The Legion Cruiser
had never been this crowded. But then, the Legion had never tackled
anyone or anything like Mordru. Confronting the nigh-omnipotent
wizard was the most dangerous mission any Legionnaire could imagine,
and everyone was needed. Except for the still-recuperating and
tragically depowered Star Boy, the 20th Century-dwelling
and still hidden-from-her-cousin Supergirl, and the
clubhouse-guarding and questionably effective Bouncing Boy, the
entire membership of the Legion was here. Already clad in their
spacesuits, they were gathered around Cosmic Boy as he stood in the
middle of the Cruiser's small bridge.
"All right,
let's listen up," the Brallian said, trying to sound like a
particularly grizzled magnoball coach he'd once had. "Here's
what we know. Mordru is the ruler of Zerox, the Sorcerer's
Planet. The first historical references to him date to slightly
after Superboy's time. Like many of the other archetypal evil
figures of that era, such as Darkseid, the Planet-Eater, and the
Gates, modern scholars largely regarded him as a myth. That is,
until twenty-three years ago, when the new ruler of Zerox claimed to
be the legendary Mordru, and began demonstrating powers that tended
to support his claim. He's been a sporadic conqueror, gobbling
up series of planets in very quick succession, then seemingly doing
nothing for a while. He's been in one of his quiet phases for
the past few years, but the United Planets is understandably worried
that we're next on his list."
"Two days ago,
U.P. intelligence picked up a report that Mordru was on the planet
Rann. They don't know exactly why he was there, but think it
has something to do with this." As Brainiac 5 activated the
viewer, Cosmic Boy pointed to the screen at the rear of the bridge.
It displayed a hand drawn sketch of obvious antiquity. The drawing
showed a large crystal, circular and flat, embedded in a metallic
frame that was heavily encrusted with jewels and ornate patterns.
"This
is one of the few records of what is known as the Nullifier,"
Cosmic Boy explained. "It's ancient, though most
historians date it as being a bit more recent than either Mordru or
Superboy. No one knows exactly what the Nullifier is, but it has
long been believed by some to be a source of immense mystic power.
It has a colorful history, but disappeared from its place of
safekeeping on Naltor late in the 26th century. Rann has
long been rumored to be one possible resting place."
Cosmic
Boy's voice lowered to an even more serious tone. "Like I
said, no one knows exactly what the Nullifier can do. Maybe nothing.
Maybe
a lot. According to the legends, it can
instantaneously disintegrate people and objects. Destroy them
completely, without a trace. If that's true, and if this object
has fallen into Mordru's hands
well, with its power added
to his
well, it wouldn't be good."
Cosmic
Boy paused to allow some murmurs to ripple through the group, then
continued. "Rann is a border planet, and one of the few U.P.
worlds that still has a Green Lantern. Alanna Strange is her name,
and if that sounds familiar, it's because she's also Rann's
hereditary champion. She detected Mordru's presence, and
confronted him." Cosmic Boy nodded to Brainiac 5 again, who
displayed the next holo-image. "This was the result."
There
was an audible gasp from several of the Legionnaires at the sight of
the three-dimensional carnage.
"She's
expected to live," Cosmic Boy said after a pause, "but she
won't be doing anything with that ring for quite a while."
Cosmic
Boy motioned for Brainiac 5 to switch off the viewer. "I don't
need to tell anyone what we're going up against here. We've
faced some tough customers in the past year and a half, but none of
them compare with Mordru. I won't lie to you. What we're
doing is incredibly dangerous. It's going to be tough going.
But we have to find out if Mordru found the Nullifier while he was on
Rann. As powerful as he already is, there's no telling what it
could enable him or his armies to do. If he did find it, we can only
hope that it will take him some time to master it. We can't
give him that time. We have to strike at him while we can. This may
be our only chance."
"What's
our plan, Cos?" Colossal Boy asked.
Cosmic
Boy paused, and rubbed his hand across his chin. Besides how to give
a pep talk, one of the other things he'd learned from his old
magnoball coach was that while a good leader can occasionally be less
than completely honest with his troops, you should never do so when
it would be completely transparent. "Gim, I could stand up here
for hours and diagram fifty different ways to attack him. But we all
know that they'd all involve pretty much the same thing."
He stopped and pointed towards the newest Legionnaire. "We sic
Superboy on him. The rest of us have to be ready to distract Mordru
when we can, but it all comes down to getting Superboy a clean shot."
He paused, then added, "Unless anyone else has a better idea."
No
one did.
"Okay
then. Let's be ready to move. We could find him at any time."
"Like
now," Brainiac 5 said from the scanners. "Over there,
passing that small moon. I think Mordru is cloaking his ship. I'm
detecting a trail of chaos energy emissions. They're too strong
to be naturally occurring. I'd bet that's Mordru, all
right."
Cosmic
Boy took a deep breath, then walked to the command seat. "Open
a channel," he said to Triplicate Girl as she sat at the
communications station. She nodded and quickly moved her hands to do
so.
