Thanks for the kind reviews. Special Thanks to Randomgirl14 for picking me up on that mistake. It's been fixed everywhere (hopefully)
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Terms and Abbreviations
Caucasian:Politically correct way of calling someone white
MP:Military Police
Civvies:Civilians, innocent people
Weapons Free:Order to shoot anything that moves
The A Team:1980s TV show staring George Peppard and Mr. T
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After the ride to the studio, Beast Boy was back to a slightly stunned version his normal self. This was owing to Robin's driving, always staying within an inch of speeding ticket territory. The green teen fell over after dismounting the bike.
"Dude, how do you fight after a ride like that?"
Robin grinned and extended his arm to help up Beast Boy
"It's easier when you're the driver. You still get the adrenaline rush but you don't get dizzy. It sort of warms me up so I can launch into the fight at 100 percent right from the get go."
Beast Boy removed the helmet and handed it to Robin who hung it on
"So, who are we looking for?"
Robin flipped out his communicator bringing up a series of mug shots. The Caucasian boy looked about nineteen. His short to medium length dark brown curly hair looked like it had once had a crew cut which had been left to grow out. His eyes were hidden by a pair of hinges Oakley M Frame tactical sunglasses with red lenses. It was the facial expression that frightened Robin. The facial expression was ruthlessly focused yet fatigued, not unlike a lot of war veterans' fresh back from brutal conflicts, still trying to come to terms with the things they'd seen and done. Add that to almost all of his crimes being classified and the whole thing read like a Robert Ludlum novel. The little voice inside Robin's head that had kept him alive over the years was continuously muttering about something not being right. Robin agreed.
"This guy's name is Jonathan Web. Most of his crimes are classified though he's got a few firearms offences, assaults, plenty of destruction to property and a kidnapping on the unclassified crimes. According to Speedy and Aqualad, he's tall, thin and well muscled, about Cybourg's height, probably a little shorter."
"So this is the guy who beat up Aqualad, broke his nose and left with the girl he was trying to chat up?"
"Actually no, that was his 'sidekick'. This is the guy is the one who threw Speedy out a second story window into the river. Web didn't take kindly to Speedy pulling a bow on his pall. I'll show you the sidekick."
Robin pressed a button and the mug shot changed to an infinitely friendlier one. The boy on screen looked substantially younger. He was also Caucasian though lacked the rough edge of his comrade. The neatly yet stylishly combed dark hair, soft green eyes and a big friendly grin showing a perfect set of teeth all screamed chick magnet.
"A big guy with a face like that'll get the girl every time"
A smile lit Robin's face. Beast Boy was going to like his next revelation.
"Actually he's not big at all, that was Aqualad trying to save some dignity. He's about your size and build, a little smaller"
Beast Boy broke into hysterical laughter
"Dude this guy's got style, pity we've to nail him, but to make up for it I'm never gonna let Aqualad live it down once I bag this guy."
Ordinarily Robin would have given Beast Boy a lecture about not getting too cocky though he couldn't help but smile. It wouldn't hurt to occasionally remind the Titans East who the originals were. He also much preferred the arrogant jackass that Beast Boy had been when he joined the team to the one they'd had for the last six months since Terra… Back to the mission!
"This guy's name is Andrew Hurst, 15 year old son of the late Professor James Hurst, a top grade scientist. The kid is a mechanical genius. Two years back, Web kidnapped him and probably murdered his father at the same time though that's never been confirmed. They've been working together as mercenaries ever since. Sounds like a classic case of…"
"Stockholm syndrome. The kidnapping victim becomes attached to the kidnapper"
Robin just stood there with his mouth wide open. It took a few second for Beast Boy to say anything.
"What, I learnt it from a James Bond movie, 'The World is Not Enough'"
"Where was I?"
"You were talking about the kid having Stockholm syndrome."
"Thanks. Now they've also been sighted with a girl once or twice, it may be nothing though she could be working with them. We don't have a picture though she looks about 13, blond hair, blue eyes petite figure"
"She sounds like…"
"We don't know when where or even if these guys are going to show up at the studio. For all we know they've already been and gone. What we're here to do is ask around, see if anyone's seen or herd anything. We might get lucky and find a clue or something."
Robin mentally breathed a sigh of relief. The conversation came too close to Terra for comfort. After making so much progress with Beast Boy he didn't like the idea of going back to square one. Robin was surprised how much Terra's 'predicament' was affecting him day to day. 'And to me she was just a friend' he thought to him self 'how would I feel if it was Star?' Robin visibly shuddered at the thought. He forced himself to think of the case.
