She arrived on Earth in a mysterious Symbio-Ship with false
memories and awesome powers and abilities beyond that of mortal men and women....

Issue #21

The Battle for Bialya Part 3: Where Are We Going? And Why Are We In This Handbasket?

Written By Paul Daimler

“Fancy meeting you here.” Power Girl said, keeping her tone far lighter than the situation warranted.

Anath—who was an escaped fugitive in the United States after assassinating Ambassador Kirkarius of Bialya – was sitting rather relaxed and demurely on Power Girl’s bed. The last time they’d seen one another Power Girl had been preventing the Jade Tiger from murdering her during a prison transfer—which was how she’d managed to escape prison.

Anath was not wearing her trademark black cat-suit, but instead a simple white blouse and red linen skirt. She looked every bit the Bialyan peasant girl, even with her glossy black hair falling loosely around her face and shoulders.

“It’s a small world.” Anath said quietly. If she were feeling any fear at being uninvited to Power Girl’s room, she wasn’t betraying this. “And, I thought that perhaps we could have a talk—since at the end of the day we have the same goals here—the best interests of the Bialyan people.”

Power Girl crossed her arms tightly across her chest, “I should arrest you right now. Then have you extradited to the U.S. so you can go to prison where you belong.”

“Power Girl… you must realize that things are just not that black and white … Here in Bialya the people consider me a hero.”

“I don’t think President Hashim thinks you’re particularly heroic.” Power Girl replied.

“Hashim thinks I am too old to be a member of his harem.” Anath said, her tone taking on a cold edge. “Upon my sixteenth birthday when I finally looked like a young woman rather than a prepubescent girl he had me sent away. He said it was because of his overwhelming love for me, but really it was only because I was pregnant with his child and he hoped to have a male heir.”

Power Girl tried to keep her disgust from her face. “Those are some serious allegations. Not to be made lightly.”

Anath scoffed, “The President is a pervert. It shouldn’t take you that much research to discover that.”

“I’ll certainly look into what you’re saying when these peace talks are complete.” Power Girl said. “Him being a pervert doesn’t give you permission to execute members of his cabinet or his ambassadors or him for that matter.”

“But, if an American court finds him guilty it is acceptable to execute him for war crimes?”

Power Girl felt her temper slipping, “Our justice system may be flawed… the death penalty is one of those flaws, in my opinion. But, no one is executed unless a jury finds them guilty beyond a reasonable doubt and only after they have exhausted their appeals. You played judge, jury, and executioner for Ambassador Kirkarius.”

“The people of Bialya demanded justice.” Anath said clenching her fists. “Capital punishment is far more acceptable among my people. We do not have silly moral guidelines that dictate we coddle cold-blooded killers and those who are no better than wild animals.”

Power Girl paused and took a deep breath. Losing her temper was not going to be beneficial.

“Look, let’s discuss why you’re in my room.” Power Girl said, “I doubt you came here to debate capital punishment.”

“Exactly.” Anath snapped. “What did you discover about my imposter?”

“Not much.” Power Girl said, “She had a really bad dye job. Oh, and also a poison pill secreted in a tooth that she bit into and killed herself to avoid being questioned.”

“I assure you that the rebellion had nothing to do with that woman. We agreed to these peace talks in legitimate hopes of saving lives.” Anath shook her head, “We had little hope that President Hashim would actually agree to them… we were surprised that he did.”

“I was a little surprised myself. I’ve stayed as current as I can with Bialyan politics… as I’ve found myself enmeshed in them far too frequently for my tastes over the years. Hashim has never struck me as a particularly reasonable individual, or even all that sane. He’s lucky that no one has uncovered his corruption and madness.”

“He has some ulterior motive I am sure. I have never known him to act in any honorable fashion. From time to time his actions appear honorable, but it’s mostly for show—and he always benefits in some way, even if not readily apparent to the rest of us.” Anath sighed.

“So the woman who was pretending to be you…?” Power Girl asked.

“She was no assassin. She was barely even trained in the weapons she was using. Her attempts at fighting and escape were laughable. I would suspect that she is one of the older girls from Hashim’s harems. But, good luck tracking her down. The harem girls are often believed to be dead—having been stolen from plundered and razed villages. And it’s rare that any of them have been fingerprinted, seen dentists, or have any DNA samples on records. Women are second-class citizens under Hashim’s tyranny, denied even the most basic health care.”

