Justice League #29
“Insoluble”

By Kasz and Lightshear



“The problem is that you and the Justice League are too disconnected,” Freedom Beast said. He led the League through the camp they had been led to, hidden away underground beneath the plains of Zimbabwe. Thatched grates let in light from above, and flecks of dust and dirt danced in the shafts of light that illuminated the series of tunnels that comprised their base. Crates were stacked here and there, and there was plenty of activity as the people that comprised this miniature rebellion moved about, alternating between repairing the structure of the base - a never-ending battle with nature and the settling earth - and organizing what supplies they had.

“I don’t believe that’s true,” Superman said. “It was an argument we heard plenty when we operated the Watchtower on the moon, and the alien origins of several of our members has always been fuel for the fires of that kind of prejudice, but the Earth is our home. I grew up here, I live here, and it isn’t a fair criticism to question our loyalty just because of our birthplace.”

“This is not about the planet, Superman,” Freedom Beast corrected him. “You are disconnected from Africa. To be frank, your team is disconnected from most world issues outside of the borders of the United States. I would be surprised if your being here in Zimbabwe was related to some mad super-villain, and you just stumbled across the plight of these people in the process.”

Superman felt the sting of the jab, but wouldn’t let it sit. “We haven’t been the Justice League of America for some time, and there’s a reason. We don’t see borders, Freedom Beast. We look to the problems that we can solve, and we do so. But intervening in political matters is just not something we can or will do.”

“This was fine when we had the Global Guardians,” the dark-skinned hero sighed. “They were citizens of many nations, and fought hard for their homes and their people. But they’re gone, now - most killed by Darkseid, as you well know.” He looked over at Kid Impala, who looked to the ground sadly. Superman couldn’t help but think of Barry and of how Wally had been after his death. “The ramifications of the Invasion have struck us here as well, Superman.”

The group came to a large room, lit by dim bulbs that were fueled by whirring generators that seemed to be struggling for life. Freedom Beast continued as he sat in one of the straw seats in the room.

“This new so-called ‘Justice League International’ is the closest thing we have to a replacement for the loss. Still, they are only interested in places like Paris, London, Hong Kong - places conspicuously connected to Western interests.”

“Their African representative isn’t even African,” Kid Impala said incredulously. “She’s from Detroit! As if being black is enough to be considered foreign in America!”

“You’re closer there than you might think,” Green Arrow muttered with a harrumph. Black Canary elbowed him in the side.

“You can point fingers all day long,” she said. “But the problems your country faces aren’t our fault. The League does the best it can for the whole world-- we can’t be everywhere, and we can’t be held responsible for the things we just can’t do.”

“Of course not, miss,” Freedom Beast said, inclining his head. “But I think we are speaking of different things. There is individual responsibility - that which one person feels for his own actions - and there is collective responsibility. This is that which happens to our brother about which we remain silent, and so are morally culpable.”

“We recognize this,” Wonder Woman assured him. “And we see great tragedies in many regions of Africa. The League tries to be a part of the solution through humanitarian efforts, and Aquaman and I have been part of a growing voice in the United Nations asking for debt relief and--“

“This is all fine and well,” Freedom Beast said, raising his hands gently to cut her off. “However you are still a part of the problem. Did you know that Africa as a continent has the least amount of superheroes on the planet? Fewer even than Australia, and many of those we do have leave us for the United States or Europe. Because of this, the nations of Africa rely on outside superhuman aid more than any other nations on the globe.”

“You ever consider that it might have something to do with most of the costumed villains being American or European?” Power Girl asked. She was feeling insulted by this tribal ‘hero,’ if that’s what he really was, and was doing her best to hold her tongue. They were on delicate ground as it was, and even if she didn’t think it was worth their time to get into this, she knew Superman thought it was important, so she tried to be obliging.

Still, if she had to hear this guy insulting them too much longer…

“This is true,” he nodded. “Yet it presumes that the only thing a superhuman’s abilities are good for is policing other superhumans.”

