Brave and the Bold: Vanguard

The city was quiet--any quiet day would be a considered a good one, but a particularly good one for Coast City. The air was fresh, the sun was setting, a pallet of colors raced across the sky. By the shoreline, waves crashed against the rocks. Underneath it all, Rhode Graves stood at the ocean's bedrocks. Peering up displayed the distorted sky, mixing the colors together as her flaming red hair churned about her. Closing her eyes, she decides it was time. She advanced to the surface, expecting to see a crowd of people, but alas, it was empty. A little disheartened, Rhode almost felt like she was cheated; she had been dreaming of the day she would finally emerge from her home onto land, and this was admittedly underwhelming.

Then, someone she hadn't noticed before was resting facedown on the sandbank, how long has he been there? Rhode decided to investigate, it couldn't hurt, and she couldn't just very well leave him there if he was alive. Not two minutes above land did she attempt shake an unconscious boy awake. The night would be interesting, whether she wanted it or not.

---

Looking into the mirror of the bar, the man sighed. To his right, a woman in red eyed him noticeably, forget the inconspicuousness of the public bar, but this was hard for him to ignore. He knew that if he eyed her back some boyfriend or husband or bed buddy would try to assume he was being flirtatious and immediately get jealous. It was usually the case with this bar. Yet, him already having a woman, he didn't mind taking a glance. Okay, so it wasn't a glance.

"Hey buddy,"

Right on time.

"You checking out my lady?"

The man at the bar shrugged behind his beer and gazed up to meet the eyes of the boyfriend.

"And what if I am? You're going to take me out to the lot and give me a shiner? Piss off." He returned to his drink and his normal pose, looking back into the mirror. It was his day off, he at least wanted to enjoy a day without a fight. Yet, as he took a sip from his glass, he couldn't help but smile as he knew a fist would be incoming.

Spinning in the chair he used his arm and parried the boyfriend's right hook, he jabbed his stomach twice before slamming the boyfriend's head into the bar, in which the bartender furiously told the two men to get out. Standing up to get his coat, the man was stopped by the woman in the red dress, just before he left.

"Wait, what's your name?"
"Sorry lady, I'm taken."
"I just asked for your name."

The man smirked, popping his collar up.

"Name is Harold. Friends call me Hal."

Nothing made sense to the boy as he was shot out of unconciousness. Where was he? And furthermore... WHO was he? Like a person waking up from a dream they wanted to remember but just couldn't, the boy wasn't able to make sense of anything. The more he tried to remember anything, the more futile it began to feel it his attempts were. Nothing about him came to his mind. No name, no history, nothing. He tried to move once,but the moment he figured that he needed to got to basics. Name, he had at least one of those, he was sure of it...

His semi- comatose session of bewilderment quickly turned into wide- eyed awakedness as he felt himself being shook awake. Bright red eyes snapped open as he took a look at Rhode. "Who... Who are... You...?" He managed to ask, the words coming to him slowly...

Rhode glanced into the boy's eyes. He mustn't have been older than 18, and his bloodshot eyes worried her. She figured brain damage or this was just how landwalker's eyes were. "My name is Rhode Graves." She said answering his question, "Who are you? What are you doing in the water? Landwalkers don't breathe in water." She said confused with the situation. She stood up and helped him to his feet. "Are you feeling well?"

---

Hal brought the last of the boxes to the outerskirts of the city, resting them outside a secluded cornfield. If any passerbyers did happen to notice him, he would only be a farmer stacking boxes. What was in the boxes wasn't all too confidential either. Food, water, basic necessities. Who it was for on the otherhand, was confidential. He liked waiting at the drop off, he was half tempted to open something up and eat while he waited. The last thirty seconds and it would be 7:00 on the dot. He could just technically fly up to the watchtower. But teleporting had it's own perks. 3… 2… 1…

Deep breath, and he was gone.

The boy staggered to his feet as he wracked his head for the answers to Rhode's questions. A name.. He needed a name, he HAD to have that much if nothing else. But the more and more he wracked his brain, the more and more futile he realized it was. He looked down at his scrawny wrists and examined himself, hoping something would jar his memory, give him SOMETHING to go on. His wrists were red and raw, perhaps sign of some kind of restraint or somethig. Curious, but it did him no favors. He looked further up his arm, and noticed numbers printed on his upper arm, probably for identification. Had he been in a prison or something? The number was pretty simple; 0001. Zero zero zero one.

Zero. The first and most repetitive number. It seemed to carry some poetic resemblance to his blank memory. It would do for now. "Zero, call me Zero" he replied to Rhodes, still groggy as he tried in vain to recall how he got to where he was, scanning his surroundings for some kind of clue. "I... I think I'm ok... I just... I just don't know where I am..." Rhode had good questions, but Zero just didn't have any good answers. "Or how I got here..." While he was being straightforward about how hopelessly clueless he was about anything and everything, might as well come right out with everything. "Or who I happen to be." He explained wearily, placing a hand on his head...

