"I need to watch things die."

05: Vicarious

The Claw had gathered its own whimsy; hovering about two feet off the icy ground, the team was ready to drop and explore. Inside, a strange howl overcame the sound of the whirring blades above. This was the wind outside, conjuring up images of nothingness and purgatory. Raven watched as Redfield and Armond stood in front of the door. White, on the other hand, was simply sitting next to Andrews, putting out the last couple puffs of his cigar. Andrews looked tense much like everyone else. It was then when White stood, almost stretching before returning to his rigid, statue-like stance. "Alright team," his hand patted Armond on the back, "let's move it out! Go, go, go, go! You're not getting paid by the hour, move it out!"

Armond went first, his feet sinking a good foot or two into the snow. Redfield was right behind him, the two gaining traction from their specifically crafted boots and gear. White watched as they nearly disappeared in the whiteout conditions. Andrews stood, "After you, White."

"Of course," White looked back over the Teen Titans, "that means you guys, too."

"Running low on fuel, boss!" Reggie called back.

White cracked his knuckles, took a deep breath and jumped out of the chopper. Andrews saluted the Titans in a sort of mocking way, following White. Reggie had taken it upon himself to call back to the team, "Alright, let's go!"

Robin only nodded, "You heard the man, let's roll! Titans, go!"

With that, each of them sorted out like a fine, singular line of elementary school kids. Robin held the door, watching Raven, Cyborg, Starfire and Beast Boy hop off the chopper and into the great white abyss. He looked back at Reggie, who winked at him before finally jumping off.

_Crunch. _The snow iced over, a thin crust of frozen mess plastering the entire terrain. Raven caught herself looking up into the night of Antarctica's sky, watching The Claw disappear. As it grew more distant, White lined up his minions for servitude. A gentle hand placed itself on her back, "Come on Rave, we're getting a quick set of orders. Line up." It was Starfire, timid as ever.

She nodded, doing as White commanded. They were already in formation, strong and formed in a line. White paced back and forth, shouting the screaming howl of the wind. Off in the distance, smoke and a faint orange glow. Was that Outpost #34? Or what was left of it? Neither of them had known besides maybe Andrews and White. The general spoke, fighting the shrieking madness of Antarctica's weather, "You will do as I say. You will follow orders. You are probably going to die. But in the meantime, this is my squad, my game plan. Armond and Redfield, you will go with Cyborg in the first line. I will be right behind you with Robin and Andrews. Beast Boy, Raven and Starfire?"

Beast Boy waved, "Here!"

"It's not an attendance call, son. You three will watch our backs. If there are any questions, germs and girls, say your shit now. Any prayers should have been done with. Now, anything?" silence answered White.

In response, White motioned to Armond, then gave the order. They were _moving_. And they were doing so with speed and tact. With each step, the glowing, ominous blob in the distance became clearer; there were shacks, entire buildings, arrays of dishes and vehicles â€" this was the outpost. It was obvious that there were an immense amount of scientific tools and such; half the outer region of the base was drenched in flickering lights and bizarre, neolithic structures. Moments passed â€" the cold was gnawing at them. Even with their special suits, it proved nearly fruitless against the excruciating pain of the chilling air. Alas, they were there. Thick, titanium walls surrounded the complex, keeping the American research crew safe inside. Whatever happened, Slade managed to get through without a hitch. Raven shouldered her weapon, stopping behind the rest of the group. There was a massive, cobalt steel door and beside it, a panel with a key code labeled "WEST LOCK".

Redfield ran up to it first, flipping it open and trying to short out the doors. Nothing. He tried again and yet, nothing. "Cyborg!" Redfield called.

Cyborg already knew what to do. With a few clicks and switches, the door was open. Technology should have been his middle name (though hacker was more fitting). "You hack like that at home, don't you?" White laughed as the entry doors slid open.

Cyborg only grinned, hunkering down by the door entrance and watching as Redfield and Armond went in first. He followed quickly behind. Team #2 followed them. Robin had issues with Cyborg being in the lead of things, but in truth, it was White. The formation just made it seem like that, he told himself. While they still weren't in the main complex, they were inside the courtyard of #34. The dim, orange glow was a fire; obvious, thick plumes of smoke choking out the already darkened sky. The inferno was somewhere toward the back of the complex â€" somewhere far away.

