GAM 6: Fearless Flint: Intrigue in Washington

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Prior Appearances of Fearless Flint   The Golden Age Origin of Fearless Flint   Read all the chapters in the introduction to   'The Greatest American Movie'   Chapter 1: Blue Fire in: Out of Circulation   Chapter 2: Black Zero in: Submarine Sabotage   Chapter 3: Lady Fairplay in: Mississippi Mayhem   Chapter 4: Mirror Girl in: Kidnapped   Chapter 5: Dr. Diamond in: War Zone Fort Rosecrans   Chapter 6: Fearless Flint in: Intrigue in Washington   Chapter 7: Willow Wisp in: Cold Justice   Chapter 8: Master Mystic in: The End of the Beginning (Read me last!)

A New Assignment

"Come in, Jack!" James Edgar Kirby, Director of the FBI, leaned back in his chair and crossed his legs, his right hand holding his pipe resting on his knee. "Here's your next assignment.”

He pointed with the pipe stem to a file folder of papers resting on his otherwise spotless desk. "As you know, the directors of several Federal Agencies have disappeared recently - Murdoch of the Bureau of Bureaucracy, Nachtstern of the Department of Redundancy Reduction, and Vincent of the Department of Incomprehensible Regulations. We don't know where or why - they've simply disappeared. The lack of Directors is already affecting the efficiency of these departments which is severely impacting the war effort! That's why I'm assigning it to you, m'boy - you're the Bureau's top agent. The outcome of the war could easily be affected by the results of your investigation!"

Jack Bradley, a handsome, fit, blonde man with a square jaw, knew that another reason he was getting this difficult assignment was that Kirby was aware of his heroic identity: Fearless Flint, The Famous Flint man. As Fearless Flint, Jack had super strength and was virtually indestructible, and had already faced terrific dangers while resolving past important cases that no one else could handle. He wasn't shaken by the importance of the assignment; he was eager to get started. "Yes, sir! I'll get on it right away!" He picked up the folder and headed to to the door.

"Thanks, Jack! I knew I could count on you!" Kirby replied heartily. "As always, the resources of the Bureau are at your disposal!"

By the time he'd reached his desk, Jack had two theories. "Either they've defected or they've been kidnapped by Axis agents." He studied the background information on all three, examined their photographs, and reviewed their work records. All three appeared to be typical government employees: middle-aged men with glasses and serious expressions, who had climbed to the pinnacle of the bureaucratic ladders through quiet competence. There was nothing in any of their records that suggested disloyalty, which strengthened Jack's suspicions that the disappearances were indeed kidnappings.

He was about to call in his assistant, Ruth Parson, when a sudden thought struck him. "Could Lee Fang be behind these kidnappings?"

Jack shuddered at the thought that the notorious and relentless Japanese agent might have ordered these recent kidnappings. Just last year, Fang had used a group of ferocious gargoyles under his hypnotic control to cause chaos and death in New York City as part of his plan to take over a valuable skyscraper. Ruth had been one of Fang's kidnap victims until Fearless Flint had rescued her from his deadly clutches. Despite the danger, Ruth had shown unwavering bravery and aided Flint in capturing and unmasking the notorious Dr. Fang, though the cunning criminal had subsequently escaped from prison and was still on the loose. Ruth's courage impressed Flint so much that he offered her a job as Jack’s assistant at the FBI.

If Fang was indeed involved in these kidnappings, Jack feared for the safety and well-being of the victims.

"Ruth, I need all the files on anyone in the DC area who may be suspected of having connections to Axis spy rings. If these recent kidnappings are indeed part of an Axis operation, I want to know about it!"

Ruth was a nifty brunette with curls in her hair, wearing a neat business suit. "You don't know what you're asking for, boss!" she exclaimed with a hint of exasperation. "With all the alarming headlines in the news these days, one would think that every single person in DC is somehow involved in espionage, instead of being loyal patriotic Americans like us!"

She stomped away, but returned quickly, bearing an overflowing armload of file folders. "I hope you have better luck than everyone else has had so far!"

