Guest- Beast Boy as the beast? We shall see. There is something involving him and QB after all...
Paragon Eight- No, Kyle won't be changing spectrums this time around. It's still too early for him to do something like that.
3.
Deep Space
August 23
09:01 UTC
Exiting the last of the Boom Tubes, the Bioship slowed down for the first time in hours. Ahead of it, the orange planet known as Tameran shown brightly in the distance with its moons orbiting it. Entering its camouflage mode, the alien craft almost completely disappeared from view as it flew into the planet's orbit.
"Why are we stopping?" Cassie asked as she came from the back while tucking the bottom of her shirt in. "Just land already."
"We can't exactly do that," M'gann told her, still in her civilian clothing. "We need a better plan than to go in guns blazing."
"Can you sense Conner?" Kara asked, already in her uniform pants and boots.
"I can't. I've been trying since we began orbit but I can't find him. Kori, this is your backyard so-to-speak, where should we head to?"
Looking out the window, Koriand'r studied the far off land masses of the planet. "We should head for the land mass, dubbed a peninsula by your people, to the northwest of Tameran. The capitol will be located there as will my sister and the super boy and the beetle of blue. Just be careful as there will be guards posted on the walls around the city."
Putting in a few commands to her ship, M'gann had it prepare itself for atmospheric entry. Knowing the heat generated by the friction of gasses would cause a heated cone to appear beneath them, she had it ready to descend slowly as to avoid causing any on duty guard to identify them as a target.
Some time later, the ship broke through the atmosphere without giving away its position and covered the distance quickly to arrive just outside the capitol walls. Just like Koriand'r described, towers housing guards were positioned every hundred yards with the armed soldiers able to be seen within the windows. Large anti aircraft turrents were mounted on top of the towers with double barreled cannons sitting inside rooms in the center of them for taking out ground based attackers. It was well fortified, meaning the Martian pilot could not have her ship approach the palace in the center of the city without risking being spotted. And if the Bioship was shot down, their ride home would be destroyed and the rescue mission would turn out to be a one way visitation trip.
Having her biomorphic suit, or second skin, change from her civvies to her black and red Titan uniform, Mrs. Martian was the last one ready to depart to liberate Blue Beetle and Superboy.
"Everyone know their jobs?" Mrs. Martian asked while making her ship open up a hole in its side.
"Wonder Girl's with Starfire and I'm with you," Supergirl stated as she and the others prepared to head out.
"Right. Starfire and I will get some guard uniforms from the first tower and we can move out from there. First ones to the palace wins essentially."
"And if we are caught with our hands colored red?" Starfire asked.
"Then we forgo the sneaky-sneaky, and bust some heads," Wonder Girl explained.
"Right. If caught, distract the soldiers by running away from the palace," Mrs. Martian told them. "Mind link will be up at all times so I want constant contact between us and when possible, stay in the crowd to not draw attention to yourselves. Star, you'll lead when we get to the palace. Now, let's get our guys back."
Taking positions at the formed exit to the ship, Supergirl and Wonder Girl watched as Mrs. Martian became near invisible while Starfire led the way. The two women quickly flew up to the nearest guard tower, being careful to not alert any on duty Tamerans as they went about disabling the double barreled cannon. Using her telekinesis, the Titan co-leader distracted the lone guard for Starfire to rip the main battery cables out before knocking the guard out when he had his back turned. Luck was on their side as a locker with spare uniforms was open in the back of the small room.
Taking the Tameranian armor to the others, Starfire wished Mrs. Martian luck as she phased through the top floor to take the remaining guards out. A quick psychic blast rendered them unconscious and allowed her to disable the main anti-aircraft cannon by re-arranging the ports the cables pugged into, an idea she had hoped would lead to a cain reaction of the other towers exploding should they open fire.
Flying in through the window of the first cannon, Wonder Girl, Supergirl, and Starfire were wearing their stolen uniforms to help blend in with the orange skinned aliens. Even though two of the lady's skin coloring was not orange, they made sure to they were covered up with their gloves and helmets as Mrs. Martian morphed her uniform to match what the others were wearing a well as to change her skin tone to orange.
"Okay, ladies," Supergirl said as she made sure her gloves were on tight, "let's get this show on the road."
The streets of the Tameran capitol were packed. People traversed the streets like a flea market as they went about shopping in the large stores. Streets nicer than Earth's, paved the way for the orange skinned aliens to walk on as flight was only allowed for soldiers within the walls or special occasions, something Starfire explained to the other three before leaving the tower.
Splitting up, the two groups took different paths, always communicating with each other to make sure nothing was wrong. Each kept an eye out for guards or soldiers but none were visible, apparently it was another ploy to make the planet look less defended than it was.
"Just make sure to not cause any trouble whatsoever," Starfire told the rest. "If approached, just act as if you did not hear what is being said. Or better yet, pretend you are all on business. The guards consider themselves to be of a higher class than the others so it would be better to act, um, the snotty."
"Snooty, Star. The word is snooty." Walking close behind the disguised Tameran, Wonder Girl made sure her face was hidden as much as possible as well as making sure any other exposed areas were covered up.
