Having a day off is one of Vanessa's favorite things.

Currently she is sitting on the couch in her condo watching TV. Curled beside her is Wolf with his head in her lap as she pets him.

A call from the communicator interrupts her peace. She reluctantly answers.

"We need you to come in, love."

"Conner, you know today is my day off!" Vanessa groans.

"Nightwing needs us."

She groans. "I'm on the way..."

"See you at the Watchtower."

She hangs up and immediately teleports to the nearest zeta-tube, transforming into Spook as she enters.

"Recognized: Zatanna, 25. Rocket, 26. Spook, B07."

The three walk up to the others. Spook moves between her brother and husband, wrapping her arm around Conner's. He smiles down at her.

"This guy, Lobo, he's an intergalactic bounty hunter. Extremely dangerous, but not likely to return," Green Lantern, John, explains. "But little guy's another story. That's a Krolotean, and Kroloteans always travel in packs."

"Meaning, more of them are on Earth," Batman informs, turning to the team.

"I believe my friend may have vital information on that point," Martian Manhunter says, turning to the unknown person. "Some of you have not met Adam Strange, of STAR Labs' Erdel Initiative. He is the scientist responsible for maintaining the Zeta-Beam technology we use for teleportation."

'I was wondering why a stranger was allowed on the top secret Watchtower,' Conner voices through the mind link, including Spook, Phantom, Nightwing, Miss M, Zatanna, and Rocket.

"And he has a story to tell," Manhunter finishes.

"Uh, it's a little involved I wish I had visual aids or something," Adam admits.

"I can assist you," Manhunter says, linking everyone together. "We are all linked, Adam. What you remember we will see."

"Uh great?" He gives a weird face. Everyone begins to see images appear. "Well, I was performing a routine Zeta-Tube upgrade, when something went wrong and I found myself transported halfway across the Galaxy, to a planet called Rann. There was a scientist there, Sardath. He was conducting his own experiments in enhanced, very enhanced, Zeta-Beam technology. It took weeks to establish even basic communication. But Sardath eventually made me understand some of his Zeta tech had been stolen."

"Fits the Krolotean M.O. Their entire culture revolves around stolen tech," GL huffs.

"Sardath detected transmissions between a single location on Rann and multiple locations on Earth. He was attempting to trace those when he accidentally transported me to Rann. He gave me this." He pulls out a glowing piece of tech. "It detects trace of Zeta radiation and can pinpoint all the locations where Kroloteans have beamed to Earth."

"Then I'm ordering a two-prompt attack. We'll stage simultaneous raids on every Krolotean target on Earth, while a contingent of Leaguers travels to Rann, with Strange here, to cut the Kroloteans off of the source," Captain Atom tells.

"Uh, we might have a problem with that second prompt," Adam sheepishly admits, pulling up images of league members. "Totally unclear on the 'why,' but earthlings are personae non gratae in Rann's corner of the Galaxy. And these six Leaguers are wanted criminals." Batman, Hawkwoman, Superman, Wonder Woman, Martian Manhunter, and Green Lantern all appear.

"What?" GL gasps surprised.

"Batman!" Nightwing shouts. "It's the missing sixteen hours!"

"Agreed," Batman says. "Five years ago, Vandal Savage took complete mental control of the entire Justice League. These exact six Leaguers went missing for sixteen hours."

"Never even occurred to us that Vandal might have sent us into space," GL says, gripping his chin in thought. "I'll alert Hal. He and Guy are on Oa, with the Green Lantern Corps."

"Meanwhile, we have fifteen other active Leaguers to send to Rann to investigate," Captain Atom says.

"You're not getting it. There's a planetary watch alert out on Rann for every Leaguer," Adam says as many League members are shown.

Nightwing walks up. "Not all of us are Leaguers. I can send a squad to handle the Rann end of things. And to find out more about those missing sixteen hours. Without causing an intergalactic incident."

"Do it," CA agrees.

They begin to walk away from the Leaguers.

"Uh, if you're going," Adam calls out to Superboy. "Don't wear that shirt." He points to the 'S' on his shirt.

Conner glances down to his shirt with a raised eyebrow before looking back up and walking up to the rest of his team.

'You know, that thing about you not being Leaguers you five still have an open invitation to–'

Nightwing cuts Zatanna off. 'We know, Z.'

