125 Usual Suspects

"Tell me if this sounds familiar. You hacked League systems, disobeyed protocol and endangered your lives. And your initiative resulted in the capture of three escaped felons, proving Warden Strange runs Belle Reve as a cover for criminal activity." Batman paused for dramatic effect. "Well done." He gestured to the suitcase recovered from their Smokey Mountains escapade. "And then, there's this. Bio-technology integrated with some form of nano-circuitry."

Icon studied one of the pieces. "Though I am unfamiliar with the species, the bio-component is clearly not of Earth."

"We'll take it to Watchtower for further study." Without another word, Batman left the cave. He was not surprised to find Selina waiting for him on the other side. He handed the case to her.

Smiling, she kissed his cheek. "You always get me the most interesting presents."

"You can take one to study here in the cave. Icon is probably wondering why I'm not at Watchtower with him now."

"Like he'd be brave enough to question you." She carried the case over to the science lab. Popping it open, she hummed, "Pretty."

"And most likely extremely dangerous."

"Those are some of the prettiest things." She selected one and placed it inside the scanner.

"You'll let me know what you find out?"

"The bio-circuitry is disturbingly sophisticated." Her eyes took in the holographic rendering of the microscopic detail. "It will take me some time, but I'll let you know as soon as I find something interesting." She keyed a few commands and read the results. "The electronic portion looks a lot like Serling Roquette's fog."

"The League of Shadows stole that technology."

"I'll try to get a consult with her."

Batman kissed her cheek, knowing that she was too distracted to pay him anymore attention. "Keep me up to date."

"Just go to your party already." She waved absently and continued with the scans.

The Team arrived back at Mount Justice from Santa Prisca. They were only there for minutes before Robin received an alarm on his arm computer.

He frowned and answered quickly, "Selina? What's going on?"

"Code B, little bird. Code B." She ended the communication with that.

Wally spoke first, watching the color drain from his best pal's face. "That's not good, is it?"

Robin franticly accessed Mount Justice computers and located every member of the League.

"Robin?" Kaldur asked.

Connor frowned, "What's going on?"

Downloading the information he needed, Robin finally said, "Get what you need. We need to vacate the cave."

"Rob!" Wally shouted, trying to get through to his friend. "What's going on? What's 'code B'?"

"It's something Catwoman and I came up with… in case Batman ever became compromised."

Zatanna looked nervous, disbelieving. "Batman's been compromised?"

"No." He shook his head. "The entire League has been compromised. We have to go. Now!"

Connor and Artemis got Wolf and Super Cycle, while everyone else got back on the bioship.

{ What's the plan? } M'gann steered the bioship out of the hangar and out in the air.

Zatanna reached out and touched Robin's arm. { Are you okay? }

{ Batman's… Batman. This can't be happening. } He took a deep, calming breath, before he nodded. { I'm fine. } He turned to M'gann. { Head to these coordinates. Catwoman will find us there. }

{ Is it possible that Catwoman is wrong? } Rocket looked at the group. { Shouldn't we try to confirm with… someone? }

{ No! } Robin glared at her from behind his mask. { She wouldn't have used Code B lightly. }

Wally asked, { How many codes are there? }

{ Fifty-two… with varying degrees of severity. } He said grimly. { Code B… it was meant as a joke. Code Batman. }

{ Because who wants Batman to be coming for them. } Zatanna finished, understanding the implication.

{ So basically the world is ending. } Connor huffed. { Great. }

{ Well, if it's not ending, it very soon will be. } When they reached the familiar landscape, Robin accessed a private network and keyed his personal security code. "Little bird, requesting access."

"Voice print acknowledged and verified. Please provide visual identification."

For this, Robin removed his mask in front of the Team for the first time in six months. His arm computer scanned his retinas.

"Retinal scan confirmed. Please decipher current passcode. You have sixty seconds."

A series of letters and numbers appeared before him. He quickly replaced his mask, while inputting the correct series of algorithms and pattern transforms for that day of the week. Robin finally sent along the passcode.

"Passcode acknowledged. Please confirm number of vehicles and beings entering."

