Lead of Absence
July 22nd
18:30 EDT
Mount Justice
She feels every bit of herself in the mirror. And the mirror feels every bit of itself in her. A sort of reflective conscience, but likely more.
She omits parts of it—ignores the whispers as her fingers ghost along her cheek and fall to the collar of her leotard before tracing the diamond design. The suit clings to her skin, almost as though it's an adhesive rather than cloth. Being that it's her first time wearing it, it'll take a while for her to grow accustomed to its affinity.
She pulls on the small cape.
"I am Glass," she tells herself but the mirror quivers as if agreeing—accepting the new alias of its conduit. She senses the echo within her reflection. Solemn and resolute as it may be.
Glass.
She resigns at the knock of her door. Her heartbeat accelerates when she is faced with Batman. Nevertheless, she nods and proceeds to follow him down the hall.
"Polar and stealth-tech have been integrated and are fully operational," Batman tells her as they enter the hangar. Novia looks down once more at the diamond symbol on her chest.
The Bioship, awakened, sits quietly on the launch pad. The remainder of the team surrounds it, fully equipped and awaiting Batman's orders. Well—everyone except Superboy who, for whatever reason, doesn't have a designated suit. Instead, he sports his usual black cargos and S-shield shirt.
Batman places a hand on Novia's shoulder. Noticing her retract, he drops it, "I advise you to stay close to the team. Although your basic combat knowledge has improved—"
"Okay thanks, dad." Novia interrupts, hiding the bitterness in her tone as best she can. She can't help but pout, "You already said it'll be covert. Recon. Remember?"
The words are mostly to bring her comfort. Batman knows what he said. She only wants him to promise her a mission without confrontation. But it's clear now that he can't guarantee that.
"Canary couldn't make it tonight, but she wanted to wish you good luck," His tone remains conservative despite the kind gesture. It's not enough to keep Novia from ruminating the possibilities.
"Thanks," is all she can say.
July 22nd
20:08 ECT
Caribbean Sea
Darkness prevents the sea beneath from being discernable. But every so often, she catches the whites of seafoam roiling against imperceivable waves. The Bioship since departing Mount Justice has been quiet. It is M'gann who concludes it.
"Drop zone A in 30,"
Kid Flash—who was lightly snoring throughout the trip—coughs awake. He stretches and yawns, blinking with confusion over his surroundings. Aqualad stands and his seat melts away. He taps the Atlantean symbol on his belt, causing the suit's colors to fade into dark gray.
"Ready," he says.
M'gann nods, "Putting Bioship into camouflage mode,"
Novia feels the ship lower in altitude. The rush of the sea is heard beneath them as a hole opens. The smell of salt fills the ship and Aqualad is released into the black depths. Within minutes, Novia hears him over the coms, "Heat and motion sensors are patched. Data is now in a continuous loop. Move in."
M'gann brings the ship past the shoreline and into a dense jungle. Trees rustle to what may seem like an oncoming wind.
"Drop zone B," she says once the ship stops over a small clearing. She stands and safety cords ooze down from the ceiling for Kid Flash, Robin, and Superboy.
Kid taps the symbol on his uniform and watches as the yellow is overtaken by dark gray. He turns to M'gann, "How cool is this?"
"Very impressive," M'gann politely agrees as she closes her eyes. Her white and blue uniform strips away to be replaced by a black and red full-body suit. She places her hands on her hips and grins at Kid Flash.
"That works too," he smirks, likely admiring her figure before glancing back at Superboy, "Hey Supey, not too late to try the new stealth-tech."
Superboy crosses his arms, "No capes, no tights. No offense,"
M'gann sighs, "It totally works for you…" something registers when Superboy looks at her, "I mean—you can totally do great work in those clothes!"
He says nothing. Completely aloof to the comment, leaving M'gann to blush into camouflage at the pull of her hood.
Novia taps the symbol on her chest and watches as her blue tights darken into black. The glass flecks lose their reflective qualities, becoming black and opaque.
"Nervous?" Kid asks as he fastens the safety cord onto his belt.
"No," she responds, none too convincingly. And before he can comment any further, she shatters the moment a hole opens at the base of the ship. Her shards compile into a humanoid form. It is the first time she didn't feel her clothes drift off her skin. It is also the first time her clothes became a part of her skin.
M'gann leaps down, allowing a telekinetic field to carry her to the jungle floor. Robin and Kid Flash use their cords to get down safely. Then, simultaneously, all four look up.
Superboy.
"AHH!" They jump out of harm's way as he lands.
BOOM
The jungle shudders. Dust rises. And in his landing, remains a small crater. A patch of flattened grass and displaced dirt. He stands, grinning, "Knew I didn't need a line,"
"And yet, creating a seismic event may not have helped us with the covert," Robin reprimands.
