The Star Chamber: Chapter One
Universe: Mostly the Young Justice cartoon but I will be incorporating characters and concepts from the expanded DCU and Milestone U. The fic begins a bit after the first season of the show.
Title: The Star Chamber.
Author: Asase
Rating: PG 13(just to be safe)Warning: An extremely small reference to the last episode of season one.
Genre: Action, friendship, fluff, romance
Characters: Rocket, the Team, Static
Summary: Rocket receives a mysterious message.
Word Count: 1,625
Disclaimer: I do not own any characters or organizations from the Young Justice cartoon, comics, expanded DC universe or Milestone universe.
The Star Chamber
Chapter One
The Cave
January 20, 16:35 EDT
The message was direct but seductive, just like he was. By the look of him, he was obviously a dangerous man. Even the Blood Syndicate, Dakota’s most notorious super powered street gang, didn’t wish to work with him. But he knew how to make villainy sound and look profitable. Holocaust had beguiled many young people to his cause, only to use them and leave them when it was convenient. He was recruiting members for a new team of super powered humans, another gang no doubt, but he this time he had sent an invitation to Rocket. “A chance,” he said on the recording, “to be a part of a real superhero team. You hold too much potential to be a mere member of the junior Justice League.”
Somehow he had learned of her involvement with the Team, it disturbed Raquel. In the short time she was with the Team their missions were all covert. No one should know of her involvement except for the super villains her team thwarted. The villains were all loosely connected. According to her teammate’s villains that had never interacted before were now working together. Did their network extend to Dakota as well? she wondered. What was worst was that he also obtained the frequency to her communicator, to send the message. She hoped that he had not discovered her true identity, that would endanger Augustus, Icon, as well.
This was over her head, but she didn’t want to involve Icon, so she decided to bring the recording to the Cave. She rushed to the Cave after school and grabbed the first teammates available.
“That’s definitely suspicious,” Wally said, he sat on the couch beside her, munching on a party sized bag of chips.
“Have you showed this to Kaldur yet?” Connor asked, he leaned over her shoulder behind the living areas couch.
“Uh…No not yet,” she stumbled over her words uncomfortable.
“What? I’d think you would have gone to your boyfriend first,” Wally shoved her playfully.
“I just got in, and you guys were the first people I saw,” she defended herself hastily. Kaldur wasn’t her boyfriend; leave it to Wally to jump to conclusions, but yelling that Kaldur wasn’t her boyfriend felt a bit too defensive. Maybe he would be her boyfriend one day. She couldn’t say that the prospect didn’t interest her. Who wouldn’t go for the hot guy with tattoos?
But as of right now the extent of their relationship was a date, one date, and a peck on the cheek at New Years. It was a nice date. He was a perfect gentleman, too perfect of a gentleman, she would break him out of that later, if there was a later, she might have already botched things.
Things turned sour one lazy afternoon. Conner and Megan were in the garage. Wally and Artemis were on a date. The boy wonder was moping in Gotham because Zatanna had gone off to a magical realm to train. So that left Kaldur and Raquel watching movies on the couch. The movie soon became background noise as she pelted him with questions concerning the Team. He filled her in on previous missions, and that lead to gossip about her teammates relationships.
That ‘s when she should have kept her mouth shut. “It’s like we’ve been stuck with the leftovers ,” she said and laughed. It was just a joke! But the moment it left her lips she could tell she messed up. He became quiet and stiff, and then he apologized. Apologized! As if he wasn’t good enough, or worthy of affection.
She just sat there, gaping at him, she had hurt him and didn’t know what to say to make it right. They watched the rest of the movie in the most horrible silence, and days afterward she still didn’t know what to say.
“We really should tell Kaldur,” Conner said softly, he placed his hand on Raquel’s shoulder. Raquel only nodded.
***
“You are certain that you wish not to tell Icon?” Kaldur asked.
“He would only tell me not to go, and without me going we won’t be able to figure out what Holocaust is up to,” Raquel responded.
“True, but this will be dangerous,”
“What will be dangerous?” Robin asked as he entered the training area. They replayed the message for Robin’s benefit. “So are we going to break this meeting up? Please say yes! I’ve been itching for some action.”
“This mission would potentially put a teammate at risk. That should be considered before our boredom,” Kaldur chastised.
Robin ducked his head,” You’re right. I’m just… on edge I guess,”
“I’ll be fine Kaldur,” said Raquel,” besides; we haven’t been given an assignment for weeks. It’s like all the bad guys decided to take a break after attacking the League.”
Kaldur crossed his arms, “I assume everyone here is in agreement?”
The young heroes nodded.
