2. But we just got back!
A short time later, Titans Tower's main viewing screen flared to life, displaying the image of an elderly gentleman in formal attire. He looked somewhat surprised.
"Well, well! The Teen Titans!" he exclaimed, with a noticeable British accent. "So, you must have received the message, after all!"
Robin nodded politely, almost managing to completely hide his impatience. "Yes, we were given your frequency by our friend Jericho, who also said you had some urgent information for us. Mister…?"
"Ah, forgive me! Where are my manners?" The man straightened his tie.
"My name is Wintergreen. I am actually an acquaintance of Jericho's mother, who happens to be a private investigator. I recently came across some disturbing information pertaining to a case she has been working on, involving a girl who has apparently been kidnapped. Upon reviewing my findings, she decided that you might be better equipped than either of us to resolve this matter. So, knowing of her son's honorary membership in your organization, she dispatched him with instructions on how to contact me…and well, now, so you have!"
"So we have," Robin nodded, still polite, but wanting to get to the point of all this. "What can you tell us about this girl?"
"Ah, yes." Nodding, Wintergreen produced a portrait photo of a girl who looked slightly younger than Beast Boy. Her appearance was mostly unremarkable, save for the fact that her long, straight hair was completely white.
"Her name is Rose, and she is a very special child. You see, she has the gift of precognition. And that, I fear, is also the reason she has been abducted."
Robin pretended not to hear Beast Boy and Cyborg whispering about the definition of 'precognition' behind him. "Do you have any idea who's behind this, or where they're holding her?"
Wintergreen nodded again, his expression grave. "My information points toward a most sinister character, who goes by the name of Brother Blood. I gather you are already familiar with him."
Robin frowned. "Yes, we've dealt with Blood before…so, I take it he's planning to brainwash Rose into joining the H.I.V.E. Academy, then?"
"I'm afraid I'm not privy to his specific intentions, but needless to say, they are surely not benevolent. I fear I do not have their precise location, either…however. I have been in contact with an…informant, who has been tracking their activities." He looked down for a moment, and the sound of typing could be heard.
"I am sending you a set of coordinates where you can make contact with my informant, in person. They should be able to lead you to Brother Blood, and help you to unravel his plot."
Robin glanced down at his own computer monitor, to verify that the data had come through. It had, and the location appeared to be a small island several hundred miles to their south, off the coast of Mexico.
Looking back up at the main viewer, he nodded firmly in confirmation. "Thank you for bringing this to our attention, Mr. Wintergreen. We'll get right on it."
"Quite so." The older man smiled, then paused. "There's…one other detail I should mention."
"Oh?"
"I must confess that even I do not know the identity of the informant I'm sending you to meet; their anonymity has always been a condition of our interactions. However, given the nature of this situation and the kinds of knowledge they have access to, it is likely that their own record is not without…blemishes, if you take my meaning. In fact, the last message I received from them hinted that your paths have crossed before…and, I suspect, not amiably."
Robin's expression darkened. Great. "In other words, to find what's been stolen, we need to ask a thief."
"Precisely so, I'm afraid." Wintergreen smiled apologetically.
"Well, in that case," Cyborg interjected, "How are we supposed to tell your informant apart from the other bad guys we're expecting to run into?"
"I'm glad you asked! You will know them by this password: Sweet Lilli."
"Sweet Lilli, huh?" Robin sighed in mild annoyance. "All right, then. Thanks again for the information, we'll keep you posted."
Wintergreen nodded agreeably, and they signed off.
"So!" Beast Boy blurted as the screen winked out, unable to restrain himself any longer. "Y'think that dude has a brother named Spearmint?"
No one laughed.
"Doublemint?" Beast Boy tried again. "Pepper…?"
"We got it," Cyborg interrupted.
Robin turned to face them. "Well, you heard the man. Let's get ready to move out. The sooner we stop Blood, the better."
"Dude, I didn't even get to unpack!" Beast Boy complained.
"Well then, that saves you the trouble of having to pack again, doesn't it?" Cyborg pointed out.
Meanwhile, Jericho was signing enthusiastically.
"Oh? Um…sure, you're welcome to come along," Robin replied, slightly taken aback by the offer. "What about you, Kid Flash?"
The yellow-clad youth grinned sheepishly. "Well, actually, I should probably be getting back to Keystone City…but, if you need an extra hand, just beep me and I'll be there!" He held up his communicator.
Robin nodded. "So noted. Will Wonder Girl be going with you, too, then?"
"Good question. I'll ask her on my way out. Catch you guys later, it's been real!" And with that, Kid Flash darted out of the room, leaving a strong breeze in his wake.
"You do realize that the T-Ship only has five seats, don't you?" Raven suddenly pointed out from behind them.
The others nearly jumped at her voice; they hadn't noticed her approach during the conversation with Wintergreen.
"Hmm, that could be a problem," Robin admitted. "Cyborg…?"
The cybernetic teen rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "Eh, I think I can throw something together…might not be pretty, but it should get the job done. Give me about twenty minutes, and I'll meet you outside."
Kid Flash didn't have much trouble finding Starfire's room; all he had to do was follow the laughter.
"—You've got to be kidding. He actually said that…?"
"Oh, not only that, but furthermore—!"
"Knock knock, ladies!" he called out as he slowed down to 'normal' speed, before approaching the open door. He didn't want to be accused of eavesdropping, after all.
Starfire and Wonder Girl looked up from where they were seated on Starfire's circular bed, with Silkie happily wriggling back and forth between them.
"Hey, you two. I was about to take off, and…wow. It certainly is purple in here," Kid Flash commented, noticing the room's décor.
Starfire beamed, and Wonder Girl cocked an eyebrow, prompting him to continue.
"Right, anyway…it looks like the team's got a mission, something about rescuing some girl from Brother Blood. Jericho's going with them, and they're gearing up to head out now. As for me, I need to check in back at home, so, can I give you a lift back while I'm at it, WG?"
"Well…" She cast an uncertain glance at Starfire. "Maybe I'll come along on the mission, too…that is, if it's all right?"
"Oh, how joyously delightful!" the alien girl exclaimed. "Your assistance is most welcome and appreciated!"
"Alright, suit yourself." Kid Flash shrugged. "I already mentioned this to Robin, but if you guys need another extra hand, just give me a ring and I'll come running." Grinning, he turned to leave.
"Kid Flash?"
"Yes, Starfire?" He paused at the doorway.
"Even though she does the black magic, has committed many serious crimes and hurt many people, has repeatedly attempted to cause us severe harm on many occasions in the past, has willingly worked for both Slade and the Brother Blood, has nearly always chosen to do the Wrong Thing and is devious, deceitful, villainous, generally untrustworthy and possibly still evil…" she paused for a breath. "…Please convey my genuinely fond greetings to Jinx." And she smiled warmly.
Kid Flash blinked as he processed all of that, then laughed, despite himself.
"I'll, um…do that. Thanks, Star."
As he raced back across the continental United States, he reflected that only Starfire could say something like that with such total sincerity and complete lack of malice, veiled or otherwise.