FIFTEEN
Victor sits in a decidedly not too sturdy chair within Watchtower's control room. Thoughts dabble on the ridiculousness of whether it is rated strong enough to hold his three hundred pounds frame. The intensity of a scarlet color shimmers in his cybernetic eye from muted to extremely bright. Data on the monitor before him scrolls at a rate beyond normal human interpretation. Such an information dump feeds into him not just through his cybernetic eye, but also through thin metal strands extending from one Promethium-tipped finger. The strands feed into a nearby Watchtower access port. Ports that he has placed throughout the tower.
"Is it what you think?" Carlos asks looking over Victor's shoulder.
The two are in Watchtower's central control center, CCC as Victor has dubbed it, where several dozen other individuals monitor on-Tower and off-Tower events. Victor blocks out the noise and visual distractions that buzz round him as a steady current of data streams into his system. He reaches a near meditative state that beckons him to look upon Earth through the large circular shape window. The sight of the planet always grounds him as a never changing constant in his life.
His mother's death in an automobile accident figuratively and literally crushed him during his Junior year attending Gotham City University. Severely injured in the accident, Victor's life was in the hands and intellect of his brilliant father, Silas Stone. Stone outright refused the possibility of his son dying. Using a then unknown alien technology – labeled a Change Engine, he put his son back together as Cyborg. A short-lived respite as Victor would face the agonizing death of his father two months later. Victor's hope and desire for life circled the drain until Diana found him. She and the League brought him back from the precipice of his own self-oblivion. They have become his sister and brothers. A family.
And now there is Sarah.
Thoughts of her cannot be compartmentalized in his mind; she invades every space therein. She did not cringe touching him. Kissing him. He thought no woman would ever want to be with a cyborg. A man with metal legs and arms. A head with artificial constructs. Yet, Sarah did not flinch. She welcomed him into her life. Into her bed. Their first moment as a couple was brief, but there is now a promise of so much more. She can be another constant. Events of the last few years has proven to Victor that constants, from his parents, to Earth, to the League can become more in jeopardy each day. Earth, in particular, is no longer a singular existence in the universe. It has become a nation amongst other nation planets where sentient life exists and evolves. And travels.
"I do believe we have visitors," Victor says to Carlos.
"Extraterrestrial type visitors?" he asks.
"The signature of the ships I'm detecting definitely reads that way. Not of Earth," Victor answers.
"Not ship, but ships?" Carlos catches.
"Two," Victor says. "Both in Metropolis."
"The Oa?" Carlos asks.
"That is the question, isn't it? Regardless though, they're here," Victor says disengaging himself from Watchtower's system.
The strands slink back into his finger. Dressed in his black, Watchtower sweatsuit, he rolls up his hoodie arm sleeves, and walks over to the circular window. His Promethium feet make little noise on the metal floor. Professor Hamilton created a material that goes over his feet like a sock. It contains some Promethium, but is primarily used for style and cleanliness. Victor hates having to clean the bottom of his cybernetic feet multiple times a day.
"What do we do?" Carlos asks joining him.
"I have the ships' readout signatures," Victor says. "Looks like I'm going on a field trip."
"Could be dangerous, Vic," Carlos says.
"Yeah, I'm feeling that," Victor responds.
"Back up?" Carlos asks.
"I think so," Victor agrees. "I know you'll say they all are, but give me three that are level-headed and field tested."
"I can do that," Carlos affirms. "I'll have them meet you at teleportation B."
"Sounds good, fifteen minutes," Victor says. "I'll go brief the Director."
"Speaking of directors," Carlos chimes in looking at Earth. "Do we say anything down below?"
"Is Waller still aboard?" Victor questions.
"No, she left," Carlos responds. "Not in a good mood."
"Is she ever?" Victor retorts. "Clark preaches transparency. Let them know we're investigating a potential alien visitor. Stress we know neither good nor bad. It's in Metropolis and to, as of right now, stay out of my way. A governmental response can put a lot of people in harm's way."
"You really believe Amanda will hold off?" Carlos asks. "She has the President's ear."
"It is what it is," Victor says. "She has enough spies out there to know when something is going on. Better to keep her in the loop, then to have her play this out for political gain."
