[10h August 2010]

[S.H.I.E.L.D Headquarters, beneath Custume Barracks, Athlone]

"So let's recap, after that debacle a week ago on Santa Prisc..."

"Tropico" I pointed out to Commandant O'Reilly politely. He sighed.

"After that debacle on Tropico, one that we'll still be sifting through criminal cases and computer files for months to come, the Justice League deployed you as part a protective detail for this Doctor Serling Roquette and you, and your teammates, ended up fighting international assassins seeking to kill her as they were deploying a nano-tech weapon against various research sites and she was designing a countermeasure. In the aftermath you then recruited this doctor, and are trying to recruit the former international criminal Paula Crock aka Huntress. Who is also due in the country tomorrow morning, because you have arranged to heal her crippling spinal injury as a show of good faith...that's the basics correct?"

I nodded "There's more detail to all that as the report states, but...yes, that's the basic summary of what's happened in the past week and a half since Tropico. Both Dr. Roquette and Mrs. Crock-Nyugen were approved I'll note"

Most people at the conference table just stared at me while the good Commandant sighed again, even more weary sounding, before his reply "Yes, either would be a great help to our mission and there is criticism of yours actions. It's just...what is the Justice League thinking in utilising your Team in this manner?"

I spread my hands helplessly "Honestly I don't know...I don't they are. Thinking I mean. It's just..." I gave a exasperated sigh of my own "...I don't know! My teammates could take out a small army I'll admit, but it's like we turned up on day one and its very basic training, that most of my teammates did not want, followed by these absolutely nonsensical missions. My Team are demanding them...but we've barely got any coordination and far too much mission planning is left to us teenagers on it. Batman is a help I'll admit, Zatara too even if it's clear he dislikes me in some manner. I do wonder if this is just a reflection of the way the League itself actually works...on an ad-hoc hope for the best basis? That we..."

The more I said, the more absurd it sounded I found as I broke down the mission details of what had occurred in Happy Harbour and the basic training we'd received with Black Canary. I liked Black Canary, she seemed to take what little she'd managed with the Team rather seriously and tried to fix the rather dreadful habits the likes of Superboy had picked up somewhere. Of course his citizenship was also still an issue as the Cabinet were absolutely frikkin' delighted at the possibility of making him an Irish citizen, but the Justice League was being bloody awkward for some reason on the matter. Or at least dragging their heels as best the Department of Foreign Affairs woman could tell me, well everyone at the table, as I finally came to the end of my report.

Inspector Donohue from the Gardai was frowning, not even looking up from his copy of the typed report as he spoke "I'll be truthfully and state here and now that this is somewhat concerning in regards the procedures the Justice League use. Or to be more accurate...the complete lack of them. I can understand by the nature of the threats they face, and their small numbers, that organisational ability was unlikely to be a strong point, but this sort of training as they see it is going to get someone killed, superpowers or not..." he glanced at me "...and frankly we really need to ensure it isn't you young man. Especially due to something that could have been easily avoided. I would also ask why no cooperation was sought with local enforcement till after the criminals had been apprehended?"

"I would say that several of my teammates are naturally really hard to kill, and the others such as Robin and Artemis skilled enough to be better than most soldiers. But I agree lack of coordination and training beyond personal combat skills could cause fatal results against a more powerful, or simply more aware, foe..." I noted defending my 'Team' of sorts a little. Yes it was problematic but several of them...well, Superboy was a Superman clone and could tank mundane missiles and other munitions right now!

"...but in regards working with the local gardai I never thought to do honestly, it being not-Ireland and my own status with the League I doubt I would have anyway. In regards the rest...I don't think that's how things are done with them. Partially because several were vigilantes outside the law before the Justice League probably, power levels and threats maybe for some maybe, and others like the Hawk duo or the Martian are aliens and might not have the same systems on their worlds. Aqualad never suggested it either, so Aquaman might not have suggested it to the League as Atlantis does things differently perhaps?" I answered as honestly as I could and the Inspector and the Commandant scribbled down so notes as I spoke. The back of mind told it was likely comic book logic at work; the army and police tending towards uselessness to make way for the heroes, but this was the real world the reasons were probably even stupider. Like the fact military tech was actually less advanced here than on my 'original' earth because of Schizo tech I guessed – all I could figure was than more money got pumped into 'super-weapon' projects or meta-humans and diverted from stuff that were more mundane, and less useful against such, weapons systems?

Mrs. McDonald from Foreign Affairs nodded "Yes culture clash within the Justice League could be the source of several of the issues you've brought to our attention. In many ways it can be seen as a positive that the various members of the Justice League function as effectively for the United Nations as they do. Their dedication and efforts we're seeing are perhaps more than can be asked of anyone. But..."

