Space, it is a dark and deadly place. Its vacuum makes the blood of most carbon based life forms boil. If they don't die first of asphyxiation the decompression makes their bodies explode. And there is radiation to deal with. Most planets with life have some protection against it. Earth was blessed with a strong magnetic field, which keeps deadly gamma radiation safely tucked away in the Van Allen belts. Mars, Earth's smaller red sister, has a weak magnetic field. Earth is vibrant with life, while Mars is dead.
Such were the rules of the cosmos, though those rules would, on rare occasions, be broken. Such was the case of Tamaran. Like Mars, it had no magnetic field to speak of, and it should have been dead … but it wasn't. Its native life was able to adapt to the incessant bombardment of radiation that fell from Vega in the sky. And some life forms did more than just adapt … they thrived in the radiation. They made it their own, their bodies functioning like batteries, storing prodigious amounts of energy in their persons. Most Tamaranians could tap into this store to achieve flight, while those of royal lineage could weaponize it. They could also survive in the vacuum of space.
Such knowledge was not lost on Lord Trogaar, who paced back and forth across the bridge on his ship. They had detected a lone SunFire class corvette which appeared to be trying to escape from Earth's atmosphere, before being intercepted by the Green Lantern known as Kilowog. Trogaar frowned. The good news was that the Princess and her friends were still on the blue marble known as Earth. The bad news was that there was no way he could get past the Lantern's blockade.
Of course, just because he couldn't physically reach Earth didn't mean he didn't have a presence.
"My Lord!" His communications officer interrupted his train of thought. "We have a secure and secret transmission coming from the planet's surface … it's from our operative."
Trogaar hurried to a door off the starboard side of the bridge. "Patch it to my ready room."
The giant lizard sat down at his desk and a view screen on the wall flickered to life. He suppressed the gag reflex he felt upon seeing the human. They were almost as disgusting looking as Tamaranians, he thought. Their bodies were covered with hair and they sweated. Worst of all, they had a vile stench to them. While he wished to recover the Titans and take them home as a tribute to the Emperor, he would still be glad to see the Green Lanterns hurl the Earth into the sun, and have the mammalian human stain permanently removed from the universe.
"Do you have news for me? Have they been captured?"
The operative concealed his identity from Trogaar by wearing a mask over its ape like face. Why did it even bother with the secrecy? As far as Trogaar was concerned all humans looked the same, which is to say they were horrid and disgusting creatures: vermin which had no place in the galactic community.
"Not yet, but it won't be long now."
"That's what you said on your previous report."
"The Titans have barricaded themselves in their Towers."
"Then why don't you storm these Towers. We were led to believe that you have the resources to capture them."
"And I do … the problem is that two of them remain unaccounted for."
"Which ones?" Trogaar hissed.
"Raven and Beast Boy."
The Gordanian frowned. "You mean the witch who destroyed my ship?"
"And her mate. They have both vanished, and no one seems to know where they are."
"Well, you'd better find them, or our deal is off."
"That's not what you said. You said that you wanted Starfire. I can deliver her."
"If you want safe passage off the planet, you will deliver the five Titans to me, unspoiled."
"And just how will you get us off the planet without the Green Lanterns noticing?"
"Leave that to me. If you value your life, you will capture the Titans … all five of them. Or you will learn just how hot it can get inside of a star!"
Trogaar slammed his scaly fist on a button on the console, terminating the transmission.
"Stupid humans … what a waste of skin."
Trogaar's foul temper was interrupted as the red alert claxons blared and the reptilian voice of his first officer shouted "Battle stations! This is not a drill!" repeatedly. The lizard lord bolted out of his office into the bridge where his crew frantically prepared for the worst. He glared at his first officer.
"What is the status? Why are we in battle stations?"
"A Tamaranian fleet has just dropped out of warp, my Lord."
"You took us to battle stations over a flotilla of Sunfire corvettes?"
The first officer hastily shook her head. "No my Lord, they are X'hal class heavy cruisers!"
Trogaar took position in this command chair and assessed the situation on the holographic tactical display. He snarled at what he saw.
"Those ships are always cruising along the neutral zone … what are they doing here?"
