Okie dokie, here's the next one folks! I hope you like it as much as I enjoyed writing it, which was a lot despite how feel heavy the content was. Anyway, hope you like and please review. Thanks!

Thanks go to the following for reviewing the previous chapter:
storygirl99210 - I'm so glad you liked it! hehe
StillDoll13 - Well, I guess it's a good explode then. But I am not cleaning that mess up! And I'll admit, that I have several scenes already written and I've cried writting them. That's all I'm going to say and let you ponder that!
lilnightmare17- I'm so glad you loved it. Hope you like this one too!

Chapter 8
Unbelievable

After about a week of training with Manta and the rest of the men, Cody was finally going on jobs. Cody was usually paired with Manta, for some reason. After what happened in the Observation room, she figured she had negated all the good she had done during that first day during training, but apparently, Manta still wanted the best out of the three with him, or his father had ordered it. Either way, Cody was glad she wasn't stuck with Rich and Erik and some lesser workers under Manta that the boys were getting stuck with.

The missions were simple and never on her own, but they were missions nonetheless. She was just glad to be getting intel and to finally do something other than train, like she had done for the better part of about five years. They were retrieving aliens called Kroloteans all over the world. She didn't know what they were doing there on Earth or why they were picking them up.

At that moment, Cody was standing beside Manta as another Krolotean entered through the hatch of the Manta-Flyer. "Welcome aboard," Manta greeted, sounding as cold and hard as ever. "Dive." The Manta-Flyer descended. Manta ordered Erik and Rich to take their "guests" to a waiting area.

Cody was instructed to follow Manta as he headed to the cockpit. They walked in silence, but Cody's head was anything but. She had so many questions about the little aliens onboard. She couldn't contain her curiosity. Once the entered the secluded cockpit where just Manta, Cody and a pilot inhabited.

"Permission to speak, Sir?" she asked.

"Permission granted," Manta told her.

"Where are we taking the Kroloteans?" Cody asked.

"To a base on Malina Island where the Kroloteans are building a ship to get off Earth," he informed her. "The Justice League has created a barrier to prevent unauthorized zeta-tube travel."

"So we're transporting the remaining Kroloteans so they can leave?" she asked.

"No," he corrected. "We're transporting them and destroying their ship."

Cody had to stop her head from snapping to look at Manta directly. They were doing what? She almost thought that she had heard him wrong, but then she remembered that she wasn't working with good people. She was still having a hard time remembering who she was with on these missions and who she was taking orders from. It wasn't like when she was under Kaldur's command on the team. Her orders and the purpose of her missions were completely different than what she was used to.

"We're destroying their ship, Sir?" she asked, not sure why they were doing it. "Why?"

"That's none of your concern," he told her.

"Yes Sir," she answered.

"I suggest you retire to your quarters for the time being, Ember," Manta suggestively ordered. "I will summon you when you are needed."

"Yes Sir," Cody repeated. She bowed and retreated from the room.

Cody quickly made her way through the ship, passing multiple soldiers on the way. She was starting to get used to the suggestive comments the female depraved men made towards her when Manta and Black Manta weren't around. She wished she could break their noses and knock them flat on their backs for such crude behaviors, but she wasn't the one in charge. She couldn't' afford to do anything that would risk her mission, no matter how crude the comment.

Once inside her quarters, Cody retrieved the little handheld device she hid under the mattress and typed in what little information she had gotten into it. Once that was done, she extracted one of the several chips installed into the device and slid it into the belt of her uniform. She got the chip ready just in case Conley and the heroes were there when they arrived on Malina Island. She had to be ready at any moment.

"Ember," Manta's voice said through the comm. link in her ear. "Report back to the cockpit."

"Right away, Sir," she replied, pushing the small button on the side to respond.

She was eager to get back and see what was going on. She hadn't expected to be placed of door duty upon arriving at her destination. Erik and Rich were going out with some of Manta's men inside the base, but Ember was to stand outside the door of the cockpit Manta was, directing everything.

Nothing about the mission felt right to her. What was the point in deliver the Kroloteans to safety if they were just going to blow them up? Why not just take out the few they had and then take out the ship? It seemed as if there was too much effort put into retrieving them. None of it made much sense. At least, not to Cody.

The door suddenly opened and Manta quickly walked out. "Come with me," he instructed. They started to head towards the exit. "I believe something is not right. Sector three is not reporting in."

