DISCLAIMER: I do not own Teen Titans
25th August 2011, Day 1.
"This is Speedy from base, what's your position?" The radio squawked
"Central Kabul. Currently reporting back to base. What's up Speedy?" Richard replied grabbing the mike
"Would you boys consider doing a little pick up for Superman, that if you're done picking up tissues?" Speedy chuckled
"Raven's here Speeds, and lucky for you she's got her iPod in" Gar chimed in from the back
"Aw hell, don't tell her I said that. Anyway you lot mind? You're all armed right?" Speedy asked again
"To the teeth; but what we getting, goods or living?" Victor asked
"Person, reporter. Just need to pick him up from the airport and bring em' back to base. No muss no fuss. You guys good for that? Its Superman's top order right now and Bats said you lot were up for the job"
"How come he wants us? Isn't it just a single guy for a pick up? Why the need for all four of us?" Vic asked
"Wouldn't have a cue Cy. Superman just said get a Task Force on it, you lot are the only ones out" Speedy called back
"Yeah that's fine, tell Superman we've got it" Richard sighed "You better have the coffee ready for us when we get back though"
"Do you know how long its been since even had bean around here? Start writing to supplies now and we should get some by Christmas. Cya in a few, base out"
Victor turned the jeep around and headed for the airport; Rachel turned off her iPod and re-joined her friends.
"Has Vic forgotten something? Or does Gar need a bathroom break?" she raised an eyebrow at him
"Hey that was ONE time and I had just drunk my entire canteen and…"
"Base wants us to pick up a reporter at the airport" Richard cut Gar off
"Its lucky my baby can hold five. Otherwise one of you lot would be walking" Vic called from the drivers seat, gently rubbing the dash.
"Means you could go to the bathroom whenever you wanted Gar" Rachel quipped
"Oh come on!" he growled "Why did you even come? We are more than capable of picking up your medical stuff without you watching us"
"Because last time your little potty break caused a box of syringes to be knocked over and broken"
Gar paused before mumbling under his breath and gazing out the window and the dry and bleak landscape that was Iraq.
"So who's the reporter?" Rachel turned the front seat
"Dunno, Kent just wants him picked up. Must be important I guess" Vic shrugged
"Seems a bit weird that they want a Task Force, just for a pick up" Richard frowned "I mean who is this guy?"
"Maybe he's some big shot back home" Gar suggested "Could be writing something for Time Magazine"
"But we had that guy from Time a while ago and they only sent out Joey remember?" Richard pointed out
"This guy must be like the president's reporter or something" Gar exclaimed with Rachel rolling her eyes
"Whoever he is, he's obviously important and dangerous. So I suggest we all be on our guard" Rachel spoke in her usual monotone.
"Why dangerous?" Victor frowned along with the others
"General Kent and Lieutenant Wayne would only want a Special Task Force squad with him if there was a chance he would be attacked on his way back to Base" Rachel frowned slightly. She refused to refer to their commanding officers as "Superman" and "Bats" unless they were speaking over the radio, which required their code names.
Richard grimaced "Who would want to attack a reporter?"
"Guess we'll find out"
Victor waited outside with Gar and Rachel while Richard ducked into the airport looking for their reporter. Kabul wasn't a very popular tourist destination, so arrivals were usually few. He scanned the crowd looking for anyone that could be a potential reporter when he felt a tap on his shoulder. Richard whirled around to find himself staring down into large green eyes that were exceptionally pretty.
"Hello, you wouldn't be my lift would you?" the woman smiled. Richard was stunned. She was tall, almost as tall his him with long red hair tied in a pony tail. Her skin was a rich golden brown that looked god given; her short cargo shorts with a light jean vest and a white t-shirt underneath was showing more female skin than Richard had seen in three years. The locals were going to go nuts. Richard made a mental note to talk with Roy about the serious communication problems between patrols and Base, because there was no way in hell that this reporter was a him.
"You're the reporter?" he spluttered, still drinking in the sight of her.
She beamed "Yes, my names Kori Anders. I'm with Gotham Post"
"Well I'm Sergeant Richard Grayson, I'll be you escort this afternoon" he grinned, regaining some control "Nice to meet you Ms. Anders" he held out a hand, which she shook with surprising strength considering her petite size.
"You too Sergeant. But please call me Kori." she smiled back at him, together they stood staring at each other till a blaring horn broke their thoughts.
Richard sighed "That'll be Vic with our ride. Better get a move on, he's been known to leave people behind"
Kori raised an eyebrow "Really?"
"I'll get Gar to tell you the story sometime" he chuckled. He scooped up her duffle bag and led the way towards the exit, stopping to wait for her.
"Oh you don't need to carry it for me" she frowned.
"Don't worry; it's just been us guys and Rach for ages. We could use a touch up on chivalry" he grinned
"If you insist" she laughed. The two strolled out of the airport towards the lone jeep parked in the virtually empty lot.
"So you've been here a while then, Sergeant?" she asked making quick glances up at him as she shoved on her sunglasses.
