Chapter Twenty Six
The Hiccup
"It suits you."
Morgan looked up and locked eyes with the only other blonde in the Bio ship. They were sitting at the same station, close enough to hold a hushed conversation without it carrying to the rest of the ship.
Not that they'd been having a hushed conversation. Morgan had been staring out the window since they'd gotten on board, unsure if and how she should engage the other girl in conversation.
"Pardon?" She asked.
"The superhero life." Artemis elaborated. "I know I've only met you once before, but I can still remember what you were like back then. You look healthier now. Stronger too. And happier."
Morgan automatically smiled gratefully at her words. "Thanks."
She leaned forward in her chair, wishing it wasn't so uncomfortable on her wings. Some chairs were worse than others, and the ones in the bio ship kind of squished them because they reached so high up.
"I suppose all the training and the eating and the socializing tends to leave its mark." She mused.
Artemis sighed happily. "That's what I miss the most. Spending most of my day every day with the Team. They become family."
Morgan nodded in agreement, staring ahead of them as they zipped over the landscape below. "They really do."
"We're almost there." Nightwing announced, and M'gann turned the Bio ship into camouflage mode, letting them hover in the air above the site.
Below them, surrounded by four red construction towers, stood the large satellite, magnificent and huge in the waning sunlight. A gathering of reporters and journalists were slowly amassing in front of a podium next to the launching site, eagerly waiting to cover the story.
Nobody got out of the ship. During the flight, Nightwing had reminded all of them of just how short handed the League was and explained that they were going to have to play a little masquerade.
Superboy, with much complaining and grumbling, grabbed the bundle of red and blue cloth Nightwing had handed him earlier and slipped into the back of the ship where he could change in private.
Once he got back out, Morgan couldn't stop a snort of amusement.
She clamped a hand in front of her mouth and nose to avoid another.
It wasn't so much Superboy posing in Superman's suit that was funny – though that was kind of funny too – it was the murderous glare on his face.
A murderous glare which he directed at her once she had let out her snort, making her straighten her posture and shut up immediately. She still kept her hand over her mouth to hide her grin.
"Alright, everyone." Nightwing spoke up, and Gamma squad gathered around him, waiting for instructions. "Lagoon Boy, we need you in the water. Look out for any potential threats coming from the sea."
The green-skinned teenager nodded at his orders.
"Superboy, and Miss Martian, you will be posing as Superman and Martian Manhunter."
Connor scowled, but didn't protest.
"M'gann, can you hover Connor in the air above the site so nobody gets close enough to see his face?"
"Easy." M'gann answered.
"Good. You'll be at the press conference as Martian Manhunter. Make sure everyone sees you and then return to the Bio Ship. The two of you are responsible for guarding the air on this mission."
Lagoon Boy looked like he wanted to strongly protest at his 'Angelfish' and Superboy going together, but he kept his mouth shut.
"Artemis, Sparrow," The two blondes snapped to attention. "You're with me. We'll be stationed in one of the construction towers, keeping eyes on the ground."
Morgan wanted to ask him why he was asking the girl on the team with a pair of wings to cover the ground instead of the air, but she didn't. She knew it was because he wanted to keep her close by so he could keep an eye on her. This was the first mission she'd gotten to go on since that fiasco with the Kroloteans and their underground layer, and Nightwing obviously wanted to make sure she didn't get injured because he'd let her go on a mission too soon.
"Alright, everyone. Go!" He ordered.
M'gann abruptly morphed into her uncle. Morgan was standing beside her and thus didn't notice until she turned and was suddenly met with the much taller, broader and rather more intimidating sight of the Martian Manhunter instead of his niece.
"I still get slightly freaked and jealous whenever you do that." She admitted, watching as the Martian's face split into a grin.
She – or he? – levitated Superboy off the floor and flew the two of them out, disappearing behind the ship.
Nightwing sat down by the controls and flew closer to the ocean next to them, allowing Lagoon Boy to drop into the water below.
Next, he flew the ship towards the nearest tower, hovering beside it. A hole appeared in the floor beside the three of them.
"Aren't you gonna land?" Morgan questioned.
