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Young Justice: Revolution Ep7- Loyalties Part 2

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Washington DC

August 17

20:35 EDT

 

            White clouds glowed blue in the night sky, the stars shimmering brilliantly in the gaps between them. Moonlight shone down on an apartment complex, office buildings and business on all sides of it. The air above the apartment building shimmered slightly before going still once more, the Bioship’s camouflaged adjusting to fit the atmosphere around it. On the surrounding rooftops Superboy, Tigress, and Starfire moved systematically, scanning the area for anything unusual. Superboy leaped to the next rooftop, his eyes narrowing in focus looking straight through the building. Finding nothing, he moved on.

            Is the Bioship picking up anything unusual? Any that could lead to Red Tornado?  He thought, directing the telepathic question to Miss Martian. Though they had a back up communication link, it was easier to use this one at the moment.

            “No.” Miss Martian replied with a sigh, speaking aloud but knowing they could still here her in their minds. She frowned at the read outs on the screen in front of her. “I haven’t picked up anything out of the ordinary, but there were a few reports about power outages earlier, about the same time Red Tornado would have disappeared. So far they’re unexplained.”

            Any ideas about what caused it? Tigress asked before taking a flying leap to another roof top. She landed, her momentum carrying her into a roll that brought her back to her feet. Power outages don’t just happen.

            “The main power grid doesn’t show any loss of output in this area or anywhere else for that matter. Everything just…switched off.” Miss Martian replied frowning at another page of information. “Hold on. None of the cars in the area would start either.”

            An EMP. Tigress thought after a moment. It has to be.

            “Of course!” Miss Martian exclaimed. “Like the one you used on Red Inferno and Red Torpedo.”

            It makes sense. Someone must have used one on Red Tornado too. Superboy added coming to a halt. Any idea where the epicenter is?

            “Not yet, but I can find out.” Miss Martain replied furiously typing into the ship’s computer. The screen in front of her showed a map of the affected area; It was slowly shrinking until the computer pinpointed a smaller area. “The EMP originated two blocks north of Superboy’s position. I’ll send you the coordinates and meet you there.” After one more swipe across the keyboard Miss Martian stood and made her way to the flight controls towards the back of the ship.

            Coordinates received. I’m on my way.

            As am I. Starfire chimed in.

~

            Superboy landed lightly on the roof top, managing to avoid creating a crater in the concrete. He straightened, glancing around once before making another pass over the building, looking for anything suspicious on the inside. The bioship docked just behind him, the loading bay opened to reveal Miss Martian. She floated up and out of the ship before touching back down next to him. Knowing he was concentrating, she waited until his face relaxed before speaking.

            “Anything?” She asked quietly. His only reply was a subtle shake of his head. He looked up then, drawing Miss Martian’s attention to Starfire. The girl was flying towards them, pulling up suddenly before landing near the other two. Barely a moment passed before she was speaking.

            “I am curious, friends, as to why this Red Tornado is so important. If he is a machine like Tigress explained to me, can he not just be replaced?” Her question was genuine, but had the others staring at her with shock evident on their faces. Starfire just looked back at them, unaware of the unspoken line she had crossed.

            “Red Tornado is our friend. That’s why we have to find him.” Superboy said angrily taking a step forward towards the girl when he felt a pull at his arm. Looking back sharply, his eyes connected with Miss Martian’s, hers pleading with him to keep a reign on his anger. His tensed muscles relaxed with a few slow breaths and he turned back to Starfire, all hint of previous menace gone. “Sorry.”

            Starfire just nodded, accepting the apology without a word. The three of them turned at the sound of Tigress landing on the far side of the roof.

            “Did you find anything?” Tigress asked, receiving shaking heads in response before she’d finished her question. She sighed and turned in a circle studying the rooftop. It was empty except for the air vents that connected to the buildings heating and cooling systems. A raised portion of the roof had a door that lead to a stairwell that went back down into the building. Her eyes began to narrow as she walked the length of the roof. Moving along the side farthest from where she had first come in, Tigress stopped at the corner, kneeling down and leaning forward, her face just inches from the concrete. Two parallel scratches marred the otherwise smooth ledge. “There was something heavy put here, a weapon. At least seventy-five pounds. Definitely high recoil if it caused marks like this.” She stood up and turned, finding the others watching her.

