Chapter 8

Once again, I would like to state my distaste for the Zeta Tubes. Even when loaded up with drugs I couldn’t keep from vomiting through my second teleportation. Grossing out the rest of the group.

After a bit of walking, we finally found Project Cadmus. It was a small enough building. It had several floors, but it wasn’t like a skyscraper. It did look to be on fire, but it was a pretty small one that would likely be easily taken care of.

Aqualad started to come up with an idea to help…Robin and Speedy had already left. Leaving us in the dust. Huh. Aqualad used a nearby fire hydrant to pick several men in lab coats before helping them down, and then eventually me up. Presumably to look for more people in trouble.

To which we found Robin and Kid Flash hanging around the area. As they talked, I looked about the place. If I was supposed to be shipped off to Cadmus, where the hell would I have stayed? This just seemed like a bunch of offices.

Is there something I wasn’t seeing?

After looking around for a bit, I noticed a nearby elevator. Leading me to touch the door and examine its frame. It was…a pretty damn big elevator door. Pretty powerful looking doors too. Apparently, all their funding went into having a big ass elevator.

I asked Aqualad and the others to help me with the door out of curiosity. After opening it, we all stared down at the gapping pit that was the bottom.

“Uh…I think that goes down more than six floors.”

I commented. Robin whistled lightly before commenting this was a super elevator. After a moment of consideration, we started to make our way down it. Aqualad with his water, Robin with his grappling hook, Kid Flash jumping from level to level, and then finally me. I sweated out some really sticky liquid from the palms of my hand and simply started to climb down.

I wasn’t scared of heights, but I was definitely doing my best to not actively think about looking down.

After a good distance, Robin warned that this floor was going to have to be our next stop. Because the elevator was starting to come up at a pretty fast rate. We all pried open the nearby door and ran in. And Kid Flash was the only one who didn’t stop running. Apparently wanting to take a look around.

Which he was immediately punished for as a large heard of…animal like things caused him to fall over and almost get crushed to death. After a bit of exploring after the herd, we found a room that had several monitors and a ton of cages that seemed to hold some sort of massive hornet looking creatures.

…I’m starting to realize where they would have put me.

From the info Robin was able to obtain from the nearby computer, these creatures were grown to be weapons. Which was pretty surprising. Honestly, I thought the government was just sitting on their ass when it came to dealing with superpowered individuals.

Not only that, but apparently, they had a super-secret project in the wings. Something called project KR.

“Hey, you’re not supposed to be here.”

A guy in a golden helmet and a squad of monster looking things charged into the room. The sidekicks recognized him, and he recognized the sidekicks. He seemed pretty levelheaded, and was just about to get the Justice League involved when he had a headache.

And then he used it as a cover up to command the monsters to attack. Leaving us to quickly defend ourselves from some ugly looking abominations jumped around like frogs, but with longer limbs. I quickly tagged the ones that were after me with some sedatives before running away with the others.

After narrowly avoiding the monsters, Robin chose to go even lower. Aqualad seemed wary about this, but I had to confess that even I was getting interested in seeing what all this was. And learning what the hell they were doing here.

Though I almost immediately regretted it when we got off on our floor.

The walls were no longer earthy or metallic. Instead, they were fleshy. Pulsating lightly with something akin to sacs sticking out at random places. And the only sign of metal in the place was the occasional door. This unnerved me, which had me going slower before Kid Flash took off once again.

Wow, it was like he just never learned.

Eventually we caught up with him as he blocked a large closing metal door, with a scientist girl just watching nearby with wide eyes. We all passed her by before unblocking the metal door and letting it close.

Fortunately, the room we had ended up in was mostly metallic. A clean space that looked pretty sparse besides a small bed. Oh right, and of course the hot blonde bombshell sitting on top of it. Looking quizzically toward us.

She had short blonde hair, with a white leotard on. A yellow tool belt that was similar to Robin’s around her waist.

“Uh…can I help you?”

“Going on a date with me would be a start, gorgeous.”