What an absolutely strange tradition, thought Rhode as she correlated Zero looking at his arm, to put one's name on their forearm. Though I do suppose that helps with remmebering your name if you happen to have amnesia. Which just seemed to be the case with Zero. Though if he didn't know as much as she did, extracting basic information would have proven useless. She has come a long way, and she wasn't about to give up and turn around.

It would probably had been in Zero's best intrest if they tried to figure out what was going on around him as much as it would have for herself. She had so many questions about the land, and they could probably learn a lot if they worked together.

"Alright, Zero. Maybe we can uncover some answers together. Let's try for the city." Rhode suggested, inhaling the salty air. "Shall we?"

---

A bright flashing light filled the watchtower, Batman never did cover his eyes from the light. People generally thought it was because he was acting tough, that or he was use to it. Either way, he didn't like it when people messed with the controls. They were really expensive, afterall. When the lights subsided out stepped Hal from the drop off platform.

"Everything went accordingly?" Batman asked.

"Yup. We're good, Batman. I'm just happy we decided to have some better quality food aboard."

"It's for J'onn. He lives up here."

"Hey, we all practically live up here."

"When J'onn isn't with the League, he's in the tower. He doesn't have a life to go back to, he doesn't have a planet to go back to, Hal."

"Doesn't stop Superman."

"This isn't an argument." Batman said finally pointing at the boxes marked WAYNE all over them. "Take them to the lunch quarters."

Hal sneered and pulled out his hands from his pocket, revealing his glowing green ring, he absorbed the boxes into an energy field after suiting up himself, and flew out of the docks.

The idea of finding answers was endlessly appealing to Zero right now, so When Rhodes offered to go into the city and go fid some, Zero eagerly took her up on her offer. "Yeah, I'm ready when you are." He replied eagerly, wanting to get off this beach and find some answers as quickly as he could. And Rhodes seemed as eager to get into the city as Zero did, only adding to his desire to get into town, since he was sure that they BOTH were looking for something. He shuffled off in the direction of the city with Rhodes, and finally realized what he was wearing. It seemed like the kind of getup that you wear as a patient at a doctors office, pale green scrubs of some kind, dirty from no doubt being stuck on that beach for a while. Oh well, he doubted it would be that weird when they got to the city... Right?

It wasn't long until they reached city limits, Rhode peered about the buildings, how quickly the scenery changed for her was astonishing to say the least. Wowed by the spectacles, she glanced over to Zero, the same expression she had was plastered on his face and figured he wouldn't really be helpful at all when it came to answers. Of course they were getting several judgmental looks from bystanders, it made Rhode secretly feel like walking with Zero made her look off, not just her being strange looking herself.

"So exactly what are you looking for?" She decided to ask.

Gut wrenching fear.


It was not a familiar feeling, and as unpleasant as it was it was nothing compared to the sloshy, oatmeal textured sensation welling about in her gut.


“You’ll do well little sister, fear not for you will honor us”


Easier said than done; but far be it for Andromadeia to snark at her well-meaning sisters. They had gathered to see her off, collected in numbers vast about the white beaches and Grecian gazebos of Themescara. More sought to see her off than ever she thought would. Was she flattered? Definitely. Did it help with the slight wobble of her knees at the prospect of leaving and for what purpose she did so?


No. Not it certainly did not.


Andromadeia swallowed the thick spit that had collected under her tongue, feeling the nausea squirm as her dry throat worked to push the fluid downwards. Kneeling in the soft sand, one hand fisted down into the dirt while the other rested gently atop her knee. Head bowed she waited, a slight tremble rocking her submissive frame as a tall beauty approached her.


The towering figure paused above the Amazon youth, appraising and scrutinizing as eyes traveled from toned shoulders and arms to long, tanned legs. The girl looked ready.


“Andromadeia”


“My Queen”


The pregnant pause had the youth’s heart hammering in her chest, at a visible wince a soothing hand was placed under her chin; tilting her head upwards so that eye contact could be established.


“Dear youth, of your age you are one of few that has been deemed worthy to represent Themescyra. And though you leave us to enter a dangerous world beyond these tranquil shores, our strength and spirits go with you—“


Moved, Andromadeia bit the inside of her cheek to keep her lip from quivering. Queen Hippolyta knelt down in the white sand, nearly making the young warrior jump upwards as if to pull the queen off the ground to her proper place towering over all her subjects.


“We offer you’re strength and intellect to the world of man as a beacon of justice and good will. To protect the innocent and subdue the wicked.”


