Welcome to Mount Justice, Part 1
- - - July 5th - - -
An hour after sunrise, Mary and Superboy were just about to finish their breakfast. A full English Breakfast, capital letters. Sausage and eggs, baked beans, warm toast, a side of tomatoes, a small bowl of fruit, a large glass of orange juice, and a nice cuppa tea.
Alfred had helped her pack all ingredients the night before, from frying oil to salt and spices, to make sure that Superboy's very first breakfast was a decent one.
She had told him about England while he ate, about the unintentional time travel in her petrified state, about waking up in the 21st century.
He had quietly shovelled food into his mouth, chewed it and swallowed.
When all the sausages were gone, Superboy suddenly looked up at her.
"Red Tornado just arrived upstairs", he announced.
Five words! More than he had spoken to her the entire previous night.
"How do you know?"
He pointed at his ears. "Super hearing."
"Oh, okay! Thank you for telling me. I will go up and greet him."
He nodded.
She had almost reached the stairs when he spoke up again.
"Thanks", he muttered.
Mary turned back to face him, uncertain if she had heard him correctly.
"The room, the clothes, breakfast", he explained.
"You're very welcome", she replied with a warm smile.
He nodded once more, then turned back at the table to pour himself a second cup of tea.
When Mary reached the large hall at the cave's upper level, Red Tornado was working on the Zeta tube controls, facing their computer panels.
For a moment, she just took in the sight of the metal man in front of her. A red robot shaped like a tall, muscular man, wearing a blue cape with a high collar. A living machine. An android, Robin had called him.
"Good morning, sir", she finally uttered.
He interrupted his work to look up at her.
"Good morning", he replied with a hollow, mechanical voice. "You must be Mary Baker."
"Yes, sir."
"It is good to make your acquaintance."
"Thank you, sir."
"I hope you are not startled by my arrival?"
"Not at all, sir. Black Canary informed us that you would join us this morning."
"Good. It was her who proposed that you assist me in taking care of the new team here. Do I assume correctly that you accepted the position?"
"Yes, sir, I was honoured by the kind offer. I do hope I can be of assistance."
For a moment, he regarded her quietly. His unmoving face was impossible to read.
Why did he have a yellow arrow on his forehead?
"Will you mind to work for a robot?", he asked in the same monotonous voice as before.
She blinked, surprised.
"Why would I?"
"I was informed that you grew up in the 1930s and 40s. It was not known to the public that machines could walk and talk at that time." He paused briefly. "Not even to them", he added cryptically.
"Thank you for your concern." Mary smiled reassuringly. "Over the past months, I have learned about the existence of alien life and mermen and magic and the internet. This new world is truly fascinating! If it also contains living machines, that's just one more point in its favour."
"A commendable attitude", the android replied. "Although it is quite debatable whether I qualify as 'living'."
How could there be any question of that? Clearly she could not have a polite conservation with someone who wasn't alive.
Her confusion must have been written on her face. "As an inorganic being, I do not meet several of the classic requirements of biological life", Red Tornado elaborated.
"Yet you are clearly as sentient, sapient and alive as any human", Mary rebutted. Or as any Martian or Kryptonian. She would have to remember to say 'person' the next time.
"Am I, truly?", he questioned.
"How could you even ponder such a philosophical question, if it was otherwise?"
"I was created by men in a laboratory."
"So was Superboy, as I am told. That does not make him any less alive."
"I do not grow, nor age."
"From what I hear, the same holds true for Wonder Woman." She paused. "Was she really sculpted from clay?"
"In any case, she is an organic life form now. I, in contrast, am constructed mainly from metal."
Mary thought about this for a moment. She had not expected her first meeting with her new supervisor to result in a philosophical discussion, but she found that she enjoyed the challenge.
"Does replacing parts of a man with metal make him less human?", she asked Red Tornado. "Mr Sumner, our local school's teacher back in England, lost his left foot in the war. It was replaced by a metal prothesis. Yet he was still as human as he was before, wasn't he?"
"One might think so", the android conceded.
"Why should there be a threshold, then? If you can replace a foot or an arm or any other part of a human body with metal, and they still stay human, why would having a body made entirely of metal make any difference?"
"Many would refer to the matter of life and death as the most striking contradiction", he replied. "Human beings live only once. I, in contrast, can voluntarily power down all of my operative functions, rendering myself nothing more than an indisputably 'lifeless' object. Yet the push of a single button can easily revive me. Clearly this indicates that I cannot truly be alive."
Mary grinned. "In that case, neither am I", she stated. "Just that my revival button is the word 'alivio'."
The android mustered her for a very long moment.
"Interesting", he finally concluded.
