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Post by DocQuantum on Aug 10, 2018 16:02:24 GMT
Yes, I’m pretty sure he was a pilot. I’ve read all the golden age Johnny Peril stories, and his WWII activities were shown in a couple of stories. I wrote an entry for our Who’s Who that details this time in his life: whoswho.5earths.com/Johnny_Peril_Earth-2
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Post by dave on Oct 1, 2018 0:45:17 GMT
Chapter 8 Time June 16th, 1941 Place: Ritz Hotel Manhattan NY
When Captain Desmo had ordered lunch for two from room service to be sent up his nephew Charles McNider asked him what he would do about the large the reunion sign for the the 2nd Air Squadron 25th Anniversary Dinner; the same outfit Captain Desmo served in the Great War. Captain Desmo's lips thinned as he said, “They know I'm blind....or at least that I'm supposed to be. I can't have them asking questions. That's one reason why I work mostly in Asia and Africa Charles. No one there knows of my condition.”
There was then a knock at the door with an accompanying voice crying “Hey Desmo Are you in there. H'its me, Fog Fortune.”
Charles looked at his uncle, whose face paled as he licked his lips. “Uncle, it looks like they know your here. Fog Fortune is one of the Three Aces. Their reputation is almost as great as yours.”
Captain Desmo gave his nephew a quick glare before saying, “They should, I trained them, along with Major Wayne – the same guy who trained me. Wait a minute Fog!”
Captain Desmo went to the door and opened it, he smiled at his former squad mate and wing man, Fog Fortune, the Ace of Clubs. Fog was an over weight middle aged man with brown curly hair with matching mustache. He was neatly dressed a brown suit, but his left arm was in a sling.
“God Charlie! It is good to see you,” Fog Exclaimed when Desmo opened the door, putting his hand out.
Captain Desmo extended his hand as well and hugged the burly visitor. “Fog! It's good to see you too!” Said Captain Desmo. “What Happened to your arm Fog?”
“Oh, this.. I was shot by an arrow by a poor castaway on a desert island before he knew we were there to rescue him last month.* (*Action Comics Vol 1 #40 September 1941) It missed the bone, but it still hurts like hell.”
Captain Desmo just nodded as he said “Yeah I know. Flesh wounds don't hurt in the movies. In real life they can hurt more that one that breaks a bone.”
“But not after this long Uncle,” said Charles.
Fog Fortune turned to see the young man siting at the bar. Captain Desmo introduced Fog to his nephew when the burly man turn to see who was speaking. Fog said “Charles McNider! The writer, I just finished “The Cold Cuban Cigar Case.” This is an honor.” Fog walked over to Charles and said “My hand is just in front of you sir, cause I'd like to shake hands with you.”
Charles put his hand, pretending not to see Fog's. The man had a strong handshake; but it was too warm for him to be running a normal temperature. Fog's face was also flush. Charles glanced down at the arm in the sling and noted that the hand was swollen. Here was a dilemma. Charles could see at a glance that Fog was in need of medical care; but to the world Charles McNider was blind.
Charles let go of Fog's hand and said to Captain Desmo, “I have a couple of questions Uncle. Is our friend red faces?”
“Yes” said Captain Desmo with a suddenly concerned voice.
“Is his other hand – the one in the sling swollen?” inquired Charles.
“Yes” said Captain Desmo.
“I see. Mr Fortune, you'd better get to the hospital at once because I think your arrow wound is infected.” said Charles.
“You better listen to him Fog. My nephew was a doctor before he went blind,” said Captain Desmo.
Fog said “Okay Captain. But h'I need you to tell Whistler and Gunner. What's going on.”
“Okay, where are you guys staying” asked Captain Desmo.
“Here in this hotel, but Gunners in Connecticut at Pratt and Whitney Aircraft, showing them some designs for fighter engines. H'I don't know where Whistler h'is. He met a girl last night. Might not see him until the party tonight at the banquet. H'I hope h'I don't have to miss that. The whole squadron h'is supposed to there. Even the ground crew. The major said he contacted every but you captain.”
