Chapter 89

Chapter 89

Law PoV

Most of my projects were at a standstill.

The most productive one being the assassin that was currently being worked over by Zatanna. Unfortunately for that one my presence and actions did little to actually help. Leaving me to just fumble about uselessly while my trusty magician's assistant did all the work.

The information we’ve received has been pretty interesting, but the main problem was due to the assassins, or rather Cheshire’s, being mostly out of it during the questioning process. Thus, the questions that are asked are met with as short of an answer as she could give.

Whether this was a conscious decision or not I had no clue. Nor did it really even matter. As all it meant was that we had to be very specific in our wording and questions in order to get things out. The main important bits have already been found out, but I was a pretty greedy guy.

I wanted to wring out everything worthwhile before continuing with her…

Then there was that thing with Batgirl over in Gotham. Which while interesting, I didn’t really expect all that much out of it. Besides, there wasn’t anything I could do until she contacts me again. Something that will probably happen in the next month or three. Really it depended on how pressed Gotham was and what villains were active, as well as her own personality and feelings. Things that I couldn’t exactly control.

There was also Bedlam Institute, but the less said about that the better. Besides, it was going to take years upon years of work to see anything substantial coming out of there. Thankfully, that time might be cut down substantially with the help of Ravager.

It might be a bit risky, but it would help a great deal if she could help out.

Another project that I’ve recently begun to conduct research into is genetic alteration. The main idea of it sparked one day when I was watching Galatea spar with Starfire. How much stronger would we be if we were able to simply shift species?

Becoming a tamaranean, a kryptonian, or hell, even a martian would immediately change the game for pretty much everyone.

Though I was pretty damn quick to realize that actually genetically altering someone was fixed pretty damn firmly in the realm of science fiction. For me, at least. The technology I had available just wasn’t able to actually help in any significant manner.

But that didn’t exactly stop my research, as there was still one avenue available to me. Which was using my own ability to genetically alter myself on a biological level.

…It sounds so nice on paper, but in reality, it also wasn’t feasible. Even with such a unique ability that was almost fitted for the situation.

Let’s take it down a notch and imagine me using my ability in order to make my skin stronger. Instead of using chemical compounds that are produced immediately in my bloodstream, lets take a more physical approach. Ever since my accident with various chemicals and being able to produce the strange white like substance, my ability to actually produce objects has gone up tremendously.

From being able to produce only a bottle cap of solid material like a mint or a pill, I could now produce about several baseballs’ worth of material. Maybe something more if I really pushed myself. Unfortunately, this was pretty much worthless except to continue to fuel my crippling mint addiction, and produce perfect pills on the fly.

For example, let’s say I was about to get punched by some villain with enhanced strength. Like Bane or something. Could I make my body harder by producing metal or small stones inside of it?

Oh yeah, definitely. And the moment I intercept the blow said internal objects would immediately have a straight shot towards my inner organs. Likely killing me instantly.

Now let’s crank back up the example to the genetics of aliens again. What would happen if I tried to genetically alter myself into another species?

Well, it’d most likely work for the first few seconds, but because it wouldn’t be immediate, the human organs and parts of me would slowly be changed and removed. As I would still be part human during the process, I’d instantly die.

But let’s continue on and say that I had an extremely advanced chamber that was capable of life support of all essential organs…somehow. My ability, which was kind of the whole reason I would be able to do all of this, would eventually disappear due to no longer being human at a certain point.

And as that point would be between shifting between two species, I would immediately die. Or worse, be permanently put on life support until I was allowed to die.

My research then shifted to smaller genetic shifts. Such as an arm or leg. Turning my arm into a Kryptonians, while incredibly difficult, would actually be possible due to them being somewhat loosely related genetically on some level to humans.

However, once again, it came with a pretty heavy caveat. If my arm was a Kryptonians, then it wasn’t human. And if it wasn’t genetically human, then my ability would cease to work on it.

