The Blue Sparrow

Chapter 17

6 months later

    It’s been six months and no sign of anyone being the mole. I’m starting to think that there isn’t a mole at all. I told Dick about it and he’s been helping me all he can. The two of us were lounging around the cave when the zeta tube announced Roy’s arrival. I looked at him confused. “Roy, what are you doing here?”

    “I’m here to help you guys find the mole.” He answered simply. Just then, Batman called us for a mission briefing. We made our way to the mission room where the others were waiting, and Batman sent us the file about the mission. We’d be going undercover as The Daring Dangers in Haly’s Circus. Dick and I gave each other a knowing look; we haven’t been back to the circus since our parents died. I looked over at Roy and he was already looking at me. I took a deep breath and started to debrief everyone.

    “Advanced weapons tech has been stolen at manufacturing plants throughout Europe. And each theft coincides with tour stops made by the Haly Circus. Batman is sending us undercover to catch the thieves.” I explained.

    Roy approached us and asked, “This clown car have room for one more?”

    “Uh, we’ve got this covered.” Dick hesitated.
 
   Roy leaned closer. “You’ve got the mission covered. But who’s covering the three potential mole suspects you’re bringing along?”
  
  I turned to Connor, M’Gann, and Artemis. “We leave in a few hours. I’d go prepare yourselves.”
 
   With that they left to go prepare. As soon as they left Roy sat up and asked,
“Are you sure you’re okay with going on this mission? Both of you?”
  
  I took a deep breath. “Yeah. I think we can handle it.”

    “And if you can’t?” He asked more towards me rather than Dick.
 
   “I’ll have you and Dick there. I think I’ll be okay.” I answered. He nodded and we went to get prepared for the mission. This will be interesting.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>
   
“Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the Haly International Traveling Circus! Where the world is your oyster and these are our latest pearls! The Daring Dangers!” Haly announced. “Dan Danger! Deana Danger! Diane Danger! Dwayne Danger! Dawn Danger! And Dean Danger! You’ll never see another trapeze act like this folks, and all of it without a net!”
 
   As Haly continued to talk about our act, Dick and I swung on the trapeze like we did four years ago. It really brought back memories, good and bad. As I swung to join hands with Dick on his trapeze I missed his hands by millimeters, causing me to fall.
  
  “Lorelei!” Dick yelled into the mind link, watching helplessly as I fell just like Mom and Dad did.
 
   “Don’t blow our cover!” I demanded.

    “But saving your life’s okay?” Connor asked sarcastically as he threw a barrel towards me to propel me back up to Dick and M’Gann. I almost made it, but not quite; M’Gann used her telekinesis to help me into Dick’s hands.
 
   “What did I just say?!” I asked angrily.

    “I would much rather blow our cover than watch you die!” Dick countered. “If I lost you too then I don’t know what I’d do. You know that more than anyone ever could.”
  
  “Besides, I’ve been using my telekinesis all night.” M’Gann admitted. “I’m not exactly the acrobat you and Robin are.”
 
   “Yeah, neither am I right now.” I said a bit breathless. “I think I’ve caught that twenty-four-hour bug just by going around the circus. But the show must go on.”
  
  Once we finished our act Haly said, “Put your hands together for The Daring Dangers!”
   
As we all waved M’Gann sighed in relief. “Didn’t think we’d make it through.”
   
“Neither did I.” I replied as I groaned in pain. “Help me backstage.”
  
  Dick and M’Gann helped me sit down on a barrel backstage; Roy approached me and put a hand on my forehead. He gasped. “You’re burning up.”
   
“I’ll be alright Red.” I said, trying to ease his worry; I don’t think it worked.
  
  “You almost died tonight. If M’Gann hadn’t caught you, I don’t know what I would’ve done if you fell. What would Dick have done?” His voice was barely above a whisper.
  
  I placed a shaky, reassuring hand on his shoulder. “I know, I’m sorry.”
   
Suddenly we heard an argument going on between Haly and some other performers.
   
“Haly, what’s the deal? Giving the top slot to those Danger kids.” The first one said.
  
  “That’s our slot!” The other one said, their accents foreign.
 
   “Was your slot, until you missed that performance in Paris.” Haly replied.
   
“Carlo was sick! He’s better now.” The first one said. “Plus, those Dangers are a sham.”
   
“They say they’re brothers and sisters.” Carlo added. “They don’t even look alike!”
  
  “Ah, you just don’t like the competition.” Haly waved it off and tried to walk away only to be stopped by a man in a suit. “Ah, for crying out loud, not you again! We’re in the middle of a show!”
  
  “Then we’ll talk later.” The man said. “But we will talk. Another city last week, another tech firm robbed. Another stop on your tour. If I prove you responsible, I will shut you down.”
  
  “I’ve got three minutes to gather props and get back to the center ring.” And with that Haly walked away. The man in the suit approached us; he pulled a badge out of his suit jacket and showed it to us.
   
“Faraday, Interpol. New act?” He said as he tucked his badge back into his pocket.
   
“Yeah, just joined the tour.” I answered.
   
“Probably cleared you.” He hummed.
“But don’t get too comfortable. Haly’s going down for this.”
   
With that he turned and walked away. What the hell is going on here?