            “Please continue.” Starfire prompted fascination evident on her face.

            Tigress blinked, but moved around them, facing the building that housed the Zeta tube. “This spot isn’t in the direct line of sight from the flight path to the Zeta tube; whoever the shooter was knew where Red Tornado was coming from and where he was going. It would take high level aim to hit him from the far, even with the EMP wave expanding. “ Placing one hand on her opposite wrist a display appeared, A street map with Red Tornado’s most logical flight path from the Hall of Justice to the Zeta Tubes highlighted expanded as Tigress pinpointed their location on it. “I think I know where he would have gone down.”

~

Santa Prisca

August 17

21:10 ECT

 

            Blue Beetle clenched his fist and clamped his mouth shut to stave off the cry of pain threatening to escape him. With his eyes shut tight he could not see if the electric pulse coursing through his body was manifesting on the outside. The image in his mind was one of his own body, wreathed in bolts of lightning that were sparking a brilliant blue. As quickly as the pain started, it vanished, replaced by a scorched feeling that spread across his skin. His eyes fluttered open slowly, locking on General Eiling standing in front of him, one hand on a power switch.

            “Do not make me ask you again. What other alien technology do you have knowledge of? What species?” His voice hadn’t left its smooth commanding tenor, even though Blue knew his frustration had to be building. With a quick flip of his wrist, the switched flicked back to the on position, sending a fresh wave electricity through Blue Beetle’s body; it lasted only a few moments before he turned the machine off again, the perfect punctuation to his demands.

            “I…don’t…know.” Blue Beetle growled between gasped breaths. He was sure if he hadn’t been suspended in the air he would have broken down and slumped to the floor by now. The General narrowed his eyes at him, flicking the switch on once more. Blue tensed up, biting the inside of his cheek until he tasted blood. The crackling sound of static dissipated as the machine shut down again.

            “Do no lie to me.” The General said coldly. “We know your scarab has the information. Knowledge of multiple alien species and their tech. Now start talking and be grateful I haven’t tried to pry that tin can off of you!”

            “That threat is ineffective.” Red Tornado called out, his disembodied head now on an exam table, Professor Ivo prodding and tinkering with different tools. “Human technology has proved to do little harm to the scarab armor.”

            “That is precisely why we require the information he has.” The General replied, shooting a glare at the head, then back at Blue Beetle. “We need to learn how things like you tick so that we may correct that little inconvenience.”

            “That is why you acquired the services of Professor Ivo. To reverse engineer my creator’s work and other technologies like me.” Red Tornado stated, putting together what he’d managed to gather.

            “So you can sell it on the black-market!” Blue added angrily, finding the thought of any small piece of the armor’s intel falling into the wrong hands more than he could bear.

            The General was shaking his head, his mouth open just a little. It took Blue a moment to realized the man was actually laughing; his suspicion was confirmed when a quiet chuckle reached his ears as the man moved closer to his captive. “I do not do this for money! I do this because I am a loyal patriot to my country. United States policies have been controlled by you and the rest of the Superfriends for far too long. Sitting up in that space clubhouse of yours, looking down at us mere mortals. It is high time that changed. I want to put the power back in the hands of everyday people. For years I’ve had to sit back and watch all of you play hero, only to find most of you vanish from the face of the Earth when the world needed you most.”

            Blue Beetle blinked at the man, dumfounded. “What? How do you know-“

            “Not all of your secrets are a secret kid.” The General said standing up even straighter.

            “It appears recent events have prompted aggressive action.” Red Tornado said evenly. The General turned, sauntering over to the work table where the head sat.

            “The most recent alien attack was the last straw. Once we were content with the mere scraps of technology the League threw to us or what we managed to scavenge for ourselves. We made the most advanced piece of military hardware in the history of mankind.” His fist slammed down on the table next to Red Tornado’s head, sending vibrations through the table that made it shake. “And even then it still wasn’t enough. It gets thrown around the room like a rag doll, and now we hear that yet more aliens are coming to our planet. But this time we will not be caught unprepared.”

