The Reliance, #14

The Doomsday Program, Part 4

After dealing with the fire damage to his WayneTech laboratory, Alex Noir instinctively knew that his friends needed him more than ever. Abandoning his wheelchair and encasing himself in his advanced prototype armor, Alex Noir is reborn as Iron Hand!

Quickly caught up via communicator, Iron Hand streaks across the California landscape and bursts into the Omega Corporation heaquarters where Brainiac's ship, and two other Reliance members, await his presence.

Phanuel realizes that in order to save millions, sometimes sacrifices must be made. For the sake of countless human lives, she unleashes a holy roar and flies down the metallic alien hallway, decimating the security system blocking their path. Seeing his comrade fall, Surge slams a massive bolt of energy into the remaining robot sentry, burning it into oblivion.

Iron hand appears behind him and rushes to Phanuel's aid. She's badly injured, but thanks to her innate immortality, will ultimately recover. Just down the next hall, a green glow washes through an open doorway. Inside, the Man Of Steel is huddled on the floor, weakened and stripped of his powers. At the end of the hall, a skeletal humanoid form emerges that can only be the malicious Brainiac.

Realizing the Reliance is in over its head, Surge immediately overloads the force field mechanism holding Superman in place, sending so much electricity through the system that he wiped out the kryptonite ray as well! Calling upon emergency power reserves, Iron Hand taxes his armor like never before, flying forward and burying Brainiac into the wall behind him. But Brainiac is far from finished.

Iron Hand realizes he may have just sealed his own fate as Brainiac begins to lean forward to grapple him. But at the last moment, keenly aware of his surroundings, Alex Noir side-steps, allowing the Last Son Of Krypton to deliver a massive blow the the evil robotic tyrant!

Brainiac virtually shatters, leaving only friction charred scraps. Unfortunately, Superman seems convinced that this was only one of Brainiac's drones, and that he will undoubtedly return when ready.

Despite this incomplete victory, however, Superman has told the Reliance that they have a friend now in Metropolis and to contact him through Clark Kent or Lois Lane should they ever need a favor. He also told the fledgling heroes that he would alert the Green Lantern of Coast City to their presence, and give his vote of confidence as well.

In the aftermath, Superman takes Brainiac's ship and returns the kidnapped aliens who served him back to their homeworlds. With Phanuel revived, The Reliance returns to "The CIty Without Fear", awaiting whatever fate may bring them next...