Cadmus 3

In a personal laboratory, a scientist with a ponytail diligently worked on a pink mixture in a dish, his focused gaze fixed on the task at hand. Beside him, an eyedropper patiently awaited his command. On the computer screen before him, genetic markers illuminated the display, revealing the intricacies of his experiment.

With careful precision, the scientist grasped the eyedropper, ensuring its steady grip. He dipped it into the dish, capturing a small amount of the vibrant pink liquid. Within the confines of the laboratory, several other creatures resided. One of them resembled the creature with glowing horns, while the other two possessed an insect-like appearance.

Moving with calculated grace, he allowed a single drop of the pink liquid to fall into a test tube containing a clear liquid and a blue crystal. As the two substances mingled, a remarkable transformation took place. The crystal began to decompose, and the entire mixture radiated a mesmerizing blue glow. The ethereal light reflected off the scientist's glasses, accentuating his intense gaze and pale complexion.

Suddenly, the door behind him emitted a beeping sound, indicating an incoming visitor. The scientist's concentration faltered as the door opened to reveal a man donned in blue body armor, protecting his torso and thighs. His attire was complemented by silver shin guards and gloves, adorned with a golden emblem on his black belt and knees. Completing his ensemble was a striking golden helmet.

"Dr. Desmond," the armored man addressed the scientist.

Annoyance flickered across Desmond's face, and he interrupted the visitor curtly. "Tell me, Guardian, what part of 'no interruptions' did you not understand?" With a swift motion, Desmond pressed the number 13 on a cylindrical apparatus labeled PROJECT BLOCKBUSTER. He then carefully placed the test tube containing the glowing blue mixture into the designated slot, completing the rack of six test tubes. The apparatus closed automatically, securing its contents.

Guardian, the armored man, disregarded Desmond's annoyance and pressed on. "A G-gnome on Sub-Level 26 reports three intruders and on Sub-Level 36 we have lost all connection be it telepathic or technology."

Desmond let out an exasperated sigh, his frustration evident. "Did I miss a perimeter breach alert?" he questioned, already aware of the answer, and thus adopting a condescending tone towards Guardian.

"No," Guardian replied tensely.

"Then the G-gnome must be confused," Desmond retorted, irritation lacing his words. "No matter what may transpire in our facade laboratory above ground, the real Cadmus remains the most secure facility in Washington, D.C." He then turned his attention back to the microscope before him, dismissing the matter.

Guardian, ever diligent in his role, reminded Desmond of his duty. "My job is to keep it that way."

"Fine. Take a squad to sub-level 26 it's more important," Desmond acquiesced, unaware of the presence of the third entity in the room. However, the blue-skinned anthropoid creature with ivory horns and darker blue skin on its elbows came into view, standing beside Guardian. Its striking red eyes, pointed ears, and two blue feelers cascading from its jawline to its clavicle were now visible. "Perhaps Guardian should heed the recommendation of leaving his G-gnome behind," the creature suggested, drawing attention to the small creature perched on Guardian's shoulder. "If violence should arise…"

"The little guy would only be in my way," Guardian concluded, echoing the anthropoid's suggestion.

"No," Desmond snapped abruptly, stepping away from his microscope. Alongside him on the table was a G-gnome, catching Guardian's attention. "The advantage of instant telepathic communication outweighs other concerns." Desmond gently held the creature's face in his hand, massaging it behind the jaw but before its pointed ears. As he released it, the G-gnome's horns began to glow red, and in response, the horns of the creature perched on Guardian's shoulder emitted a matching glow.

Guardian turned towards the anthropoid, though he did not meet its gaze, his eyes fixed in the distance. "I need my G-gnome with me at all times," he stated in a monotone voice. He then turned to Desmond, bowing respectfully while placing his fisted hand over his heart. After their exchange, both Guardian and Desmond exited the lab.

The door ahead transitioned from red to yellow to green, signaling their passage. Kid Flash stood waiting, while Robin worked on hacking a nearby system, and Aqualad maintained their rear guard. As the door opened, Robin and Kid Flash displayed surprise. "Okay, I'm officially whelmed," Kid Flash remarked, catching Aqualad's attention.

