Post by Deleted on Mar 27, 2015 8:37:52 GMT -5
Titans East Chapter 43 – “The Harsh Blow of Reality Part 2”
Written by: Power Guy, Texgnome1, Darkknight30, Scotty2Hotty, & Green Lantern
Featured Artist: Power Guy
Editor: Marcus Mebes
The Secret Headquarters of Morrow (Son of T.O. Morrow)…
Morrow could always be counted on to find the deepest rat hole in which to hide. Every time he got out of jail, he followed the same pattern. Build a base, hire or build his own security guards, and kidnap Cyclone. This time, he even managed to overload Damage’s powers, effectively shorting him out for a few days and giving him one heck of a headache. Damage trusted his children Atmosphere and Scorpion, and they went after Morrow. Their friends in the Rangers knew this was something for them alone. None of them understood what the old letch’s fascination with Cyclone was. What a sick freak.
They were thrilled that they had been able to find her. She was shaken up, but otherwise unharmed. It had been a brutal but short fight. Morrow had put together a lot of androids, but he’d been rushed. They were not nearly as effective as normal. The Scorpion was in an exceptionally foul mood. One of the androids had landed a lucky punch and left her with a horrible black eye. They were just coming out when their transmitters beeped.
“Atmosphere here. Go ahead, Dad.”
Damage’s voice came back quickly. “… nk goodness. So glad you finally are in range. How’s your mother?”
“A little shaken up, but otherwise okay. Scorpion has a nice trophy.”
Morrow cackled, “Serves you brats right. All I wanted were the nanit… UGH!”
Atmosphere thought for sure his little sister Scorpion had knocked Morrow out. He was stunned to see their youngest sister, whom they did not take along with them, standing behind him smiling. “Can’t let you guys have all the fun,” Aura replied, smiling.
“Listen kids, I’m glad your mom is fine. But I think you need to get back here right away. The news reports are bad. I’ve never seen the community this upset.”
“Dad, what’s going on?”
“It’s those Titans East guys. Almost half the team is reported missing and believed dead from a building explosion at S.T.A.R. Labs. Bruce has sent out an all points warning, and we’re all to go on alert. Apparently the perpetrator got away. Sting Ray supposedly is responsible.”
“We’ll keep an eye out dad. But why Bruce? I thought Dick’s son was the one in the Titans?” Atmosphere’s heart sank as he asked. He feared he knew the answer. They had never met most of the Titans, but Bruce Wayne had to be the proudest father of them all. They had received semi-regular updates as Helena grew up, and even met her once when Bruce traveled to Texas on business. He had brought Selina and Helena, and the four kids had had a grand time playing together.
Damage replied, “Apparently that’s part of the problem. Helena Wayne was in the building at the time. Helena Wayne wass the Huntress.”
Atmosphere nearly buckled to hear the news. Scorpion hit the unconscious Morrow again in frustration. Cyclone and Aura started crying. “Who else, Dad?”
“Nucleus, Green Lantern, Power Guy, Flash… Junjie Quick, and Sonic Boom. Son, there’s something else here as well. A package arrived for you within hours of the explosion. It’s encrypted, and has what I believe are fingerprint and retinal scanners. You guys better get back here fast.”
“We’re on our way. I’ll turn Morrow over to local authorities so we can fly back. I can’t believe they’re gone.”
Atmosphere knew what the message was. He hoped he was wrong. He and Dark Arrow had talked about it as a joke, but in light of the tragedy at S.T.A.R. Labs, this would make it very real. He knew that especially in his grief, his friend would put the plan into place immediately. The Titans had been reckless, and now half their team members were most likely dead. It wouldn’t be a joke anymore.
With tears in the three young heroes’ and older heroine’s eyes, they took off into the air.
