I posted this question in the comments to part 12, then I realized that not
everyone may read them, so I'm asking it again as its own topic.

What characters are not available for a (brief) cameo in an upcoming chapter?
The story is taking place in January of 1989, right after Christmas break, and I
need to show that the various heroes are unable to bo intervene in Iron-Hat's
plans due to another "crisis".

Also, it appears that Gregorian's origin will appear in the Part 13. I hope you
like it.

Lee

I don't know. I think the fourth and final part of "The Race" (by
Immortalwildcat) is the only story to have gone as far as 1989.

 
--
Cheers,
Doc Quantum of The Time Trust


Read stories of your favorite DC Comics characters at the Five Earths Project!
www.5earths.info


>________________________________
> From: drivtaan <drivtaan@...>
>To: theJSAallstarstorysite@yahoogroups.com
>Sent: Tuesday, May 22, 2012 7:45:50 PM
>Subject: [The JSA All-Star Story Site] Who Is Off-Limits?
>
>
> 
>I posted this question in the comments to part 12, then I realized that not
everyone may read them, so I'm asking it again as its own topic.
>
>What characters are not available for a (brief) cameo in an upcoming chapter?
The story is taking place in January of 1989, right after Christmas break, and I
need to show that the various heroes are unable to bo intervene in Iron-Hat's
plans due to another "crisis".
>
>Also, it appears that Gregorian's origin will appear in the Part 13. I hope you
like it.
>
>Lee
>
>
>
>
>

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Wildcat and Jester are both based in Florida by this time, and not likely to be
making rapid trips to Gotham.

Red Robin and Power Girl are married by this time, but likely to be available. 
I've got a story I've been plotting with Huntress that takes place in early
1989, but it wouldn't keep her from showing up for something going on in Gotham.

I'd say that in early January, Jay Garrick is still "de-compressing" from the
campaign, and probably hasn't taken up active duty with the JSA yet.  He might
even be out of the country on an extended vacation.  The costumed heros and
heroines who made up his security detail would now be getting back to their own
lives.

da 'Cat!


--- In theJSAallstarstorysite@yahoogroups.com, "drivtaan" <drivtaan@...> wrote:
>
> I posted this question in the comments to part 12, then I realized that not
everyone may read them, so I'm asking it again as its own topic.
>
> What characters are not available for a (brief) cameo in an upcoming chapter?
The story is taking place in January of 1989, right after Christmas break, and I
need to show that the various heroes are unable to bo intervene in Iron-Hat's
plans due to another "crisis".
>
> Also, it appears that Gregorian's origin will appear in the Part 13. I hope
you like it.
>
> Lee
>

Vic Valor and Strobe are off in space somewhere.

Zephyr is probably occupied by the International Society of Isis Syndicate - and
Insect Queen is trying to avoid the Yellow (dressed) People for Equal Rights for
Insects.

Bat-Mite said his name backwards and now he's banished to his own dimension for
60 days - oops, sorry, wrong other-dimensional magically powered imp!

Corona is probably off sharing a beer with Blackwing. Red Robin and Power Girl
may still be on their honeymoon, and Helena is shacked up somewhere with Bat
Lash.

All the girls in the Jr. JSA are swooning over the dragon guy, and Superboy is
pouting because the dragon guy beat the crap out of him - oops, wrong universe,
sorry!

I guess I really don't know where anyone is. Is the Iron Hat thing going to
affect more than just Gotham City?


--- In theJSAallstarstorysite@yahoogroups.com, "drivtaan" <drivtaan@...> wrote:
>
> I posted this question in the comments to part 12, then I realized that not
everyone may read them, so I'm asking it again as its own topic.
>
> What characters are not available for a (brief) cameo in an upcoming chapter?
The story is taking place in January of 1989, right after Christmas break, and I
need to show that the various heroes are unable to bo intervene in Iron-Hat's
plans due to another "crisis".
>
> Also, it appears that Gregorian's origin will appear in the Part 13. I hope
you like it.
>
> Lee
>

Just Gotham.
�
Lee

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Any of the Batman Family of characters would be available. I think Dan was
joking about Red Robin and Power Girl being on their honeymoon. After all, since
they were married in Spring, 1988, they'd be nearly up to their first
anniversary in 1989.

Green Lantern should be available, and I think most of the JSA. Even the Junior
JSA and Infinity Inc. (though they're in L.A.) should be available, too.

 
--
Cheers,
Doc Quantum of The Time Trust


Read stories of your favorite DC Comics characters at the Five Earths Project!
www.5earths.info


>________________________________
> From: Drivtaan <drivtaan@...>
>To: theJSAallstarstorysite@yahoogroups.com
>Sent: Wednesday, May 23, 2012 7:55:11 PM
>Subject: Re: [The JSA All-Star Story Site] Re: Who Is Off-Limits?
>
>
> 
>Just Gotham.
> 
>Lee
>
>[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>
>
>
>

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

I'm in the chat room right now, if anyone cares to join me.

Doc

I'm thinking that having you proofing isn't fair... you get to hear my spelling
errors, which oftentimes makes them more obvious!

--- In theJSAallstarstorysite@yahoogroups.com, "Frank G. Murdock" <bytor84@...>
wrote:
>
> I'm not familiar with the heroines, but I'll be reading nonetheless. A few
> spots could use some re-proofing though. A few missing conjunctions here and
> there. :)
>
>
>
> /FM
>
>
>
> From: theJSAallstarstorysite@yahoogroups.com
> [mailto:theJSAallstarstorysite@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of ddswanson
> Sent: Friday, February 03, 2012 4:57 PM
> To: theJSAallstarstorysite@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: [The JSA All-Star Story Site] Hope Hazard - Part 6: Who wears a
> cape...
>
>
>
>
>
> Shortly before noon on Saturday,Tom pulled to the curb in front of Hope's
> apartment in his 47 Willys Jeepster convertible. She was already waiting,
> sitting on the bench at the trolley stop in front of her building. Tom got
> out of the driver's side and a shorter, red-haired young man with a bulge at
> his waistline got out of the passenger side. Before the other guy climbed
> into the back seat, Tom introduced him and his other passengers.
>
> "Hope, meet Tade Mehlville, Janie La Roux, and Herb Simms. Fellows, this is
> Hope Hazard." Janie was an attractive blonde and Herb was tall, with black
> hair and wide shoulders. Tom turned to Hope with a conspiratorial grin.
> "Don't know quite why, but Tade prefers that people call him 'Tubby'."
>
> Tubby snorted. "So would you, if you were named Tade!" The other 3 laughed,
> so Hope laughed too.
>
> "I'm pleased to meet you all as well." she said, reaching into the back seat
> to shake hands. Herb was impressed with the strength of her handshake,
> totally unlike that of most women of the time.
>
> "We've got to be going," Tom told his friends. "The game doesn't start until
> 1, so you guys have plenty of time, but I'm supposed to be in the clubhouse
> before 12:30." He handed Hope into the front seat and closed the door for
> her.
>
> "Tom's such a gentleman,' Herb said.
>
> "This morning, at least," Janie agreed, deadpan. "I wonder what makes today
> different?" Pat whispered to Hope to ignore their byplay.
>
> "So, where are you from?" Janie asked curiously. "All Tom told us about you
> was that you work at the Sentinel - and that you're a real dish!"
>
> "Geez, Louise, Janie! Cut it out!" Tom yelped emphatically at his
> mischevious friend.
>
> "Isn't that cute? He's blushing," Janie chuckled.
>
> "We already knew about the 'dish' part, though," Tubby added, gallantly. "We
> all saw you in that play, 'Pat Powers, War Nurse'. In fact, Janie went back
> three times!"
>
> "Yes, she was my hero during the war!" Janie agreed. "I spent every nickel I
> could scrounge up on the 'Pat Powers' comics; still have them all, in fact,
> every one!" she boasted proudly. "So now, tell us more about Hope!"
>
> "Only if you promise I can read your comics!" Hope insisted. "I searched
> this town from top to bottom for old issues when I was researching the part,
> and only found a few, and they aren't in very good shape."
>
> After Janie nodded, she continued, "I'm actually from Hazard, lived here
> most of my life." She'd worked out a back-story for job and theatre
> interviews but she didn't get a chance to tell it, right then.
>
> "Great, a native! So what do YOU think the Baffler's clues mean?" Tubby
> asked, covering up a yawn, followed by more yawns from Janie and Herb.
> Finally, Tubby finished. "How do River, Map, and Arrow relate to Radiance?"
>
> Hope had been thinking about that a lot. Though she wasn't really from
> Radiance, the database the forgotten future tourist company had
> telepathically slipped into her brain gave her more information about the
> city than even the most learned local historian.
>
> "There are 3 rivers associated with Radiance." she began. "The Arrow River
> is traditionally considered the western boundary of the city, the Mill River
> runs right through downtown and Four Mile Creek is to the east."
>
> The three in the backseat nodded to each other as she said that, while Tom
> started to smile and then stifled a yawn of his own.
>
> "Hosiah Fitz, the first mayor of Radiance after the Revolutionary War, was
> also a famous mapmaker, and one of his maps hangs on the wall of City Hall,
> next to the original city charter. Arrow River is prominent on that map. In
> fact the Arrow River Map Company, which is also downtown, took its name from
> that famous map." Janie turned to Herb and the two shook hands, grinning at
> each other.
>
> "The Museum of History and Natural Science is on River Road, and right now
> it's hosting a traveling exhibit. A year or so ago, a Professor of America
> History made a fascinating discovery in the Southwest - the cavern hideout
> of an obscure old West masked vigilante named Swift Arrow. There were
> hundreds of 'trophies' in the cavern, which are now part of this traveling
> display. One of the artifacts is supposed to be a treasure map to a trove of
> Incan gold..."
>
> Tom took his right hand from the steering wheel, clinched it into a fist and
> made a short jerking motion.
>
> "I can only think of one other reference that might fit. You might not know
> it, but the old luxury car, the Bierce-Arrow, was manufactured right here in
> Radiance until they went out of business. The factory was right at the
> outlet of the Mill River into Presque Isle Bay, where they had their own
> docks. The facility has recently been purchased by Lakeshore Fire Apparatus,
> and they now build fire trucks there. I don't know how the Map clue fits,
> though."
>
> "That's what I think is the answer," Tubby said. "The Map part is just
> another red herring. Herb's a cop, and he overheard the Mayor and Chief
> Lambert arguing over it..."
>
> Herb interrupted, "I didn't say they were arguing, Tubby! I said they were
> discussing."
>
> Tubby ignored his friend. "Hizzoner agrees with me, the Bierce-Arrow
> factory. But I'll bet I figured it out before he did!"
>
> "Sheriff Lambert leans more towards the museum," Herb added.
>
> "So what's your theory, Hope?" Tom asked.
>
> "I'm not sure yet," she replied cautiously. "It seems strange to me that
> while the Baffler's first clue seemed to indicate only one target, there are
> at least 4 easy answers to this one. I think we're still missing something."
>
>
> The three in the back seat looked stubborn, not wanting to abandon their own
> pet theories, but Tom looked startled - and was silent and thoughtful the
> rest of the trip.
>
> "OK, you guys, have fun!' he yelled back over his shoulder as he walked into
> the clubhouse. "See you after the game!"
>
> "Don't fall asleep on the field, Tommy, boy," Herb advised. "The ball might
> bounce off your head for a hit. Your manager will kill you!"
>
> "Yeah, well, don't you guys fall asleep in the stands, either. Make sure you
> explain the game to Hope!"
>
> ***~~~***
>
> It was a beautiful day for baseball. The sun was bright, the sky cloudless a
> cloudless blue, and the dazzling green grass and the infield in the small
> stadium were in perfect condition. There were maybe 800 people half-filling
> the bench seats in the stands, which started behind the third-base line and
> wrapped around behind home to first base.
>
> "The reason there's so many people here is that today's the last game of the
> first half, and the Hawks and Racers are tied for first,' Tubby explained
> eagerly. "The winner will be First Half Champs. After the second half, the
> First Half Champs play the League Series against the second Half Champs for
> the pennant. The Hawks are the defending champs, beat the Buffalo Bisons in
> last year's Series." He waved at a group of about 300 people, who were sort
> of isolated in the third base side. "Most of them are from Redcliffe; it's
> only about an hour's drive west."
>
> Hope knew the distance to Redcliffe much more accurately than that, but
> she'd discovered that people got unhappy when she displayed too much
> knowledge. But Janie, who was holding Herb's arm as they walked, jabbed him
> with her elbow. "Geez, Louise, Tubb - remember, she grew up here. She knows
> where Redcliffe is!'
>
> Herb spoke up. "Tom plays third, so we're going to sit right behind third
> base. Hope those Hawks finds will be good losers!"
>
> "Only way the Racers win is if they walk Pete Lincoln," Tubby replied, and
> the guys talked baseball, with Janie joining in occasionally as they stopped
> at the concession stand. As they stood in line, the crowd around them was
> buzzing with talk about the Baffler and his riddles. The four joined in the
> conversation, but they heard nothing they hadn't already discussed in the
> car until a newcomer to the line interrupted everyone loudly. Janie shook
> her head with disgust; this guy was already two sheets to the wind.
>
> "I was talking to my friend Sam, who was out late last night," he almost
> yelled, wanting to be sure everyone heard him. "On his way home, he saw
> somebody wearing a trench coat or robe or something sneaking around
> downtown! I'll bet it was this Baffler guy, planting a bomb! The paper said
> he wears a cape!"
>
> "Hey, I saw that same guy last night, up near the Presque Isle Park!"
> someone else threw his 2 cents into the ring. "Right around midnight."
>
> "Couldn't'a been - that's when my buddy saw him, and he was definitely
> downtown!" the first one argued loudly, angry that someone was trying to
> steal his limelight.
>
> "He don't need no bombs, stupid, he's got that radio whachamacallit, just
> point it at sumthin and it blows up!" someone else tossed out sarcastically.
>
> Someone else spoke up sarcastically, "You don't believe that bullducky, do
> ya? Nobody could build somthin' like that."
>
> "I'll bet Lex Luthor could, easy!" Suddenly people were quiet - even if the
> Baffler hadn't built the Remote Radio Detonator himself, there had been
> numerous people in the past 5 years who'd gotten hold of Luthor's inventions
> and turned them to their own, usually nefarious, purposes. When subdued
> conversation began again, the topic was about everything but the Baffler.
>
> Early in the game, there was a disturbance after Pete Lincoln, the center
> fielder for the Hawks hit a home run to put his team ahead. A handful Racers
> fans apparently thought that the celebration coming by the Hawks fans was
> excessive. They rose from their seats behind home and tried to swagger into
> the impromptu visitors' section to make their views known. The swagger was
> more like a stagger, and though they were very loud, it was difficult to
> decipher their slurred words. A couple of ushers tried to calm them down,
> but they weren't having any. Herb quickly identified himself as a deputy
> sheriff and helped escort the drunks to the door. He rejoined his friends
> and the incident was quickly forgotten.
>
> Around the fifth inning, Janie stood up anxiously. "I just realized I left
> my purse in the car! I'll be back in a few minutes." Herb and Tubby both
> started to stand, but she waved them back to their seats. Hope stood as
> well.
>
> "I'll go with you," she offered. She turned to the guys. "I can tell that
> explaining everything to me is keeping you from enjoying the game, boys, so
> I'll let you off the hook for a while."
>
> As they walked through the parking lot, they discussed the game. "It seems
> simple enough," Hope commented "and now I think I understand the stories in
> the paper a lot better. But I don't know what they see in it - it's not very
> exciting,"
>
> Janie laughed. "Sometimes I think that too. But I enjoy sitting in the sun,
> surrounded by mostly guys, the brilliant green and great smell of the grass,
> the guys, the hot dogs and beer. And did I mention the guys?" They both
> chuckled; Hope even before Pat told her to.
>
> Tom's car was parked at the far end of the parking lot, in the area reserved
> for players, next to the school bus that brought the Hawks to the game. As
> they got closer, Hope put a hand on Janie's arm. "Janie, there are several
> men hiding behind that bus!" she whispered. As Janie started to crane her
> head for a closer look, Hope whispered again, urgently "Don't let them know
> we know!"
>
> "I don't see anyone," Janie replied doubtfully. "Why would there be anyone
> out here hiding?"
>
> Hope changed directions a bit, now heading for another car parked on the
> other side of the bus. "It's those guys that got thrown out before. They're
> probably planning to jump us when we reach Tom's car."
>
> Janie still didn't quite believe in these hidden attackers, but she decided
> it wouldn't hurt to be cautious. "So, why are we moving closer to them
> instead of leaving?" she wanted to know.
>
> "If they want to stay hidden, they're going to have to move. That means
> they'll be a little off balance and it will be easier for _us_ to surprise
> them."
>
> "Why don't we just leave them alone and go back inside?" Janie asked. She
> knew what her own answer would be, but she was curious about how Hope
> thought.
>
> "That's a bad idea," Hope shook her head once, sharply. "They'll charge us
> for sure as soon as we turn our backs."
>
> Janie shook her head, a little doubtfully, but she wasn't as reticent as she
> was pretending. It had been a while since she'd been in a good fight. At
> least, she no longer had the urge to yawn! "Is there anything in your purse
> you can't afford to lose?" she asked her new friend.
>
> "I wouldn't want to lose the purse, but the stuff inside isn't very
> important. Why?"
>
> Jamie smiled and held out her hand; Hope dropped her purse in it. Janie
> unhooked the long strap from one side of the purse and rehooked it on the
> other side. It dangled from the strap; she hefted it experimentally,
> checking its weight. She bent down and grabbed a handful of gravel, dropped
> it inside, hefted it again and smiled in satisfaction. "You'll get it back,"
> she promised with an evil smile, "... maybe a little battered and dirty. So
> where's our victims now?"
>
> "They're a little confused; they're sneaking around the front of the bus so
> we won't see them when we get closer. They still think they're the hunters."
> By now, they were close to the back of the bus. "You keep going. I'll sneak
> down this side and as soon as they see you, I'll jump them from behind."
>
> She sounded so enthusiastic that Janie was a little alarmed. "No permanent
> damage!" she admonished her new friend. Hope hesitated, then nodded. She
> slipped away down the right side of the bus while Janie kept strolling
> towards the car parked to the left.
>
> When they saw Janie coming closer, the group got ready to attack - and then
> paused in mild alarm when they realized she was alone. Before they could do
> anything else, Hope screamed and charged them from behind. Three of them
> turned around in confusion, to see a fearsome figure racing towards them, a
> hairy, slavering wolf-woman with vicious fangs and claws. The wolf's
> features melted into Hope before they could be sure what they were seeing.
>
> Janie raced forward and swung the purse like a rock on the end of a string,
> smashing the left temple of one of the now-stationary ambushers, knocking
> him to the ground. She dropped the purse and raised her hands in a boxing
> stance, and her second opponent was so stunned to see a girl pretending to
> know how to box that he laughed. He stopped laughing when Janie tagged him
> with a left jab but still didn't take her seriously. He stepped forward and
> spread his arms to grab her, and walked into a straight right to the solar
> plexus, which dropped him to the ground gasping for breath.
>
> Hope instinctively used her abilities to good advantage. She had lengthened
> her legs to run faster, and altered her head to be more suitable as a
> battering ram. She moved more quickly than her first opponent expected, and
> managed to smash the top of her head into his jaw before he could react. He
> dropped instantly to the ground and whimpered once, then stopped moving.
> Hope's leg stretched, twice as long and flexible as any human's leg, wrapped
> around the ankles of her second opponent, and she jerked him off his feet.
> Her hand changed into a sharp blade of bone and she punched towards his
> heart, but then she remembered her promise to Janie. The blade morphed back
> into a fist - twice as large as her normal fist and covered with hard bone.
> She pulled the punch up, and hit him under the jaw. He bit off the tip of
> his tongue and collapsed, blood starting to burble in his mouth.
>
> The fifth man saw all of Hope's transformations, and two of his friends drop
> to the ground as if they were dead, and he took off running, screaming in
> horror. Janie picked up the purse, swung it a couple of times like a sling,
> and let it go. It caught him right behind a knee, which collapsed, and he
> fell to the ground. He grew silent as the two women approached him. He was
> white as a sheet and his eyes had rolled up.
>
> Janie snorted, picked up the purse, and started walking back towards Tom's
> car. She reattached the strap and handed it to Hope. "That was kind of fun,"
> she said, 'but it didn't last long, did it? You're not even sweating," she
> noted to Hope admiringly, as her new friend dropped into stride next to her.
> Janie grabbed her purse from the floor of the Jeepster, and they casually
> headed back to the stadium. As they passed the guy who had bitten his
> tongue, Janie turned him over onto his stomach with her toe. "He could
> drown, otherwise. Horrible way to go." She didn't sound horrified.
>
> "Say, how'd you know those guys were there?" she asked, interestedly. "Even
> after you told me about them, I didn't see 'em until just before they tried
> to jump me."
>
> "I don't know, exactly," Hope admitted. "I just sort of 'felt' somebody
> waiting to ambush me. Instinct, maybe?" she asked uncertainly. "Maybe I saw
> them, I don't know." Her tone changed from puzzled to scorn. "They sure
> didn't know much about concealing themselves!" For some reason, this puzzled
> her; she instinctively expected predators to be virtually undetectable until
> it was too late.
>
> "Say, you're a pretty good fighter. You didn't learn that by watching War
> Nurse a few times." Hope was relieved that her friend hadn't said anything
> about her shape changing; apparently Janie's attention had been elsewhere.
>
> "Not exactly," Janie replied slowly. "I grew up in a really rough
> neighborhood in Big City. It's not the first time I've had to handle a group
> of drunks."
>
> So, what are we going to tell the fellas?" Hope asked.
>
> "Why tell them anything? These guys will probably be gone by the time the
> game is over, and if they're not, well, they musta had too much to drink,
> huh?" Janie replied practically. "Herb's a cop; if we told him, we'd have to
> fill out a report of some kind and wouldn't get home until midnight."
>
> The rest of the afternoon was pleasant, and, as Hope had predicted, the
> drunks they'd knocked down had cleared out by the time the game was over. As
> they were dropping Hope off, Tom helped her from the car and walked her to
> the door. "Mr. Wall has decided to buy the Sentinel's newsprint from
> Cuyahoga Mills, and we're going to sign the contract on Tuesday. So I'll see
> you then, OK?"
>
> ***~~~***
>
>
>
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>

