The blue-green glow of the Watchtower Monitors flickered across Batman's cowl. The live feeds from a dozen different cameras stationed around Happy Harbor snapped by one after the other, the views all surrounding Mount Justice. Normally newer members of the Justice League took on the task of monitoring the "less active" areas surrounding known superhero hideouts teaching their new recruits the Watchtower system with the menial but needed sentry duty. There were always threats lurking in such places; villains with a lot of time to think and even bigger chips on their shoulders had a nasty habit of attacking such bastions.
Still, Mount Justice had lain idle for years. No one was looking to rob the C banks in Happy Harbor. Crime in that place amounted to little old ladies going ten miles per hour over the speed limit.
Anyone watching Batman scan the monitors knew he wouldn't be doing so without a reason, which meant only one thing.
Batman was planning.
"Watchtower." Batman's stern voice filled the empty, screen-filled room. "Access file Superboy."
A computer screen to Batman's right beeped in confirmation. The screen pulled out from the wall and spun to a vertical view. The image of Superboy in army boots, dark green cargo pants, and a black T with Superman's S symbol appeared.
The blue eyed, black haired, broody 16-year-old seemed to glare at him from the image, but it hardly mattered to Batman. "Access physiology report."
The image of Superboy drifted to the left of the screen and an image of his skeleton appeared on the right. Blue and red helixes of DNA spun next to the skeletal outline of the clone. Hair and blood sample data rolled down under the images of the helixes.
There wasn't much information to be had. Everything they knew about this "Superboy" could be compiled into one 18-inch screen. His genetic make-up and DNA were all but encrypted. The Watchtower's computers hadn't been able to put a dent into unravelling him.
Though he did not show it, that fact worried Batman. A lot.
Cadmus Labs was in shambles and most of her digital records had been scrubbed at the faintest assault against their firewalls and encryptions. Who or what had given the scientist to information to make the Superboy was going unanswered.
That was just one part of the mystery but that didn't bother him as much as the fact that someone had that information. The secrets hadn't been lost with the creation of Blockbuster. Dr. Desmond did not have the know-how to create a Superman clone, someone had given him the outline, the secret, and he had filled in the gaps.
Which meant someone even now might have another facility, other clones, an army full of Supermen, or worse.
Somewhere in his mind there was a countdown, but he did not know the time left on the clock – the only thing he did know what that it was only a matter of time until someone tried again, Superman clone part two.
"Batman." Martian Manhunters voice drove away his thoughts. The link wasn't telepathic but spoken directly behind him. "You wanted to see me?"
Batman continued to stare at the screen rotating through the dozen camera feeds of Happy Harbor. "Yes. It's about the Martian Girl. The stowaway."
"What about her?" Batman heard the tension in J'onn's voice.
"She's only got a week left in quarantine, hasn't she?"
J'onn sighed. "I told you, I did not believe her to be carrying any infections from Mars. She is not a threat to Earth. She was overzealous to see this planet, to witness the world that I, we, save. She was clever. I did not think that one of my kind would have been able to steal aboard my vessel. She admires the Justice League immensely."
"She proved that she was willing to sacrifice herself for others when that warband of Kunds were attacking those helpless refugee ships from Rann. She braved fire and the vacuum of space to save half a dozen young aliens."
"She didn't just save the younglings," J'onn replied evenly. "The Kunds were prepared for my interception, but not for two Martians. If it hadn't been for her I would have died," he admitted. "Once we return to Mars I fully intend to ask the Tribunal of Green, Red, and White to grant her leniency for leaving the planet unsanctioned."
"Your people aren't exactly the forgiving type, which is why they still haven't fully accepted you back to Mars," Batman pointed out. "I doubt your call for leniency will help her. It's more likely that they'll try to make an example out of her to keep anyone else from leaving the planet."
"It is harsh," J'onn admitted. "But it is our way."
"What if I told you there was another way, J'onn?"
J'onn considered the offer a moment. "I'd be willing to listen. I have grown quite fond of M'gann. Even though she is young she has more heart than most other Martians I know."
