Chapter 10!
Yeah, I really don't update that often, I know... But at least this is an update in the same month as the last one.
So how was Valentine's day? Forever Alone or Never Alone? I sadly fall into the forever alone category but enough about me, I have something actually worth saying!
I'm going to start to respond to the reviews in this A/N section from this chapter on so don't skip over this part in the future if you review and make sure to leave a review!
Additionally, I'm changing my pen name to NextArtemis from TheArcherArtemis. This is just a heads up to my regular readers so don't worry about it too much either way.
So the new character will show up next chapter so put in your final guesses! Someone may indeed be right already but if you put in a guess, you can always feel good when that person actually shows up.
Anyone see the new episode with the misfits? I had a feeling about what was going to happen to Arsenal and the new events may prove the Light's connection with Darkseid. I have taken to calling the misfit band the Renegades, which would be awesome if they actually get called that in the future. Also, if anyone else caught Lex Luthor's description of Deathstroke, calling him a "bishop", there might be a Checkmate reference there. Deathstroke was a member of Checkmate at one point in the comics but wasn't a bishop but still. Checkmate may be included in the end of the series.
Anyway, here is the update, it's another super long update, in fact, longer than the last update. Exactly 6060 more words. That's nearly a half of all the words already in the story. It's around 3 chapters rolled into one huge chapter which encompasses so many different views that it makes my head spin. Can you handle it?
There's a lot of other DC characters and factions mentioned so if you're a sharp reader, you can catch it.
Disclaimer: I own nothing
Belle Reve Penitentiary:
Silence. 10:00 pm, it is lights out.
There had just been a major fight the previous day between Brick and Hook so the prisoners were to exhausted from yelling at each other to make too much noise. Also the guards were on high alert still and were ready to shoot stun rounds into anyone that made noise. After Amanda Waller's reinstatement, the guards had to button up and lose their corrupt ways.
Wizard was in the infirmary, still being processed and unknowingly, about to be injected with microtracers as a part of Waller's new system.
He was quite tired, since he had little sleep since being captured, another facet of the new system, which was supposed to pacify the inmates. It had worked in part but he still was quite ready on the inside, just tired on the outside.
He stared at the ceiling for a brief minute, watching the cheap florescent lights flicker at every 10 or so seconds.
Suddenly, the lights began flickering quickly, before all shattering simultaneously.
Blackout.
Alarms began screaming all over the facility, and the facility was going into lockdown.
However, the medical bay was located close to the outer wall and within a few seconds, a few charges could be heard detonating around the facility.
BOOM
The wall caved in, and two men ran quickly into the room from the outside, promptly knocking out the guards, before blindfolding Wizard and carrying him to an awaiting chopper. As they were leaving, they passed by dozens of knocked out guards, and their comrades joined them. Boarding their five Blackhawks marked with United States Air Force, they disappeared into the sky.
The whole event lasted less than one minute, and as reinforcements arrived to secure the facility, the perpetrators had already disappeared into the night.
The Light's Screen Meeting:
Vandal Savage: I have something urgent to bring up. Klarion's spell was indeed effective, and the League is still clueless to our efforts. However, he has not told us the full situation.
Klarion: Yeah, yeah, yeah, there's no need to be so pushy. I put up a cloaking spell afterward to hide its aura from detection by those brats.
Vandal Savage: That is not all, tell the whole story.
Klarion: Well the cloaking spell was a little shoddy and I can't maintain it for long so the spell may drop slightly, only those justice brats will be able to know though. Quiet Teekl.
Lex Luthor: And what will they learn?
Klarion: You all are being so pushy, it's too organized! I originally did the spell against the Justice League with Wizard, and I let him get captured. I recently figured out that I still need him to maintain the spell with me. I have a separate cloaking spell which refrains the Justice League from investigating Mount Justice and even thinking about it. After leaving it, they all simply forgot of its current usage.
Queen Bee: This is an interesting development, although the Justice League will be less trouble with this second cloaking spell. If he is simply in jail, why would we not just take him from Belle Rev?
