Part 2: Unnatural Disaster
Chapter Rating: PG-13
Summary: Wally West struggles through his recovery but what happens when he gets an offer he can't refuse? What will it mean for him, for the world and for his future with the League?
Disclaimer: The DC characters are not mine. I'm just playing with them. They'll be returned eventually, not in good condition but that can hardly be blamed on me!
Author's Note: Sorry for the lack of updates. I've been very busy and in the time I do have to spare I was writing something else (don't hurt me! the other one just flowed out). I'm getting back to JLU fan fiction though. I need to watch more episodes, get back into the groove of Justice League. Anyway, enjoy this chapter.
Chapter 7 - Mihi Cura Futuri
"You let them have the Goddess Window?"
Diana turned to Batman, her eyes narrowed and angry, with him and just with everyone. "I thought Wally was more important."
Batman backed off. He actually hadn't meant it as criticism, just a question. He'd arrived at the Watch Tower only a few minutes ago, after hearing on the news about the altercation in New York City and what was reported as a metal infusion on the back of Seaman Wally West. The news was, again, all over the story, pulling specialists from all over to examine the footage of the fight and determine exactly what it was that was on West's back. The most unpopular and highly controversial theory was that the government was doing testing on meta-humans. People were all over the map regarding what they thought was ethical and unethical. The government made no comments, neither did the League. In the mutual silence theories ran wild. Batman had come to the Tower to get the first hand account.
"Was he conscious at all when you brought him?"
Diana shook her head. She could recall with sickening clarity the feel of the metal on Wally's back pressing against her skin as she carried him to safety. The horror of what they'd done to him had crept over her slowly. By the time the Javelin landed back at the Tower it was all she could do not to either fly apart or fly into a rage.
Currently, they were standing in the corridor just outside the main entrance to the infirmary. Wonder Woman had her back to the sliding glass entrance and Shayera and Green Lantern who were waiting tensely inside. Diana was leaning on the tempered glass railing and staring down at the central atrium and the criss-crossing walkways connecting different levels. The concept for the open design was to facilitate movement through the building. Given that many heroes cold fly or somehow traverse fairly long distances in a single motion they'd decided to make a series of ten floors without a central area for this wide-open space.
"Have you seen Superman lately?" Diana asked. Though Batman rarely spent more than a few hours at a time in the Watch Tower he was usually well aware of what was going on and what everyone was doing.
"Spoke with him two days ago. He went to talk to somebody in Washington about Luthor." By now everyone (in the League at least) was aware of the deal Luthor had struck. Frustration that they couldn't put this dangerous man in prison was everywhere. The idea that the government saw the Justice League as more of a threat than Luthor left many disillusioned about what they were doing and churned currents of hostility within the organization that the leaders could not begin to address. The external forces were taking their toll. It was times like now that they all wished for the haven of the orbiting Watch Tower.
"They're neural micro-probes." Batman and Wonder Woman turned around at the sound of J'onn's voice. "Controlled electrical stimulation of specific nerve bundles causes different sensations. The reaction with the Goddess Window caused a cascade through his nervous system."
"Could the probes cause pain?" Wonder Woman asked.
J'onn nodded. "Among others things. A shock to the vasovagal nerve, would cause cardiac arrest."
"They could kill him with the touch of a button," Batman said grimly.
"The government has been looking for ways to control meta-humans. They've found one."
Diana shook off the anxiety that turned her stomach. "Is he awake? Can we see him?"
"Green Lantern is already with him. I wouldn't suggest more than one visitor at a time. He's not quite recovered."
+JLU+
John sat down on the side of the bed angling himself so that he could face Wally. He was covered with numerous blankets and an intravenous line was dripping a special concoction to help Wally's body recover from the severe shock it had just sustained.
"Hey, kid. How you feeling?"
Wally smiled brightly. It was that or cry. It felt unbelievably good to be in the company of his friends again even if his body was aching like he'd been run over by a transport truck.
"I'm okay."
John smiled back though with less enthusiasm. The Martian had informed both him and Shayera what had been done to Wally. After their shock wore off they'd demanded that the probes be removed.
"So that they can put a new set of probes in when he goes back?" J'onn had countered. "I would wager that it is not a comfortable process."
John and Shayera had been silent and angry. Not only had the military harmed their friend, they had to let him go back. Wally's stay with them was only temporary. So long as his family was vulnerable, Wally was vulnerable. They would never be able to convince him to stay, not at the risk of his only family.
