Long time no see! Thank you for all my readers! I plan on updating on black friday so not so much wait time. Please leave a comment and expect some good Hive and Starfire interaction next time.

While my breakdown on international television yielded lots of support and an extra two days of resources, Starfire was still missing. Though it proved to me she was not in civilization. If anyone had shown her the footage she would have gone berserk and rushed home X'hal damn the consequences as she would say.

It just didn't make sense. Though it needed to as one of the countdown clocks was getting nearer to zero. Every one of our extraterrestrials had been given a buddy and some had changed locations. Argent had relocated to Russia within RedStar's bunker while Superman had taken up post on the moon for a better point of vigilance. The entire network took pause to watch the clock when it hit zero and the first round of check ins went without conflict. Everyone was safe.

Unfortunately it became obvious heroes were not the target this time. Aliens in prisons across the country and world were the victims of a mass rampage hosted by inmates. It was too precisely aligned with the countdown to be random. 65 out of the 89 incarcerated inmates were in critical condition with 37 not expected to wake up. Only those kept in total isolation were spared.

Mankind was not simply picking off heroes and we had failed those within the system meant to enforce justice. It had been an oversight on our end not to extend the same protections. Though it revealed critical information that Mankind had range. They had crossed multiple languages and regions of the world. While the attacks had been executed by prisoners the randomness of behavior suggested whatever Mankind was offering was too good to refuse. The instigators were being investigated, but it was too early to get answers.

Sitting in Jump City waiting felt too restrictive. Starfire had always been a woman of action, she always understood my need to get out and wander. I was doing nothing here. I had not saved any lives by perching here. I was limited in my view, both in a routine of being in the Titans and clouded by the absence of my special teammate.

There was a timer for 5 days out and I couldn't let it take us by surprise again. I needed to be able to dig deeper.

Footage was released an hour after the attacks in one horrific supercut calling for humans to stand with Mankind. They praised those who came forward to protect our homeland from those who come here and cause crime. The propaganda was enhanced by the multicolored blood shown in the wounds showing the biological difference.

"This is bad." Kid Flash said. He had not left my side acting as an emotional support hero.

"It's our fault for not thinking of them." I said as the video went for it's second loop. The most horrific part of the video was the triumphant music in the background.

"Hey!" He reprimanded me putting a hand on my shoulder. "It's not your fault. No one can blame you for being off your game right now. You're only…" He caught himself knowing the human and mankind sentiment was not at all what I wanted to hear.

"I need to be better." I said and turned the video off for now.

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"You're the best person for this, Donna. I need someone I can trust and someone who can lead. I just need some space from Jump, my heads not straight here." I said knowing that I was laying it a little thick, but it was a huge ask for Donna to break away from her isolation on Themyscira. She would have to ask Wonder Woman directly and it would not be a pretty conversation. Though Jump was vulnerable without a powerhouse, and soon to be without a leader. Donna would be able to bear the weight of both roles. Though out of everyone she hit the highest scores. She had also not met Starfire so she was also not in mourning.

"I want to help with everything, Rob. It's just up to Princess Di and she still thinks I need more training." She said from her smuggled communicator. Diana had kept her on the island after a near fatal injury 4 years back and she had been touch and go with check ins.

"Please just ask, with everything going on out here a return from you would mean a lot to the world. People feel unsafe and unstable. You always were able to bring people together." I responded hoping she had only grown in her talents with time in training. I wasn't wrong, but I knew she could be introspective and critical.

"I'll ask. No promises, but if it really as bad as you say… I'm really sorry Dick. I know you.." she started.

"I can't" I cut her off. I couldn't think about this right now. I couldn't say anything right now. "Thank you." I said since I knew she was trying to be a good friend just like Wally. I had good friends, I just needed space and time if my alien girlfriend wasn't an option.

"I've been trolling the beaches here. I know she was over the other ocean, but weirder things have happened." She had lowered her voice and I knew that she was the best choice. Wally was too impulsive and scared to lead. Victor was dealing with grief as well and might act more wild than his machine half directed. Donna was unattached yet big hearted. She could think with a level head and a heart dedicated to helping people. Her strength and training just added to my faith in her.

"You're right. Thank you, I mean it. Donna, I really need you here. I need to get away from the city, but I need to leave it in the best hands I can." I knew my voice sounded more broken aloud than in my head.

"I'll ask, if things are as bad as you say, I am needed." She said with enough of a promise in her tone I could relax. "Just take care of yourself, you sound awful."

"I'm not doing my best, but hopefully that can change." I breathed and went back to packing my bag. "Can you be ready to come in 24 hours? If she says yes. The clock is just ticking." Literally.

"Sure it's not like I have much to pack. I'm going to hang up, but know I'll be there as soon as I can."

"Thanks Donna." I said and paused as I looked over at my dresser. Green stones were sitting in pile and I had a strange urge to pack one. I just needed something to stay close to her as she was missing. I just hoped it would be a temporary fix as I tucked one of her glove gems into an empty compartment in my belt.

I wouldn't have to pack much myself since Gotham was fully equipped with what I needed. While Batman's attempts at being a supportive father figure were few and far between his resources were the true support I needed. His understanding of my need for closure was exactly what I needed. I was not giving up hope for Starfire to come back, but I needed to understand what was happening. Mankind was not some small threat. They had insider knowledge and international range.

I was too unfocused here. I wasn't able to sleep in my own bed. I kept going to Starfire's haunts when my mind would wander which was more than I was comfortable with. I just needed a change and I would be an hour away in the Batplane if anything changed.

Though as much as I wanted change I knew it could only be achieved through my own actions this time.