The sound of jet engines coming to life echoed across Steel City bay. The night was moonless and fog shrouded the Titans Tower East while the T-Ship East lifted off from the Tower's rooftop, its five passengers were pressed against their seats as the signature aircraft which had been dormant for years made an appearance across the city's skyline. A few citizens noticed as the T-Ship flew around the city, quickly gaining altitude until it disappeared into the nighttime clouds that covered the city.
The T-Ship quickly filed a flight plan with both the US and Canadian civilian air authorities, listing as its final destination the northern part of Ellesmere Island. It continued to climb rapidly as its afterburners pushed the signature Titans air transport well into the upper reaches of the stratosphere. Once it reached an altitude of 20,000 meters it fired up its ramjets and broke the sound barrier accelerating until it reached a speed of Mach 5.
The T-Ship crossed the northwestern US in just 20 minutes and when it crossed the Canadian border it was greeted by 5 fighter jets, which briefly escorted the Titan's jet across Quebec until they fell far behind, unable to keep up with the versatile aircraft that Cyborg designed over 10 years earlier.
Soon the T-Ship was past the northern part of Quebec and was over the many islands that comprised the territories that belonged to Canada's Inuit people. The Northern Lights shimmered in the sky as the T-Ship flew over Baffin Island and crossed the Arctic Circle, entering a region were the sun would not set for months. The island below shimmered in the light as its glaciers and snowpack reflected the low angled rays of light that rained down from the sun.
Soon Baffin Island was left behind and Ellesmere Island was up ahead. The T-Ship's pilot pulled back on the throttle and the jet slowly began to descend towards its destination. The sun was shining as it approached its target, which from the air looked like a hill covered in snow. The jet's engines whined as it slowed to a hover and landed in front of the hill. As soon as it touched down the five canopies opened and their occupants climbed out of the jet: a tall bionic man, another tall man wearing a dark parka, a scantily clad alien who appeared to be impervious to the cold followed by a short parka clad couple. The quintet surveyed their surroundings and quickly discovered the entrance to the underground base. They entered stealthily, unaware that they were being watched by closed circuit cameras.
There were no robots present to repel their incursion into the not so secret base, and they quickly penetrated into its interior.
A flash of blinding light appeared and within seconds the secret base was vaporized in a powerful nuclear explosion, which destroyed everything in a 1 mile radius. The atomic inferno was monitored from a distance by 4 sinister figures, who continued to watch until they were satisfied that there were no survivors.
"That was anti-climatic." Monsieur Mallah remarked.
"Not to mention that we only killed the original 5 Titans." Madam Rouge added. "I was hoping that more of them would have fallen into our trap."
"It doesn't matter, we severed the head. Without it the body will die." Immortus pontificated. "The remaining Titans will scatter without their leaders. We will be able to pick them off one by one."
Dr. Silas Stone stared at the giant screen, which showed a large crater where the base used to be with a mushroom cloud above it.
"Victor … no … it can't be."
"I. Am. Afraid. That. It. Is. And. That. No. Amount. Of. Wishing. Will. Change. That." The Brain announced in his synthetic vocoder voice.
Silas Stone broke down and began to weep.
"He was my only son … how could you … has every shred of humanity been stripped away from you?"
General Immortus chuckled.
"What you call 'humanity' is an artificial construct. We are unencumbered with that handicap, and are thus truly human, having shed any artificial obstacles keeping up from realizing our fully human potenial … well … except for Mallah of course." The decrepit old soldier chuckled.
Dr. Stone continued to weep.
-( scene break )-
Cyborg sighed, as he read the feedback on the console in the common room. The entire Titan family was watching the tactical display on the giant screen, which indicated that a powerful detonation had occurred in northern Canada.
"You were right grass stain; a nuke just went off on Ellesmere Island. It was a trap."
Gar smiled subtly and graciously accepted the victory he was enjoying.
The changeling remembered the robots that Brother Blood built a long time before, using technology he stole from Cyborg. After Cyborg defeated him the robots were deactivated and placed in storage in the Tower East's basement. Using his holoring technology it was easy for Cyborg to disguise 5 robots to look like them and after reprogramming them they were sent off to spring the trap.
"And best of all, they think we're dead." Gar replied.
"And we will catch them off guard in their Siberian base." Raven added.
Nightwing stepped up to the console.
"Cyborg, we should inform NORAD about the source of that explosion. We don't want a war getting started because of this."
"I'm a step ahead of you man. I'm already contacting them. They'll know that the Russians had nothing to do with it."
Gar stepped away from the console and surveyed the assembled Titans. The looks on their faces conveyed that they were ready to follow him into the hornet's nest. Their bodies didn't always agree with their faces as many were still recovering from their treatment at the Brotherhood's hands.