“Right,” said Charles/ “I've been able to keep my attending privileges over at Mercy General Hospital. Let's go there, get you treated as quick as we can. If we break your fever you can put in an appearance. But only if you leave immediately after eating to meal.”
Fog shook his head in agreement and said “Boy h'I am sure glad you brought your nephew captain. He's sure a lot different from the major's.”
Captain Desmo walked wit Charles and Fog as they went ot the elevator. “Does Major Wayne's nephew live in New York like Charles?”
“Nah, he's from Gotham City lie the major. But he's here for some reason. Nice enough guy, but a bit of a fop h'if you ask me.”
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Post by DocQuantum on Oct 1, 2018 6:15:38 GMT
Glad to see this one continuing. I liked seeing the guy from the Three Aces!
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Post by dave on Oct 1, 2018 13:13:49 GMT
Thanks, I've had devil of time writing this chapter with many rewrites and complete changes in the story.
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Post by dave on Oct 2, 2018 19:51:54 GMT
Chapter 3 Time June 16th, 1941 Places: A Couple of Old Abandoned Warehouses in New York City
1. The Staten Island Warehouse
Adolph Krause arrived at the location in his official State Department car. He had no driver for he was not a high enough functionary for a limousine, but was high enough in the department's food chain to merit a car. Fortunately the Wayne Shipping liner which contained a ship load of refugees from Europe was within a mile of the warehouse so Adolph wouldn't have to explain any extra mileage. Adolph entered the building, gave the password to the sentry standing guard, and entered the main building. From there he went to the office to talk with his superior in his German spy ring.
Otto Marks was reading the New York Ledger. He continued reading when Adolph came entered the office. Adolph knew his Superior was aware of his presence and chose to wait until Otto asked for his report.
Otto put down the paper as he said “I can find nothing in any of today's papers about the refugee ship.”
Adolph nodded and said “That is because I have been unable to force the ship back out to sea.
Otto rose in anger very quickly as his voice raised when he exclaimed “What! Why! You said you could quietly force this ship of undesirables away from America's shores. You said you make them leave port. We have a submarine waiting for them; waiting to sink that ship!”
Adolph held up his hands as he said “I know, I know. But the owner of the Wayne Lines took a personal interest in this boat. He used his influence to make certain that it could dock and its passengers could come to America. He was there personally”
Otto almost spat out the name “Phillip Wayne! That pig has had three, now four vessels filled with refugees arrive in America.”
“No, not Phillip Wayne. A much younger man – Bruce Wayne was there. Along with papers signed by my superiors in the state department. I could not stop it.”
“No Adolph this is the older man's work. I have read that he is in New York for a reunion of his old fighter squadron from the First World War. There are other notable American Heroes and therefore enemies of the Reich there. We must send the Bund's Brown Shirts out and Smash their banquet tonight.”
2. The Bronx Warehouse
Ali Bosma sat in a small circle with a dozen other men from the Mid East. He sat attentively waiting for Aswar to speak. Aswar was the leader of this mission of the League of Assassins. Captain Desmo was an arch enemy of the League. He had in fact destroyed the eastern branch of the League in India. The League has its origins there. It had thrived for centuries, but now was only a memory. The Master of the Western League had ordered the Captain Desmo Death. And that said death was to be made as publicly as possible.
Aswar coldly stared at each of the twelve men and women sitting in the circle with him before he spoke, “Hear me comrades, Captain Desmo dies tonight. He and his comrade fliers from the last great war are attending a banquet tonight. We shall disrupts their party and kill Captain Desmo. Make certain of three things: one, Captain Desmo is dead before you leave the hall where they are eating, two that he has been killed b the League of Assassins, and three, that this order was issued by Ra'hs Al Ghul.”
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Post by dave on Nov 7, 2018 19:51:23 GMT
Sorry about the delay in continuing this tale but It was a set up chapter that was hard to write.
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Post by dave on Nov 7, 2018 19:52:14 GMT
Chapter 10 Time June 16th, 1941 Place: Ritz Hotel Manhattan NY
Dick Grayson was bored. He was at his guardian, Bruce Wayne's Uncle Phillip's World War one American Air Corp squadron diner reunion dinner. He was excited at first because he was able to meet the two famed Three Aces, as well as the recently retired Flying Fox. Dick, like most boys of his generation he was enthralled of the adventures of the heroic daredevil aviators of the past and current decade. He had hoped to meet Captain Desmo, the most famous of all the fliers in this amazing squadron.
