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“Lantern, report,” Bats’s voice sounded tight, as if he was under great pressure.
Spiff’s mentor replied, sounding as tired as Spiff himself was. “Nothing for four blocks, I think we’re in the clear. Spaceboy and I are going to head to HQ.”
“We’ll see you there,” Superman said, sounding like his normal pleasant self.
The comms clicked off, and Hal looked at Spiff. “Boy Scout,” he complained affectionately, shaking his head. “Alright, Spiff-o, ready to head back into space?”
“Spaceboy? Really?” Spiff said, ignoring Hal’s question. He pushed his goggles up, his domino mask in place underneath, and gave his mentor a Look.
“Well, I’m hardly going to use your civilian name in public.” Hal paused and used a shovel construct to pile up some of the rubble from the battle along the side of the road so that it was clear.
“But boy? I’m not a boy anymore!”
Hal looked him up and down. “You’re barely older than Red Robin.”
“@#!$ off,” Spiff grumbled, hating that the Green Lantern was right.
Hal just laughed.
“Alright, alright, get in the spaceship already,” Spiff said, climbing into the sleek, red, disc-shaped craft.
As Hal floated up to be able to simply step into the craft, he ruffled Spiff’s hair affectionately. “You’re doing great, kid, don’t worry. That was good work.”
He settled in, seemingly unaware of the impact his words had on Spiff. A knot in his chest he hadn’t realized was there loosened, letting him breath that much more. The roof of the spaceship made its way over them, sealing with a lovely “wssh” noise.
“Thanks, old man.” Spiff said under his breath as the jets fired up and sent them into the air.
“You know Bats, of course, and Supes,” Hal said, waving towards the two men standing by the giant computer, a geologic map with several areas highlighted on the screen. Superman barely blinked an eye at how casually Hal talked about him, but Batman definitely seemed to have Opinions about that way of being addressed. And, as if sensing Bats was going to have Words with Hal, Superman directed his attention to something on the map.
“This is Wonder Woman,” Hal introduced, his casual attitude the same, but there was something slightly different about the way he spoke to her. A respect that Spiff knows exists for all of Hal’s team members, but more somehow.
Wonder Woman rose from her seat at the meeting table, a small, tired smile on her face. “Hello,” she greeted, holding out a hand, “you may call me Diana if you would like. I take it you are Hal’s protégé. It is good to finally met you.”
Spiff gulped, his eyes widening. He’s always known that Amazonians are beautiful beyond comparison—and his heart already belongs to Susie—but it was another thing to see her in person. “I’m,” he started, suddenly feeling embarrassed about his superhero name. “I’m Spaceman Spiff, but you can call me Calvin. Or Cal.”
“Cal and Hal? I like it,” a feminine voice said from behind Calvin and Hal. They turned around to see Zatanna standing in front of them, a book hovering in the air next to her.
“Zatanna, meet my protégé, Spiff.” Hal gestured to Calvin with a small sweep of the arm.
“Good to meet you,” she said, a smile on her face. “I was wondering when Hal was going to show you around.”
“After today’s battle, Spiff more than proved himself in my opinion,” Hal said confidently. “Where were you? It would’ve been nice to have you with us.”
“Ugh,” Zatanna rolled her eyes, “John has me researching on the Infinite Realms again.”
“Yikes,” Hal said, not looking sympathetic in the slightest. “I guess that’s a good enough reason to not leave the Watchtower.”
“Infinite Realms?” Calvin questioned, looking back and forth between Hal and Zatanna for an answer.
“How have you been following him around and not heard of it?” Zatanna asked. She didn’t wait for a response before explaining, “It’s basically what it sounds like. Multiple worlds, multiple realms, no end or beginning. Tricksy and unpredictable, it’s hard to navigate without a map or a guide.”
Calvin’s face scrunched up in thought. “So… like parallel universes and stuff?”
“Sure,” she said, nodding. “There’re universes out there where you’re a superhero still, but maybe instead of being mostly intergalactic, you’re terrestrial. There could be a universe where you’re a witch and have a talking cat as your familiar. Hell, there’s probably a universe where you’re just daydreaming all of these battles and meetings while you’re stuck at school or at work.”
The book closed soundlessly next to her head, still hovering.
“If you can imagine it, it probably exists.”
“Wow,” Calvin said, eyes wide behind his domino mask.
“It’s a lot to take in, I know,” Zatanna winked. “Anyways, I just came in here to meet you, Cal.” She turned her attention to the League members there. “If you need me, I’ll be in the library. John’s Realm jumping right now.”
“Nice to meet you,” Calvin said as she left, remembering the manners his parents had tried to hammer into his head again and again.
She saluted, not turning around. The book trailed behind her, bobbing up and down slightly.
“Your coworkers aren’t as bad as I feared,” Calvin said, turning to Hal.
“You haven’t met all of them,” Hal said, smirking.
“You haven’t met my Dad’s coworkers. Talk about corporate zombies. Yeesh!”