Summary: The teen heroes seek expert help.
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Alpha-Omega Protocol
By Syl Francis
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The Lair
Day 1/1330 EDT
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Since it was too dangerous to attempt radio communications, Kaldur'ahn, M'Gann, and Conner left for Atlantis on the bioship. They were the only three members of the team who could actually survive in the ocean depths. In the meanwhile, Dick, Wally, and Zatanna went to Star Labs to confer with the scientists who had studied the bio/nanite tech there.
Raquel and Artemis stayed behind to coordinate and report any changes.
"So, what is this? Leave the new kid behind or something?" Raquel asked. When her mentor Icon was inducted into the League, Rocket was also welcomed into the YJ team. Was it less than 24 hours ago? she wondered.
Artemis grinned. "Or something. Hey? Want to try out the gym?"
"You're on, girl!"
They paused at the sound of a throat being politely cleared behind them.
"I beg your pardon, Miss Artemis, Miss Raquel, but I was wondering whether either of you young ladies would care for some lemonade and freshly baked chocolate chip cookies?"
Taking an appreciative sniff, Artemis smiled widely. "So that's the wonderful aroma that's been driving me crazy all afternoon!"
"I'll say!" Raquel agreed. "I mean, M'Gann loves to bake, but I don't think the smells from her kitchen are anywhere close to yours!"
Alfred nodded in acknowledgement of their praise. "If I do say myself—and I believe Master Richard would agree—my chocolate chip cookies taste even better than they smell."
The girls laughed good-naturedly and followed him to the kitchen. They each took a seat at the kitchen island and happily accepted the proffered plate of fresh-out-of-the-oven cookies. For the next few minutes, the two girls did not speak, simply taking the time to savor the heaven that is one of Alfred's chocolate chip cookies and washing it down with his ice-cold, freshly squeezed lemonade.
"Mr. Alfred—?"
"Just Alfred, Miss Artemis." He turned slightly from the sink where he was washing the baking trays that he had used. Everything else had been rinsed and loaded into the dishwasher, which was already running quietly in the background.
"Are you related to Dick or Mr. Wayne?" she asked curiously.
"No, Miss…I have been in the service of the Wayne family since Master Bruce was in diapers—"
"Now that's a frightening image—Batman in diapers!" Raquel protested.
Alfred smiled. "Master Bruce was such a happy child—so much like our young Master Richard."
"What happened?" Artemis asked. "I mean, I've seen Robin smile and crack jokes, but smiling isn't exactly part of Batman's dark and scary image."
His back to them, Alfred paused in his task for a moment. "Things changed, I'm afraid…however, it's not my story to tell." He picked up the tray he'd been scrubbing and began rinsing it.
"And Dick?" Raquel spoke quietly. "I've only been part of the team for less than a day, but I've watched him today. I don't know too many kids his age who are as focused and serious minded as he is."
Alfred had finished drying and putting the bake-ware away. He now stood facing them, nodding sadly.
"Yes…the young master is quite serious at times—way beyond his years, I'm sad to say. But, his natural exuberance and optimism almost always wins out in the end."
Reluctantly, Artemis asked the question uppermost in her mind. "I heard rumors at school that Dick's parents were murdered. Is that true?"
Alfred's stoic demeanor became even more so. "I'm afraid that I'm not at liberty to confirm or deny rumors regarding the young master. I would request that you also refrain from asking him about his parents. If he wishes you to know, he will tell you. But please do not broach the subject yourself." Without another word, Alfred walked out of the kitchen.
"Way to go, Artemis," Raquel muttered.
Artemis shrugged. "I guess it's a sore subject."
Raquel nodded in silent agreement.
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Star Labs, Metropolis
Day 1/1400 EDT
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Robin and his team entered Star Labs by stealth means. The last thing they needed was to telegraph their movements to the Watchtower. Robin's earlier research put a name and face to the two lead scientists who had been studying the bio/tech: Drs. Bernard Klein and Silas Stone.
The trio infiltrated through the ventilation system, Robin wryly observing that no matter the heavy security and vault-like doors protecting the highly classified labs, the building engineers always seemed to forget the air vents.
They watched silently as the two scientists and their team of technicians worked on some type of bio-mechanical prostheses.
"Silas, this prototype of yours is going to be of great benefit to soldiers and others who have lost a limb," Klein said with admiration. "One day, this will help paraplegics walk again. The advancement in medical science and bio-engineering is way ahead of what anyone else is currently doing."
"Thanks, Bernie," Stone said with a smile. "But, just remember, we couldn't have made it work without your programming for the bio/nanites."
