MoP
Harry Potter and the Myriad of Possibilities: Contagion
Chapter 7: Cure
Disclaimer: This is solely a not-for-profit fan activity and does not intend to infringe on copyrights held by Time Warner, DC Comics, Bloomsbury et al, and JK Rowling. Any characters that are original to this work remain the property of the author.
A/N: The Myriad of Possibilities Series primarily uses the background from the Harry Potter books but some elements and scenes have been borrowed from other sources – including the movies, Pottermore and my own headcanon – that will be covered where they fit into the narrative. The timeline of the DC Comics elements borrows heavily from Young Justice (2011) and may adapt elements and characters from the comics and several additional other media instalments – including but not limited to Smallville (2001) and Superman and Lois (2021) – and relocates events of Young Justice to the Eighties and early Nineties rather than the New Tens as screened and includes several 'legacy' and original characters as a result. Any other recognisable characters belong to their copyright holders.
A/N: Thanks to Jon, 6f5e4d and the Young Justice Writers Group Discord for their help on this chapter.
Star City.
August 18, 06:16 PDT.
Artemis had had a stressful, interrupted sleep for fifth night in the row since she found out about the Clench, but she was still sharp enough that she heard the rustle of papers as the intruder set it down on her bedside table and flipped over with her crossbow pointed at him just in time to see the chalk-faced assassin fade back into the shadows. Artemis swore, then sat up and reached for the file.
She opened it and scanned the thin stack of papers inside. "Jade…" she sighed, irritated, then picked up her cellphone and sent a quick message.
The Watchtower.
10:52 EDT.
"I believe you have something for us, Artemis?" Jefferson asked.
Artemis nodded.
"Then you have the floor."
"Thank you," Artemis said and rose to her feet, glancing over the assembled group – M'gann, Conner, Garfield and Victor representing the Team and Outsiders; and Jefferson, Clark and Red Tornado for the Justice League – seated at the table, in addition to Barbara and the STAR Labs team observing via holo-screen. "Just over an hour ago, Shade of the League of Assassins entered my home. Fortunately, he doesn't appear to have meant me or my family any harm… in fact, quite the contrary."
"He was sent by your sister," M'gann declared.
"I suspect so," Artemis agreed, ruefully. "He didn't attack, even when I drew on him, just left this file and departed the same way he came in."
"What's does the file say?" Clark asked. "I doubt your sister would send Shade if it wasn't urgent."
Artemis nodded. "My sister has been tapping her sources for information on Die Geiersellschaft and L'Ordre de St Dumas to try find a cure or solution for the Clench and she seems to have found the lab that the virus originally came from."
"How soon can you investigate?" interrupted Mr Slate eagerly.
"That's where we might have a problem," Artemis admitted. "The lab is located in Sudan."
Jefferson sighed. "That's not what I was hoping to hear," he observed. "Even before Luthor's manipulation of public opinion are ability to operate in that area was limited and it hasn't improved much."
"I agree," Artemis confirmed. "If the lab was near Darfur or Khartoum then I'd suggest a diplomatic solution, but it's several hundred miles into the desert near the Libyan border."
Jefferson appeared to consider the issue for a moment, then nodded. "It's still a risk, but timing is critical here…"
"My experimental vaccine is having some limited effect on mild cases and those who are in excellent physical shape," Paula observed. "But without more information it could take years to produce a real cure that will work for most people."
"Which could cost millions of lives," Mr Slate observed. "If there's anything that you can do…?"
"I still have concerns, but I agree," Jefferson confirmed. "Do you have a plan?"
"I'd like to take a three-pronged approach," Artemis declared. "Miss Martian will lead Beta Squad on Bio-Ship to Sudan and approach under stealth and position themselves close to the compound, then Beast Boy and Superboy should Boom in with the New Genesisphere and Fox Squad and join them. This should draw off most of the compound's inhabitants and give me a fairly clear run to bring Gamma Squad into the labs themselves through the original entrance several miles from the large modern entrance and locate the cure or at least any experimental data they have."
"How confident are you about it?" Clark asked.
"STAR Labs' military liaison was able to get us some historical surveillance photos to supplement what Jade provided," Artemis replied. "The second entrance definitely leads to the facility and there's no signs of life nearby."