'But we're all pretty happy,' Megan says.

'Where we are,' Conner finishes.

The twins smile with a nod of agreement.

~~~

Megan, Garfield, Conner, Spook, and Phantom all leave in a zeta to the planet called Rann with Adam Strange.

"Whoa!" Beast Boy gasps in awe, looking around at Rann.

"Zeta squad, welcome to Rann," Adam tells them.

They walk up some stairs to a balcony that overlooks the whole city.

"Whoa, I'm totally walking on an alien planet!" He turns to Megan. "Wow, sis, you must say that like every day on Earth," BB exclaims excitedly.

"Actually, I kinda do," MM admits, ruffling his hair.

"Wait, we can breathe the air here, right?!" BB shouts, gripping his throat.

"Adam! Adam!" a voice calls out then speaks an alien language.

They all turn to see two aliens moving towards them. A girl and a man.

"Um, great?" Adam smiles uncertain, not fully grasping what the alien girl said. "I think..." His eyes grow big. "Zeta Squad, these are my Rannian friends. Sardath, and his daughter, Alanna." He says her name in a way that it's obvious he likes her. He moves over towards the small squad introducing each. "Miss Martian, Spook, Phantom, Superboy, and Beastboy. Of Earth." Sardath speaks something with a bow. They all look to Adam to translate. "I'm still trying to figure out the language. This is usually when we start playing charades."

Spook gives a nod to Megan as she smiles. Megan's eyes turn green as she connects everyone together.

"What was that? Such an odd sensation..." Alanna voices, holding her head.

Phantom's face scrunches in disdain, giving Megan an annoyed glance.

"Wait, you're speaking English!" Adam gasps.

"No, they're not," MM points out. "But I linked us mentally. And I'm serving as a psychic translator. They speak Rannian, we speak English. But all now hear the language they understand."

"Amazing!" Sardath approves.

"It will make communicating so much easier," Alanna smiles, moving closer to Adam.

A siren sounds in the distance and Sardath pipes up. "Perhaps we should take this inside. It is wise to use caution when harboring earthlings."

He takes them inside. The door to his lab slides open.

"Alien animalage! Cool!" BB exclaims upon seeing a bird of some type, racing up to it.

"Sardath, have you learnt anything more about why earthlings are unwelcome in this corner of the Galaxy?" Adam asks.

Sardath sighs agitatedly. "The Rannian Science Command is xenophobic in general. Which is why my research into interplanetary zeta beam travel is being conducted... quietly."

"And why you haven't reported the theft of your technology," Adam nods.

"Exactly. If Science Command learned I had made it possible for aliens, especially you earthlings to zeta here to Rann, the consequences could be dire for myself and my daughter."

"I still don't get it. Why the big hate for earthlings? How do they even know any earthlings to hate?" Superboy asks.

"I assume Adam showed you this. We are still unclear on the details," Alanna says, showing them the wanted leaguers.

"Science Command is not inclined to share intelligence with its' people," Sardath continues.

"But we have learned there was an accident on the planet Rimbor involving earthling criminals knowing as the Justice League," Alanna says.

"I assume you are not associated with these outlaws?" Sardath asks.

"We are not members of the League," Spook speaks up before anyone can say anything.

"Only these 6 were on Rimbor. But since then the kroloteans have posted planetary watch alerts for every criminal in the League," Sardath says.

Adam's eyes widen, moving to grip Sardath's arm. "The Kroloteans! That's who stole your Zeta platform tech! They used it to secretly invade Earth, which is how they found about other Leaguers," Adam says to Sardath.

"I know. I told you that the last time you were here," Sardath deadpans.

"Of course! Kroloteans, right! I misunderstood you. I thought it was just a Rannian word for 'thief.'"

"It might as well be," Alanna grunts.

"Yeah, Krolotean culture revolves around stolen tech. We heard. Question is what do we do about it?" Superboy says, getting impatient.

Spook grabs his arm, mentally telling him to tone it down. He relaxes under her touch.

"My father's Zeta shield will help," Alanna says, pressing a few buttons to bring up the prints.