That didn’t just mean I couldn’t use my ability to control the blood flow and biological matter in it. That meant my ability to be used at all would be severely hampered due to not being able to regulate the blood and other material coursing through that arm.

And that was also completely disregarding how likely it was that I’d be able to graft a Kryptonian arm onto a human being. Even despite the biological differences, just punching a wall could see it completely push itself out of the shoulder due to the body just not being able to endure the pressure.

Thus, I was pretty much at a standstill in terms of actually progressing.

To compound my already stacked thoughts, we were suddenly getting a visit from the Justice League. It was something talked about ahead of time, but in that sort of ‘you don’t really have a choice in the matter’ sort of way. Something that annoyed me to no end.

It was a bit odd that the Justice League didn’t go through Batman into contacting me. Which is usually the case. Instead, this time they simply sent me a few texts ‘asking’ if it was a good time for them to visit. Not ‘if’ but ‘when’.

If the Justice League wasn’t more valuable as an ally, I’d have already taken several steps to further distance the Titans from them. Unfortunately, the ties between the Titans and the Justice League weren’t things that were easily cut. Especially due to some of the individual members being closely related.

And while I could be a dickhead, I wasn’t going to ask them to choose between the Titans and their families/mentors.

Thus, I played ball.

Out of everyone to appear out of the zeta tube, I’d have to say that they were definitely one of the last ones I’d expect to show up.

I couldn’t hide my surprise as Hawkgirl came out and looked about the place. Her wings seemed to move extremely minutely as she did so. There was a certain amount of satisfaction I took from being a bit taller than a League member. As I was a few inches taller than her, and a few more inches taller than Black Canary.

…That satisfaction would probably disappear whenever Galatea or Kori showed up, so I intended to ride it out for as long as possible.

Not that I was particularly against taller girls. If anything, I think I probably had a thing for them. What kind of man would pass up a woman with long legs?

Hawkgirl eventually stepped forward with an unmistakable air of confidence. One that it seemed just about every member of the Justice League had. To have that level of power would probably make anyone have a big head.

She extended her hand out, to which I intercepted.

“Lawrence, right?”

I made sure to hide my annoyance by simply giving her a neutral look. So she was starting off by using my real name, huh? Which meant she wanted to establish either a pecking order or she wanted to show that she held some measure of power over me.

Unfortunately for her, I didn’t much care about my public identity. The only thing I cared about was the other Titans finding out, but by this point we’ve been together for quite a while. I wasn’t going to say that it wouldn’t make things a bit awkward for a bit, but it wasn’t anything I couldn’t handle.

“Yes, but I prefer to go by Law. I’m guessing you’re Hawkgirl, correct?”

I stated before turning my gaze back to the zeta tube. A motion that she followed as she looked backwards as well.

“Does that mean Hawkman will be coming as well?”

Yeah, that’s right. I was a petty fucker. If someone needles me, then it was second nature to throw that shit right back.

Hawkgirl’s eyes noticeable narrowed underneath her mask as her grip strengthened. Harder, and harder with each passing second. It was noticeably painful, but it wasn’t anything I couldn’t handle.

After all, Galatea was stronger than this.

Eventually a smirk crossed her lips as she nodded her head. Releasing my hand before taking a step back.

“Nice to know the Titans have a backbone. So, are you going to show me around this place or what?”

I blinked, needing a few seconds in order to digest her words. When I thought of the members of the Justice League, I thought of charismatic powerhouses who could talk their way out of any situation. Mind games played constantly as if everything was a power move.

For her to just about outright admit she was testing me…I admit, that level of transparency caught me off guard.

Eventually I left the room with her and gave her a tour of the place. Showing her the kitchen, living room, gym, garage, and the floors where we sleep. In doing so I talked to her and find out that she was actually pretty straight forward.

“So, what brings you over to the Titans?”

“Oh, me and k-Hawkman were thinking about picking up a sidekick. Mentor them a bit, you know?”

Ah, and it was much easier to just poach from us than actually get off your ass and find your own. Makes sense.