Power Girl felt her blood boil. Anath’s tone was that of honesty. While Power Girl could never bring herself to approve of Anath’s tactics, she certainly understood why the girl found herself in a place where murder seemed the only option. Power Girl couldn’t believe that there were countries and civilizations like this still in existence.

“You suspect Hashim of planning the assassination attempt on himself?”

“You saw yourself—that was no real assassination attempt.”

“I’m with you on that. It was very poorly orchestrated. If it was you out there, I think the outcome would’ve been far more deadly.”

“I will take that as a compliment to my skills and determination.” Anath said, “Now, let us discuss the real threat to these peace talks and to the people of Bialya.”

“You mean beside Hashim?”

Anath scoffed, “Hashim is a bumbling idiot, who has grown more and more reckless as his reign continues. These peace talks show that. He believes he is so in control of Bialya’s international image that he will come out of these talks with the United Nations applauding him and declaring him a worthy and benevolent leader.”

“Even he can’t be that deluded. I mean, there’s hard evidence of some village raids that he’ll never be able to justify.”

“I have super-hearing, just as you do. I heard him say this to his entourage before you arrived.”

“So, if not Hashim, who’s the real threat?”

Anath took a deep breath, swallowing the lump that had suddenly formed in her throat. “Lady Star-Fyre.”

Power Girl could not suppress her laughter. “The cosmetics tycoon?”

“Do not laugh. Lady Star-Fyre Cosmetics and its parent company are just the visible arms of her empire—many of which stretch deep down into the dark underbelly of this world. She uses the Hate League as her enforcers. I do not know why, even as they have taken over the streets, they claim to be Hashim’s force. As though Hashim would ever consider women worthy of enforcing his rule.”

“So, you’re saying the Avon lady wants to take over the world?”

“Precisely.”

“And why would she want to do that?” Power Girl asked.

“Of that I am not entirely sure,” Anath said. “She has billions at her disposal, as well as a brilliant mad scientist, the Hate League, and tentacles that reach into nearly every aspect of the underworld in Bialya and throughout the world. She is far more dangerous than Hashim, and she is behind all of this. Don’t you find it interesting that we are on her floating arena?”

Power Girl thought this over. It had seemed suspicious to her at first, but she had accepted the information that had been relayed—as a former Bialyan national Lady Star-Fyre desired peace for her homeland. But, as Anath spoke, Power Girl suspected that the assassin was telling the truth.

“I do.” Power Girl said finally. “I need to think about this. I am going to let you return to your quarters without revealing your identity or presence to the U.N. or Hashim. But, you keep your nose clean and keep up the illusion of a well-behaved rebel woman, or I’ll drag you straight back to the U.S. and prison. I’ll decide later what I’m going to do about you…. after I investigate this Lady Star-Fyre angle.”

Anath nodded, “I find that amiable.”

In a blur of super-speed Anath was gone, leaving Power Girl standing alone in her room with more questions than answers.

The raven-haired beauty paced back and forth with grace and precision before the holographic image of the floating arena glowing in pale gossamer light.

“So far everything is progressing as planned.” Lady Star-Fyre purred, her supple lips parting in a luscious smile. Her combination of Bialyan and Bolivian ancestry gave her an exotic allure that no man had ever been able to resist. The same could be said for both her sisters—Bianca and Beatriz—the deceased Queen Bees of Bialya. However, she was known only as Lady Star-Fyre to her employees, minions, and loyal devotees

“The Crisis Bureau Field Team members are secured on level five.” Serpentina smiled. While hers was an exquisite beauty, it was also cruel and hard. She was second only to Poison Ivy in her mastery of poisons and toxins. As leader of the Hate League, Serpentina had been one of Lady Star-Fyre’s most trusted employees for nearly five years—and could almost pass for a friend, if people like Lady Star-Fyre and Serpentina had friends.

“Very good.” Lady Star-Fyre clasped her hands behind her back, the thin silk of her dress shimmered. The lights of the meeting room caught the specks and fragments of rubies and sapphires embedded in the fabric, and her dress appeared to be made of supernovas. “I assume that the electronic scrubbing and retrofitting is underway?”

“Completed.” Serpentina said, “Shock Dragon finished wiping all the computer banks on the lower levels and reprogramming them with the stamp of the Bialyan government. She only has to push a button to connect to the President Palace’s mainframe and databanks… including a private link to Hashim’s laptop. Investigating computer forensics teams will find beyond a shadow of a doubt that this facility was one of Hashim’s many private bunkers.”