"If I can perfect the design. Your primitive Zeta tubes would still function within the confines of the earthling atmosphere, but unauthorized travel to and from other worlds will become impossible. In short, my shield will prevent more Kroloteans from invading your world via Zeta beam while trapping any still entrenched there," Sardath responds.

"And in the meantime Adam tells us you've located the Krolotean's zeta platform here on Rann?" Miss M asks.

"Indeed," Sardath confirms. "But the jungles of Rann can be dangerous. You earthlings will need a guide."

"I'll go, father. You must complete your work on the zeta shield."

"But transpotation out of the city of Ranagar is not also without risks, Alanna. We must disguise these earthlings."

"Look, enough with this earthlings thing," Superboy huffs. "I am half-Kryptonian, Spook and Phantom are demigods, and Miss Martian is... martian!"

"You came here from Earth? Did you not?" Sardath asks.

"Yeah, but we are not–" Spook grips his arm tighter. "...nevermind."

The team gets in disguises. Miss M shapeshifts to look like a Rannian, B.B. turns into the dragon bird looking Rannian creature, Superboy and Adam gets into Rannian clothes with a hood to cover their faces, the twins turn into their demigod forms but keep their hair normal. They all head to the train station, getting into a cart. Alanna and Adam sit near each other. B.B. is perched on Miss M's shoulder, Superboy and Spook sit beside each other, Megan sits on Superboy's other side, and Phantom sits on the other side of his sister.

'We should be fine now,' Alanna speaks into the link. A few alien men push the train doors open and step inside. 'Unless the Rannian Science Patrol comes in for routine ID checks...'

'I'll create a diversion, lead them off the train,' Adam says, moving to his bag.

'No, it's not safe,' Alanna stops him.

'You are the jungle guide, remember? I'll ditch these guys and circle back to your father's compound. Help him finish the Zeta shield.'

Alanna covers his hands with hers. 'Be careful.'

The men begin walking our way.

Adam stands up and begins to make ridiculous movements. "Beware the Jabberwock, my son! The jaws that bite, the claws that catch! Beware the Jubjub bird, and shun the frumious Bandersnatch!" He grabs one of the men's noses. "Got your nose! No time to say Hello, Goodbye, I'm late, I'm late, I'm late!" He blasts out the train and they follow behind him.

'Jabberwock? Bandersnatch?' Alanna asks confused.

'His last name is Strange,' MM replies.

The twins chuckle, causing everyone to glance at them.

'It's based off a movie,' Spook says. 'It's called Alice in Wonderland. We'll watch it when we get back.'

The train begins to move and off they go to blow up some stolen tech.

'We'll be in range of the coordinates soon,' Alanna says, putting away the tracking system into her bag.

'Hey, sis, remember that time you and Phantom visited me in Qurac, he picked flowers that were really poisonous weeds?'

Spook smiles to herself, seeing what B.B. was trying to do.

'That was a long time ago, Gar,' Megan murmurs.

'Noted. But you remember, right, Phantom?' Gar muses, hopping over to him.

'How much farther, Alanna?' Phantom asks, ignoring Gar.

'We're close enough. Now.'

Superboy gets up and kicks off the door, everyone jumping out after.

Alanna pulls up her tracker. 'This way.'

They begin walking, B.B. distracted by just about everything.

He spots a pretty flower. "Whhooa! Now that is some prime alien souvenir material!" He moves to grab it, but Alanna quickly reacts by grabbing his tail.

"Wait!"

"Oww!" BB shouts.

Alanna grabs a stick and throws it on the ground near the flower. The stick disappears and purple flames appear as a burping sound is released.

"Lucian Bog, deadly. Basically, if it looks pretty, don't touch," Alanna warns him.

"Noted," BB gulps.

They continue on until they find the not so secret base.

'It's bigger than I anticipated even this far out in the jungle, how could something this size have been built without Science Command knowing about it?' Alanna voices as they all crouch behind some shrubbery.