Vandal Savage: Because this fool didn't tell us in time and now someone has broken him out and is taking him!We need Wizard but he is out of our grasp!
Lex Luthor: I can throw around a few dollars and buy him from whoever has him, no big deal. Who has him anyway?
Vandal Savage: This is more than a matter of money, Kobra has him.
Brain: I calculate that this false god will attempt to use Wizard for his own ends before killing him. We will need to keep Wizard alive for out plans to succeed.
Ra's ah Ghul: I will hold off the infiltrator for now. I'll task a team of assassins to recover Wizard.
Vandal Savage: Agreed. However, you will also take a contingent of Manta's troopers, you will need the back up to take the island. Have them moving within the hour, there are already multiple forces trying to get Wizard. He is a very wanted man right now.
Lex Luthor: How will we keep the League off us though? They will obviously be searching for him as breakouts are extremely rare.
Vandal Savage: The plants we have gained from the Injustice League will serve as an proxy. We already have some distributed around the globe and will activate some to keep the League busy. The central command of those is located on Malina Island. We do not use this facility often so it will most likely remain hidden. Klarion, you know what you will have to do.
The Nest:
The Team reassembled in the mission area, still on high alert from their recent adventures. As they discussed their findings, the picture became clearer.
Robin: Batman knew me in my civilian identity and did not draw the connection between my civilian identity and Robin. I have a friend covering for the disappearance of my civilian identity so I'll be safe.
Artemis: My mom still knows everything about me and still remembers the Team so apparently not everyone forgot about us.
Robin: Noted. My friend also knew about our existence so I believe it is only the League that doesn't know about us.
Aqualad: It is most likely an organized force. This must be the Light.
Zatanna: Why would they choose to strike again? This doesn't seem to be they're agenda.
Superboy: She's got a point, no one ever tried to contact any of us and there doesn't seem to be any motive here.
Kid Flash: Unless someone just wants chaos. I think someone just went great lengths just to kill us.
As they continued discussing, a silent mystical energy washed over them.
Zatanna fell to the ground, clutching her head.
Robin: Zatanna!
The Team rushed to her side and moved her to the medical area of the Nest.
Zatanna: I was just hit with massive mystical energy, but I know who is responsible.
Aqualad: Who is it?
Zatanna: The Light.
The Team gave grave looks to each other. This development was expected but when actually hit with reality, the hope that it was all speculation vanished.
Robin: Can you locate its epicenter?
Zatanna: There is no epicenter of magic, rather it follows a person, Wizard.
Robin activated his wrist computer and after searching, announced his findings.
Robin: He was captured a few days ago so we should be able to retrieve him from Belle Reve if they still remember us.
An alert suddenly popped onto the screen, blinking red.
Robin: No fricken way! There's just been a break-in in Belle Reve. They're not sure who was taken but he's still unaccounted for.
Further alerts appeared on his screen and the computer in the medical area came to life.
A news report was enlarged and the audio came on.
This is Cat Grant reporting live from Metropolis as the Plant Creatures have returned. These plants had attacked the world last year under the command of the Injustice League. However, there have been no demands made and authorities are attempting to neutralize the threat. We will keep you updated as *bzzttt*
The display cut right before a car came flying through the air at the camera.
Robin: We should help, but we need to find Wizard. The League can handle the plant situation. Whether or not they attacked us, they still are protectors of the world.
Zatanna: I've got a magical fix on Wizard. He's been kidnapped.
Robin: By who?
Zatanna: Kobra
Blackhawk Helicopters:
The men brought Wizard, who was still blindfolded to the feet of their leader, before ripping off the blindfold and bowing to their master.
Wizard: What is the meaning of this!
Kobra: Silence fool, kneel before your god and master.
Wizard attempted to cast a spell before realizing his inhibitor collar still prevented him from doing anything.
Kobra kicked him back before speaking again.
Kobra: You will do as I say, or die a horrible death. I am a fair god, if you please me, I will allow you to die a merciful death.
One of the cult followers stepped forward from his bow and whispered.
