Eric Travis
Jun 21, 2008, 08:44 pm
Checkmate #1
June 2006
<img src="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/covers/dc/ checkmatev2_thumb001.gif" hspace=3 align=top align=left alt="Checkmate #1" border="0"> (http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/covers/dc/checkmatev2_full001.jpg)
Story Arc: The Game of Kings - Part #1
Writer: Greg Rucka
Artist: Jesus Saiz
Colorists: Tanya & Richard Horie
Letterer: Travis Lanham
Cover Artists: Lee Bermejo, Patricia Mulvihill
Assistant Editor: Rachel Gluckstern
Editor: Joan Hilty
First Apperance: Jonah McCarthy, Thomas Jagger, Taleb Beni Kahlid, Jessica Midnight
Death: Jonah McCarthy
At a secret Kobra installation, on an island in the Gulf of Aden, a small strike force sneaks to the shoreline, quietly and skillfully slipping past the armed patrols. The trio, Sasha (Black Queen), Jonah (Black Queen's Knight), and Fire (Black King's Knight), take down four of the guards, hiding the bodies and making contact with the Black King.
Meanwhile, the United Nations Security Council is in session to discuss the future of Checkmate, the U.N. chartered metahuman monitoring force. The recent restructuring led to the 'Rule of Two', referring to the balance of metahuman and unpowered human in the group. The current roster of 12 is listed, split into White and Black. Each side has a King and Queen, each with his or her own Bishop and Knight. The issue at hand is the continuance of Checkmate's charter, and granting permanent authorization as a Security Council agency.
Alan Scott, the White King (a.k.a. Green Lantern), gives an update on Checkmate's accomplishments to date, only to be cut off by a motion to debate the issue in private. Outside, Alan and Amanda debate whether or not things will go according to plan. The plan is to locate the source of Kobra's cyclosarin supply, and use it as leverage to get the votes they need. Amanda is sure it is a French supplier.
Back on the island, Fire creates a diversion, to let the disguised Sasha and Jonah slip into the facility unnoticed. When two of the guards notice the newcomers, Sasha swiftly takes them both out, and laments the loss of surprise, while Jonah taunts her about White Queen's reaction. Again they make contact with Checkmate headquarters, to get further guidance from two of the Bishops, Mr. Terrific (White King's Bishop) and Jessica Knight (Black Queen's Bishop).
With the help of both Bishops, Jonah and Sasha quickly make their way deeper into the compound, taking out defenses and guards along the way. Fire is given the order to take out more of the guards outside, which she does with a generous amount of her green flame.
Jonah and Sasha continue onto their goal, and find the leader of the Kobra sect. Sasha kills him, and uplinks the computer to get the information back to HQ. Only then does she notice that Jonah was killed by the Kobra's first blast.
Back at the United Nations, Amanda and Alan are summoned inside again to witness the vote. Too late, Sasha's information is relayed to Amanda. The cyclosarin was supplied by the Chinese, not the French, and as the final votes are tallied, China is the only permanent member of the council to vote 'Nay'. With that vote, Checkmate is given one week to cease all operations and disband.
Characters:
Sasha Bordeaux (http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?t=33318)
King Faraday
Fire (http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?t=27318)
Green Lantern (http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?t=30343)
Thomas Jagger
Taleb Beni Khalid
Jonah McCarthy
Jessica Midnight (http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?t=35678)
Mister Terrific (http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?t=34862)
Shen Li Po
Count Vertigo
Amanda Waller
<hr>
Checkmate #2
July 2006
<img src="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/covers/dc/ checkmatev2_thumb002.gif" hspace=3 align=top align=left alt="Checkmate #2" border="0"> (http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/covers/dc/checkmatev2_full002.jpg)
Story Arc: The Game of Kings - Part #2
Writer: Greg Rucka
Artist: Jesus Saiz
Colorists: Tanya & Richard Horie
Letterer: Travis Lanham
Cover Artists: Lee Bermejo, Patricia Mulvihill
Assistant Editor: Rachel Gluckstern
Editor: Joan Hilty
Checkmate created by: Paul Kupperberg, Steve Erwin
The story begins in the Castle, in the Swiss Alps. With the clock ticking down to Checkmate's dissolution, the White Queen, Amanda Waller, has a morning debriefing with her Bishop, King Faraday, to discuss the situation and their options. Faraday lays out three possibilities. First, Checkmate fails to alter China's veto, and Checkmate is reformed as a United States agency, with Waller at the helm. Second, Checkmate's supporters on the Security Council push a new resolution and pressure China into supporting it. Third, Checkmate begins a covert operation to blackmail China, and Ambassador Shi, into supporting the agency. Waller agrees that the third choice is the way to proceed.
Elsewhere, the followers of Kali Yuga hold a snake-infested prayer ceremony, as the head of Kobra swears divine retribution on Checkmate.
In his quarters at the Castle, Mister Terrific is awakened by a call from the White King, Alan Scott. Alan is upset about the operation in the Gulf of Aden, and wants to consult his Bishop and his Knight (Tom Jagger) before the seven o'clock board meeting. After Alan disconnects, Sasha rolls out of Michael's bed and starts getting dressed again, wondering if she and Michael are keeping their relationship a secret. Michael assures her it just wasn't the right time, and that Alan isn't comfortable with her methods. When Sasha asks how he feels, he admits he feels the same, but that it doesn't change his feelings for her.
Sasha leaves Michael's quarters, and finds her Bishop, Jessica Midnight, waiting for her. After some good-natured banter, the women get down to business as they walk to the Operations Center. Jessica runs down a handful of items that Sasha needs to deal with, and, in turn, Sasha gives orders on each. When it comes to the matter of a replacement for McCarthy, Sasha decides to give it a week. If Checkmate is still functioning, she'll start the search for a new Knight.
In the Operations Center, Sasha and Jessica join Taleb Beni Khalid as the Black King coordinates a strike against a North Korean missile facility. With five days to go, Checkmate is offering what favors it can to its allies on the UN Security Council. Taleb warns Sasha that Alan is looking for the proverbial pound of flesh, and Sasha deduces that Alan was offered certain promises by Amanda Waller before the operation began. The trio move on from Ops Center to the Board Room, seating themselves on either side of the large table according to color and position.
Alan begins the meeting by recounting the situation with the United Nations, only to be interrupted by Sasha, who believes there is a more important question to be addressed. While Alan argues the political realities of getting another resolution introduced with China ready to veto, Sasha argues they should be investigating why China vetoed in the first place, and goes so far as to wonder how deep the Chinese ties to Kobra may run. Shen Li Po is insulted by the accusation, and Sasha points out that the cyclosarin came from Henan Province, in China. Taleb steps in to try to defuse the budding argument, and agrees that the problem is with China, regardless of Kobra's involvement.
Amanda speaks up to point out that Sasha and Taleb are half-right, as is Alan. Specifically, the only way to save Checkmate is to have a second resolution introduced at the Security Council, but it will do no good unless they can guarantee China will side with them. When Alan gets suspicious, Amanda points out that the theft of the cyclosarin falls within Checkmate's jurisdiction, and thus, they have the legal standing to investigate Henan Province. Reluctantly, Alan agrees to Amanda's suggestion, and announces that White Side will work on the political side at the UN, while Black Side takes the investigation. With all four royals concurring, the meeting is adjourned.
Afterwards, Alan speaks to Sasha, along with Beatriz, expressing his intense displeasure with Sasha's handling of the Gulf of Aden operation. Sasha counters by asserting that she isn't a superhero like Green Lantern or Fire, and that morality is a more flexible concept in Checkmate's world. She goes so far to suggest that if they cannot accept getting their hands dirty, they should step down and return to the caped life. Sasha excuses herself to get back to work, and makes her way to Waller's office.
Amanda informs Count Vertigo that he'll be going on the investigation for her, to make sure they get what they need. Sasha confronts Amanda, and knows that the cyclosarin is not the true purpose of the operation. Sasha knows Amanda is after something in particular to hold over China, to ensure the passage of the resolution, and puts forward the idea that Werner will have a better chance of success if he has the other Knights on his side. Amanda concedes the point and gives Sasha information on the Great Wall Facility, the Chinese metahuman development center. Amanda wants proof that China is experimenting to create their own army of superhumans.
Later, Alan has a meeting in Moscow with the Russian Ambassador, while Amanda meets with the American Ambassador in Washington, D.C. Both of the White royals push for a new resolution, and offer assurances and good faith. Both of the White royals are under surveillance by snake-eyed Kobra operatives.
Simultaneously, the Ops team (Sasha, Count Vertigo, Fire, and Thomas Jagger) are airdropped over the Great Wall.
Characters:
Sasha Bordeaux (http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?t=33318)
King Faraday
Fire (http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?t=27318)
Green Lantern (http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?t=30343)
Thomas Jagger
Taleb Beni Khalid
Jessica Midnight (http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?t=35678)
Mister Terrific (http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?t=34862)
Shen Li Po
Count Vertigo
Amanda Waller
<hr>
Checkmate #3
August 2006
<img src="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/covers/dc/ checkmatev2_thumb003.gif" hspace=3 align=top align=left alt="Checkmate #3" border="0"> (http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/covers/dc/checkmatev2_full003.jpg)
Story Arc: The Game of Kings - Part #3
Writer: Greg Rucka
Guest Penciller: Cliff Richards
Guest Inkers: Bob Wiacek, Steve Bird
Colorists: Tanya & Richard Horie
Letterer: Travis Lanham
Cover Artists: Lee Bermejo, Patricia Mulvihill
Assistant Editor: Rachel Gluckstern
Editor: Joan Hilty
Checkmate created by: Paul Kupperberg, Steve Erwin
In Hebei Province, China, a military transport trundles along in the middle of the night, only to be stopped short by a pair of lovers getting intimate in the middle of the road. When the passenger gets out to move the lovebirds out of the way, the pair, Sasha Bordeaux and Thomas Jagger, catch him off-guard. Before the driver can react, Count Vertigo has him retching and reeling out of the cab of the truck. Fire makes her distaste known as she helps secure the driver, then turns the man over to Thomas and Werner to make preparations for the infiltration. Fire remains hostile and suspicious towards Sasha, but Sasha tries to keep her focused on the mission.
Back at the Castle, Jessica Midnight gives the others a status report on the mission, Once again, King Faraday casts doubt on Shen Li Po's loyalty to Checkmate, which Taleb Beni Khalid again tries to diffuse. Jessica reminds them of the mission underway, and walks them through what the agency knows about the Hebei facility. Mister Terrific isolates the building they want, noting the specialized equipment that would be needed for cyclosarin development. He theorizes that making China aware that Checkmate has evidence of this information would be enough to entice them to reverse their vote in the U.N. Shen points out the flaws in that theory, and implies that Kobra likely has a mole in the facility, and that China may be blackmailed into supporting Checkmate, just to keep that quiet.
Meanwhile, Alan Scott continues his meetings with UN ambassadors, this time in Paris, France. Alan comes away from his discussion with Claude Durand that France will continue to support Checkmate. After the meeting, Alan walks off, followed by a Kobra assassin weilding a sharpened, poisoned wooden stake. When the assassin moves to strike, he finds Alan prepared and waiting. Within seconds, Green Lantern has the operative helpless and captured, and places a call to the White Queen.
In her room at a London hotel, Amanda Waller sits calmly among the remnants of a chaotic fight, and seems more interested in Alan's progress than in any potential threat to her own life. After confirming that Alan's would-be assassin is still alive, Amanda decides the wounded assassin bleeding on her carpet isn't needed. Amanda shoots the defiant woman twice with a silenced handgun.
