In the next chapter, LM and the Titans discuss plans, gather what they
need, grab the car, and leave for their adventure. It's nothing much, but
gives a lot of detail.
Thirteenth Chapter Notes
The cars and trucks names I got in different car web sites. The old school cars I got from some of the episodes of Pimp My Ride. The laptop name I got from the Sony web site. The shotgun name I found on a Half-Life site.
Disclaimer: I don't own the names on the sites.
Chapter 13: Departure
Night Owl led the team to the briefing room, turning from corner to corner. The Titans were enjoying their drinks. Robin and Cyborg drank Powerade, Beast Boy had a soy milkshake, Terra got a V8, Starfire (oddly enough) sipped on a jar of mustard, and Raven had another cup of herbal tea.
Beast Boy: Dude, I can't believe that your kitchen was packed and nothing's expired.
Night Owl: Yes well, we need energy to keep our minds focused. Besides, you deserve this break after what you guys went through. I mean no beginner ever passed an expert level like that.
Robin: What expert level?
Night Owl: The agent you fought back there.
Cyborg: Wait a sec, you mean LM lied to us.
Night Owl: Well not all of it. You see the first two courses were easy but when the captain saw you passed the first two he decided to do something different.
Raven: And your captain did that because...
Night Owl: He likes to take the challenge of it.
They all approached a door labeled "BRIEFING" in black paint. Night Owl opened the door and the Titans went in. When they went in, they saw LM, Morpheus, and Niobe gathered around a sturdy table filled with blueprints, papers, and laptops.
Morpheus: The Teen Titans. Forgive my immediate urgency, but as you already know, time is always against us.
Robin: So what did we miss?
LM: Apparently, we got good news and bad news. Which one do you want to hear first?
Starfire: Perhaps we should listen to the news of pleasantness first.
Robin: Good idea Star. So what's up?
Niobe: Lock, our commander in Zion, looked up information from a disk that Last Hope extracted from Merovingian. What you see on the table are blueprints and information of an incivious device known as the Alterer. This machine is used to alter the Matrix in case something goes terribly wrong. If we don't stop it at midnight, Merovingian and Slade will control everything.
Terra: No problem, we'll launch a missile and it'll be over with.
Morpheus: That won't work. The outside casing is made out of a special steel that's ten times thick. A missile will only scratch it.
Beast Boy: Then how are we supposed to destroy this thing?
Niobe: By going into the belly of the beast. The Alterer's core is made out of a material known as neptunium, a very rare but very dangerous element. One side effect is that it's vulnerable to flames. Our only option is to place a detonator in the core and blow the device straight to hell.
Cyborg: Hold up, you don't expect us to go in there. Anyone who's exposed with neptunium will die instantly.
LM: Didn't you hear Morpheus, Cyborg? The casing is made out of titanium; it's the same material as Robin's cape. Most likely it's protecting whatever's outside from the core inside. One of us will go inside the core with the cape around us and place the detonator. It won't be easy, but this is the only shot we have here.
The looks at the Titans faces show uncertain comfort on this mission. Robin, who knows how dangerous this is going to be, made his decision.
Robin: Looks like we have no choice. Do you know where the Alterer is?
LM: Uh... Actually, that's the bad news.
Morpheus: We didn't find any info on the Alterer's location. For what we know, the only people that knows the location is Merovingian and Slade.
Cyborg: Since Slade is impossible to catch, that means...
Robin: We have to find Merovingian.
LM: That's a great idea. Unfortunately, that's another problem.
Robin: What?
LM: Merovingian is a tricky program. Since the Matrix is huge, he is able to move freely around the place without detection. It's impossible to find him, even on Google.
Raven: So what you're trying to say is that we're screwed.
Niobe: No. There's a way to get to Merovingian.
Niobe handed a photo to Robin. Robin looked at the photo and saw a homeless guy in a subway car.
Robin: So, who am I looking at.
Morpheus: He goes by the name of the Trainman. He works for Merovingian and was responsible for transporting the Alterer from our world to your world. If we catch the Trainman before he leaves, we'll be able to locate Merovingian and stop the Alterer.
