Invaded
Chapter Fifteen: War
Author's Note: Enjoy and leave a review!
Watchtower
May 23
09:21 PM EDT
"We've been tracking something using our long-range scanners," Captain Atom revealed, gesturing to the holographic screen beside him. Life footage of a massive, celestial sphere drifted through space at astonishing speed.
"It's on a direct course for Earth. It's about to pass in front of Rhea, one of Saturn's moons," Captain Atom explained.
Nightwing furrowed his brow, studying the footage momentarily before gasping, "Not in front of it—behind it! That thing—whatever it is—is huge!"
"Whatever it is," Black Canary began, "we need to be ready."
"Agreed," I nodded, "The Team will have all our big guns on standby. Nightwing and I will come up with a contingency plan should this thing be hostile. Our number one priority is protecting Earth."
"Good," Captain Atom nodded, pleased, "I'll brief all Leaguers. We must be ready for the worst."
I glanced down at my beeping wrist computer, noticing Nightwing's identical incoming transmission request.
Taos
May 23
08:30 MDT
"Thank you for coming. My scarab has accessed the Reach's database for intelligence on the approaching threat. It is called the Warworld," Green Beetle revealed; a holographic replica of the Warworld materialized above us.
"It is a massive artificial satellite, slightly smaller than Earth's moon. It is a mobile doomsday, created a millennia ago by a now understandably extinct alien race. It is self-powering and self-sustaining thanks to an endless supply of worker drones that provide repairs and battle drones that provide security," Green Beetle paused, allowing us to absorb the information.
"The Warworld was reactivated by a crystal key—long thought lost, yet somehow the current commander found it. That commander, Mongul, now sits at the Warworld's helm, which receives and transmits his every thought, allowing him to control all of the Warworld's functions—trajectory, weapons, and drones, all without moving a muscle," Green Beetle concluded.
Captain Atom frowned, "Who is this Mongul?"
Above us, the holographic projection changed to a giant, yellow-skinned, red-eyed alien.
"Long ago, he was the sole dictator of his home plane, but he was ousted by another tyrant and is determined to reclaim his throne," Green Beetle answered.
"So, what does that have to do with us?" Nightwing asked.
"Mongul has determined that the surest way to take back his own world is to first conquer the entire Galaxy. One can only assume he now views Earth as a threat to that plan, and so now he comes, with literally enough firepower to destroy your world," Green Beetle tone was somber.
"The League's actions on Rimbor must've attracted him," I sighed, pinching the bridge of my nose in annoyance.
"Agreed," Captain Atom said with his own sigh, "We must stand ready."
Watchtower
May 26
06:59 PM EDT
"Attention Warworld, this is Captain Atom of the Justice League, representing the planet Earth. We wish to open negotiations," Captain Atom announced into the microphone.
I stood beside Nightwing, waiting nervously for a response.
A deep, raspy voice boomed through our speakers within seconds, "But I am uninterested in negotiations. The Earth under the Reach's thumb is too dangerous for my long term plans. It must be destroyed."
From my position, I could make out a massive, yellow ankh shielding the Earth. Within seconds, Doctor Fate flew out of the ankh.
"And frankly," Mongul paused, "if you understood what you were in for with the Reach, you'd thank me for putting you out of your collective misery now."
Long range scanners showed live footage of the Warworld's massive lasers warming up. Within seconds, a massive beam of hot energy shot through space, directly at the Earth.
Doctor Fate extended his hands, easily absorbing the blast before remitting the blast at the Warworld. The massive lasers exploded instantly in a bright, red explosion. As the smoke cleared, the long range scanners detected smaller lasers emerging from the cracks of the Warworld.
Rocket emerged from the massive ankh, shielding Doctor Fate in an impressive kinetic force bubble.
Captain Marvel and Green Beetle landed beside Captain Atom, silently waiting for his command.
"We're ready, Fate," Captain Atom said, speaking into his com-link. Within seconds, the three were encased in a familiar yellow glow. Within seconds, they were in space, flying directly to the Warworld.
"Not sure we're doing much damage in the grand scheme, but Rocket is protecting Doctor Fate, allowing him to maintain focus on safeguarding the Earth. Captain Marvel, Green Beetle, and I seem to have Mogul's attention," Captain Atom updated us.
Nightwing smirked, revealing, "Good, because the Team's already inside."
"Any sign of detection?" Aquaman questioned as he monitored the screen.
"No, Blue Beetle's scarab was able to bypass the Warworld's security. Mongul still doesn't know they're inside," Nigthwing paused, adding, "yet."
"Alpha Squad to Watchtower," Superboy's broke through the radio silence. "Green Beetle's schematics are on the money, at least so far. We're en route to take down Mongul. No commander means the threat ends."
I exhaled a sigh of relief before returning my attention to the screen in front of me.
"Beta Squad, report," I demanded.
"Beta Squad is en route to the key chamber. We snag the crystal key and the threat ends," Blue Beetle confirmed.
"Gamma Squad is en route to disable the Warworld's power core. No power and the threat ends," Bumblebee reported.
"Delta Squad moving into position now," Batgirl paused, adding, "Laying down cover fire for surface forces… now!"
