Legion World Forums LEGION OUTPOST Bits o' Legionnaire Business Legion Worlds 5 (completed 26 June 2018)

Imra held Lydda's hands between her own.

"No doubts?" The Titanian said. Lydda thought her friend looked tired, which given what she had just lived through was no surprise, though despite this there was a genuine joy and happiness that shone through Imra's face.

"Duh, no! I'm away to marry the man I've followed across galaxies and the centuries for half my life. If anything it's almost anticlimactic..."

Imra smiled but didn't meet Lydda's eyes. "Rokk is such a solid man Lydda. If he's willing to do this you know it's because every single cell in his body wants to."

"Hey, I know. He's a decent man and it's only taken me fifteen years of badgering to break him down into agreeing to this."

"I thought he asked you?" Imra asked without stopping to think. Lydda arched an eyebrow and gave a knowing smile which made Imra smile in response.

"Took a while for him to get the hint..." The Kathooni heroine said through her smile.

"Yeah, Rokk does have quite some focus to the exclusion of all else when he puts his mind to a task, doesn't he?" Imra gave a small smile as she said this, "You must be really persuasive given you got him to arrive here as quickly as you have." Imra broke into a warm smile.

"Stubborn as a Kathooni Yak... that's what my dad used to say about me, and y'know, he was a smart man was my old dad." Despite her grin Imra could see that there was something else showing on Night Girl's flawless alabaster face, a momentary flicker as if something had bothered Lydda. The Titanian stepped back half a pace and looked straight at her friend. Her mental abilities were still exhausted after the recent battle against Psyche but Imra didn't need telepathy right now.

"You must miss your father. Rokk told me he was quite a character... said he was really smart and funny too." Imra said softly.

"Yeah, he was, my dad was definitely that. He liked Rokk, said he thought he was an A-One Chap! That was his exact words... an A-One Chap, and that was high praise coming from Professor Jath. Told me to treat Rokk with more respect, not bully him into submission liked I used to do to all the other boys." Lydda gave a small laugh as she reminisced. "He told Rokk that there was still time to go find a simpler girl who would listen to him and do what he asked." At this Lydda started to laugh in earnest as she remembered the mild confusion mixed with foreboding panic that had crossed Rokk's face as her father had given his warning. That was over ten years ago, a couple of years before Lydda's father had passed away. That had been the second last time that she had seen her father and the last time they had spoken face-to-face...

"Uh huh, I was the same. My mother warned Garth off, do you know that? Told him not to let me get my own way every time... she actually said I needed to be shouted down when.... when, not if... I got too bossy." Imra pretended to look indignant. "Thankfully Garth never took that particular piece of advice on board." She said this with another warm smile, this time her pride in her husband was very clear.

"Our poor, poor men." Lydda said in mock empathy as she chuckled to herself.

" No Lydda... They're our lucky, lucky men!" Imra said in a defiant tone with a fist held up as if at a rally and a huge grin on her face as she burst into laughter.

"Yeah... yeah you're right Imra. Our lucky, lucky men!" Lydda said back raising her fist in solidarity. The two woman laughed together.

"We'd better go soon." Lydda said as she glanced at the chronometer on the wall.

"Ah... No... no, I don't think so. Let's keep them waiting a little bit longer. We can't let them think we'll come running just because they want us to now, can we?"

"That's true isn't it? After all I don't want to give Rokk any false impressions of how things are going be once we exchange vows, do I?" They both laughed out loud again, sat back down and reached for their respective flutes of champagne.

Imra was unused to alcohol and would normally avoid it but today, among their dear friends and after the horrors they had just survived she enjoyed the relaxing warmth it brought her and she found the urge to laugh was quite cathartic.

Imra had told her husband that it may take their girls until their early teens to have fully functioning psychic shields that would protect them against the mental noise that large events full of excited people generated. So, she had arranged for the girls would be with a nanny for the duration of the day. D'arcy and Dorritt both had nascent telepathic gifts that meant they struggled with crowds right now. After they had been introduced to the Legion and the alternate dimension Justice Legion a couple of months back both girls had suffered from night terrors for weeks afterwards as their infant minds processed the range of experiences and emotions they had encountered.

The boys, Graym and Garridan, on the other hand loved being in the thick of any crowds, the louder and rowdier the better - and Garth and Imra knew exactly who was the right person to keep them from causing too much mischief...

Garth had called his sister that morning and asked her to get herself dressed up and get ready for nephew sitting duty, though when she asked why he had said he was sworn to secrecy.

Ayla had not balked at the offer, it meant that she could spend time with her beloved nephews. They adored her and she was truly smitten by them so it was an arrangement that worked well for everyone. All three loved having their little adventures together and, after taking the three of them through one of Henry's warps to the chapel and informing Ayla what was really going on, Garth reminded his twin not to let the boys play in the garden and mess their suits up or eat too much food before the service.

The two boys loved their aunt so unconditionally that they let her straighten their hair and pull their sleeves to get rid of wrinkles in their small suit's arms.

Ayla didn't recognize the place, with it's reasonably Earth like gravity and pale aqua green skies, the air temperature was warm but nowhere near uncomfortable. Outside of the chapel it looked like they were surrounded by thousands of acres of pastoral paradise. So far she had not met a living member of staff, only AI controlled waiters and cleaners.

Ayla was a little bit surprised that there didn't appear to be anyone else around.

The chapel building itself was really stunning - the white roof swept over the main floor space in an organic shape reminiscent of that of a manta ray. At the far end of the chapel where the bride and groom would stand to give their vows before it flowed upwards in a delicate spike before widening out to cover the assembled guests. Around the edges, between the finger thin struts that held the roof in place, transparent force fields kept the elements from intruding though showed off the sweeping views of manicured hills, a truly magnificent rose garden and copses of brightly leafed trees. These shields were programmed to disperse in door sized holes if anyone wished to leave the building to stroll through the picturesque grounds.

The sun shone brightly directly above the building - the seated crowd would be kept cool in the shade as the dazzling flowers outside drank in the glorious light.

Ayla realized that if she continued in her life as she was living it then she would never have a day like this to enjoy for herself. She missed Salu as much on this day as she had the day her lover had been murdered. And Salu, for all her tough front, would have hated to see Ayla feel this sad. She would have grabbed Ayla's lapels and told her to stop moaning about it and deal with it, do something to change her situation... and Ayla knew that, as painful as it was to contemplate her life without Salu Digby in it, this advice would have been absolutely right.

Ayla left the boys fidgeting in their new suits to walk across to a robo-waiter to take a flute of champagne from the tray it was holding. Without thinking she said her thanks. The robo-waiter did not respond.

She looked into the pale bubbling liquid for a couple of seconds before holding it before her and smiling.

"Salu Digby, you're still in my heart and there'll always be a space there reserved just for you but it's time I found someone else to hold onto in the here and now. I know you understand. So, here's to love, wherever it may be found." And with that quiet and heartfelt toast Ayla threw her head back to gulp the fizzy drink in one large mouthful.

Being unused to drinking as she was, the fizz hit the back of Ayla's throat and bubbled up only to then erupt through her nostrils and spray out in front of her, narrowly missing her dress as it fell.

She snorted abruptly then burst out into laughter so loudly that her nephews came running across to see what was so funny.

"It was nothing really," she explained, "...Just auntie Vi playing one final joke on me." She then laughed and held out her arms wide inviting them to her.

The boys hugged their electric aunt in unison and laughed along with her.

At a predetermined time Querl contacted the team and told them what was away to happen and that they had one hour to get ready if they wished to attend.

Gear would keep watch of the monitor boards of both Legion World Two and the Academy, as all current team members, support staff, tutors and students were invited to attend the wedding of Cosmic Boy and Night Girl.

Pandemonium erupted as a large swathe of those invited made desperate shopping trips to find an outfit to wear or gift to bring. Henry happily opened up warps for them and then collected them immediately when requested.


Zoe Saugin had been running laps with Jazmin Cullen and Deen Toro in the central gym when the announcement was made .

"Oh. My. Stars!" Kinetix came to an abrupt stop. The young telekinetic redhead stamped one of her feet dramatically. "I don't have anything to wear!" She wailed to the uncaring universe.

Kid Quantum and Retro had initially kept running but returned to their friend as she made this announcement and both put an arm around her as they laughed.

"We'll take a flying visit to that mall you like in Metropolis and see what we can find, okay?" Although Jazmin said it seriously there was a twinkle of humour in her eyes.

"But we only have an hour... One hour! Tell me how am I supposed to find an outfit in that little time?" Kinetix' anguished reply. Retro ruffed his friend's red hair as he and Kid Quantum both laughed.


At the same time that Brainiac 5 had announced the impending wedding on Legion World's One and Two, the holo-man Henry appeared before Oodoo Shanair on Weber's World, the Dead Brain on Khundia, Shadow Lass on Talok viii, Atmos on Xanthu, Evolvo on Lallor, the Substitute Legion headquarters on Earth, Soddam Yat on Oa, the Sisters of Lightning on Earth, Thom Kallor and Nura Nal in the Xanthui system, and finally the holo-man from the 75th century appeared before Brek Bannin on Tharr to share the invitation to the diverse teams and former Legionnaires.

All were very happy to be invited and agreed to attend.

Henry said he would return to collect the guests in roughly three quarters of an hour before vanishing.

Thirty minutes later:


Danielle Foccart glanced towards her door.

Glorith and Dragonmage rang the buzzer and the door irised open.

"Danielle, will you join us to the wedding ceremony please?" Xao asked in his quiet voice. The young technopath had grown ...accustomed to him visiting her. He had a courtesy and respect that so few of her teammates shared with their rough questions and pushy body language. He stood just inside the doorway, already in a collarless teal green suit with a glossy black shirt that appeared to be made of scales, his right arm in a sling while his shoulder healed.

Danielle took as second as the symphonic light speed voices of the planetoids AI swept across her consciousness like a wave of a violin concerto. She smiled. The security measures that Querl had arranged for the weeding involved several AI's running a sensor array and comm unit. Alongside Babbage and Glorith there would be enough to keep her mind occupied for a short while at least.

She really did not understand the needs of people when it came to the socialising and the loud ...chaotic behaviour that this sort of celebration would generate. The lack of decorum, order... well, she would endeavour to attend. Perhaps the event would be held somewhere with enough AI technology that she would be fully entertained as well, in her own rather unique way.

She nodded and said "Yes Xao, thank you for thinking of me."

