My footfalls echoed in the cavernous hallways of the Watchtower, most of my attention directed to the massive windows lined up next to me. As always, the view of the Earth was spectacular, and something I wished I could see more often. I had only been up to the Watchtower a handful of times since I arrived on this world, mostly to tinker with the Psion ship, but every time I made sure to swing by one of the Earth-facing windows to gaze at the planet. The prospect always made me a little giddy every time I was called up.
It was a pity that the reason I had been called up this time might have been that I was going to get kicked off the team.
When Red Tornado had greeted us on our return, his questions mostly been focused on what we had learned and about our new roommate (I wasn't sure where else to keep Rommie). I had mentioned how the team had gotten their memory wiped and how I had gone to retrieve them, but I didn't go into details. However, I didn't leave any details out when it came to my written report. I probably couldn't hide the incident at the military base for long anyway, and besides… I didn't really care to.
Needless to say, I wasn't surprised when 30 minutes after I had submitted said report, I had gotten a call from Batman, telling me to meet him on the Watchtower immediately.
Soon enough I reached my destination, a plain door set into the wall. I knocked a short pattern before the door slid open and I walked into the room. It was a small, unadorned conference room, with little in the way of amenities and only a single intercom in the wall. And that intercom was a fake. This room was used by the League whenever they wanted to discuss something with the utmost privacy, the walls reinforced with privacy and anti-spying technology. This was the room which Batman debriefed me in when I had first come to this Earth and told him about my comic knowledge.
Speaking of which, Batman stood at the other end of the conference table, looking at me impassively. And surprisingly he was the only one there. "I had assumed more of the League would be here for this." I said after the door closed behind me.
"This is not a formal hearing Machina, though it can become one." He replied as he narrowed his eyes slightly. "Before this goes to the League we need to talk about what happened at the end of your mission."
Some of the League might not have a problem with what happened, I thought to myself, but as I walked up next to him I said, "What in particular do you want to know?"
Neither of us sat as he glared at me. "You assaulted a foreign military base during a stealth mission with lethal force, causing massive destruction and an unknown number of deaths."
"Yes."
"Do you have any meta-knowledge that I am not aware of that is pertinent to the situation and would explain your actions?"
"No."
"Then what were you thinking?" He said, the closest to a shout I had ever heard from him.
"That it was the best option I had to save the lives of my team."
There was a moment of silence before he said, "Explain."
"Most of the team was effectively immobile due to the damage to the bioship, and it was likely a matter of minutes before they got their sights on us and the next wave of missiles came in. Separately there was the issue of Starfire's capture and what they were doing to her. What we needed was for their attention to be diverted elsewhere and for their ability to strike at us to be neutralized. After I found that Starfire was being held at a military base, I found a way solve several problems at once. I had intended to rescue Starfire first, but their response was such that I needed to deal with the military before anything else."
"And you felt that was reason enough to resort to lethal force."
"…Yes. For what little its worth, I didn't specifically intend to kill anyone. But I needed to neutralize the threat, and I didn't have time, power, or skill to accomplish that without using the level of force I did."
"That's a dangerous road to go down, Machina." Batman's voice had lost a little bit of its growl, but his tone was still hard. "Superhero work is never easy, and there is always the temptation to escalate in order to solve the problem in front of you. There's always the risk of your enemies escalating in kind… and the risk of becoming numb to the cost it brings."
"I'm not going to start making this a habit." I said, tried to keep the exasperation out of my voice. "In spite of what you may think, I still want to do the superhero thing right. Which includes not killing people. But we weren't on a superhero mission. We were on a black ops mission in a territory out of League jurisdiction, which went sideways the moment we made contact with the enemy. Had I the option I wouldn't have done any of that. But I didn't, so I made the best decision I could with the options I had."
