"I have secured Brainiac's Skull Ship," a voice spoke into a communication device. The voice held a slight electronic echo, barely noticeable to the average listener.
"What are the Brainiacs statuses?" Another voice responded over the communication.
"Brainiac E80B34 and E2000G are subdued. They are fighting a techno-organic virus that threatens an absolute cybernetic system failure. Once finished, I shall move against Brainiacs E2020ZA, E60D, and E95Z11.
Superman E52E, you are cleared to move on to Transversal Gate A22. Shadow Demons from Anti-Matter Universe AM11 have formed a perimeter, be careful.
"Confirmed, Robotman E40A," the communication closed.
It is the middle of a Crisis on Infinite Earths endgame battle. There are infinite infinities of Earths within the DC Universe Omegaverse, some larger than others. The Crisis is a process of recycling the DC universes. What activates a Crisis event for any set of Infinite Earths is unclear.
Typically, Fixed Universal Nodes (F.U.N.), are indestructible universes with fixed timelines. Only a Crisis event can destroy such universes. An F.U.N. is the main body of any universe. Imagine a tree with roots, a trunk, and branches with leaves. The trunk of a multiverse, such as E40 is a Fixed Universal Node. The designation E40 means Earth 40
Universe E40A represents a close branch of E40. The branches could also have branches. For example, the branch for E40A would be E40A1, E40A2, and E40A3. The Roots of a multiverse represent corresponding Quantum-verses. The Quantum Root for E40 would be QE40, and the branching roots would be QE40A, QE40A1, QE40A2, etc.
The Positive matter universe for E40 is P40 while its anti-matter universe is A40.
Some infinite Earths have overcome the Crisis events, while others completely disappear and become the soil for new multiverses to grow.
A battle in a transversal node, or nodes between multiverses, is underway. The Antimonitor has enlisted the aid of Brainiac and other villains and former heroes to fight for the destruction of the Infinite Earths. As always, some heroes and villains stand together against the end of their multiverses.
Leading this battle is Robotman from Earth E40A. Each unique universe may have small to infinite numbers of iterations of the same universe.
Earth E40A is a variant of the original Earth 40. This Earth's first superhero team is the Justice Society of America. During World War II The JSA was made the defenders of America's homefront, but most of the JSA's members were drafted to form the All-Star Squadron when America officially entered the war.
Most of America's best superheroes were drafted into the All-Star Squadron. After the war, the All-Star Squadron disbands. Some of the serving members of the All-Star Squadron retire, others join the JSA, and others form other teams or return to solo adventures.
Earth 40A is a variant of Earth 40, and the variation of Earth centers around the fate of the original Robotman, Robert Crane. In Earth 40, Robert Crane returns to his life as a respected robotics expert. Even as the world's first Cyborg, he researches new robotic bodies.
His research ended when his close friend and colleague Chuck Grayson died. Chuck preserved his body and Robert Crane lived as a human again. Deciding to perish with Grayson's death, the original Robotman, Robert Crane, died in 1992.
The Robotman of Earth 40a made a different decision. In E40a, Robert Crane returned to becoming a Robotman instead of dying with Grayson's body. Over the decades, Crane continued to advance Robotman technology. Eventually, he dug up his original body, created a series of clones, and used the stem cells of his original body to create metalimorphic skin, muscles, and other organs.
Even under thorough scrutiny of modern medical equipment, the new Robert Crane's body appeared human. When he wanted to fight, the metalimorphic organics were absorbed into the Robotman body; revealing an advanced super cyborg war machine!
It is Robotman E40A who was chosen to lead the assault against the Brainiacs defending this particular transversal node.
Removed from the fighting, a group of transversal node defenders watched the Brainiacs get overwhelmed and defeated.
"Flesh overcomes metal," A white albino super-gorilla in red battle armor snorts in disdain.
"Ultrahumanate, The Robotman is nearly the same kind of robot existence as Brainiac," Clarion the Witchboy says as he strokes his cat.
"He is like me, the human mind is the most potent weapon to overcome the metals. Although I believe he would be better in a powerful organic body, I must respect his recognition of the power of the human mind."
"Enough of this, when will we attack?" Nemesis asked. Dressed in a dark twisted version of Jay Garrick's Flash costume, he barely contains his bloodthirst.
