I would like to take this time to state a few things. In Arra's day I mentioned her flashback in Georgia took place in 1705 it should be 1805. Also I've research some of Cadmus but I will be adding my own spin on things. Including my own JLU. Thank you.
Arra was weeping uncontroablly. Her soul mate, her true love, her other half had been cruelly taken from her. "How could I let this happen for a second time?" she thought. She was shaken up inside. She felt like someone had cut her heart out. This pain wasn't new to her but she didn't believe she could handle it.
"Arra you need to get a hold of yourself and get up. Please stop crying. We will get Richie back safely I promise you. Don't worry everything will work out. Right now we need to contact the police.' Static told her gently. He laid a comforting hand on her shoulder. "Lets go." He added softly.
Arra brushed away from him. She stood up and wiped her face off. She had a look of grim determination on her face. She had had enough. It was time to take charge of the situation. "No, the police can't handle this problem. It's way to big for them. This is my fault, my problem. Its time I took responsibility for it." She told him forbiddingly. She turned to face him. "How fast can you fly us back to Vampire Manor?"
"I can get us there in fifteen minutes. Why are we going there?" Static asked as he unfolded his flying disk. They both hopped onto it and they took off like a comet.
"To load up on supplies. I've got a plan Virgil. I've got a plan." Arra told him. Her eyes flashed in anger but you could also see a spark of hope in them. Whatever she had planned it was a good one.
The minute they arrived at her house she rushed inside past two very concerned looking kittens taking the stairs two at a time. Static paused at the door for a moment before following her.
Arra hurried into the dojo/gym picking up a large yellow duffel bag and walked over to the weapons wall. Without hesitation she grabbed her dagger, sword, and weapons belt before marching straight out of the room. Static was nipping at her heels a finger raised, "Uh Arra, what in the name of all things that are sane are you doing?"
She ignored him and thrust opened the door to her bedroom. She deliberately stalked over to the closet. She hurled the duffel bag onto her bed before she began started hurling clothes all over the place. Static stood behind her and opened his mouth to speak when a dirty sock got lodge in it. He spit it out and wiped his mouth off. "Eww. That was just plain gross. Arra talk to me already!"
"Like I told you before I'm getting supplies. Its time I take matters into my own hands. This is my fault and I have to deal with it. Ah here they are." Arra said holding out her vampire clothes. She folded them up and placed them inside the bag and hurried to the stairs leading up to the third floor.
Once she got inside the Media Room she began to pack a bunch of archives, The Code of the Vampires, a small purple pouch that contained the fragments of the Bloodstone and a gold necklace missing a jewel in its case. "Okay I just need to set the security system up then we can go."
"Arra I wish you tell me what you're planning. Why do we have to set up the security system? I don't understand anything you've done. We should be contacting the police or someone else that's qualified to handle this situation." Static told her as she turned on both the new and old security system.
"There is no one else more qualified than me. You just have to trust me. We need to go to your HQ and pick up some things. Moonlight, Midnight, watch the house. We have to make sure that nasty vampanzee isn't going to invade our home." Arra instructed them as she left with Static.
Ten minutes later Arra was done cramming Backpack, Gears helmet, and a ton of computer disks into the bag. She turned to face Static and smiled. "I'm ready lets go."
"Now hold up for one minute. You haven't told me what your plan is yet. Were not going anywhere until you tell me exactly what in God's name your planning on doing with all that stuff." Static informed her crossing his arms in front of his chest. He glared at her.
"Virgil there isn't time for this. Richie's life is in danger. I know you have an emergency communicator that you can use to contact the Justice League. I need you to use it to get us on the Watchtower." Arra replied angrily. She was barely keeping her temper in check.
"How do you know about that? Let me guess Richie told you. I wonder what else he told you. Never mind I won't use that thing its only for emergencies." Static answered her.
"And this isn't! Virgil people are dieing! I have to do something. The only way I can possibly help is if I become a vampire again." Arra yelled at him.
"Arra what are you talking about? You can't become a vampire again its impossible. Look I know your feeling helpless but there's nothing you can do. There are police and a superhero's who can deal with the vampanzee situation." Static told her.
"The police? Virgil there have been three deaths already and almost another one! The police don't have the manpower or know how to stop him. You fought that monster and seen how powerful he is. I'm the only one in Dakota with the knowledge and experience who can do anything about it. If I don't stop him there will be more death. Look I've tried using every means possible to contact my clan but he's blocking me somehow. Now he's taken Richie for reasons unknown to me. Virgil I can't stand it if I was the reason the person I loved the most in the world died. The only way I'm ever going to be able to take this killer on is if the playing field is even. I have to become a vampire again even if it means giving up being a human." Arra pleaded with him. She was being very dramatic.
"You're a teenage human girl! You have no powers how can you do anything." Static asked desperate to avoid a bad situation.