Just over fifteen minutes later, Victor and his team teleport down to Metropolis inside a Justice League safehouse building owned by Wayne Enterprises. The team put together by Carlos consists of people Victor has worked with before. Even shared a meal or two. Mitch, who is an outstanding field tactician. Shayla, proficient with all types of weaponry. And Jack, who knows how to improvise in the context of a mission's parameters.
"Okay," Victor says. "We have two ship signatures, approximately twelve miles apart from each other. I'll take the one near Perez Park. You three head over to Siegel Lake. Remember, just reconnaissance, unless matters become escalated. We have no idea how many there are. What they look like. The ships are undoubtedly cloaked."
"You good on your own?" Mitch asks.
"No idea," Victor responds. "If things go sideways, I'm sure Waller will be itching to intervene."
"You really think she's out there?" Shayla asks checking her armament over.
"Definitely," Victor responds handing each a small, black rectangular piece of hard plastic.
"Find the ship," Victor states. "Then find him, her, them, it, whatever. That will lock in on bios not of Earth. Contact me or Watchtower with updates. Touch down half-mile away and walk it in. No need to announce your arrival with a flyover. Good?"
"Yes, sir," they all respond putting thin, backpack-like devices on with connecting gauntlets around their wrists.
"Nothing stupid," Victor reiterates. "Follow your training. I know, I know, not much on aliens, but stick with protocol on unknowns."
Victor presses a nearby button on the wall. The tall ceiling slides away revealing an overcast day.
"You're up," Victor says. "Do Watchtower proud. And keep it safe."
The security detail ignites their mobile flying units, and up, up and away they fly over Metropolis out of Victor's sight.
"Carlos," Victor says.
"Reading you," Carlos says in Victor's audio feed.
"You have our three on scope?" Victor asks. "They just left."
"Got 'em," Carlos responds. "They should be at Siegel in two. You?"
"Leaving now," Victor states.
Short wisps of smoke escape Victor's cybernetic body as tiny, powerful thrusters pop-out of his Promethium legs. A back and torso still made of flesh, bone and blood is protected by Promethium armor. More thrusters pop out from there. Ignition. He quickly rises a quarter of a mile above the city. He takes an absurd second to imagine himself as Clark hovering over Superman's Metropolis. The smirk refuses to leave Victor's face as he flies past Clark and Diana's home. And then the old Daily Planet building. A drizzly rain begins to fall pelting his skin and metal. Just beyond the newspaper building, he spies Perez Park.
Victor touches down just behind a grove of trees. People are scrambling for shelter as the rain begins to come down harder. His internal tracker places the ship just four hundred meters away. He begins to move out when a stray dog runs towards him. It stops several feet away from Victor's position. The dog does a quick yelp before sitting down on its haunches. And just stares at a tin man in the rain.
Victor kneels down on one leg and beckons the brown coated Labrador over to him. The dog beats its tail on the grass a couple of times before cautiously moving towards the sparkly shiny, silver color that is Victor. A sniff here, a sniff there, and the dog goes all in with hopping up and around.
"Big, metal man don't scare you? No, big, metal man don't scare you," Victor sing-songs while massage petting the dog's face.
"Dog!? Dog!?" Victor hears several seconds before a boy of maybe twelve years old comes into view from around some nearby bushes. He stands slack-jaw at the sight of Victor.
"Hi," Victor says in the most friendly voice he can muster. "This your dog?"
"Yeah," the boy manages appearing to be somewhere between awe and fright.
"The name of your dog, is Dog?" Victor asks.
"Yeah," the boy manages.
"Interesting name, don't you think?" Victor asks. "I guess Cat would have been inappropriate."
"Yeah," the boy says.
"Well," Victor soothes. "Who is anyone to say what you should name your pet?"
"You're Cyborg," the boy says.
"I am," Victor says stroking the dog's back. "But my friends call me, Vic. What's your name?"
"Scott," he says.
"Nice to meet you, Scott," Victor says stretching his Promethium hand out towards him.
Scott takes a tentative step before shaking Victor's hand.
"Friends?" Victor asks.
