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A Crown To The Aged
By Louise Freeman Davis Chapter 3. For he did not kill me in the womb, with my mother as my grave, her womb enlarged forever. Why did I ever come out of the womb to see trouble and sorrow and to end my days in shame? Jeremiah 20: 17-18. "Yo, Bobby!" Robert Long started in his sleep, instinctively flipping over into a defensive posture as his eyes snapped open. Nightstar giggled. "Thought I'd drop in on my favorite college boy!" "Manda?!" exclaimed Robert in disbelief. "Great Chronos, what are you doing here?" "C'mon, is that any way to greet your best pal?" "It is when she sneaks into my room at 2 AM! How did you… Never mind, I don't want to know! You're just lucky my roommate left already." "Aw, would he find we that unappealing?" "Manda, as far as Emory University's concerned, I'm just plain Robert Long! I don't want to explain a girl in my room at this hour, never mind a flying one!" "Funny you should bring up flying. I have a proposal for you, Darkstar." "No, Manda." "You haven't even heard it yet!" "I don't need to, if it involves the name Darkstar. And do you mind?" Robert slid to the edge of his bed, pulling his sheet around his waist. "Oh, Bobby!" Nightstar grinned wryly, but turned her back and waited for him to pull a pair of sweats on over his boxer shorts. "I need your help," she said, when it was safe to turn around again. "I need my partner back." "Manda, we've been through this a hundred times. I just can't." Almost three years before, Robert had resigned as a Darkstar, after a twelve-year-old girl was caught in the crossfire during a fight with the Royal Flush gang. The Darkstar leadership had refused to let 17 year-old Nightstar operate without a senior partner, and she had been unwilling to work with anyone else. She had been on her own ever since, while Robert had entered college and was now finishing his second year, majoring in classics and comparative literature. "You can, Bobby! You have to! You've seen what the new Justice League is doing! We can't just let them start taking over!" "I'm sure Mom knows what's she's doing. And believe it or not, Manda, Uncle Dick probably does, too!" Robert's parents had separated when he was a toddler, and he had been only 6 when his father died, so Dick Grayson had been the central male figure in his life ever since. Unlike Amanda, he accepted Nightwing's decision to retire from crimefighting and had tried to stay in touch over the years, even as Nightstar's relationship with him deteriorated. "He's changed, Bobby! They've all changed! The Justice League isn't trying to enforce the law, it's trying to make it! That's why Batman's organizing to oppose them, and he wants all of us Titan kids!" "Batman? You've finally met Batman, after all this time?" Robert grinned. "Awesome! So, is he the Dark and Surly Knight Uncle Dick made him out to be?" "Pretty much. But he's also right! And he needs us, Bobby." "Manda, I need to stay out of it. The last thing I want is to get caught in any sort of fight between him and Uncle Dick." "Heard from Darkstar headquarters lately?" "You know I haven't, Manda." "That's right. And you're not likely to, ever again." "What are you talking about?" "The Justice League shut them down." "What?" "They apparently decided they just weren't hacking it, as far as policing metahumans goes! The League sent them official word that Green Lantern would be taking over as commander, 'until order is restored.' When they declined the 'offer,' they were told to recall their squads, and get their satellite out of Earth orbit. They're gone, Robert." "That's impossible! Mom would never agree!" "I hate to burst your bubble, Bobby, but Aunt Donna was the one who delivered the eviction notice, personally, per Wonder Woman's request. She sold out, Bobby, just like Dad did!" "That just can't be true!" "Check for yourself! Lian's part of the League now, and she's feeding information to Batman about what's going on. Call her and ask, if you don't believe me!" Nightstar offered Robert her communicator, which he declined. "That's insane!" he exclaimed. "The Darkstars were the only ones who even tried to keep the peace, all those years! Maybe they never had the resources, or the public trust of the JLA or the Titans, but at least they didn't fold! We did the best we could and we did good work!" "Hey, you're preaching to the choir, Bobby! Point is, that counts for nothing, as far as the new League's concerned. Ask your mom, and she'll feed you something about it being 'necessary to operate as a united front until the problem is resolved.' The truth is, they don't want anyone operating who isn't under their thumb!" "Even if what you're saying is true, Manda, I'm not sure I can help," said Robert, sadly. "I just don't think I can be effective anymore." "Don't give me that! This is me, remember! I of all people know how effective you can be!" Robert smiled. She was referring, of course, to his first Darkstar mission, which was to track an elusive young troublemaker code-named "Firewing" who was wreaking havoc in Blüdhaven— no small task, considering the hell normal humans routinely raised there, particularly after Nightwing's retirement He hadn't told her until years later that he had specifically requested for this assignment after a study of the records convinced him the rogue was indeed his childhood friend. So there he had found her, an embittered runaway of 14, in a slightly altered Robin costume, trying her best to maintain order in her hometown but creating more problems than she solved through the explosive combination of her fiery powers and temper. He managed to bring her down without injuring her, an impressive feat considering he was outpowered. Then he disobeyed direct orders by bringing her back to Darkstar headquarters rather than turning her over to the notorious Blüdhaven police, who were well-known for their hatred of the superpowered in a world where no authority truly liked them. It took some impassioned pleas from both Robert and Donna Troy, first to the Darkstar leadership so they would admit the young hothead to their training program, and then to Dick Grayson so he would let her stay, but in the end they succeeded. Amanda had been a quick study and enjoyed a couple of successful years as Robert's partner in the alpha Darkstar unit. She never quite followed procedure the way he did, but her unique solutions usually worked, and their talents complemented each other. Though its revealing nature disturbed her father, the Tamaran-inspired purple uniform suited Amanda well, and her new name, Nightstar, was certainly fitting. She delighted in teasing her old friend, but could never deny that Robert had saved her from a reckless and dangerous lifestyle. Robert looked up at her expressive green eyes. "If I do agree to this, it's only until we can persuade mom and Uncle