After studying the files for a while, he called her back in. "I think they were kidnapped, and I've narrowed it down to three Axis spymasters who our informants suggest are currently operating in the DC area: Dr. Lee Fang, the Green Skull, or Count Bladderwort."

"Oh, I hope it's not Dr. Fang," she shuddered. "I was sure he was going to order one of his gargoyles to tear me to shreds, just to show papa he wasn't bluffing! The Green Skull sounds even more evil; he uses a gas spray that kills the victim by eating away the skin on his head and turning the exposed bone green." She had to pause to get the horrid picture from her mind. "I don't know much about Count Bladderwort."

"They say he has a warped passion for growing flesh-eating plants, and he's managed to breed plants that eat men!" Jack replied in disgust as Ruth jerked in horror. "He may be worst of all!" He paused for a moment, then jumped to his feet. "I don't know which of them is behind this plot - but I'm pretty sure I know where they will strike next!" He grabbed his hat from the coat rack and pulled his pistol and holster from a file cabinet drawer. "I'm headed to the Bureau of Bureaucracy, the most important agency in the government! That HAS to be their next target!"

"Hey, you hired me to be an agent, too, not just some glorified secretary!" Ruth reminded him. "I'm coming too!"

They raced out of the building and tore across town in Jack's car, the lights flashing and the siren screaming. Jack flashed his FBI badge as they barreled through the lobby of the imposing marble Bureau of Bureaucracy building, and slammed open the outer door to the Director's office.

"We might be too late!" he shouted in anguish The receptionist lay sprawled unconscious on the plush carpeted floor, her desk overturned and papers scattered everywhere. Without hesitation, he lowered his shoulder and smashed open the inner office door. The kidnappers were waiting for him, armed and dangerous. They wasted no time in opening fire on Jack, their guns blazing with deadly accuracy. At point blank range, they couldn't miss!

***

Quite a cliffhanger, eh, Readers? Is this the end of Jack Bradley, the Famous Flint Man? Be sure to buy next month's Edition of FAMOUS FEATURES comic book to find out!

[dans]

Keeping the World Safe for Bureaucracy!

The attackers were caught completely off guard by what transpired next. As the first bullet struck, a spray of sparks erupted from Jack's body, as contact with the steel bullet transformed him into Fearless Flint - a being with impenetrable stone skin and superhuman strength. Their bullets ricocheted harmlessly off his invulnerable form. The Director of the Bureau was bound hand and foot and he dropped to the floor and tried to squirm under his desk. Fearless Flint stopped, facing the three gunmen who were on the brink of terror - they had never seen bullets bounce before!

As he took a step towards them, they all three screamed and charged and tried to swarm him under. As they crashed into him, he snarled "You asked for it - and now you'll get it!" Flint easily peeled off one man and threw him against the wall. He turned to the next, who had dropped into a karate stance. ""I'll teach you fellas a thing or two about how Americans fight!" he vowed. The man stepped forward with a roundhouse kick, and screamed when bones snapped in his foot. A flick of the fingers under his chin and he was out. Meanwhile, the other had gotten around Flint and rushed though the shattered door - where he stopped instantly, facing the unwavering barrel of Ruth's service pistol.

"Good job, partner!" Flint nodded approvingly. "Take it easy, pally, you'd best not be goin' anywhere." He stepped out of the office, grabbed the man by the arm in a grip of steel. "Ruth, you go see to Director Finnegan, while I find out what this guy's got to tell us!"

"I'll never talk...eeerrrrrk" the man started, before picked him up by the throat and jammed him up against a wall, his feet 6 inches off the floor,

"That's what they all say... at first," Flint sneered at him, his steely gaze filled with fury. "I'll wait. And I'll bet it won't be a long wait..." A few seconds later, he added "Speak now, or prepare to meet your maker! Who do you work for?".

The terrified man's eyes bulged with fear and his face turned a sickly shade of purple as as he he fought for breath. Flint loosened his grasp and he finally managed to gasp out "Please... don't kill me... I'll talk!" He struggled to keep talking. Finally, he added in a ghastly whisper: "Count Bladderwort..."