The monitor directly in front of Batman flicked to a camera situated on a buoy in in the middle of Happy Harbor Bay. He ticked a button on the control pad and the camera swiveled faintly to the right and zoomed in to a window deeply recessed into Mount Justice's eastern slope.
Superboy leaned against the side of the window, his hands dug deep into his pockets. He looked out over the Atlantic ocean his gaze full of troubled thought. Batman's eyes narrowed as he tapped another key freezing the image of Superboy in place.
"I'm glad to hear that J'onn." Batman said at last, his gaze still pinned to the freeze frame of Superboy. "Because I have a plan."
0000
Superboy paced tensely, his combat boots thudding hollowly against the corrugated metal platform of Mission Central. He hated Mount Justice. The recycled air, sterile overhead lights, thick tubed wires, and old curved monitors recessed into every room reminded him of his brief life in Cadmus Labs. Was this just another nice, less claustrophobic holding cell? It must be. He couldn't exactly leave it and go on his merry way. No one was going to let a super-powered teen with Superman like strength out on his own for long.
No, you're free now. He clung to that thought like a desperate man. Yes, his was free now, his new friends had seen to that. Aqualad, Kid Flash, and Robin. They had saved him, given him a new life he would have never known before. But was that true? No matter what, it seemed like he was destined, made, to be a weapon of some kind. How much of a choice did he have? Did he even want to be a hero?
"Keep that up and you're going to wear a hole right through the metal," Kid Flash ribbed as he skidded into view. Bits of red electricity fizzled at his heels as he came to a proper stop. "Believe me, I know. Been there, done that, and got the bill for the replacement flooring."
"I'm not in the mood, KF," Superboy growled.
"Nervous about meeting some of the big guys again?" Kid Flash shot him a carefree smile. "Don't worry a thing. The League doesn't bite, unless it's Batman."
"It's Batman," Robin confirmed as he walked into Misson Central. The Boy Wonder tapped a button on his gauntlet processor, causing a blue holographic screen to hover over top his forearm.
Kid Flash stared at Robin wide-eyed. "What!? Man you didn't tell me it'd be him. I thought it was going to be someone nice like Manhunter!"
"Him too," Aqualad revealed as he joined the trio from another hall. "You would have known that if you had been here for the briefing this morning."
Kid Flash smacked his forehead with the heel of his hand. "Oh right the meeting! Sorry, guys I was running –
"Late." All three said in unison.
Kid Flash lifted a finger and opened his mouth to speak in his own defense when the Zeta Tubes stationed at back of the room hummed to life. A golden glow pulsed from its center and two silhouettes appeared. As the glow of the Zeta Tube faded, Batman and Martian Manhunters bodies materialized in the cave.
The Mount Justice's computerized security voice beeped to life. "Zeta Tube open. Identifying Batman, Identifying Martian Manhunter, Identifying approved guest."
"Guest?" Aqualad asked after the computer had spoken.
"For now," Batman confirmed. "We haven't yet gotten her full access to Mount Justice yet."
"Wait, her?" Kid Flash blurted.
Batman strode purposefully out of the tunnel that housed the Zeta Tube. His dark bulk radiated danger and power and authority. "She is the reason I called this meeting. You're getting a new team mate."
"Just like that?" Superboy huffed. "Just… just out of the blue? No warning? You've been dumping a lot of surprises on us, lately, Batman," Superboy accused, his displeasure evident. "First all the stipulations for actually being a team, then Red Tornado as baby-sitter, then Black Canary as our trainer. It seems like all we're given is orders and rules and no action."
"And it will stay that way until a threat the League deems you can properly handle arises," Batman replied in his ever steady, no-nonsense tone. He stopped in the center of Mission Central, Martian Manhunter only a few steps behind. "In the mean time you ought to be spending most of your time training and getting to know one another. A team is only as good as the trust it has built."
"What would you know about trust?" Superboy challenged.
"Enough to know that this team is fresh and untried. You don't work like a well-oiled machine – yet. But you will. It's critical that we find other members who can be of value while the team is still in its infancy. You will learn better together."