"So you suspect intruders," Ember concluded.

They made it through the exit and out onto the connecting platform. They stopped there and surveyed the area. Manta had been right, the moment Ember stepped out of the ship she could feel something was off. Her get was telling her that much. She just couldn't tell where. Which wasn't a good sign. That either meant they were everywhere and they were getting ambushed, or she was off. And she was rarely off.

"You're right," Ember said, continuing to look around. "Something's off."

"How can you tell?" Manta asked her ever so softly, just in case there was anybody around to hear.

"If can feel it," she replied just as softly. "Call it my gut instinct." She turned to her right, looking at the Kroloteans, nothing seemed too off with them. She turned to the opposite directed and instantly felt her stomach drop. "Sir," she whispered as Nightwing, Batgirl, Robin and Conley dropped in. She directed Manta's attention in that direction.

"Intruders, upper level," Manta told Erik and Rich. He turned and started to walk back towards the ship, but stopped right before adding, "And in the water." He used a laser beam from the eyes of the helmet and blasted the water, which Ember had no idea he could do.

After blasting the water, Manta ordered Ember to follow him after he grabbed the bomb from the Manta-Flyer. They descended down a steep tunnel that lead to the bottom of the ship the Kroloteans were building. "Stand guard by the tunnel while I arm the bomb," he ordered Ember. Nobody seemed to know about the tunnel though. Nor did they seem to really know what was being planned.

"Finished, this way!" he told her. He leader her back above through another entrance.

Once back above, Manta and Ember found Batman, Nightwing, Batgirl, Robin, Aqua-Man and his new sidekick – or partner – were causing quite a problem for Manta, his crew and the Kroloteans. Conley was having a difficult time fending off her brother and Erik at the same time. It seemed as if they had decided to focus all of their energy on her instead of trying to take down all the heroes as a whole.

"Sir," Ember said, catching Manta's attention, "she's the escapee from HQ," Ember said. "Permission to engage?"

"Granted," Manta said. "But make it quick. You're assistance will be needed."

Ember gave a single nodded before dashing off in Conley's direction. Once close enough for Erik and Rich to hear, she told them, "Back off. This one's mine!"

"No way!" Rich said. "She's my sister. I get to do what I want with her!"

"Do you really want to mess with the one working directly with Manta?" she pressed. "Go help take care of the rest of the heroes. Conley's mine."

Rich narrowed his eyes and backed up. Erik pulled him away and to Batman's direction. That was the last Cody paid them any mind. Instead, she turned to Conley, head tilted to the side slightly and crouched into a defensive stance. She knew that Conley would make the first move. Ember's presence imposed it. That was why Erik and Rich were always the ones to attack first in training.

"You've caused us quite the trouble, Probie," Ember said.

"Manta to all troopers, endgame enabled. Strategic retreat to Manta-Flyer. You have four minutes."

Conley jumped forward, aiming a punch to the side of Cody's head. Ember easily blocked and instantly knew that Conley was going to try and sweep her feet next. To prevent her from doing so, Ember jumped over her head before she knew what was happening and wrapped her arm around her neck, choking her if she moved the slightest. With her other hand, she slipped the chip into the collar of her black and green uniform. Conley glanced at her from the side, informing her she knew what Cody had done and would turn over the ship when the time came.

"Three minutes till departure."

Conley, though Ember wasn't completely sure how she did is, slipped out of her hold and through her legs. Once behind Ember, she kicked both of her legs out with all of her strength as she lay on her back, sending Ember forward, in the direction where Manta was.

There had been several new arrivals, most of which were Leaguers, but there were a couple younger people Ember didn't recognize. But Superman, Superboy and Wonder Woman were there and Ember did know them.

Perhaps now's the time to assist the boss, she thought, dropping the battle with Conley. She made her way over to her boss and shot a powerful blast of fire towards the large green fish-man that was heading towards Manta. She wasn't able to stop Aqua-Man from punching Manta though, sending his helmet clean off his head.

Cody froze five feet from Manta and almost dropped to her knees. Without the helmet, Cody could clearly see who Manta truly was. She could see which one of her old friends it was and it shocked her beyond belief. Manta had been one of her best friends, the leader she would have followed to the death. She would have given up her life for him and now she was working under him again, this time on the bad side.

Oh Kaldur, Cody thought. What has happened to you?

"I had not believed Nightwing until this moment," Aqua-Man said, almost as shocked as Cody was.

