It was cold, brutal, and bone-chilling, and that was just the atmosphere inside the bioship. Ever since the discovery of the extent to which Drago seemed to hate Batman, most of the team began acting with a cold, indifference towards the dragon emblazoned teen. Drago, on the other hand, seemed either impervious, or ignorant of the attitude directed towards him. The only person who wasn't being cold and brutal towards him was M'gann, who was presently piloting the ship.
Suddenly, Drago's voice cut through the cold silence. "Team! Suit up in arctic gear. We land in 5."
"I was gonna say that, you know." M'gann joked, causing the team to snap out of their silent cocoons and go get ready.
"I realize this, but you were taking too long." Drago played along with M'gann's joke, giving, what appeared to be, a slight grin behind his metal face mask.
Dressed in his normal outfit, Drago was the only one who did not appear to have changed into any form of winter clothing, causing the team to cast him puzzled looks.
"I know you don't want to ruin your mobility, or make your weapons less accessible, or (probably) just don't want to ruin your appearance, but at least put a coat on. You don't want you to get sick." Batgirl sarcastically advised the assassin, who was double checking the modified disruptors.
"I have spent the last 10 years living primarily at the peak of the mountains where I come from. Cold weather does not bother me. However, if you so insist…" Drago produced a leather jacket, seemingly out of nowhere. He gave another slight grin, identifiable only by the rise of his cheek above his mask, before quickly crushing it, slipping on the jacket, and solemnly filing out of the bioship, to join the rest of the team.
"Is this the exact spot where the disruptor was last time?" Drago asked, turning back to the assembled heroes.
"Yeah, I am pretty sure that the giant crater in the ground would have given that away." Bart muttered, then winced when Drago sent him a glare. The black-clad warrior then began issuing orders.
"Alright, we need to set this stuff up. Superboy, set the disruptor down in the exact same spot that the old disruptor was. Aqualad, KidFlash, Blue beetle, Beastboy, I want you four to start setting up tents. Once the rest of The League arrives, we will begin the process, but until then I think we would all enjoy some shelter, and so would The League, once they get here. Since this is a controlled experiment, I think The League would also enjoy having some data and information sent their way. Batgirl, Robin, Miss Martian, start setting up computers and analytical equipment. The rest of you, start setting up some warm food and drinks, and get Tigress to calm down. At this rate, she is going to have a nervous breakdown."
As everybody jumped to complete their assigned tasks, Drago walked back to the ship, and returned in a few moments with the computer given to him to help plan this endeavour. Setting up shop next to Batgirl and robin, he quickly began running through more and more simulations, numbers, weather conditions, and other such factors that might have an influence on the results of their mission. Batgirl and Robin watched him closely, waiting for him to make any sort of move that could mean failure or betrayal. While there was no example of this, per se, they did notice that as he continued to crunch numbers, he became more and more agitated and frustrated.
"This can't be happening…" Drago muttered.
"What can't be happening? You mess something up? Can't deliver on your promise?" Batgirl teased, the words dripping like venom from her mouth.
"Not in the least, the whole operation is perfect. Only problem is the same reason that West disappeared in the first place." Drago responded, his eyes never leaving the screen. Batgirl and Robin glanced at each other, then walked over to watch the screen from over Drago's shoulders. "The very same energy that removed West is endangering the whole process. These weather conditions," Drago pointed to the gently falling snow outside, "are only going to worsen in the next half hour. This means that the speedsters are going to need more power behind them to be able to create the energy needed to counteract the force of the disruptor. This means that more speedsters are required to reach the necessary energy levels and maintain them. But that means that some of them are going to be far slower than the others, and thus have the same problem that West did, they will attract the extra energy from the vortex and bring about the same results. Trading 1 person for another." Drago explained.
Both Batgirl and Robin were shocked at the amount of care he seemed to be putting into this mission, and his apparent lack of interest in losing one of his newest teammates. They never expected this kind of attention from the man who looked more apt to kill them then to rescue them. Especially since he had proclaimed his hatred for their mentor.