“Then we should contact Miss Martian and Artemis and form a plan.”
***
After a lot of plotting and planning they had achieved a workable plan. Raquel only half listened to the meeting, she needed to get Kaldur alone. She couldn’t stand the distance; he hadn’t looked in her direction all afternoon. She cornered him one of the Cave’s hallways.
“We need to talk,” she said. Ugh! she thought, What a horrid way to start a conversation. He probably wants to run now.
Kaldur only rubbed his arm and looked uncomfortable.
“Look Kal, you know I was just joking last time right?”
“But your assessment was correct,” Kaldur started,” At the time that you joined, all other romantic options were unavailable.”
“And what about you? Am I just the only romantic option left to you? Why didn’t you go after any of the other girls before they coupled off?”
“I apologize. I did not mean to insinuate-”
“No apologizing!” she cut him off, “Just give me an answer.”
Kaldur sighed, “I am not the type that girls go for. I was surprised that you were interested at all.”
“You’re serious…,” she blinked at him, “you actually think that way about yourself?”
“I…I have not had much success with my romantic endeavors,”
“Everyone’s had a few losses Kal. It couldn’t have been that bad.”
He then told her about his long standing crush on Tula and how it ended. Raquel winced in sympathy. She had never felt that strongly about anyone before, but the thought of his broken heart made her own ache. When she did not respond he continued.
“I do not wish to trap you in a relationship if you are not willing. I-”
“Relationship? “ she cut him off again, “Look Kal. You’re a great guy and I think you’re insanely hot,” Kaldur blushed at the compliment, “but one date doesn’t mean that you have to give me your Fraternity pin.”
“Fraternity pin?”
“Ask Miss M. What I mean is that we don’t have to rush into this. Dating can be just for, you know, fun. We don’t have to immediately profess everlasting love and commit to each other forever. We can just enjoy each other’s company and take it one date at a time. In fact we can go on a date after this mission,” she stated confidently.
“We can?”
“You got something better to do?”
He smiled shyly and chuckled, “No, I suppose not.”
***
Paris Island
January 21, 23:15 EDT
In the most stereotypical fashion, the meeting would happen in an abandoned warehouse in the shadier part of the city. Rocket walked to her destination, Superboy and Miss Martian tailed her. The rest of the team followed at a distance in the Bioship.
“Hey! Rocket!” a male voice called from above.
She looked up to see a young man flying on a metal disk. He floated down to her his jacket floating behind him. He wore baggy black cargo pants and a white tee shirt with a lightning bolt across the front, his personal symbol. His goggles were pushed up, holding back his locks like a headband. It was much better that his original costume, Rocket thought. The old spandex and ball cap were a little unbalanced.
“Static?”
“The one and only!” he announced hopping off his disk, “So you were invited to this party as well?”
“Yeah. One second kay?” Miss Martian? Rocket thought over their telepathic link, Is any one else around?
I don’t sense any other minds in the area, Miss Martian answered.
There aren’t any heartbeats near by either, Superboy added.
Okay, we need to meet up, Rocket directed, “Come with me,” Rocket grabbed Static’s arm and dragged him away.
***
“Woah!” Static exclaimed, “It’s an actual Martian!”
Miss Martian blushed.
“This isn’t the time to geek out Static,” Rocket chastised, “Everyone, I’d like you to meet Static. He’s Dakota’s best hero, after Icon and myself of course,” she grinned.
Everyone on the Bioship introduced themselves over their communicators. Superboy and Static shook hands. Static bowed before Miss Martian. Her blush deepened.
“This is very fortunate,” said Aqualad, “Will you be willing to cooperate with us?”
“Well, I was planning to take Holocaust down on my own, but I guess I could let you guys help,” said Static.
Rocket shoved Static playfully, “Pay no attention to the dope, his ego is bigger than his head, if that’s even possible.”
“I’ll have you know my head is the perfect size,” he countered.
“It is settled then. Miss Martian link him up so we can proceed,” Aqualad directed.
“Don’t dig around too deep Miss,” Static tapped his skull, “My genius might be too much to handle,” he winked at Miss Martian.
“And did I mention?” Rocked said hands on her hips, “He’s a horrible flirt.”
***
Notes
We all know who Rocket and Icon are from the show. Some of us may even remember Static from his cartoon a few years back, but this story will include a lot of the more obscure Milestone characters. I will try to describe them as best I can.
This story is actually a sister fic to two other fics that I’m writing at the moment. The stories are all independent though. I am writing a fic with an OC called The Medic At the moment both Zatanna and Rocket are not in the fic (they show up later). In my mind this is what is happening to Rocket while she is not with the team. I have a similar fic set up for Zatanna titled The Sentinels of Magic.
