Settling

And so the young stranger Nemo, who was also Mindsurge, joined the Titans in their tower on the island in the bay of the city. After the team meeting had ended and the members and dispersed, he was left with Robin, who began to explain to him the many facets of duty that being a Titan entailed. "As a team, it's our single priority to ensure the safety of this city and the innocents who live and work here. All criminals, terrorists, and other assorted villains must be defeated or prevented from allowing their schemes to come to fruition."

"I understand." Mindsurge replied, nodding. "We're protectors foremost." Robin nodded back, "Yes, but there are some limitations to our role as protectors. Limitations in the amount of force that can be used against offenders, for instance. I, and citizens of this city, will not tolerate excessive force on any Titan's part against an enemy. That includes undue injury or potential fatalities. The people... erm, most of them are or were people, we fight are still living, breathing humans who have just as much right as the rest of us. And, I say that very liberally, as I'm sure there are a few who don't fit under the human or breathing category, anymore."

"Uh, right... So, no killing or maiming of any sort." Mindsurge said, "I've got it. Anything else?"

Robin replied, "Only the chain of command. While I remain in good health and mental stability, I am in charge. I expect strict and unwavering obedience to my orders, as hesitation or the inability to follow orders to the fullest extent could cost someone... perhaps a team mate... their life, understand?"

"Understood." Mindsurge said. Robin continued, "Good. Now, in the event that I somehow become incapacitated or otherwise unfit to command, the mantle of authority is passed on to Cyborg. He's been officially designated as Second in Command. From there, if he should fall or otherwise become unable to command, follow Raven's leadership. And, so on with Starfire, ending with Beast Boy, if things get truly hellish."

"Um, let's hope that never happens, I guess." Mindsurge remarked. Robin's face betrayed no mirth, but he replied, "If it does, we're all doomed anyways, so what's the worst that can happen?"

Mindsurge scratched at the back of his head, uneasily, "Oh, good point, there..." Robin stood from his seat on the couch. "Alright, aside from the training schedule that you'll eventually memorize, there's little left to do to get you ready. Cyborg should be able to procure a room for you in the tower's living quarters. We should have a few rooms to spare, or that can be converted to other uses. Oh, and if the Crime Alert should go off, report to the main room from wherever you are in the tower. You'll need this to communicate should you be out somewhere else in the city." He produced a small, compact circular device. Emblazoned with a white T in a black field set upon yellow metal. Mindsurge took the device from Robin, and felt it's weight in his grasp. "This is a Titans Communicator, which will allow us to know where you are via the Titans Mainframe and be able to speak with you at a moments notice. Keep it with you at all times, if you can remember. It might save your life one day."

Robin left to do some filing work in his quarters. He told Mindsurge to go and find Cyborg down in the tower's garage. It seemed that he oftentimes was down there, working on one thing or another. He took the elevator down and found the cybernetic hero hard at work polishing the high tech car from earlier. Upon hearing the elevator doors open, he turned and looked over his shoulder. "Eh, if it ain't the Mindsurge, himself! How ya doin' so far? Robin bend your ear yet with all the fancy protocol he's always talkin' about?"

"Yeah, gave me a lot to think about and remember for the future. He went to go and do some other work, and told me to find you." Mindsurge replied.

"Find me? For what? Oh! I know, he wants me to fix you up with a room here in the tower. Well, alright... give me a sec to finish polishing my baby, here, and I'll see what I can do." Cyborg said. He back to polishing the smooth, streamlined surface of the vehicle before him. He worked diligently and carefully, using a high quality polishing oil and a bran new looking cloth. He made that car positively radiant under the fluorescent lightning of the garage. "Booyah! Man, the T-car has never looked so good!"

"The T-car? What does that stand for, anyway?" Mindsurge inquired. Cyborg looked over at him with a strange look on his face, "Dawg, do I really have to explain it to you?"

"What? Is it that obvious? Oh, wait..." Mindsurge blinked, "The Titans car..." Cyborg laughed, "Man, you had me worried for a moment there. Anyway, yeah, that's what it stands for. I should know, I built the thing."

"Really? All on your own?" Mindsurge said. Cyborg snorted, "Yeah, man! I'm the technology specialist for the team. It's pretty cool, huh?"

"Yeah, it certainly looks... high tech... and all." Mindsurge replied. Cyborg looked at him out of the corner of his eye, "You don't know jack about cars, do you?"

"Um, no... not a clue." Mindsurge admitted, directing his gaze to the smooth concrete floor at his feet.

Cyborg shrugged, and didn't seem to be overly disappointed. "Oh well, at least I'll be able to give you a few lessons on the subject later... Anyway! Let's go get you a room, shall we?"

