Chapter 54

Law PoV

Galatea’s been…happy. While this was in fact a good thing, it was also just a bit off putting. Previously she had been constantly working out and walking around with a neutral expression. Now? She was flying around with a massive grin on her face and working out like there was no tomorrow.

We had to order new machines into the gym because nothing was really pushing her anymore. Of course, I paid for that one out of pocket. For the sole reason that I didn’t want the Justice League to know of Galatea’s condition just yet.

I wasn’t quite sure how they’d react or interfere, and personally I’d like to keep it that way. At least until I had a few cards up my sleeve. Galatea felt much the same, if not more so. Her distrust of the Justice League went rather deep.

Actually, I don’t think she trusts much of anything really.

A few of the Titans noticed her new behavior and remarked on it, though Galatea was usually purposely vague about her newfound vigor. It helped that she wasn’t particularly social with the rest of the Titans, so they didn’t really care all that much.

Kind of like Raven.

During the lull in the mission we were given, I was mostly experimenting with the organ salvaged from Galatea. Or rather, the remains of it. For simplicity’s sake, I’ve started to call it GMO. Which stood for Galatea’s Missing Organ.

Despite doing little else but tinkering with it, nothing of note has really popped up. The tree sap predictably failed in rejuvenating or restarting it. I still had my work with splicing animal cells known for regeneration but that was still mostly theoretical.

And I didn’t exactly have a tested method in which to actually do that…

Still. As long as I continue to work on this path, I’m sure that I will make progress.

Eventually.

Meanwhile the current mission has still been taken over by the Justice League. On some level, at least. After Aquaman personally came down to the Tower himself, I had expected some of the others to at least make an appearance.

But as far as I’m aware, they hadn’t. Not only that, but Aquaman hadn’t seemed all that interested in talking to Robin. They’ve talked a few times, but it didn’t even seem all that important.

The only thing that seemed important to him was Aqualad’s condition. Which has steadily been recovering, though at a rate that was much slower than I expected. Perhaps my reliance and familiarity with the tree sap is causing me to forget what healing without it is like.

I had applied some to him initially, it’s just that now he’s been taken out of my care he hasn’t been getting constant doses of it. And considering the amount of blood loss he went through; I doubt much of it even remains in his system.

After a few days, Aquaman finally addressed the entire Titans. Telling us his plan, as well as our parts to play in it. It was pretty obvious that no one seemed particularly happy about this development.

It was nice to see the Justice League offering a hand and being concerned, it was another for them to simply step in and take the reins. A fact that didn’t sit quite well with the other members of the Titans.

It also didn’t help matters that this was Aquaman of all people. Superman could command authority no matter where he went due to his sheer power. Batman’s presence wouldn’t brook any arguments. Wonder Woman was…Wonder Woman. Black Canary already had an established relationship with all of us.

But Aquaman?

The only direct connection he had to the Titans was Aqualad. Who was currently recuperating on the medical floor. Not to mention the vast majority of his work was underwater. Of which there was little to no news of.

To be quite honest, I wasn’t even sure what all he could even do.

So it was inevitable that someone would eventually crack and showcase their feelings on the matter.

“Uh huh…and why should we listen to you, again?”

Galatea asked, crossing her arms in a condescending manner. Despite agreeing with her, I still felt a small bit of pity for Aquaman. Out of everyone who could voice their displeasure, she was the only option that wasn’t easy to deal with.

Against anyone else he could use his stature, showcase a level of strength or status, or perhaps win them over with words. Galatea on the other hand was not so easy to deal with.

She already had a low opinion of the Justice League, and I doubt she gave a single shit about Atlantis. Honestly, I don’t even know if she knew where it was. When it came to strength and power…well, while I was confident that most members of the Justice League could defeat me in a one-on-one fight, it was an entirely different story with her.

I could only see two members capable of even putting up a fight, and only one who could beat her. Unfortunately for Aquaman, he was not on that list.

His eyes narrowed slightly at Galatea. He paused a bit to think of a response…and the pause continued to expand. Past the point that anyone could be reasonably comfortable with.

Was…Aquaman not good at talking to others or something? I would have thought that to be a skill that was practically a requirement for someone who claims the title of a king.

Apparently not.

It took several agonizing long moments for him to finally find his words.

“Because it is in your best interests. Especially after what happened with Aqualad. Do you really think it wise to continue on as you were?”

Eh, it was an…alright point. He could definitely have done better. Especially with the amount of time he was given.

“And do you honestly think you can do any better? Have you even led the Justice League into a mission before?”

