Chapter 32: Homefront
Mount Justice
September 22, 18:40 EDT
"I still can't believe it finally happened."
"I can. Hell, I was there when it did happen", Sara says.
Sara and I, in uniform, walk down the Cave's corridors until we reach one that leads to the hangar. Looking ahead, we see M'gann and Conner, enjoying their time alone. K-I-S-S-I-N-G.
"Took them long enough."
"Damn straight, Rayner."
"Makes you wonder who's gonna be next." Sara gives me this awkward look. Then I realize what I really just said. Making us both act awkward now. Smooth Rayner, smooth.
Sara breaks the tension finally. "If that were to happen…" she says warily, "with anyone else, it would take Artemis and Wally a long, long time to get together."
"Right… Wait! Artemis and Wally? You can't be serious?"
Sara laughs at my apparent blindness. "Are you kidding? You see how they are with each other. You can't tell me you don't see it."
"All I ever see is Wally trying to make jokes and flirt with M'gann, and Artemis shooting his snarky remarks with her glare and arrows. They can't go five minutes without arguing with each other."
"Exactly! Sometimes people who really like each other start off not standing each other. Or at least annoying each other until the bitter end."
"And you know this how?"
"I've seen it with Dinah and Oliver. Granted, they've been together long before I came into their lives. But every so often, I see their spats and sparks of argument turn into tender and caring moments."
"Like with Wally and Artemis. Possibly."
"Even when we first met in a way. Wouldn't you say?"
Sara looks me in my eye. And I look back. Whenever I look into her eyes, I see the same thing: moonlight. A blue lit moonlight that strangely gives me calm and peace. I can't explain why I feel this way for her. Maybe it's time I accept my feelings. Yes, I'd be putting the Team's teamwork at risk, as well as her's. But looking at Conner and M'gann makes me rethink it all. If they have the courage and stance to be with each other, why shouldn't we give it a chance? It just depends on if she wants the same thing. Only one way to find out, Romeo.
"Sara…" Before I can ask her my outrageous question, I see her looking past me. Distracted by something.
"I hate to leave before your question, but I gotta talk to Kaldur'ahm real quick. Rain check?"
"Yeah… It can wait."
"Great. Won't take too long. I promise!" Sara says as she runs off after Kaldur at the end of the corridor.
As soon as she's gone from sight, I breath a heavy sigh of relief and anxiety. As ready as I was to ask what I was gonna ask, I'm kinda glad I can wait and think on it more. I want to be honest with Sara and tell her how I feel. I just don't want to throw off our chemistry if she says no. As well as the Team's.
I look back over to M'gann and Conner, happy as can be. Maybe I should get a second opinion.
Thank goodness Kaldur waved for me.
Don't get me wrong. I like Kyle. And when I say like, I mean more than I like a lot of guys in my life. But the conversation was getting very heated and very real. A bit too real. I mean, is it wrong for me to not want to risk our friendship for something that may never come to pass? Listen to myself. I'm supposed to be this kickass Canary hero and I'm scared shitless about my feelings for my teammate. When did my life get so complicated?
I slow down as I reach Kaldur. He gives me a puzzled look. "Sara, is everything okay?"
"Yeah, I'm good. It's just… Kyle and I…"
"Say no more. I understand."
"You do?"
"I can see that there is something between you two. Or else you wouldn't look as 'flustered' as yo do now."
As much as I want to argue his point, it would be pointless. Kaldur is very observant when it comes to his teammates. And plus, lying to him would make him think twice on whether I'm this mole or not.
"I just don't know what to do about it. I want to tell him. I just don't want to ruin what we have. And not to mention I have to be objective with him on who the mole could be. Which by the way, objectively, I know that is not Kyle Rayner. Tell me what to do please."
"I cannot tell you how to solve your personal issue. And to be honest, I'm probably not the best person to ask. Since my best friend Garth is dating the love of my life." And I thought my love life was complicated. "But I will tell you this. I have come to learn that you have great instincts. I trust that you will know what to do about you and Kyle." Ever the wise sage leader.
"Thank you, Kaldur. And don't worry, I won't tell Kyle about our investigation." No matter how much I want to.
