Scene 50 - Infected: Part I
"I'm not getting any readings from this sub-level. Are we sure Boom Tube activities were detected here?" Ember whispered to Zatanna as they quietly walked through one of the numerous abandoned caverns beneath Cadmus labs.
The magician nodded, "Atom and Dr Strange have verified the data. We should check in with them above ground later." She paused in her footsteps and recited, "Laever yna Moob Ebut ytivitca!" A light blue glow flashed in the air briefly, confirming their suspicions.
"There's definitely trace residues of Boom Tube radiation," Zatanna replied and Brianna could only frown.
"How odd, my scanner isn't detecting anything though. Could being this far underground interfere with the signals?" The pyro asked and her partner could only shrug, "Our communications are still working though."
Zatanna then pressed a finger to her ear and spoke, "Zatanna and Ember here. It seems our radiation scanners are malfunctioning underground and I can only detect Boom Tube activity with my magic."
Black Canary, who was one level above them with Rocket, replied back, "Acknowledged. Keep searching and be careful. We'll rendezvous upstairs in twenty minutes." There was a reply of "Affirmative" from two other pairs down in the sub-levels as well and both women continued trekking down the tunnel, carefully keeping an eye out for anything out of place but what they could only see was just the rocky surfaces of the cavern. Even Zatanna's spells revealed nothing suspicious. Nothing was usually a bad sign and the minutes ticked by anxiously.
"I highly doubt there's zilch here. We must be unable to detect it somehow. I think we should head back and re-strategize. For now, I'll just continue scanning the entire level," Ember whispered tensely and the magician nodded.
After a few more minutes, they decided that they had gathered enough data and returned the way they came from. However, it appeared a sensor was triggered as clouds of white smoke suddenly appeared from the ground, catching the pair by surprise.
"Etaerc elbbub fo evitcetorp ruomalg!" Zatanna immediately yelled and a little protective bubble encased her and Brianna. They continued walking forward but a few seconds later, the gas seeped in.
"What?! This is impossible, the charm is supposed to be impervious!" The magician yelled in shock and Ember immediately said, "Let's just make a run for it!"
The brunette flew off just as Zatanna said, "Etativel!" Both girls sped down the tunnel as they held their breaths. The mysterious vapour was too much though and gradually overwhelmed them.
Their communications earpiece crackled to life, "This is Black Canary!" A cough was heard before Dinah's words continued, "We need… backup down here… Unknown ga-" She was cut off as those who were underground succumbed to the gas.
"Dinah!" Oliver Queen hollered into his device and immediately ran towards the elevators with the rest of the Leaguers who were investigating the upper levels.
"Ember, come in!" Captain Atom shouted worriedly and nodding to Aqualad, both of them silently headed down to the caverns.
As they reached the sub-levels, the smoke had already dissipated but their skins had a sickly green tinge to it.
"Ember? Ember! Come on, wake up!" The Atlantean said as he shook her shoulders after he felt a pulse on her neck.
"They need medical attention ASAP. Dr Fate, could you create a portal? We're at sub-level forty-two," Captain Atom said urgently into his comms device and almost immediately, a golden ankh appeared in front of them and both men carried their unconscious team mates through the portal and they stepped into a medical area in Taos.
Aqualad paced around in his own quarantine room, a little frustrated that he was put under observation "just in case" with the rest of the Leaguers who might have contracted something from rescuing their unconscious friends who were infected with an unknown contagion. The room to his door slid open and Dr Strange said, "You're in the clear, Kaldur. Blood test results show everything's normal."
The blonde Atlantean then asked, "What about Brianna and the rest who were in the sub-levels?"
The scientist in front of him frowned slightly, "More tests are still being performed. We have found the infectious substance but we are unsure what it is even though we have ruled out that it won't be able to spread via human transmission. It seems they can only be inhaled through aerosols. Batman would be able to brief you a little more though."
Kaldur nodded and thanked the good doctor as he headed to the changing room to remove his hospital gown and suited up in his superhero outfit. Then, he raced towards the briefing area, "What's the situation?"
