Chapter Seven

Mission Failed

Dream sequence

Robin silently walked down a hallway which was lined with numerous office doors. He reached the end and knocked lightly on the glass door, which read Director of Strategic Services. He heard a call to enter and smoothly opened the door. Dalton sat at his desk signing a mass of forms and papers. Robin stood attention and glanced around at the office and took in his surroundings completely. The next thing he laid eyes on was the exit, he didn't quite understand why since it was just his boss's office but he did so anyway.

"I see you're already putting that training to use," said Dalton not looking up from his papers. Robin stopped looking around and stared straight ahead. Dalton signed his signature on the last form and closed the folder it was in. He then rose from his desk and stood in front of Robin. "Tell me Mr. Grayson why are you here?" Robin looked confused for a moment.

"Because you recruited me, my friends don't even know where I am."

"A fact I'm very glad to hear," said Dalton smiling. He paused for a moment. "So, eager to begin your first assignment?"

"Do I have to kill someone?"

"And if you did?" Robin stepped a little closer.

"Then I'd say get Ilan to do it, I'm no killer." Dalton nodded while keeping his smile. "I'm eager to get back to my friends and my life Sir."

"Your friends, most likely. Your life, well I don't see how you'll ever have the same life ever again." He reached behind himself and pulled out a red folder. He opened it and produced an old bit of parchment which was folded and tied at the center. "Congratulations Soldier on your first and only assignment," he said handing putting it back into the folder and handing it to Robin. He took it with a mixture of wonder and perplexity.

"Sir?"

"You'll find all the details in that folder along with the map. Yes you heard me correctly, a map." Said Dalton at Robin's surprised face. "Until you read that file you will never know how important it is that you keep that map safe from anyone, even me. You're job, should you choose to accept it, is to guard it in secrecy and if necessary take action should you be discovered." Robin took the envelope from Dalton and nodded his head. He turned to walk out but Dalton stopped him. He walked up to Robin and locked the door.

"Was there something else Sir?" Robin didn't like the look of a locked door.

"Mr. Grayson, what I am about to tell you can never pass between anyone else." Robin nodded and straightened up. "Under absolutely no circumstances can you allow the map to leave your possession, I don't care who you think your leaving it with or how much you trust them. Your mission, is to Protect the Map……..at all costs. You understand me?" Robin gulped.

"Yes Sir, I do."

"Good. Have a nice day Soldier, your dismissed." As Robin left the office there was a sudden flash and the surroundings changed from CIA to Titans Tower. The clicking of a gun could be heard as someone holding it walked down the hall towards a Titan's room. The figure stopped before Starfire's door and opened it, however before he could enter Robin tackled him and a single shot went off.

End dream

Robin suddenly woke with a start and looked around franticly. He moved around so quickly and aimlessly that he hit his head against the stone wall. Gritting his teeth he grabbed the side of his head and suddenly felt a gentle pair of hands close around him.

"Shhhhh, be at ease Robin. It was merely a bad dream." Starfire sat behind him and held him close to her. A strange light shone dimly overhead, obviously intended to nullify Starfire's powers. Robin began to both breathe heavily and mumble to himself.

"Job…….m-my job was." He broke off from lack of oxygen and took in more heaving breaths. "Mission failed………objective n-not completed………….have to save Star." Starfire suddenly looked up at the mention of her name. She turned Robin around and looked him in the eye.

"Robin? What is wrong with you? Save me from what?" Robin looked at Starfire and his breathing slowed down. For a moment he had forgotten that she was with him.

"Starfire…….." She smiled at his saying her name. He staggered to his feet and sat down on the fold down bed. Starfire sat next to him and rubbed her arms. Seeing that she was cold Robin took off his black long coat and wrapped it around her. She curled up in it and sighed.

"I miss you're original attire." He smiled and looked around the stone cell that they were in. Taking a few good looks here and there he knew exactly where they were.

"111," he whispered.

"Pardon," she said moving closer.

"We're in room 111 Star. Or the whole complex is called Room 111." More fearful now than a moment ago Starfire let her eyes trial over the unpleasantness of the room.

"And what is in room 111?"

"Its were they bring those whom they wish to re-educate. My guess is that the rest of the Titans are in similar rooms like us." Starfire's eyes widened. She had only been through one other re-education and that was Mad Mod.

"Is the Mad Mod involved in this place?"

"Mad Mod? No, his methods are armature compared to these people. He bombards you with flashy images and loud noises. They on the other hand pray on your very soul."

"But who are they," asked Starfire though she wasn't quite sure she wanted to know.

"They're a cult called the Order of Osiris, their group has been around for hundreds of years. They basically do nothing except worship the Egyptian goddess Osiris, and eliminate anyone who gets in their way." Eyes filled with innocent curiosity she implored Robin to continue.

"So, they are the one's who sent that man to kill us?" Asked Starfire referring to the assassin that recently chased them down the street.

"His name is Ilan Sacha, (pronounced: EE-Laan Sasha) He's Russian and an expert sniper who was recruited by the CIA and trained just like me. If we ever get out of here we'll have him to deal with again." He paused and looked up at Starfire's face. "I'm really very sorry for just up and leaving you that night. I just didn't want anything to happen to you, but it seems I've failed in that too."

