The damn place was too polished. Whoever designed it had no sense of privacy. Where were the separate rooms? Open plan always did his head in. He dropped into one of the leather armchairs, set his Coke on the coaster, and fished a battered pack of purple Silk Cut out of his bomber jacket pocket.
“Right. You’ve dragged us halfway across the world for a chat, so what do you lot actually want? You don’t normally ring people up for tea and a gossip about your nan, so summat’s up, and whatever it is, you need me for it.”
He flicked at the lighter, swore when it wouldn’t catch, then got a spark at last and took a drag.
“So what’s that bad you’ve had to drag me over from Cottonopolis for it, then? What can’t you lot sort yourselves?”
He checked his phone again. Still nothing from Tim, which was odd. They weren’t joined at the hip over messages, but Tim usually got back to him. Saburo set the phone down and gave the lot of them another look.
Because giving teenagers superhero responsibilities was obviously a cracking idea, thought up by the same spandex-wearing pricks who made the first lot. They’d built themselves a little club for their kids, their sidekicks, and whoever else kept hanging round the edges.
Jason slowly followed the others in. Cassie, Connor, Bart, Greta, Cissi, and Slobo. He looked up quietly as the others all stood around, giving him the cold shoulder. The redhead hung his head as he knew this was just going to be another time he was expected to stay quiet and just let the older heroes talk.
Cassie spoke first, a sad smile at Saburo. “Hey Saburo. Sorry it’s been so long, the team has kind of been in turmoil in recent months. A lot has happened with us. As I am sure it has with you.” She began.
Connor adjusted his sun glasses. “She means we got the short end of the stick. Tim bit the dust and now we are baby sitters to this brat wonder when Batman has had enough of dealing with his incompetence.”
“Yeah. He is so slow at learning this detective thing. And Bruce barely waited before giving some new kid Tim’s role.” Bart hissed.
Slobo just nodded, his head in agreement. Still not really having much to say about this. Just knowing his friends didn’t like this kid was enough for him.
“We want you to try and bring Tim back from the dead.” Greta spoke. Her eyes not on Jason who still remained silent the entire time. “He is Robin, not this imposter. He is our friend, not this invader. He is our fearless leader, this is some kid playing dress up.”