But the captain was a no show and the famed pilots were not interested in a thirteen year old boy. Bruce was too busy entertaining Linda Page. They had spent the day cutting through red tape for the refugees of a ocean liner Bruce's family owned and were now hand in hand with one another as Bruce's uncle introduced the pair to his friends from the old war. I should of stayed home Dick thought to himself just before he noticed Fog Fortune walk in with a a tall blond blind man and a shorter man who could obviously see, even though he was wearing sunglasses in the evening.
Bruce Wayne meanwhile was pretending to be as bored as Dick really was as he had to maintain an identity of a rich pampered playboy. This act had cause his ex-fiance, Julie Madison to call off the wedding and now it put off Linda Page. Bruce liked Linda a lot and enjoyed company very much, but he held back the fact that he was the Batman. Only two people knew his secret identity: Dick, his ward and as Batman, his juvenile partner against crime – Robin, the Boy Wonder. The other was his Uncle Phillip, who had discovered Bruce's identity on his own.
Phillip didn't approve of his nephew's costumed identity, but he did not try and dissuade Bruce from it either. Phillip objected to the lazy rich playboy act Bruce used to his his identity. Phillip had his own secrets, including his financing the transatlantic transportation of European refugees escaping the horrors of Nazi occupation to the shores of the United States. Phillip's reputation was that of a ruthless, cold hearted business man. Bruce noted that the men of his old squadron knew better as he heard some of the conversations about the room of how Phillip had paid for several of the member's trip as they could not afford it.
Captain Desmo walked in the the room gently guiding his supposedly blind nephew. Fog Fortune was on the other side of him. Gunner Bill and Whistler Will came over to them as soon as they walked in. Desmo greeted them and introduced his nephew even as other members of his old squadron approached.
Charles McNider tightened his grip on his uncle's arm as the men approached before saying “Uncle Charles, I'm going to get a drink” For Fog's benefit he added “I can hear the tinkling of the ice at the bar at my four o'clock.”
Dick saw the blind man leave Captain Desmo's side as the famed aviator's old comrades approached him. Dick went to the blind man and offered his assistance. He thanked Dick as the youngster led him over to the bar.
Charles thanked the earnest young man and start a conversation while they walked. Carefully he asked Dick “Are you a child of one of my uncle's compatriots?”
“No,” said Dick. “My guardian is the nephew of one of them though. How did you know I'm not an adult?”
“Your voice is cracking, telling me that you are a teenager, and its direction comes from a lower direction than most adults” explained Charles.
Dick nodded as he said “You could be a detective.”
Charles smiled as he said “Well I do write detective and crime stories. My name is Charles McNider.”
“My name is Dick Grayson. Do we're at the bar now.”
“Thank you Dick.” Charles then ordered a scotch and soda before ordering Dick a coke. Once they had their drinks Charles asked o be escorted to a nearby table. Once they sat down Charles asked “where are you from. I can tell you're not from New York City, but I can't tell where you're from.”
“Well, I live in Gotham City now” said Dick.
“But not always. Gotham has its own unique faint accent. You have a trace of it. But you have traces of at least six accents,” declared Charles.
Dick smiled as he said “That makes sense. I used to be in the circus...until my parents were murdered.”
“Oh good Lord! I'm sorry Dick. I remember reading about that. You're parents were the Flying Grayson's.”
Dick was felling a bit of sadness at his parent's memory as he said “I didn't know my parent's murder was written about in Braille.
“What? Oh no, I was blinded just over a year ago in an explosion Dick. I remember reading about your family in the newspaper. It was national news” said Charles.
“As was the new of Doctor Charles McNider was blinded by a gangster's bomb last year” said Dick as he clicked his fingers when he realized was talking with the famed research physician.
Charles smiled back at the youth as he said “But why are you in New York now, and here at this banquet? I'm here because of my uncle. I don't think he was even aware of this reunion. Bur he asked me to come with his only this afternoon on a whim.”
