JLU 2001 Fanfiction - Outsiders #5

London, England, 2 years ago;

"You just don't give up do you, little Sis," said Manchester.

"No, I don't," said Vera. "I think you should really consider leaving the team."

"And what would that accomplish?" he asked, leaning against a tree outside of the Elite's headquarters. "We have done a lot of good for our country, even if the damn politicos don't like it."

A cool breeze blew past them, and Vera lowered her head. Manchester stood upright, and walked toward her, placing a hand on her shoulder; beneath the elbows of both arms she was missing her hands, forearms, and wrists.

"I know you worry about me, Sis," he said, squeezing her shoulder gently "but I am a big man, and I won't let anything happen to me, or especially you."

"At least let me join you then, Manny," she said, "let me have the bionic amplifica--"

"NO!" he said, and he saw the look on her face, which made him feel like a heel. "I mean - I just don't want you involved in this kind of danger."

"But I want to be close to you; you're my brother for Christ's sake!" she said, as tears began to well in her eyes. "Can't I become a part of your world? I have no one else."

Manchester hugged her, and as she wept. He sensed a presence nearby. He expanded his telepathic senses, but just as quickly the presence vanished. Vera noticed that he was tensing up, and looked at him.

"Is something th' matter?"

"No, everything is fine," he said, flashing her a warm smile. "Let's go get a stiff drink, you’re old enough now."

"I'm 26, Manny. I've been old enough for quite a while," she said, and then giggled.

"That you are," said Manchester; he cast a glance over his shoulder to see if anyone was following them, but no one was there.

Taking You Outside Your Little Box...

Outsiders

'Breakout!'

Part 1 of 2

OUTSIDERS #5
August, Year Six

by Mick Edwards


NIGHTWING	BLACK LIGHTNING	KATANA	Vera Black	SHIFT	MANCHESTER BLACK

The Pequod, Soaring Over The Atlantic;

Tatsu was sitting on her bed looking at the pictures of her children, and her husband when Jefferson walked in.

"Oh, I'm sorry," he said, "I didn't know you were busy."

"It is nothing," she said, as she put the pictures away. "What is it that you need?"

Jefferson paused as he thought he saw a tear streaming down her cheek, but when she looked at him; her face had become stoic.

"I was wondering what you think so far of our team?" he asked.

Tatsu's eyes narrowed. "So far I am impressed enough with Nightwing's leadership, but--"

"--but what?"

"I think there is something about Rufus that seems familiar..."

Jefferson rubbed his bald head. "So I'm not the only one to notice it?"

"No," she said, "he doesn't act like Rex, but it feels like Rex is with us."

"I know what you mean," said Jefferson, "and I have been thinking about what he said of his powers. I wonder if it has any connection to the Orb of Ra?"

"We will not know for now, but perhaps a proper moment will come to address it."

"I agree with you there," he said, pursing his lips as he considered his next train of thought. "How are you doing otherwise?"

"Fine, you?"

"I'm doing okay," said Jefferson. "My teaching schedule has been hectic, but I am confident I am making a difference."

"That is good."

"Look, I know you and I were not very close even when we were members of the original team, but if you need to talk, or anything; I'm in the next room across the hall."

Tatsu bowed. " I appreciate the offer, Jefferson; right now I must begin my routines."

"I'll leave you be then."

After Jefferson left, Tatsu lowered her head, then grabbed her gym bag and headed to the gym.

Rufus stood before Manchester shifting the molecules of the sapphire that he had "borrowed" from a case that involved jewel thieves and Qrai's sapphire mine.

"Well, what can you tell me?" asked Manchester.

"These are no ordinary sapphires," said Rufus. "They’re some kind of radioactive mineral."

"How do you know this?"

"I can detect the radiation by sampling the minerals, and letting my body break down the elemental compounds contained within."

"Interesting," he said. "You’d have been a great asset to the Elite, mate."

"Thanks, I think."

"I have to ask you something, Rufus," said Manchester.

"What?" he said, as he took a seat at the round table.

"I was wondering what do you know about Rex Mason; Metamorpho."

"Not much, except that I feel like..."

"You know him?" asked Manchester.

"Yeah..."

"Have you ever wondered why?"

Rufus shrugged. "It has bothered me at times."

"What if I told you that, that in a way you are Rex Mason."

"WHAT?"

"Just hear me out," said Manchester, as he motioned for him to calm down. "As a psionic I can bloody see every telepathic signature of every being that lives except for those that don't. Right now I see two when I look at you."

"But, why?"

"Beats me, but if I had to guess; it has something to do with the elemental radiance that you give off," he said. "You’re like a giant bug zapper drawing all of its next victims."

"I don't know what you are blabbing about," said Rufus as he palmed his face. "This just sounds like some kind of counter culture mind mixer."

"No, man," said Manchester, "it's simple; what I am saying is that with your psionic potential, you're more in harmony with the elements then anyone of us. That's why they bend to your will. How do you think Holland or Hawkins can do the things they do?"

"Who and who?" asked Rufus, as he looked up at Manchester.

"Nevermind them, just… just think about what I said."

"Right..."

Rufus got up and walked out of the room, while Manchester eased back in his chair to think.

Dick looked through files of reported criminal and terrorist activity across the globe. Each one was prioritized for their potential intervention level. When he shut off the monitor, he looked up and saw Tatsu standing in the doorway with a sad look on her face.

"Would you like to spar with me?"

"Um," he said, and then looked around his room. "Sure, why not."