"I'm grateful you are coming too Danielle. There may be some nice desserts we can share." Glorith gave a surprisingly girlish grin as she spoke. Danielle's eyes flickered up to her mystic friend's face and for a second the two young women shared a mischievous smile.


Comet King was disappointed that he could no longer fit into his dress uniform.

The former soldier's body had went through a radical transformation when he gained his comet abilities but Grava came to the rescue as she programmed their apartments AI to scan Drinchnars now lean frame. She then fed this information and the former soldier's uniform into a replicator slot so the planetoids machinery could adjust the outfit to fit. They were not the only Legionnaires that were using this service and the two Comets had to wait nearly ten minutes before the alterations were complete.

"Like ...ohh... novaburst and nebulae, you are so shiny handsome Drinchnar, like breath stealing dark vacuum and ... Sunshine and... oh everything!" Comet Queen had both hands up to her face and tears fell from her wide eyes as she admired her dapper boyfriend.

"No one ever thought that before you Grava, you stellarific being. I'm so grateful you's my galaxtitious girl, so pretty and solar sweet." He smiled lopsidedly as he gave her a tight hug before twirling her in the air.

After they had let go of each other and stepped back onto the dark wooden floor she stood before him and patted his sleeves and the breast of his jacket to straighten out creases.

Comet Queen, in her almost indecently short starfield patterned strapless dress with intricate swirling henna tattoos snaking up both arms, and Comet King, in his crisp white army dress uniform, made a very attractive couple that afternoon. Not that they needed to hear the compliments they received as they saw them reflected in each others eyes.

Many of the guests would comment that the Comets would be the next two Legionnaires to get married as they barely took their eyes of each other for the whole day and danced the evening away in each others arms.


Sun Boy, Chameleon Boy, Thunder and Otaki were the first to step through a warp to the immaculate grounds where the ceremony was to be held.

Dirk held an arm out for Cece to hold. They made a stunning couple; Dirk was resplendent in his flamboyant blood red suit and gold shirt and Cece in her red high necked, sleeveless dress with a golden lace shawl across her shoulders. It would fan the flames of gossip but both enjoyed each others company socially so were happy to be seen together, despite there being no romantic inclination felt by either for the other. Reep and Bina were right behind. The Durlan had assumed a dark charcoal gray suit with coat tails and a foppish white shirt while his psychic teammate wore an elegant dusty aqua blue summer dress, her hair held back into an ornate pony tail with an ornamental fascinator depicting a lilac and white lily flower.

Garth and Rokk met them as they stepped through the warp and handed out flutes of champagne to each guest before showing them to the seating area. Dirk offered his deepest condolences to the groom for a having to now ensure a lifetime of monogamy with a teasing smile that had them all laughing along.

"You're a wicked man Dirk Morgna." Cece said softly as they sat down.

"Gosh, I certainly hope so Cece. I hate to think I go to all this effort and no-one appreciates it." He replied smoothly.

"Cece..." Reep said in a mock tone of regret, "It's a waste of time trying to change him, Tinya's been trying for over a decade now..."

"Change me? Really? Drat! I thought it was just Bgzlters are really bad at flirting... Anyways, what are we doing sitting down when there's a free bar over there?" Dirk said with a huge grin before breaking into a contagious laugh.


Meanwhile, on Earth:

It was while rushing around the sixth shop that they had been into that Jazmin Cullin started to regret saying she would help Zoe Saugin find her ideal outfit... Kid Quantum had already bought her dress (and was wearing it) while Kinetix flapped and squabbled and drove herself crazy in her over excitement and desire to look an unreachable goal of perfection. Five minutes before, Retro had rather cleverly announced that he needed to look into a mans clothing store to find his own outfit, before wishing the two young women luck and vanishing into the crowds.

Forty Minutes later:


The Spear of Artemis stood beside Karate Kid.

The two women were waiting for an anti grav lift to take them to the level where the warp control was housed.

The Amazonian warrior wore a simple slip, pale blue highlighted by bright red ribbon on the seams with a thin black sash tied around her waist and a black silk cloak with golden lining flowed off her shoulders. Her long wavy dark hair, usually tied back in a practical fashion, hung luxuriously down her back and spilled across her shoulders and over her breasts. In her hand Amynta of Nostos ii held a small package. She could see her companion glancing at it.

"It's traditional amongst my people that when a couple announce their commitment to each other that we give them a present that we hope will strengthen their bonds."

Mithindrivithis Ngandraffa of Lythyl smiled and nodded. The small elflike martial artists wore a simple teal green and sky blue jump suit, tight to her androgynous figure, with a broad white belt tied into an ornate brass buckle in such a way that the material resembled a flower. As usual she wore neither gloves nor shoes.

"What have you brought them Amynta?" Karate Kid asked politely.

"Honey from my grandmother's hives. It's sweet and strong with some medicinal uses... it's delightful to eat. I have been keeping this for a special occasion and today seems appropriate."

"You're people are kind. On Lythyl, on a wedding day, we would have offered the couple our sincerest prayers that neither would be slain before they had a child to replace them. I believe your world's traditions are more fitting for this occasion."

Amynta placed a hand compassionately on her fellow legionnaire's shoulder.


Tinya wore a white pant suit with pale blue blouse underneath and a red rose in a button hole on her lapel. She felt out of place but as Rokk was one of her oldest friends she intended to wear her biggest smile and attempt to enjoy the day. She promised herself that regardless what was said or done she would appear to enjoy herself at every step, even though she wanted nothing more than to take a warp home and soak in a hot bath. She knew why she felt like this, as much as she pushed it away... she missed Jo Nah. He would have teased Rokk mercilessly and then Jo would have made sure he had more than his share of the food and drink on offer. It was as she thought this that an unexpected guest stepped through a warp... Phantom Girl felt surprisingly happy to see Soddam Yat.

The ancient Green Lantern had helped the team in the past and she felt that they should make more effort to strengthen the connections between the Legion and the Lanterns. The Bgztler waved the Daxamite over and spent the majority of the day chatting to him and introducing him to her colleagues. They shared their news and stories and had a surprisingly enjoyable time together. There was a little gentle flirting though nothing that anyone would constitute as racy or overly suggestive. Underneath their polite facade's they both understood that something had started this day, something that neither had been looking for or expected...

When he left several hours later Soddam promised that he would be in contact with Tinya soon. Tinya assured him he would be made more than welcome. For the first time in a year, since Jo Nah had been murdered by the possessed daughters of Black Adam, Tinya Wazzo looked forward to seeing a man again for something potentially other than purely Legionnaire business.


A large group of students warped in from the Academy and immediately fell upon the buffet like a biblical plague of locusts.

Wildfire took the students Atomsmasher and Non out into space above the planet. The two students had no real idea why they were here or the importance of marriage betweens humans. Drake wasn't sure if he was the right person to explain but as they spun around the greens and blues of the unspoiled world below he told them as best as he could about how important these events were to their colleagues and the cultures they had come from.


Mon El saw her step from the warp.

Shadow Lass! the Daxamite Legionnaire had not seen or spoken to his former partner in almost a year and it was fair to say that, despite their hurtful split, he missed her.

The Talokean Planetary Champion looked regal in her dark ochre dress with its intricate pleats and folds along the shoulder line and in the small ruff around her neck that trailed down her back. Her hair was worn loose and flowed over her left shoulder in a style that Lar Gand found particularly attractive. Her cousin Grev and his fiance, Kahnya Nahtanie, Lady Memory of the Desert People, were at her side though Lar Gand paid little attention to them.

"Tasmia... I'm very pleased to see you here today."

"Lydda is a good friend Lar... as is Rokk. Why should I not attend their wedding?" Even as she said it Tasmia Mallor realised that her direct answer was not what she really wanted to say. Talokean custom meant that there was little room for subtlety or social nicety that the humans practiced. In truth, her cultural norms had more in common with the Khunds than any of the United Planets main races.

Lar Gand had had many years getting to know the Talokean and understood that her rely was merely a factual assertion, not meant in the aggressive way that many would interpret it.

"Indeed... I agree. Still, I am happy to see you here." He gave a smile and bowed his head respectfully.

Tasmia Mallor gave an unexpected laugh at this strangely formal action and reached out to gently lay her hand on his arm.

"Would you care to join me to the buffet table Lar... it smells divine, even over here."

As the two walked away Grev broke into a big grin and turned to Kahnya and said "Well... those two getting back together is way overdue. Let's keep our fingers crossed Tasmia doesn't act like an ass again this time. Lar deserves someone who will appreciate everything he has to offer, not fritter it away on stupid indiscretions."

Lady Memory gave a subdued smile but didn't reply directly. She knew that Grev Mallor and his cousin Tasmia had a complicated relationship, more defined by perceived planetary duty than any familial bond of love. She had once shared the Daxamite's memories and knew that his own mental state was far more precarious than anything the Mallors would comprehend. He kept a millennia's worth of emotion suppressed behind his cool and aloof façade. Kahnya's thoughts were with Tasmia on this matter as it was Lar Gand's potential actions that scared her far more than any indiscretions Shadow Lass may be tempted into.


Meanwhile, on Earth:

"Oh Zoe, now this hat is perfect!" Jazmin smiled encouragingly.

"I'm not sure... what about the one we saw in..." Zoe took the hat off and began to turn away from the holo-screen.

"No, this one is perfect ...the other was only 'nearly' perfect. Trust me honey you want this hat!" Jazmin smiled but her eyes showed a very different feeling to what she hoped her upturned mouth implied.

Fifty Minutes later:


Somi Gan, also known as Life Lass, and Tal Nahii, Gas Girl, from the Heroes of Lallor had a bet on between them.

They knew that historically their home world was seen as a little bit backwards. It had a pacifistic culture and was mostly renowned for its farming of quality coffee, organic cotton and grapes for wine making. The population was stable and was statistically low on crime. Their world really didn't need the team of meta-beings it had, not compared to say Ventura or Mars or Khundia... so the two heroes were competing to find out which of them would get the most offers to join from other teams present here today.

Both had initially approached Atmos but the Xanthuan Amazer's team leader was simply too interested in recounting his own achievements in a rather vain bid to impress them. Neither had been particularly taken with the idea of being on a team led by such a monumental ego...

Brainiac 5 and Invisible Kid had spoken with the Lallorians next and while both Legionnaires were light years more polite and interested in the two mutants recent activities there were no offers forthcoming.