Miss M pulls her hood over her head. 'I'm going in. I'll send you an image of where to rendezvous.' She disappears and Phantom moves with her. A few seconds go by before she speaks. 'Found your entrance.'

'Let's go,' Spook says, flying up to the roof. After Miss M gives the okay signal, they move inside. Spook carries her husband to the landing with the others.

'6 Zeta platforms?' Alanna questions.

'Not for long,' Superboy says, setting down his bag and pulling out a case of explosives. 'These are small target explosives. Should permanently disable the platforms without blowing the whole base. 3 minutes are set and that should be plenty to get out before the Kroloteans know what hit 'em.'

'Beastboy and I will plant them,' Miss M says, levitating them to her.

'No, my fratello and I will set them,' Spook decides. 'We can't risk being seen.'

Megan nods, giving Spook and Phantom the explosives.

'You all wait here,' Phantom says.

The twins vanish and set all the bombs.

'All set, let's head out,' Spook says.

An alarm goes off, and an antenna is raised through their escape exit.

'The escape route's blocked, we're trapped inside with the bombs!' Alanna shouts.

Many Kroloteans zeta in on the six platforms.

'Yeah, the bombs and a lot of angry company,' Superboy mutters.

'New plan, when the platforms blow, use the chaos to charge to the front door,' Spook says, 'We'll teleport us out.'

The bombs explode, and everyone runs toward the doors to meet up with the twins. Beast Boy is seen and they all begin shooting at him. The twins surround everyone in a forcefield and teleports to a ways away from the base.

'You couldn't teleport us to the lab?!' Alanna shouts.

'We could, but that would put everyone at risk of losing a limb!' Spook responds.

'Especially since we don't know this planet very well,' Phantom says. 'Our teleportation powers may have horrid effects on our passengers.'

'Then we need to start moving,' Superboy says. 'I have no doubt that they're going to send something to catch us.'

We begin walking back to the city.

'Where did all those Kroloteans come from?' Alanna asks.

'Earth, I think," MM answers. 'Our teammates were set to raid their Earth bases about now.'

'Can't you just translate their thoughts and find out for sure?' B.B. asks.

'Their minds are too alien. It'll take hours, maybe days to learn their language psychically. And I definitely couldn't do it without them noticing.'

'Noted.'

Superboy stops as do the twins.

'They are following us. Or something is,' Superboy voices, turning in the direction he hears it. He uses his infrared vision. 'Something big.' His eyes widen. 'Move!'

A giant spider like robot charges through the trees, shooting lasers. Megan and Gar shoot off together, Superboy and Spook try to follow after but end up losing them. Alanna's jet pack gets shot and Phantom catches her before she hits the ground. Phantom gets shot in the back, and they tumble down off a cliff edge. Phantom resteadys himself and catches Alanna and the robotic spider follows after them. He teleports them a few yards from their position.

"Hurry, in here!" Alanna shouts, grabbing Phantom and pulling him into a nearby cave.

The robotic spider stalks by them. The two give sighs of relief once it's out of sight.

'Phantom, Alanna, are you safe?' MM's voice comes through.

'Safe for now. You?' Phantom responds.

'We lost them,' she responds.

'Superboy and I managed to blow up the one following us,' Spook responds.

'Now can we blow this popsicle stand?!' Gar asks.

'Now we stay put. Give their patrols a chance to move on. We'll meet up below the Mag-rail when it's safe,' Spook says.

'And then regroup with Adam and my father to determine what to do about this krolotaian base,' Alanna adds.

'M'gann, be careful,' Phantom voices.

'You too, Raimundo.'

"So, how long were you and she together?" Alanna asks aloud.

Phantom sighs. "Five years."

"You wanna talk about it?"

"Not really."

"Can she hear us?"

"It doesn't work that way. Translation's basically automatic. She is not conscious of what we say out loud."

"Well then talk. I live light years away, so you'll never see me again, makes me the perfect confidante."

"It's complicated," Phantom huffs, crossing his arms.

"Hey I have a crush on an alien from another planet. Who am I to judge?"

"Well, you asked for it."

