Chapter Text
- CENTRAL COMMUNICATIONS AND TRANSPORT LOG: THE TOWER: 08/03/16
- SORT BY: Time
- SORT BY: ASCENDING
- MESS. [0834]
- SENT: Black Canary
- RECEIVED: Aquaman
- SUBJ: Dammit Orin
- REP: Aquaman
- We have already discussed this at length, Dinah.
- REP: Black Canary
- You have to be able to do something Orin.
- REP: Aquaman
- As I have informed you in previous conversations, the decision is not mine alone to make.
- Atlantis is a constitutional monarchy.
- In cases like this, especially when they have proof of my bias, I must bow to the council.
- REP: Black Canary
- Can’t you convince them? After everything he’s done, he doesn’t deserve this.
- REP: Aquaman
- “Everything he’s done” is the problem. It took considerable effort to convince them not to arrest him and have him put to trial.
- I understand his reasons, Dinah.
- I cannot say I would have done differently in his circumstances.
- But my people suffered too many losses from his actions, and if there is one thing we cannot tolerate in Atlantis it is more traitors.
- Nor so soon after the failed Purist coup.
- When they see him they see my brother all over again, Dinah.
- You have no idea what the last two years have done to us as a nation.
- I can’t ask them to forgive him.
- Not yet. They need time.
- REP: Black Canary
- You told me once he was like a son to you.
- That boy needs to see his family again.
- He needs to go home.
- REP: Aquaman
- That boy is a man who has seen and done more than any of us had done at his age. He knew what he was getting into when he and Nightwing made their plan.
- REP: Black Canary
- Do you even care?
- REP: Aquaman
- Dinah Lance of Star City, do not dare.
- When Kaldur’ahm of Shayeris infiltrated the Light and brought down both them and the Reach,
- The world gained one of the greatest heroes it has ever known,
- And I lost a son.
- REP: Black Canary
- Yet you stand by and do nothing to help him.
- What a father.
- REP: Aquaman
- They wanted his head, Dinah.
- Allowing him back to Atlantis, even with the council's permission
- Would be a death sentence.
- He needs to stay on land where it’s safe.
- Garth and La’gann have already begun a campaign to reinstate Kaldur’ahm’s good name.
- They have lost many friends because of it,
- And I have been petitioned frequently to withdraw my support from their efforts.
- We are doing what we can.
- But I am king first and a mentor second.
- Trust me when I say Kaldur’ahm understands.
- REP: Black Canary
- Fine.
- I understand. I do, trust me.
- It’s just
- I don’t know what to do.
- I’ve got ideas, but I had to try one more time. I’m going to keep in contact with you about his condition. I may be calling in for favors.
- REP: Aquaman
- Dinah?
- REP: Black Canary
- Yes?
- REP: Aquaman
- Thank-you. For looking after him. I am in your debt.
- REP: Black Canary
- No you’re not.
- After all the time he’s been with the team rather than being your side-kick?
- He’s as much mine as he is yours.
- REP: Aquaman
- Even so, I must thank-you for doing your duty by him where as I cannot.
- Please keep me informed.
- I fear he is not honest with me when I contact him to inquire about his condition.
- REP: Black Canary
- Orin,
- I don’t think he’s honest with anyone anymore.
- REP: Aquaman
- MESS. [0920]
- SENT: Black Canary
- RECEIVED: Miss Martian
- SUBJ: Return to Atlantis is a No-Go.
- REP: Miss Martian
- You weren’t able to convince him?
- REP: Black Canary
- Aquaman’s not the problem. The people of Atlantis haven’t forgiven Kaldur for Poseidonis.
- REP: Miss Martian
- Don’t they know he was undercover?
- That if he hadn’t done anything we’d all be dead? Or slaves?
- Doesn’t that mean anything?
- REP: Black Canary
- King Orin made a good point to me, M’gann.
- Landdwellers have no idea how much Atlantis has been put through in the last two years.
- It’s understandable that they aren’t willing to let go only a few weeks after finding out the truth.
- Have you considered my alternate proposal?
- REP: Miss Martian
- Well,
- Yes.
- But I’m not sure about it.
- Not that I wouldn’t be glad to do it!
