Young Justice #9

#9
Early February 2001

"Mutant Terrorists? What Else Is New?"
by Paul A. Hahn

Happy Harbor, Rhode Island. The secret headquarters of Young Justice.

Robin sat alone in front of the team's main computer, already hard at work by the time the sun was just beginning to appear. In some respects, he was lucky. Whereas Cassie and Cissie had families to go to every night, Robin could almost consider himself a full-time hero. The only thing that took up any other amount of time was attending classes at ESU as Chuck Barnes. Of course, he only had to worry about that three days a week.

Most of his free time, at least recently, had been spent with Young Justice, the team he helped found. When he, Superboy, and Impulse first started hanging together, it was supposed to be fun. Sure, they knew they'd be fighting crime, risking their lives and all...but Superboy was looking for some fun and Impulse was looking for something to entertain himself with. Robin was in it for the challenge.

But it wasn't as he'd expected. The loss of Linda Danvers was something he hadn't anticipated. It was more than losing a friend or a teammate...it was the first time he had come face to face with failure...and with a situation he couldn't win. He constantly found himself going back over the information he had on the fateful day...but no matter how much he pieced together, he could never get it.

Why did Linda turn against us...and how on earth did she get so powerful?

The two questions ran through his mind constantly. They were the mystery pieces of the puzzle. He had hoped, that by downloading the Hellfire Club's files, he could gain some insight...something...anything...but so far it had gotten him no closer to the answers.

"Sam?" he asked, not looking up from his work.

"Hey Rob," Sam replied. "Ah was walkin' quiet as can be...how'd ya hear me?"

"Practice," he replied. "Sam, has Illyana been back yet?"

"Nope," he shook his head. "Not since the incident in Limbo...*"

*(Last issue - Paul)

"That was just over two days ago," Robin frowned. "I'm concerned."

"So'm Ah," Sam replied.

"You've got more history with her than anyone else on the team...any ideas what's up?"

Sam scratched the back of his head. "She's pulled that stunt before...bringin' the New Mutants into Limbo. Sometimes it was for adventure, sometimes it was for the challenge, one Halloween it was to scare us senseless...sometimes it was because she felt we didn't understand her...because we couldn't understand where she was comin' from. She spent most of her life in Limbo...from about when she was four or five 'till when she was fourteen or fifteen...it was all she knew. Ah know she has trouble relatin' to people and bein' close to people...but she's never pulled a stupid stunt like yesterday. And she's never been gone for this long."

Robin nodded. "I wish there was some way we could look for her..."

"But there ain't. Don't worry, Rob...she'll come around, sooner or later..."

Robin nodded once more. "I hope so."

Sam continued on his way back up to his room, leaving Robin alone with his computer and his thoughts. It was a few more minutes of work before another interruption came along, in the form of Martinique Wyngarde.

"Hello, Mister Barnes."

"Eh?" Robin turned quickly as he heard his real name called. "How did you--?"

"Know? Get in here without you noticing? I'm a woman of many secrets...much like yourself."

"Telepathic?" Robin asked.

"Among other abilities," she replied. "Talk is cheap...let's keep this short. We both know Linda Danvers was once a member of Young Justice...what you might not have known is that she's the current Black Rook of the Hellfire Club's Inner Circle...and is completely under the influence of the White King, my own father, Jason Wyngarde."

"I was aware," Robin replied. "And I had my suspicions."

"There is much going on in the Inner Circle that I do not have time to tell you of," she continued. "Much more that you didn't get when you downloaded our computer files."

"You knew?"

"Of course. And Shaw found out soon after...they don't know who it was, but they have their suspicions. You must understand...Shaw and Wyngarde are in a very...delicate situation. Linda is my father's pawn. Shaw has the Lady Tessa wrapped around his finger and the White Queen carefully under his thumb. The balance of power in the Inner circle is about to tip."

"What does that mean for Young Justice?"

"Possibly nothing...possibly everything. The key is Linda."

"What do we have to do?"

"I can't say. It's entirely up to you. But know...when you make your move...I will be there to help."

"...Good to know," Robin replied. Before he could ask any more questions, the woman disappeared. "Hmph...no wonder I didn't notice her walk in...she must have been projecting an astral form or something similar. But I'll gladly take her as an ally any day."

Outside the World Trade Center.

"This is Trish Tilby reporting live and on scene for CNN," the brunette reporter began her broadcast. "Just minutes ago it was announced that the World Trade Center has been taken over and is being held hostage by the Mutant Liberation Front. You may remember that this 'MLF' was responsible for the attack on San Diego earlier this year and were thought to be taken down by FBI in Chicago. Apparently, that was not the case. The group has resurfaced with their most daring encounter yet.

"As you can see, the building has been sealed off by the Front. The very ground surrounding the building has raised up to enclose it and everyone who was inside at the time of the assault is still inside. Attempts by the police to gain entry have failed. The safety of any and all hostages is unknown at this time. Stay with us on CNN for regular updates as the situation develops."

Back at home base.

Superboy was hard at work at his Playstation, trying desperately to beat Final Fantasy IX.

"Is he still at it?" Cassie asked.

"Still," Cissie replied as she sat watching.

"It's just too involving," Superboy replied. "Sucks you in, y'know? And it's even better than 7..."

"Blasphemy," Cissie replied.

"I don't get those games," Bart cut in.

