[h3][b]BEFORE[/b][/h3]

As has become the norm in this headquarters my conversation is interrupted by the comings and goings of ill-mannered team mates.  I am seriously beginning to consider the need to implement some kind of signage system which will indicate to my more socially stunted comrades when it is acceptable to come barging in with their inanity's.  Perhaps I could take a leaf from the book of overly amorous college students and begin to tie socks around door handles when I wish to have a conversation that isn't disturbed by cretins.

This time I am willing to make an allowance though, seeing as the [i]'cretin'[/i] in question happens to be Miss Martins.  We are just fresh from a field mission that seen her essentially save my life, after all.(Have no doubts though, though she beat me to a solution I would have eventually resolved my predicament, given time. . .  And in a far less neolithic fashion.)  

Cassandra say's we have trouble, and though I am inclined to trust her I doubt it is immediate.  Her voice lacks the urgent undertones of one who feels they are facing a current peril, and despite the fact she is slightly flushed her breathing is under control.  [i]Deduction;[/i] Miss Martin's has just had a vision.  A most useful talent, though if she ever manages to develop it further she may just put me out of business.  One who can solve crimes before they are committed could become a serious rival to my abilities.  Though on second thoughts I do not doubt that my brilliance would eventually overshadow her power.  I'm just that good.  

"Trouble, Cassandra?  You've had a visi. . . " I peter out suddenly, my face no doubt going slack as I finally begin to piece the puzzle of Miss Martin's past together.  I haven't assembled all the clues, no doubt there is several integral pieces just out of my grasp, but I have now discovered the track that I must traverse to solve her mystery.  

I can feel a thrill of emotion rush though my body.  Again I am reminded that I am an addict, and this is my fix, that it is only when I get a challenge such as this that I experience this feeling of unrivalled euphoria. I grin at Cassandra, though I'm sure it isn't a particularly pleasant smile from her viewpoint, more like a predator's smile than the expression of joy from a friend.  I have a new Question to answer, one that is the key to unlocking the rest of her secrets.  

[i]Just where did she get her powers?[/i]

[b][h3]NOW[/h3][/b]

Death.  I am seventeen and have had more than my fair share of experience with death.  It comes with the territory of being the pre-eminent detective on the planet (Some would no doubt argue that the tomfool, wraith-like vigilante in Gotham city surpasses my skill.  I will concede that [i]perhaps[/i] is the case, but he has had three decades worth of experience on me.  One day I will prove his superior, sooner rather than later.  Anyway, back to my original point)  My experience means I am much more jaded towards the sight of a corpse than the layman.  Where others see a person who was once living I see no more than meat and evidence.  So it comes as some surprise when I feel a twinge of horror when I witness the absolute devastation left in the wake of this 'Red Lantern'.  

I feel my face scrunch in some indiscernible emotion.  Perhaps guilt, for not getting here sooner, even with Kassandra’s warning .  I am glad for the faceless mask that stops my team from seeing my features.  

The team arrive on the football field (Why do American’s insist on calling this game football, when it seems they spend most of the time [b]carrying[/b] the ball?  Stubbornness is my guess.)  just in time to see Mr Garrison melt one of his unfortunate team-mates.  My earlier emotional state is now thankfully under control, my concern fully upon stopping the insane teen rather than his enflamed classmate.  After all, its far too late for him.  

But how best to stop a Red Lantern?  The ability to do such a thing is far beyond my capabilities. It will take all our team working in tandem to stop the menace.  Unfortunately our leader fails to give us any instruction.  Unforgivable negligence on his part.  Even worse is the fact that Ms Waller, our resident powerhouse and one of the few on the team with the abilites to go toe-to-toe with a lantern, thinks she better serves our mission by evacuating civilians!  

[I]Deduction;[/I]  My team-mates are brain-dead buffoons, intent on getting everyone in the immediate area killed.  Supergirl no doubt thinks it is her mission to save the innocents.  Doesn’t she realise she would do that far more effectively by distracting the Lantern, and letting us handle to screaming masses.  Hellfire at least realises the import of ending this quickly, but even with his power he is little match for Mr Garrison.  Mr Harlan is quickly overpowered, but then strangely quit’s the field.  From what I know of Hellfire he would never leave his team-mates to face a danger like this alone.  [I]Assumption;[/I]  Hellfire’s retreat is due to currently indiscernible unrelated circumstances.  This is falling a part quickly, and it seems to fall to me to fix things.

Again. 

[color=steelblue]“Supergirl,”[/color] I bark as loudly as I can over the chaos.  [color=steelblue]“Quit playing the fool and attack the Red Lantern.  Only you are strong enough to withstand him!  Armory, Starbolt and Miss Mountain, support Supergirl’s attack, avoid a frontal attack while subverting his position.  Kassandra, use your power, get the civilians most at risk out of here, Ditto, put some clones at her disposal.”[/color]  

I then turn to the Red Lantern.  The team needs time to get into position.  Perhaps they wont listen to me.  God knows they all seem dead set on disagreeing with common sense, so it would hardly surprise me.  All I know is if left to his own devices then the Red Lantern could cause even more indiscriminate destruction.  Better to have him focused on one target.  

[color=steelblue]“Hey, Toby!  Your hair sucks!  And your mother is fat!  And I am reliably informed your father sexually pleasures other men for money!  For pitifully small amounts of money!”[/color]

My wit could cut through steel.