. _ The Academy of Super-Heroes Universe Presents: _ ( ) CONCLAVE OF SUPER-VILLAINS ( ) =-+-= copyright 1998 by Tony Pi and Dave Van Domelen =-+-= I #4 - 'DEEP ARMAGEDDON PART I: Collision Course' I ----------------------------------------------------------------- [Cover reads, 'DEEP ARMAGEDDON: COLLISION COURSE!' The picture shows Meteor from the ASH rushing towards the center from the top; Warden reaching towards the center from the right; Teller firing an arrow towards the center from the left; and Triton tossing a trident towards the center from the bottom of the page. At the dead center of the cover is a grinning skull fashioned out of what obviously used to be a globe of the world.] ----------------------------------------------------------------- UNITED WORLD'S MOST WANTED TRITON Derek Radner Gadgeteer & Energy Generation CONFLICTO Eugene Kwan Friction Control & Extrasensory Touch LABYRINTHE Yvan Viau Untrained Mage of Spatial Distortions SULTRY Angeline Croft Weather Control & Temperature Tolerance PERYTON Viktor Von Wright Strength, Endurance, Speed & Flight BURNOUT Lana Smith Intangibility & Regeneration REBUS identity unknown Anchor & Advanced Physical Training ----------------------------------------------------------------- DECEMBER 30th, 2023 MOUNT PLACID, NEW YORK SECTOR The small helijet landed on a stretch of relatively flat road near the top of the "active" volcanic mountain. It wasn't really active in a geological sense, slowly-cooling lava notwithstanding, since it wasn't over a "hot spot" or upwelling of magma. But obviously someone had managed to import some lava for the occasion, and it was still too hot to get any closer than they were. Tony Drake, invulnerable STRAFE agent, opened the door of the helijet and checked the harness he wore. "Explain again why I'm going in there with a huge bomb strapped to my back, Tripwire?" Greg "Tripwire" Sellack slapped Drake on the back with a three-fingered hand. Despite his frequent denials, no one believed Tripwire had lost his right index finger to anything other than an explosive device, which made people nervous around STRAFE's resident bomb expert. "In case the mountain falls on ya, man. There might be boobytraps all over this place, and our files on this Viau guy say he could drop you into solid rock ten miles away if he wanted. If the pressure sensors detect a sudden rise in readings, the bomb goes off and you're free. Or at least we can figure out where to start digging. And don't worry about anchors...the trigger is mondo supertech, anything that'd let you be hurt by the bomb will keep the bomb from going off. Now get out there, kid." Still completely unsoothed by these assurances, Drake took off his boots (they'd have just burned off after three steps anyway) and started hopping across the cooling lava. "Yeow! Ow! Hothothot!" he cried out, doing the "hot beach watusi" across the ropy black rock. While he couldn't be *harmed*, Tony could still feel all the normal pain. And he had several hundred more meters to go. Terrrrrific, he thought, in between yelps. * * * * STRAFE REGIONAL HQ, ONTARIO SECTOR "Drake found something at Lake Placid. Receiving image now," said Grind. A picture appeared on the monitor screen, a series of eighty-nine symbols punctuated by plus and minus signs. Scorch whistled. "That's more complicated than the Academy's IQ tests! What is it, a hieroglyphic recipe for five-alarm chili?" Essay shook her head. "A rebus. But I can't make heads or tails of it. Una rompecabeza verdadera...real headbreaker. Any thoughts, Grind?" Grind shook his head. "You're right - it doesn't seem like one of Triton's normally transparent puzzles." Essay tapped out a series of commands on her keyboard. "Okay, let's try a simple variant: backwards." A momentary pause. "No...basura in, basura out. Perhaps if we tried switching the signs to their opposites...." * * * * An hour passed. "Triton definitely hasn't the brains for this," grumbled Grind. "We've tried every synonym and antonym in English." "Maybe it's just jibberish meant to throw you off the scent?" suggested Scorch. "Shouldn't we try that Malta angle you mentioned? You know, from the 'here's looking at you' clue in the video?" "They may be going after Haven, yes. We've contacted EUROPA and will join them ASAP," said Grind. "But we can't ignore this clue, either. If it really was random gibberish, certain