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CHAPTER 1: WELCOME BACK MR. WEST

LOCATION: SOMEWHERE OUTSIDE OF NEW CASTLE, PENNSYLVANIA

CENTRAL CONTROL ROOM, S.W.O.R.D. MONITORING LEVEL

BUNKER ALPHA FACILITY

"Other than a friek outbreak of thunderstorms across the globe, everything seems to be fine," stats Joseph Graves ( CEO/Owner of Global Private Security, and lead-chairman/lead-financial-backer of S.W.O.R.D.)."Looks like tonight I'd going to be as quiet as ever. I don't understand why Col. DiSalvo hates this job."

Just then several monitors start to flare up as specialty sensor emplacements (SSEs) pick up energy signatures signatures at key locations around the world. As the room begins to buzz with excitement a foreman starts to ask what is going on and demands to get a visual of what this thing is. Once visuals are available, the foreman is told to put them up on the currently blank monitor in the front of the room.

Foreman: "What is going on?! Someone give me answers!!"

Operator 1: "I don't know, sir. The SSES are picking up a strange extra-dimensional energy signature."

Operator 2: "I have it, too. The UES [Unidentified Energy Signature] is being spotted everywhere. From the outskirts of Gotham to a black site in Georgia."

Joseph Graves: "Foreman! What's going on down there?"

Foreman: "I don't know, sir. It appears to be some kind of weird energy signature."

Operator 3: "It appears to be creating some kind of rift in fabric of space-time."

Joseph Graves: "Is it Darkseid, again.?"

Operator 3: "Negative. It appears to be something else. It's releasing some kind of lightning."

JG: "I want troops ready to deploy in case you are wrong, and I want visual confirmation on screen NOW!!!"

Crew: "YES SIR!!!"

The next thing they see will literally change the course of history. They see a man in a yellow suit that has many similarities to the Flash's uniform standing in front of Batman in the Batcave. The video and audio they receive informs them of some impossible things.

After making sure that they are recording the proceedings, the operators display the next set of images . This set is a little grimy due to the camera quality and the dimly lit room. Suddenly, an old man enters the room and locks the door behind him, as a bolt of lightning thunders into the small room.

The next set of images were take by what appears to be a dash cam for a New York State Trooper.

The scene is also caught by a few passing drones that are in the area to study the DEATH OF SUPERMAN. One is property of Global, another by A.R.G.U.S., another by the D.E.O.. The rest are owned by a slew of new corporations and private entities alike. Most of the latter group of drones are fried by the lightening, but some of them survive [Author's Note: If this was a TV show, then the camera would zoom in on one or two of the drones, showing the logos of their owners' respective corporations]. The figure is then spotted in several different locations around the globe.

Then, the SSES in the control room begin to show the strange signature to be approaching, as alarms begin to sound throughout the multi-level underground fortress. Heavily armed soldiers burst into the control room, just as Wally West appears in front of Mr. Graves. Everyone has the same look on their faces; an expression that is a mix of fear and curiosity.

Everyone shares this look. Everyone except for Joseph Graves, who looks upon their uninvited guest with a strong sense of interest and intentment. He begins a dialogue with the new guest.

Col. C.P. Bragg: "Steady boys!! Hold your fire!!"

Mr. Graves: "Who are you? What do you want?"

Wally West: "I don't know you and you won't know me. I came here to warn you!" [Shouts with pain]

Graves: "Warn us of what?"

West: " It's war time again soldiers. Something is big is coming and it will threaten all of reality!" [Shouts with pain] "You are going to have to fight it."

JG: "Is it Darkseid?"

Wally: "No! It's worse than Darkseid. It reigns from outside of all realities!!!" [Shouts with pain as the connection begins to fade when Graves's confidence is replaced with a sense of fear]

JG: " Then what is it!?!?!"

Wally: "You'll know it when you see it!"

With this last statement, Wally West vanishes as quickly as he appeared in a shroud of lightening and thunder. The lightening is so intense that it sends the facilities power plant into overdrive, engulfing the complex in darkness.

