[28th February 2011]

[The Watchtower, Low Earth Orbit]

"...so despite the, seemingly recurring, issue of encountering more than expected the mission went as well as can expected inspite of the escape of Deathstroke and his allies. Securing the safety of the hostages, and those others trapped within the museum, was made a priority for the Junior Team over pursuit as well as securing the greater danger in Blackbriar Thorn"

"I agree with Wonder Woman, it was a much improved performance over previous excursions where simple training missions turned into very concerning end results. The Team reacted well to the situation, the clear chain of command helped, and when the situation required you swiftly called in reinforcements..." he watched Captain Atom agree as their gathering reviewed a series of recent events "...which, for a rare occasion, were available to be rapidly deployed. Overall, escape of certain elements aside, but they can be hunted down at a later point, I'd call it a success"

John Stewart nodded, frowning though as he did "Yes, I agree with that assessment, but it does bring up a number of questions does it not?"

He watched as Batman gave a brief nod as well "Indeed. Such as whom the two parties were working for? Why recovery of these artefacts was so important as to risk direct confrontation between the both parties? And does it have any relation to theft of similar artefacts from a facility in Verhoyansk in Russia that had similarly associated energy and seismic readings"

Stewart sighed "Do we have any leads so far?"

"No, not as yet" the Bat stated calmly "suspicions at best, educated guesses, but considering the nature of the Olympia site's ownership Luthor is likely one of these parties. Unfortunately Blackbriar Thorn has proven less than cooperative on the subject, and hired being through a proxy by an unknown party sums up the total information Wonder Woman could gain through her Lasso. Further investigation will be required, and in part why we will be meeting shortly with Doctor Fate"

He gave his own silent agreement to that. Mystic things were a nuisance to research; and the Guardians were not happy at the moment over...a number of things...one of which being the 'casual' as they put it use of the rings to info search leading to certain global governments creating Lantern proof comm-arrays with magic. Not that the scans he was allowed to do had revealed much, supervillains having long since learned how to avoid be obvious in paying for such through simple transactions. Nor did the various court systems of the world react well to the fact of 'non-Earth forces' deciding to access people's private information such as bank accounts on what they viewed as whim.

"The Greek government has also offered help in researching the items stolen..." Diana further clarified "...and it is priority as they were valuable enough to make use of very dangerous, and expensive to hire, villains to gain control of them. Considering the nature of Doctor Fate's mission, and SHIELD through him, it would be the most logical for us to make of the resources available to us. Just as I will research through my sisters on Themyscira most knowledgeable on the lore"

"My own subjects will do likewise from our archives, Mera would too but for the fact our newborn son keeps her busy I'm afraid" Aquaman supplied "...but till we know more on the subject there is little we can do apart from preparing and watching for a number of potential eventualities. Catching Deathstroke and his daughter should be a priority as they appear to have secured whatever these items are, that and research are our best option available at the moment. Though I do believe the purpose of this session was the youth team rather than the mission itself?"

"Yes, and time is growing limited till our outside experts arrive and we must postpone this discussion" Batman offered bringing up summary of the mission on the screen and availability of the sidekicks over the coming week "so let us continue. I would propose leaving the current mission with the youth team, in part as it promotes development of investigation and detective skills needed for this role, to one degree or another. It should also serve to provide us with increase capacity to study the items ourselves without comprising on our ability to respond to an immediate crisis"

"Agreed" he voiced his own agreement, along with the others at the table, though they were less united on giving training hours to the sidekicks of others. With the way things were it was hard to give up either time on the job, or even more precious off time; even the brief meetings here took away from patrolling various problem areas still suffering chaos. He himself was out for the moment, the Guardians were redeploying 'excess' Lanterns out of system, and it was only a few days till representatives from the Zamorans and Controllers were due to arrive after weeks of trying to keep them away.

In the end, aside from the standard Team related members such Black Canary and Red Tornado it was the turn of Zatara, Icon, and Hawkwoman to attend to further training with the youngsters. John Stewart felt that was the best choice, though Aquaman with his magical background might have been more helpful, but Giovanni would be best suited to researching these items along with his daughter and John Fortune with his links to British and Irish magical law enforcement community.

Even if it didn't lead to anything it would keep the children busy, and should they have to fight under supervised circumstances like he'd thought from the very start; the cavalier way the youths had been used for early missions had been just disastrous. So he swiftly voiced his approval of the crude schedule for the Team for the week, even if just for the fact they had a proper training regime in place for a group of teenagers who needed the discipline and help just like any new Lantern recruit needed to go through basic like he had himself once upon a time. Getting power didn't often come with the wisdom to use it properly without some guidance at first after all.

"...the final matter in relation to the Team then is potential new addition" Batman finished bringing up the image of an asian girl, armed with a sword and a mask "...by the name of Katana. Powers appear to be fueled by a magic weapon, specifically a Katana blade, and private request was forwarded through the Japanese government to enquire into her receiving training that she has requested"

John Stewart smiled "Wasn't aware we were advertising positions?"