telltales would have shown up already." It was more than likely that the CSV wanted to fight them in the depths of the Mediterranean for Haven, once a technological sanctuary for twentieth century villains. After all, the artificial island south of Malta was the center of operation for the original Conclave of Super-Villains. However, Haven was sunk at the collapse of the Godmarket back in '98, taking a treasure trove of secret weapons and technology with it to the bottom of the sea. For decades, the location of Haven had been the Holy Grail for salvagers, and STRAFE and EUROPA were still working out the details of a joint operation to recover the technology. The special equipment being designed specifically for the mission was still on the drawing board, but given the possibility that the CSV had rediscovered Haven, the Tesla Branch was now pushing for those plans to become reality sooner rather than later. "Let's try Spanish," said Essay. "Maybe the rebus is in another language...." * * * * "Guys, you've been at it for a long time. You need a break. How about some food?" asked Meteor. "Not just yet. A breakthrough," announced Grind. "The key is this cluster here. These five symbols almost definitely stand for words in five different languages. Danish, Dutch, English, Flemish, and French. We think it's alphabetical, the rest of the languages. If we can figure out the rest of the languages, we can solve it." "The problem is, it looks like that cluster was meant to be easy. The rest of it won't be as simple if there are non-alphabetic languages in here, and there most certainly are. We're going to have to try different transcription systems as well. There are just too many possibilities, too many languages to go through. We're going to need to construct a computer algorithm to handle the load." "Everyone's eager to help. How could we not? It's our friends' lives at stake." said Meteor. "You might try calling Nate Walker at the Academy. He may be able to help, like he did on the Burnout case." [Academy #7 - Ed.] Essay nodded. "Bring us the best hacks we've got. And pray nothing happens until we solve this." * * * * MANHATTAN, NEW YORK SECTOR It was difficult to resist the temptation to contact STRAFE or ASH, but the three agreed that it would better to presumed dead by the CSV, so that they could follow up on the lead that Lana Smith gave them. At first Peregryn suggested that it may be yet another trap, but neither C.J. nor Jen were willing to believe that of Lana. The plan was simple. Lana would fake their deaths, a simple enough deception given C.J. and Peregryn's control over fire. Lana would take Peregryn's amulet as proof of their death. While the CSV believed them dead, they would be free to capture the Ankh Killer, the true force behind the CSV. All they had to do was to be in New York City at midnight on the 30th to surprise the Ankh Killer at a secret meeting. "I won't be long," said Jennifer Kleinvogel to Peregryn and C.J. Brown. "If I signal you, it means get up to the penthouse as soon as you can, because I'll need backup." "Be careful," breathed C.J. as Kleinvogel flew out of the Ritz hotel room they had appropriated. Peregryn only looked into the night. "There are restless spirits that stir tonight, and powerful evil about. Be alert, little bird. Evil is afoot." * * * * Unbeknownst to two of the three, the will of the third had been co-opted. Mr. Strings, aka Tyra Dumont, had yet another puppet to play with from those three, a puppet taken at Lake Placid. --Why do you do this to us?-- asked the voice of Lana, aka Burnout. ++To walk again. To make Cockatrice pay for what she has done for me. And to eliminate one of the Ankh Killers.++ --I thought you were the Ankh Killer.-- ++No, the Ankh Killer is an identity adopted by three, two users too many for my taste. Our individual agendas conflict, making it difficult to pursue our individual goals.++ --I see. You're powerless against them.-- ++Rebus is beyond my power, that is true. But we will find a way to deal with him as well. As for the other...she is dangerous, and she is the one that must be eliminated. If it means one of my other puppets must die so that I gain total control, then so be it.++ --So you all conspire against each other? What is it that you all want?-- ++Watch and see.++ * * * * DECEMBER 31, 2023, early morning STRAFE REGIONAL HQ, ONTARIO SECTOR "Hey, got it. The missing language was Pranir trade argot. 