Titans West

“Looks like you guys could use some help,” Changeling said. Breathtaker whirled around and a weary smile almost crossed her face when she saw him and the rest of the Titans West.

“I don’t understand!” she said. “It seemed like we had this thing on the ropes, and then its power seemed to increase!”

”That’s not good,” Changeling said. His eyes narrowed as he studied the android. “I’ve never heard of that happening before.” He scanned the battlefield. “Can you get Brainwave going again?”

”I think so,” Breathtaker said. She looked at Provoke. “I believe it’s time Provoke started earning his keep.”

”Great,” Gar said. “I’ve got a plan. If you two can get Brainwave up and going again, he should be able to get into Professor Ivo’s mind. Ivo’s the one who built this thing. If there’s a weakness, he’ll know it.”

”All right,” Breathtaker said. “What about the rest of you?”

Gar took a deep breath. “We get to keep that thing busy until you find out how we can beat it.”

Breathtaker nodded. “As soon as we can, we’ll work to get the others back into the fight to assist you.”

”Thanks,” Gar said. “I think we’re going to need them.” He turned to the team. “Let’s go!” he called. As the Titans headed toward the rogue android, Breathtaker grabbed Provoke by the sleeve and dragged him over to Brainwave.

An android. Built by Professor Ivo. Great. Vibe’s thoughts were conflicted as he forced himself to continue forward. Sure, he’d fought one of them before, but that had been with his entire JLA beside him. I wish I’d stayed in bed this morning.

Dagon felt himself smiling. Despite the fact that he despised working with the Overseers – no, just anyone affiliated with DEO Director Bones - he could feel the bloodlust rising in him. He didn’t care that his prey was mechanical. He rushed forward, ready to attack.

Flamebird felt confident as she ran forward. She knew that this was what the team needed. They always drew together in a crisis. They would have to stay together now.

Terra was cool and collected as she summoned earth that formed a flying platform beneath her. Still, deep down, she worried about Gar. She didn’t want him to be hurt.

What am I doing? Golden Eagle’s thoughts were tormented. I should be studying for my midterms, not fighting some psycho robot! He frowned as his wings carried him forward. I want to be a doctor!

CM3 was focused on the android, while trying to ignore the buzzing in his head. Come on, it said. You can take him apart by yourself. You’re stronger than the rest of them. Actually, you should be the team leader, too. “Shut up,” he whispered to himself.

Risk was uncomfortable as he joined the others in hurrying forward. The thoughts of what he’d done in his time with the Overseers still made him sick despite the therapy he’d had with Lilith. He still wanted to rip Provoke apart for what he’d done to his mind. Cody took a deep breath and tried to focus again on the Amazo.

Changeling fought to project confidence as he approached the android. He worried about all of the team – Tara most of all. Still, he knew that they could pull together and take this thing down.

Behind him, Breathtaker was fuming. She slapped Brainwave’s face. “Wake up!” she hissed. “Wake up!” Finally Brainwave began to stir.

“What’s going on?” he slurred.

“We’ve got a job for you,” Provoke said. He quickly outlined the plan and Brainwave was gone.

“Approaching threats.” The Amazo’s voice was cold and lifeless as it studied the Titans’ approach.

“You got that right!” Risk yelled as he jumped at the android. He let out a cry as it used Flash’s speed to dodge him, and then struck him in the back with Superman’s strength. Risk slammed into the concrete, reaching to make sure that his back was still intact.

It’s learning, Gar analyzed. Not good. Not good at all. It remembers how we beat it last time.

Gar glanced to the side as he saw movement out of the corner of his eye. Harm was trying to push himself up. Gar smiled as he got an idea. He changed to a flea and began hopping toward the fallen Overseer as fast as he could.

Behind him, CM3 launched forward and caught the Amazo with a surprise punch to the head. The robot’s head swiveled and its eyes began to glow red. CM3 barely had time to raise his hands to protect his face before he was engulfed in a fireball. Burning, he fell to the ground as Flamebird ran forward while searching her utility belt for flame-extinguishing pellets.

“Hello, Professor.” Ivo whirled around to discover Brainwave standing behind him. Or perhaps hovering was a better word. The normal grim surroundings of his cell had been replaced by a multicolored mist that somehow did not obscure one's view of the other.