“Excellent work, Shock Dragon.” Lady Star-Fyre said.

“Thank you, Lady Star-Fyre.” Shock Dragon nodded. The full-faced Asian girl’s almond colored skin was striking against the dark mascara and pale blue eye-shadow framing her white-contact lenses. The lenses matched her white hair, cut in a simple bob with a pale blue streak down the front. She was the newest member of the Hate League, and also one of Lady Star-Fyre’s newest operatives. Normally it could take years for an agent to be promoted to the Hate League, but after seven successful assignments, Lady Star-Fyre had promoted Shock Dragon over more seasoned operatives who lacked her flair.

“What is the status of the U.N. team?” Lady Star-Fyre asked Jade Tiger, who had been put in charge of the prisoners’ well-being.

“They are well.” Jade Tiger said, her eyes flashing behind her pale green cat-mask. “The next stage in our plan should begin shortly.”

“Have the necessary arrangements been made for their escape?” Lady Star-Fyre asked. “This subterfuge is worthless if they don’t make it out of here alive.”

“Yes.” Jade Tiger replied. “They are in no danger.”

“Excellent.” Lady Star-Fyre grinned, “I should hate for the very debonair Morgan Tracy to come to any permanent harm. Especially since I will be appealing to him in the coming months to support my bid for presidency of Bialya. And the attack plans?” Lady Star-Fyre’s eyes went to the holographic image of the floating arena hovering above the conference desk. She hated to lose it, but it would look better in the long run. Besides, it was heavily insured and one of her many sub-companies owned the patent to the floating arena and manufactured them. Replacing it would be a trifling matter.

“I’ve finished my initial battle plan.” Serpentina said. “After studying the materials on the JLE, I feel confident that I can accurately predict their reactions. The only question mark is the Silver Sorceress. Information on her is scarce and with her apparently resurrected… it’s uncertain if the pre-death material on her is still accurate. Resurrection may have greatly altered how she reacts and her power-levels. We are devising a way to get her off the arena and use magical dampeners to keep her from returning.”

Lady Star-Fyre nodded, “Very well-thought out. I will review these battle plans and scenarios and get back to you if I have any questions or concerns. I think we are done for now. Return to your quarters and prepare for the battle.”

Lady Star-Fyre watched them file out, her smile tight and deadly. It looked as though all of her years of plotting vengeance would soon come to a delightful climax—with her on top.

Her smile faltered as her thoughts turned to Anath. She knew too much and was far too dangerous, a loose-end that could ruin everything Lady Star-Fyre had been working toward. But, she had someone on that situation. Hopefully there would be results soon.

The Justice League Europe had been given a conference room close to the main courtyard, furnished with a couple of couches, a large HD viewing screen on the wall, a round meeting table, and a mini-bar stocked with airplane bottles of hard liquor and ten ounce mini-bottles of Soder cola and Diet Soder.

“I am quite suspicious of this information, Karen.” Dr. Light said, her voice remaining neutral. “Anath is a known killer, and she hates the current regime of Bialya and will do anything to undermine them.”

“I agree. I’ve seen her kill firsthand.” Power Girl replied, “Two members of the Hate League during an attack in Century City, plus Ambassador Kirkarius. But, she insists that the real threat here is not President Hashim but Lady Star-Fyre.”

“Why would a cosmetics tycoon want to undermine the President? I mean, the U.N. did a full security clearance on her before accepting her floating arena as the location of these peace talks.” Dr. Light pointed out.

“Anath said she’s a madwoman with plans for world conquest.” Power Girl replied.

“Then why would she even be remotely interested in Bialya?” Dr. Light scoffed, “This country has never been a major power player. If not for constantly attracting Justice League attention, Bialya would have probably wiped its self off the map long ago.”

“I’m not disagreeing with any of your points, Kimyo. But, you and I have both faced enough power-hungry wannabe despots to know that they rarely think logically. There must be some key piece of information that Anath doesn’t know or held back about Lady Star-Fyre to explain why she’d begin her quest for domination in Bialya.” Power Girl replied.

“I would feel much better about considering her a suspect if we had motive or some evidence directly tying Lady Star-Fyre to this mess.” Dr. Light replied.