Back in the Castle, the team has begun hunting for information on Kobra's mole. Discussion swirls around the topics of the mole, Alan's would-be assassin, and the status of the current operation in China. Mister Terrific realizes that the Hebei facility is not a bioweapons unit; in fact, the cyclosarin is secondary to the true purpose of the facility. Michael connects the dots for the team, and accuses King Faraday and Amanda of knowing the secret and playing it for political advantage. Jessica realizes what Michael's saying, that the Hebei Facility is the Chinese metahuman development facility. Michael goes a step further and points out that China does not want Checkmate looking into it, because they'd rather hide the fact that Kobra has infiltrated their metahuman program.
As all eyes turn towards the Chinese member of the team, Shen Li Po deflects their unspoken accusations, and stands up for his government's decisions on the issue. He also notifies the team that the facility is "scheduled to be sanitized."
At the Hebei Facility, with the sun rising, the military truck finally reaches the main gate. As the 'soldiers' check in, they explain the trouble they had with the engine, as a cover story for their lateness. Once inside the facility, the truck heads over to a garage, and the 'soldiers' quickly close the doors and let their partners (Fire and Sasha) out of the back of the truck. The squad regroups, and the men peel off the masks and uniforms that got them past the checkpoint. Before the squad can begin the next leg of the op, the building is rocked by an explosion.
After climbing from the rubble, the Checkmate agents find themselves standing against the Durlan vessel piloted by the Immortal Man in Darkness, a member of China's Great Ten.
Characters:
Sasha Bordeaux (http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?t=33318)
Claude Durand
King Faraday
Fire (http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?t=27318)
Green Lantern (http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?t=30343)
Immortal Man in Darkness
Thomas Jagger
Taleb Beni Khalid
Jessica Midnight (http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?t=35678)
Mister Terrific (http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?t=34862)
Shen Li Po
Count Vertigo
Amanda Waller
<hr>
Checkmate #4
September 2006
<img src="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/covers/dc/ checkmatev2_thumb004.gif" hspace=3 align=top align=left alt="Checkmate #4" border="0"> (http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/covers/dc/checkmatev2_full004.jpg)
Story Title: The Game of Kings - Part #4
Writer: Greg Rucka
Artist: Jesus Saiz
Colorists: Tanya & Richard Horie
Letterer: Travis Lanham
Cover Artists: Lee Bermejo, Patricia Mulvihill
Assistant Editor: Rachel Gluckstern
Editor: Joan Hilty
Checkmate created by: Paul Kupperberg, Steve Erwin
At the Castle, Mr. Terrific gives Alan Scott an update on the situation in China, then leads him into the viewing room next to the interrogation chamber. Sitting on the other side of the one-way glass is the Kobra assassin who attempted to kill Alan, who continues stressing to Terrific that Checkmate should be better than the terrorists. As White King, Alan believes it is his role to ensure Checkmate is held to higher standards. Jessica Midnight interrupts and informs the two men that China is "sanitizing" the Hebei Facility.
In Hebei, Sasha's strike team faces off against the Immortal Man in Darkness. Before the team can take much action against the living Durlan vessel and its pilot, the Celestial Archer joins the fray and targets Sasha. The two exchange fire and banter, while Fire and Vertigo start to make headway against Immortal Man in Darkness, only to be interrupted by the sonic manipulations of Accomplished Perfect Physician. Thomas Jagger, manning a gun turret in a broken vehicle, takes aim at the Physician, but is quickly disarmed by the August General in Iron. When the General demands an explanation, Sasha hesitates only a few moments before explaining Checkmate's interest in rooting out the Kobra mole in the Facility. When the General dismisses her concerns, she threatens to reveal what she's seen to the U.N. Security Council, referring not only to the Hebei Facility itself, but the implementation of Durlan technology used by both the Immortal Man in Darkness and the General himself. The General agrees to consult his superiors on the matter.
Back at the Castle, King Faraday gives Amanda Waller some bad news. After explaining that Holt, Shen, and Midnight have been interrogating the Kobra assassin, he lays out the more distressing news that Mister Terrific figured out the significance of the Hebei Facility, and that Waller and Faraday neglected to share the information with the rest of the Royals. Further, all of the Bishops know, as do the Black King and the White King. The one saving grace, from Waller's perspective, is that communications were lost with Sasha's team before Midnight could tell the Black Queen. That means Count Vertigo is still able to run his secondary mission.
When Faraday and Waller join Scott and Midnight in the viewing room, Alan shares the information they've managed to get from the assassin. For starters, Alan was not the only target, and Amanda plays it cool. Annoyed, Alan dismisses the two Bishops, and turns off the speaker from the interrogation room. Alan confronts Amanda about her actions, and reminds her that his ring is capable of detecting lies. Amanda asserts that Alan and his friends did not fight Nazis with hugs and nice words, but Alan counters that they never killed their foes after a surrender. Amanda sticks vehemently to her belief that the ends justify the means, and that Checkmate must not be afraid of getting its hands dirty in order to do its job. Alan cannot accept that view, and reminds Amanda that Checkmate is answerable to the U.N., not to the United States. To make things right, Alan leaves to visit New York, then to China, leaving a concerned Waller behind.
Back in the rubble in the Hebei Facility, the two squads twiddle their thumbs and wait for the August General in Iron to receive word from the Great Ten. Sasha and the Celestial Archer continue to share idle small talk, before the Archer suggests a target-shooting contest to pass the time. Sasha counters with a game of hide and seek, to track down Vertigo and the Accomplished Perfect Physician. The two head off together, while Fire tries to talk with the Immortal Man in Darkness. He invites her to touch his living aircraft, which seems to react well to her contact.
Elsewhere in the facility, Count Vertigo finds a room of scientists trying to stay out of the fighting, and finds the one who speaks English. He takes her to help him access the central data hub of the Facility, intent on downloading everything on the Chinese metahuman program. Before he can finish his task, the Accomplished Perfect Physician uses his sonic powers to destroy the computer terminal, and insists that Vertigo return to the surface with him. Vertigo refuses, and lashes out with his own powers, which the Physician counters. Sasha and the Archer hear the sounds of their battle, and rush to the chamber, where sides are quickly drawn again. Sasha tries in vain to be the voice of reason, and the August General in Iron crashes through the ceiling to help defend his nation's secrets.
Sasha spares a moment to reprimand Vertigo, and the General attempts to place all of the Checkmate operatives under arrest. Fire drops down between Sasha and the General, to intercede on her Queen's behalf (albeit with more than a few jabs at Sasha's character). The General is unimpressed, and gives the order to kill the intruders. Immediately, his order is countermanded by Ambassador Shi, ferreyed to the scene by Green Lantern. Alan instructs the Checkmate team to stand down, and the Ambassador takes charge of the Chinese personnel over the General's protests.
Topside, with all of the Facility's remaining personnel gathered nearby, Shi permits Alan to meet his end of their agreement. Alan graciously complies, and uses his ring's power to search out the Kobra mole among the crowd. In the process, Sasha reminds him that White Side is not permitted to take an active role in Operations. Alan understands, but is intent on making his point that Checkmate need not resort to their enemy's tactics to defeat their enemy. His ring locates the mole, a man who falls quickly into the usual ranting, until August General silences him with a solid right hook.
With the mole in custody, the Ambassador assures Alan that China will fully support the measure to keep Checkmate active. With the conflict over, the teams part ways and Sasha attempts, twice, to claim responsibility for Vertigo's actions. Alan refuses to accept her claims, puts the blame back on Amanda Waller, and muses on the reasons Sasha and Michael have fallen for each other. Flustered, Sasha gets back on track by pointing out the trouble Alan will be in, yet Alan is more intent that the lesson be learned than his position be maintained.
Later, at the United Nations, the resolution to continue Checkmate's charter is put to a vote, and passes easily. That vote is followed immediately by a second vote, to re-confirm the Royals per the Rule of Two. Khalid, Bordeaux, and Waller are confirmed without trouble. Alan asks Waller whether it was her revenge, or the United States doing this to him. Amanda assures him he did it to himself, as Alan Scott's position as White King is vetoed by the U.S.A.
Characters:
Accomplished Perfect Physician
August General in Iron
Sasha Bordeaux (http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?t=33318)
Celestial Archer
King Faraday
Fire (http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?t=27318)
Green Lantern (http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?t=30343)
Immortal Man in Darkness
Thomas Jagger
Taleb Beni Khalid
Jessica Midnight (http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?t=35678)
Mister Terrific (http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?t=34862)
Shen Li Po
Ambassador Shi
Count Vertigo
Amanda Waller
<hr>
Checkmate #5
October 2006
<img src="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/covers/dc/ checkmatev2_thumb005.gif" hspace=3 align=top align=left alt="Checkmate #5" border="0"> (http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/covers/dc/checkmatev2_full005.jpg)
Story Title: Selection
Conscript: Greg Rucka (Writer)
Draftee: Jesus Saiz (Penciller)
Finisher: Fernando Blanco (Inker)
Color Guard: Santiago Olmedo (Colorist)
Quartermaster: Travis Lanham (Letterer)
Drill Sergeant: Rachel Gluckstern (Assistant Editor)
Master Gunner: Joan Hilty (Editor)
First Apperance: Mademoiselle Marie (Josephine Tautin)
Checkmate's training facility is designated "Camp Mordwand", located south of Berne, Switzerland. At this facility, a large group of candidates is being tested. Once the group is assembled, Thomas Jagger calls them to attention and turns them over to Jessica Midnight. Jessica calls out four individuals, by number rather than name, and has the remainder of the candidates returned to their units. Numbers 4, 8, 22, and 36 are dismissed back to their barracks to get cleaned up and rested, and Jessica reminds them that three of the four will be returned to their units as well. Only one will become the new Black Queen's Knight. The following day begins early and is laden with intense tests of skill, combat, endurance, and willpower.
At the Castle, Alan Scott is packing up his belongings and clearing out his office when Michael Holt joins him. The two JSA members discuss the veto from the UN, and Alan remains convinced that he did the right thing, and is able to return to the Justice Society without regret. Michael attempts to turn in his resignation as White King's Bishop, but Alan asks him to stay on at Checkmate. Michael begins to protest that the next White King is only going to toe the line for the government who sends him, and he'd rather not be a part of that. Alan agrees that Michael should not remain Bishop, and suggests he move up to the role of White King. Stunned, Mister Terrific can only listen as Alan lays out that he's spoken with all the Ambassadors, except the U.S.A.'s, and they are in full support of the nomination. Alan tells Michael he's the right man to help keep Checkmate on the "straight and narrow", and asks him to think about the offer.
Back at Camp Mordwand, Jessica outlines the parameters of the next challenge for the four finalists and splits them into two teams (4 and 8, 22 and 36). Their task, designed to simulate package recovery in a hostile environment, is to locate and retrieve a single chess piece placed somewhere on the nearby mountain. Some time later, both teams are on the slope and getting to know their partners a bit more. As the first team (4 and 8) attempts to correct their course towards the target, Count Vertigo makes an appearance and hits them with a wave of dizziness. As they struggle to hold their place on the mountain, the second team continues pushing towards the target. Vertigo taunts the pair, mocking their struggles, then finally offers Number 8 the chance to save himself and his partner, at the cost of his chance to become the Black Queen's Knight. Number 8 takes the offer, and his team is out of the challenge. The first team scrambles onward, and comes very close to the chess piece before Vertigo flies over to repeat his tactic.
Number 36 is in the lead, until Vertigo attacks. He slips and falls, hanging from the safety line around 22's waist. Before Vertigo can employ his wit, 22 reaches for a knife and begins to saw at the safety line. Vertigo is caught off-guard by her willingness to sacrifice her partner, and when 36 falls, Werner has to quickly swoop down to rescue him. The act buys 22 enough time to finish the climb and claim the chess piece.