"That's because they require thinking," Superboy answered. "The only games you can play are Doom and Pokemon, because they're designed to entertain brainless morons."

"That was mean," Cissie frowned.

"It's okay," Superboy grinned. "It's just Bart. He's used to it. Besides, by the time I've said it, he's already forgotten. He's the King of ADD.*"

*(ADD- Attention Deficit Disorder - Paul)

"Hey guys," Robin said, walking into the entertainment room. "Suit up...we're needed."

"Can't go now, Rob," Superboy replied. "Fighting Kuja..."

"Too bad," Cissie replied, pressing the power button on the PSX.

Superboy screamed. "I haven't saved in the last hour!"

"Well, now that you're angry, suit up," Robin said. "Focus your anger against the Mutant Liberation Front."

"Those bozos?" Cassie asked.

Robin nodded. "Still no Illyana? And where're Sam and Jen?"

"Out," Cissie shrugged. "Just buzz their comm units and let's blow this popsicle stand!"

Minutes later, onboard YJ's Supercycle.

"They've taken over the World Trade Center?" Wonder Girl asked. "What do they hope to gain by doing that?"

"Money?" Superboy asked. "Those crazy muties've gotta fund their terrorism somehow."

"Y'know, two of our members are 'crazy muties,'" Arrowette frowned.

"There it is," Robin said, pointing.

"Whoa," Impulse spat out. "Who designed that building?"

"It looks like it's been encased in rock," Wonder Girl said, squinting her eyes.

"It's a safe bet," Robin replied. "And it's gotta be dense...so far the police haven't been able to break through it. If Magik were here, this wouldn't cause us any trouble...but right now, I'm counting on Superboy and Wonder Girl to use their muscles and break us in. Bart, you and Cissie follow 'em in while I land this thing--"

"--And stay out of the cameras," Arrowette added.

Robin didn't have time to answer as Superboy grabbed Impulse and Wonder Girl grabbed Arrowette, and the two flew the four of them to the ground. With a few more moments, the cycle was landed and Robin was off, sticking to midday shadows and avoiding any public areas until he reconvened with his team.

Kon and Cassie were hard at work pounding away, but they had barely begun to dent the rock.

"It's uncanny," Wonder Girl said. "It doesn't feel like there's that much rock, or that it's that hard...but it's like it's thinking...like it's prepared for our every hit."

"It's only rock," Superboy said. "We'll knock it down sooner or later..."

"Somebody need a wreckin' crew?"

The five looked up to see Cannonball rocketing forward with Jade flying behind. Seconds later, Sam smashed through the rock and gained entrance into the building's third floor.

"Good job," Robin nodded. "Let's follow him up! And assume that they know we're coming!"

Moments later the seven were regrouped inside the building. Many people who were previously trapped were gathering around.

"Jade, create a solid slide from the whole Sam made and get these people--" Robin was stopped short as the rock resealed the hole. "Well...I think they definitely know we're here."

"That is definitely something you don't see every day," Superboy frowned.

"That's Avalanche's doin'," Sam said. "He controls rock...we tussled with him once in the New Mutants...sure did a number on us. Hate to see us fighting him with a group of others."

"But hasn't the MLF traditionally had a group of low-powered solo acts?" Jade asked. "You said it yourself one time, they were one of the biggest push-over groups you ever faced."

"Yup," Sam nodded. "I'd hate to think they've gotten new muscle...Avalanche alone could give us a work out. Maybe he's the only new one..."

"Come on," Robin said. "Let's keep moving. We should find them and draw them away from any civilians around here. No casualties will be acceptable."

The seven quickly made their move towards the stairs. Robin stopped them.

"We're not all going to crowd into the stairs," Robin said. "Cissie, you and I will take the elevators...Bart...do some quick reconnaissance of the area...try and find where the MLF is without being seen. The rest of you, take the stairs...and be careful."

"Right," Sam nodded, and the group broke. Impulse sped off, and the other four entered the stairs.

"Taking the elevator?" Arrowette asked. "Won't that be, like, sitting ducks?"

"When I said take the elevator...I meant climbing the shaft," he replied.

"Oh...I knew that."

Seconds later Robin had pried the elevator doors open and had begun climbing up, with Arrowette quickly coming behind him.

"Wouldn't this have made more sense for one of the fliers to do?" Arrowette asked.

"Maybe," Robin replied. "But I figured, of all the people on the team, we're the only two without real powers. I figured we could use a little time to flex our 'normal' muscles. Besides, I hate climbing stairs."

Arrowette couldn't help but crack a smile. Robin was usually so cool and calm...but he had his moments. Maybe that was what attracted her so...

Impulse sped up the stairs to the top floor. He hadn't noticed anyone yet, so he began to head back down slightly slower. He was still moving too fast to be seen, but, he hoped, just slow enough to get a better look around.

As he looked and moved, he failed to notice someone tracking him...that is, until the shot from the laser cannon hit him square in the chest.

A large man stood over his body. His skin was blue, and grey pieces of technology swirled about him. Guns protruded from his body. He looked Impulse over. Stepping out into the staircase, he switched his eyes back from motion sensing to heat tracking.

"Young Justice," he frowned. "They have come seeking to stop the MLF...but they will find Post...ready to bring them death."

Next: YJ VS. MLF! Be here for Young Justice #10!