"Regarding more practical matters, what else do I need to know?", Mary inquired, reminding herself that she hadn't actually come up here for a philosophical debate. "Should I prepare a room for you?"
Not a bedroom, surely, if he did not need to sleep. Did he require food, or fuel?
"Your job will be to take care of Superboy and the other members of the team, not of me", he clarified. "I will prepare my quarters up there."
He pointed at a round hatch in the hall's ceiling.
Mary was about to ask the obvious question, but remembered just in time that flight was among Red Tornado's powers.
"Our first task is to restore these caves and reinstall them as a mission headquarter once again", the android elaborated. "Several other League members will join us shortly. A first team meeting is scheduled in three days, on July 8th."
Mary nodded. Those would be three busy days. The entire ground level of the Mountain fortress was still filled with dust and debris. She had just barely begun swiping out of the common area and the spare bedrooms on the second floor. The kitchen consisted of only a small gas cooker and a leaky sink, and only one of the showers was working. At least the electric lights and the ventilation system seemed to be functional – an essential prerequisite for living inside this windowless mountain.
Red Tornado pointed at the Zeta tube in front of him.
"I have already began to set up a new Zeta beam designation system for you and the new team's members, so that you do no longer require League authorization for each transition. Will you require to purchase supplies soon?"
"Yes, sir. I only brought enough food for breakfast. I should also prepare provisions for the other helpers. And Superboy requires more clothes."
He was still wearing the torn white shirt from Cadmus with his new pants, and had not bothered to put on the house slippers she had brought him. She would have to ask him what kind of shoes he preferred.
"I will also have to buy some cleaning agents and so on, all I found in the closet downstairs was an old broom and a bucket. It might be useful to also acquire a vacuum cleaner, considering the size of the cave systems here."
"That won't be necessary", Red Tornado replied.
Was there a hint of amusement in his mechanical voice?
It turned out that cleaning out a mountain with a group of superheroes was quite an adventure.
Following Red Tornado's orders, Mary and Superboy had carefully stowed away all of their belongings – their blankets, clothes, and the leftovers from breakfast – in firmly closed boxes.
Now they were standing in the warm July sun far outside Mount Justice's open hangar door, watching Red Tornado's version of vacuum cleaning.
"Won't anybody notice that huge cloud of dust and debris?", Mary asked, when the roar of the wind subsided temporarily.
Superboy shook his head. "No settlements on this side of the mountain."
Mary nodded, then continued to watch the twisting tornadoes in deep fascination.
The two Green Lanterns were the first heroes to arrive, floating a huge container full of equipment into the hangar bay. Both figures were surrounded by an eerie green glow originating from the brightly lit power rings on their fingers.
"Good to see you again, Mary!", one of them called out to her. It was the same uniformed soldier who had been present at her 'revival' six months earlier. "Can't believe you managed to win over Batman!"
"I'd love to hear the full story behind that", his darker-skinned colleague added. Luckily, both were too busy handling their flying cargo to further pursue the subject.
While the Lanterns and Red Tornado installed new equipment in the freshly cleared ground level of the cave, Zatara and J'onn fixed the plumbing in the other floors. Both men had arrived just as Mary was about to leave on a first shopping spree, and she had delayed her departure by a few minutes to watch them.
Zatara conjured a large magical 'lens', through which they could look into the walls as if the rock had turned invisible. He and the Martian Manhunter carefully inspected the air ducts and pipes that snaked their way through the mountain. When they found a congested water pipe, J'onn simply reached straight into the rock to remove the blockage.
"Sir, couldn't you just cast 'xif eht sepip' and have the showers working in no time?", Mary asked the magician.
"I could, but it's not recommended. Permanent transfigurations like that require a lot of thaumatic energy, and traces of it are detectable infinitely, which can be disadvantageous for a secret headquarter. Even worse, the residual energy could be repurposed or exhausted by certain spells or artefacts, in which case the transfigured objects might revert into their original state, causing all kinds of problems."
J'onn shared with her a mental image of a duel between two warlocks atop an imposing palace, which was suddenly interrupted when the halls below them began dissolving into pebbles.
Mary laughed out loud, which earned her a startled look from Zatara.
"There are two broken wires in this cable duct here", J'onn pointed out as if nothing had happened.
The Flash stopped by just in time for lunch. Luckily, Mary had returned from her first supply raid in Gotham with so much food that she had been forced to ask Superboy to help her carry the bags to the kitchen.
She had just finished preparing sandwiches for all the diligent helpers when a familiar figure in the bright red costume appeared by their side.
The Flash was carrying a paint brush.
"I got a date back in Central City in about half an hour, but I thought I'd drop in for a moment..."
When he left less than thirty minutes later, all of the bedrooms were freshly painted, and all of the sandwiches were gone.
