welcome to the justice lounge

Isis is hiding with her tablet. I’ve already snapped at her about four times in the last hour, so she’s justified for it. Please bring something greasy enough I could siphon the extra off for my car.

Ollie hadn’t actually expected an answer that detailed and anthropomorphic re: Isis, but he valiantly put all thoughts of kitty skyping from his head and sallied forth to bring Selina what she’d requested. A baked cannelloni swimming in oil, focaccia with oil and balsamic, and a much nicer and infinitely less greasy margherita pizza for when she was feeling better and ravenous.

“Delivery from Queen’s House o’Hangover,” he said into the buzzer when she picked up, making some kind of rolling aggravated purring noise on the other end. At least he remembered to pitch his voice down, or he had the distinct impression that Selina would have no qualms about leaving him there on her doorstep.

Selina sat there for a moment and just stared at the door, trying to decide how much time she needed between buzzing him in and him getting to her door to actually get to it herself. Why had she been so stupid to let Maven take the day off?

No, wait…. Maven said something about it last night. Damn her wine-fuzzy brain!

She realized she hadn’t responded and growled slightly, hitting the button to unlock the door. He was just walking up to her mat when she finally made it to the door.

“I can’t decide whether that smells delicious or disgusting, but it’s the most human thing I’ve smelled in a while,” she said, opening the door. “Come in.”

( as i was going to st ives )

Kate palmed the tracker that Bai had given her, watched the pulse of the red light. She bit her lip as she did, then got herself back together as they rematerialized in a Bludhaven back alley, smack in the middle of an industrial area. It didn’t usually turn her stomach, zeta tubing, but it did now, and she blinked a few times to steady her ears. She couldn’t imagine what it would do to Mia, even after the healing process by the Lanterns.

They were a decent distance away from Mia Queen’s...well, former home, and the light on the tracker was definitely flashing faster, brighter, though Kate wished it was a bit more obvious whether it belonged to a dead man or a living one. Then she wished she hadn’t thought that.

There were three small bungalows located on this corner lot. Their owner, a lonely Army vet with no family, had refused to sell them or the land when the city was creating its industrial parks; therefore, it left the three houses in a sprawling plot with tall, thin birch trees swaying up from overgrown grass. A narrow, steep ravine ran through the back of the property.

“If they’re not stupid, they’ll have the house guarded,” she said quietly. “I don’t know which would be better, to take out the guards from a distance, considering we’ve got...” she glanced at the archers, “the firepower, or if that would be too obvious. Opinions?”

( family affair )

To Devil’s Tower in Wyoming!

In the shadow of the tower itself, a large deserted military complex hums with action once again. Only, it wasn’t the military running things anymore. The complex had become Grand Central Station for new recruits to the North American branch of the League of Assassins. Hundreds, maybe close to five hundred men and women occupied the base now and spent their days training, planning, and pledging unwavering allegiance to the Master – Ra’s al Ghul.

The Master himself was not there, but his top lieutenants ran the base with an iron fist. Weakness was not tolerated. Disloyalty was punishable by death. This was one of only a few centers where the League of Assassins produced more Fangs That Protect the Head. And it held the distinction of being the largest.

Which meant the good news was that if the Justice League could shut it down, it would put a huge dent in the worldwide power and influence of the Demon’s Head. But the bad news was all in the “if” because it also meant the largest number of highly trained and fanatical assassins were there. They had the weapons, they had the training, they would not surrender. This mission would either be the Justice League’s finest hour, or the triumph of fanatical terrorists, hell bent on world domination

Go get ‘em heroes!

( focused assault time )

As they begin their ascent beyond earth’s atmosphere, nothing seems amiss about the
Watchtower hovering in the distant void. The planet recedes behind Superman and his teammates, and they delve further into the darkness of space. Floating alongside him, Zatanna is propelled forward and protected by her mastery of magic. Guy and Kyle close their ranks on either side, soaring in protective green bubbles. Jaime brings up the rear, and Clark can hear him murmuring something to the scarab that allows him to travel through space otherwise unassisted.

He doesn't hone his sensitive ears to make out what the young man says. He focuses instead on the station ahead, and any potential obstacles to their reclaiming it. His eyes pierce the infinite blackness, looking ahead to identify the mechanical beings that stand guard around the Watchtower. They aren't implemented by the Justice League; they mean to prevent the heroes from entering their own base.

Superman's eyes narrow as his vision focuses back upon the team that travels with him. "Robots," he informs them, and he can begin to see their gleaming outlines at the standard range of human sight, so he knows the others can spot them now too. "Reminiscent of Amazo by the looks of it, so it's possibly Ivo's technology. Be careful in your attacks; we don't know if these 'bots can absorb and reflect our powers back at us yet or not. Seek to contain if so. I’ll fly ahead to draw the brunt of their attack. The rest of you work together to take them down while they're focused on us."