John's eyes travelled up the tired face of his friend to the short military haircut. He didn't like it. It just wasn't Wally's style. The military wasn't Wally's style. Conformity was a large part of serving in the armed forces. You only had to talk to Wally for a minute to realize that he didn't conform to anything. He wasn't a typical person; his simplistic and utterly Wally-ish views on everything left many wondering how somebody with his history had grown in the man they knew now. He wasn't a typical superhero either; maybe because he couldn't fly and was always mingling with regular people he lacked the superciliousness of many a hero. Trying to fit such an irregular person into the mould of an obedient soldier would strip away the characteristics that made him such a great and special hero in the first place.
No, John thought sternly, the military wasn't for Wally at all. Even in the face of all their immoral and barbaric efforts John knew that they'd end up killing him before they could change him. The smile currently lighting Wally's face was proof of that. Nobody who'd been through what he'd been through should be able to smile like that.
"I've really missed you guys," Wally whispered.
John swallowed with difficulty and responded. "We've missed you too."
+JLU+
Watching the news didn't help his state of mind in the least. Each channel was filled with those vermin, the supposed superior species. He couldn't escape them, not even when he looked in the mirror. He was disgusted that he looked like one of them. He'd feel much better when it was only him and the Flash left. Then the human race would be something of which to be proud.
"I hope you're not going to have a breakdown."
Vril's head lolled back a little. He looked down his nose at Lex saying, "Luthor, breakdowns are a decidedly human manifestation of weakness. Don't insult me."
Luthor huffed out a breath, a mockery of a laugh, and continued his perusal of the small flat where Vril and Yall had lived for the past weeks; low-key, well under the radar and with neighbours who knew better than to mind anybody's business but their own. Lex approved, even if it was a dump. The Marshals would never think of looking for him here. He smiled to himself. He wouldn't even have thought to look for himself here. It was only a matter of time before the police realized that the pattern of motions being recorded in his house only varied slightly everyday. They would get suspicious, pay him a visit and would find the ankle monitor attached to a small robot, programmed to move about the house on a daily cycle. Then the manhunt would begin.
The people monitoring him were pretty lax, no doubt thanks to the deal he'd struck with the US attorney. Soon he'd be free. He just couldn't wait that long. Five days, he estimated, before his face was on a most wanted poster with a meagre reward that he could offer a hundred times over for the silence of anybody who might find him. He was almost free but the wheels of politics turn slowly and he couldn't wait for them to catch up. By then he expected to be well on his way to godhood.
"Not that I don't enjoy your company, Lex but what brings you here?"
The bald man pivoted from where he'd been looking out the dingy window to face the man who was draped languidly over the small sofa. He didn't miss the subtle tune of tension in the alien's voice. Vril may not be having a breakdown but he certainly was not happy. "We have to step things up."
"You find me the Dark Heart-"
"Forget the Dark Heart," Lex exclaimed impatiently. Vril was still thinking too small, too old. "There's a more accessible source of advanced nanotech being delivered to us as you roll around in your filth."
Vril didn't react to the barb. He would take great pleasure in ending this man when this was over.
Lex continued. "It should be here in about three days."
Vril let his head fall back against the back rest of the couch and closed his eyes. "Enough riddles. What in the world are you talking about?"
"I'm talking about the 'Natori' Class Battle Cruisers heading directly for earth." Lex watched with a wicked gleam as Vril's head slowly tilted up to look at him. Natori was a Coluan class of ship. "Seems you're going to have company."
It was a few seconds before Vril spoke. "How did you find them?" Even with the equipment they had salvaged from his Lunar base and the escape ships that brought them to Earth, he and Yall could not scan for Coluan signatures that far away.
"It's funny," Lex began his explanation in a round about way. "That your technology is so easily augmented by primitive human technology. I even got through your lockout and less than an hour." Lex showed Vril the device he'd pilfered from him during one of their previous meetings.
"Thought I'd lost that. And it took you more than five minutes to unlock it?" Vril asked though internally he was impressed.
"I've commandeered a few Lex Corp satellite systems, used them to boost the range of the psionic frequency of your communicator and voila. Long range eavesdropping. I've exploited the inherent flaw in your technology. Psionic resonance carries far and remains detectable for quite some time." Lex smugly pocketed the device. "I'm sure your girl will be informing you of the approach of your comrades in a day or two."
"I'm sure she will." God forbid that they'd contacted her and she knew they were coming and hadn't informed him. "You suggest we go after the Battleship. Use that as our technological starting point for Brainiac." He'd attempted to use the technology salvaged from the escape of the Lunar base but it had been too badly damaged during the rough landing and not advanced enough to make it worthwhile.
"Either that or wait a few more decades for Brainiac to reach what he was before. Besides with your people's technology we can scan search this whole planet in a matter of days and find any remains of the Dark Heart."