"Friends," Scott repeats. "You're in the Justice League."
"I am," Victor says. "It's pretty cool."
"You are Earth's protectors," Scott says.
"Well, not sure about that," Victor defers. "But, we always, and will always try to stand between the light and the dark. You understand that?"
"Yes," Scott says. "You protect those who are unable to protect themselves."
"Something like that," Victor responds pondering Scott's response. "So, is your mom? Dad, nearby?"
"Yeah," Scott says. "Around the hill from where I came."
"Good," Victor replies. "I'm on official League business, so I need you and Dog to go back to your parents. Can you do that for me?"
"Yes," Scott says reaching into his pocket. "My friends and family will never believe I met Cyborg. Can I get a scan?"
"Scan? That's a new one," Victor says. "That current slang among you and your friends? Cool. Let's make it quick, okay?"
Victor remains kneeling with Dog in front of him, as Scott reaches into his pants' pocket. It's too bad Victor did not have his non-Earth bio detector activated because he would have been better prepared.
"Oh, shit," is what he manages as loud, cracking noises emanate from Dog. Its legs begin to grow and reshape into very muscular, humanoid legs and arms. Its face morphs into a skeletal structure resembling human attributes sharing space with a beak-like nose. A singular eye that stretches horizontally across its face above the beak, blinks into awareness. It turns and stands quickly towering over Victor.
"Damn it, Stone," he chides himself.
The boy that was once Scott has made a similar change. It holds something in his extremely long-fingered hand that Victor has little desire to see used.
"Are we talking this out?" Victor says.
Scott walks over to Dog, his weapon still aimed at Victor.
"There is little to talk about, Earth human," Scott says in a low, growly manner.
"You say that with such vile. C'mon," Victor says. "The bad guy always talks first before shooting."
"Strange," Scott says. "You would categorize us as bad. We do what we are able to do. Why should that be bad?"
"You're with, Braniac," Victor asserts.
"We serve Braniac," Scott says. "Words you use, Cyborg. Trick me into talking."
Scott fires the device at Victor.
Victor had been scanning and pacing himself since the two aliens pulled their metamorphosis. He now has a read on the energy signature the device is emitting. So much so that he moves a split second before the device fires. His side-step to the left saves him from being hit. Victor immediately ducks down as Dog telegraphs the huge haymaker that misses him. A loud whooshing noise from whatever fired from the device slams into Victor's sensors. He pushes through and delivers an uppercut to Dog that sends him sailing several feet up and away into a nearby tree.
The whooshing noise emanates from behind Victor, and it is not going away. A loud, constant noise comparable to an air tunnel being powered up. It drowns out the hard raindrops splashing upon Victor's body. His internals furiously process as he locks onto Scott. His human eye maintains visual on the once upon a time boy while his cybernetics show him what is going on behind him.
"What the Hell?" Victor's mind races with.
Five hundred twenty-three light years away, Bruce, Arthur and Barry ride inside a shuttle descending into Oa's atmosphere. The motion is anything but smooth as Kilowog dips and zips the shuttle under unyielding attack from Braniac's forces. The red-twinge sky lights up in barrages of lasers and explosions as the shuttle navigates its way toward the Oa Citadel.
"Shields are failing," Bruce says sitting next to Kilowog. "Down to fifty percent."
"Means we can take about three more hits," Kilowog says. "That should get us down. At least close enough if we have to abandon the shuttle."
"How far are we from Hal?" Arthur asks.
"He should be at the Citadel," Kilowog says. "Any remaining Guardians should be there too. There is no timetable for when Braniac will use the weapon. We need to get everyone out before that happens."
"Are we certain the Citadel is Braniac's goal?" Barry asks.
"The planets left in his wake were nearly destroyed," Kilowog says. "Entire cities leveled to the ground. Millions of casualties. The one mystery was what happened to the largest, most populated cities on these planets. There were no remains. The cities were just gone. Nothing left but smoke and a gigantic hole in the ground. Like the city was scooped away. Gone. That will be the Citadel if we do not stop Braniac."
"That doesn't make sense," Bruce says. "He could destroy the Citadel from orbit. Why send down troops? For the pleasure of hunting and killing? This is something else."