I'm thinking that having you proofing isn't fair... you get to hear my
spelling errors, which oftentimes makes them more obvious!





:-,



No problems. Nothing fair or unfair about helping one another when it comes
to looking good on thewebsite where it is finally published.



/FM



From: theJSAallstarstorysite@yahoogroups.com
[mailto:theJSAallstarstorysite@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of ddswanson
Sent: Monday, May 28, 2012 10:25 AM
To: theJSAallstarstorysite@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [The JSA All-Star Story Site] Hope Hazard - Part 6: Who wears a
cape...





I'm thinking that having you proofing isn't fair... you get to hear my
spelling errors, which oftentimes makes them more obvious!

--- In theJSAallstarstorysite@yahoogroups.com
<mailto:theJSAallstarstorysite%40yahoogroups.com> , "Frank G. Murdock"
<bytor84@...> wrote:
>
> I'm not familiar with the heroines, but I'll be reading nonetheless. A few
> spots could use some re-proofing though. A few missing conjunctions here
and
> there. :)
>
>
>
> /FM
>
>
>
> From: theJSAallstarstorysite@yahoogroups.com
<mailto:theJSAallstarstorysite%40yahoogroups.com>
> [mailto:theJSAallstarstorysite@yahoogroups.com
<mailto:theJSAallstarstorysite%40yahoogroups.com> ] On Behalf Of ddswanson
> Sent: Friday, February 03, 2012 4:57 PM
> To: theJSAallstarstorysite@yahoogroups.com
<mailto:theJSAallstarstorysite%40yahoogroups.com>
> Subject: [The JSA All-Star Story Site] Hope Hazard - Part 6: Who wears a
> cape...
>
>
>
>
>
> Shortly before noon on Saturday,Tom pulled to the curb in front of Hope's
> apartment in his 47 Willys Jeepster convertible. She was already waiting,
> sitting on the bench at the trolley stop in front of her building. Tom got
> out of the driver's side and a shorter, red-haired young man with a bulge
at
> his waistline got out of the passenger side. Before the other guy climbed
> into the back seat, Tom introduced him and his other passengers.
>
> "Hope, meet Tade Mehlville, Janie La Roux, and Herb Simms. Fellows, this
is
> Hope Hazard." Janie was an attractive blonde and Herb was tall, with black
> hair and wide shoulders. Tom turned to Hope with a conspiratorial grin.
> "Don't know quite why, but Tade prefers that people call him 'Tubby'."
>
> Tubby snorted. "So would you, if you were named Tade!" The other 3
laughed,
> so Hope laughed too.
>
> "I'm pleased to meet you all as well." she said, reaching into the back
seat
> to shake hands. Herb was impressed with the strength of her handshake,
> totally unlike that of most women of the time.
>
> "We've got to be going," Tom told his friends. "The game doesn't start
until
> 1, so you guys have plenty of time, but I'm supposed to be in the
clubhouse
> before 12:30." He handed Hope into the front seat and closed the door for
> her.
>
> "Tom's such a gentleman,' Herb said.
>
> "This morning, at least," Janie agreed, deadpan. "I wonder what makes
today
> different?" Pat whispered to Hope to ignore their byplay.
>
> "So, where are you from?" Janie asked curiously. "All Tom told us about
you
> was that you work at the Sentinel - and that you're a real dish!"
>
> "Geez, Louise, Janie! Cut it out!" Tom yelped emphatically at his
> mischevious friend.
>
> "Isn't that cute? He's blushing," Janie chuckled.
>
> "We already knew about the 'dish' part, though," Tubby added, gallantly.
"We
> all saw you in that play, 'Pat Powers, War Nurse'. In fact, Janie went
back
> three times!"
>
> "Yes, she was my hero during the war!" Janie agreed. "I spent every nickel
I
> could scrounge up on the 'Pat Powers' comics; still have them all, in
fact,
> every one!" she boasted proudly. "So now, tell us more about Hope!"
>
> "Only if you promise I can read your comics!" Hope insisted. "I searched
> this town from top to bottom for old issues when I was researching the
part,
> and only found a few, and they aren't in very good shape."
>
> After Janie nodded, she continued, "I'm actually from Hazard, lived here
> most of my life." She'd worked out a back-story for job and theatre
> interviews but she didn't get a chance to tell it, right then.
>
> "Great, a native! So what do YOU think the Baffler's clues mean?" Tubby
> asked, covering up a yawn, followed by more yawns from Janie and Herb.
> Finally, Tubby finished. "How do River, Map, and Arrow relate to
Radiance?"
>
> Hope had been thinking about that a lot. Though she wasn't really from
> Radiance, the database the forgotten future tourist company had
> telepathically slipped into her brain gave her more information about the
> city than even the most learned local historian.
>
> "There are 3 rivers associated with Radiance." she began. "The Arrow River
> is traditionally considered the western boundary of the city, the Mill
River
> runs right through downtown and Four Mile Creek is to the east."
>
> The three in the backseat nodded to each other as she said that, while Tom
> started to smile and then stifled a yawn of his own.
>
> "Hosiah Fitz, the first mayor of Radiance after the Revolutionary War, was
> also a famous mapmaker, and one of his maps hangs on the wall of City
Hall,
> next to the original city charter. Arrow River is prominent on that map.
In
> fact the Arrow River Map Company, which is also downtown, took its name
from
> that famous map." Janie turned to Herb and the two shook hands, grinning
at
> each other.
>
> "The Museum of History and Natural Science is on River Road, and right now
> it's hosting a traveling exhibit. A year or so ago, a Professor of America
> History made a fascinating discovery in the Southwest - the cavern hideout
> of an obscure old West masked vigilante named Swift Arrow. There were
> hundreds of 'trophies' in the cavern, which are now part of this traveling
> display. One of the artifacts is supposed to be a treasure map to a trove
of
> Incan gold..."
>
> Tom took his right hand from the steering wheel, clinched it into a fist
and
> made a short jerking motion.
>
> "I can only think of one other reference that might fit. You might not
know
> it, but the old luxury car, the Bierce-Arrow, was manufactured right here
in
> Radiance until they went out of business. The factory was right at the
> outlet of the Mill River into Presque Isle Bay, where they had their own
> docks. The facility has recently been purchased by Lakeshore Fire
Apparatus,
> and they now build fire trucks there. I don't know how the Map clue fits,
> though."
>
> "That's what I think is the answer," Tubby said. "The Map part is just
> another red herring. Herb's a cop, and he overheard the Mayor and Chief
> Lambert arguing over it..."
>
> Herb interrupted, "I didn't say they were arguing, Tubby! I said they were
> discussing."
>
> Tubby ignored his friend. "Hizzoner agrees with me, the Bierce-Arrow
> factory. But I'll bet I figured it out before he did!"
>
> "Sheriff Lambert leans more towards the museum," Herb added.
>
> "So what's your theory, Hope?" Tom asked.
>
> "I'm not sure yet," she replied cautiously. "It seems strange to me that
> while the Baffler's first clue seemed to indicate only one target, there
are
> at least 4 easy answers to this one. I think we're still missing
something."
>
>
> The three in the back seat looked stubborn, not wanting to abandon their
own
> pet theories, but Tom looked startled - and was silent and thoughtful the
> rest of the trip.
>
> "OK, you guys, have fun!' he yelled back over his shoulder as he walked
into
> the clubhouse. "See you after the game!"
>
> "Don't fall asleep on the field, Tommy, boy," Herb advised. "The ball
might
> bounce off your head for a hit. Your manager will kill you!"
>
> "Yeah, well, don't you guys fall asleep in the stands, either. Make sure
you
> explain the game to Hope!"
>
> ***~~~***
>
> It was a beautiful day for baseball. The sun was bright, the sky cloudless
a
> cloudless blue, and the dazzling green grass and the infield in the small
> stadium were in perfect condition. There were maybe 800 people
half-filling
> the bench seats in the stands, which started behind the third-base line
and
> wrapped around behind home to first base.
>
> "The reason there's so many people here is that today's the last game of
the
> first half, and the Hawks and Racers are tied for first,' Tubby explained
> eagerly. "The winner will be First Half Champs. After the second half, the
> First Half Champs play the League Series against the second Half Champs
for
> the pennant. The Hawks are the defending champs, beat the Buffalo Bisons
in
> last year's Series." He waved at a group of about 300 people, who were
sort
> of isolated in the third base side. "Most of them are from Redcliffe; it's
> only about an hour's drive west."
>
> Hope knew the distance to Redcliffe much more accurately than that, but
> she'd discovered that people got unhappy when she displayed too much
> knowledge. But Janie, who was holding Herb's arm as they walked, jabbed
him
> with her elbow. "Geez, Louise, Tubb - remember, she grew up here. She
knows
> where Redcliffe is!'
>
> Herb spoke up. "Tom plays third, so we're going to sit right behind third
> base. Hope those Hawks finds will be good losers!"
>
> "Only way the Racers win is if they walk Pete Lincoln," Tubby replied, and
> the guys talked baseball, with Janie joining in occasionally as they
stopped
> at the concession stand. As they stood in line, the crowd around them was
> buzzing with talk about the Baffler and his riddles. The four joined in
the
> conversation, but they heard nothing they hadn't already discussed in the
> car until a newcomer to the line interrupted everyone loudly. Janie shook
> her head with disgust; this guy was already two sheets to the wind.
>
> "I was talking to my friend Sam, who was out late last night," he almost
> yelled, wanting to be sure everyone heard him. "On his way home, he saw
> somebody wearing a trench coat or robe or something sneaking around
> downtown! I'll bet it was this Baffler guy, planting a bomb! The paper
said
> he wears a cape!"
>
> "Hey, I saw that same guy last night, up near the Presque Isle Park!"
> someone else threw his 2 cents into the ring. "Right around midnight."
>
> "Couldn't'a been - that's when my buddy saw him, and he was definitely
> downtown!" the first one argued loudly, angry that someone was trying to
> steal his limelight.
>
> "He don't need no bombs, stupid, he's got that radio whachamacallit, just
> point it at sumthin and it blows up!" someone else tossed out
sarcastically.
>
> Someone else spoke up sarcastically, "You don't believe that bullducky, do
> ya? Nobody could build somthin' like that."
>
> "I'll bet Lex Luthor could, easy!" Suddenly people were quiet - even if
the
> Baffler hadn't built the Remote Radio Detonator himself, there had been
> numerous people in the past 5 years who'd gotten hold of Luthor's
inventions
> and turned them to their own, usually nefarious, purposes. When subdued
> conversation began again, the topic was about everything but the Baffler.
>
> Early in the game, there was a disturbance after Pete Lincoln, the center
> fielder for the Hawks hit a home run to put his team ahead. A handful
Racers
> fans apparently thought that the celebration coming by the Hawks fans was
> excessive. They rose from their seats behind home and tried to swagger
into
> the impromptu visitors' section to make their views known. The swagger was
> more like a stagger, and though they were very loud, it was difficult to
> decipher their slurred words. A couple of ushers tried to calm them down,
> but they weren't having any. Herb quickly identified himself as a deputy
> sheriff and helped escort the drunks to the door. He rejoined his friends
> and the incident was quickly forgotten.
>
> Around the fifth inning, Janie stood up anxiously. "I just realized I left
> my purse in the car! I'll be back in a few minutes." Herb and Tubby both
> started to stand, but she waved them back to their seats. Hope stood as
> well.
>
> "I'll go with you," she offered. She turned to the guys. "I can tell that
> explaining everything to me is keeping you from enjoying the game, boys,
so
> I'll let you off the hook for a while."
>
> As they walked through the parking lot, they discussed the game. "It seems
> simple enough," Hope commented "and now I think I understand the stories
in
> the paper a lot better. But I don't know what they see in it - it's not
very
> exciting,"
>
> Janie laughed. "Sometimes I think that too. But I enjoy sitting in the
sun,
> surrounded by mostly guys, the brilliant green and great smell of the
grass,
> the guys, the hot dogs and beer. And did I mention the guys?" They both
> chuckled; Hope even before Pat told her to.
>
> Tom's car was parked at the far end of the parking lot, in the area
reserved
> for players, next to the school bus that brought the Hawks to the game. As
> they got closer, Hope put a hand on Janie's arm. "Janie, there are several
> men hiding behind that bus!" she whispered. As Janie started to crane her
> head for a closer look, Hope whispered again, urgently "Don't let them
know
> we know!"
>
> "I don't see anyone," Janie replied doubtfully. "Why would there be anyone
> out here hiding?"
>
> Hope changed directions a bit, now heading for another car parked on the
> other side of the bus. "It's those guys that got thrown out before.
They're
> probably planning to jump us when we reach Tom's car."
>
> Janie still didn't quite believe in these hidden attackers, but she
decided
> it wouldn't hurt to be cautious. "So, why are we moving closer to them
> instead of leaving?" she wanted to know.
>
> "If they want to stay hidden, they're going to have to move. That means
> they'll be a little off balance and it will be easier for _us_ to surprise
> them."
>
> "Why don't we just leave them alone and go back inside?" Janie asked. She
> knew what her own answer would be, but she was curious about how Hope
> thought.
>
> "That's a bad idea," Hope shook her head once, sharply. "They'll charge us
> for sure as soon as we turn our backs."
>
> Janie shook her head, a little doubtfully, but she wasn't as reticent as
she
> was pretending. It had been a while since she'd been in a good fight. At
> least, she no longer had the urge to yawn! "Is there anything in your
purse
> you can't afford to lose?" she asked her new friend.
>
> "I wouldn't want to lose the purse, but the stuff inside isn't very
> important. Why?"
>
> Jamie smiled and held out her hand; Hope dropped her purse in it. Janie
> unhooked the long strap from one side of the purse and rehooked it on the
> other side. It dangled from the strap; she hefted it experimentally,
> checking its weight. She bent down and grabbed a handful of gravel,
dropped
> it inside, hefted it again and smiled in satisfaction. "You'll get it
back,"
> she promised with an evil smile, "... maybe a little battered and dirty.
So
> where's our victims now?"
>
> "They're a little confused; they're sneaking around the front of the bus
so
> we won't see them when we get closer. They still think they're the
hunters."
> By now, they were close to the back of the bus. "You keep going. I'll
sneak
> down this side and as soon as they see you, I'll jump them from behind."
>
> She sounded so enthusiastic that Janie was a little alarmed. "No permanent
> damage!" she admonished her new friend. Hope hesitated, then nodded. She
> slipped away down the right side of the bus while Janie kept strolling
> towards the car parked to the left.
>
> When they saw Janie coming closer, the group got ready to attack - and
then
> paused in mild alarm when they realized she was alone. Before they could
do
> anything else, Hope screamed and charged them from behind. Three of them
> turned around in confusion, to see a fearsome figure racing towards them,
a
> hairy, slavering wolf-woman with vicious fangs and claws. The wolf's
> features melted into Hope before they could be sure what they were seeing.
>
> Janie raced forward and swung the purse like a rock on the end of a
string,
> smashing the left temple of one of the now-stationary ambushers, knocking
> him to the ground. She dropped the purse and raised her hands in a boxing
> stance, and her second opponent was so stunned to see a girl pretending to
> know how to box that he laughed. He stopped laughing when Janie tagged him
> with a left jab but still didn't take her seriously. He stepped forward
and
> spread his arms to grab her, and walked into a straight right to the solar
> plexus, which dropped him to the ground gasping for breath.
>
> Hope instinctively used her abilities to good advantage. She had
lengthened
> her legs to run faster, and altered her head to be more suitable as a
> battering ram. She moved more quickly than her first opponent expected,
and
> managed to smash the top of her head into his jaw before he could react.
He
> dropped instantly to the ground and whimpered once, then stopped moving.
> Hope's leg stretched, twice as long and flexible as any human's leg,
wrapped
> around the ankles of her second opponent, and she jerked him off his feet.
> Her hand changed into a sharp blade of bone and she punched towards his
> heart, but then she remembered her promise to Janie. The blade morphed
back
> into a fist - twice as large as her normal fist and covered with hard
bone.
> She pulled the punch up, and hit him under the jaw. He bit off the tip of
> his tongue and collapsed, blood starting to burble in his mouth.
>
> The fifth man saw all of Hope's transformations, and two of his friends
drop
> to the ground as if they were dead, and he took off running, screaming in
> horror. Janie picked up the purse, swung it a couple of times like a
sling,
> and let it go. It caught him right behind a knee, which collapsed, and he
> fell to the ground. He grew silent as the two women approached him. He was
> white as a sheet and his eyes had rolled up.
>
> Janie snorted, picked up the purse, and started walking back towards Tom's
> car. She reattached the strap and handed it to Hope. "That was kind of
fun,"
> she said, 'but it didn't last long, did it? You're not even sweating," she
> noted to Hope admiringly, as her new friend dropped into stride next to
her.
> Janie grabbed her purse from the floor of the Jeepster, and they casually
> headed back to the stadium. As they passed the guy who had bitten his
> tongue, Janie turned him over onto his stomach with her toe. "He could
> drown, otherwise. Horrible way to go." She didn't sound horrified.
>
> "Say, how'd you know those guys were there?" she asked, interestedly.
"Even
> after you told me about them, I didn't see 'em until just before they
tried
> to jump me."
>
> "I don't know, exactly," Hope admitted. "I just sort of 'felt' somebody
> waiting to ambush me. Instinct, maybe?" she asked uncertainly. "Maybe I
saw
> them, I don't know." Her tone changed from puzzled to scorn. "They sure
> didn't know much about concealing themselves!" For some reason, this
puzzled
> her; she instinctively expected predators to be virtually undetectable
until
> it was too late.
>
> "Say, you're a pretty good fighter. You didn't learn that by watching War
> Nurse a few times." Hope was relieved that her friend hadn't said anything
> about her shape changing; apparently Janie's attention had been elsewhere.
>
> "Not exactly," Janie replied slowly. "I grew up in a really rough
> neighborhood in Big City. It's not the first time I've had to handle a
group
> of drunks."
>
> So, what are we going to tell the fellas?" Hope asked.
>
> "Why tell them anything? These guys will probably be gone by the time the
> game is over, and if they're not, well, they musta had too much to drink,
> huh?" Janie replied practically. "Herb's a cop; if we told him, we'd have
to
> fill out a report of some kind and wouldn't get home until midnight."
>
> The rest of the afternoon was pleasant, and, as Hope had predicted, the
> drunks they'd knocked down had cleared out by the time the game was over.
As
> they were dropping Hope off, Tom helped her from the car and walked her to
> the door. "Mr. Wall has decided to buy the Sentinel's newsprint from
> Cuyahoga Mills, and we're going to sign the contract on Tuesday. So I'll
see
> you then, OK?"
>
> ***~~~***
>
>
>
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>





[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Mayor Foxcroft's office door crashed open, followed closely by a man dressed
neatly in a business suit, wearing a fedora. "I'm sorry, Hutchey," wailed Miss
Farrell. "He just wouldn't stop..."

"That's OK, Miss Farrell," the Mayor replied through gritted teeth. His look
said otherwise. She quailed as she realized she had used her private nickname
for him... in public!

Foxcroft examined the intruder closely, but didn't recognize him. "Leave the
door open and call Trombley; this gentleman will be leaving shortly." He turned
to his 'visitor'. "You can save yourself a lot of trouble by leaving right now,
jackass." The man shrugged, seemingly not caring about future trouble "Who the
hell are you, and what the hell do you want? How dare you invade my office!?"
the Mayor demanded, further enraged by the intruder's nonchalance.

"Why, my name is Steve Zodiac, Mr. Foxcroft. I'm a private investigator. I'd
like to ask you some questions about City Engineer Vardol and the man who was
pretending to be the Baffler."

"Then go talk to the cursed Sheriff's Office!" Foxcroft exploded. "They know
everything I know! Besides, that case is wrapped up."

"No, Mr. Foxcroft, it's not. Vardol is still missing."

"So," the Mayor replied, his voice a little less loud, "you're looking for
Vardol? Who are you working for?"

"I was hired by Mr. Nestor Newman. His wife and baby daughter were killed in the
explosion of the Lakeside Apartments. Now, can I ask you some questions?"

Foxcroft expected Trombley any second; it would be easier to humor the man until
his 'aide' arrived to escort him out of the building. "I've never heard of you.
Are you licensed in Radiance?"

"Actually, I work out of Redcliff, Ohio. Nestor and his wife had only recently
moved here from Redcliffe. We've been friends for years." Zodiac replied,
calmly. "Here's my license."

He pulled out his wallet, quickly flipped it open to show a stylized badge. It
looked official enough, though he didn't give Foxcroft time to examine the photo
or the text that proclaimed that Steven Zodiac was licensed PI # 3X2 (9YZ) 4A,
certified by the State of Ohio and signed by the Chief of the Redcliff police
force. Zodiac quickly flipped the wallet shut again and slipped it into his
pocket.

"Did you hire Vardol, Mr. Foxcroft?" Zodaic asked

"I did not," Foxcroft replied with asperity. "He's been with the city since the
1920s. I was elected in 1948."

"Were there ever any problems with him before this?" Zodiac quickly continued
his questioning. "Any indications that he might be crooked?"

"I would hardly know that, Mr. Zodiac. The City Manager handles personnel
matters." Foxcroft replied, growing more angry as time passed. "Farrell, where
the hell is Trombley?" he yelled at his hapless secretary.

"I don't know, Mr. Mayor," she said plaintively, shaking her head. "The
intercoms and phones aren't working."

"Damn it, show a little initiative and go find him, then!" he roared. He turned
back to Zodiac. "We're through, here, Zodiac. Now get out of my office before I
have you thrown out!"

"Mr. Foxcroft, I'm here at the request of one of your taxpayers, a taxpayer who
recently suffered a grievous loss - because a building certified as safe by your
City Engineer exploded. My client is considering a lawsuit for willful
negligence against the City of Radiance. If you won't answer my questions, it
will look like you have something to hide. Remember, the election is coming up
soon."

"Are you trying to insinuate that I might have had something to do with the
extortion scheme against MY city?" Foxcroft was back to roaring. It still didn't
seem to impress Zodiac one bit.

"I'm trying to discover the truth about Vardol, so we can be sure the mastermind
behind that extortion scheme is discovered and sent to trial. You may know
something that can help me. It's only a few questions, after all."

