Here's the second half; sorry for the wait. If you don't know, the italics are thought, Zatanna's in this event. Let me know what you think. Tell your friends. You know the drill.
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About 10 minutes ago Connor had hung up the phone, ending the call confirming he'd created an alternate exit and secured the real receptionist inside a wardrobe. She wouldn't take long to find, but they wouldn't need long with the plan Squadron had thought up on the way. He was now inside the building, after jumping from the other rooftop into a window, as it needed to be a call not coming from within. The window broke of course. Can't make an omelet… He needed to find a way downstairs to tell Speedy the security guard of the plan, pretending to be an intoxicated prep school kid on his day off. He collected a big shard of glass and proceeded down the hallway, staggering. This just might work.
He eventually found, on the ground floor, a distinguished looking office with press interns trying to get in to see the occupants, who were probably Kaldur and Squadron. Sure enough, he found the two of them suavely discussing the planned conversation with the mayor of Star City, a trained monkey sitting on his shoulder. Wait, what? Superboy attempted X-ray vision, not for the first time, though he hadn't told anyone about that. He didn't need it to tell it was a Genomorph in a monkey suit, though. Great, the bad guys had technology stolen from Cadmus, pointing fingers at mostly innocent researchers. Connor staggered through the now angrier press in the room, brandishing the shard of glass and pointed it at Star City's mayor.
"I… remember-you; you're from the research facility with those- mind controlling monkeys..." Security made an attempt to usher Superboy out of the room, but super strength makes one hard to move. Instead, he staggered over to Squadron and started bothering him.
"So I got this magic trick, right? I can pull a quarter out of someone's ear- look." He shoved a bug in Squadron's ear, turned it on, and pulled out the quarter Squadron had placed there a couple minutes ago, and allowed them to pull him out of the room. They dragged him down the hallway and then the stairs, Red Arrow waiting at the bottom with a latex glove.
"You're not… taking me to the holding cell where you put the prisoners, are you?"
"As a matter of fact, we are." Speedy pretended to be spitefully amused.
"Do you know who my father is? He plays golf with the mayor and the guy who gave him that mind controlling monkey. He saw right through the whole thing, and he's going to the governor about it today-"
"Shut up! What the mayor has on his shoulder is the business of his inner circle of security guards, not the governor." The other guards looked at one another.
"We haven't had the time to search him, we'd appreciate if it if you gave him a full cavity inspection." Red Arrow nodded and escorted Superboy into a small windowless room.
"Kaldur and Squadron are in. There's a Genomorph on the mayor's shoulder, but I don't think Cadmus is involved."
"I suspected it was the wrong tree. Have you found out where they detained Artemis and Robin? They haven't let me look around at all"
"Then escort me around until we find it." The two of them walked out of the room and Red Arrow nodded to the other guards as he pushed Connor down the hallway and then the stairs. Upon the descent into the basement, they started looking for the captured teammates.
"We don't have much time before they get suspicious of Squadron and Aqualad. Look for anything conspicuous."
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Zatanna hurried to the area Superboy approximated the exit closet would be. A security guard mumbling suspicions to another security guard walked past as she saw the probable closet door.
"What are you doing here?" The security officer looked at her like she killed someone. Zatanna responded quickly enough.
"I've been asked to procure trillions of U.S. dollars from the vaults and to try not to run away with it. I wouldn't try that, though. They put a bomb in me that can kill everyone in a hundred meter radius if I leave the premises. So if you'll just-"The officer's wisdom bested his curiosity and left the scene. After something like ten minutes, she found the room and started making marks on the floor with her heels as she left the room and headed downstairs, where, optimistically, the prisoners might be kept. But when she arrived, it seemed Superboy and Red Arrow had discovered them already and the two of them were proceeding to carry them in the wrong direction.
"It's this way, Steve Martin." Red Arrow turned around sharply.
"That's a new demeaning, insulting arrow-related nickname." Superboy's expression revealed he was unfamiliar with Martin's routine.
"I'm pretty sure one of his earlier works involved wearing one of those arrow-through-head hat things." Zatanna mentioned as they collectively carried Robin and Artemis's poisoned bodies back to the exit closet.