Superboy crossed his arms. "We don't need anyone else."
"It isn't up for debate," Batman replied flatly.
"She will make an invaluable asset to the team," J'onn said as he stepped to his right. "Meet my niece, M'gann."
Superboy's eyes narrowed as his gaze fell to the girl. She was green like J'onn, but a softer green, the kind like new spring leaves. Her hair was brown and held back with a hair band. Soft brown eyes stared back at him, filled with compassion and delight. A smile, warm and inviting, graced her cupid bow lips. She held her hands behind her back but didn't seem shy. She would have looked like a normal human girl had it not been for that Martian green skin tone. Her clothes were styled almost like the Manhunters but she wore a skirt instead of pants.
He could see no timidness about her. Her face was bright, her eyes looking everywhere in delight. She seemed like a piece of warmth and light itself, happy and vivacious.
It took him a moment to realize he wasn't breathing and he sucked in a snatch of air. He panicked, wondering if anyone had noticed then glowered angrily, wondering why he had been breathless just a moment ago. It never happened before. It must have been her doing. Not ten seconds there and she had already started trouble.
If anyone noticed anything, no one said a word. All eyes were upon M'gann, and despite his grouchiness even he couldn't help but stare.
She smiled and finally lifted a hand in greeting. "Hi, like uncle J'onn said I'm M'gann. You can just call me Megan though, that's an earth name and a popular one too I hear!"
Kid Flash whistled. "And you heard right, Megan. Man if I had known you alien chicks were this hot I would have begged the aliens that attacked Star City to beam me up." He held out his arms out in front of him stiffly. "Take me to your braaaaains."
"Uh, KF, that's zombies," Robin couldn't help but point out. "And I doubt they'd want your brain."
"It is something that he is clearly missing," Aqualad commented. He stepped forward, holding out his hand to her. "Don't mind Kid Flash, he often jests. It is good to have you in the team, Megan."
Megan smiled and took his hand eagerly. "The pleasure is all mine. I'm just glad Batman and Uncle J'onn gave me a chance. And trust me I can handle my own. I've got most of the powers Uncle J'onn does. I'll have them all when I'm older, the ones like phasing through walls takes a little longer to develop."
"Well in the meantime you've got the hot-o-meter factor, which is something Baldy over there will never have." Kid Flash zoomed up, sticking his hand out on her opposite side. "Wally West, speedster in training. Pleasure to meet your acquaintance, gorgeous."
Megan giggled and crossed her arms so she could shake Kid Flash's hand. "It's nice to meet you, Wally. You're really funny."
"Oh no, don't tell him that, his jokes will only get worse," Robin laughed as he appeared to Aqualad's left.
Megan looked down seeing that both her hands were occupied. Her brow furrowed slightly as if perplexed at what to do then, as if struck by inspiration, she grew another hand out of her torso. Robin didn't flinch, shaking that hand as well. "Resourceful with your abilities. I like it. Can we see another demo?"
"Sure, watch this!" Instantly Megan began to fade, becoming translucent until she was intangible and finally invisible. Superboy was glad she had vanished. At least now he could force himself to stop staring like a moron.
"Woah," Wally gasped as the three young heroes backed away. "You weren't kidding about having your uncle's powers, Megan." When there was no reply, Wally looked around. "Uh, gorgeous? Where'd you go?"
"Not far, Wally." Megan's voice was behind them, but Superboy heard it just inches in front of him.
His vision swam as if there was something interfering with the air in front of him then the green girl suddenly appeared before him. She hovered a few inches off the ground. Her soft brown eyes stared into his hard blue and her hand was extended in the offer of a shake. "Superboy, I presume?" Her smile was kind and open.
Superboy scowled at her. His gaze raked her savagely as if he hated what he saw. He had gotten off lucky with no one noticing him acting strange a minute before. He would be damned if he let it happen again. With a defiant snort he turned and walked away leaving her hovering there with her hand left hanging. Batman could order her onto the team but that didn't mean he had to like her or that pretty smile.