Mindsurge followed him back into the elevator. It took them back up to the floor of the towers with the living quarters. Exiting the elevator, Cyborg led him down a myriad of interconnected hallways and corridors. "I should also tell you that my old man was the one who built this place, the whole of it. I know it like the back of my hand, pretty much."

"Really? I think I would have already been lost, if it hadn't been for you." Mindsurge remarks.

Cyborg replied, "Yeah, well... it is a bit labyrinthian in nature, but nothing a few weeks will cure. Soon enough, you'll be able to navigate just as easily as the rest of us. Anyway, before we get too ahead of ourselves, I should give you the whole spiel on quartering protocol in the tower."

Mindsurge sighed, "Another one?" Cyborg smirked, "Yeah, another one. Don't worry though, I'll try and be brief. I don't like to hear my own voice half as much as the Boy Wonder does!" He cleared his throat. "All members of the Titans will have their own personal living quarters, furnished to their tastes, so long as it doesn't impede operational efficiency or effectiveness. Each titan's quarters has only one entrance and exit, secured by an electronic locking mechanism which operates independent of the main security network. You will create your own entry code, and keep it on the down low so only you may access your quarters. Ya know, don't go blabbin' it to the world. Beast Boy did that, and had to change his code at least twice in the same day."

"Is that it?" Mindsurge inquired. Cyborg nodded, "Officially, yeah, that's it. Unofficially, though, there are a few things you need to know about the other Titan's rooms. One; you never ever, and I mean NEVER, go into Raven's room for any reason! Two; don't go into BB's room unless you have a deathwish. The little dude's never cleaned it, not once since he joined up. I swear, there are some things in there you'll wish you never saw! And, the last thing, don't expect to knock on Robin's door and actually talk to him. The guy is an insomniac, working late into the early morning on God-knows-what, and rarely answers his own door. Besides that, just respect people's privacy if you find a door open or unsecured. Got it?"

"I got it." Mindsurge replied. Cyborg smiled, "Good. Because, here we are!" They stopped out in front of a metal door. Beside it, a keypad had been set into the wall. Cyborg tapped one key and the door opened. He motioned for Mindsurge to step ahead of him. Mindsurge entered the room beyond and found a compartment of fair size inside. It had a bed, lacking the mattress or anything else. And it had a single solitary dresser, which he also supposed was empty. The walls, floor, and ceiling were devoid of any decoration whatsoever. It gave the room a spartan feel.

"It's kinda bare, now. But later on, we'll get ya some stuff to make it your own. Whatdaya think?" Cyborg inquired.

Mindsurge surveyed the room fully and replied, "Well, it's the most I've had in a while. I can't complain."

Cyborg started for the door. "Don't worry, man. It'll look better once we get some stuff in here. In fact, I'll get on that right away. Wouldn't want to forget before it comes time for bed. Alright, I've got to jet. Hey, have you thought of a better uniform, yet?"

"A better uniform?" Mindsurge echoed, looking puzzled. Cyborg ducked his head back in and replied, "Yeah, you know... a uniform! Most of the team has one... well, except me. I really have no use for clothes anymore, do I?"

"Ah, no... I guess not. I guess it would be nice to have better fitting clothes." Mindsurge muttered, looking down at the ill fitting lab gear he had worn since he had left the abandoned research lab.

"Well, maybe Beast Boy or Starfire might have some ideas. See ya round!" Mindsurge waited in the room till the heavy footfalls faded in the distance. He looked around the room. In one hand he had Gaurotte's book. The only document he had kept from the Titans. He walked over to the bed frame and set the book down on the floor underneath. He'd read it later. He took a deep breathe and headed for the door. He went searching for Beast Boy and Starfire and found them in the main room. Beast Boy was sitting on the couch, playing some game on the entertainment console hooked up to the big screen. Starfire floated nearby, watching avidly. Beast Boy paused the game when he realized that Mindsurge stood nearby.

"Hey, you wanna get a little Mega Monkey 4 action, dude?" he offered. Mindsurge shook his head, "No, but thanks for asking."

"Oh well, your loss, dude. This game is one of the greats! A classic!" Beast Boy said, returning to the game.

"Greetings once again, new friend Mindsurge. Did you find your living space satisfactory?" Starfire inquired, smiling radiant as ever.

Mindsurge shrugged, "It's okay. Say, Cyborg mentioned that I should be looking for a better uniform. He said you two would have some ideas, possibly."

Beast Boy nearly killed his character in surprise. He quickly paused the game. "Cyborg said that? Well, of course! It's about time he recognized my inherent expertise in making super awesome costumes!"