- I just don’t know if it would help him.
- He’s been isolated from everything for so long.
- Are you sure this would be good for him?
- REP: Black Canary
- Honestly?
- No.
- I’m not sure.
- There’s a reason it’s not my only plan. But I need to know that the option is available moving forward.
- So, if he agrees,
- Are you willing to help me?
- REP: Miss Martian
- Of course I am.
- After everything…
- It’s the least I can do.
- REP: Black Canary
- What happened wasn’t all your fault, M’gann. I’m sure Kaldur’s told you that himself many times already.
- REP: Miss Martian
- I-
- I actually wasn’t talking about that.
- I do still feel guilty about it, but I was more referring to the fact that he’s always been there for me when I needed him.
- I’m just glad to finally be able to return the favor.
- REP: Black Canary
- Oh. I’m sorry for making assumptions.
- REP: Miss Martian
- It’s fine. Keep me updated about the plan, okay?
- REP: Black Canary
- Yes.
- Do you know where his is right now?
- REP: Miss Martian
- In the pool, training with La’gann.
- They’ve been trying to catch him up on sorcery since he got back.
- It really helps them bond,
- But I’m not sure if it’s working.
- The sorcery, I mean.
- The bonding is going great!
- I think they’re both really glad to have another Atlantean around that they can spend time with.
- REP: Black Canary
- Okay. I’ve got some other things to iron out, but I’ll update you as soon as I can.
- Take care, M’gann.
- REP: Miss Martian
- MESS. [0930]
- SENT: Black Canary
- RECEIVED: Nightwing
- SUBJ: We need to talk
- REP: Nightwing
- Hey B.C.
- What’s up?
- REP: Black Canary
- How are you doing, Dick?
- REP: Nightwing
- Frankly?
- Not well.
- Artemis has been bothering me to come see her in Central City,
- But.
- I don’t think I can go there just yet.
- REP: Black Canary
- Losing Wally has been hard on all of us,
- But most especially you two.
- You may find that you heal better if you have someone to share the pain with.
- And I’m sure Artemis wants the company as well.
- REP: Nightwing
- Look
- I really don’t want to talk about this,
- I appreciate your help BC,
- But I need to work this out for myself.
- He was my best friend.
- REP: Black Canary
- I understand.
- And I’ll try to leave you alone for a while.
- But, Dick.
- Don’t forget about the friends you have left, okay?
- REP: Nightwing
- Look, I’ll call Artemis.
- I can’t go to Central City.
- I can’t. But I can meet her somewhere else.
- Have a good day Dinah.
- Talk to you later.
- REP: Nightwing
- MESS. [0932]
- SENT: Red Arrow
- RECEIVED: Artemis
- SUBJ: Hey Undead Sister In-Law
- REP: Artemis
- Please don’t call me that.
- It is still so, so weird that you two got married.
- REP: Red Arrow
- Little sisters who fake their deaths can’t say shit about weird and uncomfortable family situations.
- So shut it, blondie.
- How are you?
- REP: Artemis
- I’d be doing better,
- If a certain bird-brain wasn’t avoiding me like I was the fucking plague.
- You’d think he’d want to at least talk after everything that happened with the Reach and Wally,
- But no.
- Bird boy just wants to mope and beat people up in Blüdhaven.
- REP: Red Arrow
- Dick can be a bit of a
- And fuck you for making me say this,
- A dick.
- This is a known thing.
- This is a thing that we have known.
- REP: Artemis
- I know I know.
- It’s just,
- He really pisses me off sometimes.
- It’s like he hasn’t even considered that I-
- Wait.
- I’m getting an incoming message from him right now.
- I’ll get back to you in a bit.
- REP: Red Arrow
- Sure, yeah, don’t mind me.
- I didn’t need to talk to you about anything important or anything.
- Brat.
- REP: Artemis
- MESS. [0935]
- SENT: Nightwing
- RECEIVED: Artemis
- SUBJ: Hey. Sorry for being an ass.
- REP: Artemis
- You’re entirely not forgiven,
- Unless you’re also texting me with a date and time for when we can get together to beat people up and talk about our feelings.
- REP: Nightwing
- How does Star City sound,
- Around 2200 tonight?