Robin: And do you know where we can find him?
LM: He always hangs around in subways. It's the only place for him to transport equipment and other programs from the machine world.
Beast Boy: Great, just our luck. We can't find the Alterer, and we have to play tag with some homeless guy in the subway tunnels.
Morpheus: LM, you and the Titans will leave at 5 PM. In the meantime, I believe the Titans need a break.
LM: Very well. Connecter is almost finish with your communicators. Perhaps you guys wish to chill in my team's room.
Robin: If you say so. We'll rest there.
LM: Good, follow me please.
In Last Hope's room, it's almost like something a real teenager love. Even though the room has peeled off wall paints and worn out furniture, there's some electric technology for them. There's a digital, wide screen TV, an Aiwa surround sound system playing Audioslave, an X Box, and Dell high- speed computer with Internet connections. Connecter was putting the final installments on the last Titan Communicator, Kill Switch was fixing the weapons for LM, Silent Night and Night Owl were talking to each other, and Max Speed was watching WWE Raw on tape.
Kill Switch: I bet you ten bucks that Christian will beat Chris Jerico in that steel cage.
Max Speed: Kill Switch, you lost 40 dollars to me on both the Super Bowl and the Wrestlemania main event. You expect me to bet you on this match?
Kill Switch: Just one more Max, and then that's it.
Max Speed: All right, one more bet. Forty bucks on Jerico.
Night Owl: Jesus, does Kill Switch ever get tired of losing bet on Max.
Connecter: That's him you know. He's good with the gun, but he's not good on bets.
Kill Switch: Connecter. SHUT UP!
Just then the door opened and LM came in. The Titans followed behind them. Last Hope quickly acted and pulled out their guns and rifles at the Titans but LM stopped them.
LM: It's all right team, they need a place to crash for a while.
Last Hope put their guns away and went back to their own business. Robin looked around the place then looked back at LM.
Robin: So this is where you guys live huh?
LM: Yeah. It's not much, but it's close to home.
Starfire: I don't see any beds. Where do you hibernate?
LM: Actually, we sleep outside of the Matrix. But that's another story. Connecter, are the communicators ready?
Connecter: They are all ready sir.
The Titans approached a table where there are 5 of their communicators and LM's Samsung cell phone.
Connecter: Now Titans, I modify your communicators so that the agents won't tap and trace them to our headquarters. They are also connected to LM's cell phone, so that LM will talk to you guys or you can talk to LM yourself.
LM: Thanks Connecter. Now you guys make yourselves right at home until we leave.
LM grabbed his cell phone and put it on his belt buckle. He then approached to Kill Switch who had the weapons on another table, as well as a ten-dollar bill.
LM: Let me guess, another bet with Max Speed?
Kill Switch: You know it captain. This time, I'm going to win this bet.
LM: Whatever, just hook me up with some heavy-duty weaponry.
Kill Switch: Yes captain, here are your usual weapons. Two P229 pistols with four clips, two Mac11s with four clips, five grenades, three smoke grenades, and two flash bangs.
LM placed all his guns and grenades in his weaponry belt. Kill Switch then took out a shotgun and ammo from underneath and placed it on the table.
LM: What's this?
Kill Switch: Captain, say hello to the XM1014 shotgun. The Phalanx grabbed this and other weapons from the Black Mesa army base 5 months ago.
LM: Why the hell would I need a shotgun?
Kill Switch: This isn't no ordinary shotgun sir. This baby's been modified so it can be used in case of an alien attack. It only works on close range targets but its firing power is real strong. (opening the shotgun) The ammunition is 12-guage shells that can put a hole through a person's insides. It could be useful when you're in deep shit.
LM thought about it for a moment then grabbed the box of shotgun ammo and placed it in his trench coat pocket and placed the shotgun with the strap behind his back.
LM: I'll take your word Kill Switch. Anything else?
Kill Switch: Just one more thing.