***
The Home of Ray Palmer, Ivy Town, U.S.A…
"Logically, this should never have happened," Dr.Ray Palmer thought. He was, of course, semi-retired from his superhero days of adventure. As the Atom, both he and the Justice League found themselves in many harrowing situations, but usually came out relatively uninjured. This time, however, the destruction of S.T.A.R. Labs had seemingly caused the death of one of his most promising students, Jason Hardwick—or, as he was better known—Nucleus. Dr. Palmer had only begun training him a few short years ago and felt a sense of personal responsibility.
The good doctor spoke aloud to no one in particular, "Jason, I made a promise to you; to help you to prepare yourself for the world that you would be entering by putting on that costume. I hope that the world realizes what a great person they have lost today. I will not rest until your killer has been brought to justice! I may not be a young as I once was, but I know some other people who are young enough, but just need some wisdom to help them along!"
Dr. Palmer canceled all of his lectures for the upcoming week, so that he could both mourn the passing of his prodigy and try to figure out a way he could get to the bottom of this situation with the Titans of Justice.
"I'll never forget you Jason. I hope you had a chance to shrink yourself down to a pocket dimension..."
***
Khandaq…
“Husband, surely you understand that we must go to the United States,” Isis said to Black Adam. “Those young men and women rescued us from Mordru. Surely we owe their surviving teammates a visit to express our condolences.”.
“My beloved, I agree,” Black Adam said to his wife as he placed his muscular arms around her petite waist, “and I have already dispatched our ambassador to express our sincere grief. Why do you want to travel to America? Since we have returned to our land, we have done much good. Our country knows peace, our people are content and safe from outside intrusions.”
“Do you not agree we should go in person? I believe it is our duty,” the tan woman said as she kissed her husband on the cheek.
He drew her close to him. “I cannot refuse you anything it seems. I will send you to express our grief. I must remain here and watch over our subjects. Do not tarry there. The very flowers and streams will miss you while you are gone.”
“And what of you Adam? Will you miss me?”
He answered his wife by passionately kissing her. “I would be lost without you. Now go. The sooner you leave, the sooner you will return to me.”
Later that night Isis took to the skies and flew towards the United States of America.
“I know the families must be feeling such loss. Surely there is some good that will come of this horror. If only I can assist somehow and ease their sorrow…” she thought as she sailed across the night sky. Her mind drifted back to her brother Osiris, and the life he led; and his death.
***
Deep in a Dismal Swamp in the Restored Remains of The Hall of Doom…
“You should be quite impressed with this future daughter of yours, Black Manta,” suggested Sinestro. “She reportedly killed six of those insidious Titans of Justice single-handedly.”
“Yes, she’s a chip off the old block! Hahahaha!!!” laughed Black Manta in his cold, robotic tone. “I am going to have to seek her out and tell her how proud I am of her. Perhaps, I should even recruit her into our newly forming Legion of Doom.”
“An excellent idea, Manta,” agreed Sinestro.
“Yes, your daughter would be a good fit for our little fan club,” came the voice of Grodd as he entered the room. “With the Hall of Doom almost completely restored, we will soon make our strike against the Titans of Justice. With their reduced strength, they will be slim picking for us. And after we defeat them, we will use the Hall of Justice time conveyer to travel back into the past and take our revenge on Luthor and our former teammates for stranding us here.”
“That bald-headed fool will rue the day he double-crossed us and left us here!” promised Sinestro. “One thing I must ask:how are you going to get this past the Cheeah? Surely, he will not agree to attacking our former teammates with his grandmother being one of them.”
“Do not worry Sinestro, my superior simian brain has thought of everything,” revealed Grodd. “The two Cheetahs will not present an issue.”
“That’s what I like about you Grodd, you always plan ahead,” complimented Black Manta.
“Yes I do,” stated the arrogant Grodd. “With you, Sinestro, Giganta, and Bizarro; plus our new additions of Kid Zoom, the Human Eraser, Tala, the new Star Sapphire, Minister Blizzard and Cheetah, we are nearly unbeatable. We just need to recruit a few more members and then we will be ready to strike!”
