Teen Titans #64: "Team Powerstar, part two"

[arcalian]

Teen Titans #64
Team Powerstar, part two
Story by Jay McIntyre
Art by Rik Mertens

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“All of us who professionally use the mass media are the shapers of society. We can vulgerize that society. We can brutalize it. Or we can help lift it onto a higher level.”
William Bernbach

"A wise man proportions his belief to the evidence."
David Hume

[arcalian]

-1-

Team Powerstar descended on Titans Tower in an intimidating display.

Officially, of course, it was a friendly meeting, between classic 'old school' heroes on the one hand, and the 'professional' new breed on the other. But the Titans didn't believe that for a second.

The media was there of course, in full glittering display. So far, they were all outside the Tower itself, but on it's proper grounds, at a perfect angle to see Team Powerstar descending. It was mostly local media, New York network affiliates; but there was one national cable network crew there as well.

Blackfire, in her personae as 'Goldstar', stalked right up to her sister and grinned, making a show of shaking her hand. A human gesture; Starfire knew it well, of course. Blackfire had been studying in the short time she had been here. She looked down on humans, but that didn't mean she couldn't study their behavior, and as she would see it, their weaknesses.

“It's always nice to meet one of our people,” Blackfire said. “I must say I am impressed with your bravery, having a tower out in the open like this. Must come under attack.”

“Indeed,” Hunter X said from behind her, “Didn't the sorceress Circe attack it to devastating effect?”

Starfire glanced briefly at him, then refocused her attention on Blackfire. “Indeed it is bravery that motivates us,” she said. “The Tower survived Circe's attack, and has been reinforced. Far better than hiding in some underground bunker in an undisclosed location. You'll forgive me, but that smacks of cowardice.”

“Tactical advantage should never be mistaken for cowardice,” Blackfire snapped.

Starfire smiled. “Of course. And indeed, it is good to meet one of our people, as you say. We might almost be sisters in arms.”

Blackfire shrugged, another human gesture. “Who can say what the future will bring?”

Terra found herself facing Jinx. “Nice attitude, honey.”

“Thanks!” the other returned brightly. “I feel the same of you. You know what the other side is like, don't you?”

“The underside,” Terra replied. “Been there, done that, wouldn't go back.”

“I hope so,” Jinx returned, eyes glittering.

“Welcome to Titans Tower,” Nightwing said, formally breaking up the mood. “Please do come in.”

[arcalian]

-2-

“It's my understanding,” 'Thermodynamic' said to Nightwing as they entered, “That you have a vampire in your employ. I say, is that safe?”

Nightwing grinned at Chaos' ridiculous attempt at an English accent, a plummy stereotype sure to offend any genuine Brit that heard it. “He's not an employee, he's a full team member. Before he joined us, he fed on animals; once on the team, he was given a blood plasma supply.”

“Other Anemics suffer for his sake, their own supply drained?” 'Thermodynamic' asked, slyly.

Nightwing ignored the pun. “Not at all. Blood plasma synthesis research has made leaps and strides in recent years, partly due to alien technology salvaged after the Apocalypse invasion. But I understand the researches of a mad scientist called 'Chaos' helped in this as well. Heard of him, have you?”

“Can't say I have. But I think I must look into it!” 'Thermodynamic' exclaimed, brightly.

“You do that,” Nightwing deadpanned.

'Mysterion' interestingly, went not for Donna, but rather for Raven. “An empath of the soul, fascinating. We should compare notes.”

Raven stared at him, more pity than contempt in her eyes. “Empathy is something I sense you lack.”

“Really? I shall have to work on that, then.”

“It is not something easily learned, if you fail to come by it naturally.”

“Well, one would presume you are the expert on the subject, no?”

“If anything, it makes emotional stability harder to maintain,” Raven sighed.

“How sad,” 'Mysterion' mock-sympathized.

Kid Flashed blurred in front of him. “Easy there, Romeo.”

Before 'Mysterion' could say anything, Carom blurred between them in turn. “Why don't you take it easy, yourself?”

“Sure thing,” Kid Flash agreed easily. “Just as soon as he steps away from Raven.”

“Fair enough,” Carom said. “Perhaps we shall have a race?”

“Let's talk to the media about it,” Kid Flash agreed.

“They'll hardly see anything,” Carom protested.