Vril agreed and gave a nod. It was a good plan. He'd expected his people to come looking. He'd hoped it would take a little longer because he wasn't ready for them and he wasn't going to surrender. Using the technology they brought with them to restart their greatest nightmare, it was poetic. Let them come.
His head dropped back to the couch.
+JLU+
Two days breezed by at the Justice League Watch Tower. Heroes came and went, being sent off on missions to thwart evildoers and nearly as many to thwart natural disasters. Though they were busy most took the time to stop by the infirmary or the messhall –since those were the mostly likely places to find him –and said a quick "hi" and "bye" to Wally which enclosed the well wishes placed in between. Though the stream of well-wishers was long it was the constants that kept him together. John and Shayera rarely left his side and some moments it was like old times -those two arguing and the Flash running his usual comical interference.
"So she tells the guys-"
"Lantern…" Shayera warned.
"-that if he doesn't put it down-"
"I warned you."
The chair underneath the Green Lantern vanished tumbling him to the floor. From the table a drink tipped and spilled over his head. John just managed to see Shayera get up and leave after giving Wally an affectionate pat on the head.
"Let me guess." Wally helped him up with a smile. "It kinda ended like that just did."
"Yeah, sort of." John wiped the fruit scented drink off his face and uniform with a napkin.
"I bet there was more mace involved."
John smiled. "You know her too well."
"So what's been going on between you guys anyway?" Wally asked. It was sometimes hard to remember that other people had their own problems, he was so bogged down with his.
"Not much," John shrugged, pulling a chair from the other side of the small square table since Shayera had kicked his clear across the room. "I guess we're just taking a break. Still good friends though."
Wally sighed dramatically and shook his head. "I'd have trapped you two in a closet by now."
"Relationship counselling, Flash-style."
"You betcha! In fact," he looked around. "Where's Green Arrow?"
"Not around, thank god." Flash and Green Arrow together was just a recipe for trouble. Wally had the imagination and Ollie had the know-how to pull it off, often without getting caught.
"He on a mission too?"
John nodded supporting himself with an elbow on the tabletop. "Helping with an evacuation around the Yangtze river. Flood waters are rising."
"Flood in China, earthquake in LA, hurricanes and tornados just about everywhere."
"Don't forget the freak blizzards and reawakening volcanoes," John added.
Wally shook his head in astonishment. "Is the whole planet going nuts? I mean, there's always been some disaster somewhere but not this many, this bad." If the pattern was that clear to him, he knew that Batman, Question and the others must be all over it. "Is somebody controlling this?"
"Not that we can tell. Experts say the earth is just going through one of its phases."
"Like teething?" Wally posed sarcastically earning him a punch in the shoulder.
John laughed. "Something like that. You done?"
Wally glanced down at his empty plate. He'd gone for numerous refills and the kitchen staff had happily obliged. It felt like ages since he'd been that hungry and this satiated. "Yeah, I'm good." The two men got up to leave. Wally bussed his tray and waved to the couple of groups seated at other tables as he left. They waved back actually happy, it seemed, to see him.
"You're surprised," said John, reading correctly Wally's expression. John clapped the younger man on the shoulder as they left. "It's not the same here without you. And nobody is mad. Nobody hates you."
Wally remembered those doubts, those fears. He didn't know how John knew. Wally kind of expected that kind of intuition from him. Maybe it was an ex-marine kind of thing. Maybe he'd get it too if he lasted a little longer in the service.
"Hey What's that?" Wally asked. He and John were passing buy a set of glass doors and a couch, chairs, tables and a very large screen TV could be seen.
"It's the main lounge," John informed while Wally visually assessed the large room. "They tell me it's got a good sound system but I've never actually used it. They might have a more detailed opinion since they're usually the ones hogging it with their video games." John silently delighted in Wally's smile as he entered the lounge. He followed.
"They're always so quick to blame someone," Dove stated. He heard the door to the room slide open but didn't turn to see who it was. He was more interested in the news/science program on the TV discussing the recent surge in natural disasters. Experts weighed in as did the layman. More than one theory blamed meta-humans or some phenomenal weapon made by some nut.
Next to him, feet propped on the low wide table before them, Hawk sat unconcerned with what people were saying. He had a hard outer skin that helped most things roll off so it was no surprise that his response to his brother's comment was a joke. "Maybe the underground mole-people just got tired of us surface dwellers and their trying to kick us off the planet."
"You're not serious are you?"
"I don't know," a voice came from behind the two brothers, "I wouldn't put that messed up theory past him."
Hank smiled as he twisted in his seat to look at the newcomer. "You're one to talk! I've heard dumber things come out of your mouth."
