Chapter Four
"Daleks!" cried out Raven.
The creatures were silent. They regarded the Titans, possibly with interest.
"You're called Daleks." Raven said after a moments pause.
"You are familiar with us?" the lead Dalek said.
"That's right!" Cyborg said confidently. "We've met your kind before. And believe me, it wasn't pretty."
The Daleks regarded each other. "More data is required regarding this subject." the leader said. "You will all be held for questioning."
They surrounded them. "You will accompany us into this structure." said the leader, indicating Titans Tower.
"But it might not be safe." Changeling said.
"Obey!" the Dalek snapped. Changeling complied.
It was strange for the Titans to be walking in the halls of Titans Tower again. Of course, this time, it was under the watchful eyes of the Daleks. Given that the elevators were obviously out of commission, they took the stairs. They stopped at the main lounge of the tower, a scene of many memories for the Titans.
'Too bad the security systems are broken.' thought Cyborg. 'That would give these guys a run for their money.'
Then Cyborg reminded himself that the last time they were used against a Dalek, they were useless against its shield. The bionic hero then wondered as to how a ship full of Daleks could be stopped.
"This building will serve as our base of operations." the lead Dalek announced. It then turned to face a subordinate. "Begin operations!"
"I obey!" it replied, leaving the building via a broken window.
The leader faced the Titans again.
"Now, you will identify yourselves and how it is you came across our race before." said the leader.
"We're...a secret specials forces unit." Nightwing said.
"Exactly!" Starfire added. "We protect Earth from hostile alien activity."
"And your friends were no exception!" Raven said.
The Dalek stared at the Titans. It seemed to consider their responses. After a few moments of pondering, it moved in front of Starfire.
"You resemble the being known on Earth as Starfire!" it said.
"How do you know my name?" she asked.
"Before arriving on this planet, we scanned your information stored on communication networks, which you call the Internet. From that, we learned about adversaries we might face."
"Fair enough." Nightwing muttered.
"Based on our data," the Dalek continued, "You, Starfire, were associated with a group known as the Teen Titans some fifteen Earth years ago. Therefore, it is logical to assume that you and your friends are the very same Teen Titans, in their adult form."
"I'm an adult, huh?" Changeling commented. "Thanks! About time someone recognized."
The Dalek approached him. "You resemble the one known as Beast Boy! You changed your name to Changeling, did you not?"
"That's right!" he said angrily. "And I'm here to kick butt!"
The leader then moved on to identify Cyborg and Raven. It paused when it came to Nightwing.
"I assume that you were once known as Robin?" it asked.
"That's right." he answered.
"Now you are Nightwing." it added. "Why are you all together now? Have you come to counter our threat?"
"We were there for..." Changeling began, but Raven shut him up.
"Absolutely right!" she said loudly. "And we're ready to destroy you all again, without hesitation!"
The Dalek regarded her. "From our data, you are not a special operations group, but rather a group of what are regarded on this world as superheroes. There is no record of a massive battle with Daleks."
"Hello!" Changeling said indigently. "It was a secret battle!"
"Our data indicates that it was only one Dalek you destroyed!" the leader snapped. "Your attempt at deception has failed!"
It moved in front of Nightwing again. "Why are you here?" it asked.
Nightwing was silent.
"Why are you here?!" the Dalek repeated.
"You tell us something first." said Cyborg. "Why come here? Why our city?"
"We intercepted a signal." the Dalek explained. "It was a request to land in this area. Now, answer my question!"
None of the Titans spoke.
"Very well." the Dalek said. "Which of you is least important?"
"What kind of question is that?" Starfire asked.
"Who is the least valuable in your group?!" it demanded in a frenzied cry.
"None of us." said Nightwing. "We're all equally important."
"Then I shall pick one." The Dalek extended its arm.
"You!" it said, pointing at Raven. "Come forward!"
"You're not going to kill me, are you?" she asked. "Because if you do, you won't be any closer to your goal. It would be pointless to kill me."
"You will not be killed." the Dalek said. "You must give us information."
"How?" asked Raven.
"You will see." it said, reassuringly. A group of Daleks approached her.
Raven felt uneasy, and so backed off.
"You will obey!" the leader demanded.
"I only have one thing to say to you." she told the Dalek. "Azarath, Metrion, Zinthos!"
With that, the Titans were enveloped in dark energy and disappeared.
The Dalek leader was infuriated.
"Analyze that energy! Track them down! Find them and exterminate them all!"