Learning Curve (Ask)

“Then we shall see you back here tomorrow, Dr. Levine.”

Jacob Levine shook hands, wished well, and graced the doorman with the barest of nods before exiting the building. Brazil had treated him well since arrival. The World Health Organisation was holding an international exposé at the country office in Brasilia. As the American government's foremost expert on biomechatronics, Dr. Levine had a lot of work to contribute to the summit. While there were geniuses throughout the world far more capable than he, Jacob shared his research with his country. He didn't horde them in an attempt to create or fight crime. Such was the past-time of madmen.

For a moment he stopped in the car-park and surveyed his surroundings. Then he spotted it, the vehicle of his security detail. Positioned several spots away, no doubt prepared to escort him all the way back to his hotel. Their presence gave him relief. Jacob was a sort of paranoid soul. Being in a strange country without his family was especially daunting at times. But as he got in his car, and fastened his seatbelt ready for transport, he knew he was worrying over nothing.

Click

A weight thumped on the back of his headrest. A pistol was shoved against his temple. Jacob froze as his eyes searched for the rear-view mirror that was now surprisingly absent. A voice spoke from behind him, in English but with a trace of Portuguese accent, “Do not be alarmed. You will drive. I will give directions.” Jacob sat there frozen, his hands gripping the wheel tightly instead of setting ignition. Soon the voice sighed, “You are a busy man doctor. My time is valuable as well. We can go where I insist, or spend it mopping up after your grey matter. Understood? Excellent.”

Dr, Levine had no choice but to follow the commands of the kidnapper in the back-seat. The car roared to life and very steadily made its way out of the car-park. For a second, hope flared as he pulled passed the vehicle of his bodyguards. Surely they must see what was wrong at this distance. But alas his hope was misplaced. There was nobody there.

-----------------

It was now two days since anyone had heard or seen of Dr. Levine after leaving the country office. His security detail had all been forcibly drugged on the night in question. Their assailant had plunged a syringe into the artery on their neck. None made the observation, but each injection point was identical. As of yet the doctor's car had not been located. No road-side cameras nor witness reports could help. It was the Brazilian authority's theory that he had been kidnapped. But no ransom demand had yet been made.

The American government were not willing to let this investigation go without their involvement. Dr. Levine was of national importance to them, his work ground-breaking. Other countries had made approaches for him before, but to no avail. Though the possibility that this was a political kidnapping was still there. The Americans wouldn't trust the Brazilian government and the local authorities forbade U.S. involvement in their country.

The impasse was resolved when someone suggested that another form of authority could act as an emissary on behalf of the Americans. Someone they could trust not to be a part of political agenda, or except bribes. A request was put out to the Titans.

Hotwire walked into the main room of titans tower, holding a large stack of letters, boxes, and various magazines.

"MAIL CALL!!!!" Hotwire yelled.

As he watched his fellow heroes look at their mail, he read off a few.

"Spam...spam...spam...spam... Oh, here's that popular electronics monthly I've been waiting for. More spam, more fan letters for ben. ... what the?"

in his hand, the last envelope, with the seal of the u.s. government on the front.

"Hey, guy's... listen to this." Hotwire said, his eyes growing wide.

'To the Teen Titans:
These United States are in need of assistance. Three days ago, a famous scientist by the name of Jacob Levine was kidnapped near the world health exposé in Recifé Brazil. His knowledge of bio-medicine is one of this counties greatest assets. Because of foreign relations with Brazil being in their current state, the only course of action that can be taken is to send a private group to Brazil to investigate. It would be greatly appreciated if you could send a small team. No response is necessary. This is a completely optional assignment, and any actions will not affect your teams reputation. Consider carefully. The life of one of this nations greatest depends on it.

Signed,

President Hale Micnally'

"Whoa" Hotwire muttered. "Well, how about it? Should we go?" Hotwire asked to his team-mates. He oh-so wanted to go. He just loved to play detective, and this would give him a chance to bond with the team.

Galaxuis had been searching for some left over food in the fridge as she listened to Hotwire go through the mail, she didnt pay much attention due to the fact that she rarely got any herself. She settled with some leftover potato salad and chicken wings, placing the container into the microwave and then waiting patiently for a minute and thirty seconds to pass. Her attention went back to Hotwire when his voice became serious while reading the government letter. He then asked the Titans in the room if they should proceed with what was asked of them. The microwaved beeped and Galaxuis grabbed her food and placed them on the counter. "I dunno Hotwire, this sounds really serious, dont you think the older Titans would wanna deal with this?" she took a bite before continuing on "Though, I wouldnt mind helping out. I just think that us being new they wouldn't give us such a hefty assignment, would they?"