“Well, well, well,” Ivo said. “It’s so rare that I get visitors.”

“Save me your attempts at stalling,” Brainwave said. He motioned and an image of the Amazo appeared between them. “My team of Overseers and the West Coast branch of the Titans are currently engaged in battle with this device. You will tell us how to disable it.”

”Or what?” Ivo sneered.

Brainwave smiled a sick smile. “Or I will extract the information from your mind myself. Perhaps some shred of your mind may even survive the process.”

Ivo swallowed hard and approached the Amazo. “No need to get so snotty,” he muttered as he examined the robot. He opened the robot’s vest and studied some marks on its stomach. He let out a squeak and tumbled backwards.

“Where are you fighting this?” he asked.

“California. Why?” Brainwave asked.

“I recognize this model number. It used an experimental atomic power plant. I never could get it as stable as I would have liked. If its head is removed, well, California will shortly become a glowing crater.”

Ivo turned. Brainwave was gone.

Brainwave’s eyes opened as he returned to his body. “We have a problem,” he said, and then filled Breathtaker and Provoke in.

Harm pushed himself to his feet just as the Changeling appeared beside him. “Harm,” Changeling said, “You’ve got a good knowledge of mechanics. Do you know anything that may stop this thing?”

Harm picked up his sword and smiled as he studied the blade. “Indeed I do,” he said and charged the android.

Breathtaker felt the blood draining from her face as Brainwave explained what Ivo had said. “We’ve got to get word to the others,” she said as she turned toward the battle.

“Feel free!” Provoke said as he ran for a nearby motorcycle. “I don’t know how far I can get before that thing loses its head, but I’ll be better off there than here!”

For once, Breathtaker ignored him. She gathered the wind beneath her and she rose into the air. Behind her, she heard the motorcycle tear off down the street. As she flew forward toward the battle, she saw something out the corner of her eye. She turned and saw Brainwave beside her. “You’re staying?” she asked.

“Why not?” Brainwave said. “Besides, I’d kind of like to see this through.”

Breathtaker nodded, fighting down any thoughts of how stable Brainwave would remain without Provoke’s assistance. Silently, the two flew toward the fight.

“Look out!” Flamebird yelled. She ducked as Dagon flew past after a punch from the android. Beside her, Vibe fired shockwaves that had little to no effect on the android.

Vibe wiped sweat from his forehead as he fought down his terror. “Babe, this isn’t working!” he yelled. “We need a new plan!”

“I’m working on it!” Flamebird replied as he saw Dagon beginning to stir. A hand clapped onto her shoulder.

“I think that you could use some backup,” Shock Trauma said. He raised a fist and fired electric bolts at the android, which staggered it slightly.

Flamebird smiled. “I think you’re right,” she admitted. “Let’s go!”

High overhead, Golden Eagle circled, feeling almost useless. His screamers had proven ineffective, and he worried about the dangers of attacking at close quarters. Finally he swallowed his pride and dove.

As he drew back his right arm, a hand with a grip of steel clamped onto his throat. He reflexively clawed at the android’s face, grotesquely tearing away its synthetic skin. Eagle could feel his tongue beginning to protrude as his lungs started screaming for air.

“He’s killing him,” Flamebird said in disbelief. It only took a moment to regain her composure. “It’s killing him!” she screamed as she searched her utility belt for anything she could use to free Golden Eagle.

Eagle fell to the ground as the grip loosened from his throat. He gasped for air as the arm fell to the ground beside him. He looked up to see the android studying the stump where the arm had just been attached. Harm smirked as he readied his sword again.

“Too easy,” Harm boasted. “Now I end this.”

Breathtaker finally reached Flamebird and pulled her aside as Dagon charged past to reenter the fight. She quickly explained what Brainwave had discovered.

“We have to get this thing out of here,” Flamebird decided. She quickly glanced around. “Where’s Gar?” she wondered. Finally she started running for the others to try and pass the word.

Harm had been sparring with the android, and finally spotted his opening. He pulled his sword back, ready for the killing strike.

Flamebird saw what was coming and started running forward too late. “No!” she screamed as she raced toward them.

Harm swung his sword and the android’s head went flying.

Next Issue: It’s the end of Titans West! The team is shattered as a Titan dies!

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