"Have you selected your squads?" Jefferson asked.
"I'd like to keep the circle reasonably tight on this," Artemis continued, pulling up a file on her holo-screen and sending it to him. "Just people that already know about our involvement in the Clench investigation."
"I agree. When can you leave?"
Miss Martian spoke up. "I can leave immediately, we can over the site in just under four and half hours."
"Unless anyone has any concerns…?" Jefferson asked, then paused for a moment, but no-one spoke up. "Then you have a go."
The Hub.
11:11 PDT.
"Bio-Ship, what's your status?" Artemis asked as she connected to the ship over holo-screen.
"We're about to cross the Tunisian-Libyan border," M'gann reported. "We'll be in range of the compound in one hour, I'm engaging camouflage to avoid Libyan patrols."
"Understood, standing by," said Artemis, then turned away from the holo-screen and looked towards the seating area where the rest of the Team and Outsiders members that she'd summoned for the mission.
A whistling, beeping sound drew her attention. "Not quite yet, Sphere," she replied to the sapient New-Genesisian being's unverbalised question. "Halo's going to Boom you there once M'gann has distracted the defenders."
Another series of sounds expressed the shapeshifter's opinion as she rolled away.
Sudan.
21:16 CAT.
The bang of an opening Boom Tube echoed across the sands and a small group rushed out, taking defensive positions as soon as they were clear of the passage.
Artemis turned to Lia, "Activate psychic link."
(Connected,) reported the red-headed telepath.
(Tigress to Bio-Ship.)
(Yes, Tigress?)
(Any sign the guards noticed us, Forager?)
(Forager is not certain, Tigress) admitted the Bug. (But the three airborne Avatars are continuing to engage Bio-Ship. Two other Avatars are leading the ground defence against Miss Martian and the rest of Beta Squad.)
(I suggest we get moving while the going's good,) Victor suggested.
(Agreed,) Artemis replied. "Tigress to the Hub."
"Go ahead," replied Conner.
"We're about to make entry to the 'back door'. Beta Squad is still being held at the 'front' so you'll be our back-up as discussed."
"Agreed."
Artemis led the way to the large pit that would take them into the tunnels. (Mist, you're on point; Cyborg, follow her… full scans…)
The young man nodded.
(Vibe, Looker, you've got our backs.)
(You got it, Jefa,) confirmed the Hispanic teen as the group began to move again.
21:20 CAT.
(How far until the first trap?) Artemis asked as they made the first turn of the passageway, their Darkwear lenses allowing them to see clearly without lights.
(According to Cheshire's notes, the first 'ordeal' is a hundred-and-thirty Roman pes from the first turn,) Victor replied. (Just over forty-two yards.)
(That's any second now,) Andie pointed out. (Should I?)
Before Artemis could reply, there was a click and a trapdoor opened under her feet and she dropped almost out of sight before she was able to turn into her vaporous form and float back up to safety.
(That was close!) exclaimed Cisco as she landed. (Are you okay?)
(I'm fine,) she assured him as she began to coalesce back into her human form.
Victor inched closer to the edge. (The passage looks pretty steep and long… at least a mile.)
(That's going to be quite a long climb, Boss,) Lia pointed out.
Artemis made a face. (Do you think you can fly it?)
(Probably.)
(Okay, you and Andie take point,) Artemis decided after a moment. (The rest of us will rappel down behind you.)
(Go it, Boss.)
23:16 CAT.
(Tigress to Bio-Ship,) said Artemis as she dropped down to the floor, bypassing the guillotine-like edge at the end of the first trap. (We're clear of the first trap and out of range of the surface. Ease of on the attack and secure anyone you've captured, then contact the Hub and have Fox Squad come out and relieve you.)
(Forager understands Tigress, it will be done.)
August 19, 08:52 CAT.
(Tigress to Superboy…)
(Go ahead.)
(We're past the last trap. How are things topside?)
(There's been no activity up here since we arrived.)
(Standby.)
(Standing by.)
(Andie, you've got point,) whispered Artemis. (Lia, cover our backs.)
(On it, Boss…) confirmed the white-haired teen and immediately sublimated into her gaseous form and drifted into around the corner. She returned a moment later. (The next chamber looks clear. I think I found that 'Great Wheel' that your sister's notes talked about.)
