Genesis, Part One:
“Come Together”
Loren Jupiter looked up from his desk as Mr. Smith, his head of security, cleared his throat. “I’d love to be able to do that,” he said. ”What?” Smith asked. “Just be able to be somewhere like you,” Jupiter replied. Smith smiled. “It is just a knack I have.” ”Right.” Jupiter didn’t sound convinced. “I assume that they’re here?” ”All five,” Smith replied. He handed Jupiter a sheet of paper. “I took the liberty of setting up the roommates.” Jupiter scanned it. “So you selected Mr. Grayson and Mr. Harper to be in the same room?” Jupiter looked up at Smith. “Interesting choice.” Smith shrugged. “It was the only one I could make. Harper was the wild card. I did not feel good about his influence on West. I also did not want the situation that would arise if he fell into Curry’s sleeping tank during the night.” ”I see,” Jupiter said. He studied the list another moment and scrawled his initials on it. “Who knows? Maybe Mr. Grayson’s positive qualities will rub off on him.” Jupiter stood and buttoned his suit coat. “Are they in the conference room?” ”As requested.” ”Let’s go, then.” Followed by Smith, Jupiter walked out of the office. In the meeting room, Dick Grayson looked over the other four people he was in there with. A redheaded guy kept pacing back and forth. Another boy was sitting on a counter against the wall with a smirk on his face. Dick could already tell that he was trouble. The other two, a guy and a girl, sat at the table whispering back and forth. Apparently they already knew each other. Dick’s attention was suddenly grabbed as the door swung open and Mr. Jupiter walked in. “Good afternoon,” he said. “My name is Loren Jupiter and I’ve brought you here today to discuss a new program I think may benefit all of us.” Even the redheaded kid had stopped pacing and was paying attention now. “But before I go on, perhaps I should make some introductions. “Dick Grayson. A former circus acrobat and master of living on the streets.” Dick nodded. “Wallace West. Nephew of the original Kid Flash, he now has the power of super speed.” “It’s Wally,” West said. “But how did you-“ “That’s not important,” Jupiter said. “Now let’s continue. “Roy Harper. A master of weaponry and an ace with a bow and arrow.” Harper just smiled. Dick made a mental note to definitely keep an eye on him. “Garth Curry. Garth has abilities underwater and enhanced strength.” ”Hey,” Garth said. “And finally, Ms. Donna Troy. Ms. Troy can fly and also has enhanced strength.” ”Thanks for the who’s who,” Roy said. “But why are we here?” “You have all seen the proliferation of so-called super-humans, is that correct? Superman here in Metropolis is the most visible, although I’ve also heard rumors from Coast City and Gotham.” ”You didn’t answer my question,” Roy said. Jupiter’s lips thinned. Looks like this guy’s not impregnable, Dick thought. “The reason is simple. Your abilities make you dangerous – to yourselves and others. I am willing to train you and help you master your abilities.” Roy pulled a pack of cigarettes out of his pocket and popped one in his mouth. Before he could flick his lighter, a hand was pulling the cigarette away from him. “No smoking,” Smith said. “I also offer you the chance to fight crime as a team.” ”Why us?” Garth asked. “Surely there are others out there who would have worked just as well.” “I have my reasons,” Jupiter said. “If you’ll all follow me, I’ll give you a tour of your new home and headquarters.” The elevator doors opened and they emerged in a large lobby with a striking view of the Metropolis skyline. “This lobby will serve as a commons area,” he said. He pointed to some stairs. “There is a small kitchen area through there with a dining area on the other side.” Mr. Jupiter led the way out a door at the rear of the room into a hallway. “These are classrooms,” he said. “Everything is top of the line. I have hired excellent teachers for you and you will be educated here. I must warn you, however, that I will expect much more out of you than the public schools.” The elevator opened again and the group stepped out into a small lobby. “This will be the gentlemen’s’ dormitory,” Jupiter said. “Ms. Troy, you will be on the level above. I must mention, however, that genders are not allowed to mix in the dormitories. I expect a great deal from each of you – not just scholastically, but also morally.” Jupiter turned to look at them. “Your belongings have already been shipped and are in your rooms. Your names are on the doors. I’ll leave you to get acquainted.” Jupiter, Smith and Donna stepped into the elevator. “I’ll take you up to your room now, Ms. Troy.” The doors slid shut as the male Titans went in search of their rooms. “So, it looks like we’re roommates,” Garth said as Wally picked up his suitcase. Garth smiled as he saw that his ‘bed’ was a tank of water. “So, which desk do you want?” Garth turned around and saw that Wally had completely unpacked, his posters were on the walls and he was currently asleep on his bed. “That is going to take some getting used to,” Garth said. Roy leaned back against the wall in his room. Dick turned back around, his meager possessions already stowed away. Dick scowled as Roy pulled out another cigarette. “What’s wrong?” Roy asked. “You want one? You can buy them, just like I did.” “No, I don’t want one.” Dick folded his arms. “What is it with you? We’ve had this handed to us, and you’re trying to throw it all away.” ”Please,” Roy said as he flipped his lighter on. “Like they’ll ever know about me taking a puff now and then.” Roy brought the lighter toward the end of the cigarette. A second later the intercom sounded. “Mr. Harper, there is no smoking in the dormitories either,” Smith’s voice said. “How did he know?” Harper asked. “I hadn’t even lit it.” He flicked the cigarette onto the floor. “Geez. Looks like Big Brother’s watching us. But I guess you’ve never heard of that.” ”As a matter of fact, I have,” Dick said. “How much Orwell have you ever read? Just 1984 and Animal Farm, I’ll bet.” ”And how much have you got down, street kid?” Roy asked. “I’m working my way through his essays now,” Dick responded. “But I’d say that you’d probably have trouble understanding them. There are lots of words with more than one syllable in them.” Roy’s face went red and he stormed out, cursing under his breath. “That could have gone better,” Dick said to himself. “I’ll probably wake up in the morning with my head shaved now.” Still, Dick patted his pocket. He smiled slightly as he felt his switchblade’s comforting presence. Brom Stikk strode down the street of Hatton’s Corner, ignoring the snickering and pointing that was going on behind his back. He was an odd sight – tall and gangly, with hair that stuck out at all directions, seemingly defying gravity. His face was thin, with a large hawk like nose that gave him a naturally cruel look. He limped into an office, leaning on a crooked wooden stick. “Well, well, well,” the chief of police said. “Bromwell Stikk. What’s wrong now? The government kick you in the shin?” Stikk smiled as the chief and his deputy burst into laughter. “Nothing so mundane, I’m afraid,” he said. “You’re about to die.” The chief’s feet hit the ground like a gunshot. His face was red. “Kook or not, now you’re threatening an officer of the law. I’d recommend you get out now or I’ll have Deputy Pike here lock you up.” Stikk smiled as he raised his staff above his head. The chief and deputy looked around, worried, as the sound of a train filled the office. Across the street, Betty Sue Clampett was clearing a table at the diner when she saw an amazing sight. A tornado lowered out of the clear sky and slammed into the police station. She screamed and dove beneath the table. The tornado, its job done, simply rose back into the sky, with a laughing Stikk inside it. Next Issue: The team heads to Hatton’s Corner to take on their first foe! Previous Issue | Next Issue |