"How far to the palace?" Supergirl asked. "Why not fly there now?"
"The guards often fly when there is a summons. It would be wise to wait for one to occur or do so once we reach a more private area. Strange. I have not seen any of the elders or more lower class Tamerans out and about."
After walking for a few blocks, Starfire caught a glimpse of Mrs. Martian and Supergirl passing an opening between two buildings and knew exactly where they were heading to. "Mrs. Martian, you and the super girl should be coming up to a private park if I remember correctly. You can become airborne by-"
"Oy'ye."
Turning quickly, Starfire and Wonder Girl came face to face to chest with another Tameran soldier. Decked out in more armor than they wore, the tall, muscular male was obviously a higher rank than most others. His armor was even adorned with a cape over one arm and elaborately decorated with various medals.
"Et una ma'aha se doon?"
Not knowing what was being said, Wonder Girl telepathically messaged the others when Starfire spoke up.
"No we'hea. En su ma'ja de'oon pelwawa shenowa."
"E shay loon?" Giving the shorter disguised Wonder Girl a look over, the guard's thoughts were interrupted by Starfire.
"Para sae. E la toon wa shewana sa."
Backing up and bringing his fist to his chest, the Tameranian guard gave a quick, shallow bow and took off into the air.
"What was that?" Wonder Girl asked.
"It appears as if we should head to the palace for a shift change. It is strange for us to be chosen but a welcome dose of what you would call, luck. Perhaps a lucky rabbits head would be good to have after all."
Letting out a chuckle, Wonder Girl adjusted her helmet to make sure it was still on properly before she and her partner went airborne. "Don't ever change, Kori."
The two then flew towards the palace behind the male guard.
"Mrs. Martian, Supergirl," Wonder Girl said over the shared link, "we're in the sky. See if you can follow us if possible."
"Supergirl and I are on our way," Mrs. Martian replied. "I'll also make it to where we'll be able to understand the Tamerans in a bit."
"What do you mean by- Ow!" Grabbing her head, Wonder Girl felt a quick headache that was over as soon as it began.
"We'll be able to understand their language now. I'll be in camouflage mode for the time being in case anything happens. Hopefully nothing does and no one will look too closely."
Tameran Palace
August 23
10:47 UTC
Landing on the large balcony designed for the landing of ships, the male Tameran guard landed with the disguised Wonder Girl and Starfire. Supergirl landed shortly after with a few other guards.
"Where'd you get your friends?" Wonder Girl asked.
"They just swooped in to join me half way here. Guess they needed a larger shift change."
Letting out a tired grunt, the lead guard removed his helmet, revealing an attractive, hard lined face. After undoing a hair tie, he let his dark red locks fall halfway down his back and turned to the others as thy did the same, except for the three disguised ones that is.
"Come on, you know the drill," the guard said as the others waited for the last to comply. "All personnel must identify themselves before entering the palace, Queen's orders."
The three infiltrators stole quick glances at each other. Two did not know weather to be thankful for being able to understand the alien language or not with what was requested.
"Don't tell me you actually like it under there. Take your helmets off. That's an order."
Moving up, three more guards stood behind the female team members with spears at the ready.
Shrugging, Wonder Girl was the first to reach for her helmet and undid the clasp under her chin with Supergirl slowly doing the same. Starfire was the fastest of the three and was the first to remove her head covering, which got an immediate reaction from the guards.
"The Queen's sister!"
"She is not allowed here!"
"Arrest here!"
"Koriand'r?"
Striking first, one of the guards from behind attempted to spear Wonder Girl with his weapon. His attack was deflected as she parried it to the side, spun around, and nailed an elbow to his exposed chin, sending him tumbling a few feet away while Starfire grappled onto the second and threw him into the nearest wall. As for the third, he was taken by surprise when Supergirl ripped his weapon from him and snapped it easily. drawing a knife, he lunged forward and stabbed her in the stomach, causing the blade to break.
"Emasculating, is it not?" Grabbing the guard by the throat, Supergirl easily picked him up and slammed him back down for the knockout.
"Gee, thanks for the help, M'gann!" Wonder Girl yelled once the first three guards were taken care of.
Falling from the sky, two more Tameranian guards landed in a heap as Mrs. Martian appeared from her near invisible mode. "You're welcome. Now, for him."
Seeing what the four women did to five guards, the last one standing backed up and threw his spear down. Throwing his hands in the air, he immediately surrendered, which struck Starfire as odd.
"Pr, Princess Koriand'r," the guard stuttered as he fell to his knees. "You have returned."
"Is he serious?" Wonder Girl asked.
Walking up behind Starfire, Supergirl placed a hand on her friend's shoulder. "Kori?"
"P, please, I am Domom'r, second captain to the guards. I can not believe it is you."
"What do you mean?" Starfire asked. "Why did you not attack us like the others?"
"My allegiance is to the ruler of Tameran. The real ruler of Tameran. Princess Koriand'r."
