Invaded
Chapter Three: Alienated
Author's Note: Enjoy!
Taos
January 6
09:58 PM MST
"Sir, we have received a Rannian signal. They are arriving now," the scientist monitoring the Rann zeta-transmission informed Captain Atom. The League's large zeta tube began whirring to life, glowing bright as the computer announced Zeta Squad's arrival.
"Nightwing! Phoenix! Check out my super cool alien souvenir!" Beast Boy shouted as he pushed through the older trio. He held up a torn, red sash proudly for us to see.
Miss Martian placed a hand on his shoulder, giving him a knowing look. Beast Boy lowered his sash from our view, bowing his head.
"Zeta Squad," I paused, crossing my arms over my chest, "report."
"Our mission to neutralize the Krolotean zeta platforms on Rann was a success," Miss Martian confirmed.
"I have also brought back specs from Rann to create a zeta shield to prevent any more aliens from beaming to Earth off world," Adam Strange added as a holographic Earth materialized above us. A bright, red shield slowly surrounded the Earth.
"How will this affect our own zeta capabilities?" Captain Atom questioned.
"It won't," Adam Strange added as he toyed with the Watchtower holograph, "The shield will activate at an altitude above the Watchtower's orbit. League zeta tubes will still function normally."
Beast Boy gasped, tugging Miss Martian's arm, "Tell them about Rimbor! Tell them about the sixteen hours!"
Wonder Woman uncrossed her arms as Green Lantern grew somber.
"It may be easier to show you," Miss Martian explained; she placed her hand on her temple as she established a mental link.
"I successfully interrogated a Krolotean General on Rann who paid off a member of the Rannian Science Command to allow the Kroloteans to land a secret base in the Rannian jungle. Once there, the Kroloteans stole zeta platforms to beam a few hundred Kroloteans to Earth. They built more platforms, brought in more Kroloteans, and began abducting and replacing humans," Miss Martian explained.
"But why Earth?" Captain Atom questioned.
"And what does any of this have to do with the sixteen hours?" Wonder Woman probed as she grew visibly impatient.
"Well, as you know, five years ago Vandal Savage placed the entire League under his control. Six Leaguers: Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Martian Manhunter, Green Lantern, and Hawkwoman went missing for a full sixteen hours. It turns out you were teleported to a planet called Rimbor where you spent sixteen hours on a rampage attacking everyone and everything in sight and announcing, in several alien languages, that you were the Justice League from Earth and that the rest of the galaxy should beware," Miss Martian concluded.
"Which explains why the Kroloteans came to Earth," I sighed, pinching the bridge of my nose in annoyance.
Miss Martian nodded, confirming, "The League itself brought Earth to their attention."
"I don't know what to say," Wonder Woman admitted, adding, "I have no memories of this, none."
"Don't blame yourself," Captain Atom paused, placing a firm hand on the Amazonian's shoulder, "Blame Vandal Savage and his Light."
"But John," Captain Atom paused, turning to the present Green Lantern, "how is it that you haven't heard of the intergalactic incident?"
Green Lantern shook his head, visibly confused as he answered, "No clue. Rimbor's not a planet in my sector, but I'll head to Oa immediately to consult with the Guardians of the Universe and the rest of the Green Lanterns Corps. We'll get to the bottom of this, Cap, I promise."
Captain Atom nodded, watching as Green Lantern landed in front of the large zeta tube.
"In the meantime," Captain Atom turned to Nightwing and I, "we have a Krolotean invasion force to track down on Earth."
"Understood," Nightwing confirmed. I walked alongside Nightwing, momentarily lost in my own thoughts. We were in the midst of an alien invasion and all I could think about was Deathstroke and Renegade.
South Pacific
January 6
09:42 PM HAST
"I had not believed Nightwing nor Phoenix until this moment," Aquaman's somber tone echoed loudly in the underwater cave.
"You did not want to believe!" Kaldur seethed. I landed silently on the railing of the elevated walkway, watching the scene unfold below.
"No one wanted to believe this!" Superboy countered. Robotic machines above me hummed to life as it began shooting red, hot lasers. I leaped down from the railing, destroying the machines in midair with my energy orbs. I landed beside Superboy, crouching.
