Captain Atom: The "American" Way

Part 2 DC short stories

“April 14^th 2014, it has been a month since I quit the Justice League and came back to serve my country as part of the United States Army again. It wasn't an easy decision but it was a necessary one. If the Justice League was ever to turn again the safety of this world, we would be hopelessly and impossibly outgunned. That was a risk I am not willing to take.” Captain Nathaniel Adam or Captain Atom was a military man. One day he was exposed to a nuclear power that gave him the power to control the atom.

It was a cold and stormy night when Captain Atom enter the military base where he was recently assigned, about as dark as it gets. Captain Atom was to be assigned to a new mission tonight by his superior, General. As he marched down the hallway towards the War Room where General Eiling was waiting for him he couldn't help but think how it would have been had he stayed in the Justice League. His mind began to wander back to that day as he kept walking. “Superman, I need to talk to you and the rest of the original seven,” Captain Atom said as he approached Superman. “Of course Captain, we can meet at five this evening,” Superman said. “Thank you sir,” Captain Atom said as he saluted Superman. He then walked back to his room in the Watchtower as he prepared to tell them the news that he was resigning from the Justice League. It would be a hard decision but a necessary one, it was time to rejoin the military.

It was time. Captain Atom walked towards the center of the Watchtower to enter the original seven's meeting room. The original seven, Superman, Batman, The Flash, Hawkgirl, Green Lantern, Martian Manhunter, and Wonder Woman, were among the most powerful of the Justice League, who were themselves probably the most powerful force in the universe. “Good evening Captain, what is it you wanted to talk about?” Wonder Woman asked as he walked into the room. “It is with great sadness that I must resign from the Justice League. I feel as though my country is calling me to rejoin in the armed forces,” he said. “Are you sure we can't change your mind Captain, I mean I have love for the military as much as you do but I'm staying right here,” Green Lantern said. “It's just something I have to do,” Captain Atom replied. “Well we'll be sorry to see you go Captain,” Superman said. “Good luck Captain,” Martian Manhunter said as he shook Captain Atom's hand. The Captain nodded as he left the room. It was time to get ready and leave, the Captain cleaned out his room and headed back down to Earth.

He had just arrived in the War Room when the General looked up from the papers he was looking at. “Good to have you back son, I have a mission for you,” General Wade Eiling said. “What is the mission sir, I've been waiting for it,” He replied. I need you to go to our base in Hawaii and pick up the Spy Smasher serum for me,” General Eiling said with a smile. “But sir isn't that serum restricted access and supposed to stay at that base?” Captain Atom asked with a confused look on his face. “Well you see son your country needs you, do you really want to disobey a direct order,” the general asked as he put his arm around Captain Atom. “No sir I wouldn't but I am curious,” Captain Atom responded. “Well son just think of it as the right thing to do, the American way,” General Eiling said back to him. “Very well sir,” Captain Atom said as he saluted the general and left the room. He then walked outside the building and took off towards Hawaii. Shortly after a scientist walked into the War Room to speak with General Eiling. “Does he have any idea what the serum is going to be used for?” the doctor asked. “No. He doesn't have a damn clue,” the General said with an evil grin on his face.

Once Captain Atom approached Pearl Harbor, Hawaii's main military base, all the soldiers put their hands on their guns. “Easy gentlemen I am on a mission for General Wade Eiling. I am to retrieve the Spy Smasher super soldier serum copy on his orders,” the Captain said as he landed. The soldiers then raised their weapons to shoot him. “Hold it right there Captain Atom sir, no one is moving that serum without direct written orders from the president or the chief of the Department of Defense. The serum is not going anywhere with you,” the soldier said firmly. “I'm warning you gentlemen to get out of my way, I will use force if necessary. General Eiling gave me an order and I'm going to follow it,” Captain Atom grunted. “Fine have it your way hero. Take him out!” The soldiers began firing on Captain Atom which had no effect on him. He flew past them and deep into the facility.

As he melted his way through the base's defenses he found the serum hidden in a locker towards the center of the base. He grabbed the crystal just in time for the alarm to go off. “Great here comes the Justice League,” he muttered. He knew he may have to deal with the League eventually but he didn't think it would have been so soon. Just as he made it too the edge of the base a familiar face comes flying down from the sky the man of steel himself, Superman.

“Captain Atom what are you doing,” Superman asked in amazement. “My orders from General Wade Eiling, wait why am I explaining myself it is classified information and you are not in the military. Now step aside Superman,” Captain Atom replied. “Captain please, I don't want to fight you. Just put the serum back till we can get proper authorization for you to take that then you can take it to this General Eiling.”Superman pleaded with him. “No Superman,” Captain Atom said as he clenched his fists. “I guess we're going to be doing this the hard way like it or not.” “Very well Captain,” Superman sighed. As they flew towards each other and the first blow struck it sent shock waves through the entire base. The fight would be a quick yet brutal fight. Captain Atom managed to knock Superman with just enough radiation to render him unconscious until he could escape. He then flew back to General Eiling's base to give him the serum.

An hour and a half later he walked back into the War Room. “Sir I have the serum here, I had to forcibly take it even Superman tried to stop me. Captain Atom reported. Why was it so important you receive it?” “That my son, is a classified secret. Don't worry soon you will find out,” the General chuckled. “In the meantime, I have someone I want you to meet,” the General continued as the door behind him opened. “Her name is Amanda Waller and she is putting together a team designated Task Force X to carry out top secret government missions that are too dangerous for regular agents,” “Sir is this because I am on the Justice League's bad side or because I am now on the military's too,” Captain Atom asked. “A little bit of both Captain,” Amanda Waller said. “Task Force X will handle special mission not only that are too dangerous for regular agents and too difficult. It is in the country's best interests of course.” “Very well Ms. Waller I will join your squad but only for the country's best interest,” Captain Atom said.

Sometime Later

Amanda Waller and Captain Atom approached a heavily barricaded building in the middle of the California Redwood forest. As they entered Captain Atom noticed some of the rooms were regular living quarters, and some looked more like prison cells. “What are those rooms for,” he asked Amanda. “Those are for some of our less desirable team members,” she replied as they entered a conference room where a man with a targeting scope on his eye and a female clown were handcuffed to their seats. “You will be leading these two and soon many more. This is Task Force X,” Amanda Waller said with a smile. “This isn't a task force, call it be what it is, a Suicide Squad,” the handcuffed man said.

Back at the base General Wade Eiling had just injected himself with the serum. Finally he would be able to put end to the Justice League and their super menace to America and her interests. The plan was working according to schedule with Question bleeding out in Hub City thanks to Deadshot the end of the Justice League was near. Just as the excruciating process was complete the General, now a giant hulking monster, was ready to take on the League. Just as he finished a doctor at the base walked into the room “Oh sh..”

Part 3 Spectre/Sandman: Sweet Dreams Are Made of This coming soon