Chapter 5: Stolen!
Robin found his team waiting for him in the East complex testing room, the walls, floor and ceiling spotted with blast marks from the exchange. Nearly thirty unconscious thugs were restrained and gathered up awaiting police arrest.
He also found a strange newcomer amongst his team. Robin could scarcely believe his eyes. What could only be described as an angel, in gleaming armor and flanked by tendril-like wings illuminated by an unearthly ethereal light.
Taken aback, Robin managed to say "Umm, thanks…for helping my team. I'm Robin."
"I'm Archangel. It is a pleasure to find such just champions upholding the greater good." The angel replied. "I know, you all must be wondering why I've come, and I'm curious to learn more about yourselves. But first I must ask what you know of the adversary behind this attack."
The titans glanced at one another with puzzled looks. "Well, we were kinda hoping to figure that out, none of those bad guys seemed to be in charge," Beast Boy said.
"Scratch that," Robin interceded "I faced off with someone named Jack who seemed to be leading the bunch. He was good, I almost had him but he…got away." Robin cursed this last part under his breath.
"Do not trouble yourself Robin, we shall apprehend this villain." Archangel stated.
Something about this didn't sit well with Robin. Maybe it was the way he 'showed up' at the exact right moment. Maybe it was the blatantly good overtones, as if this Archangel were trying to conceal something. Was this, this being, talking down to his team?
Still Robin would give this stranger the benefit of the doubt, "Yeah, we'll get him," he said emphasizing the 'we'.
Just then an even more frazzled Hoffman burst into the room. "It's gone!" he shouted, "Oh heavens, they've taken it!"
"Taken what?" Cyborg questioned, still a bit on edge after the battle.
"The sonic pulse assault vehicle!" he replied.
"The wha?" Beast Boy blurted out. "The tank." Raven summarized.
"Damn it," Robin thought, "if only I'd stopped that maniac…and now he's got an experimental tank that could tear the whole freakin' city apart!"
"Don't blame yourself, you knew nothing about that guy" Raven's familiar voice entered his head.
"Well there's nothing more we can do from here, Doctor… Hoffman" Robin said reading his nametag, "Call the police to pick up these robbers. Titans, let's reassemble at the tower and try to track this guy down. Archangel, follow us, if you don't mind, I'd like to ask you a few questions when we get there."
"Of course, as you wish" Archangel said humbly, bowing his head a bit.
T-T-T-T-T-T-T-T-T-T-T-T-T-T-T-T-T-T-T-T-T-T-T-T-T-T-T-T-T-T-T-T-T-T-T-T-T
After reconvening at the tower, the team set about their attempts to track down the enemy. Beast Boy and Cyborg were utilizing satellite uplink vids of the city trying to locate any visible trail or sign of the tank. Raven was meditating, probing the astral plane for any unusual disturbances, carefully noting any emotions of fear or panic of witnesses who may have seen the ordeal.
Robin approached Archangel, trying to be accepting of the newcomer but he couldn't shake the slightest edge of distrust. "So, uh, how did you know about the attack?" he bluntly asked Archangel. "The powers of Heaven sent me here, my purpose is to fight wickedness and corruption where it is found and see that the forces of evil do not disturb the balance."
"So, you're an angel…?" Robin said, having a hard time believing this. He had his faith, but still this was unusual; evil usually remained perfectly within the realm of humanity and didn't require the intervention of supernatural powers.
"Sort of," Archangel said, his formal tone slipping, "I'm a mortal, endowed with my powers by God and directed against well, you know the rest. I was on the verge of death when the whole thing took place, I'm still unsure what exactly I am and what my limits are."
"I see," Robin said, "Do you have any idea why this Jack guy would pull something like this? Seems kind of odd for someone like him, fighting with knives of all things to be stealing high-tech weaponry"
"Fought with knives?" Archangel questioned. Robin nodded. "Surely, it couldn't be…" Archangel trailed off to himself.
"What?" Robin asked. Just then Starfire walked into the room.
"Nothing, just a passing feeling" he said before dismissing himself to aid the others.
"Friend Robin," Starfire said with a note of concern, "Are you all right? I have not seen you behave this way since your encounters with Slade."
"I'm ok, Star, I mean I'm upset that I couldn't stop Jack but…you're right, I need to keep my head so we can focus. I'm just a little unsure about this Archangel." Robin said
"He fought with great skill and valor" Starfire replied.
"I know, it's just…" He looked away, "hard for me to trust other people. Some of the worst people hide behind a mask of good."
Starfire stepped forward and smiled, gently hugging him, "Robin, not all the people of this world wish to hurt you. Remember that I chose to stay on this planet because of your 'being nice'"
Robin smiled a bit, that memory of their first encounter always made him smile, "Yeah, alright. Let's go see what the others have turned up."
Author's Note: Sorry it took me a couple extra days to post, I've been so drained from the holidays and not motivated enough. As for this chapter…meh, not my best, but I wanted to move this thing forward and post. I'm hitting the hazy middle and I have some ideas but no idea how to tie them together or give them some meat. I'll figure it out, but in the meantime please be patient as I will still continue to update, just give me a week or so. I know a chapter a week is pretty lame but if I get any suggestions maybe I'll be able to post more often. Keep in mind I have to work so that will be stealing much of my time. I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas! Anyone get any Teen Titans box sets? I'm thinking of getting one with some of my giftcards – oh the fun of being a college student and buying a "children's show". Whatever, I still think it's the best! As always reviews/suggestions are appreciated. Happy New Year!
Yours,
Robin