“Well, I put in a call to the Crimson Foxes to see what information Revson has on Lady Star-Fyre, since their perfumes and cosmetics division are one of Lady Star-Fyre Cosmetics’ chief rivals in the industry.” Power Girl said.

“What did they say?”

“Constance and Vivian both said that they had to get back to me, there was some pressing Revson business that required their immediate attention*, but they’d have something for me in twenty-four hours.”

*see Justice League Europe 82 for more information.

“We both know that could be too long.” Dr. Light replied.

“You’re right. That’s why I called Oracle and got her tracking down info. If it’s stored electronically, Oracle will find it. I just thought the Foxes might have observations not stored in any database.” Power Girl said.

The Silver Sorceress entered the room, her brown headdress removed, revealing her long silver hair pulled into a knot at the base of her skull.

“I’ve cast several tracking spells to figure out how the fake Anath teleported aboard. The energy signature traces back to the President’s Southern Palace.” The Silver Sorceress folded her arms across her chest.

“Which is where good old Hashim teleported in from.” Power Girl said.

“Perhaps the black market tech she used somehow zeroed in on his path from the palace. Or stole his code.” Dr. Light said.

“That is possible…” The Silver Sorceress began hesitantly, “But, if she had piggybacked on his, then there would be a fork in the energy signature leading back to where she started. In this case, there is no fork. If she had started somewhere else and just used his teleporter code, then it would still fork off. It’s next to impossible to fake or alter an energy trail.”

“So, she teleported in from the same origin point as the president.” Dr. Light shook her head.

“Exactly. Hashim was behind his own assassination attempt.” Power Girl said, “Which would explain why the fake-Anath’s attack was so terrible. She never planned on actually killing the president. Just making the rebels look bad.”

“We’re going to need air-tight proof before we can make any accusations.” Dr. Light sighed.

“I contacted Ice and she is feeding the information my spell came across so that she can start getting hard evidence that we can submit to the United Nations. We both know how well information gleaned through untraceable magic holds up in courts.” The Silver Sorceress said.

“This is getting more complicated by the moment.” Power Girl shook her head. “I’ve got a bad feeling about this.”

“Good job getting Ice on top of that, Laura.” Dr. Light said, “You definitely haven’t lost your touch. You sure you don’t want to come back?”

The Silver Sorceress smiled lightly, “Thank you for the offer, but I am content with how things are.”

She turned and left the room.

“She hasn’t lost her touch, but her emotions seem to be distinctly lacking.” Dr. Light said, “And people accuse me of being an ice-queen bitch.”

“She’s been keeping everyone at arm’s length since her resurrection.” Power Girl sighed, “I asked her along because she’s powerful and can handle these situations like a pro. But, I also hoped being around her former teammates would help her open up a bit more.”

“She did seem to open up to Blue Jay for a bit.”

“And then she closed right back up.” Power Girl shook her head.

Morgan Tracy sat in the cell quietly picking at his lunch. The food had not been the wretched swill he’d been expecting—in fact he was surprised that they were feeding him and his team at all. The first few days he had suspected that the food was drugged, but it did not appear to be the case.

“Is the door to our cell still unlocked?” Morgan asked quietly.

“Yep. Since right after they brought lunch an hour ago.” Stacey said, sipping her lemonade. “And these lunches are definitely not normal prison food. We’re not talking Spago level, but it’s several steps above that gruel they served me when I was arrested in Tropidor with Lauren last year. They’ve done nothing but make our stays comfortable. Something’s not adding up.”

“They put my blindfold on incorrectly when they brought me back from my last ‘torture’ session.” Morgan said. The session had been little more than a badly staged good cop/bad cop scenario from a mediocre cable crime drama. They had roughed him up enough to leave some bruises, but nothing that would suggest they were in real danger. Only Jean-Claude’s death had done that. “And they led me through what looked like a communications room.”

“And now the cell door is unlocked. The light sequence showing it was unlocking flashed by without anyone there…” Tod said, shaking his head.

“Was it a computer malfunction? Or remote unlocking?” Stacey asked thoughtfully.

“It’s like they want us to escape and implicate Hashim.” Morgan Tracy said, “Every shred of evidence we would give points straight toward the President.”

“Do you truly think he’s behind this?” Stacey asked, “I mean, this has all the hallmarks of a set-up.”

“They have definitely gone to great lengths to make it look like Hashim is behind this.” Tod sighed, “You both know as well as I do that he’s a murderous madman. But he has covered his tracks very well. The U.N. has been trying to find actual evidence to use against him since he assumed the presidency.”