"I do not know my Lord. Perhaps we could ask them?"
Trogaar pulled a firearm from his side and shot his first officer point blank. She shrieked in pain as her body slowly disintegrated, starting in her chest and spreading out until she was fully engulfed. Within seconds she fell silent as her body was completely vaporized. Trogaar casually aimed his weapon at a junior bridge officer. "You! You're my new first officer!"
The young lizard, who held the rank of lieutenant, gulper nervously. "Thank you, my lord. I will immediately figure out why the Tamaranian fleet is here."
The young officer sat down at a tactical station and began to work furiously.
"Well, lieutenant?" Trogaar hissed at him.
"Sir, it appears that Tamaranians, based on their fleet's formation, are preparing to attack the Lanterns."
"The Tamaranians are fools!" Trogaar shouted with glee. "The Green Lantern Corp will destroy their fleet and they will be defenseless against an invasion. We will add Tamaran to the Empire!"
"My Lord … there is more!"
"Speak, lieutenant."
"There's a fleet of Sunfire's arriving. I believe they will try to run through the blockade while the Lanterns engage the heavy cruisers."
"The Tamaranians are audacious, I will give them that. Let them rescue their precious princess, it will be of no consequence as will be able to walk into a defenseless Tamaran."
"My Lord, there is one more thing …"
"Yes?"
"A single heavy cruiser has broken off from the fleet. It is heading straight toward us."
"What did you say?"
"We are being attacked … the cruiser outguns us, we cannot fight it. I have requested assistance from the Green Lanterns, but they declined to help us … my Lord, we must retreat or …"
The young lieutenant never finished speaking as Trogaar shot his head off.
"We will not retreat!" Trogaar shouted.
Fear was evident in everyone's eyes. The now dead lieutenant was right; they were no match for the huge dreadnought that was bearing down on them. The Gordanians had ships that could match X'Hal class cruisers, but they were all far away patrolling the neutral zone that separated Gordania from the star clusters that formed Tamaran's territories.
"Fight, cowards, fight! Fire everything we have at them!"
The Gordanian ship fired its particle beam cannon at the Tamaranian ship, whose neutronium hull easily absorbed the blast.
"Keep firing!" Trogaar shouted.
The Tamaranian ship charged its primary weapon and fired what looked like a giant star bolt. Trogaar's ship shuddered and began to list, its engines now offline, while continuing to fire. The Tamaranian ship fired a second time, taking out the Gordanians weapons array. Trogaar stared defiantly at the tactical display.
"My Lord, the Tamaranians are ordering us to surrender." His communications officer shouted above the din in the bridge as every possible alarm was shrieking.
"It is regrettable that we will not live to witness Gordania's final triumph over Tamaran. Die happy knowing that Tamaran will be ours." Trogaar announced in a calm, melancholic voice. "And tell the Tamaranians to go to hell."
A third giant star bolt emerged from the Tamaranian ship's canon. Upon hitting Trogaar's ship a chain reaction began and within seconds the ship exploded in a green fireball.
Trogaar and his crew were no more.
-( scene break )-
"Jordan, what the hell is this? Why are the Tamaranians attacking us?"
"Isn't it obvious? There's some down there that belongs to them."
Kilowog raised a giant shield, which deflected the monstrous star bolt that was coming straight at him. The emerald barrier shuddered but did not fail.
"They know that Earth is under blockade."
"They're Tamaranians, since when does logic ever enter into the equation with them?" Jordan howled.
"So what do we do?"
Jordan raised his ring to his mouth and shouted into it. "Listen up, everyone, we only want to contain the Tamaranians, not hurt them. Try to disable their ships and tow them to Jupiter. We don't want a massacre on our …"
Jordan's diatribe was interrupted by a huge, green explosion.
The Gordanian ship, it's been destroyed! Another voice shouted through the ring.
All hands were lost! A third voice announced.
Jordan's masked face became grim. While no one would mourn the destruction of the Gordanian ship and the death of Trogaar and his crew, the Tamaranians had crossed the line.
"I'm sorry, Princess, but my hands are tied." He muttered to himself before shouting into his ring.
"Do whatever it takes to keep the Tamaranians away from Earth."
