Small victories save morale. This week had been a number of small victories for both me and Donna. We had finally been able to get a step ahead of Mankind.
They had went after Argent and Red Star had been able to neutralize the team who had come with a special toxin that would have made her helpless. It was suspected they wanted to use her for intel and then finish the job. It was sickening, but we had three new informants. The only issue is the way of interrogation. The traditional style could take a long time, but Raven still had a mild head injury which limited her abilities. We were too paranoid to use Jo'nn in case it was what the organization had that in their plans. Other telepaths were in other dimensions at the moment so interrogation would take time.
It was at least a lead, a chance. It was more than I had since this all started and I was just grateful there was something to grasp before I fell off the ledge. Batman had refused to let me participate since it was too close, but he kept me informed. He was worried about Superman so he had taken an active role. Superman and the rest of the kryptonians were requested to stay off world temporarily so everyone had stepped up to take a shift in Metropolis. Mine was tonight.
Donna and the rest of my team had managed to arrest some villains. The incident with the Hive Five just proved to be a little adjustment period as they were able to handle Control Freak, Fang and Kitten, Dr. Light and just the night before Johnny Rancid. It was progress and showing that the team could still work even if the members shifted. My calls from Donna had gotten less panicked and more proud. Though Wally was on call if she was feeling like she needed him. I suspected if they faced the Hive Five again she would call him in to balance out the numbers. They really needed a new name.
"I packed you a meal to take." Alfred said and pushed a Batman lunch box my way. He had been showing support in a wealth of meals and shoulder pats. I wasn't quite ready for the talk I knew he wanted to have. I had respect he did not push. Batman had also provided me enough information and support I could keep working through this.
I still looked everyday for leads and hints for where she was, but time was starting to do it's damage. Hope runs thin the longer you go without a sign, but it had not left me yet. I had put the diamond I had taken with me under my pillow. I did not fully understand the compulsion, but it helped me find the headspace to rest despite the hard lump. I hoped to see her in my dreams, but my nights were blank. No dreams stayed in my memory the next morning. I was almost tempted to ask Zatanna or Raven if it was a property of the stone itself.
"Thank you, Alfred." I said since he deserved to have thanks voiced to him. He did so much.
"Whatever you need, Master Dick." He said and went away to not let the silence between us become stale or awkward. He was always talented at that.
Metropolis was so different from Jump City or Gotham. It was its own deal, own smell, and own culture within the citizens. It was clear without a familiar cape flying around there was a little unease, but it was levels below a mild day in Gotham. It was fun to see the different architecture and patterns people had in Metropolis. Everything was lighter yet older than both cities I patrolled in regularly.
It felt like fresh air. I could see why Superman settled here when he was playing the part of civilian. There were some petty thieves I caught and turned over to the police, though many of the high level villains had been apprehended already so it was not much of a surprise. We were more a symbol to ease any fears in citizens at the request of Superman. I was actually able to enjoy patrol and see what was new, how people were happy to have Superman around. To see people with the opposite view was uplifting. Not everyone supported Mankind.
I finished with my shift and was about to fly home when I got a message from Donna. Hive Five. I could fly back to Jump instead of Gotham and see if there was anything I could do. I was about to set that as my course when I got another message from Batman Potential lead on base. I sent Kid Flash a request to support Donna. I needed to get back to Gotham so I could actually get details he would not send over digital media so easily.
The base was empty when we stormed it, freshly emptied, but still abandoned. It was the hope they had made a mistake that kept me searching. The lack of movement forward was beginning to be too frustrating. I physically tour down doors just to ease some of my anger. It was a waste. How were these sickos so well organized and a step ahead of us always?
Though I was far from the right state of mind to receive the news well.
KF injured, Hive Five uncontained.
I had faced timed Kid Flash and he was going to be okay. His regenerative abilities were impressive, but he looked a little disappointed by the loss. It was a combination of Penny Dreadful and Jinx that did him in. He had been tripped and then literal thrown into the ocean with a twisted ankle. He was able to float and wait for rescue but his lungs were too full of water to keep fighting. He was still being monitored to make sure he did not drown post fact.
"I am such an idiot, dude. Jinx totally sniped me out, and the Penny Dreadful kicked me into next week. I should have taken a look at the football scores while I was there. At least then I might have a chance in the rankings." He was trying to be light hearted, but his face was still tight with discomfort of his post fight injuries.
Cyborg had started a fantasy football league a while back and got most of the interested Titans involved. Last I had checked Beast Boy was in the lead of a decent size pot of favor coupons and cash. I didn't know where Wally fell but I suspected low.
"Do you think they are a big enough threat to call in someone from the League?" I asked since it was obviously ticking everyone off that the Hive Five had suddenly gotten an ace.
"Maybe we can work with trading out another Titan. Maybe Red Star would be a better fit. He would even out some of the raw strength. The teamwork element isn't exactly there. It's not smooth like their normal formations, but Penny is acting as a rogue tank which they direct wherever needed. What is the name you heard them call her Cyborg?" Raven added with some of her observations she was less damaged this time with Seemore disabling this time with a magic dampening bubble. He had added some sort of crystal dust to his normal bubbles.
"I heard Mammoth call her Candy or call out for candy, but I think he was referring to her. It's hard to know if that's much to go off since we don't have an idea of what her face looks like. She has no clear uniform either, just the mask which seems pretty temporary." Cyborg retold his experience. "I think we need to try and get the Hive Five away from throwable range of the ocean." He had only been saved from meeting Kid Flash in the ocean by Donna being able to lasso his foot. He would not have been able to float.
"We need to start thinning their numbers." Donna said and I found it strange that none of them had been apprehended. Usually they abandoned those who weren't able to keep up.
"I thought Beast Boy managed to knock out Billy Numerous and Mammoth was dazed from Wonder Girl." I said since that was part of the story I heard.
"She picked them up by their handcuffs and hauled them with her. Beast Boy tried to get them back, but she let him catch up and free fell with all her weight. His arm just got put back in socket." Donna said and clutched her face in annoyance.
"She's like made out of steel or something." Beast Boy confirmed rubbing his shoulder in agreed memory of the pain.
"Could she just be like a super strong android Gizmo built?" I asked trying to assist my team from the Batcave. We had found a hard drive that we might be able to recover something from, but it was taking time. I didn't want to leave yet.
"Maybe, but I don't know how he managed flight with such lift. I can try a pulse that would scramble her system next time we fight." Cyborg said though he shook his head.
"I don't think I could make much of a difference if I was there, but do try Red Star he's who you want if you're going for a dual powerhouse match up." I said trying to push my suggestion of calling on someone else.
The alarm started to blare as the screen flashed with a Hive Five attack. It had barely been two hours since their last job. What were they doing? What was causing this sudden crime spree? Were they just flexing their new member/ robot?
"Dammit." I heard Cyborg shout not wanting to go back out there.
"I'll call Redstar, figure out who is in fighting shape. Don't risk your health unnecessarily." I barked out trying to establish order in what I knew was an unfavorable situation. Raven and Donna looked stressed and Cyborg was pissed. Flash was out and Beast Boy was most likely needing to play it safe.
"Can you call the League just for back up?" Cyborg said and Donna started to open her mouth before shaking her head.
"I will if I can't find enough support."
"Call them." Donna said doing what was best for them team as I knew she would if needed. Pride aside.
"I'll call, be careful." I said and hung up to call Red Star. I was almost tempted to get in the bat jet and provide support myself, but I needed to trust the network we had built. I was about to place a call to the League when I got a communication from Batman.
Mankind is in New Jersey League already dispatched