Invaded
Chapter One: Happy New Year
Author's Note: I have just completed the revisions to the first installment of Phoenix's story. Rewriting Phoenix's journey made me fall back into love with her! I am so excited to write the third installment of Phoenix's journey. Until then, enjoy the updated and revised Together We Stand, United We Fall and Invaded.
Five Years Later
Mount. Justice
January 1
06:18 PM EST
La'gaan slammed his fist onto the ground, shouting, "Neptune's beard! You did it to me again."
Nightwing stood over him, extending a hand to help the Atlantean onto his feet.
"I don't care how many years you've trained," La'gaan stated, taking Nightwing's hand, "one of these days, you're mine chum."
I crossed my arms over my chest, clearing my throat to gain La'gaan's attention.
"How did I do, Phoenix?" La'gaan questioned.
"You're anticipating his every move which is giving him the advantage," I paused, "Stop acting and start reacting."
La'gaan bowed his head, "Thank you, Phoenix. With both Nightwing and your training, I'll become one of the best fighters this Team has ever seen."
I curtly nodded, returning my attention to the holographic screen displaying the soon arrival of Delta Squad. Within seconds, the computer was announcing their arrival.
I gagged, pinching my nose shut as they slowly trudged in covered in sewage waste
"Hit the showers, all of you!" I shouted.
"Emergency alert," Captain Atom announced as he accessed his direct line, "United Nations Headquarters is under attack."
"Beta Squad is only two blocks away," Mal informed, gesturing towards his holographic screen.
"Send Beta in," I confirmed.
"Captain Atom, the Team's Beta Squad is in the vicinity. ETA: three minutes," Nightwing confirmed.
Captain Atom nodded his head in approval, "Understood. Captain Atom out."
"Remind me who's on Beta again," I asked as several live news feeds of the attack began playing.
"Wonder Girl and Batgirl," Mal answered.
"This should be interesting," I admitted, turning the volume up on the news feeds.
The Watchtower
January 3
07:18 PM EST
"This guy, Lobo, he's an intergalactic bounty hunter. Extremely dangerous, but not likely to return."
The computer announced the arrival of Zatanna and Rocket as Green Lantern continued his debrief on the intergalactic bounty hunter that attacked the United Nations Headquarters.
"But the little guy is another story," Green Lantern paused, pointing at the small alien in Lobo's hands, "That's a Krolotean and Krolotean always travel in packs."
Batman glared, "Meaning more of them are on Earth."
"When you say packs," I paused, leaning forward in my seat, "how big of a pack are we talking?"
Martian Manhunter stepped forward, gesturing towards a scientist in a lab coat, "I believe my friend may have vital information on that point."
Martian Manhunter continued, "Some of you have not met Adam Strange, of STAR Lab's Erdel Initiative. He is the scientist responsible for maintaining zeta beam technology we use for transportation."
"I was wondering why a stranger was allowed on the top secret Watchtower," Superboy sarcastically noted.
"Is it even considered top secret anymore?" I retorted.
"...And he has a story to tell," Martian Manhunter concluded.
"Uh, it's a little involved. I wish I had visual aids or something," Doctor Strange admits, glancing around nervous.
"I can assist you," Martian Manhunter said; his eyes glowed red as he began linking us. Doctor Strange groaned, rubbing his temples as Martian Manhunter entered his mind.
"We are all linked, Adam. What you remember, we will see," Martian Manhunter explained.
"Uh… great?" Adam said unsurly.
"Well, I was performing a routine zeta tube upgrade when something went wrong, and I found myself transported halfway across the galaxy to a planet called Rann. There was a scientist there, Sardath. He was conducting his own experiments on enhanced—very enhanced zeta beam technology. It took weeks to establish even basic communication, but Sardath eventually made me understand some of his zeta-tech had been stolen," Adam Strange concluded.
"Fits the Krolotean MO," Green Lantern paused, adding, "Their whole culture revolves around stolen tech."