Cult follower: Master, the government will assign Tier One groups to track us.
Kobra: Let them come. I will not be denied. Set course for Rylanca Island (A/N This is a completely made up island to keep from accidentally using a place that might actually be used in later episodes).
The Watchtower:
The League members were transported back to the Watchtower for medical treatment by the ones who were still active. A few of the injured members such as the Flash, were able to heal quicker and assisted in the effort.
Superman was back on his feet after his krytonite exposure.
Superman: We've taken some heavy losses these past few days.
Green Arrow: Agreed. I tried tracking down those kids but all my information led to was this.
Superman: It did, didn't it. And your former sidekick was the one who betrayed us for the Light. Twice.
Flash: Hold up, Ollie didn't do anything wrong. He tracked them and gave us good information. It's obvious that this group of kids were a few steps ahead.
Superman: Even with that, we need to address the problem.
Suddenly, alarms began blaring in the Watchtower and the three ran toward the mission center. Martian Manhunter met the trio there and brought up the monitor.
Martian Manhunter: This is a major alert, the plant creatures which attacked us a months ago last year are back. There have been no demands and it does not appear the Injustice League is behind it.
As the four observed the screen, other able-bodied League members rushed to the room.
Captain Atom: This is a major problem. We need to react now and hit it with everything we got.
Batman: No, there is only one way to defeat them, take them out at the source.
Captain Atom: Well we can't just go and find that now can we?
Batman: I already had Doctor Fate find it, Malina Island.
Superman: Who would ever go there? That place is useless.
Batman: Exactly. I will go with Fate to take out the threat at the source. The rest of you will assist the citizens who are getting hurt out there.
Superman: We need to find those children though. They may be behind this.
Batman: I know. Our biggest concern is to stop the plants though. Without them stopped, we can never find those children ever again without remembering the sacrifice of multiple cities. If they're anywhere, they're at the source of the plant creatures. Let's go, we don't have any time to waste.
The Nest:
The Team let the news sink in before speaking.
They're only shot at saving themselves and their name was being taken away from them while the world was in danger.
Robin: There are going to be Tier One groups assigned to recapture Wizard but they are not going to be strong enough to take him back. We need to take action.
Roy: There's massive plant creatures killing innocent civilians right now and you don't want to go help them?
Robin: It's a tough decision, but it has to be made. Even if the League sees us fighting them, they're only going to ignore us temporarily until the fight is over. They magic will continue to keep them against us. It's what Batman would do.
Wally: Robin... You know you don't need to follow Batman to the end.
Robin: Yeah, I know. But this is the only way.
Aqualad: We will follow your lead until the end. You are our leader and your judgement is sound.
Robin: Then suit up. I have a black ops version of our costumes, that should adequately disguise us from the League in case anyone sees us. We leave immediately.
M'gann: How will we get there? I don't have the Bioship anymore so we can't just simply use it.
Robin: I have a few toys of my own. Suit up and go to Bay 3 through the west doors.
The Team prepared for their mission, stocking up all of their weapons and mentally preparing themselves for the journey ahead.
After fully prepared, the Team wandered over to the west doors, waiting until all the members of the Team had arrived before opening the doors. Behind the doors was a staircase, leading down about 5 floors.
Kid Flash: What could you possibly have down five floors? It's not like a submarine could get us to Kobra's hide out.
Robin: You'll see.
After reaching the bottom of the staircase, Robin flung open the doors to reveal an underground hanger.
Robin: Team, welcome to Bay 3, the Javelin bay.
The large hanger contained 5 fixed wing aircraft, each about 50 feet long. They were colored black with red an yellow highlights on the sides, as well as Robin's "R" painted near the cockpit. (A/N These are the Javelins from Justice League Unlimited, the Mark II versions. If you don't know what these look like, Google Justice League Javelin.)
Red Arrow: How did you manage to get these down here?
Robin: Money. Lots and lots of money. I get a pretty good allowance from Batman.
Red Arrow: Doesn't he know about what you buy then?