Wally shrugged and laid a consoling hand on Hawk's shoulder "Yeah, but when you look as good as I do, you don't have to be smart."
Dove didn't completely manage to hide his laugh behind a cough, which turned out sounding more like a snort. He recovered quickly and asked, "How are you feeling?"
"Okay. A little sore but not too bad. I hear you have a wicked sound set up on this thing." The redhead gestured to the big TV. Wally changed the subject and either the others didn't notice or they let him. Either way the topic quickly shifted and what would start as a reasonable discussion would end as tussle over the game controllers. The other league members nearby would just shake their heads in fond exasperation. The three musketeers were re-united at last.
A call on Green Lantern's ear piece pulled his attention from the three young men to J'onn. "Lantern, we have a situation. Report immediately to the central conference room."
"Got it," said the dark skinned man. He heard the subtle click of the link being closed and turned to Wally. "J'onn's got something. You coming?"
Wally released Dove from the headlock he had the smaller man in. "League business…I don't think so."
Though he didn't say it out right, John could feel Wally trying to distance himself from the League and he didn't like it. They still trusted him. He was still on of them. "You're still part of the League. We're not going to hide anything from you."
"I know," Wally said weakly. "I just want to be sure that they don't know. When I go back…I have to go back John," Wally said when he saw the bitter expression on the Green Lantern's face. Clearly he wasn't thrilled with the idea of his return to Strike Force Alpha but they were practically holding his family hostage. "When I go back and tell them I don't know anything, I really don't want to know anything. Eiling…he's not such a nice guy," he ended vaguely.
John assumed Wally meant that Eiling wasn't above torture.
"Go, John. Tell the others I say 'hi'."
Reluctantly, Stewart nodded. Wally smiled reassuringly, and only somewhat falsely before returning to the video game and hearing John's heavy steps soften with distance and then vanish. A slightly awkward silence strained the group of three on the couch as the digital characters cruised across the screen collecting the bright gold pieces that were the objectives. A heavy hand settled on the back of Wally's neck and squeezed just a little in support.
"You'll be okay, man," Hawk told him. He wasn't sure how but he knew that Wally was strong enough to withstand but flexible enough to bend. "Things'll work out." Briefly, Hawk's eyes met his brothers and for moment he saw Don in a military uniform, battered and broken the way the Flash obviously was. A harsh blink erased the vision but not the unrest it caused within him. He gave Wally a pat on the back and retook hold of his controller. What kind of person was he that he was glad this was happening to Wally and not to his brother? His fingers slowed on the buttons as an acute feeling of nausea began to churn.
"Hawk pick your mind out of whatever gutter you lost it in," Wally scolded as he and Dove teamed up to oust the nearly motionless character on the screen. Hank looked up only in time to watch his floppy-eared protagonist disappear in a shower of multicoloured sparks. He sighed in disgust and dropped his controller announcing that he quit. Dove, having beat his brother for the first time at the game taunted him in manner usually reserved by the other two. He had to make the most of this situation. Who knew when he would next be able to best Hank at a video game again?
Wally noticed the lost expression remaining in Hank's features. It wasn't about losing the game. He turned his head to look at the worried older brother and knew. It was a similar expression he'd been seeing more and more on John's face.
He elbowed Hank lightly to get his attention. "Don't worry about him," he said in voice low enough that the preoccupied Dove wouldn't hear. "He'll be fine."
"How do you know?"
Because if I can make it, so can he, Wally thought but didn't say. "I just know. I know him, and I know you."
Hawk nodded his head slightly at the truth he heard. Neither of them could promise nothing would ever happen, that the next time a psycho came to earth or the next time the government wanted a pet meta-human it wouldn't be one of them. All they knew was that they'd still have each other. There was nothing Don wouldn't do for Hank and there was no limit to what Hank would do for Don.
"Aww, c'mon!" Dove whined. Despite all his efforts he couldn't finish Wally's guy off even though his opponent wasn't paying attention to the game. Hank and Wally just laughed.
+JLU+
John was the last to arrive at the conference room. He didn't apologize as he took his seat.
"We've got a problem heading our way," Superman began gravely. He tapped a single button on the table and the area above the centre lit up with a 3D representation of the starships approaching them. "The people of Yarr, from one of the planets we helped build a defensive shield on, sent us the images picked up by their satellites. Given their location and the rate of travel. We have two days before they arrive."
"Who are they?" Shayera asked. The nightmare of her people's invasion of earth was a little too close and she wanted to know that it wasn't the Thanagarians back for round two.
