Chapter Text
Veronica Mars smirks as she looks the uniform-clad space cop up and down. “Batman wasn’t kidding when he said that ring of yours is like a flashlight.”
“I believe ‘glow stick’ was the term Spooky used when we first met,” the Green Lantern says, not a little grumpy at the reminder. “Who are you, anyway?”
Superman clears his throat. “Lantern, this is Veronica Mars. She’s an amazing investigator who’ll be helping us with some of our intel gathering.”
The Green Lantern narrows his eyes at the tiny blond. “Cop?”
“Private investigator.”
His lip curls in disdain. “You think spending a year or two taking pictures of cheating husbands qualifies you to work with the Justice League?”
Veronica just raises an eyebrow. “How old do you think I am?”
“I dunno. You don’t look legal and you’re like five foot nothing, but if you’re a licensed PI, I guess you have to be.”
She grins. “I guess I’ll take that as a compliment, then. But just FYI, I’ve been licensed for seven years, but I helped my dad out before then. I’ve been investigating crimes since I was seventeen, solved my first murder before I turned eighteen. If you need caped references for my investigative skills, I can direct you to Big Blue over here, the Bat, and Iron Man. I’ve been working cases with them for years.”
“She really is great,” Superman says. “I first met her about four years ago, when she came back to the US after an investigation led to her being held hostage alongside Bruce Wayne, but I’d read about some of the murders she helped solve even before then. She’s helped me out a lot—both in my civvies and as Superman.”
“Thanks, Supey.” Veronica pats the large alien on the arm fondly before turning back to the Green Lantern. “In the interest of transparency, I’ll tell you that I’ve done some work as a cape, mostly in Gotham, working in conjunction with Batman, but it’s been decided that I’d be a greater asset to the Justice League in my civilian identity.”
“How come?”
“I’m actually better known and better connected as Veronica Mars, private investigator, than I am as a masked vigilante, and the League needs someone who can show ID when we need to reach out to government agencies and, heck, suppliers for the Watchtower. Also, I’ll be helping J’onn and Batman with some of the admin and personnel work.”
“Okay, I get that,” Green Lantern says. “And I’m also getting that meeting you is pretty much a formality.”
Superman rubs the back of his neck sheepishly. “Well, we weren’t going to mention it unless anyone really objected, but, yeah. I’ve worked with her longer than any of you guys, even longer than I’ve worked with Batman. And the level of Batman’s involvement with the Justice League is contingent on hers.”
“Would’ve been nice to know that before I signed up to this dog and pony show, seeing as Batman’s the guy who gave us the Watchtower to begin with.”
Veronica frowns. “Actually, that’s just because the Justice League and the Bat have the same sponsor. Even if Batman and I are not part of the League, you won’t lose your funding.”
The Green Lantern shrugs. “Well, I guess if everyone’s fine with it, then I am too. Wait—how come you know all of this about the Justice League?”
She shrugs. “It was an idea the Bat and Superman and I were spit balling before the whole alien invasion thing.” She pauses. “In the interest of transparency, I should tell you that I know the identity of every hero in the League, as well as most of the active capes nationwide.”
“Are you serious?!”
Veronica grins. “You’re not the only aviator in my life right now, Hal. Although my friend—”
Superman starts to cough unconvincingly. “Boyfriend,” he hacks out between coughs.
Veronica glares at the Man of Steel. “My friend is in the navy, and I know you used to be air force.”
“How do I know you’re not gonna tell anyone who I am? I have friends, coworkers—”
“Who could be in danger if people knew Hal Jordan was the Green Lantern for this sector? Yeah, where have I heard that before?”
“She’s known who I am for years and has kept my secret well enough.” Superman smiles. “It’s been pretty… liberating, actually. And she knows who Batman is under the cowl.”
“I didn’t even know you had a secret identity.”
Veronica smirks at them. “To be fair, Superman has a terrible disguise as a civilian. Seriously, it’s embarrassing.”
Superman smirks back. “Well, Green Arrow hasn’t seen through it, and neither have most of the people I’ve interacted with.”
“Batman did, the moment he saw your picture.”
“Well, he is the world’s greatest detective, isn’t he?”
“It could be argued that the title belongs to a Brit by the name of Sherlock Holmes. I’ve met him. He’s pretty impressive. He impressed the Bat, too.”
Superman looks thoughtful. “That’s saying a lot, actually. I’m pretty sure I’ve never managed to impress the Bat. At best, he’s called my work ‘adequate.’”
Veronica grins. “But that’s like getting gold stars and a pat on the head from other people! And you do blind him with the sunshiney goodness of your personality from time to time. I’m pretty sure he’s only impressed by my ability to attack villains with the power of sarcasm and not get killed.”
“It’s not just that they don’t kill you. It’s that they actually like you snarking at them.” The Last Son of Krypton shakes his head. “I mean, seriously. You told Lex Luthor to stop being such a ‘drama queen Daddy Warbucks’ and he still invites you to his parties and fawns over you. Even Darkseid wanted to keep you for a pet or something. It’s got to be some kind of super power.”
“Then aren’t you glad I only use my powers for good?” She beams. “Speaking of which, Lantern, I’m up to date on the powers of your ring, but what about the more practical stuff you bring to the table?”
“Huh?” The Green Lantern has been fascinated by the banter between the world’s strongest hero and the woman who may be the world’s tiniest detective, so he’s surprised when the conversation turns back to him.
Veronica gestures to the ring on his hand. “I know that’s more than a flashlight or a bauble. From what Batman and I can tell, it’s a power ring that harnesses willpower and can be used for energy projection, force field generation, and energy construct creation. It also enables your flight, augments your strength, and serves as a kind of scanner and translator, with access to some kind of galactic database.”
“That’s… uh… pretty comprehensive.”
“I aim to please. So apart from doing the Lantern thing and fly planes, what else can you do?”
“I’m an aeronautical engineer, so pretty much whatever you need that involves planes, I guess.”
“Cool. I’m scheduling everyone for training on piloting the new Javelin, but if it suits you, I think I’ll recommend you for training and maintenance duties beyond that. It’ll occasionally get you out of monitor duty, and trust me, that’s a good thing.”
“Hold on. Javelin? What’s that?”
“It’s the single-stage-to-orbit jet our sponsor has helped us negotiate a deal with. Makes the Batplane look like a single prop.”
The Green Lantern gapes at her. “SSTO? Are you freaking kidding me? That’s still theoretical for Earth technology.”
She smiles, sharp and bright. “Not anymore. We’ve got a deal with Wayne Enterprises and Stark Industries to test their new prototype, code named Javelin. It’s a win-win situation as most of the people who’ll be using it regularly aren’t as vulnerable should there be any malfunctions. Your flashlight-turned-force-field should come in handy.”
“Gee thanks, so glad my ability to not die in a plane crash qualifies me to play test pilot.”
“That would be more effective if you weren’t already a test pilot in your civilian identity. Also if Batman and I had not qualified for it three months ago.”
“You’re not shitting me? It’s seriously single-stage-to-orbit?”
“Yes, and it uses Stark’s ARC reactor technology, so it’s fuel-efficient.”
“Hot damn!” Pure lust tinges his voice.
She tilts her head. “I assume by that shit-eating grin on your face, that you’re a go for joining the first batch of trainees for it? Flash, the Martian Manhunter, and Aquaman weren’t too keen to go in the first batch, but Wonder Woman and Superman are a go. So, you got the balls for this, flyboy?”
“Oh, baby, it’s on like Donkey Kong.”
Veronica grins widely. “Lantern, I believe this is the start of a beautiful friendship.”
“You know what, Veronica Mars? You might just be right about that.”