Disclaimer: The Teen Titans do not belong to me.
I wrote my first fan fic during the quarantine after ten years of not writing anything, just silently reading all of your stories from time to time. I hope you like it. I have to confess that English is not my mother tongue, but my third language, and I am sorry for what you are about to read, since it is my first attempt on writing so much on this language. I would appreciate your reviews and comments to improve, and I hope you like it. Since we are not allowed to meet anyone, nobody proofread this.
Sorry, not sorry but RxS
I currently live abroad, and having firsts experiences with a completely new world gave some thoughts about Starfire coming to Earth for the first time. Making friends is not that easy some times and there would be plenty of requirements for an alien, I guess.
PART I
It was already dawn when we descended the ship, almost immediately after defeating the Gordonians. I was extremely tired, we have had no rest for two days since she first arrived to Earth. We had chased her, and then helped her be save from her captors, the extremely powerful aliens.
–The view here is amazing! —Said Cyborg. — Someone should make something with –So I guess that's it. — Beast Boy broke the silence. He looked at Raven and asked— this place.
–Definitely. It's something else. —added Raven.
–So… what now? —Said Beast Boy uncertain. — What happens after you defeat a bunch of crazy aliens?
–We'll be in touch. There must be...other troubles to come. Here, Cyborg helped me encrypted them. — I said as I handed them over some cell phones.
–I would like to thank you for your bravery and helping me defeat the Gordonians — she said while I gave hers. — Thank all of you.
–They held you captive and they threatened the whole planet. — Replied Cyborg sorrowfully before I could say something.— You have nothing to thank us for.
–He's right. We're glad we could help. — I said while attempting to smile.
The rapid events that just passed were critical, like her situation. It was hard to say something cheerful even after a victory. I still don't know for how long she was held captive and the details about it. I arrived to the city no longer than a week before this and together, with some people with special abilities met by chance, had already stopped an alien invasion and helped their prisoner, also from another planet.
–I still don't know your name. —I inquired curious.
–I guess in your language it would be "Starfire". —she replied.
–Well, welcome to Earth. —I answered enthusiastic. No one said anything else for a while.
Is there a way you could give us all a ride again to the beach?
Without replying, a darkness coming from her covered us all instantly, and we were displaced to the shore. The darkness vanished as fast as it had appeared.
–Thanks. When there is trouble you know how to call. —I said before Raven nodded, looked us all and disappeared into some new darkness.
–Well, see you guys. — added Cyborg sincerely and walked away.
–I hope to see you again. —pleaded Beast Boy and ran away trying to catch Cyborg up. I checked on my phone and had a couple of missed calls. Some people would have liked to hear about the mess I have just gotten involved into, but I didn't care then. I was sure the police and higher bosses were going to deal with the knocked out aliens on the ship soon. I commanded the self-driving motorcycle until my location, and informed the authorities on an untraceable message that the Gordonians were beaten and that it was safe to get into their ship now. They'll know what to do. That happens after your defeat criminals, Beast Boy. On the other hand, some politician will also attribute the victory to themselves. They always do.
–Robin...I would like to request your permission to stay on Earth. —She commented making me smile.
–You don't need my permission.
–So then how can I stay here? How do non-earthens stay when they visit?
–Well, you see… That doesn't happen quite often.
–But when it does? What are the bureaucratic processes for this procedure on your planet?
–You sort of devastated part of the city before you could get free and Trogaar placed your image on his transmitter to remind anyone in the city the cause of the threat...—I couldn't stop thinking about all the people that noted her as a person of interest by then. Even the rest of us could be seen as a threat now. The police could be the least of our problems, specially the immigration office. — Let's just say it's better that no one finds out for a while.
–But how I am suppose to ask for asylum? For shelter? —She was troubled.
–Come with me. —I replied as I offered her my hand. She looked at me indecisive. — Only if you want to.
She then grabbed my hand, and I heard the motorcycle on the corner of the street, and when it came next to us, I got on the bike and put the helmet on. I could see Starfire examined my moves, and she did the same on the remaining seat. I placed her hand on my waist and told her to hold on tight as I speeded up.
I drove for a couple of minutes alongside the beach. We could still see on our left the large ship in the middle of the bay, and I noticed how Starfire laid her head on my back looking to the other side. I then turned right and only the inner city was ahead of us. We went on heading north and I could hear police cars going on the opposite direction.
It was getting brighter. We didn't have much time before we could be totally visible, so I accelerated. We had to go on for another fifteen minutes until we reached the building in which I was staying at –unaware courtesy of Bruce, of course. I opened the parking lot with a controller and went on until I reached the special garage for the motorcycle. As I parked, we got off the bike and took off my cape and put it inside the seat.
–Robin, is there a place where I can get clean? I have been locked for some time, and I will really appreciate it.
–We need to do some shopping first. —I said to Starfire as I took off the helmet and gave it to her. — I need you to wear it while we go. People might be looking for you.
I grabbed a hoodie from the seat and put it on. I took off my mask and put on some sunglasses. We went out of the small garage and closed the doors, then it went underground. Starfire only observed stunned, as it was going down.
–Let's go. —I interrupted her, and we went out of the parking lot. There is a small supermarket around the corner. Luckily, the guy at the counter barely looked at us as we entered, since his phone kept him occupied. I grabbed a shopping basket and lead Starfire to the shampoo and soap aisle.
–Here, pick up some for your shower. —said as I left her to grab some food. I went around for flour, bread, milk, eggs, chicken and some fruits and vegetables that were at hand. I saw her still standing in front of the long aisle, looking at all the products. I came back to her. — Are you okay?
–How do you pick up one? There are so many. They all have strange names.
I hesitated for a moment while I was reading some of the colorful bottles, that I thought were stupid and made impossible to create an opinion about the product.
–Well, you can probably choose them by their smell. —I commented as I grabbed one for myself, opened and smelled it. I then opened the helmet's visor for Starfire, and she grabbed a green bottle and smelled it.
–Oh, it's so good. —She exclaimed surprised. She left the bottle back on its place and grabbed a white one. — Oh, this one is even better.
She put it on the basket.
–And for your hair?
–You use different things for that? That's so weird. —she exclaimed astonished.
–I guess it is. —I smiled and thought quickly about all the options we have for simpler products, which you only experience when you hang out with an outsider, but I was too tired to think something more profound.— The ones down there named shampoo are for your hair.
She bended and grabbed a couple of bottles. I bended too.
–Do they taste as their smell? —she said while opening some bottles and was about to try one.
–Oh no, wait. You don't have to try it.