M'gann looks around worriedly. "Aqualad, drop zone B is a go," she says after a brief scan of her surroundings.
Aqualad grunts over the coms. His voice slightly cackled against the ocean breeze, "Head for the factory. I'll track your GPS and rendezvous as soon as possible."
"Roger that," Robin replies. He pulls out a device that reveals a small projection of the holographic map Batman had used to brief them on the situation in Santa Prisca. Novia recalls the factory he wanted them to scout out. And the map immediately marks it.
On Robin's command, they head north.
The sounds of the jungle grow more daunting the deeper they go. A symphony of frogs and cicadas fills the night. Occasionally, something rustles behind the bushes and shakes the branches of the trees. Because of this, Novia keeps close to the group as Batman requested. Wary not to get lost or separated from them.
Her nerves ease a bit as they walk behind a waterfall. The rushing of water drowns out the sounds of the jungle. The river below them seems rough butt, to her, its noise balances the atmosphere. She hugs the wall while they thread on the narrow path. They begin to climb a ledge, entering another half of the jungle that is as dense as the one before.
Robin reopens the hologram connected to his wrist. It beeps ominously, but he closes it without a word.
Superboy looks up, "Do you guys hear that?"
Novia stiffens, looking behind her to check and see if anything had been creeping up on them. When she sees nothing, she frowns. Brows raised, "The cicadas?"
"No," Superboy says.
"Wait. Is this a superhearing thing?" Kid Flash asks.
M'gann sighs, "You do have great ears,"
Kid ignores this, turning his attention to Robin, "Okay Rob, now wha—"
The four stare at the empty space beside them. Robin was just there a few seconds ago. And now—like during the Mr. Twister incident—he's gone. Without a word. Not even a gesture.
Kid stomps, groaning "Man, I hate it when he does that,"
The comms crackle as Aqualad's voice returns, "Superboy, Kid, switch to infrared and check if you're being tracked."
Kid Flash looks around for Robin one last time before he slips on his goggles. They whir as they emit a faint green glow. He fixates on the space downhill. An area concealed by trees and thrushes. Almost completely obscured if not for the small hint of a man-made path at its base.
Yes. Someone—or many someones—traversed through there.
"Squad of armed bozos incoming," Kid says, motioning the team to get down behind a dead tree.
Novia follows them, still looking up in the forest canopy to see if she can hear Robin hopping around. Superboy squints, focusing on the path. "There's two squads," He corrects, "But they'll meet each other before they find us,"
KAKAKAK
TATATAT
The flurry of gunfire makes Novia recoil. She can almost feel the vibration in the air coming from the machines. As predicted, the two squads had run into each other. And now they're exchanging bullets.
"No superhearing needed now," Kid Flash comments.
"Swing wide. Stay clear," Aqualad commands
Kid brushes him off, "Yeah sure, as soon as I find Rob." He leaps over the log and zooms off.
Alone, the remaining three exchange glances, unsure of what to do next. And it's in this moment—this very awkward moment—that Novia realizes that they are the least experienced in the group. Neither of them can decipher if they should follow Aqualad's orders or go after Kid.
Suddenly a crack can be heard amidst the gunfire. And not too long after, comes Kid Flash's wail. Novia's certain that if she hears it, Superboy does too.
The gunfire stops. And the forest falls silent.
Then the flurry returns. Without a word, the three move from the cover of the tree. Novia shatters and her shards soar over the muddy path where she catches a better view of the two groups. They both focus their fire at an evasive Kid Flash. Neither of them capable of locking onto him.
She materializes, dropping down on one of the gunmen with a sharp snap. Swiftly, she shoots her leg at a neighboring one, knocking the rifle from their hands.
Superboy runs in, punching another gunman. This one is distinguishably larger than the others. He's thrown back from the sudden force but recovers quickly. He grabs Superboy, locking his arm and pushing him into the mud.
Novia moves to help him, but—
CLINKCLINKCLINKCLINK
Bullets spray across her side and a scream nearly escapes her lips when she feels them lodge into her glass form. But when no pain follows, she barely has time to question it.
Her assailant watches her in disbelief. Wide eyes telling her that she should be dead. "What the fu—"
The trees rustle, then snap. A figure drops down, kicking the gunman. Then, it uppercuts another and dropkicks it into a tree.
Robin.
"What is wrong with you guys?!" He yells. "Why didn't you follow my lead and disappear into the jungle?"
"Follow your lead?" Novia mutters. She would've been grateful for his safe return but now—
She thinks for a moment, staring at the spattering of lead within her. She shatters, hoping her prediction is correct. When the bullets clatter to the floor, she exhales. Relieved.
Kid Flash takes out the gunmen that were pursuing him. Then he turns to Robin, annoyed, "Yeah, way to fill us in. We're not mind-readers you know." He glances back at M'gann who had just blasted a couple of men into a tree. "Well… I'm not,"
"You said I can only read the bad guy's minds," M'gann reminds them.
