Robin B32, Superboy B04, Kid Flash B03
As the computer announced their arrival, the whites of Robin's mask widened slightly, sparking a smug grin from Superboy.
"I told you he was no imposter." Connor snapped back. The computer couldn't be fooled. It relied on a full body scan to determine who stepped through the Zeta Beam. If the computer recognized the young hero as Kid Flash, then it proved his identity.
"That doesn't mean he's not a traitor." Robin growled defiantly, stepping into the base and taking his stance beside his mentor while Superboy stood his ground, supporting Wally.
"Take him to the interrogation room. We need to know how he survived and why he's here. Robin, call back the other members of your team. We'll debrief once I'm through with Kid Flash." Batman ordered. Robin nodded and left to fulfil Batman's orders without question, but Connor had as much resistance to the Dark Knight as he had with his protege.
"You're going to interrogate him now? Batman, he's exhausted, he can hardly stand! At least give him a couple hours to rest before you…"
"Don't argue with me! You have your orders Superboy, I suggest you follow them. Unless you want me to bring your loyalties into question as well." Batman growled. Usually a firm reminder of the consequences was all it took to force Connor's cooperation. The clone knew that despite his role as leader of the team, he was on this ice with Batman and any defiance (especially when it considered the safety and security of the team) could result in him being banished from the base. But Connor also knew how severe Batman's interrogation could be and in Wally's current state, he doubted the Speedster would be able to bare it. From what Connor had seen, Wally didn't remember much, which meant he wouldn't be able to answer Batman's questions. Silence and ignorance during one of Batman's interrogations were as good as a death sentence. Connor couldn't let that happen. It was worth the risk to buy Wally some time.
"He needs to rest Batman. If you question him now, you'll kill him! Is that what you want? What would Richard think?" The words had hardly left Connor's mouth before Batman lunged at him, grabbing fistfuls of the clone's shirt and slamming him up against the wall with enough force to create cracks in the stone! Wally collapsed to the ground, now unable to stand without Superboy's support, but even from the ground he was staring wide eyes at the Bat's violent reaction.
"Don't you EVER talk about my son! You have no idea what Dick would want!" Batman growled with a dark tone that Wally had only ever heard him use with criminals.
"No… but you do. You knew him better than anyone Batman. Do you think he'd want this?" Connor countered. Wally had to admire his bravery. Not many could stare back at the Batglare and still have the courage to talk back. Whether it was that courage that finally shook Batman or threat of his son's disapproval, the Dark Knight released Connor and let him returned to Wally's side.
"Take him to one of the spare rooms, get him something to eat, and let him rest. But he is to be kept under strict supervision until he is questioned, is that understood?"
"Yes Sir." Connor replied, effortlessly lifting the barely-conscious speedster and carrying him towards the dorm. He knew Wally would want answers about everything he'd just witnessed, but Connor hoped the boy's exhaustion was enough to postpone the barrage of questions, at least until he recovered a little.
After Wally had eaten and changed out of his ripped Kid Flash suit, he passed out in one of the spare rooms. Connor stationed himself in a chair by the door, partially to maintain Batman's mandatory supervision over Wally, but mainly to protect the long-lost hero from everyone else. He managed only a few hours of peace before the familiar, menacing footfalls announced the arrival of his current rival.
"Come to check in on Kid? How sweet of you Damian." Connor mocked, watching the whites of Robin's mask narrow in response.
"Tt, I came to make sure the Traitor isn't causing any trouble. Some of us still have the Team's best interests in mind, Kent."
"He's not a traitor Damian."
"Not yet. But what happens when he wakes up and realizes that you're the only person here that he has any loyalty towards. Face it, Kent: his best friend, Nightwing is gone, his mentor, The Flash is retired, and his girlfriend, Artemis, is working against us. The Justice league has divided, nearly the entire world has been destroyed due to face offs between Batman and Superman, do you really think that Kid Flash will chose to abandon the girl he loves and betray his own mentor, just to fight for us?" Damian growled.