–Why not? Do they taste bad?
–Yes. It's not food. They can make you sick. —I explained.
–But I don't understand. As I broke in that place, they had food that smelled exactly like this "Gum Explosion" shampoo bottle. And how do you differentiate this from food? The packages are pretty misleading. — she said as she grabbed some apple juice from the aisle behind us, which form and color looked exactly like one of the shampoo bottles, only bigger. I thought it was funny.
–Look… —I hesitated for a moment. — Let's try it then. Which one do you think taste the best?
–I guess this one. — She commented as she grabbed an orange bottle. — "Citrus Passion".
–We'll find out. —I grabbed the bottle, put on some shampoo on her hand, and then mine. — Ready?
She agreed and we tried it. I spit it out slowly and laughed. She looked at me really confused.
–Well? —I inquired. She was dead serious for a moment.
–It's so bad. —she spit it out and laughed too.
–Hey, what are you doing? Don't eat my shampoo. — Said the cashier with a strong foreign accent from the next aisle in front of us with an angry look —Whatever, just buying it first.
He then left towards the counter and continued browsing his phone. We closed the caps of the bottles and put them back on their place quickly.
–I am afraid to ask, but it'll make it easier if you just tell me which one is your favourite. But I don't want to try it, please. I like your method better. —she said embarrassed.
–Here. —I grabbed a red bottle and handed it over to her as we stood up.— This one will do.
–"Strawberry Party" is then. —Starfire concluded as she opened the bottle and smelled it, then put it on the basket. She had a pleasant look, and put down the visor.
I went to the counter with Starfire following me, and paid cash, as always. The cashier, looking forward impatiently for us to leave, barely paid attention to us again, not even responded to my "thank you" after the purchase. I grabbed the few plastic bags he packed the things with and headed out. I ignored the red light at the crossing, since there were no cars on sight yet. I walked until the entrance with Starfire by my side and put the bags from my right hand on the floor while I typed in the code for the front door. I opened it and Starfire carried up the bags before I could bend to reach them. We got in the hall and I push the button for the elevator, it opened immediately and I got in. She hesitated at the door.
–It will be short. Don't worry. —I said trying to relieve her. She went in, and I pushed the button at twenty. As soon as the doors closed and we started going up, I noticed that she was holding her breath. Amid her circumstances, I think she has been handling her release pretty well, since she was capable of interact with me and trust us all to help. But I still cannot imagine everything she must has been through.
As the doors opened, she exhaled abruptly. I walked out and entered the code to the only door on the small hall. I opened it and enter to the small living room. I left the bags over the kitchen bar and went back to close the door as Starfire had slowly walked in. She went nearby the window ahead of me and looked at the other skyscrapers. You could see a small line of the sea on the distance, but from this angle, there was no trace of the ship. She seemed relieved under the sunlight. The front windows were the only ones with the curtains up. I didn't need to switch on all the lights or open the other curtains since it was bright enough for us to move around.
–I will go ahead and take a shower, so I can come back and prepare some food for us, okay? —I interrupted her, and she said yes without looking at me. I couldn't guess what she was thinking or if she was just observing the city. She just gave me a calm impression.
I went to my room carrying the plastic bag with the shampoos and grabbed clean clothes, some sport pants and a white t-shirt, and then headed to the bathroom. I had lost one glove during the battle and probably the only clean place of my skin was the spot from which I have tried the shampoo, and after the long pursuit, the warm shower provided a great comfort. This time I didn't want to use cold water as always in the end to relax my muscles, it just felt nicer the other way.
After I had been clean and dressed up, I went out for Starfire. Showering took me no longer than five minutes, but there she was on the same spot as before when I went to the living room. As I was drying my hair with a towel, I called her to come closer. We entered quickly to the bedroom, grabbed again some sport pants and this time a black t-shirt and socks and gave them to her. She was waiting for me on the hall. We then went to the bathroom and showed her the water taps as I moved all around.
–This one's for cold water, and this one's for warm. Here is a towel for drying yourself up. — As I grabbed one from the sink cabinet. — There must be other things in here that you might find useful. Most of the bottles have instructions on them. Take all the time you need.
I closed the door and left to put on some socks and hang my towel behind the door, then headed to the kitchen. I started cooking hotcakes, for which I made a huge bowl of batter. The first ones, as always, were awful, but the rest were okay. I assumed she was starving, since I was too, so I fried quickly some eggs and bacon hoping it will be enough. I brewed coffee and started putting plates and mugs out, when I noticed one of the hotcakes needed to be flip over.
The coffee machine was ready, the eggs and bacon and a couple of hotcakes were also set. She had been there on the shower for over twenty-five minutes, but I didn't want to interrupt. I just continued making hotcakes until I ran out of batter. I started to make more, and drank some coffee since I intended to stay awake. I put away the groceries and made some room on the kitchen bar next to the stove. As I finished the first portion of the mix, she appeared on the living room. She was wearing my clothes and there was no trace of the bandages that were covering her body for many hours before. I couldn't see any injury on her arms as I feared.
–I am sorry for the amount of time it took me to make use of your washroom. It took me longer than the expected to get rid of those clothes. —she said timidly.
–It's okay. You look better this way. —I tried to comfort her and smiled to her.
–Clean? —she smirked.
–Rested. —I grinned back, and I put my slippers in front of her.— Come, let's eat.
She put them on and sat in front of me over the kitchen bar, then grabbed the batter bowl that was near her hands.
–This? —she doubted.
–You'll see. —I grabbed a cup of batter and placed it on the frying pan. As soon as bubbles appeared on the surface, I flipped it over. — They are called, "hotcakes." A pretty American breakfast, I suppose.
–Oh, I see. I would have also accepted it like this. It smells nice. We ate "Citrus Passion" before. —she said smiling referring to the batter— We have something similar on my planet when it's liquid.
–I assure you this one is better. Here is your plate.
I gave her a plate with a lot of hotcakes on it, eggs and bacon. I put some honey on mine, and she did the same. She then grabbed a piece of a hotcake with her hand, as I have seen from many eastern cultures and ate it. She expressed contentment.
–I told you.
We ate over a dozen of hotcakes, drank juice and she commented that she has never eaten something like honey. She then used it on her bacon, and I thought it wasn't such a bad idea after all. When we finished the rest, she remained silent.
–Starfire?
–Yes?
–Are you still hungry?
Her cheeks turned red, which made me smile.
–Is it possible to make more of these "hotcakes"? —she asked timidly.
–Of course.
I made another dozen and we shared them.
