Sorry this chapter isn't longer - I've been busy with school work. I will update as soon as possible. Thank you so much for all the amazing reviews!
DISCLAIMER: I don't own Young Justice.
CHAPTER 2 ~ Involuntarily In Tandem
Previously...
"Anything you want."
13:09 hours. December 3rd. Mount Justice - Justice Cave. Happy Harbor.
As Robin entered into Mount Justice, he rearranged his features - trying to hide the moral dilemma that was taxing him.
Last night, after Robin offered anything, Slade gave him a simple, yet maddening instruction: await further instructions.
Dick's head was still spinning from startling turn if events. It was difficult to believe that 24 hours ago, he lived in a world where drinking the last of the orange juice prompted a guilty confession.
Now, he was working for the other side; the side that he fought against. The side Bruce lived to fight against.
Robin wasn't sure what Slade wanted from him, but it couldn't be ethical.
His only hope was that it, literally, took forever for the team to be assigned a case. At least that way he wouldn't be asked to corrupt team missions.
The Boy Wonder was pulled from his musings when KF instantaneously blurred in front of him. Wally's face held nothing but pure jubilation.
Shit.
"Bats called - he'll be here to brief us in ten minutes! This is awesome! Red Arrow was so wrong - we are a team!"
There goes the 'forever' plan...
By time Robin arrived at the manor last night, Bruce was already out on patrol. He was dreading the moment when he'd have to lay eyes on his surrogate father, knowing the betrayal that was bound to come.
The acrobat could barely breath as he rounded the corner, into the mission room. Batman stood, characteristically stoic, in the center of the room and, without further ado, began the briefing.
"Your mission begins at 20:00 hours. There is a charity event at Queen Industries in Star City. We have intel that leads the league to believe that someone intends to rob Queen Towers and use the party as a guise to do so. We do not know, precisely, what the target is. However, the threat must be considered of critical importance, considering the plausible conclusion is confidential, and potentially hazardous, confidential information falling into ill-intentioned hands."
"Your objective is simple: do not let anyone above the 25th floor - which is where the gala is being held. At the same time, do not tip anyone off that you are guarding the exits. Merely blend in and keep a seemingly casual eye on the elevators and staircases. Members of the league will be patrolling the floors above. Furthermore, if you see any suspicious activity whatsoever, take the 'better safe than sorry' approach," Batman paused briefly, subtle sarcasm laced his words. "as Flash so aptly put it, and use your coms to inform the league. This is a black tie affair - dress appropriately. Dismissed."
The team disbanded. Wally instantly blurred to god knows where - Batman always gives him the 'creeps'. Megan hastily yanked Artemis from the room, chatting exuberantly about dresses. While, Conner and Kaldur went into the sparring room.
Robin turned to follow them when he felt a hand on his shoulder.
Batman's hand.
"Is everything alright?" Bruce asked.
The acrobat felt ice in his heart. He didn't want to lie to him. Honestly, he wasn't even sure he could lie to him. After all, he is the World's Greatest Detective.
"Yeah. Why wouldn't it be?" Robin replied casually with a forced smile, tailing Aqualad and Superboy into the sparring room.
Batman dubiously scrutinized his young ward's retreating form.
"Yes, why wouldn't it be..."
Dick. 15:02 hours. December 3rd. Mount Justice - Robin's Quarters. Happy Harbor.
After sparring with Kaldur and Conner, Dick returned to his room, intending to change out of his sweaty workout clothes, but halted when he noticed a parcel lying on his bed.
That wasn't there when I left last night...
He approached the box apprehensively, immediately noticing a name scrawled across the lid in an elegant script.
'Robin'
He immediately recognized the handwriting as Slade's; There was a ransom note, that the league had obtained on an operation, in Deathstroke's file back in the Batcave.
Slade had been in Mount Justice - without triggering any of the innumerable alarms and/or security protocols. That shouldn't be possible.
On the other hand, infecting a sizable percentage of league members and nearly all of the team with a lethal bioweapon shouldn't be possible either.
Robin was beginning to believe there was no such thing a impossible where Slade was concerned.
The acrobat tentatively lifted the lid of the minuscule box.
Inside, was a gunmetal gray phone. No markings. A burn phone, indisputably. Attached to the phone was a note stating, in the same handwriting, to speed dial one.
It only rang once before an unfortunately familiar, eerily polite voice picked up on the other line.
"I see you've found my gift."
"I have." Dick replied, tossing the crisp tone back to him.
"I have a mission for you. I'm aware Batman has received intel that a heist may take place at Queen Industries tonight."
Omniscient bastard.
"And you want me to let you steal it?" The acrobat inquired boldly.
"No, I want you to steal it."
He had expected this; to be forced to steal, but he had vainly hoped to be proven wrong.
So much for hope.
"What is 'it' exactly?" Robin inquired, struggling to keep his equanimity.
"A roster."
"Of what?"
"That does not concern you, Robin. You shall only receive pertinent information. The file is under the name 'CMR'. You'll have to hack into the mainframe in order to obtain the file. And the mainframe can only be hacked from one location -Oliver Queen's office."
Robin didn't respond, knowing his voice would surely quaver. Having to steal was abhorrent. Having to steal from a league member, from one of his own, was blasphemous.
"I hope you're not having any second thoughts. That would be most imprudent for your friends."
The acrobat replied, having regained his composure. "No. I'm not reconsidering."
"Good. Now, we need to discuss attire..."
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