“Wouldn’t it be ironic that what brings him down is a frame-up for our kidnapping and Jean-Claude’s death.” It was less of a question and more of a statement that Morgan posed.

It left the other two members of the United Nations Crisis Bureau Field Team silent as they contemplated, all eyes resting on the cell door’s control panel, its green lights denoting it was open.

“Either way, set-up for Hashim or not, we need to get out of here,” Morgan said. “Then we can report our findings to our bosses at the United Nations and let them sort through it all and determine what the real situation is. We were sent to find information and do research, not draw conclusions.”

“Then I say we escape.” Stacey said, “Tod’s a communications expert. He can figure out how to get a message out of the communications room you were taken through.”

“My thoughts exactly.” Morgan said, “But, first let’s finish our lunches. No telling how long it will be after this before we get a chance to eat again, with hours of debriefing once we’re back at the U.N.”

The Silver Sorceress had decided not to join the JLE for this evening’s banquet. In the time she’d been among them she found herself remembering the moments of her death—stuck in the netherworld of her own mind, with a captive Dream Slayer as she slipped away into a bright light that had been the most warm and gentle place she’d ever been.

She did not have much memory after that moment. Only sensations. She remembered feeling at peace and in harmony. She remembered fondness for friends not with her—but who would soon be beside her. She remembered sensing friends long gone. She had felt Wanjdina’ essence at one point. And, then all of that had been snatched away by Ghost Girl.

Those moments of being trapped in Ghost Girl’s body, being forced to fight Supergirl had been hellish. The Silver Sorceress had known physical pain in a way that had been forgotten in the warm light of the hereafter. Then when Ghost Girl had cast her aside to call upon another dead spirit, Laura Cynthia Nielsen—the Silver Sorceress had found her spirit and soul drawn to the empty shell of Christine Nielsen, the super-villain Silver Raven who was her younger sister.

Once her spirit and soul had merged into Christine’s body a physical transformation had morphed the body into one that perfectly resembled Laura’s original form. After helping Supergirl defeat the Coven, she had taken the damaged and manipulated Ghost Girl with her and set up shop in a gloomy castle in upstate New York where she had decided to consider what path her life was going to take.* She was still trying to figure that out.

*a recap of Supergirl: The Maid of Steel Halloween Special #1.

The viewing screen in the lounge blinked to life, the image of Ice filling it.

“Silver Sorceress! Thank goodness you’re there! I was hoping someone stayed behind. I tried to get through to the others using their communicators, but something appears to be blocking the signal!”

The Silver Sorceress frowned, no one had informed her that there was a signal block in the banquet room. In fact, Power Girl had told her to stay in touch via communicator in case any situations arose. “What’s going on?” The Silver Sorceress asked.

“We just received a call from the missing U.N. workers.” Ice said, “They have managed to escape from their holding cells and get a signal out.”

“Do you have the coordinates?”

“Yes.” Ice said, “I’m sending them now.”

A series of longitude and latitude coordinates popped up on the left-hand of the screen.

The Silver Sorceress’s frown deepened.

“Those are the coordinates of this floating arena.” She said.

“Exactly.” Ice said, “Apparently the President has a secret bunker directly under your current location.”

“Curious.” The Silver Sorceress said. “We have to get them out of there.”

“I don’t have a way to teleport them out, or I would have already done it.” Ice said.

“I can use my magic to open a portal, and get them out quickly enough.” The Silver Sorceress said, “I don’t think I should bring them back onto this arena though…”

“Can you open a portal here?” Ice asked.

“Yes. That’s probably the best idea.” The Silver Sorceress nodded. “I will see you shortly Tora.”

Making her way out of the JLE’s suites, she moved with purpose and determination through the corridors of the floating arena, passing United Nations peace-keepers, rebel soldiers, Bialyan soldiers, and Lady Star-Fyre’s female army.

The Silver Sorceress found it odd that all of Lady Star-Fyre’s agents were women. Not a male among them. She knew that the assassin Anath had made accusations against Lady Star-Fyre, but could they be trusted? The Silver Sorceress was more willing to believe when she took in the oddness of an all female staff. Especially considering they all appeared to be armed with high caliber guns and energy batons.

Reaching the door of the banquet hall, two of Lady Star-Fyre’s army stepped in front of it.