Robin: Nope, he doesn't since it's all off the books money. Believe me, he wouldn't know about this place even if he tried looking for it. Anyway, there's a Javelin already on the runway. Load up and we'll take off. The cockpit only fits five so three of you are going to have to go to the back. There's plenty of room but I'm advising Artemis, Kid Flash, and Red Arrow go in the back since they'll be one drop team.
The Team agreed and took there places on the Javelin, before it set course, and rocketed out of the hanger.
The hanger opened a gate hidden in the rocks at Gotham's shoreline. The Javelin zipped out before the doors shut and boosted into the early morning sky. The plant monsters could be seen erupting out of the ground behind them.
Robin: The Javelin is going to take about 3 hours to reach the destination so we can all get some rest. I'm going to set autopilot and already masked our radar signature so no one saw us leave. Zatanna, do you know where Kobra is?
Zatanna concentrated for a moment before putting up a holo-map and uttering a spell.
Zatanna: Arbok etacol! There, Rylanca Island.
Robin: That's an old mining island. When they ran out gold, it got abandoned. It's a pretty big island in the Pacific and already has existing structures on it. The State Department listed it as an under watch area. I guess Kobra turned it into his base. Alright, we have 2 and a half hours to rest. We'll plan our assault once we get there. (A/N Imagine Santa Prisca, but a mining facility)
With that statement, the Team decided to get some well earned sleep, especially since they hadn't had a good sleep in days.
Undisclosed location:
In a US military base, a few men and one woman were meeting in an underground bunker, ready to deal with the situation.
Amanda Waller: Alright gentlemen, I believe you all know why I've called you here. Belle Reve had a recent break in and we need to recover one of our prisoners, Wizard. We didn't inject him with micro trackers yet, but the tracker in his collar hasn't been removed. We have confirmation that Kobra has him and is moving to Rylanca Island.
General Wade Eiling: That is under the State Department's watch list. We can mount a full assault on it since no one currently owns it.
Amanda Waller: No, this breakout has already been covered up and we need to do this quietly.
King Faraday: What does this have to do with me? You pulled me out of an InterPol investigation to discuss cover ups?
Amanda Waller: I pulled you out Faraday, because you are still a member of Checkmate. (A/N It's a secret government division in DC Comics. I'm taking a massive stretch here since I don't know too much about it but King Faraday is a member of it after his time in Task Force X)
King Faraday: Why not just use your perfect Task Force X?
Amanda Waller: Eiling, if any of this information leaves the three of us, you will be held completely accountable. My private task force is already dealing with another matter at the moment, and it is a classified operation. Checkmate is also dealing with another matter which you have not been informed of, however, you are able to lead a division to recapture Wizard. We believe he is behind the plant attacks. You have no choice in this matter, Bishop.
General Eiling: My forces and I will be dealing with the plant threat but I am tasking a significant force to you of Tier One black ops soldiers to recover him. We need him alive however if you cannot get him, eliminating him may stop the plant creatures.
King Faraday: Alright, I'll be on the ground in an hour. If I don't make it back, I'll send my regards from the grave, White Queen.
The Team's Javelin. Over the Pacific Ocean:
About three hours later, the Javelin awoke the Team, who had been dozing blissfully, with an alarm.
Robin: Alright Team, get up, we're in range.
Aqualad: What is our plan?
Robin: You and Miss Martian are Alpha Squad. You two will drop off 200 meters from the radar's edge and swim up to the island before destroying the radar sensors. Don't let anyone see you, this is a covert operation. Secure the beach after the radar is down.
Aqualad: Understood.
Robin: Alright, Artemis, Red Arrow, Kid Flash and I will be Beta Squad. We're going to drop in around 200 yards in where the forest starts. We're going to try to infiltrate the main compound and do a little recon. Zatanna, I want you flying the Javelin and giving us a bird's eye view of the island. The camo mode on the Javelin is nothing compared to the BioShip but it'll keep you out of sight. Superboy, you are Gamma Squad along with Zatanna. If there is trouble, you're going to be the one dropping out of the craft to give someone back up.