- I know I’ve been avoiding coming to see you,
- But it’s not you.
- I just.
- I can’t be in Central City right now.
- I don’t know how to be there without him.
- REP: Artemis
- And I do?
- I’m as much Gotham as you are, Grayson.
- But his parents need someone around who knows who he was,
- Not just as Wally, but as KF too.
- And seeing Bart and Barry just reminds them too much of why and how they lost him.
- I can’t take you up on your offer.
- But,
- Star City sounds good.
- I’d suggest Gotham.
- But I know that’s not the best place for you right now.
- Did you already clear it with GA?
- REP: Nightwing
- No, but he’s nowhere near as protective over his territory as Batman.
- So I’m not worried about it.
- I’ll message him after we’re done.
- So I’ll see you tonight, right?
- REP: Artemis
- Yeah.
- But, Dick?
- Can this not be a thing we only do every few weeks?
- And could we just go for, I’d don’t know, a movie or something next time?
- Losing Wally’s been as hard on me as it has on you.
- And
- And just because he’s gone,
- It doesn’t mean we stopped being friends, okay?
- I don’t want to lose you too.
- I don’t know if I can take that.
- REP: Nightwing
- Got it.
- I’ll see you tonight Artie.
- And I’ll try to do better.
- I don’t want to lose you either.
- REP: Artemis
- MESS. [0943]
- SENT: Artemis
- RECEIVED: Red Arrow
- SUBJ: Did you ask BC to talk to Dick?
- REP: Red Arrow
- No.
- But I’m not surprised she’s meddling.
- It’s kinda her thing.
- REP: Artemis
- I’ll have to send her a thank-you gift.
- Or a hug or something.
- Anyways, you said there was something you needed to talk about.
- Why do I feel like I already know what it is?
- REP: Red Arrow
- Because you’re as worried about him as I am?
- And slightly more empathetically sensitive?
- And spent about a month undercover with the guy?
- REP: Artemis
- Yeah.
- So, how is he today?
- If you’ve talked to him at all.
- I know you’ve seen him even less than I have,
- With you being busy with Lian,
- And him being holed up in the Tower.
- I tried to talk to him yesterday but the conversations was
- Short.
- REP: Red Arrow
- You tried to talk to him about Atlantis, didn’t you?
- REP: Artemis
- Yeah
- How’d you guess?
- REP: Red Arrow
- M’gann told me he spent the rest of the day after you called practicing sorcery with Lagoon Boy.
- After Lagoon Boy got tired and gave up for the night,
- Kaldur apparently kept going.
- M’gann found him passed out in the pool this morning.
- He’d decimated all the targets he and La’gann use for combat practice.
- REP: Artemis
- Seriously?
- All of them?
- Don’t they have, like, 40 in stock? Made entirely of solid rock?
- REP: Red Arrow
- Not sure on the number, but yeah.
- Solid rock.
- M’gann said it looked like a bomb had gone off.
- And that most of them didn’t look like they’d been broken with sorcery.
- REP: Artemis
- He’s not taking things well, is he?
- Ugh,
- I just-
- How can they do this to him?
- REP: Red Arrow
- Artemis,
- We don’t know what all went down before you joined up with him.
- It makes sense that they’re upset.
- And I’m not too sure that this is all anger over being exiled.
- This is Kaldur we’re talking about here.
- REP: Artemis
- I know. I know.
- Have you gotten him to talk to you about at all?
- Because I’ve had no luck on that front.
- And I don’t think anyone has.
- REP: Red Arrow
- No, he hasn’t talked to me.
- REP: Artemis
- Have you even tried to get him to open up?
- You’re practically the only person he ever really talks to.
- REP: Red Arrow
- Talked to. Was.
- Artemis,
- Kaldur and I haven’t been that close in years.
- The whole heart to heart thing?
- Doesn’t really happen anymore.
- I actually thought you’d have more luck.
- You or Nightwing.
- REP: Artemis
- You’d think so, right?
- Ugh.
- I want to punch him in the face sometimes, he’s so bad at communicating.
- REP: Red Arrow
- Dick or Kaldur?
- REP: Artemis
- Both?
- Okay, I’ve got to go.
- Midterms to study for before I go gallivanting off for a night in Star City.