…Oh yeah. I had actually forgotten, but Black Canary had said that the Hawks had been interested in taking me under their wing, didn’t she? …Metaphorically speaking.

I thought it was a bit weird then, and I still find it a bit odd now. Obviously Hawkgirl and Hawkman had their own little uh…theme going. I mean, I’m quite the catch don’t get me wrong, but why the hell would I interest them? I’d think someone who could actually fly would be a better choice, unless there’s some sort of way to give people wings that I don’t know about.

I didn't want to admit it, but it was probably just a spur of the moment thing. As they were here to find another sidekick.  

Hawkgirl met a few of the Titans as we went around the place. Beast Boy and Cyborg basically exchanged greetings with her, and it seemed that she wasn’t interested in actually having conversations with them. So, whatever she was looking for, they didn’t have.

…Interesting. And good to know.

Starfire and Ravager had been a different story. With Hawkgirl having a surprisingly long conversation with Kori while seeming to have a more friendly chat with Ravager.

Of course, Ravager just deciding to have a friendly chat with someone was more than slightly out character. Obviously, she was angling for something, and considering that Hawkgirl was a member of the Justice League, it wasn’t hard to guess what.

Still, it was surprising that Ravager’s blunt and grating personality actually seemed to resonate with Hawkgirl. Maybe they had more in common than I realized.

“So, I heard Aquaman went back to Atlantis a while ago.”

Subtle. Very subtle.

Still, I was also curious in the topic, so I made sure to closely observe Hawkgirl. The top half of her face was covered by her helmet, so she had a bit of a boost in disguising her reactions. She also seemed to be pretty good at it, as I almost didn’t catch the quick narrowing of her vision before it disappeared.

“Oh yeah, well, his son was born a few months ago, so…”

She trailed off, sounding a bit too nonchalant for my tastes. Obviously, Ravager picked up on something as she followed up.

“So, is that why he hasn’t been seen in public for months?”

Hmm? I hadn’t known about that. It makes sense for Ravager to have done her own research, considering Aquaman had been in charge of tracking Deathstroke down. But did it make sense for Aquaman to not having shown up in public for several months?

He could just be a good father, or something. I don’t really know a fucking thing about parenting, but I think that’s something parents do if they can afford it. Still, it wasn’t too strange that the king of Atlantis wouldn’t leave his kingdom. He was a king after all.

If anything, it was strange that he left in the first place to go up to the surface. I’d understand if the women down there were half fish, but Aqualad said differently. And if they were half as hot as he said they were, there really wasn’t a reason to leave.

That being said, comparing now to his previous actions, there was something a bit odd about it all. But it wasn’t anything I could say for certain due to just not knowing the guy.

“Yeah.”

A one-word answer from Hawkgirl. It showcased that she didn’t want to talk about this anymore with Ravager. Ravager also seemed to choose the wise choice of not bringing it up again or trying to continue to push.

It was probably due to a mixture of her understanding Hawkgirl’s reluctance, as well as not actually caring about Aquaman. She just wanted to know where the last place they saw Deathstroke, and work her way up from there.

Ravager left, and Hawkgirl continued to walk about the place. Attempting even try to go not only the Lab, but the energy core floor as well.

She of course stopped after being told those weren’t accessible to even most of the Titans, but even so it was a bit…odd. And for once I couldn’t quite put my finger on why.

Eventually we made our way back to the Zeta tube, just in time for Kid Flash and Artemis to return from a patrol. So I decided to tell Hawkgirl about it.

“Kid Flash and Artemis will be returning soon.”

“Oh? Is that so.”

She answered with a level of ambivalence, causing my eyes to narrow. She didn’t seem to care to meet them. Then again, they were already the Flash’s and Green Arrow’s sidekicks. So maybe they wouldn’t actually stoop so low as to poach from the other members of the Justice League.

It made sense, in a way...

Hawkgirl stretched and popped her neck. Her arms folding sideways as she did so. I raised an eyebrow but said nothing in response.

