Titans West

Gar Logan looked around the meeting room and smiled. The room finally looked like he'd envisioned it. Chairs bearing each Titan’s symbol surrounded a long table, and large paintings of each team member adorned one wall, painted by a friend of Mal's. Gar walked out and bumped into Flamebird, who nearly dropped the box she was carrying.

"Sorry, Bette," Gar said. "Let me give you a hand with that." In a flash of light he changed into a green monkey that grabbed the heavy box out of her hands.

Flamebird started following Gar down the hallway to her room. "That's the last of it. I never thought I'd ever get everything out of that apartment."

"How bad was it when you asked our landlord for the damage deposit back?"

Bette's mouth twisted downward in a pout. "I felt like I should wash his mouth out with soap. How's it going here?"

"Great!" Gar kicked her door open and deposited the box on her bed. He continued as he returned to human form. "Red Star and I've already moved in, Terra's getting set up, and Karen's bringing Risk's stuff over later."

"Wow." Bette sagged to her bed. "I can't believe we finally did it. We're finally going to make it, aren't we?"

Gar's smile widened. "I think so. And we're doing this on our own. No help from New York or anybody. This time, Titans West is really ours." Bette jumped up and hugged Gar. Outside the door, Terra paused as she saw Flamebird hugging Gar. Angrily, she stormed down the hall into her room. She locked the door, and then opened her closet where she kept a small box to practice her powers. At her command, the dirt shaped itself into a small replica of Flamebird.

"Listen to me," Terra hissed. "I'm in love with Gar. We're meant to be together. So butt out!" Another mound of dirt rose and crushed the small replica of Flamebird as Terra closed the door.

In the computer room, Mal sat before a terminal, humming. He didn't even look up as Red Star entered the room.

"Hello, Mal," Red Star said. "What are you doing?"

"Oh, hey, Leonid," Mal replied. "Just checking out the computers."

"I was unaware that you had a great deal of experience with them."

Mal smiled. "Yeah. I was the one who kept the original team's computers up and going for months after they split up. Anyway, I just want to check this system out and make sure we're not going to run into the Antithesis or anything."

Red Star's brow furrowed. "Antithesis?" he asked.

Mal chuckled. "Long story. Remind me or Karen to tell it to you sometime."

"How's it look?" Changeling asked. Mal whipped his head around and jumped when he saw Gar Logan standing where a small green housefly had been a moment before. "Man, you're going to start shaving years off my life if you keep that up!" Mal said, taking a deep breath. "Anyway, looks like the main security grid is up and running. Thanks to your call from Vic, we've got full access to the old Titans database on Titans Island. I've also gotten a secure internet connection set up and email ready to go for everybody."

"Wow!" Gar leaned up to look at the screen. "What's my password?"

Mal paused a second before replying. "B-A-B-E. I wanted to make sure it was something you could remember."

Gar changed into a small green rabbit before replying. "Hardy-har-har. Questor's coming out to set up his corporate headquarters, and I wanted to meet his plane. I was going to ask you, but you're uninvited now. You wanna come, Leonid?"

Red Star shrugged. "Why not? I got to know Mr. Questor fairly well when we were staying with Mr. Dayton."

"Then let's go!" Gar changed into a green parrot that perched on a confused Red Star's shoulder. Mal chuckled again as the two of them walked out. "Man, it's not going to get boring around here..." Mal whispered as he continued scanning the computer systems.

Dr. Karen Duncan, the Bumblebee, piled the last small suitcase into her companion's arms. "That's it," she said. "Are you sure you've got it?"

Cody Driscoll, Risk, smiled. "Yeah. It's just a little bulky."

Karen looked up at the towering mass of boxes and suitcases in Risk's arms and slowly nodded. "Right," she said. "Come on. Your room's this way."

After the boxes had fallen to the floor in his room, Risk turned to Karen. "So, Doc. How long is this going to last?"

"What do you mean?" she asked.

"I'm sure that the DEO's going to be after me. How long until they show up and stuff me into a cage somewhere?"

Karen smiled reassuringly. "We've worked out a special deal. They left you in S.T.A.R. custody. All we've done is remand you into the Titans' custody. Just remember. If you try sneaking out of the compound without me along, that restraint collar will kick in and you'll learn what paralysis feels like."

"I know the drill," Risk said, rubbing the collar.