Foxcroft made a clear effort to calm down. "Well, since you're looking for
Vardol... I'm sorry, Mister Zodiac. I'm a little on edge today. The vanishing
ransom left Radiance with a $400 thousand dollar hole in the budget - plus we
have to replace the bridge, and make sure the other buildings built by that
maggot who pretended to be the Baffler and my crooked, lying ex-Engineer are
safe. And, our insurance company is disinclined to make good our loss.I hope you
can find Vardol, but I really don't have the time to help you right now. Talk to
the City Manager. Talk to Vardol's secretary. Talk to the Sheriff or anyone else
you need to - but leave me alone so I can get back to work!"

Zodiac kept right on asking questions. "Why do you think that Page and his
partner started their scheme shortly after you were elected, Mr. Mayor? Why do
you think so many bids placed by Page's companies are missing from Vardol's
files? The building plans and proposals Page submitted are laughable - they look
like they were developed by someone who flunked out of architectural school
during his first semester. How was it that nobody ever noticed? Why did you
insist on taking back the keys to City Hall from the Sheriff's office so they
couldn't patrol the building at night? Is there anyone besides you and the head
janitor who has keys to every door in the building?"

At that moment Trombley rushed into the office, a big, beefy guy with thinning
brown hair over a ruddy red face. "Cheez, I'm sorry, Mr. Mayor, Sir!" he puffed.
"Somebody cut the phone wires in my office." He turned to Zodiac. "Glad you'ze
still here, buddy. I'm gonna enjoy this!"

He reached for Zodiac's neck with his left hand; the PI knocked his hand aside.
"Hands off the suit, bub. My dry cleaning bill is through the roof already!"

Trombley didn't bother talking any longer, but took a wild swing that would have
leveled Zodiac if it landed. But he ducked easily, then stood back up as the
off-balance thug recovered, his cocked fists held high in the classic boxing
stance - except that his right was extended further. He was left handed... or at
least he boxed left-handed. "You're the kind of guy who answers my 'Help Wanted'
ads looking for a job as a detective - and the reason I still work alone," he
quipped as he blocked another wild swing at his head.

Trombley wasn't as wild as his punches appeared, and as the PI blocked the head
shot, the thug slammed a haymaker into his midsection. Zodiac grunted but
otherwise seemed unaffected, while Trombley screamed in pain, as if he had just
punched a brick wall! He sank to the floor on his knees and held his wrist with
his other hand, tears running out of his eyes.

"Bulletproof vest," Zodiac said, sotto voice, then ignored the injured thug and
turned back to the Mayor.

"Thanks for your time, Mr. Mayor. You've been very helpful. I may come back
later if I have any further questions." Be turned and walked into the outer
office. The foul comments the Mayor spat after him were drowned out by the
Trombley's agonized screams.

Miss Farrell was in the hall outside her office, leaning against the wall,
trembling and sobbing. "Say, Sheryl, you're very cute. Would you consider having
dinner with me?"

"How DARE you?" she hollered, and she slapped him hard on the cheek, moving so
fast he didn't have time to dodge. He did manage to roll his head slightly, and
lessen the impact of the blow. "I just know he's going to fire me � and it's
YOUR FAULT!" she choked out At that moment, Foxcroft started yelling her name.
With a shrug, Zodiac turned and walked away.

No - not fair to me! You have an advantage nobody else has! <wink>

--- In theJSAallstarstorysite@yahoogroups.com, "Frank G. Murdock" <bytor84@...>
wrote:
>
> I'm thinking that having you proofing isn't fair... you get to hear my
> spelling errors, which oftentimes makes them more obvious!
>
>
>
>
>
> :-,
>
>
>
> No problems. Nothing fair or unfair about helping one another when it comes
> to looking good on thewebsite where it is finally published.
>
>
>
> /FM
>
>
>
> From: theJSAallstarstorysite@yahoogroups.com
> [mailto:theJSAallstarstorysite@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of ddswanson
> Sent: Monday, May 28, 2012 10:25 AM
> To: theJSAallstarstorysite@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: Re: [The JSA All-Star Story Site] Hope Hazard - Part 6: Who wears a
> cape...
>
>
>
>
>
> I'm thinking that having you proofing isn't fair... you get to hear my
> spelling errors, which oftentimes makes them more obvious!
>
> --- In theJSAallstarstorysite@yahoogroups.com
> <mailto:theJSAallstarstorysite%40yahoogroups.com> , "Frank G. Murdock"
> <bytor84@> wrote:
> >
> > I'm not familiar with the heroines, but I'll be reading nonetheless. A few
> > spots could use some re-proofing though. A few missing conjunctions here
> and
> > there. :)
> >
> >
> >
> > /FM
> >
> >
> >
> > From: theJSAallstarstorysite@yahoogroups.com
> <mailto:theJSAallstarstorysite%40yahoogroups.com>
> > [mailto:theJSAallstarstorysite@yahoogroups.com
> <mailto:theJSAallstarstorysite%40yahoogroups.com> ] On Behalf Of ddswanson
> > Sent: Friday, February 03, 2012 4:57 PM
> > To: theJSAallstarstorysite@yahoogroups.com
> <mailto:theJSAallstarstorysite%40yahoogroups.com>
> > Subject: [The JSA All-Star Story Site] Hope Hazard - Part 6: Who wears a
> > cape...
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > Shortly before noon on Saturday,Tom pulled to the curb in front of Hope's
> > apartment in his 47 Willys Jeepster convertible. She was already waiting,
> > sitting on the bench at the trolley stop in front of her building. Tom got
> > out of the driver's side and a shorter, red-haired young man with a bulge
> at
> > his waistline got out of the passenger side. Before the other guy climbed
> > into the back seat, Tom introduced him and his other passengers.
> >
> > "Hope, meet Tade Mehlville, Janie La Roux, and Herb Simms. Fellows, this
> is
> > Hope Hazard." Janie was an attractive blonde and Herb was tall, with black
> > hair and wide shoulders. Tom turned to Hope with a conspiratorial grin.
> > "Don't know quite why, but Tade prefers that people call him 'Tubby'."
> >
> > Tubby snorted. "So would you, if you were named Tade!" The other 3
> laughed,
> > so Hope laughed too.
> >
> > "I'm pleased to meet you all as well." she said, reaching into the back
> seat
> > to shake hands. Herb was impressed with the strength of her handshake,
> > totally unlike that of most women of the time.
> >
> > "We've got to be going," Tom told his friends. "The game doesn't start
> until
> > 1, so you guys have plenty of time, but I'm supposed to be in the
> clubhouse
> > before 12:30." He handed Hope into the front seat and closed the door for
> > her.
> >
> > "Tom's such a gentleman,' Herb said.
> >
> > "This morning, at least," Janie agreed, deadpan. "I wonder what makes
> today
> > different?" Pat whispered to Hope to ignore their byplay.
> >
> > "So, where are you from?" Janie asked curiously. "All Tom told us about
> you
> > was that you work at the Sentinel - and that you're a real dish!"
> >
> > "Geez, Louise, Janie! Cut it out!" Tom yelped emphatically at his
> > mischevious friend.
> >
> > "Isn't that cute? He's blushing," Janie chuckled.
> >
> > "We already knew about the 'dish' part, though," Tubby added, gallantly.
> "We
> > all saw you in that play, 'Pat Powers, War Nurse'. In fact, Janie went
> back
> > three times!"
> >
> > "Yes, she was my hero during the war!" Janie agreed. "I spent every nickel
> I
> > could scrounge up on the 'Pat Powers' comics; still have them all, in
> fact,
> > every one!" she boasted proudly. "So now, tell us more about Hope!"
> >
> > "Only if you promise I can read your comics!" Hope insisted. "I searched
> > this town from top to bottom for old issues when I was researching the
> part,
> > and only found a few, and they aren't in very good shape."
> >
> > After Janie nodded, she continued, "I'm actually from Hazard, lived here
> > most of my life." She'd worked out a back-story for job and theatre
> > interviews but she didn't get a chance to tell it, right then.
> >
> > "Great, a native! So what do YOU think the Baffler's clues mean?" Tubby
> > asked, covering up a yawn, followed by more yawns from Janie and Herb.
> > Finally, Tubby finished. "How do River, Map, and Arrow relate to
> Radiance?"
> >
> > Hope had been thinking about that a lot. Though she wasn't really from
> > Radiance, the database the forgotten future tourist company had
> > telepathically slipped into her brain gave her more information about the
> > city than even the most learned local historian.
> >
> > "There are 3 rivers associated with Radiance." she began. "The Arrow River
> > is traditionally considered the western boundary of the city, the Mill
> River
> > runs right through downtown and Four Mile Creek is to the east."
> >
> > The three in the backseat nodded to each other as she said that, while Tom
> > started to smile and then stifled a yawn of his own.
> >
> > "Hosiah Fitz, the first mayor of Radiance after the Revolutionary War, was
> > also a famous mapmaker, and one of his maps hangs on the wall of City
> Hall,
> > next to the original city charter. Arrow River is prominent on that map.
> In
> > fact the Arrow River Map Company, which is also downtown, took its name
> from
> > that famous map." Janie turned to Herb and the two shook hands, grinning
> at
> > each other.
> >
> > "The Museum of History and Natural Science is on River Road, and right now
> > it's hosting a traveling exhibit. A year or so ago, a Professor of America
> > History made a fascinating discovery in the Southwest - the cavern hideout
> > of an obscure old West masked vigilante named Swift Arrow. There were
> > hundreds of 'trophies' in the cavern, which are now part of this traveling
> > display. One of the artifacts is supposed to be a treasure map to a trove
> of
> > Incan gold..."
> >
> > Tom took his right hand from the steering wheel, clinched it into a fist
> and
> > made a short jerking motion.
> >
> > "I can only think of one other reference that might fit. You might not
> know
> > it, but the old luxury car, the Bierce-Arrow, was manufactured right here
> in
> > Radiance until they went out of business. The factory was right at the
> > outlet of the Mill River into Presque Isle Bay, where they had their own
> > docks. The facility has recently been purchased by Lakeshore Fire
> Apparatus,
> > and they now build fire trucks there. I don't know how the Map clue fits,
> > though."
> >
> > "That's what I think is the answer," Tubby said. "The Map part is just
> > another red herring. Herb's a cop, and he overheard the Mayor and Chief
> > Lambert arguing over it..."
> >
> > Herb interrupted, "I didn't say they were arguing, Tubby! I said they were
> > discussing."
> >
> > Tubby ignored his friend. "Hizzoner agrees with me, the Bierce-Arrow
> > factory. But I'll bet I figured it out before he did!"
> >
> > "Sheriff Lambert leans more towards the museum," Herb added.
> >
> > "So what's your theory, Hope?" Tom asked.
> >
> > "I'm not sure yet," she replied cautiously. "It seems strange to me that
> > while the Baffler's first clue seemed to indicate only one target, there
> are
> > at least 4 easy answers to this one. I think we're still missing
> something."
> >
> >
> > The three in the back seat looked stubborn, not wanting to abandon their
> own
> > pet theories, but Tom looked startled - and was silent and thoughtful the
> > rest of the trip.
> >
> > "OK, you guys, have fun!' he yelled back over his shoulder as he walked
> into
> > the clubhouse. "See you after the game!"
> >
> > "Don't fall asleep on the field, Tommy, boy," Herb advised. "The ball
> might
> > bounce off your head for a hit. Your manager will kill you!"
> >
> > "Yeah, well, don't you guys fall asleep in the stands, either. Make sure
> you
> > explain the game to Hope!"
> >
> > ***~~~***
> >
> > It was a beautiful day for baseball. The sun was bright, the sky cloudless
> a
> > cloudless blue, and the dazzling green grass and the infield in the small
> > stadium were in perfect condition. There were maybe 800 people
> half-filling
> > the bench seats in the stands, which started behind the third-base line
> and
> > wrapped around behind home to first base.
> >
> > "The reason there's so many people here is that today's the last game of
> the
> > first half, and the Hawks and Racers are tied for first,' Tubby explained
> > eagerly. "The winner will be First Half Champs. After the second half, the
