Since the second season started, I've hoped that there would be an episode that focused on the original team members. This story evolved from that longing. I hope you all enjoy it.
ATLANIC OCEAN
April 14, 00:45 EST
"Do you really think they might have La'gaan here?" Miss Martian asked. She, Nightwing, Kid Flash and Superboy were looking at holo-map of a possible containment facility being used by Back Manta.
"More importantly will he be there." KF said cracking his knuckles.
"We can't be sure if he is here or not, but we do have confirmation of Manta using this facility. Even if he's not here we could get information on why the light is kidnapping kids and who their 'partner' is." Nightwing said. "And there is a chance Kaldur will be there, but Wally you know I didn't let you come on this mission so you can get your revenge."
"I know you need someone who can get in fast."
"But where is it. It's supposed to be on an island right? All I can see is a lot of water." Superboy said scanning the waves below the bio-ship.
"Well, the thing is satellite images don't show anything in the area it should be." Nightwing said.
"Is it camouflaged?" Miss Martian asked.
"I don't believe so. What I think is that it's moving." Miss Martian and Superboy both looked shocked.
"Nightwing, the last time checked, islands don't move." Superboy said folding his arms.
"Well you should check again." He brought up a holo-screen showing more satellite images.
"This is a series of images taken of the same area over the course of two weeks." They all watch as a small dot moved in the pictures. With every picture it seemed to move further to the West.
"I'll don't believe it, a moving island." Superboy said.
"You've seen a guy turn into a giant blue monster, fought a robot with the powers of half the justice league, have a pet biochemically engineered wolf and a living machine ball as pets and you can't believe that an island moves." Kid Flash said.
"He has a point." Miss Martian said. Superboy just glared at her.
"I think because of its size it's a floating island. Black Manta probably had it constructed, with its own means of propulsion. The prefect hideout for someone like him." Nightwing said.
"Well if it moves how are we supposed to find it?" Kid Flash asked.
"I have narrowed down to a five square mile area. We'll search in sectors till it comes shows up on radar or visual."
"That is still a pretty wide area." Kid Flash said.
"Well we better get started." The bio-ship fell into an uneasy silence. Nightwing and Kid Flash were both looking nervous. Superboy refused to look at Miss Martian. It went on like that for close to an hour before they saw anything.
"What's that, at our eleven?" Superboy asked leaning forward.
"Nothing is showing up on radar, but that is not a surprise. They would have cloaking devices." Miss Martian said.
"Miss M, take us down. But slowly, we don't know what kind of surveillance they have."Nightwing said. The ship lowered until the island came into view. It was small, less than a half a mile across. It looked like someone could around it 5 minutes, KF could probably do it in 5 seconds.
"Kid and I will deploy as Alpha. We go in and shut down their preliminary security system then the two for you will follow when I give the signal." Nightwing said.
"I know you're the leader but won't it make more sense to take Miss M. She can camouflage herself and density shift." Superboy asked. Nightwing and Kid Flash looked at each other.
"I think Kid is the best for the first deploy because of the size of the island. He can scout the island in a few minutes." Nightwing said.
"If you say so." Superboy said.
"Miss M. link us up."
'Link established.' She said in everyone's mindsNightwing and Kid Flash put on re-breathers.
'Let's go.' Nightwing said. A hatch opened in the floor of the bio-ship. Nightwing and Kid Flash dived down to the water below. They swam to the island under the waves.
-_O_-
"Do you think it's weird, that Nightwing would just let Wally join this mission." Miss Martian asked when it was just her and Superboy.
"I don't know." He said simply.
"You're not still going to be like this. Would you just forget that for a moment and try and focus?"
"Well, the only reason Wally asked to come on this mission was he hoped to see Aqualad. And it's not to find out how he's been. I don't blame him. If I see Aqualad…." Superboy cracked his knuckles.
"Conner you wouldn't."
"You do know why Artemis is dead right? And who are you to talk? Frankly I think death is better than what you do to your victims."
"You wouldn't kill Kaldur, he is…..was our friend. That is not how we do things, we don't kill."
"So tell me, would you rip the information from his mind."
"I…I…"
"He's a bad guy remember. The information you get from him will help the team, the league, the entire planet." He said turning around to look at her. She didn't say anything.
"What the difference between him and any other bad guys? Information you get from him will definitely help you get the rebound back."
"We're going to save La'gaan now."
