New York City
Michael knelt down to Angelica’s eye level. “Alright kiddo, are you ready?”
She rubbed her arm, eyes downcast, but pulled her sleeve up after mere seconds. Michael sterilized the location first before pushing the needle in. Her lips tightened and she gritted her teeth. The coldness that came with the metal was gone, leaving the stinging pain behind.
“I want to keep her here for observation just in case. It's just for today. You guys can stay if you like,” Michael said. He only needed to neutralize certain sections of her DNA to stop the evolution.
“We will, thank you,” Orlando said. They wouldn’t leave her alone here. Even if Michael Holt were a friend.
“Good thing I prepared rooms in advance,” Michael said, gesturing at them to follow. His lab, which was in his penthouse, made everything very convenient.
“You might run a fever due to the foreign bodies in your bloodstream. Other than that, I don’t expect any complications, but you never know with metahuman powers,” he said, guiding the group into the living room.
“Thank you, Michael,” Miles said, holding out a table for him.
He took it, seeing a gold-plated creature with green, half-mechanic, half-organic parts. “What is this?”
"It's best you see for yourself.”
He slid the page, reading the details. “Organic life form, fused with cybernetics. Most of the body is converted to biomechanical matter. Clear work of advanced nanobots,” he said, summarizing the last part from the available data.
“Whoever did this is a monster,” he said. His hand tightened around the device.
Miles nodded, his head tilting up and down thrice. "It's the results of the examination conducted on a Parademon, canon fodder consisting of Darkseid's armies. He conquers a planet and harvests the population for the next war.”
“The man I put in charge of the examination believes the advanced technologies in its body can be put to good use, especially in medicine. Unfortunately, his talent lies in machines, not biology,” he said. It was a touchy subject, to use the desecrated body of an alien to advance their science. Regardless, the alien was long dead and gone. All that remained was this shell.
Once they were done, they would be given a proper funeral.
“He is right. If I can crack this conversion method, it could be used to treat genetic diseases,” he said. The cure for Angelica was only possibly because her condition hadn’t progressed much. The technology present in the Parademon’s body would definitely advance their medical technology by decades.
“I’ll have the body delivered to you then,” he said. Michael’s genius extended into several subjects. Most experts with the necessary knowledge to work on the Parademon weren’t the loyal types.
Or the sane.
“You don’t want to research it yourself?” Michael asked. Miles certainly had the funds for it.
“I don’t have the qualified personnel, and I don’t want to spend the time gathering them.”
“Alright, send it my way.”
“Then I’ll bring it tomorrow when I return to pick them up.”
—
The election work was going well. Neither the Republicans nor the Democrats believed Robert Kerdon was a threat. He wanted it to stay that way for now. When the time came to reveal the many, many inhumane projects administrations from both parties created and continued, their fall would be a feast for the eyes.
He had to answer the call first, though.
“Guess who just asked me out on a date?” Diana asked, her joy apparent in her voice.
“Congratulations Diana,” he said. He didn’t expect Bruce to act so swiftly. It was a welcome change.
“What exactly did you tell him?” What could have convinced the Dark Knight that being alone was not the best of ideas?
“That Batman would meet his end as a desperate man with a gun in his hands,” he said.
“It appears to have worked.”
He smirked to himself. “Enjoy your date, you two.”
“Thank you, Miles.”
Just as quickly, he received another call. The number was unknown, though.
“Hello?” he asked tentatively. Zalika screened all his calls. Unknowns and known hostiles would find the number out of use. This one had to be friendly.
“Master Miles, it is Alfred Pennyworth,” the butler of Wayne Manor’s sophisticated voice came.
“Alfred!” he brightened up. “What do I owe the pleasure?” Unless this was on Batman’s behalf, there could be only one reason for Alfred to call him.
“You flatter me. I simply wished to relay my gratitude. Master Bruce made me aware of the talk you two had. And now he is going on a date,” he said. The usual, steady tone was slightly rushed this time.
“I couldn’t let my friend drive himself to isolation now, could I?”
“If you are ever in Gotham, please be sure to visit Wayne Manor. I will always have hot Mulligatawny soup waiting for you and your companions.”
He smiled. He knew it was one of Bruce's comfort dishes. He wouldn’t miss the chance to try it. “I will definitely take that offer sometime.”
