Author's Note:
Make sure to read the author's note at the end in order to know why it has taken me time to add these chapters to my book. And also I will have the telepathic conversations in 'italics' until further notice.
THE WATCHTOWER
JULY 22, 09:37 EDT
M'gann, Raquel, and Kori are sitting at a table in the Watchtower cafeteria, eating breakfast that M'gann made, talking about what they would be doing today when Kori looks up and sees Kaldur talking to Conner. M'gann looks at Kori, seeing her blush, and looks behind herself to see Kaldur and Conner talking, catching on and smiling herself. "You like Kaldur. Don't you, Kori?"
"Honestly, I am interested in him." Kori answers, not trying to look M'gann in the eye while she blushes. "Kaldur is very much the gentleman, he is very noble, but I only just met him. The same way I have only just met any of you."
"Then as him out on a date." Raquel says, seeing what her Martian friend is trying to do.
"What is a date?" Kori asks, confused by the word.
"It's when two people go out of and have fun." M'gann explains. "It's a good way to learn about someone. People do it to go out with their friends but it's usually for something romantic."
"And you believe I should ask Kaldur out on this date?" Kori asks.
"Yeah, girl." Raquel says, almost excitingly. "Come to think of it I don't think Kaldur's really dated anyone."
"Kaldur has never been in a relationship?" Kori asks, her interest being piqued by the statement.
"From what he's told us, he's never been in a relationship." M'gann states, recall time she and Conner talked to him about any past relationships. "Even more the reason why you should ask him."
"I am not sure if I should. What if declines my offer for a date?" She asks, hesitance clear in her voice
"It wouldn't hurt to ask. Come on, you got this." Raquel tells her. Kori stands up with a worried expression on her face but with a new found confidence as she heads in Kaldur's direction as M'gann and Raquel trade looks with each other while smiling. "Do you she'll do it?"
"If not I'm pretty confident Kaldur will." The Martian comments.
On the other side of the cafeteria, Kaldur and Conner are talking while is looking over Conner's shoulder at Kori who is talking to M'gann and Raquel when they both see Kori heading in their direction. "She is heading this way." Kaldur says, clearly a little nervous by the tone of his voice.
"Good. Ask her out tonight." Conner says, trying to build his friend's confidence.
"It is not that simple, my friend." The Atlantean says.
"Come on Kaldur. Where's my friend who isn't afraid to do anything?" The hybrid asks, trying not to laugh at his friend's timidness.
"Well your friend has never asked anyone out on a date."
"Well that's the point of asking Kaldur. Asking is a way of showing that you're not afraid to try something new." Conner says, seeing his friend's confidence lifting. "Now go talk to her."
Kaldur looks at Conner before looking over his shoulder at Kori on her way over to them. Kaldur takes a deep breath as he steps passed Conner while Conner pats his shoulder for good luck and walks away to leave them alone.
"Kaldur."
"Kori."
"I was wondering if you—" Kaldur and Kori say at the same time and both laugh about the coincidence of word.
"Please, Kori, you first." Kaldur says, gesturing for Kori to say what she needed to.
"Kaldur I am not sure how to ask this but would you like to go on a date with me this evening?" Kori asks, still a little hesitant but went unnoticed by Kaldur.
"To be honest, I was about to ask the exact same question." Kaldur says, breaking the tension that they both were unaware was there. "But yes, I will like to go on a date with you this evening."
"Is there anywhere special we can go this evening?"
"Knowing our friends," Kaldur says, both looking at M'gann and Raquel, who are trying to pretend as if they are not watching the conversation. "I believe they will find a place for us to go."
"Great. Then I will see you later today?" Kori asks, trying to avoid looking at Kaldur so he does not see her blush.
"Yes, I will see you later today as well." Kaldur says.
Kaldur walks out of the cafeteria and Kori heads back to M'gann and Raquel who were watching her the entire time. As Kori sits down, M'gann and Raquel seem to lean in a little closer as if waiting for Kori to tell them what happened. "So, who asked first?" M'gann asks.
"We were about to ask at the same time, but Kaldur wanted me speak first and so I asked."
"Wait to go girl." Raquel says, both her and M'gann grabbing Kori's hands. "Now the hard part comes."
"What is the hard part?" The Tamaranean asks, becoming a little more concerned.
"Finding what you should wear. Luckily that's why we're going out today." Raquel explains.
"But before that, we need go get Artemis and then we can go." M'gann states.
Kori looks down at her clothing before looking back at Raquel confused."Do you believe my clothes are not appropriate under human standard? If that is the case, then what will I wear?"
"Which is why Raquel will let you borrow some of her clothes." M'gann says.
"Really?" Kori asks.
"Sure, it's the least I can do." Raquel states, as if it is not a big deal.
"You two should hurry. We're going to Artemis once you get dress." The Martian tells the two. "So, Raquel, if you don't mind getting Kori some clothes?"
"Come on Kori. Let's see what style suits you." Raquel says, standing up from the table with Kori following her. They walk off and leave M'gann at the table as she smiles to herself as the plan she and Conner made is working perfectly.
Kaldur walks out of the cafeteria with a smile on his face as Conner walks by him and they walk in the direction of the mission room to meet Karen and Barbara. "How'd it go?" The hybrid asks.