Novia's arms barely assemble when she hears the sound of something dragging against the dirt and grass. Superboy emerges from the thrushes with the leg of the man he was fighting in his grasps. The brute lies unconscious, limp as Superboy tosses him before the team.
Then another rustling comes. This time from behind. Everyone turns, seeing one of the gunmen trying to escape. Robin whips out one of his birdarangs. But he stops when he hears the cackle of electricity ripping through the air.
Aqualad's touch sends the man to the floor. He crushes the gun with his foot and turns to the rest of the team. His expression unreadable, "Robin, bind them."
§§§
Novia gazes upon the men in the red robes. They glare back at her and the team. Most likely embarrassed that a group of teenagers took them out. Her attention shifts to the particularly large man Superboy was fighting. She finds him... strange.
Besides his evident luchador getup, she can't get over how large of a man he is. She questions if he really needs the gun to kill. Perhaps he doesn't. She honestly doesn't want to find out.
"I recognize those uniforms," Robin says, "They're from the Cult of the Kobra."
"I'm certain Batman would have mentioned if he knew a dangerous extremist was running Santa Prisca," Aqualad responds.
The large man lifts his head, glaring back at Novia in a way that sends her skin to crawl. She backs away.
"And since there's clearly no love lost between the Kobra and those goons, I'm betting the cult came here and tossed them out," Robin ponders, "And that's why normal supply lines have been cut off."
"Okay we get it," Kid Flash says, "Kobra wanted super cultists. Mystery solved. Let's radio Bats and we'll be home in time for—"
"These cultists aren't on Venom; they're hoarding it," Robin explains. "We don't leave. Not until I know why…"
"Until you know why?" Kid's voice rises.
"This team needs a leader," Robin says defiantly. Novia looks up. During the mission debrief, Robin was eager to know who Batman would appoint as the leader. But the League member never did. And she's beginning to feel that it was the biggest mistake he's ever made.
"And it's you?!" Kid exclaims, "Dude you're a thirteen-year-old kid who ducked out on us without a word."
Robin chuckles, "Oh, and you're a mature fifteen?" Then he adds, "You blew our cover the first chance you got!"
Seriously? Is her thought as she sees the way the gunmen watch them. Some of them are smirking. Others are watching with eyes alight, clearly amused. And if it escalates further, they just might make their escape.
So, she steps forward, "If it takes this long to decide, then I'll lead."
Kid laughs bitterly, "No offense, but I'd think twice considering you're the niece of the woman who tried to kill us,"
Novia opens her mouth to retort.
"And not to mention you learned basic combat like yesterday!" Robin interjects. "You're new and still a liability. Batman's only letting you on this mission because recon is a soft gig."
She turns to him, skin vitrifying at his words, "Soft gig, huh? If you're so advanced, why even bother coming here? I'm sure Gotham has more complex crimes for you to stick your nose in." She steps toward Robin, "And for the record: I don't need combat skills to land a hit on you."
And it's that look—that very same, derisive look he gave her after Cadmus—that sends her to lunge at him. In the nick of time, Robin whips out his staff to deter her as they both crash onto the ground. He kicks her off and she stumbles back into Superboy's restraint.
Immediately she shatters out of the clone's hold, stepping toward Robin only to be blocked by Aqualad.
"Stop it. Now," Aqualad orders. His hand gripping firmly on her forearm.
Her glare never leaves Robin. She hesitates before phasing out of her glass state. Aqualad gives them both a cold expression that diffuses the vitriol. Well, any perceivable vitriol. She is, of course, still pissed by his antics. Even more pissed that he escaped without a bruise.
Kid Flash laughs as he helps Robin up, "Well, I guess that settles it. I have the experience and the combat knowledge. Meanwhile, you don't even have superpowers."
Robin pulls away, "And neither does Batman!"
"Dude, news flash! You're not Batman!" Kid yells.
"I'm the closest thing we got!"
A dubious laugh silences them. The entire team's attention turns to the group of gunmen tied against the tree—particularly, to the large man with the mask.
"Such clever niños. But you only know half of the story," He says. "Let me show you the rest. I can get you into the factory via my secret entrance."
M'gann kneels before him, skeptical, "There is a secret entrance, but he's also hiding something." She focuses.
"Nice try, chica," the man smirks, "Bane is not that easy."
M'gann retracts, "Nngh. He's mentally reciting football scores… en Español." She frowns, "This could take a while,"
"It's not complicated. The enemy of my enemy is my friend," the man assures. Shifty sincerity. Novia does not like the smirk on his face.
