B E Y O N D . C R I S I S

Katana’s blade clangs off the swords of two attacking mummified knights before slicing through them both with quick precision. Manhunter, in full werewolf mode, scampers past him as she continues tracking a scent through the halls that will lead Shadowpact to the exit portal that will safely take them to the surface. Blue Lady trails behind at the rear of the group as she drags a heavy ball she is chained to along with her, demanding incessantly that Z or Ibis undo the binding spell restraining her abilities.

( There is not enough to for them to stop and accomplish that, though. )

The Independence Day tradition begun by Jay Garrick continues as always as superheroes and their families converge for a barbecue in Keystone City, hosted by Wally West. If they canceled this every time some alien horde had just attacked, it would hardly ever happen.

Early in the day, Rex Stewart pulls up in his huge Hummer SUV truck, which is stocked with his own grill and plenty of food, charcoal and beer. His slave labor, Davis Karnes, is left with the job of unloading it all. The caravan of the Arrow Family arrives soon after with Oliver Queen directing traffic, commanding his minions to bring the large pots of chili inside.

( The barbecue begins to kick off from there. )

A dockyard has erupted into chaos as Green Lantern and the CCPD have raided a major smuggling operation. However, the the criminals have a secret weapon, the metacriminal known as Concrete.

Green Lantern catches a large shipping container with her ring before it falls on her and the three police officers around her. She returns it to sender, hammering it down on Concrete. However, he merges with the asphalt ground and easily slips out from under the container, advancing on her and rising from the ground with a stone-fisted uppercut.

( CODE ORANGE ALERT. CODE ORANGE ALERT. )

Before this day, a small number of small memorials have been held -- opportunities for groups like Connor Hawke's students and Roy Harper's old drinking buddies to mourn without intruding on the secrecy of the true funeral service. The brothers lived as heroes when they were young, and they died as heroes when they were old. This is how they should be remembered at their funeral.

The family of Roy Harper and Connor Hawke has been joined by nearly the entire superhero community in the funeral home. Both caskets rest side by side, closed at the request of Oliver Queen. Because the ceremony is private, there are no colorful costumes. Stretching out before the caskets of the deceased is a sea of black with heads awkwardly bobbing on waves as people sit together in mourning. The word of how Roy and Connor die has already circulated, beginning when Siena Harper informed the Justice League and then members of her family in the days leading up to this. Because of this, even some who never really knew either Roy or Connor have come, feeling compelled to come honor the people who died saving their lives.

There is at least one notable absence. Cody Walker, one of Roy Harper's sons, has not come. Some in the family didn't honestly expect him to; while others are honestly surprised he wouldn't have come.

( Prior to the service, there was some question about who would be speaking. Many were uncertain whether Ollie could possibly be up to it. )

Lilah Luthor hovers above the building rooftops in her green and purple powersuit. The building directly below her is hers -- after a fashion. The building is nothing. It is an address. It is a front she uses for some of her low key activities. Someone has broken into it this evening. That someone is leaving the building now. This woman wears a long white coat and has no face. The Question. Why would the Question be investigating here? What is the last thing she used this front for?

Ah.

Lilah remembers. She used it as part of a deception to get some research samples from S.T.A.R. Labs. Years ago, there was a pregnancy drug created specifically for Lady Krypton to aid her in carrying hybrid Kryptonian/human offspring safely to term. It's actual effects were inconclusive, but she still wanted the research for her own case. That's what this is all about, isn't it? The Question is following up on the drug -- not trying to find her. That is even more problematic. If the Question connects her to a pregnancy drug for Kryptonian/human hybrids... that leads to a very specific conclusion. She simply isn't ready for Leon to be exposed.

( This bodes so poorly for the Question. )