Kaldur takes in a deep breath, as if a weight has been lifted from his shoulders. "Surprisingly well."
"See, I told you that you could do it."
"It was Kori who asked to go out on a date with her." Kaldur admits.
"That doesn't really matter. As long as it's happening is what matters." Conner says.
"I still need to make plans for..."
"No need, Kaldur," Conner says, cutting Kaldur off. "I already have that covered."
"It seems that you have had everything all ready planned out." The Atlantean comments.
"You could say that." Conner says rather suspiciously.
"Well thank you, my friend." Kaldur says, finding it better not to seriously dwell on it.
"You're welcome." Conner says, patting Kaldur on the shoulder. "Now let's see what's so important that it requires our attention."
Conner and Kaldur walk into the mission room and see Barbara and Karen standing at a holo-computer in the middle of the room. Karen turns around as she sees Conner and Kaldur walking in her and Barbara's direction so she taps Barbara to get her attention.
"They're here." Karen says, causing Barbara to turn around as Conner and Kaldur make their way to them.
"So what requires our immediate attention?" Conner asks as he and Kaldur meets the girls in the middle of the room.
"It's about what Beta Squad found at LexCorp on the 5th after you and Alpha Squad left for Mars." Barbara says.
"We read the report you put in on the Reach drinks being sold under another name." Conner says, he and Kaldur not being by the news.
"Yeah. But we found something else."
"That is not surprising." Kaldur comments, not surprised that they would find something else on Lex's computer. "What is it that you had found while in Luthor's computer?"
"With the files that we found for the Reach drink we also found this folder in Luthor's mainframe." Karen says, gesturing to Barbara as she projects the file, "Project Kr" on the holo-screen.
"Project Kr? Conner this is..." Kaldur says but stops himself when he looks at Conner and sees his friend's face turn into one of complete seriousness.
"Why didn't you tell me you found this when I came back?" Conner sternly asks.
"We wanted to make sure that it wasn't rigged or fake." Karen explains to her friend, knowing they should have told him sooner. "But after some analyzing, we can confirm that the data on this folder is real."
"What do you know so far?" Kaldur asks, now interested in what is in the file.
"So far, not that much is known." Barbara tells them. "All we have is one file with a video opened but there are others that are encrypted and will require more time to open. It seems whoever made this wanted to make sure no one else could get in except them."
"Can you play the first video?" Conner asks, wanting to see what was on it.
"Are you sure you want to see it?" Karen asks, concerned for her friend.
"Please." Conner says and Barbara obliges, going into the first sub-file and pressing on the video and the first thing they all see is the face of Dr. Desmond.
Young Justice: War
Episode 2
Taken
GOTHAM CITY
JULY 22, 10:23 EDT
Artemis finishes putting on her black mid-calf high boots to go with her forest green sleeveless shirt, dark blue jeans, and a brown leather jacket to complete her outfit. As she sits on her bed, her phones vibrates and when she picks it up she sees that M'gann just sent a text message.
We're downstairs.
Artemis picks up her phone and types in: OK. I'll be down in a minute.
OK.
Artemis walks out of her room and to the front door to walk out when she sees her mom in the living room watching the local news. She lets go of the door handle and steps into the living room and sits down on the couch next to her mother. "Okay, Mom, I'm off. I'll be back later tonight."
"Alright, have fun and be careful." Paula says, giving her daughter a hug.
"I will." Artemis says, standing up and walks to the door and out of the apartment complex. She sees M'gann, Raquel, and Kori talking on the sidewalk and when she sees Kori she is amazed by her outfit, a white knee length dress with a rope belt, a matching cardigan, and white slip on shoes. "Wow, Kori, you look…"
"Do I not look decent in human standards?" Kori asks, now concerned about her appearance.
"No, you look amazing." Artemis says quickly to ease her friend. "Who clothes are those?"
"These are Raquel's clothing. She allowed me to borrow them until I have my own."
"Well, let's get going." M'gann says and they all walk the street to help out their friend.
THE WATCHTOWER
JULY 22, 12:21 EDT
At the moment Batman, Canary, Wonder Woman, and Martian Manhunter are in the meeting room with Conner, Kaldur, Barbara, and Karen as the video from the first sub-file finishes. "What else do you know from this folder?" Batman asks.
"Nothing much. But this folder has twenty files and a video in each." Karen explains. "Most of them are locked by an encryption but the few that are unlocked were made by Dr. Desmond."
"Conner, what are your thoughts on this?" Canary asks but she along with everyone else looks at Conner and sees that he seems to be deep in thought about something.
"Superboy?" Batman calls out to him and Conner is shaken out of his thoughts by Batman's voice and brings his attention back to the League.
"I'm sorry." Conner apologizes for his absence of mind.
"Are you okay Conner?" Dinah asks, concerned about what is going on in Conner's head.
"Yeah, I was just deep in thought." Conner tells them. "Truthfully I don't know, I really didn't like Desmond even before he turned into Blockbuster. But I do know Desmond kept secrets from the Light while he worked at Cadmus."
"The League will look into these files and find their hidden contents." Batman states.
"What do you mean "the League will look into these files"?" Conner asks, angry seeing where this conversation might be heading. "This entire folder is all about me, my physiology, and abilities. This isn't a League situation or a Team situation. This is a Superboy situation."