"I think we need to get some alcohol down their necks..." Somi whispered to her friend Tal.

"Down ours too, this is a crazy experience!" Was the giggling reply.

"Ladies!" Sun Boy approached them with his arms held out wide, "Wow! What a pleasure to see you both again." He flashed a wide and perfect grin, before adding quietly, "... especially as you aren't mind controlled and trying to spy on us anymore." He pulled them both towards him for a brief hug. "How are you both? Imra said she didn't have any problems snapping you out of Aven's programming."

Life Lass prodded Dirk gently in the ribs forcing him to instinctively dance away from her.

"Great to see you too, Jerk... I mean Dirk." She said with an equally wide smile though none of the humour or warmth that the Legionnaire exuded.

"Yeah, we're sorry about that... anyway, ummm... wow, we really need to get some champagne now... umm... over there." Gas Girl pointed randomly away from the Legionnaire, her smile leaving her face to be replaced by an expression that hovered somewhere around pity though touched upon both disappointment and mild distaste.

"Hey, sorry, wait please..." Dirk sounded genuinely sorry, "I didn't mean to... y'know... weddings make me nervous, okay? That and drinking three large glasses of that very fine blue fizz from Eschazban in twenty minutes, so I'm probably thinking even less than usual before opening my big stupid mouth. Let me make it up to you, let me uh... introduce you to some of our newer members." The solar powered Legionnaire indicated a group stood by the long buffet table that included half a dozen Legionnaires that had joined the team in the last eighteen months.

"Sure..." "Okay then..." Neither Lallorian sounded entirely convinced though Sun Boy put an arm gently around each woman's waist as he guided them over to meet his colleagues. They were all laughing together by the time they had walked the ten metres to the table and introductions were made between the two Lallorians and the new Legionnaires.


Lexikon and her sister, Princess Shooradel who was currently stationed on Weber's World as part of the Diplomatic party of Nu-Vega, stood slightly apart from the gathering Legionnaires and their friends.

The two Tamaraneans spoke in the unique Tahil dialect of the women of their ruling House on their home world.

"Your teammates appear happy. It must be a light load being amongst them." Shooradel, as the older was first to speak.

"They are more complicated than they appear, though the majority are honourable. Are your colleagues proving to be of much service?"

"They are pleasant... though the one called Quislet is confusing." Shooradel gave a small laugh before continuing, "You are achieving great things. Our aunts have informed me that you bring great honour to our House."

Lexikon smiled. To hear that her family had complimented her to a sibling was a rare treat. "Are you happy sister?" She said in reply.

Princess Shooradel smiled and gave a brief nod. "Like you, I am learning to appreciate those that I have found myself with. They have ...opened my mind to the greater universe's gifts. Being on Weber's World has taught me many wonderful lessons beyond even what the Okaaran's gave us."

"That is good to hear. My time among the Legionnaires has also taught me more than we could ever have expected. Though there is still so much for us to learn." Princess Daheenisha said with a small smile.

The sisters nodded to each other and gave a smile before separating and spending the rest of the afternoon floating amongst the assembled guests, neither quite getting involved with any group for too long before moving on to the next with a polished grace that charmed everyone present.


The Dead Brain was joined by Pressure Point and Deathstorm from his Battle Brigade as well as Gates and Inferno.

Brainiac 5 and the Dead Brain immediately fell into a conversation that left the majority of the guests behind. Whatever it was, it involved a few smiles, a lot of agreement and a surprising amount of laughter. The two geniuses from very different sides of the galaxy were overheard to be discussing the Thanagar Legal Accords, Maravinci's Principles of Stellar Propulsion, the political stability within the Outer Rim being threatened by the recent regicide on M'tran Major, the many uses of a Rigellian widget, the potential opportunities they had to train their teams together, the overuse of trans-fats in human cooking, the workings of the cybernetic arm the Dead Brain had built for Brainiac 5, the Gralx-lichtenstein Conundrum when time traveling, and their respective teams recent adventures. And laugh; both were heard to genuinely laugh.


Ayla stood by the next warp to open with her nephews at her side to welcome guests as they arrived.

Backlash, the Tigerram from Simballi, strode through with Sade, Tyroc, Babbage and Atom Girl close behind.

Ayla threw her arms around the great horned cat's neck in welcome and nuzzled her face into the broad side of his face. She had been the tigerram's mentor when he first joined the team and the two had a strong friendship ever since.

"Whoah!" "Ohmigad!" Her nephews said in obvious awe as the large cat lifted his broad face up to snuggle back against the lighting wielding Winathian. Graym and Garridan were used to Legionnaires but the sight of the powerful horned tiger was a genuine surprise for them. The Legionnaires shared the briefest of telepathic conversations where Ayla asked for a huge favour... Ayla winked at Mrruaw M’Nau and the great cat nodded in return, agreeing to what she had planned for her nephews.

"Right you two," Lightning Lass turned to her nephews who had stepped back from Backlash, "I'm gonna give you an experience that I've never had... not even once."

"What? You've done ev'rything!" Graym said in shock.
"Yeah, you've done ev'rything like twice!" Garridan added.

"Uh huh, perhaps, but not this..." She wrapped her arms around the two boys and picked them up, both squealing in delight, before she plonked them onto Backlash's broad back. The boy fell immediately silent and stared at their aunt in terror for almost a whole second before yelling in their excitement.

"Junior gentlebeings... you are welcome to ride upon my back for as long as you do not scream. I have most sensitive hearing." The Tigerram's deep voice held a warm note of humour. He turned his head around to glance over his shoulder to them before breaking into a grin. "Now... where would you suggest we go first? Ahh... there are some delicious smells of freshly prepared food over in this direction..." With his tail proudly pointing skywards the Tigerram sauntered over towards the long tables draped in white silk that held a wide range of food stuffs.

Garridan and Graym yelled in excitement before being shooshed by their aunt who strolled along beside them. Backlash laughed in a deep, reverberating tone that tickled the boys as they clung on.

The Ranzz boy's eyes were wide and their grins huge as the giggled and plotted and played and laughed their way through the afternoon on the back of their most impressive horned tiger steed.


Fire Lad and Colour Kid wore matching black tuxedos, though Ulu's frilled shirt flickered with changing colours. As co-leaders of the Substitute team they were first to arrive from their organisation, quickly followed by Rainbow Girl, Gorilla Girl and Chlorophyll Kid. Comet Queen saw them arrive and flew at her former teammates to wrap them in hugs. Comet King stood behind the group and gave both Staq and Ral severely stern looks while he chatted with Hyper Boy as the rest of the Subs arrived.

Stone Boy, Vacuum Lass, Flat Lass and Beetle Boy all made their way to the buffet table and were soon joining in with a happy conversation where members of various organisations shared outrageous and amusing anecdotes about their adventures.

Crystal Kid stood back a little from the group. He felt that his leaving the role of a trainer at the academy to join the Subs may have lessened the respect that he might otherwise have been given. Tellus lumbered up beside the young hero and asked if he too found the hubbub of crowds to be sometimes overwhelming. Bbob Kohan smiled as he replied. The Legionnaire had shown no hostility or unease around him... maybe it was as his therapist suggested and the feelings of being unworthy he suffered from were entirely in his own head. Bbob certainly hoped so!


Meanwhile, on Earth:

“Zoe... trust me, you don’t want to wear heels like that for too long.” Jazmin stated in horror at the seven inch heels on the shoes Zoe was admiring.

“But these are...”

“Unsuitable honey, they are unsuitable so let’s go back to the fourth pair we looked at...”

“I’m not sure Jaz, what if...” Zoe started to whine.

“Trust me please...” a note of exasperation snuck into Jasmin Cullen’s voice. “Please sweetie, we don’t have too much longer...”

“What about perfume, I need to smell my best,” Zoe looked around distracted again as this thought came out.

Jasmin Cullen groaned.

Fifty five minutes later:


Chemical Kid put his arms out to give Polar Boy a hug, but instead of reciprocating Brek shoved a hand out in front of himself for his former colleague to shake.

"Brek, buddy... You okay? We missed you..."

"Yeah... Cool, you?" Before Hadru could answer Brek pointed across his shoulder and said, "Hey! Free bar, you still do your catalytic alcohol neutralising magic schmagic on a bod?"

Hadru paused for a long second before replying, "No... ah... Not really. Ummm... Y'know, I promised Marya I'd help her out with something so can't hang about. Laters bud, be kind to yourself, eh?"

Chemical Kid spent most of the ceremony beside Dragonwing, Hethuk and the visiting shadow champions from Talok VIII.

Polar Boy was warped home three and a half hours later after he fell asleep under a table.


The delegates from Khundia had been at the reception for ten minutes before XS arrived. She immediately rushed up to Gates and quickly asked him what he had been doing for the last six months. Before he could get more than twenty words out Jenni excitedly started telling him about her fiancé, the other dimensions Cosmic Kid. Gates sighed as Sandy Anderson laughed, made her excuses and left them to catch up with each others news.

Meanwhile, Cosmic Kid thoroughly enjoyed the buffet.


Glorith and Dragonmage, with Danielle Foccart just behind, approached Pressure Point, the Khundian mystic that specialised in gravity manipulating magic.

The pink haired Khundian mystic bowed her head towards the Legionnaires; a rare sign of subservience from one of her people. Glorith mirrored the move while Dragonmage smiled and waved a hand as acknowledgement. The three mystics spent much of the day together while Danielle happily stayed in the side lines. Glorith and her shared half a dozen desserts which both thoroughly enjoyed. Pressue Point discovered the delights of white rum and coconut water while Dragonmage introduced her to his fellow Legionnaires and the wide range of guests. They were spotted hugging later on though afterwards no one could say whether or not the Legionnaire and the Khund had left together.


Power Boy and Gravity Kid shared their own wedding story to the group around them.

They had both been students at the Academy and initially had not gotten on very well. Jed thought Tel was a snob while Tel had found Jed to be slovenly and rude... they both said together "Nothing's changed!" which raised a few laughs. Not long after their initial meeting they had been sent on a training mission alongside several of their fellow students to Luna prison to help assist in what should have been fairly basic transfers when a prisoner had tried to escape. Despite not really knowing each other they had worked well together to capture the runaway convict. Afterwards Jed had invited Tel to a small restaurant he knew about in Maine, the same one they had taken Jenni and Po a couple of months ago, to apologise for his initial behaviour. As the night progressed it became obvious to both that they were going to be friends and very probably more...