"Such as?" Arthur asks.
"I don't know. He must want something there," Bruce responds as the shuttle shakes from another enemy hit. "Down to thirty-three percent shields."
"What could he possibly want?" Kilowog says keeping sight of an enemy ship coming in from his twelve. He turns the shuttle in a quick barrel roll downward as a standing Arthur digs his hands into Bruce and Kilowog's chairs to maintain balance.
Barry, also standing, fluctuates his body at a high rate of speed attuning it to the physics of the spinning and dropping shuttle. He becomes a blur of motion able to stay upright as the ship continues to evade its pursuers.
It dives towards the surface as the city comes further into view. Fire and smoke billow out of the many, white-colored buildings erected close together and many others reaching so very tall towards the sky. Vessels, enemy and friendly, weave in and around the buildings tracking and firing upon each other. Green sparks and large flashes fill the landscape as Green Lanterns fight onward.
The shuttle takes another hit as it sways through a corridor of buildings.
"Remember I said three hits?!" Kilowog yells.
"We're going down," Bruce realizes.
"Brace yourselves!" Kilowog roars.
The shuttle crashes against the side of a building spraying glass-like material in all directions. The shuttle further digs into the building's side as it falls and makes impact with the roof of a skywalk bridge extending from one building to another. The shuttle rocks back and forth before gravity takes hold and it goes through the bridge's ceiling and lands on its wide walkway. Debris rains down on the shuttle from its crash course route from above.
Bruce's seat, with him in it, is still intact despite crumpled inward sections of the ship near his head. He looks over to Kilowog who is uninjured in the pilot's chair. "You couldn't have used your ring to bring us down safely?"
"Prudent calculations," Kilowog says. "My ring's energy is now finite. I'm only using it when there is no other option. I figured we would all survive this."
"I can respect that," Bruce responds seeing Arthur pick himself up from the floor. The King of Atlantis stands grabbing his trident that he had jabbed into the ship's floor, to secure it, just before things spun out of control.
"We have some smoke back here," Barry says moving towards the front.
"No shit," Arthur says. He goes to the shuttle door that is partially bent towards him. The trident pierces the door, and Arthur rips the door off its attachments. He kicks it off his trident onto the bridge's surface.
"Barry," Bruce says. "Do a recon. Avoid any engagement if possible."
Barry kicks into gear flashing out of the shuttle.
"Kilowog?" Bruce begins. "Do you know our position?
"Yeah," he says stepping out of the shuttle followed by Arthur and Bruce. They walk over to a clear side of the bridge observing the chaos around and below. "I've traveled this way many times. We're not far."
"War has its own distinct smells and noises," Arthur comments. "The diversity of people, Kilowog. Who are we fighting? I know you Lanterns have the uniforms; I know what Guardians look like. Who else are we allied with here?
"The Vendians," Kilowog says. "We were transferring them to their new home. I fear their numbers may be dwindling."
"And these Vendians look like what?" Arthur inquires looking below at the so many different bodies colliding. Clawing. Wrestling. Doing all they can to survive. Kill.
"They are shades of yellow, hairless, and are tripedal," Kilowog says.
"Three legs?" Bruce asks. "You could have led with that."
Kilowog nods as a rush of air flows into and around them. It is Barry with a familiar Green Lantern on his back.
"Hal!?" Arthur yells bringing Hal in for a bro-hug. "You're still alive, eh?"
"Arthur," Hal smiles through all the grime, sweat and some blood on his face.
Hal shakes Bruce's hand. "Good to see you, Batman," Hal says.
Bruce manages a smile. "We came a long way for you ass, Jordan. Seems like a total s-show of a situation here. What is the situation?"
"In a nutshell," Hal starts while greeting Kilowog. "Braniac is the biggest threat this universe may have yet to face. We don't know why, but he has been to multiple planets. Inhabited. We're still trying to figure how many, right now we know of twelve for sure. He sends his armies in and they lay waste to it. That's it. The scale of this, Bruce. I, I'm at a lost."
"No idea of his endgame?" Bruce questions.
"No," Hal says. "Clark and Diana, they're up there with Braniac?"