"You did not want to believe!" Kaldur angrily yelled back.

"None of us wanted to believe this! How could you betray us?" Superboy asked.

Conner, Cody thought, looking at another one of her old friends. It seemed like it was just a big family reunion.

"You dare question me?!"Kaldur yelled, summoning his water blades. "After all of you let Tula die?"

Nightwing dropped down in front of Conner, in the front of the three, blocking Kaldur's way to attack straight on. Ember moved in closer, getting over a little bit of the shock. She stepped closer to Nightwing in a defensive stance, ready to guard the dark Kaldur. Most of his attention was focused on Kaldur, but he kept looking over at Ember, studying her. He knew there was something familiar about Ember and Cody remembered hearing his conversation at the café with Robin. He was most likely trying to figure out if Ember was Cody.

"Kaldur, that was a mission! Aqua-Girl knew the risks. No one wanted -"

"What about Cody?" Kaldur yelled, making Cody visibly straighten, which she knew Nightwing noticed. "You all gave up searching for her! We weren't there for her when she needed us in the first place and then you stop trying all together!"

"That's not true," Conner yelled. "We ran out of leads but we never stopped looking into it!"

"You weren't the only one close to her!" Nightwing yelled. "She was like a sister to me!"

"Neptune's beard!" the green guys yelled. "Don't coddle this traitor! He has joined forces with our King's greatest enemy!"

"You mean the King who hid from me the true identity of my father?" Kaldur asked.

"That was my error in judgment, Kaldur'ahm. No one else need suffer for it," Aqua-Man said.

"All will suffer if Black Manta demands is," Kaldur said. "Blood is thicker than sea water!" He shot a blast at them, but Superman flew over and blocked it.

Thick black smoke surrounded them, but Ember could just make out Kaldur's form heading to the little tunnel they had gone through earlier to place the bomb. She followed right behind in and was through before the smoke cleared.

"Kaldur," a hushed Nightwing said, catching both of their attentions. He stepped out of the shadows slowly, walking towards them.

Ember got defensive, but relaxed when Kaldur said, "Ember, stand down." Kaldur took up the stance that Cody dropped and continued talking to Nightwing as if she wasn't even there. "Just you and me, old friend."

"No!" Conner yelled, coming through the entrance they had just entered from. "It's a regular reunion special."

Ember disregarded Kaldur's orders and got defensive, lighting her hands on fire. But she extinguished them when he stood up, dropping his water magic. If Kaldur hadn't confused her enough by going dark-side, he sure was confusing her by not fighting. Ember stood up, looking at her boss, then to Nightwing.

"Fine," Kaldur said. "You can take me down, or you can save everyone from this bomb." He put his hand up, directing their attentions to the bomb they had planted not too long before. "I'm told the yield is quite impressive."

Superboy charged angrily, but was knocked down by Kaldur. He grabbed his neck and shocked Conner, causing him to yell out in pain. Jesus, Kaldur. Stop it!

"You have two minutes!" Kaldur added before letting go. He backed up and started to make an exit to the water.

He jumped in and Ember started to run after him, but heard Nightwing call out, "Cody!"

Ember turned, mustering up the best confused face she could and said, "My name's not Cody." She put the little oxygen mast on and jumped into the water.

Kaldur had waited for her and they swam out through a cavern. The Manta-Flyer met them outside and the two grabbed onto one of the wings. The ship emerged from the water and they flew off to safety from the blast of the bomb.

Cody glanced over at Kaldur. She just couldn't believe that Kaldur, their leader, the purest hearted person she knew had gone to the villain's side! Her Kaldur! She didn't understand. Was it like he said? Was it because of Tula, his first love and the girl that had died working for the Team? Had it been Cody herself? Was it really that he believed blood was thicker than water? She just couldn't wrap her head around it.

Once they were safe, Kaldur and Cody entered the Manta-Flyer. Cody went directly to her room, ignoring comments from Erik and Rich on how she hadn't taken down Conley. Once inside her quarters, she shut the door and leaned against it. A moment later, her legs gave out and she fell on her butt, but she didn't feel it.

Kaldur war Manta. Manta was Kaldur. Kaldur was working for Black Manta, his father. He betrayed his friends, his real family, the people that actually cared and loved him. But why? He had to have been so broken in order to turn away from everything he believed in, everyone he had once trusted do dearly.