He saw his original team, the one he lead against the Brotherhood the first time years ago:
Pantha was bruised but she looked undeterred, her lucha libre mask was unable to hide the determination she felt, the desire to put the Brotherhood in their place.
Jericho, silent as always, but now married to Kole. Now that he was fully mature Gar could see the resemblance the mute Titan had with his father, Slade. The young man had inherited his father's grit but not his dementia.
The Herald was stern faced behind his mask, yet his body twitched in anticipation, while Mas Y Menos, who were back into their costumes, both stood with crossed arms, their body language telegraphing that they were eager to get going.
Red Star, Kilowatt and Aqualad were in the back of the room, chatting quietly with each other. Bushido was hanging out with Kid Flash and Jinx. Gnaark looked wild and untamed as he paced around.
Wildebeest was licking his wounds but looked undeterred while Speedy was taking inventory of the arrows in his quiver. Starfire and Bumblebee were chatting in the kitchen while Nightstar flitted around, still hungry for her mother's attention.
Argent levitated silently, while Hot Shot, her on again, off again boyfriend stood at her side. Melvin, Teether and Timmy with their adolescent impatience tapped their feet and rocked on their heels.
"So what are we waiting for?" Melvin finally asked. "Bobby's ready to kick some butt!"
Gar uncrossed his arms and addressed his team.
"Be ready in 30 minutes. We're going to Siberia!"
-(scene break )-
"Garfield, stop, we want to talk with you."
The changeling was walking briskly to the room that he now shared with Raven in the Tower East, looking forward to spending a few moments with his woman before they embarked on their mission.
"I thought you said I was in charge of this mission. Don't tell me that you're already having second thoughts?"
Mento caught up to his adoptive son, placing his hand on the young man's shoulder.
"You're still in charge … your mother and I; we want to discuss something else."
The changeling frowned. He already knew what they wanted to talk about. And it was a subject that was worse than losing command of the mission.
"Save your breath … I already know you don't like her."
"Should we like her?" Mento asked.
The changeling bristled at the remark. "Yeah … you should."
"But Garfield." Rita interjected. "She's a …"
"DON'T SAY IT!" He bellowed at them. "That doesn't define who she is, not even close."
Mento smiled as he patted the green Titan on the shoulder.
"I'm afraid it does, son. It's the source of her powers … Garfield, we know you love the girl, but you have to face the facts about her."
Changeling jerked his shoulder away from Mento's hand.
"What about these facts? She's half human; her moral character is unmatched …"
"She's already sleeping with you …" Rita interrupted.
"And you didn't have sex with dad before you were married?"
"Your father was my first."
"And I'm Raven's first … I'm 28 years old, dammit, I'm not a kid."
Rita sighed unhappily. "But why her? … there are so many nice girls out there."
"And they don't want to have anything to do with a green freak like me. Raven knows me, she knows that there is more to me than just my green hide, heck she even likes that I'm green."
"What about those nice girls you studied with in Colorado?"
"They weren't interested in me that way … no one was."
"So Raven is your consolation prize? Are you really going to settle for a girl who accepts you only because she really is a freak?" Rita needled him.
Gar balled his fists and a hint of red fury appeared in his eyes. "She is not a freak!"
Rita backed off. "Maybe … but really sweetie, you could do better, much better. What was that girl's name back at school? Alexa? Weren't the two of you close?"
"Alexa? She's a slut. I had a one night stand with her … you know … a booty call … friends with benefits? Is that what your ideal girl is for me? Why? Just because she's tall and blond? Because she isn't a freak?"
"You aren't a freak." Mento chided him.
"YES! I AM! Look at me! I'm green, I have pointy ears and fangs! I have a deadly virus coursing through my veins! I can turn into animals … what the hell do you call that? Because it sure isn't normal!"
"Garfield …"
"No! You listen to me! I have a girl who I love and who loves me. So what if she's different? I'm different."
"We just want what's best for you."
"She is what's best for me and I'm going to marry her … end of story. If you don't like that, that's your problem. If you won't accept my life decisions, then get the hell out, because I know what I want to do."
His hands still balled at his side he turned to leave.
"Garfield … wait … we're sorry." Mento surprised him. The changeling stopped, but did not turn around to face them.
"What?"
"Forgive us son, it's a parent's job to second guess their son's choice of bride … but … eventually parents have to accept their children's decision. I … we can tell that you're serious about Raven."
He spun around and faced them. "Yeah … I am serious. Is it really that hard to accept?"
"It was, but you're right, it shouldn't be." Mento replied as Rita stared stoically at her son.
