Chapter 45: Failsafe
Mount Justice
October 16, 15:59 EDT
"Knock, knock", a voice says at my room's door entrance. I look up to see M'gann, the happiest Martian I've ever met.
"Hey, M'gann", I say back to her. I gesture M'gann to come in as I sit on my bed. "What's up?"
"Just wanted to see what you were up to." M'gann joins me at my bedside.
"Not a whole lot. Just waiting for Kyle to get back from Oa."
"Everything okay with him and the Corps?"
"Yeah. Kyle's drill sergeant Kilowog needs an extra hand with a prisoner transport. He should be back before the day's end. Though apparently, the last one he helped with ended with the convict almost escaping."
"Sounds like our kind of fun." M'gann's remark has me chuckle a bit. "And how are you and Kyle?"
M'gann's question puts a smile smackdab on my face. "We're good. We're really good actually. How about you and Conner?"
"We're great! It feels incredible to have a connection like this with. And I'm just lucky enough to share it with Conner."
"I hear you. I never would've thought I'd meet someone as warm and kind as Kyle. Let alone be honored enough to share a part of my life with him now. I couldn't ask for a better boyfriend and partner watching my back."
"I could say the same about you too, Sara." M'gann warmly smiles my way.
I haven't spent as much time with M'gann as I'd like to. But whenever I do, I feel a warmth from her. Not unlike Dinah but in her own way. M'gann just breathes positivity, no matter what's going on. Whether she's in the kitchen trying to bake or we're fighting insurgents or plant creatures. She's like Kyle in that sense, not a lot can get her down no matter what. People like Kyle and M'gann inspire others to do better. To be better.
"You really mean that?"
"The Team is more than a group of young heroes working together for truth, justice and the human way. Other than Uncle J'onn, you and the others are the closest ones I have to family here on Earth. We've been through so much together already. I know we're all still getting to know each other, but you and Artemis have become sisters to me. Now I can't imagine what my life would be like without you two. Without any of the guys too."
My eyes start to tear up a bit. Try not to cry too much now, badass. "That means so much coming from you, M'gann. For the longest time, it's just been me and Dinah. Then came Green Arrow and Roy. I've always kept myself distant from anyone outside my circle of people in my life. Then one night, I followed four young heroes into a secret evil laboratory. Not long after, my life gets enraptured with covert missions with the closest friends I've ever had." I place my hand atop of M'gann's. "Two of which I consider to be sisters to me too."
M'gann starts to well up herself. Along with the biggest smile being drawn onto her face too. She wraps her arms around me, giving me quite possibly the warmest hug she's ever given me. Returning the favor, I hug her back just as tight.
Thank you, Sara.
Thank you, M'gann.
"Whoa", a voice from the door entrance speaks. M'gann and I look to the door to see Wally in uniform staring at us. "What do we have here…" Don't even think about it, Wally.
"Is there something you need, Wallace?" I ask the idiot.
"First, don't ever call me that. We've got something entering Earth's atmosphere."
"Do we know what it is?" M'gann asks.
"Not sure. The rest of the Team is gathering in the mission room with Tornado. We're about to see what's up there. Get changed and hurry up." Wally speeds off after informing us of the possible crisis.
I jump from the bed. Grabbing my uniform from my stand, I start undressing and changing into my 'work' clothes.
M'gann, still in the room, blushes and turns to look away. "Sara, I could always leave you to change. For, uh, your privacy."
"You're good where you are. Besides, you change in front of us all the time", I jokingly say to her.
"That's different! My clothes are organic and respond to whatever I think of. A perk of being a shapeshifter. Being able to change in and out of uniform without ever being naked!" M'gann outbursts. Even though she's turned around, it's clear her face is flustered red. I guess our little M'gann is a lot shyer than I imagined.
"You should try it sometime. Not as bad as you think", I say to her. Finished dressing for the part of sexy badass White Canary, I place my hand on M'gann's shoulder. She turns around, her eyes shut tight. "You gonna open your eyes finally?" To which she does, seeing me fully clothed now.
"Thank H'ronmeer", she says with a sigh. It reminds me of whenever Kyle says 'Thank Oa'. If I'm ever curious about Martian culture, I'll have to ask her about 'H'ronmeer'.