"We need to get these two away from this disaster. From their obvious pain, hacking cough and small puncture wounds on the arms, I'd say they've got some kind of Hemotoxic chemical attacking their lungs making hard to draw breath. Our chances of discovery increase dramatically by the second. This could turn into a warzone, especially if Kaldur and Squadron manage to escape intact and with all the codes. Already, they're probably wondering why we went the completely wrong direction. Zatanna and Red Arrow agreed with Superboy and no longer had any desire to disagree with his powers of observation. Red Arrow boarded an ambulance with the unconscious heroes to ensure their trip to the hospital, secrecy of identities and safe return to the cave.
"All that's left is for Squadron to get Kaldur and himself out quietly. If there's going to be a fight, we'll need to get out of the city. We don't want innocents or moderately guilty people involved, even if they are proud and hunger for power."
"Yeah… but how can he?" Superboy did not answer.
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"If I may, it would be beneficial to both parties to see the transaction funds. We simply can't give you the codes for the weapons if we aren't quite sure you have the number we requested." Well, that's brilliant. Kaldur was catching on to the plan, and fortunately so, a king not dominating something, even a conversation, would surely look suspicious. Zatanna was not going to return and Squadron knew it. Leaving in an outrage would be a bad idea, but going off to look for her might work…
"If you could just pardon us, good sirs and ladies, we must go see how well that explosive worked, or if it did at all. Perhaps, as it has not yet gone off you will not wish to accompany-"Squadron's irises shrunk suddenly and he stopped talking. Kaldur waited a second and finished for him, noting in passing the king regularly had small bouts of epilepsy. The two stood, Squadron with some help, and exited the press room. At the pleading from the mayor's office not to leave, Kaldur insisted they would only be a minute and that the office had disappointed him. Besides, it seemed King Syrus could use some additional Opium. It was a safe move, as no one really wants to get addicted to a drug they don't sell anymore. Once outside Kaldur queried as to what was going on in Squadron's head, at which point he actually responded.
"There was a white girl asking questions, with a bit of a French accent. I think she said je ne sais pas, or something like that. Bad memories follow a Not now, anytime but now. It would be better if I had my sword." Kaldur was looking at him awkwardly as they reunited with the rest of the group.
"What, it's not like I sleep with it or anything like that. It's probably just temporary." The rest of the dispatch looked at him awkwardly as he grabbed the sword and helmet Superboy had fetched for him.
"We don't want to look conspicuous; there's still a chance at getting off scot-free." At Superboy's comment he had already sent Sphere home, Squadron gave the slightest of respectful nods and stole a van he "suspected" one of the Star City Hall employees owned. Kaldur drove with Superboy riding shotgun. Zatanna and Squadron crouched awkwardly in the soundproof back, with, coincidentally, all the shotguns.
"Is this some kind of mobile armory?"
"It probably is just evidence of their control of all the gangs in the area. I recognize the shells, and it explains how your friends were abducted from the hospital. These bastards are no more than small- time organized criminals." A long silence followed. The murderer Artemis and Robin were sent to track down and apprehend had shown apparent interest in the gangs in Star City. The young man trying to sleep across from her seemed to have super-leadership capabilities, but he wasn't trying to lead gangs. Rather, he was investigating them, and Squadron had said something about killing a girl… possibly with a French accent. What was the name on the file Batman handed Artemis? Descartes? Squadron's eyes opened suddenly.
"Could it have been a bad dream, perhaps?"
"Quite. But I'm going back to sleep."
"Do you always dream about her dying?" Zatanna couldn't explain why she asked him if she tried.
"No. Sometimes it's one of Legion's memories; he probably knew the helmet would live after him; sometimes it's another death for which I'm responsible, and sometimes I dream of my ancestors fighting Romans with superior battle strategies. All my dreams are mistakes, effectively." Zatanna was lost in thought as Squadron resumed sleeping. Could this guy really be a murderer? But all the people he killed were mortal criminals… They say when you start thinking in a dream, things start not making sense and your brain wakes you up. Was the reality where Squadron had any intention of joining The Team just an idle dream? Her thoughts were interrupted by the van coming to a screeching halt, Squadron waking from his sleep in a cold sweat and Superboy informing that they had just encountered a small army.
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"Zatanna, make as many Kaldurs as possible. They are to direct water at hostiles once they are in a position to do so. Superboy, the power lines are all yours." Superboy nodded as they all exited the van at the sounding of a megaphone.