“We’re going in circles,” Aquaman said, stepping up to the Freedom Beast. “We clearly don’t agree about our role in dealing with sovereign governments, but you still haven’t explained why you’re inciting open revolt against the leaders of this country.”

Freedom Beast sighed heavily, weariness overtaking his pride. “As you may know, Zimbabwe has long suffered through the troubles of colonialism. Our first elections were more akin to a power-sharing agreement that left control of virtually all public services in the hands of the white minority. When true elections were finally had, our nations greatest hero, Robert Mugabe, was elected in a landslide, and we were sure our dream of freedom and independence was at hand.

“We had no idea how wrong we were.”

“I know what comes next,” Wonder Woman said sadly. “The Gukurahundi.”

"It means ‘the early rain which washes away the chaff before the spring rains,’" Freedom Beast nodded. “Few of us realized what was happening at first. Mugabe granted certain favors to members of his family and tribe, but it was to be expected. The Ndebele began to speak out against such acts, and over time they began to disappear.”

He stopped for a moment, collecting himself. “Of course, it was not so simple. While Mugabe claimed the Ndebele were militant dissidents, most of us knew the truth. We did not want to believe. And while we were silent, men dug their own graves while their family watched on.

“It was not long before anyone who spoke out against the Prime Minister was removed ‘for the common good.’ Elections were manipulated, and in 1987, he changed the constitution of our nation, naming himself President and consolidating his power and adding still more. His party has ruled with an iron fist ever since.”

“This has come before the United Nations,” Superman said. “Mugabe has been condemned many times, and his arrest has been called for on multiple charges.”

“Yet nothing is done,” Freedom Beast said flatly. “Meanwhile, our people suffer more greatly each day. Even the land itself is not outside his purview. When we became free, the white 1% of our population held 70% of the farmland - the best 70%. Laws were enacted to allow a structured redistribution of the land, but this too was manipulated by Mugabe. The laws were changed, land was seized from white landowners with no compensation - even when this legislation was defeated in parliament - and was transferred not to farmers, but to loyal lackies.

“Our people had not learned to do the work of farming, but were never given the chance to learn. His people hold the land, and the fields remain fallow to this day, with only Mugabe’s close personal allies having access. We were called the ‘Bread Box of Africa,’ and now we are suffering the worst famine in living memory.”

Anger rose in his voice, now. “He withholds food from us, he refused to allow permanent housing to be built outside the cities, then demolished the temporary homes to remove the ‘substandard housing.’ Never mind that the shanty towns were the result of his demands, and never mind that they were mostly filled with members of the opposition party - over 320 thousand people are now homeless, over 700 thousand have lost their jobs, and our villages, which can already scarcely care for the people, are overcrowding.

“Our economy is in freefall, we have become the poorest nation in the world, our life expectancy has been cut in half during his rule, and any laws the opposition manages to pass to change things are ignored by Mugabe’s police.”

“So you started a civil war,” Superman said. His head was low and he stared at the ground, weighing the truth of what he was hearing.

“Not civil war. Our people are ashamed, hungry and angry, but we are not supporting civil war. The Global Guardians taught us that we could not act on our basest impulses, no matter how dire the circumstances may seem. Unless we had the support of another nation or the UN itself, we would be targeted as rogue metahumans by this government and others, all wary of super powered individuals deciding to rule the world. Through us, Zimbabwe itself would become a target. Ultimately, the nations of the world don’t care how you treat your own people until you become a threat to others.”

“And you instead plan on attacking government transports?” Superman asked.

“It is not our plan, Superman,” Freedom Beast said, laying a map across the table along the side of the room. “It was the plan of the Global Guardians. They supplied food and equipment to our people, and some of this must come from government convoys. This serves to both feed our people and deprive Mugabe of his ill-gotten gains. His government is too tied up at the moment to devote his whole attention to a few trucks of food - until he begins to hunger himself. Then, the playing field will at least have been somewhat balanced.

“Sadly, it’s the best we can do until our nation finally has had enough and drives him out by whatever means they can. We pray it does not come to war, and if it does we may not be able to help unless Mugabe brings in superhuman warriors of his own, and he is too cunning to do that and risk the attention of… well, of yourselves.”