"Good. Speaking of which" he says as we reach the Mission Room, with Red Tornado. "I believe it is time we include some insight."
"Are you sure?"
"I am not entirely sure. But I feel it is time we get a third opinion."
"Your call, team leader. You've got great instincts as well." He nods to me.
"Red Tornado", Kaldur calls as we come closer to the robot.
"Aqualad, White Canary. How can I assist you both?"
"We need to talk to you about a… potential threat", I say to him.
"And what might this 'potential threat' be?"
"A mole. When Aqualad and I were helping Red Arrow fight off the League of Shadows in Taipei, we overheard from Sportsmaster that there could be a spy within our Team."
"So you have told no one else of this mole?", Red Tornado asks.
"We cannot be sure one exists. And if it does, if the Team is being betrayed from within, we must investigate without… tipping our hand. But perhaps I should tell Batman."
"Generally, the Batman expects the Team to handle its own problems, but the decision is yours. I will return after monitor duty on the Watchtower." Red Tornado walks to the holographic keyboard and inputs his code for the Zeta tube.
"I thought you were exempt from monitor duty since becoming our den mother", Kaldur asks.
"Recognized – Red Tornado, A16."
Red Tornado walks over to the tube and turns back to face us. "I agreed to cover for Green Arrow. He has an interpersonal event with Black Canary. A 'hot date'. And with that, Red is zeta beamed out of here.
"'Hot date'… poor Dinah", I say sarcastically.
I look to Kaldur, who remains puzzled and conflicted in what he should do next. "So, what's the plan boss?"
"I will think further on telling Batman or not. Until then, I will investigate. Quietly."
"Good luck. I think I'll stay here, look through the Cave's data. Let me know if you need anything."
"Will do." Kaldur takes his leave. Leaving me alone in the Mission Center. Okay, let's see what I can find.
"Aren't you two adorable." My comment ruining their kiss. Which also makes them blush a bit as well, M'gann more than Conner.
"We weren't doing anything!" M'gann loudly claims. "You didn't see—"
"Relax, Sara told me what happened in Belle Reve. Only me. And don't worry, if you guys don't want this out in the open just yet, we'll stay quiet."
"Really? Thank you!" M'gann says as she hugs me tightly. "It's not that we don't want people to know. We just wanna tell everyone when we're ready. As well as keep the Team's fluidity going as well as it has before."
"Trust me, I get it."
"Why did Sara tell you anyways", Conner asks.
"Only because I asked if you guys had finally gotten to that point. And even if I hadn't, I would've noticed. I'm not blind."
The Sphere rolls up and beeps after me. "Okay, you both have a point there."
I look past the new couple and their pet Sphere. "Speaking of blind…"
"Hey, guys." Kid Flash, sandwich in hand, walks up the stairs to join us. "You two sure spend a lot of time working on his bike. Obviously, you need the Wall Man's expert help."
The Sphere beeps and blinks again. M'gann and Conner pat it. Like I said, blind as Batman.
"You think you can do better? By all means, go for it 'Wall Man'", I tell KF.
"Stand aside." He kneels down to start his 'expert help'.
Kaldur walks into the hangar, joining the four of us. "Kaldur, do you know where Sara is?"
"Last I saw her she was in Mission Center. Why?"
"No reason. Just needed to talk to her about something."
"Torque wrench." M'gann levitates the wrench to Wally. "Thank you, Green Cheeks." Keep those comments up and you'll need to be fixed after Conner breaks you.
"I have been meaning to ask. Any problems juggling schoolwork with your responsibilities here?"
"No", Conner answers.
"I'm good on both ends", I answer.
"Juggling's just one of my many talents. Socket wrench."
M'gann levitates the next wrench to Wally. "Daily cheerleading practice has presented a challenge. Oh, but my first loyalty is always to the Team. This team, not the Bumblebees."
"Artemis starts school today. Do you think she will have trouble maintaining her loyalties?" Kaldur asks us. Loyalties?
"Nah, she'll manage alright. I mean, how much more hostile and annoying—"
An explosion from inside the hangar forces us all to the ground. I shake it off briefly and get back to my fight, as do the others. Looking to the ground, water is spread all around the floor. Before we can make a move, we pushed back by a powerful stream of water.