Dick they're wrong." "Bobby, you're an angel!" she beamed, throwing her arms around his neck and planting an kiss on his cheek. "I knew I could count on you!" "Aw, cut it out, Manda!" Robert struggled to disengage himself and shook his head at her. "Y'know, stuff like that is what made Mom so nervous about all the traveling we did together!" Nightstar giggled. "Bet she wasn't as uptight about it as my Dad was!" "If he was, it was your fault! It was Uncle Dick who gave me "the talk," remember? He knew I'd behave!" Nightstar rolled her eyes. "Why was it so hard for them to believe we were just friends? Anyway, you're in?" "I'm in, for now." "Yes!" Nightstar beamed. "And with Red Hood on the inside, we've got the Three Musketeers together again! Now, on to--" "But you're out, out of my room, that is! I have a Greek Mythology final tomorrow, and I need my sleep." "Greek mythology? Oh, there's a challenge for you!" "Hey, I totally bombed the midterm!" "You, bombed? What does that mean, a B?" "B-plus. I didn't do the reading carefully enough, and turns out the textbook has a few errors in it!" "So?" "So what was I supposed to tell the prof? 'I knew Lord Hermes when I was a kid and that's not the way it happened' I don't think so!" Nightstar shook her hair out impatiently. "So when are you done?" "Noon." "Great. Be dressed and ready to leave by one. See you then." Nightstar climbed to the window and opened it. "Hey, wait! Dare I ask where we're going?" "First stop, Manchester, Alabama."
I guide you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths. When you walk, your steps will not be hampered; when you run, you will not stumble. Proverbs 4: 11-12 Park drummed her fingers impatiently on the desktop and glanced up at the clock on the wall. The minute hand had seemingly been motionless for hours. She sighed, directing a puff of air up toward her auburn bangs and shifted in her seat. "Iris Park West!" hissed the teacher in charge. "Stop that rapping immediately or you are going to earn everybody in this room an extra thirty minutes!" Park's fellow detainees all turned to glare at her and she smiled sheepishly. as she stopped her drumming. "Now sit up straight!" ordered the teacher. Park obeyed instantly, but winced as she looked back at the clock and saw it had spitefully advanced only one minute. Almost without her realizing it, her left foot began tapping. "Miss West!" admonished the teacher. "All right, you can't say you weren't warned…we will now adjourn at 5:30." The assembled students groaned in irritation and the young speedster shrank in her seat. Outside the schoolroom window, Nightstar's patience had grown nearly as thin as Park's. "We're going to be here all night if we have to wait for her to sit still!" "What do you suggest we do about it?" asked Darkstar. Nightstar glanced around, then slipped silently down to the next window, which looked into an empty classroom. "Manda, no! Don't you even think about–" Nightstar grinned devilishly at him. Extending her hand, she directed a small burst of starfire directly beneath the smoke detector that was mounted on the wall. There was a burst of sparks, then an ear-splitting blare as fire alarms were activated throughout the building. Snatching Darkstar's hand, Nightstar pulled him across the schoolyard and concealed them both behind a tree trunk. "Will you ever grow up?" sighed Robert. Back in the high school, the students serving detention in the next room shouted jubilantly and exchanged high-fives, as the teacher shouted at them to be quiet and form an orderly line. Outside, she assured the kids they all would return to serve their sentence the following week, then sent them home, relieved herself to be through for the day. Darting off before any of her classmates could confront her, Park West hurried up the sidewalk toward her home, overjoyed at her good fortune. With any luck she'd beat Cousin Bart home. "Park!" She whirled around to see who had called her and her eyes widened in amazement at the sight of the two costumed figures. "Amanda! Robert!" She ran toward them and caught them both up in a hug. "It's so good to see you! What are you doing here?" She hugged Robert again. "We came to see you, Little Bit," smiled Robert, reverting to the nickname they had given her as a child. When she had gone to live with her great-aunt Iris as an infant, most had begun calling her by her middle name to avoid confusion, but Lian, Amanda and Robert had never quite formed that habit. The Flash's daughter was several years younger than the children of the other Titans and had always relished her position as the kid of the group. Aunt Iris had taken every available opportunity to let her spend time with the other Titan children, who remembered her father as a human when Park herself could not. After the Titans disbanded, when Park was about eight, she had seen them less frequently, but they all had shown up to offer their comfort at her aunt's funeral, barely 18 months before. "So, how's life in Manchester?" asked Robert, as the three of them made their way up the street. "How do you think?" sighed the youngest Flash. "Bor-ring! Not that Cousin Bart would let me have any fun even if there was something to do around here!" "C'mon, Little Bit, it can't be that bad…" "You try it awhile, Robert! Soon as I turn 18 I'm blowing this pop stand and joining the Justice League, with my dad! So what are you guys doing down here, anyway?" "Actually we're trying to put together a different team," said Nightstar, exchanging a worried glance with Robert at Park's mention of the League. "Sort of, 'Titans, the Next Generation." "Really?" Park's face lit up with excitement. "And you want me to join? Coolness! Who else you got? Do we have a headquarters? Like a tower or a space satellite or something?" "Kiddo, it's not exactly like that.." "It's not a disco, is it? Please tell me it's not a disco!" "We don't have any headquarters," sighed Nightstar, with exaggerated patience. "We're working with Batman. Trying to give concerned metas out there an alternative to joining the new Justice League." "WAY cool! The League wouldn't take me, you know! They say I'm too young!" "They wouldn't?" Nightstar's brow puckered. She knew her father and the other Titans considered 16 a ripe old age, as far as crimefighting went, and Lian had told her of other younger members, such as the Whiz. "Yeah, Cousin Bart called Wonder Woman out here! She was here last week when I came home from school and I heard her arguing with him when I came up. She left right as I was coming in, and wouldn't even talk to me. I could tell Bart was mad and I asked why she was here…was he trying to get me in the new League? He said they wouldn't take a kid my age. I guess that's what he was mad about; I mean, he was younger than me when he was a Titan, right? And I know he'd love to get me out of his hair. I said maybe we should go