Superman pressed another button and an expanded image of the logo on the sides of the ship was shown. The sweeping curves and arcs were actually quite lovely. They certainly didn't strike fear in the hearts of those who saw it. They supposed that was the job of the heavily armed, angry looking battleships on which the symbol was painted.
"It's a similar symbol to the icons on Vril's lunar base. Best guess is that it's the Coluans," said the red-caped crime-fighter.
Everyone examined the symbol and the battleships. Though they were only a few they were built to put up a fight.
"Maybe Vril called for back up," Wonder Woman suggested.
"Maybe they just want to say hello." Shayera shrugged at the disbelieving looks the others threw at her. It didn't go unnoticed that the comment sounded a lot like something Wally would say. Even the mimicry of his mannerisms eased some of the tension.
"I don't think people usually arm themselves to the teeth when they're coming with peaceful intentions," said Superman with a shake of his head and a slight smile.
"More than likely, it's the Coluans are here to take Vril back to their world. It was initially their plan for him to put and end to Brainiac. Now that they know of what he's done they are probably going to attempt to bring him to their justice."
Heads nodded as the logic of J'onn suggestion fit their situation the best. What nobody needed to say thought was that the Coluans planned on getting Vril back by any means necessary. Canons like the ones on the battleship would not go unused if Vril refused.
"We should warn world governments, let them know what's going on," Superman suggested.
Shayera didn't agree. "What? So they can get a head start on blaming us for all this? They'll find that the Coluans are here when the Coluan's get here and that's soon enough."
"But we want them to trust us. How is that to be achieved if we continue to keep information from them?" Wonder Woman asked.
"Why do we have to keep earning their trust? We're the ones who can't trust them," said a peeved John Stewart. He didn't need to elaborate on why they couldn't trust the government. The best example of that was sitting in the main lounge playing video games with Hawk and Dove.
This was an argument that the small group had been having for the past few weeks and it was never resolved. They were getting tired of being the bad guys, being blamed in one breath and praised in the next by people who would go home and commend their governments for taking control of the meta-human threat but still had their nearest superhero on speed-dial.
"This isn't the time to debate this," Batman interjected before another opinion was made known. He didn't like all this anti-League rhetoric either but there were bigger, more heavily armed problems on their way here. "If we want to keep this simple we have to find Vril and hand him over as soon as possible."
"How do you suggest we do that?" J'onn asked seriously. It sounded like a good plan. He was just wondering about the execution now.
"Nobody has been able to find anything on Vril," Superman said. "Wherever he is, he's well below our radar."
"Then we need to lure him out."
Hawkgirl leaned back in her chair and turned her head to the ceiling and asked the most pressing question. "How? We have nothing he wants."
"Don't we?" Batman raised his gloved hand and extended his fingers from his fist as he counted off their bait. "Power. The Dark heart…" His next finger raised slowly, and his voice was reluctant as he spoke the next. "…Wally…"
The eruption of protests was quick and almost violent. The strongest came from Clark.
"No! He is not bait!"
Batman wasn't suggesting they tie Wally to a pole and wait to spring a trap when Vril came but he wanted them to acknowledge that West was Vril's biggest weakness, just like he was theirs too. "All I'm saying is that he's going to play a role. He's too deep in all this not to."
Angry glances went around the room. They couldn't deny it but they didn't have to like it, at all. God knows Batman didn't.
J'onn was the first to speak into the tense silence. "Supergirl and Booster Gold are already working on the psionic communicator retrieved by Hawk and Dove. If they can get it working we can contact the Coluans and discuss a plan to get Dox."
"In the mean time we should keep Wally here. It'll be safer for him," Superman suggested.
"No. We can't. He has to go back to Strike Force Alpha. When the time comes we can look out for him but we can't keep him here."
Batman continually being in defiance of his suggestions was new. On the topic of Wally, though, Superman thought they were all on the same page. "You want to send him back?" There was a dark edge to his voice. Already weary of the situation he was in no mood for the complications of Batman
The Dark Knight calmly shook his head. "I'm just saying we have to let him go back. They still have his family."
John agreed. He wasn't fond of the idea but he knew Batman was right. He'd been trying to come to terms with Wally's impending departure for the past two days. This argument wasn't making it any easier.
Batman stood to leave this meeting wasn't going anywhere. This was why he didn't like group work. "We have to let him go."
Superman's hands were clenched into tight fists. Waves of anger and appal coiling his muscles and goading him to strike. He couldn't watch Batman walk serenely away from all this. They were all deeply part of this too. Even Batman. "We can't do this. Can't just let things happen."
"We don't have a choice."