"One Martian bioship – one white Martian, two humans, one speedster, one Atlantian, one magician. One New Genesphere – one Kryptonian clone, one human."

"Invalid."

Robin smacked his forehead. "One Wolf! Kobra-venom enhanced!"

There was a long pause before the computer acknowledged, "Welcome, little bird and friends. Please proceed."

He relaxed back in his chair and sighed with relief.

"That… was excessive," Wally commented. "What would've happened if you got something wrong?"

"You don't want to know." He let M'gann know where to land the ship.

The Team disembarked to find deserted land and mountains around them.

"There's nothing here," Rocket observed.

No sooner had the words left her lips that a hidden entrance in the mountain opened up.

Catwoman stood in front of them. "Welcome, little darlings. Come in, come in. Alfred and I have been preparing meals."

Robin hugged her tight. "What happened?"

"I'll get to that. Let's settle in first." She gently nudged him toward the dining table.

Connor took the opportunity to hug her too. "You and Batman keep a lot of caves."

"Part of our charm." She patted his back. "This is my North American secret base. I've got a couple more, but since we'll be heading up to Watchtower soon, I didn't see any point in having you all travel further." She just managed to get Connor moving, when she was engulfed in Zatanna's embrace. "Little dove, your father and Doctor Fate will be fine. We'll make sure of it."

"I'm glad we still have you," she whispered against her neck.

"You would've been fine. You all have good heads on your shoulders."

Alfred was dressed casually in a sweater and slacks. He was not pleased that he hadn't had an opportunity to grab his bag. "Master Robin, it's good to see you are faring well."

"You too, Al."

Gesturing for everyone to sit down, Alfred, the consummate butler, puttered around. "Miss Selina was analyzing the specimens you recovered from Miss. Cheshire-"

"You figured out what it does." Wally looked at her eagerly. "Well? Is it alien tech? Nano-tech? What does it do?"

She pursed her lips, displeased that he had rudely interrupted Alfred. After everyone sat down, she took a seat at the head of the table. "I consulted with Dr. Roquette and Queen Mera. We determined that it was an alien bio-organism infused with nanotechnology and magic. Mera had her science guy, Vulko, and I reached out to Dr. Spence at Cadmus. The four of them determined that it was designed to shut down the mind's autonomy; basically turning anyone infected into a puppet. They're currently working on a cure-slash-vaccine that will counter its effects."

"Who is infected?" Kaldur asked grimly.

"The entire League."

"How do you know?" Artemis demanded. She couldn't wrap her mind around the idea that the most powerful beings on the planet were under someone else's control.

"Suffice to say, if Batman was infected, the entire League did not stand a chance." Alfred placed a large dish of lasagna on the table.

Robin lifted his head. "And Batman was infected?"

"Several clues: when I sent a communication to him, he couldn't decode it."

M'gann was surprised. "You code all your communications?"

"Of course. Next, I sent a little virus into Watchtower systems for Batman to chase."

"And he didn't bite." Robin ate the food Alfred put in front of him without tasting it.

"And last but not least, Batman used his override code to allow Vandal Savage on to Watchtower." She didn't wait for any of them to interrupt again. "So far, all the League members are trapped on the satellite. I worked my magic to lock down the zeta tubes and the doors. As we speak, Faux-Batman and faux-Red Tornado are trying to get passed my hack."

"How long do we have?" Kaldur was mentally working through a list of each League member and their powers.

"Not very long." She nibbled on a breadstick. "I'm not sure what Savage is planning, but it does involve something off-world. Watchtower detected residuals of boom tube activity, but not since Savage first zeta'd to the satellite. It's likely Klarion and Teekl. Luckily my little code is keeping everyone busy; and Savage is a very patient man."

"He is immortal," Zatanna commented.

"Do you think they'll come for us?" Rocket asked.

"Eventually. For now, Alfred and I removed all trace of you returning to the cave after disappearing to Santa Prisca. They don't know where you are. Since they're focus is getting the satellite back in working condition, I doubt they'll send anyone after you lot."

"That will give us the element of surprise."

"Not unless we can get on to Watchtower without them knowing." Wally corrected Kaldur. "It's one of the most secure locations for a reason."