–May I ask you a question?
–Sure. —I replied.
–What do you mean by "pretty American"?
–Well, yes, you are on Earth, but also in America. You see, the planet is divided by territories. Some of them are called countries. —I answered while I put more batter in the frying pan.— This is actually called "U.S." but everything related to it, it's "American".
–Oh, I have heard about planets like that. It is considered a quite primitive government system in our society. Unity in our planet has brought us prosperity. I hope you are at least having peaceful times.
–Sort of. There are still some countries having troubles with each other, yes.
–And this one?
–It is actually pretty complicated to explain. — Immediately many problems that the country was facing came to my head.— Let's just say, there are still bad people around here that need to be stop too.
–Like Trogaar. —she said decisively.
–Yes, without the tails and wings, most of the time. — my comment made her smile.
–I hope I can be useful here then. To get rid of people like my captors. —She seemed pretty genuine.
–Is it really what you want?
–Yes. And I couldn't stop noticing that you have some sort of expertise with that too. —She pointed out for which I smirked. She seemed sharp-sighted.
–I think we deserve to have a long rest. Come, I'll take you to the bedroom, so that you can sleep.
We got there and I told her to sleep as long as she wanted to and that I was going to be in the living room. I took a blanket from the wardrobe and a pillow from the bed, and left. I closed the curtain and put my phone to charge on the coffee table, and I must have fallen asleep almost immediately after my face touch the pillow, since I felt no trace of the coffee and had no concern about a stranger staying at the apartment. Then I heard someone whispering my name once, and as I opened up my eyes, it was getting dark outside. Starfire was far away from me in the living room, standing indecisive.
–Apologies, I did not intend to wake you up. — She said as she bowed her head down. — I woke up not long ago and just wanted to check on you.
–It's okay. It was about time for me to wake up. —I replied and noticed that all my body hurt. I am used to that kind of pain, the one you feel after doing a lot of exercise. Although this time, we faced many powerful enemies with no back up at once and it started to show on my body. I sat up slowly and I felt drunk of oversleeping, which gave me troubles to organize my thoughts and figure out what to do next. I could hear helicopters flying no far away from there.
–Do you want to eat? —It was the first thing that crossed my mind.
–Yes. I can try to make the hotcakes on the hitting device if you want.
–I was thinking about cooking but I honestly feel too lazy this time. Let's order some takeout.
–I do not understand that expression. —she said deeply confused.
–Have a look. —I said and opened the app on my phone for delivery service. She came closer to me on the sofa and looked at the screen as I scrolled down— What do you feel like eating?
–Something "pretty American"? —she answered as I smiled.
–I would say that this will do. —I selected a pizza restaurant. —How hungry are you?
–I do ingest more food than it looks like. —she said shyly.
–It's okay. I do eat a lot sometimes too. —I finished ordering three different large pizzas and some sodas. — Like we'll do today. After all, we earned it.
–Do you always find information on your device? — she questioned.
–If you know how to look, yes.
–I see.
–Is there something you would like to know? — I commented as I gave her my phone. She hesitated to take it.
–It wouldn't know how to start. I have so many questions about this place. — she said while looking at the screen.
–Well, we have to wait a little bit for our food, the people who makes it will bring it here. Why not start with something simple? — She looked at me intrigued. I took the phone back from her hands kindly.— Wanna listen to some music?
–Oh, yes, please. — she answered excited.
I scrolled through a music app for a while since I had no clue what to show first to someone from another planet. I found one song named "Rebellion", so I played it. I thought it was a calm one, good for a start. It went on for about a minute and Starfire looked at me confused.
–It is awful. — She interrupted, looking at me disoriented.
–Do you think so? — I couldn't add anything else but laugh.
–I'm sorry. I suppose we use a different music system on my planet and have never heard anything like this. — she commented dumbfounded.
–You can try to look up for something else. I actually have to check if there are any news about… you. — I said after a pause, stood up and gave her the phone back. — I'll be at one of the rooms. Try looking up for "iconic songs". It might help find something else.
She okayed, and I left to the bathroom. As I was leaving, I noticed that her old clothes were folded over the heater, they have been washed. Then I went to the studio next to the bedroom, in which I have installed a computer. I needed to check on the police reports. They had moved the Gordonians to a facility in Washington, in which they locate high-risk individuals with extraordinary capacities with no way out and were indeed looking for Starfire.
Lucky for us, the authorities did not see the rest of the people who helped her as a threat. Her major role in the battle was unknown for them. I intended to search more about the others and think about a plan for Starfire since I had no real intentions of teaming up now. She had so many thing to learn from Earth and I had no disposition for that. That's not why I came to the city on the first place. The pizza was on its way, so I went back to the living room. There was a song playing, with French lyrics. Starfire stood up and came to me.
–What language is this?
–Ah, French.
–Do you speak it? — she asked as she came closer.
–Am, no. Not really. — I replied with modesty that she didn't perceive.
–Oh, I see. — She answered sadly as she stopped the music. — Do I need to speak it on this place?
–At least not for a couple thousand miles. English will do. How did you learn it by the way? It's your first time on Earth.
–I learned when we met. — She assured me and I slightly laughed confused. I have seen computers and robots quickly learning with the environment as soon as they interact with it. I thought it could be possible, since I also saw her flying and throwing some bolts out of her hands. It's not the first time I met somehow with super powers though. She was going to add something else when the bell rang.
–I'll better go downstairs to pick it up. It's the food.
I headed to the shelf where I had left my wallet and headed out. I saw the delivery guy on the intercom, and I told him that I was going down myself, and closed the doors behind me. I went downstairs with the lift, paid the guy with a normal tip and went up again. She was listening to some music again, with no lyrics this time, and was sitting at the kitchen.
–Could you please bring some glasses? — I said to her.
–Yes. — she said and stood up.
I left the pizzas and the bag with sodas on the sofa. I opened the desk drawer and put out a laptop. It was already turned on. Starfire came and sat on the sofa. She started pouring the soda on the glasses, and I sat next to the food.
–Do you have movies on your planet? — I asked her.
–You mean long transmissions about a specific topic? — she replied.
–If you put it that way, yes. — I said as I started typing. In fact, I have had a hard time choosing one. To show someone a movie who has never seen any is a big challenge.
–We do. There are used by mere educational purposes. Are you going to show me something about Earth that way?
–Not really. Those would be called "documentaries" here. What I meant it's a little bit different, we can watch something while we eat.
–So, which is the purpose of watching movies?