“There are no easy answers, here,” Aquaman spoke solemnly. “You support your people with banditry, because it’s all you can think to do, but at the same time you’re damaging your standing with the rest of the world and risking Mugabe gaining allies against you.”

“Yes. It is all we have, until another way can be found.”

Superman was deep in thought, himself. He wasn’t blind - he was a journalist. He knew all about the Mugabe government and what they were doing to the people, but he couldn’t think of a way ‘Superman’ could help. Metallo, Parasite, even Darkseid himself - these were threats with simple solutions. This was what drove him to the computer as Clark Kent, using the power of the written word to do what all his powers couldn’t. He could feel the unspoken question hanging in the air, and knew what they wanted from him. It was what he most wanted to give, but how…

“What can we do to help?” Wonder Woman asked. None of them raised opposition, and as soon as she spoke the words, the League was firmly behind her. With those six words, she had made up their minds.

“We can’t risk your personal involvement,” Freedom Beast said. “It would cause too much trouble. However, there is a cache of medical supplies we’ve appropriated and stored inside an abandoned school house.” He pointed to a spot on the map showing a village to the south. “We can’t get to it without alerting the authorities to our presence, and hadn’t been sure how to redistribute it among the people without risking severe retribution. But I doubt he would risk losing face by attacking you while you were delivering humanitarian aide.”

“We’ll do it,” Superman said. “Just tell us where to go and where to take the supplies when we finish.”

“I’m going to stay here,” Ollie said looking around. “I’m not going to be much help as a pack mule, and I think I can do a lot to help around here with the structures of their houses.”

“I’ll stay, too,” Black Canary said, looking at Green Arrow with a curious expression and a slow smile, suspecting his motives. “We’ll let the big guns handle this one.”
________________________________________

“Thanks for meeting us out here, J’onn,” Superman said as the League landed near their destination. “I know it’s hard for you to come back to active duty, but I can’t tell you how good it is to have you back. And your help, here, will be invaluable.”

“I will endeavor to do my best,” the Martian Manhunter said, sounding slightly haunted. “My time soul searching has… eased my conscience, somewhat. Still, it is not easy. While maintaining a mental link between all of you and the others during the invasion, I was open to so much pain-- my mind was opened too wide, and I felt the suffering of the world. I needed time to just be among the people of this planet, and seeing their strength in rebuilding has renewed me, though the pain lingers still.”

”Things are changing everywhere,” Aquaman nodded. “After my negotiations with Solivar*, Gorilla City has decided to reveal itself to the world and apply for membership in the UN. It won’t be easy, but with the technology at their disposal, they have a great deal to offer the world.”

He looked at J’onn, one of his oldest friends on the surface, and smiled. “The world is changing, J’onn. Slowly, and in fits and starts, and it doesn’t always favor us, but it is change for the better.”

“And that is why I am back,” the towering martian hero nodded. “I wish to be a part of that change.”

“Hold on,” Superman said suddenly alert as his hearing picked up something at a great distance. “It sounds like Freedom Beast was wrong about the defenses in this area. I’m picking up a number of troops marching towards us some with heavy artillery.”

“I’ll go check on it,” Power Girl said and was off like a flash in the direction of the troops. She saw the contingent of troops and came down hard, slamming the ground mere feet from the convoy. She rose from the cloud of dust and put her fists on her hips.

“Can I help you?” she asked a small corporal wearing a red beret.

“We have tracked you… infringing on our border and traveling about... Now you are gathered on our border! We-- we demand to know your business!” The Corporal said, regaining his courage as he spoke.

“Humanitarian relief,” she said. “We have medical supplies to distribute. You’re blocking our way, so beat it.”

“Supplies for peasants or dissidents?” he demanded.

“Look, buddy,” she sighed. “We’re bringing medicine and food to the homeless and hungry. We aren’t starting a revolution, and we aren’t carting weapons around, so back off and get your goon-squad out of the way.”