            “What are you going to do?” Blue asked glaring back at the man.

            The General turned back around and reached out for the switch on the machine. He patted it once, like the head of a dog that had performed a trick for a treat. “I am going to learn all of your secrets.” With the last word he flipped the switch. Unable to contain it anymore, Blue Beetle let loose a blood curdling scream.

~

Washington DC

August 17

20:56 EDT

 

            The Bioship hovered invisible just above the diret ground of the empty lot before it touched down, barely raising a dust cloud despite its weight. A hatch in the back opened, lacking the mechanical hiss of compressed air that would have accompanied any other craft. Bright light shined out, silhouetted the four now exiting the ship, illuminating the area around them. Tigress was in the lead, an intense look of concentration on her face as she followed the path marked out on the holographic map the emanated from her wrist. Her eyes flicked around the lot, then from side to side while they walked down the shadowy alley. Coming to a halt the map collapsed, taking its soft blue glow with it.

            “This should be the spot. Red’s flight path, the weapon’s trajectory, and the blackout area all intersect here.” When she looked up, Superboy was kneeling on the pavement examining a small crater like impression in the asphalt.

            “I think this is it.” He said pulling up a chunk from the ground and looking at it closely. “There are traces of red paint on here. It’s metallic.”

            Starfire lifted off the ground and drifted past him further down the alley. She stopped and reoriented herself to land, her eyes narrowed at something on the ground before her.

            “Friends come and see what I have discovered.” Her hand waved excitedly calling the other three over. “Do these marks mean something important too?”

            Tigress jogged down the alley followed by Miss Martian and Superboy, coming to a stop next to Starfire. She knelt again tracing her hand over the burn marks on the ground lead out to the main road. “They’re scorch marks from rubber. The tread looks like a tire. Someone was definitely in hurry.”

            “And these?” Starfire was on the other side of the alleyway pointing at a set of matching marks parallel to the first. “They were in a hurry too?”

            Tigress stood upand looked from one set to the other. “It’s from the same vehicle. A truck most likely. And it was a big one judging by the wide axel.”

            “It would have to be to carry Red Tornado.” Superboy commented.

            “I can’t make out enough of the tread to trace it.” Tigress said with a discouraged sigh.

            “Maybe there’s a better imprint somewhere?” Miss Martian offered her tone ever optimistic.

            “Like here?” The three of them turned again to see Starfire had gone even further up the alley and was pointing at the ground yet again. “There are marks in this puddle.”

            With wide eyes, Tigress got up and ran at full speed, skidding to the ground by the puddle. A thin layer of dirt filled the hole, an impression of the tire tread preserved in the soft surface. “Yes! Miss Martian can you-” Tigress didn’t get to finish her question as the water lifted from the puddle, leaving the impression behind.

            “Aqualad could have done it better.” Miss Maritan replied, depositing the water elsewhere in the alley.

            “It’s perfect.” Tigress replied waving away her comment. She leaned forward examining the track and flipping through countless tire production records on her wrist computer, then stood up suddenly. “The size and tread match the ones used on a Humvee. They belong to a group that specializes in state of the art weaponry and EMP shields. They wouldn’t be noticed around here, even in high alert situations.”

            Though Starfire looked confused, the other three exchanged glances.

            “You don’t think it was-” Superboy started, but Tigress cut him off, already knowing what he was going to say.

            “Tigress to Aqualad.” She had already pressed the button on her communicator, one hand held to her ear.

            “This is Aqualad. You have made progress on your mission? Aqualad’s voice was calm and clear.

            “We need to contact Captain Atom. The United States military may have kidnapped Red Tornado.”

~

Santa Prisca

August 17

21:56

 

            A quard stood just inside the doors of the lad, adjusting his hold on the gun in his hands every few minutes. His eyes twitched to glance at the unconscious Blue Beetle every now and then, satisfied that he would not wake for some time. The General had left him in charge of watching Ivo. The old man was currently sitting at a desk of the far side of the room, Red Tornado’s head in front of him. Various instruments were laid out around him, everything from industrial power, to dental picks, to Geiger counters. Ivo leaned close to the head, thick glassed sitting low on his nose.

