An Outsider — Roleplayer Guild

N I G H T S T A R

Manhattan, New York
January 1st, 2052  |  6.00pm  | Carlyle Hotel 

Mar'i Grayson, the half-Tamaranean hero known as Nightstar, had much better things to do on New Year's than to babysit. Just last night, Mar'i had been counting down the New Year and watching the celebrations from Astrapolis. She had made plans with Larissa Queen, Avia Free, and many of the other heroines of the Justice League to have a spa day in Italy. She had made dinner plans with Damian, and it was truly a herculean ordeal to drag the Bat from his cave. But the Legion's invasion of Thailand had changed everything. 

Technically, Thailand was in the midst of an attempted coup, but the Legion's influence over the event was obvious. Thousands had already died, and thousands more would die from famine, sickness, and exposure in the days and weeks to come. But the Justice League couldn't do a thing about it. Thailand's Prime Minister had refused to sign the JLU's charter and so did not allow any Halls of Justice to exist within its boundaries. It was the military junta's decision in truth. And so, despite every fiber of her being itching for a fight, Nightstar had to stand down. 

That was until the League was contacted by Mr. Juaa Demir, Thailand's ambassador to the UN. He was prepared to sign the charter and make Thailand a formal partner of the JLU. The League could then intercede in the violence and bring humanitarian aid to the populace. That's why Nightstar was here with a team of other Leaguers in the Carlyle Hotel, the residence of Mr. Demir. They had brought the charter for Demir to sign, and Demir would then bring it to the Thai PM who fled the country and was hiding in a secret location. There it would be ratified, and Thailand would officially be within the League's jurisdiction. Unfortunately, the Thais refused to reveal their PM's location, or the use of zeta beam travel, instead waiting for a Thai flyer to escort Demir and the charter to the Prime Minister. Nightstar and Lyta had argued strenuously with the ambassador, but Demir had held his ground, admirable as it was foolish.

And so here Nightstar was in Demir's hotel room with Lyta Trevor, the Wonder Woman, and Cassandra Cain. Zephyr, Vulkan, and Spitfire were on patrol. The protection detail was a bit light for Mari's taste, but most of the other Leaguers were already occupied with prior assignments or on leave. They would have to make do with the current team, as well as the New York Peacekeepers. Thai security was also in play, but Nightstar had her doubts about their usefulness. As for Demir, he was reading over the document he had just signed, a grim expression on his face. Thailand had been part of China's coalition in recent years, but it was clear that the Chinese had bigger concerns now. It obviously rankled Demir's sensibilities to turn to Western superheroes for help. That was just fine with Nightstar. All she had to do was keep him alive for another hour and hand him over to his people. Within a few days, the Justice League would be able to deploy to Thailand, stop the violence and bring order to Bangkok and the rest of the country. They would bring back power, set up shelters. They'd provide food and water. Lives would be saved. Nightstar could stomach Demir's sideways glances in the meantime.

F L A M E B I R D

Manhattan, New York
January 1st, 2052  |  6.00pm  | Carlyle Hotel 

Now you might be thinking to yourself ‘just what are you doing at the Carlyle Hotel, James?’ And it’s a good question, really it is. But if you don’t mind we’ll put it aside for now. Things will all become clearer by the end of this entry. Suffice to say for now that I am exactly where I need to be. 

I enter the hotel through the lobby entrance, and walk smack dab into a group of Thai security, hard faced men garbed in expensive suits, hands tight around their assault rifles. They don’t look pleased to see me, a couple pointing the business end of their weapons my way. I raise my hands slowly, grinning slightly to put them at ease. Or at least I hope it puts them at ease.

“Whoa now boys, I’m one of the good guys.” I call, gesturing at the big bird insignia plastered upon my chest. Really, what’s the point of these logos if no one recognises them. “See, Flamebird.” Their faces remain blank … Well, not quite blank. More apt to say hostile. I almost can’t blame them, considering the state their homes in, but I don’t have time to convince these guys I’m on their side. “Look, call it in alright. I know you’ve got Leaguers here. Let them know that Flamebird is here. They’ll vouch for me.” 

The Thais glare at me for a moment, before the one I take to be in charge grunts in annoyance and makes a report down his Wayne Tech tactical smart watch. I take a deep breath, realising that there’s no stopping it now. I’d kinda enjoyed these last few months being ‘dead’. It was the closest thing to time off I’ve had in years. Now I was throwing myself back in.

All good things have to come to an end, I guess.

