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A day has passed since members of the team scattered across the nation to root out the Kroloteans still posing as the abducted humans they rescued– another day more since the successful nationwide mission of locating and destroying the zeta-platforms created by the infestation of Kroloteans on Earth.
All they can do now is wait for Miss Martian's squad to return from Rann with the information they need; Flamebird stands in front of the zeta tube in the Erdel Initiative's main office in S.T.A.R. Labs Taos facility, her hands excitedly tapping against the sides of her thighs as she patiently waits for the machine to power on and return her friends from their mission.
M'gann, Conner and Garfield left two days ago, their mission on Rann taking a little longer than expected.
"Sir, we have received the Rannian signal," Eduardo, the senior scientist behind the zeta technology research, rises from his seat to face Captain Atom. "They are arriving now."
Despite the urgency of their mission, Flamebird grins as a bright flash of white light fills the room. In seconds, the figures of her friends appear in the zeta tube. "Recognised: Adam Strange, A-One-One. Miss Martian, B-Zero-Six. Superboy, B-Zero-Five. Beast Boy, B-Two-Zero."
Stepping forward, Flamebird greets Miss Martian with a quick hug. The two girls share a smile as Beast Boy races forward. "Nightwing! Nightwing, look!" The young boy calls out, then waves a red sash in the air. "Check out my super cool alien souvenir!"
Miss Martian walks forward and places her hand on her younger brother's shoulder, the two sharing a look before his shoulders begin to sag dejectedly. Whatever Miss Martian said through the mind-link must've been a warning to remain professional.
Flamebird nudges Beast Boy's arm with her own. "Don't worry," she whispers. "We'll find a place for it back in the trophy room." She watches as he grins up at her.
"Zeta squad," Nightwing addresses the team. "Report."
"Our mission to neutralise the Krolotean zeta platforms on Rann was a success," Miss Martian announces.
Adam Strange steps forward a second later. "I've also brought back specs from Rann to create a zeta shield to prevent any more aliens from beaming to Earth from off-world." With a click of the button, an image of the Earth surrounded by a glowing field projects from the device in his hand.
"What about the Watchtower?" Flamebird crosses her arms as she observes the hologram. "How will this shield affect our own zeta-tubes going back and forth from Earth?"
"It won't." Adam Strange points at a small holographic version of the Watchtower. "The shield will activate at an altitude above the Watchtower's orbit. League zeta-tubes will still function normally."