With her eyes glowing, Mrs. Martian quickly read the guard's mind. "He's telling the truth. He's sworn his allegiance to you, but there's, there's others like him, everywhere."
"What others is she talking about?" Wonder Girl asked.
Looking back up at Starfire, Domom'r saw her give a quick nod then continued. "Ev, ever since Komand'r won the battle against you to take over the throne as leader of Tameran and banished you, she has made most of the guards her own private army. Some of us refused to see her as our leader, but they were soon imprisoned and forced to fight for her amusement. She had every shrine destroyed. The elderly and sick done away with. We cannot even seek any form of knowledge unless it pertains to battle tactics. Sometime ago, she took a squad of soldiers with her and was not heard from for sometime. When she came back, she stated she had found several candidates for mates and took off to retrieve a few."
"Where are they?" Wonder Girl and Mrs. Martian asked at the same time.
"Down, down the corridor, to the right is-"
Not letting him finish, both women flew into the palace and down the direction the guard stated. With so many rooms to choose from, it was difficult to actually find the right one until they arrived at the ninth door, only to find it locked. Ignoring Mrs. Martian's ability to phase through it, Wonder Girl smashed her way in with her friend behind her.
"Jaime?"
"Conner?"
"S'up."
Staring directly in front of them, both Mrs. Martian and Wonder Girl laid eyes on a shackled Red X sitting on the ground with his arms suspended over his head. A towel was draped across his lap with his boxers being to only other article of clothing on his person, besides his mask.
"You?" Wonder Girl asked.
"Wait, I had something for this." Pausing for a moment, Red X looked down then back up at the two. Oh yeah, aren't you a little too hot for a Thunder Trooper?"
"What?"
"You know, from Galaxy Wars? Watch a movie every once in a while."
"What are you doing here?" Mrs. Martian asked.
"Long story sort, I was captured by some Blackfire chick in Texas, made a pit stop to pick up two more guys, flown here to fight to become some hottie's mate, then shackled to become fodder for something when she found out I really don't have any powers of my own. Except to charm chicks."
"Two more? Where're they-"
"Blue Beetle, who I now know is named Jaime or Conner, and Superboy who is one of those names too."
Reaching the room, Supergirl, Starfire, and Domom'r joined the others with the Tameranian guard keeping an eye out for any other soldiers.
"X?" Starfire said, surprised to see him.
"Hey, Sunkist. Long time, no see."
Seeing the female Tameranian power up her fist, Red X scooted himself against the wall. "Whoa, whoa, wait a minute. I-"
With a loud crack, Starfire set him free from his shackles with the former captured criminal checking his wrists to make sure they were still connected to his arms and hands then went back to being nonchalant as he stood up. "Oh, well, thanks, babe. Now, can you please tell me if you have some clothes for me? Or do I run around in my skivvies all day?"
"Where are the others?" Mrs. Martian demanded. "One chance, or I read your mind to get what I need."
"Take it easy, Kiwi, no need to go snooping around my brain. I'll tell you what I know if you get me home." He then looked over at Starfire. "With her ridin' shotgun, of course."
"Watch what you say to Princess Koriand'r!" Domom'r ordered.
"Princess huh? Then you can call me Prince Charming"
"Enough of this." Moving forward, Supergrl lifted Red X into the air by his neck but did not choke him to make sure he could give her answers. "Where are the other ones they brought from Earth?"
"Easy Xena. I don't know where they took them, but I heard some of the guards talk about a fight in a gladiatorial pit earlier and about how the feast was good."
"Feast?" Starfire asked. "They already had the feast?"
"Yeah. And no offense, but your kind are extremely rude. Wouldn't even toss me some chicken. Or something that smelt like it."
"Domom'r, is it true my sister had the feast of the mate combat?"
"I am afraid so. It was last night and the death match should be starting soon."
"What?!" the women yelled in unison with Supergirl dropping Red X on his rear.
As if pressing the point, a series of deep sounding horns sounded from outside the palace, filling the air with a sense of excitement as a loud wave of cheers could be heard.
"What was that?" Wonder Girl asked.
"It is the signal of the fight to choose Komand'r's mate," Domom'r explained. "It's beginning."
"Where are they fighting?" Mrs. Martian asked Domom'r.
"In the coliseum. It is where they hold all the gladiatorial fights for our people's amusement."
"Star, you know where it is, take us there," Supergirl instructed.
"But my sister will be there," Starfire told her. "Should I show my face-"
"Princess," Domom'r interrupted. "Pardon my intrusion, but I may be able to help. I can get those still loyal to you to turn on Komand'r. All they need is to see you are here and alive."
"We'll have an army," Supergirl said. "And you'll have your sister standing by your side."
"Please, Star," Wonder Girl added.
"We need you," Mrs. Martian chimed in.
"I need pants," Red X spoke up. "You know, if that counts for anything."
Looking at her friends, Starfire saw the determination to get their friends back, in their eyes. Domom'r had a look of hope in his, showing he had faith in her as well. It was impossible to tell with Red X's mask still on.
"O, okay," the Tameran princess said with a nod. "Let us lay down the smack on my sister for taking our friends."