'Triple trident jackpot, seven unique booms, Happy New Year'!" announced Nate Walker, aka Netwalker. "Not much time left, guys, depending on the time zone." "Thanks, Nate." Grind turned to the rest of ASH and STRAFE. "We've got a lead. It likely means there are bombs in the casinos, hidden in the slot machines. Most likely, seven bombs of unknown power. Let's just hope no one wins the jackpot before we find the devices. It's the worst night of the year for this, and we don't know which casinos." "They want to scatter us, keep us preoccupied while they ransack Haven," said Teller. "I don't think we can ignore that possibility." JakZak said, "Neither can we ignore the fact that innocents may die. Labyrinthe's power makes it quite possible that they've planted bombs in casinos across the world. We can't endanger innocent lives, but there's no way we can cover every single casino in the world, or evacuate them. What if the bombs are city-killers?" Grind nodded. "The different languages could mean that the bombs are indeed scattered around the world. If we restricted our searches to those countries that speak the languages we deduced, we can cut down the possibilities." "You can rule out any minor cities," said Lightfoot. "If they're trying to make a name for themselves, they'd be going after the major gambling centers. Otherwise we'd be chasing down every town in France." "I've been cross-referencing the data on the suspected identities of the CSV, and came up with a hypothesis," said Grind. "Yvan Viau, the one called Labyrinthe, was from Montreal, where he caused a lot of damage at the airport. A DSHA agent, named Jo Ridley, filed a report on Viau before she disappeared. He is believed to have killed two people in Montreal, leaving ankh symbols with the victims. These victims have been identified as Anchors. Further research indicates the presence of someone dubbed 'The Ankh Killer' who leaves golden ankhs as a symbol. Golden Ankh, or Ankh Or in heraldic terminology. That, of course, is a pun on 'anchor'. Furthermore, they let us know Rebus is a possible Anchor. I suggest that we also limit our searches to those casinos that employ Anchors." "Makes sense," said Drake. "Remember Singapore and China? They'd want us to be dampened in power when we go to find the bombs. Nate? Any results?" "Way ahead of ya," said Nate. "Okay, printing up the list now. There are seven major gambling centers in the world today that use Anchors to a significant degree, have casinos that are open on New Year's Eve, and fit with the language criteria: Las Vegas, Rio de Janeiro, Perth, Monaco, Havana, New Jerusalem and Montreal. I'd say Montreal is a lock based on Viau's files." "What I'm worried about is how to get to all of them. Do we have the resources?" asked Gawain, ASH's strongman. "I suggest that STRAFE and EUROPA work together on the salvage of Haven," Grind argued. "We've already done some preliminary planning on that angle. As for the bombs, the ASH may be more suited for handling those threats, with a little help from some of our field agents." "That's only eight active members, even if we drag Contact back from his leave. Do we have enough time and manpower? Couldn't we shut down the casinos? I mean, we've got to try every angle," Lightfoot asked. "No, he's right," said JakZak. "We'll try everything possible to minimize the risks to the people, but the situation could escalate into global chaos. Think of the panic we'd cause in every city with a casino, the refusal of the casinos to lose money if we try to force them to close. Better we suffer the wrath of the casinos than risk the deaths of millions. We have slightly over 36 hours to defuse the situation, if we factor in time zones." He looked at Nate. "I don't know if it's fair, safe, or wise to ask this of the Academy, but we may need to mobilize all the resources we have. What we could do is ask for volunteers from the Academy to help us stop these bombs, but they should know full well that this may be a suicide run. But with the Anchors dampening our powers, we may not be in time to save the cities on our own. "So, Nate...will you and your classmates join us?" "We'll have to talk to the Professor, but one way or another, you've got the help of the Legion of Net.Heroes, Solar Max," the young supernormal said with a confidence