The Dark Knight turned towards the blonde and replied, "They have low grade fevers which make it clear that it is an infection but the rest of their vital signs are normal. We'll be keeping a close eye on them. In the meantime, Atom and Bumblebee are searching to identify the agent and hopefully create a cure."
Miss Martian flew toward them eagerly followed by a slightly breathless Artemis. The red-headed alien said, "Brianna's awake! She has requested to see only Kaldur though…" M'gann turned toward the Atlantean worriedly and Aqualad speedily walked to the brunette's room to see the girl all smiles.
"Hey dear… it's good to see that you're okay. Are the others alright as well? I can't believe Luthor got the drop on us… And to employ gas from The League of Shadows? That's crazy."
The Atlantean was a little dumbfounded by her addressing him affectionately and that she was recalling events… from four years ago.
"What's wrong? You have this odd look on your face," The brunette frowned and tilted her head to the side.
Kaldur inhaled and walked towards the brunette to sit beside her. "Nothing… I think you're still a little worn out from the attack. You should get some rest." He whispered gently and the pyro shook her head, "I'm fine, Kaldur." She raised an arm with the intention to caress his face only to stare in shock at the discoloration of her skin.
"Huh. I guess I'm not okay after all…" Ember lowered her arm quietly and sighed. Aqualad reached over to grasp her hand, "You're still beautiful. Just get some sleep and you'll feel better when you wake up."
Brianna gave him a cheerful smile, "Thanks Kaldur. I love you…" Her eyes fluttered close and he sat beside her for a few minutes, watching her breathing slow down to indicate that she was asleep. Then, he reluctantly pried his hand away from hers before brushing her hair aside and pulling the blanket over her.
"Me too," He replied with another whisper and walked away from her, feeling torn at Brianna's amnesia and her declaration of love for him…
On one hand, he was overjoyed but he knew what she said did not correspond to what she felt for him currently. It appeared her mind was lingering on a previous memory. As he walked down the corridor, he was met by Green Arrow who also had a puzzled expression on his face.
"I'm going to assume Black Canary has amnesia?" The Atlantean asked and Ollie nodded. "She just talked about the time where all of us got controlled by Savage."
Both men walked worriedly to the briefing area again and Batman turned towards them. "It appears both Black Canary and Ember have amnesia after being exposed to the gas. I suggest that we let them get used to their environment first before breaking the news to them," Aqualad spoke confidently and The Caped Crusader nodded.
Just then, the Zeta tube announced Atom and Bumblebee's presence. "We've managed to analyze their blood. It's some sort of virus but it has technology embedded in them which reminds us of Starro-tech used by The Light. We have synthesized a cure-" Before Dr Palmer could finish his sentence, a canary cry and the sound of steel doors being ripped apart was heard.
"Oh no," Karen said with despair as eight Leaguers clad in hospital gowns marched towards them with glazed looks in their eyes.
Author's Note: It's currently August in the year 2017, two months after Kaldur joins the League. Yes, he still calls himself 'Aqualad'. Some habits are hard to shake off. ;)
Spells used by Zatanna in this chapter are "Reveal any Boom Tube activity!", "Create bubble of protective glamour!", and "Levitate!"
Brianna's infected and declares her love for Kal even though he knows it isn't true. Kinda sad isn't it? :(
To LadyFelton1994: I have no idea. It all depends on the sales of the Young Justice Legacy game coming out this month.
To Eszra: Thanks! Us fans can only hope and wish that Wally is just in another dimension...
To murdercrowther: Thanks and keep reading, things will get better. :)
To Molly Grace 16: Yup, the greatest form of loving someone is to see them happy even if you can't be with them. It's so beautiful and sad at the same time.
To Ilana Lunus: I sent you a PM about the 'Speed Force' which doesn't exist in the YJ universe, unfortunately... Thanks for your support for this story, it's very much appreciated. :D
To piggythelaw: They might be adults but they're still adorable. :3