He woke up alone and afraid. Where was Batman? The last thing he remembered was leaving on his first patrol and now he was here. Robin's eyes snapped snapped open in a blind panic. He was in some kind of giant test tube, his hands cuffed by his sides. His uniform was gone, replaced with white cloth, and although he couldn't tell for sure, he suspected his mask was gone. Panic made his heart try to beat its way out of his chest as he squirmed against the restraints holding him in place. Be calm brother. The voice echoing in his head made Robin freeze, eyes darting about in a vain search for the source of the telepathic message.
Where am I? Who are you? Robin thought, heart racing like a cornered rabbit's. A figure stepped into view. Slim horns rose from a white head, the appendages glowing a deep red color.
You are in Cadmus, came the calm reply.
How did I get here? Robin demanded, hands clenching into fists. How come he couldn't remember how he'd ended up in this tube?
Ah, the being responded. I understand the problem. The creature stepped toward a control panel. Lights turned on with a low hum before falling silent. Robin was about to demand he be given a proper explanation when he saw himself. His double was dressed in the Robin uniform, mask firmly in place. Confusion and fear rushed through the young hero as he watched his peacefully slumbering copy. Someone had cloned him. Were they going to replace him with a clone to harm Batman? He couldn't allow that to happen. This is the original Robin, the creature told him,motioning toward the slumbering boy in the Robin uniform. You are a Cadmus created clone of him. You have been given the majority of his memories which is why you are so disoriented.
Robin was overwhelmed with horror as he realized he was the plant. He was the copy, not the body asleep across from him. But why clone him? he demanded. What do they want from me?
I am not sure, the creature replied. But whatever it was, you do not have to comply. Footsteps approached and the creature glanced over its shoulder before turning back to the Robin clone. The masters are coming. When they release you, behave as if you are disoriented. Do not mention this conversation to anyone. Then the creature's horns stopped glowing and it turned to greet the newcomers. Robin's borrowed memories allowed him to recognize Lex Luthor, Sportsmaster, Ra's al Ghul, Queen Bee, and Vandal Savage from Batman's files but the rest of the names eluded him.
"Is Project Renegade awake?" a man in a white lab coat who was now standing in the lead demanded of the creature Robin had been communicating with.
"He has been for several minutes," the creature replied. "Though I would advise using caution if you plan to release him. He appears to be both frightened and disoriented." The man in the lab coat nodded, stepping up to another control panel. He tapped several buttons and Robin's tube let out a low hiss as if depressurizing.
"Are you sure this is advisable Desmond?" Luthor asked the man in the coat. A woman waited by his shoulder, unnaturally still. The original Robin's memories told him that this was Mercy, Luthor's personal assistant and bodyguard.
"The clone will not yet be at its full capacity," Desmond replied, hand hovering over another button, probably the one that would release Robin. "His muscles will still need to be trained in order for him to perform as he is accustomed to. This will be perfectly safe." Luthor nodded, apparently satisfied, and Desmond pressed the button. The front of the tube opened and the restraints clicked as they released Robin. He dropped out of the tube, his legs feeling weak and wobbly when he landed on the ground below. (Years later when he would help release Superboy from Cadmus part of him would wonder why Superman's clone wasn't uncertain and shaky on his feet.)
Luthor was the first to approach, Mercy at his side. The businessman studied him intently and Robin stared back warily. A slow grin crossed Luthor's face as if he had just been given a gift he had always desired. "Richard Grayson, the little orphan acrobat," Luthor purred. "That means-" Don't let him say it, the original Robin seemed to scream in the clone's head and the clone lashed out. Luthor jerked back, Mercy remaining still as stone, and Robin was forced to flip back clumsily when Sportsmaster advanced. The assassin lashed out at him and Robin ducked, but just barely. His movements weren't as graceful as his memories insisted they should have been but for the first time since he'd been created he actually felt alive. That thought made him stumble and in an instant Sportsmaster had him by the throat.
"Be careful," Desmond demanded as Robin struggled to free himself from the tight hold. Over the assassin's shoulder, Robin thought he saw Dick Grayson twitch in his tube, a frown temporarily marring his worry-free features before his face smoothed out again. That was strange. "You don't want to permanently damage the clone," Desmond continued. "Our plan doesn't have enough time to grow a new one."
"The boy needs to learn his place," the assassin retorted, tightening his grip, and Robin felt himself go limp as he ran out of air.
"That is why he was pre-programmed," a new voice cut in as Robin's heart beat frantically in his head. Suddenly he was dropped and his body crumpled limply to the floor as he gasped for breath. "And you should have the phrases memorized if you are going to be his handler," Savage finished, dark eyes fixed on the assassin. Sportsmaster nodded sharply once and Savage turned towards Desmond. "How long will the clone take to heal?"
Desmond studied Robin for a moment, no doubt taking in the bruises that were blooming on his throat. "No more than twenty-four hours," the scientist said at last. "Then the specialist can ensure he will be trained enough to pass inspection."
"You modified his DNA?" Savage's voice was neutral and Desmond began to look nervous.
"His DNA was combined with that of the specialist," the scientist explained. "It should allow him to heal more quickly and should give him an advantage over the others attempting to draw the attention of the Justice League. I will be able to suppress the more obvious effects before he is sent to Batman."