Back at the Castle, Michael checks in on Sasha, who is preparing to travel down to the Camp to participate in the final selection of her Knight. The talk soon turns to Alan's offer to Michael, and while Sasha agrees with Alan's rationale, Michael is just as concerned about what that would mean for his relationship with Sasha. Sasha lays out her reasons for needing to stay with Checkmate, as penance for her recent past, and she can't sacrifice that, even for the man she loves.
At the Camp, late in the night, the three sleeping finalists are ambushed and abducted by Kobra operatives, then seperated and subjected to torture and demands for information about Checkmate's operations.
That same night at the Castle, the Black King consults with his Bishop regarding an ongoing operation. Khalid dismisses Shen, and heads outside for some fresh air, where he happens across a confrontation between Amanda Waller and Fire. Khalid stays out of sight and listens as Beatriz tells Amanda she's done being on Waller's strings, while Amanda reminds the frustrated Knight about 'Corvalho'. After the White Queen leaves, Khalid steps out to talk to Bea, and offers to help. He even asks about 'Corvalho', but Bea shuts him out and turns away.
The following morning at the Camp, Sasha joins Jessica in the control center, where a bank of monitors display the ongoing interrogations of the finalists. The Kobra operatives, of course, are Checkmate agents in disguise. Jessica checks the screens, then instructs Tommy Jagger to give Number 4 the out. The woman takes the offer, while Sasha and Jessica watch on. With only two candidates remaining, the torture sessions are ended, and the two cleaned up again.
Number 36 and Number 22 are taken to an empty tent, where Jessica explains the final challenge. Simply, the one candidate who leaves the tent and presents his or her number will have the honor of protecting the Black Queen. With Jagger and Vertigo standing guard on the inside, Jessica heads outside to wait with Sasha, while the two candidates begin to fight. Some time later, the woman emerges and peels the number from her chest. Jessica reads off the information on her clipboard. Number 22 is Josephine Tautin, the current Mademoiselle Marie, and now the newest Black Queen's Knight.
Characters:
Sasha Bordeaux (http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?t=33318)
Fire (http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?t=27318)
Green Lantern (http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?t=30343)
Thomas Jagger
Taleb Beni Khalid
Mademoiselle Marie
Jessica Midnight (http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?t=35678)
Mister Terrific (http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?t=34862)
Shen Li Po
Count Vertigo
Amanda Waller
<hr>
Checkmate #6
November 2006
<img src="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/covers/dc/ checkmatev2_thumb006.gif" hspace=3 align=top align=left alt="Checkmate #6" border="0"> (http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/covers/dc/checkmatev2_full006.jpg)
Story Title: Rogue Squadron, Part One
Writers: Greg Rucka, Nunzio DeFilippis, Christina Weir
Guest Penciller: Cliff Richards
Guest Inker: Dan Green
Colorist: Santiago Arcas
Letterer: Travis Lanham
Assistant Editor: Rachel Gluckstern
Editor: Joan Hilty
Death: Punch
A small contingent of guards keep watch over a remote prison in Qurac, until an unexpected assailant strikes. One by one, the guards are taken down with swift efficiency, and the keys to the only occupied cell are found. The man inside the cell is Rick Flag, and his rescuer is his long-time friend, Bronze Tiger.
At the United Nations, Amanda Waller lays out a proposal for the Security Council. Checkmate is reporting a significant increase in the energy provided from Myanmar, and believes the source is metahuman in nature. If that is the case, Myanmar would be violating the U.N. ban on sentient power sources, and Waller is requesting authorization to investigate, and if necessary, act. The assembled ambassadors discuss the situation from their nations' own interests, but in the end it is Waller's lack of substantive proof that leads the Council to table her proposal and deny her the requested authorization.
Back at the Castle, a number of operatives are working out in the gym, including Sasha Bordeaux. Her Bishop, Jessica, catches up to inform her that the Council rejected Waller's proposal. Sasha is pleased by the news, since Black Side is responsible for Operations. Sasha then explains to Jessica that, with the exception of the United States, none of the permanent members of the Security Council trust Amanda Waller, based on a very active past. The United States want her in, while the others do not, which leads to the compromise of putting Waller in as White Queen. Involving herself in Operations could lead to her being removed from her position. The conversation takes a distracted turn, as Sasha's eyes follow Mister Terrific move to the next station in the gym. Jessica suggests talking to Michael, but Sasha opts to hit the showers instead.
Elsewhere, Cameron Mahkent, aka Icicle, finds a note from his girlfriend (Tigress) taped to the bathroom mirror. Mirror Master appears in the mirror, startling Icicle and repeating his invitation to join in a job targeting Myanmar. Icicle is hardly excited about upseting the Society, but Mirror Master asks if he's up for upsetting Amanda Waller.
Amanda pays a visit to the Tiger Dojo in Detroit, where Ben Turner (Bronze Tiger) gives her a rather cold welcome. Amanda asks to see Rick Flag, and Ben reluctantly agrees. The pleasantries are quickly dropped, and Rick makes the obvious guess that Waller needs him. Waller explains the circumstances she's in, and how she's not allowed to participate in Operations. Rick laughingly accuses her of putting together a new Suicide Squad. Tiger and Rick both agree to help Waller, and she explains that she lost control of that new Squad and needs them to track the renegades down.
In an old warehouse, Mirror Master introduces his recruits to each other. Plastique, Punch, Jewelee, Javelin, Icicle, and Tattooed Man (Abel Tarrant) all agreed to this operation as a method to get back at Amanda Waller. Mirror Master lays out a map and explains his plan to attack the power plant in Myanmar, and his intention to make sure both Checkmate and the U.N. know who is responsible, thus pushing the blame onto Waller. Icicle interrupts with his lingering concerns about the Society's reaction to this 'freelance' operation, while Tattooed Man grouses about being replaced. After a brief argument, Mirror Master agrees that the whole team should stay in the warehouse for the night, to keep any risk of discovery to a minimum.
After the meeting, Icicle wanders through the warehouse, checking on each of the others. Punch and Jewelee are on the phone to their babysitter, while Tattooed Man continues to sulk, and Javelin trades insults with Cameron. Icicle catches Mirror Master indulging his drug habit, then expresses his concerns to Plastique, who appears unmoved by the risks.
At the Nay Power Plant in Myanmar, Doctor Thi brings an intravenous bag to the core of the facility. Inside the heavily guarded chamber is the source of the power, a young boy named Nay, hooked up to a massive machine.
The following morning, Mirror Master leads his Squad into the dimension between mirrors, warning them to keep close if they don't want to get lost or stuck. When they emerge from a truck's side-mirror outside the Myanmar facility, they are caught by surprise by a sudden rush of armed troops. Punch shoves Jewelee out of the way, and is gunned down in the process. Plastique explodes one of the trucks, and Icicle forms an ice wall to give the squad time to find cover. In the chaos, the communicator on Mirror Master's wrist buzzes to life, with a message from the Calculator. He calmly informs Mirror Master that the Society is aware of the unauthorized operation, and that it has been terminated. Another barrage of gunfire blasts away the ice wall, leaving the rogue Suicide Squad staring down the barrels of the Myanmar military.
Characters:
Bronze Tiger
Sasha Bordeaux (http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?t=33318)
Rick Flag
Icicle
Javelin
Jewelee
Mademoiselle Marie
Jessica Midnight (http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?t=35678)
Mirror Master
Mister Terrific (http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?t=34862)
Plastique
Punch
Tattooed Man
Amanda Waller
<hr>
Checkmate #7
December 2006
<img src="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/covers/dc/ checkmatev2_thumb007.gif" hspace=3 align=top align=left alt="Checkmate #7" border="0"> (http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/covers/dc/checkmatev2_full007.jpg)
Story Title: Rogue Squad, Part Two
Writers: Greg Rucka, Nunzio DeFilippis, Christina Weir
Penciller: Cliff Richards
Inkers: Bob Wiacek, Dan Green
Colorist: Santiago Arcas
Letterer: Travis Lanham
Assistant Editor: Rachel Gluckstern
Editor: Joan Hilty
Checkmate created by: Paul Kupperberg, Steve Erwin
Death: Javelin, Tattooed Man
Eleven months earlier, a captain of the Myanmar military is dispatched to investigate reports of a boy with impressive powers, and finds him holding a boulder aloft with raw energy. The officer briefly interviews the boy, and lets him know the whole world will know the value of his people. In the present, the boy, Nay, is harnessed to a machine to channel his energy powers to serve Myanmar's needs.
Outside the power plant, Rick Flag and Bronze Tiger have caught up to the rogue Suicide Squad, and move quickly to minimize the incident. Oblivious to the incoming assistance, the Squad stands off against the troops. While Plastique generates explosions to keep the troops busy and off-balance, Mirror Master has another brief exchange with Calculator, who simply reminds McCulloch of the Society's policy on unapproved operations. Mirror Master urges his team to get inside the plant so they can collect the target. Plastique and Icicle are happy to cut loose and clear a path, though Tattooed Man needs a bit more encouragement to unleash one of his dragons. Javelin tries to guide Jewelee into the building, but she isn't ready to leave Punch behind.
Flag and Tiger climb over the fence under the cover of the fighting, and spot a pair of heavily-armed jeeps racing to attack the Squad. They focus on taking out the jeeps, each using his own personal fighting style.
Back in the thick of the fight, the Squad works on getting inside the building, and Javelin again tries to pull Jewelee away from her dead husband. She clutches his jester's cap tightly, and is thrown out of the way of an oncoming jeep by Javelin. Unfortunately, Javelin gets struck instead, his neck snapping when he hits the ground. Icicle drags Jewelee inside, then freezes the entrance shut. He tries to comfort her and remind her how important it is to get home alive to her son, while the other three round a corner and find more troops.
While Plastique recharges, Jewelee and Mirror Master combine their abilities to send a realistic holographic image of the Squad charging down the hall towards the confused soldiers. The distraction gives Plastique enough time to recover, then she and Icicle ruthlessly kill the remaining soldiers. Jewelee takes a moment to see if the jester's hat fits Mirror Master, but he's more keen on finishing their mission. Icicle unexpectedly zaps Tattooed Man, catching Abel in a sheath of ice.
Mirror Master demands an explanation, and Icicle points out a tattoo missing from Abel's shoulder. He accuses the Tattooed Man of betraying them to the Society, and thus getting them into this mess. Abel pleads innocence at first, then admits he was just trying to prove himself to the Society. He argues that he's on the Squad's side and in the same sticky situation, but Mirror Master does not want to give him a second chance to betray them. One sap from the gun, and Abel Tarrant is turned to reflective glass. Icicle, Mirror Master, and Plastique then argue what to do with him, but Jewelee 'accidentally' shatters Abel into thousands of shards, claiming a measure of vengeance for him getting her husband killed.
The remaining four finally make it to the core of the plant, killing scientists and guards alike to free Nay from the machinery. Icicle prevents Jewelee from getting herself killed again, and Mirror Master soon has a portal opened for the escape. The other three rush through, with Nay secure, and Mirror Master is a step behind, only to be confronted by another wave of guards. He puts his hands up, only to be drenched in blood when Rick Flag shoots the troops down from behind. Tiger, Flag, and Mirror Master escape into the portal.
On the way back to the warehouse, they pass Nay, floating unattended in the mirror dimension. Flag reassures Bronze Tiger that they'll come back for him. The trio exit the mirror to find Plastique and Jewelee arguing, and Rick Flag gives them a suitable cover story to keep them alive and out of trouble with the Society. The four reluctantly agree, and the short-lived Suicide Squad is disbanded.
At the Castle, King Faraday debriefs the other Royals on the situation. Despite their questions and veiled accusations, it is impossible to prove Amanda had any involvement in the incident. There is no substantive intelligence regarding who rescued Nay from the facility, nor are any of the American agencies talking about it. As the meeting ends, Mister Terrific asks King if he knows how Calculator knew about the facility, and King simply promises to ask Waller.