After a moment of thought, Aqualad steps forward. He unties the man but grabs him by the collar. "We will not hesitate if you try anything,"
Bane nods dismissively, clearly taking the threat lightly. He stands. His figure towering over the rest of the team. "This way,"
§§§
"Are you still upset?" M'gann whispers to Novia as they traverse further into the jungle. By now, the sounds of the unknown have become less intimidating for her. They are more background, rather than foreground. And this is due to her being so absorbed in her own thoughts.
"Of course," she finally admits when the other three are distanced enough to not hear her. "I mean why does Robin feel entitled enough to think he should lead? And what does my aunt have to do with anything?"
M'gann ducks under a branch, "Well, Robin is Batman's protégé. Maybe he was trained to lead?" she doesn't sound too sure herself. It's all speculation. But she continues, "As for Cadmus—"
She's silenced by the snap of a branch. They both turn to see Superboy. He's been quiet throughout but now as the jungle grows denser, he no longer bothers to avoid the trees and thrushes in his way. He plows through them with disregard.
Superboy stops when he realizes the two girls are watching them, returning the confusion, "You two trying to get left behind?"
His words are gruff—which is typical coming from Superboy. But what Novia cannot understand is why they make M'gann blush. No part of it sounded sympathetic or alluring. And, for the first time, she finds herself questioning her own taste in boys because clearly there is something about Superboy that M'gann finds appealing.
Bane leads the team to a cliff marked by a large tree whose roots protrude from the edge and trail down the incline. Beneath the cliff lays an expanse of more jungle but at the center is a clearing that gives way to a large factory and its shipment hold. Novia's vision isn't the sharpest. But she can make out the moving black specks around the area.
Robin equips his binoculars, surveying the site, "A lot of product. But if Kobra isn't selling to the usual suspects then—"
"We'll need to identify the buyer," Aqualad finishes.
"That's what I was thinking," Kid Flash agrees.
"Yeah, you're the thinker," Robin says sarcastically.
"Dude. A real leader would focus on getting answers," Kid responds.
"Answers are this way," Bane calls to the group. No longer beside the team, he stands on the dirt path resting directly under the cliff.
At first, Novia believes he's standing in front of a dead end. But he reaches down and throws aside the boulder that was obscuring the rest of the path, revealing a makeshift tunnel. One that was seemingly shoveled then blasted out with the help of dynamite. The only support it has comes from wooden posts that sit unevenly spaced.
"So, now El Luchador is our leader." Kid says glumly as the group follows Bane through the tunnel.
They don't travel far before they reach a metal door. The red light overhead flashes, indicating that it's locked. Bane steps aside and presses a button on a keypad and the light turns green. A creak emits from the door before it slides open.
Robin is the first to peer out. After a quick survey of the factory, "All clear," he runs out.
And, unsurprisingly, he doesn't come back. Or let the others know where he's going.
"Has that little fool already been caught?" Bane whispers when he realizes that Robin has been gone for a while.
"No. He just… does that," Aqualad responds. Slight embarrassment imbued in his tone.
"Stay put. I'll get our intel and be back before the Boy Wonder," Kid says quickly before bolting off.
"Wai—" Aqualad calls after him. Too late.
Bane watches as the boy dashes off. Then he looks back at Aqualad, "Great chain of command,"
Trying his best to stay composed, the Atlantean can do nothing but sigh and move on, "In the meantime, we'll examine the shipments."
The other three, accompanied by Bane, complies with his orders. They move further into the factory, ducking upon at sound—at every indication that a cultist is nearby. By the loading docks, they're faced with dozens of crates and barrels. So many that it makes it hard to see the activity going on before them.
Aqualad stops when he gets a clear view, peering over a stack of crates to find a group of cultists covering the loading area, hauling crates into large vehicles.
"They're not touching the stuff back here," Superboy notes. Novia looks around. He's right. All around them are crates of Venom, but no one is coming back to load them onto the transport.
In fact, the cultists are patient enough to wait for another batch to come directly out of the factory.
"Maybe freshness counts?" M'gann guesses.
Superboy glances up, "Helicopter's coming,"
They look up in unison at the glass ceiling. All Novia can see is the crescent moon and the stars among it. She furrows her brows, slightly jealous that she doesn't have superhearing.
Aqualad's eyes don't peel away, "Most likely the buyer," He turns to M'gann, "Do you think you'll be able to get their face?"
M'gann nods, "I'll do my best," Her body fades into her camouflaged state. She flies off toward the landing pad outside.
"We'll need a better view," Aqualad looks up at Bane. "Get us to high ground," The man nods and directs them to stairs leading to a grated platform. The four head over and ascend them carefully. Their steps are muted.
Aqualad scans through the cultists as they continue to load more crates into vehicles. His eyes close abruptly. And when he opens them, he grimaces, "Sportsmaster,"
Novia mouths the word who to Superboy. He only shrugs, just as uncertain as she. Neither of them knowing who Sportsmaster is.