talk to my dad about it but he said no, that wouldn't help. So he's still stuck with me." "Do you think he might be willing to let you join us?" asked Nightstar. "Are you kidding? He'd jump at the chance! So would I!" They had reached the front door. Park dug out her keys, unlocked the front door and stumbled through. "Hey, Cousin Bart!" she called. An imposing-looking figure filled the kitchen doorway, regarding her sternly over folded arms. "You're late, Park," he said, severely. "That better not mean what it did last time. If you've gotten another--" "Cousin Bart!" cried Park hastily. "You remember Amanda and Robert, don't you? Nightwing and Troia's kids? They want me to be a Titan! Work with them! And Batman too!" "A Titan?" Bart regarded the young heroes suspiciously. "Yeah, a Titan! Isn't that great?" "It's out of the question, Park. You have your schoolwork to consider, and the progress you've made in your training has so far been--" "C'mon, Bart!" wheedled the girl. "You were a Titan! And didn't you tell me that you learned more in those few months with them than you did in all those years with Max Mercury?" "No, Park, I did not. I said that I thought I did, once, because I didn't appreciate how wise a man he was." "Well, you were the one trying to pawn me off on the Justice League! This is just as good! Let me join, Cousin Bart! Please!" "I'll need a lot more information before I can even consider this. Right now, I need you to go to the store. We need a loaf of bread, a quart of milk and a dozen eggs." He pulled out a wallet and handed her a ten dollar bill. "But, Bart…" "Now, Park." "OK, OK, I'm going! Be right back--" she turned and streaked for the door, but her cousin darted ahead to intercept her. "Normal speed!" he snapped, then released her arm. "Yeah, yeah…" she muttered, glowering at him before plodding out the door. Bart shut it behind her and turned to face his two guests. "What's this all about?" he asked quietly. Nightstar lifted her chin. "Some of us don't approve of the Justice League's methods. We're organizing, under Batman's leadership, and are prepared to oppose them, if necessary." "Oppose your own parents?" "It's been done before." stated Nightstar. "I see," said Bart, rubbing his chin, thoughtfully. "I've had contact with the League recently, myself. "Park told us," said Robert. "She doesn't know the full story. Sit down, please." Bart gestured to the couch, and took a chair for himself. "Wonder Woman showed up here, last week, with an 'invitation' of sorts, for the two of us. I told her I gave up the 'hero' game years ago; my only goal is to train Park in the safe use of her own powers. She was very curious, shall we say, in precisely what I was teaching her, and implied that my cousin was in danger of becoming a 'troublemaker' if not instructed properly.. I assured her that, barring that yard-rolling incident last Halloween, she hadn't caused any serious mischief in the time she's been in Manchester." Robert smiled. "I read about that in the paper and figured it had to be her. Was it really every single house in town?" "She cleaned it up, and was grounded for a month." answered Bart, crisply. "Apart from occasional problems at school, she's really quite a responsible girl. Just don't tell her I said so." "Park seems to think the League didn't want her," pointed out Nightstar. "I'm afraid I misled her in that regard," answered Bart. "Wonder Woman described a quite thorough training program she has in mind for youngsters like her. Her rules seemed overly strict to me, to put it kindly, though I'm sure my opinion would surprise Park. And something seemed greatly amiss when I asked if this was what her father wanted. Wonder Woman rather indignantly assured me that the League knew what was best for metapowered children, and that the Flash would cooperate fully." Bart rose and crossed to look out the window. "My distinct impression was that Wally had not been consulted about this 'training program' at all. So, I reminded her that I had been given sole guardianship of Park, and as such I felt obliged to oversee her education myself, at least until her father said differently. I very politely showed her the door, but she promised to return. And I should point out that she neither spoke to, nor requested to speak to Park throughout this entire exchange." Robert swallowed hard. "You really think they'd take her, against your wishes? And without considering her feelings at all?" "I've been
trying to contact Wally ever since, to get his opinion on Nightstar and Darkstar explained as best they could as Bart returned to sit down again. He was silent for a long moment before he spoke. "I know what can happen to a young speedster, in the hands of misguided authorities who think they 'know best.' Fortunately, I had a grandmother who trusted her instincts and got me the hell out of there. Perhaps I'm being a bit impulsive here, but my guts tell me to keep the kid out of any Justice League 'program.' But, if she wants to join you, she has my approval." Nightstar rose to shake his hand. "Thank you, sir." A red-haired blur whizzed through the front door, and into the kitchen, leaving a couple of broken eggs in its wake. Park reappeared at Robert's side. "Oops," she said sheepishly, picking up the shattered shells. "You didn't say normal speed on the way back!" she protested, in response to her cousin's icy look. Bart rolled his eyes and gave an exaggerated sigh. "I suppose if anyone can teach you some self-control, Batman can," he said, icily. "Park, I've given this considerable thought. If you want to join them, you may." "Awriiight!" she cheered, darting off to her room and reappearing a second later, in her full costume and with suitcase in hand. "Can I go tonight? Now?" Bart hesitated, then nodded, a touch of sadness appearing in his eyes. "Coolness! Thanks, cuz! Catch you later!" She dashed to the door and looked back over her shoulder. "Robert! Amanda! C'mon, let's go!" she said, bouncing impatiently. Bart quickly crossed the room to take her by the shoulders. "Flash," he said, his voice suddenly thick. "Just promise me you'll be careful." "I will, Cousin Bart," she insisted. He pulled her into a hug, which she returned after a brief second. "I promise." She untangled herself from his embrace and reached into her jacket pocket. "Oh yeah, the assistant principal said to give you this note. Bye!" She pushed the envelope into Bart's palm and set her suitcase into Robert's arms. Then she turned, took her friends each by the arm, and the trio was instantly gone. Bart Allen shook his head and rubbed his eyes wearily. Opening the letter, he found a two-page list of demerits Park had earned for the week, and a request for a conference with the school guidance counselor as soon as possible. He sighed again, knowing that somewhere in the Speed Force, a certain Zen master was having a good laugh.
