A/N

Welcome to another chapter of this DC comics (First edition, named Titan Rises), and I hope you all enjoying this series, so far- all 200 views, 5 favourites, and 2 follows are greatly appreciated by me. I can't do any of this without the support of you guys, that is for sure.

Disclaimer: I do not own the marvellous world of DC, only my original ideas, and characters. E.g. Waterfall, Delta City, and etc.


Chapter 6) Moan, Moan, and Moan...

Day 38- StarrWare

The walls seemingly close in on me, the stifling air trapped in my lungs. I have come so far, but... is this the end? Is this how I die? Is this how the legacy of Black Titan ends. Only time, and a severe case of alcohol poisoning will tell. Seriously, this stupid office is getting to my head, big time. Never have I wanted to rid myself of a job, so badly before, it's excruciatingly boring, and unpleasant. If it was up to me, I would give a medal to every living person who has done this energy consuming tediousness is killing me, slowly, and painfully.

However, this what I need to do, so, I had better get on with it; it being having my eyes glued to a tiny screen, observing for any suspicious movements. For the tenth time now, I have watched Jess, the financial co-ordinator, wrap her leg around the janitor. Hold up... it looks like that office lackey has attracted the attentions of Bill. Unluckily for her, Bill can be a little on the controlling side- both mentally, and physically.

"Hey, Boss." the not so bright individual under my command, Leo, calls out to me, with his usual level of confusion. Poor soul. Nodding to him, I do this to motion for him to carry on with one od his (many) requests. "Do you mind if I take a quick break? My stomach feels like it's gonna burst on me, or something." he requests, pleading me to let him go. Poor Leo isn't in the best shape a human can be in, but that's not for me to judge.

"Make it as quick as possible, we need to remain vigilant with the recent attacks on major businesses." I cordially accept, thinking it's better for me to be alone in this compact monitoring room. Without a word, Leo darts up, and bounds away with joy in his steps- taking a few steps in one leap. That's one less annoying individual to worry about, plenty more to go around though.

"Mr. Corver, there is a man here in the waiting room that is acting suspiciously. How should we proceed?" another of my guards voices buzzes into my ear through the comm I have placed in my ear. Used as a constant reminder that I am on the job, always present; always active, and ready to react.

"One moment." I answer, starting to rapidly flick through the cameras until I reach the main lobby camera. Looking at the figures in the room, I watch out for the suspect. On cue, a man in the corner- dressed in a long coat, and hat- starts uncontrollably swaying. Using my keen eyesight, I notice the walking stick hiding behind the cloak, apparently the only thing keeping the person standing up. "I see- man in the corner- possibly an elderly, or impaired civilian. Keep your eye on him, but don't move unless you are absolutely sure, am I understood?" I order down the line, seeing the guards behind the desk relax at my words.

After that waste of my precious time, I lean back in my chair, so I can view all screens at the same time. Perhaps it wasn't the best decision to come here, but it doesn't have a certain appeal about it, namely... money. It pays well, which makes up for the monotonous nature of the job- watch screens, patrol, talk, and repeat. Although, it's a welcomed change of pace compared to being the cities resident hero.

My short lived serenity collapses when Leo trudges back in, crumbles lined on his company provided suit; to which I point out with a pointed finger. Blushing in embarrassment, he hastily shoves off the pieces from his attire, and onto the awaiting floor. "I'm back from my break, Boss." he states, flopping down onto his observation chair.

"You're back." I sarcastically retort, however, I doubt Leo will pick up on it, due to his position as least intelligent of the workforce. By lowest, that means below bottom, even to the point it can be described as an abyss. Why am I being such an ass? Stop being so judgemental for a guy that dresses up at night, and ruthlessly combats crime.

"I'm going to go do my patrol rounds, buzz me if you see, or need anything; i'll be on call at all times." I professionally inform the guard, yet secretly want to scream it, just so I can make my first day on the job that much better. Sticking to what I consider the code of conduct, I hold back my boredom, and get up- back cracking from the lack of activity. "See you soon, Leo." I say goodbye, and notice him nodding respectfully to me.