–Just for fun. I'll show you. Let's eat too. — I suggested as the movie started, and grabbed a pizza slice. She did the same.
–Oh, it's so delicious. — she stated with surprise.
–I hope you don't prefer take out than the food I cook. —I said sarcastically.
–Sorry, I do not intend to offend your cooking skills. This is just different. And this fuzzy liquid, it's so strange and yet so tasty.
–I'm sure you will like more things on Earth. Tell me, how did you sleep?
–Very pleasantly. Thank you.
–Glad to hear that. Alright, this is a movie about a guy that came from another planet named Krypton. — I stopped the movie for a little bit.
–Hey, I know Krypton. Or at least I have heard about it. Some Tamaranians had visited it before it was destroyed. Do you also speak the language?
–You do? — I was astonished. She answered saying something on a language that I couldn't understand and then translated it.
–Yes, I learned when I was a kid.
–Ha...You don't need it for this movie.
–Let's see then. — she then click on play.
We then watched the movie and ate. Starfire broke the silence only in the end. I don't know if it was the old or the newest version, but it had the effect on her I was looking for; someone trying to play hero and the responsibilities behind it, or something like that. I didn't where to start with her. I don't know if she had used her abilities for helping others before.
–I have so many questions. — she assured me.
–Tell me.
–But of great importance… — She paused and drank soda. — What is your Clark Kent name?
–Oh, wow. You learn quick. — I laughed hesitantly. I could see an intense gaze coming from her, waiting for an answer. At that exact moment I wasn't playing Robin anymore, so I look at her in the eyes and replied.
–I don't have one. — She said. — I'm always the same. Here on Earth or on Tamaran.
–You don't have to. There must be eventually some situations in which you have to hide your powers. That's all. Especially now that the police are looking for you.
–What if I just offer my apologies?
–It will take a little bit more than that. I'll arrange something. It might take some time. — I stated. — Do you want to watch another one?
–Yes, I found movies amusing. — she commented.
While "E.T." was loading, I decided to ask her if she has found something of her interest in our music.
–I think it's quite rare. — She paused. — I noticed that many songs are about the topic of "love", which has a contradictory meaning on my planet.
–Sometimes also here too. — I mentioned.
As the movie went on, I could hear her laugh a couple of times. There was no trace of the furious opponent, as when I first saw her. Of the person I argued with two days before, either. She asked me a couple of things about the movie this time, that I cannot remember, but that made me laugh too. There was something about her that made me trust her.
–Thank you for showing me these movies. I hope you don't see me that way. — she said as "E.T." was ending. I smirked. — Please, is it a custom on Earth to speak to people this close?
I then noticed that we were actually pretty close at each other. I felt bashful, I was getting too distracted from my duties, so I backed up.
–Sometimes. — I tried to answer indifferently. — Listen, I have to go. I'll be out for a couple of hours, I need to patrol. Will you be alright?
–Will you? Don't you need my assistance?
–No, I do it alone. Look, take some rest and see you in the morning. It's already late.
She just looked at me astonished, bit her lip but said nothing. I went to grab my uniform and went downstairs. Before I left, I had changed the code for the door quickly. Until I arrived to the small garage, I checked on the missed calls I had. None were from the guys or someone I didn't want to talk to, they were all from Donna. She has always checked on me, and I wanted to call her back. After all, I might use her help to give a hand to Starfire. But I couldn't call her just then, I needed to clear my mind to come out with a plan. So I changed my clothes inside the garage, made sure the cameras around me were showing an old image, and went on through the city.
The number of helicopters around was significantly reduced at that hour. It was past midnight. I followed some police reports through their radio and went to investigate a pair of robberies. They were manageable, but if there were not enough police officers available, that only meant that they were after a bigger fish. They were following any clue, including simple reports on vandalism through the city, that could lead them to capture a dangerous red-haired woman. They were after Starfire, of course.
I made sure that one armed thief at a convenience store was well tight as I knocked him out. Under other circumstances, I would have taken it to the office myself, but instead, I made sure that the employee who was attacked was okay to wait for them himself. I was outside patrolling for around three hours, when I received a warning from the apartament. Starfire must have tried to open the door. I still needed time to think, and the only master plan I came out with was the most obvious one. I required Bruce's help, in order to get a deal with the government to stop seeing Starfire as a threat. They do things like all the time on his big league team, and she would have to maintain a low profile for a bit, probably in another city. I didn't know what to think about that. Donna could be the one contacting Bruce, I assumed.
I headed home, and all my moves went on automatic, since I didn't pay attention to any details, just thinking that I could continue research there. I then opened the door, and Starfire was just behind it, threatening me with green star bolts on both of her hands. Her eyes were all bright green.
–Why are you trying to keep me captive? — she firmly questioned.
–Take it easy. — She did not intend to put her hands down. — You agreed coming with me, remember? You'll have to continue trusting me.
–How I am suppose to do that if you don't tell me anything? You're treating me like a child. — She put her hands down and recovered herself. She seemed exhausted. — I'm not sure that you trust me either.
I went in and closed the door. Then I made sure she could see the new code for the door. I held back for a moment.
–I'll show you then. — I promised her, so I went to the studio and she followed me. — You see, your powers have called attention here. I wanted to make sure you wouldn't go out and be sloppy.
I started seeking information on the police databases. I checked on everyone. Cyborg, Beast Boy and Raven. I managed to get information on every single one, and made conjectures. Some names popped out, as well as accidents reports. I confirmed some things I already knew too, like the involvement of Beast Boy with the Doom Patrol. There was barely information about Raven, though. The government knew about all of them, but they were not interested.
Starfire was standing next to me, looking at the screen, as I was going through some tabs and opening new ones. I then checked on Robin. I was somehow wanted, but not exactly on this city. I didn't think it was relevant to check on my second self, but I did it anyway. After all, I knew too much of the others already. I did a last search.
–You're wanted. — I glared at her and whispered firmly after I showed her news, reports and videos of her performance on the city. People and authorities were afraid of her. Most of the comments included criticism to the companions she brought with, and made her responsible for the damages in the city. Some civilians also ended up in the hospital. But not only that, outside of official databases were also interested. Corporations and criminals wanted to know more about her abilities. It has been a trend lately, to seek for such individuals, in order to manufacture or study their powers.
–I didn't meant to do any harm. — she pleaded with sadness.
–I know. — I affirmed after a pause. — We know that. You'll go to another city, with someone I also trust.
–Why I can stay and learn from you to help others? — she demanded with a reproachful glance, which I tried to avoid.
–I don't do teams, not anymore. — I declared, and started a call.
