The New Titans #24
“Nation of Enemies”

By JackofHearts2005 with Lightshear



“Why didn’t you tell me?” Beast Boy asked.

“Tell you what?”

“That my par-- that Rita was alive! That Steve was back! I mean, I know I left the Doom Patrol but I’m still a part of this team aren’t I? I had a right to know.”

“Of course you did, kid.” Robotman patted the younger man’s shoulder. “We weren’t sure though. I mean, a woman gets blown up and regrown from a chunk of her body, how were we supposed to know what kind of effect that would have on her memory, on her mental health. I didn’t want to call you and Steve only to have you come home to someone who only looks like the woman you cared about. I couldn’t do that to you.”

Both men stood there for a while without saying a word.

“So…does she remember us?”

“I guess you’ll just have to ask her yourself,” Cliff said with a wink. “After we get done kicking the Brotherhood’s butts into next week.”

“We?”

“You didn’t think I was gonna sit this one out did ya? Mento’s in no condition to go, but I’m not about to leave the fate of my team to a bunch of kids.” Cliff punched his friend on the shoulder lightly.

“Now come on, before you get left behind.”

Gar grinned.
________________________________________

Zandia was not a nice place. The island nation had been founded by a group of villains who had aptly enough called themselves the Injustice League. Most of the group were big named villains who quickly tired of running the country in their spare time instead of fighting their respective enemies and of being on an island in the middle of the Mediterranean, historically further from anything that they wanted to steal or destroy than their usual bases. Still, the system of laws they put in place - which granted criminals sanctuary from the foreign law enforcement agencies - had attracted plenty of people to take their place.

Sneaking onto the island was simple enough with Raven back on the team. The trick was blending in with the locals and finding the Brotherhood. No matter how they dressed her up, Starfire would be too obvious. It wouldn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out who she was, especially if she was standing next to the rest of them. Robotman had the same problem.

“I don’t like this,” she said with a scowl. “You’ll be walking alongside hundreds of evil people. I’m the most powerful and you’re leaving me behind. This is a bad idea.”

“You’re just going to have to trust me, Kory,” Nightwing said, giving her a quick kiss before putting on his mask. It was a red and completely covered his head. He could see out of it but nobody could see in. He wore jeans and an undershirt with a black leather jacket over it. It looked like something a bad super villain would wear. “When we find the Brotherhood or if we get into trouble, we’ll call you.”

Trying to ignore Starfire’s protests, Dick joined the others. Arsenal had cut off most of his hair and had traded in his usual costume for a black jacket over a red and black Kevlar vest. His bow had been left with the arrow plane at Steve’s Mansion. Instead, he packed a pair of oversized pistols that he had taken with him when he had left Checkmate. Cyborg’s new look was slightly more complicated. With twenty minutes in the workshop, he had managed to cover up all of his human parts with more metal. In place of his usual sleek design, he had added spikes and had activated all his weapons so that instead of looking like a friendly neighborhood Cyborg, he looked like something out of Terminator only more so. Raven remained oddly unchanged. She wore a green dress instead of her robes. Her head was usually covered during battle and it was widely unknown that she had rejoined the team so there was little chance of her being recognized.

Beast Boy tried to give Starfire a kiss goodbye as well but she gave him a dirty look. He grinned goofily and turned into a fly to perch on Cyborg’s head. The five of them left Starfire and Robotman in the alleyway, hoping their disguises would be good enough.

“So where are we going?” Cyborg asked, his voice modified to sound like a cross between Darth Vader and Megatron. Before anyone could answer, a voice came from behind.

“Harper!”

Don’t react, Arsenal thought. Just keep walking. You aren’t Roy Harper here. This guy just made a mistake.

“Hey! Didn’t you hear me?” the voice said. “I'm talking to you, Harper.”

Arsenal had always been taught to wait for the opportune moment to do anything. If his years as Speedy had taught him nothing else, it was that getting off the first shot was useless if he didn’t get off the right shot. That being said, this guy obviously knew who he was and he wasn’t going to get a better shot than right now.

He turned around, instantly bringing both of his pistols to bear on whoever it was that had recognized him. The man had jet black hair that was styled so that it pointed up in the back on either side, almost like horns. His chin sported a pointy goatee. With a top hat, some rope and train tracks, he would have looked like a stereotypical villain from an old cartoon, but instead he wore black fatigues. A black bow and quiver were attached to the man’s back. Even the fletching on his arrows was black.