"When Hotstreak was terrozing the school and the sunspots were wreaking havoc with your powers did you sit out? No you did something about because it was your responsibility. I know you think that Richie spends too much time with me and I'm nothing but trouble but that doesn't matter right now. What matters is stopping that vampanzee before he kills again and saving Richie. The only way that's going to happen is if we start working together and trusting one another." Arra told him. She took his hands in hers and looked him straight in the eye. "Please Virgil I'm asking as friend. Do this one tiny favor for me. I don't want to have to beg."
Static was moved by her actions. Never in his entire superhero carrier had someone put all their faith and trust in him. Arra was counting on him and so was Richie. He remembered what his mother had told him when he seen her last. That he should always help someone in need. "No one is going to stop the two of us. Were going up there and making sure those cranky adults listen to us." He told her. She smiled relieved that something was being done.
Static found the emergency contact communicator. When the Justice League had been rebuilt they had offered Gear and him membership, but they wanted to wait till they were out of high school. The League had left them the communicator just in case they needed assistance. It had yet to be used. "Here goes everything. Static to Watchtower. Come in Watchtower. This is Static come in."
On the Watchtower Jonn was monitoring the communications and other reports. It was tiring work but being a Martian had its advantages. He gave a small smile as Diana brought him some milk and oreos. "Here you need to eat something. You've been working for almost thirty six hours straight."
"Thank you Diana. I appreciate your concern, but I am fine. I don't require the same amount of sleep and food you do to stay healthy." Jonn told her patiently.
"Still we worry about you. You do so much for all of us in the League and you hey what's that light mean?" Diana asked pointing to the counsel where a green light was flashing.
"It's one of the emergency contact communicators. The signal is coming from Dakota. I'll patch it through." Jonn said. His fingers raced across the board. A few seconds later both of them heard Static voice. "We are receiving you Static."
"About time. I thought you guys had gone to play poker or something." Static joked trying to lighten the mood. He looked at Arra who threw her hands up in disgust. "Listen there's a serious emergency going on in Dakota and a friend and I really need to talk to founding members of the League."
Diana gave J'onn a puzzled look. Static wasn't usually this mysterious. "What's the nature of your emergency?" she asked trying to determine what was going on.
"I rather not speak about it over the system. Lets just say things are desperate. Please we need to talk to ASAP. I wouldn't have called if I didn't really need your help." Static told her. His voice had a sense of urgency to it.
"Go round up the rest of the gang I'll teleport Static and his friend up here then escorted them to the Judgment Room. (The room with the throne like chairs.) Don't worry I'm sure everything fine." The Martian Manhunter told his friend giving her a reassuring pat. She nodded and flew off. "I'll teleporting you in a minute. Just hold perfectly still and keep the commucator on." He instructed.
"Will do. Beam me up Scotty." Static said. The teleported hummed to life and there was a flash of blue. A minute later they materialized. Jonn wasn't surprised by Static's appearance but he was of the girl. He thought the other person he was transporting was Gear. "Welcome to the Watchtower. If you'll follow me please we can get on our way."
"Wow I love what you did with this place! It looks better than the last time I was here!" Static exclaimed.
"Hm. To much steel and computers. You should really get an interior decorator." Arra told him before walking past him. Jonn eyes widened in surprise but continued with his duty. This girl was very different than any other human he had met in his live.
When they got to the Judgment Room everyone else was already seated. Static glanced at them all nervously as he stood next to Arra before them. He didn't have a clue how Arra intended to persuade the seven greatest heroes' of the Earth to help them. He could list three who would probably would be against helping them. Batman, Green Lantern, and Hawkgirl would probably never be swayed to help them.
"Static its good to see you again. We were a little surprised by your call. So tell us what the emergency is?" Superman asked the young hero.
Static got a little tongue-tied. "Uh well actually I'm not to one who declared the emergency and requested your help. She did." He said pointing at Arra.
The League glanced at the girl. She seemed perfectly normal despite the minor cuts and bruises on her. Who was she to demand such power?
"Hi its nice to meet you all. My name is.." she began.
"Your name is Arra Sails. Your sixteen years old and you live in Dakota. Until recently you were a vampire. Two and half month ago your clan attacked the Bang Babies of Dakota, robbed a blood bank, and tried to steal blood from a blood drive. Thanks to the intervention of Static and Sparkles ,who in actuality was his older sister Sharon, you were turned human. You've served a month worth of community service for your crimes and now attend Dakota Union High were you belong to the art club." Batman told everyone.
Arra raised a single eyebrow. She was impressed. "Someone's been a busy bat. Why are you so interested in little old me?"
"Knowledge is power. I like to keep tabs on events of the world." Batman replied simply.
"Then maybe you know why I'm here. I've come to ask for the aid of the Justice League in a serious matter that is taking place in Dakota right now. For the past two and half weeks there have been a string of bizarre murders. The attack pattern of the killer was identical with a vampanzee." Arra told the League handing each member a copy of the paper. They gasped in horror at the pictures.
"What's a vampanzee?" Flash asked.
"A way ward cousin of the vampire. They were hunted to extinction by my kind six hundred years ago. Until the other day when Static, Gear, and I encountered one." Arra explained patiently.