It took them eight months to decide to get married and once they had agreed a date they booked a small chapel in Parisopolis, "the most romantic place we could think of..." Jed added with a small smile. Night Girl and Duplicate Girl had given the boys away while the students and tutors at the Academy had been their guests. It had been a small ceremony with little fuss; they had all went for a meal on a boat floating on the Seine afterwards.

The newly married students had been given a week off before they were due to return. On the day after they returned from their honeymoon Jed had been sent to Zerox with Lydda to pick up Glorith while Tel remained in Montauk Point studying with his peers.

Dragonwing told the two young men that it had been the first wedding she had ever been to and until then she had never thought that, as a freak, she would have the opportunity to do the same but seeing them plan their lives toether while going through everything they were at the Academy gave her hope. Hethuk pulled Marya into an embrace and kissed her on the lips which raised a few cheers from the group.

M'Windaji remained very quiet and tried to avoid eye contact with his colleagues while this conversation took place.


Dr Shakespeare stepped through a warp. He only planned on staying until after the service as he wanted to use the time to look in on Element Lad, Titan and Kid Pulsar on Winath. Actually, that wasn't true, he only really wanted to see Jan... Kent spotted Drura, Jacques, Kara and Querl stood at the edge of a long buffet table and wandered over to chat with them before the main event took place.


The Dead Brain, Gazelle and Ferro stood to one side.

"If you feel that it would benefit us all I would be happy to request authorisation from the Most Dread Emperor for another year on secondment to the Legion." The dwarven warlord from Khund Prime gave a wide grin as he said this, mischief twinkled in his dark eyes.

"You w're always gonna let her stay, weren't you? Why the games?" Douglas Nolan said shortly.

"No... no, I was not." The Dead Brain turned to look at the Legionnaire, all trace of warmth gone, "...but if J'izl truly believes it is for the best then I respect her opinions enough to consider them. The seconding of members between the empire's Battle Brigade and your Legion has been successful in educating both of our respective governments that cooperation is possible between our peoples despite the wounds and scars of our shared history, but that does not mean that this cooperation is always appreciated. I am as much a political shield for my organisation as your own senior team are for yours, but even our determination and good wishes must bend sometimes in the face of our master's whims. And those whims can change in a heartbeat." There was an edge of challenge in the reply. The leader of the Khundian Battle Brigade had not liked the Legionnaires attitude and made it obvious that he did not need to acquiesce to Gazelle's request to stay with the Legionnaires, or that Ferro join her if she needed to return.

"Still..." The Dead Brain continued, "surely today is about celebrating the positives so let's focus on those..." With that he walked away and approached Brainiac 5 and Phantom Girl at a side table.

"Doug..." Gazelle began.

"This is rubbish J'izl, you know that. They're playing games with us." Ferro said quietly.

"You are not a Khund Doug, I do not need you to fight this for me so stop this petulance. It is unworthy of a hero ...or even a grown man. The Warlord did not need to hear my request, let alone grant it. We are warriors of our respective states and as such should be prepared to be sent wherever they deem fit. Now, get me some of that white rum and we can make out in the gardens." She ended with a smile, it was ferociously suggestive, loaded with promise.

"I love how direct you Khunds are... petulance well and truly stopped and one large white rum coming up ma'am." Ferro smiled broadly and laughed as he skipped across to the bar. Gazelle was unlike any woman he had ever met in any reality and he intended to spend as much time as he possibly could with her - political gamesmanship aside - while they had the opportunity. He may even apologise to the Dead Brain later and thank him for agreeing to consider allowing J'izl to stay with the team. But right now Douglas Nolan had free alcohol and making out to think of... if there was one thing he had learned in his adventurous life it was he should make more effort to enjoy the rare perfect moments when they came up and let everything else wait.


Thunder and her sister Olympia wandered around the groups of guests arm-in-arm.

Olympia, the oldest of Black Adam daughters, wore her standard outfit though had strategically added a few large flowers into her hair.

Neither had been close in the past when they were part of the 21st century loose knit organisation called the Sisterhood of Lightning though mostly due to circumstances rather than any personal reason. For one thing, Thunder had been based on Earth while Olympia was part of a space based group. Olympia, as the oldest of the sisters had been automatically placed in a leadership position, but amongst a group that shared the wisdom of Solomon there was only rare cases when she had to pull rank. Still, this position meant Olympia was often distant emotionally from her sisters. As Thunder had been one of the last of the sisterhood to discover her mystical heritage they had never had much opportunity to get to know each other to any real degree.

The two powerful women shared news and staryed to gossip about their respective teams and each laughed loudly as they learned that they had for more in common than they had ever imagined.


Meanwhile, on Earth:

“Seriously Zoe, I am not going back to the mall... no way, not at all, nil, zip and never! And neither are you!”

“Just for two minutes... please,”

“No, you have one minute to finish getting ready. One. Minute. Only! Got it?”

Fifty nine minutes and fifty five seconds later:

Almost exactly an hour after the announcement of the wedding had been made to the Legionnaires Zoe Saugin and Jazmin Cullen stepped through a warp.

They were the last two to arrive and Retro and Thirteen stood waiting in similar dark tuxedoes with flutes of champagne for the two women. Otaki, Comet Queen and Ming Sul clapped and cheered while Kinetix gave a twirl to show off the outfit she wore. On her head Zoe had a wide brimmed ivory silk sheer sun hat with an elegant emerald ribbon artfully tied in a bow to one side, over her shoulder she had flung a short golden cloak embroidered with the outlines of green and lavender sunflowers while her dress was in the same deep emerald as her hat's bow with a simple repeating pattern of glorious sunflowers that slowly rotated against the intelligent cloth. She wore gold coloured Roman sandals with the laces criss-crossing up her calf to be tied under her knees. On her left wrist there were several dozen thin bracelets, mainly in gold though a few echoed the colours from her dress and tinkled gently like small bells playing the Wedding March by Mendelssohn as she moved. She smelled like Spring.

Through the crowd a tall, overly muscular woman with green skin wearing a white puff ball dress with intricate diamante ptterns and huge shoulder pads covered in swirls of delicate snow white chiffon cut to resemble feathers as well as a tall hat, also in white, with delicate wire snowdrop flowers draping over the top, strode towards the group. The so-called Monstress from the Amazers awkwardly made her way towards Zoe and gasped, putting her slab like hands over her mouth as she did.

"Sweetie, that is the most perfect outfit. Please tell me who your designer is, oh please... I beg you!" Her feminine voice surprised Zoe. The Legionnaire knew of the Amazers but had never imagined that the one that looked most likely to fight space dragons to a standstill would appreciate such fine things as high fashion!

"I designed it myself." Zoe said proudly.

"Darlin'... oh my darlin' legionnaire, you know I believe this is the start of a truly beautiful friendship." Candi Pyponte-Le Pac ii purred.


Jazmin Cullen wore a simple summer dress of dusty aqua blue and as she noticed the incredible similarity of Bina Nawoti's outfit the young woman from Xanthu felt a momentary flash of embarrassment. The young psychic smiled broadly at the Xanthuan and they had a brief hug followed by much laughter and humorous compliments on the originality and quality of each others outfit. The two young women spent much of the afternoon hanging out together and made jokes to anyone who spoke with them that now the secret was out they could officially tell everyone that they were actually long lost twins. Not all of their fellow guests understood their humour.

The service started several long minutes later than expected as Lydda arrived late.

The smile on Imra's face and the relief on Rokk's was enough to stop anyone from questioning the bride to be's timekeeping skills.

Lydda looked elegant in her figure hugging full length ivory white silk dress. She had a small fascinator shaped as a crescent moon in her hair that held her veil in place. Her long opera gloves were of the same material as her dress with pearl bracelets on each wrist. She walked slowly down the aisle towards her husband-to-be to appreciative comments and nods from the assembled heroes and family. Her hair was held up off her shoulders in a roll of braids that made it appear to be as a crashing wave were rising over the top of her head.

Imra Ardeen followed in an equally simple - and stunning - sky blue silk dress with a belt that appeared to be made of bone carved to look like the sequence of the moon. The Titanian did not wear gloves or a veil, though her hair was held up in a similar fashion to Lydda's.

Behind them, four of Lournu Durgo-Taines selves followed, each wearing long pale lavender dresses with intricate white flower motifs and orange sashes around their waists.

Querl Dox surprised everyone present as he stood up to carry out the service. The Coluan wore a dark charcoal grey suit with a flamboyantly cuffed white shirt. A red rose was attached to his jacket's button hole in his left lapel. Kara, in a short bright blue summer dress with a cream lace shawl ornately detailed around the seams across her shoulders, had made sure to firmly brush his hair before they had warped here.

The vows were exchanged quickly with both parties giving a brief statement of their love for each other as they held hands and gazed intently into each other's faces.

"Lydda... you have been the one constant source of light in my life for the last fifteen years. We have travelled to distant worlds, other times and alternate realities. We have worked together and been too far apart. You're honesty and devotion are as inspirational to me now as they were when we first met and I will always love you. By agreeing to marry me you have made me the happiest man alive today... here or on any planet. I love you Lydda Jath and swear to fight to sustain that love through whatever the universe might throw at us in our days and years together.”

Rokk Krinn wiped a small tear gently from Lydda's eye and smiled proudly.

"Rokk... I only tried to become a hero because of you and it has only through your faith and support that I have reached that potential. I always knew I wanted you in my life but I never guessed that you would become my life. I need you to know that your asking me to marry you has made me feel complete, after years of thinking my life could not get any better you have helped me achieve that. I love you Rokk Krinn with each breath and beat of my heart and look forward to the adventures we have together after today, wherever ...or whenever they take us."

Immediately after Querl Dox had pronounced them husband and wife there was an unnervingly loud honking noise from the rear of the assembled guests as the Monstress blew her nose in a vain attempt to stop her tears.

The whole congregation laughed in shared surprise and relief.

Lightning Lad's Best Man speech had been funny, sweet and mocking in equal measure and several of the newer Legionnaires and students were surprised at the stories he told as they painted a very different picture to what they assumed the rather stern Founder had been like - for one thing, he seemed to have laughed a lot back in the day! Imra gave a short and sweet story as her Maid of Honour speech, slightly teasing but ultimately encouraging of her Kathooni friend. The two women hugged after it was finished to a spontaneous applause.