Klein made a ~pfft~ sound at his friend's compliment. The two men shared a small grin. They had come a long way, and they both knew it.
"By the way, I heard that Victor won first prize at his school's science fair," Klein said. "You must be quite proud."
"Oh, I am…I just wish that boy would take his studies more seriously. Did you know that Vic just threw that project together the night before? He had weeks to prepare, but he waited till the last minute." Stone sighed. "He's just wasting his time on football."
"Well, he is pretty talented, Silas. I mean, he has a scientist's brain and an athlete's body." He grinned in self-deprecation. "I would've killed to have been in his shoes when I was his age. Instead, I think I spent much of my own misspent youth getting shoved into a locker by some brainless jock."
"I know, I know…but Bernie, Vic has such a gifted mind. I just wish…" Stone ran a hand through his hair. "He had a chance for a full scholarship to the Luthor Science Academy, but he refused to apply. He's got his heart set on playing football at Metropolis High School." Stone rolled his eyes. "We got into a real shouting match over that. I don't know what I'm going to do with that boy, Bernie. LSA graduates are practically a shoo-in for the best colleges and universities, but Vic wants to play pro ball."
Klein walked up to his friend and put his hand on his shoulder. "You can only do so much, my friend. You can't live his life for him, too."
"I know." Stone looked around and addressed the technicians. "Okay, people, we've reached a good stopping place for now. Go on home. Be back ready to work bright and early the Monday after the New Year."
At his announcement, the lab assistants gave a small, good-natured cheer and began clearing their work areas. They locked up sensitive materials, wiped up any spills, and gave everything a final inspection before walking out, leaving everything in a general state of orderliness. They waved goodbye at the two lead scientists, wishing them a "Happy New Year," before the lab's heavy security door closed and locked behind the last one.
Observing from above, hidden in the shadows afforded by the high ceiling, Robin watched in approval. A meticulous work habit was one of the first things that John Grayson had ingrained in his son, for a carelessly maintained piece of equipment could easily result in a fatal accident in the aerialist family's line of work. Batman further instilled in him a similar work habit when Dick first began assisting the Dark Knight, not only in the Cave's crime lab, but also in the maintenance of their crime-fighting equipment.
Like his dad's admonition that orderly work habits were important to the Flying Graysons' very survival, Batman's own teachings served to reinforce the Graysons' legacy of safety through preventive maintenance. This was a philosophy that had been proven time and again, when the Dynamic Duo's very lives had depended on a piece of equipment working properly. It was a habit that Dick carried into his daily life.
As soon as the two scientists were alone, the team rappelled silently down. They followed the unsuspecting men to their office, which was located just off the laboratory. The scientists were seated at their desks, catching up on their reports, completely absorbed in their work.
Giving Kid Flash and Zatanna an ironic quirk of his brow, Robin spoke. "Excuse us, doctors?"
Stone jumped in surprise, accidentally tossing the piece of tech he'd been holding into the air. He clumsily grabbed for it, but only succeeded in spilling the contents of his coffee cup onto the paperwork lying on his desk.
"Oh, crap!" he exclaimed.
"What the—?" Klein looked up in surprise.
While all of this was happening, Kid Flash dove and caught the piece of equipment, one-handed, inches from the floor.
"Good catch, KF," Robin said.
"My notes! They're ruined! Do you know what you kids have done?" Stone ranted. "Weeks of observations lost!"
"Zee, could you—?" Robin looked at Zatanna, his eyes finishing the question.
Nodding, Zatanna concentrated. She held her wand out before her and recited a quick incantation. "Srepap—yrd! Eeffoc puc—dnats thgirpu! Erotser lla ot tahw ti saw erofeb." (Papers—dry! Coffee cup—stand upright! Restore all to what it was before.)
To the scientists' amazement, everything changed back to how it was prior to the coffee spilling on the report.
"How did you do that?" Klein asked excitedly. "I've never seen anything like it! Would you mind if we ran some tests? Can you imagine the benefits to mankind if we could replicate the conditions required to release the amount of energy you just did to negate the actions of the past few minutes? There has to be some kind of extrasensory manipulation of energy at the subatomic level—"
"Or, perhaps that of time itself—" Stone added, jumping in.
"You think that's possible?" Klein asked his colleague interestedly.
"She just reversed the whole coffee spill as if it never happened," Stone said, pointing out the obvious. "If she can do that, it's only a matter of—"
Klein would have to wait to find out exactly what his friend was about to say, because a throat being politely cleared in the background interrupted Stone's train of thought.