***
Power Guy’s Condo…
Ring! Ring!
<Klik> “Hello! You have reached the home of Vince Starr, also known as DJ Invincible! I’m not able to come to the phone right now, but if you would leave your name, telephone number, and a brief message I will get right back to you.”
Beep! “Hello, Vince? This is Roz. I was just calling to remind you about your promise to come in early today so that I could take off early to watch my son’s soccer game. See you in a few.”
Ring! Ring!
<Klik> “Hello! You have reached the home of Vince Starr, also known as DJ Invincible! I’m not able to come to the phone right now, but if you would leave your name, telephone number, and a brief message I will get right back to you.”
Beep! “Vince, I’m starting to get a little concerned here. My boy’s game starts in fifteen minutes and I really need to get going.”
Ring! Ring!
<Klik> “Hello! You have reached the home of Vince Starr, also known as DJ Invincible! I’m not able to come to the phone right now, but if you would leave your name, telephone number, and a brief message I will get right back to you.”
Beep! “VINCE! What is the hold up here? I am already late for the game. You’d better get that heiney of yours in gear and get down here or I am going to come and hunt you down myself!”
Ring! Ring!
<Klik> “Hello! You have reached the home of Vince Starr, also known as DJ Invincible! I’m not able to come to the phone right now, but if you would leave your name, telephone number, and a brief message I will get right back to you.”
Beep! “Vince, I have already missed the first half of my baby’s game! WHERE ARE YOU?!?”
Ring! Ring!
<Klik> “Hello! You have reached the home of Vince Starr, also known as DJ Invincible! I’m not able to come to the phone right now, but if you would leave your name, telephone number, and a brief message I will get right back to you.”
Beep! “Now, I’m really ticked, Vince. Not only have I missed Raymond’s first big game, but now I am the one doin’ over-time for you. Buddy, when I get my hands on you…”
Ring! Ring!
<Klik> “Hello! You have reached the home of Vince Starr, also known as DJ Invincible! I’m not able to come to the phone right now, but if you would leave your name, telephone number, and a brief message I will get right back to you.”
Beep! “Vince? … are you all right? You’re already a couple of hours late. Is something wrong?”
Ring! Ring!
<Klik> “Hello! You have reached the home of Vince Starr, also known as DJ Invincible! I’m not able to come to the phone right now, but if you would leave your name, telephone number, and a brief message I will get right back to you.”
Beep! “Vince? C’mon, man! Pick up the telephone. … Vince?”
***
The Office of Amanda Waller, Belle Reve Prison, Louisiana…
“Lashina, I have had more than enough of your foolish antics! You are driving Nightshade, the Shade, and me completely nuts!” bellowed Waller. “Everytime I turn my back, you go and pick a fight with one of your teammates.”
“Just trying to stay in shape,” smirked the Female Fury.
“Last week it was Reactron. This week it was Sportsmaster, Enough is enough,” decreed Waller.
“What do you mean by that?” demanded Lashina
“What I mean is: we’re transferring you over to our annex on the West Coast for a few months to give you some time to think about if you want to be on this team or not,” explained Waller. “And remember, you either fulfill your commitment of five years of service or you’ll never see that mud-ball known as Apokolips again. Get her out of here!” she ordered Nightshade and the Shade.
“Some days, I swear you’re worse than Granny…” spat Lashina as the two heroes escorted her back to her cell so she could prepare for transport.
As the trio exited, Waller was looking forward to some privacy along with some peace and quiet but those hopes were quickly dashed by the arrival of Black Vulcan.
“Well, well, well… another threat from Amanda Waller,” said Black Vulcan in a sarcastic tone.
“Good to see you too, Celeste,” retorted the Wall with a sour look on her face. “Actually I AM glad that you’re here. We need to talk about how you’re going to convince your pals in the Titans of Justice to finally give you access to their security files. I need their secret identities, weaknesses, and anything else that can keep them under my thumb. With the loss of six of their lot, now is the time to go to them and tell them how essential it is that they grant you full access so you can be on the same playing field as everyone else.”