"Superboy-"
"I'm not going to be left in the dark because you feel you have an involvement in my life." Conner says, cutting Batman off.
"Conner, you know it is not how we want any of you to feel." J'onn says, wanting to defuse the tension between Conner and Batman.
"Well that's how it feels. Especially with you." Conner states, gesturing to Batman. "I didn't have to let any of you know about this but I chose to because I felt I could trust you."
Three out of the four League members are taken aback by Conner's statement but it didn't seem to affect Batman in slightest as he knew what Superboy is talking about. The League, but mostly he himself, do not tell the Team everything and knows that Conner does not like secrets or like to keep them, especially if it affects everyone. Batman stands up from his chair and walks across the room, making his way to Conner and stands in front of him until he speaks.
"Superboy, we will work together to find out what is on this file and will not leave you in the dark on it's contents." The Dark Knight tells the hybrid. "I give you my word."
Everyone in the room is amazed by what is happening between the two heroes as it is not often that Batman gives his word to anyone. There is a long silence as Batman and Conner continue stare at each other but the silence ends when Conner sighs deeply. "You can take the folder. But I want you to tell me when you've unlocked a new video."
Conner, Kaldur, Karen, and Barbara leave the meeting room and the League to themselves as no one says a word until Dinah decides break the silence. "Do you believe what Superboy said?"
"What do you mean?" Bruce asks.
"I mean do you think he's right, we involve ourselves into their personal business?" She asks, thinking back on their interactions with the Team and everything they have not told them in the past.
"And I will admit, we do not tell them everything." Diana comments, understanding the point Dinah is making to the others.
"As mentors and friends, it is fine to feel that way, but do not forget that sometimes, one's personal life can put the League and the Team's lives at risk." Bruce explains.
"But what about Superboy? He knows little to nothing about himself and this is file probably holds some important information for him." Dinah says, concerned for the hybrid's well-being. "And what if he did choose not to come to us with this data? What if he decided to keep it a secret from us if he felt we could not be trusted with it?"
"Superboy may not be the most open-sharing member of the Team or anyone, but even he knows that some things need to be made aware of." Bruce comments. "He trusts us and we need to trust him when it comes to critical things."
METROPOLIS
JULY 22, 14:00 EDT
In a store M'gann, Artemis, and Raquel are waiting for Kori to come out if the fitting room in a new outfit. For the past hour, they have been having Kori try on different clothes to see what suits her best while talking about her date with Kaldur tonight.
"I know you have more knowledge of Earth's fashion and I am not doubting it. But are you certain this is appropriate in your people's eyes." Kori asks from her dressing room.
"We won't unless you come out here and let us see." Raquel says.
Kori walks out of her fitting room in a white crop top with a red and black flannel shirt, light blue denim jeans, and the same whit slip on shoes Raquel is letting her wear. M'gann, Artemis, and Raquel look at Kori in amazement at how perfect the she looks in her outfit they picked out for her. "Do I look horrible?"
"You look nice, Kori." M'gann says, looking at her friend's stunning attire. "Actually, better than nice you look amazing."
"Really, you believe I look amazing?" Kori says, surprised by M'gann's words.
"Yeah. Would we lie to you?" Artemis asks, jokingly.
"No." The Tamaranean says, knowing full well that her friends would not lie to her. "I apologize, it is just that I have never shopped with anyone on my planet."
"Why?" Raquel asks, feeling she already knows the answer to her question. "Was it because you're a princess?"
"Being a princess on Tamaran meant that clothes were created for me." Kori explains, confirming Raquel's suspicion. "I never had to leave the palace to find my own clothing."
"Well some of us would like that luxury." The blonde teases.
"But it never gave me the chance to truly interact with my people." Kori explains to her friends, visibly a little saddened while telling them. "I never had the chance to experience the life of my people."
"If we're assuming that your people are like the people of Earth, this is pretty much it." M'gann says, gesturing to the store. "We're getting a little off topic. do you like what you have on?"
"Yes." Kori answers.
"Do you see anything else you like?" Artemis questions.
"I do like the dress that I am borrowing from Raquel. I like a lot of the other clothing you picked out for me."
While Kori is talking, M'gann's phone begins to ring as she takes it out and sees Conner on the Caller ID while the others look at her. "I've gotta take this. You guys go on ahead, I won't be too far behind."
"Okay." Artemis says, grabbing Kori by the hand and leading her across the store. "Come on, Kori. We have to find you some shoes to match your outfits."
M'gann watches them leave her before accepting the call and putting the phone to her ear. "Hey."
"Hey." Conner replies, his voice coming through the phone. "How's it going with the others?"
"We're helping Kori find what she wants to wear tonight." M'gann answers. "How's it going with Kaldur? Is everything going okay?"
"He's in the room with me right now. It's...a work in progress." Conner says quietly.
"Well, keep working. I trust you can figure something out." M'gann says, trying not to laugh at her boyfriend's trouble. "Do you think they will figure it out?"
"Well Kaldur is suspicious but I've got it covered." Conner says, confidently. "As far as he concerned right now, I'm just a friend trying to help. Come on, I thought you had faith in me?"
"Conner you know I have faith in you." She tells him, being genuine in her words.