After about an hour of searching, the two titans were heading back to Robin's bike when three Military Police cars pulled up. This was more than enough to get their attention. Four uniformed officers stepped out of each car, each brandishing a standard issue M16 A4. Robin guessed that they wouldn't come in such numbers packing this much firepower unless they thought they would need it. His theory was confirmed when they all racked the charging rods. The two titans decided it was worth listening to what the CO and his deputy were arguing about
"…though you've go to admire their sense of humor Colonel"
"What do you find funny about Web using my name to act in movies!"
"You're right sir, there's nothing funny about that at all."
In his panicked state, the junior officer didn't notice that he'd just knocked over a bearded old man. Robin helped the old man to his feet.
"Are you alright?"
"Thanks kid, I'm alright. Those Damn MP's knocked my groceries all over the place. Why even back in Nam they cared more about minor things we did than the rest of the war."
Robin helped the man pick up the last few potatoes before continuing to follow the MPs. After Robin walked off, the old man removed a pair of sunglasses from his bag of groceries and put them on. Oakley M Frame tactical sunglasses with red lenses.
The MPs gathered outside the entrance of the set to Wicked Scary 3. The Colonel in charge kicked down the door and the MPs Filed in.
"Military Police! Everybody Freeze! Hurst? Where's Web?"
James Hurst was wearing a pair of dark blue denim jeans, black Nike runners and a stylish black leather jacket. He was leaning on a special effects control panel.
"Um, nice to see you again Colonel Fry. He's not around. Can I take a message?"
"Do you think this is some kind of game? You're in real trouble"
"He left one for you."
"He left me a message?"
"Your mother wears combat boots."
"That's it! Grab the little…"
With that Hurst flicked a switch causing a ton of smoke to engulf the MPs and Titans. Hurst's next move was to run for his life.
The two Titans only took a couple seconds to recover as they were used to dealing with such tricks and proceeded to give chase. Web darted down an ally between two indoor sets.
"Head him off!"
Beast Boy obediently changed directions morphing into a tiger darting off at amazing speed. As Robin turned the corner to follow Hurst down the ally, a volley of gunshots whizzed overhead. The Boy Wonder instinctively dived behind the nearest piece of solid cover. A smile lit Hurst's face who then turned to continue running. He did this just in time to see a green tiger mid leap coming at him before being knocked flying in a graceful arc. Hurst hit the ground with Beast Boy still in tiger form landing on his chest and the handgun falling to the ground well out of reach. Beast Boy gave a fearsome growl.
"Nice kitty"
Robin picked up the handgun and examined it. A Colt Special Combat Government .38 Super. This was a precision instrument for competition use. The .38 Super round provides high velocity and accuracy but is impractical for combat use as it cuts strait threw most targets rather than staying inside the body to inflict maximum internal damage. For combat use, one would have bought its brother chambered for the .45 ACP round.
"You Ok?"
Beast Boy had reverted to human form to ask the question thought still kept a firm grip on his captive.
"I'm fine. He never intended to shoot me."
"How can you tell?"
"Look at the bullet holes. They're well over my head."
"You sure he wasn't just a bad shot?"
"Yeah. Look how tight the shot grouping is. Not to mention that he's using a competition gun chambered for competition rounds."
"Don't thank me or anything" Grunted Hurst "Just because I was considerate enough not to waste you because I was thinking of the civvies you guys look out for. While I'm at it, I don't suppose you'd conceder letting me go by any chance?"
Twelve rifle barrels were now trained on his face.
"Can't blame a guy for trying"
Colonel Fry roughly hauled Hurst to his feet when the radio on his belt crackled to life
"Hi Fry. You just got upstaged by a couple teenagers. That happens to you a lot doesn't it?"
An incensed Colonel Fry grabbed the radio off his belt.
"Web! How did you get this frequency?"
"Lieutenant Colonel Jones should watch where he's going. It's not nice to knock over little old men."
A scared MP grasped at his belt franticly to find no radio.
"Make that SERGANT Jones!"
"Sound's fare considering you'll be a private when I'm finished with you. Corporal if you're lucky"
"SHOW YOURSELF!"
The enraged Colonel gripped Hurst so hard that the boy winced.
"Easy on the kid OR ELSE."
This was the first hint of malice from Web
"OR ELSE WHAT!"
"That's the trouble with you, you're hard to threaten. I can't threaten to blow your brains out because you clearly have none. I can't credibly threaten to blow off your manhood as even I can't hit anything SO SMALL."
"ENOUGH GAMES! COME OUT NOW!"
"Ready or not, here I come."