At a bar, Rick Flag and Ben Turner enjoy drinks while watching the press conference celebrating Nay's asylum in the United States. Neither man is surprised when Amanda Waller shows up and joins them. Ben asks about the boy's future, and Rick tries to return a small device to Waller, just in case she ever needs to blow someone's head off. Unapologetic, Amanda insists that he keep it, for the "next time". Rick reminds her that she's supposed to stay out of Operations, but Amanda is not the sort to give up so easily.
Characters:
Bronze Tiger
Sasha Bordeaux (http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?t=33318)
King Faraday
Rick Flag
Icicle
Javelin
Jewelee
Taleb Beni Khalid
Jessica Midnight (http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?t=35678)
Mirror Master
Mister Terrific (http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?t=34862)
Plastique
Tattooed Man
Amanda Waller
<hr>
Checkmate #8
January 2007
<img src="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/covers/dc/ checkmatev2_thumb008.gif" hspace=3 align=top align=left alt="Checkmate #8" border="0"> (http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/covers/dc/checkmatev2_full008.jpg)
Story Title: Pawn 502, Part 1
Control: Greg Rucka (Writer)
Com: Jesus Saiz (Artist)
Decrypt: Santiago Arcas (Colorist)
Materiel: Travis Lanham (Letterer)
Logistics: Rachel Gluckstern (Assistant Editor)
Command: Joan Hilty (Editor)
Cover Artist: Jesus Saiz
Checkmate created by: Paul Kupperberg, Steve Erwin
First Apperance: Pawn 502, Emmet Burke
In a ratty apartment in Detroit, Lucas Terrel cleans himself up, while his friends (Emmet, Tye, and Bebe) wait impatiently outside the bathroom. After a brief prayer to Kali Yuga, Lucas joins his friends, and heads to a parking garage to take part in an illicit business transaction. Tye is ready to purchase a handful of handguns and assault rifles from his contact, only to have the deal go south when the gun-dealers see the 'lesser races' with Tye. Neither Lucas nor Bebe is Caucasian, which turns the deal sour for the racists. Tye tries to argue with the racist, who decides instead to simply claim both the money and the guns. Tye's briefcase is handed over to one of the gun-runners, to confirm all of the money is within. When the thug opens the case, a pile of rattlesnakes tumbles out, one of them biting the thug.
Tye lifts his arms and begins to recite from the scriptures of Kali Yuga's cult, while Lucas and Bebe leap into fight the other gun-runners. Lucas uses his fists to take down his opponent, while Bebe shoves a switchblade into the ribs of the racist leader. Emmet, meanwhile, takes shelter on top of a car, hiding until the fight ends.
At Checkmate's Castle, Jessica Midnight intrudes on a private meeting between Sasha and Michael. Neither are pleased to have their argument interrupted, but they rapidly shift back to business when Jessica informs them that Pawn 502 has confirmed the activation of a Kobra cell in Detroit. Sasha hurries off to the Operations Center to meet with the Black King, but promises Michael that they'll finish the argument later.
Jessica and Sasha discuss details as they join Shen Li Po and Taleb Beni Khalid. Shen recounts what they've found so far, specifically the deaths of the three gun-runners in Detroit, two of which were killed by neurotoxins from multiple snake bites. Jessica elaborates that the three racists were killed for ordnance which is fairly easy to acquire, and Shen adds that Tye was a former member of that same racist group. By murdering his former colleagues, he is sending a statement. The team concludes that the cell is trying to get Kobra's attention, then Shen brings up the complication. Emmet Burke is a member of the cell, and a former participant in Lex Luthor's metagene therapy program, and had the ability to turn himself invisible.
At the Detroit apartment, the Kobra wannabes regroup, and Bebe scolds Emmet for not using his power to help out. Tye and Lucas are a bit more supportive of the distressed Emmet, then the talk turns to their next step in the plan. Tye assures Emmet he can prove himself this time.
At a drug-dealer's safehouse, a small group of young women work at counting the gang's money, while armed thugs stand watch. A distraction outside the window gets the guys jumpy, and one of them checks outside, only to be gunned down from the fire escape outside. The other thugs try to return fire, but see nobody. More gunfire comes through the door, and soon all of the thugs are bleeding out on the floor. Tye and his gang enter and begin gathering the money off the table, and Emmet reappears, climbing in through the window. Bebe asks about the terrified girls, and Tye considers executing them, as the scriptures of Kali Yuga demand. Bebe talks him out of it, so that the girls will spread the story.
On the street outside the apartment, Tye tells Lucas to hide the cash and get back quick. Lucas worries about the cops, but Tye is more confident that their faith will see them through. As the other three head back into the apartment, Lucas catches sight of a homeless man sleeping on the sidewalk not too far away. As Lucas drives off, the drifter reports into a hidden radio, informing someone that only three of the four are in place.
When Lucas returns, he's in a hurry, and tells Emmet to get his shoes and the guns. Lucas barges into one of the bedrooms, interrupting Bebe and Tye in a rather intimate moment. Before they can get too upset, Lucas tersely informs them that the apartment is being watched, and they need to get out. He tosses a shirt to Bebe while Tye hastily pulls on his pants. As the group tries to get their things together, a flash-bomb comes clanking into the apartment, dazzling the quartet. Within seconds, Tye, Lucas, and Bebe are on the floor, captured by a strike team from the Department of Metahuman Affairs. When the dust settles, the strike team realizes one of the four slipped out somehow, and carry on a search for Emmet while the others haul the trio out of the apartment.
Back at the Castle, Jessica Midnight gives the bad news to Sasha regarding the DMA raid. Sasha asks if there's any word from Pawn 502, and Jessica confirms that there hasn't been. Sasha tells her to inform the Black King, then get the Black Knights onto the plane quickly. Sasha plans on expressing her displeasure in person.
At a secure facility in the United States, Lucas Terrel, aka Pawn 502, sits up on the bunk in his cell when he hears a growing disturbance outside his sell. He greets Sasha, and reassures her that he is unharmed, that he took worse abuse during Checkmate's basic training. He asks if the operation is over, and Sasha tells him that, one way or another, they are going to get him to join Kobra.
Characters:
Sasha Bordeaux (http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?t=33318)
Emmet Burke
Fire (http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?t=27318)
Green Lantern (http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?t=30343)
Taleb Beni Khalid
Jessica Midnight (http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?t=35678)
Mister Terrific (http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?t=34862)
Pawn 502
Shen Li Po
<hr>
Checkmate #9
February 2007
<img src="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/covers/dc/ checkmatev2_thumb009.gif" hspace=3 align=top align=left alt="Checkmate #9" border="0"> (http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/covers/dc/checkmatev2_full009.jpg)
Story Title: Pawn 502, Part 2
ConOps: Greg Rucka (Writer)
Mission Planning: Jesus Saiz (Artist)
First Team: Travis Lanham (Letterer)
Second Team: Santiago Arcas (Colorist)
Logistics: Rachel Gluckstern (Assistant Editor)
Command: Joan Hilty (Editor)
Cover Artist: Jesus Saiz
Checkmate created by: Paul Kupperberg, Steve Erwin
As the morning news reports broadcast the story of the DMA's successful raid on the would-be Kobra cell, Sarge Steel arrives at the holding facility in Detroit, and heads immediately inside to face off against Sasha Bordeaux. After an initial shouting match, Sasha tries a more reasonable approach, while Steel insists that his department did nothing wrong in cracking down on a terrorist cell that had killed seven people within twenty-four hours. Sasha then accuses Steel of using the raid as a political ploy in an election year, and points to the media's rapid coverage of the events as evidence.
Sasha informs Steel that the DMA is going to assist Checkmate in re-inserting their undercover agent, and when Steel digs in his heels, she uses her U.N. authority to deputize Steel and all of his agents on hand. If Checkmate's plan bears fruit, they will be the first organization to successfully plant a spy within Kobra's tight-knit cult.
Back at the Castle, in the White King's office, Michael Holt lays out his reasoning and his offer to a potential Bishop. Tempted by the idea of being both secure and in the heart of a global intelligence network, the Thinker agrees to become the White King's Bishop, functioning from a modified T-sphere. As the Thinker peruses Checkmate's files and organization, Michael greets Taleb at the door. Taleb is taken slightly aback by Michael's choice, but soon gets back to the reason for his visit.
Taleb lets Michael know that he and Sasha have devised a plan to put Pawn 502 back in play, without anyone realizing he's an undercover agent. However, to put the plan into action, they require the current locations of the Detroit door and matchbook. While Thinker tries to figure out what that means, Michael expresses his discomfort with using the door, but promises to send Tommy with the information.
Back at the DMA Control Post, Sasha pays another visit to Pawn 502. She lays out the basics of her plan, which involves Lucas and his friends breaking free of custody and killing a half-dozen DMA agents. The resulting uproar should be sufficient to convince Kobra to look favorably upon Lucas and the others. Sasha offers him the obvious out, saying that he doesn't have to be put back into play, but Lucas agrees to stick to the plan.
In the Red Light district of Detroit, Jessica Midnight, Mademoiselle Marie, and Tommy Jagger find themselves venturing into a strip club to find the door. Jessica is not nearly as amused as Tommy, and gets right to business. While one of the girls tries to tempt the homosexual Tommy, Jessica and Josephine check with the bartender. They gain access to the back rooms, and Jessica pulls out a matchbook from the Oblivion Bar. Tommy catches up while Jessica uses a match to track down the right door, then the whole trio step through and into the extraplanar tavern,
As Jessica explains where they are and how they arrived, she gets interrupted by Detective Chimp. After a brief exchange of barbed pleasantries, Jessica hands the talking chimpanzee a notice of deputization, and asks him to assemble the members of Shadowpact.
At an airport in Detroit, as the sun begins to set, a news crew arrives to cover the transfer of the prisoners. Sarge Steel continues to deny that his organization mishandled any of the recent events, and tries to pin the blame for losing Emmet back on Checkmate's agent. Sasha has a curt response, before focusing back on the transfer. Tye chants more of his religious mantras as the trio is unloaded from the DMA vans. As the news crew begins their live coverage, Tye and Lucas attack their guards, grabbing weapons and quickly gunning down the nearest agents. Bebe scrambles for the keys to get free of the shackles.
Quickly, the trio is free and grabbing what weapons they can. Tye and Lucas rush for a vehicle, while Bebe tries to grab a gun for herself. She gets taken down by Tommy Jagger, who is gunned down in turn by Lucas. As Checkmate scrambles to react, Lucas tosses a couple of grenades behind him, and climbs into the van with Tye. Moments later, the two fugitives are gone, leaving a chaotic mess at the airport. Once the area is secured again, and the media hustled off-site, Sasha gives permission to "bring down the curtain". The carnage and bloodbath fades away, as nothing more than mystical illusion. All of the 'dead' agents are unharmed, and none of the vehicles are damaged.
Sasha offers her congratulations and gratitude to the Shadowpact, and Enchantress presumes that their part in this operation has come to a close. Sasha makes it plain that she will release Shadowpact from the deputization order only when Lucas is safe inside Kobra.
As the teams head back inside, Emmet Burke fades briefly into view, then vanishes again, with only Detective Chimp catching a glimpse.
Characters:
Blue Devil
Sasha Bordeaux (http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?t=33318)
Emmet Burke
Detective Chimp
Enchantress
Fire (http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?t=27318)
Green Lantern (http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?t=30343)
Taleb Beni Khalid
Jessica Midnight (http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?t=35678)
Mister Terrific (http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?t=34862)
Pawn 502
Shen Li Po
Ragman
Sarge Steel
Thinker
<hr>
More Checkmate summaries coming soon!