Rokk and Lydda had sat through these public displays of humiliation and affection with grins on their faces and gave laughs and nods of agreement as various, not always flattering, points were raised. When it came to their speeches no-one was surprised as the newly weds thanked their many wondrous friends and family and announced that they were taking a month's leave to go on a travelling honeymoon, out beyond the Rim worlds. Both stressed that they would be beyond the reach of flight ring comms so not to bother disturbing them. They ended by thanking their new spouses and asking their guests to stay and enjoy the rest of the evening.

After Rokk and Lydda had taken a slow dance together the music changed to a well known up-tempo number and the dance floor very quickly became swamped.

Power Boy jumped up to the dance floor though several seconds after beginning a rather suggestive grinding groove he collided with Amp Girl and they both ended up in a heap on the floor. Everyone laughed, including the two of them, as Gravity Kid floated his husband and the poor girl he had landed on top of over to a nearby couch where Thirteen and Retro were already pouring tall flutes of champagne for the embarrassed Legionnaire and Investigative Officer. There were no hard feelings and Jed and Ming spontaneously got into a rather comedic dance-off which had their friends in fit of laughter as it got more and more outrageous and suggestive. Tel Vole blushed several times though laughed just as hard as anyone else.


Dream Girl and Star Boy left the party quite quickly. Their daughter, Matti, was furiously tired and was fearless in announcing it as only a baby could, so the decision was made to take her back home to save her, them and everyone else from unnecessary stress as the baby's howls got louder and more frequent. Nura gave Rokk a small parcel from her sister with a mischievous smile saying to keep it until he knew they'd have privacy for at least eight hours. Lydda laughter behind a hand as Rokk blushed and said his thanks. Both former Legionnaires made a point of inviting many of the guests to visit them on their satellite home before stepping through their warp home.


For the majority of the evening Ayla dominated the dance floor. The electric woman from Winath showed her teammates old and new that she could move! Thirteen danced with her but even the gorgeous man from Naltor couldn't keep up with her stylish moves for long. From classics of the last fifty years through to modern jagged-dance, she stomped and pirouetted and strutted and swung and swayed and shook and struck poses and tapped and wiggled and shimmied and shook and twisted and turned the night away with the biggest grin imaginable on her face.

The whole while, her nephews attempted to imitate their aunts display in between stealthy raids on the buffet and playing various ad-hoc games that they had invented that invariable involved climbing, running, hiding and jumping from one plush arrangement of furniture onto another.

The great feline Legionnaire Backlash showed incredible patience and good natured humour as he joined in with the twin boy's food theft and rowdy playfulness. At times it may even have seemed as if the feline Legionnaire positively encouraged their mischievous behaviour...


Dawnstar had enjoyed the wedding ceremony but found the loud music and flashing lights that had started afterwards to be unpleasant rather than entertaining. She stepped outside and stood there, under the darkening evening sky for a couple of seconds. She knew her personality was not one that sparkled at these sort of social events and that as much as her teammates thought of her as a worthy comrade and even as a friend they would not miss her where she to leave now. The winged Legionnaire took a final glance inside and as she did caught the eye of the student from Starhaven called Southern Lights. They both gave small smiles and a nod of acknowledgement. For a brief moment she felt an urge to return to the party and talk to him - while he was from a southern tribe that practiced mysticism that her own did not follow he at least would understand her, probably better than most of her teammates due to their shared cultural heritage. He was also very handsome... though still so young... With that thought Dawnstar of Starhaven shook her head before looking up towards the sky above. She flapped her wings and sped up into the outer atmosphere and within seconds was hundreds of klicks away from the party below. Being out of the planets gravity well and with her own hyper awareness kicking in she felt at peace again. While her colleagues would be asking Henry for warps back home all night she decided to make her own way back under her own power, alone.


Kara took Querl up to the dance floor where, after initially seeming shy, he surprised everyone by busting quite a few rather stunning moves. They left not long afterwards. Kara winked at Cecelia Becks just before they stepped through their warp home. Cece turned to her older sister and smiled before explaining that the Kryptonian had been feeling awful that Psyche had taken control over her so needed a night of fun to help her get over the trauma.

Olympia surprised Cece by saying she wouldn't mind a night of fun with a cute man as well, before casually asking if there were any present that Cece could recommend. They both pretended to be shocked by the question for a couple of seconds before cracking up laughing.

Deathstorm of the Khundian Battle Brigade and the imperious (some might even say arrogant) Academy student called Starstorm were spotted standing together.

The student was wearing a spectacularly low cut dress which the Khund warrior was blatantly staring down. He hadn't noticed the subtle pleat work, puffed sleeves or short cloak with small crown and star insignias in amongst the asymmetric pattern as it was only the absence, not the presence, of the student's dress that interested him. She laughed and flicked her hair back while pushing her ample bosom further forward towards him. He smiled predatorily and flexed his extremely large upper arm and chest muscles. She artfully glanced down at his feet before slowly looking at every muscle and pronounced part of his body as her eyes made their way up his legs and torso to meet his dark eyes. He smiled at her, a confidently victorious smile. She flicked her hair back again before smiling demurely in return.

They left together only minutes later.


Atom Girl initially sat beside Slingshot but as the evening progressed they had drifted apart to speak with the respective friends. Sylva was stood at one of the bars with Ming Sul, Jazmin Cullen, Deen Toro and Dann Hortra when she realised that she really just wanted to spend the evening speaking with Prince Alfon Gundrix Maunheesta of the Grindlaw Colonies rather than the people she effectively worked with. The Imskian Legionnaire excused herself and went looking for her student lover. The prince from the Outer Rim Worlds was with several of his fellow trainees from the Academy, all huddled together talking intently amongst themselves.

It wasn't until afterwards that Sylva thought they looked like they had been plotting, but as they had all cheered when she interrupted them and Prince Alfron immediately hugged her and said they must dance she put it to the back of her mind as instead she focused on the fun to be had there and then.


Danielle Foccart was tired. It was rare that her physical body would affect her so, though she admitted to herself that the day had been beautiful, in a strangely chaotic and loud manner. The food she had shared with Glorith had been delightful and the local AI's present had been pleasant, if slightly primitive, company when her sorceress friend was otherwise engaged. The young Technopath settled onto a wide padded seat, next to where the Robotican Babbage was standing and drifted into a light and comfortable sleep. Half an hour later she was not aware of being carried through a warp by Babbage and gently placed into her own bed.


Timber Wolf stood at the bar, his tuxedo felt too tight and his shirt collar made his neck itch, as a slightly drunken Duplicate Boy walked over and began to chat. Brin had never spent time with the Lallorian and wasn't really in the mood to make polite chit chat but the conversation quickly got around to Ord Quelu's mistaking Yera's impersonating Salu Digby as some Legion espionage squad thing and how if he could take time back he'd go back after her and not wait for her to find love in someone else's arms...

The two men both looked at Ayla strutting across the dance floor after that for several long seconds before the Zuunian Legionnaire turned to the Lallorian hero and said, "Thank you Ord, you just helped me make up my mind..." Duplicate Boy smiled in reply but didn't really understand what his new friend from the Legion was on about.

Saturn Girl sat with her head rested on her husband's shoulder.

"You alright there Imra?" Garth Ranzz asked his wife.

"Today has been perfect... I'm so happy for Rokk and Lydda." She replied.

"Ah hah... But?" Lighting Lad knew his wife well enough to know when she was avoiding a question.

"But... I was wondering why we never had a decent party like this?"

"Time travel shenanigans, remember? And most of the team were too young to legally drink anywhere except possibly Rimbor or the Outer Rim. Certainly, nowhere civilised..."

"That wouldn't have stopped them." She replied a little belligerently.

"No, but it would have stopped Brande from paying for it... "

"Ah... that's very true. You're a very canny man Garth Ranzz." She reached up and pulled him in for a quick kiss.

"That's why I chose to marry you Imra, that's why I chose you." He replied with a wide grin.

"Whoah... correct response Mister Ranzz. Damn, but you're good." She smiled as she gently kissed the tip of his nose before slipping her head down to rest on his chest. Garth laughed, it was rare Imra drank alcohol but he always appreciated how openly affectionate she became when she did. He really was a very lucky man...


Invisible Kid and Infectious Lass sat together in a quiet nook, both spoke softly as they shared stories, laughter and an oversized carafe of Jandoovian Pale Chardonnay. No-one saw them leave together.


Gim and Yera Allon danced for a while before retiring to one of the plush booths at the side of the dance floor. As they sat down the swarm being called Starkling flew in and formed a vaguely humanoid form.

<There are thoughts of great contentment and shared joy at this event> It sent telepathically as way of greeting <Was your joining ceremony as positively affirming to the team?>

Yera laughed as Gim awkwardly replied "ah... that's a long story buddy, perhaps we could save it for another day."


Several of the students had gotten into a serious drinking competition before Sun Boy casually intimated that he may drop by the Academy the next morning to spring a 0500 hours combat drill. The students quickly started calling for warps back to the Academy and their apartments.

As they did, Life Lass whispered her question to the Legionnaire; was he seriously going to do that? Dirk laughed out loud, almost spilling the drink in his hand as he did. No flippin' way, he replied, he planned on be tucked up with a seriously pretty brunette he knew... The Lallorian smiled and told him that that was alright then, though, she asked, where did he plan on finding a pretty brunette that would want to spend the night with him?

Dirk smiled his galaxy famous smile at her before he whispered his reply into her ear. Life Lass blinked her eyes in surprise before breaking out into a Cheshire Cat wide smile and putting her arm around his waist possessively. Dirk smiled and put an arm around her in return.


Poop-da-doop-da-poop... Quizlet flew by. The intra-dimensional being had been performing aerial gymnastic loops and spins and dives and rolls to the music, apparently oblivious to the rest of the dance floors occupants as it wove its wave through the dance floor occupants to its own crazy beat.

No one minded. At least it wasn't causing mischief.

M'windaji was just away to leave when he bumped into Kinetix. They had not spoken since he had returned from Kiringyaga and there was an awkward second as neither quite new what to say. Before he could start Zoe smiled, patted Gahaji on the arm and turned away in a flourish before skipping across to join Jazmin, Ming and Candi. The three women had watched the silent exchanged and cheered their friend as she joined them. Gahaji called for a warp back to Legion World Two and headed to his quarters, alone.


Gas Girl and Retro had been getting closer and closer all evening; initially talking, then dancing, then a little flirting, then a small amount of playful kissing, then more kissing alongside a bit of hugging until they finally made an excuse of wanting to check out the architecture on Legion World Two before skedaddling through a warp in fits of giggles. They didn't fool anyone. Several of their colleagues cheered.