Zatanna: Understood.
Robin: Alright we have 5 minutes until Drop Zone Alpha. Gear up.
The Javelin sped toward the destination quickly and approached the drop zone rapidly.
Robin: Alright Alpha, here's your drop zone. Go! Go! Go!
The rear hatch of the craft opened up and the two dove out.
As the Javelin turned around and hovered, the two dove deep into the ocean, M'gann shapeshifting gills and a tail onto her person.
The two stealthily approached the base, maneuvering around the wrecked ships around the bottom, as well as a few modern anti-ship mines.
Aqualad slowly looked out from the water and saw a few guards around the radar station, which looked to be an old 3 room cabin with a radar dish mounted on top.
Nodding to Miss Martian, he began moving around to an old wooden dock, before grabbing the guard on top and knocking him out.
At the same time, Miss Martian camouflaged and flew in between the other guards, knocking them out when possible and tossing their guns into the water.
The two teammates ran up to the station, which was still completely unaware of the current situation.
Miss Martian shifted into a female Kobra cultist and opened the door. The cultists inside didn't recognize her but didn't pay much attention, returning their gazes at their scopes.
As the door swung shut, Aqualad could hear the bodies hitting the floor. He opened the door, and every single cultist in the room was knocked out on the ground.
Aqualad: That was a very large brain blast.
Miss Martian: They were lucky I didn't do anything else.
The two ensured the all clear signal was on before disabling the radar station. Aqualad bound all of the cultists and locked them in a secure room, removing all of the communication devices before locking them inside.
Aqualad: Alpha Squad to Javelin, you are clear to Drop Point Beta.
Robin: Got it, we're moving in. Phase two is going into action. Secure the beach for an emergency landing zone.
The Javelin silently flew low past the station before four figures dropped silently into the forest.
Robin: Alright, Miss M, get the mental link up, we are all going to be in range on the island. Zatanna, make sure you do not go too high since you can get out of range.
The four moved silently through the forest, avoiding all of the patrols they encountered.
Artemis: This place is heavily guarded. I don't think that we can get out of here unnoticed with Wizard.
Robin: Agreed. Zatanna, are there any structures near our position?
Zatanna: I'm sending you a map that the Javelin took.
As the data streamed onto Robin's wrist computer, Kid Flash took a quick run to scout their immediate area.
Robin: Alright, there's a small fueling station west of our position, about a quarter mile away. Let's plant some charges on there as plan B in case things go South.
Kid Flash: Yeah, its got a few guards but we should be able to take them. There's a cluster of rocks we could hide in about a quarter mile in the other direction if we get noticed.
Beta Squad stealthily approached the small fueling station, which was guarded by two humvees and a squad of about 8 cultists, who were armed with AK-47 assault rifles. One of these cultists wore a pair of nightvision goggles, however, was dozing off in the passenger's seat of one of the humvees.
Robin began to sneak over to the fuel tank by working his way around the station, and crossing the road at a bend about 50 feet from the station, unseen by any of the cultists. Artemis and Red Arrow took up positions with a clear overwatch of the station while Kid Flash got ready to sprint over to take out any of the troops in case they noticed Robin.
Surreptitiously approaching the fuel tank, he removed 2 sets of explosive bird-a-rangs from his belt and stuck them onto the back of the fuel tank before disappearing into the forest again and regrouping with the squad.
Robin: Charges set. Let's get Wizard and get out of here.
Beta Squad departed slowly from the fueling station and moved slowly through the woods near the road.
Red Arrow: Get down, truck's coming!
The Team hit the dirt and as the truck roared by, they held their breath hoping not to be noticed.
Zatanna: You better stay down, there's a convoy coming. It looks like Kobra's bringing in more troops.
Robin: Anyone up for a free ride to the compound?
The four team members slipped onto the bottom of the trucks, each holding on tightly as the trucks bumped their way back to the compound.
Ironically, Kid Flash decided to hide under the same truck as Artemis.
Kid Flash: Come down here often beautiful?
Artemis: I think you already know I don't go down too often.
