"You're not the Justice League."
The statement pierced the air as the figure crossed his arms over his chest. Donna could only stare at the heavily armed and armored man. On first glance, he could be mistaken for a stealth-suited Death Stroke. But the armor was too sleek and didn't have Slade's trademark scaled armor. Instead it looked like something Batman would come up with. The figure's stomach, chest, shoulders, and arms armored up with plates that clearly slid past one another, allowing free movement. Where the armor deviated was the belt and pants. The belt had additional straps that ran down the man's thighs and looped around them to attached holsters containing two large handguns. The belt itself contained additional clips and pouches, with throwing knives being clearly visible. She'd bet he was just as prepared and overflowing with gear as Batman or any of the bats. The pants appeared to be a dark gray military cargo pant that flowed into the armored greaves that started at his knees. The pants and overall design indicated the idea of a militarized Batman. With a large rifle positioned on his back and four magazine packs attached at 45 degree angles on the front of his stomach. Forming an open V pointed toward his head.
The helmet was a whole other animal. It, like the plates, looked like it should be shiny and reflective. But instead, embodied a void. No reflections or indication of light escaping from the man's gear. Armor specially designed for war and death was Donna's conclusion.
"No we're not. But the JLA has reviewed the President's request and various factors. Deciding that one of our members would best fit the role for this mission." Dick answered as he shook off the cold feeling and tried to lessen the tension in the room with a smirk.
"What factors were reviewed?" Agent Knight shot back.
"The JLA noted that Captain Atom has been called back into active service as of last week. Since then, he has been patrolling the same flight path. This path extends over the Atlantic for a majority of its duration. Thus, they felt an Atlantean would best serve as an underwater escort. Aquaman is currently unavailable due to duties in his kingdom and it was decided that" Dick now stepped to the side and motioned Tula forward. "Aqua Girl was the best candidate for the job."
With that explanation given, the rest of the room returned to silence. Waller had crossed her arms and was looking at the three of them with her left eyebrow raised. Slade, the bastard, just grinned slightly. Like that was the wrong answer. Agent Knight hadn't moved from his position and appeared to still be staring down at them. The President in the meantime had narrowed his eyes on them.
"So, to clarify. The JLA had received a request from the President of the United States, their largest financial backer, and instead of asking for additional details. Drew upon possibly unrelated facts to draw a picture. They then decided that their picture was accurate enough to base delegating an individual. All without any sort of clarification of the mission, a literal email away." Agent Knight asked figuratively before continuing. "Then, they decided that a request of this magnitude didn't warrant a full time JLA member, and instead handed it off to your group. An affiliated, but not as experienced group that specializes in up and coming heroes. Ages 18 to 23." Agent Knight finished, his distorted voice still calm and flat.
"As I said, they felt Aqua Girl would be the best option for this mission." Dick responded. He knew that this wasn't going to go well. There were too many assumptions and not enough hard facts, and the rest of the JLA went along with it as they considered Batman's logical deduction unquestionable. Even after his episode in Gotham, which they wrote off as a stress induced psychological break. Three months of forced relaxation later, and it was as if Batman had never had the break in their eyes.
In the meantime, Jason had digested Dick's response and came up with only one answer. Bruce Fucking Wayne. He was probably the one to receive the request during monitor duty. Instead of asking for additional clarification, which would've been written off anyway as it came from the same source and not a third party, he did his own digging. He probably presented his findings as facts in a meeting with the JLA Council to delegate a hero, and they went along with it. Three years removed from the family and on his third life, Bruce still found a way to fuck with him. He would have been impressed, if it wasn't so annoying.
He was also taking in the sight of Dick in front of him. Truly the man looked tired. New stress lines had appeared in the prior three years, and he seemed more weighed down. But Jason compartmentalized that for after the mission. He had to deal with the mess in front of him first.
"Mr. President, you asked for a hero and they sent a child." The disapproval clear in Jason's distorted voice.
Responses of "Hey!", "That's not what happened.", and "I am not a child." Echoed from Donna, Dick, and Tula respectively.
Jason had to give Tula points. Even though being called a child, she responded in an even tone that spoke of maturity. He still knew that she wasn't cut out for this mission or handling his methods. Truly, Katana, Batwoman, or Huntress would be better suited. They understood that he wouldn't operate under their morals and would leave him to his mission in peace. They also understood the necessity of his actions after having been on his side of the line.
"Unfortunately, we don't have the luxury of finding a replacement. We need you to deploy quickly. And Knight, I'm increasing the three to eight additional R ." President Jackson spoke. He clearly wasn't pleased either, and sensed that additional incentive for Jason would resolve the dispute till after the mission. He could deal with the JLA then, with evidence of their incompetence.
"Now, please take a seat." President Jackson asked as he swept his arm to the open couch across from Waller and Slade.
As the trio arranged themselves on the couch, Jason returned to the wall and leaned his back against it. He resumed his list as the President began the briefing for the Titans.
"Four days ago, the Weller Research Station announced to the world that they had discovered three new elements that when combined together, produced self-sustaining energy. This discovery along with the elements themselves were supposed to remain secret from the general populace until they were transported to a secure facility." The President outlined.
"If they were supposed to be kept secret, why did Vicki Vale get an exclusive interview and tour of the facility?" Dick questioned. It didn't make sense unless they were trying to bait someone in.
"Head Scientist Herman Trask decided that his work was too important to go unrecognized. So he secretly flew Ms. Vale out to the station with a cameraman in a bid to get his name set in history. He will be returning on the flight that takes the team to the station so he and I can have a….conversation." President Jackson smirked.