Ayla continued to dance while her two nephews lay on a plush rug on the floor near the back of the chapel, their heads rested on the great tigerram's furry stomach as Mrrauw lay beside them watching the festivities around them. The boy's gave out little snores as they finally drifted off to sleep. Backlash purred.


Tyroc had danced with Monica Sade for quite a while before walking off the dance floor to grab a drink. The Rimborian teleporter appeared before her boyfriend with a pop! His silver Zoot suit shone in the lights while the intricate diamonte sequins on the lapels of her deep mauve pant suit reflected the light like a glitter ball.

"Where do you think you're going mister?" Sade asked with a teasing grin.

"Just takin' a breather..." Tyroc said as he sipped his tall drink. "Y' do want me t' have some energy left... y'know, f'r afterwards?" He raised his eyebrows suggestively.

Sade took a few seconds to consider his words before giving a small shrug and smile, "When you put it that way, I suppose I'd best get a drink too."

"Tha's my girl." Troy Stewart said with a mischievous grin.


As the night wound down the music tempo slowed and more and more guests left. Cosmic Boy and Night Girl had left three hours earlier. Lightning Lad had put an arm under his wife's and she leaned on him as they went to collect their boys. Backlash had insisted that the two boys were put on his back and he join them through the warp to Winath. The tigerram from Simballi made sure his young charges got home safe and sound, right to their beds.


Mon El and Shadow Lass left together. They tried not to make a scene but just as the warp spun into the air before them several of the more junior team members were walking past. As the warp closed the two Legionnaires could hear giggling.


Sun Boy laughed uproariously as Life Lass animated his shirt and trousers with her abilities. Quite a few of their fellow guests shared an understanding smile at what was obviously happening between the Legionnaire and the Lallorian hero. Dirk continued to live up to his legend...

Ayla danced to her own standards as the Monstress and Insect Queen tried to teach several others the latest dance craze from Xanthu. Both heroes from the distant astronomers world were possibly more than slightly inebriated and ended up in fits of laughter as they forgot and disagreed over the steps and resorted to obviously making it up, much to the amusement of their fellow guests.


Thirteen strode through the warp straight into his own quarters. Kinetix had casually tried to invite herself along but he had easily brushed her off without being rude. Dann Hortra was beginning to feel a little drunk. In the mirror he could see his chin expand out before snapping back to its altered form. It reminded him of a bull frog in mating season. Dann knew he shouldn't get drunk as his control would easily slip but the evening had been so happy that he had just run with it. Brin was right, he was aware that his teammates wouldn't judge his true form but simply preferred the one he currently wore so if that meant avoiding alcohol then that was an easy choice to make. He had never really let his hair down on Naltor as the High Seers Court was a dangerous place to be so unguarded, so nights like this one were very special to the young man. Dann Hortra smiled contentedly as he lay down on his bed and slipped off into sleep.


Evolvo and Amp Girl slow danced. They were both on the drunken side of easy equilibrium and happy in the warm bubble of enjoyment that the day had brought to them. Neither had planned for anything like this, or even hoped for this to happen, but they knew with the drunken certainty that successful wedding celebrations give to couples who had only just met that day that they would be seeing a lot more of each other after this night.

They both hoped so anyway.


Ayla called for a warp home and as it spun into existence before her shouted her thanks to the remaining guests for being part of the best night she could remember in a year. Several people cheered her as she stepped through. Everyone present was in awe of her skill on the dance floor and her seemingly limitless stamina. None of them saw the tears she cried when she returned to her dark apartment.


Gravity Kid gently floated Power Boy out through a warp. For all his muscle mass the large purple skinned young man had a seriously low tolerance to alcohol so his husband knew that the sooner he got him back to their apartment, showered and into bed, the better it would be for both of them in the morning.


It was Chemical Kid who rounded up the remaining guests and suggested they continue partying in Shakes Bar on Legion World Two. Surprising herself, Kid Quantum loudly agreed with the Phlonite and was the first to follow him through the warp with a rousing cheer. Virtually everyone else who was left cheered as they followed them through the warp. The Khund known as Sentinel who was part of Brainiac 5's unofficial team based on Weber's World grabbed three bottles of champagne and two of white rum before he followed the rest of the guests through Henry's warp. He had learned how to make himself popular...


Comet Queen and her dapper ex-soldier King had been slowly rotating as they hung in the air above the rest of the guests holding tightly onto each other, their faces interlocked at their lips.

They were the last two to leave.

Two days after the wedding:

Phantom Girl, as the newly re-elected leader of the Legion, along with Brainiac 5 and Lexikon, stood on a raised dais under harsh lighting. The Bgztler held herself upright and still, never taking her eyes of the many beings assembled before her. Her stance was one that exuded complete confidence and casual command of the situation; It was not at all what she felt inside.

Before the Legionnaires, sat in rows of raised pods and tables, were the assembled United Planets Senate. Also present were representatives from three of the major Media broadcasters, the UP Armed Forces, Star Fleet and the Science Police. Three days before, the Legion had given each the evidence that Brainiac 5, Danielle Foccart and Imra Arden had collected on the influence Psyche had exhibited on their respective organisations. The Legion had also requested politely that they hold this meeting behind closed doors as soon as possible. None had refuted the evidence or refused the invitation.

The Legionnaires had been here for almost two hours and while initially it had appeared that the meeting would go smoothly in the last half hour tempers on both sides had begun to fray as they discussed the consequences of the recent manipulation by the rogue extra-dimensional empath called Psyche.

Tinya was glad that she had the Coluan and Tamaranean with her as both had far more finesse when dealing with the matters at hand than she would ever hope to. So far Querl had brokered a deal whereby representatives from Colu would be given access to the Naltorian High Council and the Titanian Refugees settlement to assist with recovery from Psyche's malign influence. There was a brief conversation about the Titan-Net system coming out of mothballs but the Legionnaire had quickly parked that distraction and moved on. The matter in hand at that point had been the potential security flaws that had been exposed by Psyche's manipulation of those two influential psionic peoples. Lexikon had reminded the assembled dignitaries and senators that had the evil empath not been so focussed on destroying the Legion she may have kept control for years before being discovered. Of course, everyone present understood this before she had mentioned it but by spelling it out the Legionnaire hoped to force their recognition that galactic security could be undermined without their knowing and that the Legion had been the ones who had stopped it.

The conversation moved on to one that Tinya was particularly interested in: the Legion had offered to host the meta-training facilities for both Star Fleet and the Science Police in the Academy on Legion World One. The Academy could comfortably accommodate up to seven hundred potential students at a time and would hold courses to introduce them to the basics of law enforcement, people management, combat situations tailored to the students particular abilities as well as introducing the students to a wider range of beings and career options that they would ever usually get at their respective training. It would also, Querl pointed out, help build bridges between future Legionnaires and the various law enforcement agencies in this section of the Milky way.

The argument had dragged on and bounced back and forward for too long, Tinya thought, though she knew better than to interrupt Querl. Currently, the Legion were offering four month long semester slots with the option to remain on at the Academy afterwards if the student's grades were deemed sufficient to impress the Legion.

"So you want us to hand over training our staff and then you goddamn well cherry pick the best of them afterwards?" The question from the Xanthui representative was not unexpected.

"No senator, my sincerest apologies if you have misunderstood" Querl Dox said softly, as speaking to a child "...We expect you to support us as we introduce a program that ensures your meta-agents are never turned so easily against your own planetary best interests again by a rogue element and thereby avoid further embarrassment for this esteemed hegemony."

Tinya lowered her face and smiled to herself.


It took another two hours, by which time Phantom Girl felt as if she was in serious need of weekend spa to clean the political scum off of her skin... the deals had been done though and she knew that in future any attempt to undermine the galactic law enforcement agencies would be far more difficult to achieve. The Legion would accept a small team of the Science Police's meta staff to join their ranks as well as a representative from the UP Armed Forces who would also sit in with the Senior Team at all briefings. They had expected as much and were open to the idea.

Tinya and the Senior Team would have an open line to all top brass senior staff within both the senate and the respective law enforcement agencies. The Galactic Media had been firmly censured and all opinion pieces on the Legion's activity were to be curtailed for the foreseeable future. Finally, and to Tinya's mind most importantly, the Academy would host meta-students from each area of the United Planets security and law enforcement regimes for a minimum of one semester as part of their training. She knew that in doing so they would have a greater role in ensuring that meta-beings from throughout the galaxy would be exposed to and perhaps follow the Legion's ethos of inclusive law enforcement.

Phantom Girl also had every intention of goddamn well cherry picking the best of the students for her team.

"Everyone... Come on we need to discuss these students seriously, so if you've finished chatting I'd appreciate your attention. Look, Tinya asked me to chair this today while she's off dealing with the UP... I'd rather be off recovering from Rokk and Lydda's party much like the rest of you but we need to do this, so, get yourself comfortable as this might be a long morning. The students don't know yet that we're springing this surprise try-out on them so when they get here in an hour we need to be ready. We want to have any new members settled in before the Science Police arrive with their team in a couple of days..." Sun Boy announced.

There were several groans and complaints about the incoming Science Police team but Dirk ignored them. The Legion needed official support right now while recovering from recent troubles. The battle with Psyche had left the team, the Science Police and the UP armed forces in a weakened state as they scrabbled to resume order. In a spirit of understanding the senior team had agreed to allow some of the SP's meta team on board both Legion World Two and the Academy while they all rebuilt their reputation and good standing in the eyes of the watching galaxy. The closer ties between the organisations that the sharing of staff brought would make any future manipulation easier to root out... at least, that was the thinking behind this new endeavor. Dirk wasn't so sure...

The Legion hadn't been told yet who they would be sent to replace Jed and Tel as they would be leaving later that day but, regardless, Dirk wanted to show the team at its very best when the SP's representatives arrived.

A hologram of the Colossal Crew materialised in the air above the assembled Legionnaires.

"So... First up is... Ballistix."

Several of the assembled team said "No!" simultaneously causing the room to erupt in laughter.

"No? Why do you say that?" Sun Boy said in a mock innocent tone before breaking into one of his galaxy-wide famous smiles and laughing. "Okay, I think we're all in agreement about that one..." Dirk shrugged and smiled again. "Next up... Bouncing Boy Two..."

