Prologue
A light snapped on in a darkened office and a black-gloved hand reached for a folder. It was labeled simply “Titans West”. The person relaxed in their chair and began reading.
“Markovia”
Gar Logan stretched after rolling out of bed. He made the mistake of stepping off the room’s rug with his bare feet and immediately jumped back. The stone floor was cold. “Something wrong?” his wife asked.
Gar smiled back at Tara. “Just forgot where I was.” He bent over and pulled on some slippers before walking to the window. “I’m not used to waking up in a castle.”
Tara laughed as she pulled on a robe and her own sandals before joining him. “It takes a little getting used to,” she admitted. “At least I’m not treating you like Brion got me.”
”What happened?” Gar asked, turning to face her.
”Let’s just say I didn’t find out we had indoor plumbing for about three months after I moved here. If you want uncomfortable, try stepping into a used chamberpot first thing in the morning. It’ll really kill your mood.”
“Thanks for the tip,” Gar said as his arms slipped behind Tara. “Hmm.”
”What?” Tara asked suspiciously.
”I just don’t think I’ve got enough arms to hug you with,” Gar said as he changed into an octopus that immediately wrapped all eight arms around her.
“I’m not kissing a squid,” Tara said.
“I’m not a squid. I’m an octopus.”
”Then I’m not kissing an octopus,” Tara clarified.
“What would you like, then? How about a llama? I do a great llama.”
Tara rolled her eyes. “Why is it that I get married and wind up in bestiality?”
CHANGELING
Real Name: Garfield Mark Logan
Eyes: Green
Hair: Green
Known Relatives: Mark and Marie Logan (parents, deceased), Tara Markov Logan (wife), Matt Logan (cousin), Steve Dayton (stepfather, deceased), Rita Farr (stepmother, deceased), Mark Dayton (stepbrother)
Powers: Logan has the ability to turn into any animal he sees. The only drawback is the fact that its skin, like his own, will be green.
TERRA
Real Name: Tara Markov Logan
Eyes: Green
Hair: Green
Known Relatives: Gregor Markov (father, deceased), Brion Markov (brother), Garfield Mark Logan (husband)
Powers: Markov has the ability to control the earth and all facets thereof. She can create earthen structures, and can even reroute lava from volcanoes if she so wishes.
“Packing Up”
Paco Ramone sat in a chair watching as Bette Kane carefully selected and packed. “So, you’re really going?” he asked.
Bette smiled as she laid a blouse in her suitcase. “Just for a while,” she said. “I’m going to be back. It’s just that this is something I’ve always wanted to do.” She showed Paco an old Sports Illustrated with her picture on it. “Back then, all I wanted to do was to play tennis. This is a free ticket to Wimbledon. Hasn’t there ever been anything you wanted to do more than anything?”
Paco thought a moment before answering. “That Jennifer Beals chick from Flashdance.”
Bette rolled her tongue around in her mouth for a second before she found the right words to say. “That’s not exactly what I had in mind, but whatever floats your boat.”
“Hey,” Paco said. “I’ve been a member of the Justice League. I’ve been through space and I’ve even time traveled. There’s not much left I haven’t done.”
Bette smiled. “I know. We’ve even gone to hell and back.” She pulled a headband out of her suitcase and handed it to Paco. “Here. Be wearing that while I’m playing. Just for luck.”
Paco grinned. “Maybe that’ll be all I’m wearing.”
Bette laughed and kissed him. “I’ll call as soon as I can.”
Paco picked up her suitcase. “I’ll go ahead and drive you to the airport. I think we’ll take the long way.”
FLAMEBIRD
Real Name: Bette Kane
Eyes: Blue
Hair: Blond
Known Relatives: Kathy Kane (aunt)
Powers: Kane has no natural powers. However, she is in world-class physical condition and is working on improving her deductive skills.
VIBE
Real Name: Paco Ramone
Eyes: Brown
Hair: Black
Known Relatives: Rosa Ramone (sister), Mando Ramone (brother), unnamed parents, various siblings
Powers: Ramone has the ability to project sonic waves. He has been working on improving his control and focus of these powers.
“Flight”
Golden Eagle frowned as he fought to keep up. Dagon looked back and saw that he was having trouble, so he slowed until Eagle could catch up with him. “Just how fast are you?” Eagle asked. “I always thought this armor was quick, but you’re blowing me out of the water.”
”Fast enough,” Dagon replied. “I’ve never really tested myself.” They flew in silence for a few minutes. “All right,” Dagon said. “I know you’re bursting to ask me something. Go ahead.”
”I was just wondering what your powers were,” Eagle said. “I know you’re strong. We fought each other back when you were still with the Overseers.”
”I’m a vampire,” Dagon said. “What else is there to explain?”
“I know you freaked me out in that fight,” Eagle said. “I thought you were going to try and bite me or something.”
A cold smile crossed Dagon’s face. “I was,” he said.
They flew the rest of their patrol in silence.
GOLDEN EAGLE
Real Name: Jason Parker
Eyes: Blue
Hair: Brown
Known Relatives: Charley Parker (brother, deceased)
Powers: Parker has no natural powers. His powers are totally derived from the suit and include flight, enhanced vision and hearing. It is also possible that he may have some sort of enhanced strength from the suit, although this is not proven.
DAGON
Real Name: Unknown.
Eyes: Red
Hair: Black
Known Relatives: None
Powers: Dagon has all the powers traditionally associated with vampires - flight, enhanced strength and senses, and shape changing. During Dagon’s time with the Overseers, it was discovered that sunlight weakens his powers but does not kill him.
“Testing the Limits”
“Okay, go ahead and try it now,” Mal Duncan said. CM3 smiled as he straightened under his massive load, easily lifting it.
“No strain at all?” Karen Beecher asked. Mal shook his head as he studied the readouts.
“None.” Mal looked up. CM3 stood under the weight with his shirt gone and electrodes attached to his chest. “You can go ahead and get dressed,” Mal said. CM3 carefully set the weight down and started pulling electrodes off.
“The most weight that thing can produce and he handles it like he’s nothing.” Karen shook her head in disbelief.
“I know,” Mal said. “You wanted to test him to find out the limits of his powers – well, we haven’t even come close to them.”
”Incredible,” Karen said. “Just incredible.”
In the locker room off the gym, CM3 slipped his shirt back on. He grabbed his head as the familiar pain returned. Before he could do anything, his hand balled into a fist and punched a crater into the floor. Finally the pain subsided and he simply knelt in the floor, sobbing.
BUMBLEBEE
Real Name: Karen Beecher
Eyes: Brown
Hair: Black
Known Relatives: Mal Duncan (husband)
Powers: Like Parker, Beecher’s powers are derived solely from her suit. It gives her the power of flight and enhanced vision and hearing. The armor is also equipped to fire paralyzing ‘stingers’ and streams of honey.
CAPTAIN MARVEL JR. (CM3)
Real Name: Freddy Freeman
Eyes: Blue
Hair: Black
Known Relatives: None
Powers: Enhanced strength and senses. Flight. It is unknown how he would match up in a battle against Captain Marvel himself.
Director Bones slowly exhaled a stream of smoke as he closed the folder. “Time for round two, kiddies,” he said as he snapped off the light.
The End...
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