"That's the plan," Bruce says. "Communications have been screwy. Does Brainiac have J'onn?"
"Last I saw, J'onn was on board," Hal says. "I couldn't bust through the force field Braniac had around the ship. I barely got out. Thirty-eight Green Lanterns didn't make it."
"I'm sorry. Hal, numbers down here," Bruce says. "What are we looking at with friendlies?"
"A handful of Lanterns. Kilowog. Me. Less than twenty," Hal says. "We're running near empty on our rings. The Vendians have joined in the fight, but many that can fight have already been moved to their new home world. We got Corp members who aren't yet Lanterns, some instructors. Other Oa residents. The majority of Lanterns are off world. I'd say we're outnumbered maybe ten to one."
"Doable," Arthur offers with no hint of sarcasm.
"My ring is tapped," Hal says. "All I have is a blaster."
"Welcome to my world," Bruce says. "They're focusing on the Citadel. What does it house of value?"
"Everything," Hal says. "Several Guardians are holed up in there. Hopefully. Thousand of records, artifacts of the universe's history as known and followed by the Guardians. Going back hundreds of millennia. The battery that powers the Green Lantern rings is there."
"Which is no longer functioning," Barry says.
"Correct," Hal offers. "There was an initial attack from Braniac's ship down onto the Citadel. The biggest damn flash I've ever seen. We believed that was what knocked out the main Battery, but the field around the Citadel remained. It's still up."
"You believed? You think something else got to the battery?" Bruce questions.
"Not something, someone. Braniac had a person on the inside. A shapeshifter," Hal says. "She took the place of a Citadel worker. Attached something to the Battery. It depowered."
"It can't be removed?" Arthur says.
"Tried, but fear it can do permanent damage if forced," Hal answers.
"Where is this shapeshifter now?" Arthur asks.
"Dead," Hal says.
"Are you certain it was only she?" Bruce asks.
"I don't know, Bruce," sighs Hal. "I don't know."
"Okay. Something to keep in mind. The building's field, no one can get in?" Bruce asks for confirmation.
"Not quite," Hal says. "The Guardians realized by sending the Green Lanterns after Braniac, there was a good chance he would retaliate against Oa. The shield around the Citadel is more of an energy damper that when hit, disperses the excess energy. You or I wouldn't even notice while moving through it. Bottomline, great for long range attacks, not so much for up close and personal fighting."
"Let me get this straight," Bruce says. "Oa picked a fight with Braniac knowing that it could bite them in the ass? While there were millions of transplants here? Fodder for Braniac and his forces."
"They felt it was a low risk," Hal stumbles. "There were millions of other lives at stake, Bruce. We had to act. Our misjudgment was, is our inability to stop him."
"Maybe," Bruce observes. "But now. Bottomline, that hell of didn't pan out. So, they call in Superman to save the day. We don't know the extent of Braniac's power. Don't know if Clark and Diana can stop him."
"We don't," Hal says. "But, Bruce, if Clark and Diana don't stand a chance, will it matter?"
"Not worth thinking about right now," Bruce replied. "It appears as long as the Citadel stays out of Braniac's hands, the remainder of the city won't be destroyed. From what I could see on the ride down, there are a lot of people still in the streets below."
"There are," Hal says.
"You have people protecting the Citadel?" Bruce asks Hal.
"We were at a standstill when Barry showed up," Hal replies.
"Damn. I hate the thought of sacrificing lives," Bruce says. "But the Citadel is primary. Kilowog, you need to get us there now."
"I agree," he says floating several feet up from the bridge. Green light flows out of his Lantern ring. It spills and grows onto the bridge. Transitioning and shaping into a transport vehicle. "Get in."
"Let's ride," Arthur says hopping into the translucent chariot.
"You good for this, Hal?" Bruce asks noticing his friend's hampered gait.
"Better now that you guys are here," Hal says climbing in next to Bruce. "This place is where I became a Lantern. I'll defend it until I can't."
"Clark pointed out the wonder of being out here," Bruce says as Kilowog takes off with them in tow. "Space. Other planets. All I see is the mayhem potential. As it could affect Earth."
