Ataraxia Praeteritum, Perdidit Futurum

Chapter 11: Aftershocks Part: 1

I sat on the sofa, the last hours' events still swirling in my mind. I never really thought that Slade would give up Terra without a fight, she just had too much potential. However, as I listened to Robin and Cyborg in the background I wondered how we were ever able to accomplish anything, let alone finding Terra now.

Raven sat in the corner reading a book while Starfire watched the two boys with worry in her eyes. Perhaps memories of Cyborg leaving the team coming to mind.

Cyborg was much taller than Robin so it made him naturally more imposing, but Robin was so pushover and even with the cybernetic finger in his face he still had a sense of cool.

"I'm telling you, we should have put a tracker on her as a backup!"

"And what if Slade found it? He's obviously going to search for them and I dought he would be very forgiving."

"It would have been better than this plan, I don't even know if the seismographs will be able to pick up quakes that small."

It was true that it was a risky plan, but it was the best shot we had. Terra was supposed to create little quakes that were in theory supposed to be picked up by seismographs which would be able to triangulated here.

Then again, even though Jump was on the West Coast, most of the equipment was old and deteriorating. That was in part the fault of a police force needing to be modernized to keep up with the latest supervillains.

Up on the main screen, there was a 3D map of the city, so far Cyborg had tapped into all the seismographs and nothing was being picked up.

"Cyborg, are you sure that you are using all the graphs that measure seismos?"

Cyborg paused at looked at Starfire before letting out a sigh.

"Yea, I'm just worried that…."

BEEP BEEP BEEP

Almost all of us jumped at the loud and high pitched beeping coming from the screen. On it, a red dot was seen just outside the park, indicating that that was the epicenter of a small quake. Cyborg was the first to the console and sighed in relief.

"The quake is just barely being picked up, you wouldn't even be able to feel it if you were there," Cyborg said incredibly.

We all watched now, even Raven had set down her book and watched the screen. Soon the dot moved down the street, and a few moments later it was three blocks away.

Robin crossed his arms "Now we wait."

Ω¥Ω

Terra couldn't believe what she was seeing. Slade had taken her beneath some sort of abandoned building and down to this cavern. It was an excellent choice, but only if he had her.

Various equipment was thrown everywhere and at the moment Slade was furiously typing away on a console. I was having a look around for any easy exits or new equipment that I could inform the team about.

"Terra."

That voice, it seemed to have a viscosity of oil, the slickness of it never failed to send a shiver down my spine.

"I'm going to need you for the next part of the plan, we had an agreement remember?"

I gritted my teeth. "I seem to remember that you tricked me." I barked back.

"Ah, child I never lied, Beast Boy may have accepted you, even forgiven you, but once the others find out what you have done, well let's just say yesterday's garbage will have a better fate than you."

I just hung my head in shame, he was right. Beast Boy was a special case, he was different, I just couldn't put my finger on it. He was probably going down with me on this one.

That was when my thoughts were interrupted by a syringe going into my neck.

Ω¥Ω

As we all watched the screen the blinking dot suddenly stopped. The last known position showed what we thought was the position of Slade's layer. Within moments Cyborg had the architectural layouts of the building and any subterranean structures.

"Guys look at this!"

We all gathered in front of the screen as it showed the 3D layout of the building.

"So, this building had been abandoned for years right? I checked any and all records of underground structures and guess what I found?"

"Oh, dear friend Cyborg do not tell us it is the home of an untamed Glorfelher!"

We all looked at Starfire in confusion. Upon realizing we may not have that species here she quickly smiled and blushed.

"They are giant insects that inhabit caves on Tamerian, they are quite nice pets when domesticated."

"Well, you're not exactly wrong there Star."

With a few strokes of the keyboard, a file was brought up which showed a picture of a document. Its paper was very old, showing its age by its color which was yellow.

"Cyborg, I'm sorry but what exactly does this have to do with that building?" Raven asked.

Cyborg started to warm up a long and overcomplicated explanation before Raven put up a hand to stop him "The quick version."

Letting out a sigh of disappointment Cyborg continued "Well this is the original report for the foundation, which includes evaluation of soil composition and….."

It took only one glance at Raven from Cyborg to know that he was testing her patience. Freezing Cyborg conceded defeat.

"There's probably a cave underneath."

Robin then stepped up

"If it's there we'll find it; Raven would you mind?"

A black disk appeared on the floor which engulfed everyone. It was little nostalgic as the shadows passed me, I remembered so much time training with these things that I had a completely different view of them, but as soon as it started the ride ended.

"Alright team, Beast Boy I want you to dig, find that cave at any cost, we'll have a look around for any entrances."

With that, they left. Why do I get stuck with all the dirty jobs? Quickly turning into a mole I scrambled down into the ground.

I kept up a quick pace, the soil was actually fairly forgiving as I dug and I made good time. Soon I found myself reaching the edges of the cavern.

When I burrowing in from the ceiling I fell down but transformed into a cat to break the fall. It seemed like Slade was expecting us because he was standing right in front of me

The cave was clad with stalactites and stalagmites. All around the natural beauty of the cave was reminiscent of the Batcave. Even the machinery and technology littered throughout reminded me of the time under Wayne Manor, but instead of being used for good, these machines had a sinister master.

"Hello Beast Boy, do you like the new base?" he asked nonchalantly.

I just glared "Where's Terra?"

He heaved "Since when are you so direct? Very well you may see your friend."

With that Terra appeared from behind him, clad in silver.

And there we go, a start for things to come. Sorry about the wait, college is beginning again and I have to start getting ready for school. I would start to expect updates along the lines of every 4-6 days, simply because I actually need sleep.

So tell me if you like this, leave a review, also I want to know what you guys think should happen with Terra, I already have it set in stone, but I'm curious as to what you guys think.

Shoutouts to...

The Dimensional Reader (3 Reviews so far, thanks)

Azarath Cat (2 Reviews so far, thanks)

As always, until next time.