"Hold up a minute. If these creatures are extinct how could one be committing these crimes?" Green Lantern asked her cautiously. He was very skeptical.
"I have no idea. But I know for a fact that it is a vampanzee. Gear ran test on some of the creature's blood that was on my knife. It is similar but different than vampire blood. The only species that it could possibly come from is a vampanzee." Arra stated plainly showing them the medical proof.
"There's no way a high school kid did these tests. I refuse to believe what your saying." Hawkgirl told her skeptically. She didn't meet her eyes.
"I have to agree with her. This is all compelling but I don't understand what that has to do with us." Wonder Women said.
"We fought the vampanzee a few hours ago. It took all we had and we still didn't defeat it. He took Richie and demanded for me to deliver to him the Bloodstone. The Bloodstone is the source of the vampire's power. It's virtually indestructible. It can be fragmented but not completely destroyed. I don't know what he plans to do with it but I know it can't be good. I've tried to contact my clan but he's blocking my attempts. I need your help if I'm going to stop this monster before he kills someone else and save Richie." Arra told them tentivly.
"What do you need our help with exactly?" Superman asked gently. He didn't want to get ahead of himself. He was appalled by what he had seen but he wasn't sure they should get involved.
"Yeah you still haven't told me that." Static said quietly.
"Look I am the only one who can possibly defeat the vampanzee. I have the knowledge and experience to take him out. But I can't do it as a human. I need to become a vampire again. The only way that's going to happen is if you help repair the Bloodstone and some of you aid me in my search. Richie's life hangs in the balance. The lives of all the citizens of Dakota. Don't you see if there's even one vampanzee there can be more! Please you must help me!" Arra said clenching her fist.
"I'm sorry but this isn't the kind of problem we get involved with. The fate of one child isn't the same as the world. Even if you're telling the truth this is the matter for the police to resolve not us. We can't help you." Jonn explained to her kindly.
Her violet eyes flashed with anger. She had not come this far to be turned down. They were going to help her no matter what. "So that's it? There's a monster killing people in Dakota and has kidnapped a fellow superhero and your going to sit around and do nothing about. Because this isn't a global problem. What do you have against Gear anyways? I mean first you were going to let him die just because Brainiac took control of his mind and that evil creep was digitizing the world. That wasn't his fault but you treated him as if it was. He may have understood that decision but I don't. Things aren't always black and white. There are never two options always three. You say your Earth greatest hero's but your nothing but a bunch of cowards!" Arra accused them pointing at them dramatically. Next to her Static stiffened in horror. What was she doing?
"Now hold on there a second little lady. We know your upset but you have no right to say that about us. We've saved the world more times than you can count." Green Lantern told her his voice raised.
"Yeah what do you know about saving the world. Your just a kid show some respect." Flash told her.
"For your information I'm seven hundred and sixteen years old. I say you show me some respect you Neanderthal."
"That's enough. You're being unreasonable. Now stop this foolish behavior right now." Hawkgirl instructed her.
"Yes please calm down. I think its time that you and Static leave." Jonn told the duo and started to get up.
That's when Arra pulled her knife from her belt and flung it at Superman. Static saw it and zapped it sending back to her. Everyone looked her in horror. Batman threw a bolo at her, but she dodged it and threw it back at him.
"I didn't want to use extreme measures to get your attention. Normally I'm a calm rational person. But when a clan starts acting like this I lose my temper. In my society we are taught to never give up on a clan mate and always ask our elders for help. We are also taught to take what ever action is nessacery to procure that help." Arra told them. She tapped her foot impatiently to keep their attention on her.
"I understand your frustration Arra. All of do, but the thing is we don't have the time or resources right now to help. We have our own crises to handle." Superman told her.
"We like to help you if we could but we can't." Wonder Women told her.
"Come on Arra lets go. These big shots aren't interest. We'll find another way to save Richie you'll see." Static told her sneering. He started steering her towards the door. He was also frustrated by what was going on. After all the help he'd given them they owed him.
"I guess your right Static. This was a waste of time. I thank you for your patience. Come on Static lets go. I guess they're not interested in helping us save Richie and the rest of Dakota from annulations. Not to mention learning more about Project Cadmus. Well bye." Arra said causally.
The League stiffened at the mere mention of the word Cadmus. That was supposed to be a top secret government organization dedicated to eradication of the Justice League. How could she possibly know about that?
"Wait a minute! Please lets not be to hasty." Flash said quickly.
"Yes were very interested in how a teenager knows anything about that." Batman said steadily eyeing her.
Arra smiled at them and removed from her bag a computer disk. She twirled it around in front of them. "All the information you want is on this disk. But I won't try taking it from me. It's keyed to my genetic bioelectric signal. Plus as an added feature in case I was cloned only my spirit energy can unlock it. So what about a trade? You scratch my back and I'll scratch yours? I'll wait for your answer outside. Come on Static lets go." Arra said causally. They left the room.
The minute the doors closed behind them Static turned to face her. "Alright what was that stunt all about? I mean what were you thinking threatening them? That wasn't the best approach to use if you wanted them to help us!"