June 2006
<img src="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/covers/dc/ checkmatev2_thumb001.gif" hspace=3 align=top align=left alt="Checkmate #1" border="0"> (http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/covers/dc/checkmatev2_full001.jpg)
Story Arc: The Game of Kings - Part #1
Writer: Greg Rucka
Artist: Jesus Saiz
Colorists: Tanya & Richard Horie
Letterer: Travis Lanham
Cover Artists: Lee Bermejo, Patricia Mulvihill
Assistant Editor: Rachel Gluckstern
Editor: Joan Hilty
First Apperance: Jonah McCarthy, Thomas Jagger, Taleb Beni Kahlid, Jessica Midnight
Death: Jonah McCarthy
At a secret Kobra installation, on an island in the Gulf of Aden, a small strike force sneaks to the shoreline, quietly and skillfully slipping past the armed patrols. The trio, Sasha (Black Queen), Jonah (Black Queen's Knight), and Fire (Black King's Knight), take down four of the guards, hiding the bodies and making contact with the Black King.
Meanwhile, the United Nations Security Council is in session to discuss the future of Checkmate, the U.N. chartered metahuman monitoring force. The recent restructuring led to the 'Rule of Two', referring to the balance of metahuman and unpowered human in the group. The current roster of 12 is listed, split into White and Black. Each side has a King and Queen, each with his or her own Bishop and Knight. The issue at hand is the continuance of Checkmate's charter, and granting permanent authorization as a Security Council agency.
Alan Scott, the White King (a.k.a. Green Lantern), gives an update on Checkmate's accomplishments to date, only to be cut off by a motion to debate the issue in private. Outside, Alan and Amanda debate whether or not things will go according to plan. The plan is to locate the source of Kobra's cyclosarin supply, and use it as leverage to get the votes they need. Amanda is sure it is a French supplier.
Back on the island, Fire creates a diversion, to let the disguised Sasha and Jonah slip into the facility unnoticed. When two of the guards notice the newcomers, Sasha swiftly takes them both out, and laments the loss of surprise, while Jonah taunts her about White Queen's reaction. Again they make contact with Checkmate headquarters, to get further guidance from two of the Bishops, Mr. Terrific (White King's Bishop) and Jessica Knight (Black Queen's Bishop).
With the help of both Bishops, Jonah and Sasha quickly make their way deeper into the compound, taking out defenses and guards along the way. Fire is given the order to take out more of the guards outside, which she does with a generous amount of her green flame.
Jonah and Sasha continue onto their goal, and find the leader of the Kobra sect. Sasha kills him, and uplinks the computer to get the information back to HQ. Only then does she notice that Jonah was killed by the Kobra's first blast.
Back at the United Nations, Amanda and Alan are summoned inside again to witness the vote. Too late, Sasha's information is relayed to Amanda. The cyclosarin was supplied by the Chinese, not the French, and as the final votes are tallied, China is the only permanent member of the council to vote 'Nay'. With that vote, Checkmate is given one week to cease all operations and disband.
Characters:
Sasha Bordeaux (http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?t=33318)
King Faraday
Fire (http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?t=27318)
Green Lantern (http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?t=30343)
Thomas Jagger
Taleb Beni Khalid
Jonah McCarthy
Jessica Midnight (http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?t=35678)
Mister Terrific (http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?t=34862)
Shen Li Po
Count Vertigo
Amanda Waller
<hr>
Checkmate #2
July 2006
<img src="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/covers/dc/ checkmatev2_thumb002.gif" hspace=3 align=top align=left alt="Checkmate #2" border="0"> (http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/covers/dc/checkmatev2_full002.jpg)
Story Arc: The Game of Kings - Part #2
Writer: Greg Rucka
Artist: Jesus Saiz
Colorists: Tanya & Richard Horie
Letterer: Travis Lanham
Cover Artists: Lee Bermejo, Patricia Mulvihill
Assistant Editor: Rachel Gluckstern
Editor: Joan Hilty
Checkmate created by: Paul Kupperberg, Steve Erwin
The story begins in the Castle, in the Swiss Alps. With the clock ticking down to Checkmate's dissolution, the White Queen, Amanda Waller, has a morning debriefing with her Bishop, King Faraday, to discuss the situation and their options. Faraday lays out three possibilities. First, Checkmate fails to alter China's veto, and Checkmate is reformed as a United States agency, with Waller at the helm. Second, Checkmate's supporters on the Security Council push a new resolution and pressure China into supporting it. Third, Checkmate begins a covert operation to blackmail China, and Ambassador Shi, into supporting the agency. Waller agrees that the third choice is the way to proceed.
Elsewhere, the followers of Kali Yuga hold a snake-infested prayer ceremony, as the head of Kobra swears divine retribution on Checkmate.
In his quarters at the Castle, Mister Terrific is awakened by a call from the White King, Alan Scott. Alan is upset about the operation in the Gulf of Aden, and wants to consult his Bishop and his Knight (Tom Jagger) before the seven o'clock board meeting. After Alan disconnects, Sasha rolls out of Michael's bed and starts getting dressed again, wondering if she and Michael are keeping their relationship a secret. Michael assures her it just wasn't the right time, and that Alan isn't comfortable with her methods. When Sasha asks how he feels, he admits he feels the same, but that it doesn't change his feelings for her.
Sasha leaves Michael's quarters, and finds her Bishop, Jessica Midnight, waiting for her. After some good-natured banter, the women get down to business as they walk to the Operations Center. Jessica runs down a handful of items that Sasha needs to deal with, and, in turn, Sasha gives orders on each. When it comes to the matter of a replacement for McCarthy, Sasha decides to give it a week. If Checkmate is still functioning, she'll start the search for a new Knight.
In the Operations Center, Sasha and Jessica join Taleb Beni Khalid as the Black King coordinates a strike against a North Korean missile facility. With five days to go, Checkmate is offering what favors it can to its allies on the UN Security Council. Taleb warns Sasha that Alan is looking for the proverbial pound of flesh, and Sasha deduces that Alan was offered certain promises by Amanda Waller before the operation began. The trio move on from Ops Center to the Board Room, seating themselves on either side of the large table according to color and position.
Alan begins the meeting by recounting the situation with the United Nations, only to be interrupted by Sasha, who believes there is a more important question to be addressed. While Alan argues the political realities of getting another resolution introduced with China ready to veto, Sasha argues they should be investigating why China vetoed in the first place, and goes so far as to wonder how deep the Chinese ties to Kobra may run. Shen Li Po is insulted by the accusation, and Sasha points out that the cyclosarin came from Henan Province, in China. Taleb steps in to try to defuse the budding argument, and agrees that the problem is with China, regardless of Kobra's involvement.
Amanda speaks up to point out that Sasha and Taleb are half-right, as is Alan. Specifically, the only way to save Checkmate is to have a second resolution introduced at the Security Council, but it will do no good unless they can guarantee China will side with them. When Alan gets suspicious, Amanda points out that the theft of the cyclosarin falls within Checkmate's jurisdiction, and thus, they have the legal standing to investigate Henan Province. Reluctantly, Alan agrees to Amanda's suggestion, and announces that White Side will work on the political side at the UN, while Black Side takes the investigation. With all four royals concurring, the meeting is adjourned.
Afterwards, Alan speaks to Sasha, along with Beatriz, expressing his intense displeasure with Sasha's handling of the Gulf of Aden operation. Sasha counters by asserting that she isn't a superhero like Green Lantern or Fire, and that morality is a more flexible concept in Checkmate's world. She goes so far to suggest that if they cannot accept getting their hands dirty, they should step down and return to the caped life. Sasha excuses herself to get back to work, and makes her way to Waller's office.
Amanda informs Count Vertigo that he'll be going on the investigation for her, to make sure they get what they need. Sasha confronts Amanda, and knows that the cyclosarin is not the true purpose of the operation. Sasha knows Amanda is after something in particular to hold over China, to ensure the passage of the resolution, and puts forward the idea that Werner will have a better chance of success if he has the other Knights on his side. Amanda concedes the point and gives Sasha information on the Great Wall Facility, the Chinese metahuman development center. Amanda wants proof that China is experimenting to create their own army of superhumans.
Later, Alan has a meeting in Moscow with the Russian Ambassador, while Amanda meets with the American Ambassador in Washington, D.C. Both of the White royals push for a new resolution, and offer assurances and good faith. Both of the White royals are under surveillance by snake-eyed Kobra operatives.
Simultaneously, the Ops team (Sasha, Count Vertigo, Fire, and Thomas Jagger) are airdropped over the Great Wall.
Characters:
Sasha Bordeaux (http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?t=33318)
King Faraday
Fire (http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?t=27318)
Green Lantern (http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?t=30343)
Thomas Jagger
Taleb Beni Khalid
Jessica Midnight (http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?t=35678)
Mister Terrific (http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?t=34862)
Shen Li Po
Count Vertigo
Amanda Waller
<hr>
Checkmate #3
August 2006
<img src="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/covers/dc/ checkmatev2_thumb003.gif" hspace=3 align=top align=left alt="Checkmate #3" border="0"> (http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/covers/dc/checkmatev2_full003.jpg)
Story Arc: The Game of Kings - Part #3
Writer: Greg Rucka
Guest Penciller: Cliff Richards
Guest Inkers: Bob Wiacek, Steve Bird
Colorists: Tanya & Richard Horie
Letterer: Travis Lanham
Cover Artists: Lee Bermejo, Patricia Mulvihill
Assistant Editor: Rachel Gluckstern
Editor: Joan Hilty
Checkmate created by: Paul Kupperberg, Steve Erwin
In Hebei Province, China, a military transport trundles along in the middle of the night, only to be stopped short by a pair of lovers getting intimate in the middle of the road. When the passenger gets out to move the lovebirds out of the way, the pair, Sasha Bordeaux and Thomas Jagger, catch him off-guard. Before the driver can react, Count Vertigo has him retching and reeling out of the cab of the truck. Fire makes her distaste known as she helps secure the driver, then turns the man over to Thomas and Werner to make preparations for the infiltration. Fire remains hostile and suspicious towards Sasha, but Sasha tries to keep her focused on the mission.
Back at the Castle, Jessica Midnight gives the others a status report on the mission, Once again, King Faraday casts doubt on Shen Li Po's loyalty to Checkmate, which Taleb Beni Khalid again tries to diffuse. Jessica reminds them of the mission underway, and walks them through what the agency knows about the Hebei facility. Mister Terrific isolates the building they want, noting the specialized equipment that would be needed for cyclosarin development. He theorizes that making China aware that Checkmate has evidence of this information would be enough to entice them to reverse their vote in the U.N. Shen points out the flaws in that theory, and implies that Kobra likely has a mole in the facility, and that China may be blackmailed into supporting Checkmate, just to keep that quiet.
Meanwhile, Alan Scott continues his meetings with UN ambassadors, this time in Paris, France. Alan comes away from his discussion with Claude Durand that France will continue to support Checkmate. After the meeting, Alan walks off, followed by a Kobra assassin weilding a sharpened, poisoned wooden stake. When the assassin moves to strike, he finds Alan prepared and waiting. Within seconds, Green Lantern has the operative helpless and captured, and places a call to the White Queen.
In her room at a London hotel, Amanda Waller sits calmly among the remnants of a chaotic fight, and seems more interested in Alan's progress than in any potential threat to her own life. After confirming that Alan's would-be assassin is still alive, Amanda decides the wounded assassin bleeding on her carpet isn't needed. Amanda shoots the defiant woman twice with a silenced handgun.