"Yes, it is quite pleasing to hear that friend Cyborg has so much faith in us." Starfire added. "Might I suggest we start with something pink?" Before Mindsurge could even voice his opinion on the matter, Beast Boy replied, "Uh... Starfire, pink wouldn't suit him..."

"Oh... Why not?"

"Um... because... because... his eyes are blue!" Beast Boy cried, and then proceeded to wrap one arm around Mindsurge's shoulders. With his other hand, he pointed to Mindsurge's right eye. "See? Pink should never go with blue, it's as simple as that!"

"I see..." Starfire replied, though her tone suggested otherwise. Mindsurge cleared his throat and ducked out from under Beast Boy. "Uh, could we perhaps do this without any pink... or any unwanted physical contact? That was just making me uneasy..."

Beast Boy replied, "Sure, whatever. Jeez, your even weirder than Raven! And, that's saying something. Come on, follow us! We'll get you suited up in no time!"

They went into Starfire's room. Mindsurge found the room to be an overwhelming shade of pink. Beast Boy didn't seem to mind, though if what Cyborg had said about his room was true, he would be happy just about anywhere. A half hour passed, as they went through box after box of clothing. Apparently, they had a stock of spare material for putting together hero uniforms. And, surprisingly, Beast Boy and Starfire did have good suggestions. In the end, his official Titans uniform comprised of clothing mostly blue and gold. Light jacket, short sleeved shirt, belt, pants, and shoes. All blue with some amount of gold on them. Looking in the mirror, Mindsurge really couldn't find a problem with the way he looked. Even better, these clothes fit.

"Not bad, if I do say so myself!" Beast Boy said, grinning widely. Starfire clasped her hands, "He does look similar to a disreputable donkey!"

Beast Boy quirked an eyebrow, "Uh, Starfire... do you mean badass?"

"Verily!"

"Okay, so... thanks, I guess." Mindsurge replied. "I'll leave you to go back to your games."

"Alright dude, no prob. See ya later!" Beast Boy replied, and bounded off with Starfire in close pursuit. Mindsurge wondered if he'd ever get used to those two. He decided to go and get some fresh air. He left Starfire's room and headed for the elevator, and decided to see if he could get to the roof of the tower. Sure enough, the elevator ran straight to the roof. When he doors were opened, he was treated to a spectacular view of the bay and the surrounding city on the mainland. He stood there for a few moments, drinking in the scenery.

"Just what do you think your doing up here?" A voice suddenly deadpanned. "GAAAHH!" Completely unprepared, and badly startled, Mindsurge nearly fell off of the roof. When he had ceased the terrified beating of his heart, he looked around. Sitting cross-legged not more than a few feet away was a petite, cloaked form. "Uh... Raven?"

"Mindsurge... Didn't anyone tell you, that this is where I meditate?" Raven replied in a monotone voice. She sounded a little exasperated. "And, to meditate effectively, I need to be... absolutely... alone."

Mindsurge fidgeted, and started for the elevator, "Um, no... no one told me. Sorry, I'll just be going then! Didn't mean to interrupt anything..."

A tired sigh of resignation. "Nevermind, I was just about finished anyway." Raven stood and turned to face him. She spent a moment surveying his change of apparel.

"You look... blue." She said in a dry tone at length. Mindsurge shrugged, "It was that, or pink. Lots of pink. Or green."

"Let me guess, Beast Boy and Starfire?"

"Yeah, Cyborg's suggestion." Mindsurge admitted. Raven seems to smirk, but then as quickly as it appears, it's gone. "That was a dirty trick. I think I'll have to have a little word with him."

"Oh... okay." Mindsurge replied, and wondered just what she was talking about. " I need some tea." With that, Raven entered the elevator and disappeared down into the tower. The abruptness of her departure left him standing there, blinking. He shrugged, and turned back to admire the wondrous sea and landscape that surrounded his new home. However, he did not have long to do so. A few seconds later, his brand new Titans communicator vibrated in his pant's pocket. He pulled it out and activated it with a beep. "Uh... Mindsurge, here. What's up?"

"Mindsurge? It's Robin. I'm down on the ground floor, at the entry foyer. Seems you've got a few visitors here. I suggest you get down here as fast as possible." a familiar voice said from the device's speakers.

"Visitors, for me? Are you sure?" Mindsurge replied, sounding dubious. "He wants to speak with the 'special young man' who saved his daughter earlier today. That means you, unless I miss my guess. And that doesn't happen often. So, no more wasting time, Mindsurge. Get down here. Robin, out."