Chapter 5 – Hunters Dance
Their first stop was the crime scene. Cyborg took Rose, the Doctor, and Beast Boy with him in the T-car. Robin traveled on his motorcycle with Raven and Starfire flying cover. When they arrived the area was cordoned off with police swarming the area.
They had to wait until the forensics team and the coroner had left with the bodies before the detective in charge would let them past the tape. The presence of Rose and the Doctor prompted some sharp questions until Robin assured the detective they were with the Titans.
"My people have been over this area thoroughly." Detective Twain told Robin as he escorted them. "Damndest thing I ever saw. Your earlier report talked about an alien ship and possible hostiles, but this…" He shook his head. "It's like something out of a horror movie."
"Yeah." Robin said. "You read the part about vinegar being deadly to these things?"
"I certainly did. Hard to believe, but I guess if the Justice League's got an actual Martian working for them, and magic-using sorcerers, and Lord knows what else then aliens that explode when splashed with vinegar isn't too farfetched."
He nodded to the toy slung across Rose's back.
"That got vinegar in it?" He asked.
"Yeah. You got a problem with that?" Rose asked neutrally.
"I was the first detective on the scene." He said, turning away. "Just don't do something to force me to take official notice. Beyond that, I have nothing to say on the matter."
Rose's predatory smile didn't ease the Doctor's mind. The Titans didn't miss it either.
"Detective, better advise your men that the Slitheen won't even notice small arms fire." The Doctor said.
Detective Twain sighed. "So what else is new? We're used to it by now. I think if I ever met an alien who wasn't immune to bullets I'd faint from shock." Nevertheless he took out his cell phone and dutifully passed on the warning to his superiors.
"What do you know about what happened?" Robin asked when he hung up.
"Not a lot." Detective Twain admitted. "If it's any consolation, they probably died instantly—at least that's what the coroner thinks."
"They came from the beach, obviously looking for a little privacy. There were no signs of a struggle, meaning the Slitheen must have attacked them by surprise. The aliens were hiding there," he pointed to some bushes, "the couple was found there", he pointed to a bloody patch of sand some yards from the bushes.
"Nobody heard any screams." Detective Twain continued. "That doesn't mean a whole lot since this area's pretty isolated. The coroner said cause of death was most likely a depressed skull fracture caused by a single blow, the boy's at the back of the head, the girl's in the forehead. He couldn't be more definitive because the bodies—well, they weren't in real good shape when they were found. Both skulls were crushed from the blows, half the skull was caved in. Thing is, we aren't sure if the blows occurred pre- or post-mortem."
"The girl's left arm was torn loose and the boy was literally torn in half at the waist, the coroner thinks it happened after the bodies were skinned."
"Slitheen consider humans extremely fragile." The Doctor commented. "The dismemberment was probably from simple clumsiness. I suspect this attack was made by an adolescent Slitheen, one who hadn't hunted humans before."
"And how would you know that?" Detective Twain asked mildly.
"I encountered the Slitheen in London." The Doctor said blandly.
"The Doctor's an alien." Robin said. "He's here to deal with the Slitheen."
"Well Doctor, since you're the expert, is this an isolated incident? Or are we going to be finding more bodies?"
"No and no." The Doctor said. "No, this isn't an isolated incident. No, you won't likely find more bodies. I suspect the Slitheen who did this was an inexperienced hunter. This might well be its first human hunt."
"So what can we expect? People vanishing?" Detective Twain guessed.
"Probably. If we can find the Slitheen ship quickly enough we can stop the killings. If we don't find the ship in time the Slitheen will use the skins of the people they kill to infiltrate the government, and, over the next several years, probably destroy the Earth."
"You're kidding." Detective Twain said.
"Unfortunately, no. I stopped them once, but the Slitheen are remarkably persistent. And right now, unless I miss my guess, they're angry as well."
"So what can the city do?"
"A great deal, actually. Whether they will or not is another matter."
"You lost me." Detective Twain frowned.
"I need the city to warn the citizens about the Slitheen. If somebody goes missing, even for a few hours, it has to be reported. If the person is found, they should be made to drink a little vinegar to prove they're still human. A shot glass full is enough."
"So let me get this straight. You want the Mayor to warn people about aliens that kill people and wear their skins to impersonate them. And you want the Mayor to say these monsters are roaming the city right now. Is that what you want the Mayor to do? Do you have any idea what would happen if we did that?"
"Yes, I see your point." The Doctor said, scratching his head. "Would rather put the wind up people, wouldn't it?"
"If that means make everyone run screaming in panic, then yes." Detective Twain said drily. "The Slitheen wouldn't have to do anything. People would be killing each other faster than the aliens ever could."
"You're right." The Doctor sighed. "People are so easily goaded into a frenzy. Not one of your race's more endearing traits, no offense."
"None taken. I'm a policeman, I see it every day."
"Well, if the city can't help, I guess it's up to us." The Doctor said cheerfully. "Nothing new there, eh Rose?"
She rolled her eyes.
"Right. Find Skon's ship, deal with the Slitheen, and it's off to a nice restful beach." The Doctor rubbed his hands together vigorously. "No problem."
"And do it before more people die." Detective Twain said sharply.
"Ah. Now that might be a problem, Detective." The Doctor said. "I think some people have already died tonight, just like that teenage couple."
"What makes you say that?"
"The Slitheen lost their supply of skins." The Doctor turned somber. "I made sure of that. So they need a fresh stock."
"How many people are we talking about?" Detective Twain asked, face grim.
"At least forty." The Doctor said quietly.
"Forty?" The man gaped.
"Possibly fifty." The Doctor confirmed. "It depends on how big their clan is. Every adult will need one to hunt properly. Maybe the older adolescents too."
"Jesus." The man whispered.
"Doctor, are you sure?" Robin's face was grim, his eyes narrowed.
"No." The Doctor said. "It's possible this was a rogue hunt by an adolescent who didn't have permission. Skon may have wanted to stay hidden. He may not know about this."
"He will if he reads the paper tomorrow." Detective Twain said sourly.
"I wouldn't put it past him." The Doctor said, musing. "They've lived on Earth long enough to know how to get the news."
"That means we have to strike tonight." Robin said decisively. "We go back to the tower, find Skon's ship and attack."
"You like the direct approach, don't you?" The Doctor said, sighing. "You lot have any weapons that can punch holes in a starship hull? Not to mention its protective force fields? Or even its drive fields, come to that?"
"I can get us inside." Raven said calmly.
"Oh? And then what? One member of that crew could put paid to the lot of you. There are at least forty adults, and half that many young on that ship. Unless you plan to bring along a fire truck loaded with vinegar getting inside is the least of our problems."
"If you are so frightened of these Slitheen, Doctor, you may remain behind while we deal with them." Starfire said coldly. "We may be young, but we have defeated many enemies in the past. We attacked and defeated an entire planet of machine warriors on one occasion. On another we defeated the invasion of a demon prince and his legions of evil. The Slitheen may be powerful, but they underestimate the Teen Titans at their peril."
"You got that right." Cyborg said.
"Yeah!" Beast Boy chimed in. "Those Slitheen won't know what hit 'em!"
"We need a plan!" The Doctor insisted.
"So? You have one?" Raven asked in her monotone.
The Doctor paused, blinking. Then a maniacal grin spread across his face.
"Ooh, yes. I rather think I do. I know how to immobilize the lot of them with one blow."
"You have our attention." Robin said.