“The banquet has begun.” One of them said gruffly, her dark hazel eyes piercing into the Silver Sorceress’s cool silvery blue ones. “No one is allowed in or out. For security.”

“I’m not no one.” The Silver Sorceress said coolly, giving a wave of her hand. The space between the guards and Laura rippled and she stepped into it, coming out on the other side in the banquet room. The guards wearing Lady Star-Fyre uniforms on the other side of the door were openly surprised when she appeared inches away from them.

Laura took note of this. Power Girl and Dr. Light had mentioned nothing about a lockdown of the banquet hall. Between that and communications not going in or out of the hall, something was not right. She would have to let the JLE handle the weirdness in the floating arena, as her primary concern was rescuing the U.N. workers.

“Laura!” Blue Jay said in surprise as she reached the JLE’s table. “You decided to join us after all.”

“Not quite.” She replied, then turned her attention to Power Girl and Dr. Light, “Ice just sent a message that the UN workers have made contact, and she has traced their coordinates. I’m going to teleport in and get them, and teleport them back to JLE headquarters at Revson.”

“I didn’t get any message.” Dr. Light said, looking at her communicator in confusion. “Ice should have contacted me first… I’m in charge of this mission.”

“There appears to be some sort of communications block in this room.” The Silver Sorceress said. “Also, Lady Star-Fyre’s guards tried to prevent me from entering. I just used a portal to gain entry.”

Power Girl and Dr. Light exchanged a look, before Power Girl looked over at the rebels’ table where Anath sat at the leader’s left hand. She was looking over at them, apparently having used her super-hearing to eavesdrop. Her expression said to Power Girl: “I told you.”

“Get those UN workers to safety.” Dr. Light said to the Silver Sorceress, “Then get back here as soon as possible. I have a feeling we are going to need you.”

“Very well.” The Silver Sorceress disappeared through another portal.

Lady Star-Fyre gave herself one last look, smiling at the mirror’s reflection and finding that she looked smashing. The black suit made her look the powerful business woman and leader of industry that she was. The star-symbol that was her insignia both in business and private—the same one that was located over the heart of every uniform her employees wore, was detailed in crystal slivers with a flawless diamond in the center on a silver chain around her neck. The diamond was purported to have come from the Gemworld, and based on it coming through Barter* Lady Star-Fyre had no doubt that this was true.

*Barter is a trader of curious goods and other-worldly items who has given Hawk and Dove a headache on more than one occasion.

A small beep came from her communicator. “Yes?” Lady Star-Fyre asked, adjusting the diamond and crystal pendant.

Serpentina answered: “The Silver Sorceress has left the floating arena. As projected, she is going to rescue the U.N. workers.”

“Excellent.” Lady Star-Fyre grinned, “Our unexpected wrinkle has been smoothed over. Are the magic blocks and dampeners up?”

“Yes my lady.” Serpentina replied, “She won’t be able to use her magic to get back on the arena. And, we have blocked the JLE teleporter as well. All is on schedule. We await your command.”

“Thank you Serpentina.” Lady Star-Fyre ended the conversation.

With a deep breath, she turned and left the small suite on the upmost level of the floating arena and headed down to the banquet hall. All of the attendees were already in their seats, and no one would be allowed in or out. All electronic communications had been blocked, except for her private wavelength.

“This is going to be great.” Lady Star-Fyre chuckled to herself.

As she made her way through the halls flanked by her two bodyguards—lovely girls whom no one would suspect of being as lethal as they were, she passed members of her private army. She smiled at them, giving them waves, greeting them by name. She did not have a photographic memory, so the task of memorizing the names and backgrounds of her myriad employees was no easy task. But, nothing inspired more confidence among the lower levels than knowing their leader knew who they were and could stop and chat with them—asking about their family members by name, or referencing some hobby or passion of theirs. It was part of what inspired their devotion and loyalty. They thought that she cared about them as though they were members of her own family.

Those who survived today’s attack would be given bonuses and raises and paid vacations, and when she assumed the mantle of President of Bialya, they would all be given cushy jobs within the government’s infrastructure.

When Lady Star-Fyre entered the banquet hall she was not surprised to find that all eyes turned to her. She allowed herself to bask for a few moments in the warmth of their attention—their desire, their need, their jealousy, and their curiosity. She was one of the most powerful women in the world and she was going to enjoy their adulation. She had earned it. And, when she was President of Bialya it would only multiply.