"Maybe next to here." Robin was about to start hacking into the League system, when Selina placed a staying hand on his arm.

"No hacking at the dinner table." She paused to take another bite of her pasta. "Besides, we don't have to worry about that. I'll get us on Watchtower."

Connor's eyebrows lifted. "So what's the plan?"

Savage paced the satellite, frustrated. The Light's plan had worked and they had access to every member of the Justice League – all puppets to use as he willed. And yet, sixteen hours after succeeding at his plan and they were still trapped in their headquarters.

Somehow the zeta tubes had been locked out and all access hatches were sealed. The only way off the satellite would risk damage to the space station. He was unwilling to go to such extremes just yet.

Klarion hovered behind him playing puppet master. "I'm bored! Can't we have some fun yet?"

"No. We need to determine the cause of the system lock outs." Savage continued to pace. "They're systems are sophisticated enough to block boom tube travel as well. We need access."

Pouting, Klarion sighed and continued guiding the League puppets through their monotonous tasks.

The computer suddenly chimed and Catwoman appeared on screen. "Oh," she acted surprised, "good evening, Vandal."

He stopped in front of her. "Selina, dear. I take it I have you to thank for the system lockouts?"

"I should have guessed," Klarion cackled gleefully. "You're the only one that can cause as much chaos as I do."

She tapped her claws rhythmically on the table in front of her. "You know how I enjoy causing trouble for my dear Bats. He ignored my messages."

"And you took issue." Savage nodded, pleased that his plans were only delayed by a harmless prank. "This time, I'll have to take the blame for Batman ignoring you, my dear." He offered her an apologetic bow. "My apologies."

"I see." She leaned in and asked curiously, "For anything interesting?"

"If you would be so kind and set the satellite to rights, I'd be most appreciative and will gladly entertain your curiosity."

"Umm," she purred, "that sounds interesting." She shifted, about to key in the command to release the zeta tubes, but she paused. "Before I do, how is my dear Batman?"

Savage signaled Klarion to bring him up.

When she saw him, she smiled, "Well, thank you, Vandal for keeping him in such pristine condition. I am most appreciative." She sent a command to release the zeta tubes. "I'll be there in two shakes."

"I've always liked Catwoman," Klarion grinned. He rubbed Teekl's head. "But I've always had an affinity for cats."

"Yes. Luthor and Ra's were interested in inviting her to be part of our venture, but Queen Bee and the Brain did not see value in her membership." Savage stepped to the zeta tube and greeted her.

"Recognize: Catwoman."

"Selina," he took her hand, "it's lovely to see again."

"Vandal, how have you been?" She let him guide her over to Klarion. "Teekl," she held her arms for the feline, "I've missed you." She cradled the cat, scratching under his chin. "Have you been good for Klarion?" She nuzzled her nose against his. "Of course you have." She turned her attention back to the others. "Well? I believe you had something interesting to show me."

"Of course," Vandal showed her a sample of the alien tech and explained the science behind it. "It's ingenious. You see, Starro-Tech does not reprogram the mind, it offers us remote control of it."

"We know exactly who's infected and who's not." Klarion turned his attention back to his monitor. "Hey, some of my toys have been taken away." He growled, "Those brats must be onboard!"

Savage clenched his fist. "It's time to put these children in their place; once and for all."

Catwoman looked around as the entire League was mobilized. "I think this has gotten a little bit too interesting for this cat." She was about to move toward the zeta tubes when the explosion of battle knocked them offline. "Looks like you and I will have to find cover," she rubbed her cheek against Teekl's head.

Savage watched the situation fall apart around them. "Time to go."

"Come on," Klarion bragged, "we can take 'em!"

"Yes, but in the process, you'd lose control. Perhaps even destroy this station. And whether or not they're in our thrall, the Light still needs the Justice League alive for Phase Two."

"I wouldn't 'lose control,'" he argued, before he grudging admitted, "Okay, yeah… I bring the chaos…" He looked over at his familiar. "Teekl, time to go."

Teekl ignored his master, enjoying Catwoman's embrace.

Containing his exasperation at the situation, Savage held his hand out. "Selina, care to join us?"