"This is amazing!" Captain Marvel beamed. "I can't believe nobody told me about this!"
"Every League member received a memo about today's work assignment at Mount Justice", Red Tornado replied calmly.
"Do I get to use a welding machine? I never used a welding machine before!"
Mary mustered the excited superhero. He had entered through the Zeta station while she was still busy distributing her second batch of sandwiches.
Captain Marvel could have been intimidating with his imposing statue and his majestic red-golden uniform and white cape, had it not been for his honest, open face and his blissful expression. He was smiling like a little boy about to join his friends in building a club house.
"Excuse me, sir. Have you had lunch yet?", Mary inquired politely.
He spun around to face her. "Was that a British accent?"
She blinked, surprised. "Uh, yes? I grew up in England, sir."
"I'm sorry, but you don't happen to be the enchanted girl the League woke up in January?"
Mary nodded cautiously.
"You were blessed with a spell that granted you the power of petrification, and your transformation is triggered when you say a certain magic word?"
She nodded again, uncertain what he was implying.
Captain Marvel looked at her for a long moment, an odd expression on his face.
"I thought you'd be younger", he finally murmured, sounding strangely disappointed.
Superboy had spent most of the morning dismantling old machinery which the Lanterns had deemed fit for replacement, compacting metal into cubes with his bare hands.
When Mary brought him his lunch, she found him tearing a rusty old fire door to pieces. His black hair was tussled and his hands were oil-stained, yet he looked happy with his task. He had already changed into his brand-new pair of army boots and a black t-shirt bearing his family emblem. Mary had remembered seeing one of the visitors at the Hall of Justice in such a 'Superman t-shirt', and bought a dozen of them for him at a small merchandise store at the Gotham Central Mall. Apparently she had judged his size correctly – the cotton fabric fit his muscular frame perfectly.
Her mobile phone's ring tone interrupted Mary's thoughts. Robin was trying to call her, from the number he used for 'hero-related matters'.
After a moment's thought, she decided to answer the call. She was still standing at Superboy's work place.
"Hey Mary, how's it going?"
"Hello, Robin. I'm not supposed to answer that." Batman had given strict orders that neither Robin, Kid Flash nor Aqualad should be informed about his plans for the team just now.
Leaving the three in doubt about their future for three day was only a mild punishment for last night's insubordination.
"Yeah, I know, Batman is being secretive as always. Anyway, Aqualad just called me to hear if I knew anything of Superboy's whereabouts, given that we had to leave him alone with the League last night. He also called KF, who said that the Flash said we'll get to see Superboy 'soon', whatever that means, but I figured your disappearance yesterday might have something to do with him, and maybe you know if he's okay?"
She had anticipated that question. Mary smiled quietly at the broad-shouldered boy who was devouring his sandwiches in front of her, tilting the phone his way ever so slightly.
He got the hint.
"I'm fine", Superboy grunted between two bites.
"You're not supposed to call me until further notice", Mary interjected before Robin could ask another question. "And don't even try locating me via the wrist band tracker, Batman changed its transmission frequency before I left last night. Good day, Robin, I'll talk to you 'soon'."
She hung up the phone.
Superboy was looking at her, a question written on his face.
She sighed. "Batman ordered us not to contact the others for the next three days. But they care for you, and who knows what they would have gotten up to if they had started to worry about you?"
He blinked, then took another bite from his sandwich.
Only when she had already returned to the kitchen did it occur to Mary, that the true reason for Superboy's puzzlement had not been her partial defiance of Batman's 'no communication' orders. He was simply not used to having friends.
Shortly after lunch time, Hawkman joined the working superheroes. Mary was assisting the two Green Lanterns and almost dropped a toolbox when the winged warrior swooped down on them.
"Karter! Good to have you here", the dark-skinned Lantern greeted.
"John, Hal, what do you think are you doing with that aluminium siding?"
Hawkman shook his head with the bird-beak helmet accusingly. Mary could not help but to stare at the large metal wings sprouting from the back of his harness. When he folded them, she could have sworn she heard real feathers rustling.
"That won't do", the warrior exclaimed gravely, reaching for a pair of large wire cutters from the tool box she was still holding. "John, take that panel off again."
"Thangarians are excellent metal workers", the Lantern called Hal explained to Mary. "Would you mind to fetch Captain Marvel with his welding machine again?"
Batman and Black Canary arrived in the late afternoon to oversee the setting up of the mission and training room on the upper floor.
Dinah handed a note pad to Mary, tasking her with collecting the other League member's input on what still needed to be done in the rest of the cave.
"All fundamental systems should be fully functional by the end of the day", Red Tornado summarized. "That is air, water, electricity and the Zeta beam system. Tonight, I will run an update of all digital devices. I have already sent Batman a list of hardware components that need to be replaced in the main control unit. I would recommend the installation of additional holographic screens in the mission control room."
