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Post by Adminenkainen on Nov 24, 2022 22:08:09 GMT
Hour-Man and Captain Hawkman Saturday, May 6, 1940 Appleton City
The meeting at the hotel had ended that afternoon with the heroes agreeing to sleep on whether to recruit the Spectre or not and all talk in the morning before Zatara left town ((a previous post erroneously said he was leaving Saturday morning)). Bart Regan would be arriving to help tomorrow afternoon.
Everyone returned home to rest, Hour-Man perhaps needing it more than anyone else. He tried not to let on, but his android body was worn out.
Hobbs was not home when Captain Desmo returned, but he still thought nothing of that until a knock came on his door at 6 o'clock sharp. A young man was there with a piece of paper in his hand. "Someone gave me 50 cents to hand this to you," the man said, and handed it over.
It read:
"Captain Desmo YOUR MAN IS IN OUR HANDS AND WELL HIDDEN. IT WILL DO NO GOOD TO SEEK HIM. FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS IN NEXT MESSAGE AND YOU WILL BE TAKEN TO HIM - IF YOU ARE NOT AFRAID TO DIE!
It was signed "The Assassins" and even accompanied by a stamped picture of a human skull with a dagger lying behind it.
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Post by Tim_Fox1002 on Nov 25, 2022 6:00:50 GMT
"Well of all the low down rats!!" exclaims Desmo grabbing the young man by the scruff of his shirt. "What are you looking at! Get out of here! Beat it!"
Desmo pushed the boy roughly out the door and slams it, and begins pacing about the apartment furiously. Poor old Hobbes! His arm still broken, and those thugs! It was like picking on a cripple! Quite out of character, Desmo felt so disgusted with yet another kidnapping of someone close to him that he drank a shot of the whiskey Hobbes always kept on hand for guests. Then, catching his breath, he grabbed the phone hoping to reach Hour-Man.
"Operator, connect me to 4312 at once," said Desmo in commanding tone. "Rex, I know it's late, but we have an emergency...."
Desmo explained what happened over the phone, and told Rex he'd be in touch if he got any other news. Otherwise, they would meet as planned tomorrow.
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Post by Adminenkainen on Nov 27, 2022 15:56:58 GMT
Captain Hawkman (and Zatara) Sunday, May 7 1940 Appleton City Pennsylvania Station
A big, burly Asian man was carrying Zatara's suitcases at the landing. Zatara was wearing a dark blue suit and matching Fedora. He had his boarding passes in hand, both for him and his manservant Míng Tāo, but he forgot all about them upon seeing Captain Hawkman' letter.
"Those scoundrels! Hobbs' life is more important than what I had planned. I will stay and help."
"I will stay too," Míng Tāo said, and he put the luggage down.
"No, Tong, you go on to Chicago without me," Zatara said, using some unexplained nickname for his manservant and handing him his ticket. "Send Lotus Blossom my regrets; I will debunk those phoney spiritualists the next time I'm in town."
"My time is now yours, Captain," Zatara said, turning to him. "And we are just hours away from being joined by Bart Regan. But what of Hour-Man? Shouldn't he have been here by now? You don't suppose...?"
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Post by Tim_Fox1002 on Nov 27, 2022 23:18:33 GMT
Desmo blanched. "But I just spoke with the man late last night...", he exclaimed.
"Well, Zarara," said Desmo. "I 'ppreciate you staying. And, really glad Bart will join us too. Just when I thought we were getting ahead, all this happened."
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Post by Adminenkainen on Nov 28, 2022 2:32:49 GMT
Desmo blanched. "But I just spoke with the man late last night...", he exclaimed. "Well, Zarara," said Desmo. "I 'ppreciate you staying. And, really glad Bart will join us too. Just when I thought we were getting ahead, all this happened." "Remember, if we weren't hot on their trail and pose a danger to them, they wouldn't be taking such extreme actions," Zatara said. He continued, "We could check Hour-Man's residency if you know where it is ((let's say you do)) and are that concerned for him. Or we can wait and meet Bart's plane at the airport. Or divide our limited forces, if you want one of us to start looking for the Assassins."