Kill Switch went to the closet and took out a backpack with a timer on it. He then placed it on the table.
Kill Switch: Morpheus told me that you need a detonator. So I went through the inventory and found the perfect one for you. In the backpack, there are twenty dynamite sticks and two gallons of nitro glycerin. Enough to blow up the core. There's a digital clock on the outside and is set to explode at midnight.
LM: The same time as the Alterer will be activated.
Kill Switch: The detonator's not armed so you have to put in the code to arm it. I'll give you the code.
Kill Switch gives LM a piece of paper with the code the reads '84953'. LM slips it in his trench coat pocket with the shotgun shells.
Kill Switch: Captain, can I ask you something? Do you think that the Titans need some weapons for protection?
LM looked at the Titans, who were feeling comfortable for the moment, and looked back at Kill Switch for an answer.
LM: Kill Switch, they don't need any weapons. They are the Teen Titans, youngsters of justice, and the only super hero teenage group in the Matrix. They have incredible agility, unimaginable strength, and have special gifts. They don't need guns, rifles, or rocket launchers.
Kill Switch: But do you think you can trust these people. I mean, you beat them down and well-
LM: Listen, I don't like this more then you. But this is a serious situation we got here. I consider working with them then against them.
Kill Switch: Right, right.
Announcer on TV: Here's your winner, Chris Jerico.
Kill Switch: (exploded) WHAT!?!
Max Speed: You heard the announcer my man, pay up.
Kill Switch: How about two out of three?
Everyone was relaxing until the clock struck five. The Titans were leaving Last Hope's room until LM stopped them, so that he would say good bye to his own team.
Connecter: Good bye captain.
LM: Bye Connecter.
Night Owl: We'll wish you luck sir.
LM: Thanks Night Owl.
Kill Switch: If you're get into any trouble, you call us.
LM: I will.
Max Speed: Let Neo be with you sir.
LM: And also with you.
Silent Night gave LM a hug for luck.
Silent Night: Captain, please be careful.
LM: As careful as I can be. (turning to the Titans) All right Titans, time to go.
LM and the Titans left the room and headed to the garage. When they went into the garage, the Titans couldn't believe what they are seeing. The garage is almost like a parking lot floor and was filled with a variety of cars, trucks, and motorcycles. The bikes were from Harvey Davidson, Suzuki, and Yamaha. There are a number of old school cars like the Mustang, the Honda CRX, the Pontiac Trans Am, the Oldsmobile Cutless Supreme, and the Cadillac. There are also a number of new cars like the Lexus ES, the Honda Element, the GMC Sierra, the Toyota Celica, the Mitsubishi Eclipse, and the Scion XB. And there were powerful trucks like the Dodge Caravan, the Toyota Sienna, the Jeep 4X4, the Mercury Villager LS, and the Ford Windstar.
Beast Boy: Dude, look at all these cars.
Cyborg: Yeah, and the garage is huge. How did you get all these vehicles man?
LM: Let's just say we have some connections.
Robin: So, which ones are we taking any ways?
LM took out a key chain out of his trench coat pocket.
LM: Actually, I got the perfect ride for us.
He pushed the button on the key chain and out comes a black Cadillac Escalade. The Escalade stopped in front of them.
LM: Hop on in Titans, we don't have a lot of time.
The Titans went inside the truck while LM opened the trunk and put both the detonator and the shotgun in the back. He then went inside the truck and looked at the Titans. Robin was next to LM in the front, Starfire and Cyborg were in the middle seats, and Beast Boy, Terra, and Raven were in the back. Inside the Escalade was a Sony VAIO X505 Notebook with online capability on the bench council.
Robin: Uh... Do you know how to drive this truck?
LM: Robin, I have downloads about driving, fighting, and shooting in my head. I know what I'm doing.
LM shifted gears and did a K turn to the exit of the garage. The garage door automatically opened and showed a long tunnel with lights. LM immediately shifted his gears to second drive.
LM: Fasten your seatbelts kids, it's going to be a bumpy ride.