“……” Vulcan was so floored by Waller’s audacity that she could not speak.
“Why aren’t you saying anything?” demanded Waller.
“Actually, I do have one thing to say to you: Stick it!” replied Black Vulcan.
“Excuse me?” retorted Waller, squinting her eyes and clenching her fists.
“You heard me: stick this job where the sun don’t shine,” repeated Black Vulcan in a firm tone. “You have no decency. I’m going to be burying six of my teammates tomorrow. The Titans of Justice are good people and I won’t be eavesdropping on them for you anymore. I’m cutting my ties with you here and now!”
“Need I remind you that your father’s job and his government funded medical insurance plan for your sick mother is on the line here?” threatened Waller, coldly.
Black Vulcan froze up for a few seconds as she summoned the courage for what she was about to say next. She started to shake a bit, and sweat was running down her forehead under her mask. “I fully understand the consequences of me resigning. If I have to, I’ll work three jobs to make sure my mother gets the medicine she needs to keep her alive and as hard as it will be, at least I won’t be your lap-dog anymore.” She controlled her breathing, afraid that Waller would interrupt, but she did not, so Vulcan proceeded. “And I WILL go to the press if I have to, to expose your actions. You can kill me to stop me, but I won’t be the last one; and you know it.”
Waller was shocked. She never expected Black Vulcan to have half the spine to stand up to her especially with her being able to have Jefferson Pierce fired from his job at the White House. She changed her tactics, much to Black Vulcan’s surprise. “Celeste, don’t do this. You’re a good soldier.”
“More like, I’m a good, little b_tch,” countered the lightning-powered heroine. “Good-bye Amanda. I’d say it was a pleasure but we both know it wasn’t.” Black Vulcan threw her company cell-phone on Waller’s desk and made her way out of the cluttered office.
As Black Vulcan made her way down the hallway, she was caught off guard by a familiar voice.
“I have to say I’m surprised,” came the voice from the shadows.
Black Vulcan promptly turned to see Nightvision staring at her. An irritated look quickly appeared on her face, “I don’t have time for one of your lectures. I’m on my way to go job hunting. Be seeing you…”
“Not so fast Black Vulcan,” requested Nightvision as he put his hand on her shoulder.
“Listen Bat-boy, I told you I don’t have time for your BS!”
“Before you go, I want to tell you how proud I am of you,” complimented Nightvision. “It took a lot to stand up to Waller like you did.”
“Yeah well, now I need to make sure my family is taken care of,” replied the newly unemployed heroine. “And I don’t think I’ll have time for the team either.”
“You don’t need to worry,” assured Nightvision. “Give your father this card. Tell him to ask for Brendon Grayson. He’s got a six-figure salary along with top of the line medical insurance and plenty of other benefits waiting for him at Wayne Tech.”
Black Vulcan was speechless. For months, all Nightvision had done was hound her about her allegiance to Amanda Walller and turn his nose up at her. She was flabbergasted that her decision to walk the straight and narrow path had reaped such a reward. “I don’t know what to say…”
“Don’t say anything,” replied Nightvision. “Your father has always been a good friend of my family’s. It’s the least we can do for him. Oh, and when you see Brendon, make sure you also let him know that you’re looking for work too.”
With a single tear dripping from her eye, Black Vulcan extended her hand to Nightvsion and said, “Thank you.”
Nightvision took the grateful heroine’s hand and unveiled a rare smile.
“Now let’s get out of this place,” he whispered, blending back into the shadows. “You go out your way; I’ll go out mine.”
***
Meanwhile Back In Amanda Waller’s Office…
“d**n it….now I need to find a new watchdog for the Titans of Justice…” huffed the hefty woman as she pressed the button on the facility’s intercom system. “Eve, bring that kook the Sportsmaster to me immediately!"