"I know it wasn't and I'm sorry but I am determined to get at least three of them to aid us in our battle. Besides I was only trying to scare them and to show them I mean business." Arra explained sharply.
"Where'd you get that computer disk anyways? I mean I have no idea what you were talking about. Why are they so interested in what's on that disk?" Static asked. He ran his fingers through his dreadlocks.
"I explain everything shortly I promise. I don't like resorting to bribery but it was my last resort. I'm sure Gear will understand that I'm releasing information from his private projects. Hey can you use your powers to listen in on them?" Arra questioned.
Static grinned and lit up a finger. Using a small electric current they were able to tap into the monitoring system and listen in on the Leagues conversation. They seemed to be debating on what to do with the information.
"No way should we help her. You saw what she did! She's a loose cannon. If we help turn her into a vampire were creating another monster for society to face." Flash declared sharply.
"She's got us stuck between a rock and a hard place. She's manipulating the situation to her own benefits. I don't like being pushed around and being ordered about by a teenager. She's to close to the situation to see the big picture. I can't believe Static is even assisting her in this insane request." Green Lantern told the group. He thought Static was smarter than this.
"How do we even know she's being legit about all this? She could be lying. Even with all this evidence she's presented I'm not sure I could trust her knowing her past." Hawkgirl stated.
"I agree with you three but I also have researched her extensively. I believe she's being honest. She's a person whose beliefs are deeply rooted into her. She would not be acting like this unless something was terribly wrong. I know this isn't my usual style but I think we should help her. We need to know more about Cadmus and we owe Static for all the times he's helped us." Batman told the group.
"She's right about us. This League was founded on the principle of helping people no matter what their history was and what the situation is. Besides I don't like being called a coward." Wonder Women replied.
" I sensed nothing malicious or evil intentions in her mind. She knows what she's doing and understands the risks and dangers with what she wants to attempt. Her love for Richie is not the only thing driving her. Something more personal and deep is making her do this. I can't tell what exactly but whatever it is its driving her. If we don't help Static and Arra she's likely to get herself killed. I don't want her death on my conciseness." Jonn replied solemnly.
"I have to agree with you all. We may not have all the facts but we can't pass up this chance to learn more about Cadmus. Besides we do owe it to Gear and the city of Dakota to help out. I say we help. Call them back in."
Static and Arra reentered the room and looked at the hero's. They seemed to have come to an agreement. "So how about it? Do we have a deal?" Arra asked simply.
"Yes we will help you but we have some guidelines. You may choose only three of us to help you and even though you and Static will be in charge you have to follow our rules. Plus we won't everything you have on Project Cadmus and how you got that information. Finally you have to swear to us if you succeed in getting your powers back you won't harm anyone in any way." Superman informed her.
"Agreed. I thank you. You have my solemn word that I won't do anything that could result in the death or grave injury to someone. Now lets get this party started shall we?" Arra said gaily. She reached into her back and tossed Superman the pouch containing the Bloodstone fragments. "Use your heat vision to melt the fragments back together then cool them. When your done place the Bloodstone in the necklace. Static I want you, Hawkgirl, and Green Lantern to repair Backpack and connect him with the Watchtowers main computers. Flash can prepare a conference room for us. Jonn, can you and Batman set up a training room and some medical equipment for me to use after our briefing to test my powers. Wonder Women show me a place I can change." Arra ordered.
If any of the League members were shocked by a teenage girl bossing them around like little kids they gave no indications. Everyone went to do their assignment. Wonder Women led Arra to one of the empty cabins. "I'll wait outside the door for you." She told her simply. "If its any conciliation I'm impressed by the way you're handling this crisis."
"Thank you. I'm sorry about my early actions. I know there are better ways to getting help." Arra told her. Wonder Women just smiled and exited the cabin. Dropping the duffel bag onto the floor Arra took a deep breath before she began to strip until she was completely naked. Glancing into the mirror she whispered, "Its time. I do this for you Richie."
The first thing she pulled on was her tight leather black jeans. Next she pulled on her knee high black-heeled boots with the yellow tips. She strapped to right ankle her weapon holster where she sheathed her knife. Next came her yellow halter top followed by her jewelry. Then she buckled her weapons belt and stuck her sword and dagger into their scabbards. Lastly her she whirled on her black coat. Grabbing a nearby brush she brushed her hair and applied her make up. She was ready as she picked up her duffel. She had a few more surprises up her sleeve. She exited the cabin and strolled down the hall with Wonder Women confident.
When she entered the room she received stares from everyone but Static. Whatever they had been expecting her to change into it wasn't this. She beautiful and deadly and she didn't even have her powers yet. She gave off an aura of respect. "Are we here to gawk or are we hear to talk. Take a seat."
"Man I thought vampires wore v-neck capes and aristocratic clothing." Flash stated. "You're a Goth princess."
"We vampires change with the times. I've worn these clothes for the last fifty years. One good thing about staying the same size is you don't have to get many new clothes." Arra stated.