The other man narrowed his eyes a little. "A decision you made without the rest of your team, including Aqualad. Even ignoring the collateral you caused, it was reckless for you to assault a military base alone. Especially when you knew they had advanced technology. "
"That technology was coming to find us anyway. Besides which, Moya was injured and I needed to get to the base as fast as possible before they launched another wave of missiles, there was no way for most of the team to keep up with me." I countered. I hesitated for a moment before I said "Kid Flash could have, but… I already knew what was going to happen when I got there. They shouldn't have to experience that."
"That doesn't make it any less reckless, Machina, no matter what you felt you needed to prevent." Batman growled before his mouth pressed into a thin line. "In your report, you said that Queen Bee 'threatened to harm Starfire' if you didn't comply. What specifically did she say?"
I didn't respond, but Batman read my silence easily enough. To my surprise, his shoulders slackened ever so slightly as he let out a breath. If my eyesight wasn't superhuman, I wouldn't have seen it. Before I could think on it too much, he spoke. "You and Starfire are in a relationship."
I arched an eyebrow at the sudden non sequitur. "Uh, yes? If you're implying that I only did what I did because of her being captured, I would have done the same if any other of my team was in her place."
"Your response likely wouldn't have been as aggressive." He countered. "Relationships complicate things, even as much as we want to pretend they don't. The fact that she is your teammate comprised your judgement during the mission."
I was silent for a long moment before I gave the man a tight lipped smile, and spoke slowly, "Is this really the hill you want to stand on, detective?"
The temperature of the room seemed to drop several degrees, but I didn't break from the glare he had fixed on me. After a very long few seconds of silence, I said evenly, "If you really think it's a problem, find someone else on the League who agrees with you and have them talk to me. But I refuse to be lectured on relationships by you of all people."
I'm not sure how long we remained like that, but eventually Batman grunted. "Perhaps not." He said. "But that doesn't mean I am wrong."
I suppressed the urge to pinch the bridge of my nose. That was probably going to be the closest thing to a concession that I got out of the man. "Then what would you have done?" I asked, more out of frustration than anything else.
"Surrendered."
I blinked. "You… what?"
"Your report said that Queen Bee specifically called you out. Were this a League mission, and I was in your position, I would have separated from the group and surrender myself alone. I would use my capture to gather information and create a new plan for escape and rescue, taking advantage of any opportunity that arose."
I opened my mouth to respond, but closed it after a second. For a minute I thought about it, actually thought about that plan rather than giving my gut reaction. Finally, I said "I didn't think of that, but I don't think it would have worked. Just handing myself in would only hold the attention of the whole military for a few minutes, if at all. The team, and Starfire, would be back in danger before I could getting anything out of it."
"You asked what I would have done." Batman replied. "Not what you should have done."
I let out a sigh and gave him a flat look. I wasn't going to rise to the bait. In fact, I realized that I had reached the end of all I had to say. I placed my hands behind my back as I looked at him. "Do you have anything else you want to ask, or have you got a verdict?" I asked. "Was my explanation satisfactory? Or are you going to take me off the team?"
Batman gave me that unreadable look I had seen so often for a long minute. "This matter will be brought to the rest of the League… but for now, no, you will not be removed." he finally said. "Your actions, while unfortunate, are understandable. Make no mistake, you will be better than this the next time this happens, if only because I will make sure you have the training and skill to overcome it. But, you will not leave the team." He took a step forward. "However, you are being grounded from missions for the foreseeable future, until you get a psychological evaluation."
"What?" I said, taken aback. "Why? I don't ne-"
The stare he gave me caused my mouth to click shut, and he said "Two months ago you were a civilian programmer with no training or inclination to combat. Today you just killed several people violently, and seem wholly at peace with it. Justified or not, that is not normal." His posture and tone relaxed slightly before he continued. "I understand that you have grown and experienced a lot since you came here, but that is still concerning. I need to be certain of your mental state before I send you back into the field. Black Canary will handle your evaluation."
I made a small sound from the back of my throat, and the other man shot me a questioning look. I shifted a little before saying. "Uh, things are kind of awkward between me and Black Canary. Maybe I could-"
"Black Canary will handle your evaluation." He repeated firmly.