Chapter 4. Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings. Psalm 63:7 Nightstar smacked the desk in frustration. Batman had access to virtually every database in the world, but the search for Tula was harder than she could have imagined. Tempest's daughter had been only six the last time she had seen her, on one of her rare visits to Titans Tower, and she knew he had lost all contact with her a few years after that, during the Atlantan civil war. From what Donna had told her at the time, Tula's mother had never gotten over from their childhood kidnapping by the Wildebeest, and had tried to forbid any future visits to the surface world by her daughter. Tempest and Deep Blue had fought bitterly over this issue, and the conflict intensified when Garth took over the mantle of Aquaman, which necessitated even more time above water. Ultimately, their marriage ended, and Deep Blue had left Atlantis sometime during the rebel uprising, taking 8-year old Tula with her. Odd that with all the resources at Aquaman's disposal, he couldn't find her again once it was over, Nightstar thought. But if he can't find her, how the hell am I supposed to? A small light blinking on Batman's communications module caught her attention. She frowned, certain it had not been flashing when she began her research an hour or so earlier. She rose to examine it closer and noticed the ringer had been turned off. A call had come in, and she had never heard it. Hoping against hope that it was one of her Atlantan contacts returning her call, she pressed the play button. What she heard took her mind off the search for Tula, at least for now. "Good morning, Batman," came a smooth-textured female voice. "Roxanne Cannon of the Lexcorp Group. I'm calling on behalf of Mr. Luthor to thank you again for your ongoing interest in our partnership. We have tentatively scheduled your next meeting with Mr. Xu'ffasch this afternoon at 4 o'clock, and we hope this will be convenient for you. Thank you for your time." Lex Luthor. Nightstar's cheeks flamed at the despised name. Surely there had to be some mistake! She hesitated a second, then made up her mind. She crossed the room to Batman's personal desk and began rummaging through the drawers. It didn't take her long to find what she was looking for: a manila folder containing a series of business letters on Lexcorp letterhead, the first a personal note from Luthor himself. Underneath that folder was another, labeled "Ibn al Xu'ffasch". Nightstar opened it and her blood ran cold. The first page identified him as the heir of Ra's al Ghul. Batman had apparently amassed every available document on this young man, from his birth certificate to his university transcripts to a pirated copy of his CBI file. Nightstar hastily thumbed through the legal papers in the beginning, focusing her attention on the CBI records. A number of government agencies had apparently thought his connection to Ghul made him worthy of surveillance. From what she had heard of Batman's old enemy, Nightstar tended to agree. "What are you doing?" came an intense voice from behind her. Nightstar started and whirled around. Despite his exoskeleton, Batman's approach had been silent. "I might ask you the same thing, 'Gramps!'" retorted Nightstar. "Just what are you doing, making deals with Lexcorp?" "That's none of your business, Nightstar," Batman answered coldly, calmly relieving her of the papers. "The hell it isn't! That man's as crooked as… well, we both know the type of people he works with! And you've been in negotiations with the son of Ra's al Ghul!" "Grandson," he corrected, turning to put the papers back in the desk drawer. "If you're going to snoop through my personal papers, at least read them carefully. I'm surprised at you, Amanda; your father had a much better eye for details." "Don't try to change the subject! This is Lex Luthor we're talking about! And I want to know what Batman's doing in bed with any of Ra's al Ghul's people!" Bruce whirled with a surprising swiftness and seized the girl by the upper arms. His gaze was fearsome, and for a second Nightstar could almost imagine how he must have looked to her father, in full cowl with his black cape swirling around him. "Let's get one thing straight, Nightstar!" he hissed at her through a clenched jaw. "I don't owe you an explanation for anything! You've got a job to do, so do it! But never forget who's in charge here! You don't like my calls, you know where the exit is! But this will be done my way! Do you understand me?!" Nightstar lifted her chin defiantly, just as Dick used to do when he disagreed. "Oh, I understand perfectly, Batman!'" Batman shot her a final glare and released her shoulders. He picked up his briefcase and strode rapidly to the elevator. "Get back to work" was the last thing he said before the doors slid shut. As a trembling Nightstar closed her eyes to collect herself, she heard the sound of