Chapter 7
Cosmic Boy sent everybody to clean up and get dry before meeting in the main room to discuss the newest development. Phantom Girl and Colossal Boy glanced sideways at Saturn Girl as they headed for their rooms. Saturn Girl didn't have to be telepathic to know what those looks meant – they were wondering if she had been seeing things. Even Cosmic Boy had looked worried. Soon there was only Saturn Girl and Lightning Lad left in the hallway. Saturn Girl started to head toward her room, but Lightning Lad pulled her back.
"You sure you're okay?" he asked in concern.
"I'm all right", Saturn Girl assured him. "Just a little tired." She looked him straight in the eye. "I know some of them think I imagined seeing Brainiac 1.0 in Esper's thoughts."
"Well", began Lightning Lad reasonably, "You have to admit, it's a little hard to take in. We all saw the guy die five months ago."
"Do you believe me?" The question was short, direct, and to the point. Lightning Lad sighed.
"I don't know", he admitted carefully. "It's possible you did imagine it. You've been through a lot, with the amnesia and force fields." He placed a tentative hand on her shoulder. She didn't push it away.
"I know what I saw", she insisted. "Brainiac 1.0's directing the Fatal Five and the Legion of Supervillains."
"Then I suppose he did manage to find a way to come back to life."
She threw him a quizzical look.
"I've known you for years, Saturn Girl", said Lightning Lad. "And I know you wouldn't be so sure if it wasn't true. Whatever you say, I'm with you."
Saturn Girl's face lit up with a genuine smile. "Thanks, Garth", she said gratefully. She looked around. "We should go change. I'll see you later." She gently removed his hand and walked down the corridor, not completely unaware that he was watching her.
Brainiac 1.0 sat on his metal, throne-like chair with his hands perched rigidly on the armrests. "You have failed me", he said coldly.
Esper winced even more than the others did; she had a feeling most of his anger was directed at her. "Forgive me, master", she said, bowing her head. "I didn't expect Saturn Girl to be so powerful."
"And in that, lies the key to your failure", Brainiac told her. "You humans are so arrogant. You believed you were better than she. You were bolstered by your success in defeating her twice. You grew cocky and overconfident, and that is why the Legion of Superheroes now knows that I am the one they are facing." He glared at them all in cold fury. "It was a crucial part of my strategy that they remained ignorant of my existence until the time was right. You have just destroyed all of my plans."
"We're sorry, master", Wave ventured emphatically.
Brainiac seemed to consider her apology. "Very well", he said at last. "I will overlook your incompetence this time. But next time I might not be so forgiving." He rubbed his chin. "But I suppose you are not entirely to blame. I did not expect the Titanian to develop the power of force field generation. But there is a chance the situation might yet be salvaged." The beginnings of a new scheme crept into his mind. "Leave me", he commanded. "I must think on this further. And consider yourself fortunate that you do not have to face my wrath. Use your second chance wisely. Now go."
They obeyed, scrambling out of the room.
"Great going, Esper", said Emerald Empress sarcastically. "Letting Saturn Girl into your head to see all the facts and find out about Mr. Know-it-all was a brilliant move."
"Shut up, Empress", Esper growled. "It was a mistake, all right? You didn't know she could create force fields either."
"Speaking of which", said Tyr, "how did she manage to do that?"
"We gave it to her", replied Tharok. The others stared at him.
"Say what?" exclaimed Mano.
"When Emerald Empress managed to break through her defenses that day on Rawl, you were getting close to something big, weren't you?" asked Tharok.
"Yeah, the building of Legion HQ", said Emerald Empress. "That would have done wonders for our cause, if only that infuriating little brat hadn't gone and spoiled it all by generating…"
"Yeah, yeah, we know all about it, Empress", interrupted Tharok. "We were there, remember? Anyway, the point is, that information was obviously extremely valuable to the Legion, and Saturn Girl was trying her hardest to stop us from getting it. So she managed to concentrate hard enough to create a force field in a last, desperate attempt to protect that knowledge. And though it nearly killed her, once she did it, it stuck with her. Someone must have been training her how to use her new power, 'cos she's as good at it as she is at telepathy. We were idiots not to expect it", he concluded.
"So you're saying we gave her a new weapon?" asked Hunter. "No wonder the boss is mad at us."
"It doesn't matter", said Esper firmly, with a frightening glint in her dark pink eyes. "It doesn't matter if Saturn Girl's got a new power. Because next time we meet, I will have my revenge."