> > First Half Champs play the League Series against the second Half Champs
> for
> > the pennant. The Hawks are the defending champs, beat the Buffalo Bisons
> in
> > last year's Series." He waved at a group of about 300 people, who were
> sort
> > of isolated in the third base side. "Most of them are from Redcliffe; it's
> > only about an hour's drive west."
> >
> > Hope knew the distance to Redcliffe much more accurately than that, but
> > she'd discovered that people got unhappy when she displayed too much
> > knowledge. But Janie, who was holding Herb's arm as they walked, jabbed
> him
> > with her elbow. "Geez, Louise, Tubb - remember, she grew up here. She
> knows
> > where Redcliffe is!'
> >
> > Herb spoke up. "Tom plays third, so we're going to sit right behind third
> > base. Hope those Hawks finds will be good losers!"
> >
> > "Only way the Racers win is if they walk Pete Lincoln," Tubby replied, and
> > the guys talked baseball, with Janie joining in occasionally as they
> stopped
> > at the concession stand. As they stood in line, the crowd around them was
> > buzzing with talk about the Baffler and his riddles. The four joined in
> the
> > conversation, but they heard nothing they hadn't already discussed in the
> > car until a newcomer to the line interrupted everyone loudly. Janie shook
> > her head with disgust; this guy was already two sheets to the wind.
> >
> > "I was talking to my friend Sam, who was out late last night," he almost
> > yelled, wanting to be sure everyone heard him. "On his way home, he saw
> > somebody wearing a trench coat or robe or something sneaking around
> > downtown! I'll bet it was this Baffler guy, planting a bomb! The paper
> said
> > he wears a cape!"
> >
> > "Hey, I saw that same guy last night, up near the Presque Isle Park!"
> > someone else threw his 2 cents into the ring. "Right around midnight."
> >
> > "Couldn't'a been - that's when my buddy saw him, and he was definitely
> > downtown!" the first one argued loudly, angry that someone was trying to
> > steal his limelight.
> >
> > "He don't need no bombs, stupid, he's got that radio whachamacallit, just
> > point it at sumthin and it blows up!" someone else tossed out
> sarcastically.
> >
> > Someone else spoke up sarcastically, "You don't believe that bullducky, do
> > ya? Nobody could build somthin' like that."
> >
> > "I'll bet Lex Luthor could, easy!" Suddenly people were quiet - even if
> the
> > Baffler hadn't built the Remote Radio Detonator himself, there had been
> > numerous people in the past 5 years who'd gotten hold of Luthor's
> inventions
> > and turned them to their own, usually nefarious, purposes. When subdued
> > conversation began again, the topic was about everything but the Baffler.
> >
> > Early in the game, there was a disturbance after Pete Lincoln, the center
> > fielder for the Hawks hit a home run to put his team ahead. A handful
> Racers
> > fans apparently thought that the celebration coming by the Hawks fans was
> > excessive. They rose from their seats behind home and tried to swagger
> into
> > the impromptu visitors' section to make their views known. The swagger was
> > more like a stagger, and though they were very loud, it was difficult to
> > decipher their slurred words. A couple of ushers tried to calm them down,
> > but they weren't having any. Herb quickly identified himself as a deputy
> > sheriff and helped escort the drunks to the door. He rejoined his friends
> > and the incident was quickly forgotten.
> >
> > Around the fifth inning, Janie stood up anxiously. "I just realized I left
> > my purse in the car! I'll be back in a few minutes." Herb and Tubby both
> > started to stand, but she waved them back to their seats. Hope stood as
> > well.
> >
> > "I'll go with you," she offered. She turned to the guys. "I can tell that
> > explaining everything to me is keeping you from enjoying the game, boys,
> so
> > I'll let you off the hook for a while."
> >
> > As they walked through the parking lot, they discussed the game. "It seems
> > simple enough," Hope commented "and now I think I understand the stories
> in
> > the paper a lot better. But I don't know what they see in it - it's not
> very
> > exciting,"
> >
> > Janie laughed. "Sometimes I think that too. But I enjoy sitting in the
> sun,
> > surrounded by mostly guys, the brilliant green and great smell of the
> grass,
> > the guys, the hot dogs and beer. And did I mention the guys?" They both
> > chuckled; Hope even before Pat told her to.
> >
> > Tom's car was parked at the far end of the parking lot, in the area
> reserved
> > for players, next to the school bus that brought the Hawks to the game. As
> > they got closer, Hope put a hand on Janie's arm. "Janie, there are several
> > men hiding behind that bus!" she whispered. As Janie started to crane her
> > head for a closer look, Hope whispered again, urgently "Don't let them
> know
> > we know!"
> >
> > "I don't see anyone," Janie replied doubtfully. "Why would there be anyone
> > out here hiding?"
> >
> > Hope changed directions a bit, now heading for another car parked on the
> > other side of the bus. "It's those guys that got thrown out before.
> They're
> > probably planning to jump us when we reach Tom's car."
> >
> > Janie still didn't quite believe in these hidden attackers, but she
> decided
> > it wouldn't hurt to be cautious. "So, why are we moving closer to them
> > instead of leaving?" she wanted to know.
> >
> > "If they want to stay hidden, they're going to have to move. That means
> > they'll be a little off balance and it will be easier for _us_ to surprise
> > them."
> >
> > "Why don't we just leave them alone and go back inside?" Janie asked. She
> > knew what her own answer would be, but she was curious about how Hope
> > thought.
> >
> > "That's a bad idea," Hope shook her head once, sharply. "They'll charge us
> > for sure as soon as we turn our backs."
> >
> > Janie shook her head, a little doubtfully, but she wasn't as reticent as
> she
> > was pretending. It had been a while since she'd been in a good fight. At
> > least, she no longer had the urge to yawn! "Is there anything in your
> purse
> > you can't afford to lose?" she asked her new friend.
> >
> > "I wouldn't want to lose the purse, but the stuff inside isn't very
> > important. Why?"
> >
> > Jamie smiled and held out her hand; Hope dropped her purse in it. Janie
> > unhooked the long strap from one side of the purse and rehooked it on the
> > other side. It dangled from the strap; she hefted it experimentally,
> > checking its weight. She bent down and grabbed a handful of gravel,
> dropped
> > it inside, hefted it again and smiled in satisfaction. "You'll get it
> back,"
> > she promised with an evil smile, "... maybe a little battered and dirty.
> So
> > where's our victims now?"
> >
> > "They're a little confused; they're sneaking around the front of the bus
> so
> > we won't see them when we get closer. They still think they're the
> hunters."
> > By now, they were close to the back of the bus. "You keep going. I'll
> sneak
> > down this side and as soon as they see you, I'll jump them from behind."
> >
> > She sounded so enthusiastic that Janie was a little alarmed. "No permanent
> > damage!" she admonished her new friend. Hope hesitated, then nodded. She
> > slipped away down the right side of the bus while Janie kept strolling
> > towards the car parked to the left.
> >
> > When they saw Janie coming closer, the group got ready to attack - and
> then
> > paused in mild alarm when they realized she was alone. Before they could
> do
> > anything else, Hope screamed and charged them from behind. Three of them
> > turned around in confusion, to see a fearsome figure racing towards them,
> a
> > hairy, slavering wolf-woman with vicious fangs and claws. The wolf's
> > features melted into Hope before they could be sure what they were seeing.
> >
> > Janie raced forward and swung the purse like a rock on the end of a
> string,
> > smashing the left temple of one of the now-stationary ambushers, knocking
> > him to the ground. She dropped the purse and raised her hands in a boxing
> > stance, and her second opponent was so stunned to see a girl pretending to
> > know how to box that he laughed. He stopped laughing when Janie tagged him
> > with a left jab but still didn't take her seriously. He stepped forward
> and
> > spread his arms to grab her, and walked into a straight right to the solar
> > plexus, which dropped him to the ground gasping for breath.
> >
> > Hope instinctively used her abilities to good advantage. She had
> lengthened
> > her legs to run faster, and altered her head to be more suitable as a
> > battering ram. She moved more quickly than her first opponent expected,
> and
> > managed to smash the top of her head into his jaw before he could react.
> He
> > dropped instantly to the ground and whimpered once, then stopped moving.
> > Hope's leg stretched, twice as long and flexible as any human's leg,
> wrapped
> > around the ankles of her second opponent, and she jerked him off his feet.
> > Her hand changed into a sharp blade of bone and she punched towards his
> > heart, but then she remembered her promise to Janie. The blade morphed
> back
> > into a fist - twice as large as her normal fist and covered with hard
> bone.
> > She pulled the punch up, and hit him under the jaw. He bit off the tip of
> > his tongue and collapsed, blood starting to burble in his mouth.
> >
> > The fifth man saw all of Hope's transformations, and two of his friends
> drop
> > to the ground as if they were dead, and he took off running, screaming in
> > horror. Janie picked up the purse, swung it a couple of times like a
> sling,
> > and let it go. It caught him right behind a knee, which collapsed, and he
> > fell to the ground. He grew silent as the two women approached him. He was
> > white as a sheet and his eyes had rolled up.
> >
> > Janie snorted, picked up the purse, and started walking back towards Tom's
> > car. She reattached the strap and handed it to Hope. "That was kind of
> fun,"
> > she said, 'but it didn't last long, did it? You're not even sweating," she
> > noted to Hope admiringly, as her new friend dropped into stride next to
> her.
> > Janie grabbed her purse from the floor of the Jeepster, and they casually
> > headed back to the stadium. As they passed the guy who had bitten his
> > tongue, Janie turned him over onto his stomach with her toe. "He could
> > drown, otherwise. Horrible way to go." She didn't sound horrified.
> >
> > "Say, how'd you know those guys were there?" she asked, interestedly.
> "Even
> > after you told me about them, I didn't see 'em until just before they
> tried
> > to jump me."
> >
> > "I don't know, exactly," Hope admitted. "I just sort of 'felt' somebody
> > waiting to ambush me. Instinct, maybe?" she asked uncertainly. "Maybe I
> saw
> > them, I don't know." Her tone changed from puzzled to scorn. "They sure
> > didn't know much about concealing themselves!" For some reason, this
> puzzled
> > her; she instinctively expected predators to be virtually undetectable
> until
> > it was too late.
> >
> > "Say, you're a pretty good fighter. You didn't learn that by watching War
> > Nurse a few times." Hope was relieved that her friend hadn't said anything
> > about her shape changing; apparently Janie's attention had been elsewhere.
> >
> > "Not exactly," Janie replied slowly. "I grew up in a really rough
> > neighborhood in Big City. It's not the first time I've had to handle a
> group
> > of drunks."
> >
> > So, what are we going to tell the fellas?" Hope asked.
> >
> > "Why tell them anything? These guys will probably be gone by the time the
> > game is over, and if they're not, well, they musta had too much to drink,
> > huh?" Janie replied practically. "Herb's a cop; if we told him, we'd have
> to
> > fill out a report of some kind and wouldn't get home until midnight."
> >
> > The rest of the afternoon was pleasant, and, as Hope had predicted, the
> > drunks they'd knocked down had cleared out by the time the game was over.
> As
> > they were dropping Hope off, Tom helped her from the car and walked her to
> > the door. "Mr. Wall has decided to buy the Sentinel's newsprint from
> > Cuyahoga Mills, and we're going to sign the contract on Tuesday. So I'll
> see
> > you then, OK?"
> >
> > ***~~~***
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> >
>
>
>
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>