Dick was in a bit of a quandary as Bruce id his Batman identity by pretending o be a bored playboy millionaire; and his Uncle Phillip kept his own philanthropy hidden as he preferred his reputation as a ruthless businessman. Dick took a deep breath before saying “Well, my guardian has a charity that started in the name of his murdered parents. This charity has been helping European refugees get to America because the Nazi's are nothing but bunch of criminals in charge of the German government. The State Department started putting up roadblocks for the passenger's entry to the US. So Bruce came to New York to help clear the way. I tagged along as I I'm not old enough to spend the weekend at home by myself. Bruce knows about my fascination with aviators so he asked his uncle if we could come.”
Dick's guardian Bruce Wayne came over to Charles's table and introduced himself. They had a shared laugh at being nephews at the reunion of their uncle's army air corp squadron before Bruce said to Dick “I think we had better go. I have some business to attend. We'll eat supper later.” Dick then said goodbye and they hurriedly left the banquet hall.
The supposedly blind Charles discreetly looked around the hall and saw something that was not quite right. He glanced over at the bar and saw a different bartender than the man who had just given his drink. This man was not white either, None of the waitstaff were either. They were all different and had the skin tone of Eastern Indians.
Charles was not a prejudiced man; but this was the Ritz-Carlton hotel and the only people of color that could work in this establishment were at shoeshine booths, and possibly dishwashers, or maids. His mind was racing as he stood, remembering his Uncle Charles fought the natives in India for the British he knew they had come for revenge on Captain Desmo. Charles was glad he had brought his valise with him. Quickly he went to the elevator and headed for his uncle's room and his Dr Md-Nite costume.
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Post by DocQuantum on Nov 8, 2018 0:43:58 GMT
Great post. I like your characterization of young Dick Grayson meeting Charles McNider. Your story really captures the mood of those old pulps that influenced the earliest hero comics.
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Post by lee on Nov 8, 2018 3:43:35 GMT
Playing catch up and this has been a fantastic story to start with. I am really enjoying your handling of these characters. Looking forward to the next chapter.
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Post by lawrenceliberty on Nov 8, 2018 22:42:54 GMT
You've really put some time and thought into this story and it shows. I'm enjoying it a lot.
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Post by Onlydavb on Dec 10, 2018 19:49:55 GMT
Chapter 11 Time June 16th, 1941 Place: Ritz Hotel Manhattan NY
Rex Darrel, like Dick Grayson, felt uncomfortable at his old squadron's reunion but for totally different reasons. While Rex, like Captain Desmo and the Three Aces had been an air ace during the war, the three men of his old patrol group, the men he was closest to during the war were all deceased. They had survived the war but two were murdered while flying a a radio controlled plane over the Pacific and the other, his best friend, Bob Merritt, died a hero's death in Germany later that same year.* (*see Times Past Federal Spies)
Rex was not part of Bob Merritt's company as he became an aviating adventurer/detective back in the n1920's. He specialized in stopping air piracy. He became famous. He had book and movie deals detailing his exploits. It was his publisher that had him wear a helmet resembling a fox's head because his code name was the Flying Fox.
He was not treated to his now accustomed celebrity. The men in his old squadron new back before he became famous. He was finding that his fame was fleeting as well since he was forced to retire from flying because of a heart condition accompanying high blood pressure. To his old mates from the war he was simply former lieutenant Rex Darrel. He only one twenty-one pilots from the old squadron that were still living from the old squadron.
Rex was waiting for Captain Desmo to arrive. Desmo was blinded on the last of the war. According to the doctors the damage to is eyes were irreparable. Yet by all accounts he could see and his fame in America was growing. He would soon surpass Rex, whose cash cow made from his reputation was starting to dry up. Rex wanted to speak with Desmo because he hoped that whatever miracle cure he found for his blindness could cure his heart as well.
He was talking with Two of the three aces and a few other pilots as well when he saw Desmo arrive with the third ace, whose left arm was in a sling and an obviously blind young man. The two aces he was talking to excused them selves and went over to Fog Fortune. Several of the other pilots went with them. Rex went over to the bar and ordered a drink.
