Titans of Justice Unlimited #106 - “The Death of Sonic Boom”
Written by: Scotty2Hotty
Edited, & Maxi-micros by: Power Guy


Several months had passed since Sonic Boom had been severely injured by the Brotherhood of Evil. Shortly before that she had endured a horrific ordeal at the hands of a clone of her husband, from the Universe of Evil. Di Di Queen had been hospitalized at a S.T.A.R Labs hospital these past months, unfortunately her condition had not improved.

Her husband, Daniel Jordan also known as Green Lantern had barely left his wife’s side. The former very clean cut man now looked disheveled. A scraggly beard covered his face and he looked as if he had aged 10 years over the course of a few months. In addition to the Brotherhood of Evil electrocuting his wife, they also took the life of their unborn baby.

“Dan. I have the latest results.” Illumina said, entering the hospital room.





“Has there been any improvement? Any at all?” Dan Jordan asked quietly.





Illumina took a deep breath. “No. No, I’m afraid not. In fact her brain activity is leveling off.”

She took a seat next to Dan, who was holding Di Di’s hand. “Dan, it’s time to talk about….well, what you want to do. The machines are keeping Didi alive at this point. Have you talked to her parents?”

Dan took a deep breath. “They come by every day, Rob too. No one’s mentioned….”

“I understand. Listen, you have worn yourself out staying here night and day. Please, go home. Get a decent night’s sleep. You need a clear head for what’s coming.”

“I can’t leave her…what if she wakes up and I’m not here.” He said, his head slumped.

Illumina, who had a reputation for being cold and distant, took his hand. “Dan, I don’t think that’s going to happen. Get some rest. Call her parents and brother. You need to decide as a family what is best for Di Di. At this point, it’s almost….cruel to keep her hooked up to these machines. I’m sorry.”

Dan slowly stood up and nodded his head. Soon he was on his way home. As he transformed into Green Lantern, he felt as if he were flying on autopilot and he felt numb from head to toe.

***

The University of Ivy Town…

Jared Cochin walked to his biology class. He despised the class as he was having to take it as an elective and secretly wished he was out patrolling as Apotheosis with his new love interest and partner, The Mask. He took his seat and fumbled through his backpack for his notebook.

“Class, today we have a guest speaker. We’ve been studying micro repair to nerves, muscles, and advances in the treatment of brain injury victims and Jason Hardwick is an expert in this field. I am very proud to say he was mentored by one of my colleagues, Dr. Ray Palmer. Please give him your full attention.” The instructor said.

“Jason Hardwick? Nucleus?” Jared thought. “Well, this just might be interesting.”





After the class dismissed, Jared made his way to Jason. The two of them chatted as they exited the building.

“I have to admit, I’ve lost touch with just about everyone. My work has consumed all my time lately. I did hear about the teams splitting up. Is it true, Celsius was back and caused all that trouble?” Jason asked.





“It’s true, every word.” Jared replied, filling Jason in on World War Justice and the recent return of the Brotherhood of Evil.

“Poor Di Di. It sounds like they’ve done all they can do for her. I need to be a better friend and reach out to Dan and the Queens.”

Just then, Jared was startled as someone called out to him. It was Freddie Batson and Jared Messen from Fawcett City.

“What are you guys doing here? Ditching school?” the man known as Apotheosis asked.

“Today’s a visit day. We get to pick a college we’re interested in and take a tour.” Freddie replied.





“Where’s fraternity row?” the son of Bulletman asked.





“Straight to the fun stuff, huh?” Jared laughed. He directed the boys to Greek row.

“That was Corporal Marvel, wasn’t it?” Jason asked. “It looks like he’s doing quite well for himself in spite of taking on the power of Shazam.”

“Well, my next class is in this building. It was good to see you. I’ll tell the others you said hi when I see them.”

The two men shook hands and Jared went to class.

Days later, Daniel Jordan, Ollie and Dinah Queen, and Rob sat in Illumina’s office. She shared grim news about Di Di’s condition. “Did Di Di have a living will?”

“I never knew of one.” Dan said.

“Yes…yes she did. Both she and Rob made one when they started this…this foolishness.” Ollie Queen stammered as Rob looked to his dad.





“Foolishness?” Rob thought.





“Did Di Di indicate if she wished to be kept alive via artificial methods or did she wish to….pass naturally.”

Dinah spoke up. “She wouldn’t want this. She didn’t want to be kept alive by machines. Are you 100% sure there’s no chance for recovery?”





“Mrs. Queen, it’s not likely. Your daughter’s been in a coma for months with diminishing brain activity. I’ve consulted with some of my colleagues, the best in their fields. Even some of the other Titans…..”

“All these fancy powers, gadgets…and my kid….MY KID!!!!—my kid’s laying there….dying.” Oliver Queen said, tears streaming down his face. “And no one can help her…”

Rob put his hand on his father’s shoulder.

“Dad….Didi wouldn’t want this. She was…she was a free spirit in a way…you know? Independent to a fault, she wouldn’t want to be kept alive like this. She’d call it torture.”

“Mrs. Queen, do you have the will?” Illumina asked.

Dinah Queen took the will and handed it to Illumina.

“I see. Di Di instructions are very clear Mr. and Mrs. Queen have power of attorney. I will leave you all to decide when to proceed.” Illumina said, picking up Di Di’s file and leaving the room.

Daniel Jordan sat stone faced, emotionless. Almost as if he weren’t in the room. Memories of the past flooded his brain, memories of happier times….and thoughts of what could have been.

