Chapter Text
Dick fidgeting in his seat aboard the Batplane. He was all suited up and practically frothing at the mouth to begin the mission. Bruce glanced at him, cowl dawned.
“Calm down, chum.” He said, a faint smirk playing at his lips as they approached the Watchtower.
“Sorry, B… wait, you never told me what this mission actually was.”
“I told you. We’ll debrief at the Watchtower.”
Dick rolled his eyes but didn’t press any further.
They docked at the Watchtower and exited the Batplane. Dick looked around in awe. He’d been to the Justice League’s satellite before on missions with the team, but this was different. He belonged here.
Robin saw Superman approach him and Batman.
“Hey, Uncle Clark!” He said, as Superman went to give Dick a small hug. Bruce smiled slightly, but would deny it if anyone mentioned it.
“Hey kiddo. Excited for your first real space mission?” Superman asked.
“Obviously. Man, am I feeling the aster-“
“Robin.” Bruce warned. Dick rolled his eyes.
Batman and Robin went to their space ship that they’d be in for the mission. Superman and Green Lantern joined them, even though they could just fly outside.
Dick leaned over to Bruce and whispered.
“Did you just bring me to stop you from killing GL or…”
Superman stifled a laugh. He heard the conversation due to his super hearing. Hal narrowed his eyes at Clark.
“Hey! What’s so funny?”
Dick smiled, realizing Clark had heard. Bruce didn’t answer Dick directly, but there were definitely signs that this was a reason.
…
A couple hours passed as the team made their way deeper into the cosmos. Bruce eventually briefed Dick on the mission. It wasn’t nearly as cool as he thought, but at least he got to be in space.
The ‘uncool’ mission in question was to defend the planet Karna, which is in the Vega system, from an invading race of Okaarans. Dick’s knowledge of the Vega system was minimal, but he knew it was an area of high conflict.
“Soooo why are we defending this planet when the JL isn’t supposed to intervene in intergalactic affairs?” Dick asked.
“The Okaaran people have been conquering planets in this system for millennia, but they’ve typically strayed from genocide up until now. Their new ruler is mercillous. I received a distress signal about a week ago, but it was only until yesterday that Batman was able to decipher the language. We’re going there to assist as much as we can.” Superman answered.
“Ohhh this is going to be epic. One more question, though. Why bring two non-space-surviving heroes with you? Unless this is like a Voltron type thing and you guys have giant robotic lions for me and Batman… in that case, I call the blue lion!” Dick said energetically.
Hal snorted. “This kid knows his stuff!”
Bruce glared but didn’t say anything.
…
About 3 Earth hours later, they arrived to the Vega system. Superman and Green Lantern exited the ship to do some recon. Batman piloted the space ship and slowly etched his way closer to Okaaran.
“…thanks for bringing me, B.” Robin said.
“Of course, chum. I’m sorry I’ve been so distracted lately. I promise I’ll try to be a better mentor… and a better father.” Bruce added in.
“It’s fin-“ he was cut off by the sound of lasers coming from outside of the ship.
“Superman. Come in. What’s happ-“ Batman was cut off.
“Big Blue’s been attacked by those Okaaran’s!” Hal’s voice boomed through the comms.
Batman was quickly hitting buttons and adjusting controls. Green Lantern’s voice came through again.
“They’ve got us surrounded, Batman. Get that kid of yours to an escape pod. I’ll try and defend the shi-“
His comm cut out. Robin froze.
“Bruce-“
“Robin. Escape pod. Now. NOW!”
Dick didn’t move.
“I’m not leaving you here, B!”
“I’ll be fine, but I need to know that you’ll be fine.”
Reluctantly, Dick hurried off to the escape pod just as another blast rocked the ship. He hit a button on his utility belt and his suit instantly formed a protective layer around itself, ready for space travel.
He closed the escape pod door. As he did so, he accidentally hit the launch button.
“Wait, shit-“ too late. He was already launched into space in the vessel. He watched as the space ship holding his father grew smaller and smaller from his vision. The lasers from the nearby Okaaran ships lighting up space.