"Careful," Karen said, pulling Risk's hand away from the restraint. "If the collar thinks you're trying to break it, it'll kick in then, too."

"Don't worry." Risk turned and opened his closet door. "I'd better get some unpacking done."

"Go right ahead," Karen said. "I'll be in the computer room with Mal if you need me." She walked out as Cody pulled the first box open and started rummaging through it.

As Flamebird was placing a small vase of fake flowers on a table in the entrance hall, a buzzer started sounding. "Oww!" she exclaimed, covering her ears.

Just then the buzzer stopped and the intercom set in the wall beeped. "Hey, Bette!" Mal's voice said.

"What was that?" Bette asked, rubbing at her ears.

"Sorry. Apparently we haven't gotten the volume on that buzzer set just right yet. Anyway, there's somebody out at the gate wanting to come in. Nobody we know."

Flamebird thought a moment. "Let him in and I'll meet him outside." Flamebird stepped outside and saw a young man probably in his mid twenties with longish brown hair walking toward her. "Cute," she thought. "Can I help you?" she asked.

The man stopped. "I hope so. I'm looking for people who knew my brother." He held out a picture. Flamebird gasped as she recognized the smiling surfer's face. "My name is Jason Parker. That's my brother Charley."

Red Star and Gar Logan stepped forward as the Lear jet's stairs lowered. As the distinguished looking older man stepped down the stairs, Gar changed into a green chimpanzee and hopped into Questor's arms. "Hiya, Questor," Gar said as he smooched him on the cheek.

Questor frowned. "Hello, Mr. Logan. I see that California has not changed you in the least. I certainly hope that you will be able to restrain yourself during shareholder's meetings."

Gar jumped down, returning to human form as he did. "Not to worry. I'll be good. After all, you're helping fund the team this time out. Can't make you mad at us."

"Quite."

Gar motioned and Red Star stepped forward. "Hello, Mr. Questor. It is good to see you again."

A thin smile crossed Questor's lips as he shook Red Star's hand. "Mr. Kovar. It is a pleasure to see you again. I would like to thank you for your assistance in helping us obtain that plant in Russia."

Leonid smiled. "It was no problem. That town needed places for its people to work. Now they have them."

Questor turned. "I believe that I also have someone who would like to meet you. I would like to introduce you to my personal secretary."

A small woman with platinum blond hair stepped off the stairs onto the tarmac.

"Sarah Simms," Gar breathed. He stepped forward. "It's great to see you again!"

"Hello, Gar," Sarah replied uneasily. "Is...Is Victor here?"

Gar's face took on a look of concern. "No. Is something wrong?"

Sarah just closed her eyes and walked toward the limousine.

Questor took a deep breath. "I have an excellent idea. After I'm dropped off at our Los Angeles offices, why doesn't Ms. Simms accompany you to your headquarters, Mr. Logan? I need to meet with Mr. Kovar for a little while, but I would also like to hear a report as to what kind of condition it's in."

Gar nodded. "Sure." But his concerned eyes were still on Sarah Simms as she seated herself inside the car.

Bette led Jason into the computer room. "This is Mal and his wife, Karen; they knew Charley, too. Guys, this is Jason Parker. Charley was his brother."

Jason nodded at Mal and Karen. "Nice to meet you." He turned back to Bette. "Now what's going on, Ms. Kane? Why won't you take me to Charley? Is he here?"

Karen's eyes closed. Mal stood and rested a hand on his wife's shoulder.

"It's a long story," Bette said. "But if you step in here, you'll understand." She led him into a nearly empty trophy room and stopped in front of a glass case holding the Golden Eagle costume. Jason's eyes widened and filled with tears as he read the plaque that read "In honor of Charley Parker - the Golden Eagle."

"What happened?" Jason asked as tears started running down his cheeks.

Bette took a deep breath. "It was several years ago…anyone who'd ever been a Titan was attacked by these villains calling themselves the Wildebeest Society. They attacked and killed Charley.*"

(* In New Titans number 72 - db)

Jason sagged to the ground as Bette opened the case. "Do you know who Tempest is?" Jason silently nodded as Bette removed the costume, leaving the wings inside. "One of the Wildebeests was getting ready to kill Tempest. Charley gave his life to save Garth." She handed the costume to Jason. "This was his costume." She stepped back as Jason kept kneeling on the floor, staring at the costume.