“Many of those starving and homeless are dissidents,” the Corporal spat. “They deserve their fate, and will receive no help by order of the President.”

“How are we supposed to know who’s who?” Power Girl asked, enraged. “Ask them for I.D.? Run their names through a database before they get to eat?”

“One can never tell,” he said, the corners of his mouth hinting at a smile. “So one is justified in denying access to all of them. When they have suffered enough, they will drive the rebels out of their camps, and we will see who is who.”

“You sick, pathetic little man,” Power Girl sneered. “You’ll get out of my way now, or you’ll be moved. Nobody’s gonna go sick and hungry while I can help it.”

“If you try, we will stop you,” he said with such arrogant confidence it made her desperately want to break several of his more prominent bones. “We will follow you back to your base and confiscate the supplies you intended to deliver.” With a smirk, he finished, “Rest assured that they will find their way into more… deserving hands.”

“You take action against us, the world’s gonna take notice.”

“Nobody notices the steps taken against rebels and terrorists.”

“Which would really suck if you had any possible way to stop me,” she frowned. “Seeing as you don’t, you’ve got one last chance to stand down.”

“Oh, we have quite a few surprises up our sleeve,” The man said nodding to two covered trailers. Suddenly the covers came off revealing two hulking robots, each nearly twenty feet tall.

“Oh puh-leeze,” Powergirl said cracking her knuckles. “There isn’t a robot made that can put me down!”
________________________________________

“Power Girl’s down,” Superman said. “And those troops are coming this way.”

“Looks like the stealth option is out,” Wonder Woman said.

“At least one positive will come of this,” Aquaman said as the League prepared for what was coming. “We’ll be able to separate this goon-squad from their new toys.”

“Focus on getting the supplies,” Superman said. “We’ll deal with those things after we’ve made sure our job is done.”


*See Justice League #27!
________________________________________


The Justice League:

R Young Superman* - 100
V Icn Wonder Woman - 127
R Or Martian Manhunter - 114
E Icn Aquaman - 56
U CJ The Atom - 50
E Red Tornado - 53

* w/ Fortitude - 25

Total: 525

VS

Gorilla Grodd & Puppet Soldiers:

The Corporal (V Hydra Officer) - 24
Mercenary (R Trickster) - 31
Destroyer Bot (U 2099 Hulk) - 123
Devestator Bot (U Av Hulk) - 187
Soldier with Electro gun (V Constrictor) - 56
Soldier with Electro gun (V Constrictor) - 56
V Thug - 10
V Thug - 10
V Criminal - 14
V Criminal - 14

Total - 525

MAP: Indy A http://img480.imageshack.us/my.php?i...eevilhq3jp.gif Justice League sets up on top, villains at the bottom.

Scenario Notes:

 The boxes on the map that are blocking terrain in (J21, K22,etc.) can be destroyed by villain any attack. The troops are trying to capture the goods but may destroy them if it seems like the odds have shifted against them. This assessment is totally up to the villain player.

 The boxes may be picked up by Superman, Wonder Woman, or Martian Manhunter. If a character picks up a box this way it does not act like a normal object but instead lowers their AV -1 but can not be destroyed by attacks.

 If Superman, Manhunter or Wonder Woman have a box and moves into column A they may be removed from the field for a turn to “deliver” those supplies with their super speed. (Example, Superman picks up a box on turn 8 and is removed from play, on turn 9 he remains removed from play, and then can be put back in any square at the end of turn 9. Superman would retain the action token. (High speed deliveries are a lot of work!).

 Any supplies delivered this way gain a character 2 IXP.

 Any supplies destroyed after turn 7 will lose the JLA 1 TAP.

Init: 9 (6,3)
Obj: 6 (2,4)

I'll give this game a go.