.
Chapter Two
Title: The Star Chamber.
Author: Asase
Rating: PG 13(just to be safe)Warning: An extremely small reference to the last episode of season one.
Genre: Action, friendship, fluff, romance
Characters: Rocket, the Team, Static
Summary: Rocket receives a mysterious message.
Word Count: 1,625
Disclaimer: I do not own any characters or organizations from the Young Justice cartoon, comics, expanded DC universe or Milestone universe.
The Star Chamber
Chapter One
The Cave
January 20, 16:35 EDT
The message was direct but seductive, just like he was. By the look of him, he was obviously a dangerous man. Even the Blood Syndicate, Dakota’s most notorious super powered street gang, didn’t wish to work with him. But he knew how to make villainy sound and look profitable. Holocaust had beguiled many young people to his cause, only to use them and leave them when it was convenient. He was recruiting members for a new team of super powered humans, another gang no doubt, but he this time he had sent an invitation to Rocket. “A chance,” he said on the recording, “to be a part of a real superhero team. You hold too much potential to be a mere member of the junior Justice League.”
Somehow he had learned of her involvement with the Team, it disturbed Raquel. In the short time she was with the Team their missions were all covert. No one should know of her involvement except for the super villains her team thwarted. The villains were all loosely connected. According to her teammate’s villains that had never interacted before were now working together. Did their network extend to Dakota as well? she wondered. What was worst was that he also obtained the frequency to her communicator, to send the message. She hoped that he had not discovered her true identity, that would endanger Augustus, Icon, as well.
This was over her head, but she didn’t want to involve Icon, so she decided to bring the recording to the Cave. She rushed to the Cave after school and grabbed the first teammates available.
“That’s definitely suspicious,” Wally said, he sat on the couch beside her, munching on a party sized bag of chips.
“Have you showed this to Kaldur yet?” Connor asked, he leaned over her shoulder behind the living areas couch.
“Uh…No not yet,” she stumbled over her words uncomfortable.
“What? I’d think you would have gone to your boyfriend first,” Wally shoved her playfully.
“I just got in, and you guys were the first people I saw,” she defended herself hastily. Kaldur wasn’t her boyfriend; leave it to Wally to jump to conclusions, but yelling that Kaldur wasn’t her boyfriend felt a bit too defensive. Maybe he would be her boyfriend one day. She couldn’t say that the prospect didn’t interest her. Who wouldn’t go for the hot guy with tattoos?
But as of right now the extent of their relationship was a date, one date, and a peck on the cheek at New Years. It was a nice date. He was a perfect gentleman, too perfect of a gentleman, she would break him out of that later, if there was a later, she might have already botched things.
Things turned sour one lazy afternoon. Conner and Megan were in the garage. Wally and Artemis were on a date. The boy wonder was moping in Gotham because Zatanna had gone off to a magical realm to train. So that left Kaldur and Raquel watching movies on the couch. The movie soon became background noise as she pelted him with questions concerning the Team. He filled her in on previous missions, and that lead to gossip about her teammates relationships.
That ‘s when she should have kept her mouth shut. “It’s like we’ve been stuck with the leftovers ,” she said and laughed. It was just a joke! But the moment it left her lips she could tell she messed up. He became quiet and stiff, and then he apologized. Apologized! As if he wasn’t good enough, or worthy of affection.
She just sat there, gaping at him, she had hurt him and didn’t know what to say to make it right. They watched the rest of the movie in the most horrible silence, and days afterward she still didn’t know what to say.
“We really should tell Kaldur,” Conner said softly, he placed his hand on Raquel’s shoulder. Raquel only nodded.
***
“You are certain that you wish not to tell Icon?” Kaldur asked.
“He would only tell me not to go, and without me going we won’t be able to figure out what Holocaust is up to,” Raquel responded.
“True, but this will be dangerous,”
“What will be dangerous?” Robin asked as he entered the training area. They replayed the message for Robin’s benefit. “So are we going to break this meeting up? Please say yes! I’ve been itching for some action.”
“This mission would potentially put a teammate at risk. That should be considered before our boredom,” Kaldur chastised.
Robin ducked his head,” You’re right. I’m just… on edge I guess,”
“I’ll be fine Kaldur,” said Raquel,” besides; we haven’t been given an assignment for weeks. It’s like all the bad guys decided to take a break after attacking the League.”
Kaldur crossed his arms, “I assume everyone here is in agreement?”
The young heroes nodded.
“Then we should contact Miss Martian and Artemis and form a plan.”