- Would it be cool with you if I stopped by to see Lian?
- REP: Red Arrow
- No tights.
- REP: Artemis
- Yeah yeah, I know the rules.
- See you later Red.
- REP: Red Arrow
- You really need to stop calling me that.
- REP: Red Arrow
- MESS. [0947]
- SENT: Nightwing
- RECEIVED: Black Canary
- SUBJ: Happy?
- REP: Black Canary
- That depends.
- What do I have to be happy about?
- REP: Nightwing
- Artemis and I are going to be patrolling in Star City tonight.
- As a sort of bonding-over-Wally’s-death thing.
- We’re starting patrol at 2200. Can you pass the message on to GA?
- REP: Black Canary
- I’m sure Ollie won’t really mind, considering he’s in Thailand this week.
- I’m proud of you for reaching out to her,
- Though I do wonder at the fact that you’re choosing a patrol as “bonding time”.
- Do I need to send the message out to keep the streets clear?
- REP: Nightwing
- Anyone we come across will just be getting what’s coming to them
- You and GA are too nice to your guys anyways.
- I hear they hardly ever even bleed these days.
- REP: Black Canary
- After a while you lose a little bit of the blood lust that comes with crime fighting.
- You learn to save if for the special cases.
- REP: Nightwing
- Like that guy you nabbed four months ago?
- What was his name, the Star City Strangler?
- Doesn’t he have permanent hearing damage now?
- REP: Black Canary
- We’re moving off topic.
- I’m glad that you’ll be in town actually.
- Would you consider dropping by for dinner before patrol?
- Around 1800?
- REP: Nightwing
- Not so sure about that, BC. I’ve got a pretty busy night ahead of me…
- REP: Black Canary
- …
- Ollie made dinner for a week before he left for Thailand.
- I’ll just be re-heating it.
- REP: Nightwing
- Oh thank God.
- In that case, sure!
- See you at 1800.
- REP: Black Canary
- See you then, Dick.
- (Brat.)
- REP: Black Canary
- MESS. [1005]
- SENT: Back Canary
- RECEIVED: Batgirl
- SUBJ: Team Leadership
- REP: Batgirl
- I really feel like Dick should be the one talking to me about this.
- No offence Black Canary,
- But he does have the right to give leadership to the selection of his choice.
- And he chose to give it to Aqualad and me jointly.
- REP: Black Canary
- Dick hasn’t been thinking straight since Wally died, Batgirl.
- And that’s understandable. But don’t tell me you don’t share my concerns about Kaldur.
- REP: Batgirl
- Look, it’s not that I don’t care about Aqualad,
- But I’m not as familiar with him?
- I always heard he was one of the more closed off members of the Team.
- And he’s working through a lot right now with the whole exile thing.
- He seems normal, given the circumstances,
- And I don’t feel comfortable asking him to step down.
- REP: Black Canary
- Please believe me when I say that Kaldur has not been behaving normally.
- He’s always been reserved, but he’s never been this antisocial,
- And I have other reasons to believe there’s something wrong that I’m not at liberty to discuss.
- I’m actually going to be talking to him and Nightwing tonight.
- If Kaldur agrees to step down, and Dick backs the decision to instate you as full commander of the Team,
- Will you step up to the responsibility?
- REP: Batgirl
- Of course I will. It’s not that I’m unwilling to be the leader.
- I’d actually really look forward to the experience!
- I just don’t want to kick Kaldur out after he just got back. Seems like adding insult to injury after all that’s happened.
- He’s a great leader, and he says he’s glad to be back on the Team.
- REP: Black Canary
- He is a great leader, and he’s proven that ten-fold over that last few months. I’ve heard nothing but good on him in that respect.
- And I’m sure he is glad to be re-connecting with the Team and the League in general.
- But I have reasons to push this, and I need you to trust me that this is for the best.
- REP: Batgirl
- If Kaldur agrees, I’ll take over as Team leader.
- Keep me posted?
- REP: Black Canary
- You’ll be one of the first to know the decision once it’s reached.
- Thank-you Barbara. I know this is a lot of responsibility to be handed when you're so young.
- REP: Batgirl
- I can handle it. And no problem.