M'gann and I join up with the rest of the Team and Red Tornado in the mission room. The only person missing is Kyle. I guess he hasn't made it back from Oa yet. Whatever this is, I hope Kyle can make it back safely to help. We might need him and that ring of his before this is over.
A monitor appearing before all of us is broadcasting a transmission from outside of Earth's atmosphere. On it is a giant spaceship designed with spikes sticking out and red circular pieces on it. Before the ship are Green Lanterns Hal Jordan and John Stewart. Stewart is issuing the ship a warning to leave their sector before anything happens. But something happens…
A red beam shoots towards both Jordan and Stewart. Both GLs shield themselves with energy spheres. But it only lasts them seconds. Right before our eyes, both John and Hal disintegrate into nothing… Oh god, Kyle…
Right after, Batman (in his space-ready Batplane) maneuvers around the ship as he deploys Superman, Martian Manhunter, Captain Marvel, and Captain Atom. Unfortunately, it doesn't take long for the ship to disintegrate all four powered Leaguers.
Still to my left, M'gann stands firm. But I notice that her fist is clenching. Her eyes already looking to well up in tears. I take her hand with mine, clenching just as hard.
We'll get them M'gann. For J'onn.
The ship manages to destroy the Batplane too. Not before Batman uses an escape pod, however. But he's surrounded not only by the mothership, but also what appears to be several scout ships with it. One of said scout ships approaches Batman's escape pod, destroying it with Batman in it still. Robin…
The monitor's feed cuts out. Another monitor appears to its left. A transmission makes contact with the Cave, from Zatara. "Tornado, did you—"
"Yes, Zatara, we saw", Tornado says. "Celestial defenses have failed. Initiate all terrestrial measures."
"Affirmative. See you in the field." Zatara's transmission ends.
"I must join the League", Tornado says as he faces us. "We will protect the planet at all costs. But should we fail, the responsibility falls to you."
Aqualad looks to the rest of us. We look to him in affirmation. "We stand ready."
Earth
October 16, 16:07 UTC
"This is Kyle Rayner of Sector 2814. ETA to Earth, five minutes. Does anyone read me?"
I've been flying my way back to Earth for the last few hours. Kilowog's prisoner transport went off with a hitch, thank Oa it did. Probably because Gardner was nowhere near it.
I haven't been in the sector for too long and have been trying to contact Jordan. But I haven't gotten a response from him at all. Tried getting a hold of Stewart too, nothing. If I were desperate or in a dire situation, I would try Gardner next. But I think I'll hold off on getting into a fight with that meathead.
"What is going on guys?" If anything, Jordan accidently let his battery get too low to hear me. That or he's too busy with League business. I would say the same for Stewart, but he's more efficient and responsive than Jordan is. Let's just hope nothing's happen to them. I'd rather not have to save their behinds from whatever's attacking them.
There better be a good reason why I'm not getting an answer.
For the last few minutes, the seven of us have been monitoring the alien ships attacking numerous cities across the world. Several Leaguers are attempting to evacuate any civilians they can and fight back against these invaders. Though it hasn't been successful so far.
Along with the Leaguers we lost to the mothership, our numbers have continued to decline. Zatara, Flash, Hawkman, Hawkwoman, Aquaman, Icon, Green Arrow… Black Canary… Dinah…
I saw it with my own eyes. Dinah and Ollie in Taipei fighting together against the enemy. One minute they were there, and the next… I know this job is dangerous and there's always a chance of us not coming back. But to actually see it happen, especially with someone you love… I know we all have a job and responsibility to do, now more than ever. But losing Dinah and Ollie, it hurts so much. I know the others are feeling it too. But we can't let it affect our jobs right now. We have to push on. For them.
"Red Tornado to Cave. I fear I am all that remains of the League."
"RT…" Tornado disintegrates immediately. The Justice League is no more.
"We are Earth's heroes now", Aqualad says.
"So what are we waiting for, a theme song?" Superboy asks.
"A strategy. Earth's weapons are ineffective. And it has been made tragically clear a direct attack will not succeed."
"Checking satellite imagery." Robin brings a digital map of the planet to the center of the room. "Here's where the aliens are now."