As she spoke, the Amazonian queen pulled a golden eddera from a satchel at her hip and held the golden, leaf adorned headband out for the youth’s inspection. It was placed upon her head, hands stroking through deep brown curls to smooth out what was mussed by the ritualistic crowning.


“Andromadeia, you represent your people.” Hippolyta pulled a sheathed kopis from her hip; the hilt was warm and leather sheath well-oiled and cleaned. “You were chosen by Themis, granted a great boon that you might go out into the world and do her will.” The blade was buckled around the younger amazon’s hips, an act that had Andromadeia feeling more like a child than a warrior. Oddly enough, the gesture and consequential feelings were rather welcomed.


As Hippolyta stood she pulled Andromadeia up with her, holding her by the shoulders before turning the girl around to face her beaming sisters. “On this day, our Sister goes out to fight the evils beyond Themescyra! We pray for her safety and success!” With those words a cheer was uttered by the crowd and Andromadeia was instantly released from her queen’s firm grip.


Feeling colder; though decidedly less nauseous, Andromadeia lifted her fist to her chest and gave a deep bow to her sisters in arms. Every woman offered the same gesture back before she turned down the beach and made off towards the Western most side of the island. With the pleased smiles and cheers at her back a veil of fear seemed to lift from her.


On this day of triumph she was to be shipped off to a tower in the stars. To be used and sent against the evils of the world.


On this day, she would attempt to join the Justice League.

The lights of the city struck Z like a kid at Christmas- dazzling, to say the least. His eyes scanned everything that passed, ranging from the huge skyscrapers around him to the men in suits giving him odd looks and men holding cups of pennies on the corner. It took him a second to process that Rhode was talking to. "I'm not sure... Something, anything I guess." He replied, his gaze fixed on a building sporting the huge words LEXCORP. For the first time, he felt a familiar feeling as he saw the word- and not a comfortable feeling. It was a feeling akin to the sensation of stepping out of a warm shower into a cold room, making him instinctively shift back and forth on his feet. Suddenly realizing he must have looked silly zoning out, he shifted his attention to Rhode. "What about you, what're you looking for?" He asked curiously, trying not to look at the building any more then he had to...

There was a time in every person's life when they broke into their animal emotions. A tatoo reading X0003 was scrawled across the man's arm as he bolted through the woods, trying to escape his pursuer. "Leave me be! I swear to god I won't te-" the man's futile attempt to plead for his life was quickly hushed as an expert shot nailed him right between the eyes, quickly putting his troubles to rest. His assailant emerged from the shadows, a sniper gripped in his hand. "Superb work, Onomatopoeia." The voice on his headset complimented. "Only zero- one, zero- six and zero- nine left." The disembodied voice reported. Onomatopoeia had spent nearly all week cleaning up his employer's escaped lab rats, keeping them out of the watchful eyes of the public, not to mention that meddlesome justice league. "And it must be our lucky day- zero one AND zero six have been located." The voice blabbed on. Onomatopoeia was slightly disheartened- zero nine was the one he craved, since some Markovian commando had busted her out and bested him like he was just a rag doll. But a job was a job, and he waited for his cryptic employer to go on. "Zero one is closest, Coast city. But be careful- reports say he's got himself a little buddy, and in a populated are to boot." He was told. Sounded difficult, but onomatopoeia had done worse. He didn't even need to reply- his commitment was simply the sound of him loading his riffle...

The man of steel strode down the halls of the watchtower, courteously acknowledging Hal as he passed. Superman didn't like to bother Batman, but at the same time he knew that the kind of... Delicate situation he just caught wind of would be right up his alley. He casually approached the dark knight, who seemed to be hard at work on something that he couldn't make much sense of. "Working hard or hardly working, hm?" He asked plainly. Might as well start with the small talk before hitting him with the home run...

Rhode crossed her arms together in defense, mainly from the people giving them the looks. "I'm not looking for anything." She told him, "I only wish to be apart of the society. Perhaps live here. Understand it more." Noticing Zero's wobbling back and forth, her concern for his state of well-being grew. "Are you certain you're feeling alright?"

---

Batman didn't give the usual nod to Superman as he approached him, nor did he acknowledge his question. "We have a new recruit coming on board. One of Diana's picks this time. Can it wait?" Batman asked, assuming correctly that he didn't come to talk to him about his work habits. He punched in several codes, if he was manning the controls for this, it was truly serious.

"Someone is going to have to give her a tour. We can talk then." Batman promised.

A flash of bright light and a boom, sounded in the watchtower's quarters. The tall amazonian stood erect before them, just as Hal returned.

"Check it out, new chick?" He asked landing next to Batman and Superman.