"Did you hire Vardol, Mr. Foxcroft?" Zodaic asked





Zodiac.



:-P



lol



/FM



From: theJSAallstarstorysite@yahoogroups.com
[mailto:theJSAallstarstorysite@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of ddswanson
Sent: Monday, May 28, 2012 11:19 AM
To: theJSAallstarstorysite@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [The JSA All-Star Story Site] Hope Hazard - Enter... Steve Zodiac,
PI





Mayor Foxcroft's office door crashed open, followed closely by a man dressed
neatly in a business suit, wearing a fedora. "I'm sorry, Hutchey," wailed
Miss Farrell. "He just wouldn't stop..."

"That's OK, Miss Farrell," the Mayor replied through gritted teeth. His look
said otherwise. She quailed as she realized she had used her private
nickname for him... in public!

Foxcroft examined the intruder closely, but didn't recognize him. "Leave the
door open and call Trombley; this gentleman will be leaving shortly." He
turned to his 'visitor'. "You can save yourself a lot of trouble by leaving
right now, jackass." The man shrugged, seemingly not caring about future
trouble "Who the hell are you, and what the hell do you want? How dare you
invade my office!?" the Mayor demanded, further enraged by the intruder's
nonchalance.

"Why, my name is Steve Zodiac, Mr. Foxcroft. I'm a private investigator. I'd
like to ask you some questions about City Engineer Vardol and the man who
was pretending to be the Baffler."

"Then go talk to the cursed Sheriff's Office!" Foxcroft exploded. "They know
everything I know! Besides, that case is wrapped up."

"No, Mr. Foxcroft, it's not. Vardol is still missing."

"So," the Mayor replied, his voice a little less loud, "you're looking for
Vardol? Who are you working for?"

"I was hired by Mr. Nestor Newman. His wife and baby daughter were killed in
the explosion of the Lakeside Apartments. Now, can I ask you some
questions?"

Foxcroft expected Trombley any second; it would be easier to humor the man
until his 'aide' arrived to escort him out of the building. "I've never
heard of you. Are you licensed in Radiance?"

"Actually, I work out of Redcliff, Ohio. Nestor and his wife had only
recently moved here from Redcliffe. We've been friends for years." Zodiac
replied, calmly. "Here's my license."

He pulled out his wallet, quickly flipped it open to show a stylized badge.
It looked official enough, though he didn't give Foxcroft time to examine
the photo or the text that proclaimed that Steven Zodiac was licensed PI #
3X2 (9YZ) 4A, certified by the State of Ohio and signed by the Chief of the
Redcliff police force. Zodiac quickly flipped the wallet shut again and
slipped it into his pocket.

"Did you hire Vardol, Mr. Foxcroft?" Zodaic asked

"I did not," Foxcroft replied with asperity. "He's been with the city since
the 1920s. I was elected in 1948."

"Were there ever any problems with him before this?" Zodiac quickly
continued his questioning. "Any indications that he might be crooked?"

"I would hardly know that, Mr. Zodiac. The City Manager handles personnel
matters." Foxcroft replied, growing more angry as time passed. "Farrell,
where the hell is Trombley?" he yelled at his hapless secretary.

"I don't know, Mr. Mayor," she said plaintively, shaking her head. "The
intercoms and phones aren't working."

"Damn it, show a little initiative and go find him, then!" he roared. He
turned back to Zodiac. "We're through, here, Zodiac. Now get out of my
office before I have you thrown out!"

"Mr. Foxcroft, I'm here at the request of one of your taxpayers, a taxpayer
who recently suffered a grievous loss - because a building certified as safe
by your City Engineer exploded. My client is considering a lawsuit for
willful negligence against the City of Radiance. If you won't answer my
questions, it will look like you have something to hide. Remember, the
election is coming up soon."

"Are you trying to insinuate that I might have had something to do with the
extortion scheme against MY city?" Foxcroft was back to roaring. It still
didn't seem to impress Zodiac one bit.

"I'm trying to discover the truth about Vardol, so we can be sure the
mastermind behind that extortion scheme is discovered and sent to trial. You
may know something that can help me. It's only a few questions, after all."

Foxcroft made a clear effort to calm down. "Well, since you're looking for
Vardol... I'm sorry, Mister Zodiac. I'm a little on edge today. The
vanishing ransom left Radiance with a $400 thousand dollar hole in the
budget - plus we have to replace the bridge, and make sure the other
buildings built by that maggot who pretended to be the Baffler and my
crooked, lying ex-Engineer are safe. And, our insurance company is
disinclined to make good our loss.I hope you can find Vardol, but I really
don't have the time to help you right now. Talk to the City Manager. Talk to
Vardol's secretary. Talk to the Sheriff or anyone else you need to - but
leave me alone so I can get back to work!"

Zodiac kept right on asking questions. "Why do you think that Page and his
partner started their scheme shortly after you were elected, Mr. Mayor? Why
do you think so many bids placed by Page's companies are missing from
Vardol's files? The building plans and proposals Page submitted are
laughable - they look like they were developed by someone who flunked out of
architectural school during his first semester. How was it that nobody ever
noticed? Why did you insist on taking back the keys to City Hall from the
Sheriff's office so they couldn't patrol the building at night? Is there
anyone besides you and the head janitor who has keys to every door in the
building?"

At that moment Trombley rushed into the office, a big, beefy guy with
thinning brown hair over a ruddy red face. "Cheez, I'm sorry, Mr. Mayor,
Sir!" he puffed. "Somebody cut the phone wires in my office." He turned to
Zodiac. "Glad you'ze still here, buddy. I'm gonna enjoy this!"

He reached for Zodiac's neck with his left hand; the PI knocked his hand
aside. "Hands off the suit, bub. My dry cleaning bill is through the roof
already!"

Trombley didn't bother talking any longer, but took a wild swing that would
have leveled Zodiac if it landed. But he ducked easily, then stood back up
as the off-balance thug recovered, his cocked fists held high in the classic
boxing stance - except that his right was extended further. He was left
handed... or at least he boxed left-handed. "You're the kind of guy who
answers my 'Help Wanted' ads looking for a job as a detective - and the
reason I still work alone," he quipped as he blocked another wild swing at
his head.

Trombley wasn't as wild as his punches appeared, and as the PI blocked the
head shot, the thug slammed a haymaker into his midsection. Zodiac grunted
but otherwise seemed unaffected, while Trombley screamed in pain, as if he
had just punched a brick wall! He sank to the floor on his knees and held
his wrist with his other hand, tears running out of his eyes.

"Bulletproof vest," Zodiac said, sotto voice, then ignored the injured thug
and turned back to the Mayor.

"Thanks for your time, Mr. Mayor. You've been very helpful. I may come back
later if I have any further questions." Be turned and walked into the outer
office. The foul comments the Mayor spat after him were drowned out by the
Trombley's agonized screams.

Miss Farrell was in the hall outside her office, leaning against the wall,
trembling and sobbing. "Say, Sheryl, you're very cute. Would you consider
having dinner with me?"