"We should destroy these puny Monitor minions. Once we have defended this node, the great Master Antimonitor will reward us with antimatter bodies to rule his greatest Antimatter Universe," Black Adam, whose face is covered in burn scars pulses with power.
"Patience, my friends, our spy will signal when the heroes are at their most vulnerable," a small man who exudes an even more powerful presence than Black Adam and the others floats quietly. His Kryptonian eyes shine as his super-vision scans the battlefield and their enemies.
"Zod, you can have the Superman, I want the Robotman," Clarion says with an evil cackle.
"You love slaughtering the technology-based heroes," Black Adam's sharp canines revealed their vicious points as he smiled.
"My Chaos Magic is far superior to some brain in a bottle," Clarion's mad laugh would have alerted their opponents if not for the magical field that prevented sound from leaving their bubble.
Superman E52E punctured the Brainiac SKull Ship Robotman recently defeated. Within the ship, he ripped the mind core out and flew away. Robotman E40B clicked a button and the skull ship disintegrated.
"Oh, another Robotman," Ultrahumanate commented.
"Shh, the spy's report is coming," Zod placed his left index finger against the outside of his left ear and listened to their spy. After a few moments, Zod pressed the area of the outer ear. He looked at his compatriots, "Five seconds."
5...4...3...2...1
An explosion preceded Robotman E40A's boarding of the next Brainiac Skull Ship. Zod disappeared from his group and sucker-punched Superman E52E, who was distracted.
Black Adam appeared behind Robotman E40B and ripped its limbs off. He grasped the top of the cyborg's head and squizzed. The remaining body opened a place on its chest and stabbed Black Adam in the heart.
Surprised by the counterattack, he released the Robotman and clutched the now severed mini-arm. The arm was filled with a fast-acting toxin that forced Black Adam to clutch at his head.
The body collected the limbs and using several miniature arms and tools, Robotman repaired himself. Nemesis launched an attack, but Robotman created a shield. The evil speedster smashed into the energy shield and bounced off of it. The crunching sound was the result of Nemesis crashing into the Shield. He was alive but it would take time for his body to heal.
Clarion watched the battle and laughed mockingly. Black Adam, arguably one of the strongest of their team was dead. He was the first to fall despite his bravado. Nemesis lay on the ground in a mess.
Clarion flicked his wrist and a red and gold energy blade appeared and sliced through Robotman E40B's body vertically. His human brain was destroyed, meaning he was completely dead.
"They make it so easy that it isn't fun," The Witch Boy pouted. The cat yawned lazily as if to prove his point.
A sonic boom exploded and Superman E52E flew through the air and smashed into Clarion. He wasn't bored anymore as he was smashed into the ground. His cat was injured, and Clarion's body flickered a little.
Zod appeared and made another attack disregarding Clarion who was furious. "Stupid Star Eaters!" He yelled his nickname for Kryptonains. He was too angry and no longer contained his power. A wave of destructive chaos magic tore through Zod and Superman E52E reducing them to nothing.
The energy continued throughout the battlefield. The Ultrahumanate froze at the sight of the wave. Unable to move, the destructive energy killed him. Shadow Demons, heroes, and demons alike were killed.
Robatman E40A held an unconscious Lobo, the traitor. There were numerous mechanical arms inserted into the main man. Robotman sampling Lobo's genes and collecting physiological data. When his sensors detected the chaotic energy wave, he used Lobo like a shield to survive the onslaught.
After the wave ate through Lobo's body, Robotman E40A managed to tank the rest of the energy, although he suffered critical damage to various systems. He spied Clarion who was still rampaging and screaming in anger.
Without a thought, the left arm detached from Robotman's body. It separated into several parts, and most of the parts attacked Clarion. A few pieces struck at and killed Clarion's cat.
When he felt his cat's death, Clarion fired a final chaotic blast that slammed Robotman into the transversal gate, which blew up after he passed through it. Clarion's hateful face laughed madly as his body disappeared.
The transversal conduit filled with the chaotic energy of Clarion disintegrated nearly all of Robotman's body. Only his head was left, surrounded by an energy field. The transversal conduit shattered, and Robotman's head was sucked into the chaotic void between multiverses.
In Liberal, Kansas, an old farmer is walking through his buried and dry field when he sees a blue light streak through the sky and crashes into a soil drift covering part of his farmland. The old man rushes to where he saw the thing crash. When he arrived, smoke continued to billow from a crater.