            “If you are attempting to access my abilities, you may find it more efficient to study my torso section.” Red Tornado commented, his nonchalant voice contrasting with the situation.

            “I know what I am doing, thank you.” Ivo replied replacing the tool in his hand with another.

            “Of course, I merely offered a suggestion.” The head replied. “Though you and T.O. Morrow were rivals you seem well versed in his engineering techniques.”

            “Morrow and I enjoyed the challenge of out doing echo other. There was no way we could completely ignore one another’s accomplishments.” Ivo said standing slowly. He braced himself against the desk for a moment, and then picked up the head carefully, placing it on the small raised shelf beside him. “He was a very intelligent man.”

            “As are you.” Red Tornado added.

            “That is high praise coming from you, his last greatest creation.” Ivo paused as he sat back down, pulling Rocket’s belt from one of the desk drawers. “It is such a shame he was unable to continue his work for a bit longer.”

            Red Tornado found himself under the impression that words of comfort would have been appropriate at that moment. Before he could act on it an image of General Eiling appeared on the computer screen behind Ivo.

            “Progress report, professor.” His voice was still smooth but demanding. Ivo sighed in exasperation and dropped the tool he was using on the desk where it clattered on the wood until it grew still.

            “How many times must I reiterate that this will take time.” He turned in his chair, a glare plastered on his face. The General glared back at him, his annoyance only evident in his eyes. “It took me an entire week to devise, design, and build the weapons you used to capture your new guests and you expect me to have their highly advanced technology craked in less thatn a day? I’ve already given you some new toys since then; you should be off playing with them instead of bothering me. Now go away.” The General continued to glare at him, but the screen soon went black.

            “Oh my head.” Ivo looked over at the sudden sound. Blue Beetle was still hanging suspended. The young man was quiet for a few moments before speaking again. “Yes, yes, I know I said that already today. Where’s Eiling?!” He called out louder.

            “Gone. Though the man seems determined he lost interest when you passed out.” As Ivo spoke, he managed to pry the front panel of the belt off, the metal separating with a metallic pop. “Finally!” He hunched over the belt throwing himself into the task with renewed vigor.

            “So are you one of General Nut-Job’s toy soldiers now?” Blue Beetle asked with a snort of disgust.

            “Believe it or not, boy, I am a prisoner here just as much as you are.” Ivo reached over and patted Red Tornado’s head. “So is the young woman downstairs.”

            “Woman?” Blue raised an eyebrow in confusion, then he caught sight of the belt. A shocked gasp escaped him. “Rocket! What did you do to her?!” He demanded angrily.

            Ivo rolled his eyes and looked up from the belt. “Apparently the League has lowered its IQ requirements for its members. Like I said, I am a prisoner here. I have done nothing to her, but if it will help last I saw of her she was perfectly fine, sitting in the cell next to mind. Ah!” He practically pounced on the belt, something renewing his interest.

            Blue was quiet for a while, content with that answer. “So what’s the deal?”

            “I’m afraid you’ll have to be more specific.” Ivo said not looking up. His nose was almost touching the belt.

            “You’re trying to find out what ‘makes us tick’. Then you just hand over the info to your jailers?” Blue asked confused. “What’s in it for you? What do you get out of this?”

            “Nothing.” Ivo said simply. “Once I complete the reverser engineering process, I will no longer be of use to them.”

            “So you’ll go back to Belle Reeve?” Blue guessed.

            Ivo ignored him for a minute, pulling a small glowing scrap from the belt. “Do you think they would risk me escaping that place with the knowledge I’ll be able to gather here? They might not be the most intelligent of sorts, but they are not that stupid.”

            Ivo turned away, setting the small glowing piece down on the desk. He faced Red Tornado’s head and turned it upside down, his motions suggesting he was doing his best to yank something out from the inside. Facing that way, he missed the expression that crossed Blue Beetle’s face; it was a complicated mixture of confusion, sadness, and pity.

