It was hard to believe that it had been less than 48 hours since the Squadron Supreme, with the help of the Aquarian, had stopped Blacksun from destroying Project: Pegasus and, quite possibly, the entire universe.

Now, as Guardsmen and Damage, Inc. cleared the rubble and scientists and technicians tried to bring the Project’s various projects back online, several members of the Squadron found themselves sitting in a conference room with Blue Shield and the Project’s administrators.

“…and where exactly is Blacksun now?”

“He’s trapped in the Cosmic Cube,” said Hyperion.

“And the Cube is where?”

“Arcanna is taking care of it.”

“I’m afraid I’m going to have to ask you to return the Cube to us.”

“I’m afraid that’s impossible,” replied Hyperion.

“And why is that?”

“It is my understanding that Arcanna is using a small portion of her life force to keep Blacksun imprisoned within the Cube. Without it, he would break free, and well…”

Hyperion gestured to the extensive damage.

“I think you see my point.”

There was a brief, hushed conversation amongst the administrators, not all of which was agreement. When they finished, the Project head turned back to Hyperion.

“Very well. Ms. Jones may maintain custody of the Cube…for now. Strictly in the name of security you understand.”

“Of course,” said Hyperion. “Is there anything else?”

“Not at this time. We appreciate all of your help, both during and after the crisis.”

“It was our pleasure.”

“Well, then, I think this meeting is adjourned.”

The administrators rose in unison and filed out of a recessed door behind them.

“That went about as well as could be expected,” said Hyperion, turning toward Power Princess.

“They will come for the Cube,” she said.

“Why would you say that?” asked Whizzer.

“Because they see a new power source they can exploit. They are simply trying to figure out a way to take it from us.”

“Easy Zarda,” said Dr. Spectrum. “They haven’t made a move yet.”

“Yet being the operative word,” she replied.

The outer door opened and a technician entered the room nervously.

“Excuse me Mr….ummm…Hyperion?”

“Hyperion will be fine son.”

“Yessir. I was told to tell you that Haywire has returned to the Project and he has brought an…Amphibian with him?”

The four founding members of the Squadron Supreme stared at one another in disbelief. If Amphibian was on this Earth, they may have finally found a way home.

REDEMPTION SONG

Part I

By Bruce Cook

A few tense moments, and several floors, later, the Squadron and their guide enter a security office. The members of the Squadron are relieved to see Haywire, who had gone missing before Blacksun’s attack. They are equally shocked to see their former teammate, Amphibian, sitting at the table with Haywire.

“K…Kingsley? Is it really you?” asked Hyperion.

“Indeed it is old friend,” said Amphibian as he stood and extended his hand.

Hyperion took Amphibian’s hand, as if to shake it. Then he pulled his former teammate from the table and into a titanic bear hug.

“Can’t….breathe…” gasped Amphibian.

Hyperion released his grasp on Amphibian, only to have Power Princess and Dr. Spectrum take turns hugging him.

“What am I…chopped liver?” asked Haywire.

“Of course not,” said Hyperion, clapping Haywire on the shoulder. “We have been looking for you. We feared the worst after Blacksun’s attack.”

“Blacksun?” asked Haywire.

“It’s a long story,” said Dr. Spectrum, “but the good guys won.”

“How did you get here, Kingsley?” asked Power Princess.

“Ape X opened a portal from Squadron City.”

“Just like that?” she asked.

“Yes Princess, just like that. I’m still a Squadron member. She had to. I came to bring you back. Our world needs you.”

“How did you find us?” asked Power Princess, still skeptical.

“That,” he said, “is a bit more complicated.”

“You can’t keep me in here forever, witch!”

Arcanna sat on her bed in the lotus position. She stared serenely at the Cosmic Cube the Squadron had used to trap Blacksun.

“Sooner or later I will be free and when that day comes you and that whelp of yours will pay dearly!”