"How DARE you?" she hollered, and she slapped him hard on the cheek, moving
so fast he didn't have time to dodge. He did manage to roll his head
slightly, and lessen the impact of the blow. "I just know he's going to fire
me - and it's YOUR FAULT!" she choked out At that moment, Foxcroft started
yelling her name. With a shrug, Zodiac turned and walked away.





[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Another enjoyable chapter, Dan.

Late that night, three disreputably dressed men lurked furtively in the shadows
in a narrow alley off a side street in a dingy business district near the
Radiance docks.  One stuck his head out to examine the street, quickly pulled
back. “Get ready, ya mugs, he’s comin’.”

On the street, Private Detective Steve Zodiac approached his office. 'The
neighborhood isn’t so great, but the rent is cheap enough,' he thought to
himself. 'I feel just like one of those down-on-his-luck dicks in the pulps.'

A few seconds later, two of the trio yanked Zodiac violently into the alley and
the third one smashed a vicious blow to his jaw. The PI collapsed and the two
men holding him let him fall to the ground. “Guess the tough guy’s  got a
glass jaw,” the puncher snorted. “Well, we’re supposed to rough him up
good �" stand him up, boys, so I can knock him down again!”

As the two bent down to grab his shoulders again, Zodiac exploded back to life.
A rock-hard fist launched from the pavement like a V2 rocket, catching a
surprised mugger square on the jaw, and he straightened up, staggered backwards,
and collapsed heavily to the sidewalk.

“I’ll show  you a glass jaw, punk!” the detective snarled as he tried to
scramble to his feet.

As he got to his hands and knees, the standing man launched a kick as his
stomach; impossibly, the PI arched his back and seemed to stretch away from the
kick, and though he let out an ‘Oomph!’ when it landed, the impact was much
less satisfying than the thug had hoped. And then he screamed as the detective's
stomach seemed to wrap around his foot �" and stopped screaming when Zodiac
twisted into another almost impossible position and pulled his other leg out
from under him. He managed to get his arms out to break his fall against the
pavement, but he gasped in pain as he heard a crack from his left wrist.

The last active thug stepped back, pulled his gat, and fired twice, and Zodiac
collapsed to the street. The gunner then took off, running at top speed into the
deeper shadows of the alley.

The one who Zodiac had tripped tried to lever himself to his feet and screamed
in agony when he put his weight on his wrist. "God damn you to hell, Mugsy, you
lily-livered yellow-bellied son of a bitch! Get back here and help me with
Ziggy!"

Far down the alley, Mugsy slowed uncertainly to a halt. He turned and saw one of
his partners supporting the other as they staggered towards him. He turned away
again to keep running, and his partner swore.

"You get back here, chicken man, or I'll shoot you myself!" There was a flash
from the shouting thug's gun and a trash can next to Mugsy jumped and screeched,
crumpling around a bullethole, almost at the same instant that he heard the
gunshot. "You know I don't miss unless I want to, you yellow weasel! Now help me
with Ziggy!"

"Geez, Zach, I'm sorry, by now somebody musta heard shots and called the Sheriff
by now. Da cops'll be here inna minute!" the terrified Mugsy whimpered. "I can't
go back to the can, I just can't!"

"Shaddup, you yellow creep! You'll be goin' to the morgue if you ever run out on
me again!" Zach promised in a snarl, aiming his pistol at Mugsy's waist. "Last
chance! Grab his other arm and let's get outta here or I'll blast your percker
inta teeny weeny shreds!"

Shaking with fear, Mugsy clumsily managed to drape Zach's arm around his
shoulder, and the three shuffled off into the shadows as fast as they could
move, half carrying and half dragging the semi-conscious Ziggy, 'running' from
the faint but growing wail of police sirens approaching.

Dan,

Go

to yahoo groups and turn your settings to plain text. That should get rid of all
that strange stuff appearing in your story updates.

/F

M



From: theJSAallstarstorysite@yahoogroups.com
[mailto:theJSAallstarstorysite@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of ddswanson
Sent: Wednesday, May 30, 2012 5:05 PM
To: theJSAallstarstorysite@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [The JSA All-Star Story Site] Hope Hazard - Exit... Steve Zodiac





Late that night, three disreputably dressed men lurked furtively in the shadows
in a narrow alley off a side street in a dingy business district near the
Radiance docks. One stuck his head out to examine the street, quickly pulled
back. “Get ready, ya mugs, he’s comin’.”

On the street, Private Detective Steve Zodiac approached his office. 'The
neighborhood isn’t so great, but the rent is cheap enough,' he thought to
himself. 'I feel just like one of those down-on-his-luck dicks in the pulps.'

A few seconds later, two of the trio yanked Zodiac violently into the alley and
the third one smashed a vicious blow to his jaw. The PI collapsed and the two
men holding him let him fall to the ground. “Guess the tough guy’s
got a glass jaw,” the puncher snorted. “Well, we’re supposed
to rough him up good â€" stand him up, boys, so I can knock him down
again!”

As the two bent down to grab his shoulders again, Zodiac exploded back to life.
A rock-hard fist launched from the pavement like a V2 rocket, catching a
surprised mugger square on the jaw, and he straightened up, staggered backwards,
and collapsed heavily to the sidewalk.

“I’ll show you a glass jaw, punk!” the detective snarled as
he tried to scramble to his feet.

As he got to his hands and knees, the standing man launched a kick as his
stomach; impossibly, the PI arched his back and seemed to stretch away from the
kick, and though he let out an ‘Oomph!’ when it landed, the impact
was much less satisfying than the thug had hoped. And then he screamed as the
detective's stomach seemed to wrap around his foot â€" and stopped screaming
when Zodiac twisted into another almost impossible position and pulled his other
leg out from under him. He managed to get his arms out to break his fall against
the pavement, but he gasped in pain as he heard a crack from his left wrist.

The last active thug stepped back, pulled his gat, and fired twice, and Zodiac
collapsed to the street. The gunner then took off, running at top speed into the
deeper shadows of the alley.

The one who Zodiac had tripped tried to lever himself to his feet and screamed
in agony when he put his weight on his wrist. "God damn you to hell, Mugsy, you
lily-livered yellow-bellied son of a bitch! Get back here and help me with
Ziggy!"

Far down the alley, Mugsy slowed uncertainly to a halt. He turned and saw one of
his partners supporting the other as they staggered towards him. He turned away
again to keep running, and his partner swore.

"You get back here, chicken man, or I'll shoot you myself!" There was a flash
from the shouting thug's gun and a trash can next to Mugsy jumped and screeched,
crumpling around a bullethole, almost at the same instant that he heard the
gunshot. "You know I don't miss unless I want to, you yellow weasel! Now help me
with Ziggy!"

"Geez, Zach, I'm sorry, by now somebody musta heard shots and called the Sheriff
by now. Da cops'll be here inna minute!" the terrified Mugsy whimpered. "I can't
go back to the can, I just can't!"

"Shaddup, you yellow creep! You'll be goin' to the morgue if you ever run out on
me again!" Zach promised in a snarl, aiming his pistol at Mugsy's waist. "Last
chance! Grab his other arm and let's get outta here or I'll blast your percker
inta teeny weeny shreds!"

Shaking with fear, Mugsy clumsily managed to drape Zach's arm around his
shoulder, and the three shuffled off into the shadows as fast as they could
move, half carrying and half dragging the semi-conscious Ziggy, 'running' from
the faint but growing wail of police sirens approaching.





[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

a snarl, aiming his pistol at Mugsy's waist. "Last chance! Grab his other
arm and let's get outta here or I'll blast your percker inta teeny weeny
shreds!"





perker?



Is that a youthenism for pecker?



/FM



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

What does this mean?


“Get ready, ya mugs, he’s comin’.�
 
--
Cheers,
Doc Quantum of The Time Trust


Read stories of your favorite DC Comics characters at the Five Earths Project!
www.5earths.info


>________________________________
> From: ddswanson <ddswanson@...>
>To: theJSAallstarstorysite@yahoogroups.com
>Sent: Wednesday, May 30, 2012 3:05:00 PM
>Subject: [The JSA All-Star Story Site] Hope Hazard - Exit... Steve Zodiac
>
>
> 
>Late that night, three disreputably dressed men lurked furtively in the shadows
in a narrow alley off a side street in a dingy business district near the
Radiance docks.  One stuck his head out to examine the street, quickly pulled
back. “Get ready, ya mugs, he’s comin’.�
>
>On the street, Private Detective Steve Zodiac approached his office. 'The
neighborhood isn’t so great, but the rent is cheap enough,' he thought to
himself. 'I feel just like one of those down-on-his-luck dicks in the pulps.'
>
>A few seconds later, two of the trio yanked Zodiac violently into the alley and
the third one smashed a vicious blow to his jaw. The PI collapsed and the two
men holding him let him fall to the ground. “Guess the tough guy’s 
got a glass jaw,� the puncher snorted. “Well, we’re supposed
to rough him up good â€" stand him up, boys, so I can knock him down
again!�
>
>As the two bent down to grab his shoulders again, Zodiac exploded back to life.
A rock-hard fist launched from the pavement like a V2 rocket, catching a
surprised mugger square on the jaw, and he straightened up, staggered backwards,
and collapsed heavily to the sidewalk.
>
>“I’ll show  you a glass jaw, punk!� the detective snarled
as he tried to scramble to his feet.
>
>As he got to his hands and knees, the standing man launched a kick as his
stomach; impossibly, the PI arched his back and seemed to stretch away from the
kick, and though he let out an ‘Oomph!’ when it landed, the impact
was much less satisfying than the thug had hoped. And then he screamed as the
detective's stomach seemed to wrap around his foot â€" and stopped screaming
when Zodiac twisted into another almost impossible position and pulled his other
leg out from under him. He managed to get his arms out to break his fall against
the pavement, but he gasped in pain as he heard a crack from his left wrist.
>
>The last active thug stepped back, pulled his gat, and fired twice, and Zodiac
collapsed to the street. The gunner then took off, running at top speed into the
deeper shadows of the alley.
>
>The one who Zodiac had tripped tried to lever himself to his feet and screamed
in agony when he put his weight on his wrist. "God damn you to hell, Mugsy, you
lily-livered yellow-bellied son of a bitch! Get back here and help me with
Ziggy!"
>
>Far down the alley, Mugsy slowed uncertainly to a halt. He turned and saw one
of his partners supporting the other as they staggered towards him. He turned
away again to keep running, and his partner swore.
>
>"You get back here, chicken man, or I'll shoot you myself!" There was a flash
from the shouting thug's gun and a trash can next to Mugsy jumped and screeched,
crumpling around a bullethole, almost at the same instant that he heard the
gunshot. "You know I don't miss unless I want to, you yellow weasel! Now help me
with Ziggy!"
>
>"Geez, Zach, I'm sorry, by now somebody musta heard shots and called the
Sheriff by now. Da cops'll be here inna minute!" the terrified Mugsy whimpered.
"I can't go back to the can, I just can't!"
>
>"Shaddup, you yellow creep! You'll be goin' to the morgue if you ever run out
on me again!" Zach promised in a snarl, aiming his pistol at Mugsy's waist.
"Last chance! Grab his other arm and let's get outta here or I'll blast your
percker inta teeny weeny shreds!"
>
>Shaking with fear, Mugsy clumsily managed to drape Zach's arm around his
shoulder, and the three shuffled off into the shadows as fast as they could
move, half carrying and half dragging the semi-conscious Ziggy, 'running' from
the faint but growing wail of police sirens approaching.
>
>
>
>
>

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

If you can tell me where to find a plain text setting, I'll happily change it. I
posted this chapter directly from my android tablet, which doesn't seem to be as
compatible as Google would like us to believe. Next time I try a new OS, I'm
going to wait until it's been in use for at least 10 years!

--- In theJSAallstarstorysite@yahoogroups.com, "Frank G. Murdock" <bytor84@...>
wrote:
>
> Dan,
>
> Go
>
> to yahoo groups and turn your settings to plain text. That should get rid of
all that strange stuff appearing in your story updates.
>
> /F
>
> M
>
>
>
> From: theJSAallstarstorysite@yahoogroups.com
[mailto:theJSAallstarstorysite@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of ddswanson
> Sent: Wednesday, May 30, 2012 5:05 PM
> To: theJSAallstarstorysite@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: [The JSA All-Star Story Site] Hope Hazard - Exit... Steve Zodiac
>
>
>
>
>
> Late that night, three disreputably dressed men lurked furtively in the
shadows in a narrow alley off a side street in a dingy business district near
the Radiance docks. One stuck his head out to examine the street, quickly pulled
back. �"Get ready, ya mugs, he’s comin’.”
>
> On the street, Private Detective Steve Zodiac approached his office. 'The
neighborhood isn’t so great, but the rent is cheap enough,' he thought to
himself. 'I feel just like one of those down-on-his-luck dicks in the pulps.'
>
> A few seconds later, two of the trio yanked Zodiac violently into the alley
and the third one smashed a vicious blow to his jaw. The PI collapsed and the
two men holding him let him fall to the ground. �"Guess the tough
guy’s got a glass jaw,” the puncher snorted. �"Well,
we’re supposed to rough him up good â€" stand him up, boys, so I can
knock him down again!”
>
> As the two bent down to grab his shoulders again, Zodiac exploded back to
life. A rock-hard fist launched from the pavement like a V2 rocket, catching a
surprised mugger square on the jaw, and he straightened up, staggered backwards,
and collapsed heavily to the sidewalk.
>
> �"I’ll show you a glass jaw, punk!” the detective snarled as
he tried to scramble to his feet.
>
> As he got to his hands and knees, the standing man launched a kick as his
stomach; impossibly, the PI arched his back and seemed to stretch away from the
kick, and though he let out an ‘Oomph!’ when it landed, the impact
was much less satisfying than the thug had hoped. And then he screamed as the
detective's stomach seemed to wrap around his foot â€" and stopped screaming
when Zodiac twisted into another almost impossible position and pulled his other
leg out from under him. He managed to get his arms out to break his fall against
the pavement, but he gasped in pain as he heard a crack from his left wrist.
>
> The last active thug stepped back, pulled his gat, and fired twice, and Zodiac
collapsed to the street. The gunner then took off, running at top speed into the
deeper shadows of the alley.
>
> The one who Zodiac had tripped tried to lever himself to his feet and screamed
in agony when he put his weight on his wrist. "God damn you to hell, Mugsy, you
lily-livered yellow-bellied son of a bitch! Get back here and help me with
Ziggy!"
>
> Far down the alley, Mugsy slowed uncertainly to a halt. He turned and saw one
of his partners supporting the other as they staggered towards him. He turned
away again to keep running, and his partner swore.
>
> "You get back here, chicken man, or I'll shoot you myself!" There was a flash
from the shouting thug's gun and a trash can next to Mugsy jumped and screeched,
crumpling around a bullethole, almost at the same instant that he heard the
gunshot. "You know I don't miss unless I want to, you yellow weasel! Now help me
with Ziggy!"
>
> "Geez, Zach, I'm sorry, by now somebody musta heard shots and called the
Sheriff by now. Da cops'll be here inna minute!" the terrified Mugsy whimpered.
"I can't go back to the can, I just can't!"
>
> "Shaddup, you yellow creep! You'll be goin' to the morgue if you ever run out
on me again!" Zach promised in a snarl, aiming his pistol at Mugsy's waist.
"Last chance! Grab his other arm and let's get outta here or I'll blast your
percker inta teeny weeny shreds!"
>
> Shaking with fear, Mugsy clumsily managed to drape Zach's arm around his
shoulder, and the three shuffled off into the shadows as fast as they could
move, half carrying and half dragging the semi-conscious Ziggy, 'running' from
the faint but growing wail of police sirens approaching.
>
>
>
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>

You are a member of the JSA-all-star stories sight. Go into your group settings
and their is a drop down menu that allows for you to change your message deliver
from text to full-service or some such nonsense./FM







From: theJSAallstarstorysite@yahoogroups.com
[mailto:theJSAallstarstorysite@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of ddswanson
Sent: Wednesday, May 30, 2012 6:37 PM
To: theJSAallstarstorysite@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [The JSA All-Star Story Site] Hope Hazard - Exit... Steve Zodiac





If you can tell me where to find a plain text setting, I'll happily change it. I
posted this chapter directly from my android tablet, which doesn't seem to be as
compatible as Google would like us to believe. Next time I try a new OS, I'm
going to wait until it's been in use for at least 10 years!