"Sardath detected transmissions between a single location on Rann and multiple locations on Earth. He was attempting to trace those when he accidentally transported me to Rann," Strange further explained as he fished into his coat pocket, pulling out a pocket watch.
"He gave me this. It detects traces of zeta radiation," Adam Strange explained as a large, holographic replica of the Earth materialized, "and can pinpoint all the locations where Kroloteans have beamed to Earth."
"Then I'm ordering a two-prompt attack," Captain Atom announced, "We'll stage simultaneous raids on every Krolotean target on Earth, while a contingent of Leaguers travel to Rann with Strange here to cut the Kroloteans off of the source."
Adam Strange cleared his throat, nervously glancing around, "Uh… we might have a problem with that, uh, second prompt."
"And why is that?" I questioned.
Adam Strange fiddled with the alien device in his hand nervously, answering, "Totally unclear on the why, but Earthlings are personae non gratae on Rann's corner of the galaxy, and these six Leaguers are wanted criminals."
Intergalactic wanted posters of Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Martian Manhunter, Green Lantern, and Hawkwoman materialized before us.
"Batman!" Nightwing gasped, "It's the missing sixteen hours."
"Agreed," Batman nodded, adding, "Five years ago, Vandal Savage took complete mental control of the entire Justice League. These exact six Leaguers went missing for sixteen hours."
Green Lantern stepped forward, rubbing his chin as he eyed his own picture, admitting, "It never even occurred to us that Vandal might have sent us into space. I'll alert Hal. He and Guy are on Oa, with the Green Lantern Corps."
Captain Atom interjected, "Meanwhile, we have fifteen other active Leaguers to send to Rann to investigate."
"You're not getting it," Adam Strange paused, sighing, "There's a planetary watch alert out on Rann for every known Leaguer."
More wanted posters began materializing.
I chuckled, "I guess this is where us unknown non-Leaguers step in."
Nightwing smirked, explaining to Strange, "Not all of us are Leaguers. Phoenix and I can send a squad to handle the Rann end of things. And to find out more about those missing sixteen hours—without causing an intergalactic incident."
"Do it," Captain Atom approved.
"We'll get right on it," I assured Captain Atom as Nightwing and I rose from our seats. Miss Martian and Superboy followed behind us.
"Uh, if you're going," Adam Strange said, pointing to Superboy, "don't wear that shirt."
"Noted," Superboy said. As we approached the zeta tubes, Zatanna and Rocket stepped in our path, blocking our exit.
"You know that whole thing about you not being Leaguers… you four still have an open invitation," Zatanna explained.
"We know, Z," Nightwing assured her.
"But we're all happy—"
"Where we are," Superboy said, finishing Miss Martian's statement.
"Besides," I smirk, "the League is always tied up with UN charter laws and now you're all intergalactic wanted criminals. We're more than happy where we are."
Mount. Justice
January 4
08:00 PM EST
"It's all hands on deck," Nightwing declared, pointing at the holographic map behind him, "The League and the Team will hit all fourteen Krolotean zeta locations simultaneously."
"Your priorities also include to search for any humans the aliens may have abducted," I added.
Nightwing nodded, adding, "As always, Mal is ops manager, coordinating from here. Wonder Girl, you and I are Alpha. Assignment: Philadelphia."
"Batgirl and Bumblebee will be Beta. Assignment: Vladivostok," I continued.
"Robin, Lagoon, Beetle," Nightwing paused, "you're Gamma. You're headed to New Orleans."
"Gamma always gets the soft gigs," Lagoon Boy complained, sulking as he trudged towards the hangar.
"Robin, you're running Gamma," Nightwing revealed.
Robin's eyes widened at his older brother's revelation. Robin glanced at me, silently pleading with me to veto Nightwing's decision.
"What about Phoenix?" Robin questioned, "Aren't you coming with us?"