"Ship
of Zerox," Cosmic Boy said evenly, "this is a
representative of the United Planets, in whose territory you are
presently positioned. We request that you give response and
explanation."
Silence
was the only reply. Cosmic Boy looked at Triplicate Girl, who
shrugged her shoulders and mouthed, "It's open."
Cosmic
Boy nodded and turned toward Superboy. "Can you see the ship?
Can you tell if the Nullifier is on board?" he asked softly.
Superboy's
gaze narrowed for a moment. "No," he answered in a puzzled
voice. "I can tell that something is there because of the
negative pattern it's leaving, but there's some type of
veil there. I can't see through it." He looked again,
then added, "It's weird."
"It's
magic," Cosmic Boy said, then slowly turned back towards the
view screen with an uncomfortable feeling. Something was nagging at
his memory, but he couldn't place it. Probably just nerves, he
decided. "Lord Mordru," he said loudly, "we believe
you to be a passenger on this ship. We request an audience to
discuss your presence in U.P. space."
Again
there was no response. Cosmic Boy waited for seventeen nerve-racking
seconds, then bit his lip and tried again. "Mordru, this is
Cosmic Boy of the Legion of Super-Heroes. Respond to our hails or
prepare to be boarded!"
Nothing
happened for a full five seconds. Then the screen snapped to life as
a visual communications link was opened. Almost all the Legionnaires
took at least a half step backwards at the sight of the master
sorcerer. His appearance - all flowing white hair and beard - was
undeniably intimidating.
His
silent gaze seemed to penetrate them. "So," he said at
last in a deep and pondering tone, "they've sent the
children for me." He shook his head. "Your leaders are
more foolish than I'd imagined. I should do the peoples of the
U.P. a favor and relieve them of such
incompetent rule."
Cosmic
Boy ignored the taunt. "Why are you in U.P. space, Lord
Mordru?"
Anger
being so natural to Mordru, it was difficult to tell when he was
amused, but this seemed to be the case now. "Does the god
explain his actions to the ant? No. So shall it be with us. Begone
boy. Turn around and go back to your little clubhouse. This is no
game."
Cosmic
Boy's gaze rested steadily on the feared mystic. "Mordru,
I'll not waste your time or mine. We know why you were on Rann,
and what you did there. What we don't know is whether you found
the Nullifier." Cosmic Boy lowered his head but kept his eyes
locked with Mordru's. "Did you?"
Mordru's
eyes twinkled with mild surprise. "My, my, but you are the
direct one," he remarked. "Such fire in one so young."
A hint of a smile appeared, but it fell stillborn as Mordru's
brow wrinkled and his gaze narrowed menacingly. "Still, do your
parents know where you are, and that you are severely trying the
patience of one as dangerous as I? I repeat once more, begone."
Cosmic
Boy did not hesitate. "As I said, Lord Mordru, we must know if
you have the Nullifier. We will board your ship and search its
contents. You understand, that is the only way that we can be sure."
Mordru's
gaze seemed to acquire new weight at the Brallian's statement.
Then he broke into a laugh. "Oh, not even then, little boy. Not
even then. Do you think that I cannot make you see what I wish you
to see?" He laughed again. "Be glad that you have amused
me this day. Your service in that cause has purchased your life. I
will let "
Mordru
suddenly paused, as the positions of the Legionnaires changed
slightly and he got a look behind Cosmic Boy. "Is that "
he paused and squinted intently, "is that the Kryptonian with
you?" His mouth gaped open. "It is," he said with
wonder. He began to absently stroke his long beard. "And such
a young version." He paused and lowered his head in thought.
Cosmic
Boy looked at Superboy. He seemed just as perplexed. Cosmic Boy
began to speak again. "Mordru "
"Shh!"
Mordru said with a dismissive wave of his hand. "I must think.
I did not realize that the Fates had chosen this course. Whatever
lackey failed to inform me of this development shall soon plead for
death." He was quiet for a moment, then said, "Very well.
I am called Mordru the Merciless, but this once, I will not credit
the name." He looked up, and when he did, his eyes were aglow
with an unmistakable seriousness. "Young
Legionnaires
turn around. Go back. Go home. Go back to your
home worlds. Forsake this foolish game of hero. It will bring only
your ruin."
"You,
Kryptonian, go back where you belong. Go back to yesterday. You
play with forces beyond your ken".
"All
of you, do not challenge me again. To do so, will be your doom!"
There
was a long moment of stillness as the Dark Lord's words sunk in.
Then Cosmic Boy said, "We appreciate your offer, and your
counsel, Lord Mordru." In his first display of nervousness, the
young man paused to clear his throat. But then he tightly clenched
his fists, and chose the future course for the group he had helped to
found. "Nevertheless
we have to know whether you have the
Nullifier."
Mordru's
response was not immediate. He first spent a long time staring at
Cosmic Boy. Then the old sorcerer shook his head in resignation.
"The Earthers used to say that there was no fool like an old
fool. Well, they never met you." He paused to lick his lips.
"Very well, you young fool. I guess I shall have to teach you a
lesson."
Then
the screen went black.
And
suddenly, school was in session.