So Not Feeling the Aster

Whatever it Takes

Cadmus 2

October 12th l 22.47

He hacked the computers as his team raced on ahead, not glancing back to check if he'd be fine on his own; they knew their fearless leader could handle anyone who tried to intercept him.

Nightwing had been given the mission not five hours ago and in that time he had come up with a plan that should presumably go off without a hitch; son of Batman indeed. The mission detailed that they were to covertly sneak into the Cadmus 2 building, collect any important information and rescue those that had been kidnapped for lord only knows what kinds of vile experiments.

Nightwing had ordered his team on ahead to rescue anyone in need as their top priority whilst he stayed outside with his wrist holo-computer connected to the circuits of the building's mainframe through a small panel beside the door they had used to enter. Whilst his team were search and rescue he was to gather all important information; that meant hacking the mainframe and downloading every file there, something only he had the skills for.

As Nightwing did this he read the information he was downloading, and his eyes widened in horror behind the domino mask as he did. Anyone who knew him well would be able to see the vestiges of panic setting on him as his shoulders tensed and his teeth grit. He couldn't let what this information detailed come to pass-his team had walked straight into a trap.

Narrowing his eyes in determination, his fingers quickly set to work on a different plan his quick mind formulated. His nimble fingers sped across the keypad s he diverted all information to a secure account even Batman didn't know about and only he could access; this information would never be found by anyone but he, and he intended to keep it hidden. Having done this he began to wipe everything; everything that was downloading to Batman and the league and everything on the Cadmus 2 database. He left no tracks on this hacking and wiping, or tracks that led to the one place this horrific information still lived on; his account. When Nightwing was done, as far as everyone but he was concerned, the information no longer existed. And this was exactly what Nightwing wanted, whatever it takes to protect my loved ones, he thought.

"Hello Nightwing." The cold voice came from behind him and his body stiffened in response.

No, it was too late, they were already here, and they were going to take them all!

No! He thought as again his eyes narrowed in determination. His back still turned to the unknown people, he not-so-discreetly pressed on an emergency signal on his holo-computer; the league would be there in ten minutes.

But that would be too slow to protect them all.

Nightwing's face was blank as he turned to the people and addressed them icily, "Cadmus."

"Now now little wing, is that any way to talk to the people who will soon be your masters?" the man's tone was mocking.

"You will never take them, I won't allow it." Nightwing responded.

"You can't stop us, because we're taking you too." The man laughed cruelly.

Nightwing's face remained blank, his turbulent emotions hidden, as he contacted the team through the mindlink, "Guys."

With just the tone of his voice the team snapped to attention; that tone commanded obedience.

"I need you guys to stay where you are until the league gets here. No questions, I will not have you put in danger. Wally, when you get back to base I need you to do me a favour. Contact Kaldur'ahm, there is a special communicator hidden in a secure place in my base bedroom, and tell him his mission has been aborted, that he is to return home immediately."

"Wait, Wing, why can't you? What's going on? What are you planning?!" Wally's tone was desperate as he sensed his best friend was about to do something stupid. Artemis glanced at him with worry.

Nightwing's tone was sad and regretful as he replied, "Nothing Wally. No need to worry, you'll all be fine, I promise that."

"We'll be fine? What about you? What aren't you telling us?" Wally screamed into the mindlink.

All the team received in reply was a soft, "I'm sorry" and a flash of an image of Nightwing, a regretful and small, sad smile on his face as one, lonely tear ran down his cheek.

Then their world exploded.

One lonely tear ran down Nightwing's face as he again turned his back on the Cadmus personnel and threw five exploding bird-a-rangs at the supporting pillars of the building his team was currently in. He watched for seven agonizingly slow seconds as the bird-a-rangs beeped in warning, the Cadmus people behind him swore and a few more salty tears trickled down his cheeks.

All sound stopped for Nightwing as the building exploded and began to collapse in on itself. He didn't fight as his arms were seized and he began to be roughly dragged away.

One sentence from the Cadmus man was heard though, "Leave it, just take Nightwing. The Justice League are on their way, we will never dig out the other subjects in time. Let's go!" The anger in the cruel man's voice was blatant.

More tears slipped down his cheeks as a satisfied smile crossed Nightwing's lips at the news his plan to protect the team had worked-whatever it takes.

One quite word slipped out of his smiling lips as he was dragged away and it seemed to echo in the following quiet of the night.

"Goodbye."