|Washington, DC
December 23, 2008, 3:12 PM EST
Sebastian was levitating through the halls of the 33rd floor of the Cadmus Lab laboratories, he was searching with his abilities for the location of the DNAngels, remember that he was connected to the minds of the G-Gonomes who put the information and programs in their brains and also discovered the DNA that was used for their creation and discovered the DNs that were used in their creation, the original clone that used Wonder Girl's DNA uses Wonder Woman's DNA, Impulse's uses Flash's and Superboy's, that was the most surprising, they used Hawkman's DNA, that is, how did they get it in the first place.
He also discovered that instead of being three women, they are two men and one woman, it turns out that in this reality, using the DNA of an animated clay creation through the magic of the Greek Gods, well you can't expect to get an identical clone, the clone that was supposed to be Epiphany, is a male version of Wonder Woman, but she has short, well-groomed blonde hair with a slight golden glow; fair skin, but with a slight tanned tone, she is 1.78 m tall; strong jaw and well-defined features; she wears a tight black suit made of advanced synthetic material, she wears the golden Wonder Woman symbol, the iconic stylized double "W". This emblem stands out in the center of her chest and they call it Project Wonder Boy, an uncreative name but he is not the one who names them. The other male clone that I suspected was going to be Seraph, Superboy's DNA was not used, but by the wings I can suspect that they could have used one of the Hawk or even both, the appearance of this clone that was surely going to be Seraph, the appearance of this clone is that he is 1.80 m tall, slightly taller than Wonder Boy, with a heavier and more muscular build; powerful physique, with well-defined muscles, typical of a growing Thanagarian warrior; his hair is a mix between Hawkman's golden blonde and Hawkwoman's reddish brown tones ; his skin tone is golden tan , a result of his Thanagarian genetics, resistant to the sun and extreme conditions; his wings have not been deployed in the capsule, small bony structures can be noticed on his back, indications of retracted wings that, once activated, will expand like those of his parents, but weaker; his face combines the angular and marked features of Hawkman with the elegance of Hawkwoman. He has a strong jaw, prominent cheekbones, and a determined expression; his name is Project Warhawk, and that's a better name.
The last clone, the last one is female, and this one does resemble Cherub from the DNAngels. Her black hair featured short bangs that framed her face and fell just past her shoulders, with slightly wavy ends; her large, expressive eyes were a dark brown, almost black, with a shine that denoted curiosity and intelligence; her skin was olive-toned, smooth, and flawless, with a slight natural blush on her cheeks; she is 5'6", the smallest of the group, with a slim, athletic build that denoted agility; she wore a tight, full-body white suit with light blue details that highlighted her figure. The suit featured a kind of integrated cap, also blue, that covered part of her head and from which small strands of hair emerged. What most caught Sebastian's attention was who the DNA for her creation came from: Flash. The label next to his capsule read: Project Cherub.
Sebastian stared at the three clones, the information processing in his mind. It was a completely different reality than he'd expected. The G-Gnomes had drastically altered the creation parameters, and the result was a team of "DNAngels" with very different dynamics and powers.
"This is... unexpected," Sebastian muttered to himself, his voice low and thoughtful. His rescue plan had just gotten much more complicated. Instead of a trio of damsels in distress, he had two men and a woman, all with DNA from Justice League heavyweights. And Cherub... if he was a speedster, that added a whole new level of difficulty to the extraction.
Suddenly, a voice echoed in his mind, Dubbilex's. "Brother Sebastian, the G-Trolls are closing in on your position. You have little time."
"I know, Dubbilex," Sebastian replied mentally, remaining calm. "I need to get these three out of here. Can you give me an estimate of the G-Trolls' reaction time?"
"A few minutes at most. Sensors report a considerable concentration in the hallways adjacent to your sector."
Sebastian nodded, his gaze fixed on the pods. He had to act quickly. He raised a hand, his fingers beginning to glow with crimson energy. He concentrated, visualizing the pods' structure and the most efficient way to open them without harming the clones.
First it was Wonder Boy's. With a swift, precise flick of his hand, scarlet energy shot out, not to destroy, but to override the pod's safety mechanisms. With a hiss, the glass door opened, releasing a blast of cold air. Wonder Boy fell to the ground, but Sebastian caught him with a blast of telemagnetic energy, gently holding him in the air.
"One out," Sebastian said, levitating the young man to the side, near the wall, out of the way.
Then, Warhawk. The process was identical, and the pod opened just as easily. The stockier Thanagarian clone dropped with a thud, but Sebastian broke his fall. Lifting him was harder, but with a concentrated effort, he placed him next to Wonder Boy. His wings, still retracted, seemed more prominent now that he was out of the pod.