"We don't know for sure that he's here. And if he's wasn't there, would you still use your 'powers' to get information from Aqualad. We could still use any info he has even if we do get rebound back. Frankly, I would be happy if you did it to him. He needs to pay for what he did." Super said angrily. Miss Martian looked away tears in her eyes.
"I still can't believe, she's gone. Or that he did it. How could he… I saw him risk his own life for hers for all our lives, so many times." She said. Superboy looked her. He angry diminished.
"I can't really believe it either. Aqualad, Robin…Nightwing, and Kid. They freed me. Did I ever tell you Kaldur was the one who tried to reach out to me first?"
"That's the first time you called him Kaldur since he….left."
"Yeah, well slip of the tongue. Only his friends call him Kaldur, and we are not friends."
-_O_-
"Do you think it's a good idea to bring the two them on this mission. Miss M. is still shaken from losing Artemis and Lagoon Boy. Plus Superboy might punch a hole in Kaldur's head if he saw him." Kid Flash said as he and Nightwing crouched down behind some rocks in the shallow waters.
"Well, we should have La'gaan back by the end of this mission. Kaldur set me a message that he was being kept here. He risked a lot to send that message, so it had to be urgent. As for Superboy, that's why I brought you along, to help me keep an eye on him, so he would do anything rash."
"You still had the entire team at your disposal."
"I don't know. Kaldur said something big was a happening, I didn't trust anyone else to be here. I even sent a message to Z and Rocket. I have a bad feeling for some reason." Nightwing said.
"All of them? Dude, you do realize if this mission goes south, for us or Kaldur and Artemis, we're putting everyone's life in danger. And if they find out, well our lives will still be in danger."
"I know, but I can't shake this feeling. If something is about to go down there is no else by my side."
"Not even Batman?"
"Even if that was an option at the moment, no I would still want all of you."
"Thanks dude."
"That's enough talk let's focus on the mission."
"Right." Kid pulled down his goggles. "I'll do a circuit to the island, see what we're up against." He took off.
Nightwing ran the up the beach. It facility was the entire island. There was only about 50 feet or so from the water to a looming wall that encompassed the island. With a small binoculars he had Nightwing examined the top of the wall. He could see guards located at every 100 feet or so.
'Nightwing to Kid, what do you got for me?'
'As far as I can see the wall goes all the way around. There is an entrance on the far side of the island but it's for boats only. It's like a cove.'
'Guess Manta wouldn't need cars here. What about the guards?'
'Posted every hundred feet or so. Three main towers, in the east, west and south.'
'Right those are our targets, you take the west on. I'll take the south and we'll rendezvous at the east tower.'
'Got it.'
Nightwing went in to action. He threw a small flare as far right as he could. It made a small spark went it hit the ground. As he expected several guards responded to the light. He used a grapping gun to get the top of the wall and head to his left. The direction of the tower. He shocked the first guard he encounter and burst into the Towers control room. It was over before the guards inside had time to be surprised. He hacked the system and disabled the radar, and sonar. He put the heat sensor and cameras on loops.
'Beta, be ready.' He said. He made his way to the third Tower. He was in with out too much trouble. He was half way through hacking the system when KF appeared.
"Okay, how is it that I'm supposed the one of the fastest person's in the world and I can never be the first one to get anywhere." He said looking at the unconscious guards.
"That's not true; statistically you arrive first as much as you don't. It's a trick of your mind. You remember the times you don't arrive first move than when you do."
"I know why you don't want Batman around, you're already so much like him it would be redundant."
'Done. Beta deploy. Meets us at the east Tower.' Nightwing said.
'On our way.' Miss Martian said.
"Let's see if I can get a map of this place from the mainframe." Nightwing continued typing on his holo-screen. It wasn't long before Miss Martian and Superboy joined them.
'According to this map the detention facility is on level D, about four stories down. Kid, SB you two go and see if you can find Lagoon Boy and any other kid they might have. Miss Martian and I will head to level B, it the northern part of the island. There is something that looks like a main control room. That is our best bet for information.'
'Don't think I don't know what you're doing. That's also the best place to find 'him'.' Kid said, 'You just me and Superboy away from him so we don't hurt him. Dam it Nightwing, you can't reason with him. He chose his sides. Now because you won't take him down Artemis is dead.'
'Wally get a hold of yourself. The reason I'm sending the two of you is because you will be able to search the area the fastest and Superboy should be able to break any lock in your way.'