"I'm really sorry to interrupt, sir," Robin said, "but our mentors would have a real problem with the whole idea of us being test subjects of any kind. You understand…Batman, the Flash, and Zatara are pretty protective and would probably get a little upset if anyone tried to study us."
At the mention of the three Justice League members, Klein swallowed and exchanged a look with Stone. Nodding, Klein cleared his throat nervously and spoke soberly. "I think we understand."
"Good. Glad we cleared that up," Robin said ironically. "As for why we're here? We could use your help."
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Royal Palace, Atlantis
Day 1/1500 EDT
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Aqualad brought his right fist up to his left breast in salute and dropped to one knee as a show of respect to his monarch, Queen Mera. Superboy and Miss Martian followed suit. "My Lady Queen, thank you for seeing us under such short notice," Aqualad said in greeting.
"Nonsense, Kaldur!" Mera protested. "You are a dear and vital member of this household." She walked up to him and offered him her hand, helping him to his feet. Aqualad bowed his head in thanks as she took his arm. Turning to the others, she spoke warmly. "Glad tidings, M'Gann…Conner. It is good to see you again. Bring you news from Arthur?"
Kaldur'ahn bowed his head slightly. "Yes, my Queen. However, I am afraid that I only bring Your Majesty grim tidings. May we speak in private?"
Mera bowed her head regally. "General Vulko, We shall be Our private chambers." The general's right eyebrow went up at the queen's invoking of the royal We. It was a sign that what was about to transpire behind the closed doors of the royal chamber was a matter for the Crown. "Please, see that We are not disturbed."
General Vulko brought his right fist up to his left breast and gave her a curt nod. "As my Lady Queen commands, it shall be so." The general held his position thus, until the queen and her party exited the throne room and entered the private elevator to the royal chambers. At that point, Vulko stepped up to the royal dais and took up his position to the left of and behind the two thrones of the king and queen.
If Ocean Master himself dared try disturb Atlantis' beloved queen, he would first have to face-off against General Vulko, the Monarchs' own Royal Champion.
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Star Labs, Metropolis
Day 1/1600 EDT
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Robin stood back, willing himself not to show his impatience. As it were, Kid Flash was practically vibrating with barely suppressed frustration. The two scientists had instantly agreed to help them and were even now studying the blood samples under the electron microscope. However, that had been almost two hours ago, and they still hadn't finished with their initial investigation.
"Scary little buggers," Stone muttered. He managed to separate one of the nanites from the blood sample for study and closely examined the readings he was getting. Finally, he looked up. "Apparently Batman was correct. These nanites attack the body's nervous system and flood the brain stem with a chemical that renders the victim open to mental control."
"Can you counteract its effects?" Zatanna asked.
Klein's reluctant shake of his head was barely discernable. "It would take us several weeks to break it down to its base components, and then we'd need more time to find the means to counteract it." He looked at them. "I'm assuming you need this a bit sooner than that?"
"Doc, you don't know the half of it," Kid Flash said. "We—"
"Hold it, KF!" Robin interrupted. "I'm getting a message from Artemis." His fingers flew over his glove's virtual computer keyboard. Robin's overly serious expression brightened suddenly, giving him a surprisingly boyish look. "She says that Aqualad reports success. They're on the way back." The next instant he again assumed his more usual Bat-like demeanor. "Okay…we have a counteragent, but now we're going to need a delivery method. Injection is too slow—"
"Not to mention dangerous considering who we're up against," Kid Flash added.
"So, we'll need something that can be quickly absorbed through the skin and into the bloodstream," Zatanna said.
"And delivered from a distance," Robin added. "Any ideas?"
Klein and Stone began speaking over each other, excitedly. "We've got just the thing—!" Klein began hurriedly.
"—Something we developed for the Black Hawk Squadron—!" Stone interrupted.
"—An aerosol delivery system—!" Klein jumped in.
"—That can be incorporated into several different, but—" Stone gushed.
"—Readily available containers!" Klein finished with a triumphant smile.
The young heroes couldn't help returning the scientists' infectious smiles. Maybe they could beat this thing after all.
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End of Part 3
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Author's Note: As I promised, here's the next chapter. Dr. Bernard Klein is well known to fans of Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman, and Dr. Silas Stone is the father of Vic Stone, AKA Cyborg. This story is AU, so some of the characters that I use in the story may or may not also be like they appear in canon.
Disclaimer: All characters belong to DC, Time Warner, and CN; this is an original story that doesn't intend to infringe on their copyright. Feedback is welcome.
Copyright: December 2012