--- In theJSAallstarstorysite@yahoogroups.com
<mailto:theJSAallstarstorysite%40yahoogroups.com> , "Frank G. Murdock"
<bytor84@...> wrote:
>
> Dan,
>
> Go
>
> to yahoo groups and turn your settings to plain text. That should get rid of
all that strange stuff appearing in your story updates.
>
> /F
>
> M
>
>
>
> From: theJSAallstarstorysite@yahoogroups.com
<mailto:theJSAallstarstorysite%40yahoogroups.com> 
[mailto:theJSAallstarstorysite@yahoogroups.com
<mailto:theJSAallstarstorysite%40yahoogroups.com> ] On Behalf Of ddswanson
> Sent: Wednesday, May 30, 2012 5:05 PM
> To: theJSAallstarstorysite@yahoogroups.com
<mailto:theJSAallstarstorysite%40yahoogroups.com>
> Subject: [The JSA All-Star Story Site] Hope Hazard - Exit... Steve Zodiac
>
>
>
>
>
> Late that night, three disreputably dressed men lurked furtively in the
shadows in a narrow alley off a side street in a dingy business district near
the Radiance docks. One stuck his head out to examine the street, quickly pulled
back. â€Å"Get ready, ya mugs, he’s
comin’.”
>
> On the street, Private Detective Steve Zodiac approached his office. 'The
neighborhood isn’t so great, but the rent is cheap enough,' he
thought to himself. 'I feel just like one of those down-on-his-luck dicks in the
pulps.'
>
> A few seconds later, two of the trio yanked Zodiac violently into the alley
and the third one smashed a vicious blow to his jaw. The PI collapsed and the
two men holding him let him fall to the ground. â€Å"Guess the tough
guy’s got a glass jaw,” the puncher snorted.
â€Å"Well, we’re supposed to rough him up good
â€" stand him up, boys, so I can knock him down again!”
>
> As the two bent down to grab his shoulders again, Zodiac exploded back to
life. A rock-hard fist launched from the pavement like a V2 rocket, catching a
surprised mugger square on the jaw, and he straightened up, staggered backwards,
and collapsed heavily to the sidewalk.
>
> â€Å"I’ll show you a glass jaw, punk!”
the detective snarled as he tried to scramble to his feet.
>
> As he got to his hands and knees, the standing man launched a kick as his
stomach; impossibly, the PI arched his back and seemed to stretch away from the
kick, and though he let out an ‘Oomph!’ when it
landed, the impact was much less satisfying than the thug had hoped. And then he
screamed as the detective's stomach seemed to wrap around his foot â€"
and stopped screaming when Zodiac twisted into another almost impossible
position and pulled his other leg out from under him. He managed to get his arms
out to break his fall against the pavement, but he gasped in pain as he heard a
crack from his left wrist.
>
> The last active thug stepped back, pulled his gat, and fired twice, and Zodiac
collapsed to the street. The gunner then took off, running at top speed into the
deeper shadows of the alley.
>
> The one who Zodiac had tripped tried to lever himself to his feet and screamed
in agony when he put his weight on his wrist. "God damn you to hell, Mugsy, you
lily-livered yellow-bellied son of a bitch! Get back here and help me with
Ziggy!"
>
> Far down the alley, Mugsy slowed uncertainly to a halt. He turned and saw one
of his partners supporting the other as they staggered towards him. He turned
away again to keep running, and his partner swore.
>
> "You get back here, chicken man, or I'll shoot you myself!" There was a flash
from the shouting thug's gun and a trash can next to Mugsy jumped and screeched,
crumpling around a bullethole, almost at the same instant that he heard the
gunshot. "You know I don't miss unless I want to, you yellow weasel! Now help me
with Ziggy!"
>
> "Geez, Zach, I'm sorry, by now somebody musta heard shots and called the
Sheriff by now. Da cops'll be here inna minute!" the terrified Mugsy whimpered.
"I can't go back to the can, I just can't!"
>
> "Shaddup, you yellow creep! You'll be goin' to the morgue if you ever run out
on me again!" Zach promised in a snarl, aiming his pistol at Mugsy's waist.
"Last chance! Grab his other arm and let's get outta here or I'll blast your
percker inta teeny weeny shreds!"
>
> Shaking with fear, Mugsy clumsily managed to drape Zach's arm around his
shoulder, and the three shuffled off into the shadows as fast as they could
move, half carrying and half dragging the semi-conscious Ziggy, 'running' from
the faint but growing wail of police sirens approaching.
>
>
>
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>





[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

That particular setting won't help - it has to do with how messages are sent to
me, not messages I send to you.

I just won't post directly from the android anymore. That was the first time
I've tried it, and it will be the last. Thanks for making me aware of it!

--- In theJSAallstarstorysite@yahoogroups.com, "Frank G. Murdock" <bytor84@...>
wrote:
>
> You are a member of the JSA-all-star stories sight. Go into your group
settings and their is a drop down menu that allows for you to change your
message deliver from text to full-service or some such nonsense./FM
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> From: theJSAallstarstorysite@yahoogroups.com
[mailto:theJSAallstarstorysite@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of ddswanson
> Sent: Wednesday, May 30, 2012 6:37 PM
> To: theJSAallstarstorysite@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: Re: [The JSA All-Star Story Site] Hope Hazard - Exit... Steve Zodiac
>
>
>
>
>
> If you can tell me where to find a plain text setting, I'll happily change it.
I posted this chapter directly from my android tablet, which doesn't seem to be
as compatible as Google would like us to believe. Next time I try a new OS, I'm
going to wait until it's been in use for at least 10 years!
>
> --- In theJSAallstarstorysite@yahoogroups.com
<mailto:theJSAallstarstorysite%40yahoogroups.com> , "Frank G. Murdock"
<bytor84@> wrote:
> >
> > Dan,
> >
> > Go
> >
> > to yahoo groups and turn your settings to plain text. That should get rid of
all that strange stuff appearing in your story updates.
> >
> > /F
> >
> > M
> >
> >
> >
> > From: theJSAallstarstorysite@yahoogroups.com
<mailto:theJSAallstarstorysite%40yahoogroups.com> 
[mailto:theJSAallstarstorysite@yahoogroups.com
<mailto:theJSAallstarstorysite%40yahoogroups.com> ] On Behalf Of ddswanson
> > Sent: Wednesday, May 30, 2012 5:05 PM
> > To: theJSAallstarstorysite@yahoogroups.com
<mailto:theJSAallstarstorysite%40yahoogroups.com>
> > Subject: [The JSA All-Star Story Site] Hope Hazard - Exit... Steve Zodiac
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > Late that night, three disreputably dressed men lurked furtively in the
shadows in a narrow alley off a side street in a dingy business district near
the Radiance docks. One stuck his head out to examine the street, quickly pulled
back. â€Å"Get ready, ya mugs, he’s
comin’.”
> >
> > On the street, Private Detective Steve Zodiac approached his office. 'The
neighborhood isn’t so great, but the rent is cheap enough,' he
thought to himself. 'I feel just like one of those down-on-his-luck dicks in the
pulps.'
> >
> > A few seconds later, two of the trio yanked Zodiac violently into the alley
and the third one smashed a vicious blow to his jaw. The PI collapsed and the
two men holding him let him fall to the ground. â€Å"Guess the tough
guy’s got a glass jaw,” the puncher snorted.
â€Å"Well, we’re supposed to rough him up good
â€" stand him up, boys, so I can knock him down again!”
> >
> > As the two bent down to grab his shoulders again, Zodiac exploded back to
life. A rock-hard fist launched from the pavement like a V2 rocket, catching a
surprised mugger square on the jaw, and he straightened up, staggered backwards,
and collapsed heavily to the sidewalk.
> >
> > â€Å"I’ll show you a glass jaw,
punk!” the detective snarled as he tried to scramble to his feet.
> >
> > As he got to his hands and knees, the standing man launched a kick as his
stomach; impossibly, the PI arched his back and seemed to stretch away from the
kick, and though he let out an �"Oomph!’ when it
landed, the impact was much less satisfying than the thug had hoped. And then he
screamed as the detective's stomach seemed to wrap around his foot â€"
and stopped screaming when Zodiac twisted into another almost impossible
position and pulled his other leg out from under him. He managed to get his arms
out to break his fall against the pavement, but he gasped in pain as he heard a
crack from his left wrist.
> >
> > The last active thug stepped back, pulled his gat, and fired twice, and
Zodiac collapsed to the street. The gunner then took off, running at top speed
into the deeper shadows of the alley.
> >
> > The one who Zodiac had tripped tried to lever himself to his feet and
screamed in agony when he put his weight on his wrist. "God damn you to hell,
Mugsy, you lily-livered yellow-bellied son of a bitch! Get back here and help me
with Ziggy!"
> >
> > Far down the alley, Mugsy slowed uncertainly to a halt. He turned and saw
one of his partners supporting the other as they staggered towards him. He
turned away again to keep running, and his partner swore.
> >
> > "You get back here, chicken man, or I'll shoot you myself!" There was a
flash from the shouting thug's gun and a trash can next to Mugsy jumped and
screeched, crumpling around a bullethole, almost at the same instant that he
heard the gunshot. "You know I don't miss unless I want to, you yellow weasel!
Now help me with Ziggy!"
> >
> > "Geez, Zach, I'm sorry, by now somebody musta heard shots and called the
Sheriff by now. Da cops'll be here inna minute!" the terrified Mugsy whimpered.
"I can't go back to the can, I just can't!"
> >
> > "Shaddup, you yellow creep! You'll be goin' to the morgue if you ever run
out on me again!" Zach promised in a snarl, aiming his pistol at Mugsy's waist.
"Last chance! Grab his other arm and let's get outta here or I'll blast your
percker inta teeny weeny shreds!"
> >
> > Shaking with fear, Mugsy clumsily managed to drape Zach's arm around his
shoulder, and the three shuffled off into the shadows as fast as they could
move, half carrying and half dragging the semi-conscious Ziggy, 'running' from
the faint but growing wail of police sirens approaching.
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> >
>
>
>
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>

Oh. I thought it worked both ways. Thanks for letting me know my err too.



/FM



From: theJSAallstarstorysite@yahoogroups.com
[mailto:theJSAallstarstorysite@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of ddswanson
Sent: Wednesday, May 30, 2012 7:20 PM
To: theJSAallstarstorysite@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [The JSA All-Star Story Site] Hope Hazard - Exit... Steve Zodiac





That particular setting won't help - it has to do with how messages are sent to
me, not messages I send to you.

I just won't post directly from the android anymore. That was the first time
I've tried it, and it will be the last. Thanks for making me aware of it!

--- In theJSAallstarstorysite@yahoogroups.com
<mailto:theJSAallstarstorysite%40yahoogroups.com> , "Frank G. Murdock"
<bytor84@...> wrote:
>
> You are a member of the JSA-all-star stories sight. Go into your group
settings and their is a drop down menu that allows for you to change your
message deliver from text to full-service or some such nonsense./FM
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> From: theJSAallstarstorysite@yahoogroups.com
<mailto:theJSAallstarstorysite%40yahoogroups.com> 
[mailto:theJSAallstarstorysite@yahoogroups.com
<mailto:theJSAallstarstorysite%40yahoogroups.com> ] On Behalf Of ddswanson
> Sent: Wednesday, May 30, 2012 6:37 PM
> To: theJSAallstarstorysite@yahoogroups.com
<mailto:theJSAallstarstorysite%40yahoogroups.com>
> Subject: Re: [The JSA All-Star Story Site] Hope Hazard - Exit... Steve Zodiac
>
>
>
>
>
> If you can tell me where to find a plain text setting, I'll happily change it.
I posted this chapter directly from my android tablet, which doesn't seem to be
as compatible as Google would like us to believe. Next time I try a new OS, I'm
going to wait until it's been in use for at least 10 years!
>
> --- In theJSAallstarstorysite@yahoogroups.com
<mailto:theJSAallstarstorysite%40yahoogroups.com> 
<mailto:theJSAallstarstorysite%40yahoogroups.com> , "Frank G. Murdock"
<bytor84@> wrote:
> >
> > Dan,
> >
> > Go
> >
> > to yahoo groups and turn your settings to plain text. That should get rid of
all that strange stuff appearing in your story updates.
> >
> > /F
> >
> > M
> >
> >
> >
> > From: theJSAallstarstorysite@yahoogroups.com
<mailto:theJSAallstarstorysite%40yahoogroups.com> 
<mailto:theJSAallstarstorysite%40yahoogroups.com>
[mailto:theJSAallstarstorysite@yahoogroups.com
<mailto:theJSAallstarstorysite%40yahoogroups.com> 
<mailto:theJSAallstarstorysite%40yahoogroups.com> ] On Behalf Of ddswanson
> > Sent: Wednesday, May 30, 2012 5:05 PM
> > To: theJSAallstarstorysite@yahoogroups.com
<mailto:theJSAallstarstorysite%40yahoogroups.com> 
<mailto:theJSAallstarstorysite%40yahoogroups.com>
> > Subject: [The JSA All-Star Story Site] Hope Hazard - Exit... Steve Zodiac
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > Late that night, three disreputably dressed men lurked furtively in the
shadows in a narrow alley off a side street in a dingy business district near
the Radiance docks. One stuck his head out to examine the street, quickly pulled
back. â€Å"Get ready, ya mugs,
he’s
comin’.”
> >
> > On the street, Private Detective Steve Zodiac approached his office. 'The
neighborhood isn’t so great, but the rent
is cheap enough,' he thought to himself. 'I feel just like one of those
down-on-his-luck dicks in the pulps.'
> >
> > A few seconds later, two of the trio yanked Zodiac violently into the alley
and the third one smashed a vicious blow to his jaw. The PI collapsed and the
two men holding him let him fall to the ground.
â€Å"Guess the tough
guy’s got a glass
jaw,” the puncher snorted.
â€Å"Well, we’re
supposed to rough him up good â€" stand him up, boys, so I
can knock him down again!”
> >
> > As the two bent down to grab his shoulders again, Zodiac exploded back to
life. A rock-hard fist launched from the pavement like a V2 rocket, catching a
surprised mugger square on the jaw, and he straightened up, staggered backwards,
and collapsed heavily to the sidewalk.
> >
> > â€Å"I’ll show
you a glass jaw, punk!” the detective snarled as
he tried to scramble to his feet.
> >
> > As he got to his hands and knees, the standing man launched a kick as his
stomach; impossibly, the PI arched his back and seemed to stretch away from the
kick, and though he let out an
â€ËÅ"Oomph!’ when
it landed, the impact was much less satisfying than the thug had hoped. And then
he screamed as the detective's stomach seemed to wrap around his foot
â€" and stopped screaming when Zodiac twisted into another
almost impossible position and pulled his other leg out from under him. He
managed to get his arms out to break his fall against the pavement, but he
gasped in pain as he heard a crack from his left wrist.
> >
> > The last active thug stepped back, pulled his gat, and fired twice, and
Zodiac collapsed to the street. The gunner then took off, running at top speed
into the deeper shadows of the alley.
> >
> > The one who Zodiac had tripped tried to lever himself to his feet and
screamed in agony when he put his weight on his wrist. "God damn you to hell,
Mugsy, you lily-livered yellow-bellied son of a bitch! Get back here and help me
with Ziggy!"
> >
> > Far down the alley, Mugsy slowed uncertainly to a halt. He turned and saw
one of his partners supporting the other as they staggered towards him. He
turned away again to keep running, and his partner swore.
> >
> > "You get back here, chicken man, or I'll shoot you myself!" There was a
flash from the shouting thug's gun and a trash can next to Mugsy jumped and
screeched, crumpling around a bullethole, almost at the same instant that he
heard the gunshot. "You know I don't miss unless I want to, you yellow weasel!
Now help me with Ziggy!"
> >
> > "Geez, Zach, I'm sorry, by now somebody musta heard shots and called the
Sheriff by now. Da cops'll be here inna minute!" the terrified Mugsy whimpered.
"I can't go back to the can, I just can't!"
> >
> > "Shaddup, you yellow creep! You'll be goin' to the morgue if you ever run
out on me again!" Zach promised in a snarl, aiming his pistol at Mugsy's waist.
"Last chance! Grab his other arm and let's get outta here or I'll blast your
percker inta teeny weeny shreds!"
> >
> > Shaking with fear, Mugsy clumsily managed to drape Zach's arm around his
shoulder, and the three shuffled off into the shadows as fast as they could
move, half carrying and half dragging the semi-conscious Ziggy, 'running' from
the faint but growing wail of police sirens approaching.
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> >
>
>
>
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>





