AN: Ok, this chapter was a bitch and a half to write. Seriously this is the third draft and I still didn't like how it turned out, mabey you will though. I've an idea, you review and tell me. Genius if I do say so myself.
Alienvspredator5- glad you enjoyed the little outburst. And as for beastboy and computer games, I'll watch out, but I make no promises.
Whisper dark rose- glad I didn't disappoint, well here comes some of the Raven/Jake bonding I promised. Let me know what you think cause personally I find this stuph hard as hell to write good. Also I listened to that song, not really my thing, but still pretty good. For me its been Default's Live a Lie that I can't get away from.
To the rest of ya- hope you enjoy the chapter and review will ya.
Jake's surroundings or lack thereof consisted of pitch black darkness stretching on seemingly forever. There seemed to be a ground of sorts though it was as black as the horizon and completely featureless. What there was to see he could see very well though, considering there was no light source, artificial or natural. Everything though not illuminated was plainly visible. It was the lack of objects that created the darkness it seemed.
He could see the outside world through a sort of holographic screen that was projected several feet away, seemingly from nowhere. He didn't know where it came from but he wasn't about to question his only link to the outside world. Right now it had shut down, most likely because he was in transit to Titan Tower and the web cam had been removed.
The rest of the virtual world was quite boring as Jake discovered, after kicking the fat one's ass he found there wasn't much else to do here. The remote in his possession had enough buttons to run a every piece of electronic equipment at the tower and then some. Curiosity was only held in check because this remote could now very easily end his life.
He briefly considered trying to wake Control Freak but dismissed that course of action when he thought of the constant ranting this criminal was well known for. Instead he opted for rifling through his belongings. Inside the couch potato's trench coat was several items of interest. Starting with the wallet, Jake plucked the leather billfold from a pocket and started "investigating.
The "investigation" found no id but did find membership cards to every movie rental joint in Jump. Also held within were several 20 dollar bills, witch Jake pocketed for "further investigation." Throwing the now empty wallet over his shoulder he next found a most interesting item in the inside pocket. What appeared to be a booklet of sorts stuck just out of the top of the pocket. He tugged it free and began to examine his prize. Immediately he saw something was off.
There was something not right about that book. A quick glance at the cover confirmed that. The solid black cover held a small golden hexagon in the top right corner. The Hive played a part in all this, how much so remained to be seen, but they definitely had their hand in this mess.
Inside the book was a neatly hand written note on the first page.
As per your request the satellite uplinks have been set up to your specifications. The virtualization programs have been uploaded and the following will explain operation of the virtual interface.
We have upheld our end of the agreement now it is your turn. You have already received your instructions, follow them to the letter and we'll go our separate ways. Cross us and the Hive will hunt you down in whatever corner of cyberspace your hiding in, and I'll personally oversee your execution.
Failure will not be tolerated.
The script was unfamiliar, probably just some random underling in the organization. The rest was typed as an instruction manual of sorts. Though most of it was beyond him he could make out some of the institutions.
He flipped through the book, skimming over most of the geek speak and sticking to what he understood. So far that included opening a command interface and one command. The singular command he understood, ambient noise selection.
A quick run through all the mp3 files on the computer revealed an unsurprising lack of said files. In fact there was only one music file listed, probability accidentally left in the system by some idiot programmer. 'Well its better than listening to fatso over there' he thought.
Selecting the unfamiliar band "Dido" the track started up, though coming from nowhere in particular it was clearly audible. The title read White Flag, and though alittle slow for his taste he found himself enjoying the music. He leaned back, proped his feet up on Control Freak's head, closed his eyes and just relaxed for the first time in months. Now he was tucked away in cyberspace was the fat one's remote batteries safety secured in his jacket pocket he could take a break and just think.
His thoughts drifted not to the Hive, nothing crossed his mind about blood. No his thoughts strayed onto a path previously unknown to exist. Raven, or more specificly his attraction to his new found savior. Not in a physical sense, she was attractive, very much so, but this went deeper, or so he thought.
No more than though, he knew this went deeper than just lust. He wouldn't go so far as to declare them soulmates, but there was something there. The very thought of her brought forth emotions that he though nonexistent. He vowed that if he escaped he'd at least try to pursue the possibly of a relationship.
He was brought out of his thoughts by a flickering light in front of him. Opening his eyes he saw it was the projection that had started up again. Though it was filled with static at least now he knew they were trying to contact him.