"Then trust me when I say I have everything taken care of."
"Okay. So when should we meet you guys?" She asks, looking at the time.
"It's what, 2:10? So I would say about another three or four hours."
M'gann looks up and sees Kori, Artemis, and Raquel talking over by the shoes as they wait for her to return. She smiles when she sees the three share a laugh, making her smile, knowing that everyone is having a good time today. "Okay, the others are waiting on me so I have to go. We'll see you two tonight."
"Alright, see you tonight." Conner says and hangs up the phone.
M'gann hangs up her phone and hurries over to the other girls while Kori is looking at herself in a mirror with a pair of boots. "Who was that?" Raquel asks.
"Conner, just checking in on me." M'gann tells her, knowing they wouldn't find it surprising if he called her.
"M'gann, what do you think of these boots?" Kori asks as she continues to look at herself in the mirror, wearing a pair of tan low cut boots with the zipper on the side.
M'gann looks Kori up and down and the boots match perfectly with the outfit she had on and also sees another pair in black, white tennis shoes, and black tennis shoes on the floor next to her. "I like it Kori, it matches nicely with your outfit."
"Thank you." Kori says.
"Do you like them or do you want to try something else on?" The Martian asks.
"I love these boots but do they have them in gray and gray "tennis" shoes?" The Tamaranean asks.
"We can look. There's bound to be a pair in gray." Artemis comments, getting nods from Raquel and M'gann.
"But let's hurry up so you can get ready for tonight." Raquel says, helping Kori and M'gann find a gray pair of boots and shoes.
"What's happening tonight?" Artemis asks, not knowing of any plans that were happening tonight.
"Kaldur and Kori are going out on a date tonight." M'gann tells her, not looking away from the wall of shoes.
"Really? So it finally happened?" Artemis asks, surprised by this information. She knew that the two were into each other but she did not know it would take the two this long for it to happen. "I'm happy for you. I hope it goes good for you tonight."
"Thank you very much, Artemis." Kori says, turning to the blonde and giving her a smile before turning back to the shoes. "Now let us keep looking."
THE WATCHTOWER
JULY 22, 15:00 EDT
In Conner's room, Conner is currently going through his closet, helping Kaldur find something to wear for his date tonight with Kori. Kaldur has on a pair of black jeans over Atlantean swimsuit, leaving the his red top exposed while he watches Conner rummage through his hung-up shirts from his reflection in the mirror. "Conner, I know that you know about human male's fashion more than I do but are you sure you know what you are doing?" The Atlantean asks.
"Yes," Conner answers, pulling out a black and gray flannel, and handing them to Kaldur. "I know what I'm doing! Now can you put on what I gave you?
Kaldur puts on the flannel, buttoning it up while exposing a little bit of his red top to act as a red shirt, and looks at himself in the mirror. "How do I look?"
Conner walks over to Kaldur and looks at him, inspecting the clothes he gave him to see if anything needed to be improved. "Maybe you should roll up the sleeves."
Kaldur rolls up his sleeves to just below his elbows, exposing the part of the black eel tattoos on his forearms. "Now?"
"Better."
"What about my gills?" Kaldur questions, looking at his gills from the side of his neck.
"The flannel has a collar to cover them up." Conner says, adjusting the collar on the flannel to hide his gills before looking down at his feet. "You're also going to need shoes."
"What is wrong with my sandals?"
"They won't match your outfit. Hold on." Conner explains, going into his closet and comes out a second later with a pair a red slip-on shoes with white soles. "Try them on." He says, handing the shoes to Kaldur while Kaldur looks at him. Kaldur looks back at the shoes before sitting on Conner's desk chair, putting the shoes on his feet, standing up after finishing and walking around in them for a few seconds before looking at Conner. "How do they fit?"
"They fit fine on my feet." Kaldur states.
"Good." Conner says, the room suddenly becoming a little awkward as the two men stand there. "Well, we know what you're wearing for your date. Can I have my clothes back until then?"
"Oh, apologies." Kaldur says, taking off Conner's flannel and shoes, handing them back to him and makes his way to leave the room.
"Kaldur, wait." Conner says, stopping him before he can open the door.
"What is it?"
"Are you sure you're ready for tonight?" The half-Kryptonian asks, being serious with his friend.
"Why do you ask?"
"You've never really been a relationship before." Conner says. " Not only that, but also...Tula."
"Yes, Tula still does affect me" Kaldur says, remembering the once love of life and she sacrifice she made. "and believe me when I say that I am nervous. But I will not allow that to hold me back from this chance."
"Good man." Conner says, patting Kaldur on the shoulder before he walks out of Conner's room. Conner puts his clothes away, thinking about later his and Kaldur's dates with M'gann and Kori before walking out of his room a minute later and making his way to the mission room. Upon reaching the mission room, he notices that Barbara and Karen are currently the only ones in there, working on his "Project Kr" file and makes his way over to them. "Batgirl, is there anything happening on the surface?"
"Not currently." Barbara says, not once looking away from the holo-screen.
"Alright, well I'm going to Metropolis for a few hours. Contact me if anything happens."
"Will do." She says, waving him off as Conner teleports in red energy and leaves the Watchtower, reappearing in front of a door in a nice-looking apartment.