Aqualad activates his comm device in his ear, "Aqualad to Red Tornado. Do you read?" He listens in. After a second of silence, he grunts, "Comms jammed. Can't reach Tornado, Robin, or the League. We need a plan. Now."
Novia watches him, mortified. So much for 'easy gig'.
Bane looks down at the cultists below. He grins, "I have a suggestion,"
Suddenly, he jumps off the platform, drawing all attention towards him. The cultists, given little time to react, are tossed and punched by Bane. Chaos ensues as many scatter to arm themselves. Bane roars, knocking down crates and decimating anything and everything in his way.
"What is he doing?" Aqualad's eyes widen, bewildered. Nothing could have prepared him for this.
Then Novia feels something. Her skin long reacting to the glass ceiling above. But it warns her. Pushes her, because—
Something—
CRASH
The ceiling shatters, giving way to something monstrous. Gargantuan enough that its weight brings down the metal platform and the three teens on it. Novia shatters before she is able to fall to the floor below. Superboy and Aqualad land on their feet and face the brute.
She reconvenes with the others, also observing the beast before them. He is huge—likely larger than them combined. And his skin is testaceous with a few cracks that reveal the red strains of muscle cavities. All her mind can do is recollect Blockbuster. But she finds this creature to be much more grotesque. And more dangerous.
He lets out a guttural roar and charges towards the three. Superboy intercepts, locking his arms under the beast and matching its strength.
The cultists behind the monster begin to load their rifles. Aqualad unsheathes his water bearers and the markings on his arms begin to glow.
"Okay! New plan. Don't get shot!" Novia exclaims, shattering as the bullets whir past her.
"I was thinking the same as well!" Aqualad yells over the gunfire. His weapon melds into a shield, blocking the bullets. With the other water bearer, he begins shooting pellets back at the cultists.
Novia's shards float towards the attackers. When in close proximity, she materializes and delivers a blow in the torso to two of the cultists. As they lurch over in pain, she kicks their rifles away.
Alerted, the other cultists direct their firearms to her. This time, she takes the bullets, breaking the tip of the gun with her hand. She grabs the cultist by the robe, and flings them into the pile of nearby crates, shattering herself free of the lodged bullets.
"W-woah!" She hears a few cultists cry out from behind. Novia glances back, wondering why they are ceasing fire. And then she sees that they're levitating.
Still under camouflage, M'gann tosses them off to the side. She lifts more and sends them flying into the crates. But it's not enough. More reinforcements file into the loading docks. Fully armed, they continue to fire.
Novia moves as fast as she can, seizing weapons and shattering to avoid the bullets. But no matter how many falls, it seems like more come in to take their place. And her body begins to throb.
Then, out of nowhere, she feels an explosion from overhead. M'gann cries as she's thrust into an iron vat. Novia shatters, whirling around to find the assailant. Instead, she finds three.
There, amongst the fray, stands a man in a hockey mask. Beside him is a lanky woman with a large rifle and to her left is an imposing and very pale man in a distinctive robe.
The woman hands the man in the hockey mask the rifle. Her smirk is devious as the man reviews the weapon. He lifts it aiming at the air above him. Then Novia realizes—
He's aiming it at her.
Without warning the weapon fires a ray through her shards. The sudden heat sends her body to realign. A cry escapes her lips as she reverts back and hits the floor. Novia holds her stomach, feeling both the chilling-burn from the ray and pain from reversion.
A sudden wind passes her and cuts off the encroaching cultists. When it returns, it carries her with it and the world around her becomes a blur beneath Kid Flash. He zips through the cultist—stopping once to double-kick one for laughs. He sets her down behind the crates.
"You good?" he asks.
"Just... singed," she says, looking down at her torso. Luckily the blast didn't burn through her suit. She's surprised she felt it at all. But, more importantly, she wants to ask Kid of his whereabouts—scold him, even. This could have all been avoided if they were more cohesive.
"We're done here," Aqualad regroups with them under the guise of the crates. The cultists don't cease their assault. Instead, shooting at the crates from afar. They're not dumb enough to offer the chance of close combat.
And they're soon about to run out of cover.
"M'gann link us up!" Aqualad calls. Somehow, M'gann hears over the gunfire because immediately Novia feels her protruding in her mind.
Everybody on? M'gann checks.
…Yeah, Superboy responds, reluctantly.
You know it, beautiful, Kid swoons.
I'm here, Novia responds.
Good. We need to regroup, Aqualad orders.
Kinda busy right now, Robin declines.
Aqualad grits his teeth, Regroup Robin. Now!
Aqualad moves. Unsheathing his water bearers once more, they form into a whip and lash at nearby cultists.
We're retreating. Kid, clear a path, He commands.
Kid Flash dashes by, tripping each cultist in the way of the exit. Robin swings in from the rafters. Behind her, Novia hears the monster snarl and rush towards them. Superboy punches it back, sending it into the pursuing cultists.