She trailed off uncomfortably as Commandant O'Reilly continued in her stead after a moment's silence at the table "Yes...But. But the system is ad-hoc. But we depend on them totally for protection and we're currently seeing how the sausage gets made and it's not pleasant unfortunately. It would appear the United Nations International Justice Monitoring Board are rather...rose-tinted...in their reports on the Justice League's methodology and inner workings. Even the fact they consider a team made up of their sidekicks as a potential black ops team with deniability as...naive"

I shrugged and offered the other side of the argument "I'm not actually sure if they actually believe that. Or at least not all of them do anyway. My guess it's just a ruse to keep the rest of the Team from getting all rebellious and rushing off to try being heroes themselves. My teammates are..." think nice words, nice words "...energetic and driven let's say, and would rush off and try like my report on Speedy, now Red Arrow indicates I think. Though Tropico...says otherwise I admit. Communication isn't great frankly between the Team and the Justice League as best I can tell"

"Yes, but it merely reinforces the need for SHIELD to expand our capabilities to be able to respond to the dangers in our corner of the world as best we can with our own resources. With the funds acquired from the events in Tropico, and having the island itself as a base of operation to some degree, means that effort will made be much easier. Concealing the existence of this organisation while doing so will be difficult I admit, but till we're ready for disclosure it's the best course judging from the disarray these reports indicate within the world's protectors. Perhaps by the time we are made public they'll have resolved these issues themselves and make for an easier relationship with them. I trust there are no other indications they gave towards knowing of our existence?"

I shook my head in the negative "I don't think so, but Red Tornado's an automata and Batman's...kinda like a machine in terms of giving away things with his facial gestures. So I'd say no they don't and my cover, and the others..." I nodded at Constantine and Finn both looking bored while drinking coffee, or smoking in the English ones case. Thank the Gods the new air filters were in place "...are intact. Now Artemis will be in the country with her mother for a day or two..."

I glanced at the woman from Foreign Affairs woman; she nodded "They are getting one of these Zeta Tubes of theirs to London then a flight to Dublin under assumed names. Once they've arrived they'll be driven out to St. Bricin's for you to...do your magic as you say"

"Sounds fine to me, as I get some sleep tonight I'm happy with that plan. In regards a cover identity?" I admitted. While I could have tried healing Artemis's mother yesterday the fact of her suddenly walking overnight might raise suspicions. That and it was an injury of several years with nerves; healing it would hurt like all nine hells unless I accounted for it with some potions. Or maybe even just mundane pain killer...once I got some sleep I could work it all out with a clearer mind. St. Bricins at least had a warded room thanks to the Prince of Wale's temporary stay in the military hospital and that would filter out anyone trying to 'scry' or listen in magically.

She tapped her pen off the pad thoughtfully "It's still being organised I'm afraid, it was trouble enough managing to get her through Heathrow in agreement with the British thanks to her record, and position on various watch lists. MI5's sign off, and creating a fake trail to Paris, took up much of the time sadly. Along with the after-effects of the attack on the British Embassy in Washington a month ago, then Sa...Tropico, the workload within the Department has risen rather dramatically"

"S'not my fault this time! All John Jnr there's responsibility!" Constantine muttered as a few people glanced at him. After all it usually was his fault for a sudden rise in legal forms needing to be filled out, or covering up certain incidents. Still...

"Ya know you were right there with me at the Embassy attack right? So, sorta, still your fault, in part at least"

Commandant O'Reilly held a hand up "Regardless of fault after the incident in the Caligula Club, and the fight a month ago, G2 have been pushing to establish some sort of working relationship with the British and their services. Quite simply they suspect very strongly that we have something like SHIELD, or at least a dedicated Supernatural Response Team in yourselves..." he nodded at myself and John "...so there have been talks on the higher levels now things are finally settling down over there. We're not talking disclosure with them as yet, but some degree of organised joint-taskforce planning is intended...a Supernatural or Magical Version of Plan W has been suggested if you will. Since both of you are officially known you may be needed to attend prior to your return across the water in a week"

I resisted groaning "I just want a day off..." to go home to Cork for a day at least "...so between dealing with Artemis and her Ma, training with Gemma and the others here that doesn't leave much free time to slot anything in. I know the Team are supposed to be getting 'Espionage' training..." needed but not something the government here liked for their Agent from the Justice League and its current, well, actions related to espionage. Also spying in America seemed a bad idea with me in the role I was in "...but that's a few days at most I'd expect"

He nodded "We're aware of your itinerary, if we must we'll send Constantine back with you for a few days if we..."

Now I did groan softly.

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