- REP: Batgirl
- MESS. [1030]
- SENT: Black Canary
- RECEIVED: Aqualad
- SUBJ: Appointment
- REP: Aqualad
- My apologies for missing our scheduled appointment last night.
- I became distracted.
- REP: Black Canary
- Kaldur, this is the fourth time you’ve missed our appointment.
- League and Team members who undergo any mission lasting more than five days are required to attend a mandatory de-brief and psych eval within three days of the mission’s termination.
- Extenuating circumstances could explain why you weren’t able to go through the full process immediately after your mission’s success,
- But this is getting ridiculous.
- REP: Aqualad
- I have already been fully de-briefed by Batman. And psychological evaluations are only required if there is present evidence that trauma has taken place that will interfere with further operations.
- Lacking that, League and Team members are at liberty to seek outside help so long as they do so within two months’ time of mission termination.
- I trust my performance has not noticeably decreased since I resumed my duties as leader of the Team?
- REP: Black Canary
- Your performance has been fine.
- Exemplary, actually. You seem to have learned some new skills in your time away.
- But I know for a fact that you haven’t had a psych eval yet, because you have yet to submit any of the confirmation paperwork to the League.
- Not to mention that I’ve been your therapist since 2010.
- The things you went through would be traumatic for anyone Kaldur. The fact that it’s not showing up in your performance doesn’t negate that you have a lot of experiences you need to work through.
- I’m worried about you, Kaldur.
- We all are.
- Kaldur?
- Are you still there?
- REP: Aqualad
- I understand your concern, and I do appreciate it.
- When would you like to reschedule?
- REP: Black Canary
- I have some open time tonight, actually.
- Nightwing and Artemis are doing a patrol in Star City, so I have the night off.
- REP: Aqualad
- When would you like to meet at the Tower?
- REP: Black Canary
- I was actually hoping we could meet at my house and talk over dinner,
- If you’re comfortable with that arrangement.
- REP: Aqualad
- I am uncertain…
- REP: Black Canary
- Ollie left some food in my fridge that I’m planning on re-heating,
- If that helps.
- I won’t be the one cooking
- REP: Aqualad
- It is not my intention to offend, but that does make the decision considerably easier.
- Are you still living in the same quarters?
- REP: Black Canary
- Yes. Would you like to meet around 1800?
- That would be excellent. Thank-you.
- REP: Aqualad
- MESS. [1100]
- SENT: Back Canary
- RECEIVED: Miss Martian
- SUBJ: Dinner Tonight
- REP: Miss Martain
- Are you proposing the plan to Dick and Kaldur?
- REP: Black Canary
- Yes. Dick and Artemis are going to be patrolling Star City tonight, so I thought I’d ask Dick to come for dinner.
- I also asked Kaldur to come for his much belated appointment at the same time.
- We should have a clearer picture of what the next few months are going to look like by tomorrow.
- Have you talked to Superboy yet?
- REP: Miss Martian
- Yes. He’s not happy that I might be leaving, but he understands. He doesn’t show it very well, but he’s been really worried about Kaldur lately.
- I’m pretty sure he’s actually really angry at Dick for putting Kaldur back in charge of the Team. He hasn’t spoken to him since the invasion ended.
- REP: Black Canary
- Well hopefully that won’t be a problem anymore after tonight. I’ll get back to you with the plan after we’ve worked it out.
- REP: Miss Martian
- One last thing,
- Does Kaldur know that Dick’s going to be there?
- REP: Black Canary
- I didn’t tell him, because I know it’s less likely he’d be willing to come if he knew. I’m banking on him forgiving me and being willing to listen anyways.
- I may also be relying on him not having changed too much since he left, at least in this respect.
- Hopefully he’s still too polite to leave.
- I feel bad about manipulating them like this.
- But this conversation needs to happen, whether or not they agree to our plan.
- Have a good day M’gann.
- REP: Miss Martian
- You too.
- REP: Black Canary
- Oh, and can you do me one favor?
- Make sure Kaldur doesn’t “fall asleep” in the pool again.
- I would hate for him to accidently miss our appointment.
- Again.
- REP: Miss Martian
- I’ll remind him.
- ;D
- REP: Miss Martain