Note: This first chapter is simply scene setting, first-person perspectives will begin in the following chapter. Please keep reading!
The scene begins in the midst of a Cadmus lockdown. Three figures stand in a descending lift. One dark-skinned teen, taller than the other two presses his hand against the doors, muttering to himself while the shortest one, a lithe restless teen taps away frantically at a wrist-mounted computer. His scarlet headed friend argues with him as alarms blare around them, gloved hands reaching to interfere with the hacking as the elevator counts down. "42, 43, 44…"
"What are you doing!" exclaimed Kid Flash frantically. "Dude, out is UP!" gesturing with his hands as if it wasn't clear enough.
"Excuse me? Project Kr is down on sub-level 52" retorted Robin, making a final few adjustments before stowing away the holographic computer.
Aqualad stepped past his squabbling friends, hand rubbing the back of his neck restlessly, brow furrowed with concern.
"This is out of control," he muttered, inhaling deeply before composing himself.
"Perhaps-perhaps it is time to contact the league."
The countdown continues ticking and the sidekicks watch as the number reaches 52. Doors open with a "ding." Red, damp tunnels stretch out before the weary trio as they poise with hands on weapons. Robin darts out as soon as he sees no immediate threat and begins surveying their surroundings.
"We are already here," Kid Flash remarks to Aqualad, flitting out quickly, leaving the Atlantean alone in the lift. The taller boy merely sighs resignedly before following the others into the tunnel as the doors close behind them.
"Which way now?" enquires Aqualad to no one in particular. He crouches beside Robin as they observe the vines and iron balls which decorate the almost flesh-like tunnels.
"Yeah. Bizarre hallway looking hallway number one or bizarre looking hallway number 2?"
A voice resounds in the cavern. "Halt!" The trio turn to see a thin horned figure raise his hand as its eyes begin to gleam an ominous red.
The three sidekicks bolt as the creature's horns illuminate and huge cans of waste begin to fly at them. Dodging nimbly, Robin flings a birdarang at the hostile figure, distracting it long enough to aim an explosive birdarang at the flying projectiles. The resulting blast knocks aside the objects, giving them a chance to dart around the corner of the tunnel, masking their escape just as the lift reopens with Guardian and half a dozen other creatures.
Without being questioned, the thin creature points down towards the tunnel which the trio escaped to, with Guardian immediately following the gesture.
"They are headed for project Kr!"
Further down the tunnel, Kid Flash streaks into a petite dark-skinned woman with a clipboard, knocking her off her feet. Noticing the massive doors which begin to close behind her, he screams out to his following team-mates.
"Hurry!" Kid Flash blocks the rapidly closing doors with a nearby barrel that begins to bend and creak under the pressure. Robin and Aqualad dive through, with Kid Flash following in their wake. Just as the yellow garbed hero steps through, the doors slam together, barrel crushed beyond recognition as it smashes on the floor.
Guardian and the thinner creature arrive just to see the lock engage, as the woman clambers to her feet and begins fiddling with the door. There is a shadow coming around the corner even as the telekinetic figure's horns glow. The doors shudder but don't give as Guardian turns to meet a long-haired scientist who comes dashing down, panting with exertion.
"Doctor Desmond."
The scientist ignores the hero's greeting and begins barking questions.
"They're still in there? With the weapon?" he shrieks. Guardian shifts, but gestures to the woman struggling with the lock.
"We can't get the door open."
Desmond ignores his explanation and turns to the horned creature.
"Use your telekinesis!"
"I have tried," it responds stoically. "To no avail."
"Useless!" the doctor exclaims, throwing his hands up exasperatedly.
"This is a debacle! Get some G-trolls down here to muscle the door open" Desmond spits at Guardian, striding towards the doors.
"Already on their way," replies the hero, hands on waist as his golden mask catches the meagre light, shining in the scientist's eyes.
"You know that one they see what's in there, we can't ever let them leave?" The scientist pointedly ignores the light shining in his face, addressing Guardian icily who shrugs uncomfortably.
"Doc, you've got to think about this. Those aren't your average meddling kids. We don't want to get on the wrong side of the Justice League."
Desmond considers this, but shakes his head slightly, the fear obvious in his face.
"No, but believe me it's better than getting on the wrong side of the Cadmus board of directors. Especially given what we've done to this particular…specimen." Voice catching on the last word, the chief scientist turns away, mopping at his sweaty forehead with a coat sleeve."
Guardian's eyes narrow, suspicion written on every visible feature. "What do you mean? I thought this was just another run-of-the-mill experiment. It can't be much worse than anything they've concocted so far."
"Oh, there is more than just an average project in there, and if we're not careful-"
Desmond seems to remember who he's talking to, and stops abruptly. "Never you mind though, we HAVE to get that door open."
The gold clad hero opens his mouth to ask another question, but Desmond nods to the creature on his shoulder and Guardian subsides, a glassy look entering his eyes.
"Contact the G-gnomes inside Kr," he orders curtly. "Capture and detain, but restrict its power. We need the sidekicks intact"
The G-gnome perched on Guardian's shoulder closes its eyes and its horns glow brightly. Suddenly, there is an enormous crash, muffled yells discernible through the enormous doors. A few more impacts can be heard within the room before another crash sends tremors shuddering through the floor. An electrical current surges across the surface of the doors and the woman handling them steps back hurriedly. Another strangled yell pierces the silence and finally there is silence.
The doors crumple at the edges and slide open with a crash, before every human at the scene gasp in unison. Guardian is shaken out of his reverie, mouth hanging open at the sight before them. Desmond manages a slight smirk, having a wealth of experience dealing with what his colleagues were struggling with. This was no ordinary experiment.