someone clapping, slowly. She looked down to see Robert flying over the flooded cave floor toward her, his gaze reproachful. "Y'know, subtle inquiries were never your thing, Manda," he said as he landed beside her. "Manomanomanoman!" exclaimed Park as she sprinted across the water and scrambled up to the platform to perch on Batman's desk. "I didn't think anyone had Cousin Bart beat in the grouch department!" "How much did you hear?" she demanded. "The way you were yelling, you're lucky Superman didn't hear!" said Robert, as he opened the desk drawer and pulled out the offending files to examine them for himself. Park peered eagerly over his shoulder as he began thumbing through. "Well, there's a bit of a problem here, Bobby! I don't like him working with Lexcorp!" "Luthor has a lot of metas in his pocket. We need allies, Manda." "Not like THAT!" she declared, pointing at the glossy photo of Ibn that was taped to the inside of the folder. "Who is that?" asked Park. "Ibn al Xu'ffasch, son of Ra's al Ghul's daughter, Talia," explained Robert as he read. "The Ra's al Ghul?" asked Park. "I did a report on him for social studies once. I read that he had a daughter, but it said she became a nun!" "That apparently wasn't her lifelong ambition," quipped Robert. Nightstar smiled. "Y'know, Dad told me she had this thing for Batman once!" "No way!" exclaimed Park. Nightstar nodded. "She went around calling him 'beloved.'" "'Beloved?' Batman?" Park dissolved in a fit of giggles. "Apparently Ibn was raised by adoptive parents," continued Robert, scanning the report. "No one knew he was Ghul's biological grandson until his will was read." "Well, the secret's out now! What could Batman want with him?" Nightstar moved to take the folder from Robert. "Hold it," he said, picking up the birth certificate. "Manda, just when did Talia have this thing for Batman?" "Let's see. Dad said Ra's al Ghul abducted him from his dorm when he was a sophomore… so he would have been about 20…" "Uncle Dick's the same age as my mom, so that would make it…" He glanced at Nightstar. "The year before young Ibn was born." "You don't think… aw, c'mon, Bobby!" "Look, it sounds far-fetched to me, too, but I took a year of Arabic for my comp lit program. His name means "Son of the Bat." "Son of a bitch!" exclaimed Park, her eyes shining with excitement. "There's no way he's Batman's kid!" declared Nightstar. "He's collected a lot of info on the guy, for just a simple business associate. The entire adoption file, his birth certificate,. It lists his father as 'unknown.' And look at his picture, Manda. Doesn't he look like Bruce Wayne? " "Batman must be the father! " whistled Park. "You think he knows it?" "Little Bit, if we pieced it together, you can bet he did!" "It can't be… it just can't… hold on…" Nightstar took off towards the staircase, a purple flight-trail streaming behind her. Up on the main floor of the Manor, she went immediately to the one intact bookshelf that stood in what used to be the study. Someone had taken the precaution of covering this one with plastic wrap, to keep out the elements, but Nightstar had seen a stack of photo albums through the glass doors and had been itching to know what was in them ever since she had arrived at the manor. Tearing through the plastic, she pulled the door open and removed one. She opened it to reveal pages of family photos, each labeled and dated in a precise and proper script. This had to be the work of Alfred, she realized. There were dozens of photographs of Dick Grayson, most taken in the first year after he had arrived at Wayne Manor, though there were some of him at older ages, mostly at holidays. Nightstar touched the face of the gleeful child with a tender finger. Her father had shared little of this part of his life with her; most of his childhood tales were of Batman and Robin. But this joyful little boy was far closer to the loving daddy she remembered than the grieved and bitter man she had known for the last few years. Bruce Wayne was absent from most of the pages, but one photo caught her eye. Labeled "Wayne Foundation Family Picnic," it showed her father, aged 9 or 10, shouldering a baseball bat, with his guardian behind him, his hands covering Dick's as he helped him improve his stance. Bruce Wayne was in his mid-to-late twenties here, about the age of Ibn al Xu'ffasch in his picture. The resemblance was unmistakable. Nightstar tucked the album under her arm and flew downstairs to show it to her friends. Robert grinned broadly and shook his head. "And you had to ask what he was doing in bed with…" Park re-exploded into laughter as Nightstar's cheeks flamed pink. "Hey, Manda, open your mouth and say 'ah,'" continued Robert. "I want to check your tonsils for footprints!" Nightstar shot them both a glare as she replaced the files in the desk. "If either of you breathes a word of this to Gramps, I'll put a starbolt through you!"