Scanning the room, she found nothing but expectant faces and hungry eyes until she reached President Hashim’s table. Hashim was the only person at his table who did not look pleased. But, then again President Hashim knew that she was more than a mere CEO. He knew that she was the sister of the two former Queen Bees, although he had no knowledge that her cosmetics company and other industries were mostly a front for conquest. Those within his cabinet and inner circles who had known—such as Ambassador Kirkarius, had all met sad and sorry ends.

She knew that Hashim had engineered the fake Anath to attack him, making the rebellion look guilty. He thought he had covered his tracks, but never realized that the girl he had hired was on Lady Star-Fyre’s payroll as well. A call to the ersatz assassin had been all it took. Hashim had wanted the girl to use the rebellion’s teleporter access codes for her black-market device. But, Lady Star-Fyre had paid the girl a generous sum to use the code given to the President. Eventually when the investigation to this entire mess was completed, that staged attack would trace right back to Hashim.

Lady Star-Fyre did not waste another moment looking at Hashim’s sour face, as her eyes swept to the table where the JLE sat. For one moment her smile faltered, but she caught it so quickly that she doubted anyone in the room noticed. The entire JLE, but most intensely Power Girl, were staring at her and did not appear to be reveling in the glory that was Lady Star-Fyre. Power Girl’s expression was unmasked suspicion. Lady Star-Fyre had not become a billionaire business woman and leader of a massive underworld organization without learning to read body language and expressions.

But, how could this be? She had covered her tracks so well. Not even the Hate League could be traced back to her on paper or through computer networks. All of that—along with the portion of her business that handled her plans for global conquest were hidden under the unassuming title of “Atlas Acquisitions Unlimited”. How could anyone even suspect?

Her eyes continued to roam the room and came to rest on the small cluster of rebels seated on the other side of the JLE. How smart of the UN to put the JLE between Hashim’s entourage and the rebellion.

Her eyes flickered over the rebellion’s delegation, verifying who each of them were—even though they had been included on the official guest list, Lady Star-Fyre had extensive dossiers on all of them. She knew everything about the rebellion, except for one woman that had drawn a blank: Dominque Dublachek. Her background check included a small mansion in the south of France and some real estate in Quebec and upstate New York, but not much else. The woman appeared to have married rich and inherited well—making her association with the rebellion curious to Lady Star-Fyre. Oddly there had been no clear picture of the woman in the materials the rebellion had provided, and the woman’s occupation was listed as Legal Advisor. Yet, her history showed nothing to indicate any real legal education.

When Lady Star-Fyre’s gaze finally fell upon the woman a chill went through her and her smile froze as icy hate filled her eyes. Anath!

All became crystal clear to Lady Star-Fyre in that moment. Dominique Dublachek was a false identity, obviously crafted by Anath in case she needed to go underground – such as after being sentenced in the United States for the murder of Ambassador Kirkarius. The fool had not even bothered changing her appearance! Lady Star-Fyre would alert the Hate League as soon as possible about this complication to the plan.

Making her way to the podium, Lady Star-Fyre went over the speech she’d memorized in her head. She knew that the words soon to pass from her lips were complete and utter crap, but it would help cement her public persona of concerned mogul wanting to help her country weather the storms of brewing civil war—and to bring peace to Bialya after generations of war and strife.

“Good evening distinguished guests.” She beamed as she reached the podium. She thought inwardly that this must be much like attending the Oscars, of course the fireworks tonight would surpass any over the top Oscar extravaganza. “I would like to welcome you all on behalf of Lady Star-Fyre cosmetics and Star-Fyre Industries International to my floating arena, christened Padima Orstat. Which in Bialyan means Heaven’s City.”

There was a round of applause. Lady Star-Fyre noted that President Hashim and Anath did not clap, and the clapping from the rebellion and the JLE was merely polite. Lady Star-Fyre continued her speech, and checked the ballroom clock. Eight-nineteen p.m. It wouldn’t be much longer.

Lady Star-Fyre’s smile grew larger.

The woman called Glider, although frequently sent on jobs by Lady Star-Fyre, had been passed over time and again for membership to the Hate League, most recently losing out to Shock Dragon. Lady Star-Fyre had called her personally to break the news.

“My dear, your power-set just isn’t what I’m looking for. You are lethal with all of the weapons I give you. But, that can be said for any member of the Hate League. The only thing you have going for you is your ability to fly, and that’s just not the edge I am looking for. I do however admire your passionate desire to join my Hate League.”