Kid Flash answered, giving her a cheesy smile to follow up with his even cheesier pick-up line. Yikes. Even I felt like cringing from that. The girl didn’t respond to him. Whether or not because she felt disrespect or was just ignoring him, I didn’t know. However, it was Robin who spoke next.

“I don’t suppose you’re familiar with Project Kr?”

She nodded at that.

“Of course. I haven’t forgotten my purpose.”

That caused a round of blinking eyes from everyone. So…she was project Kr? I mean…she had some muscles, don’t get me wrong, and that’s not even touching on her breasts, but she didn’t seem very…intimidating.

“Project Kr…project Kr…”

Robin muttered under his breath. His brow furrowing as he started to think hard about something. Kid Flash on the other hand immediately used his super speed to get closer to the girl. TO which her eyes widened as Kid Flash hung his arm around her shoulder.

“You know, my purpose is-“

I hadn’t seen her move, only the after math of Kid Flash being throw into the opposite side of the wall. To which he immediately stopped moving and slumped down unconscious. Aqualad looked up with surprise, while Robin had a panicked expression on his face.

“Kr. Krypton. She’s a kryptonian!”

A kryptonian!? If that was true, then I’m not sure why they even bothered to start attacking her. As Aqualad drew a pair of water swords and Robin his staff, she immediately was upon them. Smashing her fist against both of them in the span of a second and doing what looked like an extremely painful blow. Aqualad apparently needing two of them to put him into the ground.

As she approached me, I immediately had my secret weapon handy.

“I surrender!”

I simply stated with my hands up. I was many things, but dumb enough to fight a fucking kryptonian wasn’t one of them. Superman was inconceivably strong. If she was anything like that…well, victory just wasn’t in the cards at all.

She tilted her head at me. Her fist lowering in response.

“…Surrender?”

“Uh…yeah. I give up. You win. No need to fight.”

I stated in the most obvious terms I could. Which seemed to work for her as she relaxed.

“Oh, I see.”

As she walked back to her bed, I decided to make a mint before taking it. She simply watched me while resting her head on her arm. While I did so. As I waited for my comrades to wake up, I decided to make small talk.

“So…you’re a kryptonian huh?”

She smiled at that. Showing some real emotion besides confusion.

“Yep. I’m the strongest.”

Lord do I not want to challenge her on that. So instead, I simply hummed along as she showed off her muscles and admired them herself.

“So…you said you had a purpose?”

“Yes. To be better and stronger than Supergirl.”

That’s ni-wait, supergirl? Who the fuck was supergirl? Did…did Superman have a kid? I may have been in Juvie for a few years, but I’m pretty sure news of Superman having a fucking kid or hell, even a sister would have come up.

Maybe…I wasn’t supposed to know that information? But if I wasn’t supposed to know that information, then what did that mean if Cadmus knew?

I’m starting to get the feeling that maybe we’re in too deep.

Before I can continue to talk to the girl, the massive door to the room that had been closed shut suddenly opened. With an army of monsters, a scientist rocking a ponytail, and that guy with the golden helmet from earlier appearing.

“Project Kr, subdue the intruder!”

Well, that wasn’t a nice way to ask-I barely had time to even blink before she was upon me.

And then all I could see was darkness.

*~O~*

You know, for a guy who was chained up in a small egg-shaped coffin vertically, I slept pretty well. Of course, the niceness of my sleep was offset by the cold hard reality around me. Causing panic to immediately be instilled in my heart.

And in front of me staring at my face, possibly while I had been asleep, was the blonde girl from earlier. She said nothing, simply continuing to watch me panic and make expressions as I tried to free myself, to no avail.

And of course, due to me panicking, I wasn’t able to think clearly, nor able to concentrate enough to control my powers. Which meant I was stuck trying to calm myself down to do anything.

Alright, I could slip from the chains, and then what? I was still in an egg machine. Nothing I had could really get through solid metal. Which left one avenue of escape.

The blonde girl. I had to somehow pull out all the charisma that I’ve gained in Juvie in order to convince the girl to let me go. In other words, I was rather fucked.