"Enough chatter. Lets get down to business. Starting with your information on Project Cadmus." Hawkgirl said sharply.
"Of course. A deal is a deal. I hope you understand that I'm giving you this information freely. Gear would have eventually but he didn't know how to approach you. He called this Project JL-C or Justice League –Cadmus." Arra said slipping the disk into Backpack. Suddenly the information was downloaded to mainframe. Static and the League watched in stunned silence as hundreds of personal files appeared on the main screen followed by thousands of different files on millions of projects.
Arra began to speak. "Project Cadmus is a secret government organization that's origins go back to even before the formation of the Justice League although I suspect that it's responsible for your teams formation. It was started around the time of the birth of the United States. Cadmus main objective is to rid the Earth of heroes weather they be human, Metahuman, mutant, or alien. They don't care who gets hurt along the way as long as their goal is reached. Gear has discovered that they plan to send to make a bargain with some of your most dangerous foes including Clock King, Tala, and Deadshot. If they can steal the super weapon from your Watchtower they will be freed."
"I remember reading about that. There was a dangerous probe out in the desert. You used that weapon to halt its advances. Why would they be after that I mean you guys have a permit for it don't you?" Static asked confused.
"The weapon was submitted in the blueprints for the Watchtower and we only used it as a last resort. I can't for the life of me understand why they would use such evil criminals to steal the device." Green Lantern told the young hero.
"That's not all they plan. Believe me it gets much worse than that." Arra told them.
"Continue please. Were all interested in what you have to share with us." Batman said coolly.
"Cadmus plays dirty. Remember that. They plan on assinating one of your League members so that when Superman the head honcho of your group declares war on them they can use it as a legal ground to take you all out. Backpack show them the chain of events that Gear predicts will happen combined with the rest of the information." Arra instructed the little robot.
Backpack chirped and beeped. Suddenly new images displayed. Complex charts and virtual simulations. "Wow this is intense." Wonder Women stated her knuckles turning white.
"I don't believe what I'm seeing!" Superman said as he read in horror.
"Arra how you get Backpack to listen to you? I thought he only listened to Gear." Static said trying to distract everyone.
"Gear modified Backpack recently so he work for me incase he ever got incapacitates. I can see you're shocked." Arra said to the group.
"Shocked! According to this chart the seven of us will be captured, the most of the League will be killed in an all out war and our enemies will try trash the world why were fighting this foe and you think were shocked!" Flash yelled.
"Why would anyone human or alien do such atrocities? I can't understand this. I've been overwhelmed in the past by humans selfishness but I can't understand this paranoia." Jonn said confused.
" Gear couldn't understand it until a few days ago. He finally made a major breakthrough. According to one of their more heavily guarded files they discovered a way to analyze timelines and discovered something they didn't like. It seems they don't want any of you to have children or successors to carry on your legacy. Backpack display file JLU 1.1. now." Arra instructed.
Ten holographic images appeared in the middle of the air. They were pictures of nine teenagers and a mid twenty year old man. Batman and Green Lantern stiffened. They recognized all of them as members of the Justice League Unlimited in the future from when they battled Chronos. "It can't be. How do they know about that? The timeline was restored to equilibrium!" Batman said angrily.
"Some people aren't affect that much by the change in the time stream. I know I'm one of them. I guess the rest of the league should be introduced." Arra said touching the holograms.
The one of Batman grew and rotated. Tapping some buttons his mask came off. The League gasped. The boy looked like a very young version of Bruce Wayne. "Terry McGinnis. Leader of the Justice League Unlimited in the future. He's a very talented kid and understands the responsibility of being a leader. This is his twin sister Terra aka Batgirl whose the sole survivor of her parallel universe. She's a champion gymnastic star. Maxine Gibson, a genius and also known as Mystic Robin the most magical being on the planet. Athena Thermscarya, Princess of the Amazons and Wonder Girl. She is an excellent volleyball player. Lucas Stewart aka Green Lantern J. He's a member of the Junior Lantern Corps and his mother is Vixen. Kara-El Kent aka Supergirl 2. She's half human half Kryptonian. She is very artistic and loves to write. Jose Jones the Martian Boyhunter the last Martian. According to this information his mother is the only surviving female Martian. She'll be retrieved from Venus in two years were she's in hibernation. Gordon West also known as Flash Gordon. His mother is a lawyer. He's not only smart but also fast. Shania Hawkins, also known as Hawklady. Her father is Sherman Hawkins a deserter from the Thangarian army. She's the team's medic. Mariana or Aquagirl, Aquaman's granddaughter the teams diplomat and lastly Warhawk, Rex Stewart. He's the older half brother to Shania and Lucas. Together these ten saved the Earth from its darkest hour. Cadmus doesn't want them to exist for fear they will take total control of the Earth. I know this must be a shock but all of this is true. You must be careful."
The League looked at one another in astonishment. They had never considered themselves parental material but it in their hearts they knew it was true. They did want to eventually retire and have families. And for that to happen Cadmus had to be stopped once and for all they thought as the information for project Cadmus disappeared.
