Watchtower
July 5, 2019
1900 ZULU

As two vessels approach the Watchtower, members of the Justice League gather in the main conference room. They are unaware of who has called this meeting. Batman has a few guesses. But, that is all they are. Guesses.

As if to add to the confusion, several villains and questionable characters are escorted in by a large number of Marines. Global Privatized Marines, to be exact. There's the Clock King; The Rogues; the Red Hood; and a few others. The Marines stand guard at all entrances to the room. The squad leader informs the gathered crowd that they are not allowed to exit the room.

But that does not stop the Batman. He exits the room to investigate a disturbance in the main hanger. What he sees is something miraculous. Two GH-44 Starleapers land in the main hanger. Out from the two helicopters--whose appearances are that of a pair of enhanced Black Hawks--steps a small group of men. A couple of them are in suits. The rest are in battle fatigues and surround a man wearing a hockey mask. Standing next to that group of men, being the last person to exit the second Starleaper, is a man that carries himself with a strong sense of authority. Batman instantly recognizes him as Joseph Graves.

Batman re-enters the conference room and takes a seat at the table. His entrance is immediately followed by Mr. Graves entering the room and storms his way to the head of the table.

"Good evening, ladies and gentlemen," Mr. Graves begins. "Take your seats please, so that we may get started."

"What is the purpose of this gathering," Superman asks.

"Yeah, and why are they here," Green Arrow states, referring to the large group of criminals in the far criminal. But, mostly the guy in the hockey mask surrounded by Marines.

"Let us start with why I called you all here.

"Today, at approximately oh eight hundred hours eastern standard time, I received confirmation of the greatest threat this planet and solar system will ever face. For the Enemy of all Life has set his sights on our small water-logged planet. And He and His Armies will arrive within the course of the next few days. His name is Darksied. He is the God of Anti-Life, reigning from the planet Apokolips.

"When He arrives, it will be a Category Eight Extinction Level Event. There will be nothing left if He succeeds.

"What is even worse is if this planet is the last link in the chain for his ultimate goal."

"And what would that be," Wonder Woman asks.

"The answer to the Anti-Life Equation. A psuedo-mathematical and pseudo-scientific proof that proves that all life is pointless. It gives the beholder complete physical and mental dominion of every living being in the universe, as well as complete dominion over the very fabric of all realities.

"To put it simply, whoever controls the Anti-Life Equation, controls the multiverse."

There is a short pause, so that the information can sink in.

"But," the military industrialist continues, "as long as there is air in my lungs and steel in my guns, I will not allow him to conquer an Earth. Not again."

"Again?" Batman questions. "What do you mean again?"

Mr. Graves sighs. "Nearly six years ago, a similar event occurred on a distant world called Earth-2. It was a planet exactly like ours. It had great heroes that inspired hope. It had great villains that dwelled in evil. There was even a version of me and my company and associates. That Earth fell to Darkseid. The costs of the battle were great, and left the planet in ruin. The world was so damaged that it no longer had the will to keep spinning, and destroyed itself to end its suffering.

"I've lost contact with my alternate. He has been missing for more than six years. The Board and I fear that he may be dead."

"The Board?" Ivy asks.

"The Board of Infinity. A collection of my alternates from across the Multiverse. We monitor and respond to threats on an Omniversal level.

"Anyway, the reason you are all here is--"

"The reasoning is straight forward," the Batman interjects. "This here is a gathering of your strongest allies, soldiers, and equipment in anticipation of a large scale invasion of a superior threat that out-classes all others. You are going to ask us to join with and support you in the coming battle."

"And your response?" Grand Marshall Graves asks.

"You never had to ask in the first place," Batman says confidently.

"And the rest of the League?"

"We're in," Wonder Woman says, as others chide in in agreement.

"The Justice League will always find a way to protect the Earth. No matter the cost," Superman adds.

"That's good to hear," Mr. Graves states. He looks towards the less hero part of the audience. He asks them, "And your answer?"

"When life is threatened," Ivy says seductively, as she strokes the leaves of a plant in the corner, "Mother Nature will always protect her creations."

"Time wavers for no one!" Clock King exclaims. "All are at its mercy." He pauses. "Even Gods must bend to its will!"

"Atlantis will stand with you!" King Orin declares regally.

"Saving the world is good and all," Captain Cold says cold-heartedly. "But what's in it for us?"

"Glad you asked," the trillionaire states. "The United States Government, in cooperation with a majority of the member nations of the U.N., have agreed to forgive your past transgressions and permanently erase your criminal records; in exchange for defending the Earth."

"Anything else," Heat Wave asks.