To Be Continued In Titans West Chapter 10 & Titans East Chapter 44(The Funeral)
Written by: Power Guy, Texgnome1, Darkknight30, Scotty2Hotty, & Green Lantern
Featured Artist: Power Guy
Editor: Marcus Mebes
The Secret Headquarters of Morrow (Son of T.O. Morrow)…
Morrow could always be counted on to find the deepest rat hole in which to hide. Every time he got out of jail, he followed the same pattern. Build a base, hire or build his own security guards, and kidnap Cyclone. This time, he even managed to overload Damage’s powers, effectively shorting him out for a few days and giving him one heck of a headache. Damage trusted his children Atmosphere and Scorpion, and they went after Morrow. Their friends in the Rangers knew this was something for them alone. None of them understood what the old letch’s fascination with Cyclone was. What a sick freak.
They were thrilled that they had been able to find her. She was shaken up, but otherwise unharmed. It had been a brutal but short fight. Morrow had put together a lot of androids, but he’d been rushed. They were not nearly as effective as normal. The Scorpion was in an exceptionally foul mood. One of the androids had landed a lucky punch and left her with a horrible black eye. They were just coming out when their transmitters beeped.
“Atmosphere here. Go ahead, Dad.”
Damage’s voice came back quickly. “… nk goodness. So glad you finally are in range. How’s your mother?”
“A little shaken up, but otherwise okay. Scorpion has a nice trophy.”
Morrow cackled, “Serves you brats right. All I wanted were the nanit… UGH!”
Atmosphere thought for sure his little sister Scorpion had knocked Morrow out. He was stunned to see their youngest sister, whom they did not take along with them, standing behind him smiling. “Can’t let you guys have all the fun,” Aura replied, smiling.
“Listen kids, I’m glad your mom is fine. But I think you need to get back here right away. The news reports are bad. I’ve never seen the community this upset.”
“Dad, what’s going on?”
“It’s those Titans East guys. Almost half the team is reported missing and believed dead from a building explosion at S.T.A.R. Labs. Bruce has sent out an all points warning, and we’re all to go on alert. Apparently the perpetrator got away. Sting Ray supposedly is responsible.”
“We’ll keep an eye out dad. But why Bruce? I thought Dick’s son was the one in the Titans?” Atmosphere’s heart sank as he asked. He feared he knew the answer. They had never met most of the Titans, but Bruce Wayne had to be the proudest father of them all. They had received semi-regular updates as Helena grew up, and even met her once when Bruce traveled to Texas on business. He had brought Selina and Helena, and the four kids had had a grand time playing together.
Damage replied, “Apparently that’s part of the problem. Helena Wayne was in the building at the time. Helena Wayne wass the Huntress.”
Atmosphere nearly buckled to hear the news. Scorpion hit the unconscious Morrow again in frustration. Cyclone and Aura started crying. “Who else, Dad?”
“Nucleus, Green Lantern, Power Guy, Flash… Junjie Quick, and Sonic Boom. Son, there’s something else here as well. A package arrived for you within hours of the explosion. It’s encrypted, and has what I believe are fingerprint and retinal scanners. You guys better get back here fast.”
“We’re on our way. I’ll turn Morrow over to local authorities so we can fly back. I can’t believe they’re gone.”
Atmosphere knew what the message was. He hoped he was wrong. He and Dark Arrow had talked about it as a joke, but in light of the tragedy at S.T.A.R. Labs, this would make it very real. He knew that especially in his grief, his friend would put the plan into place immediately. The Titans had been reckless, and now half their team members were most likely dead. It wouldn’t be a joke anymore.
With tears in the three young heroes’ and older heroine’s eyes, they took off into the air.