[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Interesting.    Lee

They hadn't gone too far before Ziggy revived enough to walk without being
carried, though he still wasn't very steady on his feet. "Man, that guy could
HIT!" he bitched. Zach wasn't in any mood to commiserate. "Ah, shaddup, willya?
Bad enough I had to carry you with a broken wrist," he held his arm out, his
wrist and hand were bruised and swollen." "Would you guys quitcher bellyachin?"
Mugsy complained. "You're gonna wake up the whole damn neighborhood!" "Shadddup,
Mugsy. If you hadn't pulled your gat, we wouldn't be needing to sneak around
like this!' "Yeah, he'd already knocked out Ziggy and busted your arm. I wasn't
gonna be next!" "We was only sposed ta rough 'im up good." "Ixnay! The guy what
hired us said he wanted da dick offa da case. Well, he sure ain't onna case no
longer!" "You're gonna be the one that tells 'im that Zodiac's dead." "Would you
shaddup about the dead guy?" "Aww, you shaddup, ya mug, I'll shut you up!" "Oh,
yeah? You and what army?"

The bickering continued until they reached a run-down boarding house."Now
shaddup!' Mugsy insisted. "If Old Lady Faffer hears us, she'll throw us out this
time!" The three shut up and climbed the external stairs to their second-floor
apartment. They'd rather face their unknown patron any time than an angry Mrs.
Faff!

Ziggy picked up the phone. "Yes Operator, please connect me to EAarth-2, 1, 9,
5, 1. Yes, I know that's a private number and I know it's the middle of the
goddamn night! What'm I, blind? Stop yammerin and place da call, ya loudmout
witch!

The call was brief, unpleasant, and very loud. After his initial report, Mugsy
didn't get a chance to say anything else - he held the phone a foot from his ear
and cringed. The other 2 could hear their patron clearly. When he slammed down
the phone, Mugsy sagged in relief. "Geez - he must learned to cuss from my last
girlfriend!" Ziggy laughed, relieved that he hadn't had to bear the brunt of
that fire hose of profanity. He heard a grunt of pain behind him, and then a
thud like a body hitting the floor, and as he turned to see what was going on,
his world exploded in pain and a flash of white light, radiating from his chin.
The pain didn't last long, another blow smashed into his jaw and he made his own
thump as he fell to the floor unconscious.

There was a light on in the master bedroom in the mansion the City of Radiance
provided for its elected Mayor. Foxcroft sat at his desk, seething in anger,
while Sheryl Farrell sat on the mattress, dressed in a flimsy wisp of almost
nothing. Her voice was timid and shaking.

8"Hey, Foxy, why don't you come back to bed? I can make you feel better."

"Shaddup, ya tramp! Get yer ass outta here; I seen enough'a you for one night."
She started sobbing, but didn't argue, just started to pick up her clothes where
they'd landed earlier. "I said NOW!" Foxcroft roared, and pushed her roughly out
the door to the bedroom. She stumbled and fell to the floor. "Keep going or I'll
have Luigi toss ya! And  you damn well better be on time tomorrow!" he yelled as
he slammed the bedroom door.

At that instant the phone rang again. "I swear I'm gonna pull that %#$&%$ thing
right outta the wall!" he yelled. After two angry strides he picked up the
headset. "This better be real (>&<?\|?in good!" he yelled

"Billy? Wash da matter? You sound mad about shomethin," a slurred female voice
greeted him.

"This isn't Billy!" Foxcroft roared. "Don't you know it's 3 AM!?"

"Aww, c'mon, Billy, doan be mad. Howabout I come over and scheer you up?" she
continued.

"This is a private number. If you call it again, I'll find out who you are and
have you arrested!" Foxcroft promised, and then slammed down the phone. "Can
this night get any worse?" he bitched. He pressed the intercom button on the
phone; at least something was going right � Luigi picked up before the second
ring. "Bring me a hot toddy, Luigi," the Mayor ordered his gentleman's
gentleman. "And a snack."

Foxcroft had just started eating his grilled cheese and onion sandwich when the
bedroom door flew open and smashed a hole in the wall behind it, and in
stomped... Steve Zodiac!

"I followed the three muggers back to their place, and overheard the phone
number they called to report to the guy that hired them. And then I called that
number myself, and the Mayor answered," Steve Zodiac was almost finished telling
his story to Detective Damon. "He attacked me and I flattened him. And in his
safe I found the satchel with the 'ransom money' ponied up by the city last
week."

"You took two shots and don't even have a bullet hole in you to show for it?"
Damon asked, unbelievingly. "You one of those super heroes? Come to think of
it," he mused, stroking his chin, "the Batman was here for a while, and he works
with Superman all the time. Could it be..."

"Hey, hold on!" Zodiac interrupted, laughing. "Just a bulletproof vest, see?" He
pulled open his shirt, which had two ragged holes in the side, to show a
bulletproof vest with several dings in it. "These two, right here," he said as
he touched two of the dents, which lay right under the holes in the shirt.

"Well I'll be damned! That was good work, Zodiac!" Damon replied. "So, Foxcroft
was the boss and Vardol was in on it too?"

"I don't know anything about Vardol; he wasn't talking to me." Zodiac grinned,
Foxcroft had been unconscious about 3 seconds after he'd seen the PI enter his
bedroom, and still hadn't awakened by the time the deputies had arrived. "I
don't see how he could have pulled off the bidding and permit scams without
Vardol's help, though," the PI replied. "With Vardol gone, maybe we'll never
know. Personally, though, I think he's somewhere on the bottom of Lake Erie,
feeding the fish."

"We'll find out when _we_ interrogate Foxcroft," Damon promised resolvedly.
"Thanks for leaving at least something for me and the Sheriff's Department to
figure out." He paused for a couple of seconds, thinking something over. "You
know, if you ever think of joining the force, let me know and I'll be happy to
put in a good word for you with Sheriff Lambert."

"Thanks, Don, but I don't think so. I've decided to move to New York City and
see if Steve Zodiac, PI, can make it there. I want to see the famous sites, and
find the romance and danger waiting in it beneath the Broadway lights,"  Zodiac
replied, shaking his head.

"Well, you be careful in New York. They might lock you up for breaking and
entering and assault and battery if you try any chicanery like you did with
Foxcroft last night," Damon warned. "If you get caught..."

"Thanks, Don. I'll just have to make sure I don't get caught, eh?" They shook
hands and parted. Damon sighed, and started filling out the paperwork for the
case.

*****

Hope's new friends threw her a going-away party; everyone from the paper and the
cast and crew of the play 'Pat Parker, War Nurse' were there as well. "Gee whiz,
Hope, your going to New York is sure a surprise!" Janie said sadly. "We just got
to know you � and it was nice, having a girlfriend who knows how to fight. All
my other friends think I'm some kind of weirdo!"

She turned to the woman with Hope, a blonde woman in her early 40s. "I should be
angry with you, Miss Moore..."

The blonde cut her off. "Please call me Sandra," she requested with a smile.

"OK, Sandra," Janie continued. "I should be angry with you for taking my friend
away. But, the chance to be the understudy to the lead on a Broadway production
is what Hope really wants. How exciting to be contacted by a famous agent like
you!"

"We expect Kiss Me Kate to be one of the best received musicals next year,"
Sandra replied. "Even if Hope never has to fill in for the lead, Holly Harris,
she'll be near the top of the line for future lead roles."

"So make sure you write and tell us about the neon lights on Broadway. I want to
know if there really IS magic in the air!" Janie insisted to her friend. "Wish I
could come with you � but Herb and I are going to settle down here. He thinks he
might be first in his own line, to be the next Sheriff of Radiance when Sheriff
Lambert retires."

She turned back to Sandra. "You don't seem to think it's weird that I know how
to fight. Why not?"

"I was a Secret Service agent when I was your age," the blonde replied. "Got in
a lot of fights myself. Got promoted fast, too. Until..." she paused and looked
sad, then started again. "I was Assistant Director when the war ended. But I
eventually realized that they weren't about to promote a woman to Director. So I
resigned and became another sort of agent. And here I am."

Hope was swept away into the party by some of her other friends, but some time
later, she found herself alone with Tom.

"I never got a chance to tell you, but you made a _great_ Batman!" Tom offered
her some praise. "You fooled everyone."

"Everyone but you, of course," Hope joked. "Actually, I sort of used you as my
model. Your build, your mannerisms, though I deepened the voice considerably."

Tom was flattered, but he had something else on his mind. "You wouldn't know
anything about that Steve Zodiac character who busted Foxcroft, would you?" he
asked suspiciously. "Damon said he looked enough like me to be my brother, even
with dark, curly hair instead of blonde. Damon also said Zodiac was moving to
New York."

"Never heard of him, Tom," she replied, crossing her fingers.

"Well, I hope he's successful in the Big Apple. And you, too, of course! I'm
looking forward to hearing about you in the future." His smile faded. "But you
had better be really careful � if most people found out what you can do, they
might hate and fear you!"

Hope shuddered when he said that. She didn't consciously remember it, but that
was exactly the way her species was received on Earth in the 30th century.

"Thanks for the warning, Tom. And thanks for accepting me, even after you found
out my power."

He smiled. "Make sure nobody else finds out. Good luck. I'm sure you'll be
famous in a couple of years."

She was swept into the party again, and then swept into the rest of her life.

I hope it's OK; my purpose with the Hope Hazard story was to provide some
background to one of the mysterious members of Team Justice (see
Justice in the Making, here:
http://www.5earths.info/earth-2/showcase-e2-teamjustice-tp1959/ )

All we knew of Enigma's background before was:

*****

After a battle in which an unknown hero Enigma assisted Team Justice:

"You could join our team," suggested Mister Alpha, turning to the Lois Lane Kent
lookalike. "We'd welcome you � both of you."

The Lois double smiled. "I would be honored. You may call me Enigma. Mine is the
power to look like anyone I choose." Enigma transformed again into a black-robed
figure with a hood hiding her head and face. "I will join your team."

"Great!" said Bearcat. "Is she a she or a he?" he asked quietly.

"Yes!" answered the mysterious Enigma as they walked out.

*****

Very cool!

--
Cheers,
Doc Quantum of The Time Trust


Read stories of your favorite DC Comics characters at the Five Earths Project!
www.5earths.info


>________________________________
> From: ddswanson <ddswanson@...>
>To: theJSAallstarstorysite@yahoogroups.com
>Sent: Sunday, June 3, 2012 9:38:22 AM
>Subject: [The JSA All-Star Story Site] Enigma of Team Justice
>
>
> 
>I hope it's OK; my purpose with the Hope Hazard story was to provide some
background to one of the mysterious members of Team Justice (see
>Justice in the Making, here:
http://www.5earths.info/earth-2/showcase-e2-teamjustice-tp1959/ )
>
>All we knew of Enigma's background before was:
>
>*****
>
>After a battle in which an unknown hero Enigma assisted Team Justice:
>
>"You could join our team," suggested Mister Alpha, turning to the Lois Lane
Kent lookalike. "We'd welcome you — both of you."
>
>The Lois double smiled. "I would be honored. You may call me Enigma. Mine is
the power to look like anyone I choose." Enigma transformed again into a
black-robed figure with a hood hiding her head and face. "I will join your
team."
>
>"Great!" said Bearcat. "Is she a she or a he?" he asked quietly.
>
>"Yes!" answered the mysterious Enigma as they walked out.
>
>*****
>
>
>
>
>

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Isn't there a chat tonight?  I'm all by myself.

Sandy Hausler

Sandy and I are in the chat room

Oops! Sorry, everyone. Forgot about the chat. But if anyone's still up and wants
to chat, I'm game. I'll be in the chat room and checking in every once in
awhile.

Cheers,
Doc

--- In theJSAallstarstorysite@yahoogroups.com, "sandyhausler" <shausler@...>
wrote:
>
> Isn't there a chat tonight?  I'm all by myself.
>
> Sandy Hausler
>

http://robot6.comicbookresources.com/2012/06/one-million-moms-drops-off-face
book-after-green-lantern-post-backfires/

Comics once again make an impact!



/FM



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]