Gar pursed his lips before replying. "You know, you guys haven't exactly been there for me these for a long time. You didn't come to my graduations … and yes, I know, you were chasing after the Brotherhood of Evil. It just pisses me off that now that I've chosen someone to share my life with that you suddenly appear out of nowhere and tell me she's wrong for me. You don't know me and you certainly don't know Raven."
"We're sorry, son. All we ask is that you be patient with us … we'll learn to love her too, I promise."
Garfield's eyes trembled. He then approached them with his arms open wide and they hugged. At that moment Raven emerged from their room down the hallway.
"Gar?"
The changeling gestured to his fiancée to approach. She complied and Mento released his son from the group hug and wrapped his arms around the grey sorceress.
"Welcome to the family, Raven." Mento murmured to her. She hesitated before cautiously returning his embrace.
"Thank you"
Mento led her back to the rest of his family and they shared their first ever group hug. Unknown to them she still wasn't a big hugging fan, but she kept that to herself.
Maybe, she thought to herself, hugs weren't such a bad thing after all.
-(scene break )-
"No mommy, I don't want you to go! I want you to stay!"
Starfire looked into her daughter's blue eyes. The anguish she saw in them was all too familiar and it brought back terrible memories from the day her family had forsaken her, handing her over to the Citadel in exchange for peace on Tamaran. She remembered well the events that led to that terrible day. Tamaran had been under attack for months. At first it was easy to repel the invaders, after all Tamaranians were fierce and cunning warriors. But the enemy's onslaught was relentless. They kept coming back, day after day after day and in greater numbers each time. She didn't know it at the time, but it was her sister Blackfire who sold her into bondage to the Citadel, to be a mere concubine, a sexual plaything to the Emperor.
At the time Starfire did not know this and she thought that her parents had offered her to the Citadel, who actually had asked for the red head at Blackfire's instigation. Her parents were Tamaranians above all and they were clear that not even a princess was above the people's welfare. If handing their daughter over into a life of sexual slavery would save Tamaran, then they had no other choice, as much as it pained them. Even Galfore, her knorfka, remained silent and taciturn when confronted with the unpleasant truth.
Starfire understood what her duty was. Being a Tamaranian royal meant being the first to charge into battle as well as being the last to retreat. All Tamaranians were expected to give their lives to defend Tamaran, and she was not exempt. While she knew what was expected of her, it didn't make it any easier for her. Her instinct was to beg her parents to spare her, to remove the terrible burden that had been placed on her. She knew of course that to do so would reveal her to be a coward and bring untold shame upon the crown. When the Gordanian ships arrived she submitted herself and was forced to bear the humiliation of being shackled like a common criminal and thrown into a cell aboard the enemy ship. It was the last time she ever saw her parents, who she later learned were killed in a skirmish after she escaped to Earth.
Starfire saw the same fear of being forsaken in her daughter's eyes. The child had already lost her parents once and was terrified that they would once again disappear without a trace.
"I must go and … help our friends … punish … some bad people."
And there it was again … duty before family. It was as if she was looking through a mirror into her own past. And she hated herself for it.
"You will stay with Aunt Karen. Do not worry … I will … return … that is … a promise."
Nightstar dropped her head in resignation.
"Yes mommy, I understand. You're a superhero and you have to stop the bad people."
"It's time!" Changeling announced. "Herald, you know what to do."
The Titan Trumpeter raised his horn to his lips and blew. A small black disk appeared, hovering in the air and it quickly grew. Gar passed through first, followed by Raven, Nightwing, Starfire and Cyborg. The rest of the Titans filed in after them, followed by the Doom Patrol and after the last one passed through the portal vanished.
-( scene break )-
Bumblebee watched as the extended Titans disappeared into the black void. Once they were gone she turned to the little princess and smiled at her.
"Why didn't you go with them, Aunt Karen?"
"I'm injured sweetie, my wings were cut off."
"So you're hurt? My daddy gets hurt a lot. Sometimes mommy brings him home and he's really hurt, really bad. Sometimes she takes care of him, but sometimes Uncle Alfred or Grandpa Bruce has to come."
"How do you feel when your daddy gets hurt?"
The golden skinned girl paused before replying, biting her lower lip much like Raven did when she was younger.
"I feel scared. Daddy … he isn't strong like me or Mommy … sometimes Mommy gets angry with him … she says he's … what's the word … reckless … that he's having a pissing contest with Grandpa Bruce."
Bumblebee's curiosity was piqued.
"Is Grandpa Bruce Batman?"
Nightstar suddenly looked alarmed, as if she had done something wrong.
"I'm not supposed to tell anyone."