***
The Home of Ray Palmer, Ivy Town, U.S.A…
"Logically, this should never have happened," Dr.Ray Palmer thought. He was, of course, semi-retired from his superhero days of adventure. As the Atom, both he and the Justice League found themselves in many harrowing situations, but usually came out relatively uninjured. This time, however, the destruction of S.T.A.R. Labs had seemingly caused the death of one of his most promising students, Jason Hardwick—or, as he was better known—Nucleus. Dr. Palmer had only begun training him a few short years ago and felt a sense of personal responsibility.
The good doctor spoke aloud to no one in particular, "Jason, I made a promise to you; to help you to prepare yourself for the world that you would be entering by putting on that costume. I hope that the world realizes what a great person they have lost today. I will not rest until your killer has been brought to justice! I may not be a young as I once was, but I know some other people who are young enough, but just need some wisdom to help them along!"
Dr. Palmer canceled all of his lectures for the upcoming week, so that he could both mourn the passing of his prodigy and try to figure out a way he could get to the bottom of this situation with the Titans of Justice.
"I'll never forget you Jason. I hope you had a chance to shrink yourself down to a pocket dimension..."
***
Khandaq…
“Husband, surely you understand that we must go to the United States,” Isis said to Black Adam. “Those young men and women rescued us from Mordru. Surely we owe their surviving teammates a visit to express our condolences.”.
“My beloved, I agree,” Black Adam said to his wife as he placed his muscular arms around her petite waist, “and I have already dispatched our ambassador to express our sincere grief. Why do you want to travel to America? Since we have returned to our land, we have done much good. Our country knows peace, our people are content and safe from outside intrusions.”
“Do you not agree we should go in person? I believe it is our duty,” the tan woman said as she kissed her husband on the cheek.
He drew her close to him. “I cannot refuse you anything it seems. I will send you to express our grief. I must remain here and watch over our subjects. Do not tarry there. The very flowers and streams will miss you while you are gone.”
“And what of you Adam? Will you miss me?”
He answered his wife by passionately kissing her. “I would be lost without you. Now go. The sooner you leave, the sooner you will return to me.”
Later that night Isis took to the skies and flew towards the United States of America.
“I know the families must be feeling such loss. Surely there is some good that will come of this horror. If only I can assist somehow and ease their sorrow…” she thought as she sailed across the night sky. Her mind drifted back to her brother Osiris, and the life he led; and his death.
***
Deep in a Dismal Swamp in the Restored Remains of The Hall of Doom…
“You should be quite impressed with this future daughter of yours, Black Manta,” suggested Sinestro. “She reportedly killed six of those insidious Titans of Justice single-handedly.”
“Yes, she’s a chip off the old block! Hahahaha!!!” laughed Black Manta in his cold, robotic tone. “I am going to have to seek her out and tell her how proud I am of her. Perhaps, I should even recruit her into our newly forming Legion of Doom.”
“An excellent idea, Manta,” agreed Sinestro.
“Yes, your daughter would be a good fit for our little fan club,” came the voice of Grodd as he entered the room. “With the Hall of Doom almost completely restored, we will soon make our strike against the Titans of Justice. With their reduced strength, they will be slim picking for us. And after we defeat them, we will use the Hall of Justice time conveyer to travel back into the past and take our revenge on Luthor and our former teammates for stranding us here.”
“That bald-headed fool will rue the day he double-crossed us and left us here!” promised Sinestro. “One thing I must ask:how are you going to get this past the Cheeah? Surely, he will not agree to attacking our former teammates with his grandmother being one of them.”
“Do not worry Sinestro, my superior simian brain has thought of everything,” revealed Grodd. “The two Cheetahs will not present an issue.”
“That’s what I like about you Grodd, you always plan ahead,” complimented Black Manta.
“Yes I do,” stated the arrogant Grodd. “With you, Sinestro, Giganta, and Bizarro; plus our new additions of Kid Zoom, the Human Eraser, Tala, the new Star Sapphire, Minister Blizzard and Cheetah, we are nearly unbeatable. We just need to recruit a few more members and then we will be ready to strike!”
***
Power Guy’s Condo…
Ring! Ring!
