Marauder: The Girl from New York

2. Bruce Wills Would be Proud of Us

I tried to contact the Justice League like Aqualad asked, but we were so far underground there was no chance of getting a signal and I didn't want to leave the boys alone down here. Project Kr had turned out to be a Superman clone. His face wore a permanent scowl, and instead of the classic red and blue, he wore a white solar suit with a red Superman symbol on the chest. I follow him at a safe distance as he dragged the boys to a containment area.

I hoped he was till unaware of my presents as he stood alone watching the boys in their containment pods. What could I do against a Kryptonian? I didn't have the experience of the gear to take him on. And let's face it, my luck wasn't that good.

I was jolted out of my thoughts when I sensed movement. As the boys woke up, Superboy was yet to look away.

"What?" Kid Flash snapped. "What do you want?"

"Uh, how about we don't tick off the guy that can fry us with a look," said Robin.

"We only sort to help you," Aqualad said calmy.

"Yeah! We free you and then you turn on us? How is that grat—"

Aqualad silenced Kid Flash with a glare and continued calmly. "Kid! Now is not the time. I believe our new friend is not in control of his actions."

I guessed Superboy had never spoken before, because his voice wavered. "What – what if I wasn't?"

"He can talk?" Kid Flash asked stupidly. Robin and Aqualad glared at him as Superboy's fists clenched. "What? It's not like I said "it"."

"He's a clone, not a dog, Kid," I said, coming out of hiding. Superboy turned around and I held my hands out in a peaceful gesture. Now that I knew he was willing to listen, I could put my cards on the table.

"Yes, he can," said Superboy.

"The genomorphs taught you telepathically?" Aqualad asked.

"They taught me much," he said robotically. "I can read, write, I know the names of things."

"But have you actually seen them?" I asked. "Have you gotten let out of Cadmus to learn for yourself? The sun? The stars?"

"Images are implanted in my mind," Superboy said. His voice was quiet, and he didn't quite look at me as he spoke. "But no, I haven't seen them."

"You're gonna be fine," I said. I pulled off my glove and held out my hand again, hoping he would take it. He looked cautiously at my hand before he took it, and I was surprised of how warm he was, like a rock that had been left out in the afternoon sun. "I can help you, if you want. If you swing by New York sometime, I can show you the ropes."

I looked to Kaldur, the oldest of us. I got the feeling he was also the wisest, and I wanted his confirmation that I was on the right track. He nodded. Yes.

"Do you know who you are?"

Superboy stood straighter. "I am the Superboy. A genomorph, a clone made from DNA of Superman. Created to replace him should he perish, or destroy him, should he turn from the light."

"Okay," I said softly, nodding.

"To be like Superman is a worthy aspiration, but like Superman, you deserve a life of your own," Aqualad said. I was right about him being the wisest of us. "Beyond your solar suit. Beyond your pod. Beyond Cadmus."

Superboy tore his hand from mine and shouted. "I live because of Cadmus! It is my home!" But his voice shook like he knew he was fighting a useless battle. Another sad broken white boy.

"Home is where you make it, Superboy," I said.

This time it was Robin that backed me, speaking in a gentle tone. "Your home is a test tube. We can show you the sun."