Kid Flash: Well not on me anyways... Wait, did I just think that where everyone could hear me?
Robin: Don't think for a second that you're not going to hear about that again.
Red Arrow: I'm stuck on a team this immature. Kill me now.
Zatanna: Calm your testosterone, compound is close, disappear into the forest.
The four rolled off the bottoms of the trucks, and melted away into the forest once more.
They climbed a small hill and looked at the operation unfolding on the other side.
There was a medium sized mining facility, which was highly fortified with Kobra's cultists. There were multiple watchtowers with mounted M240G machine guns and searchlights and various guard stations with teams of at least five cultists.
Red Arrow: He's amassed an army down there.
Artemis: I'm going to need a bigger quiver.
Superboy: I just check the high resolution camera feed. I think Kobra is on the fifth balcony on the right side.
Robin: I see him. I think he's about to make a speech or something. Wait hold on, they're bringing out Wizard.
Kobra was standing on a slightly raised platform on a balcony flanked by some of his senior members. Wizard, who was still collared and reblindfolded, was pushed over toward him roughly. Kobra began to talk and his voice was amplified through unseen speakers.
Kobra: My followers, this is the time for our greatness. I have captured this man as the means for our take over. This man will serve our divine purpose and we will liberate this Earth from those who oppose us, the Justice League!
His cultists cried out in approval and Kobra motioned for Wizard to be taken away.
Robin: That's our cue. Red Arrow and Artemis, stay up her and provide look out. Zatanna, get ready to pull us out. Alpha, move up to Beta's overwatch position. Kid, lets go.
The Team signaled their agreement and Robin and Kid Flash went down toward the compound slowly, avoiding all detection.
Red Arrow turned to Artemis and whispered over.
Red Arrow: So can I trust you not to get us killed.
Artemis: The real question is if I can trust you not to throw any shots. If we die, it's your fault.
Red Arrow: I was always the better partner.
Artemis: Keep dreaming, Speedy.
Red Arrow: It's. Red. Arrow.
Robin: I can smell you two arguing from down here. Stop that, we need to focus. Our lives are on the line here.
The two became silent as they observed Robin and Kid Flash enter the compound through a broken window.
Robin: We're in. I can see the group that's taking Wizard. They're heading down the west stairs. KF, head them off if you can, I'll take them from behind.
Kid Flash: Got it.
As the speedster dashed off to catch the men in the front, Robin attacked from the rear.
Beginning with the men in the back, he tossed his taser bird-a-rangs into the men and dropped them in seconds. As the cultists turned around, Kid Flash zoomed out of his hiding place in the staircase and knocked out the men in the front. Together, they finished off the four surrounding Wizard before tossing him to the ground.
Robin: Don't move, don't scream. We're here to get you out.
Wizard: Why would I trust the Justice League? You're just going to put me back into Belle Reve.
Robin: We don't kill. You stay here, you'll die.
Wizard: Fair enough, I'll come quietly.
As the two were bringing him out of the compound to extract him, he suddenly broke away and slammed his elbow into a red button. Alarms began blaring as the cultists rushed to the scene.
Within seconds, the cultist guards surrounded the duo, pointing their weapons at them.
Wizard: I have already been guaranteed my freedom if I work with Kobra. I'm not going back to Belle Reve to get killed.
Robin: It's not going to happen, come with us.
A cultist walked forward and pointed his Tokarev pistol at Robin.
Cultist: Hands in the air. Kobra will deal with you.
MantaFlyer and Various Helicopters:
Black Manta: Alright, we arrive in five minutes. Load weapons and get ready. We take Wizard alive, do not kill him under any circumstances or our mission is a failure.
Black Spider addressed the various members of the League of Shadows assault team.
Black Spider: Manta will hold the ground outside while we take Wizard from the compound. Our scouts have already confirmed his presence inside so we must act now. If he is killed, all of you will have to answer personally to our master.
Black Manta: The level of reverence your soldiers have for your leader is impressive. I respect that. However, do not let your fear define you. You must take action on your own if our mission is to succeed.
