Invaded
Chapter Three: Alienated
Author's Note: Enjoy!
Taos
January 6
09:58 MST
"Sir, we have received a Rannian signal. They are arriving now." The scientist informed Captain Atom. The large zeta-tube hummed to life, glowing bright.
"Recognized," the computer monotonously droned, "Adam Strange, A-One-One. Miss Martian, B-Zero-Six. Superboy, B-Zero-Five. Beast Boy, B-Two-Zero."
Gar pushed through the trio, holding up to what appeared to be a sash. "Nightwing! Phoenix! Check out my super cool alien souvenir!"
Miss Martian placed a hand on his shoulder, shooting him a knowing glance. Gar lowered his sash in a childlike manner.
"Zeta Squad," I crossed my arms over my chest, "report."
"Our mission to neutralize the Krolotean zeta platforms on Rann was a success." Miss Martian informed. Nightwing and I both nodded our heads in approval. Adam Strange stepped forward, adding, "I have also brought back specs from Rann to create a zeta shield to prevent any more aliens from beaming to Earth off world."
A holographic display of the Earth appeared in front of us with a red shield around it. Captain Atom asked, "How will this affect our own zeta capabilities?"
Adam Strange answered, "It won't." He zoomed in on the holographic Watchtower, adding, "The shield will activate at an altitude above the Watchtower's orbit. League zeta-tubes will still function normally."
Gar gasped, gripping the crook of Miss Martian's elbow, pulling her forward. "Tell them about Rimbor! Tell them about the sixteen hours!"
Wonder Woman uncrossed her arms and Green Lantern grew somber. "It may be easier to show you," Miss Martian said, bringing a hand to her temple. Her eyes glowed a familiar green as she concentrated on linking us.
"I successfully interrogated a Krolotean general on Rann who paid off a member of the Rannian Science Command to allow the Kroloteans to land a secret base in the Rannian jungle. Once there, the Kroloteans stole zeta platform to beam a few hundred Kroloteans to Earth. They built more platforms, brought in more Kroloteans, and began abducting and replacing humans."
Miss Martian added, aloud, "Perhaps as part of an invasion strategy, though that's still unclear."
"But why Earth?" Captain Atom questioned.
"And what does any of this have to do with the sixteen hours?" Wonder Woman asked.
Miss Martian's eyes once again glowed green. "Well, as you know, five years ago, Vandal Savage placed the entire League under his control. Six Leaguers: Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Martian Manhunter, Green Lantern, and Hawkwoman went missing for a full sixteen hours. It turns out you were teleported to a planet called Rimbor where you spent sixteen hours on a rampage attacking everyone and everything in sight and announcing, in several alien languages, that you were the Justice League from Earth and that the rest of the galaxy should beware."
I stepped forward, saying, "Which explains why the Kroloteans came to Earth."
Miss Martian nodded, concluding, "The League itself brought Earth to their attention."
"I don't know what to say," Wonder Woman admitted, "I have no memories of this. None."
"Don't blame yourself," Captain Atom instructed, placing a hand on Wonder Woman's shoulder. "Blame Vandal Savage and his Light." Captain Atom turned to Green Lantern, "But John, how is it that you haven't heard of this intergalactic incident."
Green Lantern shook his head, "No clue. Rimbor's not a planet in my sector. But I'll head to Oa immediately to consult with the Guardians of the Universe and the rest of the Green Lantern Corps. We'll get to the bottom of this, Cap. I promise." Green Lantern clenched his fist, determined, before flying towards the zeta-tubes.
Captain Atom turned his attention to Nightwing and I. I wanted to bring up the information Red Arrow had relayed to me, but I hadn't even told Nightwing himself yet.
"In the meantime," Captain Atom said, "we have a Krolotean invasion force to track down on Earth."
Nightwing and I nodded as Nightwing said, "Understood."
Nightwing and Captain Atom approached Zeta Squad as I lingered behind, lost in thought. An alien invasion outweighed an alleged team of teen villains so I remained silent.