Count Bladderwort!! Flint’s suspicions were confirmed. Bladderwort was the most notorious Axis agent in the country. He was Number 1 on the most wanted list of every law enforcement agency in the Allied countries, with massive rewards being offered for his capture!! What a feather in his cap if he were to capture him! What a blow he would strike for democracy by apprehending this cunning enemy of freedom!

“And where do I find Count Bladderwort?” Flint demanded, squeezing more tightly for just a second to encourage the man to talk. The man's face was purple and contorted in pain, then he gave a relieved gasp as Flint loosened his hold.

"He's hiding out in a mansion on the outskirts of town,” the man coughed while his eyes bulged even further. Another quick squeeze, and the man gave him the address.

Without another word, Fearless Flint delivered a swift slap to the kidnapper's face. The force of his punch knocked the man out cold. Flint released him and was out the door before the man crumpled to the floor.

"Ruth, call the Department and have them send somebody to pick these guys up. You keep 'em covered until they get here!" he ordered his assistant, and was gone before she could reply.

"Damn you, Jack Bradley!" she swore at the empty air. "This is the last time you're leaving me behind!"

As Flint raced from the building, his power left him, and it was Jack who hopped into the driver's seat and raced towards Bladderwort's mansion. Time was of the essence; he knew he had to act fast before Bladderwort could strike again.

The imposing mansion loomed before Jack, surrounded by a formidable stone wall and guarded by heavily armed agents at every entrance. His drove the gas pedal to the floor and raced recklessly towards the gates. The guards at the gates saw him coming and opened fire. One of the bullets hit a tire, causing the car to spin out of control and crash through the gate in a shower of sparks and shattering metal.

“We got him!” the guards exulted. “Count Bladderwort will reward us well!”

***

Readers, is this the fiery end of Jack Bradley, the Famous Flint Man? Be sure to buy next month's Edition of FAMOUS FEATURES comic book to find out!

[dans]

Finally: Bladderwort!

Inside the crumpled car, Jack was tossed around like a ragdoll in a hurricane! The twisted steel bars pierced through the shattered window and Jack was hurled against them with a force that should have pulverized his bones and left him as nothing but a bloody mess. Except... they were steel bars! There was an explosion of sparks and where Jack had been - there was Fearless Flint! The impacts felt less violent than a vigorous massage to his invulnerable body. He effortlessly tore his way out of the wreckage.

Half of the guards had already dropped their weapons and fled in terror, their screams tearing through the air. The remaining guards bravely (or foolishly) fired their machine guns at the seemingly unstoppable human juggernaut, only to have their bullets ricochet harmlessly off his impenetrable skin. "He can't be human!" one guard shouted in despair before throwing his gun and fleeing for his life.

"This is a fine reception for my first visit!" Flint quipped as he waded into the remaining men. One guard had sneaked around behind the Famous Flint man and he smashed Flint over the head, holding the barrel of his useless machine gun like a baseball bat - and the barrel snapped off in his hand from the impact. "You fellas just don't know when to quit, do you?" Flint asked as he spun around and leveled the sneak attacker with a hammer blow to the jaw. "Well, I've taken enough from you guys." By now, all the guards who weren't unconscious were running.

One by one, Flint chased down the running guards and threw them into a nearby guard house before wrapping its remains with steel fence to keep them locked inside. "Now where's Count Bladderwort? I highly doubt any of you want to deal with me again, so why don't you just tell me where I can find him? I'd rather not have to tear this place apart."

Amidst the chaos and screams and moans of agony, Flint managed to pick up bits of information. "Greenhouse... at the back of the main house... please don't kill me!" "Thank you for the helpful directions," Flint sarcastically remarked as he made his way towards the imposing mansion.

Without bothering to knock or open the door, he simply smashed through it with ease. Inside, the frantic household staff were scrambling to escape, but Flint paid them no mind. He eventually reached a set of French doors that led out to a sprawling patio and manicured lawn. His Fearless Flint powers began to fade as he crossed the expansive lawn, but when he reached a small outbuilding next to a partially buried greenhouse, he found that it was unlocked...