Arcanna made a gesture and the ball of ebony energy contained in the Cube contracted. The voice that spoke to Arcanna let out a scream of pain.

“I’ve told you to stay out of my head demon. I meant it. As for your threats, they are just that…threats. You are my prisoner and will remain my prisoner forever. And if you ever threaten my son again, forever will become much shorter.”

With a gesture, the ebony ball contracted again.

There was a knock on the door. Arcanna released her magical hold on Blacksun and the ball of energy returned to its full size.

“Come in!” she said.

Stanley Stewart aka the Whizzer entered the room.

“Hey Arcanna,” he said. “You feel like going to get a cup of coffee?”

“I’d love to Stanley, but I’m waiting for Benjamin to get back from his checkup.”

“How’s he doing?”

“The doctors here are familiar with the null field. They say it is responding to Benjamin the same way it to to Wundarr. I think my son has gone from being the Nth Man to the Aquarian.”

“Never a dull moment with that boy is there?”

“Not so far.”

“Rain check on the coffee?”

“Absolutely. Tomorrow.”

“It’s a date. That is to say…ummm…I mean…”stammered Whizzer.

“It’s okay Stanley. I know what you meant.”

“See you tomorrow then.”

And, in the blink of an eye, the Whizzer was gone.

“Oh, lust and loss are such powerful emotions,” said Blacksun.

“You don’t know what you’re talking about,” replied Arcanna, turning her head from the Cube to hide the tears streaming down her face.

“So very powerful.”

Blacksun cackled with glee.

[Earth-S]

The dive is called the Nolo Contendre. It’s a regular for down-on-their-luck villains.

Remnant went inside 3 hours ago. That was midnight. I guess it’s time for me to see what’s on tap.

I dive off the balcony, execute a back flip and land in the alley beside the bar. I dust off my coat and adjust my hat before I go inside.

You never get a second chance to make a first impression.

I push the door open. Somehow the interior of the bar is darker than the 3 A.M. night sky outside.

I recognize a lot of the faces half hidden in the darkness. They see me and try to melt completely into the darkness.

Not Remnant.

He sits alone at the bar nursing a martini. His pink Mohawk is practically alive beneath the neon whiskey sign over the bar.

I start walking toward the bar. Someone emerges from the shadows, a broken beer bottle in their hand. Desperation leads to bad decisions. He lunges with the bottle. I leap and drive a spinning back kick into his face. The cartilage in his nose explodes. Blood covers his face. He staggers to the right. I drive an elbow into the back of his neck and he falls to the floor, the bottle shattering in the darkness.

“Anyone else?” I ask as I continue to the bar.

The rest of them disappear back into the shadows.

“You certainly know how to make an entrance, Koan.”

I sit down next to Remnant.

“I’d offer to buy you a drink,” he says, “but you don’t have a mouth.”

I smile beneath the mask.

“Tell me about Burbank.”

“He’s a little out of your league isn’t he?”

“Sometimes you have to play up when the big team is on the disabled list.”

Remnant eyes me warily then takes a sip of his drink.

“Enough sports metaphors. Burbank has been putting out feelers. He’s looking for likeminded individuals to form a league of his own.”

“Cute,” I say. “You joining up?”

“No! I’ve lost too much already. I’m quite happy to sit here and pickle myself.”

He finishes the martini and waves for another.

“Anything else you want to tell me?”

“Yes, the trench coat and fedora look is dead.”

“I’ll take it under advisement.”

I slide off the stool and head for the door.

Master Menace is putting the band back together. The game is afoot.

As the door closes behind Koan, a shadow moves across the wall of the bar. It comes to rest beside Remnant. It flickers for a moment before becoming solid.

“My goodness, but I’m popular tonight,” says Remnant.

“How are you, Remy?”

“I’m the same, Mink. Clearly, the same can’t be said for you. New accessories?”

“Is what you said about Burbank true?” the Mink asked, ignoring Remnant’s question.