He put his foot on the accelerator pedal and the Escalade went through the tunnel in warp speed. And so their mission begins.
Please review.
Thirteenth Chapter Notes
The cars and trucks names I got in different car web sites. The old school cars I got from some of the episodes of Pimp My Ride. The laptop name I got from the Sony web site. The shotgun name I found on a Half-Life site.
Disclaimer: I don't own the names on the sites.
Chapter 13: Departure
Night Owl led the team to the briefing room, turning from corner to corner. The Titans were enjoying their drinks. Robin and Cyborg drank Powerade, Beast Boy had a soy milkshake, Terra got a V8, Starfire (oddly enough) sipped on a jar of mustard, and Raven had another cup of herbal tea.
Beast Boy: Dude, I can't believe that your kitchen was packed and nothing's expired.
Night Owl: Yes well, we need energy to keep our minds focused. Besides, you deserve this break after what you guys went through. I mean no beginner ever passed an expert level like that.
Robin: What expert level?
Night Owl: The agent you fought back there.
Cyborg: Wait a sec, you mean LM lied to us.
Night Owl: Well not all of it. You see the first two courses were easy but when the captain saw you passed the first two he decided to do something different.
Raven: And your captain did that because...
Night Owl: He likes to take the challenge of it.
They all approached a door labeled "BRIEFING" in black paint. Night Owl opened the door and the Titans went in. When they went in, they saw LM, Morpheus, and Niobe gathered around a sturdy table filled with blueprints, papers, and laptops.
Morpheus: The Teen Titans. Forgive my immediate urgency, but as you already know, time is always against us.
Robin: So what did we miss?
LM: Apparently, we got good news and bad news. Which one do you want to hear first?
Starfire: Perhaps we should listen to the news of pleasantness first.
Robin: Good idea Star. So what's up?
Niobe: Lock, our commander in Zion, looked up information from a disk that Last Hope extracted from Merovingian. What you see on the table are blueprints and information of an incivious device known as the Alterer. This machine is used to alter the Matrix in case something goes terribly wrong. If we don't stop it at midnight, Merovingian and Slade will control everything.
Terra: No problem, we'll launch a missile and it'll be over with.
Morpheus: That won't work. The outside casing is made out of a special steel that's ten times thick. A missile will only scratch it.
Beast Boy: Then how are we supposed to destroy this thing?
Niobe: By going into the belly of the beast. The Alterer's core is made out of a material known as neptunium, a very rare but very dangerous element. One side effect is that it's vulnerable to flames. Our only option is to place a detonator in the core and blow the device straight to hell.
Cyborg: Hold up, you don't expect us to go in there. Anyone who's exposed with neptunium will die instantly.
LM: Didn't you hear Morpheus, Cyborg? The casing is made out of titanium; it's the same material as Robin's cape. Most likely it's protecting whatever's outside from the core inside. One of us will go inside the core with the cape around us and place the detonator. It won't be easy, but this is the only shot we have here.
The looks at the Titans faces show uncertain comfort on this mission. Robin, who knows how dangerous this is going to be, made his decision.
Robin: Looks like we have no choice. Do you know where the Alterer is?
LM: Uh... Actually, that's the bad news.
Morpheus: We didn't find any info on the Alterer's location. For what we know, the only people that knows the location is Merovingian and Slade.
Cyborg: Since Slade is impossible to catch, that means...
Robin: We have to find Merovingian.
LM: That's a great idea. Unfortunately, that's another problem.
Robin: What?
LM: Merovingian is a tricky program. Since the Matrix is huge, he is able to move freely around the place without detection. It's impossible to find him, even on Google.
Raven: So what you're trying to say is that we're screwed.
Niobe: No. There's a way to get to Merovingian.
Niobe handed a photo to Robin. Robin looked at the photo and saw a homeless guy in a subway car.
Robin: So, who am I looking at.
Morpheus: He goes by the name of the Trainman. He works for Merovingian and was responsible for transporting the Alterer from our world to your world. If we catch the Trainman before he leaves, we'll be able to locate Merovingian and stop the Alterer.