Inside the room, towering rows of bug-like creatures emitted electrical pulses that traveled through a generator mounted on the wall, positioned nearly 20 feet above the ground. The sight left Kid Flash with a realization. "This is how they conceal this massive underground facility from the world," he deduced as they walked amidst the towering rows. "The real Cadmus isn't connected to the grid. It generates its own power using these... creatures." His tone lacked the excitement from before. "They must be bred for this purpose."

"Even the name is a clue," Aqualad agreed, drawing a parallel to the mythological Cadmus. "The Cadmus of myth created a new race by sowing dragon's teeth into the Earth."

"And this Cadmus creates new life too," Robin chimed in, approaching a computer near one of the rows of creatures. "Let's find out why." He retrieved a connector from his gauntlet and plugged it into the computer, generating a HoloScreen that displayed a stream of information. "They call them Genomorphs." Robin's words captured the full attention of Kid Flash and Aqualad. The holographic display showcased the remarkable capabilities of the Genomorphs. "Whoa! Look at the stats on these things—super-strength, telepathy, razor claws. These are living weapons." Robin recoiled in shock at the revelations.

"They're engineering an army, but for whom?" Kid Flash pondered aloud.

"Wait, there's something else," Robin exclaimed as more data appeared on his gauntlet. Aqualad joined him, peering over his shoulder. "Project Kr," Robin said, attempting to decrypt the file. "Ugh! The file's triple-encrypted. I—I can't—"

"Don't move!" Guardian's voice interrupted, his left forearm now equipped with a golden shield. He stood amidst a squad of smaller Genomorphs, growling menacingly around him. These Genomorphs had a leaner build, tails, and four digits on their front paws, with the three digits on their back paws ending in razor-sharp claws. They were the Genomorph 077s that Robin had pulled up information on. Guardian paused, recognizing the presence of Robin, Aqualad, and Kid Flash. "Wait, Robin, Aqualad, Kid Flash?"

"At least he got your name right," Robin teased, continuing to work on decrypting the Kr file behind Aqualad to keep it concealed from Guardian's view.

"I know you," Aqualad spoke up, momentarily diverting Robin's attention. "Guardian, a hero."

The hero stood tall, acknowledging the recognition. "I do my best."

"Then what are you doing here?" Kid Flash questioned, his confusion evident.

"I'm the Chief of Security," Guardian responded. "You're trespassing, but we can call the Justice League and figure this out."

A tense moment of silence hung in the air, broken only by the beeping sound emanating from Robin's gauntlet, signaling the completion of his decryption process for Project Kr.

"You think the League's gonna approve of you breeding weapons?" Kid Flash demanded, his tone laced with accusation.

"Weapons?" Guardian questioned, his confusion evident. "What are you—" Before he could finish his sentence, Guardian's eyes widened, and his G-gnome's horns began to glow. He brought his hand to his temple, his head dropping to his chest. "Ugh, my head," he groaned. Finally, he withdrew his hand, glaring intensely at the young heroes. "Take them down hard!" he commanded the Genomorphs, pointing directly at the three teenagers. "No mercy."

With a menacing growl, the Genomorphs sprang into action. Simultaneously, Robin swiftly moved to protect Kid Flash and Aqualad, dropping a smoke bomb to obscure their vision. He shot a grappling hook to the bottom of a support beam, using it to swing himself to a safer position.

Kid Flash, backpedaling, narrowly avoided a slashing attack aimed at his face. He then skillfully traversed the walls, launching himself at the two Genomorphs with dual punches. With a quick push-off from the opposite vertical support, he executed an inverted flip, delivering a powerful kick to one Genomorph's chest before disappearing back into the cover of the smoke.

Aqualad found himself grappling with a Genomorph clinging to his shoulders, slashing at his chest while gripping his head. With a determined effort, he managed to throw the creature off, swiftly countering the next one with a forceful front kick to its chest.

However, in an unguarded moment, Guardian body-checked Aqualad, sending him sprawling to the ground, rolling in a crash. As Aqualad struggled to regain his footing, Guardian charged at him once more. Aqualad stood, attempting a series of rapid strikes, but Guardian skillfully evaded, exploiting the power behind Aqualad's punches and leaving his left shoulder vulnerable once again.

The older hero, Guardian, managed to land a punch on Aqualad's face, but Aqualad swiftly ducked under his attempted elbow strike. He then caught Guardian's downward elbow strike with the shield on his left forearm, using it to his advantage. Aqualad's tattoos glowed as electricity surged through the shield and into Guardian, granting Aqualad the upper hand. With a powerful motion, Aqualad threw Guardian to the ground, causing the G-gnome on his shoulder to tumble off.