–But you said to the others that we were going to be in touch. — she insisted.
–We will, but I can't assume responsibility of all of you. I can't train everyone.
–We can prove to you that we can do much more if you give us a chance. — she cried out.
–From how I see it, it's more likely that you guys will need my help. You're not ready. — I stopped briefly to reply decisively. — Listen, I work alone. You'll have to go. If one day, I need your guys help, I will contact you. That's what I meant.
–You couldn't be discreet, huh? — interrupted a scolding voice from the call. She finally answered. — You have been there for less than a week, Grayson.
I bit my right thumb hesitant.
–Listen Donna, she's with me.
–The alien? I imagined. — I noticed discomfort on Starfire.
–I need your help.
–Dick, I can't. — She interrupted. — I don't want to get involved on anything.
–She needs you. Help her get a deal, talk to Bruce.
–Fine. But she'll have to come here. Give me two days and send me some proof —She replied after a long paused, and hung up.
–What kind of proof did she mean? — Starfire cut the silence.
–That you helped defeating the Gordonians. Nobody can know that. It might be that Cyborg have a recording system. We'll check it out tomorrow.
Many things were crossing Starfire's mind. She seemed to be trouble at considering her options. Perhaps she wanted to reproach me for merely helping her up to this point, but I didn't want to get attached any longer. I wanted to go on my own, and do things my way this time. It seemed to me that she also grasped why I was assisting her only until here. What were her chances to find help from someone else anyway?
–Let's go to bed. — I suggested, which she agreed to.
At first I couldn't fall asleep, a strange feeling was coming over me. Was it self-reproach? I was complete asleep, before I could interpret it. I must have been sleeping for like an hour when I heard Starfire screaming. I went towards the bedroom, although I knew there was no one else at the apartment. I stayed behind the door, hesitant. She must have been sleeping too, having a bad dream and was mumbling some things on another language than English, but I could comprehend that the things she was dreaming of were causing her suffer. I knew exactly what they were. I was uncertain weather to enter or not, yet I could sense that she needed comfort.
Her screams ceased quickly. I slowly opened the door, and there she was, sitting on the bed. She had been crying, and finding words of comfort were out of question for what she had been through. A scrutiny wasn't necessary to see that she wasn't stoic, like I grew up. She was significantly transparent with her emotions. So as her gaze met mine, I went there and hugged her. After a bit, she hugged me back, sank her head on my chest and started sobbing, which went on for a while.
Next thing I knew, it's that I woke up on my bed. This time it was still day, and I heard someone humming something similar to Nordic chants in another part of the apartment. It was Starfire, she was cooking some breakfast. The microwave said it was noon. I didn't know what to say to her, we needed to wait for only two days. She stopped humming as soon as she felt my presence.
–Greetings! — she said joyful. Her eyes meant something else.
–Uh...Hi. — I felt disturbed.
–I tried to make some hotcakes myself, but it was a mess. — she said as she was cooking some eggs, that were done minutes before. — Please, which one is your secret? I have never cooked anything before.
–I guess it's a family recipe. — I explained slightly cheerful. — I can finish it while you take a shower, If you want.
–Okay. — She said and we switched places.
Before she headed to the shower, she looked at me decisively.
–I accept your plan. I don't know exactly what it is about but I'll go with this Donna of yours. — She glanced at the floor for a moment and continued, before heading to the shower. — You have already been friendly enough, and I trust you. More than I would have expected, my friend. Thank you.
Somehow her words make feel wistful, but I ignored the feeling. I finished the breakfast and noticed that Starfire didn't come back. I waited for a little bit more, but she wasn't still coming out. I decided to go and check on her.
–Starfire? — I asked knocking at the bathroom's door.
–Yes? — she replied anxiously on the inside.
–Are you okay?
–Yes. — she assured me.
–Ahm. Have you finished taking a shower?
–Yes. — she assured me with the same tone as before.
–So...ah, why don't you go out?
–I can't. — she said firmly.
–Why not? Are you okay? — I was getting worry.
She opened the door and I could only see her face. Her two big green emerald eyes were gazing at me with shame.
–Ahm. The clothes I was wearing are still wet.
This was a relief, so I grinned back at her.
–Is that it?
She nodded.
–You should have said it. I'll bring you more clothes.
I went to the bedroom, grabbed a new pair of clothes from the wardrobe and went back in front of the washroom door.
–Here.
She extended her arm and grabbed them.
–Thank you. I didn't want to continue being a bother. — she paused and closed the
door.
Yes, somehow I have made her feel unwelcome. That wasn't exactly what I was looking for. She needed to find her own way here. But I guess that's how it was. I'm not good at letting people in.
After a couple of minutes, she met me in the kitchen, and we ate silently. I offered her coffee and she did not comment anything about its taste. I saw that as she drank it, she grimaced in disgust.
–There are a couple of things you'll need to get before you go on your own with Donna. She lives in another city called "New York". It is far away from here but a bus will do, it's safer. I'll get a ticket later. It's better if you avoid flying for a while.
–But I can do it, it'll be faster than using a vehicle.
–I meant by plane, but flying yourself too. You'll have to avoid it. They will be looking for you and your abilities, and that's exactly what you have to avoid showing. We'll get you some civilian clothes and I'll give you some money that would be useful for a good start on Earth.
–There is no need of providing me with some money. I brought this with me, and I know that this mineral has some high value on Earth. — she said while going to the bathroom and coming back to the kitchen with her old clothes. The stones on her suit could most likely be diamonds. Big ones.
–I suggest, you better keep them with you. It'll also call attention. — I commented after having a quick look at them.
–Then I want you to keep one, for all your help.
I was going to reject one of her gloves, but she seemed persistent, so I accepted it and put it on one of the kitchen' shelves.
–Only for a while. I'll call Cyborg, and ask him if he has a video or something that could be useful. The deal Donna meant is to at least get you accepted by the government and obtain a permission to stay here.
–But I thought that there was no such a thing as permission. I wanted to ask for it myself. — she debated.
–She is still in touch with people like… me. People that help others, but they are in good terms with authorities. Most probably you'll be allowed to stay. You'll just have to wait for a while to use your powers again, until people forget or forgive how you destroyed parts of the city and they don't see you as a threat anymore. Convince them that you represent no threat is part of it, and someone we know with a lot of money will assume the costs of the city and hospital's bills. This person has a good reputation and has helped many others like you.
–What happened between you and them that you do not wish to get involve anymore?
–I do not always agree with their decisions, but they are good. — I added after a pause. — Just not for me now.