The Legionnaires spent an hour debating the various merits of each candidate and ended up with a list of fifteen Academy students that had majority approval due to their maturity and potential abilities. This didn't mean they were accepted, not yet, only that they would be put forward for further consideration.

The only student to receive the teams unanimous support was the Silver Shaman for a place in the support staff - The young healer from the lo-tech world of Avalon would be offered a training position on Dr Shakespeare's staff in the infirmary without any further interviews, tests or trials. Kent smiled broadly and slung a muscular arm around Drura Sehpt's shoulder and gave her a kiss on the top of her head as the vote was passed. He had been worried that the young student might somehow slip through the net and end up working as a surgical lackey to Gym'll on Medicus One where he would be unsupported intellectually and worked ruthlessly. Kent knew with Drura and Shardwurd on staff he would be able to offer personal medical support on more missions and so lessen the risk to any populations the Legion were involved with and to the team itself... And the kid's biokinesis was utterly amazing! Kent know it would be a privilege to train him into a fully qualified doctor.

The team took a comfort break before the student body were to be invited in and Sun Boy asked his fellow Legionnaires to consider their choices carefully as they would meet again in half an hour to hold the actual try-out.

"They're all really special, aren't they? The students are all exceptional." Ayla Ranzz said as she approached Dirk.

"That's the problem though isn't it? We don't have capacity to mentor them all safely and yet we need new blood if we are to be a functioning unit and expand."

"How many new 'uns do you think will be the limit?"

"Well, we have a few folks that'll probably be moving on... so..."

"What? Who? Jan and Nasir are on medical leave for the time being but who's actually going?"Ayla interrupted.

"It isn't common knowledge yet... I was going to announce this at the meeting after we'd voted as I don't want it to influence us."

"Spill Morgna, who's going?" Ayla stood in front of her colleague with her hands on her hips and a stern look on her face.

"Harmonia is taking Loutrahim to Utopia... The kid needs s chance to heal. Though I get the feeling that time works differently there so we may not see them again." Lightning Lass wasn't terribly upset about that news as she hadn't really warmed to the elemental or her laboratory assistant.

"Is that all Dirk?"

"Nope... Jacques has volunteered to stay at the Academy as a tutor. With Rokk and Lydda taking an overdue break to go on honeymoon they're short staffed too so he’s talking to Danielle about it right now, that's why they're not here for this meeting. I'm fairly certain that's not going to be an easy conversation."

"Aww, bless him. I'll really miss Jacques, he's so decent isn't he?"

"Just like Harmonia..." Dirk said slyly. Ayla smiled in acknowledgement of the little barb. She didn't think Dirk had noticed her nonchalance at his telling her that Harmonia was planning to leave.

"Also Gazelle's time with us is probably coming to an end as her secondment is over in five days time. Doug's said he's going to leave with her if she gets recalled, though we don't know yet exactly what's going to happen as the Dead Brain has told us he agrees with the secondment continuing in principle but is unaware what his Emperor has decided yet. She's told them she'd prefer to stay but we're not sure how much weight that'll carry with the Khundian authorities. We'll need to wait and see, I'm afraid..."

"Oh, that's not good, they're both super fun! I hope they stay... Is Gates coming back here then if they do go?" Dirk Morgna didn't answer Ayla Ranzz's question.

"Gravity Kid and Power Boy have been recalled to SP Mars... neither want to go but I've arranged for them to stay here until this try out is finished."

"That's dirty... it's really poor, we both know the Science Police're only doing this because of all that recent media rubbish, it's nothing to do with the guys, it was Psyche and her pawns doing. Oh, they'll be so upset! Poor Jed, he's tried so hard to fit in with everyone."

"Absolutely, though if we want the Science Police to continue to support us we need to give them this one. I'm not happy about it either Ayla and there've been a couple of tense holo-comms flying back and forward but ultimately we have to let them go and accept whoever it is that's send out to join us instead. And finally... Brin wants to go find Laurel, wherever she is. Gahaji has said he'll help him. They're both planning on slipping away when we leave Sol, it won't be a big announcement but they're off before tomorrow."

"Oh! I never expected that, I thought..." She blushed at her surprise. Timber Wolf was going to leave the team to look for his ex-girlfriend. It had been many years since Lightning Lass and Timber Wolf had been a couple but she still felt a momentary pang of regret. "Wow! Umm... well... I just hope she takes him back, I guess."

"I hope whatever the outcome they return quickly and don't decide to join the Wanderers on an adventure off to stars only know where..." Dirk replied, "We're going to need them soon enough." he muttered darkly to himself.

It was five very long hours later that the Legion finally announced who they were accepting into their ranks as full members of the team.

Phantom Girl, Brainiac 5 and L:exikon had returned from their meeting with the UP council in time to vote with their colleagues. The try out had given each student the opportunity to showcase their skills and abilities and, for the most part, the Legionnaires had been impressed by what they had been presented with. A couple of the students had excelled and everyone knew they would be offered a place on the full team, a couple more had disappointing experiences and knew before the results that they would be back in the Academy the next day. The majority though fell somewhere in between leaving the Legionnaires the difficult job of deciding if they were fit to join them.

The Academy students were all sat before the assembled Legionnaires, their faces showing the excitement, fears, anticipation, disappointment and resolve that they shared. As Dirk looked out across at them his heart sank a little as he knew they were away to break a lot of the kid's hearts. Still, Dirk thought to himself, as his father had once said after announcing the lay off of a fifth of his workforce, let's focus on the positive today!

"All of you have achieved so much while you have been with us at the Academy. If we had the capacity right now we would accept each and every one of you into our little club. Whatever the outcome, whether or not you join us today - or in six months time, you should feel proud of yourselves. You have all earned our respect." Dirk started to clap his hands and his teammates quickly joined in to applaud the student body.

"Unfortunately, as I just mentioned, the teams capacity to properly support and mentor new members is curtailed though we still have seven slots available. One of them will be working under Dr Shakespeare in the medical bays and that position goes to the Silver Shaman." There was a ripple of applause from the students, more out of politeness that genuine warmth as they each focused their will onto hoping their name would be called out next as a member of the main team.

Shardwurd Gandussen of the Ten Peaks of Avalon, the student they called the Silver Shaman due to his long silver hair and unshakeable belief that his mutant bio-kinetic abilities were some sort of natural magic, stepped forward. The young man from the distant lo-tec world was tall and slim and obviously self conscious as he walked across to Dr Shakespeare. Kent and Drura both walked forward to congratulate him and welcome him to their small and rather unusual sub-team of the Legion's support staff. The Legionnaires waited until the medical staff had briefly spoken to the young man before coming forward to shake his hand and congratulate him. They all thought he looked incredulous.

"Next up..." Dirk said, as the applause was starting to die down, "From the Senior Student Squad, and who will have me as a mentor - the lucky thing, we'd like to welcome ...Friction!" This time the cheers and clapping were louder as Jadee Wittakka of Xanthu jumped forward and, using her abilities, negated friction underneath her feet to slide across towards the Legionnaires. Sun Boy shook the young woman's hand. Quite a few people noticed that he floated close to, but not actually on the ground as he approached her, obviously not wanting to accidentally be affected by her abilities and potentially fall over. A couple of minutes later, after Friction had taken her place with the senior team and the welcomes had died down Dirk faced the students again.

"Okay... Wildfire will probably never let us forget this, but from the Trailblazer crew we have three new members. Come forward Atomsmasher, Southern Lights and Ultra Girl, and welcome to the Legion!"

There were cheers and clapping as the Wraithcat from Betelgeuse, the winged mystic from Starhaven and the powerful young woman from Xanthu all left their fellow students to take their place amongst the senior team. After the applause and shaking of hands had finished Dirk said, "Ergus, you have Mon El as a mentor. Southern Lights will have Dawnstar and Li-Fahn... you have Thunder. Okay guys? You're mentors will be your best friends in the coming months so hope you like them." Dirk smiled broadly.

"So..." Dirk continued, effectively stopping the conversations that had started around the conference suite. "From Team Cosmic we would like to offer a spot to Polar Girl."

Mel Lassar of Tharr, one of the shorter students, had been at the back of the group so it took a few seconds as she fought her way through her fellow students as they gathered around her to share their congratulations to stand in front of the Legion.

"Your mentor will be Lightning Lass, so get acquainted if you don't know her already and welcome to the team." Dirk's smile never left his face as he spoke. the Legionnaires crowded around the Tharrite to congratulate her while the students she had just left clapped politely.

"And finally... we only have one more place available and this person will be mentored by Tyroc... step forward Bouncing Boy!" This brought a few gasps from the students as they realized that their name hadn't been called out. Stoor Chamble of Pasnic clapped politely, unaware that he had just been called. Solar Gorilla and Shadowsurfer pushed him forward as the realization struck him.

"I...I... no way!" He stuttered as he walked towards the smiling Legionnaires who were still stood around Polar Girl.

"The rest of you, please realize that due to our current situation we have to limit the amount we can accept this time. That doesn't mean that you'll never be accepted as there were quite a few very close calls... please keep working hard as it could be your name that is called out next time."

Even before he had finished speaking a couple of the students were leaving the conference room. Their disappointment was clear from their body language. Dirk felt sorry for them, as it had been close for quite a few of the others but ultimately these six had the backing of the entire team and the tutors.

"Legionnaires... excuse me but I have something to say." Kid Dynamo said loudly. Virtually everyone stopped talking and turned towards him.

"I'm very grateful for the training you've given and the support I've had. I even understand why I may have been refused membership, but this isn't going to stop me. A few of us have been speaking and we agreed that if you didn't vote us in we're going to form our own team... so..."

"Ja, don't do this..." The student called Strobe said.

"Sorry... We're leaving to do our own thing. Gonna hand in our flight rings and get out there to start being the heroes we've been taught to be."

"Son, who's this 'we' you're talking about? What do you mean?" Sun Boy said, his face suddenly serious.

"I'm joining him." said Kid Nimbus.
"Me too, I'm going too." Magno Lass added.
"I'm also joining Kid Dynamo, thank you for everything you've shown us." Flipside said.
"I too will join this new team." Ballistix chimed in. Obviously she had not been part of the conversation prior with the other students as they all looked at the synthezoid in surprise.
"And me too... I think it's time I moved on as well." Slingshot said. As he spoke he looked towards Atom Girl and gave her a mock salute.

Brainiac 5 stepped towards the small group.

