3: Herding Cats

Sunday, May 1, 2411
11:23 AST
Titans Tower
Pérez Island, New Avalon

"Once Cyborg and I disable the security systems, Batgirl and Ravager will enter from the southwest. Supergirl, you'll engage the heavies at the east end of the complex while - " Robin halted, casting a penetrating glance at the far end of the table. "Wally," he said sharply. "Do you guys mind? I'm trying to run a serious briefing here."

Flash moved a couple of inches away from Zoom, his face the picture of innocent indignation. "Whatwewerenotinvisiblymakingoutatsuperspeed," he blurted.

The corner of Robin's mouth quirked in a barely-suppressed smirk. "Then how did Elise's shirt just suddenly become inside-out?"

Flash and Zoom looked at each other, went identically red, and then looked in opposite directions and slid their chairs another couple of inches apart. Between eyeblinks, the top of the latter's uniform righted itself. On either side of the table, Cyborg and the Ravager facepalmed almost in unison, making Supergirl giggle and Batgirl roll her eyes.

"You are aware," said Batgirl dryly, "that Kara can see you when you do that. Right?"

The two speedsters plainly hadn't thought of that; they went redder still and moved apart a further inch, looking anywhere but at any of their teammates. Supergirl giggled again, but offered no comment.

Robin let them stew in it for a second longer, then said, "... Right. Now, if there's no other new business, maybe we can get on with planning this operation."

"Professor Drake, I have a question," said the Ravager, putting up her hand as if in school.

Robin hesitated for a moment, then said reluctantly, "... Yes, Rose."

"Why don't we just call it a heist? I mean, that's what Daddy and Uncle Jay always call it when we break into someplace and steal stuff."

"She's got a point," Cyborg said, grinning.

Robin sighed wearily. "Fine. We can get on with planning this heist. Does that make you happy?"

Ravager beamed. "Carry on."

"I bet this never happens to Terry," Robin muttered, then turned back to the holomap. "Supergirl, you'll engage the heavies... "

"Herding Cats" - a Titans Micro-Story by Benjamin D. Hutchins
special to the Eyrie Productions Discussion Forum
© 2012 Eyrie Productions, Unlimited

"I assure you, most women would not consider speed to be a virtue." -- The Most Interesting Man In The World, on speed dating.

--
-Pasha (Zoom is, apparently, an exception)
What was that feeling again?
Oh yes.
-Rage-

LAST EDITED ON Apr-02-12 AT 09:07 AM (EDT)
 
>"I assure you, most women would not consider speed to be a virtue." --
>The Most Interesting Man In The World, on speed dating.

Well, you know. Taking your time is all well and good, but there are times when you just want to push the envelope a little when you're a natural thrillseeker. And you've momentarily forgotten there's a Kryptonian in the room.

Also: Tim is totally wrong about this not happening to Terry, which he surely would realize if he thought about it for a second.

--G.
-><-
Benjamin D. Hutchins, Co-Founder, Editor-in-Chief, & Forum Mod
Eyrie Productions, Unlimited http://www.eyrie-productions.com/
zgryphon at that email service Google has
Ceterum censeo Carthaginem esse delendam.

>Also: Tim is totally wrong about this not happening to Terry,
>which he surely would realize if he thought about it for a second.

It's not so much that it's happening to Terry as Terry is more then likely the one making it happen, but...

--
-Pasha
What was that feeling again?
Oh yes.
-Rage-

>
>Also: Tim is totally wrong about this not happening to Terry,
>which he surely would realize if he thought about it for a second.
>

(In a curious moment of synchronicity, Terry McGinnis was at that moment wondering if things like this ever happened to Tim.)

Peter Eng
--
Insert humorous comment here.

Catching up on old issues of Red Robin, there was a page which had Tim Drake dressed as Batman Beyond + Cape.

That's all.

--
-Pasha
What was that feeling again?
Oh yes.
-Rage-

>(In a curious moment of synchronicity, Terry McGinnis was at that
>moment wondering if things like this ever happened to Tim.)

Technically, Terry's probably got it worse than Tim. He has his own herd of cats (one of whom is actually Catwoman) to deal with, plus more or less running Wayne Industries, and all without Tim or Cassie around to be all quiet and professional about it. On the other hand, he has Alfred, so maybe it all comes out even. By 2411, though, he and Tim could have an epic debate over who's more trying as a teammate, Downtown Stephanie Brown (as in "from way downtown...... BANG") or Rosie the Ravager Wilson.

--G.
HINT: Rosie. NO BLASTERS! NO BLASTERS!
-><-
Benjamin D. Hutchins, Co-Founder, Editor-in-Chief, & Forum Mod
Eyrie Productions, Unlimited http://www.eyrie-productions.com/
zgryphon at that email service Google has
Ceterum censeo Carthaginem esse delendam.

I had completely forgotten about her, but I'm glad to see you found something for her to do onscreen, even if it's just a micro. Gotta start somewhere :)

Offsides

[...] in order to be a realist you must believe in miracles.
-- David Ben Gurion
EPU RCW #π
#include <stdsig.h>

>I had completely forgotten about her, but I'm glad to see you found
>something for her to do

*cough* As it were.