"I'm sure you'd like to be alone," Bette said. "I'll be down the hall. Just beep me on the intercom if you need me." She stepped out.

Mal and Karen both looked up as Bette reentered the room. "How is he?" Mal asked.

"Not good," Bette replied. "But how would you expect him to be? He just found out his brother was a superhero and he's dead."

Karen wiped her eyes again. "God. I've tried to forget that for so long..."

Bette slumped against the console. "I remember. The Wildebeests took both of you. They were able to get word to me to go underground before they could grab me."

Risk headed into the room. "What's going on?" he asked. "The cable's not working!"

Mal shrugged. "Sorry about that. The installation guy's coming on Tuesday."

"Great. I'm going to miss Wendy the Werewolf Stalker now. I've never missed an episode of it! What'll I do?"

Karen looked up. "You know what, Cody? Why don't you come over to our house and you can watch it there. Then I'll run you back later tonight."

"Cool!" Risk replied. "Let me know when you get set to go." He hurried out as Mal and Karen shot looks at each other.

"And this is the meeting room," Gar said as he led Sarah into the room. She tentatively sat down as Gar closed the door.

"Okay, Sarah," Gar said gently. "What's going on? You've been acting funny ever since you got here."

Sarah closed her eyes for a moment. "Nothing's wrong," she lied, unconvincingly.

"Sarah," Gar said, sitting down in front of her, "The first thing you asked about was Vic, and you sounded relieved that he wasn't here. Why are you working for Questor? Why aren't you teaching?"

Sarah spun slowly back and forth in the chair. "I just couldn't anymore. I had to get out of there. I couldn't teach after the Wildebeests blew up my school to get Victor. And then what happened with Joe... I just couldn't stay in New York. And then Questor offered me this job, and I had to grab it."

Gar leaned back. "You know that this isn't your fault."

Sarah nodded. "I know. But I also notice you didn't hang around New York too much after what happened with Steve Dayton."

Gar thought a moment. "Good point. Still, you've always been a good friend and I don't want to see you torn up like this."

Sarah smiled gently. "I know. This is just something I've got to get through on my own. Now," she said as she stood, "let's go ahead and finish this tour." She led Gar out of the room.

Bette looked up from the computer console as Jason walked into the room. He was wearing the Golden Eagle costume. "Jason?" she asked.

Jason nodded and pulled the helmet off. He put it down gently on a console. "I just wanted to try it on," he said. "And then I thought maybe this is something I should do to make sure that Charley isn't forgotten. For family, you know."

Bette smiled and patted him on the shoulder. "That's really nice. You know, if you'd like to, maybe you could join us. I can talk to Gar..."

"Talk to Gar about what?" a voice behind them asked. Bette turned and saw Gar and Sarah walking in. "Who's your pal, and why's he in Eagle's gear?"

"Gar, this is Jason Parker," Bette replied. "He's Charley's brother."

"Okay." Gar thought a moment. "By the way, there's a little problem in the lab. Can we take a look at it for a second?"

"Sure!" Bette said as they walked out.

Inside the lab, Gar quietly closed the door. "Okay. What's really going on with him?"

"I told you. He's Charley's brother, and now he's decided that he wants to give being Golden Eagle a shot. I just felt that he might benefit from being around some people who might help him be able to get off to a good start."

Gar thought a moment.

Jason and Sarah looked up as Gar led Bette back into the monitor room. "Problem fixed?" Sarah asked.

"Yeah," Gar shrugged. "Just had too many things plugged into the same outlet. We'll have to watch that." He paused a moment. "Anyway, Bette tells me that you're interested in becoming Golden Eagle. How'd you like to do it with us?"

Jason's smile said it all.

Three days later, all eight Titans were settled into the meeting room, going over normal business. A blank space on the wall was reserved for Golden Eagle's portrait, once the painting was finished. Everyone's head jerked up as an alarm started shrieking.

"What's going on?" Gar yelled over the noise.

Mal, who'd run to the console, quickly silenced the alarm. He scanned rapidly appearing readouts on the display. "According to this, we've got a bank getting held up by some villains who match the profiles on the Brotherhood!"

Gar grinned. "Let's go!" The team, except for Mal, ran out on the way to the garage.

To Be Continued...

Next Issue: Not much action this time, but expect it to pick up next month as the Brotherhood comes back with a vengeance! How will the new Golden Eagle react under fire? And what secrets will be revealed? Find out in Titans West #3!

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