Getting the water out of my eyes, I find Kid Flash and Superboy next to me. Aqualad and Miss Martian are on the other side of the hangar. But I don't see anyone else. Who the hell is doing this?
I fly up to get a better look. But I still don't see anyone. But I do find something new.
Aqualad and Miss Martian are being attacked by a pillar of fire now. I create a wall construct and send it to keep the fire away from them. Both are incredibly susceptable to fire. But before it can reach them, a pillar of water comes from below me, pinning me to the ceiling. The water rescedes, allowing me to fall. I stop my fall and levitate myself weakly.
Before I can do anything else, water begins to form around me. I'm inside a water sphere. I try to create an air rebreather construct, but my mind is starting to lose focus. And I'm starting to lose consciousness myself. Before I black out, I see a figure rise in front of me. And this figure looks almost exactly like… Red…
"What the hell was that?" I hear an explosion from inside the Cave. "Aqualad, come in. What's happening?"
"White Canary, the Cave is comprom—" My comms cut out mid-conversation. What the hell?
"Recognized – Robin, B01."
"Robin! Call Batman now!"
"Why, what's going—"
Another explosion, this time right here, rocks and wrecks the Mission Center. I push Robin to the ground, which is now cracked. As is the entire room. The room is filled with smoke, its lights now in emergency red.
"What the hell is going on?!"
Before I can answer, it gets worse. Multiple fire blasts are thrown our way. We dodge them as best as we can. I pull out my bo staff, using it to deflect the fireballs heading our way. Robin throws his batarangs into the smoke. Hopefully hitting whoever the hell is firing at us.
"Where's the rest of the Team?"
"They all should've been in the hangar. But I don't know if they were hurt in the explosion." Another fireball flies past us. "Or if they dealt with this."
"Recognized – Artemis, B09." Man is she gonna be surprised.
Artemis walks into the newly damaged Mission Center, shocked to see the state it's in now.
"Get down!" Robin yells at her. She jumps and dodges the fire blasts coming her way. Robin throws more batarangs as she pulls an arrow back on her bow and shoots.
"Who are we fighting?"
"Don't know. But we're sitting ducks by these tubes. Head for the exit." Artemis and I follow Robin as we make for the exit. Another pillar of fire shoots our way. We make past it. But now a tidal wave comes splashing our way. "Or not."
We turn around and try to run. But the tidal wave pushes and carries us in its current. We are slammed against a wall and sink to the floor. The water recedes, leaving us drenched.
Artemis grabs her bow and I grab my staff from the floor. All while dodging more fireballs aimed at us. When I look back, I find the next one turning into what looks like a… flaming twister. Seriously? The flame twister motivates me to run much, much faster.
We make it into the workout room of the Cave, the doors closing behind us.
"Robin to Team. Come in. Aqualad!"
M'gann, are you okay? Please answer me!
The flame twister blasts through the doors and knocks us to the ground. We quickly rise to our feet and keep running from this unnatural weather anomaly. We run through door to door until we make it into the showers.
"Robin to Batcave. Override RG4. Cave calling Justice League. HOJ/Watchtower. B01. Priority ray." We run into the showers and turn on all the shower heads. Our attempt to keep the flame twister far away as possible. "Com is down. Locked. At least the water's helping." You had to say it.
The entire room shakes. The walls more specifically. The showerheads and nozels eject from the wall, with water spouting from the new holes in the walls. Next thing we know, the room begins filling with water rapidly. "Or not." Either we drown here, or we burn out there. Not a lot of great options.
Robin swims over to the nearest wall. He places a batarang on it. In seconds, the wall breaks apart. The water pours through the hole, carrying us out too.
With no time to stop or rest, we run down the corridor until we reach the kitchen. "We need to get lost." How?
I look through the room for an exit. I don't see anything… Wait! "The air vent!" Artemis and I say in unison.
"Good. Go!"
Artemis and I make our way to the vents. We climb on top of the ovens, standing underneath the vents. We take off the filter grill and throw it to the ground.
We both look back to Robin, who's doing something with the computer panel on the wall. "What are you—"
"Downloading Cave blueprints. Could come in…" Robin stops when we hear footsteps near. "Go! Go!"