Superman stood swiftly. "And if he dies it'll be your fault! Again!" His yell froze the room. Batman's walk to the door ended, breathing stopped for several seconds and tension thickened the air. Even the hiss of the ventilation system died away.
Superman took a deep shuddering breath. How could he have said that? "Batman, I'm sorry!" His apology was wasted. Batman was out the door before he could finish it. Superman moved to go after him but a green wall prevented him.
"What did you mean by 'his fault, again'?" Green Lantern asked in a low voice. Shayera, J'onn and Wonder Woman were standing, eyes narrowed in suspicion and confusion. They wanted to know and Superman wasn't going to leave the room until they did.
+JLU+
Wally had said his good-byes to just about everyone he could find. It was time for him to head back to the Naval Base where he'd no doubt be in trouble for being away for these past two days. He gave a high-speed shrug and continued his rapid search of the new Watch Tower. He got lost a couple of times since he wasn't familiar with the building and he still couldn't find…wait a minute. There he is.
Wally skid to a halt in front of Batman who was leaning against the wall in a pretty obscure corner of the building. Wally glanced around. There was nobody near. He knew Batman liked his solitude but this was kind of weird, even for him.
"You okay?"
"Fine."
"Uh….okay. I'm going now," Wally said clumsily, frowning at his own lack of language skills. "Just wanted to say thanks for looking out for the Allen's for me." Batman's head finally turned to look at him. The white eyes seemed to see past him though so it was with hesitant motions that Wally gave the dark hero a hug. He pulled away quickly unsure as to the Batman's stance on hugging. Nobody else seemed to have a problem with it but nobody was like Batman. Wally could come up with anything witty to say so he just gave Bruce a small smile and sped away.
Batman closed his eyes as he felt the breeze of Wally's departure die away. Covered by the fall of his cape his hands fisted painfully. He turned around and struck the solid wall twice in succession. Not even the pain of his hand –now possibly broken, at least badly bruised –could shelter him from the emotional pain of what Wally's loss had already done to him before.
He hadn't been there. He'd only heard and seen what had happened to his alternate self. He'd heard and seen enough to know that loosing Wally was going to hurt. It would hurt all of them. No matter what they did that seemed the way this was going.
Bruce raised his undamaged arm to rest his forearm against the wall and leaned his forehead against it. In this remote corner of the Watchtower few people would see him. Those that did would turn and go back the way they had come, wary of trespassing. They all noticed, even if the didn't say it, that Batman never looked so human as when he looked so weak.
+JLU+
'WNN news sources say today the Flash, now known as Seaman Wallace West returned to Little Creek Naval Base, the base of operations for the military's newest and most elite contingent, Strike Force Alpha. Government spokespeople have been denying that any illegal experimentation has been occurring on meta-humans General Eiling and Admiral Ross have are expected to address the Pentagon press correspondents in a few minutes regarding the rumours and the Flash.'
"You don't really think they'd use him like a lab rat, do you?" a teenage boy asked his older brother.
"I don't know. I hope not."
'We're going to cut now to the press conference,' the news anchor announced and the image on the television was replaced with the interior of the Pentagon's pressroom.
"…address concerns the public might have. Humans with unique gifts are not used as test subjects. They are officers, serving their country, with the same rights and privileges as anybody."
"What about rumours that you forced the Flash to join your team," somebody called out from the crowd.
"I'm not here to comment on rumours." Ross easily sidestepped that political landmine and went on. "As you can all see Seaman West is fine," he gestured to Wally who stood at attention in his new navy blue uniform, complete with a gold crest in the shape of an eagle holding a trident pinned over his left breast. They'd handed him this new uniform as soon as he'd arrived at Little Creek and then he and Lorelli were flown out to the Pentagon for this meeting.
"He's fully recovered from the altercation with the Ultra-Humanite and Star Sapphire. With his help Strike Force Alpha was able to recover the powerful artefact known as the 'Goddess Window'. This is just another example of how effective this team is, even against the most powerful beings. Meta-humans can play key roles in the military, Seaman West proves that and I hope this encourages more people to enlist."
The interview was short and when finally Ross called and end to it the group walked off the stage. Wally was just passing by the podium riddled with microphones sporting the names of various news agencies when he was addressed.
"Flash," a reporter called from the masses, "What piece of advice would you give to meta-humans who are considering joining the military?"
The WNN and all the news cameras swivelled and zoomed in on the young man who paused. He glanced back at Lorelli but the man was unreadable. He turned to the waiting audience and said: "Wait. I'd tell them to wait."
Hundreds of miles away Wally's advice was heard and two brothers looked at each other. The older one turned back to the TV just in time to see West walk off the stage and out of sight. He chewed the inside of his cheek for a moment then sighed. He knew that were he went his little brother would probably follow. He couldn't risk it.