"How could you betray us?" Superboy continued.
"You dare question me? After all of you let Tula die!" Kaldur snapped, reaching for his water bearers. I rose to my full height, aiming a large orb at the Atlantean.
"Kaldur," I hissed, "you are still my friend, but don't give me a reason."
"It was a mission, Kaldur," Nightwing reasoned, "She knew the risks! We all know them! Think of Jason!"
"Neptune's Beard! Don't coddle this traitor! He's joined forces with the King's greatest enemy," Lagoon Boy scowled Kaldur.
Kaldur's gaze fell onto Aquaman. With a scoff, Kaldur countered, "You mean the King who hid me the true identity of my father?"
Aquaman stepped forward, "That was an error in judgement, Kaldur'ahm. No one else needs to suffer from it."
"All will suffer if Black Manta demands it," Kaldur spewed, as a small missile emerged from a compartment in his shoulder, "Blood is thicker than sea water."
Superman flew forward, allowing the missile to detonate against his chest. As the cave flooded with smoke, I followed Kaldur's movement with my seismic detection. I flew down the cavern slide, entering another cavern.
"Just you and me, old friend?" Kaldur questioned before noticing Nightwing emerging from the shadows.
"No! It's a regular reunion special!" Superboy shouted, emerging from the same slide I had. Kaldur gazed at the three of us before securing his water bearers in their holsters.
"Fine," Kaldur sighed, "you can take me down, or you can save everyone from this bomb."
"Fuck, Kaldur," I cursed, noticing the bomb behind him.
"I am told the results are impressive," Kaldur grinned. Superboy lunged at our former leader; Kaldur swiftly strikes Superboy in the groin then chest. Superboy doubled over before collapsing onto the ground. Kaldur wrapped his hand around Superboy's throat, electrocuting him.
"You have two minutes," Kaldur announced, removing his hand from Superboy's throat. Kaldur took several steps back as I raced towards Superboy, kneeling beside him as he regained his composure.
"It didn't have to be this way, Kaldur," I said as I helped Superboy onto his feet.
Kaldur scoffed before exiting through the cavern's underwater cavern system.
Nightwing crouched beside the bomb, attempting to disarm it. He pressed into his earpiece, panic in his voice evident as he spoke, "Negative. We have a bomb down here. Alien tech. I cannot disarm it."
Superboy stumbled forward, volunteering, "I'll get it out."
"No!" Nightwing shouted, raising his hand to block Superboy's, "Might have pressure or motion sensors."
"Which means we're sitting ducks. We need to evacuate everyone," I explained, igniting an energy bubble around Nightwing and Superboy.
"All squads evacuate to bio ship, now!" I yelled, emerging from another passageway. Wonder Woman and Wonder Girl flew beside me as Green Lantern evacuated the remaining squads in green energy bubbles.
I released Superboy and Nightwing from my own energy bubble as we entered the bio ship.
"Wait!" Superboy shouted, "Where's Superman?"
"The island—" I cut myself off as the bio ship jerked around due to the shockwave of the explosion. Miss Martian grunted, attempting to regain control of the bio ship.
Aquaman stood at the threshold of the open hatch, scanning the waters below. Without a word, he dove into the water.
"There!" Superboy shouted, pointing at Aquaman tugging an unconscious Superman towards us. Miss Martian slowly lowers the bio ship enough for Superboy to help pull Superman on board.
Mount. Justice
January 26
12:10 AM EST
I lingered on the beach, watching the large, green aircraft disappear into the night sky. I exhaled loudly, my gaze slowly falling on the murky waters that kissed the shore then retreated.
"What's been bothering you?" Nightwing asked, adding, "You've been distracted. I haven't seen you like this in a while."
"We have a big problem on our hands," I stated, turning to face Nightwing.
"Uh, yeah," Nightwing chuckled, "We have an alien invasion."
"I asked Roy to do some digging for me," I explained. Nightwing remained silent, encouraging me to continue with a knowing look.
"Renegade is Deathstroke's apprentice," I said.
"So Roy figured out her name?" Nightwing asked, confused.
"No, he found out that she's part of a secret, covert ops team designed to take us down."