Robin: And do you know where we can find him?
LM: He always hangs around in subways. It's the only place for him to transport equipment and other programs from the machine world.
Beast Boy: Great, just our luck. We can't find the Alterer, and we have to play tag with some homeless guy in the subway tunnels.
Morpheus: LM, you and the Titans will leave at 5 PM. In the meantime, I believe the Titans need a break.
LM: Very well. Connecter is almost finish with your communicators. Perhaps you guys wish to chill in my team's room.
Robin: If you say so. We'll rest there.
LM: Good, follow me please.
In Last Hope's room, it's almost like something a real teenager love. Even though the room has peeled off wall paints and worn out furniture, there's some electric technology for them. There's a digital, wide screen TV, an Aiwa surround sound system playing Audioslave, an X Box, and Dell high- speed computer with Internet connections. Connecter was putting the final installments on the last Titan Communicator, Kill Switch was fixing the weapons for LM, Silent Night and Night Owl were talking to each other, and Max Speed was watching WWE Raw on tape.
Kill Switch: I bet you ten bucks that Christian will beat Chris Jerico in that steel cage.
Max Speed: Kill Switch, you lost 40 dollars to me on both the Super Bowl and the Wrestlemania main event. You expect me to bet you on this match?
Kill Switch: Just one more Max, and then that's it.
Max Speed: All right, one more bet. Forty bucks on Jerico.
Night Owl: Jesus, does Kill Switch ever get tired of losing bet on Max.
Connecter: That's him you know. He's good with the gun, but he's not good on bets.
Kill Switch: Connecter. SHUT UP!
Just then the door opened and LM came in. The Titans followed behind them. Last Hope quickly acted and pulled out their guns and rifles at the Titans but LM stopped them.
LM: It's all right team, they need a place to crash for a while.
Last Hope put their guns away and went back to their own business. Robin looked around the place then looked back at LM.
Robin: So this is where you guys live huh?
LM: Yeah. It's not much, but it's close to home.
Starfire: I don't see any beds. Where do you hibernate?
LM: Actually, we sleep outside of the Matrix. But that's another story. Connecter, are the communicators ready?
Connecter: They are all ready sir.
The Titans approached a table where there are 5 of their communicators and LM's Samsung cell phone.
Connecter: Now Titans, I modify your communicators so that the agents won't tap and trace them to our headquarters. They are also connected to LM's cell phone, so that LM will talk to you guys or you can talk to LM yourself.
LM: Thanks Connecter. Now you guys make yourselves right at home until we leave.
LM grabbed his cell phone and put it on his belt buckle. He then approached to Kill Switch who had the weapons on another table, as well as a ten-dollar bill.
LM: Let me guess, another bet with Max Speed?
Kill Switch: You know it captain. This time, I'm going to win this bet.
LM: Whatever, just hook me up with some heavy-duty weaponry.
Kill Switch: Yes captain, here are your usual weapons. Two P229 pistols with four clips, two Mac11s with four clips, five grenades, three smoke grenades, and two flash bangs.
LM placed all his guns and grenades in his weaponry belt. Kill Switch then took out a shotgun and ammo from underneath and placed it on the table.
LM: What's this?
Kill Switch: Captain, say hello to the XM1014 shotgun. The Phalanx grabbed this and other weapons from the Black Mesa army base 5 months ago.
LM: Why the hell would I need a shotgun?
Kill Switch: This isn't no ordinary shotgun sir. This baby's been modified so it can be used in case of an alien attack. It only works on close range targets but its firing power is real strong. (opening the shotgun) The ammunition is 12-guage shells that can put a hole through a person's insides. It could be useful when you're in deep shit.
LM thought about it for a moment then grabbed the box of shotgun ammo and placed it in his trench coat pocket and placed the shotgun with the strap behind his back.
LM: I'll take your word Kill Switch. Anything else?
Kill Switch: Just one more thing.
Kill Switch went to the closet and took out a backpack with a timer on it. He then placed it on the table.