***
After a lot of plotting and planning they had achieved a workable plan. Raquel only half listened to the meeting, she needed to get Kaldur alone. She couldn’t stand the distance; he hadn’t looked in her direction all afternoon. She cornered him one of the Cave’s hallways.
“We need to talk,” she said. Ugh! she thought, What a horrid way to start a conversation. He probably wants to run now.
Kaldur only rubbed his arm and looked uncomfortable.
“Look Kal, you know I was just joking last time right?”
“But your assessment was correct,” Kaldur started,” At the time that you joined, all other romantic options were unavailable.”
“And what about you? Am I just the only romantic option left to you? Why didn’t you go after any of the other girls before they coupled off?”
“I apologize. I did not mean to insinuate-”
“No apologizing!” she cut him off, “Just give me an answer.”
Kaldur sighed, “I am not the type that girls go for. I was surprised that you were interested at all.”
“You’re serious…,” she blinked at him, “you actually think that way about yourself?”
“I…I have not had much success with my romantic endeavors,”
“Everyone’s had a few losses Kal. It couldn’t have been that bad.”
He then told her about his long standing crush on Tula and how it ended. Raquel winced in sympathy. She had never felt that strongly about anyone before, but the thought of his broken heart made her own ache. When she did not respond he continued.
“I do not wish to trap you in a relationship if you are not willing. I-”
“Relationship? “ she cut him off again, “Look Kal. You’re a great guy and I think you’re insanely hot,” Kaldur blushed at the compliment, “but one date doesn’t mean that you have to give me your Fraternity pin.”
“Fraternity pin?”
“Ask Miss M. What I mean is that we don’t have to rush into this. Dating can be just for, you know, fun. We don’t have to immediately profess everlasting love and commit to each other forever. We can just enjoy each other’s company and take it one date at a time. In fact we can go on a date after this mission,” she stated confidently.
“We can?”
“You got something better to do?”
He smiled shyly and chuckled, “No, I suppose not.”
***
Paris Island
January 21, 23:15 EDT
In the most stereotypical fashion, the meeting would happen in an abandoned warehouse in the shadier part of the city. Rocket walked to her destination, Superboy and Miss Martian tailed her. The rest of the team followed at a distance in the Bioship.
“Hey! Rocket!” a male voice called from above.
She looked up to see a young man flying on a metal disk. He floated down to her his jacket floating behind him. He wore baggy black cargo pants and a white tee shirt with a lightning bolt across the front, his personal symbol. His goggles were pushed up, holding back his locks like a headband. It was much better that his original costume, Rocket thought. The old spandex and ball cap were a little unbalanced.
“Static?”
“The one and only!” he announced hopping off his disk, “So you were invited to this party as well?”
“Yeah. One second kay?” Miss Martian? Rocket thought over their telepathic link, Is any one else around?
I don’t sense any other minds in the area, Miss Martian answered.
There aren’t any heartbeats near by either, Superboy added.
Okay, we need to meet up, Rocket directed, “Come with me,” Rocket grabbed Static’s arm and dragged him away.
***
“Woah!” Static exclaimed, “It’s an actual Martian!”
Miss Martian blushed.
“This isn’t the time to geek out Static,” Rocket chastised, “Everyone, I’d like you to meet Static. He’s Dakota’s best hero, after Icon and myself of course,” she grinned.
Everyone on the Bioship introduced themselves over their communicators. Superboy and Static shook hands. Static bowed before Miss Martian. Her blush deepened.
“This is very fortunate,” said Aqualad, “Will you be willing to cooperate with us?”
“Well, I was planning to take Holocaust down on my own, but I guess I could let you guys help,” said Static.
Rocket shoved Static playfully, “Pay no attention to the dope, his ego is bigger than his head, if that’s even possible.”
“I’ll have you know my head is the perfect size,” he countered.
“It is settled then. Miss Martian link him up so we can proceed,” Aqualad directed.
“Don’t dig around too deep Miss,” Static tapped his skull, “My genius might be too much to handle,” he winked at Miss Martian.
“And did I mention?” Rocked said hands on her hips, “He’s a horrible flirt.”
***
Notes
We all know who Rocket and Icon are from the show. Some of us may even remember Static from his cartoon a few years back, but this story will include a lot of the more obscure Milestone characters. I will try to describe them as best I can.
This story is actually a sister fic to two other fics that I’m writing at the moment. The stories are all independent though. I am writing a fic with an OC called The Medic At the moment both Zatanna and Rocket are not in the fic (they show up later). In my mind this is what is happening to Rocket while she is not with the team. I have a similar fic set up for Zatanna titled The Sentinels of Magic.
.
Chapter Two