<Klik> “Hello! You have reached the home of Vince Starr, also known as DJ Invincible! I’m not able to come to the phone right now, but if you would leave your name, telephone number, and a brief message I will get right back to you.”
Beep! “Hello, Vince? This is Roz. I was just calling to remind you about your promise to come in early today so that I could take off early to watch my son’s soccer game. See you in a few.”
Ring! Ring!
<Klik> “Hello! You have reached the home of Vince Starr, also known as DJ Invincible! I’m not able to come to the phone right now, but if you would leave your name, telephone number, and a brief message I will get right back to you.”
Beep! “Vince, I’m starting to get a little concerned here. My boy’s game starts in fifteen minutes and I really need to get going.”
Ring! Ring!
<Klik> “Hello! You have reached the home of Vince Starr, also known as DJ Invincible! I’m not able to come to the phone right now, but if you would leave your name, telephone number, and a brief message I will get right back to you.”
Beep! “VINCE! What is the hold up here? I am already late for the game. You’d better get that heiney of yours in gear and get down here or I am going to come and hunt you down myself!”
Ring! Ring!
<Klik> “Hello! You have reached the home of Vince Starr, also known as DJ Invincible! I’m not able to come to the phone right now, but if you would leave your name, telephone number, and a brief message I will get right back to you.”
Beep! “Vince, I have already missed the first half of my baby’s game! WHERE ARE YOU?!?”
Ring! Ring!
<Klik> “Hello! You have reached the home of Vince Starr, also known as DJ Invincible! I’m not able to come to the phone right now, but if you would leave your name, telephone number, and a brief message I will get right back to you.”
Beep! “Now, I’m really ticked, Vince. Not only have I missed Raymond’s first big game, but now I am the one doin’ over-time for you. Buddy, when I get my hands on you…”
Ring! Ring!
<Klik> “Hello! You have reached the home of Vince Starr, also known as DJ Invincible! I’m not able to come to the phone right now, but if you would leave your name, telephone number, and a brief message I will get right back to you.”
Beep! “Vince? … are you all right? You’re already a couple of hours late. Is something wrong?”
Ring! Ring!
<Klik> “Hello! You have reached the home of Vince Starr, also known as DJ Invincible! I’m not able to come to the phone right now, but if you would leave your name, telephone number, and a brief message I will get right back to you.”
Beep! “Vince? C’mon, man! Pick up the telephone. … Vince?”
***
The Office of Amanda Waller, Belle Reve Prison, Louisiana…
“Lashina, I have had more than enough of your foolish antics! You are driving Nightshade, the Shade, and me completely nuts!” bellowed Waller. “Everytime I turn my back, you go and pick a fight with one of your teammates.”
“Just trying to stay in shape,” smirked the Female Fury.
“Last week it was Reactron. This week it was Sportsmaster, Enough is enough,” decreed Waller.
“What do you mean by that?” demanded Lashina
“What I mean is: we’re transferring you over to our annex on the West Coast for a few months to give you some time to think about if you want to be on this team or not,” explained Waller. “And remember, you either fulfill your commitment of five years of service or you’ll never see that mud-ball known as Apokolips again. Get her out of here!” she ordered Nightshade and the Shade.
“Some days, I swear you’re worse than Granny…” spat Lashina as the two heroes escorted her back to her cell so she could prepare for transport.
As the trio exited, Waller was looking forward to some privacy along with some peace and quiet but those hopes were quickly dashed by the arrival of Black Vulcan.
“Well, well, well… another threat from Amanda Waller,” said Black Vulcan in a sarcastic tone.
“Good to see you too, Celeste,” retorted the Wall with a sour look on her face. “Actually I AM glad that you’re here. We need to talk about how you’re going to convince your pals in the Titans of Justice to finally give you access to their security files. I need their secret identities, weaknesses, and anything else that can keep them under my thumb. With the loss of six of their lot, now is the time to go to them and tell them how essential it is that they grant you full access so you can be on the same playing field as everyone else.”