Zero looked at Rhode out of the corner of his eye. "Hm?... Oh, yeah, I'm fine. Just got a weird feeling for a second is all." He replied, telling the truth... Mostly. "So, where ARE you from?" Zero asked Rhode, turning on his heel and striding away from the building. However, even as he put distance between himself and the building he still had that cold, eerie feeling. He wasn't sure how he knew, but somewhere, there were eyes on him... Not from the usual gawkers, either. Something, somehow, gave him a feeling that there was someone with ill intent out there in the city...

Superman didn't even have time to reply to batman nor acknowledge Hal and the new arrival when a sudden burst of red and gold to his side revealed the Flash. "Now either I'm mistaken, or I just heard the words 'new chick'." Flash asked lightheartedly. Superman indulged in a slight chuckle. "Looks like we've got no shortage of volunteers for that tour, Batman." He noted. Flash didn't miss a beat- quick as a well, flash, he snapped up to the new Amazonian recruit. "Howdy there. What's your name?" He asked, his usual Flash charm turned right up. Superman smiled as the spectacle developed, as he was glad to see new recruits coming in, and between this new one Diana had picked and a Psychic and Atlantean Jhon had recently just told Superman he took an interest in, this tower felt like it was filling up quite comfortably. Which was just fine with him.

Andromadeia had walked a good five miles and had taken a few hours to get to the way point placed at the western most beach of the island. The exact spot was marked by a small topless gazebo; it was marked at the center with a small etched bulls-eye.


She’d made it in a decent amount of time, arriving at the waypoint an hour before she was expected to. So there she stood, for a whole hour mulling over her fate, ticking closer to her at a turtles pace with each minute passed. And then it happened; bright lights, loud sounds and a deep thrum of vibration in her chest that made her knees buckle.


All at once the nausea came back and then it was gone, leaving the poor youth dazed. Her hands were clenched at her sides; her eyes squeezed shut as she ground her teeth. Those eyes peeled back, giving birth to a moment of panic as she didn’t recognize her surroundings.


Everything was cold and sterile, grey and lifeless. The machinery made her uncomfortable, despite this she relaxed; forcing a calm expression in place as her eyes focused and turned to the dark, hooded figure manning some button covered panel.


“…….Batman…..”


It was spoken as a statement, but the slight twitch of her eye brow and the fidgeting of her fingers spoke of a question. Andromadeia did recognize the man in blue and red, but as shell/ culture shocked as she was she could not bring herself to utter his title. She seemed lost already, nervous and tense.



And then there was a loud, boisterous man in her face. Andy clutched the hilt of her sword warily as she stepped back away from the Scarlet Speedster and cleared her throat. It was her first time seeing those of a male persuasion, already it was overwhelming but she would not falter.


She had to get used to it sooner rather than later. Now was as good as any time. “G-greetings” She offered the speedster this much, though a deep frown still graced her features.

It dawned on Rhode that with Zero's amnesia, he couldn't tell that she was a foreigner. "I should have explained from the start… as you know I am not from here, I come across from the Atlantic Ocean, deep beneath the sea in the Lost City of Atlantis." She tried to make herself sound more grand than she actually thought she was. After all, she expected more of a reception, and all she had was Zero. It wasn't like she was telling him to bow before her, but she knew that Atlantans were generally more adequate than the normal human. She also had the horrible misconception that humans liked Atlantans.

"I suppose we should find some lodgings first if we intend to be here for a while. And judging by how everyone else is dressed, we should acquire more fitting attire." Rhode suggested, looking about for a possible lead on where to do such activities.

---

The Caped Crusader narrowed his eyes as she called upon him, singling him out from his colleagues. "Andromadeia." Batman responded. Flash's sudden appearance never wavered his guard, though the woman's defensive pose gave everyone the impression of how nervous she was. It was probably not the best idea to leave her in Green Lantern and Flash's hands, but he had no choice. Despite how arrogant Hal could get.

"Welcome aboard the Watchtower. Diana spoke highly of you. I'm letting you know right now that the Justice League is not looking for more members, and we're not prospecting for expansion. So the fact you're aboard this ship is an honor. Treat it that way." Batman greeted, "Now if you will excuse me. I have business to take care of. Green Lantern and Flash will show you around." He then turned 180°, "Superman?" He said walking away, yet calling him to his attention.

When Batman and Superman left the room, Hal levitated towards the shaken Amazonian and landed in landed before her. This was the first he's heard of her, up until now her presence was a surprise since he had been off Earth and had loose lines of contact with the League, the Corps had been busy and he was briefly assigned to another sector. To see humans again was refreshing. To see new recruits aboard the Watchtower made him even more excited about his return to Sector 2814.