–And yet you prefer to use their help only occasionally but still don't work with them. —she inferred with a furtive glance, for which I looked away.
–It works better for me this way. That doesn't mean that it won't work for you. They can also teach you how to make use of your abilities here on Earth. With time. — I concluded.
I sipped some coffee and reached my phone to call Cyborg.
–I'm not only a machine, you know. — He replied somehow offended. — But I do have footages of the battle. I will send it to you right now. How is Starfire doing? Is she doing better?
He had assumed Starfire was with me and asserted. Taking her in was probably more predictable than I thought. Specially after some leaked videos made by the citizens of how we all met her.
–Yes. I gotta go. We will be in touch. — I said and hung up. — Well, now it's time to get you your own clothes, It will help you go undercover. At least until you get to Donna. Listen, I don't mind lending you more or anything, but since you are staying around I think it makes more sense.
–If you say so. Do I have to wear the helmet to cover my face again?
–No, this time we will walk. I'll figured something out. Good. I'll go to take a shower. You can finish the rest of the food if you want or just wait for me. — she okayed and I went to the bathroom.
As I had been dressed up and getting ready to go out, I saw Starfire seating in front of the window, with the curtain up. The sunlight was hitting her, and I noticed how striking her fiery-red hair was, unlike red-hairs. That was going to be a problem, as well as her light-green scleras, so I went back to the room, and looked for some hat to hide her hair and went back to the living room.
–Hey, is there a way to hide your hair inside this hat?
–I'll try it. —she grabbed it, put it on and proceeded to bring her long her inside the hat. A few years ago it might have been odd to wear a winter hat on a sunny day, but times have change. No one will notice it.
–Great. Let's go.
I gave her my sunglasses, some sneakers hoping they were going to fit her, and we headed out. As we were about to take the lift, I noticed that Starfire was floating next to me. I was about to say something about it but she interrupted me.
–Oh, I'm sorry friend. I'm quite used to it.
Then she put her feet on the ground and we both walked after getting out the lift and went through the lobby until the main entrance. There is a street with many shops about fifteen minutes walk in the city to which I wanted to go to. One in particular is one of those stores with a lot of clothes on it, and we were going there. We walked side by side, and Starfire just behaved like any other tourist in the city, but without cameras and the selfies. She was fascinated looking through the small window shops, the people around and the buildings. Robin, Starfire and everyone's image was being repeated in many billboards and screens. The invasion, the damages and Starfire's rampage through some buildings was still trendy. As we arrived to the shop, I checked on the store map for the women's section and went there.
–What is your method to pick up clothes? —she said in a quite low voice as we were going upstairs with the escalators. I guessed she would have done it differently if she hadn't been scared about the possible consequences of being taken prisoner...again.
–To be honest, I don't know. Just try to grabbed things like the women around are taking. Get something like the images hanging, I suppose. —I replied uncertain, since I always try to keep it simple myself. — There are special rooms in which you can try it on.
–I see. Are those… what are those? —she said after a pause, pointing out some mannequins to our left in different poses and clothes.
–They use them to display the clothes.
–Can I just copy them?
–That seems like a good idea. But not that one, it'll look like you're wearing a bear. —I added after seeing the last one with a fur coat and bright colors. She smiled and we left the escalators. — Just take everything you might need for seven days. Try to get something like the things you're wearing now to sleep or train, and after you have trying them at the dressing room, bring them to me and we will pay.
–What about you?
–I will be around. I need to watch over.
She then went to the clothes rack next to us and try to pick something up. She compared the piece she grabbed to her size. Once in a while she went to the railing where I was waiting, to have another look to the mannequins and went back to other racks and shelves. Up to some point, she was seeking for something on a rack and compared again to herself, when one woman about my age who was standing next to her grabbed something from the same rack and gave it to her.
–Here. This one would look better on you. —and gave it to her, smiled and continued shopping.
–Thanks. —Starfire replied smiling. She looked at the black dress and put it on the pile she was carrying with her left hand. It looked like a huge pile, but I knew that she could easily carry it around since I have received some hits from her and I have an idea how strong she is.
All the time I was looking around to see if there was some problem at being detected, but the store was quite busy. It was a payday and the shops were crowded. Nobody was paying attention to us.
After 25 minutes of going through all of the many areas of the shop, she came back to me to tell me she was ready to go to the dressing room. She started following all the signs at the floor heading to it. I went near her and saw the long queue. I wanted to step in and explain her the rules of it but someone went ahead of me.
–Excuse me, is this the dressing room? —Starfire asked the last girl in line.
–Yes, go behind me. This is the line. —the girl replied and Starfire went behind her.
–Thank you.
–I like your glasses.
–Oh, they are my friend's.
–That one over there? —She said while looking at me. Starfire nodded. — Cute. So where are you from? You don't have an American accent.
–Not from here. —Starfire blushed. It seemed hard to lie for her. The line suddenly started moving quickly and it was almost the girl's turn to get in.
–Europe? You're really tall. Well, have fun in the city with your friend. See you. —she winked and went in one of the doors. A couple of minutes after that, another girl came out of one of the dressing rooms and Starfire went in.
I sat down at one of the small armchairs waiting for her. I had a quick look at Cyborg's video and sent it to Donna. She replied with the address of a place in which we could pick up some fake documents for Starfire in case she was stopped by police officers. We had done it a couple of time for people who needed to run away from everyone and for whom the judicial system couldn't protect.
Surprisingly after all those clothes and a pair of shoes, about fifteen minutes later, Starfire came out and asked what she could do with the things she didn't fit into. Judging by her physical complexion, I found that impossible. I just asked which ones was she leaving behind and hung them on the closer rank to me. We went towards the cashier desk and I grabbed a sports bag in which size I thought we could fit in all that. We paid and put everything quickly inside the bag and headed out. Starfire carried her bag without problems.
–So which one is your favorite place in the city?
–I don't really know. I came here just a few days ago too. —I answered. — But I guess, I like walking around. That's the best way to see a place.
–I see. —She commented as we were walking on the sidewalk through the busy streets. —You were worried about me calling attention with my clothes, but everyone here wears funny things to me.
–I imagine they are different where you come from. —I smirked.— We will have to pick up something for you, so we'll go another way.
We then walked a couple of streets and we reached a main avenue. The street was full of performance artist, restaurants, cinemas and theaters. We continued walking, until I noticed that people were walking slowly in front of us. They were all checking their bags and pockets out. The traffic was also being stopped. I noticed a checking point a couple of meters ahead of us.