METROPOLIS
JULY 22, 15:37 EDT
He looks around the apartment floor to make sure no one is around to have sen him teleport before knocking on the door in front and waits for someone to answer. Using his super-hearing he hears someone putting a metallic object before standing up from what he can assume is a couch and making their way to the door. "One minute." A feminine voice says, hearing the door unlock and seeing the woman through the door that still had the chain lock on it. Through the door, he can see that she is wearing a red button-up shirt with a pair of black slacks, black heels, red lipstick on her lips, and red earrings to complete her outfit. When the women's eyes lands on Conner she looks at him a bit surprised but that surprised faded into a smile, always happy to see him when he comes to visit. This woman is Lois Lane, the wife of his brother and an award-winning reporter and journalist at the Daily Planet. "Conner."
"Hey, Lois." Conner says, smiling as she opens the door and hugs him, standing back to let him in to her and Clark's apartment. He walks into the apartment and looks out the large window at the city skyline and Metropolis Park through the window, always blown away by how beautiful Metropolis truly is. "Is Clark here?" He asks, looking over his shoulder as she comes down the hallway.
"No. Smallville goes on patrol during his lunch break so it's just me for now until I have go back to the Planet." Lois says, gesturing for him to sit on the couch. Conner takes her offer and sits on her couch as he sighs from what looks like to her as mental exhaustion. Just from his face alone, Lois knows he wants to talk and while she is sure he would tell her what is wrong, she also knows that he asked for Clark because he wanted to talk to him specifically about what is going on. "You okay, Conner?"
"No." He answers almost immediately as if expecting the question to come.
"What is it?"
Conner looks up at the ceiling just thinking of everything that transpired earlier in the day before he came here. "It's just been a long day."
"Do you wanna talk about it?"
"No."
"Oh, Conner, come on?"
"I feel like this is a conversation better to have with Clark."
"You don't want to talk about it? Not even a little?"
Conner thinks it over for a minute and sighs because he knows that Lois will not stop and pester him until he tells her what is going on. Lois' persistence is her greatest strength and has led her to gain awards and recognition but is also greatest weakness seeing how she is always almost getting killed by it. It goes to show how much she really cares for him, even though he basically told her he would feel more comfortable talking about this with someone else. "Just don't tell anyone. Okay?"
"I won't. I promise." Lois says, happy to seem him open up to her about a problem he is having.
"So it turns out that my life just got a little more complicated." Conner says, looking her in the eyes.
"Gonna need to be a little more specific than that, Conner." She tells him, and so he does. Conner explains everything to Lois about what happened earlier this morning, from the folder to how the League will help him proceed with it. Lois just stares at Conner with caring eyes, understanding the struggle he feels as he explains to her, without realizing it, the emotional problems it could bring him. "Are you okay?"
"What, with the League helping me?" Conner asks, not looking her in the eyes. "I trust them enough to help me figure this out?"
"No, Conner." She says, placing one hand on top of his hand and using the other to hold his cheek and guide him to look at her. "I mean are you okay?"
Conner sighs, knowing what she meant but was not trying to answer the question. To tell the truth, Conner did not know how he felt or how he was suppose to feel but was only going through the motions. "Honestly, I don't know." He mumbles to her. "You know my origin is...a little complicated, but I need to know what happened to me while I was at Cadmus."
Lois smiles at him. "Well you know you can always come and talk to me, right?"
"Yeah. I know." Conner answers with a smile, standing up from the couch and looks at Lois, who can feel the genuineness coming from it. "I should get going. Me and Kaldur have dates tonight."
"Aqualad has a date with someone?" Lois asks, surprised by the news. "I didn't know he went on dates."
"Well this is probably his first date so I have to make sure both of ours go well."
"Wait, who are you going with?"
"M'gann." Conner answers casually.
"You two are back together?" Lois asks, not knowing they made up. The last she remembered of their relationship, Conner broke up with M'gann after a conflict between the two.
"Yeah, we're working through our past issues." He explains, seeming to become happier at that fact. "So this will be our first date back together."
Lois smiles at Conner's happiness, finding it nice that he fixed his problems with M'gann and they are moving forward from it. "Well, I'm happy that you both were able to move past it. Have fun tonight. I'll tell Clark that you stopped by today to talk to him."
"I will and thank you." Conner says with Lois walking him to the door and opens it for him as she hugs him one last time before he leaves. He teleports back to the Watchtower and keeps thinking the folder as prepares for his date with M'gann tonight.
WASHINGTON D.C.
JUNE 22, 16:15 EDT
In a disclosed warehouse in an old warehouse in the United States capital, a small group of Intergang are working by putting Apokoliptan weapons and technology into crates and moving them to the docking area of the building. Watching the gang members working from above from the catwalk is Bruno "Ugly" Mannheim and his lieutenant, Whisper A'Daire, as they keep track of all the equipment. They were moving all the Intergang equipment to their new base of operations in Metropolis, couldn't keep working out of D.C. with all the cameras and with the rumor that the Hall of Justice was being rebuilt, it was best to get out of dodge. From behind the two criminals, a Boom Tube opens as a disfigured man, wearing purple robes and a metal shoulder and neck plate with a red omega symbol on it, and Lex Luthor steps out and offers a hand to Ugly.