"No Robin, you are not a failure." She said putting a hand on his shoulder. "If that were so, then I would not be speaking to you right now." Robin nodded and leaned his head back. She had the impression that he didn't believe her. "Now please Robin, before anything else happens to either one of us, will you not tell me what the map leads to?" Robin looked back at her and thought for a moment. 'Might as well,' he thought.

"In ancient Egypt a powerful amulet was created, called the Eye of Osiris. It was said to have the ability to control the will of men, lay waste to entire armies, and raise cities to the ground." Starfire listened intently giving Robin her complete attention. "Somehow the eye found its way into the hands of a lone Chinese emperor. In his arrogance he sought to use the eye as a weapon of war and as a result his entire city was destroyed in a matter of seconds. The eye was buried beneath the earth for nearly a thousand years until the Marines discovered it Yamashita's mine. It killed one of them and they realized the danger of anyone having it, especially the dictators of the time."

"So the map leads to this Eye of Osiris?" Robin shook his head.

"No, the Latin text on the map says"-

"Youare able toread that foreign language also," asked an impressed Starfire.

"We were required to learn a variety of foreign languages; anyway, the map shows the way to three markers scattered across the world. When those markers are brought together, they will give the eye's exact location. I thought if I left the map with you I could run and they would chase me instead of looking around the tower."

"But, I do not have it," she said shaking her head. Again Robin shook his head.

"Do you still have that envelope with you?" She nodded and dug around in her pocket. She pulled it out and handed it to Robin. He looked it over for a second. Then showed her the front. With his index finger he pointed to the stamps. For a moment she simply looked at them then her eyes widened with comprehension.

"It's amazing how something so big and important, can be so small and miniscule. Just hold on to that and no one will find it." He handed it back to her. She took it and for some reason began to feel tears welling up.

"But Robin, what will happen to you should they conclude that you do not have the map." He opened his mouth but simply sighed and put his hands together.

"That's….not really important right now but"-

"NO ROBIN!" She went to her feet and let the envelope fall to the floor. She then glided next to him and wrapped her arms around him protectively. "If you don't have it I'm sure that perhaps they would"-

"I'm sorry Star, but you can't reason with them. They don't feel pity, they don't have compassion for others, and if they target you they absolutely will not stop. Ever! Until you are dead or worse, one of them."

"What do you mean, one of them?"

"Those that stand too well against Room 111, are administered The Conversion." Starfire didn't like the sound of that at all. She released him so he could explain. "The subject is bombarded relentlessly for days and days by a series of drugs and hypnosis. Went its over you don't know who you are, who your friends are, or even who youused to be. You're only lot in life is to serve the Order." Starfire's lip began to tremble. She wasn't afraid for herself, but for Robin.

"So, you will be Converted?" Robin held her face and brushed a tear away.

"I promise we'll get out of here. We'll stop them from getting the eye and everything will be fine. I promise Starfire, I promise." Starfire closed her eyes and rested her head on Robin's shoulder.

"Oh Robin, I do not wish to loose you again." She wet his shirt somewhat from her tears. Robin felt terrible, like the worst friend in the world. It was because of him that they were now in the clutches of the most ruthless people in the world. 'Why couldn't I be just be normal crime fighting Robin, not super spy mess-up?' No sooner had they decided to forget about all of this for a while then their cell door opened. They both sat up and saw two hooded figures enter the room. They stood against the opposite wall and each pointed an Ak-47 at them. One more hooded man came in and stood before them. After a moment of just staring he removed his hood and they saw it was Decker inside that robe.

"Steven?" Asked Robin narrowing his eyes.

"Surprised to see me Dick?"

"What do you want?"

"Oh it's not what I want, its what the Arbiter wants and what he's eventually going to get."

"This Arbiter shall not have what he seeks, you're plan shall fail!" Retorted Starfire. He looked down at her and ran a hand through her hair. She pulled away and Decker smacker in frustration. In the blink of an eye Robin had stood up and socked Decker in the jaw. Robin would have continued but the guards cocked their weapons and stood in front of him. Backing off he bent down and helped Starfire up. She rubbed the side of her face and shot Decker a glare. He stood up and smiled down at the two Titans.

"The duty to guard the map should've been mine!" Said Decker pointing to himself. "Why Dalton chose you over me will probably be mystery for all time now that Dalton's gone the way of the Dodo."

"You killed him," said Robin standing back up.

"And you didn't even use that deductive reasoning they taught you, very good Dick!"

"Steven you can't trust the Order, and escially not the Arbiter. Just let us go now and we can all get out of here." Decker simply smiled and shook his head.

"You will be believers my friends,the Arbiter will see you now." He had tow more guards come in and put the two of them in chains. They led Robin and Starfire out and began walking them in separate directions.

"ROBIN! Robin please what should I do?" Robin struggled against the zealots and looked back at Starfire.

"Do your very best not to scream."

Sorry for the shortness, I promise the next one will be longer. I know there was nothing but talk in this chapter but it has to happen at some point, might as well get it over with. I thought I could've done a little better on this chapter, but I'll let you decide that. Thanks for reading so far and I'll try to update soon. Now to get to work on my other story. Laters!