Arra slid a device across the table to Superman who handed it to Batman to analyze. It looked like the nerulizer from Men in Black. Essentially it was. Gear had designed it to erase the memories of the staff on project Cadmus and combined with a modified version of Omnia virus could make Cadmus helpless.
"How was Gear able to tap into such a top secret government installation. No offence but I don't think a high school student has the equipment to accomplish such a task." Superman asked clearly shaken by what he had witnessed.
"Yes I'm also surprised. Did he use Backpack?" Wonder Women asked.
Arra sighed loudly. There was no avoiding this. She shook her head no and pressed some buttons on Backpack. "No he didn't. He picked up the transmission himself."
"You mean he did it with a home computer?" Flash asked confused.
"No I mean his brain picked up the computer signals and downloaded them. Backpack play video file BB2 from frame 1.2 to 1.7 please." Arra said. Backpack complied and showed them the second big bang. How Gear got a full dose of the gas this time instead of a minimal dose from Virgil's clothing.
Static was stunned by the rest of her presentation on project RF/G or Richie Foley/ Gear. She showed them a video of Richie going crazy in the gas station as he tried to deal with his problem as his telepathy with machinery drove him insane. Not even Arra's presence could comfort him. Everyone turned to face the girl as the video ended.
Arra held a small white halo in her hands. She looked down at the table sadly. "Gear's power's are evolving much more rapidly than he can control them. He is literally becoming a humanoid Brainiac. As you can see with the holo map of Richie's brain his little run in with Brainiac alter his brain structure. Literally it's a computer and he can make anything digital real. He even has natural defenses against computer viruses. I know with this information you will consider my love a threat and that's why he swore me to secrecy." She began. She looked up at them with tears in her eyes. Her hands shook uncontroably. "But I beg you not to kill him or keep him locked up. He's just a child and he never asked to be a human computer. Please help him with his powers."
"We wouldn't consider killing Gear. Not after all the help he's done and what you've told us. Am I correct in assuming he was trying to build a device to help him control his powers?" Jonn asked her gently. Arra nodded and handed the halo over to him. "Hmm needs a little work but I can finish this. Don't worry by the time we save Gear this will be fully operational."
"Thank you for your help. Your most generous," Arra said. Static nodded and smiled. Things were looking up. Now time to get down to business. "Backpack please displayed the portations of the achieves you scanned." Arra commanded as she removed the books from her bag and put them on the table. The text appeared in the center of the room and certain texts were highlighted.
"Every culture has legends about the origins of their race. Mine included. But here's the basic scientific truth behind the origin of my race and over half of the magical community. Thousands of years ago around the same time that modern humans first walked the Earth a meteorite struck the planet. Most of it burned up in the atmosphere but some fragments landed on the planet. One of the fragments was the Bloodstone."
Arra began to read off the highlighted text. Everyone leaned in forward captivated by the words and pictures that went along with this tale. " Thousands of people gather near the blood red stone. It pulsated with strange energy. All of these people were either sick, dying, or in perfect health. Suddenly a brilliant flash of red light passed through everyone changing them into a dozens of different creatures. Mermaids, fairies, werewolves, and vampires all sorts of supernatural and magical creatures came into existence. All of descending from Homo Magnus or Human Magical now our race was Homo Vamprye or Human Vampire."
"Okay vampires I can believe in, but do you seriously expect us to believe that there's over a hundred different magical creatures in the world? Get real!" Flash said laughing.
"Flash be silent. Some of our members have magical talents. So what she says could be the truth." Hawkgirl reprimand him.
"What happened next Arra? What lead to the existence of the vampanzee's and your six hundred years of wondering the Earth?" Static asked curiously.
"For centuries my race traveled the planet in search of a home. My race was the only one present who could control the Bloodstone so we got to keep it. We had been gifted with amazing powers but cursed with limitations. Finally we came to a hollowed out mountain in the French Alps that we colonized and named it Vampire Mountain. For centuries we lived apart from humanity developing our own society and watching the children of the Earth grow and develop. But then that all changed."
"Five hundred years before I joined the vampires around the year 805 A.D. things began to change in our society. Some of us began to despise the way we lived. They wished to return to our more primitive days and live like animals. They also believed that our government was all wrong. Traditionally a clan has been ruled by six Elders or three Kings and three Queens. They were in charge of all of us. Next came our Generals who led our army, followed by all of us regular ones. They deemed this system in adequate. They which to have no leaders at all and live completely democratically."
"Well none of that sounds so bad. So there were radicals in your group. Every society has people like that. That still doesn't explain what led to creation of these vampanzee's as you called them." Green Lantern said calmly.
"You haven't heard the last part of their beliefs. They were against many more of our traditions saying they made us too human. But the one thing that made us completely different was our belief about drinking blood. For vampires we will be as gentle as possible in obtaining blood. Normally we lull the victim into a state of slumber then take a little blood to fill our stomachs. If we need more we bottle it in these tubes. We invented an early method of transfusion. Now vampanzee believe it's dishonorable to leave a victim with any blood. They think that humans were put on the Earth to be the food for them. They always kill their victim and do it brutally. They drink all the blood to absorb a part of that person spirit or soul as you call it." Arra explained.