belying experience beyond what his years would suggest. * * * * MANHATTAN, NEW YORK SECTOR Kleinvogel discerned five figures within. She hovered in the cold outside the window, drifting semi-invisibly and listening closely to the voices inside. "...so, we all have common goals and common enemies, and that is the reason I created the Conclave of Super-Villains with the assistance of my colleagues, Mr. Strings and Rebus," declared a female voice with a Quebecois French accent. "The CSV is the tool of our enterprise, and now we seek investors in our little endeavour." "What do we gain?" asked a man with an unusual accent. "General Kasca, an investment in the CSV is an investment in world power, the power we will take from the United World. When the ASH and its pale imitations have been destroyed, there will be no one to oppose us. Already plans have been set into motion to destroy a global shadow cartel run by Anchors. We are in the process of extracting information from their leader, who we have in captivity. Soon their resources will be ours, and their members exterminated," said the first voice. "And for us?" asked another voice, this time a woman's voice. "We offer to destroy Warden for you, Lady Bathory. I believe you and your associate have no small quarrel with him." "He will come, you know," said another female's voice. Bathory's voice answered her. "No doubt he will, Cockatrice, he always does. In fact, he will scent us out very soon indeed." "That is where I come in," said the first voice. "As a gesture to illustrate our good faith, I have a demonstration you will be *very* anxious to see." The sound of a curtain being pulled away was heard, followed by some whistling noise. "What is that?! It must be ten feet tall!" "I call it a Wergild, the price paid for the deaths of men. It is a golem of my design, and I have imbued it with much power. It is designed for one purpose: revenge. It draws to itself the spirits of those who died in violence and allows them a chance to take vengeance upon those that killed them. This Wergild is attuned to the Warden, and it has already begun to draw the victims of Warden to it. Look!" There was a pause, and Jen wished she could risk being seen long enough to see what it was that had these high-stakes players' rapt attention. She felt a chill across her whole body, one greater than caused by the winter winds. "Very well, Caryatid. If the Wergild destroys the Warden, then we will invest in the CSV. If not..." Bathory let the words trail off. "The Wergild does not know the meaning of failure!" the Quebecois woman, apparently named Caryatid, proclaimed. Jen could hear Scorch's voice in her mind chuckling, "There's a lot of things it doesn't know." He always was one for that sort of mood-countering humor. Before she could finish framing that thought, the window Jen had been eavesdropping at burst open as a giant statue of gold leapt into the wintry air, falling as it went. She couldn't contain a yelp of surprise, alerting those inside to her presence. "A spy!" shouted Bathory. "Eliminate her!" [TO BE CONTINUED!] Can the ASH prevent world panic before time and luck run out? Read ASH #13, "DEEP ARMAGEDDON: A Bomb In Nation," coming soon! Will STRAFE and EUROPA survive their battle with the CSV? Read STRAFE #5: DEEP ARMAGEDDON, coming soon! What will be the fate of New York City when heroes and villains collide? Read WARDEN: DEEP ARMAGEDDON, coming soon! =========================================================================== Authors' Notes: Tony Pi: Originally I had conceived of this idea as a crossover between STRAFE and CSV, but the idea expanded to include all four of the main titles in the ASH Universe, because of time constraints on my part. This is to allow each author to develop their own characters within the context of the overall arc. Hope you enjoy it. Thanks to Dave for writing Time Capsules #1, originally intended to appear this issue of CSV. Dave Van Domelen: For those curious, I wrote the Tony Drake scene at the beginning and edited the rest. This may be a fairly slow crossover to come out (oh, like there's any other kind?), since everyone involved is on the busy side, either with real life or other writing projects. There may be more multi-author pieces like this one to help fill in the gaps, or even guest writers. Hopefully this will all be wrapped up before 2024, realtime. }->