The battle's pitch intensified and while the Tamaranian fleet fought fiercely, it was slowly being decimated by the Green Lanterns.
"We shoulda brought more Lanterns; no one said that we'd have to fight these poozers!" Kilowog complained.
"We have the situation under control." Kyle Rayner chimed in.
As if on cue, thousands of ships jumped into low Earth orbit, dropping out of warp. The Lanterns quickly turned their attention to the insect like swarm of Sunfire corvettes. Unlike the battle cruisers, they were easy to stop, at least individually. But with their hands full they could not stop all of the corvettes and a few dozen were able to descend into the Earth's atmosphere.
"The blockade's been breached!" Jordan shouted. "Whatever else happens, those ships can't leave Earth!"
"I already called for reinforcements." John Stewart shouted back. "They'll be here in a few hours."
"That's not good enough." Rayner replied. "We're on our own!"
"We can't allow the plague to escape from Earth." Kilowog roared.
"Then there's only one thing we can do." A humanoid alien named Boodikka shouted. "We need to throw the Earth into the sun, now!"
"You can't be serious!" Guy Gardner replied.
"Boodikka is right, we have no other choice." A tentacle clad alien named Apros agreed.
"We will not throw the Earth into the sun, not yet!" Jordan commanded his troops.
"Your judgment is clouded Jordan, because Earth is your home. I say we vote on it." Boodikka interjected.
"I'm still in charge!"
"Your leadership has been compromised and I relieve you from it." She replied.
"You can't do that!"
"I can and I have." Boodikka replied. "Let the voting begin!"
It took but a few seconds and Jordan's ring tallied the results: Boodikka had won the vote. She smiled triumphantly as she assumed command and gave her first order. "Destroy the Tamaranian cruisers. Once they are neutralized we will then destroy the Earth. The universe will be kept safe!"
-( scene break )-
The celebration in the lab continued at full swing. Bottles of champagne were produced and Raven had a glass shoved into her free hand. Without tasting it she set it down on a nearby desk. The lab was in a frenzy, with people milling around, hugging each other while many exchanged kisses. Alexa had already taken Mark away from Raven and was celebrating herself.
Raven looked around frantically; there was no sign of either of them. She reached out with her empathic senses, but there were too many people present and they blinded her with their unbridled joy. She continued to visually scan the room, but came up empty handed. She then saw Barbara McCall nearby using her dark energy she grabbed the woman and reeled her in.
"Where are they?" Raven hissed.
McCall glared at her. "They're in that room!"
Raven released her, tossing her aside.
"You need to get laid more often, Raven. You're wound up way too tight!"
Raven gave the woman a four eyed glare before making her way to the side lab were Gar and Mar'i were supposed to be. Her stomach began to churn. If Gar wasn't out here celebrating it had to be because there was bad news, and it had to be the girl. Raven's mind began to race. Sure, he had found a cure, but Nightstar wasn't human, at least not fully human. She had been exposed to the virus and no doubt Gar was trying to adapt the cure for her unique physiology.
Raven felt a lump form in her throat. How could she have been so foolish? Alexa was right; she should have registered the girl and not have kept her hidden. And leaving her unsupervised? Stupid, stupid, stupid!
What I am going to tell Starfire and Dick? That their daughter died because of my negligence? Star is going to kill me, and rightly so.
Raven reached the door and paused. She braced herself for what was waiting on the other side. She swallowed hard before pushing the door's open button. The door hissed as its hermetic seal was undone before it slid open.
The first thing Raven saw was Mar'i. She was sitting on a chair … eating donuts. She stopped when she saw Raven and smiled. Raven ran to the child and hugged her.
"Mar'i! Are you OK!?"
"She's fine Rave!" Gar's voice called from a far corner of the room, where he was hunched over a machine.
"She is?"
"She's completely immune, thanks to her Tamaranian half."
Raven dropped to her knees. "Thank Azar! I was so worried when Alexa told me that she had been exposed."
"It's a good thing that she was. Her antibodies are human compatible! I'm preparing samples to send to LuthCorp, Star Labs, Wayne Enterprises and Dayton Industries so they can start manufacturing vaccines. I also need to make a batch for everyone here in the lab."