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Post by Tim_Fox1002 on Nov 28, 2022 4:22:17 GMT
"Very true good man!" said Desmo. "While they have the upper edge now, it's only cause we made so many gains!"
Desmo opted for checking Hour-man's residence first, and from there meet Bart and work out a plan together.
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Post by Adminenkainen on Nov 29, 2022 3:57:22 GMT
((Pausing to see if Rex opens the door...))
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Post by dtspurrier on Nov 29, 2022 22:18:50 GMT
HOurman besides giving Desmo his phone number told him where he lived.
The night before Rex got the late called heard the captain and of course wanted to help but his android body needed the rest. He retired and slept late. He heard the knock at the door and yelled , "one second and quickly dressed up in regular civilian. He looked through the peek hole and saw the captain. He opened the door and said, " hey sorry I way overslept my prior injuries and overwork got to me. I heard what happened and am ready to find our friend and stop these fiends. In fact come on in for some coffee unless you want to get on the road. Zatarra you are still here? great thank you for the assistance as always. "
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Post by Tim_Fox1002 on Nov 30, 2022 1:27:38 GMT
Desmo wiped sweat from his brow with relief, and cleared his throat.
"Sure, we'll come in," said Desmo.
And later in the house over coffee, he added, "Still wonder if the Spectre could assist in some way. His powers of illusion mean he could go places without being seen... We've got to get Bart up to speed when he comes, and get looking... I have a hunch my crack pot delivery boy may have left me another message at my place while I was out... Let's go there just in case."
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Post by dtspurrier on Nov 30, 2022 23:22:05 GMT
Hourman packs his costume in his bag and then after coffee, all three get into the car. Hourman locks his house of course an we head back to the captains place. Rex does comment, " bart will probably be at the musueam this afternoon so we should go over later to get him."
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Post by Adminenkainen on Dec 1, 2022 2:52:41 GMT
Hour-Man and Captain Hawkman (and Zatara) Sunday, May 7 1940 Appleton City Captain Desmo's Apartment
When the three heroes returned to Captain Desmo's apartment, as CD had predicted, there was another letter - this one simply shoved under the door. It was on the same type of paper, written in the same print.
Captain Desmo YOU WERE WISE TO STAY COWERING IN FEAR, FOR HAD YOU ATTEMPTED TO FIND US TOO SOON, IT WOULD HAVE MEANT THE DEATH OF YOUR FRIEND. WE INVITE YOU NOW TO COME TONIGHT, AT MIDNIGHT, TO THE GREENWOOD CEMETERY CATACOMBS, TO BE TESTED OF YOUR WORTHINESS TO GAIN YOUR FRIEND BACK. BRING YOUR POWERFUL ALLIES IF YOU ARE NOT AN HONORABLE MAN.
And it was signed "The Assassins" again, with the same skull and dagger symbol.
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Post by Tim_Fox1002 on Dec 2, 2022 14:29:24 GMT
((Scott, I need another day to get to this exciting post. Got to wrap up a few things at work. Unless... Darren wants to jump on it!))
--------- ((Several hours later.....))
Desmo punched the letter, and then realized his foolery and picked it up to show it to Zatara and Hour-Man.
"What in tarnations!? They want to play tricks with us and force us into a very dangerous trap!" exclaimed the Captain. "Who knows what's down there? And without any leads, what choice do we have? We've got to meet Bart and give the goods about what's going on. We also need supplies. Weapons, equipment, maybe even food if the labyrinth is big. Also, is there a map of this place anywhere?"
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Post by Adminenkainen on Dec 2, 2022 14:30:41 GMT
"The curs!" Zatara exclaimed. "That last bit is such an obvious ploy to get you to go alone. Don't fall for it, Captain!"
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Post by dtspurrier on Dec 2, 2022 22:11:18 GMT
Hourman says, " this is a trap for sure. If you go alone, we can follow you from a distance and hide in the cemetery as backup. There should be places for us to hide. Plus my powers will be full operational. If this is a large organization, Zatarra we will probably need Doris and the rest of the team. "
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Post by Tim_Fox1002 on Dec 3, 2022 2:59:13 GMT
Desmo paled a little. "Yes, I guess it does mean they are expecting me to enter alone. But, back up is good plan... and getting as much help as we can through Doris might be vital..."
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