"So welcome, and as Batman said, I'm Green Lantern, but my friends just call me Lantern for short." He felt like he went through this already with a tall brunet before this night, déjà vu set in, he held his chin up presenting his symbol on his chest, yet he rested a hand on Flash's shoulder, half to back him off from the nervous wreck, and half to show himself off to impress. "Hey, lay off her, man. She must be like twice as old as you. Wonder Woman is almost ninety years old." He said to him in a whisper, despite the obvious hippocratic nature of his statement, Hal did intend to ease her into the world of man.

"Yeah, we probably should, huh?" Zero replied to Rhode, piecing together that the looks he was getting were probably more scathing then his optimistic appraisal had initialy given credit for. "So, where exactly should we go...?" He asked curiously to Rhode. As already lost in the city as he was- and not having a penny to boot- he didn't have any idea where to start. But him and Rhode had gotten this far, so he was mildly confident that they'd figure something out...

Noah Kuttler reclined in his seat, his bespectacled eyes dissecting the readout of the monitor before him. To the untrained eye it was total gibberish, but to the Calculator, it was an expert miracle of technology, the cameras of Coast City hacked open like a cheap lab specimen, giving him clear sight of subject zero one and his Atlantean partner. She looked like the Atlantean that had stopped a little car snatching operation he had been handling a while back. huh, small world. But her presence was just icIng the cake- the same party that tasked Onomatopoeia and his colleauge Deadshot with taking out the experiments had paid him EXTREMELY well to track them down in the first place. They didn't seem to be especially difficult targets- Onomatopoeia and Deadshot were dropping them so quick Calculator ALMOST felt bad. But for the payday they were all getting, quick was good. Calculator looked on his monitor, assessing the trio's next move like it was a simple game of chess. Onomatopoeia had a way with the wet work that gave him the chills, but for the kind of location and crowd, as well as him being closer, this felt like it needed Deadshot's delicate touch. Calculator touched a button him his headset, patching him to Deadshot. "Calculator here. Gotcha' a fun one this time around, Deadshot." He relayed, his eyes never leaving his monitors as he waited for a reply for Deadshot...

Superman let out a sigh. "Some things just don't change." He stated as he followed Batman out the door as Hal and Flash had their testosterone off. He knew Batman would want to hear what he had to say earlier, so he figured that he better just cut to the chase. He reached into a pouch in his belt, and procured a small disc. "It's Jhon's new little project." He explained, passing the disk to Batman. Jhon would've given the disk himself, but he was down on the surface doing some hands- on work himself. "He wanted you to take a look at it- said you might want to see what he dug up this time." He furthered. He had been helping Jhon out for the most part, but it wasn't until their most recent little discovery that they chose to pull out the stops and sic the Dark Knight on this little assignment...

Flash rolled his eyes at Hal. "I think you're just jealous of these mad skills, big guy." Flash joked, but he had made his move, so now he figured it was only fair to give Hal the next move, if only so he could have an opportunity to crack a good joke. Besides, the new girl looked like she'd really cut something off that he'd miss...

Rhode stopped walking and stood to look around. Banks, restaurants, and other confusing buildings and signs were spread before her. People continued walking past them, she figured one of these locals would know where to go. So, she decided to stop one. Stepping in front of one's way, she beamed at the man, almost half a foot taller than her in a business suit; "Excuse me, sir. Would you know where to find the nearest clothing department can be located?" She asked looking at the man's arm for his name. The man took a step back and then another to the side. He pointed behind him, "Go down 3rd street and take a left." He said bewildered by the two. Rhode smiled and thanked the man. "Quickly, this way!"

---

Floyd Lawton was cleaning a sniper rifle when the call came in. Across his desk, buzzing on the counter, his phone summoned him. Taking his time, Floyd rested his sniper on the workbench and meandered to the light. He took off one glove and tapped on his phone turning it o speaker.

"Deadshot speaking. Did you call to place an order?" He asked looking at his watch to make sure he didn't completely lose track of time as he often did. "Calculator here," Floyd rolled his eyes at the sound of his voice and nearly hung up the phone, until he heard the promise of a "good time." He eyed the phone until the light dimmed.

"The last man you had me kill had me in Waller's hands before the ghost left from my shell, with nanobots in my bloodstream working with Captain Boomerang, Killer Frost, and Major Disaster, for half a year on suicide missions. Why should I trust you?"

---

Batman looked at the disc in Superman's hand, observing it before he plucked it from his fingers. "J'onn is still playing detective after all these years?" Batman asked cocking his head and depositing the disc into his utility belt. "What's on the disc, Superman?" He asked as if he knew he would be inevitably disappointed with the results, not that he would be, he was just never optimistic to begin with.