“But they'll want to know the result,” Kid Flash pointed out.

“Hmmm, you have a point. It should be quite the spectacle.”

They walked away, Terra glaring at Carom, who had either not noticed her or pretended not to.

But then the hairs on the back of her neck went up. She turned around, and 'Chemical' aka Hellbore was staring at her.

“You need a new mask, chief,” she sneered.

He said nothing, continuing to give her that death head's glare.

She was a little frightened, but ignored the prickling on her arms. Instead she cocked her head and raised a brow. “You'd make a pretty good heavy metal drummer, I'll give you that.”

There was a snort of laughter from the skull visage and he turned away.

[arcalian]

-3-

Flash and Carom had discussed their race, both between themselves and the media. Each was well aware of the total opposition of the other, yet there was a sort of common bond between speedsters. Privately under his mask, Wally wondered if Barry had felt anything like it for that maniac, Professor Zoom. He doubted it. Not that he felt Carom was any more stable. From what Terra had said, he was a stone cold killer, in a way that even the other members of her old gang hadn't been.

All the same, there was a definite sporting event feel to the whole affair. Perhaps it was the presence of the media; perhaps it was the fact that Team Powerstar were not yet ready to strike. But in any case, they agreed to the terms; twice around the planet, heading straight to the south pole, around to the north pole, and back to the Tower.

Cyborg and 'Mysterion' constructed mini-cameras that, imbedded into the speedsters' costumes, would provide direct feeds to the media. A rare opportunity for regular people—and for that matter, other kinds of metahumans—to see what superspeed was like. It would all go by far too fast for them to see, of course. But the replays could be slowed down.

Once everything was arranged, the two speedsters knelt, side by side, outside the Towers front doors.

The national cable interviewer was chosen to start the race. “On your mark....get set....GO!”

Before the word was even completely out of his mouth, they were gone in two streaks of colorful speed.

A lot of the race was over water, and Kid Flash kept a wary eye on Carom as they crossed the gulf, then down into South America, and thence to the Atlantic.

Carom was watching Kid Flash just as warily. He knew the brat had the advantage. But he believed his cleverness and agility could overcome this.

So he got close, but not too close, trying to feint, trying to dodge. Trying to trip Kid Flash up. And all the while, trying not to lose ground.

Kid Flash could have attempted to outdistance him, but instead he went on the offensive. Trying to slap, trying to strike.

Carom was surprised, but not displeased. He struck back, trying to gouge Kid Flash in the eyes. Their petty strikes at one another was slowing them down, as they looped over the North Pole.

As they zipped past the Tower, first lap complete, Kid Flash tried to put on speed. Carom managed a glancing blow off of the hero's ribs, but Kid Flash just ran faster.

Now Carom struggled to catch up, and to try once more to poke the younger man in the eye.

Almost casually, Kid Flash gave him a backhanded smack in the face.

It didn't hurt much, though his nose burned. Like Kid Flash, Carom could heal quickly. But he lost a couple steps, and buzzing through Antarctica, Kid Flash pulled ahead.

Carom snarled a curse in French and tried to catch up.

Kid Flash relaxed a little, and Carom put on speed, hoping to take advantage of this opportunity. Kid Flash glanced back and smiled, but did no speed up. In a flash of hate, Carom understood; the kid was holding back!!!!

Carom gave it his all, and reached out, trying to yank at Kid Flash's shoulder. He didn't quite make it, only barely touching. But their supersuits buzzed together in friction. Either of their suits could handle the speed. But by connecting.....

There was a spark, and both of them yelped; each had lost part of their suit, skin exposed, burned from the contact. Kid Flash on the shoulder, Carom on his fingers.

Now both stumbled, and staggered, losing track of each other in Canada. Kid Flash almost fell, staggered, and picked up speed; Carom went down but rolled with it, recovered faster, and came up running.

They found each other again at the Great Lakes. Neither one was smiling now. It wasn't a game anymore.

But neither was there time left to fight, unless they wanted to open the hostilities between their teams already, which neither did. So they focused on the prize, the goal, to reach the Tower.

They came in simultaneously.

Slowing down the footage, it was revealed that Kid Flash had one by four hundredths of a second.

Carom swore profusely.

“Easy,” Jinx advised him. “The footage shows he attacked you first.”