After a few minutes, the smoke cleared and he saw something in the center. The low lights of evening obscured the exact details, but he built up his courage and moved nearer. At first, he thought it was a rock or lump of metal. Unsure, he reached down and touched the object. It was cool despite previously being surrounded by the blue fire.
Not feeling heat or discomfort, he picked up the object, that only weighed about fifteen pounds or so. He turned it over in his hand and noticed two blue lights fading. He thought he was holding a skull and nearly dropped the object.
The old farmer had seen a lot in his life, and the Great War he returned from about twenty years ago gave him nerves of steel. He continued looking at the object, it seemed like a metallic head, but wires were coming out.
He knew he had a treasure, and took off his jacket to hide the object. He ran to the house and buried his mysterious find under a loose floorboard. Now, he needed to decide what to do with his discovery.
The old farmer spent a couple of weeks deciding what to do with his Star Skull, as he called it. Getting more uneasy about his prize being discovered, he decided to head to New York and look for a place to sell it. There was a lot of money in New York, if he found the right person, he could make a killing.
Howard Stark sat in his office in Stark Industries, his three-and-a-half-month-old business. He worked feverishly to make his business thrive. He knew the war was around the corner, and as an ambitious twenty-two-year-old entrepreneur, all he needed was a chance.
His problem was there was a lot of potential for profit in the future, but right now there wasn't much. One of his ideas was to put out word that he was looking for meteorites, strange discoveries, and anything to use as a springboard. If someone brought him something he was interested in, he promised big money!
It was this advertisement that drew in an old farmer named Peter Quebec. Wearing standard overalls with a light jacket and a hat. He moved his graying hair behind his ears; it was a self-conscious and instinctive action. It was like a quick self-grooming to seem more presentable. He was meeting a wealthy man, Howard Stark.
Over his back was his rucksack from the Great War. It served him when he was much younger and in the army. He held on to his old uniform and helmet. He approached the beautiful blond receptionist in a red dress and black top. Her red and gold earrings popped out, drawing attention to her slender neck.
The young lady reading a magazine of some kind, saw the older man. Her eyes sparkled as if excited to have something to do.
"Hello, sir, how may I help you?" Her blossoming smile made the man feel awkward. He wasn't used to getting smiles from pretty gals.
"Mr. Stark said he's looking for unusual things, I got one. He said he would pay big money," Peter looked nervously around the room, hesitant to make eye contact with the girl.
"Ah, you're answering his advert! I will let Mr. Stark know Mr...?" The bright-eyed girl asked for the man's name.
"My name's Peter, Peter Quebec."
"Thank you, Mr. Quebec, please have a seat and I will inform Mr. Stark," The polite young woman pointed to a few chairs next to the window. There was a coffee table with a selection of magazines, all had Howard Stark on the cover. It was a subtle hint as to why a person would come to Stark Industries, not some other company.
The young woman picked up a phone and pressed a button, "Mr. Stark, this is Caroline Ford at the front desk. Yes, sir...uh maybe later. No, sir, it's...there's a Mr. Peter Quebec here to see you. No, sir, you don't know him. No, sir, he doesn't have an appointment. Mr. Stark, he is answering your advert for strange things. He says he has something you might be interested in. Mhmm, uh-huh, yes, sir, I'll send him in. Thank you, Mr. Stark."
Hanging up the phone, the young woman smiled at Peter, "Mr. Quebec, Mr. Stark says you may meet him in his lab, it's right through those doors, a right at the t-junction, and the last door on the left."
Getting the instructions for how to find Mr. Stark the man got up and passed through the doors, "Thank you, Ms. Ford." The old farmer tugged on his hat and nodded. He disappeared through the doors, and the receptionist returned to her magazine.
Hesitating and unsure, Peter found the door that led to Mr. Stark's lab. Even with Caroline's excellent directions, he lacked confidence. Still, he took a deep breath and entered. There he saw Howard Stark at a desk looking at some blueprints.
"Hello, Mr. Stark," Peter hoped he was addressing Howard and not some kid who worked for him.
Looking up from the blueprints, Howard's mouth widened into a smile, "Mr. Quebec, thank you for coming."
Feeling less nervous, Peter walked to Howard, "Can we talk before I show you the thing I brought?"