“So uh…what’s your name?”

“…Galatea. The lead scientist, he called me Galatea.”

She answered, flipping her hair slightly before looking away. Alright, uh…this scientist guy seemed to be nice to her. That was a good start. I don’t know how the fuck I was getting out of this, but I had to try.

“That lead scientist, did you like him?”

She smiled while looking away. As if remembering a fond memory.

“Yes, he was very nice to me…”

And then her face dropped.

“And then he left. They said he had gotten too emotional, and moved him off the project.”

Fuck. Alright, uh…maybe that scientist guy wasn’t the right play. Okay Lawrence. Think for once in your fucking life. How are you going to convince this girl to let me and, if I can spring for it, my friends out?

…okay, she seemed a bit…one track minded. Not dumb but…simple. Maybe…maybe I could use that.

“You know, you’re pretty different from the others.”

Hmm? Oh, was she referring to the sidekicks?

“How so?”

“The others haven’t ever asked for my name. Or ask if I liked anything. That makes you different.”

…that was kind of sad. Thankfully though, it also gave me an idea.

“Hey Galatea. You’re the strongest Kryptonian, right?”

I asked, in a rather innocent manner. To which Galatea immediately nodded and perked up at the compliment. Thrusting her chest out as her nose jutted upwards.

“Yes. Yes I am.”

Right, what did Robin say about Kryptonians…I remember asking him a bunch of mindless questions about aliens once, and we got onto the topic of superman. I never thought that superman trivia might just save my life, but here we are.

Right! I remember now! Sunlight, Kryptonians were powered by the sun!

“I get that, but I’m just a bit confused.”

“About what?”

“Well, it’s just that…Kryptonians gain their power from the sun…”

Galatea nodded at that.

“Yes, an artificial light is set up in my room in order for me to charge up.”

Perfect. I frowned at that rather obviously before looking to say something before stopping. Leading Galatea to frown at that and comment on it.

“…What? What’s wrong?”

“Well…it’s just that everyone knows artificial light is weaker than sunlight. So, I was just wondering how you were stronger than superman…”

She frowned at that. Narrowing her eyes at floor. That was a strong push, but it wasn’t enough. Right, it wasn’t superman that was her goal it was…

“At least, that’s what Supergirl told me when we talked.”

Galatea’s head immediately swiveled to look at me. Her eyes were wide in disbelief.

“You’ve talked to Supergirl?”

I nodded at that.

“Oh yeah. We’re friends. I could introduce-oh wait…”

“What’s wrong?”

Galatea hurrying supplied, obviously understanding what I had been going to. And was now distraught that I hadn’t given her that offer. I paused for a few seconds before gesturing around me.

“Well, I can’t really introduce you to her if I’m in Cadmus, can I?”

She hummed at that. Placing a hand on her chin as she examined me with suspicious narrowed eyes. Fuck, I had I played that too obviously? Did I just fumble? Shit.

“…Who’s stronger?”

Hmm?

“What?”

Galatea spoke up again.

“I mean, I know I’m stronger than Supergirl. Cause that’s why I was made. But I’m curious on if I look it, you know?”

…That’s right. Her goal is to be stronger than Supergirl. But how can she really do that if she doesn’t know what Supergirl’s capable of? Alright, I can use that.

“I’d really need to see your muscles to-“

Before I could even finish the sentence, she had flown up and ripped me off the goddamn wall. Tearing open the egg like chamber I was in like it was fucking balsa wood and tearing me out. Before I could thank her, she started to flex for me. She did a variety of poses, making me think that she does this a lot in the mirror.

I started to understand what it was like to be a girl when a guy hits on her in a gym. Though to be quite honest…it was kind of hot.

“So, what do you think? Do I look stronger than Supergirl?”

I hummed at that before making a show of really examining her muscles. Of course, I didn’t dare touch them after what happened with Kid Flash, even if she was practically jutting them into my face.

“…I just don’t know. I think to solve this I have to introduce you to Supergirl.”