"No. Miss Martian and Superboy need access to the Bio ship in the air." Nightwing reminded her.
"How are you guys going to get down, then?" She wondered. "Because I'm not carrying you."
Artemis cocked an arrow onto her bow, a small smirk on her lips. "That," She fired the arrow, which had a thin, black wire attached to it, watching with satisfaction as it latched itself onto the side of the tower. "Won't be necessary."
Now, one side of the line attached to the tower and the other to the Bio ship, Artemis used it to glide down and onto the observation deck of the tower.
Nightwing, using the same line, followed suit.
Morgan straightened her shoulders and approached the hole, mentally preparing to be Sparrow for the next few hours.
Then, she jumped out. Morgan waited a few seconds before spreading her, by now, impressive wingspan. She enjoyed the rush of the fall, the tickling in the stomach.
Spreading her wings, she beat them powerfully a few times before gliding down and onto the platform, landing nimbly next to her mentor.
"You've gotten good at your landings." He complimented.
"Thanks," Morgan smiled, standing straight. "I've been practicing them a lot. Not very intimidating if the first thing the baddies sees you do is stumble over your own feet."
Nightwing nodded his agreement before handing the two girls a pair of binoculars each.
The three of them settled in each their respective corner, watching the site and the desert landscape surrounding it silently.
Morgan occasionally trained her binoculars onto the press conference, watching M'gann pose as her uncle.
"I wish we could hear what's going on down there." Morgan said quietly. "Ouch." She grimaced, gaining the attention of Artemis.
"What?" The other girl asked.
"That G. Gordon dude is down there." Morgan explained.
"The anti-alien guy?"
"Exactly."
"Sparrow," Nightwing's almost resigned voice carried over to the two.
She looked up at her mentor.
"Focus." He reminded her.
"Sorry." Morgan replied, putting her binoculars up to her eyes again, proceeding to keep an eye on everything going on beneath her.
Five minutes passed in silence. Morgan started to feel the nerves she'd previously harbored from being on a mission slowly wane. She was starting to doubt that any trouble would even come their way at all. Everything was peaceful and quiet. She used the opportunity to study the stars above them. The sun had almost fully set, leaving a purple sky behind with more and more stars coming out.
She remembered the last time she'd watched the stars. She'd been sitting in a tree with her mentor, eating pizza and talking about dating experience.
How very odd that seemed now. The very same guy was standing a few feet away, but at the same time, he was an entirely different person.
He'd been doing this for so long, Morgan wondered if Nightwing himself sometimes had problem remembering which of his identities were mainly him.
And if it was even that simple.
"If nothing else, we have a nice view." Artemis said some time later.
Nightwing brought a hand up to his ear, activating the small earpiece.
"Miss M," He spoke. "Link us up."
Link established. Came M'gann's voice suddenly in Morgan's head. She nearly jumped out of her skin in surprise. She'd heard about the mental link the Team used on missions, but she'd never tried it herself. And a bit of a warning first would've been nice.
Good. Said Nightwing next.
"Holy shit-cakes, that. Is. Creepy!" Morgan exclaimed enthusiastically before she could stop herself. She heard M'gann laugh over the link. "And awesome. But I'm gonna have to get used to having all of you inside me."
After a few seconds of dead silence – in which she only heard a snort of amusement from Connor – Morgan realized her unfortunate phrasing, a flush creeping up her neck. "Inside my head. Obviously. Get y'all minds out of the gutter."
Before anyone had the chance to respond to that, Nightwing decided to bring the mission back on track. Begin aerial sweep of the cape's perimeter. He ordered Miss Martian and Super Boy.
Hey boss, I'd be happy to join my Angelfish on that assignment. Lagoon Boy volunteered.
Morgan really, really needed to get used to this psychic link thing.
Negative, Lagoon Boy. Nightwing answered, sounding almost tired. He clearly had hoped to avoid all of this couple drama on his mission. You're right where I need you giving me maximum coverage. In the water, on land, and in the air, in case there's any attempt at sabotage.
Wait, so how does this link thing work? Morgan mentally asked, wondering if she was doing it right. Do I get to decide which of my thoughts out guys hear or is it just everything going through my head?