"Desaad, Luthor, nice to see you two again." Ugly says, taking Luthor's offer and shaking his hand while Whisper stands of to the side. "So, what's the meaning of our little arrangement today?"
Luthor stops shaking his hand and offers the same hand to Whisper, who accepts it without hesitation. "Likewise. We need your "organization" to track down these four for a project we are trying to accomplish." Luthor hands Whisper four folders, all with separate names and pictures on them, and looks at them quizzically before showing showing them to Ugly.
"Why us?" He asks, confused by why Luthor came to them about this. "Y'know kidnapping isn't exactly our thing."
"Oh but on the contrary, these are not normal people. And, you know people who can the same way I do." Luthor rebuts, moving the conversation right along as if nothing was said. " And these are meta-humans and it is imperative that they are brought to Apokolips."
"Okay. Any rules of engagement?" Whisper asks, looking over each folder.
"Subtle and without notice." Luthor informs. "Should they fight, use sedatives to incapacitate them."
"Alright, then." Ugly declares. " I think I have someone who can do the job without a problem."
"Give them this." Desaad interjects, handing Ugly a Father Box. "They'll need it for fast travel and to collect the targets in a timely manner."
"Pleasure doing business with you, Bruno." Luthor says with a smirk. With that, a Boom Tube opens and both he and Desaad walk through it and leave Ugly and Whisper to themselves on the catwalk.
"Do you know anyone that can do this?" Whisper asks her boss.
"I think I gotta guy who would do this, no problem." Bruno says as he pulls out his phone and type in a number. "I just hope they're not busy."
THE WATCHTOWER
JUNE 22, 19:05 EDT
Standing in the mission room of the Watchtower, Conner and Kaldur are standing in casual clothes, both typing in their own separate logs on the day before going out with their dates. While Kaldur wears the outfit Conner helped him pick out, Conner is wearing a brown leather jacket with a red and black flannel underneath, dark blue jeans, and his combat boots. Conner finishes his report and closes his holo-screen before turning to Kaldur and nudging him on the shoulder. "Almost done?"
"Just about finish." The Atlantean replies, not looking away from his screen, finishing up his report and turning off his holo-screen. "So what did you have in mind for tonight. You say you have planned out the events for tonight, so what are they?"
"That's only for me to know and for you to find out." Conner retorts back with a smile. "All you should worry about is Kori tonight. Speaking of which..." Conner pulls out a black rectangular box and hands it to Kaldur. "give this to Kori tonight."
"What is it?" The Atlantean asks.
"Look inside." Conner answers.
Kaldur looks inside the box an sees a silver neck with a large silver pendant, about a third the size of Kaldur's palm, with green gemstone in the center. Kaldur looks at the necklace in confusion before looking at Conner. "Where did you...?"
"I made it." Conner answers with the same smile. "I had originally planned to give it to Kori a week ago, but I never got around to it."
"Why?" Kaldur asks, even more confused at his friend's answer.
"It was meant to switch out her old costume for this." Conner explains. "See I took the concept of the Green Lantern's hard-light energy costume and applied it to the necklace. See all she has to do is hold a starbolt to it and the computer within the metal pendant will produce her costume with the same energy. It was really difficult trying to find a way to convert ultraviolet light into a solid form..." Conner comes out of his own head and looks at Kaldur, who is still staring at the necklace. "and judging by your face, you don't care."
Kaldur's eyes snap away from his necklace and looks at Conner with apologetic eyes. "Apologies, my friend. It is not that I do not care, it is just that this is an amazing present for Kori..." Kaldur's eyes become that of sadness before looking away from Conner. " but I can not accept this. You made this for her, you should be the one to give this to her." Kaldur explains, handing the box back to Conner. Before the box could make it back halfway, Conner takes his hand and grips Kaldur's hand with the box in it and pushes back to his chest. Kaldur looks at his friend in shock as he is insisting for him to keep it. "But why?"
"Hey, I may have made it but that doesn't mean I wanted to be the one to give it to her." Conner says, offering Kaldur a smile. "Trust me, I saw the way you to looked at each other a while ago and I thought if anyone was to give this to her, it should be you. Like I said, I may have been the one who made it, but I was more or less acting as a jeweler who owed someone a favor. You are that someone Kaldur." Conner says, letting out a small laugh. "You been my friend for my entire life, and through thick and thin, you been there for me along with Dick, M'gann, Artemis...and Wally. So yeah, I think I owe you a few favors."
Kaldur is left speechless from Conner small speech, genuinely surprised that his friend thinks that way of him. Since that day Dick, Wally, and himself freed him from Cadmus, no one really knew how deep Conner thought he owed his friends for the chance at life they gave him six year ago. With a proud smile, Kaldur puts a hand on Conner's shoulder and nods to him. "Thank you, my friend."
Conner gives him a nod and Kaldur puts the necklace in his back pocket when they both here footsteps coming into the mission room. The two men turn around and are greeted to the amazing sight of their dates for tonight, who are blushing red in the cheeks at the amazed looks they are getting from their counterparts. Kori is wearing the clothes that Artemis, Raquel, and M'gann helped her pick out along with the tan pair of boots while M'gann is wearing a denim jacket with a white t-shirt underneath, blue jeans, and a pair of white hi-tops. Conner was the first to compose himself shortly followed by Kaldur while continuing to stare in amazement at the girls. "Wow. You two look amazing."