The words had struck Glider deep down in whatever was left of her soul. But, Lady Star-Fyre had given her a bonus and had sent this very special job her way. And, what made it even more special was that she was acting in tandem with a Hate League job—so basically she was a Hate League reservist.

The pale beige material of her body-suit and hood guaranteed that as long as she kept low to the desert floor, she would escape detection. She flew several feet above the ground, moving along the dips and inclines of the dunes and swerving around the bones of unlucky men and animals who’d strayed too far from civilization unprepared.

As the silver shape of the floating arena loomed against the horizon, Glider marveled how much it actually looked like some sort of futuristic city from a sci-fi movie or one of those alien spaceships that she’d seen during the alien Invasion and the so-called Cold Armageddon war.

Glider continued zipping toward the floating arena, trying to keep her mind on the job at hand.

Power Girl drummed her gloved-fingers impatiently against the banquet table. Lady Star-Fyre was hitting all the right notes in her speech, but something about it was completely insincere. Rather than rolling her eyes upward in exasperation, Power Girl looked around the room. Apparently she was the only one not buying the heaping spoonful of crap that the cosmetics tycoon (and potential power-mad wannabe world conqueror) was delivering. Hopefully that indicated courtesy alone, although several of her teammates, especially Seneca, were getting that dreamy look in their eyes as Lady Star-Fyre blathered on.

She wished the woman would just shut-up. Power Girl had been so busy that she had not yet eaten, and she was starving. The menu had promised a traditional Bialyan feast, which she had been looking forward to. With Bialya located between eastern Europe and the Middle East, their cuisine was a mixture of Middle Eastern and Greek, which led to amazing combinations.

When Lady Star-Fyre finished her speech, the room erupted into thunderous applause.

“Finally.” Power Girl grumbled.

Dr. Light shot her a dirty look, “We can at least present ourselves well. The international branch of the Justice League has always had a slightly dubious reputation thanks to the buffoonish antics of Booster, Beetle, and Guy. We are finally starting to be taken seriously.”

“I doubt anyone even heard me.” Power Girl replied, “Besides, I’m starving. I need to eat. NOW.”

“Agreed.” Tasmanian Devil nodded his head enthusiastically. “Boring speeches always make me hungry.”

The sound of a teleporter filled the room. Power Girl swung toward the sound, just in time to see a portal open—and the Hate League come spilling out.

Power Girl groaned, realizing she was not going to get dinner any time soon.

Glider moved under the floating arena only after consulting the small control pad on her wrist band. According to the beeping light she should be invisible to the sensors of the floating arena’s security systems. Smiling she hoped that this would prove once and for all to Lady Star-Fyre that she was good enough to be a member of the Hate League.

Flying upward, Glider watched as the diamagnetic levitators and giant cylinders housing the power supply grew closer and closer.

Her smile widened as she removed a small bomb from her side-pack. She flew to the first of the four most critical levitators, strapped the bomb down, she moved to the other three levitators in turn. Once those charges were secured, Glider flew to the centralized power supply cylinder. She affixed a final bomb there.

She tapped the necessary sequence into the keypad and waited for the countdown to begin.

“What?!” She gasped as the countdown appeared at ten seconds and instantly flipped to nine. There was no way she would be clear of the explosions in time! The timer should have been sixty seconds—plenty of time for her to be a safe distance.

She watched in horror as the nine became an eight. A cold fury filled her as she realized that Lady Star-Fyre had betrayed her.

Before she could follow the thought up, she was swallowed by the explosion taking out the central power supply.

This explosion caused a chain reaction which detonated all the power supplies clustered in the center of the floating arena’s underbelly. The bombs that took out each of the four main levitators also damaged several other levitators surrounding them. The entire underbelly of the floating arena was left a ruin of scrap and smoke. The arena had begun to lurch toward the ground as soon as the power supply exploded. By the time the levitators were blowing up, the arena had gone into free-fall, straight toward the ground below.

TO BE CONCLUDED IN JLE #83

NEXT ISSUE: Following the events of Justice League Europe #83 and the conclusion to “The Battle of Bialya”, Power Girl finds herself teaming up with the super-heroine Vixen to track down illegal arms shipments through Century City’s harbors. When the trail leads back to Adramelek the Terrible and the Cult of Deedra, Power Girl finds her path leading closer and closer to the dark destiny prophesized for her.