"They are asking for ID's" —said someone to another.
I grabbed Starfire's hand and slowly backed away. One guy dressed as a civilian with a name tag on his shirt pocket started yelling at us to go back to the queue. I tried to hide my face as much as I could looking the other way. We reached an alley and dragged Starfire behind a big container.
–Starfire, fly. —I demanded. I heard uproar in our direction. Starfire was hesitant for an instant, but suddenly we took off the ground. Instead of flying away quickly, she only flew us to the roof of the next building. I was relieved since the opposite would have caused too much attention and movement in the police radars. We sat behind the edge of the roof.
–How far away is this place we are going to?
–Not much. And honestly, it'll be faster her on top of the buildings. Let's move.
I couldn't hear clearly what they were shouting down there, but I hoped the passers-by were too busy with their phones to describe us properly. We went through the roofs of the buildings, trying to cover ourselves up with their structure. It was daylight, and it was a hard task, especially when we heard a helicopter. It was nearby and most likely going in our previous direction.
–It's time to go down. —I was preparing myself to go down through some fire stairs and structures, went Starfire grabbed my hand and flew downstairs, slowly as before. We then walked east in the alleys until we reached the shop I was looking for, an antique store. We went in and a horrid doorbell made a sound as we passed through the door.
–You're late. —said the man in the counter.
–There were some difficulties. —I replied.
–I hope you didn't bring them here.
–I hope so too. —I said sarcastically. He looked at me unamused.
–Some random controls, huh? — The man commented. — Come here, I need to take a picture of you.
I looked at Starfire in agreement. She went closer to the front desk. He grabbed both of her arms kindly and placed her right in front of the white wall, took off Starfire's hat and sunglasses. Then put Starfire's hair behind her shoulders with a quick move, although it seemed to discomfort her. He then pull out a professional camera out of his desk and made a picture of her. We could see how he processed it on his computer, for Starfire's amusement.
–Name? —said the man with his achy voice.
–Koriand'r' —replied Starfire. It was the first time I heard her name in her mother tongue. She even has a different voice tone when she says things in Tamaranean. The man only looked at her unpleased.
–Kory Anders will be. —He answered and typed in the computer. We heard a printing noise a couple of minutes afterwards. He picked them up and then threw a couple of identifications the size of cards over the counter, he had included a passport, student cards, and driver licenses from different states and vehicles too. —Here. Say Donna hi for me.
He then cleared his throat in the way old people do, sat down on his bar stool, grabbed a newspaper and started reading it. I reached the id's and gave them to Starfire.
–Thank you. —Starfire said to the man and went back next to me. He glanced at her.
–Better keep her around. —He added and continued reading. We headed out.
The neighbourhood is not one of the most populars of the city for its beauty, but it does have people from many nationalities. There were different flags outside the windows buildings, and some of the signboards around were written in various languages. Clothes shops, cafés and even bakeries looked nothing like the ones in the city center. We walked through the streets avoiding big avenues.
–I thought you say English was enough around here.
–Well, most of the time it is, I guess. — I said embarrassed. I thought about adding something else when we saw a guy running in the opposite direction in the middle of the street. Some other man was yelling at him a few meters back outside a small shop. The man running had stole something. Starfire was preparing an star bolt, but I interrupted her.
–No, you cannot. You cannot really hurt them. —I advised her. — You'll have to go after him, I don't have my mask. Let's meet up again at the corner when you finish.
She nodded, and flew after him. He had ran around two blocks already, but she got him easily. The man obviously resisted and she just grabbed him from his t-shirts shoulder and flew back to the shop. She levitated a couple of meters away from the shop owner.
–I hope you are not hurt. —I could heard her saying to the owner. —Wait.
She then touched the ground, still holding the robber on the air with her right hand. Then she took the lace of her right shoe with the other hand, put the thief on the ground and tied his hands up quickly on his back with it.
–Here. You'll have to wait to for the authorities. The money is on his right pocket. See you.
–Thank you. —I heard the man replying as he reached the thief's pocket for his money. Starfire was walking towards my direction, when a couple of guys on the other side of the street started yelling at each other.
–Hey, she is the girl they're looking for. —shouted one to another. And before I could react, even though I had no uniform, another guy came out between the cars, and quickly the three of them took her inside a parked van.
They had moved around a block in the car when a green blast came out of it, taking the same door from which Starfire had been taken inside. Someone was shooting at her. She then flew quickly out of it and came on my direction. I raised my hand up, she grabbed it without stopping and we flew away between the narrow empty streets really quickly. Up to some point, Starfire stopped and we hid behind some fence between buildings.
–I didn't hurt them. —if at any point I feared about them, Starfire had dissipated my doubts.
–Good. Let's walk. We still need to go on for around ten minutes. Let's go on this direction. —I said as I faced north. I noticed that Starfire had some scratches on her left arm. — Are you okay?
–Yes. Don't worry. —she assured me.
As we walked, I noticed Starfire's carmine hair sneaking out of the beanie, and the only possible way it occurred to me to hide it properly was to dyeing it, so I told her.
–Hey, there is a way to make your hair a different color. Would it be okay? It can help hiding it.
–Another color? — She considered it for a minute. — And which one would it be?
–Uh, I don't know. Black?
–Oh, I see. Okay. — She saddened and forced a smile
We went to the same store from before close to the building and bought a couple of the first hair black dyes boxes we saw. When we finally arrived to the apartment, I saw that there was no trace of Starfire's arm of having being harmed. I looked at her surprised.
–Oh, I'm sorry if it scares you. My people are really resistant. —she commented.
–It doesn't scare me. I think it's pretty cool. —I said confidently. — I think we have had much for a day in the city, don't you think?
–I think so. What do you want to do?
–I'll go train for a while, then I can cook something and we could watch something again, if you want.
–That sounds good. I will go check this thing for the hair out, I suppose. See you. —she added and went to my bedroom with the sports bag and the dyes boxes.
–I'll be down the hall. —I shouted before she closed the door.
I went to the small gym I have acconditionated on the second bedroom of the apartment, which contains everything I need to continue my training. I started with some stretching and then hitted the treadmill for around twenty minutes. I continued with pull ups and push ups, and more calisthenics. I then went on with some weight training and crossfit, and wanted to finish with Ninjutsu.
I was in the middle of my session, when I saw Starfire coming in. Her loose hair was the same red color, which somehow gave me relief.
–Hi. —I said taking a break.
–Sorry to interrupt you. I have washed your clothes. Thank you for lending them to me.
–You didn't have to do that. There is a machine for that. I should've told you. —I commented while sipping water.