            “How can you be so calm?” He asked quietly.

            “I’m getting too old for this.” Ivo said ignoring him again. He leaned away from the head, flexing his hand and bending his fingers repeatedly. His hand started waving then, motioning for the guard by the door to approach. “You! Soldier! I require assistance for a moment!”

            The guard narrowed his eyes, but started walking across the room, his grip on the gun in his hands tightening as if preparing for an attack. “What?”

            “Oh for Pete’s sake. I am seventy years old. What do you think I’m going to do? Take you out in hand-to-hand combat?” Ivo asked sarcastically with an eye roll for emphasis. The guard frowned, but slowly lowered his weapon. Satisfied, Ivo turned Red’s head around to face the man. “Simply rotate this cylinder here and pull it out. Turn it clockwise mind you, or you could break the whole thing.”

            “That’s all?” The soldier snorted, reaching out with one hand to hold the head still. He squinted for a moment, pinpointing the cylinder before reaching inside and gripping it with his fingertips. As he turned his wrist the cylinder moved. Just as it clicked into place a stream of electricity shot up the man’s arm, quickly enveloping the rest of his body. He stood as if frozen for only a few seconds then started to fall backwards, straight down like a falling tree. Red Tornado’s head still clutched in his hand launched into the air only to be caught by Ivo on the way down. He fumbled a bit before tucking the head securely against his chest.

            “Ha! Take that! Hand-to-hand, certainly not, but mind-to-mind, you are quite out of luck my friend.” Ivo laughed wildly. Still holding the head he reached for the belt on the desk, minus the small glowing piece, and swung it over his shoulder then walked over to the stasis field holding Blue Beetle with a surprising spring in his step.

            “What are you doing?” Blue demanded watching as the man ducked behind the control panel. He heard the distinctive sound of a hatch being opened in the back before it was drowned out by the blaring wail of an alarm. “Ivo!”

            In a matter of moments two more soldiers burst through the doors with weapons drawn. They each scanned the room, missing Ivo’s small frame hidden behind the control panel.

            “Where’s Ivo?” One of them shouted, directing the question at Blue. He just looked back at them blinking, unsure of what to say.

            “Uh…” The word came out on a shocked breath as the stasis felid around him evaporated and he dropped to the ground, catching himself on his hands and knees. He looked up at the two men, squinting his eyes shut as they trained their weapons on him, opening fire in rapid succession. Each bullet bounced off the armor, but still made him want to flinch. With his arms already shaking, he lifted one with just enough energy to morph it into a sonic cannon. The blast was weak, but sent both men flying backwards through the doors and into the hallway where they slammed into the far wall and slumped to the ground, unconscious. Panting now, Blue Beetle lowered his arm, having returned it to a hand, and stared at the ground in front of him, fighting to stay awake.

            Warning, Jaime Reyes. You have sustained substantial physical damage. Power levels are at .7%. We are unable to access the weapons systems necessary to escape this area for 1.75 hours.

            Blue blinked rapidly as his vision began to cloud, too weak to respond to the scarab. He blinked again as a thin hand appeared in his line of sight. A small piece of metal sat in the hands palm, a bright blue glow casting shadows in the crevices of its skin.

            “You can use this to recharge.” Ivo’s voice was bordering on commanding as he offered the scrap.

            “What is it?” Blue breathed the question quietly.

            “It’s an energy drink.” Ivo said sarcastically. “Just take it.”

            The cooperative power cell is sufficient for a partial recharge, Jaime Reyes. We must take it.

            With a quiet sigh and a grunt of effort, Blue lifted his hand and clasped his hand around it. The light flared up brightly, shining between his fingers until it was almost blinding. When it had subsided, his wings began to extend pulling him up from the ground where he hovered several feet in the air.

            Power levels at 87% capacity. The scarab had barely finished its statement when another group of soldiers charged through the door. They stopped, looking up at Blue Beetle dumfounded. In the moment of stillness, Blue turned to face them slowly, both arms morphing into cannons. A determined grimace spread across his face as he raised them both and fired.

Story by ~Darksuperboy
Written by ~supernaturalwolfgirl

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