"That's outrages! From what we've read don't all vampires and vampanzee start out as human. Why would they hold such beliefs?" Wonder Women cried.
"That is just plain wrong. How could you allow something like that to happen?" Superman demanded.
Arra held her hands up to silence them before they started yelling again. "Please try to understand. I wasn't even born yet. I am not condoning the actions of those vampires (they were still vampires then.) but that is the way they thought. I can understand their beliefs but I don't agree with them. Neither did the majority of my race. There was tension in the mountain for two hundred and ninety years. That may seem like a long time for you but to us it's a blink of an eye. Finally a huge strife happened which lead to a miniture war and it lasted for ten years. But it was costly."
"So your clan fought these renegades in order to stop them from attacking humans. But let me guess the humans that you were protecting got in the way. According to this text you consider yourselves the guardians of the human race protecting them from all dangers both mortal and supernatural dangers. Why?" Batman questioned.
"We were once human so we wish to protect our former race. Besides life is sacred to us. You're right though. Humans couldn't tell the difference between my race and those monsters. Finally a new way was found. The vampanzee would be exiled from Vampire Mountain to make their own way in the world. We wouldn't interfere with any of them unless we met each other in our travels. Then we could fight one another to test our skills and if we killed each other any other time the opposing side could take vengeance. Also if they stopped killing so widely and hid their kills we would not take action. Their society would be there's to do as they saw fit. Then the six Elders used the Bloodstone to mutate them further so we'd be a separate race. Their skin was turned purple and their eyes, teeth, and claws were made a dark red. Teeth and fingernails changed into fangs and claws. They lost their hypnotic powers and ability to levitate but gained even more strength, speed and sharper senses. They were also allowed to keep their healing spit and knock out breath. Then the three hundred of them left and for two hundred years the truce held." Arra said continuing to read.
Static let blew one of his dreadlocks out of his face in disbelief. "So that was it? That was your solution to the problem. You let a bunch of killers loose with restrictitans and didn't do anything else about? Oh that was brilliant!"
"Enough Virgil! You couldn't possibly understand. Hundreds of humans had already lost their lives. Dozens of vampires and vampanzee's were dead and more destruction was on the rise. It may have not been the best solution but it did work for two hundred years. It allowed time for me and my clan mates to join. I spent two happy years at Vampire Mountain training to be a productive member of my society, but things were not meant to be!" Arra yelled at him. If he weren't sitting on the opposite side of the table she would have smacked him.
"Enough yelling. This isn't getting us anywhere. Please continue. What happened next?" Superman urged her to continue the tale.
"The vampire race lived for those two hundred of years with a curse over their heads. The vampanzee's had vowed that one night they would return with their Lord and take over our mountain, the Bloodstone, and exterminate every last vampire so they could take their place as the true rulers of the night. They did return. They had grown from three hundred to six hundred. We had about four thousand. I was practicing on the bars in the Hall of Sports when they invaded. One minute I was laughing and having fun. The next minute there was an explosion and I was running for my life. Larten, my mate, and I made it out but several of our friends including Darren died right there when the cavern collapsed."
"Explosions rang out through the mountain. Fires spread quickly. Sacred relics, and hundreds of valuables were shredded. Every where we turned their was death and destruction. Our pet spiders and bats tried to defend us but many were slaughtered right out. The Elders barely escaped with their lives. At least we didn't lose everything. We are now several miles away from our home in a cave attending to our injured and taking stock. Our losses have been devastating. We lost five hundred of our numbers, several of our supplies, and hordes of treasure. Our assailants were not vampire hunters as many of us feared and hoped. They were vampanzee's! Why would they break our truce and come here? What led to this vicious attack? What will become of us I wonder? The sun will be up soon. Tomorrow night we will send two envoys on a mission of peace. Now I should rest I am so tired. Paris Skyler.
"It's been two nights since we've set our peace envoy and we received our response from the vampanzee's tonight. They sent their bodies back to us cut up into several pieces completely drained of blood. Since our blood is poisonous to one another I have no idea what they did with it. Those animals! They can't even be called civilized. The bodies were sent to us with a note. It read The nights of the vampires are numbered. Soon the last vampire will take his breath and die. Then the true masters of the night will rule the world and the blood carriers will be all ours. Try and stop us if you dare but once we capture the Bloodstone its all over. The Vampanzee Lord has risen! The Vampanzee lord has risen! We've feared this night for so long. Since the break away of our way ward cousins we had hoped this night wouldn't ever come to be. The elders have gathered and have decided. If its war they want its war they'll get. We are now in our war against the vampanzee's for the right to live! Paris Skyler."
"For a hundred years we fought to save the human race and our own species from extinction. The entire clan was divided into sub clans with Generals and warriors. Though I hadn't had much formal training I was sent to the front lines. I hated the fighting. But our orders were the same. Hunt them down and kill them off one by one. Only take prisoners as a last resort. Find where the Lord was and then if you could kill him. Believe me I may have killed but I am not a killer. I haven't killed anyone except in self defense and the last one was about two or three hundred years ago." She explained to a horrified and speechless group. They seemed to understand.