Col.: " Steady!!!"

Operator 3: "All systems are down. Back-up generators are coming on-line, now!"

As power is restored to the facility, the screens on the far side of the room flicker back to life. They display the final disturbance. The scene is located in a public park on the outskirts of Central City; the images being displayed are taken from a closed-circuit camera on a lonely lamppost.

The Flash reaches forward and pulls Wally out of whatever he was trapped in. They hold a tear filled reunion. A few words are exchanged, but the crew of the monitoring room doesn't hear them, for there is no microphone on a discount security camera.

After Wally runs off, the screen goes into stand-by mode and displays the S.W.O.R.D. logo. After a few brief and tense seconds of silence, Joseph Graves begins to speak.

JG: "I want answers!!! And, I want them now!!!!"

CHAPTER 2: UNDERSTANDING THE COMING THREAT

JG: "I want answers!!! And, I want them now!!!!"

Operator 3 (Julie): "I began running an analysis of the UES as soon as it appeared."

Operator 2 (Dave): "And I've been analyzing the audio for speech and vocal patterns and name recognition. I have several of the search results right here."

JG: "Good. Now Colonel, I want you and you're men to return to their stations."

Col. Bragg: "Yes sir!!"

JG: "And, I want you two to follow me."

As the soldiers file out of the room, a door on an adjacent wall is opened. Mr. Graves and the two operators enter the adjoining office and Mr. Graves has a seat at the desk, which is usually reserved for Tyler DiSalvo -- Director of S.W.O.R.D. He pulls out a tape recorder.

JG: "Before we get started, please tell me your names and rank/occupation, for the record."

Operator 3: "My name is Julie Andrews. I'm a tech specialist with PhD's in theoretical physics and philosophy. My job is to identify the causes behind the UES'S through whatever means necessary.....from my desktop consol."

JG: "It is a pleasure to meet you Julie. Now, who are you?"

Operator 2: "My name is David Jameson Donnagouh, Jr. I'm with the IT Department. I have a degree in computer engineering and another in quantum physics. My job is to maintain the computers and assist in the identification of unknown technology, as well as verbal communication analysis."

JG: "Thank you for your introductions. Now, you two are probably wondering why you are here. The answer simple. You both are getting reassigned."

Julie: "Sir?"

JG: "You two are going to be my personal link to this crisis. You're actions will be completely confidential and you will solely report to me and Col. DiSalvo. The Colonel will be made aware of the situation, and he shall assist you by any means necessary."

Dave: "Assist us?"

JG: "Yes."

Julie: "With what?"

JG: "With saving all of REALITY from this looming threat."

Dave: "Okay."

JG: "Dave, I am assigning you to shadow Mr. West. You are to report any and all activities that involve Wally West to the best of your ability. I caution you to keep your distance. I am also assigning you a detachment of anti-metahuman marines. They will serve as your personal body guards, aids, and soldiers."

"Julie, you will be dispatched to Central City, where you will accompany a SWORD intelligence task force in acquiring data from the STAR Labs facilities located in the city. A Meta-Marine detachment will be on standby as protection for both you and the task force."

He reaches into a drawer and pulls out two cell phones.

"These phones are a direct line to me, the Col., and your respective marine detachments. They each include a standard 12-point tracking/homing device and come equipped with the best encryption and security software. Also, you can call WINSTON. Just in case you need some assistance when anyone is not available."

"Now, are there any questions? .....No? ....Alright then, you two are now dismissed. Good luck and good hunting."

The two tech personal--now both overwhelmed and content with their new promotions--depart from the office and embark on their new assignments. Meanwhile, still seated in the office, Mr. Graves presses the button for his personal assistant, WILSON. He asked if the board is ready to convene and the speaker let's out a confirmatory chirp. Satisfied with the response from the highly advanced and benign AI, Mr. Graves presses a button hidden under the center of the desk and a ghostly door opens behind him. He enters.....

END OF ISSUE ONE.