Back in the Castle, the team has begun hunting for information on Kobra's mole. Discussion swirls around the topics of the mole, Alan's would-be assassin, and the status of the current operation in China. Mister Terrific realizes that the Hebei facility is not a bioweapons unit; in fact, the cyclosarin is secondary to the true purpose of the facility. Michael connects the dots for the team, and accuses King Faraday and Amanda of knowing the secret and playing it for political advantage. Jessica realizes what Michael's saying, that the Hebei Facility is the Chinese metahuman development facility. Michael goes a step further and points out that China does not want Checkmate looking into it, because they'd rather hide the fact that Kobra has infiltrated their metahuman program.
As all eyes turn towards the Chinese member of the team, Shen Li Po deflects their unspoken accusations, and stands up for his government's decisions on the issue. He also notifies the team that the facility is "scheduled to be sanitized."
At the Hebei Facility, with the sun rising, the military truck finally reaches the main gate. As the 'soldiers' check in, they explain the trouble they had with the engine, as a cover story for their lateness. Once inside the facility, the truck heads over to a garage, and the 'soldiers' quickly close the doors and let their partners (Fire and Sasha) out of the back of the truck. The squad regroups, and the men peel off the masks and uniforms that got them past the checkpoint. Before the squad can begin the next leg of the op, the building is rocked by an explosion.
After climbing from the rubble, the Checkmate agents find themselves standing against the Durlan vessel piloted by the Immortal Man in Darkness, a member of China's Great Ten.
Characters:
Sasha Bordeaux (http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?t=33318)
Claude Durand
King Faraday
Fire (http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?t=27318)
Green Lantern (http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?t=30343)
Immortal Man in Darkness
Thomas Jagger
Taleb Beni Khalid
Jessica Midnight (http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?t=35678)
Mister Terrific (http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?t=34862)
Shen Li Po
Count Vertigo
Amanda Waller
<hr>
Checkmate #4
September 2006
<img src="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/covers/dc/ checkmatev2_thumb004.gif" hspace=3 align=top align=left alt="Checkmate #4" border="0"> (http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/covers/dc/checkmatev2_full004.jpg)
Story Title: The Game of Kings - Part #4
Writer: Greg Rucka
Artist: Jesus Saiz
Colorists: Tanya & Richard Horie
Letterer: Travis Lanham
Cover Artists: Lee Bermejo, Patricia Mulvihill
Assistant Editor: Rachel Gluckstern
Editor: Joan Hilty
Checkmate created by: Paul Kupperberg, Steve Erwin
At the Castle, Mr. Terrific gives Alan Scott an update on the situation in China, then leads him into the viewing room next to the interrogation chamber. Sitting on the other side of the one-way glass is the Kobra assassin who attempted to kill Alan, who continues stressing to Terrific that Checkmate should be better than the terrorists. As White King, Alan believes it is his role to ensure Checkmate is held to higher standards. Jessica Midnight interrupts and informs the two men that China is "sanitizing" the Hebei Facility.
In Hebei, Sasha's strike team faces off against the Immortal Man in Darkness. Before the team can take much action against the living Durlan vessel and its pilot, the Celestial Archer joins the fray and targets Sasha. The two exchange fire and banter, while Fire and Vertigo start to make headway against Immortal Man in Darkness, only to be interrupted by the sonic manipulations of Accomplished Perfect Physician. Thomas Jagger, manning a gun turret in a broken vehicle, takes aim at the Physician, but is quickly disarmed by the August General in Iron. When the General demands an explanation, Sasha hesitates only a few moments before explaining Checkmate's interest in rooting out the Kobra mole in the Facility. When the General dismisses her concerns, she threatens to reveal what she's seen to the U.N. Security Council, referring not only to the Hebei Facility itself, but the implementation of Durlan technology used by both the Immortal Man in Darkness and the General himself. The General agrees to consult his superiors on the matter.
Back at the Castle, King Faraday gives Amanda Waller some bad news. After explaining that Holt, Shen, and Midnight have been interrogating the Kobra assassin, he lays out the more distressing news that Mister Terrific figured out the significance of the Hebei Facility, and that Waller and Faraday neglected to share the information with the rest of the Royals. Further, all of the Bishops know, as do the Black King and the White King. The one saving grace, from Waller's perspective, is that communications were lost with Sasha's team before Midnight could tell the Black Queen. That means Count Vertigo is still able to run his secondary mission.
When Faraday and Waller join Scott and Midnight in the viewing room, Alan shares the information they've managed to get from the assassin. For starters, Alan was not the only target, and Amanda plays it cool. Annoyed, Alan dismisses the two Bishops, and turns off the speaker from the interrogation room. Alan confronts Amanda about her actions, and reminds her that his ring is capable of detecting lies. Amanda asserts that Alan and his friends did not fight Nazis with hugs and nice words, but Alan counters that they never killed their foes after a surrender. Amanda sticks vehemently to her belief that the ends justify the means, and that Checkmate must not be afraid of getting its hands dirty in order to do its job. Alan cannot accept that view, and reminds Amanda that Checkmate is answerable to the U.N., not to the United States. To make things right, Alan leaves to visit New York, then to China, leaving a concerned Waller behind.
Back in the rubble in the Hebei Facility, the two squads twiddle their thumbs and wait for the August General in Iron to receive word from the Great Ten. Sasha and the Celestial Archer continue to share idle small talk, before the Archer suggests a target-shooting contest to pass the time. Sasha counters with a game of hide and seek, to track down Vertigo and the Accomplished Perfect Physician. The two head off together, while Fire tries to talk with the Immortal Man in Darkness. He invites her to touch his living aircraft, which seems to react well to her contact.
Elsewhere in the facility, Count Vertigo finds a room of scientists trying to stay out of the fighting, and finds the one who speaks English. He takes her to help him access the central data hub of the Facility, intent on downloading everything on the Chinese metahuman program. Before he can finish his task, the Accomplished Perfect Physician uses his sonic powers to destroy the computer terminal, and insists that Vertigo return to the surface with him. Vertigo refuses, and lashes out with his own powers, which the Physician counters. Sasha and the Archer hear the sounds of their battle, and rush to the chamber, where sides are quickly drawn again. Sasha tries in vain to be the voice of reason, and the August General in Iron crashes through the ceiling to help defend his nation's secrets.
Sasha spares a moment to reprimand Vertigo, and the General attempts to place all of the Checkmate operatives under arrest. Fire drops down between Sasha and the General, to intercede on her Queen's behalf (albeit with more than a few jabs at Sasha's character). The General is unimpressed, and gives the order to kill the intruders. Immediately, his order is countermanded by Ambassador Shi, ferreyed to the scene by Green Lantern. Alan instructs the Checkmate team to stand down, and the Ambassador takes charge of the Chinese personnel over the General's protests.
Topside, with all of the Facility's remaining personnel gathered nearby, Shi permits Alan to meet his end of their agreement. Alan graciously complies, and uses his ring's power to search out the Kobra mole among the crowd. In the process, Sasha reminds him that White Side is not permitted to take an active role in Operations. Alan understands, but is intent on making his point that Checkmate need not resort to their enemy's tactics to defeat their enemy. His ring locates the mole, a man who falls quickly into the usual ranting, until August General silences him with a solid right hook.
With the mole in custody, the Ambassador assures Alan that China will fully support the measure to keep Checkmate active. With the conflict over, the teams part ways and Sasha attempts, twice, to claim responsibility for Vertigo's actions. Alan refuses to accept her claims, puts the blame back on Amanda Waller, and muses on the reasons Sasha and Michael have fallen for each other. Flustered, Sasha gets back on track by pointing out the trouble Alan will be in, yet Alan is more intent that the lesson be learned than his position be maintained.
Later, at the United Nations, the resolution to continue Checkmate's charter is put to a vote, and passes easily. That vote is followed immediately by a second vote, to re-confirm the Royals per the Rule of Two. Khalid, Bordeaux, and Waller are confirmed without trouble. Alan asks Waller whether it was her revenge, or the United States doing this to him. Amanda assures him he did it to himself, as Alan Scott's position as White King is vetoed by the U.S.A.
Characters:
Accomplished Perfect Physician
August General in Iron
Sasha Bordeaux (http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?t=33318)
Celestial Archer
King Faraday
Fire (http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?t=27318)
Green Lantern (http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?t=30343)
Immortal Man in Darkness
Thomas Jagger
Taleb Beni Khalid
Jessica Midnight (http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?t=35678)
Mister Terrific (http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?t=34862)
Shen Li Po
Ambassador Shi
Count Vertigo
Amanda Waller
<hr>
Checkmate #5
October 2006
<img src="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/covers/dc/ checkmatev2_thumb005.gif" hspace=3 align=top align=left alt="Checkmate #5" border="0"> (http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/covers/dc/checkmatev2_full005.jpg)
Story Title: Selection
Conscript: Greg Rucka (Writer)
Draftee: Jesus Saiz (Penciller)
Finisher: Fernando Blanco (Inker)
Color Guard: Santiago Olmedo (Colorist)
Quartermaster: Travis Lanham (Letterer)
Drill Sergeant: Rachel Gluckstern (Assistant Editor)
Master Gunner: Joan Hilty (Editor)
First Apperance: Mademoiselle Marie (Josephine Tautin)
Checkmate's training facility is designated "Camp Mordwand", located south of Berne, Switzerland. At this facility, a large group of candidates is being tested. Once the group is assembled, Thomas Jagger calls them to attention and turns them over to Jessica Midnight. Jessica calls out four individuals, by number rather than name, and has the remainder of the candidates returned to their units. Numbers 4, 8, 22, and 36 are dismissed back to their barracks to get cleaned up and rested, and Jessica reminds them that three of the four will be returned to their units as well. Only one will become the new Black Queen's Knight. The following day begins early and is laden with intense tests of skill, combat, endurance, and willpower.
At the Castle, Alan Scott is packing up his belongings and clearing out his office when Michael Holt joins him. The two JSA members discuss the veto from the UN, and Alan remains convinced that he did the right thing, and is able to return to the Justice Society without regret. Michael attempts to turn in his resignation as White King's Bishop, but Alan asks him to stay on at Checkmate. Michael begins to protest that the next White King is only going to toe the line for the government who sends him, and he'd rather not be a part of that. Alan agrees that Michael should not remain Bishop, and suggests he move up to the role of White King. Stunned, Mister Terrific can only listen as Alan lays out that he's spoken with all the Ambassadors, except the U.S.A.'s, and they are in full support of the nomination. Alan tells Michael he's the right man to help keep Checkmate on the "straight and narrow", and asks him to think about the offer.
Back at Camp Mordwand, Jessica outlines the parameters of the next challenge for the four finalists and splits them into two teams (4 and 8, 22 and 36). Their task, designed to simulate package recovery in a hostile environment, is to locate and retrieve a single chess piece placed somewhere on the nearby mountain. Some time later, both teams are on the slope and getting to know their partners a bit more. As the first team (4 and 8) attempts to correct their course towards the target, Count Vertigo makes an appearance and hits them with a wave of dizziness. As they struggle to hold their place on the mountain, the second team continues pushing towards the target. Vertigo taunts the pair, mocking their struggles, then finally offers Number 8 the chance to save himself and his partner, at the cost of his chance to become the Black Queen's Knight. Number 8 takes the offer, and his team is out of the challenge. The first team scrambles onward, and comes very close to the chess piece before Vertigo flies over to repeat his tactic.
Number 36 is in the lead, until Vertigo attacks. He slips and falls, hanging from the safety line around 22's waist. Before Vertigo can employ his wit, 22 reaches for a knife and begins to saw at the safety line. Vertigo is caught off-guard by her willingness to sacrifice her partner, and when 36 falls, Werner has to quickly swoop down to rescue him. The act buys 22 enough time to finish the climb and claim the chess piece.