“Merlyn!”

“I think you should put your popguns away, kid, before one of us does something we’ll both regret.”

Vic put his arm on Roy’s shoulder. Grudgingly, Roy holstered his firearms.

“I’d say something nasty to you, Harper, but I really just like watching you squirm. What brings you and the rest of the Tee-Squad to Zandia?”

“That’s really none of your business,” Arsenal responded, his disgust for the other archer apparent in his tone.

“On the contrary, it is my business. I’ve got half a mind to kill you right now. However,” the villain added with a smile, “if I was going to let you off the hook, it certainly wouldn’t be without knowing what you’re up to. It wouldn’t be in my best interest. You understand.”

The Titans looked at each other.

“We need to find the Brotherhood,” Nightwing said at last.

“Well that is interesting,” Merlyn considered this for a moment. “What’s it worth to you? Whatever you need to find them for must have been important for you to come here. Probably imperative that you get to them soon, isn’t it?”

Merlyn leaned in close and whispered to them. “And of course you don’t want to be here long enough that someone recognizes you. Nothing against your 80's punker reject costumes, but come on - really? I spotted you in two seconds, and I wasn't trying.”

“A favor,” Nightwing said. “You’re doing us a favor by letting us know where the Brotherhood is and being discreet about it. We’ll owe you a favor - a get out of jail free card.”

Dick put out his hand. Merlyn took it. The deal was made.
________________________________________

“I can’t believe you made a deal with this f#####,” Arsenal whispered.

“We didn’t have much of a choice now, did we?” Nightwing answered. The group had reunited with their friends and lost their disguises. They stood on the roof of what was supposed to be the Brain’s laboratory…if Merlyn had been telling the truth.

“If Hawk were here, he’d say that he sure as hell wouldn’t go easy on Merlyn if he ever saw him again. I bet Kory feels the same.”

“If Hawk were here, he’d have slugged Merlyn in the face and made a run for it. Kory…I don’t know.” He looked over his shoulder to where the rest of the team was gathering and tried to read Starfire's expression. Had he made a mistake?

“Well I don’t like it.”

The team looked down through the skylight. Merlyn had been telling the truth. Mallah and the Brain had just entered the lab. Beast Boy recognized the others. There was a sound of breaking glass and a green elephant fell from the sky. Robotman’s metal form landed right next to him.

“No! How did you get here?” a voice came from the Brain’s microphone.

“We used the window, pinky,” Beast Boy joked, preparing to charge. “Weren’t you paying attention?”

“You’re going down, Brain,” Robotman yelled.

“Silence! Botherhood, kill them!”
________________________________________


The Titans:

Nightwing (R Cr Robin) - 35
Arsenal (R Leg Speedy) - 28
E Icn Starfire - 77
R HT Beast Boy* - 31
R Icn Raven - 54
R Robotman - 46

* w/ Camouflage - 8

Total: 279

Vs.

The Brotherhood:

V Monsieur Mallah & The Brain - 138
Plasmus (E Metamorpho) - 70
Phobia (E Icn Scarecrow) - 45
Warp (V Vanisher*) - 25

* w/ Transport ability

Total: 278

Map: Mechanical Offices

Scenario Rules:

à Warp is a transporter.

Yay for new issues!

init: 1,2 = 3
obj: 6,6 = 12

I'd really like to take this one on if that's alright.

Initiative: 5+1=6
Objects: 1+3=4

So i choose sides.... Let's see..... scanning the story quickly, it seems like starting on the 'right' (columns 23 and 24 according to Peers' utility) makes most sense. :-)

Cool. We'll crash through the roof on the left.

The Titans:

1) Nightwing (R Cr Robin) F2
2) Arsenal (R Leg Speedy) J2
3) E Icn Starfire G2
4) R HT Beast Boy* D2
5) R Icn Raven I2
6) R Robotman E2

* w/ Camouflage - 8

Total: 279

HO: A7, A11
LO: E14

http://www.ianparmenter.com/hcutils/...6p1=x-892y-211

Nightwing

Arsenal


Beast Boy w/camo = no ranged combat attacks against him while he's next to a wall/blocking terrain when he has shape change




VS


Plasmus

Phobia

Warp

aren't you too close to the top? starting areas are four squares in from the edges, n'est-ce pas?