"Squadron, long time no see! How's it been with your attempts at finding someone to take you in? Surely you haven't forgotten I made you an offer, or have you and you wanted something… more." Kaldur deviated off to climb the water tower while Superboy drifted towards the gargantuan steel power line supporters. Zatanna followed Squadron, deciding it was possible to cast the duplication from anywhere.
"So, Blackout, it seems you have your own army now. Pity they're a bunch of mortals with guns. There was a reason you were in Star City the entire time, not just to help me." What? Did this guy help Squadron? Well, he did say he was trying to recruit him. "Unfortunately for you, though, I have a few people of my own. And of course, my strategies do not consist of simple out-numbering. Zatanna here can clot your blood with ice, if it's necessary to neutralize you, or just tie you up.
"Well, that's just fine and dandy, but can your people take a hit? Superboy doesn't seem to have to worry about anything, but this girl seems a little… mortal" Blackout produced a submachine gun and fired a burst into her chest mid-incantation. Zatanna nearly had a heart attack, but the bullets bounced off. Where her clothes were damaged revealed yellow stone, which spiraled back inward. Blackout appeared genuinely impressed.
"And that's my power. I can personally guarantee you; your bullets won't work on my soldiers."
"Luckily for me, I happen to have something… more." Blackout shoved Squadron away and lifted his hood to reveal completely black eyes and took hold of Zatanna, who spat in his eyes and spoke the freezing incantation while Squadron distracted him with a blow to the head.
"Open fire!" Blackout fell to the ground and struggled to remove bits of ice from his eyes. Thousands of rounds collided with each of the four of them, but the result was the same. Impacted areas of skin would instantly turn to stone and they remained effectively undamaged. Kaldur announced he was now on top of the water tower and Superboy seemed to be ready as well. Zatanna created about six Kaldur clones, which jumped off in rapid succession, passing gallons of water down in a chain, soaking all hostiles in minutes. Superboy ripped up a power line and leapt into their midst.
"Wait, won't that kill them?"
"Have you ever heard of a transformer? Nicolai Tesla?"
"I was thinking more Michael Bay…"
"Engineers who construct power line supports are under specific orders to install transformers, which can limit the flow of electricity, preventing acts of domestic terrorism like these from being lethal." Zatanna looked at her feet again as the group reassembled around the incapacitated Blackout.
"Mortals don't have a chance against anyone as powerful as Superboy. Were you just firing to kill everyone else out of spite, or did you not know?" Alright how the hell did he even think of that?
"Answer me this, Squadron. Were you absolutely sure the bullets would bounce off, or might they have stuck in, but still not done any damage?" What is he trying to say?
"So you outfitted your men with Kryptonite tipped rounds and actually might have killed him, was it not that I was relatively sure that with the velocity bullets travel, they would harmlessly bounce off and not have time to affect him." It's a battle of super genii. I give up. One of the phones rang in the van as Zatanna was binding Blackout head to foot. Kaldur picked up to hear Artemis try to get out a few sentences as Red Tornado's incoming call was requesting override.
"Kaldur! Thank God, I need to talk to you about Squadron. Batman says I'm still technically delirious, but I know what I saw.
"I'm sorry, Artemis, Red's calling and he technically outranks you." Kaldur switched lines.
"That will be Red Tornado, responding to the victory I reported with the bug in my ear. He took a red listening device from his ear and destroyed it. He'll want to see me, so I'll just be going. He mumbled something inaudible into the bug, dropped it, and strode off to one of the cars Blackout's men took as Superboy was loading the restrained Blackout into the back of the van.
"Aqualad? I believe a promotion is in order for Squadron. After leading you to victory, he is now welcome to join the team as its leader." Zatanna was lost in thought. Artemis, Robin, and Red Arrow could easily have won against normal people with guns, even if Blackout was with them. But what if Squadron was there to tip the scales? He had mentioned something about their meeting before… the pieces were fitting together unpleasantly well. She watched him making his way towards an empty car, picking keys off an unconscious body ready for the local prison. It wouldn't be that hard to freeze him, or even tie him up. He probably already turned off the effects of the helmet; she could take the shot at any time. What had Artemis wanted to say? It was probably something about Squadron being a bad guy. But if Squadron was evil, why would he want to take down Blackout, the gangs and Star City Hall? Did he really hate small-time criminals that much? He'd said something about the girl dying being their general fault… was there something between them. He was in the car, but there was still time.