He zooms onward several meters beyond his colleagues. The robots close formation, firing short-range energy blasts as Superman moves in upon them. The Man of Steel raises a mighty fist, pummeling it into the metallic barrel-body of a robot that fires continuously at the 'S' shield emblazoned across his chest.

“Seriously?” Kyle said, and he couldn’t help but hide his dismay as he saw the army of robots dotting the sky around the Watchtower. It made sense, of course; given just how many obstacles had been thrown their way so far over the course of the fortnight, from creepy cryptic messages to murder - why would it be made simple for them to waltz back up to the Watchtower?

( space wars )

Flying as fast as he safely could with the bubble in tow containing the Eden Corps leader, Red Hood, and the wounded Black Canary, Guy Gardner flew a bee-line for the rooftop of Warriors Bar and Grill. Picking Dinah gently up in his arms, he turned to Jason. “Keep that one up here. Holler if she gets outta hand, but better still, just tranq her again if she acts up,” he glared a warning at her. Giving Jason a rewarding smile and another “Good work, kid,” he floated below and entered his apartment through the balcony doors.

“Kate,” he nodded to her seeing her slumped on the couch. Her alarmed look at Dinah reminded him to reassure her. “She’s okay…stable. Took a through-and-through to the shoulder and a concussion, medics patched her up. I’ll put her in my room, and Hal an’ I can…” his voice trailed off, “Where’s Hal, wasn’t he with you?”

She glanced towards the close door of Kyle’s bedroom and rubbed her eyes tiredly. “He’s…well, he’s with Kyle. Ocupado.” She left it at that, not wanting to get involved in whatever bro-politics were set up between Corpsmembers.

He followed her glance to the bedroom door, interpreting her hesitation and inflection accurately; Guy was no idiot. “Ya gotta be kiddin’ me…” he growled. To his credit, he managed to not reveal through his poker face all of how that confirmation of his suspicions about Hal and Kyle made him feel. This, he really didn’t need right now. Guy looked down at the sleeping woman in his arms; Hal and Kyle’s dalliance could have waited for a less critical time.

“Tell ‘em when they’ve finished ‘polishin’ each other’s Lantern Batteries’ that I could use their help healin’ Dinah,” he snapped, adding over his shoulder, “Jason’s on the roof guarding the leader of Eden Corps. J’onn will wanna question her.” With that, he disappeared into his room to tend to Dinah’s injuries. Alone.

( regroup and revise )

MSG:

Help Kate, Hal. I’ll get Mia.

Mia stay where you are, I’m sure the Titans Tower is safe but I’d feel better if we were together. I’ll see you in a little.

MSG:

Okayy I’ll be here.

It didn’t take Connor long to arrive at the Titans Tower. He was sure it was safe, but he was also sure it was an obvious place to be staying for Mia. And if the Watchtower was compromised how long would it take for the Titans Tower, which was on the ground, standing like a giant T shaped target in the middle of San Francisco, take before that was compromised as well.

He sent a message up to Mia simply saying to meet him outside so they could head out to the place he felt would be safe. Well, as much as he could manage for the both of them at least.

Mia been in the Titans Tower for a while and while it wasn’t exactly up to it’s usual security standards no one really knew she was there so she figured she’d be safe. Once Etrigan had appeared she thought… maybe not. Thankfully Connor said he was going to come get her because he’d feel better if they were together.

Honestly so would she. Being around anyone in her family would probably have made her feel better. But Connor always made her feel calmer, and like… everything was totally going to be ok. Even if it wasn’t. He just had that sort of way about him.

She got his message and headed out hopping on her bike and tearing from the garage out to where Connor was. Mia stopped in front of him. “Hop on.” She said really hoping he wasn’t expecting to walk. Because that was ridiculous. He couldn’t drive, but that didn’t mean she couldn’t. “Where are we heading?”

( convergence )

Tx to Green Lantern Hal Jordan: know you said I knew where to find you but don’t think you meant like this. I need someone who can spray a hell of a lot more hot water than I can out of my garden hose right now. entire neighborhood covered in RAINING dart frogs, some poor people are going to die of alkaloid poisoning.

yes, that is how you get rid of frogs, spray them with hot water. just trust me on this. ks

As he got the message, Hal was wishing there was more than one of him. He messaged Kate back that he’d be there as soon as he could, and with Mia taken care of, all he had to do was charge up and head out. With a flash of green and a chant of his oath, he was ready to go.

He took off like a bolt, covering as much distance as he could in a short time without going TOO fast. Once he was in sight range of the city, he put his hand out in front of him.

“Ring, get Kate.” He waited a moment for his ring to establish a connection, which also let him pinpoint her location.