It's easier once you get used to it, but you can sort out which thoughts you want us to hear. M'gann helpfully explained.
Got it.
Guys, focus. Came Nightwing's annoyed voice.
Whoops, sorry! Morgan responded.
Hearing Nightwing's voice inside her head was such a weird thing. She'd imagined it several times before, actually. Whenever she was fighting any criminals, she remembered all the advice he'd given her during training, repeating them in her head in his voice as she fought. It helped her to focus, in a strange way.
But that hadn't been like this at all. Right now it was the actual Nightwing talking straight to her mind.
Silence fell, both on the link and between the three people on the platform.
Morgan kept her eyes glued to the ground below them, determined to do a good job. She'd already been acting pretty unprofessional so far, and she wanted, needed, more than ever to prove to her mentor that she totally got this.
"I know I'm not Wally's favorite person right now," Nightwing suddenly spoke up, leaving Morgan surprised that he'd be the first person to break the silence. "But it is nice to have you back."
"It's nice to be back." Artemis admitted, drawing out her bow from her quiver. "I didn't realize how much I'd been missing it." She folded the bow out properly and studied it briefly.
Morgan groaned lightly to herself and turned back around to continue looking out over the horizon, afraid she'd gotten herself caught in a private 'feelings' moment between her two more seasoned team mates.
"Which is pretty much exactly what Wally's afraid of." Artemis told Nightwing. "He's worried the rush that comes with the mask will get its hooks in and I won't give it up until my dying day."
"I know exactly what you mean." Nightwing responded so wistfully it made Morgan turn her head slightly to study her mentor.
He had been a hero for more than half of his life, Morgan realized. He was so deep in, he probably couldn't quite if he wanted.
Which, judging by the look on his face right now, he didn't.
Morgan couldn't decide if it was sad or not. It struck her that leading this sort of double life didn't really leave much time to actually have a normal life with a family and a day job.
In the beginning, that was what has drawn Morgan to the life, but now she wasn't so sure if she was as keen on the idea.
She'd been annoyed with Artemis and Wally acting like quitting the life had been the only right decision to make, but now she realized they might've been onto something.
Spending a few years with the Team sounded awesome, but Morgan truthfully wasn't sure if this was what she wanted to be doing for the rest of her life.
Either way, she was glad that she had the privilege to choose between the two lifestyles.
And it made her sad to realize that her mentor might not have the same freedom of choice anymore.
Whoa. Lagoon Boy's voice in her mind broke Morgan out of her train of thoughts. Heads up minnows. We got bad guys. Black Manta's troopers working some kind of platform beneath the surface just offshore. He explained.
Morgan felt her nerves return. So there was going to be a fight.
I'm taking them down! He said.
Delay that. Nightwing stopped him. Lay low and wait for backup.
I'll scrounge a re-breather from the cargo hold and help the rookie out. Superboy's moody voice added.
Rookie? Neptune's beard! I don't need any help from the boy of steel! Lagoon Boy raged.
Lagoon Boy! Stand down! Nightwing ordered. Morgan turned to look at her mentor, seeing the displeased glare on his face.
Sorry, you're breaking up. Lagoon Boy replied, making a series of very obviously fake static sounds.
There's no static on a psychic link! Nightwing exasperated voice pointed out.
Morgan would have laughed at the indignation in his voice and Lagoon Boy's stupidity if the entire situation hadn't been so frustrating and potentially dangerous.
Nightwing had told her long ago that every mission had a hiccup. An unexpected turn of events.
Morgan supposed this was their hiccup.
Nightwing growled out loud in frustration and clenched his hand around the binocular.
"We've got company!" Artemis pointed at the sea side below them. Nightwing and Morgan walked up next to her, spotting the dozen black-clad soldiers emerging from the water.
She fired an arrow towards the wall built around the perimeter of the satellite launching site and, much as she'd done when she left the Bio ship, she used her bow to glide down towards the ground.
"I need you to stay up here." Nightwing turned towards Morgan. "As our look out."
Morgan wanted to tell him that was bullshit, they had Superboy as a look out already. But she knew it was an excuse to make sure she stayed out of direct contact with the enemy.
