Avoiding Past And Future

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November 24

Phantom and Robin sat waiting in Phantom's room, idly messing with some tech from Skulker's suit they bought along. The heaviness of a few days ago still hadn't quite left the air as Kitty's perfume still lingered in the sheets. Neither from having to admit to Kitty he wasn't ready to realizing they both weren't. Secretly they had Kitty to thank for setting it in motion. Though neither wanted to admit it, the chances were they would have accepted had she not given the push to back out when things were too rough. James adding his own two quarters, really his input counted for more than a cent, onto it only solidified that feeling.

How were they to know being co-lead wouldn't just be dangled over their heads. After everything that happened, there hasn't been a single shred of proof it won't happen again.

Though, of course, that didn't mean Bruce appreciated such a choice being made without talking to him. He didn't chastise them, didn't even look upset, just mildly disappointed at not being included in a choice like that. But he seemed to understand why they didn't. Which lead them to where they were now, waiting in their room for Canary to arrive.

Well, and for her and Batman to finish another conversation first. Something about the security system giving a suspicious alert that needed her attention. Oh well, not their business. Not when they had Skulker's tech to reverse engineer into something useable for them. So far a portable shield was in the works, but there were a few kinks to iron out before they could actually test it out.

It had already been way longer than Batman had said he'd be gone for, enough for them to nearly blow up the room twice with Skulker's stuff. Really, and then people wondered why they didn't keep anything of importance in this room.

Batman's sudden call over the intercoms nearly set off potential explosion 3 as they jumped. "Robin, Phantom, Kid Flash, Superboy, Miss Martian. Report for mission briefing." Oh that couldn't be anything good. They didn't have a mission scheduled, at least none that they were aware of.

Tucking away whatever they could, the pair made it over to the briefing room. Most of them were already there, save Wally who came Zetaed in bt the time they all gathered.

Standing amongst a collection of screens prepared stood Batman, waiting for them to fall in line to begin. "Rumaan Harjavti is the democratically elected president of Qurac." Forcing their faces to still, not one of the Identity Knowers reacted when a video of Bruce Wayne shaking hands with Harjavti popped up. "Harjavti has been praised as a fair, wise leader. A humanitarian."

Wally poked Robin in the ribs with his elbow, "Sure, any friend of Bruce Wayne's." He tried to joke but only got a dirty look sent his way in reply. The usual puff of air through his nose missing as the humor fell flat. Wally backed off again, straightening out as Batman went on as if he hadn't also heard the usual banter fail.

"But five days ago, Harjavti allied himself with the dictator of the neighboring nation of Bialya, Queen Bee." As more screens appeared, showing a woman adorned with gold jewelry and pale blue silk.

"Not a fan." Conner complained as he glared at her image. Her appearance brought a bad taste to the entire team, who had already faced her before. Only Phantom remained on the err of neutral, having heard stories of her activity.

"Few are." Batman entertained the remark. He rarely cared for comments being given, so long as they weren't objectively unnecessary interruptions. "But Harjavti suddenly backs Queen Bee's baseless claim that Qurac and Bialya were one nation in ancient times. And has announced the countries will reunify in two days at a ceremony in Qurac."

Pulling up a video of Harjavti saying just that sat wrong with the team. The way he announced his plan to step down as leader felt too hollow, even for a politician. The difference with Queen Bee's speech, who sounded like she was damn near gloating, sat even worse. "And the Quracis are okay with this?" Wally demanded angrily.