"Afraid not," I said, "Wolf and I are Zeta Squad and we're heading to Bludhaven."
Robin's shoulder slumped with the dreadful realization that he was Gamma Squad's leader for the mission.
"But I've never led a squad before," Robin muttered.
"Making this a good opportunity to get your feet wet as field leader," Nightwing countered.
"Communication within a squad is key," I offered, adding, "Dip your feet. You'll be fine."
Wolf nuzzled his nose into my side, visibly excited for the mission.
"Because we're Gamma and you're not expecting any trouble or because we're stretched thin and you guys don't have a choice?" Robin challenged Nightwing.
Nightwing frowned, "Just don't die, okay? And no unnecessary risks to the squad. That's an order."
Bludhaven
January 4
09:02 PM EST
The apparent location of the Krolotean's hideout was a run down, abandoned factory located in Bludhaven's industrial district. According to public records, the factory had been used to process sheet metal, but a fire caused by faulty machine malfunction rendered the factory inoperable. The owner took the insurance payout and retired, leaving almost a thousand residents without a job.
Conveniently enough, this incident occurred within the week that the massive zeta tube activity started.
Wolf growled as we approached the front of the factory. Its windows had been boarded up and the front door had been sealed shut using thick, metal chains and a lock.
"Easy boy," I cooed, scratching behind his ear gently.
I outstretched my left hand, jerking it to the left; the chains securing the front door snapped, ripping the door wide open. Wolf nudged me forward with his nose; I stumbled forward, cautiously entering the factory.
Three large platforms were perfectly centered on the charred floor. A large monitor was secured over the platforms. The computers surrounding the platforms were empty, showing no signs of recent usage.
I furrowed my brow in confusion as I slowly circled around the platform. A light coat of dust had settled on the equipment which contradicted the massive zeta tube activity Adam Strange said was occuring.
Wolf whined, drawing me out of my thoughts instantly.
"Sorry, Wolf," I muttered, "Guess there's no action for us."
I outstretched both hands above me, watching as all the computers slowly dislodging themselves. With a grunt, I piled them on the zeta platforms. With a loud hum, the large monitor above the platform flickered to life.
I raised my hands, shielding myself from the sudden burst of light. Wolf howled as he shifted into an attack position.
Slowly, I lowered my hands; the monitor's light had dimmed enough to reveal live footage of me and Wolf. The sudden feeling of being watched overcame me. I clenched my fists, generating a large energy orb. I aimed it at the monitor, watching in satisfaction as it fell onto the pile of computers.
Within seconds, several small explosions erupted, triggering one massive file. Wolf howled excitedly, running towards the exit. I followed closely behind him, flying.
Once we were outside again, I floated in the air, monitoring the progress of the fire. With a sigh, I outstretched my hands once more, watching as a massive force field flickered around the warehouse. Seconds later, the fire engulfed what remained of the factory which triggered a massive explosion within the force bubble.
I slowly descended, landing beside Wolf.
"Zeta to Cave. Platforms are destroyed," I confirmed.
Mal's broke through the low static in the earpiece, "Good job. Mal out."
Mount. Justice
January 4
10:12 PM EST
Nightwing stood alone in the Mission Room, brooding over a holographic screen.
"You called?" I asked as I stepped out of the whirling zeta tube. I unhooked my utility belt, slinging it across my shoulder as I trudged to Nightwing.
"There has been a confirmed sighting of Deathstroke," Nightwing revealed, gesturing towards his screen. A muted video footage of Deathstroke was on a constant loop. Several pictures taken from the video littered his screen as well.
My shoulders slumped causing my utility belt to fall onto the floor.
"Phe, are you okay?" Nightwing asked.
"Y-Yeah…" I whispered, regaining my composure, "I just… I just thought he was dead."
Nightwing hesitated, rubbing the back of his neck nervously.
"What? What are you hiding?" I asked.
"He… He has an apprentice," Nightwing revealed.