Init: 8 (5,3)
Obj: 4 (2,2)

Thanks, Jack! Here’s my setup…

The Justice League:

R Young Superman* (7/7) B19
V Icn Wonder Woman (10/10) B20
R Or Martian Manhunter (8/8) A19
E Icn Aquaman (7/7) B17
U CJ The Atom (6/6) A18
E Red Tornado (6/6) B18

* w/ Fortitude

HO: D17, D18
LO: J17

Gorilla Grodd & Puppet Soldiers:

The Corporal (V Hydra Officer) W14
Mercenary (R Trickster) - 31 W15
Destroyer Bot (U 2099 Hulk) - W16
Devestator Bot (U Av Hulk) - W17
Soldier with Electro gun (V Constrictor) - X15
Soldier with Electro gun (V Constrictor) - X14
V Thug - W10
V Thug - W11
V Criminal - X10
V Criminal - X11

HO: D17, D18, T17
LO: J17, T7, T8

Sorry - I didn't change the team name! It's fixed.
_________________________

Turn 1 (Player 1)

Free) Atom perp’s up Manhunter’s movement.

1) Martian Manhunter flies down to I20, picking up the crate from J21, and finishes his move in G20.

2) Red Tornado TK’s Superman down to H19.

3) Superman flies to J21 to grab another crate, then finishes in A19, where he leaves the map to deliver his crate.

Recap:

The Justice League:

[8] R Young Superman* (7/7) A19 @ *Off-Board*
[] V Icn Wonder Woman (10/10) B20
[] R Or Martian Manhunter (8/8) G20 w/ Crate @
[] E Icn Aquaman (7/7) B17
[] U CJ The Atom (6/6) A18
[] E Red Tornado (6/6) B18 @

* w/ Fortitude

Vs.

The Military Super-Soldiers:

The Corporal (V Hydra Officer) (5/5) W14
Mercenary (R Trickster) (5/5) W15
Destroyer Bot (U 2099 Hulk) (10/10) W16
Devastator Bot (U Av Hulk) (10/10) W17
Soldier with Electro gun (V Constrictor) (6/6) X15
Soldier with Electro gun (V Constrictor) (6/6) X14
V Thug (4/4) W10
V Thug (4/4) W11
V Criminal (5/5) X10
V Criminal (5/5) X11

HO: D17, D18, T17
LO: J17, T7, T8

Crates: R22, S21, U21, U22, V21, V22
Saved Crates: 1

The Military Super-Soldiers turn 1

"Their stealing supplies! Stop them!"

Free) The Corperal shouts at his men. Leadership roll is a 4, so I get an extra action.

1) The Destroyer Bot moves to O-17, picking up a hunk of machinery (HO) to squash someone with on the way.

2) The Devestator Bot moves to P-18

3) The Merc fires up his jetpack and picks up his budy with the electro gun (first one). He flies to P-15, putting the soldier at Q-15

4) The other electro gun toating soldier moves to R-14

5) The first thug moves to Q-14

B]Recap: [/b]

The Justice League:

[8] R Young Superman* (7/7) A19 @ *Off-Board*
[] V Icn Wonder Woman (10/10) B20
[] R Or Martian Manhunter (8/8) G20 w/ Crate @
[] E Icn Aquaman (7/7) B17
[] U CJ The Atom (6/6) A18
[] E Red Tornado (6/6) B18 @

* w/ Fortitude

Vs.

The Military Super-Soldiers:

The Corporal (V Hydra Officer) (5/5) W14
Mercenary (R Trickster) (5/5) P15@
Destroyer Bot (U 2099 Hulk) (10/10) O17@ w/HO
Devastator Bot (U Av Hulk) (10/10) P18@
Soldier with Electro gun (V Constrictor) (6/6) Q15
Soldier with Electro gun (V Constrictor) (6/6) R14@
V Thug (4/4) Q14@
V Thug (4/4) W11
V Criminal (5/5) X10
V Criminal (5/5) X11

HO: D17, D18, Destroyerbot
LO: J17, T7, T8

Crates: R22, S21, U21, U22, V21, V22
Saved Crates: 1

“Uh, we’re going to have a lot of company real quick,” Atom said.

“I am registering several heavily armed humans approaching,” Red Tornado said flatly, his eyes blank as his android senses scanned the area ahead. “And at least two very large robotic constructs.”