A flash bang grenade soared threw the air in a graceful arc, detonating about a foot above the group. The brilliant white flash and deafening bang (bet you didn't see that one coming) dazed the group. Allowing Web, dressed entirely in black save for the red lenses of his Oakley's, a brown leather shoulder holster and the polished and blued Desert Eagle within, to safely close the distance between the end of the ally and the group. As Robin began to recover from the flash bang's effects, the first thing he felt was the base of said Desert Eagle hitting him in the face while Hurst's Colt was being twisted out of his hand. By the time the MPs and two Titans where in a position to give chase, Web and Hurst were out of the ally.
"Weapons Free! Weapons Free! The one who gets em keeps his rank!"
Web and Hurst climbed into a black Pontiac GTO. Were it not for the quad exhaust pipes, black OZ Racing wide 17" magnesium alloy rims and an idle exhaust note that sounded like a small nuclear detonation an observer would have sworn that the car was stock. The interior was a different story. A partial role cage had been installed to mount the four point racing harnesses and stop the raw power of the upgraded engine from ripping the car to pieces without sacrificing head room for the rear passengers. The standard red leather seats, steering wheel and sound system remained but the shifter had been replaced with a racing style raised short shifter greatly reducing the distance between the shifter and the wheel
Web shifted into first, gave it a touch of gas before releasing the clutch then opened the black beast right up. The small nuclear detonation turned into a deep apocalyptic roar as the black beast catapulted away at frightening speeds.
The MPs cut loose with the M16A4s but couldn't hope to hit anything moving that fast. Unfortunately the same couldn't be said for the thousands of dollars worth of film sets and equipment that the GTO sped past.
Beast Boy knew that even in cheetah form there was no way he could hold a candle to a V8 monster, so instead he dashed back with Robin to his bike hoping to get going in time to give chase. They both jumped on the bike and Robin fired the ignition though the engine wouldn't start. He opened the throttle right out but still no result. He glanced round at the MPs who had now returned to their cars and were having the same problem. It was only then that Robin noticed the fake beard lying across his speedo and tacho. That 'Old Man's' beard. Robin kicked himself, he'd helped Web pick up the potatoes that he'd jammed down the exhaust pipes. The disheartened Boy Wonder flicked open his communicator.
"Cybourg, we need a lift."
Bu now the GTO had slowed to legal speeds and blended in with traffic. There were plenty of GTOs around jump city and it wasn't uncommon for them to have aftermarket rims and exhausts so it would only be a matter of changing the plates next time they stopped and they were home free. The driver and passenger knew this and were laughing their heads off. It was the second time they'd tangled with a Teen Titans team and the second time they'd absolutely humiliated them. Not to mention the MPs but ditching them was a relaxed game of golf by comparison. It'd be even easier were ti not for the fact that Web and Hurst had their habit of never making an escape without seeing the look on Fry's face.
"I love it when a plan comes together"
Hurst broke into hysterics at the comment.
"You're missing the cigar, Hanable"
"You know, maybe we should start calling ourselves The A Team. It's not as if there aren't similarities between our methods and the show. Not to mention the way we deal with MPs"
"Yeah but we don't have a walking jewelry store or a lunatic pilot on the team. It just wouldn't be right."
The two broke into more laughter until Angela's voice came threw on the radio in the glove box.
"Cain is for Charlie"
Hurst removed the radio and flicked it to VOX
"Delta is for Cain." Responded Web "What's up?"
"What ever you do, DON'T humiliate the titans like you usually do"
Their expressions changed as they simultaneously mimed the same swearword
Hurst managed to muster the courage to respond
"Why's that?"
"Because I found Terra and she's… she's had another incident though more severe than ever before and they were involved. We'll need their co-operation to work out exactly what happened. Meet me in the cave near the south side. You've got to see this for yourself."
Web shook his head.
"Rodger that. Delta out"
Hurst switched off the radio
"She's gong to kill us, you know that don't you?"
"Yep, we're dead."
Trigger happy MPs and a couple angry super heroes were easy enough for Web and Hurst, but there was no escaping Angela when she was in a bad mood. However the two friends weren't as worried about the impending angry lecture they were in for as much as they usually would be. They were both wondering what happened to their old friend and what sort of 'incident' she'd had.
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So what do you guys think? This is my first fic so any feedback no matter how brutally honest it may be is appreciated. If my writing style or the new characters I've developed.
If anybody missed the discreet homage to The Bourne Identity (and the rest of the Bourne trilogy for that matter) in the first chapter it's about to jump out and bite you in this one. That is if you've read the books, the movies are less obvious.
Exams are gonna take a chunk out of my schedule for the next two weeks so the next chapter might take a while.