~~~

"We're close. I can see the Mag-rail track up ahead," Superboy says.

"Sorella!" Phantom calls out, running up to them with Alanna behind.

"Miss Martian isn't translating anymore. Something is wrong!" Phantom informs.

"Babe, can you hear their heartbeats?" Spook asks.

"Yes, they've been captured by one of those spiders. Follow me!"

They quickly find the spider and take it down. Phantom pulls Megan out of the containment chamber of the spiderbot. She curls into him whispering his name as she does. Spook helps B.B. out. A large ship towers over them then begins shooting lasers. Superboy moves the broken spider for cover.

"They still trying to capture us or is it just a bitter revenge thing now?" BB asks.

"Either way, we discourage them," Superboy says. "Game?"

"Me? I'm big game," BB grins.

Phantom gently sets Megan on the ground near Alanna. "Take care of her." Alanna pulls her into her lap.

Spook grabs Superboy as Phantom takes Beastboy and phase through the ship, taking out the machine guns along the way. B.B. turns into a gorilla and begins tearing things apart.

"Kid, you may just change my mind about monkeys yet!" Superboy shouts.

B.B. grunts out a sound of giddiness. They go all out tearing everything apart. The ship begins to make a sound as if charging.

"Time to go before the ship explodes!" Spook shouts out.

The four all jump from the ship as it ascends higher before disappearing. MM and Alanna walk up to them.

"You ok?" Phantom asks.

"Fine. I got this for Beastboy," she tosses him a sash one of the lead Kroloteans were wearing.

"Souvenir! Sweet!" B.B. grins.

"Where did that come from–" Phantom begins but cuts himself off as his eyes widen, landing on a comatose Krolotean that's getting dragged away by two other Kroloteans. 'M'gann, what did you–'

'Never mind that now,' she cuts him off before speaking aloud. "We have to get back to Earth. I know what the Justice League did on Rimbor. I know what happened during their missing 16 hours."

Spook narrows her eyes at Megan. 'This conversation is not over. We will talk about how you're doing these things.'

~~~

"Recognized. Adam Strange, A11. Miss Martian, B05. Superboy, B04. Beastboy, B22. Spook, B07. Phantom, B08."

There at STAR Labs to greet them are Nightwing, a scientist, Captain Atom, Wonder Woman, and Green Lantern aka John.

"Nightwing!" Gar shouts, rushing forward. "Check out my super cool alien souvenir!"

'Gar,' Megan calls out telepathically, placing a hand on his shoulder. 'Business first.'

'Noted.'

"Zeta squad. Report," Nightwing requests.

"Our mission to neutralize the Krolotean zeta platforms on Rann was a success," Spook reports.

"I have also brought back specs from Rann to create a zeta shield to prevent any more aliens from beaming to Earth from off world," Adam says.

"How will that affect our own zeta capabilities?" Captain A asks.

"It won't. The shield will activate at an altitude above the watchtower's orbit. League zeta tubes will still function normally," Adam says.

"Tell them about Rimbor. Tell them about the sixteen hours," Garfield blurts out, pulling Megan's arm.

The two leaguers who were gone for those hours adjust themselves uncomfortably, preparing themselves for the worst.

'It may be easier to show you,' Megan sighs telepathically, eyes turning green. 'I successfully interrogated a Krolotean general on Rann who had paid off a member of the Rannian Science Command to allow the Kroloteans to land a secret base in the Rannian jungle. Once there, the Kroloteans stole zeta platform technology from Adam Strange's friend Sardath. They landed another ship in New Orleans and used the zeta platforms to beam a few hundred Kroloteans to Earth. They built more platforms, brought in more Kroloteans, and began abducting and replacing humans.' She releases her hold and speaks aloud. "Perhaps as part of an invasion strategy. Though that's still unclear."

"But why Earth?" Cap asks.

"And what does any of this have to do with the sixteen hours?" Wonder Woman asks.

'Well, as you know, five years ago, Vandal Savage placed the entire League under his control. Six leaguers Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Martian Manhunter, Green Lantern, and Hawkwoman went missing for a full sixteen hours. It turns out you were teleported to a planet called Rimbor where you spent sixteen hours on a rampage attacking everyone and everything in sight and announcing in several alien languages that you were the Justice League from Earth and that the rest of the galaxy should beware.' She switches back to verbally speaking. "That's when the Kroloteans came. The League itself brought Earth to their attention."

"I don't know what to say. I have no memories of this," WW says exasperated. "None."

"Don't blame yourself. Blame Savage... and his Light," Cap says, placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "But John how is it that you haven't heard about this intergalactic incident?"

"No clue," he answers. "Rimbor's not a planet in my sector. But I'll head to Oa immediately to consult with the Guardians of the Universe and the rest of the Green Lantern Corps. We'll get to the bottom of this, Cap. I promise."

"In the meantime, we still have a Krolotean invasion force to track down on Earth," Cap says, turning to the team. "You did good work on Rann. Now we need you... at the Hall of Justice."