"How did this war end?" Wonder Women asked timidly. As an Amazon fighting was in her blood but she was horrified that this kill had to learn to kill in order to survive.
"First you have to see how each battle was a life and death struggle. Static hold still for a moment please this might tickle. I'm having Backpack connect to your mind. Think about the memories that you got from Cassandra. Concentrate on her battle with Murlough. Watch and learn." Arra told the group. Static did as he was asked showing them the memory of Cassandra decapitating Murlough and nearly dieing. They were sickened by all this while Static was grossed out.
"Our last battle with vampanzee's was a desperate gamble. It took place in the Black Forest. There were only fifty of them left and a hundred of us. The battle lasted for three hours. By the time it was done the Vampanzee Lord was slain but the cost were dear. Only ten of us survived and Victor and Demetra the last two Elders had to go into hibernation sleep. For centuries we wandered the world. Two hundred years ago we lost Larten in a fire. Then two and half months ago we came to Dakota and the rest is history. I'm sure that Virgil can fill you in on the details. I'm having Backpack download the rest of the information on vampanzee's into your main computers. Weakness, myths that are true and false, that sort of thing that will help you in the coming fight. I'm sure you'll find it informative. There are two important things you have to remember. One vampanzee's are traditionalist and never stray from them. Two they can gain information and power from blood. So lets be careful. Now I'm ready. Its time for me to become a vampire once again. Lead the way to the training room." Arra said calmly switching off Backpack and collecting all her things and leaving.
While she was getting sensors strapped to her body Static was getting anxious. He didn't want her to do to this. He tried one last time to talk her out of this. "Arra, listen to me. You don't have to do this. You can direct the troops or something. Thing of what your giving up, your ability to walk in the sun, to have a child, to be a normal teen. Look at your hands they don't have scars on them."
"To quote a friend of mine, I guess its not enough for me. I have to do this. Please try to understand. Now get out of here. Things are about to get hot in here." Arra told him as she hugged. Static walked out of the room and joined the League in the control booth. Batman gave her the signal to begin.
Arra placed her hands on the Bloodstone necklace that Superman gave her. Once again the stone was whole and pure. Its sharp edges cut her fingers and blood flowed from the tips. "Bloodstone it's me, Arra Sails. I know that I'm human again, but I beg of you to grant me one wish. To please change me back into a vampire and quickly. I want my vampire blood once again." She whispered.
The Bloodstone glowed a crimson red. Suddenly she was lifted twenty feet in the air. She screamed in pain as the mystical energy filled her. She could see the League and Static were concerned but she kept going. She had to do this.
Her teeth eleganted and formed fangs. Muscles rippled across her body. Her senses of smell, hearing, and sight sharpened. Her eyes took on a hypnotic gaze. Her nails became long, sharp, and pointed. Her mind opened up with telepathy coming back. She dropped to the ground and landed with superior grace.
Immediately all the test activated. She lifted a thousand pound weight above her head and bit clean through it. She dodged lasers with superhuman reflexes and speed. She shot them out with her nails and they went straight through titananium. She levitated into the air and announced her senses were working. Especially her sense of smell because she said, "Which one of you ate at Taco Bell?" They looked at Flash in amazement. She demonstrated her last two powers on him by making him act like a chicken then putting him to sleep.
"Sweet you got your powers back. You think you can use the Bloodstone to locate Richie?" Static asked.
"I've tried to use my telepathy but I can't find him. All I got were images of darkness, and feelings of fear. I would like to get started while there's still night left. I've decided who I want to help us. We need more female power, a detective, and someone who can match a vampanzee strength so I choose Superman, Wonder Women, and Batman. Hope you guys don't mind." Arra told the group.
"Of course not. We'd be honored to help. Besides I like to prove to you were not cowards." Superman stated.
"But remember our deal. You break it and were gone." Batman told her darkly.
"Understood. Lets go but first I'm hungry. I need a snake."
"Well I could go to cafeteria a pick something up for you." Hawkgirl volunteered but Arra shook her. She didn't need that kind of food. Suddenly they knew what she meant.
Jonn phased to the infirmary and returned with half a unit of O+ blood for her to drink. He read her mind and discovered it was her favorite. She stuck a straw in it and began to drink. She didn't seem to mind the looks she got. In her life she had seen people eat grosser stuff like rotten fish and duck embryos. "Thanks. Sorry if I grossed you out. Now I'm ready. Jonn can you set us down in HQ?"
The Martian nodded and set up the system. Hawkgirl and Green Lantern joined him dragging a still sleeping Flash. "Coordinates set. Remember if you need anything call us. And please be careful." He told his friends.
"Don't worry Jonn will be fine. You work on the problem up here. Will contact you if we need anything. Energize." Superman told him. In a flash of lights they were gone. Their adventure had just taken a new twist.