She wanted to protest. She really did.
But Nightwing already had one rogue member on his team as it was. He didn't need two.
She squared her jaw and nodded, a severe look on her face.
He smiled gratefully and placed a hand on her shoulder briefly, maintaining eye contact for a few seconds before he slid down the wire himself.
Superboy, you have that re-breather? Nightwing asked.
Negative. La'gaan didn't restock. Superboy accused.
Then take the helm. Nightwing immediately responded. Miss Martian, gill up and help Lagoon Boy. Superboy, we need cover fire down here.
Morgan was amazed at how well and how quickly he took control of the situation, somehow managing to balance all of the different things that were going on. He made it seem almost effortless.
Acknowledged. Miss Martian responded. Bio-ship reconfigured for manual flight.
She kept her perch on the platform, keeping an anxious eye on her mentor and the archer below. The bio ship swooped down and released a volley of stunning shots, a few of the bad guys falling down, the rest scattering as they attempted to escape the line of fire.
That's our cue! Artemis yelled, and Morgan could see her small figure make to jump over the steel wall when Nightwing pulled her back down, saving her from getting hit by the enemy's guns.
The two heroes crouched down by the wall and Morgan heard Nightwing's reprimand in her mind.
I know you're rusty, but are you TRYING to get yourself killed?
She wished she got to be down there and help instead of sitting up here, listening to the others fight.
Half a mile out in the sea, Morgan suddenly spotted a ball of fiery light erupt from the surface and soar into the sky. Grabbing her binoculars, Morgan confirmed that a missile had, in fact, just been released from beneath the surface.
There's a missile coming our way, guys. She informed them. She could see Nightwing and Artemis were a bit preoccupied with hiding behind the wall to avoid getting shot at, but she thought the missile was kind of important to mention too.
Superboy! Nightwing commanded over the link.
That was all the other boy needed. On it. He reassured their leader as he turned the bio ship around and headed after the missile.
We're on the wrong side of this wall. Artemis worriedly pointed out.
Morgan wholeheartedly agreed. Sure, right now the wall was saving them from being shot by the enemy, but in a few moments, that very wall was supposed to stop the fire from the satellite launch from frying any unfortunate bystanders. Meaning Artemis and Nightwing would be nothing more than two spandex-clad crisps if they didn't get away.
The missile was dealt with in a large explosion as Superboy fired at it.
Sparrow, get down from the tower. It's no longer safe up there if they keep firing missiles. Nightwing ordered.
Going. She quickly agreed and climbed over the railing, jumping off of the building. Spreading her wings, Morgan glided down and landedin a crouch beside her mentor a few seconds later. What's up?
Behind, a warning alarm blared to life as the launch of the missile was initiated.
Morgan realized she might've chosen a bad place to touch ground.
We are really on the wrong side of this wall! Artemis repeated.
Behind the wall, Morgan could hear a large explosion and she figured Superboy had taken down another missile. They were running out of time. By now, they choices were between getting shot or getting burned to death. Neither option sounded particularly attractive, if you asked her. Morgan felt fear and urgency clench at her insides.
The troopers' helmets! Artemis suddenly realized, pulling out a specific arrow from her quiver. Designed to enhance vision under water, right?
She fired the arrow into the sky and Morgan squinted as it erupted into a blinding beam of white light.
The soldiers all let out startled shouts as they found themselves momentarily blinded.
Nightwing grabbed hold of Morgan's shoulder and pulled her up with him and Artemis. Move!
She beat her wings to gain enough momentum to launch herself over the wall, stirring the sand underneath her. Artemis and Nightwing jumped over the wall and immediately ran at the bad guys. Morgan hovered in the air, preferring to do her job from up there. Gaining mental control of one of the troupers, she threw him into the one next to him, sending the both of them sprawling in the sand.
She aimed her mental focus on the other guy and pulled him up into the air in a harsh tug, watching as he crashed down into the first guy, neither of them getting up again.
Several new missiles erupted from the water rapidly after each other. Superboy chased after two of them, but he couldn't focus on all of the missiles at once and one of them headed straight for the satellite.