The bartender made his scotch and soda. Rex turned around and saw that more and more of the squadron were going over to Captain Desmo. Rex drank is his drink down in one gulp. He turned back to the bar and say a dark skinned waiter go behind the bar and come up from behind to the bartender. Rex noted a startled look on the barman's face when the other man was close. Rex believed the man had something he could no see pressed against the now ashen faced bartender.
Rex watch as the waiter spoke in softly in the fear stuck man in a voice that was inaudible to Rex. The barman turned and left the bar towards the kitchen. Rex swallowed hard. He was going to draw the .45 colt he always carried and follow the pair. He was smiling now as the thrill that always came when stopping a criminal in his tracks. He turned and saw all the wait staff were dark skinned East Indians.
:Jesus!” Rex said softly. There here for Desmo. Hero of the British Raj in India.” Rex decided that he had to alert Desmo right away. He he felt a sharp pain in his chest that went down his right arm as walked towards the crowd around Desmo.
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Post by DocQuantum on Dec 13, 2018 21:42:54 GMT
Uh-oh! I hope Flying Fox isn’t having a fatal heart attack!
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Post by onlydavb on Dec 13, 2018 23:43:01 GMT
I am introducing the Flying Fox as three aces well as the 3 Aces because aviation heroes wee a big thing in the 30's through 50's. That's why I had Robin having a bit of hero worship In the comics Flying Fox and Captain Desmo are also transitional characters from the Pulps and really early comics with their serials and two fisted adventurers to the modern super hero because both had costumed head gear and a heroic code name in Rex Darrel's case.
Rex will be in other chapters. What I'm trying to establish is what happens to heroes when they get too old. We often use the heroes of the All-Star Squadron as a way of showing this, but I think having it happen when to the previous generation of heroes when the All-Stars were young is an interesting change of pace.
Robin and the News Boy Legion being in this tale just adds to the continuality.
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Post by onlydavb on Dec 13, 2018 23:58:18 GMT
I won't be using Johnny Peril as in enlistment into the army air corps would probably been after this story. I thought about using Prop Wash from the Hop Harrigan stories but I he's on the west coast trying to establish All-American Aircraft Co at this time. Prop is old enough o be a contemporary of Captain Desmo but I can't see a part for him to play as of now.
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Post by onldDavb on Dec 15, 2018 20:28:10 GMT
Chapter 12 Time June 16th, 1941 Place: Ritz Hotel Manhattan NY
Karl Schmidt had been a bellhop at the Ritz Hotel for the last five months. He had been a German spy for the last five years, but he only arrived in America six months ago. He and his fellow recently arrived spies were desperately needed by he fatherland as the strange mystery men had taken down the entire German espionage operation set up by German master spy Fritz Klaver* (See All-Star Comics Vol 1 #4 “For America and Democracy”) in the beginning of the year.
The Fuhrer had given his new operative explicit orders not to fight the Justice Society of America. Karl had once seen the Hawkman flying through the skies of New York City and he still shuddered at the plethora of America's mystery men. He asked the front desk clerk if he could take a break once he saw Captain Desmo enter the hotel's banquet hall. He had his hand from his pockets, that was the signal that the agents arriving to kill Phillip Wayne, and the other former airmen should proceed with caution. He would have used the all clear sign except several of the American had formidable reputations as fighting men.
He took a quick glance at New York's skyscrapers and swallowed hard when he saw the Batman and Robin climbing down the Ritz's fire escape. Karl quickly lit a cigarette as that was the signal to call off the attack.
Otto Marks was in the lead car when he saw Karl furtively light a cigarette. He had the car stop at the curve and went over to the man. Karl saw his superior walk towards him as he rolled his eyes upwards. Otto glanced up and saw the colorful costume of the Boy Wonder, but not his mentor. Otto reached into his coat and took out a silver cigarette case. He took out one of the American cigarettes because though it pained him to admit it; the Americans had the best tobacco in the world. He asked Karl for a light when he was near to the man. “I just saw the boy. Is the adult with him?”
Karl nodded in the affirmative as he lit Otto's smoke. Otto frown as he took a inhales the wonder smoke. He exhaled and said “We are done for this evening.”
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