Suddenly, the com-link buzzed into life. Michael Hitchens looked across as his dad pushed buttons.
"What was that?"
"No idea. Whoever they are, they're trying to contact us. I'll patch them through"
John pressed a few buttons, and a face appeared on the monitor screen. He was bald, with a distinct five o'clock shadow and mirrored shades that hid his eyes, whilst the lower half of his face was hidden by a harlequin-coloured bandana. John Hitchens leaned back in his wheelchair, whistling.
"So, There's a new Jester in town is there?"
"There'll always be a Jester, Rocketman. Last time I checked, they've numbered into the three thousands"
"That many, huh? What d'you want?"
"Justice Squadron's gone. Not only that, somebody's been abducting various people from all over the world. Next thing I know, somebody called Appleby calls me out of the blue, invites me to some meeting. I'm not taking any chances, thought I'd invite back-up"
"And I'm the best there is?"
"The best who's number I've got. Get your ass down here"
"I'm too old. I'm sending the boy"
The Jester nodded, and his visage vanished from the screen. Michael Hitchens looked at his father
"Who was that?"
"The Jester. Knew the guy when I was helping The Justice Squadron back in the day, or somebody exactly like that"
"What did he mean 'There'll always be a Jester'?"
"Exactly that. Every time a Jester dies, somebody else takes up the mantle. They're always the same kinda guy though, which basically makes them the same person. Dedicated to what they see as justice, never kill but will do anything else to a bad guy, don't seem to have super powers but always have the same sword, an old broadsword that should take two men to lift. Be careful around him, son: The Jester can be trusted, but he's a bastard at heart"