Superboy is the last to get into the tunnel. He quickly slams the metal shut and the red light turns back on. The team doesn't stop running even after it's sealed. At first, Novia wonders why, wishing they had time to catch their breath. But when she hears the metal door tear open behind her, her legs don't stop moving.
Once again, she can feel the monster stomping after them. It's even more daunting when she can also feel the cave trembling. Pebbles fall as he pursues them. And she cannot help but fear that he'd bring the cave down on them.
Suddenly Superboy punches down the wooden support beams of the tunnel. The sound of groaning earth above her pushes her to keep going in spite of the throbbing. The entire underground pathway begins to shake. It grumbles as the rocks begin to fall. And she realizes, fear making her sweat, that the cave will topple down on them. Just not by that monster.
And just when she's about to shatter as a last resort, a hand grabs onto her capelet and lifts her. M'gann pulls her and Superboy ahead of the falling rocks. The noise dies down as the cave implodes, blocking off the monster from them.
M'gann sets her down and the team gathers under the red light of a flare.
"How could my first mission as leader go so wrong?" Robin sulks. She doubts he actually wants an answer. And if she wasn't so exhausted from running, she would give him one. A brutally honest one.
"You do have the most experience," Aqualad agrees. Then his tone shifts, "But with Batman, your roles are defined. You do not need to communicate. This team is different, and the leader must be clear. You cannot vanish whilst expecting others to play a part in some unknown plan." He is calm but there is disapproval underlying his tone. And Robin easily detects it.
"So, I'm just supposed to hold everyone's hand?!" He snaps. Then he retreats in second thought, "You should lead us Kaldur,"
Wally, upset, "What?! I can run circles around—"
"C'mon, Wally," Robin urges. "You know he's the one."
"Hel-lo Megan! It's so obvious," M'gann agrees.
Superboy nods, "I could've told you,"
"You seem like the leading-type anyways," Novia adds.
Wally looks off to the side. Then he relents, "Alright,"
Aqualad doesn't accept his role immediately, considering the ordeal for a moment. Then he places a hand on Robin's shoulder, "Then it's decided. I will carry the burden until you are ready to lift it from my shoulders."
His demeanor changes, "Our first priority is stopping the shipment before it leaves the island."
§§§
"So Sportsmaster is the supplier and the buyer, but it still doesn't add up. He doesn't have the juice to acquire the Blockbuster formula or to get Kobra to do his dirty work," Robin says as the team runs towards the end of the tunnel.
"My aunt did say that Cadmus projects were being transported after the fire. Maybe he stole it amidst the confusion?" Novia suggests. She swears she heard Superboy make a weird noise at the mention of Cadmus, but she pushes the thought out of her head.
"Still doesn't explain how he was able to combine Kobra Venom with Blockbuster's formula. That takes some major nerdage." Wally adds, slowing his pace so that the team can keep up with him.
Moonlight filters in as they near the exit. Aqualad stops. His eyes focus on a large figure blocking their exit, "I believe the expression is, 'tip of the iceberg',"
Bane towers over them smiling as deviously as he was during their first encounter. Only this time, he seems… bulkier—much more muscular than before. And at his feet lie multiple empty syringes. Venom.
He flashes a trigger in his hand. Pressing down on the button, something activates overhead. The familiar beeping of bombs.
"Why did you betray us?" Aqualad stalls. His voice easily feigning fear. Kid, get a running head start. He mentally commands. Kid Flash complies, slowly stepping back.
"I want my factory back. So, I forced you into a situation where you would take down my enemies or die trying," Bane smirks. "If the latter, the Justice League would certainly have come to avenge their sidekicks. And when the smoke clears, Santa Prisca would be mine once more." He lifts the trigger. His thumb hovers over the detonation button, "Blowing you children up in the tunnel, should have the same effect."
Suddenly, Kid Flash disappears and so does the trigger in Bane's hand. Only when he attempts to detonate the bombs, he realizes it's missing.
"With what? This trigger thingy?" Kid Flash mocks as he leans against a tree. Bane turns. His eyes dart between his empty hand and the cylindrical object in Kid's.
Furious, he lunges towards the speedster only to have his movements suspended as he levitates in the air. M'gann smiles at him as he struggles against her hold.
Superboy approaches Bane with a smug expression on his face. "Finally." He draws back his fist, "Drop him,"
CRACK
Novia shudders at the sound of Superboy's knuckles bashing into Bane's face. The man is sent flying back. His body snaps against distant trees. And when she doesn't hear him move, she presumes the blow has knocked him unconscious.
Aqualad motions for the team to head towards the overlook. They peer over the edge where the landing pad can be clearly seen. Right there—as Superboy predicted—is a helicopter. A few cultists run out towards the helipad, following the tall pale man in red robes from before. His female assistant keeps close to his side. And—Novia grimaces—the man in the hockey mask is there too.