From the kitchen table in the next room a small stack of papers floated to him. They were college applications that his mother insisted he filled out. This was his last year of high school. He'd had other plans but now he wasn't so sure.
"You done with these then?" the younger brother asked. At his siblings nod the pages resting on the coffee table in front of them levitated a few inches from the surface and then spontaneously combusted. The neat lettering reading: US Army. Be all that you can be, was scorched away, the paper turning to ash.
+JLU+
Eiling had just finished yelling his ear off. Wally could only hope that one day his hearing would return to normal. He glared at the General's retreating back while the baby finger of his right hand tried to relieve that weird itching feeling in his inner ear. It was no use.
A heavy hand fell on his shoulder. "Don't worry about him. You did good." From seemingly out of nowhere Lorelli pulled out a small item and pinned it with great care to the front of Wally's uniform just below the metal emblem already attached. When his hands moved away Wally pulled the front of his shirt forward and craned his head down in an almost comical attempt to see what it was.
The small ribbon was navy blue and yellow on one end, yellow and red on the other and separated by narrow bands of red, white and navy blue. All in all was pretty ugly. "It's a combat commendation ribbon," the Chief Petty officer told him. "After New York I think you've earned it."
It certainly was tacky but it meant more to West now than the most stylish or jewel encrusted ribbon ever could. "Thank you." He returned Lorelli's salute, managing to hold back his smile of both mirth and pride. He still wasn't used to all the Navy traditions, saluting among them but he was game.
"You better get going or you'll be late." Lorelli gave a parting nod and left.
Wally watched him go for a second then looked back down at the newest adornment to his uniform. The gold crest had been really cool. The proud symbol of the US Navy Seals and he got one, since technically he was part of the SEAL program though currently assigned to the SFA joint project. The crest however had been given to him upon the completion of his training. The ribbon, he'd really earned. He'd never been given anything other than free food or a phone number for his deeds as the Flash (although free food and phone numbers were not things to be scoffed at). The ribbon however was a lasting marker that he'd done something right, that he'd contributed. Even if he made a mistake later, even if things in the future don't end so well, he could always look at this ribbon and know that he wasn't always a screw-up.
He smiled slightly and walked down the corridor. He needed to change before he went to whatever training scrimmage Eiling had scheduled.
Heading in the opposite direction Lorelli deftly reorganized the mass of ribbons on his uniform to fill in the small gap left by the removal of his 'Combat Action' ribbon. West had earned it. He'd chosen to fight with them, help them, and in the end he'd won the battle for them. That deserved recognition, even if the powers-that-be didn't notice. He really had earned it but considering the battles the Flash had been in before he'd earned a lot more.
+JLU+
"This is Tony Gibson. He's the leader of Strike Force Beta."
"Original," Wally muttered too quietly for Gibson or Eiling, who was making the introduction, to hear. Halfway across the room though a young, blonde woman smiled amusedly and glanced over at him. Wally squelched the small urge to grin stupidly and wave.
"…introduce you to the meta-human, or in this case alien assigned to Beta Team," Wally tuned back in to Eiling's speech just in time to hear. The general snapped his fingers and although the blonde woman glared she flew over. Dr. Hamilton who had been nearby observing joined the group as well. "This is-"
"Galatea," Wally supplied, eyes on the smirking girl. He hadn't been there but he'd heard about the Galatea-led invasion of the old Watchtower. Supergirl had come through with a win in the end and the severely injured, barely alive Galatea was returned to Dr. Hamilton when it was all over. The decision was highly debated over but the Justice League didn't have much of a choice. They couldn't hold her forever -nobody suggested that trans-dimensional transporter thingy -and they couldn't kill her. So they'd sent her and the Ultramen back to the people that sent them. The Ultramen being so unstable were likely all dead by now but the Supergirl copy appeared to have recovered.
"You've met?" Eiling asked sounding just a little too happy, thinking that they had met in battle.
Wally slid his eyes to the man in the lab coat knowing that this girl was his doing. "No, but she looks a lot like a friend of mine."
"I'm nothing like her," The familiar voice of Supergirl protested vehemently.
Wally was ready with a snappy response, something along the lines of 'you're her in everyway that counts these days'. He didn't say it though. All he did was nod. She probably didn't need him reminding her that she was a clone, a test-tube DNA facsimile. She probably got that enough from others.