They were silent. They were all silent. Only Lightning Lad's eyes showed sympathy and support. The rest were looking at her in confusion, anxiety, and disbelief.
"We all saw Brainiac 1.0 shut down", Phantom Girl ventured bravely. "He couldn't possibly have…could he?" She looked around uncertainly, but reluctantly shifted her gaze to Saturn Girl's face, afraid of what she would find there. However, the expression on her friend's face eased her slightly – just slightly. There was no disappointment or anger there – but there was hurt. Hurt that they wouldn't – couldn't – believe her. And that was almost worse.
"I don't know", Saturn Girl admitted. Then her voice grew stronger. "But I know what I saw. Brainiac is back, and he's directing the Fatal Five and the LSV and who knows how many other villains. He's smart, he's deadly, and he's methodic. He knows what he's doing, and we need to start making plans of our own if we're going to put him down once and for all."
"And I believe her", Lightning Lad put in. She flashed him a grateful smile.
Another silence as they all contemplated what had been said.
Chameleon Boy broke the stillness. "So…so I guess Brainiac really is back, huh?"
Saturn Girl smiled again, in relief this time. "As much as I hate to say it, yes."
"Man!" exclaimed Cham. "Why can't this guy ever stay dead? First Superman killed him, then Brainy killed him, and he's still not through." A merry twinkle crept into his eye as his humor returned. "I guess we've just gotta make sure he can't come back this time."
The tension in the room dissipated after that.
Brainiac 1.0 clinically observed the holopads before him – the holopads containing all the information he'd gathered on the Legion of Superheroes. Their members, their systems – everything. But it still was not enough. He picked up a holopad, operated it, and scrolled down to the section he desired to examine once more.
There it was. The new information gleaned from Saturn Girl's mind. Esper subduing her was a stroke of luck, even he had to admit that – but didn't this prove it was his destiny to conquer the Legion? With more of this sort of luck, he would be able to formulate a new plan that took into account Saturn Girl's new power and the fact that they knew his identity. Already he had established the first portion. This plan would be even better than his original; it would be one that would allow for any mistakes his imperfect assistants might make. With a plan like that, there was no possibility that he could lose.
And he knew it.
"If we're going to defeat Brainiac 1.0 once and for all, we're going to need every hand we've got", said Cosmic Boy from the Legion's Mission Monitor Board.
"And more", Dream Girl reminded him.
"Then you tell me where we can get more manpower other than what we already have", demanded Cosmic Boy. "I am not – repeat not –holding Legion auditions. Not only would that require more work, but whoever we recruit is going to be way too inexperienced to deal with someone like Brainiac 1.0."
"For once, I agree with Cosmic Boy", said Lightning Lad.
"Fine", said Dream Girl. "Scratch Legion auditions. We can call in the Legion of Substitute Heroes. They can help."
"Yeah, Infectious Lass can sneeze on Brainiac – who is, I emphasize, a robot – and make him sick. That's gonna happen."
"Cosmic Boy", said Phantom Girl warningly. "They've already proven they can fight their own battles. Sure, they haven't taken on the Fatal Five, but they've dealt with some pretty big stuff while we were busy fighting Imperiex. They're more experienced now, and I hear they can all control their powers, even the newer members. We should give them a chance."
Cosmic Boy looked miffed, but then he conceded, "You're right. But there're only ten of them. We need more…powerhouses. Look", he added as he saw the expressions on his teammates' faces, "the Subs are great, and they can definitely help, but that doesn't change the fact that we need a bit more power than just them alone."
"We've got a Superman in the 21st century and a Superman in the 41st century", Dream Girl suggested sweetly. "Is that enough power for you?"
"No." It was not Cosmic Boy who spoke this time, but Saturn Girl. "We need more than power. We need intellect." She looked around. "We need Brainiac 5."
A/N: Ah, yes, Brainiac 5. How could I not put him in? He'll appear in the next chapter, coming up tomorrow. And yes, there are now ten members of the Legion of Substitute Heroes. Who are the extra five? Wait and see! By the way, the numbers in the title are separated by a period, not shown here for some reason. It should actually read, Brainiac 1.0. Thanks to The Violet Rose, Lillywhitecherub, and xXKazaneXx for reviewing.
Disclaimer: Arghh! I'd love to bring back season 3 of the Legion of Superheroes, but I can't, 'cause I don't own the show.