"You're fight rings are currently on Student Mode. It would be churlish to expect you to return them after investing so much in training you in their uses so instead let me alter their modifications." The Coluan held out a hard light screen and tapped onto it for a few seconds. "There... now you will have flight, communications amongst your ring network, eco-protect, search light and scan, loud hailer, alarm and locator beacon functions. We won't be monitoring you any more and unless you use the alarm we will be unable to receive your transmissions ...and vice versa. Good luck with your endeavours." He held his hand out for the students to shake. A group of Legionnaires gathered around the Coluan to wish the leaving group every success.

Atom Girl pulled Slingshot aside and hissed her question at him; why he was leaving her? The prince from the distant colony smiled, lightly kissed her cheek and said, "You don't need a student hanging around you, and I need to become a grown man. We'll meet again, I'm sure of this Sylva, it's not over yet." They held onto each other for a few seconds before saying their goodbye.

"So, hey... Kid Dynamo and Crew, what we gonna call your team then?" Timber Wolf shouted across the group.

"It's obvious-oh! We'll be the Kid Dynamo and the League of Super Heroes, of course." The muscle bound lad from Dryad smiled broadly as he said it.

Several of his new teammates groaned.

It was late into the night and Gord Eno couldn't sleep.

He had foresaw that he would be wearing a Legion flight ring tomorrow - not the students version with monitoring apps watching his every move like he currently did. He had known he would make it and become a full Legionnaire - his vision had been clear, his euphoria at wearing the ring mixed with a more serious feeling as he accepted his first mission... he had seen it!

...and in spite of the vision he did not believe it was simply due to arrogance that he was shocked at not being offered membership of the full team. In the last few weeks he had gotten over the initial surprises of being here at the Academy and pulled himself together, worked damn hard and achieved great results both personally and for his team. He had learned lessons after studying the records of Nura Nal's time on the team and knew that he had developed skills in leaps and bounds. He was also a fully qualified Pre-Commando so was well aware of the laws that governed the UP, had actual real ife experience of crowd control and managing intense situations were emotions ran high... he had the bread-and-butter experience and knowledge that he bet most new Legionnaires struggled with.

He was trying to be reflective... trying to gauge his behaviours and attitudes of late to find out if he had somehow let himself down. Trying to figure out where his vision may have been mistaken... it had shown him a date, a time, a flight ring on his finger... what had he not understood?

And... damn the Legionnaires, he was upset too as he knew he deserved a place on the big team.

There was a 'ping' as his apartment door monitor was tripped. Gord asked the resident AI to show a holo of whatever was outside his door. A swirling holo fog materialized before the Naltorian student that quickly formed into a cohesive image - standing outside of his apartment door was Chameleon Boy.

"Door open." The student said and his entranced irised open to allow the Durlan into his apartment.

"Gord, how nice to see you. I hope I didn't wake you." Reep Daggle said as he strolled in.

"No problem Reep, what can I do for you?" The Naltorian student only glanced at the Legionnaire, he didn't get up from his seat or offer his hand to shake.

"I won't waste your time. You must be disappointed that you weren't offered membership today... I'm sorry but that was due entirely to me. I vetoed it when everyone else wanted you in. I thought you might like to hear why and also hear what I wish to offer you instead. You are absolutely free to refuse if you want. If you do turn me down I will see to it that you are offered full membership alongside your fellow students immediately... but please hear me out fully and then the choice is yours."

The precognitive nodded, unsure of what to say. He had not had any visions relating to this meeting or the outcome from this moment on so was curious as to what Chameleon Boy could be about to offer... Reep Daggle smiled. The young pre-cog was efficient and decent by nature, strong and capable, but Reep thought he had a poor poker face. The Legionnaire would need to give the student some lessons on effective lying and misdirection if he were to survive the mission that the Durlan wished to take him on.

While the rest of the team were away to leave Sol for adventures in the outer galaxy Reep planned on something a little bit more covert... the military leaders that had followed Psyche with minimal effort from her would all need to be kept an eye on, and one in particular - Sa Lok of Rimbor, the newly former Under Secretary to the United Planets Security Council had worked on Meta-agent programs as well as weapons procurement within the UP for over a decade. From the telepathic impressions picked up from the White Martian that had killed the student Metallix it appeared that Sa Lok had been intimately involved with meta-crimes and black ops for the majority of his time in post.

Dr Kabbo had already agreed to join Reep and with Gord Eno along as well the Legionnaire planned on taking this small discrete team to investigate the former Under Secretaries' life now he had been dismissed from his post and would no longer officially be attached to the United Planets Militia or Council.

The Legionnaire and the student spoke for over a hour before shaking hands and agreeing to meet in the morning to go over the plan with Dr Kabbo before they left.

After the Legionnaire had left Gord Eno slept surprisingly well that night.

Legion World Two:

It had been fourteen days since the Legionnaire's had defeated Psyche and nine since Phantom Girl had resumed her role as team leader. With five words Tinya Wazzo would change galactic history:

"Okay Querl, hit the switch!"

Many of the assembled Legionnaires cheered as Tinya had said this, especially among the junior members.

Querl Dox smiled as he rubbed his left hand over the control nodule. He had carefully calibrated the extent of the stealth settings in case anyone watching Legion World Two's exit from the solar system was trying to take a reading. Actually, he was certain many would be doing exactly that. The current stealth setting was only on for basic EM scans - effectively the Legion's new planetoid base was invisible to sight, but would still register on any mass or X-ray or gravity-wake sensors. Their warp drive setting was standard Q-drive technology, easily traced if desired. They would switch to the Forge Chosen's own warp system once they were underway - the Coluan had determined it was far more elusive to trace. He had decided that it would be prudent for the team to keep those particular tricks up their sleeves, so to speak. The rest of the senior team had all agreed wholeheartedly when it had been suggested.

The senior team had agreed to wait until they had left Sol system before sharing their planned first mission with the rest of the team. As she took to the platform to speak to her teammates Tinya Wazzo's mouth ran dry. She had thought about this moment from the first day Jan had mentioned it, just after they had taken this planetoid from the Forge Chosen and now, three months later, she was away to share his vision with the team.

Tinya had spoken to Imra earlier that morning. Element Lad, Titan and the student called Kid Pulsar were all responding well to their treatment. Imra estimated that the former student would be returned to them within a week - Tinya planned on pushing for Kid Pulsar to be made a full member once his rehabilitation was complete he he had been sent back to them. Jan and Nasir were more complicated cases. Imra's best estimate was it would take a further month or two for Jan to fully heal and possibly a further two for Nasir. Kent Shakespeare was visiting every chance he had and was helping out as well.

Tinya had thanked her old friend for the update and after breaking the holo-comm link had sat in silence for a few minutes while she got her thoughts together. The team needed a big win to help heal after the recent encounter with Psyche and Tinya knew that there was one thing they could do that would allow the team to blow off some steam and potentially increase their effectiveness.

Phantom Girl shook her head to release these memories of this morning. Her mind was made up and now all she had to do was set out the plan to her teammates and get going. Tinya quickly took a sip of water before clapping her hands together to get the team's attention.

"Everyone... thanks for waiting. I'm sure you all agree that this is the start of a new era for our organisation, so I want to thank Brainiac 5, Gear, Hethuk, Babbage, Danielle and Thirteen as well as all the rest of you who have worked so hard in readying this planetoid for today..." there was a smattering of applause, though not as much as Tinya had hoped for.

"As you are all aware by now, the senior team meet regularly to discuss organisational issues that arise and try to resolve any problems before they get out of hand. Well, with the Science Police sharing resources to train Meta's at the Academy and Naltorian High Council providing additional funding means potentially there could be upwards of five hundred students joining that program next semester. For those that haven't heard yet, Jacques will be leaving us after this meeting to join the tutors at the Academy." She smiled down from her podium to her fellow Espionage Squad member.

There were quite a few raised voices as people wished the Invisible Kid all the best with his career change. After the hubhub had calmed down Tinya continued.

"Some good news, the Dead Brain has agreed to extend Gazelle's secondment with us for another year which is great, though it also means Gates and Inferno will remain in Khundian space for the time being." Tinya shrugged and smiled as several of the team congratulated their Khundian ally.

"Also the Science Police have again agreed to kindly second several members to us... we have five so far for the full team and one on our auxiliary staff too. There'll be a few more in the next couple of days. So, let me start by saying welcome home Jed and Tel, we're all glad to have you back here with us guys... welcome also to both Captain Shir of Daxam and Doctor Falkner of Titan, Officer Magz from Braal and from Talok we’re joined by Officer Tarev Jusool as well. Hope you’re settling in well." She gave a small wave to the Daxamite Captain and his telepathic wife from the Science Police Meta-Team. Captain Shir nodded while Dr Falkner smiled broadly and said "Thanks, Tinya.” The blonde Braalian smiled broadly while the Talokean was engrossed in a conversation with XS, the Legionnaire that had stopped him while under Psyches influence, so didn’t respond in time to catch Phantom Girls acknowledgement.

"We've also been reassured that the United Planets are organising a root and branch clear out of those opposed to our mission statement from all of their law enforcement and armed forces agencies in light of Psyche's recent attack. For all that, we are left with an issue that stands out like a Filoxxan beacon... I have to tell you we have a problem, a big one."

She stopped for an unintentional dramatic pause as she took another sip of water.

"...y'see, we captured this base from the Forge Chosen and took it for our own use after the opportunity presented itself. We were lucky, but there are many, many planets out there that do not share our good fortune. There are twelve other planetoids that we know of that the bloodthirsty Tyrrazians currently use to pirate their way across this galaxy and it's my suggestion that the team's first mission in our newly repaired base is that we go take the battle worlds away from the Forge Chosen and put them to better use... our use. Let's take these pirate planetoids and remake them as a dozen new Legion Worlds to house the heroes of this galaxy."

The room erupted as a dozen questions were asked simultaneously of the team leader while loud conversations broke out between the team. Tinya ignored them for the moment as she let the initial shock and excitement die down.

"Our current trajectory will take us to System B12772HGR- 46 Alpha Epsilon.... is that right Querl?"

"Yes, that is correct." Brainiac 5 nodded as he replied. Kara stood at his side with a small proud smile on her face.

"We know there is a planetary incursion happening there right now by the Tyrrazians. We believe they are currently raiding this world to take their indigenous population's technology and resources for themselves. We need to stop it and if we can gain control over their base in the process it will be all the better. Here is our plan..."