“Focus on what we came for,” Aquaman called out. “Let them come to us - we aren’t here to fight them, just to retrieve those supplies.”

“Arthur and I will provide you with cover,” Wonder Woman said, hefting a large piece of industrial equipment and nodding for Aquaman to follow suit. “Let’s give Superman and J’onn room to work…”
________________________

Turn 2 (Player 1)

1) Wonder Woman picks up the HO from D18 and returns to B19.

2) Aquaman picks up the HO from D17 and ends his move in C17.

3) Superman returns to the board in A19.

Recap:

The Justice League:

[8] R Young Superman* (7/7) A19 @
[] V Icn Wonder Woman (10/10) B19 w/ HO @
[] R Or Martian Manhunter (8/8) G20 w/ Crate
[] E Icn Aquaman (7/7) C17 w/ HO @
[] U CJ The Atom (6/6) A18
[] E Red Tornado (6/6) B18

* w/ Fortitude

Vs.

The Military Super-Soldiers:

The Corporal (V Hydra Officer) (5/5) W14
Mercenary (R Trickster) (5/5) P15@
Destroyer Bot (U 2099 Hulk) (10/10) O17@ w/HO
Devastator Bot (U Av Hulk) (10/10) P18@
Soldier with Electro gun (V Constrictor) (6/6) Q15
Soldier with Electro gun (V Constrictor) (6/6) R14@
V Thug (4/4) Q14@
V Thug (4/4) W11
V Criminal (5/5) X10
V Criminal (5/5) X11

HO: Aquaman, Wonder Woman, Destroyerbot
LO: J17, T7, T8

Crates: R22, S21, U21, U22, V21, V22
Saved Crates: 1

Turn 2

"What are you doing just standing around?!? Get over there and stop them!"

"But boss. How are we supposed to takd down the Justice League?"

"You're not. You're supposed to distract them so those big freaking robots and the guys with the electro guns can take them down."

None of the soldiers looked convinced.

1) Thug 2 moves to R-16

2) Criminal 1 moves to Q-12

3) Criminal 2 moves to Q-13

4) The Corperal moves to T-15

Recap:

The Justice League:

[8] R Young Superman* (7/7) A19 @
[] V Icn Wonder Woman (10/10) B19 w/ HO @
[] R Or Martian Manhunter (8/8) G20 w/ Crate
[] E Icn Aquaman (7/7) C17 w/ HO @
[] U CJ The Atom (6/6) A18
[] E Red Tornado (6/6) B18

* w/ Fortitude

Vs.

The Military Super-Soldiers:

The Corporal (V Hydra Officer) (5/5) T15@
Mercenary (R Trickster) (5/5) P15
Destroyer Bot (U 2099 Hulk) (10/10) O17 w/HO
Devastator Bot (U Av Hulk) (10/10) P18
Soldier with Electro gun (V Constrictor) (6/6) Q15
Soldier with Electro gun (V Constrictor) (6/6) R14
V Thug (4/4) Q14
V Thug (4/4) R16@
V Criminal (5/5) Q12@
V Criminal (5/5) Q13@

HO: Aquaman, Wonder Woman, Destroyerbot
LO: J17, T7, T8

Crates: R22, S21, U21, U22, V21, V22
Saved Crates: 1

Turn 3 (Player 1)

1) Manhunter returns to the A-row and leaves the board to deliver his crate.

Clear the rest. Can’t afford to push yet-- too many danged Hulkbots on the board waiting to smash!

Recap:

The Justice League:

[8] R Young Superman* (7/7) A19
[] V Icn Wonder Woman (10/10) B19 w/ HO
[8] R Or Martian Manhunter (8/8) *Off the Board* @
[] E Icn Aquaman (7/7) C17 w/ HO
[] U CJ The Atom (6/6) A18
[] E Red Tornado (6/6) B18

* w/ Fortitude

Vs.