Finally, Cherub. Her pod gave way as well, and the slender, ethereal-looking young woman fell. Sebastian held her even more gently, noting the blue energy flickering faintly around her, even in her unconscious state. "A speedster, huh?" he thought. "This is going to be interesting." He carefully placed her next to the other two.
Time was running out. Sebastian heard the heavy footsteps of the G-Trolls approaching. There was a service access door Dubbilex had mentally pointed out, leading to a ventilation shaft large enough for the three clones. It was his best option.
"Dubbilex, I need you to give me a massive distraction," Sebastian transmitted, as he began to open the shaft's grate with his energy.
"Understood, Brother. Prepare for unloading!"
Just as Sebastian managed to tear out the grate, a series of controlled explosions echoed from the lower levels of Cadmus Lab. Lights flickered, and the sound of alarms intensified. The G-Trolls, who were about to turn the corner of the corridor, stopped in confusion, their grunts merging with the chaos.
"Thanks, Dubbilex," Sebastian said, as he began pushing Wonder Boy toward the duct opening. "It's time for express exit."
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Sebastian floated through Cadmus's vents, a crimson energy surrounding the inanimate bodies of Wonder Boy, Warhawk, and Cherub, keeping them in a deep sleep and hovering beside him. The air was thick and metallic, with the constant whir of the fans, some of which Sebastian had to nullify with his magic, punching them out or warping their blades to squeeze through. The echoing blows resonated in the narrow tunnel, a constant reminder of the precariousness of their escape.
"Brother Sebastian, I've managed to jam Cadmus's main motion detection system for a few more minutes. The G-Trolls are redirecting their search, but they don't know your exact position in the ducts. Are you close to the exit? " Dubbilex's telepathic voice sounded urgently, the tension palpable even through the psychic connection.
"Almost, Dubbilex. We're at surface level, searching for an exit," Sebastian replied, navigating the mental blueprints the G-Gnomes had provided. Every bend, every fork, was a quick decision, a race against time before the Cadmus engineers could reset their systems. The climb up and down the labyrinthine ducts had been exhausting, his muscles straining with the effort of maintaining control of his own levitation and that of the three clones, exhaustion beginning to seep into his bones.
Finally, after several twists and turns in the stifling darkness, Sebastian glimpsed a vent leading outside. A faint evening light filtered in, promising freedom. With a pulse of his power, the vent folded outward with a metallic screech, scraping against the concrete, revealing the cold night and frigid air of Washington, DC.
She stepped out first, inhaling deeply of the fresh, icy air, a welcome contrast to the oppression of the duct. Then the floating bodies of the clones emerged one by one, suspended in the reddish halo of her magic. They were in a dark, forgotten alley, a crevice between brick buildings and a few overflowing dumpsters. The lights of Cadmus glittered in the distance, a silent reminder of the fortress they had just eluded. The distant sound of sirens, a mournful, approaching melody, confirmed that their escape had not gone unnoticed.
Sebastian gently lowered the clones to the ground, their bodies pale and inert in the light from the distant lanterns. He knelt beside them, his mind racing. He had three individuals with Justice League DNA, unconscious and vulnerable. They were young, not much older than him, and he felt a pang of responsibility. He needed help, a safe place, but he couldn't trust the League. Not yet. Not without knowing which specific version of the DC Universe he was in. Earth-16 was "troubled," as he'd thought, and the Justice League here might not be the same one he knew from his previous "lives." The dynamics, the personalities, the agendas—everything could be different.
As her thoughts raced, searching for a solution in the vast archive of her memory, one name emerged. Not a titan of justice on the front lines, but a more shadowy figure, a hero operating on the fringes of the mystical and the extraordinary. A trusted figure who could offer the kind of support she needed without asking too many questions or, worse, handing her over to Cadmus or the League without her consent. A tired but hopeful smile slowly formed on her lips.
"Strange," Sebastian murmured, the name echoing in the chill of the night. "Gregorio de la Vega."
Yes, the "Supernatural Detective" from Peru. If this was the world of Young Justice, then Gregorio de la Vega, aka Strange, existed. And most importantly, he was known for his vast mystical knowledge and discretion. He was the kind of person who wouldn't be fazed by three clones recently escaped from a secret lab and a teenager with Chaos magic powers. The question was where to find him.
Sebastian stood, observing the clones. His mind processed the information he remembered: Strange had a base, the Sacrarium. But where? It could be in Lima, the capital, a bustling city where he could blend in. Or, to his dismay, it could be somewhere remote in the Amazon, a prospect he didn't like in the least. The dangers of the jungle were something he didn't want to face right now, not with three unconscious bodies in tow.