"I'll be in the gym, see you there," said Tatsu.

"Okay," he said, as he got up to get his training attire.

After changing clothes, he headed to the gym where he found Tatsu performing some stretches. He found himself a spot and started loosening up his muscles as well.

"So, is there anything particular you want to talk about?" asked Dick.

"What makes you think I want to talk about anything?"

"The look on your face," he said, "you looked like you needed some one to talk to."

"And why would I talk to you, Richard-san. You are eight years my junior."

"Because; well, all the girls find me easy to talk to," he said.

She nodded, and tied her hair back, "if you want to hear what is bothering me, beat me in a spar."

"Okay, sounds simple enough."

"Really?" she asked, with a devilish smirk forming on her face. "You are no Batman, just a little Robin."

"That was seven years ago," he said. "I'm Nightwing now."

Tatsu charged forward with her arm pulled back for an open palm strike, but Dick caught her with a flying leg scissors, and pinned her to the ground. She started to reach for his ball sack, but he grabbed her wrist, and pulled back causing her to groan in pain. Using her free hand, she placed it under his left leg and managed to pry herself free, and with that freedom she flipped over Dick, and pulled him to his feet before tossing him on his back. She then waited a moment for him to get back to his feet.

"You are good. Much better than I had heard; but, I wonder if you are as good as your mentor."

Dick swiped back his bangs, and smiled. "I think I'm getting there, but I'm not trying to be him."

The two continued their engagement this time with Dick making the opening offensive. His axe kick came down toward her shoulder, but she caught it and nailed him in the sack so hard that he lost his breath. Then she maneuvered him with a headlock takedown onto the floor where she applied a sleeper hold with leg scissors.

"I don't think," said Tatsu, "that your mentor would think very much of that mistake you made."

"You're right," he said, through a desperate gasp for air. "He would scold me for such a rookie mistake."

With that said, Dick pulled Tatsu's lithe arms from his throat, and head butted her twice until she let go. He then rolled away, so that he could regain his breath. Tatsu checked her nose to make sure it wasn't bleeding, and then looked at him with admiration.

"That was an impressive recovery, but you knew I could not hold you for long," she said.

"Yeah, but I had to give you an ego boost," he said, and then smiled.

She leaned up on her knees and then bowed to him. "This was most insightful."

"Good, now maybe we can talk," he said.

Tatsu looked away for moment then nodded, and they began talking.

Vera cracked her knuckles, and eyed the barred window with smile on her face. It would be easy enough for her to tear it loose, but several guards would be awaiting outside before she could get far. Despite her bionic amplification; she was not bullet proof. So, she waited, and waited until the astral form of her brother appeared.

"Hey, Sis."

"Go away," she said, "I don't want to be bothered."

"Just listen, k."

She perked her ears and sat up as the astral form of her brother floated above the floor in an Indian style position.

"Go ahead," she said.

"Look, I have a plan to get you out, but you must be ready."

"What's the plan?"

"I can't tell you," he said.

"Why not?"

"Because my plan calls for surprise, and I don't want to put you in any unnecessary risk."

"To hell with that."

"Vera," he said, and floated over to her. "I don't want you to get hurt."

"You should have thought of that when you joined the Elysia foundation."

Manchester closed his eyes, and then he opened them. "Just be ready."

When he vanished Vera grabbed her pillow and buried her face in it.

Rufus sat in the observatory looking at the stars. His mind wandered as he considered what Manchester had said, and then Jefferson entered wearing his Black Lightning uniform.

"Hey man, didn't you hear the summons?" he asked.

"What summons?" asked Rufus.

"Manchester wants us in the war room. He has a mission he thinks we'll be interested in."

"Well, it better be good," he said, as he followed Jefferson out of the observatory.

Both Dick and Tatsu stood up; she had her eyes lowered, and a sad look her face. Dick walked over and wrapped his arms around her.

"I'm sorry, Tatsu."

She began to cry, and he rubbed her back until he felt Manchester in his head.

Hello, mate. Splunking with China Doll I see.

Fuck you, Black.

Temper, temper. I got a mission for ya. I think you should come take a look.

This better not be a waste of time, Black. There are other crimes we could be looking into.

Trust me, you'll love this.

I and Tatsu will be right there.

Dick lightly pushed Tatsu off his shoulder, and looked her in the eyes.

"We gotta go, we'll talk later."

"Okay," she said, wiping away any trace of the emotion on her face.

The two grabbed their bags, and went to their rooms to get cleaned up, and after that they walked to the war room in costume to see what Manchester wanted. At the head of the conference table, Manchester had a hologram of a prison up, and a smile was on his face.

"What is this about?" asked Tatsu.

"Oh, it's about games people play, China Doll; I think you guys will love this," he said.

"Get on with it, Black."

"All right then," he said, as he called up the file of his sister. "Have you ever heard of Sister Superior?"

"No," said Jefferson.

"Nope," said Rufus.

Tatsu shook her head.

Dick rubbed his chin. "She sounds familiar."

"She should, she was a member of Mister Terrific's incarnation of the Outsiders."

"Wait," said Rufus, "are you talking about Vera Black?"

"Yes, my sister."

"What do you want, Black?" asked Dick.

"I want us to free her from jail; in exchange I will reveal what I know about the Elysia Foundation."

Dick looked at the rest of the team before looking into Manchester's eyes. "Fine, just tell us your plan."

"It's like this..."

To Be Continued...

Next Issue: BREAKOUT! Part 2