She smiled, "Do I get to hear about Phase Two?" She took Savage's arm and escaped Watchtower through Klarion's witchcraft.

The Team – through a hard fought battle – managed to cure the League of Starro-tech's control. They took a moment to celebrate the New Year before sitting down to wait for the League to regain consciousness.

When the League finally gathered in the conference room with the Team, explanations began.

"Once Queen Mera, Vulko, Dr. Roquette and Dr. Spence were able to engineer a cure-slash-vaccine," Robin passed a sample of the cure to Batman, "we gained access to Watchtower and proceeded to distribute it to the League."

"The Team did good work here," Superman acknowledged. He offered a smile at Superboy. "You did good work."

"Uh… thanks," Connor reddened slightly at the praise. "But Selina did most of the work."

"If she had not realized what had happened," Kaldur agreed, "the situation could have been much worse."

Wonder Woman crossed her arms. "She should not have access to Watchtower systems. How did she take control? How does she even know about Watchtower?"

"Diana," Superman scolded, "if Selina hadn't taken over the systems, we would have been at Savage's mercy. Who knows what he would have made us do?"

"We owe Catwoman our thanks," Hawkman agreed.

Batman's fist was closed tightly. "Robin, where is Selina?"

His gulp was almost audible. "She convinced Savage that she was playing a practical joke on you, so she could reactivate the zeta tubes. She masked our zeta trails so we could get onto the station undetected; while she distracted Savage and Klarion."

"Ha," Ollie grinned, "Selina could convince a thirsty man to give up his water."

"While the Team was facing the League, we lost track of her movements," Kaldur explained.

Connor finally said what Robin and Kaldur were hesitating to say, "We think Savage and Klarion took her with them."

M'gann's hands were clasped, nervous. "She'll be alright, won't she?"

"What's to worry about?" Wally said, "She took the cure-tech already and she totally had Savage wrapped around her finger."

While they had been talking, Batman accessed Watchtower systems and quickly bypassed Catwoman's lockouts. He brought up the security feed and played it back.

Wonder Woman shot to her feet. "She's a traitor!"

Everyone else in the League rolled their eyes at her reaction.

"Diana!" Superman tried to reign in her accusations before the Team tried to throttle her.

{ I used to respect Wonder Woman. } Zatanna crossed her arms and glared at the Amazon.

{ She's a little slow on the uptake, isn't she? } Artemis smirked.

Robin's lip twitched. { She's jealous. }

{ Of Catwoman? } Wally asked. { Who wouldn't be? Catwoman is hot. }

Artemis surreptitious slapped his arm.

{ Because Batman's interests are not aimed in Wonder Woman's direction. } Kaldur tried to keep a straight face.

{ Wonder Woman's in love with Batman? } M'gann said in surprise. { I thought… well, she seems attached to Superman. }

{ Superman's married. }

{ Really? } voices sounded loudly in everyone's mind.

Robin mentally shrugged. { Don't tell. }

While the Team was focused on their own private discussions, the League spoke around them.

"Clearly, she's trying to discover what Phase Two is." Flash pointed out the obvious.

"She has you all fooled; just like Savage and Klarion," Wonder Woman argued. "She had hold of Klarion's familiar. He could not run."

"And how was she supposed to deal with Savage?" Ollie demanded. "Ask him to pretty please hand himself over to the authorities?"

"I would have secured him with my lasso," she bragged.

"And how were you supposed to do that? You were lying unconscious on the ground," smirked GL.

"Any League member would have captured Savage and Klarion," she said insistently.

As usual, it was Batman that ended the discussion. "To what end?"

She opened her mouth to respond, but he stopped her.

"We all heard Savage. The Injustice League was simply a distraction. Luthor, the League of Shadows, Queen Bee, the Brain, Vandal Savage and Klarion have formed a secret society. They've managed to keep their existence – their movements – hidden from our knowledge. Catwoman made the right move – the only move she could – find out as much about Phase Two as she could without Savage, Klarion or this Light discovering she's not on their side."

"She should have tried to stop them!"

"Diana, you're being unreasonable." Superman frowned at her. "Catwoman does not have the abilities to face Savage nor Klarion in a physical battle. If she had revealed her allegiances, she would have risked the Team, the League and Watchtower. You're smarter than this."