"Will his DNA test results still come out correct?" Savage demanded, voice sharp. Robin pushed himself up and into a defensive stance, feeling as if the walls were suddenly closing in on him. Sportsmaster shot the clone a warning glare but didn't move to stop him. Apparently the assassin had decided that if the DNA test wasn't going to come out correct and Robin was going to be killed then he at least deserved the right to fight for his life. That was strangely reassuring.
"There may be one or two minor discrepancies but Joker will be giving him back. The clown has assured me that use of several of his gases could easily explain away the small changes," Desmond said in a nervous rush.
"And the specialist will keep our secret?"
"His silence has been bought. We considered eliminating him but decided that ultimately it would draw too much attention from the League if he were to simply disappear."
"Very well," Savage approved and Robin let his stance relax a little. "Put him back in the container until he heals. From that point, you have seventy-two hours to get him completely trained and returned to the Bat. We cannot afford to attract the League's attention this early in the game." The man then turned to Sportsmaster. "Be sure the clone is kept under your control."
"Not a problem," the assassin replied and Robin got the feeling he was smiling underneath his mask.
The group left the room and Robin prepared himself as Sportsmaster turned to face him. "I'm not going back in there," he rasped, his throat aching.
"Too bad you don't have a choice," the assassin replied. "Broken wings." Robin opened his mouth the make some quip about Sportsmaster losing his mind when his whole body suddenly went limp. His eyes closed and his frame crumpled to the floor. He could hear what was going on but he couldn't react to any of it as he was maneuvered back into the tube. Then someone murmured something in his ear and reality simply slipped away.
Robin felt as if he were slowly coming awake. He was standing in the Watchtower as Vandal Savage stepped on board, the rest of the Justice League bowing before the villain. Slow horror rolled over him in a wave. Roy had been right, there had been a mole. It was him. He backed away from Savage in panic babbling, "What-How- I don't understand."
"Poor child," Savage sneered as Robin's eyes darted around, cataloging the members of the League kneeling. There was only one missing; Roy Harper. Had Robin hurt him? "You're a clone boy, The Light's own personal Justice League member." Robin was shaking all over as Klarion followed Savage into the Watchtower. "You'll remember soon enough."
Robin fell to his knees as Savage and Klarion circled the still members of the Justice League. Things were coming back now,washing him over in the wave. The tube, Cadmus, the brain washing. Sportsmaster had been his handler. And he had never really been Robin, just a cheap copy or the original. A low growl escaped him and he lunged at Vandal, hands clenched into fists. The villain turned and backhanded him hard, sending him tumbling back. Robin landed on his feet and moved to lash out again only to have Sportsmaster appear out of nowhere and strike him hard in the side. Robin stumbled and knew the assassin was smiling underneath his mask. The clone found out why a couple seconds later.
Superman seized Robin from behind and no matter how hard the boy squirmed he couldn't escape. "Deal with him Sportsmaster," Savage said and the assassin nodded. Superman handed over the clone to the assassin and Sportsmaster dragged a still stunned Robin down the hall. It didn't occur to the clone to struggle, to attempt to fight back again, until the door had already shut behind him and he was alone in the hall with the assassin. He still had the utility belt and Robin's free hand snaked inside the piece of equipment to remove some supplies. It was time to fight back and get out of here.
From the shadows of the hall Roy watched as Sportsmaster pulled Robin towards the containment cells. There was a small part of his brain shrieking in disbelief, insisting that it wasn't possible for Robin to be the mole, but he locked that away. For some reason the small boy hadn't infected Roy with Starro Technology. The former sidekick wasn't about to question his good fortune so now he watched and waited as Robin fought with the assassin. "You aren't going to win this," Sportsmaster taunted Batman's sidekick. "You're just a little bird with broken wings."
Roy watched with wide eyes as Robin just crumpled, toppling to the ground like a broken doll. "Not so tough now, are you boy?" Sportsmaster sneered, kicking the limp child once in the ribs before heading back the way he'd come, probably looking for some way to confine Robin. Roy hesitated for a moment and then slid out of the shadows, drawing Robin down into his hiding spot in the air vents. He barely secured his hiding spot before Sportsmaster returned, the assassin snarling out a curse when he noticed Robin was missing.
Sportsmaster rushed down the hall but Roy knew that soon enough the assassin would come the conclusion that Robin couldn't have run off on his own. He'd also notice that Roy wasn't with the rest of the enslaved Justice League. In fact, it was a miracle that the criminals hadn't torn the Watchtower apart searching for him. "Come on baby bird," Roy hissed desperately trying to rouse the thirteen year old. To his surprise, Robin actually twitched and let out a soft groan. Roy slapped a hand over the boy's mouth and Robin's eyes snapped open wide. The boy squirmed in panic and then went limp when Roy loomed up in his vision. They both held their breath as footsteps stormed past them and then relaxed again when the hall fell silent once more. "What is going on here?" Roy demanded.
"Not here," Robin hissed back. "I'll explain everything but not here."
"Fine," Roy growled, already planning their escape. They were going to get out of the Watchtower via the zeta tubes, they were going to fine some place safe to hide, and then he was going to get some answers before the world fell apart any more than it already had.