"Guys, I think Squadron might have been involved in Artemis's and Robin's case. They were kidnapped from a hospital. He probably didn't do it, but maybe he put them in it."
"What? How can you-" Superboy was confused and angry.
"The victims of the murderer they were chasing had sword wounds. It probably wasn't anything personal, but maybe when he knew they were onto him, he was just trying to get away.
"We have three cell phones! Why wouldn't Artemis have called the one of the other ones if it was that drastically important?" Squadron drove off, leaving behind the ear bug, which Zatanna picked up. Zatanna rode home in the back in silence, feeling awful. She took out her phone on when they were almost back to the cave. Maybe she could find Squadron on the internet somewhere. It didn't turn on. It wouldn't turn on. She broke it open and cried. The battery had been removed and was lying next to her.
"I'm sorry, Zatanna, I'll admit some of the pieces fit together, but-"
"Dammit, Connor, check your phone! It was Kaldur's that received the call, right?" Connor sighed and took out his phone. The battery was sitting in the pocket on the door. Connor swore under his breath and they reached the cave. Robin and Artemis were waiting for them outside.
"Yeah, we figured it out. But by that time, he'd already decided to return separately. We were in the car before Zatanna removed all doubt." Connor filled him in on everything, Red Tornado and Batman listening intently as well. Batman conceded if one thing was certain, they had encountered a brilliant enemy. Zatanna spoke up.
"His weakness is losing that sword. He's on a personal vendetta against small-time criminals because they brought about the death of someone he loved. When he doesn't have the sword, all the useless information floods back into his head and he remembers the girl drowning."
"Wait, didn't he say he'd be returning here? Maybe he doesn't know we know we're onto him." Batman announced his misgivings.
"No, Aqualad said 'Artemis' in his presence. If Artemis is in any state to talk, he's going to avoid anyone who knows her." Robin's hopeful expression disappeared. Superboy had a question too, though.
"Qui bene?" Batman understood the question, being fluent in detective-speak. Red Tornado translated the old Latin expression for the rest of the team.
"Who stands to benefit? Where do Squadron's loyalties lay? It makes sense he'd do this for some other reason than not liking normal criminals and Blackout."
"It's possible he's with the Injustice League. We did some research on him and he briefly visited Black Adam in prison."
"Let's go. We don't have a moment to lose; he might already be back with him, reporting the victory. Robin and Artemis are in no fit state to travel, Red Arrow, you make sure the two of them don't leave." Batman, Red Tornado, and what members of The Team were present headed out. It was a futile effort, perhaps they knew, perhaps they weren't sure, but Red Arrow was certain as he helped Robin and Artemis empty the van and seal off evidence. He tucked the red listening device away before either of them noticed. They were calling Star City P.D. to pick up the unconscious bodies as Red Arrow slipped into the memory of Squadron's impeccable plan.
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"By my understanding, you're Red Arrow." Speedy was almost to the cave and shouldn't have turned around to behold Squadron, whom he'd met hours earlier. He lunged and nearly stabbed Squadron, who laughed, stood aside and resumed talking.
"You have a lot to fear from me, but not right now. I know where your loyalties lay."
"Where would that be?"
"They're lounging about everywhere. I know you're with the Injustice League, here, and you even made a deal with Blackout. You see, archer, I'm perfectly aware you put on this act of being a lone wolf, but I can hear well to a greater extent than you expect. You were always the mole, helping out the allies of the Injustice League even now. It seems you're on everybody's speed dial."
"What do you hope to do here? Blackmail me?"
"No, no I hope we can have a mutual nondisclosure agreement. And to the first question, I hope to prove myself to the Injustice League by eliminating Blackout's operation, which is to say pulling the strings of Star City's grand puppeteer. I'll also need a team to assist me, so I'll be recruiting whoever is here. It's in your best interest to go along with us, as removing this power-hungry village idiot is a victory for both Leagues." Squadron smiled and strode into the cave ahead of him. Damn, he's good at this.
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In a few hours, the dispatch returned without Squadron's head on a spit, as expected. Zatanna pulled him aside and asked Red Arrow what it was Squadron mumbled into the bug. Probably some kind of Brit lit reference, with his track record. He let the last seconds on the bug's memory play. Tears again.
"Better to reign in Hell, than serve in Heav'n."