The Military Super-Soldiers:

The Corporal (V Hydra Officer) (5/5) T15@
Mercenary (R Trickster) (5/5) P15
Destroyer Bot (U 2099 Hulk) (10/10) O17 w/HO
Devastator Bot (U Av Hulk) (10/10) P18
Soldier with Electro gun (V Constrictor) (6/6) Q15
Soldier with Electro gun (V Constrictor) (6/6) R14
V Thug (4/4) Q14
V Thug (4/4) R16@
V Criminal (5/5) Q12@
V Criminal (5/5) Q13@

HO: Aquaman, Wonder Woman, Destroyerbot
LO: J17, T7, T8

Crates: R22, S21, U21, U22, V21, V22
Saved Crates: 2

Sorry I took so long.

Military Turn 3

1) The Mercenary moves to I-16, placing his buddy with the electro gun(1) in I-15

2) Thug 1 cautiously moves to K-18 and winces, waiting to get clobbered.

3) The second guy with an electro gun moves to L-16

4) The Destroyer Bot stomps its way to G-16

5) The Devistator Bot leaps to J-15 and lands with a huge "THUD."

Recap:

The Justice League:

[8] R Young Superman* (7/7) A19
[] V Icn Wonder Woman (10/10) B19 w/ HO
[8] R Or Martian Manhunter (8/8) *Off the Board* @
[] E Icn Aquaman (7/7) C17 w/ HO
[] U CJ The Atom (6/6) A18
[] E Red Tornado (6/6) B18

* w/ Fortitude

Vs.

The Military Super-Soldiers:

The Corporal (V Hydra Officer) (5/5) T15
Mercenary (R Trickster) (5/5) I16@
Destroyer Bot (U 2099 Hulk) (10/10) G16 w/HO@
Devastator Bot (U Av Hulk) (10/10) J15@
Soldier with Electro gun (V Constrictor) (6/6) I15
Soldier with Electro gun (V Constrictor) (6/6) L16@
V Thug (4/4) K18@
V Thug (4/4) R16
V Criminal (5/5) Q12
V Criminal (5/5) Q13

HO: Aquaman, Wonder Woman, Destroyerbot
LO: J17, T7, T8

Crates: R22, S21, U21, U22, V21, V22
Saved Crates: 2

“They’re here,” Wonder Woman said, the sounds of heavy metal feet stomping ever closer to the League.

“Then we move,” Aquaman said. “Give me cover, Tornado.”

Rather than respond, Red Tornado simply raised his arms, pointed them forward, and spun them in tight circles. They sped so fast that they became twin cones of crimson wind, and from all around the air was filled with russet gusts. Aquaman leapt through the door, landing just ahead of one heavy destroyer droid. It was as wide as two large men, and easily over eight feet tall.

It swiveled and tried to target Aquaman, but couldn’t track him through the debris raised by Red Tornado’s windstorm. Aquaman took just a second to gauge the interference of the winds and hurl a spear of metal torn from a support beam straight into the robot’s chest. It hit with a mighty and resounding clang, and buried itself halfway through. The Destroyer took a step back to steady itself, but didn’t have time to counterattack.

Wonder Woman and Superman flew through the door on the other side of the war machine. The Amazon swung high with a discarded metal container that was nearly as the robot itself. It hardly had time to register that its primary sensory unit was destroyed before a sweep of heat-vision separated its torso from its legs.

When they were sure that it was destroyed, they turned to face the rest of the soldiers and the remaining large, lumbering robot still marching ahead.

“This won’t be easy,” Wonder Woman said. “If they decide its better to destroy the medical supplies than to let us have them…”

“Then we’ll just have to make sure they aren’t in a position to make that decision,” Superman said. “We play this hard if we have to, but we are not letting those people suffer a moment longer than we have to.”
_________________________________

Turn 4 (Player 2)

1) Red Tornado TK’s Aquaman to G12.

2) Aquaman throws his HO at the Destroyer Bot; rolls a 9 (6&3, thank heavens) for a 19/hit and 1 click after Invulnerability.

