Double Trouble

11.

Mount Justice

September 23, 06:34 EDT

The majority of the team was gathered at a table in the main hall of the cave. Wally was resting his head in his arms, staring at the bowl of pretzels that Green Arrow placed in front of him. Artemis was next to him, her chin in her hand  as she looked to her mentor. Robin and M'gann sat across from the two of them, with Conner and Pietro standing at the end of the table. 

Wally pushed the pretzels away. "Thanks...but no thanks." 

"Yeah, what we want are answers. About Red Tornado and his siblings." Robin clenched his fists, looking at the present Justice Leaguers.

Pietro sped around the table, grabbing the bowl of pretzels. "But the food is appreciated."

"Dude!" Wally exclaimed. 

"What? I'm angry, not an idiot." Pietro shrugged, jumping slightly when Conner suddenly leapt across the room at Kaldur.

"You knew?" He yelled, grabbing the team leader and slamming him against the wall. "That android and his maniac family nearly killed M'gann!"

"What about the rest of us?" Pietro muttered. "Do we not matter?"

"Conner, what are you doing?" M'gann asked, flying towards the grappling duo. 

"Kaldur knew we had a traitor among us and said nothing." Conner screamed. 

Pietro put on a face of shock like the rest of the team, hoping he was playing the part right. "You knew?"

"And didn't tell us?"

"I sought to protect the team-"

"Protect us from what?  Knowledge that might have saved our lives?" Artemis spat out in anger.

"You almost died." Conner looked at M'gann.

"Enough." Batman commanded and everyone fell silent. "With Red Tornado...missing, the team will now be overseen by rotating supervisors. Captain Marvel has volunteered to take the first shift." 

"I'm really looking forward to hanging with you guys." Captain Marvel grinned. Pietro groaned inaudibly. 

Conner turned to Kaldur. "After I dismantle Red Tornado, you and I are-"

Batman cut him off with his approach. "Red Tornado is a member of the Justice League. That makes him a League responsibility. You will leave him to us." Batman glared for a moment before turning and cuing up the holographic computer. "I have another assignment for this team."

"'Gotham mayor attacked by guerilla gorilla?'" Wally snorted.

"Batman, please. Tell me you're not sending us on this joke of a wild ape chase." Robin practically pleaded with his mentor.

"I am serious. And I never joke about the mission." Robin looked away. "I've checked the sources. I've studied the patterns. Mayor Hill's encounter is only the latest in a series of incidents. Aqualad, you and your team will depart for India and check this out." 

"Humph. 'Your team'." Wally glared at Kaldur as he passed. 

Captain Marvel decided he was going on the mission, joining the team on the bioship. Pietro felt himself zoning out on the flight to India.

Northern India

September 23, 21:36 IST

The bioship flew over sprawling forests before landing in a small clearing, Robin and Artemis dispatching first to check the perimeter. They came back and gave the all clear as everyone disembarked the craft.