Sparrow! Nightwing spoke up over the link. Take out that missile!
Easier said than done. She wasn't even sure if she could take it out.
But Nightwing had given her an order. And he'd placed his trust in her capabilities. So she would do her best.
Morgan squared her shoulders and focused on the missile, waiting for it to get close enough.
Once it did, she held out both arms, spreading her fingers wide, and threw them to the left, hoping it worked. She'd never tried to use her powers on something that big or something with that much speed.
She breathed out a sigh of relief when the missile went off course and crashed onto the beach a few hundred feet to their left.
Good job. Nightwing complimented. Stay on the lookout for more of them.
Got it.
Morgan watched as, below her, her two team mates fought rapidly against the small army of troupers.
She was about to shout a warning when a guy behind Artemis pulled a knife, but neither she nor Nightwing got to do so before the archer noticed the soldier and unarmed him, knocking him out with a kick to the head.
What? She said when Nightwing paused. I'm not that rusty!
During their little exchange, a new figure had emerged from the water.
Morgan squinted her eyes to try and locate the vaguely familiar face. The dark skin, silvery eyes and white hair sent a bell ringing and she dug into her newly acquired knowledge of the Team's earlier dealings.
Her eyes widened when she realized their mission had just gotten so much more complicated.
It was Aqualad. Or Kaldur'ahm, as his real name was.
Former member of the Team. Now a ruthless killer on the bad guys' side.
Nightwing and Artemis had noticed him too, both standing in shocked silence as they watched him approach.
They've taken Lagaan! Miss Martian's distressed voice broke through the link. I'm going after him!
Our priority is the missiles. Superboy argued. There are too many. I'm not keeping up!
Morgan remembered her task – she'd gotten distracted when she'd seen Kaldur'ahm arrive – and focused on an approaching missile, throwing it back out over the water where it proceeded to explode on the surface.
Morgan was once again distracted when below her, their enemy had manipulated a giant, crystal blue wave of water. Morgan recalled reading about the Atlanteans learning to manipulate water to do their bidding. It was.. magic, in a sense.
The bright blue wave formed its head into that of a snake and crashed down on her two companions. Worry gripped at her insides and Morgan made to land, watching as they were forced against the grey wall behind them by the wave.
A deep rumble shook the ground as a bright orange light appeared behind her. Morgan turned just as she landed beside her team mates, spotting the satellite launching into the air, leaving behind a trail of orange fire and smoke.
"The mission may yet succeed." She heard Kaldur'ahm utter behind her and Morgan turned, watching as a small compartment in his armor opened up and released a smaller missile, aiming straight for the airborne satellite.
"Take it out!" Nightwing shouted, and Morgan noticed only then that the psychic link was down.
She didn't have time to worry about what had happened to M'gann, she needed to take out the missile.
She attempted, anyway, but the thing was too small and too fast for her to get a proper mental lock on it. And she'd also severely tapped into her mental reserves by redirecting those missiles.
"I can't!" She cried out, crestfallen. "I can't get a mental hold!"
Artemis, fast as lightning, pulled out an arrow and fired it at the soaring projectile.
Morgan sighed with relief when the arrow found its mark and the missile exploded, leaving the flying satellite intact and still fully functional.
"No rust on me." She quipped proudly at her fine hit.
"Artemis, behind you!" Nightwing shouted, bringing the two girls' attention back to the threat at hand.
He ran straight for his former team mate as two of the troupers engaged Morgan.
Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Nightwing get blasted away, flying several meters through the air and landing harshly on the sand dunes, and she flinched at the pained groan that left his lips.
Deciding to make quick work of the two troupers, she pushed one away with the telekinesis, sending him skidding along the sand and into the water. The other she kicked square in his stomach before grapping his arm and twisting it behind his back, harshly enough for a bone to snap in it. He let out a howl of pain and she sent him into the water to join the other guy.
She finished just in time to turn and see Kaldur'ahm stab the water knife into Artemis' abdomen.
Morgan completely froze, mouth and eyes widely opened in shock as the man uttered a few harsh words at his former friend before pulling the knife back out of her body, letting her stumble backwards, gasping in shock and pain.