How sloppy of me. Fixed now.

set-up


The Brotherhood:
V Monsieur Mallah & The Brain - H23
Plasmus (E Metamorpho) - I23
Phobia (E Icn Scarecrow) - F23
Warp (V Vanisher*) - G23

* w/ Transport ability



The Titans:
1) Nightwing (R Cr Robin) F2
2) Arsenal (R Leg Speedy) J2
3) E Icn Starfire G2
4) R HT Beast Boy* D2
5) R Icn Raven I2
6) R Robotman E2

* w/ Camouflage - 8


HOs: A7, A11, T7
LOs: E14, K18, Q11

http://www.ianparmenter.com/hcutils/...4p2=x-170y-214

Brotherhood turn 1a

- Plasmus / Metamorpho moves to J18.
- Warp/Vanisher grabs Phobia/Scarecrow and moves to F18, placing Phobia/Scarecrow in E19.



The Brotherhood:
V Monsieur Mallah & The Brain - H23
Plasmus (E Metamorpho) - J18 @
Phobia (E Icn Scarecrow) - E19
Warp (V Vanisher*) - F18 @

* w/ Transport ability



The Titans:
1) Nightwing (R Cr Robin) F2
2) Arsenal (R Leg Speedy) J2
3) E Icn Starfire G2
4) R HT Beast Boy* D2
5) R Icn Raven I2
6) R Robotman E2

* w/ Camouflage - 8


HOs: A7, A11, T7
LOs: E14, K18, Q11

http://www.ianparmenter.com/hcutils/...&t2=x-219y-194

( sorry for the delay, Jack; i drove nearly two hours to Madison to spend almost four hours in the university library there on some research... i'm extremely knackered... i put the Brotherhood first only because i have first move... more narratives to come; i need to re-read the short Wikipedia entries on these villains... )

It's cool.


Titans 1b

Free) "Titans Together!" Nightwing's leadership is a 6, extra action.

1) Starfire takes Nightwing by the hand and flies to C11, putting Nightwing down at D12.

2) Beast Boy to A-8. Turns into a snake to confuse the Brotherhood (camo).

3) Robotman to C-9. Picks up a chunk of lab equipment at A7 along the way.

4) Arsenal unholsters his guns and runs to K-8.

The Brotherhood:
V Monsieur Mallah & The Brain - H23
Plasmus (E Metamorpho) - J18 @
Phobia (E Icn Scarecrow) - E19
Warp (V Vanisher*) - F18 @

* w/ Transport ability



The Titans:
1) Nightwing (R Cr Robin) D12
2) Arsenal (R Leg Speedy) K8@
3) E Icn Starfire C11@
4) R HT Beast Boy* A8@
5) R Icn Raven I2
6) R Robotman C9 w/HO@

* w/ Camouflage - 8


HOs: Robotman, A11, T7
LOs: E14, K18, Q11

http://www.ianparmenter.com/hcutils/...&t2=x-219y-194

Brotherhood turn 2a

"Nein," Plasmus said angrily. "Das ist genug." He continued his rush at the heroes, and soon Nightwing could feel the dangerous heat emanating from his molten body.

Monsieur Mallah leapt into position wielding his machine gun. "You are bold to come here and interrupt our project," the ape said, "mais you cannot stop us." Phobia then responded to the ape's gestured order, stepping in front of him and the Brain.



- Plasmus/Metamorpho use the Outsiders TA on Robotman.
- Plasmus/Metamorpho pushes and movse to E12. Plasmus/Metamorpho takes 1 pushing damage.
- M Mallah & the Brain move to C17 and use Outwit to counter Starfire's Running Shot.
- Phobia/Scarecrow moves to C16.




The Brotherhood:
V Monsieur Mallah & The Brain - C17 @
Plasmus (E Metamorpho) - (6/7) J18 @@
Phobia (E Icn Scarecrow) - C16 @
Warp (V Vanisher*) - F18
* w/ Transport ability

vs

The Titans:
1) Nightwing (R Cr Robin) D12
2) Arsenal (R Leg Speedy) K8@
3) E Icn Starfire C11@
4) R HT Beast Boy* A8@
5) R Icn Raven I2
6) R Robotman C9 w/HO@

* w/ Camouflage - 8


HOs: Robotman, A11, T7
LOs: E14, K18, Q11

http://www.ianparmenter.com/hcutils/...&u4=x-561y-465

Titans 2b

"Starfire and Beast Boy, down the middle. Raven, get behind Robotman. Arsenal, we need some cover fire!"