"Please, let it be Lima," he whispered into the air, hope tinged with a tinge of despair. He knew the journey would be long, dangerous, and without resources. He would need all his strength and Dubbilex's help to plot a route and, most importantly, stay hidden from Cadmus and any other entities that might be searching for them. The Lords of Chaos had been his source of power, but also a sign that things were about to get truly strange. And for that, he needed someone who understood strange.
Before leaving, Sebastian noticed the ominous glow of a security camera, its dark lens watching them from the corner of the building. A chill ran down his spine. Cadmus would already be tracking them, their movements recorded and analyzed. He couldn't allow that.
With a snarl, he charged a bolt of scarlet energy in his hands, the crimson red pulsing with suppressed fury. He aimed and launched it, a whip of concentrated energy that struck the camera with a crack, shattering the lens and burning out the electronic circuitry. The eye watching them was blinded.
Then, with a wave of his hand, he lifted the bodies of Wonder Boy, Warhawk, and Cherub back up, suspending them in the air. Scarlet energy swirled around them, holding them like weightless puppets.
Sebastian lifted off the ground, his body shaking slightly. Flying with three unconscious bodies proved to be more difficult than he anticipated. The scarlet energy, though powerful, was volatile and required concentration. The additional weight of the clones pulled on him, making him stagger in the air. His muscles tensed with exertion, his face twisted with effort.
With a grunt, he forced himself to focus. He visualized the path ahead, the route to relative safety, to Gregorio de la Vega, to Peru. With one last effort, he took off, leaving the dark alley and the distant sirens of Washington, DC, behind him. He teetered in the air, struggling for balance, but little by little, he gained altitude, the three bodies floating beside him like a strange, macabre procession. The journey would be long and arduous, but Sebastian was determined. He had to protect these clones, uncover the truth about Cadmus, and hopefully find someone who could help him understand the strange and dangerous world he now found himself in.
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|Watchtower, Earth Orbit
|December 24, 2007, 09:00 EST
The Watchtower's main meeting room was silent, tense with the gravity of the situation. Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Flash (Barry Allen), Green Lantern (Hal Jordan), Aquaman (Orin), Martian Manhunter, Green Arrow, Hawkman, Hawkwoman, Zatara, Captain Atom, Black Canary, Green Lantern (John Stewart), Captain Marvel/Shazam, and Red Tornado were all present, their faces reflecting concern.
Batman stood in front of the large central screen, data flashing around him. "Last night, at 3:37 PM, Cadmus Labs reported an incident on their premises. They claim it was an attempted terrorist attack."
Flash's voice, always a little lighter, broke the silence. "A terrorist attack at Cadmus? What did they want? Cow cloning formulas?"
Batman ignored the joke, his gaze hard. "I don't think it was a terrorist attack. And I don't think Cadmus is giving us the full picture."
"Why do you say that, Batman?" Wonder Woman asked, her voice deep.
"Because the Cadmus facility holds more secrets than they're letting us see. And what we do know is that the attack was too precise to be a mere terrorist seeking to wreak havoc. My surveillance networks detected unusual activity near the perimeter." Batman activated the screen, and a grainy video sequence began to play.
The image showed a dark alley. Suddenly, a levitating figure, barely discernible in the darkness, emerged from what appeared to be a ventilation shaft. Beside it, three more bodies, also floating, emerged from the same spot. The central figure, a young man, turned his face toward the camera, but the image quality was too poor to distinguish his features clearly. His hand rose, glowing with a reddish energy, and an instant later, the camera cut out with a burst of static.
"This is the last image from a security camera adjacent to the rear of Cadmus," Batman explained. "The camera was immediately disabled. My facial scans have found no matches against any known database. The accompanying individuals are unconscious, and their faces are also unrecognizable."
A murmur of confusion ran through the room. Captain Atom narrowed his eyes. "So someone came in, disabled a camera, and took... what? Three people?"
It was then that Hawkman, who had been staring intently at the screen, stiffened abruptly. Beside him, Hawkwoman followed suit, her eyes narrowed.
"Wait a minute!" Hawkman exclaimed, his voice deep. "Batman, can you zoom in on the image of the unconscious subjects? The one that appears just before the camera cuts off."
Batman wordlessly manipulated the screen. The image zoomed in, becoming slightly pixelated, but the outlines of the three floating bodies became clearer.
"Look closely," Hawkwoman said, her voice high and full of wonder. "The one on the left... the muscular one."