Batman didn't scowl at least "Since the events during the Children's World Crisis a number of formerly hidden magic users have approached their national governments discretely, and it appears that once the Japanese government became aware of our various protégés functioning as a team, alongside other youngsters affiliated with other national governments rather than Justice League members, a query was put forward. My background checks do not show any increased security concerns, beyond our existing ones, and I would propose a similar treatment to..." he glanced at something on his screen a moment before continuing "...our relation with Mr. Constantine's apprentice and family members"

"I think an official meeting with her might be the best start, perhaps with Aqualand and perhaps Fortune present as well owing to their positions on the Team and backgrounds?" Giovanni offered and John found himself nodding in agreement "...we do not wish to seem to be undermining the Team's perceived level of independence any further by simply adding further members without discussing it with them?"

"Agreed, unless there are any objections I will arrange such?" the lack of any negative response to Batman's statement ended that as the black cowled hero seemed to note that on the system to be done, then ending the date feed and bringing up a new agenda on the computer "Doctor Fate and Jason Blood will be here momentarily, but have expressed a desire to discuss another potential problem that has come to their attention before we will brief them, and they us, on the matter of the Museum Battle"

There weren't any objections at the table, so with the press of a button and a quick word into his comms, there was brief alert on his ring of the Zeta-Tubes activating. After another minute or two the blue and gold clad, female this time, form of Doctor Fate came into the room alongside a well dressed red haired man who'd they'd fought with in Scotland a while ago. A nearly immortal man from Arthurian time with a demon bound to him, which could turn into...John Stewart resisted sighing at the madness that just kept popping up in the world over the last year. Or more accurately had been happily hidden from his and the Guardians view; safely so, as now they were quite mad three whole Green Lanterns had completely missed all this and failed to report it to them.

"Doctor Fate, Mister Blood, please have seats..." Batman greeted them nodding at two free seats at the conference table "...I understand you have a matter to bring to the attention of the Justice League before we begin our discussion on events in Greece"

"Yes, I'm afraid so, perhaps for yourself most particularly" Doctor Fate replied in that odd multi-voice tone of his/her's and motioning at Jason Blood while seemed to be a data-device hovered forward towards Batman in a golden sphere of light "Jason, you can explain in summary, and this data device contains further details along with our known information on Athens"

"Thank you Nabu..." the Englishman replied calmly, hands together and elbows on the table as Batman took the device in hand and scanned it first before downloading the information "...I apologise, but a matter of concern has been brought to my attention by an old acquaintance. Two days ago a person went missing in Gotham, a fellow immortal by the name of Andrew Bennett"

Batman's eyes had narrowed at the mention of his city and Mr. Blood fell silent a moment, and after moments probably scanning the files looked like brought up a image of a well dressed man before he nodded at Mr. Blood who started speaking again "This is Andrew, I have crossed paths with him in the past owing to mutual foes, and apparently his close allies were ordered to notify myself and another should he disappear and...certain other, arcane, parameters met"

"Why was he in my city?"

Mr. Blood sighed at Batman's question "Andrew, truth be told, is a vampire, though cursed, or perhaps blessed, with retaining his humanity is the best description of his status. He is, and has been for a long, a vampire hunter, killing his own kind to protect innocents. Yes a strange thing, but his nature is benign, or had been as I fear he maybe slain and that would be...problematic"

Flash, who'd been bored till now frowned "That...doesn't sound good"

"Andrew Bennett serves as...barrier, perhaps prison guard would be description, to the first vampire Cain, who is locked away in an extra-dimensional space due to the curse related to Andrew's nature. Should he have been killed then there is a strong possibility that Cain has been freed from his imprisonment, and given recent events concerning vampire activity that would be particularly bad. I, and by mine and Doctor Fate's request, SHIELD, would like help in confirming if he yet survives or if what we fear has happened has, in fact, happened"

John Stewart frowned, steepling his fingers "What makes you believe, beyond his disappearance, that he might be dead...or more dead?"

Doctor Fate it seemed was answer that "Something of strong magic happened in Gotham on the 26th, felt by myself and others working with SHIELD, though this information was sporadic in reaching us till questioned and investigated a few hours ago. We believe something extra-dimensional may have occurred, a breech for a moment, and when lined up with the Vampire's disappearance there are concerns that need to be addressed"

"How did he go missing?"

Mr. Blood sighed, gesturing at the image that Batman had brought up of the supposed immortal vampire "Ah...he is wont to train other hunters, and a particular stray wandered into his area and, according to my source, attempted to fix her , apparently flawed, training. They were on a hunt, and he has not been seen...but she has, yesterday. What we have is detailed on the file provided, but Professor John Troughtan would have more information would be best meet first, and then perhaps finding her would yield information...or if she has been turned in a vampire herself..."

--