"You Titans sure are keeping us busy tonight." The police officer said as he put a key into the door that led to the interrogation room.
Static glanced at him.
"Oh, yeah?"
"Yeah. Robin was here a couple of hours ago talking to the exact same prisoners. I heard he didn't have much luck." The police officer sniffed and scratched the side of his nose. "And no offense to you and Stargirl there but-"
"Her name's Starfire." Static corrected him.
The policeman shrugged.
"Yeah. Right. Sorry. I'm not too good with names and all. Anyway, no offense to you two...But Robin got nothing. If he couldn't crack them, I'd wager no one can."
"Really now?" Static smirked. "And I thought gambling was illegal in this city..."
The police officer glared.
"No one likes a smart-ass."
"I disagree." Starfire finally spoke with a forced lilt to her voice. "An intelligent donkey would be quite the enjoyable novelty, much akin to your speaking canine, right?"
"..." Static blinked.
"..." The policeman blinked.
"...Heh." Static leaned forward and ran a hand through his spiky black locks. "Gotta love her."
"...Sure." The policeman opened the door for them and stepped back. "Wait here. Make yourselves at home. I'll go get the prisoners."
"Aye, aye." Static saluted.
The policeman looked at him funny.
"Um...ten-four?"
The policeman shrugged and walked away.
Static walked into the room behind Starfire.
"What's shove up his butt?"
Starfire was looking around the small, plain room. The only furniture was a sterile white table and rigid chairs.
"This place is so...uninviting."
Static tried to peer through the one-way mirror.
"Hehe. I think that's the idea, girl."
"...Ah." Starfire looked down at the table.
The stood there in silence until Fraust, Miist and Polaar were escorted in.
"Heheheh!" Miist snickered. "We pwn Robin so he sends his girlfriend and the guy they hired to keep Jesse Jackson and the ACLU off their backs? Give me a break!"
Static glared.
"Sit. Down."
"Heheh. Yas suh, mastah!"
Static brought up his fists, but Starfire was talking.
"Tell us about Flaar." It was much more a request than a command.
"I ain't saying nothing. I want my lawyer!" Miist stared at them, but then his face broke and he giggled. "Heheheh. I always wanted to say that."
"Please." Starfire implored them. "I sense horrible things have happened to him. And I fear it shall continue unless I do something..."
Miist leaned his chair back on two legs and put his feet on the table. He smirked.
"Tough titty said the kitty but the milk is dry."
Static frowned. He pulled the chair from behind and sent Miist falling to the floor.
"How dare YOU!"
Miist lunged at him, but he didn't have a chance. Policemen flooded into the room and restrained him. Even as he cursed, they pulled him towards the door. Silently, Polaar and Fraust stood and followed.
"Wait!" Starfire held her hands together. "Please...I must know!"
Fraust stopped and looked back.
"...Please..."
Fraust slowly turned and sat back down.
"You wish to know where Flaar is?"
"Yes." Starfire nodded quickly. "Very much so!"
Fraust looked at them. Her face was expressionless.
"You know of HIVE, right?"
"Of course." Static said. "Cyborg and the Titans trashed the placed after Brother Blood took it over. The group is history."
"For a while it was. Most of the students and those employed by HIVE left. Some created their own rogue groups. But it's not been reborn as Neo HIVE."
"That's who you work for?" Static guessed.
"I am a slave, not an employee. But yes. Flaar is the same."
"Where can we find him?" Starfire wanted to know.
"I know where a Neo HIVE facility is, but I can't tell you the way."
"Why not?"
"It's...complicated. But I can show you."
"...That's out of the question." Starfire said quietly.
Static looked at her.
"But-"
Fraust stood up.
"I'll give you time to think about it." She paused and looked at Starfire. "I can tell you really care about him." She turned and allowed herself to be escorted away.
"Why did you shoot it down so quick?" Static asked.
"Robin would never allow it."
"But this is important, girl! Haven't you ever bent the rules just a little?"
Starfire shook her head.
"If she escaped, Robin would be most angry."
"But we'd be there." Static said. "If we both kept an eye on her-"
"I am not prepared to take the risk. We will have to find another way."
"What other way is there?"
Starfire shook her head sadly.
"I do not know." She turned, floated across the floor and left the room.
Static watched her go and then plopped into a chair. He fidgeted with his fingerless gloves.
Then the light bulb flashed on. He reached into his jacket and pulled out a cellphone. He hit a button and put it to his ear.
"Yo, Ritchie! I got a favor to ask..."