Oh Kaldur, Cody said, shaking her head. How did this happen to you? Why are you doing this?

Before Cody realized it was eight the next morning and there was a knock on her door. Cody snapped out of her thoughts and stiffly stood up and opened it. Erik was standing there, arms crossed. Normally when he went there to get her, he'd be leaning against the doorframe, a cocky smirk planted on his lips. He'd make some perverse comment before they left to do whatever it was he had gone to retrieve her for.

But when she opened the door she took note that he wasn't acting like his usually cocky, perverted, narcissistic self. He looked fidgety and rather professional, which scared Cody quite a bit. The only times Erik ever really was that serious was when it concerned Master. There weren't many things Erik was afraid of, but Master on the top of that short list.

"Something's wrong," Cody said, getting straight to the point.

"We've been summoned by Master for the day," Erik said. "Something's not right."

Cody locked her door and started to head down the hall with Erik in the lead. "Any idea why?"

"No idea, Girly," Erik said.

They got to the front to the exit and met up with Rich."Well, it's got to be something big for him to pull us out of a job," she said.

"That is why I'm letting you go back," Manta said, making the two turn around. Cody

He was standing several feet away. "You have until midnight to get whatever business you have taken care of. Then you meet back here. Do I make myself clear?"

"Yes Sir," was their reply.

xXx

It was terrifying standing in front of Master as he paced in front of the three machineries.

Listening to Master threaten or just speaking was, though Cody found it annoying most of the time, was less frightening than a silent Master. They could all just tell he was boiling and to make him boil, something big had to be going on.

The last time he had been like that was when it involved the Conwell's. Before they got Cody back, that was.

"Loyalty is one of the most precious and sacred gifts in the world," Master finally said. He stopped in front of the person in the center of the three, which just so happened to be Cody and stared at her as he said, "There is nothing quite like being betrayed by one you believed loyal."

He raised one hand and snapped. Shawn and Paul came out with a small scientist with a black bag over their head. Their lab coat was dirty and there were red stains in several blotched areas, indicating blood loss. They forced him to his knees and he cried out from the pain. The bag was ripped off of his head to reveal a scared, beaten and bloody Lucas.

Cody couldn't restrain a gulp. Lucas, the man she had promised she would protect had been found out. Which meant she was most likely found out as well. She managed to keep a straight face as she looked at Lucas, who was sobbing, staring at the ground.

"We have come to find out that Dr. Lucia has been feeding inside information to the escapee," Master informed them. "And as a result, he shall suffer death." The received a cry from Lucas. "Who would like to take out this traitor?" Master asked.

So she hadn't been found out. Master had no idea it was really her that was giving the information away and that Lucas had just been aiding in her quest. But every second that Lucas knelt there left her at risk. He could give her away any second. The moment someone would set forward to kill him, he could open his mouth and tell the truth, sentencing Cody to her own death. Her mission would have been a failure. Five years would have been a complete waste. Cody couldn't let all of that work, all of that pain and suffering be for nothing.

Erik and Rich quickly raised their hands, believing whoever put their hand up first would get the pleasure of taking out the scientist. Master waited a moment before deciding. He was shocked when Cody put her hand up, not taking her eyes off of Lucas.

"Cody," Master said, looking rather pleased with her. "What a surprise. I thought you were close with this man. I suppose you are as repulsed as I am at this traitor that you are willing to complete this task yourself. Please, have the pleasure of ridding us of this traitor."

Cody moved extremely quickly, faster than anybody would believe her to move when the target was already in captivity. But she rushed, wrapping her arm around his neck, just like she had done the night before with Conley, but this time she didn't let any room for the man to breathe.

Lucas gasped and squirmed trying to break free. He tried to breathe, but nothing went in. Several moments later, his eyes closed and his body ceased moving. Cody let go and stood back, just watching the body fall lip to the ground. The body didn't move. There was no sound in the room except for the Master's clapping.

"Wonderful, my girl!"

Normally, Cody would have thought back a snarky, I am so not your girl, but she just stood there, feeling empty, staring down at the body.

"Well, that leave a few more matters to attend to. It only required one of you, so the other two will return to Manta this instant." Master turned to Cody and said, "Since you were the one to step up and take command, Cody, you shall dispose of this vermin's remains. And while you're at it why don't you do the honor of ridding us of that little Conley Corporal?"

Cody looked up, staring directly in the eyes of Master and nodded. "With pleasure."