"Sure, of course," Howard continued to smile. It wasn't clear if it was the smile of an amoral businessman or the passionate smile of an adventurous scientist. At the very least, Howard looked excited.
"I don't want no government, army, nobody knowin' about this thing bein' from me. I want that in the contract. And I ain't sellin' unless you give me good money," Peter clutched to his bag wary of Howard.
Howard smiled at the fear and greed exhibited by the other party, he could work with both, "I promise you, Mr. Quebec, I will keep the origins of the object secret. That is if I choose to purchase it. Also, the price of the object depends on its rarity."
"Oh it's rare alright, it came from the sky," Peter said.
Howard's eyes glimmered, if it were a meteorite it could be a useless stone or hold treasures of alien origin, "Alright, it sounds very good, let's take a look, shall we?"
"Is it okay if I put it here, or do you wanna put away your drawins?"
Rolling up the blueprints and putting them away, Howard patted the table indicating the man could put the object there.
He was encouraged when he saw the cocky smirk that adorned the formerly nervous farmer.
The old man lay his rucksack on the table, opened the flack, and pulled out the head he found in his fields. Howard's eyes sparkled, "Where did you find this?"
"It might sound crazy, but I was on my farm and I seen a blue light flyin' through the sky. Next thing I know, the blue light's slammin' into my field.
I found this thing in tha' crater. I was in the last war so I know about craters. I thought it was a person's skull at first, gave me a scare. I seen all these wires and what not sticking out, and those eyes was glowin' when I first picked it up.
I didn't know what ta do with it, but I knew it was valuable. I ain't never seen them kinds of metals before. I can tell you want it, don't pretend it ain't valuable. I want a good price for it," Peter watched Howard for signs of deception.
"How much?" Howard turned the robot's head over and over again in his hands.
"I want ta pay off my farm and have some money ta live on for the rest of my life," the old man said with finality.
"How much is that?" Howard peeked at the old farmer for a moment before turning his head back to the head.
"I think $10,000 should do it," the old man hesitates to give his price. If Howard says no, Peter's ready to take his treasure somewhere else. Like he said, he could tell it was valuable.
"I'll give you $20,000, but you will sign a contract promising not to tell anyone about this or our deal. Is that agreeable to you?" Howard didn't bother to look at the old man.
"That's a deal, pal," The old man stuck out his hand with a big smile. Howard returned the smile and shook hands.
Placing the head down for the first time, he picks up the phone on his desk, "Hello, Caroline? Yeah, tell my lawyer Mr. Bixby that it's time to earn his keep. Yeah, I don't care if he's on vacation. I want him back here pronto. I have a very important matter I need him to take care of. If he can't get over here, I'll find someone who can!" Howard hung up the phone.
"Speakin' of that Caroline...you happen to know if she's single?" The older man asks.
"You think you have a shot with Caroline?" Howard asked amused.
"Well, sir, I'm about to be a wealthy man. Maybe she won't fancy my farm or my overalls, but I bet she'd fancy that," the older farmer laughed.
"You are a very wise man, my friend, but make sure you protect your assets. I happen to know a couple of good lawyers I can introduce you to them, and Caroline."
"Oh, I've already met her, pretty lass with a kind demeanor. She'd make a great mother, and I ain't never had children. I doubt I got the time to spend all the money, I should have an heir, don't you think?"
Howard laughed, "You're asking the wrong person, pal. I'm still sowin' my wild oats."
"Yeah, well don't wait too long. You never know how long you got," Peter said.
"Sir, that is the gift of the young, I don't know and I don't care how long I have, but I know I'm young and I want it all!"
Old Peter brought out a flask, "Here's to your oates and my heir. May your oates never come home to roost," Old Peter took a swig and offered the flask to Howard.
"And may your heirs be prolific like father Abraham!" Howard took a big swig and returned the flask to a happy Old Peter.
"Speaking of the future, have you ever thought about investing? If you invest in Stark Industries and buy some stocks, you'll be ridiculously rich very soon." Howard smiled.
"This ain't no film flam is it?" Old Peter squinted his eyes at Howard.
"No film flam my friend merely an opportunity. Stark Industries will be the hottest commodity in the future. Thanks in part to you. You and I both see the value in this thing. Do you think I'll let this thing sit on a shelf?"
The two men laughed jovially.