"It's on! It turned on!" yells Tucker, pulling the rest of us out of our light conversation. Batman nods to us, signaling us to go immediately.
We rush to M'gann's ship. She barely waits for us to sit down before starting it up. As we head towards the coordinates in Gracetown, Wyoming, Tucker and Jazz sending us the information as they get it.
We're not wasting a second of time.
It's a secret facility. Creates its own electricity. Jazz speculates windmills, because the electricity originates outside the building. The land is technically owned by an environmental company focusing on clean energy.
Tucker can't hack the systems because they have their own network and cell tower, so he focuses on the people. He starts by listing everyone in the nearby town, then narrowing it down by age (nobody under eighteen or over eighty) and occupation.
Ever heard of Mai's Natural Remedies? he asks over the mind link, almost rhetorically, after about an hour of searching.
Uh-uh, I respond.
They've got quite the business, if they need twelve employees.
Twelve? That's not really impressive, Wally interjects.
They've all got families.
So? Superboy, this time.
SO, what would nine men and three women, all with a family and degrees in biology, chemistry, physiology, etcetera- all be working for the same store?
The ones with families have lives outside of the facility, the others stay in, Jazz supplies. Consistent with the other places. Still, twelve seems small. Could mean Danny's the only thing being kept there and they don't need as much staff. Could also mean there are hundreds of meat heads specifically chosen because they didn't have something to draw them out.
"What's the plan, Kaldur?" I ask. "Jump in, guns a blazing, consistent with the other places?"
"No. They may be frightened and lock down the place, securing Phantom somewhere harder to find. You and M'gann will infiltrate first. You two are the best at stealth, and will need to put the cameras on a loop and warn us of any patrols. Wally and Artemis will follow after you, searching where you gave the all clear. Zatanna, Superboy and I will make sure there is a way out and run interference if need be."
Couldn't have said it better myself.
We continue fine-tuning the details, reviewing tactics that we've learned work best with these guys (outsmarting them. Go figure.), where we should search and how careful we should be.
Are you guys talking without us? So rude.
I smirk at Tucker's tone.
Just reviewing our game plan, I reply. Which is good, because we're here. Well, I mean, in four miles.
I can hear Jazz's and Artemis's eye roll. Sigh. Everyone hates the messenger.
But wow, that was actually quite fast. Only a couple hours.
Following the tracking signal, we land a mile or so away to camouflage the bioship and get into our stealth modes. Kid bumps his stealth on and off several times before settling for the gray and black version (as per usual). Aqualad, M'gann and Artemis switch into their darker uniforms much more quickly.
The sun had gone down only a half hour ago, so the sky is still light, but darkening. We cautiously approach the blip on the tracker, M'gann and I taking the lead. After all, we are the entry team.
Jazz was right; windmills. Problem is, that's the only thing out here. Windmills. And grass. According to my screen, M'gann and I are directly above the dot, but there's nothing here. I dig a heel into the ground, but it's only dirt.
It's probably underground, M'gann suggests over the mindlink.
Yeah, but where? I begin walking in circles, trying to detect any change of material.
Robin, try a windmill, supplies Jazz. One of the middle ones.
I point to the sky, and M'gann instantly flies up. She flies towards the middle, and I run underneath her, keeping pace.
The windmill M'gann chooses is like all the others. I attach a data router to the box placed at the base, quickly hacking inside. Nothing special. Just coding for harvesting energy. This isn't it.
It's got to be difficult for employees to know which one, too, Tucker rationalizes. There's got to be a marker or something on one.
Which one for what? I ask. I'm ignored.
Understood, Aparato. Kid, check the windmills, Kaldur orders. Then he addresses me. They could be elevators, Robin.
Oh. Yeah, I guess.
Wally mumbles something about the passageway probably not even being a windmill before a blur starts going between windmills. He stops at one not too far from where M'gann and I are. Found it.
The team converges on the point, where Wally is leaning against the pole, snacking on one of his power bars. I notice the GIW symbol: bold letters, white with a black outline. Above it, about four feet off the ground, there's a black pad. I stick another data router onto it and open the code. We don't worry about cameras. GIW are cocky, they only have cameras inside, and even then there are barely any.
Jackpot, I relay to the team, looking at the coding. Aaaand... We're in.
The windmill slides open, revealing a small elevator. I guess I have to admit, they are genius for making it a one-in-at-a-time. Luckily, it's built for adults.
I can stay here and renew the hack. We can try going two at a time.
Agreed. With that, he sends Wally and M'gann down first; Wally for his speed and M'gann for her mind link, since I'm occupied. Wally looks immensely uncomfortable with having to squeeze in with M'gann, and Artemis looks a little pleased. Six months ago he'd have been dying for an opportunity like this.
Miss Martian, Kaldur calls after a long moment of silence.
Yeah, yeah, I'm here. Sorry. Yes, the place is clear... For now. Kid and I ducked in a hallway. I'll tell you when it's safe.
Kaldur and Superboy go next, a little uncomfortably because of their enormous muscles. I send them down. They wait for a while until M'gann gives them the all clear and they exit the elevator.
Artemis and Zatanna get in next. "Are you sure you don't want to squeeze in here with us?" Zatanna asks.
"I'm fine going alone," I reply. "Besides, it seems tight as it is."
Robin, you better not be getting in a super tight elevator with my girlfriend, Wally accuses with perfect timing. Tucker gives a little mind laugh. He and Jazz are quietly following our progress.
No, but I am, Zatanna mocks over the mind link, her tone sultry.
She and Artemis giggle as I send them down. M'gann repeats the all clear for them, too, and the elevator comes back for me. I type the code in and just barely launch inside as the doors close.
It lurches down at a terrifying speed.
Move! Shouts Kaldur just as I'm slowing down. Split up!
What? I ask. Nobody answers as the elevator stops, and I stand there awkwardly for a while. What happened? I ask again.
Some people came in, Artemis supplies. Armed, too. They've spotted us and there's some kind of silent alarm going on.
We've split up, continues Zatanna.
Luckily, they think we're it. We'll try to keep them off your trail, Robin. Find Phantom, Kaldur orders. I accept the orders before pressing the open button for the doors.
No one. There's a reception desk and a couple doors, but it's deserted. Should I sign in? I wonder outside the mind link, quickly scanning the area for helpful items.
I sit down at the desk, falling back into the very comfortable chair.
Behind you, Zatanna! Shouts Superboy.
I hum a bit, lazily logging onto the computer.
I need more arrows!
I'll get them, babe!
Where is the most secure prisoner? Hm. La-dee-da... Only one? Strange. Sub-level 3, room 32. Project DP, 4607. Danny Phantom. Only four levels? This is a small little facility.
They have a psychic! Urgh! ZZZZ...ZZZ...
Going through a tunnel? I snipe.
Rob- ZZZZZZZZZ for ZZZZZZZ t
I hear snippets of everyone's thoughts, even those from Jazz and Tucker. Suddenly it all goes quiet.
Guys? I ask timidly.
I need my power. Shutting down the mind link temporarily.
Then it's off for good.
"Hm. Guess I'm getting DP by myself." I wander towards the elevator and step inside. "Alright. Sub-level 3."
HAHA YESSSSS
Finally.
**Man, I wish Danny Phantom and Young Justice were mine, but they're not. They go to their respective creators.**