Raven rose to her feet. Coraline, still sleeping in her sling, stirred, but did not wake.
"So you're saying that my blunder saved the world?"
He smiled as he nodded. "I was going to give you the greatest chewing out of all time. But you're off the hook, Rave."
Raven sat down on a nearby chair, fighting back the tears.
"I can't believe that I was so careless."
"Uh, question … why is Mar'i here?"
She explained to him about Starfire's return and her escape plan.
"You should have told me."
"I was … the next time I saw you. I'm sorry I kept it a secret, I didn't want Alexa to know."
"Speaking of Alexa, where's Mark?"
"She took him, more like she confiscated him from me."
"And you miss him?"
"I hate to admit it, but I do miss him."
Gar sat down next to her and took her hand.
"Rave, if we had gone through with your escape plan, how would we have chosen who got to escape and who didn't?"
"I don't know." She replied in a whisper. "I guess now we'll never find out ... thank Azar."
Nightstar patted Raven on her arm. "Don't be sad Aunt Raven … have a donut!"
-( scene break )-
Robin and Connor sat on the couch, playing video games, trying not to think of the mayhem outside. Just as in Steele City, the Jump City tower was surrounded by all sorts of bounty hunters all armed to the teeth. Conner tossed his controller aside, forfeiting the game to Tim.
"We should just go outside and kick their sorry asses. I know that Cassie feels the same way."
Robin grinned. "So, have you and Cassie been able to … you know … without Jinx knowing?"
"Every time we try, she busts us. That witch has eyes everywhere."
"Sorry to hear that."
"It's none of her business. And I can't knock Cassie up anyway, my half Kryptonian DNA is incompatible, so I don't see why she even cares. She used to be a villain; you'd think she'd approve."
"Hey, at least you have a girlfriend."
"What about you and Steph?"
Tim frowned. "Some other dude banged her and knocked her up, and now she isn't interested at all … I'm still a virgin … how does Grayson do it? He's always had women throwing themselves at him. And he married Starfire."
"She's definitely hot." Connor agreed. "Don't sweat it Tim, you'll find the right girl."
"Yeah, right. The press is always comparing me to Dick. 'The new Robin is smaller than the original.'; "The new Robin isn't as athletic.' I hate living in his shadow."
"Come on, Tim. You're every bit the Robin he was and more. Sure, they're comparing you with Nightwing, but he's older than you. We'll see who kicks more ass when you're 25."
Tim nodded. "Yeah, you're right. Did you know I already picked a hero name for when I'm done being Robin?"
"See, now you're thinking ahead … so what did you pick?"
"Red Robin."
"Red Robin? Really?"
"Yeah, 'Red Robin'. What's wrong with it?"
"Dude, that's the name of a burger chain."
"So?"
"So the name blows. Why not just call yourself Burger King Man while you're at it? You need to come up with something else."
"It doesn't blow! It pays homage to who I used to be."
Before Superboy could counter his argument the Tower's klaxons began to blare and red lights flashed.
"Now that's more like it!" Connor cheered as Wally zoomed into the room to check the mission console.
The speedster typed furiously as the rest of the team congregated in the room.
"What is it?" Jinx asked.
-( scene break )-
Starfire nibbled on her husband's ear.
"I want more." She purred.
"Star, we've already done it twice … I'm only human."
Grayson closed his eyes and smiled.
"Once you are rested we will go for the 'hat trick', as you humans would say."
"As you command, my princess."
She resumed nibbling on his ear. Sometimes Dick couldn't believe his luck. He was married to the girl of his dreams, an unbelievably beautiful princess from the stars. And she wasn't just beautiful, she was an amazing lover. If there ever was an Olympic event for sex, she would win the gold medal hands down. He suddenly thought of his friends. The Logans were also married, and by all measures they were a good couple. Still, he couldn't help but feel a little sorry for his green friend. There was no way Raven was as good as Starfire between the sheets. The green imp had no idea what he was missing out on, not that Grayson would ever give him an opportunity to find out. Suddenly the idea of wife swapping crossed his mind, and he immediately shuddered. He knew he could never think of Raven that way. She was and always would be his sister. Babs on the other hand …
A twinge of guilt rippled across Grayson's psyche. Sure, nothing had happened so there really was nothing to confess. But deep down he knew he had committed adultery in his heart. He offered himself to Babs and her words haunted him: "it will redefine who we are and what we stand for … are you willing to do that?"
