.  Once we've done enough damage, we meet up back here and head for the boat.  Clear?”  His team nodded and moved out.

Batman, Superman and Captain America clambered up the rocks to the port itself while Wonder Woman went around the rocks to the beach.  As soon as Captain America crested the rocks, he could see a patrol about fifty feet away.  Between the darkness and the rain, they would have plenty of cover.  He waved his team up and began a low run towards one of the crates that littered the port.  Prying it open with his shield, he was confronted with what looked like a giant metal arm.  Some kind of robot, maybe?  He was about to inspect it further when a voice cried out “Achtung!”  followed by energy blasts directed at their position.
“Get down!” he yelled, and dropped prone.  Germans, robots, and laser weapons...this mission was definitely not going according to plan.

Wonder Woman heard the firefight above in the port, and ran down the beach.  Another squad of German soldiers were there, and they were moving to attack her team.  She charged into them, knocking several aside.  She continued her assault, not allowing the troops to recover.  They began to scatter in all directions, panicked.  She hoped it was enough to help the rest of her team.  She chased those that fled towards the port, hoping to stop them from joining the assault.

Captain America picked up the crate containing the robot arm, using it as a mobile cover.  With any luck, the krauts would do some damage to it along the way.
“That’s far enough, Captain.” a female voice sounded behind him.  He spun and saw a woman with a pistol leveled at him.  Her accent was vaguely European, but he couldn't place it.
“Sorry, lady.  No time to chit-chat.” he said, throwing the crate at her.  She screamed as the crate hit her in the shoulder, knocking her to the ground.  Batman was there as she fell, delivering a chop to her neck that took her out of commission.

“You may have taken down Viper, Captain America, but you will find that Johann Schmidt is not so easy to stop.” Captain America turned to see a man in a long German trench coat.  He had an entire squad behind him.  “Fire!” The man yelled and Captain America was showered with laser blasts.  He staggered back, finally raising his shield to deflect further assault.  These new weapons packed a punch, that was for sure.

Wonder Woman had nearly reached her team.  She could see Captain America crouched behind his shield as laser fire poured down on him.  “NO!” She cried as she charged towards the Germans, but she quickly realized her mistake.  The laser fire turned on her, and she was sent tumbling down the rocky cliff, unconscious.  The fire then turned back to Captain America.

Fortunately, all of the German attention was focused on the Captain, which allowed Batman and Superman to flank their position.  Batman took down one soldier with a chokehold from behind while Superman punched another one into his comrade .  Even though they were taking the squad down one man at a time, it wasn't fast enough to save their Captain.  He was knocked backward onto the rain-slick port, unmoving.

Johann turned his attention to Batman and Superman.  “Fire at will!” he cried.  But it was too late.  Superman charged him, throwing a punch that knocked Johann ten feet away, and into one of his own men.  Incredibly, Johann picked himself up.  “A fine punch, Superman.  Perhaps if you survive this, I will give you one of my own.”  He turned and began to walk away as he commanded his troops “Finish them.”

The laser fire was too much for Batman, who went down in a single volley.  Superman, however, was just getting started.  He dove into the squadron, swinging in all directions.  The energy blasts from their weapons didn't seem to have much of an effect on him.  Within a matter of minutes, he had knocked them all unconscious.
“Couldn't...have done that...a little sooner?” Batman grumbled weakly as he picked himself up.
Superman was grateful to see that his friend was still alive.
“You help Wonder Woman, I’ll get Cap.” Superman said, “We need to get out of here.”

********************************

Days later, back in the Allied base in Algiers, Superman walked to the makeshift infirmary.  He and Batman were able to carry Wonder Woman and the Captain to the rendezvous point.  His team was recovering, but he felt awful that they had been hurt so badly.  Batman was right; he should have been faster.  If he was, he could have saved them all and stopped Johann as well.

Johann; intelligence said he was part of the fuhrer’s special Hydra Deep Science Division.  He was tasked with exploring new and experimental technology.  Those laser rifles they had been packing showed that he had been busy.  Superman was certain that this wasn’t the last that they would see of him.

Entering the infirmary, he saw his teammates resting in their beds.  Batman had a broken arm, Captain America several rib fractures, and all of them had third-degree burns from the laser weapons.  All of them but Superman.  Captain America smiled as Superman entered, nodding to him in greeting.  Superman walked to his bedside and knelt down beside it.  “Captain, I’m so sorry.  I’m sorry I couldn't save you all and stop Schmidt.”
“Son, you saved our lives, and we accomplished our mission.  Now that intelligence knows what the Germans have cooked up over there, we’re going to be better prepared next time.  You should be proud.”

Superman didn't feel proud, though.  He felt ashamed.  Angry.  Next time, he would do better.  He would be better.