"The same could be said to you two." M'gann says, letting out a giggle while Kori walks over to Kaldur.
"You look really...gorgeous this evening, Kori." Kaldur stammers, trying to keep his nerves in check.
Kori blushes at Kaldur's compliment, averting her eyes from while smiling at the same time. " Thank you, Kaldur. You look really handsome this evening, as well."
"Okay, two you." Conner says, cutting in on the two's moment. "Are we all ready to leave?"
"Oh, yes." Kaldur says, pulling himself out the moment he and Kori were sharing. "I believe we all have everything we need."
"Okay, then. Let's go." Conner says, walking over to the Zeta Tubes controls and typing in coordinates. "We have a fun night ahead of us. Barbara, you're in charge." Conner says and Barbara nods while the Zeta Tubes power up, and the four walk through and disappear in yellow light as the Zeta Tubes powers down upon their departure.
MOUNT JUSTICE
JUNE 22, 19:11 EDT
The four walk out of the Zeta Tube and are met by the site of The Cave and it charred remains and a wave of sadness hits all of them. Since the League's return to Earth, they and the Team have been working nonstop to rebuild the Cave so the Team can have their base of operations back. Given that Conner was able to keep it from collapsing in on itself when the bomb exploded, The Cave was for the most part saved but parts of it were destroyed so they had to be rebuilt. They have been excavating into the parts of the Cave that were closed off and reinforcing the structural supports to make sure that if a bomb did go off again that at least it would be able to withstand it. The worst of the damage was in the mission room, the entire room was completely damaged with mountain rubble still covering the floor even though most a of had been cleaned up and was off to the side. There were only a handful of rooms that were relatively unscathed but was still affected by the explosion while the others were still not yet ready for habitation but progress was being made.
Kori is the first to break the silence. "What is this place?"
"This was our last base of operations." Kaldur answers her. "It was called The Cave and the Team did our missions from here. But after a plan we enacted, we would have had to destroyed it, but it was luckily saved by Conner."
"Let's stop dwelling on bad memories." Conner out loud, turning to the two with smile on his face. "We're down here to have fun tonight, not be down thinking about the past."
Kaldur nods and returns a smile of his own. "Yes, you are correct."
"Then let's go. We have the night ahead of us" M'gann says.
The four walk through The Cave and open the front entrance of it, walking up the ramp and walking into the woods in front of them. The walk through the woods with three out of the four having a nostalgic feeling while walking remembering all the things they did such as camping and going on nature walks as a team in these woods. When they clear it, they look around at the town of Happy Harbor with cars driving and people walking all around. Kori stares at the small community with fascination at the town and it's people before they all start walking down one of sidewalks, leading towards the movie theater. "This place is amazing!"
Kaldur looks at Kori and watches her look around in amazement and excitement and enjoys her curious nature. While she is enamored in the town and people around her, Kaldur reaches into his back pocket and pulls out the black box that Conner gave him back on The Watchtower before looking back at Kori. "Kori?"
Kori turns to Kaldur with the excitement still in her eyes. "Yes, Kaldur?"
Kaldur presents the black rectangular box to Kori and she takes it before looking at him in confusion. "What is it?"
"It is for you." Kaldur says. "Open it."
Kori slowly opens the box slowly, seeing the necklace and stops in shock before looking back at Kaldur while on the verge of tears. "It is beautiful, Kaldur. You should not have done this for me."
"Thank you." Kaldur says, a little saddened, not wanting to take credit for his friend's work. "I wanted to make an amazing first impression tonight for you, Kori."
"Thank you, Kaldur. I am very grateful." Kori says, handing the necklace to Kaldur before turning her back to him. She moves her hair to one shoulder and turns her head to Kaldur with a smile. "Would you mind helping me put it on?"
Kaldur gives her smile. "None whatsoever." Kaldur takes the necklace in his hand and brings it over Kori before lowering it down onto her neck and bringing her out from underneath the chain. Kori looks down and holds the pendant in her before turning to Kaldur with a huge smile while Kaldur looks at the new jewelry he just helped Kori put on. "It looks amazing on you. It matches your eyes."
Out of nowhere, Kori rushes Kaldur and hugs him, taking him by surprise but he slowly sinks into her hug with a smile on his face. "I do not know how to thank you for this." She says into his chest.
"Thank you is enough," Kaldur says, looking to his side and seeing that Conner and M'gann are still walking, not knowing that he and Kori had stopped. "but we should probably catch up with Conner and M'gann before they realize we are not behind them."
"R-Right! Of course!" Kori stammers out, grabbing Kaldur's and the two run back to their friends before they could notice they were gone. While the group continue on their walk in the town to whatever place Conner had planned, the two would share side glances with each other while smiling the entire time, happy to be within each other's company tonight.
DAKOTA CITY
JUNE 22, 19:30 MDT
In an alleyway, a telephone booth Zeta Tube powers up and a light from within flashes before Virgil steps out into the alley. He looks around, making sure no one was in the area before walking out of the alley and down the sidewalk towards his house. When he reaches a street crossing, walking down the street perpendicular to him is a tall, dark-skinned man with a muscular physique wearing a white button-up shirt and brown slacks and carrying a black suitcase in his hand. Virgil sees the man out of the corner of his eye and when he turns his head to see him, he gives the man a friendly smile. "Hey, Mr. Metcalf."