Reach down your hand from on high; deliver me and rescue me from the mighty waters, from the hands of foreigners whose mouths are full of lies, whose right hands are deceitful. Psalm 144: 7-8. The laughter was interrupted by a beep from the communications system. Robert and Park quieted as Nightstar took a seat and pressed a button. She jumped visibly as a stern, bearded face filled the screen. "Your Majesty!" she gasped. She banged her chair clumsily as she started to stand up, before she realized how absurd that gesture would be to a monitor screen. She settled instead for bowing her head in what she hoped was a respectful gesture as she wiped her sweaty palms on her legs. "Miss Nightstar, I presume? Daughter of Nightwing?" "Y-yessir…." "I was told you made an inquiry about a-" Arthur paused, as if the word was distasteful to him. "—member of the royal family." "Yessir…" stammered Nightstar. "Forgive me, sire. I never expected you to call me back." From everything she could piece together, the King of Atlantis avoided surface contact whenever he could. "Matters concerning young Tula are rather personal to me. I must ask what your interest is in her." Nightstar hesitated, wondering how much the Sea King knew of recent events. "She was a childhood friend of mine, your majesty. I'd like to see her again." "Are your efforts on behalf of Prince Garth?" "N-no, sir," said Nightstar, wondering if he knew of the former Titans' conflict with their children, or even the formation of the new League. "But surely he would want to see his own daughter?" "He likely does, more's the pity. Circumstances have forced me to accept the fact that one's offspring can betray him; the Prince has always had difficulty with that concept. He stubbornly refuses to see his daughter for what she is." "I beg your pardon?" "You are not aware of her recent history?" "I haven't seen her since she was small, sire. All I know is that she and her mother left your city at the time of the rebellion." "Her mother left the city to join the rebellion!" snapped the King. "She wormed her way into Koryak's inner circle, and eventually into his bed! History will chronicle that Prince Garth defeated my bastard son to defend my crown, but I assure you, young lady, there were some more personal elements to that battle." Nightstar gulped. "I can imagine so. So what became of Tula?" "Deep Blue committed suicide shortly after Koryak's death. The remaining rebels were scattered and largely powerless, but they saw one means of retribution against Prince Garth. His daughter. They carried her away into their underground, assuring she was lost to him for good." "You and all your fish couldn't find her?" "The ocean is vast, Miss Nightstar. And time was on their side. Deep Blue had begun poisoning Tula's mind against her father from the start of their separation; her treacherous allies continued the effort. My minions located her several times, and forcibly returned her to the palace, but each reunion with her father was more disastrous. The last time she escaped, four years ago, Garth chose not to search for her again, and elected to make the surface world his permanent home." "I didn't know, sire." "Since that time, Tula has been part of a small band of terrorists. It is only out of deference to Garth's feelings for her that I have not declared her a wanted enemy of the throne. Given what I've told you, do you still wish to locate your 'childhood friend?'" "If Your Majesty approves, yes." Arthur rubbed his beard thoughtfully. "By all means," he stated, after a moment. "As many toxins as surface dwellers have deposited into my realm over the years, I would be pleased to have you remove one. My latest intelligence reports place her people in a remote base off the island of South Georgia. More than that, I cannot tell you." "Thank you, sire," she smiled. The Sea King nodded solemnly and the screen went black. Nightstar swiveled in her chair to face Robert and Park. "It's a start!" she said. "It shouldn't be too hard to convince this one to side against the parental units, if we can find her! "The challenge may be to keep her from killing Uncle Garth in the process," remarked Robert. "I don't know about you two, but I've never had scuba lessons," Park pointed out. "How are we supposed to find an underwater terrorist base? Is there a Bat-Submarine around someplace that we can use?" Nightstar turned back to the console. "Gramps has one ally who can swim, when he puts his mind to it, that is," her eyes twinkled as she flipped a switch. Robert groaned at the pun, but nodded in agreement. "It'll be nice to see him again."
Take up your positions around Babylon, all you who draw the bow. Shoot at her! Spare no arrows, for she has sinned against the Lord. Jeremiah 50:14. "Superman, I'd like to talk to you," Dick Grayson entered the Justice League command center, with Donna Troy close behind him. "Ah, Dick!" answered Superman. "I got your report on the Markovia mission, but I haven't had a chance to read it. How'd it go?" Dick hesitated a second as he got closer and saw that Wonder Woman was seated at a communications station at the other end of the room. Of all the old-time Justice Leaguers, Diana had changed physically the least over the years, but emotionally she seemed the most changed of all. Dick had been wary of her ever since the incident with Cathedral, when Superman had ordered him to stop her from brutalizing the young meta, and Wonder Woman had just barely stopped herself from turning her rage on Dick. She had apologized immediately, but Dick continued to feel uncomfortable in her presence, and found himself increasingly preferring to discuss strategy with Superman alone. But the Princess approached, and it was clear she had no intention of leaving. Dick was glad Donna had come with him, as Wonder Woman gave her foster sister a warm smile. "We encountered the Church of Blood. Their reaction to our visit was predictable, but we managed to secure their cooperation. My concern is with the Outsiders." "What happened?" asked Superman. "We got no answer to our hails, so we headed toward their headquarters. And ran straight into a mine field." "Casualties?" "None too serious, thank God. But when we got to their headquarters, it was abandoned. They'd left quickly, but wiped their computers clean. Superman, they knew we were coming." "We had called to request a meeting." "They refused. Our visit was supposed to be unannounced, as we discussed." "Could the Church of Blood have warned them?" "No, we hit the Outsiders first. Superman, they set a trap for us! Somehow, they knew details of our mission. That mine field was freshly laid, by someone who can move lots of dirt, fast." "Geo-Force," guessed Superman. "Or possibly Terra," answered Dick. "That's not as important as who tipped them off. Superman, I think we have a leak in the Justice