Dinah hugged her son, who was crying. The bond between twins was a strong one and Robert Queen felt as if part of him were dying. Oliver Queen left the room. Out of all them, Dinah seemed to holding up the best. Perhaps she felt as if she needed to be strong for the rest of them while she was grieving inside.





Apotheosis appeared via one of the team’s transport tubes for the team meeting. He noticed Nemesis showing a device to Storm Surge.

“It’s pretty cool. We’ve been able to download the IRAC computer into these portable devices.” Tom said to Storm Surge.





“And these can do everything IRA can do?” Storm Surge asked.





“They can. Everything we used to do in-house can now go with you anywhere you go. Yours will even work in the ocean’s depths.” Tom smiled.

The IRAC computer was a program developed by Steve Trevor and Diana Prince years ago. IRAC was a predecessor to the internet age and used to gather valuable information and assist the IADC. Now, thanks to the new devices, IRA (as it was known to the IADC agents) would be a virtual entity that could easily be accessed by the Titans of Authority anywhere at anytime.

“Tom…I just got a message from Dark Arrow. He won’t be here for the meeting. It’s his sister….” Lilith said.





“Oh no, did she….?” Tom asked.

“Not yet. The family is preparing to remove her from life support. Illumina and her team have done all they can for Sonic Boom.” Lilith replied.

“Great. Another person dies because of a villain. Knightvision, my father….and now Sonic Boom.” Totem sighed.

Apotheosis seemed taken aback at the announcement. He felt an urge to go out and find some villain or street thug and beat them senseless.

***
A bar in Beverly Hills…

Helena Wayne sat at the bar alone, sipping scotch. She had been in Beverly Hills for additional training for her law firm and to visit her dear friend Di Di Queen. She was now certified to mediate divorces and custody arrangements and was quite proud of herself for completing this endorsement. A tipsy patron made his way to the pretty dark haired woman.

“Did it hurt?” he mumbled.

“Excuse me?” Helena asked, not amused.





“Well, you must be an angel you’re so beautiful…did it hurt when you fell from Heaven?”

Helena rolled her eyes. And she thought the pick up lines in Gotham City were lame!

She ignored the man and focused on her drink.

“Hey stuck up! I’m talking to you! Must be one of those east coast types!” the man huffed. He started to grab her shoulder, intending to spin her around and confront her. Before he could, Helena Wayne stopped his arm, mid-air and flipped him over, onto his back.

“I’d advise you to keep your pick up lines and hands to yourself.” She smiled. A bouncer came from the back and escorted the startled man out of the lounge.

“Sorry about that Miss Wayne. We run a classy establishment here, but the riffraff tends to find its way in from time to time.” The bartender said. “I see you can take care of yourself, haha!”

“Ha just a trick my mother taught me. And that guy didn’t bother me, he was harmless.” Helena smiled. Just then she saw a familiar face come through the door. “Rob Queen? What’s he doing here in this bar?” she thought.

Rob ordered a beer and sat alone. He looked worried. Helena made her way towards him.

“Rob? You ok?” she asked.

“No….no I’m not.” He explained what was going on.

“I don’t know what to say…I had no idea…I mean, I thought…..” she stammered, trying to find the right words.

“It’s ok. We’re all pretty shaken up. Mom and Dad—Dan, all trying to decide when to….when to….” His eyes started to tear up.

“Illumina…what did she say? I mean, is there no chance?”

“No…it’s been months. Her brain activity is getting less and less each day. The electrocution damaged her heart…her nerves. And the baby she was carrying….”

Helena had never seen Rob this way. So vulnerable and unsure. He usually was the epitome of confidence, but when it came to his twin sister he was like a different person.

“Rob, I’m here. What can I do?”

“Can you come up with a miracle?”

“I wish I could.”

“What are you doing out here anyway. Not that I mind seeing you.”

“Just work stuff, look…do you mind if I go back to the hospital with you…to see Di Di? I had stopped in yesterday and talked with Dan for a few minutes. He seemed a wreck.”

“Yeah, let’s go” Rob smiled. Helena took his hand and it was like she was meeting Rob all over for the first time. Although she did not like seeing her friend so upset, there was something different about Rob that day. Something vulnerable….something sweet.

***

Back at the hospital, Illumina spoke with the assembled family.

“Mr. Queen. I did as you asked. I ran one last scan and the results show her brain activity is dropping significantly.”

“Thank you.” The former Green Arrow said. Roy Harper and his daughter Lian had arrived. Rob and Helena entered the room.

Dinah Queen hugged her and instructed her to say good bye to her friend. Helena let her tears flow as she took her friend’s hand and kissed it.

The family clasped hands and Dan led them in a prayer.

“Dan, do you….?” Dinah asked, looking towards the machines keeping Didi alive.

“No….I can’t do it. As long as there’s hope….I can’t…I disagree with this….I’m her husband. Don’t I have a say in this?”

Helena saw the living will on a table and examined it. She read that Di Di’s wishes were very evident and her parents had power of attorney.

She whispered to Dan. “This is what she wanted. She wouldn’t want to be kept alive this way. If you try to fight the family on this…it could be tied up in court for months….”

Dan and Didi had only been married a short time and had not finished all of the legal things that come with getting married such as updating will, power of attorney, etc. Dan turned his head as his posture slumped.

Dan regained his composure as Oliver and Dinah Queen joined hands and started walking towards the machine. Each of them placed a hand on the plug and started to remove it from the wall.


TO BE CONTINUED!