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Chapter XV: Farewell, My Friends

3 November 2998

"Mr. Brande, are you all right?" Luornu asked anxiously. Her employer kindly brushed aside her concern.

"I'm fine, Luornu."

"Excuse me, Mr. Brande," interjected a Sci-Pol officer, "you'll need to come to NMPD HQ to give a statement."

"Of course," Brande agreed. "But first I need to thank those three young people – they saved my life at least three times tonight, I believe."

"All due respect, Mr. Brande, but we'd like to get you out of here as soon as possible. Given what's just happened, it may not be safe to stay."

Brande shook his head. "I have to speak to those two lads and that lass."

"We'll be bringing them back to the station to talk to them as well," said the Sci-Pol. "You can meet them there."

"Jan, Jan, come and look at this!" Reep stared in amazement at the live news screen and turned the volume up to hear Loretta Lane spinning a story of incredible heroics at the Superman Museum.

"…in an extraordinary resolution to tonight's drama, three teenagers thwarted attempts of two assassins on the life of billionaire R.J. Brande. Captain Rokk Krinn of the Magnetic Knights, Imra Ardeen, daughter of Titanian Ambassador Sydne Ardeen, and Garth Ranzz of Winath teamed up to save Brande and catch both would-be killers. At this point in time, no one yet knows when these three young people started working together or how they knew to save Brande, but one thing is for certain: here in the Superman Museum, heroism is alive and well."

"And I'm glad it was," said Jan Arrah, adopted son of R.J. Brande. "Because of them, Father is still alive."

"Do you think he's all right? Should we call?" Reep fretted.

"No. Father will call as soon as he is able – he wouldn't want us to risk exposing ourselves, especially not after two assassination attempts."

"But what if –"

"Reep," said Jan soothingly, "we know he's safe. The news would have said if the situation were otherwise. He would want us to be safe too."

Reep met his brother's assuring eyes and nodded.

To say that Chief Norg was startled when Shvaughn brought R.J. Brande, two assassins, and the disheveled trio of Rokk, Garth, and Imra back to NMPD HQ was an understatement. A more accurate description would be to say that he was completely and utterly gobsmacked. After assigning Shvaughn to interrogate the two assassins and sending Captain Zendak to speak with Brande, he sat the three teens down in an interrogation room to listen to their explanations.

By the time they had finished piecing together the long, convoluted story, he was speechless.

"You say Lyle told you about the imminent attack on Brande's life?" he questioned incredulously.

"Yes," Imra affirmed. "Didn't he call you?"

Lon scowled. "No. And I'm going to have words with him about that when he gets back. We could have known about the serial killer connection days ago!" he ranted. "What the hell is Earthgov playing at keeping this intel from Sci-Pol?"

Rokk, Imra, and Garth exchanged glances. Lon exhaled and eyed Imra.

"If you're going to say 'I told you so', you can save your breath."

"I wasn't," Imra protested.

"Why didn't you tell me Lyle called, anyway?" Lon demanded.

"I thought it was for the best. Technically, he wasn't supposed to call anyone yet."

Lon frowned. "He went against orders?"

Imra shrugged helplessly. "I don't know."

"Hm." Lon's expression became thoughtful before he turned his gaze to Rokk and Garth. "I suppose congratulations are in order," he conceded grudgingly. "You three managed to run a private investigation and find out things we weren't even aware of, and you saved Brande – quite spectacularly, according to Lieutenant Erin."

"We're just glad we could help, sir," said Rokk.

"Do you know why Clyde was killing all those people?" asked Garth. The hooded man who had been killing New Metropolis' elite citizens had been identified as Carson Clyde, a working-class Metropolitan whose parents had died when he was a young boy.

Lon shrugged indifferently. "Typical revenge story. Clyde's parents worked for the New Metropolis branch of Brande's company, but they were killed in an industrial accident. He blamed Brande, but decided to extend his personal vendetta against him to the rich and famous in general."

"He was working his way up to Brande, killing all the others to make a point," Imra surmised.

"Exactly."

"What about the second assassin?" Garth queried.