The man gives Virgil a smile before walking up to him and shaking his hands. "Nice to see you this evening Virgil." Mr. Metcalf tells him. "But please, I told you, call me Curt."
"Maybe in a year or two." Virgil says, jokingly. "So, how have things been? How are things going at Alva Technologies?"
"Oh, it's been going just about the same. We've been working on some new stuff that I think you might be interested in." Curt explains to him. "But what about you? How's school? How's your family doing?"
"Same old, same old. My sister just came back recently so I've been spending some time with her." Virgil elaborated. "Other than that, nothing's really changed."
"That's good to hear." Curt says, taking a step out into the street. "Well, I'm heading home to get some sleep. Make sure you make it home and don't be out too late." Before making it across the intersection, Curt turns back to Virgil in the middle to the street while there are no cars around. "Oh, there is one thing I wanted to ask you."
"What is it?"
"There's something I wanted to show you in my garage that I've been working on." Curt elaborates. "If you're not busy this weekend, why don't you come over and see what I've been working on?"
"Really? What it is?" Virgil asks, clearly interested.
"Sorry, can't tell you." Says Curt with a smile. "You're gonna have to come by my house to see. If you're free this weekend, just give me a call and I'll show you when you come over."
"Alright. Bye, Mr. Metcalf." Virgil says, crossing the street to continue on his way home.
"Call me, Curt!" Curt says as he continues on his way home as well.
A few minutes pass and Virgil finally arrives home, opening the door to a dark house and not a single person in it. "Mom? Dad? Sharon?" Virgil calls out, looking around the house until he sees a note posted on the fridge. He grabs it, seeing it is his sister's handwriting and reads it aloud:
V,
Me, Mom, and Dad went out tonight. Tried calling but you didn't answer. Don't know how long we'll be out but we'll bring you something back. Stay home and don't do anything stupid.
S.
Virgil pulls out his phone and sees he has six voicemails, two from his mother, father, and sister, before groaning out loud with the note against his forehead. 'I knew I shouldn't have put my phone on mute.' He thinks, leaning against the fridge. "Well this sucks. What am I supposed to do?" He asks no one, looking around the room until his eyes landed on the TV in the living room. "I guess I can watch some TV." He says, hopping over the couch and grabbing the remote off the coffee table. 'I wonder what's on.'
And so, he turned on the TV and begins flipping through the channels, eventually finding a comedy show that played funny clips from the internet playing. As the show plays, Virgil begins to doze off on the couch as the sun sets outside until his phone rings from the coffee table right next to him. Without looking at the caller ID, Virgil answers the phone, his eyes slowing closing while he continues to watch the show. "Hello?"
"Virgil!?" A voice yells from the other end of the phone.
"Ed?" Virgil asks, pulling his phone away to look at the caller ID, confirming that it is before putting on speaker. "Hey, man. What's up?"
"Where are you?"
"Uh...home. Why?" Virgil asks.
"Oh, thank god." Ed says, an audible sigh coming through the phone before he continued. "Listen! You need to get out of there, now!"
"Why? What's going on?"
"A group of literal military ninjas just tried to kidnap me!" He yells through the phone, causing Virgil to bolt up from the couch and turn off the TV.
"Are you okay? I'm on my way to Taos now!" Virgil tells him, making his way to the front door.
"Wait! Virg, don't come here!" Ed says. "These guys are looking for us. While I was running from them, I was able to lose them when they called in to their boss. Then I saw them use a hologram that had your's, Sam's, Tye's, and I faces on it. I think..." Ed pauses before continuing. "I think we're begin hunted."
"Hunted?" Virgil says, letting the words sink in as he leans his back against the wall next to him. He missed out on going out with his family, now he's being hunted by what sounds like mercenaries. Could this day get any worse? "So what should we do?"
"Well, listen, I'm safe. I already called the Watchtower and found a place to hide. You need to find a place to hide and then call Batgirl so the Team can find you."
"Okay." Virgil says. "I have a place I can hide so I'll call Batgirl when I get there." Virgil grabs his house key before walking over to the front door of his house and putting on his shoes.
"Okay, be quick. And make sure you aren't followed." Ed tells him. "Virgil?"
"What?"
"Be careful...and stay safe." Ed says, concern for his friend clear in his voice.
"I will. And you too." Virgil says, ending the call on his phone and opens the front door of his house. He steps outside his house before locking the door behind him and making his way to find somewhere safe.
Little did he know, more than two miles away on top of a water, is a person wearing dark gray metal armor with a sniper rifle in their hands. Aside from their gray armor, the person also has on military trouser with black and gray digital camouflage patterns on it, the same digital camouflage on the softer armor under the metal one, and black combat boots. The person has on an open black military-like vest with a hood sewn into it to hide their face which was covered by black glass visor with white lights slits that imitated eyes. The feature that stood out the most on this person was a white metal skull symbol at the center of their chest. Looking through the scope, the person watches as Virgil looks around himself while running to a different location. "Target acquired."