“And to do that, you want me to break you and all your friends out of Cadmus, right?”

She gave me an unimpressed narrowed eye look as she considered me. Shit, she had definitely caught me there. Guess all that was time to do was double down. So, I nodded.

“Yes. And I don’t think that’s a bad decision.”

“Oh?”

Galatea asked, crossing her arms while flying slightly off the ground. Her eyes were filled with genuine interest in my words. Which meant I had to make them fucking count.

“Think about it, what has Cadmus ever done for you? The one guy that named and cared for you, they got rid of. Not only that, but they treat you like garbage. Commanding you this way and that like you’re not a kryptonian. Like you’re not stronger and better than them.”

Galatea narrowed her eyes at this, but did so in a way that didn’t look directed at me. Which meant it might be working.

“If you come with me, not only will you get to see Supergirl, but you’d also be able to see and get stronger from the sun.”

Of course, that was all complete bullshit. I didn’t know Supergirl or if she even really existed, and I sure as hell didn’t know if the sun would make her stronger. Hell, the artificial light could be better than the sun for all I knew.

Still, it was all I had.

A few minutes of silence occurred as Galatea closed her eyes and crossed her arms. Slowly tapping away before finally coming to a decision.

“You’re right. But there’s just one problem. How do I know I can trust you?”

She fucking couldn’t, and for good reason too. But of course, that was the worst possible answer I could give. So, I went with something else instead.

“How about this. I won’t leave your side until I’ve kept my word. And if you feel cheated in anyway, you can tear me limb from limb whenever you want.”

She seemed to actually consider this. Which was more than a bit disturbing. I kind of just said all of that spur of the moment, but it was pretty horrifying when I thought about it for more than a few seconds.

“I get it…so you’ll be my sidekick.”

…what? No, you know what? Fuck it.

“…Yes.”

“Then I accept.”

Fuck. Yes. After that, I just asked her to lead the way to the other sidekicks. Obviously, I had gotten the deluxe treatment, as all three of them seemed to be getting fucking tortured in their pods. I don’t know what they had been planning for me, but I’m VERY happy whatever it was didn’t happen.

There was one scientist who attempted to stop Galatea, but I easily dealt with her. Knocking her out in seconds as the other three were released. I had to help Aqualad and Kid Flash stand for a bit, as Galatea seemed absolutely uninterested in helping more than she had to.

Which was honestly fair. As long as she kept her end of the bargain I couldn’t complain. I quickly informed the three that Galatea was on our side and that we were heading topside.

It didn’t take the monster crew to realize what had happened, and the alarmed turned on. Fortunately, it didn’t take the others long to recover and start to plan our escape. We were able to use the elevator to climb a few floors for a bit, but they had an answer for that, as a multitude of doors started to shut all around us.

Even though Galatea could punch through them all with time, we just didn’t have the time for it. Not with those freaks at our backs. Leading us to eventually get into a vent in order to move around. There were motion detectors in the vent, but thankfully Robin was able to hack them in order to show them a complete false image of where we had been going.

After a bit more walking and getting somewhat close to an exit, we got blindsided by a whole onslaught of monsters. However instead of attacking, one of the tall ones simply looked at Galatea for a bit. Holding her gaze before eventually nodding. And they all moved out of our way.

Unfortunately, they weren’t the only obstacle in our way. A scientist with a ponytail demanded that Galatea stop everyone and bring them back to their cells. But he did so in a rather demeaning and bitchy way that wasn’t going to endear him to Galatea.

Obviously, she took exception to the command and stared down at him while flying.

“Who are you to give me such demands?”

His eyes narrowed.

“If you can’t follow orders, then you’re a failure.”

He drew out some sort of remote from his pocket, pointed it at Galatea, and pressed a button. Almost immediately Galatea stopped flying. Grasping her chest as she grunted out in pain.

Oh, he was going to pay for that. I was already ready to kick the shit out of him for commanding Galatea to knock me out earlier. I was about to get my revenge on his ass.