"And how is that any of your business?" Lon asked tartly.

Garth bristled. "Well," he drawled, "I threw myself into mid-air to –" He broke off with a muffled grunt as Rokk stepped on his foot. "I mean, I'm curious to know, if I may, sir," he amended.

Lon observed them critically for a few seconds before he responded, "Hired by Brande's business partner to kill him."

"Roderick Doyle?" Rokk was stunned. "Isn't he Brande's brother-in-law?"

"Well, apparently it's a dysfunctional family." Lon sighed, rubbing his temple.

"What happens now, Chief?" asked Imra.

"Now," answered Lon, "Brande wants to speak to the three of you, after which you can all go home."

"Brande wants to speak to us?" Garth perked up.

"Yes, he does." Lon rose. "Come on, I'll take you to him."

"There's no need, Chief Norg," said Brande as the door opened. Luornu trailed in after him. "Thank you, Captain," he said to Zendak, who nodded and left.

"Mr. Brande!" Rokk jumped to his feet, closely followed by Imra and Garth.

"Are you all right, sir?" Imra asked respectfully.

"I'm just fine, thanks to you three," Brande said sincerely. "I came here to thank you for saving my life. That was some display you put on at the museum."

"You couldn't have picked a better place to do it, too," Luornu interjected with a wry grin.

"You're welcome, sir," Rokk returned.

Brande smiled genially at him. "I know who you are, of course, Rokk – I sometimes watch the Magnetic Knights play. But I'm afraid I don't know the two of you." He looked at Garth and Imra. "What are your names, lad, lass?"

"Imra Ardeen, sir."

"Garth Ranzz."

Brande nodded. "Well, Garth, Imra, Rokk, I must say, I was quite impressed with how you handled your powers. The way you worked together was quite reminiscent of what the Teen Titans would have done."

"The Teen Titans?" Garth repeated quizzically.

Brande smiled. "Another team of the Age of Heroes, my boy. Lesser known than the Justice League, but no less heroic. When they first started, there were only five of them, and they were all teenagers, much like yourselves."

"We're honored that you would compare us to them, sir," said Imra humbly.

"Call me R.J., my dear girl – I think you've all earned that right." Brande suddenly looked thoughtful, but Luornu politely reminded him that he had a call to make.

"Mr. Brande, you should contact Orangewood."

The Durlan businessman instantly caught her meaning. "Quite right, Luornu, thank you." He turned to Lon and the three teens in turn. "Thank you for the Science Police's time and effort, Chief Norg. Rokk, Imra, Garth – you have my eternal gratitude, and I wish you all the best." He beamed at them all before he and Luornu exited Lon's office.

"Wow," Garth breathed once they were gone. His shining eyes were reflected in Rokk's and Imra's; Lon shook his head at their awed expressions.

"Go on, you three, get yourselves home," he directed. "And for the love of God, don't go starting another private investigation – I don't need any more drama."

It was a surprisingly quiet ride in Imra's hovercar back to her house. After the initial euphoric gushing and congratulating each other on their accomplishment, the car was mostly silent as each of them slowly processed the momentous events of the night and the resolution of their case. Imra kept her eyes on the roads, but Garth and Rokk could feel her telepathic presence to a greater extent than before, as though the night's events had cemented their already solid friendship. Rokk's expression remained solemnly thoughtful as he kept his gaze on the passing scenery outside the window. Garth played with a few small strands of lightning, periodically flicking glances at the other two.

Only when they had pulled up in Imra's driveway and begun walking into the house did they start talking again.

"What time do you leave?" Garth asked Rokk.

"The Knights' cruiser is scheduled to depart at 0800. Collazo will want me back by 0700, if not tonight."

"So are you leaving tonight?" Imra queried.

Rokk gave her a look. "Do you want me to?"

"No!" she said quickly, surprising herself and the boys with the force of her response. "I mean, it'd be nice…if you could stay tonight. It's our last night together, after all."

"Is Garth staying?" Rokk shifted his gaze to the other member of their group.

"'Course," said the redhead. "I don't exactly have anywhere else to be."