“Kate, I’m almost to your location,” he said. “Tell me what I need to do and we’ll make it happen.”

“Sorry to be a pain in the ass like this, Hal,” Kate said, which probably made it look like she was talking to herself. In the middle of a rainstorm containing poisonous frogs. “But a staff and an attitude problem wasn’t going to cut it here, if you know what I mean. I needed someone who can…well, make it rain, and rain not quite scalding hot. Fortunately most people are inside…”

Collateral damage. Damn.

( and there was a great cry throughout the land )

Lying at the base of the statue honoring Barry Allen in Central City is 5 human hearts, each with a arrow shot through it. Attached to one of the arrows is a note reading: The Queen of Hearts is dead! If the REAL Queen won’t fall, his daughter will do! Long Live the Queen of Speed! - E.C. DNA analysis will reveal each heart was intended for transplant victims in Star City, Keystone City, Denver, Gotham City, and Metropolis. Each had been stolen during transport. All 5 drivers are missing too.

Anonymous

Wally had to really try to keep his lunch down at the sight. It was bad enough that 5 donor hearts were now laying on the ground wasted, but….But it was at the foot of Barry’s statue, in front of the Flash museum. This was an insult in the highest form, and he was NOT going to stand for this.

He waited around for the police, meanwhile looking for any clues he could find. These guys were good, and well organized at that. He rounded up the tapes from the museum’s surveillance, but they didn’t turn up anything helpful without analysis. Which would take time.

First things first, he needed to catch up with Bai again. Second he needed to message the league. Amid collecting his thoughts, he swept the police scanners a few times, catching reports of downed vehicles and the missing drivers. ARG this was getting aggravating. No time…no time no time no TIME. He could be anywhere in minutes, and yet when he had nothing to work with, his speed was useless.

Leaving the police to work on the missing persons, he swept the city himself, looking for anything that might help. After a stop for $10 worth of dollar menu cheese burgers, he was off again, back to the scene of the ‘crime’. 5 calls, 5 disappointed recipients…and a casualty. One of the patients had died from complications in surgery prep. They’d EXPECTED a new heart, but the one they had hadn’t held out.

This was personal now.

Gritting his teeth, he excused himself and went home, cramming some more calories while he readied a message for the League.

( there's us and then there's the rest )

It started in Blüdhaven, where one more deadbeat found in an alley vomiting and having trouble breathing was just another Saturday night. Hell, even three of them in the same night was a gimme in the ‘Haven.

In LA, same thing with nary a blip in the flow of the city. In Denver there was a tiny writeup in a local anarchist paper berating the institutional state machine for its indifference to the homeless, using the people struck with severe respiratory illness as a springboard to posit classism as the oppression from which all others stem.

Star City, home of a significant liberal demographic that liked social justice with its coffee, caused a little more fuss; no less than three major news sources commenting upon the sudden proliferation of people found with the same respiratory symptoms, the same deterioration, wondering if social services could keep up with it, whether or not it was the work of a virus or criminal or public indifference or biological weapon.

( the hunter )

The Zeta tube was still powering down, still droning on the name and number of its latest arrival when Guy Gardner flew rather than stepped out of it and was out of earshot. Seconds later, he was knocking on her door. He wasn’t looking for a fight, but he sure as hell was ready for one, knowing Dinah and her tendency to react emotionally of late. “Dinah? It’s Guy,” he called through the door.

After arriving at the Watchtower in the middle of the day with no more than a duffel bag of her things, Dinah stormed to her room, following Guy’s instructions to stay put until he got there. As the hours slowly ticked by, her fury dulled into annoyance, then concern, and finally panic. She had no idea who was attacking Ollie and who had already been hurt, but if it had anything to do with the attempt on Kate’s life, she feared for her family. At the sound of his voice through the door, relief flooded her. Dinah rushed forward, throwing the door open. She didn’t give him a chance to speak, grabbing the front of his vest and pulling him in for a kiss.

He held her tight, grateful she was safe, first and foremost, and also that she chose this as a greeting instead of taking his head off his shoulders with a flying side-kick. When she finally pulled back, he touched his forehead to hers. “Thank God yer safe, Gorgeous. I woulda been here sooner, I really tried…but I had to deliver something to Gotham, and I swung by a few other places to make sure people had been warned,” he explained. “I’m sorry I didn’t have time to tell you why. These threats have started pourin’ in like crazy. Batman’s working on the evidence, trying to track this. Whatever this is, babe, it’s BIG.”

“I’m still mad at you, but I’m more glad you’re safe.” She took his hand, pulling him away from the door way and into her room. They sat on the bed, her hands wrapped tightly around his. Her voice shook when she spoke again. “Guy, start from the beginning. Please don’t leave anything out. How am I a target? What’s going on and why is everyone moving up here?”

( yes, yes, the cappadocians, fine )