Manhunter offered the most diplomatic solution. "Perhaps the Starro-tech and the cure-tech have had an adverse effect on Wonder Woman's physiology. Diana, perhaps you should rest."

"I'm fine."

"You're a blathering idiot," Aquaman remarked.

"And you're all trusting fools."

Tiring of the conversation, Batman sent a message to Robin's wrist computer. [ How long did Catwoman tell you to wait before going after her? ]

[ She didn't say. ] Robin replied. [ She didn't exactly tell us this part of her plan. Get to Watchtower; distribute the cure. That's as far as she got. ] He glanced at the clock. [ Should we be worried? ]

Batman had been watching the clock as well. [ Not yet. ]

[ How long should we wait? ]

[ I don't know. ]

"Recognize: Catwoman."

All heads turned as one to the zeta tube.

"Looks like I made it just in time for the party." Catwoman walked toward them. She was stopped by the Team engulfing her in a group hug. "Oh, my little darlings, I didn't mean to worry you. I would have been back sooner, but Savage does like to go on." She smirked at the League members, "You know how evil masterminds like to brag. And poor Teekl has been so put upon by Klarion – dragged from dimension to dimension; enlarged and shrunk – when all he really wants to do is nap. I gave him a nice cuddle and then sent him after Klarion. It will take quite a while before the Lord of Chaos can appease his familiar." She removed a device from her belt and tossed it to Batman. "For you, dear Bats. Belated Christmas present. I was having a hard time picking just the right thing. What do you get the man who has everything?" She offered him a wink from behind her goggles. "I know how you love to sift through surveillance video." Walking up to him, she placed her hand behind his head and drew him down for a deep kiss. "Happy New Year, Batman."

Without any further explanation and without allowing anyone to get a word in edgewise, she walked backward back toward the zeta tubes. "Now, it's been a long day and this cat needs her catnap."

"Recognize: Catwoman."

She gave a jaunty wave and disappeared.

{ That just happened, didn't it? } Artemis stared in bafflement at the spot where Catwoman had just been.

M'gann glanced around at the League, still standing completely befuddled. { Yup, that definitely just happened. }

Robin smirked. This wasn't the first time he witnessed Catwoman in action. { Ladies and gentlemen, Catwoman at her finest. Totally leaves her audience begging for more. }

{ I wonder if I could learn to do that? } Zatanna thought.

Wally exchanged looks with the other boys. { Maybe leave that technique to Catwoman. }

When Bruce's arms wrapped around her, Selina snuggled back against him, purring. "Finished playing with the clubhouse?"

"For now." He kissed the top of her head, holding her close. "I was worried about you."

"I was worried about you."

"Thank you for saving the day. I have a suspicion that if you weren't involved, things would have gone a lot differently." His mind had worked through as many 'what ifs' as he could process for the evening. He knew ultimately that if Catwoman hadn't been in the equation, things would have been disastrous for the League… and most likely the world.

"You would have been fine. The Team would have handled it. I just… gave them a head-start." Selina didn't want to consider the possibilities. All she cared was that things had worked out and everything was back to normal.

"Regardless. Thank you for taking care of Dick and Alfred… and the Team. I couldn't bear it if anything had happened to them."

"They're family… even the League are irritating in-laws. I protect my family."

That sentiment was exactly why he never doubted Selina's motives. She was admittedly not the most law abiding citizen, but she never did anything to harm people. She valued life; and most especially the happiness of who she considered family. Bruce knew that he and Alfred and Dick, and most of the Team were who she had adopted as her family. He pressed a kiss to her neck. "I love you."

"Love you too."

Since he knew she was in a good mood, he asked, "Could you tell me how you managed to block boom tube activity to Watchtower?"

"Sleep," she moaned, wanting his brain to rest at a decent hour for once.

"Please?"

Sighing, she grumbled, "I asked Sphere. Boom tube tech comes from the same planet that she does."

He felt the change in her body as sleep took over. There were still a lot of details to sift through and investigate, but he decided to leave it for another day. He placed another kiss on her shoulder before settling in to rest.

The End