"ARTEMIS!" Nightwing's panicked shout grated on Morgan's ears as the black-clad man ran for his wounded friend.
"I got you." He reassured her as he ran up behind the stumbling girl and caught her. "Hang on."
There was blood. Blood trickling down the archer's bare stomach as the girl let out a few choking sounds before losing consciousness.
Morgan shook herself out of her shock and approached the scene, forcing her mind to stay clear and alert. They weren't out of danger yet. And she needed to protect the others while Nightwing tended to Artemis.
Because she was going to be okay, right?
Right?
Artemis was just here as a one-time favor. She wasn't going to die, surely not.
It just wouldn't be right.
"Move out!" Kaldur'ahm abruptly ordered his men, apparently finished with watching his former friend bleed to death. "The mission is a failure."
At least, Morgan weakly thought, we have that. The satellite launch was a success..
As she watched Nightwing perform CPR on Artemis, she couldn't help but wonder at what cost.
Above them, the satellite suddenly exploded and, if possible, Morgan's heart sank even deeper into her stomach.
"We're done here." The Atlantean said with satisfaction. They had succeeded after all.
Indescribable rage filled her as she watched the three men disappear under water, too late for her to do anything about it.
She wanted to scream out in frustration and anger and fear.
But instead she slowly approached the two figured in the sand, watching, slowly turning numb, as Nightwing counted to thirty as he thrust his hands up and down on her chest before bending over and blowing air into Artemis' mouth. Morgan sunk to her knees on the other side of Artemis.
Nothing happened. He resumed the cardiac massage, counting again.
Morgan wasn't sure when Superboy and Miss Martian had arrived, but suddenly the two of them were standing behind Nightwing.
All she heard was Superboy's worried, "I.. I don't hear her heartbeat."
"Twenty eight, twenty nine, thirty." Nightwing desperately kept counting, his voice breaking with every word. He blew three breaths of air into her mouth before giving up.
"She's dead." He said, resignation and mourning in his voice.
The shock of the situation made Morgan go slightly numb, delaying her natural reaction. The girl in front of her was dead.
Artemis was dead.
And it felt like Morgan couldn't even comprehend it.
She knew what she was supposed to do. She was supposed to cry like M'gann was. Or let out an angry howl like Connor did. Or slump over in the sand like Nightwing did.
But she just sat there. Staring at the dead girl in front of her. Her mind completely unwilling to comprehend what was going on.
When her mentor let out an unsteady sigh, Morgan snapped somewhat back to attention. She felt tears well in her eyes. It was unfair. She hadn't known Artemis for that long, but she had liked the girl nonetheless.
She didn't deserve to die.
Morgan hesitantly reached a hand forward and placed it on Nightwing's shoulder in an attempt to comfort him somehow. She hadn't known Artemis for very long, but the others had. They'd fought alongside the girl for years. She represented a huge part of their lives.
And now she was dead.
Nightwing didn't acknowledge the hand on his shoulder for a long while – safe for the slight tensing he'd done when she touched him – but eventually he reached his own hand up to cover hers, taking in another shaky breath.
At the touch, Morgan's own barrier finally broke and the numbness left her system, letting her feel every emotion twice as forcefully as normal.
Her eyes welled up and silent tears started sliding down her cheeks.
The superhero life was great and exciting, Morgan decided.
But if it came with heart ache like this too often, she wasn't sure she thought it was worth it.
In the end, she'd been wrong. La'gaan going rogue had not been the mission's hiccup.
This was.
I was so shocked when I watched this episode for the first time. And then I was so relieved when I found out Artemis wasn't really dead. But still, that episode was evil.
I'm going to Copenhagen to watch the Nutcracker ballet this weekend! I've never seen a ballet before so I'm pretty excited.
So, how'd ya like it? Did it suck? Was it unbelievable? Was it great? Were you bored? Are you excited to see how Morgan will deal with Artemis' death next chapter?
Fun fact: Morgan totally lied when she said she wasnt' good at knitting and only made scarves. She'd pretty darn good and has knittede several sweaters for both her and her mom.