“……” Vulcan was so floored by Waller’s audacity that she could not speak.
“Why aren’t you saying anything?” demanded Waller.
“Actually, I do have one thing to say to you: Stick it!” replied Black Vulcan.
“Excuse me?” retorted Waller, squinting her eyes and clenching her fists.
“You heard me: stick this job where the sun don’t shine,” repeated Black Vulcan in a firm tone. “You have no decency. I’m going to be burying six of my teammates tomorrow. The Titans of Justice are good people and I won’t be eavesdropping on them for you anymore. I’m cutting my ties with you here and now!”
“Need I remind you that your father’s job and his government funded medical insurance plan for your sick mother is on the line here?” threatened Waller, coldly.
Black Vulcan froze up for a few seconds as she summoned the courage for what she was about to say next. She started to shake a bit, and sweat was running down her forehead under her mask. “I fully understand the consequences of me resigning. If I have to, I’ll work three jobs to make sure my mother gets the medicine she needs to keep her alive and as hard as it will be, at least I won’t be your lap-dog anymore.” She controlled her breathing, afraid that Waller would interrupt, but she did not, so Vulcan proceeded. “And I WILL go to the press if I have to, to expose your actions. You can kill me to stop me, but I won’t be the last one; and you know it.”
Waller was shocked. She never expected Black Vulcan to have half the spine to stand up to her especially with her being able to have Jefferson Pierce fired from his job at the White House. She changed her tactics, much to Black Vulcan’s surprise. “Celeste, don’t do this. You’re a good soldier.”
“More like, I’m a good, little b_tch,” countered the lightning-powered heroine. “Good-bye Amanda. I’d say it was a pleasure but we both know it wasn’t.” Black Vulcan threw her company cell-phone on Waller’s desk and made her way out of the cluttered office.
As Black Vulcan made her way down the hallway, she was caught off guard by a familiar voice.
“I have to say I’m surprised,” came the voice from the shadows.
Black Vulcan promptly turned to see Nightvision staring at her. An irritated look quickly appeared on her face, “I don’t have time for one of your lectures. I’m on my way to go job hunting. Be seeing you…”
“Not so fast Black Vulcan,” requested Nightvision as he put his hand on her shoulder.
“Listen Bat-boy, I told you I don’t have time for your BS!”
“Before you go, I want to tell you how proud I am of you,” complimented Nightvision. “It took a lot to stand up to Waller like you did.”
“Yeah well, now I need to make sure my family is taken care of,” replied the newly unemployed heroine. “And I don’t think I’ll have time for the team either.”
“You don’t need to worry,” assured Nightvision. “Give your father this card. Tell him to ask for Brendon Grayson. He’s got a six-figure salary along with top of the line medical insurance and plenty of other benefits waiting for him at Wayne Tech.”
Black Vulcan was speechless. For months, all Nightvision had done was hound her about her allegiance to Amanda Walller and turn his nose up at her. She was flabbergasted that her decision to walk the straight and narrow path had reaped such a reward. “I don’t know what to say…”
“Don’t say anything,” replied Nightvision. “Your father has always been a good friend of my family’s. It’s the least we can do for him. Oh, and when you see Brendon, make sure you also let him know that you’re looking for work too.”
With a single tear dripping from her eye, Black Vulcan extended her hand to Nightvsion and said, “Thank you.”
Nightvision took the grateful heroine’s hand and unveiled a rare smile.
“Now let’s get out of this place,” he whispered, blending back into the shadows. “You go out your way; I’ll go out mine.”
***
Meanwhile Back In Amanda Waller’s Office…
“d**n it….now I need to find a new watchdog for the Titans of Justice…” huffed the hefty woman as she pressed the button on the facility’s intercom system. “Eve, bring that kook the Sportsmaster to me immediately!"
To Be Continued In Titans West Chapter 10 & Titans East Chapter 44(The Funeral)