"What if we add so many speedsters that they can each take only a small hit, ensuring that not everybody becomes overly influenced by the energy?" Robin asked, coming to his senses.
"Tried that, but the energy goes to the slowest conduit every time. After about 1 minute, blue beetle disappears. 30 seconds after him, Superboy follows suit. Then Captain Marvel, Superman, Flash, and KF. By the time we reach Superman's turn, the whole thing could then technically be shut down without causing any more damage to anyone, but it's still too risky."
"What about just having the fastest runners?" Batgirl responded, analyzing the data on the screen. "Couldn't we just send the top 3 out and things should be ok?"
"Again, it's risky. This weather means that everything is being forced to slow down. We could always postpone to a later date, but I don't think anyone wants that. The most logical thing to do, realistically, would be to have the green lanterns, the Martians, and anyone who can control the weather or create a force field, to create a protective dome around us so that the elements don't interfere with the whole process. I don't know what kind of stress that would put on them, but it does seem to be the only logical solution left." Drago sighed, resigning himself to the fact that plans seemed to be changing on the fly.
"What about Doctor Fate and Zatana? Do you think that, with their magic, they might be able to hold up the weather?" Batgirl asked, unsure if they could actually do that.
"I must admit, it is a distinct possibility. I myself do not know the extent of their powers, but I think they might be able to conjure up something that could aid the situation."
"Alright, I will give them a call then." Robin stated, turning away to grab his communicator and contact The League.
"Batgirl, could you ensure that all the equipment is prepared? I am going to see to the fact that everything else is setup." Drago asked, getting up himself and grabbing 'his' computer.
20 minutes later, the entire team and most of The League (including Nightwing) was assembled outside the miniature encampment of tents that bordered the crater marking the scene of the tragedy that took the life of one Wallace Rudolph West almost a year ago to the date. The scene was sombre, silent, and snow fell at a rate far faster and harder than when the black clad assassin and his 2 bat apprentice comrades. Drago walked up to the front of the line that the superheroes made subconsciously and began issuing orders and tasks.
"Alright, before we begin we need to finish getting ready. I need this weather stopped immediately we can't get our speedsters up to the right speed with this kind of weather. Doctor Fate, Zatanna, is it possible for you two to create some sort of spell that will block this weather for the duration of our procedure? Yes? No? Well, give it a try. Martians, Green Lantern, back them up. If their spell breaks, I want a force field around this place that will prevent the weather from getting in here. There can be absolutely NO interference when the speedsters get running. Flash, KidFlash, Superman, Superboy, Captain Marvel, you five will be running counter clockwise so as to stabilize the vortex. HawkGirl, you are a medic, are you not? Good. Be on constant alert. When West reappears, I can tell you that he will not be in the best of conditions. We should have an emergency zeta beam transporter on standby, do we not?" Upon receiving a nod from Aqualad, Drago continued." Good. Prepare to be teleported back to the watchtower immediately upon his return. Team, I need you to hold back Tigress. She will be distraught, as anyone would, but she must not interfere! West will need immediate medical attention, and HawkGirl will need unrestricted access. I hate to do it, but Tigress, you are banned from the scene, and must return to the bioship for both your safety, and West's. BeastBoy, Static, go with her. Batgirl, Robin, Nightwing, Detective, Wondergirl, go man the computers and equipment. Everyone else, please go to the tents for the time being, for safety, and to get out of the cold. There are seats, hot drinks, and refreshments in that tent over there." Turning to the speedsters, who were getting into position, Drago spied Superman. "Cal'el! Remove the cape! I do not want anything at all to hinder this operation!" After receiving the cape from Superman and giving it to one of the other league members making their way to the tents, Drago moved to a separate tent, picked up a communicator, and gave the order.
"Ladies and Gentlemen! It is time to begin. Activating the disruptor now."