The place was huge. Almost as big as Penrose. You could get lost if you weren't careful. And that's what White had thought about as he watched the third team shuffle in.

"Redfield." White ordered.

Redfield closed the outer doors, pacing back up to his command. Armond was scanning the area with a set of digital binoculars. "Dead, sir." he said to White.

Andrews pulled out his map, running a gloved finger over their current location. He fought the wind with his voice as well, "Okay, it looks like we're at... lobby number three â€" I can't tell but it looks like that fire is coming from multiple places. Like the cafeteria or the infirmary. It would have to be a pretty hot fire, see," he pointed at the bottom of the map, "that entire are is mostly flame retardant. So an electrical short of a lost cigarette wouldn't do it, no, you'd need a torch or something. We should go there and put that out, first."

White nodded, "Alright men, listen up. We need to do a sweep for survivors."

Armond nodded, "What's the new team arrangement, sir?"

A small explosion sounded in the distance, "What about that fire?"

"Let it burn for now," White patted Robin on the shoulder, "get your team over by the entrance for the third lobby â€" it's over there by the snow mobiles. My team will go to the second lobby â€" the first lobby is inaccessible." White ordered.

Robin scoffed, "Why?"

Another small explosion, "That's why." White pointed.

Armond, "Sir, are we going to split 'em up like you said earlier?"

White shook his head, "No, we're going to a new formation. Let's see," he looked over the map again with Andrews, "Alright, Raven and Starfire as a pair. Armond, you're going with Robin and Cyborg. Beast Boy, Andrews and Redfield stick with me."

With that, the teams assembled. It was time to explore Outpost #34.


The third lobby doors were already somewhat open. It only took a few blasts of Starfire's beam to cut them a little more. Granted White specifically mentioned use of powers is prohibited, but they said that about the inside â€" not the outside. From the looks of it, the place was completely devoid of life. Inside the corridor was a mess of darkness and sputtering lights. Raven went in first, glancing about as she hid behind the left side of the door. Her M16 glimmered as the sparks above danced on their impact with the floor, Starfire coming in behind and using a flashlight mounted on her own weapon (another M16).

"Raven, what do we do?" she whispered.

Raven rubbed her chin, pointing down the corridor, "Any rooms on the side, we got to examine. We have to make sure of what's going on."

Her communicator flicked on. It was Robin. "Raven, Starfire."

She peered into the wrist communicator, "Yes, we're here."

"Good," some static now, "we got you on our map. I'm sending the map to your wrist communicator. Be wary. We'll all meet up in the cafeteria. My time is going to put out the fires. Let us know if you find anything special. Robin, out." the communicator hummed off, Raven returning her gaze to the corridor.

There were no doors in the immediate entry corridor. Nothing but metal and darkness. She looked above, seeing posters and signs hanging, indicating their location and direction. It only took her one glance at the map to know that they were ten minutes away from Robin and Beast Boy's team. Another spray of sparks rained from above. "The electrical systems in this place are fried."

Starfire shrugged, "Maybe Cyborg can fix it."


Armond smoked a cigarette as Cyborg played with the junction box. "The damn wiring in this thing is so messed up I'm surprised it hasn't exploded yet."

"Cautionary tale, Cyborg." Robin said beneath his breath.

Armond, Robin and Cyborg had found a junction box which seemed to control a lot of the station's power. Why it had been destroyed, no one knew. Most of all, Robin didn't see any signs of Slade either. Whatever happened, they'd missed the party. And to add to that, Armond and Robin were butting heads. The two egotistical bastards had a knack for trying to take charge of things.

"Hurry that up." Armond said as a few sparks flew from the junction box.

"I'm trying. Give a brother a moment." Cyborg growled, cursing at the wiring.

Robin ran his fingers through his hair, "You know, you're awful pushy for being beneath White. Maybe you can just can that attitude so we can get this done as shortened as possible."