His easy acquiescence to her statement baffled the woman who looked to be about his age. She eyed him suspiciously for a moment before going back to her training. That day her training would end with an exhibition match against the other resident super-powered being, the Flash. Though hesitant to fight an alien that he knew severely out-classed him in power Wally knew that he didn't have much of a choice. The large training room was cleared of everyone except the two of them and the match started with Wally hoping that Galatea focused on the 'exhibition' part of this fight.
As it turned out she was thinking more along the lines of 'battle' and she went almost all out against him. There were no rules except not to damage the building. So anything went and Wally shouldn't have been surprised when after a few minutes of being unable to catch him Galatea picked up a set of pull-out bleachers and swung at him with full force. Running up and then back-flipping off the wall kept him safe and her exposed. She was not a terribly experienced fighter and her emphasis on winning the match using brute force was a weakness Wally could quickly exploit.
With all the power she put into trying to crush him with one swing of the bleachers she couldn't recover from the momentum if she missed, which she did. She turned around to face her opponent but the blur was already racing towards her. She only had time to close her eyes to the blow she knew was coming. A split second passed and all she felt was wind.
Unbeknownst to her, Wally stopped at the last moment fist still pulled back and only a few inches from her face. He waited until she began to open her eyes and then flicked the tip of her nose. She flinched in shock then the bright angry eyes opened to find the red-haired man smiling at her.
She shoved him hard, hard enough for him to skid on his back halfway across the gym floor. "What the hell was that for?" She asked in an indignant yell and rubbed the tip of her nose.
Wally raised his head from the floor enough to see her. "Me? What the hell was that for?" He let his head drop back and rubbed his chest where he knew two hand-shaped bruises were forming. "We're on the same side, right?…Ow." Galatea appeared over him, expression maybe a little contrite.
She offered a hand and helped him up. "Sorry."
"Nothing to worry about. I've had worse." He tried to brush off the injury. A little girl wouldn't best him –at least not publicly.
She eyed him critically with her baby-blues. "Fine. Whatever." She walked towards the exit. Wally let his face tense in discomfort once her back was to him and followed her. Hamilton was the first to enter the room. Galatea paused in front of him.
"I'm going to get cleaned up. I'll see you later, Daddy."
Wally watched her go, his injury briefly forgotten. "Daddy, huh?" He asked of Hamilton. The man was both stony and ashamed. Wally walked until he was shoulder-to-shoulder with the other man and paused. He gave the scientist a sidelong glance. "Try not to screw her up." He walked away.
He carried on to the unit his room was located. Wally was half way there when he felt a presence always behind him. He ducked into a washroom and leaned his tired body against the far wall and crossed his arms to wait. It was only a minute later that another man walked into the washroom. He was fairly tall, salt and pepper hair just a little more salt above his ears. He wore a black Navy officer's uniform and a set of neat glasses. He looked like just about anybody and on a regular day Wally probably would not have noticed him.
"You can get in a lot of trouble for impersonating an officer."
The man who'd walked in apparently just to wash his hands turned to look at him through the mirror. "Excuse me?" The southern drawl wasn't enough to completely mask the familiar voice.
"I don't think a pair of glasses and a change in hair counts as a disguise."
"Works for Superman."
Wally smiled. "I suppose that's true. What are you doing here?"
"Just wanted to make sure everything is…kosher."
Wally sighed up at the ceiling and unfolded his arms. "You can drop the act. I know you're not him. What are you doing here?" He watched the man finish washing and drying his hands. He tossed the paper towels into the garbage and with nothing left to distract him he finally responded.
"I just wanted to make sure you're okay." The accent had been abandoned and the familiar tenor or Bruce Wayne filled the room.
"And if I'm not? You just gonna wisk me away to your dimension?"
The larger man shrugged. "The thought had crossed my mind but the thought that you probably wouldn't let me also crossed my mind."
"You're a smart guy."
Bruce smirked for a second. The amusement quickly evaporated. "I couldn't save you. I should have."
"I'm not him. I'm not your Flash."
The alternate reality Bruce hid a flinch. Just the memory of the death of his friend was still enough to cause a physical pain usually reserved for the memory of his parents' demise. "I don't care. I'm not going to make the same mistake twice."
Wally rubbed the aching bruise underneath his uniform and responded. "I guess that wouldn't really be your style but you can't…save me." He didn't really think he particularly needed saving. He just needed to get this whole mess sorted out. Running away wouldn't fix that. If it could he would have done that ages ago, either with his two feet or with the help of Dr. Fate.
"How am I supposed to just leave you here?"
The answer was simple.
"You turn around and walk out that door."
End Chapter 7 – My Concern is the Future
To those who are still reading this story, thanks for your patience and for the reminders. This story kinda slipped off my radar for a bit but now it's back. :)
Sagga...