He frowned at that. What seemed like genuine anger welled up behind his eyes. Galatea seemed to have touched a nerve. The anger there was small, but still quite poignant. It took him several seconds in order to hide it.

Inability to hide anger? Yet another point against him in the whole ‘being a king’ deal. I never had any sort of doubt as to his claims as king of an underwater nation, but after today…

“…If you do not wish to follow my orders, you are free to leave.”

Which is what she immediately did without a second thought.

Hmm…on first impression, I thought that perhaps that was one of the worst things he could’ve said. However, now that I’m giving it more thought, that might have been the right call. Convincing Galatea of anything is no mean feat.

Hell, I was only able to do so because of her complete lack of knowledge of the outside world and anything non-Cadmus related. Now that she’s adapted though…

Even still, allowing Galatea to leave without a fight was a plan that heavily relied on him convincing us after the fact. Already the other Titans were looking at each other and showing some clear doubts about his leadership.

He may have thought that just because we were younger, that we would be easier to lead. That was not the case. It was also even more unfortunate that the reason he was here, Aqualad, wasn’t here to help talk him up.

Unfortunate for him, at least.

“I understand that this is an unusual situation for all of you. It is much the same for me, but we all want the same thing. Justice for Aqualad.”

He looked around the Titans before nodding at what he saw.

“It is alright if you have misgivings about me being here. I don’t plan to overstay my welcome, and I will immediately leave after this mission. I’m not here because the Justice League thinks that the Titans can’t do this. I’m here because I want Deathstroke to answer for what he did. Personally.”

Hmm…not bad. 6/10. Could use some work, and was just a bit too emotionally charged for my liking. Of course, in a real scenario this wouldn’t have moved me, much less anyone unrelated. Thankfully for Aquaman, he was talking to some of the most emotionally charged and morally upgright to a violent degree heroes.

Which meant he got a few nods of approval or agreement. Surprisingly though, a good chunk of the Titans didn’t react to his words. Or at least showcase where they stood on this issue.

I had expected a few more Titans to simply just fall in line after a few words. Perhaps I had misjudged them…or perhaps they have started to grow.

“…He’s right. I think we can put our faith in Aquaman just this once.”

Robin spoke up in Aquaman’s defense. Which was definitely another big swing in his corner. Robin’s word meant a lot in the Tower.

Which is why it was rather surprising that he would be defending Aquaman. Ah, I see what happened. Robin likely blames himself for what happened to Aqualad, and was passing leadership over to Aquaman. Who he views as more capable.

Honestly…this kind of sacrificial mindset…

“He speaks! That’s surprising, cause you know, you haven’t been doing a whole lot of that. At all.”

Kid Flash spoke up, getting a few nods on his side.

“So, are you just going to go back to your room after this or…?”

Beast Boy questioned in what was one part vindictive, and the other part an almost genuine question. How surprising. I hadn’t thought that-

“…As much as I hate to say this, Beast Boy asked a good question.”

“Hey!”

Huh. Even Raven was siding against Robin now. Had the tensions between Robin and the others gotten to this level without me noticing? Or perhaps are they just airing their frustrations?

Either way, I needed to speak up.

“Let’s cut Robin some slack. He’s been quiet for a bit, but that’s not a crime. He’s also the one who does the most for the Tower and has been keeping up with his duties.”

He hasn’t been, but that was alright. None of the other Titans knew about that, and now that I said it, Robin will probably start doing them again. A win/win in my book.

Most of the Titans seemed to be swayed by my words or were giving a neutral look, like Raven. I wasn’t sure if-ah, fuck. I forgot that I had scheduled Robin and her to wash the windows of the Tower, and I had to cover for him.

Well, it doesn’t seem like she’s going to say anything.

“So, let’s show some support for our leader.”

At that everyone started to nod. Even Kid Flash and Beast Boy who had spoken up earlier. To be fair, they probably didn’t say what they said out of any sort of malice, and might already be feeling a bit guilty over what they’ve said.

I mean, this was Robin they were talking about. He was many things, but a bad leader wasn’t one of them. The fact that he’s built this team and has kept everyone united is proof of that.

He had been taken by surprise at the pushback he had been given, but was now much calmer after I spoke up. Giving me a small nod of thanks before turning back to Aquaman.

Now that we had come to a consensus, we could continue on.

Aquaman and Robin began to detail the next stage of our plan. The parts each of us played in it, and how we would be taking Deathstroke by surprise. Now that there weren’t any convoys or extra people in the way, the likelihood of leaked intel drastically lowered.

It definitely was gearing up to be a quick end to Deathstroke.