"It's OK sweetie, I understand, you don't have to tell me anything. But don't worry, I am a Titan, so I kind of figured that out."
The child closed her eyes and appeared to be fighting back tears.
"I wish Mommy and Daddy weren't super heroes."
"Because your father gets hurt?"
She nodded sadly.
"And they're always busy and I get left alone in the apartment. I don't like living there … it's creepy … and there's no one to play with."
"I'm sorry to hear that."
"Sometimes I get to go stay at Grandpa Bruce's house. It's really big and Uncle Alfred always has fun things to do. But there's no one to play with because I'm Tamaranian."
"Don't you have Tamaranian friends?"
A bitter expression appeared on her face.
"Once one of mommy's cousins came to visit and she brought her daughter, my cousin."
"So what happened?"
"My cousin said I was a 'half breed' and shouldn't be a princess … Mommy told them to go away and never come back. She never told me what that means. Can you tell me, Aunt Karen?"
Bumblebee hesitated before she answered.
"It's a mean way of saying that you're half Human and half Tamaranian."
"Is that bad?"
Karen became wide eyed.
"Of course not! It makes you special! You have gifts from both our races."
"So why did they say that, Aunt Karen?"
"Because they're stupid! And because … well … some people don't like people who are different than they are. I once wondered if that was a human thing, but now I know that Tamaranians do it too. Tell me sweetie, do you like your Grandpa Bruce?"
"I do, he tells me I'm his little princess. But he's always busy too. Sometimes when I go there I don't get to see him ... Daddy says he's not like Grandpa Bruce … but he is."
"It's not easy being Batman's son … or being Nightwing's daughter."
The child nodded sadly.
"Do I have to be a superhero when I grow up?"
Bumblebee looked away, staring out the window as she pondered the difficult question.
"I don't think so, but you are a bit young still to be worrying about that. Do you want to be a superhero like your Mommy?"
"No!" She replied immediately.
"Why not?"
"Because I don't want to live in a creepy apartment in Bludhaven. I want to live someplace pretty. I don't want to fight with bad people."
"Well, I'm a superhero and I live here."
"You do? I like it here."
Karen smiled.
"You should see were Raven and Gar live! It's really pretty. They used to live in a Tower like this one with your mother and father and your Uncle Victor too."
"When they were the Teen Titans?"
"That's right, dear."
"But they aren't Teen Titans anymore. Aunt Raven has a store and Uncle Gar is a veterila … a viteri … he's an animal doctor … I wish Mommy and Daddy could have regular jobs like they do."
Karen sighed, knowing there was no chance that Nightwing would ever "hang up the spandex".
"I think Raven and Gar are still Titans, dear."
Nightstar slowly shook her head.
"Let's have some fun!" Karen tried to change the subject. "I saw a box of cake mix in the kitchen. Would you like to help me bake some cup cakes? When everyone comes back we can have a party!"
Nightstar smiled as she took Karen's hand and followed her to the kitchen.
-( scene break )-
I just got back from Comic Con in Denver. I posted a brief trip report in my profile, but I'll include it here too (no mail bag today):
Denver Comic Con 2013 Report
This was my first Comic Con and I really had no idea of what to expect.
It opened Friday afternoon on May 31. I attended all three days with my adult daughter and we had a blast. The best description I can come up with is that its a combination of Halloween, a carnival, Disneyland and school!
Halloween: the cosplayers, who were especially present on Saturday. Common categories: Star Trek, Star Wars, DC heroes, Marvel, Harry Potter, Doctor Who and many flavors of Anime. In the realm of DC the Titans were present, but rare. I saw 5 Ravens (one which was a guy!), 2 Starfires and one Beast Boy. Cyborg was AWOL and while there were many Robins, not a single one was the Robin from Teen Titans. We did not cosplay, though next year I might go as Slade or Deathstroke.
Carnival: the atmosphere was festive
Disneyland: It was nerdvana
School: There were many panels to attend:
We attended some voice actor panels. Khary Peyton (Cyborg ) was there. My daughter asked him who Cyborg should be shipped with. His response, which was in jest, was that Cy plays the field. He then announced that Cy will be shipped with Jinx in the new show.
We also attended a Young Justice panel, which included a writer, an arist and a few voice actors (including Khary: Aqualad). Talk about a tough crowd! They were angry about the show being cancelled.
We also saw Phil Lamarr. He is a voice actor, and is he funny.
We saw the great George Perez, co creator of the "New Teen Titans" in the 1980's and co creator of Cyborg, Starfire, Raven and Slade.
We also attended some Star Trek and Star Wars panels.
The highlight of the Weekend though was William Shatner. We scored the sought after wristbands and were admitted to the ballroom.
All in all it was fun and well worth it.