"Maybe they would." Hotwire argued. "I don't think Ben would have allowed us into the team if he didn't think we were capable of taking on missions like this. Besides, this doesn't sound so hard. Just a bit of detective work."

(O.T: I think we should wait a little to leave, just to make sure if any other heroes want to join)

Hotwire looked over at a fellow titan, one he hadn't met yet. "Oh, really, we can! Great Maybe it can be just the three of us. This will be so much fun." Hotwire said begging to enthuse about the upcoming mission, before finally blurting out "To the T-jet!"

Galaxuis finished the last of her food, placing the container and fork into the sink to soak. She was about to turn around and talk to Hotwire a little more, show him that she is full heartily willing to help with the mission. As she turned around she saw Scope enter the room and her sudden need to talk vanished as he came into site. It wasnt because she didnt like Scope, her overall opinion of him wasn't negative in the slightest, she was just nervous around certain people and he happened to be one of them. Though the feeling in the room seemed rather upbeat Galaxuis' nerves were getting the best of her. Her usually perked ears hung low as she tried desperately not to make contact. "Im going to go get some cloths ready and um water my...yeah. Meet ya guys there," She quickly slipped out of the room and flew towards the elevator, making her not so needed but needed escape.

She packed a good bit of cloths, mostly all the same (Black cut off top, dark jean shorts, long socks, boots, and hair ties) with a few of her regular dresses and some regular pants and shirts for back up. Galaxuis also packed her toothbrush, sunscreen, Golethian first aid kit and other necessities. Once finished she sat on her suitcase squishing it until she was able to zip it up with ease. She then quickly watered her foreign plants and cactus making sure to add extra water for her leave.

Using her powers to carry her suitcase tothe the T-Jet, she stuffed it in the back. Then waited patiently for the other while reading one of the books she also decided to bring.

Hotwire ran back to his room to begin packing. He began throwing set's of his orange and red outfit into a suitcase. He also ran to his closet and pulled out a bulky case, not a suitcase, but not a industrial grade container. This would be their secret weapon on their mission. t must've been heavy, as he spent the better of five minutes dragging it onto the t-jet. He then proceeded to throw his clothes case into the jet. He then threw onto his seat a small collection of hardy boys stories and electronics magazines.

He then took one off of the top of the pile and sat next to galaxius. Now all that was left was to wait for scope.

Hotwire saw Scope enter the T-jet. And climbed the ladder into one of the co-pilots seats.

"Urm... Do you know how to fly this craft?" Hotwire asked.

Galaxuis took an open spot, putting on her seat belt and then setting the book on her lap. She got herself completely situated before placing the headphones and speaker over her ears and mouth. Glancing up towards the concerned Hotwire and then to Scope, she was sure Scope knew what he was doing, he is a Titan after all but she never voiced it. She pressed the buttons needed to activate the jets weapons on her side then pressed another button to make the weapons dormant but ready. Galaxuis then crossed her arms as she watched the two boys talk.

Hotwire started reading as soon as the craft took off, although he fell asleep after 20 minutes.

Before he knew it, he was being woken up, as the large expanses of the amazon rain forest came into view.

"Wow... so much forest. I might be a boy scout, but I don't know how much help my powers will be out here. I can only control technology and machines. I have nothing on living things..."

Hotwire then turned to scope. While hotwire had an impossible time talking to girls, talking with fellow male heroes, was something he was comfortable with.

"Oh, by the way... I'm hotwire. Nerd of nerds."

Galaxuis had also token a small snooze but was awake for the majority of the ride. Her attention was on the book that she had brought for the journey. Every now and again she would glance over to her teammates. It was soon enough that she too found herself in a rather half slumber. Her dreams were nothing but the land and sea but at times her vision would turn from reality to dreams and then back again. She fully woke up to the excited sounds of Scopes voice. She felt slightly embarrassed as she felt a bit of cold wetness on the side of her mouth. Quickly she wiped the drool away from her lips before anyone could notice. She turned to the boys and tried hiding her embarrassment with a smile. "It's a bit warmer here," Galaxuis was used to different climates from planet jumping but was surprised that it had been warmer then she expected. Wrapping her dreads around hand she managed to create a ponytail. She made her way out of the t-jet and started fanning her face as the boys got situated.