"I have already spoken against Miss Dabbler's plan, believing, as does Sendulo, that it is madness," the Martian Manhunter continued. "But since the decision appears to be inclining the other way, I feel compelled to point out that, even if successful, it overcomes only one hurdle."
"Huh?" asked JigSaw. "Sounded pretty comprehensive to me."
J'Onn shook his head. "Only if you fail to follow it out," he said. "Suppose for a moment it is successful -- that Green Lantern--" Here he indicated the unconscious hero. "--is indeed tricked into aiding us. There will remain the task of convincing the Heroica representative to go along, not to mention that of Peripheral itself, before we can hope to pass through the portlock. The other Super representative is unlikely to be as easily taken in as Jordan, and if even if he is, what of Peripheral's?"
Here Sendulo, who otherwise agreed with the Martian, felt compelled to demur. "Actually, they would probably pass us," he said. "I was in contact with them before the recent mana disruption -- our communications are better than yours -- and they're expecting our arrival."
"By this avenue?" the Martian retorted. "And in a situation that casts you and these outsiders as captives?" He shook his head. "Your husband may be well disposed toward them now, but how much does she really know? Enough to hazard taking us in when it appears that both Villana and Heroica consider it in their interest to send us through?"
"I ... don't know," said Sendulo slowly. "My effort to rescue the travelers was at Cyd's behest, but I know not how well informed her decision was. While she felt their influence could prove decisive in determining the direction of this long war, my own acquaintance with them has both encouraged and discouraged my faith in her conviction. If she doubts now, she could well decide that the risks of admitting us outweigh any possible benefits."
"As I thought," the Martian concluded.
"Be that as it may," said D.J., "does anyone have a better plan? Do you, J'Onn?" She waited, but the green-skinned alien failed to respond, merely gazing at her from under his heavy brow as if hoping she might provide one. D.J. turned to the Reaver chief. "Sendulo?" she prodded. "You?"
"I-I do not," he conceded. "But to proceed on the basis of what Dabbler suggests, in light of all that could go wrong--"
"Father," said Alvina quietly, "I'm sorry, but you aren't thinking. We have burned our bridges behind us. We must make the attempt -- either Dabbler's way or some other. Yes, capture, torture and death await us if we fail -- but they're a certainty if we fail to try."
Sendulo nodded gloomily. "I've been a fool," he declared. "I've led you into disaster."
"Perhaps not, Father. At least, let's try. If we are able to take in the Villana representative, the remaining challenges are hardly as bleak as J'Onn believes. After all, Mother neither extends nor withdraws her trust lightly. And as for the Heroica rep -- well, we know who that will be -- and what his weakness is." Here Alvina glanced significantly at -- D.J. Woohoo?
D.J. frowned. This wasn't the first time she had gotten odd looks from the principal Reavers. But why? No one had ever offered to explain -- indeed, if anything, they had shied away from the topic whenever she had raised it. They mystery annoyed the Troubleshooter.
Still, for whatever reason, Sendulo appeared to take heart from Alvina's statement. "You're right," he said, after a breath. "We must proceed. The plan may be flawed, but we've no time to come up with a better."
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