Based on the timeline of Canary's training sessions and the general atmosphere of the team, I was currently in the window of Episode 5: "Schooled." This is the episode where Black Canary officially begins her combat inductions at the Cave, and it's also when Amazo—the power-copying android—makes its debut.
It's a dangerous time for me to be showing off. If a robot that copies powers starts copying a "guest" who is also copying powers, things will get complicated fast, and I'll have to say copy 100 more times.
I grabbed a towel and headed for the bench, the Ring's green light dimming to a faint, steady pulse. I could feel Robin's eyes on my back as he whispered to Canary. He was looking at the recording of my fight with Canary and was clearly suspicious. My growth speed is ridiculous considering that he trained for nearly his whole life, and I was nearing his level in a little over a week.
"Hey," Conner said, walking up beside me. He wasn't breathing as hard as I was. "That thing you did. You called it pivoting. Could you show me again later?"
"It's about the center of gravity, Conner," I said, keeping my voice low. "You charge into every fight like you're trying to push a wall. If you just pay a bit more attention and fix your footwork, I'm sure you'll learn it in no time"
Before he could respond, the giant computer in the center of the Hub chimed. The holographic screen flickered to life, showing Batman's silhouette.
"Team. Report to the Briefing Room," the Dark Knight's voice rumbled.
We filed in. Batman was standing in front of a map of the United States, several points in the Northeast highlighted in red.
"A mobile transport carrying high-level technology was attacked three hours ago outside of Gotham," Batman stated. "The cargo was a series of experimental parts from Professor Ivo's lab. The attackers were efficient and used advanced weaponry."
The screen changed to show grainy security footage. I felt a chill. It wasn't the Reach, but the tech looked familiar. They had the same sleek, metallic, and modular build style.
"The parts are being moved in pieces," Batman continued. "If they are assembled, they form a weapon designated as Amazo. It's a high-priority threat capable of duplicating the abilities of any meta-human it encounters."
I looked at the Ring. If Amazo scanned me, it wouldn't just get a drained Power Ring. It might pick up the Sharingan's copying ability or the Reach energy I was supposed to stop using.
"The Justice League is currently tracking the primary chassis," Batman said, his white lenses fixed on us. "But two smaller transport trucks are heading toward a distribution center in Everett. Robin, you're in the lead. Intercept the trucks. Do not engage the android if it is fully assembled. Retrieve the parts and get out."
"Understood," Robin said, his face turning serious.
"Vex," Batman added. "This is your first official mission. You stay with the Team. Follow Robin's orders. If your Ring starts acting up, you pull back. Clear?"
"Clear," I said.
We headed for the Bio-Ship. As the ramp hissed shut, the Ring pulsed against my finger.
Main Battery: 8.8%.
I had enough power for a fight, but not a long one. And if we were going up against a machine that could mimic our moves, my "stolen" combat skills were about to meet their match. I sat across from Conner, seeing him settle into his seat with that same stubborn focus I'd tapped into last night.
"Everett is forty minutes out," M'gann said, her hands glowing as she linked with the ship.
"Ring," I thought, leaning my head back against the seat. "Run a diagnostic on Ivo's Amazo project from the archives. I need to know how it copies abilities so I can avoid it."
"Scanning archived League data... Amazo uses a combination of visual recording and high-frequency energy mapping," the AI replied. "To avoid duplication, recommend masking your energy output or engaging from outside its line of sight."
I looked out the window at the clouds. This wasn't just a retrieval mission. This was a test to see if I could function under pressure without breaking the rules. Fine, I'll go through Batman's little test, but I don't take tests without getting a reward for passing, even if I have to take that reward myself.