Martian Manhunter: Issue #80

I look down at the man dressed in red for a few moments, allowing him to process what M'gann has just told him. Ever since her encounter with Mr Moth all those weeks ago, I've been attempting to build her confidence by encouraging her to tackle low-time criminals.

So far, it would've appeared to work a charm.

Breaking my train of thought, I lower myself out of the air, phase through the bank doors and then take my place next to M'gann.

 

"I understand you're having some trouble."

 

M'gann nods; the man in red stood watching with a gormless expression spreading across his face.

 

"Get back! I'll kill you both!"

 

He raises his weapon, and I am suddenly reminded of the fact that if he was to squeeze the trigger, I would be rendered powerless and my defeat would be simple.

If only he knew.

 

"I mean it! I'll do it!"

 

Calling his bluff, I walk forwards to his trembling wreck of an arm and pause.

 

"Let's not get ahead of ourselves, Michael."

 

The man jolts.

 

"Wha...what did you call me?"

 

"Michael Miller. That is your name, is it not?"

 

His mouth begins to move out of time with his mind, then his trembling arm finally gives way and he lets out a meek whine.

 

"How do you-"

 

Miller suitably distracted, I lunge forwards and grasp his crude flame-thrower, and in one efficient movement, I bring the weapon upwards and out of his shaking hands. He attempts what some might call a punch, but one quick kick in his shin soon puts his assault to bed, and Miller to the ground.

 

"Let's see, what have we here?"

 

I examine the crude weapon at hand, then hook my fingers under a pressure gauge on the side and tear it off. The thrower makes a hissing sound as some gas escapes, then I detach the piping from the gun and throw it to the ground.

 

"No dammit!"

 

Miller squirms on the ground, but stops when the bank doors slam open and various officers from the DPD march in. I look up as I walk around Miller, now on his knees, and position myself to talk to the officers.

 

"Good afternoon."

 

They lower their weapons in turn with Miller raising his hand to his face, which now appears to be a brighter shade of red than his flattering outfit.

 

"Martian Manhunter. Thank god."

 

The officer steps forwards and looks down at Miller.

 

"Is that...Michael Miller?"

 

I nod. The officer turns to one of her colleges stood in the doorway, gun still trained on Miller.

 

"Call dispatch. Let them know we've got the situation under control."

 

The man nods as he makes his way to the police car, then the officer's hand goes to a pair of handcuffs hooked around her belt. A though flashes through my mind for a moment, the thought of my younger (and somewhat reckless) version of myself back on Mars. I then think of M'gann; how we met, and how I would act if it were her currently relieving herself in a trembling mess at my feet.

The officer steps forwards and I bring my hand up.

 

"That won't be necessary, officer."

 

She pauses.

 

"I'm sorry?"

 

"Your handcuffs. They will not required."

 

A look of uncertainty flashes across her face.

 

"And why not?"

 

I look down to Miller.

 

"Mr Miller here has done no wrong."

 

She frowns as I continue.

 

"No one was harmed. He didn't even leave here with any money, and, may I remind you, we are in a bank."

 

"Weather or not he left with any money does not matter, sir. This is currently being treated as a hostage situation-"

 

I gesture to a group of adolescents all with their mobile devices out.

 

"Where the hostages are taking photographs of their 'captor'."

 

The officer sighs.

 

"May I ask why you're standing up for this man? I, we, were all under the impression that your sort of people stood up for justice?"

 

I consider the officer's point for a moment, but another look down at the trembling wreck of a man that is Michael Miller reminds me of my cause.

 

"You are correct. However, take a look at Mister Miller, officer. Take away the gaudy outfit and those awful judgement skills, and you have a young individual who needs help. I do stand for justice, officer, you're quite right, but this man here,"

 

Miller looks down.

 

"Is not an example of a dangerous criminal. Someone who attacks a bank using only a home-made hair-dryer with a little extra firepower, in a city protected by two extraterrestrials with unearthly powers, clearly isn't the sharpest of criminal minds."

 

The officer turns to her college, and in turn I look to M'gann, stood tending to an inquisitive man in the doorway. The officer turns back to me and sighs.

 

"Alright, let's say for one minute that he is innocent. What's to stop him from attacking again if we let him go?"

 

I nod.

 

"A fair point. He could easily come back just as powerful next time, couldn't he?"

 

I crane my neck to look at Michael, but as soon as I catch his eye he snaps his neck back downwards.

 

"But look at him. Do you honestly think he will attempt anything like this again after what's happened today? He won't even be able to look at a dollar bill without trembling. Even the hostages outsmarted him."

 

Michael fidgets on the ground, but keeps his eyes down.

 

"His is still in possession of an offensive weapon."

 

"He was in possession of an offensive weapon. Currently he is in possession of a heap of rather inoffensive metal."

 

The officer once again sighs, then turns to her college. She whispers something in his ear, and after a few moments, she looks back to me and sighs.

 

"Alright."

 

She kneels down to Michael and begins to talk to him.

 

"Right then Mister Miller, it would appear today is your lucky day. Now god knows why, but thanks to your Martian friend here, we've decided to let you go, under the condition that you will be under a strict curfew for at least eighteen months."

 

Michael stirs, but I calm him with a hand on his shoulder. The officer stands.

 

"You're going to have to come with us to go through the details of your curfew, but after that, you're free to go."

 

She picks Miller up and leads him outside.

 

"I suggest you thank your lucky stars you've got the Martian Manhunter here. He's turned the end of your free life, into a life of staying indoors after nine o'clock."

 

The officers, Miller in tow, exit the bank and head for the police car. The woman opens the back passenger door, then turns round and says one last thing to me.

 

"Why?"

 

I pause.

 

"I like to believe there is a bit of good in everybody. At least, in some people. Mister Miller here is certainly no exception. He's young; he's got his whole life ahead of him. Don't bring that crashing down because he had one minor lapse of judgement."

 

She nods, then Miller gives me one last look before being bundled into the police car.

I walk over to M'gann stood by the doors. She says nothing, instead she just looks up at me, and smiles as we watch the car drive off down the road and into the busy afternoon traffic.

Done