Zero followed Rhode to the store the man without his name on his arm had indicated to them, and the moment they walked in his eyes shot open like a snap- his mind the abyss it was, he had never really gone to a store before, so he quickly immersed himself like a kid at an amusement park. He secretly hoped he wasn't making a- what's the word- nerd of himself in front of Rhode, but he was essentially in his own little world- at least, until a sudden new sensation hit him like a car. In his mind, he felt something pull at him, directing him like a compass. He quickly stopped what he was doing and placed the clothes he was examining back on the rack, following his mind like a compass. He went down several aisles to a man he'd never seen before...

Zero didn't know him, but to the man, one J'onn J'onzz, Zero was far from a stranger- Zero left a psychic trail so enourmous that he even noticed some dogs perk up when he walked by. He was a psychic powerhouse, but it was clear he didn't have the foggiest idea how to utilize his powers at all. J'onn doubted he was even aware he had them. Besides, J'onn had been looking into recent odd goings- on, and a gut feeling told him that Zero had a part in it. And he also took interest in his Atlantean friend- an unlikely friendship, an Atlantean and an amnesiac, but he didn't really think much of it and he took a casual step towards the two. "Hello there. Allow me to introduce myself, my name is Jhon." He said in introduction...

Calculator reclined in his chair as the game with Deadshot was afoot. "Oh come now, what's a little trauma between friends?" He asked, like it was no big deal. "Besides, I don't think loosing out on a million dollar a pop job to Onomatopoeia is your style." Calculator persuaded, trying to be as artificially convincing as possible...

"Not detective work, not really." Superman explained to the Dark Knight. "Heard of that LEXCORP lab that blew a few days ago? J'onn thinks there's a link between that and a slew of murders that have been going on." He further detailed. "The disk has everything he's found so far, he thought you might be able to maybe catch something he missed." Superman said, his voice now a tone quieter and more serious. "If it IS Lex, then you know how complicated this could be." He said, obviously somewhat concerned by the ordeal...

Barely two seconds in the clothing store did Zero begin acting strange, yet something in her knew that something was wrong. Things were off balance. "Zero? Where are you-" All of a sudden, it happened. Someone could use telepathy in her range. She decided to keep quiet and follow Zero, it seemed like he was leading her to him, even though the other was probably beckoning him. Then, there he was tall dark and handsome. Mysterious, shady, and questionable; Rhode's defenses immediately went up, she wasn't in the public's eye. Grabbing his hand, she forced him to the ground, and he let her. Knee resting on his back, she asked him telepathically: Who are you?

---

"Flattering, but I'm not impressed." Floyd nonchalantly mused as he sat on the counter. He shook his head at Calculator's pathetic attempt to hire him, but of course if he did give enough incentive, he might reconsider. It was the only reason he picked up, and it was the only reason he was still on the line. A million dollars seemed pointless if you couldn't spend it, plus he seemed to be content with his cash-flow as is. Working for Calculator would need some convincing. "So who are we talking about? Why? What's the reason you want this head so badly enough to call the World's Greatest Assassin?"

---

Eyes straight forward, Batman kept his brisk walk at a steady pace. "If Lexcorp is involved, you can count on Luthor's hand is involved in it." Batman said as he approached an elevator, and calling it. "I'm familiar with the blow out last Friday. I've got Oracle on the case, she's given me a list of the subjects killed. Follow the bread crumbs, Superman. Follow the bread crumbs." Batman said turning to Superman, he handed a USB containing both his and Oracle's information on the case to him, dropping it into his palm. Of course, always staying two steps ahead of every other member was one of the Justice League members. The doors parted and The Dark Knight stepped into the elevator, pressing his floor. "You should consult me before anyone, Clark. I shouldn't have to tell you that." He said just as the elevator closed.

Andromadeia looked after the Man of Steel and Caped Crusader with something akin to worry, but her attention was easily drawn back to the two more friendly ( and apparently less responsibility obligated) Leaguers.


The brunette gazed at the two as they momentarily bickered back and forth, something about skills and giving her space. Andromadeia realized she was perhaps being introverted and awkward; she didn't mean to be and was by no means timid, it was merely a moment she needed, to acclimate to the world of high tech and men.


Surely that would not paint their views of her wrong. Batman did mention Princess Diana had spoken of her; an honor in itself, but to be a potential Leaguer when none were sought after..... It steeled her wary heart and put a fire of pride in her belly.


Quite suddenly, the Amazonian youth was grinning in a way that could only be described as impish. She moved towards the both of them, placing surprisingly lithe hands on their shoulders. She held then there, not in place but with enough pressure to let them know she didn't want them to move.


It was a dominant gesture, but one meant to dispel discomfort and awkwardness.


"Fret not, I am only 45. Surely that is not so old I'd be considered a cradle robber, right?"