Carom nodded, a little modified, as his still hurting fingers began to heal.

[arcalian]

-4-

One of the local newswomen was asking Hunter X, “Surely Team Powerstar should provide the same opportunity that the Titans have?”

“Another infomercial, like the one that introduced the team, is already in the works to display our base,” The masked man assured her.

“Not the same as live media coverage though, is it?” Nightwing countered.

“Indeed no. It will be much more efficient, and provide every detail. And besides, as Goldstar pointed out earlier, we do not find it advantageous to give away our location.”

“One might almost think you had something to hide,” Nightwing said.

“We've all got something to hide.” Hunter's tone was oily. “Secret identities, for example. Really, you Titans should have a hidden base too, I think.”

“I'll take that under advisement,” Nightwing said politely. Neither Hunter X nor the reporter missed the edge in his voice, though. “As for secret identities, they are a curious thing, indeed.”

“Aren't they always,” Hunter X agreed, and walked away.

“There seems to be a lot of tension between your groups,” the reporter said. “Isn't that unfortunate?”

“Yes, but not really surprising,” Nightwing said. “Even amongst more traditional superhero groups there's some friendly rivalry, and if they don't know each other, the possibility of suspicion. In the case of a group like this with questionable financial backing, we can't help but wonder if there's an agenda.”

“Yet you invited them here,” she pointed out.

“Yes. So far it hasn't gone very well. It's almost like they want to challenge us, despite their PR about wanting to ease the burdens of the existing hero community.”

“Perhaps they are just trying to make their place in the world,” the reporter suggested.

“Of that I have no doubt,” Nightwing returned.

“You mind if we put this on the record?”

“Not at all. Surely Team Powerstar already knows; and the people need to be informed.” He turned away.

[arcalian]

-5-

The two teams were scattered throughout the lounge, chatting with varying degrees of civility. The media was keeping a weather eye on the situation, but seemed mostly to be using this as a backdrop for promoting the idea of the teams working together. The same interviewer who had talked to Nightwing earlier was actively trying to smooth things over with the team, pitching the idea of an actual team up to both Nightwing and Hunter X. Neither one was terribly enthused with the idea, but promised to give it a try if circumstances warranted.

Scarlet Wing found herself talking to Gunnery Girl. The newest Titan couldn't help but feel the vicious gun toting girl was meant to be her counterpart. Where Carrie was athletically thin, Gunnery Girl was scrawny. Yet she evidently had enough strength to wield her weapons, aim them properly, and handle the recoil. Clearly she was trained well in their use. Scarlet Wing didn't see any cybernetic strength implants; perhaps her suit itself performed that function. It probably wouldn't be a good idea.

On the other hand, maybe it would. While as inherently vicious as the others, Gunnery Girl wasn't taking any snide digs or making any unsubtle hints. She actually wanted to talk shop.

“Eggsplosives, huh?” She nodded amiably, grinning. “Effective enough. Needs more nitro, though, I think.”

“The idea is for nonlethal rounds,” Scarlet Wing explained.

“Yah, I know. But sometimes you need to blow in a door, or take a building down.”

“We have members with stronger powers for that.”

“Yeah, but sometimes you guys operate solo, right? So do we. Don't call the whole team for everything.”

“Utility belts are useful,” Scarlet Wing conceded. “Myself, I'm surprised you don't go more for martial arts.”

Gunnery Girl grimaced. “Don't have the upper body strength for it yet. Working on a health regimen. Handling the guns helps, and I know a few pistol whip maneuvers. I'm on a protein and multivitamin diet; working on it. You've got some innate abilities in that line, though. Mutant? Or experiment?”

“I was born with enhanced agility. Goes with the wings. Still need to keep up an exercise regimen, though. That kind of strength can fade like any other if not used.”

Gunnery Girl nodded. “That figures. Tell me something else, though.”

“What is it?”

“Is Nightwing really the ladies man they say he is?”

“He's faithful to Starfire. There was some previous relationship, but I don't know the details.”

“But he's got the magnetism,” Gunnery Girl pressed.

“Obviously.”

“So nothing ever happened?”

“Most of the other women on the team have other commitments. And really, it's not my place to say.” There was also what Donna had gone through, but given that ruffian was already on Team Powerstar, Carrie suspected that Gunnery Girl already knew this. And if not, she certainly wasn't going to tell her about it.