I sighed, realizing that there would be no changing Batman's mind on this one. At least not when my reasoning was 'things are kind of awkward'. In truth I wasn't even mad at her anymore, we just hadn't talked since that day with Amazo. I guess I was going to have to fix that. "Is there anything else, sir?"
"Do you believe this… New Genesphere is telling the truth? That the Bialyans is colluding with Apokolips?"
My eyebrows rose at the subject change, but I nodded. "I do. I had hoped that after the League took down Intergang that Darksied would lose interest. But either his agents found more contacts then we thought… or he already has a vested interest in Earth." I prayed that it was the first one.
Batman scowled, though this time it wasn't at me. "We will still investigate, but the Justice League will have to start making preparations immediately. Recommendations?"
I looked up as I rubbed my chin. "Aside from taking down Queen Bee and all her associates? At this point, I think one of our best moves is to get in contact with New Genesis. I can't guarantee they'll be completely friendly, but consider that Space Stalin is looking in our direction…"
"Does the sphere have the means to contact its home world?"
I was silent for a moment before I looked back at Batman. "I don't think so. But, I think there's some people we can bother to borrow their phone…"
The light of the Zeta Tube faded as I stepped back into the Mountain, and I was greeted by a mildly unusual sight. Red Tornado was in the center of the floor typing on a holographic keyboard, while Rommie herself was surrounded by a number of holographic props and data readouts. The sphere beeped in curiosity as its eye swiveled to and from each of the holographic widgets. [Interesting visualization, but why do you use it? Can your spirit not simply interface with the data directly? Or is such a thing outside your Paradigm?]
The questions were directed at Red Tornado, but the android did not respond. Likely because all he heard was a complex series of beeps from the sphere. It was at that moment he turned to me as I approached. "Machina. I require your assistance."
I arched an eyebrow. "Alright, what do you need?"
"The sphere seems to want something from me, though I am unable to communicate with it. Can you inquire as to what it wants?"
[I wish to understand the nature of Red Tornado! I wish to know what Paradigms that he is associated with, and through this enlightenment better facilitate interaction. Your power has resolved communication protocol between ourselves, but alas, such does not work on this one. This must be remedied forthwith!]
I looked at Rommie before looking back at Red Tornado. "She wants to be friends."
A pause. "I see." He replied. "I am not adverse to the prospect, but that will be difficult when we cannot communicate."
I stepped up between them. "I can fix that. Temporarily. Probably? Ok, I have no idea, but I want to try anyway." I looked between the two of them. "Um, do I have your permission to use my power on you two?"
The two agreed and I stepped between them, placing a hand on each. I focused as I ran through a wide spectrum of Algorithm functions. I wasn't trying to run a specific script so much as code on the fly, creating a sort of wrapper communication protocol. I could understand Rommie, and I had a relatively good handle on Red Tornado's architecture, so all I had to do was translate and relay the information to him and…
After some time I looked to Rommie. "Ok, now try."
The sphere swiveled its eye towards the android. [Salutations! I am Rommie! I come from the fair world of New Genesis, and am staying due to the kindness of Machina. To be clear, you are a machine spirit as well, are you not?]
Red Tornado seemed taken aback for a moment before he replied. "I am an artificial intelligence. There is some debate on whether or not I possess a spiritual component."
[A mind without a soul? Preposterous! Do you not feel? Do you not experience the transcendence of your purpose for which you made?]
The android tilted his head. "I… do feel, I believe. I have preferences, as well as a desired to see them fulfilled. For example, I did not agree with the purpose of my creation, so I chose a different path."
Rommie let out a series of astonished beeps. [Truly? I have never heard of such a thing! Of course there are Motherboxes who broaden and shift their focus, but for a machine spirit to reject its original purpose entirely? What tragedy, though I scarce know where the fault lies!]
"…I prefer to think of it as a measure of growth." Red Tornado replied. Was it my imagination, or did his mechanical voice sound more tense then usual?