He was ready, or so he thought. He had stared into the abyss and it stared back at him and he blinked. Nothing had happened.
"Richard, are you OK? You suddenly seem so far away."
He blinked as he snapped out of his funk.
"Star, there is something I have to tell you."
"What disturbs you, my beloved?"
Before he could reply they were interrupted by the Tower's alarm system.
"Star! Nightwing! Come to the common room, ASAP. We have visitors … and they don't look friendly!"
-( scene break )-
Mento was in his study when there was a knock on the door.
"Come in."
Vernon Questor and Rita entered the room. Mento looked up from his paperwork.
"You both look pleased. What's the news?"
Questor smiled. "Garfield has done it again."
"He found the cure?"
"He has, a vaccine sample has already arrived. We should be able to start shipping vaccines in the morning."
Steve leaned back in his chair, crossed his arms and grinned. "I never doubted that he would find it. I'll contact Hal Jordan and give him the news."
Before Mento could key up his communications console the Manor's alarm system began to shriek. Negative Man's voice shouted through the console.
"We've got some uninvited guests in the compound, of the extraterrestrial type."
"What kind of aliens?"
"We're not sure. About a dozen ships just swooped down from the sky, they began to fire energy balls from these lances they have. There's like 60 of them and they look mean, Cliff and I could use a hand."
"We're on our way. Do we have any idea of what they want?" Rita shouted.
"They don't speak English, but they keep shouting something that sounds like coriander. I don't think they came to borrow some spice from us."
"Coriander?" Mento muttered to himself. "Wait, I think I know who they are! Try not to fight them."
"I think it's too late for that. Cliff's already knocked a few of them out cold."
Steve and Rita hurried to the scene. By the time they arrived half of the invaders were disabled, and those that remained standing were of the female persuasion.
"Boy, these guys are tough. So are the ladies, but you know me, I'll never hit a lady." Robot man shouted.
"Not a problem for me!" Rita shouted back as she began to grow.
Mento placed his fingertips on his temples and focused on a single word: 'STOP'.
The battle suddenly ceased as the combatants appeared to be in a daze. Mento stepped up to one of the female warriors and kissed her on the lips.
"Steve, what the hell do you think you're doing!?" A 40 foot tall Rita bellowed.
"I'm teaching her English."
"Say what? By kissing her?"
The Tamaranian female rubbed her head while her colleagues tended to their fallen comrades. "Your husband speaks the truth. We Tamaranians can learn new languages via lip contact. My name is Xola."
"And you seek Princess Koriand'r." Mento interjected.
"Princess Kori-who?" Cliff asked.
"We know her as Starfire. When Larry mentioned that they kept saying 'coriander' I knew they were Tamaranians."
He then turned to the female warrior. "I am sorry; Miss Xola, but we do not know the whereabouts of the Princess. To be honest, we thought she was on Tamaran."
"She was, but she recently returned to Earth to find her mate. My orders are to extract her from Earth before the Green Lanterns destroy it. Perhaps she is with her friends, do you know of their location?"
"I know that Cyborg is in Steele City. Nightwing is out in the field and his location is unknown. Our son and his wife are in a secret laboratory, the location of which I do not know. But there is good news, a cure has just been found. The Green Lanterns won't have to destroy the Earth."
Xola frowned. "So we have come in vain?"
"Not really. Once the global quarantine is lifted I'm sure you'll find Starfire safe and sound."
Xola nodded her agreement. "Thank you, Mento of the Doom Patrol. I will inform Galfore about the cure. We apologize for the damage and will compensate you."
"That won't be necessary."
Xola gestured to her troops, who began to limp back to their SunFire ships. She turned to Mento.
"One last question."
"Of course, please ask."
"The lip contact, you humans, you find it pleasurable?"
"In most instances, yes."
"Interesting … farewell, Doom Patrol."