So not a trap for a villain. Just prideful ignorance, Dick sighed in his head.
"Moving on. Your mission is two-fold. You will protect the elements in the main research center till the transport team arrives in three days. The JLA was correct in Captain Atom's movements, but he is part of the escort team. The elements can't be moved without potentially unleashing their stored energy, so we are having to construct a containment chamber. The second part of your mission is the protection of Isabel "Issy" Chambers. She is Herman's assistant and will be assisting in the transportation of the elements." A picture of a young woman with jet black hair, hazel eyes, and sharp jawline appeared on the briefing screen.
"We believe the station may be attacked prior to our transport team arriving. Chatter has increased exponentially since the announcement, and even more so the movements on base for the containment chamber." President Jackson finished.
"ROE?" Jason asked from his wall.
"No leash." Waller responded in a monotone and wave over her shoulder, eliciting a "hmm" from the Agent.
"Agent Knight? Who and what are you? I'm sure you're classified, but I would like a generalization so I know who I'm working with." Tula asked as she gazed at the Assassin.
Jason turned his head to the President, receiving a small nod. "I'm the first in a genetic augmentation program. The results of which allow me to keep up with most meta-humans. I specialize in asset protection and extraction. I'm afraid that's all I'm allowed to say on the matter." Jason lied easily. He did specialize in asset protection and extraction, just that extraction meant stealing intel while exterminating enemy locations and protection meant killing anyone dumb enough to stand in his way of an objective. Tula nodded with the new information.
"On that note, you three will be signing a contract that applies to the entire JLA, as you have been implicitly selected to represent them in this matter. The contract is a binding resolution that Agent Knight's identity shall not be researched by the JLA and if discovered by any JLA member, shall remain anonymous from all others." Waller said as she passed three pieces of paper and pens to the trio across from her. "He is our country's best agent and I can't risk him being compromised. To this effect, the charge of treason will be leveled at anyone in the JLA who breaks these statutes. Further, this briefing will be withheld as classified until its completion. This includes your JLA. We don't want to risk any additional press getting a hold of our plan and asset." She continued.
"How often is he expected to work with us that these statues are necessary?" Dick asked.
"This is a unique situation. We don't expect to have to include the JLA with him going forward. But we are worried about your more… paranoid members and have seen the results of their inability to safeguard information." Waller responded easily.
Memories of Bruce's contingency plans being used against the JLA and the political fallout when Young Justice was sent into Corto Maltese to stop a human trafficking ring. Only to discover Delta Force on site, thus compromising their position, flashed through Dick and Donna's head. He was sure that the Spec OPs community still hated them after that terrific blunder.
"It's a fair contract and request, and should be easy to enforce once we inform the JLA Council." Donna spoke after having read the contract over. She was used to such trivialities, having worked in the Themysciran embassy. She quickly signed. Dick followed not long after as he trusted Donna's abilities, and was followed by Tula.
"We require a digital and paper copy of each of those contracts before we leave. The JLA will need them for their records." Donna requested while also needing the contract for the council meeting they were going to need to have.
"An aid will provide you with both on your way out." President Jackson informed them.
"Thank you Mr. President." Donna acknowledged with a slight nod.
"I expect both of you back here, and a full JLA member after the execution of this mission for a debrief with our personnel. Have you completed your requests Agent?" President Jackson asked as he turned to Jason.
"Yes sir, Mr. President." Jason replied easily. He didn't have an extensive list, but wanted to be ready for all types of attackers. The list was surprisingly standard for one of his missions and had been finished by the time they started the briefing.
"Excellent, I'll have Evelyn escort you and Aqua Girl to the super stallion. It should be loaded with your gear by the time you get there. It was a pleasure to meet you Nightwing and Wonder Girl. I hope next time will be under better circumstances." President Jackson answered as he shook Dick and Donna's hands. The trio rising from the couch and approaching the President and Agent respectively.
"The pleasure was ours Mr. President." Dick responded as they were escorted from the room. Donna pausing to give Tula a supportive smile. Receiving back a smirk in return. Waller and Slade followed behind them. Neither pausing as they knew Jason would move continents, or die trying.
"Agent Knight? Aqua Girl? Please follow me." Evelyn asked from another doorway.
"Good luck you two. I look forward to your imminent success." President Jackson called out as he rounded his desk.
"Thank you, Mr. President." They answered in unison as they left his office.
The walk to the chopper was uneventful and more in line with what Jason had originally expected. Back hallways and rooms with no one around. They emerged on the south lawn, a CH-53E Super Stallion sitting in the grass. They quickly approached the back ramp into the chopper.
"I've been assured that all your gear and requests are within. Waller also packed an additional upgrade to your suit. She said something about needing better urban camouflage and target intimidation." Evelyn explained before the open door of the chopper. Tula had already entered and confirmed her bag was included before beginning to strap herself in.
"Thank you. Tell her I'll put it to good use." Jason responded as he gave the take off signal, a quick circular motion of his pointer finger up in the air, to the pilots. Evelyn nodded while wishing him luck and heading back toward the White House.
Jason clambered inside the chopper as well and strapped himself in across from Tula. Eyeing the requested equipment, he spotted the two tablets and headset he needed to explain his defense strategy to Tula. A quick stretch later and he passed one of the tablets to Tula, along with the headset. She quickly powered on her tablet and equipped the headset. On the tablet, she was met by the blueprints of the station. Her eyebrow already raised at his strategies in front of her. Jason could tell he was in for a long flight.