Taking advantage of the momentary distraction, Kid Flash sprinted through the dissipating smoke, and the two young heroes swiftly made their escape from the room. The alarm continued to blare as they ventured outside, where Robin was already hacking into one of the nearby ports. Aqualad and Kid Flash raced down the hallway, evading the pursuing Genomorphs, and soon reached Robin.

Kid Flash came to a skidding stop, turning to face Robin with accusation in his tone. "Way to be a team player, Rob!"

Robin appeared surprised by Kid Flash's comment but didn't dwell on it, continuing his hacking of the elevator. As the elevator doors opened, Aqualad arrived, glancing back briefly before diving into the elevator just before the doors closed behind him.

Inside the elevator, the numbers on the display indicated that they were descending deeper underground. Aqualad voiced his concern, his disapproval evident in his tone. "We're headed down?"

"Dude, out is up," Kid Flash replied, emphasizing his point with a gesture in the upward direction. Both older boys turned their gaze to the Boy Wonder, their confusion evident in their tense expressions.

"Excuse me?" Robin questioned, offended by Kid Flash's comment. "Project Kr is located down on Sub-Level 52."

Aqualad stepped in between the two, physically cutting off any further argument. "This is out of control," he voiced, moving his arm to rub the back of his neck. "Perhaps...perhaps we should contact the League."

The elevator gradually slowed down and finally came to a stop on Sub-Level 52, marked by a ding. The three young heroes positioned themselves in front of the elevator door, ready for a potential battle, but to their surprise, there was no immediate threat awaiting them. Instead, they were faced with strangely organic-looking hallways stretching out before them.

Robin wasted no time and sprinted forward, his cape billowing behind him, leaving Kid Flash to turn to Aqualad. "We're already here."

Aqualad let out a sigh, making an effort to control his frustration with the younger protégés. He moved to stand alongside them, his voice tense. "Which way?"

Robin let out a chuckle, trying to maintain a lighthearted tone. "Yeah, bizarre-looking hallway one, or bizarre-looking hallway two?"

Their decision-making process was abruptly interrupted as the anthropoid creature from earlier issued a command. Its horns glowed red, and it telekinetically lifted two cans, launching them towards the teens. They swiftly dodged the projectiles, and Robin retaliated by throwing a disk at the creature, but it managed to halt the attack. Before it could strike again, obin and the others dashed down the alternative hallway.

The anthropoid creature halted and waited as Guardian and the other Genomorphs emerged from the elevator. "They are headed for Project Kr," it informed Guardian. Without hesitation, the group pressed on, continuing down the path.

Further down the corridor, a scientist opened a door from the inside and walked out of the chamber. Kid Flash, moving at high speeds, came around the corner without enough time to stop. He accidentally took out the scientist's feet, causing her to fall to the ground. As Kid Flash quickly got to his knees, he noticed the doors to the Project Kr chambr closing and observed the distance the other two teens still had to cover before reaching it. Acting swiftly, he got to his feet, grabbing a large triangular prism-shaped object and dropping it to the floor, wedging it between the two flat segments of the closing door. The strain on the door was already audible. "Hurry!" he called out

Kid Flash and Robin both leap through the closing door, but Aqualad hesitates for a moment, observing as Guardian and the Genomorphs round the corner. Taking decisive action, he kicks out the prop holding the door open, allowing it to slam shut.

Inside the chamber, a few steps in, Robin raises his HoloGlove once again and begins hacking the door to engage the emergency lock. "I disabled the door. We're safe," he informs the older boys.

"We're trapped," Aqualad states in a somber tone, his gaze shifting to Kid Flash, who stands in front of a large computer system deeper in the dark chamber.

"Uh, guys," Kid Flash calls out to the others, capturing their attention. "You'll want to see this." He presses a single button, illuminating the entire chamber and revealing a central pod.

All three young heroes are left speechless, their disbelief evident in their expressions. "Whoa!" Robin manages to exclaim. Inside the pod is a boy with jet-black hair, pale skin, and a white suit adorned with the iconic Superman "S" symbol. The letter "Kr" is inscribed on the glass that encases the teen within.