Chapter 1

I do not Own any part of DC

Wayne Corprate Building,

Bruce groaned mentally as he had yet another stack of papers set on his desk. He almost yipped with glee when his comm. went off and he was requested to go to the Watchtower.

"I'll be there in three." Bruce promised to Superman, already in the elevator down to his disguised car. Bruce vaguely wondered how his security employees felt when they saw their boss sometimes leave in an unmarked, black car at random times in the day, but he didn't focus on that long. He needed to get to the Watchtower.

The Watchtower was a buzz of activity as Batman strolled in. his easy pace, but long strides caused his cape to create a threatening shadow behind him. He had spent hours of his early career mastering a walk to create this threaten shadow, though he would never admit it.

Looking around, Batman caught sight of his eldest ward, Nightwing. The young hero was stretching his arms about his head, leaning side to side to get an extra stretch It was rare that no one flocked around the young hero. Batman decided to take full advantage of this phenomenon and speak directly to the black and blue clad vigilante.

"How's Bludhaven?" Batman huffed, approaching Nightwing silently. Batman hid a smirk as Nightwing tried to hide his jump as a smooth turn to face his old mentor. He pulled off the trick, if it had been anyone but Batman watching him.

"Bludhaven is fine." Nightwing said, a little warily. The two were not on the best of terms at the moment. Bruce had been mortified when Dick had dropped out of GU and then enrolled at University of Bludhaven for the next semester, rewriting his personal files so that Bruce Wayne had no effect on whether Dick got accepted or not.

Batman watched Nightwing with sharp eyes, noting the fatigue on Nightwing's face, cleverly hidden with a congenial smile and maybe be a light layer of powdered make-up. He looked no worse or better than usual, so Batman let his worry levels drop.

"How's the newbie?" Nightwing asked. Batman could hide his groan causing Superman to look up in confusion at the slight sound.

"Ah. Sounds like he's doing well!" Nightwing laughed.

"He takes after his mother quite a bit." Batman said cautiously.

"How are you keeping him in the manor tonight?" Nightwing asked. The little pest was frighteningly good at breaking out of locked rooms.

"I had Agent A bribe him with cookies and other 'exotic' treats to behave for one night." Batman replied. Nightwing smirked at the irritation in the older vigilante's tone. The new brat, Damian, had already proved to be quite a handful, and very manipulative. Nightwing had met the kid once, and only in uniform, but he couldn't wait to teach the kid everything there was to know about being Robin, if the demon spawn could behave himself enough to get Batman to trust him.

Both vigilantes turned there heads as Superman cleared his throat to gather the gathered heroes' attention.

"We have a class three emergency. Wonder Woman and I have created three teams to take care of this. Team 3: Wondergirl, Blue Beetle, M'gann, Conner and Robin. You guys are headed to Louisiana. Because of the nature your job, you will need to leave immediately and be briefed on the ride over to prevent anymore damage and loss of life. Go." The selected group ran through the zeta tubes, where they ended up in Mount Justice (thankfully it had been magically rebuilt since the Invasion) and boarded the Bio-ship. Superman turned to the remained heroes gathered.

"John Stewart, King Orrin, Dr. Fate, along with Wonder Woman; you guys are Team 2 and will be heading to Hong Kong for defensive maneuvers. It appears this is the city being targeted. Head over immediately." Superman paused for a breath, in which Batman interrupted.

"I expect you will inform us why we are listening to your rather ambiguous orders." It was not a question. Superman's eyes lit up in realization.

"I apologize. The reason why is not yet clear to us, but it appears Ra's a Ghul is targeting an oil company in Hong Kong that had a serious oil spill last year. Knowing Ra's, he has a larger plan in mind, but all we know now is that he is planning to rob Starlabs of their newest laser model. This one is rumored, though not yet tested up to scale, to be able to reflect off a special satellite and incinerate fifty square miles on a designated section of Earth within twenty minutes of it being turned on if it has been preprogrammed." Superman met Batman's cloaked eyes.

Batman frowned. this laser, in his mind, shouldn't have been created, but Luthor was quite skilled at creating what shouldn't be created. Even if the end result was positive, most of what Luthor created shouldn't have been created.

But Ra's a Ghul? Yes the man was an environmentalist, but this was sloppy, and hasty, and not as intricate as Ra's ever planned. There must be more, but by looking into Clark's eyes, Batman knew the laser threat was imminent, so figuring out the rest would have to be put on hold.

Unless Batman got Barbra to start the research.

Batman's brain paused for a minute. Could the girl do it? He psyche had been seriously damaged last year when Joker had shot her through the spine. The girl was just getting back into life, did he dare, for the sake of an early start, call her and pull her back into the world that had hurt her so? Bruce wouldn't, but Batman had to consider more than just one life at a time.

"Who is group 1?" He asked gruffly, noting the relief in Superman's eyes as the Kryptonian realized the crusader wouldn't argue with him. While Superman listed off group 1: Batman, Superman, Nightwing, Hal Jordan, Flash, and Green Arrow; Batman sent Barbra a text with his request and apology. He sent it just as Superman finished talking.

"So, how much of that did you hear?" Nightwing asked a self-satisfied smirk on his face. He knew Batman hadn't been paying attention. Batman pulled out a recorded and earphones, and slid on into his ear under his cowl and deliberately hit play. He wouldn't lie about enjoying the shocked looked on Nightwing's face.

Ra's a Ghul paced slowly, with no agitation, around his ship. He breathed deeply and looked up at his monitors. He watched his distraction in Louisiana, smiling as a flash of red and a barrage of other colors told him some heroes had finally arrived to stop it.