Back at the Castle, Michael checks in on Sasha, who is preparing to travel down to the Camp to participate in the final selection of her Knight. The talk soon turns to Alan's offer to Michael, and while Sasha agrees with Alan's rationale, Michael is just as concerned about what that would mean for his relationship with Sasha. Sasha lays out her reasons for needing to stay with Checkmate, as penance for her recent past, and she can't sacrifice that, even for the man she loves.
At the Camp, late in the night, the three sleeping finalists are ambushed and abducted by Kobra operatives, then seperated and subjected to torture and demands for information about Checkmate's operations.
That same night at the Castle, the Black King consults with his Bishop regarding an ongoing operation. Khalid dismisses Shen, and heads outside for some fresh air, where he happens across a confrontation between Amanda Waller and Fire. Khalid stays out of sight and listens as Beatriz tells Amanda she's done being on Waller's strings, while Amanda reminds the frustrated Knight about 'Corvalho'. After the White Queen leaves, Khalid steps out to talk to Bea, and offers to help. He even asks about 'Corvalho', but Bea shuts him out and turns away.
The following morning at the Camp, Sasha joins Jessica in the control center, where a bank of monitors display the ongoing interrogations of the finalists. The Kobra operatives, of course, are Checkmate agents in disguise. Jessica checks the screens, then instructs Tommy Jagger to give Number 4 the out. The woman takes the offer, while Sasha and Jessica watch on. With only two candidates remaining, the torture sessions are ended, and the two cleaned up again.
Number 36 and Number 22 are taken to an empty tent, where Jessica explains the final challenge. Simply, the one candidate who leaves the tent and presents his or her number will have the honor of protecting the Black Queen. With Jagger and Vertigo standing guard on the inside, Jessica heads outside to wait with Sasha, while the two candidates begin to fight. Some time later, the woman emerges and peels the number from her chest. Jessica reads off the information on her clipboard. Number 22 is Josephine Tautin, the current Mademoiselle Marie, and now the newest Black Queen's Knight.
Characters:
Sasha Bordeaux (http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?t=33318)
Fire (http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?t=27318)
Green Lantern (http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?t=30343)
Thomas Jagger
Taleb Beni Khalid
Mademoiselle Marie
Jessica Midnight (http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?t=35678)
Mister Terrific (http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?t=34862)
Shen Li Po
Count Vertigo
Amanda Waller
<hr>
Checkmate #6
November 2006
<img src="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/covers/dc/ checkmatev2_thumb006.gif" hspace=3 align=top align=left alt="Checkmate #6" border="0"> (http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/covers/dc/checkmatev2_full006.jpg)
Story Title: Rogue Squadron, Part One
Writers: Greg Rucka, Nunzio DeFilippis, Christina Weir
Guest Penciller: Cliff Richards
Guest Inker: Dan Green
Colorist: Santiago Arcas
Letterer: Travis Lanham
Assistant Editor: Rachel Gluckstern
Editor: Joan Hilty
Death: Punch
A small contingent of guards keep watch over a remote prison in Qurac, until an unexpected assailant strikes. One by one, the guards are taken down with swift efficiency, and the keys to the only occupied cell are found. The man inside the cell is Rick Flag, and his rescuer is his long-time friend, Bronze Tiger.
At the United Nations, Amanda Waller lays out a proposal for the Security Council. Checkmate is reporting a significant increase in the energy provided from Myanmar, and believes the source is metahuman in nature. If that is the case, Myanmar would be violating the U.N. ban on sentient power sources, and Waller is requesting authorization to investigate, and if necessary, act. The assembled ambassadors discuss the situation from their nations' own interests, but in the end it is Waller's lack of substantive proof that leads the Council to table her proposal and deny her the requested authorization.
Back at the Castle, a number of operatives are working out in the gym, including Sasha Bordeaux. Her Bishop, Jessica, catches up to inform her that the Council rejected Waller's proposal. Sasha is pleased by the news, since Black Side is responsible for Operations. Sasha then explains to Jessica that, with the exception of the United States, none of the permanent members of the Security Council trust Amanda Waller, based on a very active past. The United States want her in, while the others do not, which leads to the compromise of putting Waller in as White Queen. Involving herself in Operations could lead to her being removed from her position. The conversation takes a distracted turn, as Sasha's eyes follow Mister Terrific move to the next station in the gym. Jessica suggests talking to Michael, but Sasha opts to hit the showers instead.
Elsewhere, Cameron Mahkent, aka Icicle, finds a note from his girlfriend (Tigress) taped to the bathroom mirror. Mirror Master appears in the mirror, startling Icicle and repeating his invitation to join in a job targeting Myanmar. Icicle is hardly excited about upseting the Society, but Mirror Master asks if he's up for upsetting Amanda Waller.
Amanda pays a visit to the Tiger Dojo in Detroit, where Ben Turner (Bronze Tiger) gives her a rather cold welcome. Amanda asks to see Rick Flag, and Ben reluctantly agrees. The pleasantries are quickly dropped, and Rick makes the obvious guess that Waller needs him. Waller explains the circumstances she's in, and how she's not allowed to participate in Operations. Rick laughingly accuses her of putting together a new Suicide Squad. Tiger and Rick both agree to help Waller, and she explains that she lost control of that new Squad and needs them to track the renegades down.
In an old warehouse, Mirror Master introduces his recruits to each other. Plastique, Punch, Jewelee, Javelin, Icicle, and Tattooed Man (Abel Tarrant) all agreed to this operation as a method to get back at Amanda Waller. Mirror Master lays out a map and explains his plan to attack the power plant in Myanmar, and his intention to make sure both Checkmate and the U.N. know who is responsible, thus pushing the blame onto Waller. Icicle interrupts with his lingering concerns about the Society's reaction to this 'freelance' operation, while Tattooed Man grouses about being replaced. After a brief argument, Mirror Master agrees that the whole team should stay in the warehouse for the night, to keep any risk of discovery to a minimum.
After the meeting, Icicle wanders through the warehouse, checking on each of the others. Punch and Jewelee are on the phone to their babysitter, while Tattooed Man continues to sulk, and Javelin trades insults with Cameron. Icicle catches Mirror Master indulging his drug habit, then expresses his concerns to Plastique, who appears unmoved by the risks.
At the Nay Power Plant in Myanmar, Doctor Thi brings an intravenous bag to the core of the facility. Inside the heavily guarded chamber is the source of the power, a young boy named Nay, hooked up to a massive machine.
The following morning, Mirror Master leads his Squad into the dimension between mirrors, warning them to keep close if they don't want to get lost or stuck. When they emerge from a truck's side-mirror outside the Myanmar facility, they are caught by surprise by a sudden rush of armed troops. Punch shoves Jewelee out of the way, and is gunned down in the process. Plastique explodes one of the trucks, and Icicle forms an ice wall to give the squad time to find cover. In the chaos, the communicator on Mirror Master's wrist buzzes to life, with a message from the Calculator. He calmly informs Mirror Master that the Society is aware of the unauthorized operation, and that it has been terminated. Another barrage of gunfire blasts away the ice wall, leaving the rogue Suicide Squad staring down the barrels of the Myanmar military.
Characters:
Bronze Tiger
Sasha Bordeaux (http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?t=33318)
Rick Flag
Icicle
Javelin
Jewelee
Mademoiselle Marie
Jessica Midnight (http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?t=35678)
Mirror Master
Mister Terrific (http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?t=34862)
Plastique
Punch
Tattooed Man
Amanda Waller
<hr>
Checkmate #7
December 2006
<img src="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/covers/dc/ checkmatev2_thumb007.gif" hspace=3 align=top align=left alt="Checkmate #7" border="0"> (http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/covers/dc/checkmatev2_full007.jpg)
Story Title: Rogue Squad, Part Two
Writers: Greg Rucka, Nunzio DeFilippis, Christina Weir
Penciller: Cliff Richards
Inkers: Bob Wiacek, Dan Green
Colorist: Santiago Arcas
Letterer: Travis Lanham
Assistant Editor: Rachel Gluckstern
Editor: Joan Hilty
Checkmate created by: Paul Kupperberg, Steve Erwin
Death: Javelin, Tattooed Man
Eleven months earlier, a captain of the Myanmar military is dispatched to investigate reports of a boy with impressive powers, and finds him holding a boulder aloft with raw energy. The officer briefly interviews the boy, and lets him know the whole world will know the value of his people. In the present, the boy, Nay, is harnessed to a machine to channel his energy powers to serve Myanmar's needs.
Outside the power plant, Rick Flag and Bronze Tiger have caught up to the rogue Suicide Squad, and move quickly to minimize the incident. Oblivious to the incoming assistance, the Squad stands off against the troops. While Plastique generates explosions to keep the troops busy and off-balance, Mirror Master has another brief exchange with Calculator, who simply reminds McCulloch of the Society's policy on unapproved operations. Mirror Master urges his team to get inside the plant so they can collect the target. Plastique and Icicle are happy to cut loose and clear a path, though Tattooed Man needs a bit more encouragement to unleash one of his dragons. Javelin tries to guide Jewelee into the building, but she isn't ready to leave Punch behind.
Flag and Tiger climb over the fence under the cover of the fighting, and spot a pair of heavily-armed jeeps racing to attack the Squad. They focus on taking out the jeeps, each using his own personal fighting style.
Back in the thick of the fight, the Squad works on getting inside the building, and Javelin again tries to pull Jewelee away from her dead husband. She clutches his jester's cap tightly, and is thrown out of the way of an oncoming jeep by Javelin. Unfortunately, Javelin gets struck instead, his neck snapping when he hits the ground. Icicle drags Jewelee inside, then freezes the entrance shut. He tries to comfort her and remind her how important it is to get home alive to her son, while the other three round a corner and find more troops.
While Plastique recharges, Jewelee and Mirror Master combine their abilities to send a realistic holographic image of the Squad charging down the hall towards the confused soldiers. The distraction gives Plastique enough time to recover, then she and Icicle ruthlessly kill the remaining soldiers. Jewelee takes a moment to see if the jester's hat fits Mirror Master, but he's more keen on finishing their mission. Icicle unexpectedly zaps Tattooed Man, catching Abel in a sheath of ice.
Mirror Master demands an explanation, and Icicle points out a tattoo missing from Abel's shoulder. He accuses the Tattooed Man of betraying them to the Society, and thus getting them into this mess. Abel pleads innocence at first, then admits he was just trying to prove himself to the Society. He argues that he's on the Squad's side and in the same sticky situation, but Mirror Master does not want to give him a second chance to betray them. One sap from the gun, and Abel Tarrant is turned to reflective glass. Icicle, Mirror Master, and Plastique then argue what to do with him, but Jewelee 'accidentally' shatters Abel into thousands of shards, claiming a measure of vengeance for him getting her husband killed.
The remaining four finally make it to the core of the plant, killing scientists and guards alike to free Nay from the machinery. Icicle prevents Jewelee from getting herself killed again, and Mirror Master soon has a portal opened for the escape. The other three rush through, with Nay secure, and Mirror Master is a step behind, only to be confronted by another wave of guards. He puts his hands up, only to be drenched in blood when Rick Flag shoots the troops down from behind. Tiger, Flag, and Mirror Master escape into the portal.
On the way back to the warehouse, they pass Nay, floating unattended in the mirror dimension. Flag reassures Bronze Tiger that they'll come back for him. The trio exit the mirror to find Plastique and Jewelee arguing, and Rick Flag gives them a suitable cover story to keep them alive and out of trouble with the Society. The four reluctantly agree, and the short-lived Suicide Squad is disbanded.
At the Castle, King Faraday debriefs the other Royals on the situation. Despite their questions and veiled accusations, it is impossible to prove Amanda had any involvement in the incident. There is no substantive intelligence regarding who rescued Nay from the facility, nor are any of the American agencies talking about it. As the meeting ends, Mister Terrific asks King if he knows how Calculator knew about the facility, and King simply promises to ask Waller.