"I did." Connor's simple response was enough to halt their debate. Not even Damian could argue with that pointed fact. Connor had left M'Gaan and Superman in order to fight with the Team, and as much as Damian hated the clone, he couldn't deny the sacrifices Connor had made.
"Team, report to the Mission Room immediately. Bring Kid Flash." Batman's voice rang out through the halls and both Damian and Connor exchanged a knowing look. Connor gently shook Wally's shoulder to wake him. Now that he had eaten, Kid's rapid healing had kicked in and he was significantly better after merely a few hours of rest. As Connor woke him, Wally hurriedly got out of bed and accompanied Superboy and Robin to the Mission Room, arriving just as the Computer announced the return of the final two members of the Team.
Linx B38, Aqualad B39
Wally was a little shocked by what he saw. The first was a young woman in her low 20's, tall with auburn hair and dark eyes visible through the slits in her mask. She wore a red and black, sleeveless suit that looked suspiciously like Red Arrow's, especially with the personalized compound bow and quiver strapped to her back. The top half of her face and head were covered by her mask; black with red accents (just like her costume) that arched to two pointed crests on either side, resembling the ears of a cat. Wally had no doubt that this was the Linx that Superboy had mentioned. The other was undoubtedly Aqualad.
The young man that stood next to Linx was tall, well built, and wore no mask, just like his Atlantean predecessors. He had blonde hair, gills, and light skin, accented with a black tattooed trident on each of his forearms. Dressed in a similar uniform as Kaldur, this Aqualad wore green instead of red, but kept the other features of his suit: the water bearers strapped to his back and the flexible material that allowed for easy movement both on land and in the water. And just like his mentor, the young hero spoke with an air or respect and nobility.
"You have summoned us Batman? How can we be of service?"
While Aqualad spared only a few fleeting glances towards Wally, Linx couldn't take her eyes off of him. By the firm set of her jaw, Wally guessed she was about as happy to have him here as Robin was.
"I have received a message from Superman. They know about the energy spike, though they have no idea that Kid Flash was the cause of it. Superman assumes that we have discovered and acquired a new, powerful weapon to use against him and his allies." Batman announced, noting the acceptance in everyone's eyes except Wally's.
"Eighteen years ago, the League split. Half sided with Superman, the others with Batman. We've been at war ever since. We only fight when we have to, but Superman is paranoid. He thinks we've been plotting against him for years." Connor clarified before letting Batman continue.
"Though I have assured him that this is not the case, he insists on determining that for himself. Superman called for a mediation in Gotham to discuss the cause of the energy surge. Any attempts to deny him will result in a full scale attack, and we know what a battle like that can do." Batman reported.
"Star City." Connor whispered to Wally, explaining what the rest of the Team already knew.
"As per the agreement, all other former League members will wait outside of the city until a battle is sparked. Superman and I will meet, accompanied only by the members of our individual Teams: that includes the five of you."
"The five of us? Batman, are you suggesting that we take the Traitor? We haven't even questioned him yet." Robin growled, earning a stern look from his mentor.
"Wally West is the only proof we have that Superman's accusations are false. We will need him to deter Superman from turning our city into the same pit of rubble as the rest of our mediation sites." Batman responded with a tone that halted any further comments from his protege.
"What if they try to take him? What if Superman breaks the rules of the mediation and fights us anyway? It wouldn't be the first time." Linx spoke up with obvious spite for the Kryptonian.
"If it comes to a fight, then we fight. Just make sure that any casualties suffered are on their side, not ours." Batman ordered.
Wally was shocked to see the other four heroes nodding to this without question. Even Connor seemed to accept the possibility of fighting to the death without resistance!
"Casualties? Batman expects us to kill?" Wally asked, turning his wide eyes to Superboy. The clone merely sighed and nodded his head.
"Welcome to the year 2036 Wally."