“So, are you as curious as that girl about Deathstroke?”

Ah, so she was able to see through that, was she? It was a bit surprising as I hadn’t expected for every Justice League member to be so well versed in the matters of the Titans, but obviously I was wrong about that.

The way she was phrasing that question…she was up to something.

“…And if I was?”

I commented, folding my arms and leaning against a wall with one leg up. Hawkgirl on the other hand kept stretching. This time bending down to touch her toes with her back facing me…

…What the hell…

Black Canary playfully teased and lightly flirted all the time, but that was because there was rapport there. Even without it that was just how she was personally.

This however felt completely different. Was Hawkgirl…trying to flirt with me or something? Wasn’t she like…at least twice my age? No, even before that, what about Hawkman?

Still, I couldn’t lie. Hawkgirl did have a nice ass.

“Well, that kind of information is kind of kept close to the chest, if you know what I mean.”

Hawkgirl finished stretching before turning back around with a small self-assured smirk. I had to keep from rolling my eyes at it. She was hot, sure, but she wasn’t on the level as some of the other Titans. Hell, she wasn’t even as hot as Wonder Woman or-

Oh, fuck. Was that it?

Did she feel a bit inferior due to the other ladies of the Justice League? Maybe caught her man staring a bit too long in their direction?

Hell, was she even looking for a sidekick, or just a booty call?

…I felt strangely flattered that I could’ve been Hawkgirl’s sidekick potentially so she could fuck me. Mostly weirded out, but flattered.

“Well, if it’s close to the chest then I guess there’s nothing we can do about it.”

And here it comes.

“…But I might be able to get that info for you, as a favor.”

“And what would you want in return?”

“Nothing much. I heard you can replicate some materials, and there just so happens to be some things I’d liked to see replicated.”

…Huh? What, like the shit I used to do when I was the Government’s guinea pig?

…Interesting. I had to admit, I was curious as to what exactly she wanted produced.

My eyes narrowed in amusement as Hawkgirl produced a small box off her belt. One that seemed to have about fifteen slots. Each with a different kind of material in it. I couldn’t really see what they were clearly, but I admit to being pretty damn interested in where this was going.

Considering she already had the box on her person…this wasn’t something that was spur of the moment. She had planned this. Just how much I had no clue, but at least some part of it was pre meditated.

“If you do this for me, I’ll make sure to get what you want…and maybe more.”

Hawkgirl said in a flirtatious tone. Using her fingers to walk up the center of my chest upwards.

Hmm, just what exactly did the Justice League want from me, exactly? Or was this just a personal thing for her? The overly flirtatious shit made it seem personal, but the whole trade thing for info seemed a bit too…planned out. Something tells me that Hawkgirl already has the information, which again points to the Justice League performing some sort of…hidden move.

Why? Was it some sort of test, and Hawkgirl was just giving it a personal touch? But how the fuck was the box the test? If Batman wanted me to replicate something he’d just fucking ask. He’s done it before.

Was the test if I’d go behind the Justice League’s back or something? But nothing like that had been said or implied. If anything, it felt more of the opposite. That Hawkgirl practically had the Justice League’s approval.

I don’t know. I just didn’t have enough pieces of the puzzle to make an accurate guess. But I was more than curious enough to keep playing for more.

“…Can’t say I’ve been able to replicate everything I get my hands on, but I’ll try.”

Hawkgirl shrugged before turning around. Her wings flexing slightly with a strange sheen coming off of them as she walked towards the zeta tube.

“That’s fine. If you can’t, you can’t.”

…So what matters wasn’t what’s in the box, but what I did? But that didn’t seem to make any sense…

“Well then, I guess I’ll see what I can do.”

Instead of answering, Hawkgirl simply waved without looking back and disappeared in the light of the zeta tube going off. My eyes narrowed as I opened the box and inspected what’s inside. Some sort of powdery substance, rocks, stones, normal looking objects. Nothing really stood out except…

Was that…

A feather?

…Was she molting or something?