"Light and the dark, you and Clark are," Hal says. "Both of you are correct. I never thought I would see anything more breathtaking than an Earth horizon sunrise in the pilot's seat. Things I've seen out here, Bruce. And, yeah, there's some ugly out here too."
"My wheelhouse," Bruce says.
"Should my heart be beating this fast?" Barry asks as his eyes dart every which way taking in the small and large battles from above.
"Just trying to keep up with your feet," Arthur says watching the skies for any attacks.
Bruce grunts, checking his gear placed strategically across his body.
"I got the Batman-grunt," Arthur announces smiling at Bruce. "Love it when that happens."
"You ever think of getting a mask to keep that hair of yours in check?" Bruce asks handing Hal some armament.
"And a Batman joke, too?" Arthur grins moving his long, windblown hair from his face. "Kent will be jealous to have missed this."
"Game faces, gentlemen," Bruce says.
"We're here," Hal says pointing in the near distance.
"I wish you people would point the obvious out first," Bruce observes. "Of course the Citadel is the tallest building in the city."
"It's super-hot!" Kilowog roars. "We're going in."
There is no clear landing area to be found. Kilowog attempts to weave himself and the transport through enemy fire from below and in the air.
"I'm using a lot of energy!" Kilowog yells.
"Meet you there," Arthur says as he stands, sits on the transport's edge and rocks back over.
He lands fifty feet below in the midst of fighting. His trident quickly tastes alien blood. A clearing circle surrounds him as the enemy is wary taking on this new foe.
"He does realize neither side knows who he is?" Hal says.
"Don't worry, I got his back," Barry says as he too hops off the transport, and rotates his arms so quickly his body floats downward. Barry drops the final ten feet and runs through a path of bodies left by Arthur who is nearing the Citadel.
"And does Barry realize neither side knows who he is?" Hal says.
Bruce stands up putting one foot on the edge railing of the transport. "We're the Justice League," he says. "Kilowog, you got, Hal?"
"Yeah," Kilowog replies as Bruce launches a titanium rope line into a tall, vertical construct.
He launches himself off the transport and swings downward onto the paved ground. Kilowog grabs Hal's hand while deconstructing their ride into nothingness.
"That's the group you always talk about?" Kilowog asks as he carries Hal over the battle below.
"They are," Hal answers looking to the front of the Citadel where the battle line is getting closer to the entrance. "You meet Superman and Wonder Woman?"
"I still have the bruises," Kilowog says.
"I have to hear that story," Hal says. "Over there, let's drop down."
Kilowog and Hal land down in a courtyard area in front of the Citadel. A massive sculpture of a Green Lantern ring sits in the center of it. Hal notices near his position, enemy bodies sailing up in the sky. It is Arthur making his way towards he and Kilowog. Barry and Bruce are right behind.
"We can't let them get inside," Kilowog says as he notices a fellow Green Lantern flying down to his position.
"Kilowog!" she greets. "It's good to see you. I thought you dead."
"Not yet," he says as the two wrap hands around each other's forearm.
"What's it like out there?" he asks.
"We're holding right now," she says. "But they keep coming, and soon our rings will be useless."
"We have some assistance," Kilowog says looking over to the members of Justice League. "They're from Hal's planet, Earth."
"Just the three?" she asks.
"Two more are aboard Braniac's ship, we think," Kilowog says. "I've signed off on them."
"Really?" the pink-skinned woman questions looking over Bruce, Arthur and Barry. "I am Lashoor. I hope Kilowog's faith in you is justified."
"She has six arms," Barry whispers to Arthur.
"And excellent hearing," Lashoor says.
"Barry," Bruce says a bit annoyed. "Run. Assist and save. Everyone you can."
"Got it," Barry responds taking off leaving Lashoor's long mane of red hair flowing upwards.
"This shield?" Bruce queries. "It's up now? Where?"
"It's still functioning," Hal says. "The perimeter is about fifty yards in either direction of the building."
"Hal, that's a big building," Bruce says. "Which floors need most protection?"
"All the good stuff is below ground, Bruce," Hal says.
"That's a plus," he responds. "That includes whatever is generating the field?"
"Yes," Hal responds.