–Amm also the hair colourant didn't work. I followed all the instructions from the package. I'm sorry.
–It's fine. It might be that your hair structure is just different. We will think of something else. Would you like to join me? —I asked before she was leaving.
–I'm afraid to hurt you. —She commented worried, for which I laughed.
–Just try not to blast me. Hand-to-hand combat. Come on.
–I'm still stronger. —She looked at me indecisive.
–I will try to catch up. —I assured her.
–What do I have to do? —She came in front of me. — I do not know your combat techniques. I have only trained at the Okaarans arenas in the Vega star system.
–Just try to attack me. —I answered unsure how to process her information. — Friendly, remember?
She nodded and started trying to attack me with her fists, which I avoided and then tried to attack her with my bokken. From our fight, I could notice that she posses a high agility and her combat skills are also proficient. I knew that she could've possibly not been using her complete strength during our combat, but I tried to take her slowly to the next level by using mine.
We were moving around the gym area with kicks and hits, some of the ones she tipped me actually hurt. Her combat skills possess great potential, I concluded after twenty minutes of training. In the end, I sneaked one of her kick out, but she then jumped at me on the way big cats do and threw me to the floor. I had intended to protected my face with the bokken, and I just felt her loose hair touching my face. She then broke the bokken with a fast, soften touch, and smiled at me. All this time I had had only noticed the various green tones her eyes have.
–Oh, I'm sorry I broke your tool. —She said as she stood up, then lended me a hand.
–It's fine. You shouldn't restrain yourself. I have great strength and stamina too. I mean, not like you, but I have defeated bigger guys than you.
–Apologies. Next time. — She commented as her cheeks slightly turned red.
If this would have been the old place I used to live at, I would have taken a cold bath after training, but since it wasn't, I just suggested Starfire we will go and get clean, and then to cook something. I went on first, and when I finished, I went to the kitchen and started cooking the chicken we have bought the day before. I felt quite active after training and on a good mood, so I was busy adding some species and chopping vegetables into the frying pan. I then heard Starfire coming to the kitchen.
–Hey. I'm almost done preparing everything. —I said while stirring the food.
–Please, how do I look? —She asked calling my attention. She was wearing a white blouse and purple skirt. Her hair was also arranged differently. — More human?
–You look...nice. —I commented and went back into cooking. For the second time since we met I was completely aware of how pretty she is, the first one was directly after she had kissed me and threw me to the ground quite confused, and now when I was wearing the same clothes I had trained for more than three hours with. Soon I felt warmth going through my cheeks. I gasped and couldn't think of anything to say, so I continued cooking silently, but she stepped in.
–So, what are we cooking?
–Amm chicken with vegetables.
–Do you eat every bird on this planet?
–Not always. —I laughed. — Could you please get me one bottle named "cream" from that door over there?
–Sure. —She went around the kitchen bar and looked through the fridge, found it and then gave it to me. I added the cream to the food and then served the plates.
As we were eating, Starfire asked me some things related to the food on Earth. I told her as much as I knew and remembered as soon as the questions were coming up. I even told her that cooking had been a family activity with my parents and it's how I remember waking up every Sunday as a kid, with the smell of hotcakes, and then surrounded by the smell of cotton candy and popcorn later in the afternoon.
By her stories, I could only tell that her parents had employees to cook for them and didn't want her to get distracted for her duties somehow, but she managed to sneak out and learned how to cook a couple of Tamaranian dishes. I wondered how they tasted like.
I also had some questions about her and her powers. She told me that Tamaranians had learnt to absorb the energy from the sun, radiation and energy sources, which gave them the ability to fly. Only she and her sister are capable of transforming this energy into star bolts, the Psions gave them this power during their captivity. The location of her sister is unknown to her, since she escaped before Starfire did. She did not add any details about the reason from her captivity, or the role of her family on the war with the Psions. Most likely, they have taken more prisoners.
She has also told me a lot about space, the strength of her people, and her planet. She made comments about the things she had seen so far on Earth, and how different the color of the sky is in here. We talked about Cyborg, Raven and Beast Boy, and she said that she hadn't expected that help could come from strangers.
She made a couple of remarks on things I had on the apartment, like some books from the shelves and other objects that I had brought before during my visits to the city. We continued talking until really late at night, that I even forgot to check on the clock before I fall asleep on the sofa.
I was woken up by the door bell. It was Donna. She had taken a flight after midnight and arrived there early in the morning. Starfire was up and had everything already packed. I introduced them and they left almost immediately afterwards. It hadn't even been necessary to get a bus ticket since Donna had planned to pick Starfire up herself and went back together to New York on a rented car. That was two days ago. It's the last time I saw her.
–Listen up, you stupid boy, stop talking nonsense and tell us where she is. —said Professor Chang and have me an electric shock with his stave.
–She is with the Justice League in New York. —I answered after recovering my breath.
–There is no record everywhere of her leaving the city or been seen in New York. —He shouted and hit me with the stave.
Among villains like Professor Chang, the Justice League remains somehow untouchable. They do not go often after members like Superman or Wonder Woman, including their sidekicks like Donna. It's too bad for their business to attract that much attention. I could've remained sort of untouchable for them too, but I decided not to be a sidekick anymore, and this city wasn't exactly their area as well.
–Pointless. We have been interrogating him for two days. —He walked away from me and started shouting at his goons. — Continue searching every possible building with at least twelve floors. There must be something on his stupid story that could lead us to something.
I have been patrolling the city when I was capture by many of his goons. There was a robbery report on the police radio, and when I had finished capturing the thieves, I was surrounded by many of them. They had taken some security guards of the factory where I was as their hostages. One of them was already badly injured by the first thieves and needed medical attention. I had no choice but to let them take me.
I have met Professor Chang in the past. Batman and I have broke up many of his deals before. His customers were captured many times in Gotham City, although he was never really present. He had been a renowned professor in prestigious Asian universities, having achieved advanced robotic techniques, was then employed by the army in the URSS, to betray them and worked for paramilitary organizations in the U.S. He now works for big corporations, all subsidiaries of Lexcorp, but had worked for Gechäft Krieg too. However, he had recently started procuring and constructing illegal science-based equipment, which he sells to anyone willing to pay his price, for both legal and illegal purposes. He had used his knowledge to create heavy weapons manufacturing in the country for all of them. I guess, he saw potential on getting Starfire before everyone else, and either study her to develop powerful weapons or just sell her to the best bidder.
–Well, where were we? —He turned back at me and used his stave until I blacked out.