(That could give us a good lead by itself,) Artemis pointed out and led the way into the chamber. (Victor…)
(On it,) confirmed the teen and began to scan the chamber. (Okay, that's interesting…)
(I'm not sure I like that tone, hermano,) observed Cisco.
(What is it?) asked Artemis.
(I uploaded some of the common languages and scripts used in this region before we left, and this script looks similar to Cuneiform, but…)
(But?)
(I don't think the language is Sumerian, Akkadian or any common ones…) he replied. (In fact, I think they might be New God.)
(What?!)
The cybernetic teen nodded as he continued to scan the walls and floor. (It's not any of the current dialects, so I'm getting a few words here and there, but I'll send the data to Halo and Forager. Maybe they can make something of it.)
(Uh, guys… do they ever get earthquakes here?) Cisco asked.
(Sometimes, why?)
(Because I just noticed some serious vibrations,) Cisco replied. (And they're getting stronger…)
Lia frowned and reached out with her own senses. (Boss, we've got to get out of here and fast.)
Artemis was about to argue, but then she heard what they had picked up herself. (They've flooded tunnels…)
(Scans complete,) Victor reported. (Opening a Boom Tube!)
The tunnel opened with a bang, and the group ran towards it with Victor bringing up the rear, crossing the threshold just as a wave burst into the chamber.
09:16 CAT
"It looks like they had some sort of bootleg Zeta gear," Barbara reported. "They teleported to Cairo, but the EGP have confirmed that they didn't stick around."
"Do we know where they are?" Artemis asked.
"They appear to split up and snuck onto flights out of CAI."
"Is there any way to figure out where?"
"Not easily," Barbara admitted. "We don't know who they are, and flights travel to dozens of locations worldwide every day."
"And they might not be flying direct either…"
"Agreed."
(I might have something, Boss,) Victor reported.
(Good news, I hope?)
(The flooding trashed all their regular computers, as they intended…) Victor replied.(But I've managed to pull some data from their Zeta gear, and there's only a few cities listed in the drive.)
(Which ones?)
(Calcutta, Gotham, Paris and Sao Paulo.)
(Well, they've already hit Gotham, but…) Artemis observed. "Oracle, it's possible that the escapees are heading for Gotham, notify Batman."
"Done."
"Tigress to the Hub."
"Go ahead," said M'gann.
"Die Geiersellschaft could be heading for Sao Paulo to either hide or release another batch of the Clench," Artemis told him. "Can you?"
"We're on our way."
Artemis turned to Conner and Garfield who were lingering nearby, (Can you take Paris?)
(We're on it,) confirmed the pair and moved off to gather their squad.
(Gamma Squad, to me,) Artemis ordered. (We're off to India.)
Calcutta.
13:16 IST
Two Indian girls were waiting for Gamma Squad when they exited the Boom Tube near the airport. "Greetings, Tigress," said the elder of the two girls, who carried a business-like longbow. "My name is Maya, this is Solstice. Celsius has asked to assist you."
"Have you managed to narrow done the flight that are targets are coming in on?" Artemis asked her.
"Not as much we'd like," Solstice admitted. "There are several possible flights, the first one arrives in about nine hours and the last isn't due for about twenty-five hours after that."
Artemis sighed. "So, what's the plan?"
"Celsius has booked you some rooms at a nearby hotel," Maya continued. "She suggested that we could stage from there?"
Artemis thought about it for a moment, then glanced at Halo.
"If we can get rooms with a line-of-sight to the flight-line, then I get can get us back here almost instantly."
"Let's do then," Artemis agreed. "I could do with some food and a nap myself."
19:46 IST.
A hand shaking her shoulder, woke Artemis from her nap.
Lia was standing over her, her expression hopeful.
"What is it?" Artemis asked groggily.
"Fox Squad just reported in from Paris," replied the red-headed telepath. "They managed to stop the group there when they tried to release the Clench at the Louvre and they managed to retrieve the sample."
"The Louvre…" Artemis mused. "So, they targeted a major public location. I wonder…"
"If the group heading this way plans to do the same thing?" Lia finished. "Vic had a similar idea. He and Maya are running a geographical and a cultural analysis now to try and pin down options while we're waiting for the first flight to come in."