***

Nightstar, Wonder Woman, and Cassandra Cain were speaking softly among themselves. They were discussing the civil war in Thailand, and Lyta in particular was already drafting a strategic plan for the Justice League's response. Once the charter was affirmed by the Prime Minister, the Justice League could deploy a scores of Leaguers and several supporting Justice Battalions within hours. It'd be the largest deployment of Justice League resources in years, but it would be well worth it to quell the violence and save Thailand from the Legion's control. 

Wonder Woman, the team leader, received an incoming communication from one of the Peacekeeper teams through her wrist communicator. She tapped the commlink and a holographic display of a helmeted Peacekeeper came up. Lyta spoke, "Is something wrong Sergeant?"

The Peacekeeper shook his head, "No ma'am. We received comms from the Thai security. They say Flamebird is in the lobby." Lyta's eyes spread wide in surprise as did Cassandra's. Mar'i covered her mouth to stifle an involuntary gasp of relief and shock. 

Cassandra recovered first, "Can you confirm this Sergeant?" "Affirmative. I have a squad down there already. They confirm eyes-on that Flamebird, or somebody who looks a lot like him, is in the lobby. No magical disturbance detected, so it isn't an illusion or if it is, it's a very good one. Scans show the same vital signs and genetic profile. It's either an incredible deception, or it's the genuine article." 

Lyta made a quick decision, "Cassandra. Watch the ambassador. Mar'i, we'll go see him. We'll confirm it's James and bring him here, we need to debrief immediately." She tapped the squad-wide comms, "I'm tasking greater patrols from the Peacekeepers. Team, Jame's is back." 

Mar'i nodded and as a Peacekeeper opened the door, she immediately flew out, Lyta sprinting after her just as fast. Lyta jumped down the stairwell as Mar'i flew down, both of them reaching the lobby faster than any elevator. Zephyr, Jai West, was already there, pulling Flamebird in for a bear hug. He released James and patted him heavily on the back, mouthing archetypal West family jokes as he did so. Nightstar stopped in front of Flamebird, hovering a few inches from him, looking into his eyes, 

"James, is that really you?"

***

A squadron of peacekeepers come down to verify I am who I say I am. Seems like the word dead guy come back to life just isn’t taken as gospel any more. I stand in silence as they subject me to tests and scans, making sure I’m not a sophisticated illusion, bizarre clone, or killer android. Routine stuff, really. 

Imagine this being your life, were the possibility of being replaced by a killer android is routine?

No surprise really, but Jai’s the first Leaguer to come and greet me. I can almost feel his presence milliseconds before he’s in the room. Like I can feel an electrical current dance across my skin, making the tiny hairs upon my body stand on end. I’ve met a few speedsters in my time, and it seems to be common to all of them. Like it’s realities way of readying an average joe to encounter a conduit of the Speed Force.  

“Flamebird! God, it’s really you!” The voice sounds in front of my face, and I didn’t even really see him coming. Wally West’s only son is getting faster, as hard as that is to believe. He throws his arms around me, and I’m pulled in for a quick hug. “You gave us a hell of a scare dude. Really thought we’d lost you this time.” 

I force a queasy grin. I’ve never liked discussing mortality with Jai. It cuts a little to deep, since I got his sister, who was at the time serving as Kid Flash, killed during the original Legion attacks. Sure, he’s never blamed me for her death, always said that I did everything right, that I couldn’t possibly have saved her, that it was the life she chose, all that shit, but I still can’t help feeling responsible.

“C’mon Zephyr.” The Thai security guys are still hovering near by, so it’s work names for now. “Give me some credit. I’ve been doing this for a while now.” I play-punch him in the shoulder. “Deathstroke ain’t got nothing on me.” The speedster’s eyes sparkle. If he had any doubts that I am who I say I am before, that joke has began to assuage them. 

“Oh, big bad Flamebird huh? What next? Cape and cowl? Faux Clint Eastwood voice? I am the night!” His Batman impression isn’t half bad, and I can’t help but chuckle. The laugh dies in my throat when I see Mar’i. She hovers midair, just a few feet from me. I can tell she’s having trouble trusting those glowing green eyes. I have been gone six months, after all. No doubt she, and the rest of the family, have already buried me. Buried me and moved on. This war, it doesn’t leave you with much time for grieving. You learn to leave your dead behind or run the risk of joining them. 

And here I am, making everything difficult for everyone involved. 

"James, is that really you?" She mouths tentatively, like she’s almost scared to hear the answer. For a second I don’t know how to reply. How do you reply in this situation? It’s not like they train you for this kind of thing.

“Hey Mar.” I settle for, hoping the rest will fall into place.
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A Glorious Failure

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