The Titans gathered around Cyborg as he finished connecting a large computer like device to the tower's mainframe. The device had been retrieved from the electronics store that Control Freak had hijacked. Though they had kept it powered up with Cy's power cells on the way over there was no way to tell if Jake and the fat one were still there. All wanted to believe that all would work out for their newest addition, but no one knew for shure.
Out of the group of five huddled around a computer monitor, Raven was perhaps the most nervous. She couldn't explain why she felt…anything for the new arrival. The wall she spent so long isolating herself with now had a Jake shaped hole in it. This needed further investigation on her part. No one as of thus far had gotten so far so fast and she'd be dammed if she just let it go. But for now she settled for waiting impatiently for the computer to start up.
The monitor winked to life and immediately windows and various progress bars opened automatically. These programs seemed to have a life of their own as the tower's mainframe synced with the new piece of machinery.
Finally as quickly as it had started all the windows closed making way for a full screen video feed. The screen read connecting for several seconds before Jake himself appeared on the monitor. Everyone breathed a sigh of relief as he appeared no worse for wear.
Jake however looked to be extremely annoyed. "Its bout damn time, you have any idea how boring it is in here?"
"Were happy to see you to Jake." Cyborg said.
Robin grabbed a headset, "Is control Freak still detained?" He asked.
"Yeah, fortunately he's still out cold. Got his remote here." He said holding up the couch potato's signature weapon. "Now how are we lookin in terms of me getting out of here?"
Cyborg's face dropped and even Raven's expression faultered. An expression that did not escape Jake. "Jake, the explosives destroyed the entire setup. We can't even determine what it is we'd need to start with." The metal man stated.
Jake ran a hand through his hair, "There anything I can do from here?" He asked.
Robin spoke up, "Anything you can get out of Control Freak would be great, and keep us posted on anything that happens in there."
"I've gotten an instruction manual, tho its only for operating the virtual interface ." Jake reported.
"Ok look over it for anything useful, check in every six hours or sooner if something changes."
"Will do." Jake said. "Guess I'll be seein you in six hours. Later peoples."
Everyone offered their goodbyes and filed out of the room having other duties to perform. Everyone save Raven. The resident empath stood exactly where she had still not looking up at Jake.
Jake looked back at Control Freak when people started leaving, expecting everyone to leave and go about their owm business. When he looked back at the projection of the video feed from the web cam at the tower he did not expect to see Raven march up to the terminal and put on a headset. But, like the many times he was proven wrong before, when he looked back that was exactly what he saw.
Hesitantly she called out, "Jake?"
He directed his attention back toward the projection, "Raven?" Something was off, she seemed unsure of something, and that was not a like Raven, "Is there something wrong?"
She looked away for a second before looking back, "Yes…well no…I dont know, Jake? I need to ask you something?"
Jake looked at her and her expression said it all. The normally stotic mask was fill with doubt. Doubt and something else, fear. "Shure, anything Raven. I'm here for ya." He said trying his best to sound reassuring, though inside he was seriously confused as to what she could want.
Raven on the other hand was waging an internal war between her emotions. Should she just come out and say what she thought? Should she ask him what he thought? What should she do? In the end she chose a more direct approach, "Jake, I've been thinking, and well. I uh… I feel close to you more so than I'm used to. I've never felt this strongly for anything, anyone before. And well I-"
Jake looked in her eyes as she ranted and saw the sincerity they held. He held up a hand to interrupt her. "Raven, I get what your saying, and to be honest I kinda like you too." Though he was expecting the roles to be reversed he found he could have cared less now that he knew how she felt.
Raven watched his expression and found no trace of deception. Relief flooded her being, that among other things. The others however would have to wait as a near by chair was encased in black energy and subsequently chrushed.
Jake saw this, both the change in demeanor and the crushing of the seat. "Love you too" he said. That was when a pained groan interrupted them. Jake glanced over his shoulder and shure enough there was the overweight criminal holding his chest cursing at random deities. "I'll have to get back to you." He said, casting her an apologetic look.
Raven chuckled lightly, "Have fun." She said before she took off the headset.
As she existed the room she heard Jake shouting, and considering that the only audio was from a the earphone in the headset that was quite the accomplishment. "Damn it! Stay unconscious, I was having a moment you mother fu-" the rest was cut off as the door shut. She almost felt sorry for the criminal, almost.
AN: Well if you made it through then thank you for sticking with me though this bitch of a chapter. As always reviews are appreciated. So click the shiney button and let me know how I did.