Secrets and Lies

Depths

Palo Alto
March 19, 08:12 PDT
"Next, on Godfrey's bonehead list, the launch of Ferris Aircraft's new Earth-Mars communication satellite.  That's right, folks!  Its not enough we've been invaded by aliens!  Now we're going out of our way to contact them!  My friends, if you're asking 'what's wrong with this picture, you're not alone!"

Wally watched G. Gordon Godfrey on the morning news.  He was just about to take a bite from his bagel when he heard a voice.  "I'm ready."  He sighed and put down his breakfast before turning off the TV.  "That's why ol' G. Gordon is jumping on a plane to Florida, to get to the bottom-".  Artemis walked into the room, her bag packed.  Wally stood up from the sofa.  "I'm not happy about this."  "As I recall, you were wearing the yellow and red just a few weeks ago.", she stated.  "That was an emergency!  I was needed."  "Well, I'm needed now."

"He shouldn't need you.", he said, turning away.  "He's my best friend.  He knows we're trying to leave the life behind."  She cupped his cheek, turning his head back to her.  "Don't blame Nightwing.  The decision was mine."  She pecked him on the lips.  "Babe, you're freaking out over nothing.  What could go wrong?"

Cape Canaveral
March 19, 21:22 EDT
Artemis pushed her hands against his chest as hard as she could, trying not to show how stressed out and panicked she was.  "Twenty-eight, twenty-nine, thirty..."  She gave him mouth-to-mouth, breathing into his throat three times.  Suddenly, she felt him stop breathing.  She sat up on her knees, her eyes filling with tears.  "He's dead."

Mount Justice
March 19, 11:42 EDT
Ten Hours Earlier
"They're both gonna wind up our responsibility, aren't they?", Mal asked. "Not necessarily.", Nightwing explained. "Bart, Impulse, is staying with Jay and Joan Garrick in Central City. Roy, the original Speedy, is recuperating in Royal Memorial Hospital. Arrows Green and Red are watching over him." Mal rolled his eyes. "Mm-hm. They're both gonna wind up our responsibility." "Doesn't everything?", Conner said sarcastically. "I mean, where are we on identifying the Light's new partner?" Nightwing sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "No progress."

They were interrupted by the sound of Miss Martian giggling. They all turned to see her walking over, levitating a plate of crab cakes by her boyfriend. "Oh, La'gaan! Stop! Don't eat so fast!" "I can't help it, Angelfish!", he said. "The idea of cooking crabs is amazing enough! But making them into little cakes?" M'gann chuckled. "You're gonna choke!" Conner glared at them. "If only."

She took one from the plate. "Here. Let me." She brought it to La'gaan's lip, and he chomped it in one bite. "If that's not true love, I don't know what is.", he said, smirking. He looked at Superboy with a smug gleam in her eye. "Chum." Superboy held his glare before walking off. "Call me when its time for the briefing."  Recognized—Artemis, B07.  Said archer entered the Cave.  "Time for the briefing."

"Artemis!"  M'gann forgot about her PDA with La'gaan and ran to embrace her Earth sister.  "Hi, M'gann!"  "How's Wally?"  "He's...Wally."  They laughed together.  "Welcome back, girl!"  "Hey, Mal!"  "We have so missed you around here!"  "Conner!"  "I relish this opportunity to fight beside you, archer!"  "Um...thanks, La'gaan?"  Nightwing discussed the mission to the heroes gathered.  "Why are you going?"  He smirked.  "Let's just say that after running this team for a year...I'm peckish for a lil' action."

Cape Canaveral
March 19, 21:00 EDT
M'gann pulled Conner through the air using her telekinesis.  "We're out of sight."  She shifted back into her usual form.  "Good.  Let's just get to the Bio-Ship.", Conner said.  "I don't like you levitating me to fake the power of flight."  "You're welcome!", she scoffed.  "Conner, you know we have to maintain the illusion that Superman, Manhunter and the other Leaguers who went into space are still on Earth.  We can't let our enemies know how short-handed the Justice League is right now."  She flew into the ship, bringing Superboy with her.  "Ugh!  I hate monkey suits!"