The Winds Continue: Young Justice, Zephyr Book 2

Chapter 24: No Rest in the Storm

And here's the chapter y'all were waiting for...

Good news: everyone came from the mission okay.

Bad news: Black Beetle interfered during the mission and almost defeated Alpha squad.

Good news: They were saved by another 'Beetle'. This one was 'Green Beetle' and was apparently a Martian from Mars.

Other news: We knew nothing about this guy. But we decided to try to work things out and give him an interagation to see if he was really on our side. Unfortunately, since we didn't really want ANOTHER HQ destroyed, we're improvising and using the Kent's barn in Smallville.

The Kent's being Superman and Superboy's adopted parents (I don't question Superman's idea to be an 'older brother' seeing as their nearly 20 years apart age wise but whatever).

"My name is B'arzz O'oom." Green Beetle introduced. "And obviously I am of Mars."

"Obviously, but it's the Beetle thing that has us worried." Tim explained. "How are you connected to the Reach?"

Green looked over to Jaime, causing Bart to stiffen uneasily but Maia nudged him in the ribs. "I imagine my story is similar to yours. On Mars, I am what you call...an archeologist. Two of your Earth years ago, I stumbled upon a Scarab and it attached itself to me."

"Ya..." Jaime muttered, crossing his arms uncomfortably. "That last part sounds familiar."

"From the Scarab I learned of the Reach and their plans for the Galaxy. A millennium ago they sent a Scarab sporting primitive life. The Scarab bonds with, and takes full control of, their native host, giving the Reach an advanced operative for their inevitable invasion." Green Beetle explained.

"That's a lot of Scarabs, if the Green Lantern Corps is anything to go by..." Maia muttered, looking a little concerned.

Blue shared a look with Impulse. "My Scarab malfunctioned and didn't take full control. That's why the Reach want to reboot it by killing me."

"What about your Scarab B'arzz? Did it malfunction as well?" I ask.

"No." Green replied. "But it was not prepared for Martian physiology, which allowed me to take control of the Scarab instead of the other way around."

"Still doesn't explain how you ended up here." Nightwing said, obviously suspicious.

"For decades, the one you call 'Martian Manhunter' has sent communications from your world to ours: television signals." The Martian cracked a grin. "They are quite entertaining."

Robin chuckled. "All Martians love TV."

"And Oreos..." I added.

"Indeed." B'arzz agreed. "But when it became clear that the Reach we're on Earth, I believed my assistance here to be required."

"Well we appreciate you helping our young operatives." I said, nodding gratefully.

"But the Justice League will need to confirm your story." Dick added.

Not very long afterwards, we decided to move the interrogation to STAR Labs for a more secure setting, and to make sure we got the very truth out of our questions, we asked Megan to come along. Telepathy and all that. Only...I wasn't the only one to notice that Megan hadn't been doing so well telepathy-wise since her little run-in with my ex.

Of course, everything went to plan. Megan was able to make sure B'arzz was on our side and we found out that the Reach's new line of drinks had an additive that, overtime, would slowly cause the world to become placid, and free for the taking.