“Then I wish you a good day.”
“You too Alfred,” he said, ending the call.
—
Jump City
There was a problem in Jump City.
An alien spaceship had crashed, and a very familiar figure was flying around randomly. Orange-skinned and purple-dressed with dark red hair and bright green eyes, Starfire had arrived on Earth.
“I don’t understand. Why do you want me to come with you?” Robin asked, walking behind Miles. He was just about to head out for patrol when his assistance was specifically requested by the Justice League’s intelligence guy. What’s more, Batman had approved it without a thought.
Now he was in Jump City, having been teleported there by a gothic girl through a portal.
“You’ll see,” he said, smiling as he glanced back at Dick Grayson. The universal translator didn’t have Tamaran in it. Starfire would need a way to learn the language. Since she was a minor by Earth’s standards, she needed someone close to her to learn English.
Who better than the Boy Wonder himself?
“Claire, get her attention. Zalika, no cameras,” he ordered. There were a few cameras around the park. The police were closing in as well. They needed to get her out quickly. Her ship had already exploded after sinking into the ocean.
Claire raised her hand, index and middle fingers together, firing a small firebolt. It whizzed by Starfire’s head, getting her attention as he wanted. Her green eyes lit up, ready to retaliate. Robin pulled his staff out, ready to fight, while Barak stepped slightly in front of Miles to take the energy blast.
“Blorthog!” he called out, raising his hands. It was one of the few Tamarenian words he remembered. It meant peace gathering, the only way he knew to deescalate the situation.
Starfire stopped, eyes dimming back to their usual color. She said something in her native tongue, which he understood nothing of except how she repeated blorthog.
He touched his own lips, gesturing at Robin, and pushed him forward. “Hey!” he protested, turning around to glare at Miles. He just smiled in response, head jerking towards the alien.
He tried to back off as she approached, but Miles held him steadily, winking. She grasped the collar of his costume, pulling him forward. He expected, well, he didn’t know what to expect. Miles wouldn’t just let this alien attack him, but he wasn’t saying anything else either.
The kiss certainly wasn’t it.
Her lips touched his, and it wasn’t lightly either. She kissed him deeply, and he felt his knees go weak for a second. Just as quickly, she pulled back, wiping her lips. Robin turned around, glaring at Miles.
“You know Tamarenian?” she asked, floating away from Robin.
“Only a few words, princess,” he said, lowering his arms.
She narrowed her eyes, that intense green tint returning slightly. “You know me?”
“The fierce princess Koriand’r of Tamaran is an important figure to know after all.”
“Princess?!” Robin mouthed exaggeratedly. Was he just kissed by a member of alien royalty?
“I mean your planet no harm,” she said, watching the police sirens in the distance.
He nodded, knowing as much. “I guessed as much from your conduct so far. What brings you here?”
“I was captured by the Gordanians. When their empire crumbled, I managed to escape on a ship. Its navigational data was corrupted, however. I have eventually ended up in your world,” she said.
He blinked, having completely forgotten about the possibility.
“Why don’t we take this to a more private setting before resuming our conversation? I assure you, our administrations are the kind to dissect aliens before bothering to ask questions,” he offered. Raven’s portal opened behind him as he finished.
She looked at the approaching red and blue lights in the distance and then at Miles. “Very well, friend,” she said, following him in.
She didn’t trust the human yet. His knowledge of her, and the fact that the human defenders in blue had shot at her without initiating peaceful talks, didn’t leave her much choice.
—
Metropolis
Beckett Residence
“Why did you make her kiss me?” Robin hissed as they walked back through the portal. It had actually felt nice. He just didn’t like being caught off guard.
“Who else was supposed to? Kid Flash? You know how bad he is with ladies,” he said, shaking his head. The young speedster would brag about kissing Koriand’r endlessly.
He crossed his arms, a slight tint of pink on his cheeks. “But why me?”
“Because I don’t know anyone else close to his age? Should I have picked a random teenager off the street?” he asked. Offering the first teen he came across the chance to kiss an alien princess sounded like a splendid idea.
Robin rubbed his lips. “You could have at least told me.”
“You lost your first kiss to a literal alien princess. You are welcome,” he said. Robin just huffed, walking away.
“Speaking of, do you wish to be transported back to your planet, princess?” he asked the alien girl.