"Then I'll stay." Rokk smiled. "One last night." He entered the key code to open the front door.

"Welcome home, Imra, Rokk, Garth," greeted the droll voice of Merriweather. "Congratulations on your heroics."

"How does he know?" Garth demanded.

"I have a direct connection to most news feeds in the city, in order to help me better serve the members of this house by keeping them updated on current events," Merriweather replied before Imra could answer. "The most popular news item is your rescue of R.J. Brande."

"Of course it is," Garth muttered.

"By the way, Imra, I should warn you, you have a guest."

Imra frowned. "Who?"

"Hi there."

Rokk jumped and swore in shock at the voice by his shoulder. Garth's lightning automatically shrouded his body in defense, and Imra's eyes narrowed.

"Lyle, cut that out," she ordered. Both Rokk and Garth exclaimed in astonishment at the name while Lyle materialized in front of them, a sheepish look on his face.

"Sorry, I couldn't resist."

"Gods, Lyle." Imra descended on him and squeezed him in a tight hug. "Don't do that again."

"No way, it's way too much fun…" He quailed slightly under the severe glare she gave him. "Not what you're talking about, huh?"

"No." Imra detached herself from him to make introductions. "Rokk, Garth, this is Lyle."

"Hi," Lyle said, holding out his hand. "Nice job saving Brande."

"Thanks." Garth was the first to shake his hand. "Nice to finally meet you."

"Imra talks a lot about you," Rokk added, shaking Lyle's hand in turn.

"Does she?" Lyle grinned at Imra, who rolled her eyes. "I knew she loved me."

"You," she said sternly, "go see your father before he gets mad at me for not telling him you're back in town."

"I was planning on it," Lyle said hastily. "I just wanted to see you first."

Imra studied him intently. "What's going on, Lyle?"

Lyle's grin slipped off his face as he became serious. "I have another mission. I'll be away for a few months."

"A few months?" Imra exclaimed. "The longest you've ever been gone was three weeks!"

"First time for everything," Lyle quipped. "This is important, Imra."

"You can't tell me what the mission is?"

"Sorry, no. It's better if you don't know – not yet, anyway." He caught the look on her face and sighed. "I promise I'll be careful, Imra. You know I'm good – and hey, I can turn invisible whenever I want. Turns out the serum is permanent, and it seems to shield me from most forms of detection too. I'll be fine."

"When do you leave?" Imra asked.

"As soon as I see my dad. Which I should do now, actually."

Imra nodded understandingly, though she clearly didn't like it. "Okay." She hugged him again. "Be safe, Lyle."

"Will do. Bye, Merriweather!" he called.

"Farewell, Lyle."

Lyle winked at them and slipped out the door.

"Something's up, isn't it?" Rokk observed perceptively as the door closed behind the young spy.

Imra exhaled. "Definitely."

"Will he be all right?" Garth inquired.

"He always has been before." She turned back to them and smiled. "We should celebrate our own successful mission. What do you want to do?"

"Eat."

Both Rokk and Imra stared at Garth, who held up his hands defensively.

"Hey, churning out lightning like that takes a lot of juice."

Rokk scoffed. "That's just an excuse for you to pig out on Imra's food."

"Are you complaining?"

Rokk smirked. "No. Imra has good food."

"Boys," Imra huffed. "All right, then, supper it is. Let's go."

They made their way to the kitchen, already striking up a lively conversation, each of them determined to enjoy each other's company before they parted ways in the morning.

A/A:

1. Apologies to those who may have been expecting the reveal of the assassins to be a bit more climatic instead of having them turn out to be complete OCs. In all honesty, the assassins were a mere plot device - and even in the original comic canon the assassin was totally unimportant except for the fact that he was hired by Doyle to kill Brande and thus indirectly caused the Legion of Superheroes to be founded.

2. Brande takes the security of his family VERY seriously. As mentioned in-universe, the general public aren't even aware he has children, and he would like to keep it that way.

3. If you haven't clued in already, you all should pay attention to what Lyle's getting up to.

4. Only two more updates to go. Start reviewing, peeps!