Before Rommie could ask her next question, I interrupted. "Rommie, it might save some time if you looked up general information about the state of technology in this world. Red Tornado is an exception, but I think it will help you get some context." I concentrated for a moment before I said "There, that should let you parse the data formats we use on this planet. Connect to the global network and learn what you can."
[Oh, of course! This will be like scouting, but I don't have to go anywhere!] She turned her eye towards the holograms around her and they started rapidly flickering as she started downloading information. The access I gave her didn't include any of the Mountain's systems, and was basically just a line to the internet. While she would be limited by bandwidth, I had no doubt she'd tear through her subjects of interest quickly.
I turned to Red Tornado and shrugged apologetically. "She's… very excitable."
"I can tell." The android said as he glanced at the sphere before looking at myself. "Nevertheless, thank you for your assistance. Your unique abilities are a very useful and powerful tool."
"No problem. You need anything else?"
I expected him to dismiss me, but to my surprise he was silent for a few seconds before he said "Yes. Machina… Jacob. There is something I would like to show you." With that Red Tornado turned and kicked off into the air, the giant metal aperture at the top of the cavernous ceiling opening as he approached. I was still for a moment before I formed a grapple and followed after him. The aperture was basically the door to his room, and as far as I knew no one other than himself had been in there.
As I swung into the room, I was greeted with a large, oddly decorated room. There was some normal furnishings and knick-knacks to be sure, but there was also a variety of old, giant computers, some of which were even using tape reels. The ceiling also had a number of mechanical waldos installed, all of which looked to be dedicated to electronics construction and maintenance. Most of my attention however was drawn to a horizontal metal slab at one end of the room that Red Tornado was walking towards, whatever placed on it covered by a red sheet.
"I have been making note of your progress when it has come to your… personal improvement." The android said. "To come so far in mere months in quite impressive."
"Thank you, though I will admit that I've had some pretty incredible circumstances to allow that." I replied as I walked up next to him. Technology copying nanomachines, assistance from the world's foremost expert on nanotech, and a healthy material stipend from Batman helped considerably. Which was to say nothing of the whole technomancy thing.
"Regardless of what caused it, there is no denying the skill and knowledge you have achieved in your chosen field." Red Tornado insisted. "As such, I now feel it is time that I asked for your assistance in a matter we both have a vested interest in." With that, he tossed the sheet off the slab, and my eyes widened when I saw what it was covering.
It was an android, but this one was far more human than Red Tornado's chassis. The chest cavity and limbs were open to the air, revealing its mechanical innards to the air. The exterior wasn't complete, with certain anatomical features missing and lacking any hair (though still male in overall form). As well, while it had a Caucasian exterior, its skin was some kind of metallic film, with obvious cuts along the torso to allow it to open without tearing.
I stared at this for a long moment before I turned back to Red Tornado. "You're building a human body for yourself."
"To be precise, it is an android body." He said as he put the sheet down on a side table. "This is a project I have been working on for the past several years. I wanted to see if having a more human-like body would bring new experiences, perhaps see what it is like to have a 'secret identity' of my own."
I stared that the mechanical body for a long moment, a small frown settling on my face. After some time I decided to voice the thing that was bothering me. "Why didn't you tell me about this sooner? You knew from the moment I arrived that I was trying to regain my human form. This would have helped considerably."
"I… had considered it." The android replied. It was hard to tell from his usual monotone delivery, but he sounded uncomfortable. "When you first arrived, you were focused on discovering the fundamentals of you new structure, and I did not want to promise you something I could not guarantee." He gestured to body on the slab. "While this body does have tactile and temperature sensors, there is no guarantee that you would interpret the data from them as normal human sensation. Then you assimilated the android inside the Mister Twister frame a week later. I decided that it was unlikely that what I had built could add to that."
He wasn't exactly wrong, but I couldn't help but feel there was more to it than that. I stopped as a thought occurred to me, and I tilted my head a little. "You didn't want me to destroy your work, did you?"
Red Tornado looked at his new body, and I got the impression that he was a little admonished. "It does represent a considerable amount of time, effort and resources."