League!" "Dick, are you sure? This is Markovia we're talking about. A mine field could be one of their standard security measures." "Vic ran a soil analysis. We were expecting to find lead dust in the ground. That's what you'd use if you wanted to conceal land mines from Superman." "True." "We did. But we found something else, too: trace amounts of radium. That's the one thing that could have interfered with the new scanners on Vic's jet. They weren't just expecting a visit from the League, they knew exactly who was coming!" The smile had vanished from Wonder Woman's face. "Who?" she demanded. "Who among our people has connections to the Outsiders?" "None of the Titans have had contact with Terra for years," reported Donna. "She's the only one with any direct tie to current Leaguers, that we've been able to find." "Then start looking for indirect connections!" ordered Diana. "The traitor must be found!" "Roy's checking the backgrounds of the other Outsiders now," said Dick. "Victor's trying to rig a scanner that can pick up any outgoing cell calls, and Wally and Garth are—" Diana turned on him quickly. "You spoke of this to others?" "Just the Titans. I need their help." "Your common sense has eroded during your hiatus, Red Robin!" snapped Wonder Woman. "If you have no suspects, then all must be suspect!" Dick lifted his chin. "I'm used to working with my team, Wonder Woman. The Titans can be trusted." "Oh? Has no Titan ever betrayed you?" "Diana!" cried Donna. "Security must take precedence over friendship, Donna. Blind trust is a luxury no one can afford in this age." "Perhaps you'd have preferred I hadn't told her either?" retorted Dick. Wonder Woman turned away and did not respond. "People, this isn't helping!" insisted Superman, looking from Diana to the Titans, and back. "Dick, launch a thorough investigation. Find the leak and plug it. And don't let word of your suspicions spread any further." "Will do, Superman," he answered. "Do I have your permission to monitor personal calls, if I have to?" Superman hesitated, then nodded grimly. "Keep us apprised of your progress, Red Robin," demanded Wonder Woman. "And if you locate the culprits, report to us immediately. We shall have to make an example of them." Dick folded his
arms. "Yes, Your Highness." he said, acidly. Superman looked uncomfortable, too, but managed a smile. "Keep us posted, son." Dick nodded in reply, and Donna followed him out. Superman raised an eyebrow at Wonder Woman as soon as they were alone. "You were a little hard on him, weren't you?" "He should have known better! In this case, his former teammates are the most likely suspects!" "Does that include Donna?" "Kal-El, if we've been infiltrated by someone hostile to our goals--" "I know this is potentially a serious matter! But Dick Grayson's the best detective we have. If anyone can sniff it out, he can, and I'm inclined to give him free rein to do his job as he sees fit." Superman paused. "And just how do you intend to make an example of our spy, assuming there is one?" Wonder Woman's faced calmed somewhat and she stroked Kal-El's cheek affectionately. "You will understand fully, once we pay a visit on our undersea friend."
And I saw a beast coming out of the sea. He had 10 horns and 7 heads, with 10 crowns on his horns and on each head a blasphemous name. The beast I saw resembled a leopard, but had feet like those of a bear and a mouth like that of a lion. Revelations 13:1-2. "So how long's he going to be?" asked Park for the dozenth time. "It's a big area to search, Little Bit," sighed Darkstar. "And she's with a pretty secretive bunch. This is going to take time." "It didn't know it'd be this boring!" Park stood up. "Can I go to Antarctica?" "What for?" "It's not that far. I just want to say I've been there! C'mon, it won't take long!" "OK, OK… Just hurry back! They could return any time." "Right!" The girl took off, skimming briskly across the ocean surface like a skipping stone. Robert pulled his cloak around him to fight off the chill. Nightstar alighted on the craggy rock beside him. "Where's she going?" she queried. "Antarctica. Don't ask," sighed Robert. "I'll never complain about you again. Her patience level makes you look like a Zen master." "I'll remind you of that, frequently" she replied, removing the portable sensor module from her neck. "Anyway, I picked up some refined metals and humanoid readings about 70 nautical miles southeast. He's checking it out now. You want to take the next section? Or is it too cold for you?" "I'll manage," replied Robert. Nightstar's solar energy kept her warm whatever the temperature, without even changing to a less revealing costume, and Park so far hadn't stopped running long enough to feel the chill. But Darkstar was definitely looking forward to a more temperate climate. Nonetheless he shed his cloak, took the machine from Nightstar and soared off to sweep the area south of the island. By the time he returned, so had Park. "Saw it!" she reported. "Lots of ice. And penguins. Just like here!" she handed Robert a Styrofoam cup. "And I stopped by the Falkland Islands and picked you up a cafe con leche. You look cold." "Thanks," he traded Park the sensor unit for the cup and got back into the cloak Nightstar was holding for him. "All right! I'll take the next run!" Park said, punching some buttons. "How does this thing work again?" "Be careful! You're going to erase the—" Robert reached for the module, spilling a little coffee in the process. "Hold it, you two! Look!" called Nightstar, pointing at the sea, where something was churning just beneath the surface. She smiled as a green crested head emerged from the foam. Nightstar remembered Garfield Logan as the most fun of all her "uncles": the one who would slip the kids extra candy when their parents said no and let them stay up all night watching movies whenever he baby-sat. She and Lian had been flower girls at his first wedding, and acolytes at his second. And of course, he gave the best piggyback rides, in whatever form the children desired; Amanda's personal favorite had been the kangaroo. A one-man menagerie, Starfire had called him and Nightstar had often wondered if he had chosen his new name in her memory. Things had changed for all of them since those days, and for Garfield, the major transformation had come eight years before. The mission had been to enter the Brotherhood of Evil's laboratory and disarm the missile Monsieur Mallah had launched towards Central City. While he led the search for the Brotherhood members, Nightwing had sent Changeling, Cyberion and Starfire to the lab, with the assumption that they were the most resistant to the Brain's biochemical weapons. That calculation turned out to be tragically incorrect. They had succeeded in detonating the bomb harmlessly in the upper atmosphere, but in the process triggered one of the