Beyond the Limit (DC)

Red Tornado, Captain Atom, and Nova spent the next few hours tending to the hostages, securing the criminals at the police station, and assisting emergency responders in clearing the wreckage left behind by the Prankster's attack.

The devastation was apparent everywhere they turned. The Chicago police headquarters was a war zone—broken glass, spent bullet casings, and the acrid scent of smoke filled the air. Officers, bruised and battered, were tending to their wounded, while paramedics worked tirelessly to stabilize those who had taken the worst hits. Some officers nodded respectfully as Nova passed, a silent acknowledgment of his efforts that night.

As the last of the henchmen were hauled away in armored police transports, Captain Atom approached Nova, his silver form glinting under the streetlights. "Good work, Nova. And I'm sorry the League couldn't show up earlier. With the loss of Hawkman and Hawkwoman and with the Green Lanterns busy in sector affairs, we've been stretched thin lately."

Nova sighed, rolling his shoulders as he surveyed the damage. It was understandable. The Justice League, for all its power, wasn't omnipresent. Even they had limits.

"I get it. A handful of people can't be everywhere at once," Nova admitted. "We do what we can."

Captain Atom nodded. "Exactly. And what you did today saved lives. If you hadn't acted when you did, the casualties would have been far worse."

Nova wanted to believe that. He tried not to think about the people he couldn't save. Seven dead in the subway explosion. Seven too many. But he consoled himself with the fact that he had done everything he could. He hoped the victims were in a better place.

He exhaled. "Is the League still dealing with Wotan?"

Captain Atom's expression darkened slightly. "He has been apprehended—again."

Nova had learned that Captain Atom was a military man at heart. He followed orders, upheld justice, but never voiced frustration about the revolving-door nature of their enemies. Yet Nova could see it in the way his mentor's hands tightened into fists before relaxing. The League captured these criminals, only for them to escape time and time again. Soldiers fought to end wars, but heroes were stuck fighting the same battles over and over.

Nova wasn't a soldier.

Before he could dwell on that thought, Captain Atom continued. "The rest of the League went to D.C. to handle a separate matter. One involving Starfire."

Joseph's posture stiffened. "Is she okay?"

"She's fine. She just… snuck into a Cadmus facility in D.C. with Robin, Kid Flash, and Aqualad."

Nova narrowed his eyes. "What?"

"Apparently, they found a clone of Superman. The League is investigating further."

Cadmus. A fitting name for an organization playing god. Like the mythical Cadmus who sowed dragon's teeth into the earth, from which sprang an army of warriors, this Cadmus had sown something unnatural. A living weapon in the form of a Superman clone created for unknown purposes.

Nova crossed his arms, considering the implications. If Cadmus was experimenting with Kryptonian DNA, who knew what else they were doing behind closed doors? Who was backing them? He was sure Batman would be on the case.

Pushing those thoughts aside, he turned back to the task at hand. The Chicago PD was mobilizing, officers from surrounding districts arriving to relieve the exhausted first responders. Captain Atom had agreed to hold a press conference, and despite his general dislike for the media, Nova knew it was necessary. The people of Chicago needed reassurance after what had happened. A terrorist attack on Independence Day wasn't something that would be forgotten anytime soon.

As the crowd gathered in front of the police station, Captain Atom took the podium. Red Tornado and Nova flanked him on either side. Camera flashes lit up the night as reporters clamored for answers.

Captain Atom's voice was steady, authoritative. "Today, Chicago suffered an attack orchestrated by a criminal known as the Prankster. He spread chaos, took hostages, and detonated explosives in an attempt to terrorize this city. However, due to the swift action of the Chicago Police Department, emergency responders, and the hero standing beside me, many innocent lives were saved."

Nova shifted slightly as all eyes turned to him. He wasn't accustomed to the spotlight in this way. He didn't do this for recognition, but he understood the value of public trust.

One reporter raised a hand. "Nova, can you confirm if Prankster is in custody?"

"Yes," Nova said firmly. "Prankster is in police custody, and the city is safe from his schemes."

Another reporter spoke up. "Do you believe the Justice League should have intervened sooner?"

Nova hesitated for a moment before answering. "The League does its best with the resources it has. Today, they were handling another crisis. Sometimes, the responsibility falls on others to step up. That's what I did."

More hands shot up, but Captain Atom raised a hand to signal the end of the questions. "That will be all for now. The Justice League remains committed to protecting the world and its people."

With that, the press conference concluded. As the crowd dispersed, Nova exhaled slowly. He finally understood why Starfire enjoyed interacting with the public. The gratitude radiating from those he had saved felt… good. Reassuring. For once, he allowed himself to feel it.

A mother approached him hesitantly, holding the hand of a young girl. "Thank you," she said softly. "You saved my husband at the subway."

Nova felt a lump in his throat. He nodded. "I'm glad he's safe."

The little girl smiled up at him. "You're a real hero."

For the first time that night, Nova allowed himself to smile. Maybe he wasn't a soldier. Maybe he wasn't part of the Justice League. But tonight, in the eyes of these people, he had been exactly what they needed.