"Good," I breathed out, rubbing the back of my neck tiredly.
Aquaman stood beside me, visibly pleased with the Team, complemented, "Your Team is most valuable."
Doctor Fate raised his palms as a massive, bright ankh formed; it shielded a majority of the Earth and began absorbing the bulk of the incoming missiles.
"Delta to Watchtower," Batgirl paused, "Bioship estimates that Fate, the League, and Delta are neutralizing 64% of the Warworld's saturation attack at the source, but that's not going to cut it."
Aquaman scanned the holographic screen in front of him, responding, "Watchtower estimates that Earth's military forces will neutralize a further 13%."
"That's still not enough," I cursed, "I have to help. I have to go out there."
"Phoenix," Aquaman stated firmly, placing a hand on my shoulder, "I cannot—"
"There's no time to argue," I said, shrugging his hand off me, "I'm going!"
"Cover me!" I shouted. Captain Atom and Captain Marvel nodded, floating several feet in front of me, destroying any incoming missiles.
I inhaled deeply, outstretching my two fists in front of me. I closed my eyes, concentrating my energy on one massive blast. I could feel the raw energy within me surge, threatening to overspill if I lost control.
A massive orb flickered around my two fists, glowing a bright red. Slowly, I opened my fists and guided the energy within to my hands as I always did. However, instead of shaping the energy into orbs, I shaped it into a beam.
"Go!" I shouted, "I don't know how much longer I can hold this!"
I grunted as I attempted to aim and guide my energy beam. Captain Atom, Captain Marvel, and Green Beetle resumed their attack on the remaining lasers.
I gasped and eventually heaved as I felt my energy reserves plummet drastically. My energy beam began to thin yet this made it easier for me to control it.
"Watch out!" Captain Marvel shouted as he flew towards me.
I glanced above me after noticing the sudden shadow; dozens of Reach ships flew over me, shooting at the Warworld.
"They have a fleet!" I exasperated.
"It seems as if they are on our side," Captain Atom noted, adding, "for now."
With another painful groan, I felt my energy reserves plummet once more. They were dangerously low, bordering possible internal damage. My energy beam slowly flickered, disintegrating completely.
"All surface weapons have been silenced," Captain Atom noted, "Is it over?"
"Mongul is down and contained," Superboy confirmed.
"Nice work, Alpha!" Batgirl cheered.
"I'd love to take credit, but we didn't do it," Superboy admitted.
Black blotches of darkness stained my vision as I struggled to keep my eyes open.
"Cap…" I moaned as Captain Marvel flew to me, embracing me in his arms as the black blotches of darkness swallowed my vision.
Watchtower
May 29
04:23 AM EDT
The jarring sense of motion awoke me. I inhaled slowly, fluttering my eyes open; I scanned my surroundings, analyzing and forming my own conclusions. Judging from the familiar sterile white walls, I must be recovering in the Watchtower's medical bay.
I lowered my gaze, finally noticing a sleeping Nightwing awkwardly resting at the base of my bed. His lower body sat planted in a chair as his upper body lay sprawled on my left leg. Hunter sat across from him in an identical chair. He rested with his head tilted back, mouth slightly agape.
I groaned, using my momentarily weak arms to push myself into a sitting position. The sudden movement immediately awoke Nightwing; he jerked back, eyes widened with alertness.
"Good morning," I croaked. Hunter groaned, lifting his head forward. He yawned before turning his neck. A satisfying crack filled the large room.
"We won?" I asked.
"We were able to successfully take care of the Warworld," Nightwing confirmed.
"It's been two days since," Hunter revealed.
I lowered my gaze, avoiding the two men's concerned looks. I clutched the hospital blanket in my fists before releasing and repeating his process. Even now, my body was still tired.
"You neutralized 8% of the Warworld's saturation attack," Nightwing stated. His tone was firm, yet I could detect the hints of slight admiration.
"And the Reach neutralized the remaining 15%?" I asked, although I had somewhat of an idea of the answer.
"With their fleet," Hunter confirmed. I nodded, remembering the fleet of ships that flew in moments before I passed out.
"What you did was reckless," Nightwing scowled, visibly upset before adding, "but it helped save the Earth."
"Beyond reckless," Hunter corrected, searching for the right word, but he settled for repeating himself once more, "Beyond reckless."
"I know," I murmured. I felt like a child being punished for bad behavior in school.
"It's been two days, Ash," Nightwing paused, "You've never been out for this long. What if this has long-lasting damage to your body? How are we supposed to help you then?"
I remained silent, shrugging slightly.
"I'm sorry," I murmured quietly.
"What's been going on with you? Are you okay?" Nightwing persisted.
"I'm fine," I assured the former Boy Wonder. Nightwing's frown deepened, but he remained silent.
Although I wouldn't admit to anything in this moment to avoid worrying either Hunter or Nightwing, I had noticed months ago that my energy reserves deplete much more quickly now that I've mastered more powerful attacks. Since then, I've tried to rely on hand to hand combat, but with the Reach invasion looming over us, I've had to use powerful attacks to ensure our success. I knew eventually Nightwing would figure it out, but for now, I had to keep this a secret.