'Yeah, you and your reasons.' Kid said. Nightwing had to admit he was playing his part better than he expected. He was worried that because Wally was still mad with him it would affect how he operated on the mission.
'This is not about revenge. His is still our fr….'
'He's no friend of mine.' Superboy and Kid said at the same time.
'Let's just get on with the mission.' Nightwing said. Kid pushed past Nightwing and left the Tower. Superboy followed him. Nightwing and Miss M. began making their way the main control box. They keep to the shadows.
"Do you think It's best if you sent the two of them on their own." Miss Martian whispered. She was talking out loud to avoid being head over the link. "What if they run into Kaldur?"
"I don't think he would be in the detention area." Nightwing said simply.
"But was if…"
"Then there is nothing we will be able to do. Let's get the information and get out."
-_O_-
"What are you doing back with the team?" Superboy asked.
"You know why I'm back." KF said darkly.
"I think the real question is why did Nightwing let you join this mission?"
"He needed someone who could get in and out fast."
"Miss Martian may not be able to do it as fast as you but she as less chance of getting caught. What is the real reason you're here?"
"Ask Nightwing."
"I might as well ask the Riddler, he might give a more straightforward answer. You and I both know when Nightwing doesn't want someone to know something they won't know."
"Well, I'm as clue less as you."
"I don't think so." Superboy said. Wally hoped he wasn't sweating. Superboy was asking some tough question. He knew it was a bad idea to had the old team together. They had been through too much together, knew too much about each other.
"I don't know what you think, but want ever it is just remember the love of my life is gone because of 'him'. I don't want anything other than revenge."
Superboy didn't say anything else. They made their way to level D. Once they were down Kid did a quick run around. He ran back to Superboy.
"He's not here. No one is." KF said. He looked worried.
"Are you sure?"
"Yeah, I'm sure I looked in every cell."
"There must be one you missed. They won't keep him in a normal cell."
"I'll do another run around, you go see if you find a log book or something. Anything that would tell us if and where they have their prisoners." Superboy nodded. Kid took off again. Superboy when in search of the log. He had to take out three guards on the way.
'Does anyone else think for a secret base there aren't that many guards?' he said over the mental link.
'That exactly why there aren't so many guards. Black Manta thinks it's too secure for anyone to know about it.' Nightwing said.
'You would think the villains would learn not to be cocky.' Superboy said.
'They're super villains, being cocky is part of the job description.' KF said.
'Still, it's strange. Plus I can't find a log of any kind for prison records.'
'Are you sure?' Miss Martian asked.
'Positive.' Superboy said.
'And I'll getting zero one actual prisoners.' Kid said.
'What? No one. At all?' Nightwing said.
'No. Are you sure they are kidnapping kids. If they are, they are not keeping them here.'
'This isn't right.' Nightwing said. 'Keep looking, we'll give you till we finish getting whatever information we can. Look for anything. Both of you use your inferred.'
'Right.' Superboy and KF answered. Kid pulled on his goggles, and Superboy switched to his heat vision.
Nightwing and Miss Martian were above the control room, in an air vent.
'Miss M. get this flash into a port I'll do the rest.' Nightwing said passing her the flash drive. She phased through the vent and entered the control room, in camouflage mode. As soon as she put the flash into a port Nightwing became to wirelessly hack the systems.
'This is it?' he said went he began accessing the data. 'This all the information they have on record. That can't be, there should be more information. This doesn't make sense.'
'You're telling me. According to the inferred, there were massive heat signatures in most of the cells. So we know they did have people down here. A lot of people.' KF said.
'So where are they now?' Miss Martian asked.
'Your guess is as good as mine.' Nightwing said. 'I don't think we will find anyth….' A noticed appeared on his screen.
'Nightwing?'
'This is really not making sense, there is a large vessel approaching the island. I hacked the radar so the alerts will come to me but…"
'What?' Miss Martian asked.
'If it was one of Black Manta's it would give out some kind of signal, like a code, so it won't activate warnings but this is foreign to Manta's system.'
'Then why aren't there any warning going off?' Superboy asked.
'Because I hacked the system, it's offline.' It was that moment that the alarms went off.
If you read my last story 'Spitfire Valentine's' then you would know I had a little competition, with the prise being a excerpt from this srtoy. I had two winners. Myallbymyself1234 and a guest who left me no way of getting a message to him/her. If that person is reading this I hope they don't fell like I cheated them. I sorry but there was no way I couldn't get a message to you.
Please leave your views.
Nardragon-until the next page.