--G.
(just getting it over with... as it were)
-><-
Benjamin D. Hutchins, Co-Founder, Editor-in-Chief, & Forum Mod
Eyrie Productions, Unlimited http://www.eyrie-productions.com/
zgryphon at that email service Google has
Ceterum censeo Carthaginem esse delendam.

I am now imagining Tim and Gar re-enacting the Nudge Nudge Wink Wink sketch.

Not sure if want.

---
"Yeah, I'm definitely going to hell/But I'll have all the best stories to tell" -- Frank Turner, The Ballad of Me and My Friends

>>I had completely forgotten about her, but I'm glad to see you found
>>something for her to do
>
>*cough* As it were.
>
>--G.
>(just getting it over with... as it were)

Methinks thou dost protest too much :P

Offsides

[...] in order to be a realist you must believe in miracles.
-- David Ben Gurion
EPU RCW #π
#include <stdsig.h>

>>>I had completely forgotten about her, but I'm glad to see you found
>>>something for her to do
>>
>>*cough* As it were.
>>
>>--G.
>>(just getting it over with... as it were)
>
>Methinks thou dost protest too much :P

As the actress said to the bishop.

--G.
They're a cute couple, but God help Wally the next time the team goes to Vlatava Prime.
-><-
Benjamin D. Hutchins, Co-Founder, Editor-in-Chief, & Forum Mod
Eyrie Productions, Unlimited http://www.eyrie-productions.com/
zgryphon at that email service Google has
Ceterum censeo Carthaginem esse delendam.

Ok, even after googling, I don't get what Vlatava has to do with Wally making out with Elise?

--
-Pasha
What was that feeling again?
Oh yes.
-Rage-

The only connection I've been able to think up (and gods but it's tenuous) is that The Spectre can somehow see them in the same way that Kara can and might not care for it all that much. Besides, surely The Spectre's completely OP in a setting like this (then again, he is for a setting like DC, so maybe he fulfils the same role in UF - a stick with which the gods (this time Norse) beat their foes (but then that doesn't explain why he wasn't around in Twilight (so maybe he doesn't exist in UF and his home turf is just a convenient metaphor for... something (GODDAMMIT THERE ARE TOO MANY BRACKETS IN THIS!)))).

---
"Yeah, I'm definitely going to hell/But I'll have all the best stories to tell" -- Frank Turner, The Ballad of Me and My Friends

>The only connection I've been able to think up (and gods but it's
>tenuous) is that The Spectre can somehow see them in the same way that
>Kara can and might not care for it all that much.

There is a Spectre in UF, but a) she doesn't have anything to do with Vlatava and b) she's not inclined to give a damn if Wally West is gettin' some; she's far too busy doing the Phantom Cop thing. Her portfolio is not as cosmic as the Spectre's has become in the latter-day DC universe. She's more on a par with, say, the Ghost Rider in terms of the scale on which she operates. Not so much beating up the enemies of the gods as scaring the crap out of drug dealers. It's not as glamorous, but somebody's gotta do it.

--G.
-><-
Benjamin D. Hutchins, Co-Founder, Editor-in-Chief, & Forum Mod
Eyrie Productions, Unlimited http://www.eyrie-productions.com/
zgryphon at that email service Google has
Ceterum censeo Carthaginem esse delendam.

LAST EDITED ON Apr-04-12 AT 10:42 AM (EDT)
 
Makes sense. One doubts Odin would empower a cosmic agent of vengeance as a guy in a green hood. And Vidarr would have better footwear. :)

Actually, your Spectre sounds a bit like the ghost cop, from Planetary.

>Ok, even after googling, I don't get what Vlatava has to do with Wally
>making out with Elise?

It's complicated, and I have to be out the door in a minute or two, so I don't really have time to explain right now, but basically, Wally and Queen Perdita I of Vlatava go back a few years by 2411. Not in that way, she was only 10 at the time, and I'm sure Wally never gave the matter another thought 'cause, you know, Wally. But she might have entertained certain... expectations... and it's never entirely certain how royal personages (particularly adolescent ones) will react to disappointment.

--G.
-><-
Benjamin D. Hutchins, Co-Founder, Editor-in-Chief, & Forum Mod
Eyrie Productions, Unlimited http://www.eyrie-productions.com/
zgryphon at that email service Google has
Ceterum censeo Carthaginem esse delendam.

LAST EDITED ON Apr-04-12 AT 12:51 PM (EDT)
 
>>Ok, even after googling, I don't get what Vlatava has to do with Wally
>>making out with Elise?
>
>It's complicated, and I have to be out the door in a minute or two, so
>I don't really have time to explain right now, but basically, Wally
>and Queen Perdita I of Vlatava go back a few years by 2411. Not in
>that way, she was only 10 at the time, and I'm sure Wally never gave
>the matter another thought 'cause, you know, Wally. But she
>might have entertained certain... expectations... and it's
>never entirely certain how royal personages (particularly adolescent
>ones) will react to disappointment.
>

Well, at the very least, she won't be tempted to sic her uncle on him, given that that skeezy bastard introduced them, by way of trying to kill her. Mind you, Werner's Public Enemy Number One on Vlatava Prime, I would think, and I would think he'd be anywhere but there, given his well-honed survival instincts. Of course, such instincts have a tendency to reach the end of their shelf life at about the time that heroes decide to show up, so ... who knows?