Armond flicked his cigarette at Robin, the cherry exploding over his chest and finally snuffing itself out. "Look little birdie," he paced over to Robin, "while you're attending, you're not in charge of this mission. It's in the fine print."

"No contract, fuck face." Robin was pressed against Armond.

A loud crunch sounded, shaking the room. A few more mechanical bursts and something started humming. Above them, the lights turned back on and the door they'd been stuck at sprang to life. Cyborg dusted off his hands, "While you two were arguing, I rerouted the power. All systems are on, but that doesn't mean they work."

Robin shrugged, "So?"

"That fire," the water sprinklers above kicked in, "will be out in a few moments."


The lights kicked in. "Speak of the devil." Raven chuckled.

Starfire peered around the winding corridor, "Looks like we got three rooms on the right, one of the left. How do you want to do this, Rave?"

Raven shrugged, "Left one first."

Starfire readied her M16, pacing over to the right side of the door. "Storage," she tapped the muzzle of her gun against the sign on the door.

Raven took the other side, readying her assault rifle as well. "On one."

"Three." Starfire felt tension burning in her gut.

"Two." Raven positioned herself on the door's opening panel, her hand hovering over it.

"One!" Starfire exclaimed, Raven slamming the button down.

The door slid open without a problem, a cool, climate controlled gust of air brushing past them. As sterile and chemically tinged as the air was, it was a welcoming sign. Nothing smelled of rot and it didn't seem hot, implying something or someone inside. In fact, it looked pristine. Inside, there were a few large drums full of cereal, a few boxes full of plastic bags and some more general utensils scattered along some shelves. Raven and Starfire stepped into the room, eyeing everything closely. "This room is fine," Raven pointed her gun to the door across from it labeled 'recreation room'.

"That one?" Starfire stammered, seeing some signs of damage along the door.

"We got to check them all."


"When are you going to get that fucking door open, bot?" Armond said, keeping the aim of his weapon on the door.

"Probably when you shut the fuck up." Robin spat, his cross hairs focused on the door as well.

Armond simply shook his head. "How long?"

"Almost..." Cyborg played with the panel some more.

"Almost means an hour with you." Robin scoffed.

Cyborg flipped him off, returning to the panel, "Yes, almost... there!"

The door slid open, revealing a janitorial closet. At first, it seemed like nothing. They let their weapons drop, thinking it to be secure. No sooner did an ax-wielding madman take a shot at Robin, narrowly missing his face. Robin fell back into Cyborg, the two rolling onto the floor. Armond tried to shoot his rifle but missed, bracing against the wall. The man, wearing a jumpsuit labeled 'Collins', oozed with paranoia. He went straight for the fire ax again, this time Armond knocking him out with the butt of his M16.

"Fuck's sake! Nearly chopped my damn face!" Robin shouted.

Armond turned back to the room, spraying it down with a few rounds of ammo. His muzzle flair illuminated the area, looks of shock and confusion plastered over Cyborg and Robin's faces. Almost in response to his gun fire, Robin's communicator kicked in. It was White, "What the fuck is going on down there?"

"Some crazed asshole tried to chop us into bits," Robin said.

Armond spoke, "He's out and cold. Just making sure there's no one else in there with some fun surprises." he added, flicking his communicator open.

"Damn it Armond, don't fucking shoot. You have to be careful. Robin, anything on Slade?"

"Not a fucking thing, White." Robin wiped the sweat off his face.

"We're not seeing anything either," White sighed, "tell Cyborg thanks for the light, but we're still down on some electrical junctions over here."

"Can do." Robin flicked off his communicator.

Cyborg hunched over Collins's body, "He... looks like a pilot of some kind," he tugged at his shirt, trying to read the emblem stitched onto it, "yeah, he's a pilot. Man, that was close."

Collins jutted from his comatose state, tackling Cyborg. "Somebody get this guy off me!"

Robin and Armond pulled Collins away from Cyborg, trying their best to restrain him. He cried, screamed and kicked his feet like a toddler having a tantrum. "You're not taking me anywhere else. I know what's going on here! I'm not going to be one of those fucking things! Let me the fuck go! Let the fuck go!"