"He is Sportsmaster," Aqualad points to the man wearing the mask. In his hand, there is a box. Whatever's in it has to be important given that he's holding it securely.
"He has a good eye," M'gann comments. Unease in her tone, "He saw through my camouflage mode."
"And he shot through my shards," Novia adds after the burn on her stomach tinges in reminder.
Robin points to the pale man covered in red robes, "And there's Kobra. He and I have some unfinished business. Leave him to me,"
Aqualad nods, "Kid, go down there and cause a distraction. Glass, you go in after him and take out some of the cultists. Keep their reinforcements at bay."
"I'll take the big guy," Superboy offers as soon as the monster from earlier steps into his view.
Aqualad shakes his head, "No. He is a threat to our plan. We need him out of the battlefield so you and Miss Martian can dispose of the shipments on that helicopter."
Superboy and M'gann nod.
"Alright, go," Aqualad says.
"Race ya there," Kid Flash says to Novia. He dashes down the cliff and towards the landing pad, bringing a cloud of dust in his wake. Novia sighs and vitrifies. She pushes past the pain and slides down the cliff after him.
He's already starting. The cultists are focused on his presence as he zips between them, knocking some of them over and seizing their weapons.
Novia runs in. Clasping her hands together, she swings at the nearest cultist. The collision knocks him unconscious. She catches another cultist moving towards her, pivoting as she brings her leg around with as much force she can muster. An amateur roundhouse kick but it's enough to disarm the man.
Kid dashes by, taking out more cultists as they attempt to shoot her.
Over the noise, Novia hears Kobra bark, "Take the shipment!"
The ground shakes as Superboy lands. His arrival immediately draws the attention of the monster from earlier.
"Round two?" Superboy taunts. The beast growls and charges towards him. He's disrupted by a burst of water. A stream rushes towards him, knocking him back. Aqualad stands on the other end, using his waterbearers to manipulate the water. It sends the monster into the forest. Ultimately keeping their big gun out of the way.
"Ugh!" Superboy stumbles forward after being shot by the same ray gun that downed Novia. Sportsmaster emerges from behind the helicopter. Infuriated, he focuses fire on the boy—unaware of M'gann's presence.
Novia slides back after absorbing a couple of bullets in her glass form. She punches an encroaching cultist, grabbing him by the hood of his robe and trusting him into his colleagues.
In the distance, she hears the surge of electricity and a monster's roar of pain. Kid zips past her, knocking out the few cultists that were guarding Kobra. Ultimately granting Robin easy access.
"Yoink!" Kid Flash says as he snatches a mask from a falling cultist. "Souvenir!" He zips away.
A bola flies through the air, entangling the small woman beside Kobra. Without a chance to react, she falls and squirms against the ropes.
Robin lands before Kobra. His cocky grin unfading, "I know you hate getting your hands dirty."
The cult leader hides his vexation well. He exhales. Nonchalant as he tears off his robes to reveal his conditioned body. Until now, he never seemed like the type for combat.
"True. But sometimes even a god must stoop to conquer." He replies.
Robin lunges towards him, delivering a kick. Kobra easily catches his leg but he's countered when Robin uses the other to somersault backward.
Quickly, Robin drops and leg-sweeps the man. But Kobra simply steps over it. Kobra's movements are calm—calculating. He's not even trying to fight back. Instead, he measures. Almost foreseeing each—
BOOM
Night briefly becomes day. Violent lights of red and orange burst from the helicopter as it falls out of the sky. Smoke pours from its tail, leaving a visible trail as it drops. The failing engine wails until it crashes into the factory and another explosion lights up the area before them, leaving fire and decimation in its place.
It's over. Relief washes over Novia. She looks down at the bullets stuck in her body. Tired, she shatters for what she hopes to be the last time, whimpering as her glass form recedes without command.
"I am plagued by mosquitoes!" Kobra barks. Beneath his foot lies Robin.
"Good. Cause this mosquito is mighty concerted over your pain!" Robin retorts. He kicks out of his hold, falling back to his team as they confront Kobra.
The man glares at the team, fists clench as though considering the altercation. He steps back into the cover of the forest. Somehow figuring he is outmatched. Or more likely being strategic in his retreat.
"Another time, then."
He disappears, leaving his followers behind. Undoubtedly, he can convert more when the time comes.
They survey the aftermath of the explosion. Heat thickens the air around them. What hasn't already erupted from the helicopter crash, collapses from the fire. Novia wonders how long it will take before it spreads into the jungle.
"Well, we picked the right guy to lead," Robin places a hand on Aqualad's shoulder. But he gestures to the damages, laughing in derision, "Automatically making you the right guy to explain this mess to Batman!"
Aqualad had remained silent throughout their return home. He was withdrawn, reserved in expression. But Novia can surmise that—beneath this composure—he is mortified. Because she is certain that even he fears what Batman will have to say about this.