At a bar, Rick Flag and Ben Turner enjoy drinks while watching the press conference celebrating Nay's asylum in the United States. Neither man is surprised when Amanda Waller shows up and joins them. Ben asks about the boy's future, and Rick tries to return a small device to Waller, just in case she ever needs to blow someone's head off. Unapologetic, Amanda insists that he keep it, for the "next time". Rick reminds her that she's supposed to stay out of Operations, but Amanda is not the sort to give up so easily.
Characters:
Bronze Tiger
Sasha Bordeaux (http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?t=33318)
King Faraday
Rick Flag
Icicle
Javelin
Jewelee
Taleb Beni Khalid
Jessica Midnight (http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?t=35678)
Mirror Master
Mister Terrific (http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?t=34862)
Plastique
Tattooed Man
Amanda Waller
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Checkmate #8
January 2007
<img src="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/covers/dc/ checkmatev2_thumb008.gif" hspace=3 align=top align=left alt="Checkmate #8" border="0"> (http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/covers/dc/checkmatev2_full008.jpg)
Story Title: Pawn 502, Part 1
Control: Greg Rucka (Writer)
Com: Jesus Saiz (Artist)
Decrypt: Santiago Arcas (Colorist)
Materiel: Travis Lanham (Letterer)
Logistics: Rachel Gluckstern (Assistant Editor)
Command: Joan Hilty (Editor)
Cover Artist: Jesus Saiz
Checkmate created by: Paul Kupperberg, Steve Erwin
First Apperance: Pawn 502, Emmet Burke
In a ratty apartment in Detroit, Lucas Terrel cleans himself up, while his friends (Emmet, Tye, and Bebe) wait impatiently outside the bathroom. After a brief prayer to Kali Yuga, Lucas joins his friends, and heads to a parking garage to take part in an illicit business transaction. Tye is ready to purchase a handful of handguns and assault rifles from his contact, only to have the deal go south when the gun-dealers see the 'lesser races' with Tye. Neither Lucas nor Bebe is Caucasian, which turns the deal sour for the racists. Tye tries to argue with the racist, who decides instead to simply claim both the money and the guns. Tye's briefcase is handed over to one of the gun-runners, to confirm all of the money is within. When the thug opens the case, a pile of rattlesnakes tumbles out, one of them biting the thug.
Tye lifts his arms and begins to recite from the scriptures of Kali Yuga's cult, while Lucas and Bebe leap into fight the other gun-runners. Lucas uses his fists to take down his opponent, while Bebe shoves a switchblade into the ribs of the racist leader. Emmet, meanwhile, takes shelter on top of a car, hiding until the fight ends.
At Checkmate's Castle, Jessica Midnight intrudes on a private meeting between Sasha and Michael. Neither are pleased to have their argument interrupted, but they rapidly shift back to business when Jessica informs them that Pawn 502 has confirmed the activation of a Kobra cell in Detroit. Sasha hurries off to the Operations Center to meet with the Black King, but promises Michael that they'll finish the argument later.
Jessica and Sasha discuss details as they join Shen Li Po and Taleb Beni Khalid. Shen recounts what they've found so far, specifically the deaths of the three gun-runners in Detroit, two of which were killed by neurotoxins from multiple snake bites. Jessica elaborates that the three racists were killed for ordnance which is fairly easy to acquire, and Shen adds that Tye was a former member of that same racist group. By murdering his former colleagues, he is sending a statement. The team concludes that the cell is trying to get Kobra's attention, then Shen brings up the complication. Emmet Burke is a member of the cell, and a former participant in Lex Luthor's metagene therapy program, and had the ability to turn himself invisible.
At the Detroit apartment, the Kobra wannabes regroup, and Bebe scolds Emmet for not using his power to help out. Tye and Lucas are a bit more supportive of the distressed Emmet, then the talk turns to their next step in the plan. Tye assures Emmet he can prove himself this time.
At a drug-dealer's safehouse, a small group of young women work at counting the gang's money, while armed thugs stand watch. A distraction outside the window gets the guys jumpy, and one of them checks outside, only to be gunned down from the fire escape outside. The other thugs try to return fire, but see nobody. More gunfire comes through the door, and soon all of the thugs are bleeding out on the floor. Tye and his gang enter and begin gathering the money off the table, and Emmet reappears, climbing in through the window. Bebe asks about the terrified girls, and Tye considers executing them, as the scriptures of Kali Yuga demand. Bebe talks him out of it, so that the girls will spread the story.
On the street outside the apartment, Tye tells Lucas to hide the cash and get back quick. Lucas worries about the cops, but Tye is more confident that their faith will see them through. As the other three head back into the apartment, Lucas catches sight of a homeless man sleeping on the sidewalk not too far away. As Lucas drives off, the drifter reports into a hidden radio, informing someone that only three of the four are in place.
When Lucas returns, he's in a hurry, and tells Emmet to get his shoes and the guns. Lucas barges into one of the bedrooms, interrupting Bebe and Tye in a rather intimate moment. Before they can get too upset, Lucas tersely informs them that the apartment is being watched, and they need to get out. He tosses a shirt to Bebe while Tye hastily pulls on his pants. As the group tries to get their things together, a flash-bomb comes clanking into the apartment, dazzling the quartet. Within seconds, Tye, Lucas, and Bebe are on the floor, captured by a strike team from the Department of Metahuman Affairs. When the dust settles, the strike team realizes one of the four slipped out somehow, and carry on a search for Emmet while the others haul the trio out of the apartment.
Back at the Castle, Jessica Midnight gives the bad news to Sasha regarding the DMA raid. Sasha asks if there's any word from Pawn 502, and Jessica confirms that there hasn't been. Sasha tells her to inform the Black King, then get the Black Knights onto the plane quickly. Sasha plans on expressing her displeasure in person.
At a secure facility in the United States, Lucas Terrel, aka Pawn 502, sits up on the bunk in his cell when he hears a growing disturbance outside his sell. He greets Sasha, and reassures her that he is unharmed, that he took worse abuse during Checkmate's basic training. He asks if the operation is over, and Sasha tells him that, one way or another, they are going to get him to join Kobra.
Characters:
Sasha Bordeaux (http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?t=33318)
Emmet Burke
Fire (http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?t=27318)
Green Lantern (http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?t=30343)
Taleb Beni Khalid
Jessica Midnight (http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?t=35678)
Mister Terrific (http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?t=34862)
Pawn 502
Shen Li Po
<hr>
Checkmate #9
February 2007
<img src="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/covers/dc/ checkmatev2_thumb009.gif" hspace=3 align=top align=left alt="Checkmate #9" border="0"> (http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/covers/dc/checkmatev2_full009.jpg)
Story Title: Pawn 502, Part 2
ConOps: Greg Rucka (Writer)
Mission Planning: Jesus Saiz (Artist)
First Team: Travis Lanham (Letterer)
Second Team: Santiago Arcas (Colorist)
Logistics: Rachel Gluckstern (Assistant Editor)
Command: Joan Hilty (Editor)
Cover Artist: Jesus Saiz
Checkmate created by: Paul Kupperberg, Steve Erwin
As the morning news reports broadcast the story of the DMA's successful raid on the would-be Kobra cell, Sarge Steel arrives at the holding facility in Detroit, and heads immediately inside to face off against Sasha Bordeaux. After an initial shouting match, Sasha tries a more reasonable approach, while Steel insists that his department did nothing wrong in cracking down on a terrorist cell that had killed seven people within twenty-four hours. Sasha then accuses Steel of using the raid as a political ploy in an election year, and points to the media's rapid coverage of the events as evidence.
Sasha informs Steel that the DMA is going to assist Checkmate in re-inserting their undercover agent, and when Steel digs in his heels, she uses her U.N. authority to deputize Steel and all of his agents on hand. If Checkmate's plan bears fruit, they will be the first organization to successfully plant a spy within Kobra's tight-knit cult.
Back at the Castle, in the White King's office, Michael Holt lays out his reasoning and his offer to a potential Bishop. Tempted by the idea of being both secure and in the heart of a global intelligence network, the Thinker agrees to become the White King's Bishop, functioning from a modified T-sphere. As the Thinker peruses Checkmate's files and organization, Michael greets Taleb at the door. Taleb is taken slightly aback by Michael's choice, but soon gets back to the reason for his visit.
Taleb lets Michael know that he and Sasha have devised a plan to put Pawn 502 back in play, without anyone realizing he's an undercover agent. However, to put the plan into action, they require the current locations of the Detroit door and matchbook. While Thinker tries to figure out what that means, Michael expresses his discomfort with using the door, but promises to send Tommy with the information.
Back at the DMA Control Post, Sasha pays another visit to Pawn 502. She lays out the basics of her plan, which involves Lucas and his friends breaking free of custody and killing a half-dozen DMA agents. The resulting uproar should be sufficient to convince Kobra to look favorably upon Lucas and the others. Sasha offers him the obvious out, saying that he doesn't have to be put back into play, but Lucas agrees to stick to the plan.
In the Red Light district of Detroit, Jessica Midnight, Mademoiselle Marie, and Tommy Jagger find themselves venturing into a strip club to find the door. Jessica is not nearly as amused as Tommy, and gets right to business. While one of the girls tries to tempt the homosexual Tommy, Jessica and Josephine check with the bartender. They gain access to the back rooms, and Jessica pulls out a matchbook from the Oblivion Bar. Tommy catches up while Jessica uses a match to track down the right door, then the whole trio step through and into the extraplanar tavern,
As Jessica explains where they are and how they arrived, she gets interrupted by Detective Chimp. After a brief exchange of barbed pleasantries, Jessica hands the talking chimpanzee a notice of deputization, and asks him to assemble the members of Shadowpact.
At an airport in Detroit, as the sun begins to set, a news crew arrives to cover the transfer of the prisoners. Sarge Steel continues to deny that his organization mishandled any of the recent events, and tries to pin the blame for losing Emmet back on Checkmate's agent. Sasha has a curt response, before focusing back on the transfer. Tye chants more of his religious mantras as the trio is unloaded from the DMA vans. As the news crew begins their live coverage, Tye and Lucas attack their guards, grabbing weapons and quickly gunning down the nearest agents. Bebe scrambles for the keys to get free of the shackles.
Quickly, the trio is free and grabbing what weapons they can. Tye and Lucas rush for a vehicle, while Bebe tries to grab a gun for herself. She gets taken down by Tommy Jagger, who is gunned down in turn by Lucas. As Checkmate scrambles to react, Lucas tosses a couple of grenades behind him, and climbs into the van with Tye. Moments later, the two fugitives are gone, leaving a chaotic mess at the airport. Once the area is secured again, and the media hustled off-site, Sasha gives permission to "bring down the curtain". The carnage and bloodbath fades away, as nothing more than mystical illusion. All of the 'dead' agents are unharmed, and none of the vehicles are damaged.
Sasha offers her congratulations and gratitude to the Shadowpact, and Enchantress presumes that their part in this operation has come to a close. Sasha makes it plain that she will release Shadowpact from the deputization order only when Lucas is safe inside Kobra.
As the teams head back inside, Emmet Burke fades briefly into view, then vanishes again, with only Detective Chimp catching a glimpse.
Characters:
Blue Devil
Sasha Bordeaux (http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?t=33318)
Emmet Burke
Detective Chimp
Enchantress
Fire (http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?t=27318)
Green Lantern (http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?t=30343)
Taleb Beni Khalid
Jessica Midnight (http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?t=35678)
Mister Terrific (http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?t=34862)
Pawn 502
Shen Li Po
Ragman
Sarge Steel
Thinker
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More Checkmate summaries coming soon!