“Ah, but I don't mean other girls. I mean you.”

“Me?” Carrie blinked. “He's our leader and has taught me a few things. I don't really consider him in that light.”

“And you don't want to cross Starfire, eh?” Gunnery Girl's grin was nasty, but not unfriendly. Carrie couldn't help but feel that she wasn't as bad as the others. In some ways she was reminded of Tara's friendly-bad-girl personae.

“If I ever looked at him that way, Starfire would be enough to stop me,” she said finally. “I'm not really looking right now, anyway. I went through a....period of adjustment when joining the team, and am still learning so many things. Also, if I was looking? It would probably be for someone who wasn't on the team. A nice, quiet boy.”

“A civilian?” Gunnery Girl blinked, honestly surprised. “Someone who doesn't understand the life? Who you'd have to hide it from?”

“I can't hide it with these wings,” Carrie sighed. “I have no secret identity. This is who I am. Any boy in my life would have to know and accept that.”

“But still, if they weren't involved, wouldn't that be a drag?”

“Perhaps one day I'll get the chance to find out. Right now, I'm not worried about it.”

Gunnery Girl made a face. “Priorities?”

“Priorities,” Scarlet Wing agreed.

The blonde grinned and shook her head. “So serious!”

“I always have been,” Scarlet Wing shrugged.

“Well, nice to talk to you.” She extended a hand. Mildly surprised and still somewhat wary, Scarlet Wing shook it.

[arcalian]

-6-

The reporters were really hot on the idea of getting the teams to be friendly, at least at a professional level. They tried to arrange a joint press conference.

Nightwing and Hunter X said some polite things about the future, without promising any specific details nor ruling anything out.

Team Powerstar stayed for about another 20 minutes more, then departed.

“So, what did they try to plant on us?” Nightwing asked.

“Sixteen different bugs that our own security systems picked up,” Cyborg said. “Four others that I found personally. In addition, I've got the electromagnetic shields up, to disrupt any broadcast. This means our own cable and internet is down, for the moment.”

“To prevent any hidden bugs from broadcasting,” Nightwing agreed. “Well done.”

“In addition, they tried to plant four different pieces of incriminating evidence on us. Stolen money, drugs, a bloody rag, and a finger bone. All of that has been disintegrated, any residual DNA purged.”

“Would've been nice to turn that evidence against them.” Terra sighed.

“They'd have contingencies for that,” Nightwing said. “Anything else?”

“Finally, they tried to download two different viruses, one into the mainframe itself, and one into me. Forrester is slick, I'll give him that. Both were countered and neutralized. I've got Forrester's virus in a stand alone laptop; I'm reprogramming it to use against them.”

“Excellent. And our countermeasures?”

Beast Boy stepped forward. “I really wanted to turn into a bug, hide in their clothes, and sneak into their base. But if they could block Kid Flash with that field, they could block me too, so....”

Scarlet Wing started. “Wait. Scan my hands.”

“Why?”

“I shook hands with Gunnery Girl!”

Cyborg scanned intensely, then relaxed. “You're clean. No bugs, no toxins.”

Scarlet wing was still worried. “Are you sure?”

Nightwing pulled a magnifying glass from his utility belt and looked her over. “You're fine.”

Scarlet Wing relaxed. “I guess she really did just want to talk.”

“Yes,” Raven agreed. “I sensed no real hatred from her. Boredom and vague amusement.”

“Not every villain is a crazy power monger,” Troia agreed. “Some are nice enough people, except they don't care how they make their money.”

“I thought she was meant to be my opposite,” Scarlet Wing confessed, somewhat embarrassed now. “I'm sorry.”

“Don't be; maybe you were right about that part. In any case, you always should keep your guard up. You did fine,” Nightwing assured her.

“So all they've got is the footage of me and Carom fighting during our chase,” Kid Flash said. “Which they can use to say I started fighting with him. Which, technically, I did.”

“Can't he helped,” Nightwing said. “Let them spin it how they want. By itself it's not much. Now, if you'd attacked and he'd not fought back, that would be different.”

“So what about on our side?” Dagon asked. “Did we managed to bug them?”