July 23rd
10:01 EDT
Mount Justice
She had considered escaping to DC for the night. But was stopped at the zeta-tube by Batman. He promptly ordered them into the mission room. No one was to retire for the night until he had his word in.
And as Robin had predicted, Aqualad is forced to take the grunt of the blame.
"A simple recon mission. Observe and report." Batman chastises, "You will each receive a written evaluation detailing your many errors."
Then he withdraws, "But until then, good work."
The team's eyes widen—unsure what has caused this bizarre transition. Within seconds of a lecture, the man just begins appraising them.
He continues despite the blatant confusion within the room. His eyes settle on Aqualad as he speaks, "No battle plan survives first contact with the enemy. How you adjust to the unforeseen is what determines success. And how you choose who leads, determines character."
July 24th
22:45 EDT
Mount Justice
Novia finds refuge in the library as she reads through the mission evaluation that the Justice League had drafted in response to Santa Prisca. It's honestly a packet rather than a simple document. Each page is filled with paragraphs that detail every single mistake and transgression.
There's Superboy's refusal to use a safety cord; Robin's constant disappearances; Kid Flash's failure to keep covert; her own physical attack on Robin (she's particularly noted to have unsatisfactory teamwork skills); Aqualad's inability to maintain command; M'gann's assault on the helicopter causing excessive collateral damage; and then there's the entire team's willingness to trust the enemy (Bane).
Novia groans, dropping her head to the table. Her body still aches from the mission and the salve Canary gave her for the burn is only slightly effective. Rather than throbbing, it's beginning to itch.
This is not how she envisioned her first actual mission to go. It's even worse when she recalls Robin calling recon to be an 'easy gig'.
She resets her composure upon hearing approaching footsteps, as though the words on the document and her sore body don't affect her in the slightest. She rises when she finds Kaldur standing across her table. He wears his civilian attire, and his expression reveals his concern.
"May I have a word?" He asks. Novia nods, gesturing for him to sit.
He doesn't speak immediately, eyes lowered for a moment as he gathers his words. Then he looks to her, "I understand you and Robin may not see eye to eye. But I am asking for the sake of the team that you try two cooperate."
Novia exhales. She was about to reply—protest with the fact that Robin is naturally derisive—but Aqualad continues.
"I have already spoken with him. And I thought it would be fair to speak with you as well. Robin is the youngest one on this team. Thus, his maturity is—"
"Nonexistent," Novia finishes.
Kaldur raises a brow, smirking lightly, "I was going to say, 'not quite developed'. But I am sure you get the point." He returns to being solemn, "But can I trust you to be the bigger person?"
Novia sighs. Her eyes gloss over the packet once more, staring particularly at the part where she was denoted to have unsatisfactory teamwork skills. Her thoughts repeat the moment she attacked Robin. No part of the memory is relieving or brings her a sense of defiance. It only adds to her bitterness until she is forced to relent.
"Fine,"
Kaldur's expression softens with satisfaction. He has been content since the mission—no longer tense from anticipation. "Thank you. I'm glad we have an understanding," he says. He turns to leave but is stopped when Novia grabs his wrist.
She had done her best to keep herself from mulling over it—swearing that the frivolous distress she felt in the back of her mind would simply disappear. But she has been bothered and frankly discomforted since Wally's words. And there is only so much emotion she can conceal.
"Do you feel the same way? What Kid said about my aunt and..." she trails off. It's apparent that Kaldur has long forgotten the exchange because even he seems confused at first.
"He was emotional at the time and I would advise you not to take it personally," He says.
That did not answer her question—barely even half of it. So, she presses once more.
"But do you feel the same way?"
His expression softens, becoming sympathetic as he considers his response, "What occurred at Cadmus was out of your control. And I do not believe you have bad intentions—albeit you can be a bit recalcitrant."
Novia blinks, "He—"
"I am being honest," he says. Novia bites her inner lip only in an effort to fight the urge to retort his statement. She manages to keep quiet, finding the shadow of amusement in Kaldur's eyes as he watches her literally hold her tongue.
He continues, "But it is as I said. Try not to let Kid's words affect you personally. Batman has his reasons for placing you on the team. If you were not to be trusted, you would not be here."
His words are mildly comforting. A bit puzzling, too. It's a hard pill to swallow—nothing less poignant than the idea that she is here at Batman's will. There's likely an obligatory indebtedness somewhere underlying it all but she's not keen on indulging it.
So, she releases Kaldur's hand—not satisfied but still appreciative (lethargic, as well). And he bids her goodnight in his usual polite manner.
A/N: So far, the revised Schooled chapter is pretty much the same as before minus one or two things (still working on it). But I've finished the entire Infiltrator chapter (it's currently being polished) and I'm halfway through a future chapter.
Yay progress :)