“Not as of right now. My sister was the one who sold me to the Gordanians. I’m in no state to confront her.”
He smiled, gesturing at her to sit. So she knew about her sister’s betrayal. “Then may I extend you an invitation to stay here for now? I serve as the primary intelligence operator of the defenders of this planet. Given the conduct of our governments, as well as your lack of identity and funds, you can stay here as long as you need to,” he said. An alien with her powers would make an enticing target for the likes of Cadmus. Best to keep her safe and sound in Metropolis.
“Thank you for the offer, friend. I am Koriand'r, as you know, but you may call me Starfire in your tongue,” she said. Her voice had lost a part of its edge. The bubbly tone he knew her by wasn’t present yet, though.
“A pleasure, Starfire. I am Miles; these are Claire, Zalika, Baraka, and Raven, and the young man you have kissed is known by his codename, Robin,” he introduced them one by one.
—
“I’m definitely telling Batman,” he said, glancing at Starfire. She noticed his look and smiled aloofly. He turned away, losing his scowl.
She was really pretty.
He smirked. “You should also tell Alfred. I am certain he’d be delighted to see you step into manhood and finally take interest in girls.” Given he’d be really popular with the ladies in the future, he wanted to tease him while he could.
“What if I catch a space virus from her?” he asked. He blinked, slapping his forehead, realizing it could actually be possible.
“You won’t,” he said. He had already scanned her to ensure she hadn’t brought anything dangerous to Earth. He already missed enough of these little details, and it cost him.
“How do you know?”
His smile widened. “You’ll have to trust me.”
“You are worse than Batman,” he grumbled, walking through the portal back to Gotham.
“Claire, please show her an empty room and how to use the bathroom. Not to mention the clothing,” he said. She would need a bath after who knows how long in that alien ship. Then clothing and, of course, how to use the Earth's utilities.
“Alright,” she said, pushing Koriand’r up the stairs. “Come on, princess, I am sure you’ll enjoy a warm bath.”
“You know, the house is getting rather crowded,” Zalika said. Three metahumans, eight if she counted Angelica and the others, a half-demon girl, and now an alien princess.
“Don’t worry, the fearsome five will leave in two weeks.”
He instructed the technopath to create an ID for Starfire under the name Kory Anders. She was raised in isolation to explain her lack of common knowledge. Her medical file said that her metahuman gene turned her skin orange.
She just needed lessons on Earth cultures and would fit in without much trouble.
—
Detroit
Michigan
John nodded at the Manhunter. The Martian phased through the wall towards the exit. He moved out of the cover, raising his fist towards Shade. “Shade, stand down and surrender now,” he ordered, his ring glowing.
They had received an alert about the ongoing robbery. Shade had triggered the silent alarms. The police were quick to arrive, and now they were in a stalemate. He and Manhunter would break it.
“Oh dear, whatever shall I do?” Shade smirked, twirling his nightstick. Just as John expected, he created a shroud of darkness to get away. He struck with his constructs, nevertheless, covering the windows and vents. He left one possible exit for Shade and didn’t bother to chase him.
Shade, thinking he was free to go, didn’t see the green arm that appeared through the wall. The punch was so hard he spun once in his place before falling to the ground, outcold. Manhunter phased fully through the wall. His lips curved in satisfaction at the sight.
Miles’ words on teamwork had proven to be correct again.
The shroud disappeared without the criminal to maintain it. He picked the computer chip up, along with the nightstick, letting the Green Lantern wrap Shade in a straitjacket.
“That was easy,” he said, floating the criminal up. Villains like Shade were more troublesome than dangerous. Not enough to escape from them, though.
J’onn nodded. “Only because we worked as a team,” he said. The law enforcement was already waiting outside for them.
There was no collateral damage, no wounded bystanders. They would hand Shade over and move out. A simple, quick job with no complications. He enjoyed days like these.
—
Once outside the laboratory, the police took Shade and his nightstick. The chip was returned to the scientists. Green Lantern and Manhunter stayed for a few minutes to hand out autographs before flying away.
At the end of the street, a car drove away. The driver, seeing the target captured, decided to leave. She wouldn’t risk being discovered anymore. Their plans would adapt around it. The Justice League wasn’t going to see what hit them in the first place.