The Twelve #4

Overview

As the savage murders continue, and members of the Twelve come under a cloud of suspicion, tensions flare, and hero faces off against hero! Plus, the unbelievable origin of underground secret agent Rockman!

Richard, the Phantom Reporter, overhears Master Mind Excello talking about how he has to leave. He cannot take this world any longer. He needs a lead lined room in a place away from everything. The Army Colonel tells him that the government agreed to pay for this place and doesn't have the money to pay for what he is asking. Master Mind says it doesn't matter. He has the money. He has always prepared for every possibility. He knew someday he might be sent forwards or backwards through time. He made several investments in a rolling trust that would stay active no matter what happened to him.

A couple of police officers arrive at the mansion. They talk to the Colonel about a thwarted robbery last night. The Colonel tells them that everyone there is free from liability or prosecution for any acts done as a hero. They just want to follow up with procedure. Laughing Mask agrees to cooperate with them. They need to take his guns to the station to have a record since they were fired, the same as they would do for a regular officer. Richard talks to the other officer that tells him about another incident last night. A man that seemed to have gotten rich overnight and didn't appear to be his true age of sixty-five was torn to pieces in his home. The incident happened exactly at midnight and his place was locked from the inside. They have no idea how he was killed. As they're talking, Richard notices Black Widow watching from the top of the stairs.

Downstairs, Blue Blade tries talking to Rockman. He's been offered a chance to be on television. He figures that the two of them could make a great act together. Blue Blade says he needs to know where he's from before he can introduce him to the agency. Rockman tells Blue Blade about his kingdom and how he was separated. Blue Blade figures it's too much of a tale for people to believe.

The others decide to have a party for Master Mind as a send off. Dynamic Man comes in and chastises them for their lack of heroics. Richard gets in his face saying that it's harder for some of them to get over the fact that all their friends and loved ones are gone. They're not as perfect as he is. He continues to make references to this and compares him to what they were fighting in the first place, the Master Race the Germans craved. Saluting him in a Nazi fashion, Dynamic Man is outraged and prepares to pound him. Captain Wonder holds his arm back and stops him. Dynamic Man says he just came so they wouldn't forget the twelfth member of their group and brings out the inert Electro. Another "relic nobody knows what to do with anymore."

Richard tries talking to Black Widow. He suggests they leave to get to know each other. She says he doesn't know anything about her and should keep it that way. Blue Blade comments that it seems that Electro has moved. Then he gets the idea that perhaps he could team up with the robot.

In another room, Master Mind sits with Mr. E. He asks him if he thinks the party is going well. Mr. E. tells him he's Jewish. Pondering for a moment, Master Mind tells him that he is too.

The party ends. Master Mind will move into a place upstate that most of them are welcome to visit (except Dynamic Man). Black Widow goes out to a club. Rockman returns to pound on the basement floor. Mr. E. cries himself to sleep. Richard begins to write his column for the Daily Bugle.