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The Only Chance
First published in Kurt Busiek's Astro City Vol.2 No.19.
Synopsis
Steeljack is on the way back to prison, the main problem is he is feeling "Like hell I am". He finds a way to break free but soon, one of the Conquistador's robots tries to kill him, unsuccessfully. While continuing his journey, he ponders the memories of the Black Masks of Kiefer Square and that drives him onwards.
Arriving in Chicago, he makes as many calls as he can to Kiefer Square, and thanks to Handgun's widow, he finds out that many of the Black Masks have vanished meaning the Conquistador's plan has already started. Making a deal with some Chicago Mobsters just to get a jetpack and extra gear to get to Honor Guard's base he claims that he's doing a job and that the mobster's will get 10% of the earnings. Not exactly what Carl is really planning, be hey, it's a ruse that gets him the gear he needs to break into Honor Guard's flying headquarters.
Once in, he is immediately attacked by MPH and the rest of Honor Guard afterward. Convincing them that he is no threat, Carl explains what's been happening, but because of his history, they're not inclined to believe him. So, he's captured again. On his way back to prison again, Carl uses his weight, not merely his strength to upset the balance of the helicopter that Quarrel is piloting. breaking free of his shackles, he throws Quarrel out of the plane with a parachute and goes down with it. His body chemistry allows him to survive.
Only one thing is on his mind:
Kiefer Square!
"[Its] got only one chance left. And it ain't much of one, Lord knows. But I'm all they got. And I'm hundreds of miles away. And it's all going down tonight. So I better get moving."
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