3) Wonder Woman charges to G17 and attacks the Destroyer Bot; rolls a 9 (4,5) for a 19/hit and 5 clicks after Invulnerability.

Free) Atom perps Superman’s movement +1.

4) Superman charges to H16 and attacks the Destroyer Bot; rolls a 12 (6,6) for an astounding crit, 4 clicks after toughness and the KO. Ka-boom. He’ll go ahead and give 2 of those IAP to Atom for the assist.

Free) Martian Manhunter returns to the board in A19, still exerted from his efforts.

Recap:

The Justice League:

[12] R Young Superman* (7/7) H17 @
[5] V Icn Wonder Woman (10/10) G17@
[8] R Or Martian Manhunter (8/8) A19 @
[1] E Icn Aquaman (7/7) G12 @
[2] U CJ The Atom (6/6) A18
[] E Red Tornado (6/6) B18 @

* w/ Fortitude

Vs.

The Military Super-Soldiers:

The Corporal (V Hydra Officer) (5/5) T15
Mercenary (R Trickster) (5/5) I16@
Destroyer Bot (U 2099 Hulk) (0/10) *KO’ed!*
Devastator Bot (U Av Hulk) (10/10) J15@
Soldier with Electro gun (V Constrictor) (6/6) I15
Soldier with Electro gun (V Constrictor) (6/6) L16@
V Thug (4/4) K18@
V Thug (4/4) R16
V Criminal (5/5) Q12
V Criminal (5/5) Q13

HO: G16
LO: J17, T7, T8

Crates: R22, S21, U21, U22, V21, V22
Saved Crates: 2

"The troops are trying to capture the goods but may destroy them if it seems like the odds have shifted against them. This assessment is totally up to the villain player."

That's probably about now.

Soldiers Turn 4

"Holy ####!"

Free) Dumbfounded, the Corporal fails to inspire his squad. Looks like I'll have to make do with only 6 actions.

1) The first electro gun trooper fires on Wonder Woman. 10 vs 17, needs a 7, gets an 11. Wonder Woman takes 1 for the push.

2) The Devestator Bot operator, feeling pretty vulnerable, tries to punch Superman. 10 vs 18, needs an 8, gets a 9. Superman takes 2 and the Bot takes 1 for the push

"I don't think we're gonna win this one. You saw how easily those metas took down the Destroyer Bot. They'll trash us all in no time. We better get rid of these supplies while we have the chance. At least that way, the rebels won't get any."

3) Criminal 1 runs to P-19

"Good point."

4) Criminal 2 follows suit and runs to O-20

5) The mercenary, seeing Superman stagger, lets loose with his railgun. 8 vs 17. Needs a 9, gets a 6. The bullets easily bounce off Superman and the Merc takes 1 for the push as his gun overheats.

6) Thug 2 runs to V-20

Recap:

The Justice League:

[12] R Young Superman* (5/7) H17 @
[5] V Icn Wonder Woman (9/10) G17@@
[8] R Or Martian Manhunter (8/8) A19 @
[1] E Icn Aquaman (7/7) G12 @
[2] U CJ The Atom (6/6) A18
[] E Red Tornado (6/6) B18 @

* w/ Fortitude

Vs.

The Military Super-Soldiers:

The Corporal (V Hydra Officer) (5/5) T15
Mercenary (R Trickster) (4/5) I16@@
Destroyer Bot (U 2099 Hulk) (0/10) *KO’ed!*
Devastator Bot (U Av Hulk) (9/10) J15@@
Soldier with Electro gun (V Constrictor) (6/6) I15@
Soldier with Electro gun (V Constrictor) (6/6) L16
V Thug (4/4) K18
V Thug (4/4) V20@
V Criminal (5/5) P19@
V Criminal (5/5) O20@

HO: G16
LO: J17, T7, T8

Crates: R22, S21, U21, U22, V21, V22
Saved Crates: 2

Alright, I must be confused, but can a giant make a close combat attack through adjacent characters? I know they count as adjacent at 2 squares, and can make ranged attacks that ignore figures and terrain, but a close combat attack?