4 Months Earlier

Superboy sat in the common area working on his homework. Training was due to start in less than an hour and afterward there really wasn't any time for it as he had to be in bed by 9:00. As much as he hated to admit it he was starting to feel the strain of school, soccer, and the team. School stated at 8:00am and went on till 2:00pm. Then it was soccer practice from 2:30pm to 3:30pm. Training started at 5:30pm and ended right at 7:30pm. There was the occasional mission that usually when late into the night and if he was lucky would be in bed by midnight. He was really glad for the fact soccer only held practice on Tuesdays and Thursday with a game every other Friday.

"Hey Conner watcha up to," the ever so familiar voice of Robin called as he looked over from his spot across the counter. When he had gotten there Conner had no clue, but truth be told that really didn't faze him anymore. Despite the fact he had super hearing anyone in the bat clan had the unique ability to sneak up on him. A talent perfected by Batman and passed down to his proteges.

"Homework," Conner replied simply enough not bothering looking up.

"Fun," Robin replied in a sarcastic tone. It wasn't that big of a secret that he wasn't that big of a fan of school work, and if weren't for the fact Batman would suspend him from not only the team but from Robin as well he wouldn't bother with it "hey you wanna play some video games," he asked.

"No," Conner replied simply.

"Why not," Robin asked hoping that if he would complain enough Conner would give.

"Cause this is due tomorrow," relied the young kryptonian not looking up from what was now clearly his spelling homework.

"Dude that can wait," Robin tried again "besides how many times do you get to just hang here," this time bring up the fact his dad was off world "I doubt your dad would know the difference if you didn't finished one assignment,"

"Dude one word Batman. He see and knows all and when it comes to reporting on what I do when dad's off world tells all," Clearly not willing to take the chance of getting caught.

"You're just being paranoid now," Robin started not wanting to admit Conner was right.

Whatever come back Conner had died in his throat as the intercom cracked to life "Team report for briefing" Nightwing's voice called over the intercom.

Perplex Conner followed Robin to the briefing room. It was the middle of the week and usually if there were any missions it took place on the weekend. Unless the mission was time sensitive in which case the older members took care of it. So the fact it was the middle of the week and the team was being called to the briefing room was strange.

When they arrived they saw Nightwing and Batman talking softly or more accurately having one of there silent conversations.

It took a few moments for everyone in the mountain to gather before Batman finally began to speak "approximately eighteen hours ago intelligence was received by the League of a illegal sell of stolen tech 90 miles west of here in New Haven Connecticut. Though the seller is still unknown we do know that the buyer is Black Mantis. The tech in question is of alien origins stolen from Starr Labs research facilities two months ago."

"As of this moment we do not know the purpose of the stole tech. The scientist were working on discovering its purpose when the theft took place," Nightwing chimed in no missing a beat "after the theft it seemed to have vanished. Neither the League or police were able to pick up on any leads until early this morning. When a random sweep of frequency detected a transmission referencing the stolen tech in a buy that was to take place tonight at midnight."

"It was originally determined that the League was to handle," Batman announced picking up on where Nightwing left off "however, with further investigation it was discovered that the criminal under ground is to keep a careful watch on any hero who has the potenital to cause a problem. Leaving every member of the League compromised and unable to complete the mission."

"It is for this reason this mission has been brought to the team. The League will make there presence know to be a good distance away from the location where the buy is to take place. We on the other hand are charged with the task of stopping the buy and retrieving the stolen tech," Nightwing finished.

"Nightwing will give you your individual assignments in transit. As it stand the Nightwing, Robin, Megan, Kid Flash, Artemis, Zatanna, Rocket, and Superboy will be on the front in Alpha squad. The remainder of the team will hold a mile perimeter and be backup if need be as Beta squad. Remember that the main priority of the mission is to stop Mantis from gaining the tech. If possible retrieve it otherwise destroy it. Do I make my self clear," Batman stated making sure that everyone knew what their mission was.

He received a unified 'yes sir' before continuing "good you leave in two hours dismissed," he stated turning back to the holo counsel. With that everyone dispersed as they left to prepare for the nights mission. That is all but Superboy who remained in place shocked by the fact Batman had assigned him to alpha squad instead of beta squad.

Nightwing saw the shocked expression in his brother's face. Though he really couldn't blame him this was the first mission he would be on alpha squad since he was a teenager. Unlike passed occurrences where they introduced the younger one to alpha squad on less critical mission in this case there was no other choice. With such a short amount of time to from an action plan and squad Batman was relying heavily on his subconscious falling back into the habit of Alpha missions. They had seen it in training sessions with the original members of the team how he fell back with easy into the rhythm and pace they would set. Play either to their strengths or weakness depending on what side he was in the training. In the few mission he had been on that ended with him fighting he had done well. Batman and Nightwing both had confidence that he could accomplish the mission. The only problem was the what if question that kept repeating in the back of there minds. What if they were wrong and he got hurt. Not only were they sending him into a situation where there was a very high chance of such, but they were doing so without Superman's permission.