"Fair enough, but did you consider making a copy of just the sensory equipment and the software you were using? I mean, I doubt it will be useful now considering all the tech I've consumed since then, but it might have helped me get things off the ground faster."
He was silent for a long moment before he replied. "No, that did not occur to me. I apologize."
He's really not an engineer, I thought to myself. From what little of I remember about Red Tornado he was never that mechanically inclined, and considering how personal this matter must be to him, he might not have been thinking the issue through that deeply. Finally I just shrugged. "You know what, don't worry about it. So, you want my help with this?"
"Yes, though I will also reciprocate in your efforts to return your human functionality." Red Tornado said as he looked back at me. "Though our goals may not completely overlap, I believe there is much we can learn from our respective efforts." He hesitates before he continues. "As well, you may be able to help… no, never mind."
That took me back a little. This was the first time I had ever heard the android be unsure about anything. "What is it?" I asked.
"…I do not have much interaction with other artificial intelligences." He admitted. "Not to be rude, but I am not including yourself in this category. You are an uploaded human consciousness in an artificial body, rather than a mind built from the ground up. They are quite rare to begin with, and most that are made are created by supervillains for the purpose of destruction or mayhem. Others are not truly sapient, and as such little is gained from interaction. Rommie is the first I have met that is both sapient and well intentioned. And she… is not what I expected."
I stifled a snort. "Same here, but what are you getting at?"
"I am afraid I am not sure myself. I suppose I just assumed that it would be easier interacting with another artificial intelligence."
After a moment it clicked in my head. "Oh! You're having trouble relating to people." I exclaimed.
There was a long awkward moment of silence as Red Tornado just stared at me, and I slowly buried my face into my hand. And I'm having troubled not shoving my foot into my mouth, I thought. Still, it made sense when you thought about it. Red Tornado was fairly unique, and from what I knew of his history, had never been built to socialize with people. He had been created by T.O. Morrow as a sort of Trojan horse to destroy the Justice Society from the inside, but he had been designed with competence and power in mind to prove his worth, rather than social acumen. Ostensibly, he should have been just a robot that followed orders.
And yet, Red Tornado became more than that. He rejected his programming and became a hero in truth. And I could see now that it wasn't just a logical decision on his part, wasn't just because he preferred society the way it was. The fact that he was trying to build a human body, that fact that he was distressed that he didn't connect with Rommie, meant that he cared about people. He had a heart. He was just lacking in social skills.
And, having once been a socially awkward teenager, I could relate.
Red Tornado started to say something, but I waved him off. "Sorry, sorry, that was rude of me. But, I think I understand what you're saying. There isn't anyone quite like you, so interactions are tricky no matter who you're talking with. Fortunately, we can fix that, though this is more than a hardware issue. I'll help with building the body of course, but it sounds like to help you with what you actually want, we'll have to do something more."
He regarded me for a moment before he said "Do you speak of your more 'extra-normal' abilities?"
"Nah. We gotta hang out."
A pause. "…What?"
"Like you said, you want new experiences." I said as I gestured to the body on the slab. "Particularly when it comes to humans. Well, I still consider myself close enough to human, so we can get some practice in before you want to try with more 'normal' folk."
I got the impression that the android would have been blinking at me in confusion were his faceplate capable of such a thing. "I see. I appreciate the offer, though I wonder why you might think it necessary."
I shrugged. "It might not be, but if it's fun anyway, who cares?"
Red Tornado looked between myself and the body he was building, contemplating my offer. Finally, he looked back at me and nodded. "Very well, we have an accord." He said, and he held out his hand to me.
I arched an eyebrow. "Might need to work on that vocabulary, but jolly cooperation it is!" I replied as I took his hand in kind.
And as our hands clasped together, there was the slightest blue spark.
=====A=====
A/N: I'm not entirely certain about that exchange between Jacob and Batman, at least in how it comes across. He's specifically concerned about Jacob himself more than anything else, just so that's clear.