Enter: Oracle

[newoutsiders]

Trouble at the docks again. Steph just phoned in. So much for Damian "settling things there once and for all." There was apparently an explosion. She can handle it, you tell yourself. You've got a lot more pressing things to worry about.

You take another sip of coffee as you trace some shelled bank accounts to Bialya. If you're right, there's a secret European war being funded by some major US corporations, and no one but 12 people on Earth even knows it's happening. You just need a little more-

You doze off for a quarter of a second before perking up. You've been awake for 50 hours now, and you haven't moved an inch. Since the Justice League took off and you took charge, things have been busier than they've ever been. But you can't stop. Everyone is counting on you.

Your main monitor blinks with the notification of an incoming video call. It's the League Watchtower.

Comments

[jlf_oracle]

"Got it," Babs says tightly. "Anything else I should know before Big Red revokes my access?"

She knows the League's protocols inside and out. She knows how they deal with threats to Red Tornado's beloved efficiency.

[newoutsiders]

"Just... understand we're doing this for you as much as anyone else," Dinah says. "Please. You've been, well, a little obsessed lately. And we're afraid you're starting to sound a lot like..."

"Don't, Dinah," Dick warns.

"Fine. That was out of line. But come on, Babs. We've been working together for years. I know when you're being pushed to your limits. Even you have them. Can't you trust me on this? Trust us?"

[jlf_oracle]

"Like you trusted me to talk to me about this before it was a fait accompli?" Babs says dryly. "If there's nothing operational, I have to go."

Besides, what does trust have to do with it anyway? They've left her to choose between complying or wasting time she doesn't have to hack the League's server.

[newoutsiders]

They do their best to exchange some tactful pleasantries, but the League eventually lets you go. In more ways than one. Muttering, you get back to tracking down this secret Bialyan war.

After hours of work, you suddenly realize after this call that all the data you have can be traced back to The Question.

Well. This was a huge waste of time. Maybe you do need some rest.

[jlf_oracle]

Babs drinks the last of her coffee and starts shutting down non-essential systems. Steph won't finish patrol for at least two more hours, so check-ins and emergency alerts have to stay active. But there's no need to have all the monitors blazing light into her eyeballs.

[newoutsiders]

The police scanner picks up something interesting-- that tanker Steph called about? Apparently Starfire is in town, and she's grabbing it by its rear axle on 41st and Broome.

[jlf_oracle]

Babs taps into the closest security camera and contemplates making popcorn.

[newoutsiders]

You watch as the tanker comes unhitched from the truck as it speeds off. The tank collides with the ground, and a bright, toxic looking orange liquid splashes everywhere- including over a cop, who looks like he's in serious pain.

[jlf_oracle]

Babs wishes she had a comm line to Starfire, so she could direct her to a vigilante-friendly hospital. That cop needs treatment ASAP.

[newoutsiders]

You recall that you had Dick give you the Titans' contact info for just such an occasion. You were the heart of the Justice League for a time, after all. Er, however briefly.

(DM: Post in Starfire's thread to make contact with her.)