Count Bladderwort hummed a tune of sadistic pleasure as he tended to his twisted mutant man-eating tropical plants in his secret underground Hothouse of Death. His thoughts were interrupted by the sudden sound of an intruder alarm, causing him to abandon his work and rush up the stairs to his office above. As he ascended, Count Bladderwort plotted his revenge against whoever dared to disturb him in his own lair. And then he saw him - FBI agent Jack Reynolds burst into the office!

"I've got you now, you vile master of evil!" Jack shouted in triumph and dropped his shoulder, charging at the Count like a raging bull.

"You're no match for me, you simpering idiot!" the count snarled back, lunging forward without hesitation. "In just moments, you'll be nothing more than fertilizer!"

Without hesitation, Bladderwort lunged forward and the two collided in a frenzy of punches and kicks, their bodies twisting and contorting as they fought for domination. But it was clear that Bladderwort held the upper hand, using every dirty trick in the book to weaken and overpower Jack. And finally, after a brutal, grueling battle, Jack lay defeated at Bladderwort's feet.

But the Count wasn't satisfied with just defeating his enemy - he wanted to revel in his victory. With a cruel smile on his face, he opened one of the glass roof panels that allowed him to watch and gloat as his prized plants consumed his defeated enemies. He mercilessly shoved Jack through it and laughed gleefully as he thumped to the ground, dazed. The voracious tentacles of the monstrous plants instantly began groping hungrily through the air, questing for their new meal, dripping flesh-dissolving acid as they writhed closer and closer. Count Bladderwort stood above, watching intently through the glass ceiling, cackling with delighted anticipation at the thought of his enemy's agonizing fate.

***

Wow, readers! Is Jack Bradley about to become... plant fertilizer? Be sure to buy next month's fabulous issue of Famous Features Comics to find out!

[dans]

Heroes and Patriots

Jack landed on his back with stunning force, directly onto the sharp tines of a metal rake. Sparks flew through the air as the touch of steel transformed him instantly into the invulnerable form of Fearless Flint. As he rose to his feet, his heart sank and turned to bile in his throat as he took in the gruesome sight before him - several human bodies lay decomposing amongst the carnivorous plants that had been feasting on them. A surge of fury ripped through him as he realized these were the remains of the missing Agency Directors. He roared his anger and tore through the greenhouse on a rampage, tearing the grotesque plans out by the roots and ripping them to shreds. With each destroyed plant, his anger intensified, fueling him to continue until every last one lay in ruins. Finally, exhausted and covered in sweat, he leaped through the shattered glass ceiling back into Count Bladderwort's office.

The Count, who had been watching in horror as Fearless Flint tore apart his beloved creations, let out a wail of sorrow upon seeing the Famous Flint Man return, but he was too deep in grief to escape. Before he could even try to resist, Flint swiftly tied him up securely. As he did so, he could hear distant sirens growing louder. Just before Ruth Parson burst into the room with a squad of FBI agents, his Fearless Flint abilities faded away again and he returned to being plain old Jack Bradley.

Ruth quickly took charge of the situation and reported her findings to Jack. "We found a dozen more prisoners in the guard shack," she began, "and we managed to capture the three who attempted to kidnap Director Finnegan. And now, thanks to you, we've got Bladderwort. Looks like we've finally broken up the whole spy ring." Her words rang hollow in Jack's ears as he thought of the brave Directors Murdoch, Nachtstern, and Vincent who had met such gruesome fates.

"I only wish we would have been called in on this case sooner," he replied with a heavy heart.

"I know it's not much consolation now, but those men were patriots and heroes, Jack. Their sacrifices will contribute to the Allies finally winning this damned war," Ruth reassured him with a hand on his shoulder.

"I guess for now, we have to take the long view," he agreed, trying to push aside his guilt and sadness.

"Oh, by the way," Ruth's voice brightened slightly, "the Chief asked me to give you this!" She handed him a small envelope.

***

See you next month in the next exciting edition of Famous Features Comics!!

Next Appearance of Fearless Flint
The Greatest American Movie