"Richard please, and yeah about three years, though my unit is finishing up in a few months" he grimaced slightly
"You're not looking forward to heading home?" Kori frowned at his obvious displeasure with the idea of returning State Side
"Gotham never really felt like home" he sighed
"You're from Gotham too?" she smiled "I just moved there from Tamaran, it's this little country in South…"
"South East Europe, near Greece" he chuckled at her bewilderment "Yeah I've heard of it"
She laughed "That's a first; I have to get the map out for most people"
They had just reached the Jeep; Richard gestured towards the rear doors before calling over his shoulder "I'm not most people" he flashed her a smile before turning away to put her bag in the back.
"Indeed you are not Mr. Grayson" she grinned to herself.
Richard would remember the flabbergasted faces of Vic and Gar for the rest of his life when Kori hopped in next to Rachel. She smiled shyly at them before introducing herself.
"Hello, my name's Kori" She glanced around at each of them, still smiling like it was her birthday. After a moment or two of Victor and Gar still in a state of shock and Richard to busy enjoying their reactions to reply, Rachel let out a sigh and turned to the redhead.
"Excuse the Jarheads. They've taken recent blows to the head, or at least they will shortly" she mumbled the last part to herself "I'm Rachel Roth, medical officer"
Kori's smile out shown the hot Iraqi sun "It is a pleasure to meet you Rachel. I hope we become friends"
Rachel raised an eyebrow "Sure, why not"
Vic started the truck and pulled out of the airport, jolting Gar out of his stupor.
"Hey I'm Private Gar Logan. Nice to meet ya" He leaned around Rachel sending Kori a grin
"And I'm Lieutenant Victor Stone, how's it going little lady?" Vic glanced over his shoulder at Kori
"It is wonderful to meet you all. Thank you for picking me up" She smiled politely
"It's not a problem. Vic loves any excuse to drive" Richard chuckled
"Hey my baby needs exercise, don't want her going to waste in her prime now do we?" Vic rubbed the steering wheel affectionately
"Prime? More like senior citizen" Gar rolled his eyes
"Anyone dissing my baby walks ya hear Grass-stain?" Vic called from the drivers seat
"Grass-stain?" Kori asked
Gar proceeded to take his helmet off revealing his deep green hair, laughing at Kori's surprised expression
"I did it as a dare, but I kinda liked it so I keep on dying it" He grinned
"Oh I love it" Kori squealed and began rummaging through her shoulder bag "I have to take a photo of it."
"See Rae, she likes my hair"
"I suppose somewhere in the world someone had too. And don't call me Rae"
Kori pulled out a small digital camera and pointed it at Gar "Ok say Grass-stain!" Gar pulled a goofy grin in time for the click of the camera.
Kori beamed looking at the photo "Perfect"
"Hey can it go in your article?" Gar exclaimed
This seem to catch Kori off guard, Richard frowned as a flash of surprise passed through her eyes before it was quickly covered up.
"That's a great idea, but I'd have to check with my editor and stuff" Kori spoke clearly and confidently, while avoiding Richards sharp gaze.
"So Kori what kind of reporter are you?" He turned around to look at her
"Yeah how come you need four armed guards and stuff?" Gar asked
"You a big shot back home or something?" Vic questioned further
Rachel glanced over at Kori; she watched her body stiffen slightly, but relax quickly enough. Rachel made a quick mental to note to find out more about Kori Anders.
"I'm a Political reporter, specialising in international conflict. I was sent over by my editor for an in depth coverage into the true soldier" she recited "As for the armed guards I'm not sure, you'd have to take that up with who ever sent you"
Gar's eyes lit up "Does that mean your gonna interview us and stuff?"
"Of course, I need to know all your secrets" she teased smirking
Gar and Vic's mouth's both opened ready to fire off more questions, but Rachel noticing Kori's knuckles turning white with tension came to her rescue.
"I think Kori's tired from her flight" Rachel cut in "Maybe we should stop playing twenty questions?"
"Of course. Sorry Kori" Richard spoke quickly; however his eyes never left her carefully controlled face.
"Yeah I'm always exhausted after flying" Gar chimed in "My arms are killing me too!" he burst out laughing
Richard and Rachel merely groaned while Vic snorted and rolled his eyes, Kori however let out a small giggle.
"Your pretty funny Gar" she smiled warmly
Gar looked like he was about to explode with joy, his head swiveling around the jeep to look at the rest of his teammates.
"See! Kori thinks I'm funny!" he grinned triumphantly
"She's just being polite Green Bean" Vic rolled his eyes "Once she hears that joke for the fourth time, she'll be hitting you over the head with a helmet like the rest of us" he laughed
Richard grinned turning to Kori "Don't encourage him, the jokes will only get worse"
Kori laughed, "I will try to restrain myself." She glanced out the window "Is that your base camp?" she asked nodding towards the city of tents not to far in the distance.
"Home sweet home" Rachel muttered
Character and Code Names: (Most are Titan names. More will be added later on)
Richard Grayson: Robin
Victor Stone: Cyborg
Rachel Roth: Raven
Gar Logon: Beast Boy or BB
Roy Harper: Speedy
Joey Wilson: Jericho
General Clarke Kent: Superman
Lieutenant Bruce Wayne: Bats or Batman
I'm sorry if this is unlike a real war situation, I have no experience with it, my apologies if I've offended anyone
Person who can guess what Kori is really doing there will get a prize :)
Thanks for reading, please review
I'll get the next chapter up soon
xx