"Good call," Artemis confirmed, debating for a moment whether she'd be a help or a hinderance in that process. Almost immediately she decided that she didn't know enough about profiling or Calcutta to do more than get in the way. "Wake me again if they get anywhere."
"Will do, Boss."
23:16 IST.
(Solstice to Tigress.)
(Go ahead, Solstice.)
(I have a visual on the stolen taxi. It's heading for the Howrah Bridge…)
(Tigress to Cyborg, did you copy?)
(I copy,) confirmed the cybernetic hero. (It's on my list.)
(All right,) said Artemis. (Cyborg, contact local enforcement have them set up a containment and quarantine zone around the bridge.)
(I'm on it.)
(Should I try and stop them?)
(Negative,) Artemis insisted. (We don't know what sort of container they're carrying it in... if you crash the car it might release it. Maintain overwatch and keep a look out for any of their back-up.)
(Affirmative.)
(Looker, Maya, Vibe… meet me on the bridge.)
(On our way.)
23:24 IST.
The taxi screamed onto the bridge onto the bridge, passing under the pylon that Tigress and Maya were posted. Tigress glanced at the younger archer as she drew her own crossbow. (Make sure you take out a rear tire, otherwise it might flip.)
(Understood,) Maya confirmed, manifesting an arrow of magical force and shot it at the vehicle struck the passenger-side rear tire, vaporising it in a flash of flame seconds before an explosive bolt struck the driver's side rear tire, shredding it.
Seconds later, the car slid to a halt and the two terrorists jumped out and headed in opposite directions.
The passenger was cut off as a Boom Tube opened up in front, disgorging Victor and Cisco.
The driver was almost at the side of the bridge when Lia and Solstice flew out from under the deck, the Indian girl's fist glowing with barely contained power. The man thrust a hand into a pocket and was about throw when a crossbow bolt struck his hand, enveloping it in rapidly hardening foam. "Tigress to Watchtower. Calcutta attack averted."
"Understood, Tigress," replied Red Tornado. "Beta Squad is still attempting to track down the third attack location."
"Any word from Gotham?"
"Standby…"
Tigress stood watching the police and ambulance teams stream onto the bridge to assist her squad and their allies in securing the two terrorists.
"Watchtower to Gamma Squad."
"Go ahead, Tornado."
"Beta Squad just reported in. They were successful at averting the attack on Ibirapuera Park but were unable to save the virus sample."
"Unfortunate," Artemis observed. "But we've got the Paris sample and pretty sure we'll be able to salvage the sample from the attack here. I'll have Cyborg Boom it over to STAR Labs as soon as possible."
"I will inform Mr Slate," Red Tornado agreed. "Watchtower out."
Los Angeles.
August 23 02:16 PDT.
Artemis was barely able to contain herself when the 'Simulation Successful' pop-up appeared. "Have we…?"
Paula made a face. "We're at least making progress. But we need to run more tests and trials before we can tell if the problem is solved."
"But we can start trials immediately?"
The older woman nodded. "The CDC and the FDA have agreed to limited human trials based on my simulations."
Taking this as permission, Artemis moved to the chiller where the other doses were being stored, extracted a handful of ampoules, added it to a medical bag and then strode out of the room and headed towards the Zeta Room.
"Access denied."
"Override!" Artemis demanded. "TH-slash-Watchtower, Priority Red! Tigress B-Zero-Seven!"
The Zeta Tube scanned her again, "Recognized Tigress B-Zero-Seven. Access granted."
Gotham.
05:16 EDT.
"Recognized, Tigress B-Zero-Seven," declared the Computer as she teleported into the Batcave.
She moved towards the main console and stood there alone for a moment before an elderly, balding man entered from a side passage. "Miss Crock?"
"We've got a possible cure," she reported. "I wanted to give Tim the opportunity to be one of the first trail subjects."
"Indeed, Miss," Alfred replied with a nod. "Follow me."
A/N: And that's a wrap for this arc. Originally it was going to be longer with a couple of additional arcs, but I decided a shorter tighter story was better. The next instalment is likely to be Neophytes set after the events of the Targets mini-series, and the current plan is to begin releasing chapters by the end of the year.