It being a happy Joker with his lady friend Harley. Ra's had freed them, without alerting Batman, but in return, he had asked the two to cause as much mayhem in the next 24 hours as they could. It appeared they were doing their job well. Ra's had been surprised when Joker had agreed to help him again, seeing as last time had gone over horribly, leaving Joker injured for almost a whole year after Batman had finished with him, but it appeared Harley's insistent reprimands about not owing people had irritated the Clown Prince of Gotham into action, if only to shut her up.

The other monitor showed a second interesting scene. Three unlikely brutes, in Ra's mind, were slinking around Starlabs, working together in almost perfect harmony. That kind of ease around each other was not one of trust, but one of 'if you get caught, it is your own fault and you're taking your own bullets'. He appreciated it, and, with a glance at his third monitor, saw his second distraction was working more beautifully than he had planned. Of course if the Justice League ignored it and tried to figure out his true motive, and good part of Hong Kong would be obliterated, but by defending the famous city, the Justice League was leaving Ra's to accomplish his true goal.

A broken smile etched its way onto Ra's lips. He was almost giddy with excitement. True, he was disappointed in Batman, but this way was just easier, for all of them.

Team three landed 200 feet west of the security fence of Starlabs on the semi-private island owned half by Luthor and a quarter by the United States. The last quarter was a wildlife reserve that Luthor had set up; it was furthest from the research (weapons) plant.

The silver plane, as usual, camouflaged into its surroundings Group 1 exited and Batman engaged the security locks on the ship. Tension ran high as the group could tell both Nightwing and Batman were upset.

They were both pissed at Superman for sending the younger heroes against Joker and Harley, arguing the kids weren't ready, or that they should try to traumatize the kids. Superman had stumbled through his explanation that he trusted the kids, and that all of them together should have an advantage over the dangerous duo. Reassurance from the rest of the plane's occupants had done little to ease the worry between the Gothamites brows, but it did stop the same two vigilantes to stop complaining.

Nightwing and J'hn went on ahead to scout the area, since they were the best at being invisible and silent, and fast. Nightwing was the only bat-kid to have ever successfully sneak up to Bruce and startle the man, though it was mainly because he had moved to fast for Bruce to catch him, as well as being genuinely sneaky.

J'hn returned first, followed shortly by Nightwing. The coast was clear, and the thugs Ra's was rumored to have hired, according to Superman, were nowhere in sight.

"I believe, by observing our protégés, that a mental link between us would be the most advantageous way to communicate without alerting any outside listeners of our intentions." J'hn said into the night air. Batman, who had been gazing at the incredibly clear night sky, whipped his head rapidly towards the Martian.

"Good idea." Nightwing responded. The others quickly agreed. Batman felt like he was once again in high school by the way everyone was staring at him, pressuring him into agreeing.

"Yes." He grunted. Nightwing's satisfied smile made the morbid idea of another in his head just a mite better.

The connection felt weird. Almost at once, Batman could hear his collogues untrained minds. Their loose thoughts drifted mind to mind, causing quite a few to blush as they tried to focus.

Give me a moment. J'hn asked. The extra thoughts filtered away. I have connected us only through the cognitive parts of out brains. Merely think what you wish to say, as if you were going to speak, and it shall be heard by all. The same will happen if you are thinking of writing something down, as these two processes are related in the human brain.

Nightwing smirked. He knew. Oh of course he freakin' knew. Batman had a suspicion that Nightwing was familiar enough with this form of communication, that he could direct his own thoughts within the Martian's powers. And maybe he could do it without the Martian even knowing. It made Batman nervous.

Besides the usual cameras and security guards, I saw nothing for us to be worried about when we break in. Batman jerked while the others jumped as it sounded as if Nightwing had spoken clearly without any thoughts of their hiding.

There might be a usefulness to this mental communication after all… Batman mused. He looked up sharply, meeting the amused looks of his colleagues, and scowling. Now he was the one losing focus.

Let's head out. Batman ordered. Within ten minutes, Group 1 had infiltrated Starlabs, and was atop the warehouse that housed the deadly laser.

They could be inside already. Green Arrow mused.

We should send a miniature team inside. Nightwing, Batman? Green Lantern offered, also gesturing towards himself.

Not you, glow-stick. Nightwing chuckled. Batman glowered at his first protégé.

If we get caught by your insistent laughing… Batman left the threat hanging. Nightwing stifled the noise.

Let us all head in. I shall remain phased through the roof. If anyone approaches from above, I shall see and alert you. J'hn stated. The group nodded and, by various means, entered the warehouse.

Batman and Nightwing both entered via the air duct. The smell was awful, and Batman worried he would have to clean out his lungs later, they made it through without dropping dead and no headaches so they would probably be okay.

Nightwing was correct about Hal being a glow-stick, but it was the faint green light surrounding his body that probably saved the youngest vigilante's life.

As he was lowering himself to the floor of the warehouse, Hal's body descending with him, a few meters away. By the faint light, a lithe body's movement was noted, and Nightwing reacted by turning to face the movement, thus when the body tackled him about twelve meters above the ground, he was able to dodge the swinging blade aimed for his side and only get his line cut, causing the two to fall and land heavily on the cement floor.

Arg! Nightwing mental groaned, rolling onto his stomach and trying to stand. Luckily, the fall had stunned his attacker enough for Batman to drop to the floor and kicking the attacker away. Batman then knelt down to assist Nightwing.

Nightwing! The group quickly gathered towards the Gothamites.

"What a pleasant surprise." Attacker stood tall, reaching above six feet, easily. AS the lights in the warehouse slowly began flickering on, another, large bulky frame lumbered up next to him, dwarfing the original attacker.

"Bane." Growled Batman. Nightwing was standing fine now, glaring at the shorter figure.

"Slade." He hissed.

Oh shit; thought the rest of the group as the exits were cut off by familiar, black clad ninjas. This was going to be one hell of a fight.

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