Stepping out that dark hole for literally the first time in hours, I exhale and start by sauntering around the office block, taking care to avoid contact with the endless numbers of corporate employees; excluding my guys, of course, as that would be uncalled for. Ever so often, a few of the office jockeys make eye contact with me, but they soon end when I return it with an intimidating glare of my own. When I finish the painstakingly banal task of patrolling this level, I spin around and do the same thing again, mesmerised by the hive of activity before me. Whether it's filing, or statistics, each worker performs at an optimum performance, as though enjoying it. Enjoying the huge bonuses they get, of that, I have zero doubts.

Practically flinging my body down the corridor, I coolly step into one of the many elevators that inhabit the building. There I patiently wait, humming to the barely audible music playing the elevator, almost drowned out by the sound of the metal deathtrap cascading down several floors. Furthermore, the endless standing up makes my back arch slightly from the straight posture, I have reserved especially for this crisp kind of employment.

Continuing my incessant grumbling, I huff and puff as the descending drags on, magnificently. If this takes any longer, I might actually die of old age in here , I mentally complain- considering it's better to moan on the interior, instead of yelling the complex down, like I previously intended to do.

Shaken from my pointless musing by the elevator halting, I arch my back once again at a near perfect angle of one-hundred and eight degrees. God, I wish I joined as a technician instead; worse pay, but less of this nagging pain in my back. My nightmares come to reality as the infamous Mrs. Starr strolls into the cage with me. Suddeny, I'm beginning to feel claustrophobic... maybe, something to do with those huge bre-

"How are you, Mr Corver? I hope you are having a lovely first day at StarrWare." she cuts off my thoughts with a polite question- seemingly genuine, compared to the majority of the other greetings I have graciously been gifted, today.

"Spectacular, Mrs Starr. So far, we have had no interruptions, or incidents. Although, that could change at any moment, so, I would advise that you are guarded by a constant security detail." I suggest professionally, wanting to give the most stellar impression as possible to my new employer.

"No need for formalities, just call me Karen." she counters, a slight tease on her tone. It's a safe bet that this is the most interesting business owner you will ever meet, aside from the classy Bruce Wayne; he outshines everyone else by a long shot. "As for the detail, thanks, but no thanks. Who needs bodyguards nowadays? When we have our saviour: Black Titan." he rejects my proposal bluntly, with a tone I can only describe as sassy. Then, the door slides open again, and Karen bounces out. Before she leaves to go about her business, she swiftly peeks at me, and... winks?

Shocked, I didn't notice the door smashing closed again, making a resonating bang that almost made me jump to the moon. I need to put this down as A) Weirdest day ever, B) Most fascinating day ever, or C) The most befuddling day ever. In my books, this has to go down as C, as the others don't take into account the blankness I feel right now. Was it a flirting wink? Or, a I know your secret wink? It has to be flirting as there is no humanly way that she could now.

Still flabbergasted, I trudge out of the confined piece of metal, and head begrudgingly to my last place of solitary refuge- my comfortable office. Carefully cracking open the door like I am going to rip it off, I gratefully invade the space designated solely to me. Afterwards, I unceremoniously slump into my four-legged companion, gratified at finally getting the chance to put my weary feet up, and chill.

"Boss?" the soft tone of Leo tentatively calls to me over the earpiece, coming into my ear with a crackle.

"Let me guess, Leo, you have either seen something that is almost certainly not suspicious, or you want to go, and have a quick break." I lose my temper and gasp, rubbing the bridge of my nose in frustration. Instantly, I regret my outburst, Leo doesn't deserve to be told off like that.

"It's not that Boss, it's the inventory. Some guy from one of the corporate areas, is saying that they have a piece of valuable material missing." Leo informs, apparently unfazed my rant. Good for him, I don't want him to feel down about my general attitude, developed over the past stressful month.