Andromadeia uttered a amused chuckle before offering them both pats on the shoulders. These were allies; she told herself, no need to fear an ally. Not to mention they're weren't entirely unpleasant to look at. No third eyes. No long, dripping fangs and claws to render her innocence asunder.


" I am Andromadeia. And I do believe we should get this tour under way? It would seem prudent to be expedient,yes?"

The warmness of Andromadeia's greeting felt strange, by comparison of how Wonder Woman usually is around Hal. True, she was a warrior, and she wasn't always cold, but Hal figured that his bright mood might break her into the world of man. Maybe it worked. "You'll be fine." Hal promised as he smiled at her charmingly.

"Andre, Androm- wait…" He continued to fumble with her name. Raising an eyebrow of confusion, he tried to repeat her name without butchering it. "Do you mind if I just call you Andy?"

He was ready to go, but he wanted to get the Amazon's name down right so he didn't just call her "you" or something of that general effect.

(Argh, sorry guys, past week has been brutal x-x)

J'onn raised his hands passively as Rhode pinned him to the floor. He silently scolded hismelf for not being more stalwart, but there was nothing he could do about that now. Best to just diffuse the situation- there were enough eyes on them already. "I apologise for being so abrupt- my name is J'onn J'onzz, and I mean you no harm." He replied sincerely....

Zero looked from J'onn to Rhode, and back and forth a few times. He couldn't help but wonder just how they were doing that thing where they talked, but didn't move their lips... was it some kind of, what was the word, talent? Could he do it himself? Focusing his mind, he tried his best to just speak with that. The result was... dissapointing, to say the least. Like tuning a radio to a blank station and hearing nothing but static, all J'onn and Rhode could hear from him was a low hissing noise as he made his first attempt at telepathy...

Calculator couldn't help but somewhat enjoy the game with Deadshot- he had a pretty good hunch he could get him in the groove if he just spilled his guts on the whole of what was going on. But where oh where was the fun in THAT?! But, nonetheless, he DID have things to do and innocent people to pop off, so he decided to start narrowing in for the kill. So to speak. "Oh come come now, think about it; only a handful of people have that kind of cash to dish out, Floyd m'boy." Calculator relayed teasingly. "Besides, I think big man Lex will be very dissapointed if you don't do this little shindig with me and that other cretin I've been kiting about. Seriously, have you TRIED to hold a conversation with Onomatopoeia? Might as well be trying to talk to a brick wall." Calculator explained. If the possibility of being in the graces of Lex Luthor, one of the big guys on the block, didn't give you an incentive, few things would. Besides, Onomatopoeia seriously was a creeper, even by Calculator's low standards...

Superman indulged in a light chuckle as he received the USB from Batman. He was a grown man, and here Batman was still taking him to school. However, Superman knew that Lexcorp meant Lex himself, and that spelled trouble no matter who you were. And, unfortunately for superman, Lex Luthor had a little too much kryptonite than was comfortable. But first things first, had to take a looksie at that information Batman and Oracle had amassed. He would've roped Batman into helping out, but judging by how quick he got in the elevator, he figured he had places to be, microuniverses to save, ex sidekicks to team up with, billion dollar companies to run.... you know, Batman stuff. He could've done it himself, but if he was going to find out what was up without getting a world- class Kryptonite hot- put, he'd need some kind of help. Hmmm, Weren't Flash, Hal, and the new kd just down the hall? turning on his heel, he figured that maybe a little good old fashioned field work- after the tour and a little adjustment time- might be the kind of goood old fashioned bonding experience that would bring her comfortably into the team....

"Yeah, can we just call you that?" Flash said in a agreement. However, agreed that they needed to get udnerway. Besides, last thing he needed was Batsy or Superduper to come and think he and Hal were loligagging. Not that he was a stranger to that accusation, mind you...

Rhode's eyes darted across her surroundings and immediately notice the dressing rooms. With one hand, she grasped J'onn and the other wrapped around Zero's arm; she then dragged the two into the dressing room and tossed the two of them into a stall. Bystanders rubbernecked as Rhode entered the stall and closed it shut.

"The both of you have explaining to do." She stated, crossing her arms.

This all seemed a little too convenient. Zero was something special, he could obviously sense J'onn, just as much as she could, probably more-so. And the fact another telepath was in front of them guiding Zero to him, wasn't exactly a good sign. Humans don't have telepathic powers as far as Rhode knew, otherwise they would be communicating with their dogs without having to use a high pitched dog park voice with them.

"I'm only going to ask this once. What's going on?"

---

Floyd stood up from the desk and pressed his phone against his ear so hard, it hurt a little.

"Come again? Did you say Lex Luthor?"