Artemis climbs up the air vent first, with me following after her. Robin climbs in last. The three of us make our way through the Cave's air vent system. Which at this point feels like a cramped maze. "Go left." Thank god Robin has those blueprints.
A pillar of fire fills the path we just came out of. "Too close. Take the first right. There should be a vent cover right in front of you." Artemis pulls the cover away. She drops down the vent path. I drop in after. We all end up landing in what looks like the engine room.
"This way." We follow Robin down the metal stairwell. From behind lands a figure consumed in fire. This person, whoever they are, fills the room with even more flames. We jump off the stairwell and hide within the engine parts. We look to one of the machines, and its readings look to be going critical. "That's not good."
"You think?" I say.
We run throughout the engine room as steam escapes from pipes and the figure continues their barrage of fireballs at us.
Robin has us stop for a moment, looking through his blueprints. "I know that other access tunnel is here somewhere."
"You mean this one?" Artemis says, having already popped it open. She jumps down as Robin and I follow her lead.
We land in another set of secret tunnels and begin another crawl. Robin stops behind us. "Hold on." He takes a batarang and pries open a computer access port. He connects his USB cord into it. "Locking out Cave's motion and heat sensors to prevent the enemy from tracking us."
"And I ask again, who is the enemy?" Artemis says.
"Let's find out. Downloading Cave security footage. There." Robin pulls up earlier footage of the Cave's hangar. Aqualad, Kyle, Miss Martian, Superboy and Kid Flash are all in the hangar. The next minute, the footage goes snow-blind when an explosion happens.
"That was what I heard right before you guys got here."
"What happened to them?" Artemis asks.
"Explosion took out the camera. I'll find another angle." Robin pulls up four more camera angles in the hangar. The footage shows our teammates being bombarded by water and fire attacks. Each camera blacks out one after another. And our friends being attacked before the footage dies.
"That's it. All five are dead." Artemis and I give him a look of distress and concern. "The cameras. I meant the cameras."
"We know what you meant. It just doesn't help us worry any less", I say.
"I'm sure the others are okay. Just give me a sec to find the fastest route to the hangar."
Artemis leans back against the wall. "Yeah, they're fine. They've all got superpowers. They can handle anything."
"So can we", I tell her.
"Maybe."
"Got it. Follow me", Robin says.
Robin removes the opening from the vent. We drop out of the vent and into the library. The library was one of the first rooms I explored when I first came to the Cave. A lot of history to read through in there, going from the Justice League to the Justice Society of America. Though I already know plenty of stories about the JSA thanks to Grandpa Grant.
"There's a secret passage behind one of these bookcases", Robin says.
"Seriously? Cliché much?" Artemis says.
"You should see that Batcave", Robin responds.
We walk down the aisles of bookcases until we hear footsteps. Robin and Artemis take out their batarangs and bow, while I take out my bo staff. We rapidly hide behind a bookcase. Patiently, we wait for the enemy to make their move. As we wait, I hear the footsteps more clearly. They sound… metallic even.
"Artemis, Robin, White Canary." Tornado? But he left…
"It's Red Tornado." Artemis runs out of hiding. I try to stop her but it's too late.
By the time we step out in the open, we see what we're really facing. An android with the same model figure and color scheme of Red Tornado. The yellow on his chest is shaped like a trident upside down. Not Red Tornado.
The Red reaches for Artemis, but Robin and I push her out of the way. "Yes, on the Red, no, on the Tornado", Robin says. We roll under and out of a table that the Red destroys.
Running for the nearest exit, we come face to face with another Red android. This one looking more female, with a yellow line running from its leg throughout its body. Raising her hands, the android blasts two pillars of fire in our direction. We hop onto the bookcases and keep jumping.
"Who? What are they?" Artemis asks.
The sprinkler system kicks in. Water spraying all over the room. Artemis shoots an arrow to the androids. The male creates a water shield, blocking her arrow. The female punches a bookcase down, knocking the rest down like a row of dominos. Artemis jumps down with me and Robin, who's looking through a row of books. His hand stops on The Mysteries of Udolpho. He pulls back the bookrim, opening his secret passage in the bookcase. Artemis, Robin and I jump into it before we get crushed by books, the passage closing behind us.