He seemed confused and somewhat scared that Galatea was still alive. Causing him to panic and draw a glass vial from his pocket and drink it. Kid Flash quicky went to intercept him this time. Causing him to drop the vial before drinking all of it.

Unfortunately, he did drink most of it. Causing him to slowly grow more and more, before his skin seemed to just…fall off of him. Instead being replace by a rock hard exterior. I wasn’t sure if it was actual stone or not, but it was of some sturdy stuff.

An angered Galatea roared as she ran forward and punched him…to no effect. Instead, he just punched her through the ceiling, giving us a surprising opening to getting free.

As everyone was trying to get up through the exit hole, I took a look at the downed vial. The letters BLOCKBUSTER was written on its side, and a small amount of liquid remained in the vial.

Hmm…

No one really noticed me putting it on one of the empty cannisters on my belt before sitting back up. Ready to regroup with everyone.

We all took the exit, and were in one of the ground floors of the Cadmus building. Which meant if we really wanted to, we could just…run out.

I had done it. Somehow sweet talking my way out of Cadmus and not turning into a government pincushion, or whatever else they had planned for me. I saved myself. There was nothing stopping me from just leaving. From all of us just leaving.

…But…

Galatea was fighting, and kind of getting her ass kicked. And she had freed me.

The truth was…I kind of owed her. If she died here or if I left and didn’t help, then I would owe her more than I could possibly pay back.

Which meant…I couldn’t just run away.

Fortunately, the rest of the boys were on the same page, as we all rushed in. And promptly got fucking obliterated by the guy. Like, the man might as well would have been cinderblock. My chemicals and drugs did fuck all, Aquaman and Galatea couldn’t seem to even dent him. Leaving us fresh out of options.

At least until Robin got the idea to take out the pillars of the room, and just drop the fucking building on the guy. Which is exactly what we did.

The only reason we survived the rubble was due to Galatea and Aquaman shielding us from the worst of the debris before pushing it off. Exposing us to the bright shining sun in the sky.

Galatea looked up with a bright smile as she gasped. Her eyes seemed to twinkle like a kid seeing a magic trick for the first time.

“It’s beautiful…thank you.”

She proceeded to then hug me. Correction, she tried to hug me. And by that I meant she wrapped an arm around me and pulled me into her. Which on one hand was nice, due to being close head wise to her breasts. Unfortunately, I couldn’t dwell on that due to having my side cracking due to the amount of power she was exerting on me.

Not only could I not ask her nicely to release me, but I couldn’t even force my way out of her hold.

Which is exactly the position the Justice League found me in when they all finally landed. With Superman observing Galatea before his eyes widening in horror. Galatea on the other hand seemed rather uninterested in him. After confirming Supergirl wasn’t there, she proceeded to loudly exclaim that she demanded to see her.

After a few moments, Batman demanded an explanation.

Leading for everyone to talk about the Cadmus adventure and how Galatea was a clone of Supergirl.

Batman then proceeded to attempt to tell everyone how he wasn’t impressed with this stunt, and that they’d deal with the clone, before we all stepped up as one. Despite not being a real team, we were all on the same page. Declaring that we didn’t really care one way or another if they were impressed, that we would keep doing what we thought was right.

Oh, and I defended Galatea as a person, not just some clone. And for just a moment, I didn’t feel any fear when looking into Batman’s eyes.

Unfortunately, the moment was ruined by Galatea loudly declaring that I would be her sidekick until Supergirl faced her. Which…defused the situation quite a lot humor wise.

“…Alright.”

And then surprisingly enough…Batman and the Justice League folded. Even in terms of the new rules for the Titans. Giving in to our demands.

He didn’t completely cave, as we still needed to inform the Justice League about every mission and villain we’d fight, but they had no say in whether or not we could fight them. The only thing they could do was offer their own support if needed.

But still, that was a pretty massive win for us as the Titan’s. And when I said us, I now included Aqualad, Kid Flash, and Galatea as new members of the Titan’s.

Oh boy…the Titan’s back home are going to be in for one doozy of a story…