South Pacific
January 6
9:42 PM HAST
"I had not believed Nightwing nor Phoenix until this moment," Aquaman's sober tone echoed loudly in the underwater cave.
"You did not want to believe!" Kaldur shouted angrily. I landed silently on a railing, eyeing a series of robotic machines.
"No one wanted to believe this!" Superboy countered. The robotic machines whirred to life, shooting red lasers at us. I leaped down from the railing, destroying the machines with my orbs.
"How could you betray us?" Superboy questioned angrily. "You dare question me? After all of you let Tula die!" Kaldur snapped, stepping forward. He reached for his water bearers, creating swords.
I lifted my right hand, aiming a bright, red orb at his chest. "Kaldur, you are still my friend but don't give me a reason." I warned. "It was a mission, Kaldur! She knew the risks! We all know them! Think of Jason!" Nightwing shouted.
Lagoon Boy interjected, "Neptune's beard! Don't coddle this traitor! He's joined forces with our King's greatest enemy."
Kaldur's pale green eyes glared into Aquaman's blue ones. "You mean the King who hid from me the true identity of my father?"
Aquaman stepped forward, placing a hand on his broad chest. "That was an error in judgment, Kaldur'ahm. No one else need suffer for it."
Kaldur clenched his jaw before spewing, "All will suffer if Black Manta demands it. Blood is thicker than sea water." A small missile emerges from his suit's shoulder; Superman flies in front of it, allowing it to explode on his chest.
I follow Kaldur, who escaped through an underground slide.
"Just you and me, old friend?" Kaldur questioned before noticing Nightwing emerging from the shadows. "No! It's a regular reunion special!" Superboy shouted, emerging from the same slide Kaldur and I had entered from.
Kaldur takes his time to glare at the three of us. "Fine," Kaldur sighs, returning his water bearers to his waist, "you can take me down. Or you can save everyone from this bomb," he gestured toward an bomb which sat behind him.
"I am told the results are quite impressive," Kaldur grinned. Superboy lunged at Kaldur, who, in return, strikes Superboy in the groin then in the chest. Superboy doubled over before collapsing to the ground. Kaldur wrapped his hand around Superboy's throat, electrocuting him.
"You have two minutes." Kaldur announced, retracting his hand. I race towards him, kneeling beside Superboy.
"It didn't have to be this way," I noted, helping Superboy to his feet.
Kaldur stared down at me before exiting from an underwater cave. Nightwing pressed a finger to his ear, "Negative. We have a bomb down here. Alien tech. I cannot disarm it." Nightwing said.
Superboy pushed himself off me, "I'll get it out," he volunteered. "No!" Nightwing raised his hand. "Might have pressure or motion sensors," Nightwing explained. "Which means were sitting ducks. We need to evacuate everyone." I said.
I ignite a giant orb around Nightwing and Superboy, returning to the main level of the underwater cave. "All squads! Evacuate to bio-ship! Now!" I yelled.
Wonder Woman and Wonder Girl flew beside me as Green Lantern followed suit with the rest of the squads. My orb disintegrates as we settled into the crowded bio-ship.
"Wait! Where's Superman?" Superboy questions, looking around after we raised altitude.
"The island-" I began before being thrown to the ground as the bio-ship jerked around wildly. Miss Martian grunted, trying to regain control of the bio-ship as she tries to escape the explosion below.
Aquaman dives from a hatch into the water. Miss Martian lowers the ship as Superboy points at Aquaman tugging Superman out of the murky water. Superboy outstretches his hands, pulling Superman out of the water.
Mount. Justice
January 26
12:10 EST
I lingered on the beach, watching the large, green air craft take off into the night sky. I exhaled loudly, my eyes now focusing on the murky waters that stretched far and wide.
"What's bothering you?" Nightwing questioned from behind. I inhaled, taking in the salty air before turning around to face Nightwing.
"I asked Roy to do some digging for me." I explained. Nightwing remained silent, encouraging me to continue. "And what he found," I paused before tiredly rubbing my face. "There's so much going on, I just hope it's not true."
"What is it?" Nightwing finally asked. "A team of skilled super villain proteges."