Kill Switch: Morpheus told me that you need a detonator. So I went through the inventory and found the perfect one for you. In the backpack, there are twenty dynamite sticks and two gallons of nitro glycerin. Enough to blow up the core. There's a digital clock on the outside and is set to explode at midnight.
LM: The same time as the Alterer will be activated.
Kill Switch: The detonator's not armed so you have to put in the code to arm it. I'll give you the code.
Kill Switch gives LM a piece of paper with the code the reads '84953'. LM slips it in his trench coat pocket with the shotgun shells.
Kill Switch: Captain, can I ask you something? Do you think that the Titans need some weapons for protection?
LM looked at the Titans, who were feeling comfortable for the moment, and looked back at Kill Switch for an answer.
LM: Kill Switch, they don't need any weapons. They are the Teen Titans, youngsters of justice, and the only super hero teenage group in the Matrix. They have incredible agility, unimaginable strength, and have special gifts. They don't need guns, rifles, or rocket launchers.
Kill Switch: But do you think you can trust these people. I mean, you beat them down and well-
LM: Listen, I don't like this more then you. But this is a serious situation we got here. I consider working with them then against them.
Kill Switch: Right, right.
Announcer on TV: Here's your winner, Chris Jerico.
Kill Switch: (exploded) WHAT!?!
Max Speed: You heard the announcer my man, pay up.
Kill Switch: How about two out of three?
Everyone was relaxing until the clock struck five. The Titans were leaving Last Hope's room until LM stopped them, so that he would say good bye to his own team.
Connecter: Good bye captain.
LM: Bye Connecter.
Night Owl: We'll wish you luck sir.
LM: Thanks Night Owl.
Kill Switch: If you're get into any trouble, you call us.
LM: I will.
Max Speed: Let Neo be with you sir.
LM: And also with you.
Silent Night gave LM a hug for luck.
Silent Night: Captain, please be careful.
LM: As careful as I can be. (turning to the Titans) All right Titans, time to go.
LM and the Titans left the room and headed to the garage. When they went into the garage, the Titans couldn't believe what they are seeing. The garage is almost like a parking lot floor and was filled with a variety of cars, trucks, and motorcycles. The bikes were from Harvey Davidson, Suzuki, and Yamaha. There are a number of old school cars like the Mustang, the Honda CRX, the Pontiac Trans Am, the Oldsmobile Cutless Supreme, and the Cadillac. There are also a number of new cars like the Lexus ES, the Honda Element, the GMC Sierra, the Toyota Celica, the Mitsubishi Eclipse, and the Scion XB. And there were powerful trucks like the Dodge Caravan, the Toyota Sienna, the Jeep 4X4, the Mercury Villager LS, and the Ford Windstar.
Beast Boy: Dude, look at all these cars.
Cyborg: Yeah, and the garage is huge. How did you get all these vehicles man?
LM: Let's just say we have some connections.
Robin: So, which ones are we taking any ways?
LM took out a key chain out of his trench coat pocket.
LM: Actually, I got the perfect ride for us.
He pushed the button on the key chain and out comes a black Cadillac Escalade. The Escalade stopped in front of them.
LM: Hop on in Titans, we don't have a lot of time.
The Titans went inside the truck while LM opened the trunk and put both the detonator and the shotgun in the back. He then went inside the truck and looked at the Titans. Robin was next to LM in the front, Starfire and Cyborg were in the middle seats, and Beast Boy, Terra, and Raven were in the back. Inside the Escalade was a Sony VAIO X505 Notebook with online capability on the bench council.
Robin: Uh... Do you know how to drive this truck?
LM: Robin, I have downloads about driving, fighting, and shooting in my head. I know what I'm doing.
LM shifted gears and did a K turn to the exit of the garage. The garage door automatically opened and showed a long tunnel with lights. LM immediately shifted his gears to second drive.
LM: Fasten your seatbelts kids, it's going to be a bumpy ride.
He put his foot on the accelerator pedal and the Escalade went through the tunnel in warp speed. And so their mission begins.
Please review.