"I will personally write you all a ten million dollar check, and give you a forty-eight hour period for you all to disappear."

"We can live with that, mate," Captain Boomerang says cheekily.

"Now that we are all in agreement," Mr. Graves states with confidence, retaking control of the meeting, "Let us talk strategy."

He pauses as the screen behind him activates and displays images to support his presentation.

"My experts and I believe that the invasion will begin sometime over the course of the next few days. Every major city and capital, as well as every visible military installation will be their primary targets. From these locations, the Enemy's forces will slowly spread out and encompass the entire planet.

Their forces shall arrive using a devices known as Motherboxes. These devices create wormhole-like structures called Boomtubes; named for the loud 'booming' noises that they create."

"What is our plan of attack?" the Batman asks.

"The plan will be two-fold. The first part is straight forward. A majority of our forces will be occupied defending the Earth. Here, a large majority of the Enemy's forces will be deployed, leaving His base of operations largely undefended.

This is where the second part of the plan comes into play. Here, a small League contigent, a covert government taskforce, and I will lead a massive land and aerial assault, as well as mark areas for orbital bombardment. Our legions will rendezvous with my allies amongst the stars: The Alliance of 2600 Worlds."

"Impressive," Batman states, unamused. He gestures toward those around him and states, "Now, who do have in mind for leading the League contingent?"

Mr. Graves's composure sours. He tugs at his neck, when he states, "Nightwing."

Silence falls over the room. Hearts skip a best or two. The most powerful beings in the world come to a startling revelation. The team will be the Team.

"You can be serious!" Flash scolds. Superman holds him back.....barely.

"Flash, please," the Man of Steel pleads with his friend.

"No!" the scarlet speedster hollers, failing to release himself from Superman's grip. "I just got him back! You can't take him from me, again!"

"I'm sorry. But he volunteered for this when he enlisted. Not all of the Team's members will be going. Many will stay back to protect the Earth. M'Gaan and Kaldur'am won't be going due to the hostile atmospheric conditions on Apokolips."

"Who is on the roster!?!" Batman shouts passionately.

Mr. Graves sighs, "The Team's roster is as follows: Superboy, for enhanced durability and super-strength. Nightwing, for leadership and advanced acrobatic and fighting skills. Arsenal, weapons specialist. Kid Flash, for superspeed, prior knowledge of and exposure to enemy tactics, and strong sense of will. Red Hood, advanced weapons and tactics. Wonder Girl, superstrength and combat skills. Zatana, mystic abilities. Rocket, kinetic energy dispersal and shielding. Blue Beetle, for adaptive technology and offensive capabilities. Tigris, advanced combat and weapons skills--"

"Are you insane!" Sportsmaster cries out in anger and frustration.

The Marines guarding him can barely hold him back. He already knock out two of them at the mention of his daughter's name. A third injects him with a tranquilizing agent--which does nothing.

"Please, let me finish," Mr. Graves implores. "You're not the only group of parental figures I have to console in the coming nights."

After being restrained, Sportsmaster nods for him to continue.

"Thomas Graves, III, field artillery and heavy ordinance specialist, and communications officer. Joseph Domingo, Jr."

He pauses. The weight in his chest is unbearable. But, he soldiers on. Because this is something he has to do.

"Joseph Domingo, Jr. For his skills as a highly trained and decorated Marine; his devotion to duty; and for special hidden abilities, of which there are too many to list."

He takes a deep breathe.

"As you all can see, my family and I are willing to sacrifice everything for this plan to succeed."

"Do they know?" Flash asks. When there is no answer, he repeats the question with more fury than a hurricane.

"No!" Mr. Graves states solemnly. "Not yet, but soon. I'm going to tell them tomorrow after they finish their training."

There is a moment of intense silence, as everyone tries to process what they were told.

"If that is all," Batman states, breaking the silence. "Then, I shall return to Gotham and rally my forces for the coming storm. I recommend that you all do the same."

The others nod in agreement.

"I agree," Mr. Graves says. "I still have a few other meetings of a similar caliber to attend tonight. So...with out further debate, this meeting is over. And all questionable characters are to remain in my custody. Good night. And good luck."

"I'll see you in the field," Director Disakvo concludes.

"May the God's be with us all," Wonder Woman states calmly.

The League slowly files out of the room. The criminals are escorted out by the Marines. Captain Atom pulls Mr. Graves to the side as the room clears out.

"You know what you're asking of those kids, don't you?" the former officer asks.

"Yes," Mr. Graves replies. "And they are ready. They are willing and able. They are ready."

"I hope you're right."

"Have I ever been wrong?"

They look out the window and stare at the tiny blue marble beneath them.