"This one get lost?" Superboy points out a singular ship in the middle of nowhere.
"That's Superman's Fortress of Solitude", Robin exclaims.
"Superman has a Fortress of Solitude?" Superboy questions.
"Its power source must have attracted the aliens' attention. At least enough to send a scout ship to investigate."
"Must be some fortress", Superboy grunts.
"Conner." M'gann's hand reaches to Superboy's arm.
"No, it's okay. I guess there's a lot about Superman I'll never know. You know, now."
"We will target this lone ship", Aqualad states.
"Yeah, break it down, build more, hit those ugly aliens with their own mojo!" Artemis elbows Kid Flash in the shoulder.
"Martian and Kryptonian in the house", Artemis whispers to Kid. And both said Martian and Kryptonian are glaring—staring I mean—at Kid Impulse.
"Not that all aliens are automatically ugly", Kid says to recover.
"Or automatically evil", I add to Wally's attempted apology. "We have two of the bravest aliens on the planet with us. We can do this."
Fortress of Solitude
October 16, 16:29 UTC
With the Bioship, it doesn't take us long to reach the Fortress of Solitude. Everyone knows about Superman's home away from home. I can't imagine what all he has in there though. Nor can I imagine what these alien invaders would want from it. Be it its power source or something else, we can't let them get inside the Fortress.
Thankfully, there is only one scout ship. It hasn't spotted any of us yet. To help keep ourselves hidden, we're all sporting winter camouflage to help blend in with the Arctic. For once, my regular uniform actually comes in handy.
Aqualad, Artemis, Robin, Superboy (with Wolf), Kid Flash and I have surrounded the scout ship. It hasn't moved since we've arrived, only facing the entrance to the Fortress. M'gann, in camo mode, levitates above the ship. She telekinetically rips off a piece of the ship. As soon as she does so, the ship begins to wobble in the air. It then crashes to the snowy surface.
Communications disabled. Propulsion disabled.
Artemis moves from her cover and shoots a foam arrow at the entrance of the ship. She moves back into place with me as the ship begins to blindly shoot the area.
And ETs are sealed inside, Artemis confirms.
The icy surface below the ship cracks apart. Water pours onto the ice. Aqualad lands on top of the ship. It aims its beam at our leader. Wolf lunges at the device, diverting the blast to the surface instead.
Superboy lands on the ship next, holding the blaster in place from movement. Kid Flash speedily launches Robin to the ship as well. Robin's holo-computer appears right away.
Identifying weapon's structural stress points and links to the ship. Here, here, and here.
Miss Martian psychically crushes the neckpiece of the weapon. Superboy begins ripping the weapon apart from the whole ship.
Out of nowhere, Wolf jumps to the ship and pushes Superboy off. In place of where Superboy just stood, an energy beam surges at the beloved super-pet. Before we realize it, Wolf is… Wolf is gone.
Wolf…
There was no indication of feedback. I'm sorry, Robin says.
Can't do anything for him now, Superboy sighingly says. Superboy climbs back onto the ship, right under the weapon. Let's go. A motion of anger thrusts him to peel apart the weapon from the ship entirely now.
Miss Martian motions the Bioship, still in camo mode herself, right next to the fallen scout ship. Superboy, weapon in hand still, leaps on top of it as Miss Martian levitates towards it. She places her hands on the Bioship. Psychically linked to the Bioship, a wave of energy motions from the ship to the weapon.
Rerouting systems to integrate weapon into ship's biomatrix. We'll need to decamouflage for a few minutes, Miss M says.
May not have a few minutes, Robin says. A pair of scout ships circle back towards us.
Miss Martian, open fire! Aqualad orders.
Can't, weapon systems are offline to incorporate the new cannon. And that's not fully integrated yet, either.
Got you covered. Get inside. I'm almost there, Artemis says as she shoots a trio of arrows at the incoming ships.
Artemis' arrows hit the ships, impacting and crashing them to the surface. Artemis runs back to regroup with us.
Artemis, hurry! I say to my friend.
Artemis, behind you, Miss Martian warns her.
Artemis warms herself and turns back around to shoot the fallen ship. She's just about to release her bowstring until— It's too late…
"ARTEMIS!"