"Give me that morphine patch in your med pack, Armond!" Robin opened his hand, trying to restrain Collins the best he could.

"No, you're not fucking drugging me! Bastards!" Collins kicked and flailed, but it was no use.

"Night-night," Robin ripped open Collins' sleeve, jamming the patch on his shoulder.

Within moments, Collins was out cold, leaving them to figure out what to do with the unconscious survivor. "Well now what do we do?" Cyborg asked.

"I suppose drag his ass to the rendezvous point, wherever that is." Armond lit another cigarette, scratching his head.

"He was... wild. Spooked. I've never seen someone like that." Robin said, his gaze transfixed on Collins' still body.


The door to the recreation room didn't pose as a problem. While it did struggle to open initially, it still followed function. Raven paced in first, "Hello?"

Nothing.

Starfire came behind her, looking over the room. A pool table, some cards, a few televisions, a kitchen and a bar. It seemed like a decent place; the area where you went to "wind down". There had been a few fires inside, though. From the looks of it, whatever damaged the place was done with haste. Starfire stopped at the pool table, running her delicate fingers over the frayed edges of burnt felt. Raven checked beneath the chairs and cabinets, not finding anything particularly useful. Some burnt papers, which looked like lab readings, were scattered along the kitchen floor. They were too damaged to read, however.

"We missed what happened here, too." Starfire said, looking around the room.

"At least we have light now," Raven did find one paper that wasn't burnt, "check this out."

Starfire paced over to her, "What is it?"

"_Unit Report: 0315 hours. Specimen detained; hold for examination._" Raven finished.

Starfire shrugged, "Must be that virus Slade fancied."

"That's the problem," Raven said, "I see no sign of Slade. Nothing."

Starfire sighed, "Robin must be having fun. He was so hung up on Slade and here we are, looking for said criminal and he's nowhere to be found. Raven?"

"Yeah?"

Starfire looked away as if ashamed, "Do you think we're all going to die here?"


Beast Boy didn't understand why he was with White, Andrews and Redfield. It seemed contradictory. In fact, splitting up the Titans, especially Raven and Starfire into one pair, seemed ludicrous. White had known something no one else did or he was an idiot. Either way, Beast Boy was stuck listening to the buffoons go on and on about how valuable the research station was and what all was attached to the project. He simply shouldered his MP5, waiting for a command or something to do.

"Andrews, hand over that map," White asked.

Redfield, White and Andrews examined it closely, Beast Boy simple standing on the sidelines. Something in the distance rattled or... moved. "Guys."

"Shut the fuck up." Redfield spat.

"No, seriously, guys." Beast Boy felt ignored.

Instead of sticking around to be told to shut up, he moved forward a bit. The sound... was like footsteps. Drawing closer and closer. He flicked on his light, trying to cut through the darkness that the lights hadn't illuminated. Still... _nothing. _"Over here..." a soft voice.

Beast Boy turned the right corridor, finding a man huddled into one of the corners, rocking silently. "Don't shoot me... please help me..." he repeated.

"Survivor!" Beast Boy shouted, the team running over to him.

"Weapons down, men," White ordered, pacing up to the survivor.

"Gregor. He's got Gregor stitched to his shoulder emblem, boss." Redfield said.

Andrews gasped, "Gregor! What happened? Are you okay?"

"You two know each other?" Beast Boy asked.

Andrews nodded, "He used to work for McMurdow," Andrews hunched forward, "can you tell me where everyone else is? What happened?"

Gregor simply rocked back and forth, "It rips through your clothes."

"What does? What happened with Slade?" White demanded.

Gregor looked up, eyes wide and stared, "Slade." With that, he passed out, collapsing to the floor in a fetal position.

"Fuck." Redfield, beneath his breath.

"Get the damn communicator open." White ordered.

Beast Boy did as commanded. "Who do you want me to get?"

"All of them. Andrews, you still got the location of the kennel?"

Andrews nodded. "Right. Okay, Beast Boy, get on the fucking radio and have everyone meet here â€" we're locking these people up in the kennel. Lord knows if this one will try and pull what the last one did."