“Every word of it.”

“How do I find him.”

“Give it time darling. He’ll find you.”

[Project: Pegasus]

They all sat around one of the big tables in the Project: Pegasus conference room. Amphibian explaining how he’d been able to transport to this Earth. How he’d been able to track down Haywire. How Haywire had brought him to them.

“It’s time for you to come home.”

Hyperion was sitting next to Power Princess, holding her hand. At the mention of the word home, he squeezed her hand.

“It can’t be that simple,” Hyperion said.

“It really is, assuming we get to the transport zone on time.”

“What do you mean?” asked Power Princess.

“Xina can only open the portal for a few moments every few days. That’s all Lightner’s wards will allow.”

“If I don’t ever hear that name again it will be too soon,” said Dr. Spectrum.

Amphibian looked at the chronograph on his wrist.

“The portal will be opening tonight.”

“Where is it?” asked Power Princess.

“A warehouse in Brooklyn.”

“Home,” said Hyperion, a faraway look in his eyes.

“What are we waiting for?” asked Dr. Spectrum, pushing back his chair as he stood up from the table.

Hyperion looked at Power Princess. They locked eyes and she nodded almost imperceptibly.

“Gather the others. We’re going home!”

[Later – a warehouse in Brooklyn]

The Project: Pegasus shuttle touched down silently outside the warehouse. The bay door opened and a dozen brightly clad figures stepped out into the New York night.

“You stay with the shuttle until I come back,” Blue Shield said to the pilot.

“Yes sir,” he said, nervously fingering the blaster on his hip.

Warehouses stretched out as far as they could see. The lighting, such as it was, came from a series of sporadic lamps, many of which were broken. Long shadows cast odd shapes everywhere.

“Shape is scared.”

“Don’t worry buddy,” said Dr. Spectrum. “I’ve got you covered.”

Spectrum raised his hand and yellow light flickered to live at this fingertips.

“Better?”

Shape’s lopsided smile told him it was.

“Which one Kingsley?” asked Hyperion.

“That one,” replied Amphibian, pointing to a nearby brick building.

“Stanley, would you…”

Before Hyperion could finish, the Whizzer had disappeared in a blur of motion, trailing trash behind him.

“Door’s open,” Whizzer shouted. “I’m going in!”

“Stanley! Wait!” Power Princess replied.

If he heard her, the Whizzer didn’t listen. He disappeared into the warehouse.

“Let’s go,” said Hyperion.

The Squadron Supreme and Blue Shield crossed the lot the warehouse. Some flew. Some ran. One stretched.

None were ready for the scene that greeted them when they entered the warehouse.

The Whizzer lay on the floor of the warehouse, an arrow sticking out of his calf.

“Stanley!” screamed Arcanna.

“It’s…a…trap!” the Whizzer grunted.

“What the…” Hyperion began.

It was all he got out before Haywire’s body rippled and changed form. Skymax stood where Haywire had stood only a moment before. He swung a vicious backhand that sent Hyperion flying into the darkness of the warehouse.

“Mark!” screamed Power Princess as she spun toward Skymax.

She was cut off by a pair of punches from Amphibian that drove her to the floor.

“Stay down Princess. I don’t want to hurt you any more than I have to.”

The remaining members of the Squadron Supreme formed a circle, preparing for the next attack.

“What the hell, Kingsley?” shouted Dr. Spectrum.

“Isn’t it obvious?” asked a voice from the shadows.

Dr. Spectrum’s eyes widened in disbelief as Nighthawk emerged from the shadows flanked by the Golden Archer AND the Black Archer, both with bows drawn.

“It’s time for the Squadron Supreme to answer for its crimes.”

NEXT ISSUE: With the traitors in their midst revealed, will the Squadron Supreme be able to overcome the sins of their past or will they fall to these new Redeemers? Join us next time for part two of “Redemption Song.”