Brotherhood's booby traps, unleashing a smorgasbord of deadly agents upon themselves. The chemicals had eaten away Cyberion's circuitry, necessitating the transfer of his computerized consciousness into an experimental liquid-metal body. Victor Stone had kept his sense of humor, remarking when he awoke, "Lucky me, there always seems to be an experimental body around when I need one." Starfire was not so fortunate; the bacterial agents found her alien circulatory system a rare delicacy. Twelve-year-old Amanda had watched helplessly alongside her father as antibiotic after antibiotic failed to halt the disease that weakened Koriand'r's heart and gradually eroded the walls of her blood vessels. Her mother had died 3 months later of massive internal bleeding. As for the Changeling, the viral vectors invaded his already-mutated DNA, advancing his childhood transformation beyond even what his father might have envisioned. Never again would he be able to take the form of Gar Logan, or any normal animal, but was forever condemned to assuming the shapes of imaginary creatures. Fortunately, Garfield had a fertile imagination (even if the second Mrs. Logan did not) and had maintained his cheer in the face of it all. After the Titans disbanded, and his second wife had filed for divorce, he and Victor Stone had enjoyed a long partnership. Nightstar wondered how he felt about being on opposite sides with his friend now. "Found her!" called the emerald Loch Ness monster, lifting its head from the sea and swimming toward the island. Sure enough, a dark-haired young woman of 18 or so was swimming alongside him. Robert made his way down the rocks to help her out of the water, but she rejected his offered hand and eyed the three suspiciously. "Hello, Tula," Nightstar said. "Do you remember us?" "Vaguely," she said, with a hostile edge to her voice. "Did Menagerie explain why we want to talk to you?" asked Robert "Yeah. My old man wasn't content to prop up dictators underwater; now he's defending a bunch of fascists on the surface world." "Well, in a way, though I wouldn't exactly put it like that," said Nightstar cautiously, glancing at Robert. So that is what she thought of the Atlantean regime? The fact was, Atlantis had progressed considerably toward democracy under King Arthur's rule, and an elected leader, not Prince Garth, would succeed him. What else did this woman believe? "I call a shark a shark," snapped Tula. "So this group of yours, you're gearing up for a fight?" "We hope to avoid one," answered Nightstar. "But we're prepared to oppose the Justice League if we have to." "And you'd like me to help you kick his butt?" "Our parents have all joined the League. You join us and Batman's forces have a matched set." Park gave a broad smile, which Tula did not return. Instead, she stared at the trio for a long minute, then nodded. "Sounds like the opportunity I've been waiting for." Nightstar smiled. "Good," she murmured. "Does this Justice League have any strongholds near the South American shoreline? I can give you people who can squash them like a—" "Hold it, Tula!" ordered Nightstar. "You have to get something straight. We're not terrorists. We want you, not any of your allies. And there are rules you'll have to follow, in order to work with us." "I make my own rules," declared Tula. "Fine," said Nightstar. "It's been nice seeing you again. Sorry to have troubled you. Let's go, team." Turning her back on Tula, she started back up the rocks, motioning Robert and Park to follow. "Wait!" called Tula. Nightstar stopped and looked over her shoulder. "I want to do this!" "You heard the terms. You'll have to follow orders." "I can follow orders, if I respect the person giving them." "Our leader is the type who commands respect, for sure. What about rules?" "I can try." she said bitterly. "All right, here's rule number one," Nightstar lifted her chin. "Darkstar and I knew your father, when we were growing up, better than you did. You have to listen to what we have to tell you about him." "Oh, I can listen. Just don't think you're going to change my mind." "Fair enough." Nightstar extended a hand, and Tula warily shook it. "All right," said Nightstar. "Let's get home. Ready, Uncle Gar?" "Your chariot awaits!" The serpentine creature grinned devilishly and morphed into something resembling a giant green snapping turtle. As he rose out of the water, Tula could see that instead of back feet he had fiery rockets, emitting green flames. "Awesome!" Park grinned gleefully and scrambled up to seat herself on the turtle's neck. Robert and Nightstar each took Tula by one arm, and sailed up to land on the craggy shell. From her perch, Park was already humming what sounded like a fight song. "What is this thing?" asked Tula, in amazement as they took off. "You mean you've never seen 'Gamera'?" asked Park, over the roar of the wind. "What?" "I think there's a lot Tula will have to get used to, Little Bit," smiled Robert. "I guess so!" agreed Park. "So what's your name going to be? How about 'Aqualass'?" Tula whirled on the young speedster angrily. "Don't call me that! Don't you ever call me that!" "All right, all right, sorry, don't get touchy!" replied Park. "What do I call you, then?" "Tula," was the icy reply. "Just Tula? Bor-ring, if you ask me!" "I didn't." Tula slid herself down the turtle shell and sat down as far away as she could, her back to the others. Darkstar motioned Park to leave her alone for now. Nightstar looked at Robert, and worry appeared on both their faces. They had clearly picked up a loose cannon. "Once we get back to the cave, you're going to have to have a long talk with her," Nightstar whispered to him. "Me?" "You're the patient one, remember. If she keeps up the attitude, I might starbolt her into the giant penny. Just pretend you're Aunt Donna." Robert rolled his eyes. "Why do I always get the hard jobs?" Park, in the meantime, had sat still as long as she could. "This ride's getting a little boring!" she announced. "Hey, Uncle Gar!" she called, banging on his shell. "Yeah?" came the turtle's voice. Park scrambled up his neck to whisper something in his ear. Menagerie grinned. "All right, but I'd better hear some singing back there!" His two turtle eyes twinkled as they merged into one and a single coiled horn sprouted from his forehead. Beneath the four young Titans, the turtleshell softened into glittery scales as two feathered wings unfolded and began to flap. Tula turned around as Park began to sing loudly, motioning the other two to join in, which they finally did with rueful grins. Tula shook her head, utterly mystified by the performance. The lyrics made absolutely no sense to her. Whatever it was they were flying on, it was obviously green.
All characters are ™ DC Comics
This story is © 1998 by Louise Freeman Davis.
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