"The internal communication system is mostly still in good shape. Only two screens and one of the loudspeakers need replacement", J'onn listed. "Moreover, I noticed that there are neither smoke detectors nor fire extinguishers installed yet. Please do make sure to add them on every floor."
"We will have to restore the vegetation at the hidden cave entrances", Zatara remarked. "The safety of the team will depend on nobody finding out that Mount Justice was reactivated. Yet the shrubs in front of the back door look like they were caught in a tornado. We might even have to replant a few bushes."
"The hangar and docking station are still top-notch", the Green Lantern called Hal commented. "The underwater gate to the bay has suffered under the prolonged salt water contact, but I think we'll be able to replace it easily. Especially if Aquaman joins us tomorrow."
"However, you definitely need to do something with that living area", his colleague John added. "Get rid of that central wall, make it look more spacious. I'd recommend an open kitchen with a free-standing counter, and an adjacent lounge area with a couple of couches. The bare rock walls are fine if you add some wooden elements, rustic but homely. Make people forget you are inside of a mountain. High ceilings, more indirect light."
Both Mary and his partner looked at him incredulously.
"What, is a space marine not allowed to know a bit about architecture?"
"Superboy, what would you like to add?"
He looked up at her from the steel plate he was currently folding in halves.
"The rooms are fine", he replied.
"Nothing you would change? This is going to be your home, after all."
He shrugged. "There is still a broken ventilator on the ground floor, behind the main generator."
"Really? How do you know?"
He pointed at his eyes. "Infrared vision."
Right. She should really make a list of his manifold powers.
Superboy looked very angry all of the sudden. "Tell them I have super hearing, too", he growled.
She nodded understandingly.
Everyone had greeted Superboy with polite curiosity, but this was probably not the first time today he had overheard someone talking about him – or Superman's absence – behind his back. She would ask Black Canary to demand a bit more discretion from the other members of the League, until the two Kryptonians had found time to talk things out.
"Thanks for the list, Mary." Dinah skimmed through her colleague's comment's quickly. "Is there something you would like to add as well?"
Mary smiled apologetically, as she handed Black Canary a second sheet of paper.
Dinah's eyes widened. "Are all of these your notes?"
"Well, yes. I underlined the most urgent items, and the stars mark the points I can take care of myself. Setting up another bedroom for our second resident for instance. But I thought, if we have another girl living here, it's rather urgent to fix the second shower tract, and we should set up a second locker room as well. It would also be nice if we had the kitchen in working order by the time of her arrival. I found a crate with a lot of dishes, but we are still missing cutlery, and the two pans I brought with me last night are our only cooking utensils. On a longer term, a real oven would be great, and a dish washer and some other appliances..."
"Two fridges?"
"You are planning on having Kid Flash train here, and his mentor might visit occasionally..."
"Good point. We'll also add a freezer."
"Most of the equipment in the medical bay needs to be replaced", Mary continued. "I could buy a basic set of first aid supplies tomorrow, although of course I hope they won't be needed anytime soon. And if this will really be a home, well, maybe we could even set up a television? At least a radio would be fantastic. Although, come to think of it, we might not get any signal within this mountain..." Her face fell.
Dinah laughed. "You are a sweet, Mary. Batman is already spending half a fortune on high-tech equipment. I'm sure he can afford some home entertainment, am I right?"
The last question was addressed at the Dark Knight, who was currently working on a computer panel in the centre of the room.
He shot one of his usual glares at Black Canary, then focussed on Mary. "I will take care of medical equipment and order appliances. You will buy kitchen ware and home supplies tomorrow, at the usual budget."
Mary nodded respectfully. Alfred Pennyworth had explained that the usual budget was 'practically unlimited, as long as it is spent for useful and functional items'.
"Very well, sir." She turned back towards Dinah. "If you would excuse me now, I need to start with dinner preparations..."
"Of course! Please go ahead, Mary."
What would she serve the many helpers that could be eaten without cutlery?
Black Canary watched the young woman disappear down the stairs of Mount Justice.
It had been the right choice to employ her here. She would help to turn this station from a mere headquarter into a real home.
Within just six months after stranding in the 21st century, Mary Baker had become a valuable assistant to the Justice League. She had already befriended several League members and somehow even managed to win Batman's trust.
She'd do well with the new team.
Author's note:
More introductions! As you might have guessed, some characters will receive a bit more spotlight than others. I hope you enjoyed this busy interlude as much as I did writing it! (And I stand by it: J'onn has a brilliant sense of humour, he just doesn't share it with many people...)
Please review: So far, who is your favourite non-teenage character in this story, and why?