Xola traced her fingers over her lips and she walked back to her ship, and a smile, unseen by Rita, appeared on her face. The SunFires fired up their engines and took off, with their course laid in for Steele City. Mento keyed up the comm console.
"Hal Jordan here."
"Hal, I have good news."
"Good, I could really use some. We're up to our elbows with Tamaranians and my teammates want to throw the Earth into the sun as soon as we deal with the Tamaranian fleet."
"A cure has been found."
"Your timing couldn't be better. Do the Tamaranians know?"
"Yes, they do."
"Good, I'll negotiate a cease fire with them. Who found the cure?"
"It was my son."
"Send my congratulations to him. Jordan out."
-( scene break )-
"Earth is vibrant with life, while Mars is dead."
Before any of you say "What about the Martian Manhunter or Miss Martian?" Well, in this story's AU, they don't exist. When those characters were created we knew very little about Mars. Now we know a lot more about it, and we have Rovers scouring its surface searching for signs of life present or past. So far they have found none.
Also on the new show, Raven admits that she has feelings for BB. Unfortunately she only admits it to herself. Next season they go on date. Why couldn't this have happened on the real show?
Now, it's time for the mailbag. As I write this we are just 8 reviews short of the 1000 mark. Again I thank all of you. This is a mile stone for me. I have never average so many reviews per chapter before. Thanks!
krostovikraven1 – Sometimes it's just better to be lucky.
TW – Well, he might have started a war with the Gordanians.
Apollo Child - She is safe and sound. And she loves donuts!
Guest – Don't count Alexa out yet. The best is still to come.
Anoymous136 – Don't you just hate it when the bad guy is right?
KnighteWolfe – It will happen, but not for the reasons you might be thinking.
Soulsurfer2112 – It is fun to hate Alexa, and soon you will hate her even more, that's a promise!
titanfan45 - Raven really lucked out,
EP – What am I going to do with Alexa? You guys just hate her so much
The Cretin – Raven's fuse is really short now.
Bluedog197 - Thanks! You are never short for words. And hang on; this story is far from over. You don't expect Alexa to just go away now, do you?
Chayseman – Well, Alexa did keep him out of sight.
Katie TDC – Yeah, the New Titans will get some action soon.
Kidstandout - Thanks!
Guest – That is high praise. Thanks!
Densharr – She was very immune.
Adventuresstime – I hope you enjoyed this chapter as well.
Evamntheawesome - Not yet, the disease is just starting to spread and is still in its very early stages.
JasonVUK – Repeat after me "I love Alexa!"
Shadico – Or Alexa might be lying?
Hairul The Nightrage Beast – Still have to wait longer to find out about Mark. A few more chapters.
DeeThom – The devil is in the details!
JOHNXgambit – Don't worry about Slade, he's still around, ready to make more trouble. Once they start distributing the vaccine his bounty will become worthless.
Angelique L – Yay! A new reviewer. Raven was worried about how to break the news to Star.
Me – Thanks!
Tjflex – Another new reviewer! I often struggle with how long to make a chapter. FWIW, this story is already too long, word wise. So I'm trying to keep the chapters shorted and more focused.
Death Stroke The Kid – Party like its 1999!
BartWLewis – Isn't serendipity great!
Maddielove95 - On the new show, I can't believe how stupid everyone is (I know it's a satire, but still). Terra has them tied up and is getting ready to kill them, and Robin/Star/Cy can only joke about Raven being jealous of Terra? O the plus side Raven kicked Terra's but and reveals to camera, but not to her friends, that she has a big crush on BB. Next season they will have a date and Terra will return.
Dragonkyng – You never know what might happen.
gabylokita41 – I think it's pretty obvious that Mark likes Raven more than Alexa
7SheWolfShaman7 - Another new reviewer! It keeps getting better! I hope this update was soon enough.
TheThoughtsofKarasu – Well, it was obvious they would find the cure.
mlbv-grimm – Alexa doesn't care if we like her or not.
Skyblue271 – Enjoy the feeling while it lasts
Sweetums14 – And you don't need a prescription.
Ravenandthefire – I hope this chapter elicits a "yes, yes, yes"