Return of a Speedster

The Return (Part One)

Palo Alto
The Next Day

Artemis and Zatana are jolted awake by the sound of a strong man pounding on the door.

"Homeland Security! Open the door!" the strong man shouts.

As Artemis opens the door, she is greeted by a small group of men. One wears a formal business suit while the others appear as though they are about to invade Fallujah. Before Artemis can ask who they are, the man in the business suit interrupts her.

"Hello. We are associates of Mr. Graves and are with an agency that is working with both the U.S. Government and the U.N. Security Council. We need you to come with us. This is a matter of planetary security."

The two are, then hastily pulled out of the apartment and down the hall to the elevator. From there they are escorted from the building under the heavily armed guard of several dozen Marines and police officers and are shoved into the back of an armoured personel carrier (APC) waiting outside. The Marines then file into the two other APCs and four Humvies, as the officers file into their patrol cars that make up the rest of they convoy. The line of heavy equipment departs as some of the Marines mount the turrents on the roofs of the Humvies and APCs.

As they approach the Interstate, the local cops trade places with the California State Patrol, and escort the convoy to the state line, where they switch out with the Nevada State Police. Also, the convoy picks up some air cover courtesy of four Black Hawks of the Nevada National Guard.

As the convoy speeds along the Eisenhower Interstate Commerce and Defense Freeway, the "precious cargo" sobers up from the shock and start to ask some very heated questions.

"Who are you people!?! And where are you taking us!?!" Artemis asks furiously.

"Please, calm down Ms. Crock. Everything will be explained in due time," the businessman states.

"No. Uh uh. We want answers and we want them now! And how do know Mr. Graves!?!" Artemis exclaims with just as much furiousity.

"Fine," he sighs. "To answer your first question, my name is Tyler Disakvo and these are my associates and protection detail."

He gestures towards the Marines and continues speaking.

"We are members of a top-secret, para-governmental agency called S.W.O.R.D. The Supernatural Weapons and Ordinance Retrieval Division. We specialize in the supernatural, the paranormal, and the other-worldly. As well as protecting this planet and her people from any and all threats both foreign and domestic. I am the Director of this organization.

"As for the second question, we are taking you to Central City to a S.T.A.R. Labs facility for a....classified experiment. More information will be provided as we get closer to our destination.

"And lastly, Mr. Graves is a friend of mine, a co-founder of S.W.O.R.D., and his son, as you know, works for my organization. Do you have anymore questions?"

Artemis shakes her head, as a moment of silence falls over the convoy. Now traveling in excess of a hundred miles per hour.

As the convoy over takes the late afternoon rush hour traffic, several massive storm systems form over several major cities. The National Weather Service issues warnings and advisories for them.

The driver of the APC carrying Artemis opens the small sliding hatch that separates the cargo bay and the cabin.

"Director Disakvo, sir! You are gonna want to hear this!" the driver exclaims as he turns up the radio.

The GBS Radio Broadcaster states the following: "If you are just tuning in now, let me repeat our top story of the hour. Several massive storm systems have just formed over several major cities in the United States. The storms have appeared to have formed almost instantaneously over the course of the last hour. The National Weather Service has issued severe weather advisories and warnings for all of the affected areas. These include the areas in and around the following cities: Pheonix, New York, Chicago, Seattle, Star City, Philadelphia, Metropolis, Gotham, Bludhaven, Keystone City, and Central City. The last one, Central City,--where me and my associates are currently located--is facing down the largest and possibly most powerful of these systems.

"Residents are urged to take shelter immediately. If you are able to evacuate in a timely manner, you are urged to do so. If not, then you are urged to seek shelter immediately. Any and all air traffic has been rerouted around the storms with Central City being called a 'No-Fly Zone'. We will try to stay on the air as long as possible! To repeat if your are just joining us..."

"That's enough, Private," Dir. Disakvo states calmly, as he shuts the hatch.

"Okay," the Director sighs, "Looks like we won't need the accelerator. If we're lucky, he'll come right to us."

Artemis and Zatana look at Director Disakvo with confused expressions.

"Don't worry. All shall be explained in due time," the Director states reluctantly.

With that being said, the convoy continues down the highway--rapidly approaching Central City.