Black Spider: You and I both know we are both here for the money. Once this is over, I can have a long, long vacation.
Black Manta: My fight is my own. Money is no concern of mine.
MantaFlyer Pilot: 30 seconds.
Black Manta: All units get ready, the operation is about to begin.
An undersea missile platform launched two rockets which cleared the beach as Manta's soldiers stormed the beach, eliminating any resistance that survived the missile blasts. The aerial vehicles descended and landed and the troops poured out onto the beach headed for the forest.
The Kobra cultists scrambled to make a defense but were massacred in the hail of fire from the troops' guns.
Inside the mining facility, Beta Squad:
Robin: Uh team, we need back up.
Aqualad: Already here my friend.
The remaining members of Beta Squad ran down the hallway toward the duo, taking out guards as they went.
Aqualad and the others quickly appeared behind the group of cultists and attacked.
Before long, every cultist was knocked out on the ground. Miss Martian faced Wizard and knocked him out with a brain blast before levitating him into the air for easier transport.
Robin: Thanks for the save. Let's get out of here, there are going to be more goons any second now.
As the two squads ran back outside, they were met with a hail of gunfire from the cultists, who were now aware of the Team's presence inside the compound. The squads ducked into cover behind a few low walls, and the archers returned fire to little success.
Suddenly, explosions could be heard in the distance and some of the cultists stopped firing and turned around before getting met with by the storm of shots coming from Manta's soldiers. Unseen by both the cultists and the Team, the Shadows operatives moved closer to the base from the rear, under the impression that Wizard was still inside a cell at a lower level of the facility.
Then all hell broke loose.
Waves of Manta's soldiers ran out of the trees firing at the cultists in the compound who returned fire from their fortified positions. Scores of men and women on both sides fell from the firestorm.
Robin: Team, we need to get out of here!
Zatanna: Head to the roof, it looks clearer up there. I might be able to fly low enough to pick you up.
Kid Flash: There's too much crossfire, we need some cover.
Robin: Gamma Squad go!
Superboy opened the bay door of the Javelin and leapt off it, landing an creating a massive crater, distracting the cultists long enough for the Team to get back inside. He quickly followed them and shut the doors behind him, locking the blast doors and breaking the electronic lock to delay the cultists' entry.
Zatanna: You better hurry to the roof. It looks like World War Three. You've got Kobra's cultists on one side, fighting Black Manta's troops on the other. They'e both going to want to kill you. Don't focus you attention on them, let them take each other out. We can be certain the Light is behind this but we need to secure Wizard. I can spot some helicopters coming in and missiles are being launched. Ah! That one almost hit me. I'm going to have to use some flares and make my presence known guys.
Robin: That's fine, just don't get hurt.
Zatanna: Weapons free, laser turrets active. Flares, flares. Alright, I got the roof covered, get up here now!
The Team ran up the stairs to the roof on the building where the Javelin was firing into the crowd, covering the Team. However, the situation took a turn for the worst.
Artemis: There's a tower going up over there guys, you see it?
Aqualad: I see it, it looks like a radar dish.
The tower activated and a jamming signal was conducted over the entire island, cutting navigation and radio communications. Various RPG and Stinger missiles streaked upward and destroyed Manta's helicopters which crashed to the ground in a spectacular display of fire.
Zatanna: The Javelin's systems just went down. My autoturrets are offline. Propulsion failing! Missile in the air! My flares aren't working! My flares aren't working! My flares...
The Team watched in horror as a Stinger missile streaked through the air straight into the Javelin.
BOOM
The missile exploded, completely destroying the rear of the jet. The Javelin began to spiral downward out of control, and fell in the direction of the center of the fighting before crashing into the ground in a gut wrenching display of fire.
Robin, tears streaking out of his eyes, yelled toward the wreckage.
ZATANNA!
Cliffhanger! What do you think is going to the Team? What do you think happened to Zatanna? New member is coming in too so there may be a hint.
Until the next time,
~The Archer Artemis (Soon to be Next Artemis)