"Thanks Leo, I'll be on it straight away. Tell the guy that I will find the missing "piece of valuable material " for him." I respond back, flicking on my computer and logging in. Go find this; do this, and that, while you're at it. Jeez, does this job get any more disturbing? I muse, incredulously. Now flicking through the company documents, I do pick up on some glaring oddities. First of all, several of our shipping containers have been directed to a... East side docks, over the last three consecutive months. That cannot be a coincidence.

Secondly, no one has reported these mistakes, until now; someone should have picked up on it... or did, and... buried it up.

It seems that we here at StarrWare, have a member of staff that has a fondness for covering up things. All things considered, it does not matter at this point in time- maybe, later on. However, it certainly is a cause for concern with our friendly neighborhood vigilante- perhaps someone could inform him about this unexpected turn of events. But, who?

What on earth am I doing? Stop talking about yourself like a ten year old fanboy. Snapping out of my deep trance, I close my eyes in complex thought, letting my mind drift off into my subconscious; allowing it to replace any non-ideal strategies with realistic scenarios.

With a plan this well structured- to the point of planting a mole in a mega-corp- it must have a mastermind behind it all, twisting and turning the clogs, with the utmost confidence in each precise manoeuvre. Of course, I am only speculating, it could be the complete the other hand, I have a fair probability of being absolutely correct, meaning that some sinister, and hidden force is behind all this.

And, it is up to me- Black Titan- to stop it.

No matter the cost, I will annihilate this sect once and for all; they have plagued this beautiful city for too long, smothering it's pleasant nature with grime, and vermin. Yet, it won't be easy, this type of purification never is. Even if it's hard I still have to try, otherwise, what is the point of it all. Did I become a hero, just to get recognition, and respect? No, I emerge as the next protector of this city, because it needed saving.

Blinking rapidly, the scenarios going into my head or far from ideal, even too dangerous for me to attempt. But, I have severe doubts that Batman would think that, he would do everything he can to overcome those odds. I wish I was Batman- stalwart, and unyielding.

Why I am still going on with my self? Well, the answer is that I have no clue if I really want to be a superhero anymore. It was all amazing when I fist started out, but after the things I have seen in my short tenure, I'm starting to regret my decision. However, regret cannot impede me now, as I must get back those materials; whatever those thugs want it for, it can't be good, at all.

Slowly edging up, my body is still hesitant to get up, and fight, even with my brain itching to get those resources back. It must be physical fatigue- defending a city every night will have a toll on your physiology. The Mirakuru serum cannot stop what's natural to the human body, not even it can do something as a "miracle" as that.

Then, I did the impossible- forcing my body to stand, with assurity and confidence I felt I have in this moment. As the only hero for miles around, this falls to me, and me alone; Waterfall can disappear for all I care, the past month rest solely on her, and her flaming brother.

And now, it appears that a certain hooded saviour is on his way to a specific dock...

Day 38- East side Docks

Leaning over the shipping container I am placed on, I watchfully preside over the humdrum of activity, down below- men lifting, men guarding, and one familiar villain conversing with a massive man, who is three times the size of everyone else on the dock. Since he is doing nothing, but talking, I have to assume that this man is the leader of this band of ruffians.

Assuming that he is opposite to the stereotype, and remarkably intelligent, as it takes a load of smarts to get people as organised as this.

Maybe, it's about time that I formally introduce my lonely self to these elegant members of the Delta City society. Or maybe, I should wait, and see if anybody moves a muscle one of the two well-placed trucks circling the movement. As for the familiar guy, I recognise that stature from anywhere- the hoodie, singed jeans, and the flames flowing freely from his body- it's Firewall, that's a certainty. The only critical question is: What is a rogue like him doing here, with the other human?

Thinking that I have awaited any escape for too long, I creep forwards until I am at the edge of the roof, of the container.

Let's see if they are worth their salt, shall we?


A/N

How did you like this chapter? Not long to go now, before the end of this prologue story, so, you need to prepare for some real action, and drama.