Everyone approached the screen, and shock began to spread throughout the room. The most heavily built body, with a powerful build and already hinting at bone structures on the back, had a tanned skin tone and what appeared to be a mix of blond and auburn hair.
"He's a Thanagarian!" Hawkman exclaimed, disbelief coloring his words. "Or at least half-Thanagarian. He's identical to... to our genetics."
But the shock wasn't over. Wonder Woman's eyes fixed on the second body, the slimmer but still athletic-looking one. On the chest of its dark suit, despite the poor image quality, a golden symbol was clearly visible.
"And the other one," Wonder Woman stepped forward, pointing at the screen. "It bears my symbol. The stylized double 'W'." Her voice, which normally radiated strength, now held a tinge of bewilderment. "Who... who are these?"
Silence fell again on the Watchtower, but this time, it was a silence fraught with new and disturbing questions. The simple explanation of "terrorist attack" crumbled in the face of the evidence. Cadmus, once again, seemed to be involved in something far deeper and more complex than they had revealed. And this time, it seemed they had been creating life.
The silence in the Watchtower meeting room was almost deafening, broken only by the subtle buzzing of the station's systems. The Justice League's eyes were fixed on the screen, where the blurry images of the three kidnapped youths continued to raise more questions than answers.
Batman, impassive as ever, returned to his controls. "I've initiated a new facial scan with expanded parameters," he announced, his fingers moving with robotic precision over the keyboard. The screen flickered with lines of code and complex algorithms, attempting to match the faces to every database imaginable. After a few seconds, the result was the same. "Nothing. Still no match. It's like they don't exist."
He turned to the Hawkman and Hawkwoman, who were still staring at the image of the young Thanagarian with a mixture of wonder and concern. "Hawkman, Hawkwoman," Batman began, his voice deep, "have any Thanagarians arrived on Earth recently? Any expeditions, any explorers, any exiles we're not aware of?"
Hawkman shook his head, his expression grim. "No, Batman. Our records are up to date. And if someone had arrived, we would have sensed it. The Thanagarian community here on Earth is small and tight-knit. No news of anyone new."
"Also," Hawkwoman added, her voice strained, "Cadmus's technology... if it's a clone... is disturbing. We've had no reports of Thanagarian DNA outside our control."
Batman nodded, then his gaze fell on Wonder Woman. "Wonder Woman, the symbol on the other young man? Is there a connection to Themyscira? Some secret program, some unknown cloning project?"
Wonder Woman, with commanding dignity, responded firmly. "Batman, that's impossible. There have been no males on Themyscira for millennia. Our methods of creating life are through divine magic, not science. And we have no projects that involve using our genetics in that way." Her brow furrowed. "This symbol... someone has replicated it. But the idea of a male clone with my DNA is... abhorrent."
A murmur of dismay ran through the room. The impossibility of an Amazonian male clone or an unknown Thanagarian added a layer of mystery to the already complex situation.
Meanwhile, Zatara, the magician in the room, had been watching the screen with unusual concentration, not on the faces, but on the faint traces of energy surrounding the levitating individual. His eyes, normally filled with a knowing gleam, were now sharply focused. He stepped forward, approaching the screen.
"The energy," Zatara murmured, his voice low and raspy, capturing everyone's attention. "The energy emanating from that individual..."
Everyone turned to him. Green Lantern (Hal Jordan) asked, "What is it, Zatara? Any kind of alien energy you recognize?"
Zatara shook his head slowly, his eyes still fixed on the reddish blur on the screen. "It's not alien, Hal. Or at least, not in the conventional sense. This energy... has the signature of Chaos Magic."
A chill ran down the spines of some League members, especially those more familiar with the dark and mystical arts.
"Chaos magic?" Superman asked, his voice thick with surprise. It was territory he rarely tread.
"That's right, Kal-El," Zatara replied. "And what's more disturbing, the signature is identical. It's the same as Klarion, the Witch Boy."
The revelation fell like a bombshell. Klarion, the primordial being of Chaos, was a fearsome adversary, his chaotic and destructive magic known for its dangerous implications. The idea that his power was involved in this incident, and that an unknown young man was wielding it, raised the alarm in the Watchtower to a new level.
"Klarion," Batman repeated, his voice even deeper as he processed the information. "This is much more serious than we thought. If Cadmus is involved with Chaos Magic, and the creation of League clones... we're looking at a threat of unknown proportions."
The room was filled with a heavy silence, concern etched on every face. The mission to rescue the "hostages" had become a high-risk operation, with implications that went far beyond the simple security of a laboratory.
TO BE CONTINUED