Free) Nightwing's leadership is a 5. Extra action.

1) Raven teleports to E-9.

2) Starfire flies to A-15, shooting starbolts at Mallah (needs a 7, gets a 6. Raven's pc is a 5. ) but the agile ape dodges.

3) Careful not to touch Plasmus, Nightwing does a flip to D-16.

4) Beast Boy to A10.

The Brotherhood:
V Monsieur Mallah & The Brain - C17 @
Plasmus (E Metamorpho) - (6/7) J18 @@
Phobia (E Icn Scarecrow) - C16 @
Warp (V Vanisher*) - F18
* w/ Transport ability

vs

The Titans:
1) Nightwing (R Cr Robin) (5/5) D16@
2) Arsenal (R Leg Speedy) (5/5) K8
3) E Icn Starfire (6/7) A15@@
4) R HT Beast Boy* (4/5) A10@@
5) R Icn Raven (5/5) E9@
6) R Robotman (5/5) C9 w/HO

* w/ Camouflage - 8

http://www.ianparmenter.com/hcutils/...t10=x-628y-472

ummm, the Brain countered Starfire's Running Shot with Outwit... I presume much of your turn was predicated on that, so you'll probably want to re-do it (even though it would be more advantageous for me to accept Starfire's push and miss... )

Uh...yeah, it kinda did. Geez, I suck.

Try again.

Titans 2b take 2

"Raven, Robotman! Follow my lead!"

Free) Nightwing gets a 6 for leadership.

1) Raven teleports to E-9.

2) Nightwing turns off stealth and tosses an explosive charge into Plasmus. Shape change is a 4. Needs a 7, gets a 9. 1 to Plasmus after toughness.

Free) Nightwing turns stealth back on.

3) Robotman pushes to throw the lab equipment at Plasmus. Shape change is a 4. Needs an 8, gets a 6. Raven pcs it into a 5 and the machine melts harmlessly on contact.

4) Starfire picks up Nightwing and flies to A-7, placing Nightwing at B-8.

The Brotherhood:
V Monsieur Mallah & The Brain - C17 @
Plasmus (E Metamorpho) - (5/7) J18 @@
Phobia (E Icn Scarecrow) - C16 @
Warp (V Vanisher*) - F18
* w/ Transport ability

vs

The Titans:
[1] 1) Nightwing (R Cr Robin) (5/5) B8@
2) Arsenal (R Leg Speedy) (5/5) K8
3) E Icn Starfire (6/7) A7@@
4) R HT Beast Boy* (5/5) A8
5) R Icn Raven (5/5) E9@
6) R Robotman (4/5) C9@@

* w/ Camouflage - 8

HOs: A11, T7
LOs: E14, K18, Q11

http://www.ianparmenter.com/hcutils/...y-478&u2=x-1y0

Brotherhood turn 3a

"Tres bien," said Warp. "They are tiring quickly." Then, turning to Monsieur Mallah and the Brain, the Frenchman added, "Do not worry, these enfants will not come near your experiment." In a flash, Warp flew across the room in an attempt to attack Arsenal. Having missed the archer, however, Warp pulled back to his colleagues.


- Warp/Vanisher uses the Move and Attack Ability (granted him by the editor), moves to J9 and attacks Arsenal/Speedy > 8 -2 vs DV15 > roll: 6+1=7 MISS. Warp continues his move to F11.


The Brotherhood:
V Monsieur Mallah & The Brain - C17
Plasmus (E Metamorpho) - (5/7) J18
Phobia (E Icn Scarecrow) - C16
Warp (V Vanisher*) - F11 @
* w/ Transport ability

vs

The Titans:
[1] 1) Nightwing (R Cr Robin) (5/5) B8@
2) Arsenal (R Leg Speedy) (5/5) K8
3) E Icn Starfire (6/7) A7@@
4) R HT Beast Boy* (5/5) A8
5) R Icn Raven (5/5) E9@
6) R Robotman (4/5) C9@@
* w/ Camouflage - 8

HOs: A11, T7
LOs: E14, K18, Q11

http://www.ianparmenter.com/hcutils/...y-310&u2=x-1y0