Ebony the Black Dragon

(Well, the Shadow, obviously, but he's got other things to worry about.)

>>>Ok, even after googling, I don't get what Vlatava has to do with Wally
>>>making out with Elise?
>>
>>It's complicated, and I have to be out the door in a minute or two, so
>>I don't really have time to explain right now, but basically, Wally
>>and Queen Perdita I of Vlatava go back a few years by 2411. Not in
>>that way, she was only 10 at the time, and I'm sure Wally never gave
>>the matter another thought 'cause, you know, Wally. But she
>>might have entertained certain... expectations... and it's
>>never entirely certain how royal personages (particularly adolescent
>>ones) will react to disappointment.
>>
>
>Well, at the very least, she won't be tempted to sic her uncle on him,
>given that that skeezy bastard introduced them, by way of trying to
>kill her. Mind you, Werner's Public Enemy Number One on Vlatava Prime,
>I would think, and I would think he'd be anywhere but there, given his
>well-honed survival instincts. Of course, such instincts have a
>tendency to reach the end of their shelf life at about the time that
>heroes decide to show up, so ... who knows?

Gah. This was all very confusing for me until I googled up this page: http://youngjustice.wikia.com/wiki/Perdita

Black Aeronaut Technologies Creative aerospace solutions for the discerning spacer "Murphy never sleeps, but that's no reason to poke him with a sharp stick."

>Gah. This was all very confusing for me until I googled up this page:
>http://youngjustice.wikia.com/wiki/Perdita

But you found out and now I don't have to explain the joke! I'm so proud of you!

No, seriously, that's awesome. It doesn't happen a lot around here. :)

As an aside, I have to say I'm seriously in awe of Perdita's powers of recovery. I'm reasonably sure I wouldn't have my shit that together 12 weeks after a heart transplant, never mind 12 hours.

--G.
-><-
Benjamin D. Hutchins, Co-Founder, Editor-in-Chief, & Forum Mod
Eyrie Productions, Unlimited http://www.eyrie-productions.com/
zgryphon at that email service Google has
Ceterum censeo Carthaginem esse delendam.

One day, Cassie... one day...

---
"Yeah, I'm definitely going to hell/But I'll have all the best stories to tell" -- Frank Turner, The Ballad of Me and My Friends

>But you found out and now I don't have to explain the joke!
>I'm so proud of you!
>
>No, seriously, that's awesome. It doesn't happen a lot around here.
>:)

*Doffs his NASA Meatball cap in an ornate bow.* Thank you, kind sir. If such is the case I shall endeavor to be the forum's source material gopher... Or, given the forum's past history with Rabid Crack Weasels, would a ferret be more accurate?

Argh. Now I got mental imagery of MTV's Celebrity Death Match featuring Koddo and Poddo from Beastmaster vs. The Gopher from Caddyshack. (Don't click that second link if you happen to hate I'm Alright by Kenny Logins!) Jaime Hyneman and Adam Savage are the special guest commentators.

Black Aeronaut Technologies Creative aerospace solutions for the discerning spacer "Murphy never sleeps, but that's no reason to poke him with a sharp stick."

Seriously, I wish I could have found an article for the gopher instead.

>*Doffs his NASA Meatball cap in an ornate bow.* Thank you, kind sir.
>If such is the case I shall endeavor to be the forum's source material
>gopher... Or, given the forum's past history with Rabid Crack
>Weasels, would a ferret be more accurate?

Ferrets are always accurate, my good (probably) man.

Aaaaaaaand now I've got a mental image of various UF characters engaged in ferret-legging...

---
"Yeah, I'm definitely going to hell/But I'll have all the best stories to tell" -- Frank Turner, The Ballad of Me and My Friends

"Well, this don't seem to bad oh Christ oh Christ it's got in the cup it's got in theeeEEEYAAAAAARGH!"

"And that's why we don't lose poker games to Pyotr, Sam."

"THE FORCEFIELD DOES NOTHING!"

>Aaaaaaaand now I've got a mental image of various UF characters
>engaged in ferret-legging...

Had a brief vogue in higher WDF circles around 2080, but never caught on, though the wTube clip of Dave Ritchie's performance at the 2081 All-Sector Regional Championship remained a thing of legend for many decades.

--G.
"Oh Jesus he's got my Prince Albert!"
-><-
Benjamin D. Hutchins, Co-Founder, Editor-in-Chief, & Forum Mod
Eyrie Productions, Unlimited http://www.eyrie-productions.com/
zgryphon at that email service Google has
Ceterum censeo Carthaginem esse delendam.

>"Oh Jesus he's got my Prince Albert!"

*Dies laughing*

Okay then, Forum Source Material Ferret it is!

Black Aeronaut Technologies Creative aerospace solutions for the discerning spacer "Murphy never sleeps, but that's no reason to poke him with a sharp stick."