"Okay. We don't stop until the enemy is down or until word from Clark and Diana. Don't say it," Bruce warns Hal ready to question the sentiment.
Heavy feet sink into the muddy grass.
Victor carries the Dog alien onto the ship. He drops the unconscious and bound body next to the secured Scott. An exhausted Victor sits down hand-checking the scrapes and bruises on his face. Blood, coagulated and dried, dots his mouth and jaw. In his other hand, he holds the weapon Scott used earlier.
"I've been on two alien ships in less than one day," he says. "I much preferred my time on the other one."
"Your time is limited, human," Scott says.
"Hold that thought," Victor says as an incoming call signals on his internal comms.
"Mitch, you good?" Victor asks.
"Yeah," Mitch's voice says. "It was just one. Nasty looking sucker, but we have him. And, um, Waller's here."
"Shit," Victor says. "She trying to takeover?"
"You know it," Mitch says. "Orders?"
"You have the alien ship?" Victor asks.
"Yes," Mitch responds.
"Let Waller have it," Victor says. "And the alien. You three meet me here in the park."
"I assume you have the target and ship?" Mitch asks.
"You assume correctly," Victor answers. "You ever ride in an alien ship before?"
"Nope," Mitch laughs.
"Then you're about to experience a first," Victor says. "See you in a few."
"You are arrogant," Scott says. "Will be your downfall."
"Maybe," Victor says. "Now, you're talking like a bad guy. Here's the deal…Scott. I'm getting all sorts of bad thoughts that Braniac has set his sights on Earth. I thought he was at Oa?"
The light purple complexion of Scott's face deepens in color. "You know of Oa?" he queries.
"Yeah, sure do," Victor says. "It might be his last stop."
A weird cackling noise comes out of Scott's thin-lipped, barely evident mouth.
"Braniac cannot be stopped," Scott says. "We know of your Justice League. You may have stopped us here, but you have little idea what is coming your way.
Victor twirls the lipstick shaped weapon device between his fingers.
"And this?" he asks pointing it at Scott. "You fired it. What was that, that opened up?"
"You are more machine than man," Scott says. "You would be dead now if that was not the case. It targets body temperature readout, calibrated for Earth humans. It was confused by you."
"And what does it do?" says a slow-boiling, Victor moving closer to Scott. "Maybe if I did this, it would have sensed my body temperature?"
Victor's left hand and forearm begin to transform. Scott's lone eye is mesmerized by the shifting of Promethium and cables. Victor's hands and fingers recede leaving a medium-size, three inch in diameter barrel. The tip of it glows a deep, bright blue.
"That blue you see, nasty little thing called plasma," Victor says moving his now cannon arm closer to Scott's face. "Very hot. Very dangerous. I get the feeling it might do similar damage as whatever the hell this is you fired."
"Killing me won't stop Braniac," Scott's voice squeaks.
"Not going to kill you," Victor Stone says. "Bring you back to where we can keep you and Dog, under watch. You offer a full plate of research – alien race, ability to change shape, which should be physiological impossible. Yet here you are, a wonder of the universe. On top of that, I get to study this cool-ass ship of yours and all the techno-goodies."
"Cool ass?" Scott inquires.
"I guess those translation communicators don't quite interpret everything," Victor says. "No worries, I know a couple of gentlemen who will love spending time with you.
Victor smiles and stands up as he hears the familiar noise of the S.T.A.R. labs' air mobile packs. He steps outside the ship to see his team landing.
"Waller take him in?" Victor asks.
"The look on her face when we didn't put up a fight was priceless," Mitch says. "You okay, you look a little…"
"Beat up?" Victor concludes. "I'm good. You three, though, look fresh as daisies."
"Shayla here, took ours out from a distance," Mitch says. "Too many people around. Made the call. Was a bit worried their bios would be different from ours, but the trank worked.
"I got two in there," he says nodding over to the ship. "Let's get out of this rain before I rust. C'mon people, you can laugh at that."
Mitch is the first to crack a smile followed by the other two. "You can't rust though, right?" he chimes in.
"No," Victor responds. "But another storm may be coming. Let's get back to Watchtower."