Marauder: The Girl from New York

3. Batman Gets Nuts

[Boy-Wonder]

Once they explained, in detail, what happened at CADMUS the League stayed for the clean-up and took Desmond to a cell in Belle Reve. For the next hour or so the five young heroes were left to themselves, but Robin knew that they were going to get grilled sooner or later.

He stood in a circle with the others not saying anything, but looked over his shoulder every now and then, scowling. This was outrageous, it was unfair! Why train him at all if their mentors wouldn't let them use what they taught them?

Doctor Thompkins had given them all a check up and put ten stitches in Marauder's head and asked in awe, "What are you made of?"

"Stronger stuff than you thought."

"I had to cut some of your hair away, I'm afraid, but it will grow back. Now, you are bound to have a headache and I don't want you talking, or feeling like you have to do anything."

Marauder opened her mouth to speak but the Doctor cut her off. "And that means no gallivanting around New York either. I want you to stay lying flat for another twenty-four hours. Try not to move too much, let your body heal, particularly your head. I suspect you have been badly concussed and only rest will heal that."

"Thank you," she managed.

Her hood had come off in the action, but her face was still shadowed by the cap, though he could see her face better now. She was around his age, but with more lines around her eyes. Robin had spent his life after the circus in Gotham, for the most part, were it rained a lot. Marauder looked like she spent a lot more time in the sun and had the weathered skin to show for it. Her chocolate eyes were sharp but not vicious. She was lighter than Kaldur but darker than Aquaman, and she still had more hair than both of them combined – not that that was difficult (even after Dr. Thompkins was through with her) – braided strands hanging about her face.

But his attention was pulled away from her when Superman trudged over and stared to talk with Superboy.

"We'll, uh," began Superman, seeming unsure how to handle the situation, "we'll figure something out for you. The League will, I mean. For now, I'd better make sure they get that Blockbuster creature squared away."

Then he turned and flew away.

That guy was not whelmed, not whelmed at all.

"CADMUS will be investigated," Batman said, having snuck up on them. Flash and Aquaman flanked him on either side. "All fifty-two levels, but let's make one thing clear—"

"You should have called," the Flash cut him off.

"End results aside, we are not happy," continued Batman, shooting the speedster a sharp glare. "You hacked Justice League systems, disobeyed direct orders, and endangered lives. You will not be doing this again."

Kaldur stepped forward. "I am sorry, but we will."

"Aqualad, stand down," ordered Aquaman.

"Apologies, my king, but no." Aqualad stood a little straighter. "We did good work here tonight, the work you trained us to do. Together on our own we forged something powerful, important."

Aquaman went to speak again, looking at Marauder, but she lowered her head in shame but shook it. Robin briefly wondered what the relationship between them was.

"If this is about your treatment at the hall," the Flash began, "—the three of you—"

"The five of us," corrected Kid, "and it's not."

Robin looked at his mentor. "Batman, we're ready to use what you taught us, or why teach us at all?"

"Why let them tell us what to do?" Superboy finally interjected. "It's simple. Get on board or get out of the way."