“Carom himself gave us the opportunity,” Nightwing agreed. “None of them noticed me planting it when you got back from the race. But the difference is, our bug is based on Apokolips technology, which can hide itself.”

“Let's hope they don't have it too then,” Beast Boy murmured.

“If so, it will only show that we know they're the bad guys,” Nightwing smiled. “Let them try to spin that.”

“They can edit it,” Cyborg pointed out.

“And you could point out such edits.”

“True,” Cyborg nodded.

“Anyway, we can listen in as soon as we bring our own barriers down. The only worry is there's something that we missed.”

“If there is, I'll shut it down as soon as it starts broadcasting,” Cyborg promised.

“Right. Lower the electromagnetic shield.”

“Here goes....3....2....1...”

[arcalian]

-7-

Lex was still hiding himself from those members of the team who did not know him. He did not, however, hide his agenda.

“They neutralized all of our attempts?” his distorted voice said.

“Yes,” Forrester admitted ruefully. “They have an electromagnetic shield up to block any broadcast....ah wait, it's just gone down.”

“Which means they've discovered all our bugs, or at least they think they have.”

“Checking.....nope, no signals.”

Hellbore cursed. “I did my best.”

“So did I,” sighed Jinx.

“I'm sure you did. Nightwing is resourceful. Well, we'll keep trying, this was only the first attempt. Next we will give Checkmate an anonymous tip to check the Tower for anything suspicious. But if I read Nightwing correctly, he'll have taken that into account too.”

“Not to be difficult,” Chaos said, “But if you anticipated failure, why have us act?”

“I anticipated the possibility of failure,” Lex corrected him. “I had my hopes. As for why, every attempt must be made. As a scientist, you know that.”

“So now we tip Checkmate off?” Blackfire interrupted.

“I'll take care of that. It will have the additional purpose of diverting their attention from us.”

“Sniffing around already, eh?” Armor of Justice asked.

“Of course they are,” Hunter X snapped disdainfully. “A new team of supposed heroes, out of the blue? They're bureaucrats and jackbooted thugs, but they're not stupid.”

“Of course,” said Lex, hidden by the screen, “They won't know the truth until it's too late.”

Everyone had a good chuckle at that, even Blackfire. Only the Red Brute was left out, with the computer chip in his brain keeping his rage at bay and his mind empty.

Then Eric frowned. “Hold,” he said. “Slight variance in the defense field.”

“Analyze!” Lex snapped.

“Analyzing.....the defense field is vibrating at 37 Gigahertz. That's a very high frequency....”

“It shouldn't be vibrating at all. What's causing that?” Even through the distortion, Lex's disquiet was discernible. “Can someone get through?”

“No, nobody could get in....” Eric's face went pale. “But a signal could get out!”

“You scanned for bugs?”

“Of course I did. Scanning again now...I detect nothing!”

“Of course,” Blackfire seethed. “Somehow they cloaked the signal from detection!”

“Can your people do that?” Eric asked her. “Is this Starfire's doing?”

“No....but Apokolips can.”

“Of course,” Lex groaned. “I've utilized some of their technology myself, after the invasion.”

“And I,” Chaos murmured.

“Stabilize the shield, then everyone strip down!” Hunter X ordered. “We'll incinerate the costumes!”

Everyone complied. There was nothing sexual in this; not even Eric was in the mood.

A handful of minutes later, everyone was into fresh costumes save the Brute, and he was in an isolation tank.

“The field is secure,” Forrester reported. “The broadcast is stopped.”

“But the Titans probably got enough, didn't they,” Lex asked. There wasn't much of a questioning tone in his voice.

“92 percent probability,” Eric agreed.

“So we're busted?” Gunnery Girl asked. “We're done?”

“The plan will have to be reworked,” Lex admitted. “We'll see how bad the damage is. Once we find out, we'll act accordingly. If our PR people can fix this, then I'll be happy to let them handle it.”

“And if not?” Blackfire asked.

“Then we will do it your way. With one addendum; I will join you.”

“What?” Melchior gasped.

“If the Titans have in fact discovered the truth of us, then hiding my own identity will no longer be an issue. I feel confident that whatever else Nightwing suspects, he does not know of my involvement.”

“Which will give us yet another advantage,” Blackfire nodded slowly, then grinned.

“And by the time he realizes that,” Luthor agreed, “It will be too late.”

To be continued.....

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