Lex wasn't exactly a god amongst men, but when the name is mentioned during a business arrangement, there were always deeper things behind trivial assignments.

"What could he possibly want with a few dead men?" He inquired, his pose quickly relaxing, but his intrigue was now burning.

Andromadeia blinked in surprise. Was her name truly so difficult?


Not wanting to deny her new comrades, she kept her smile firmly in place and nodded. " Andy is not a bad adaptation, why not? Andy it is!"


The youth offered up another laugh before removing her hands from their shoulders to gesture out passed them, hoping that said gesture would compel the two to lead on.


"Please my friends, let us not waste more time then we must. I admit I am eager to view this miraculous device around us. I've never seen the like before"


She didn't try to keep the awe out of her voice, she looked eager and excited. All manner of nervousness and unease from before flung off to some dark corner in her mind. Never to be taken out and observed again.

Hal clapped his hands together and beamed at the newcomer. "Excellent! Well, lets get started, shall we?" He asked looking about the control room. Hal spread his arms, "This is where we transport every and everything to the Watchtower. Honestly won't be spending much time here, but just a little background, this is the place that has all the controls on the ship. From something as simple as the lighting, to the gravity and oxygen, this is the brain of the Watchtower." The Green Lantern turned around and led the small group about the Watchtower, of course if Flash was leading, no one would be able to keep up. And who better to guide a tour than the light of a Green Lantern?

"These are the halls hold the rooms where all Justice League members use to make a home away from home. Now, granted, chances are we aren't going to be using all the rooms. That would just be ridiculous." He said looking down at what was almost fifty rooms. "Each spacious room is about the size of a living room. You can fit a statue in one of these rooms." As Hal opened up a room here and a room there he explained a tad about each member who resided in the room.

"We only use to have seven members, Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Flash, Aquaman, Martian Manhunter, and yours truly. Ever since, we invited Green Arrow, Cyborg, Red Tornado, Hawk Girl, Black Canary, Zatanna, Captain Atom, and Black Lighting. Oh wait… I think there was one more. I forgot his name. It was something funny I think. A doctor I think." Hal was rambling more to himself which he knew was boring Barry, but he was trying his best to be informative and keep his credibility. Kind of.

(Blah, sorry folks, a weird few weeks x_x)

Calculator knew in an instant that just dropping Lex's name had Deadshot singing a different tune in how interested he was in the mission. "Oh come come, Floyd. I can't give an uninterested party all the secrets f these scary people. Now, someone on the payroll on the other hand..." Calculator had the hook baited; it was all up to Deadshot now to finally bite the hook and get drawn into this little shindig of theirs...

Zero had, as he ashamedly knew all day, that he had no clue what was going on. He only knew that he could sense things, things that apparently weren't normal. He knew that 'John' was well aware of it, but Rhode... Didn't seem so sure....

J'onn knew that at this rate, he was getting nowhere fast. The more and more agitated he was making Rhode, the more and more of a scene began to unfold. "You are correct, I owe you an explanation." He explained in agreement. And, for the sake of getting everything out in the open, decided to drop the disguise; his body twisted and shifted, his appearance quickly changing. Where 'John' was moments ago, now stood the solid form of the Martian manhunter. "I am the Martian Manhunter, member of the justice league." He explained in introduction. "I have been investigating a series of... Incidents. And you friend there-" the Manhunter gestured to an astonished Zero. "- may be a key peice of the puzzle." He explained. He further went on, explaining his looking into the explosion of the LEXCORP lab, the bodies of several individuals gifted like zero, and, of course, his wish to keep him and Rhode out of harm's way. "Conclusively, my Atlantean friend, I need your- both of your- help in this investigation." And he couldn't deny that an Atlantean would be a treasured ally in a case like this...

Flash tried to keep from swamping the spotlight- this seemed to be more Hal's show right now. However, he wouldn't avoid the chance at a good quip here and there. " probably doctor Fate you're taking about." He explained. "All magic-ey stuff. You might like him." He explained to Andy lightly, keeping at casual as you'd expect from the Flash....

Andy was overwhelmed, looking all about with a keen, interested eye.


"There is so much to learn, how will I ever understand all these controls"


The word was spoken thickly; as if it was dry and too hard for her to get out, the young Amazon seemed far more interested in the members of the league and the rooms. The small apartments seemed so lonely to here, though there were many she was used to houses and manors that consisted of many people in only a few rooms. To live alone was not a concept she was accustomed to.


Still, she couldn't help but be impressed and walked behind the two with slow, deliberate steps to make sure she was keeping up but still lagging behind enough to take it all in at her own pace.


"Where are these other members? Are we the only ones on this station at the moment?"


Andy was only a little curious, and possibly eager to meet all the people she would soon be calling comrades.