Savior Orbital sat suspended above the earth. The massive orbital installation was actually deceptively small considering its size. Most of its interior being dedicated to housing and powering the slew of sensors, shields, and interior modules of the space station. The actual interior only composed of a few main areas with enough halls between to get lost in.

It had the necessities for living on it such as bunk rooms and exercise areas. There was a cafeteria where the heroes could grab a bite to eat, conveniently placed for artists to allow for panels full of exposition. One of the grander areas and the largest being the Hall of Justice. Where the arcs of multiple series were drawn to a close. The heroes voting on or settling matters among themselves. Its massive and gaudy viewing window always locked to look down towards the planet.

A reminder for the heroes to keep the people in mind during those tense sessions.

In order to facilitate the recovery of the more mortal heroes like Dark Night and the Emerald Bow the Station had a Medical-Bay. The ward also served to diagnose the odd illness or malady that struck the less human members of the League as well.

Not usually used to care for those the heroes fought, they'd still given Izime a bed.

Of course, the station also had holding cells and chambers which they'd have used instead. Those cells occupied quite rarely, as Dark Night had decided to fund the construction of the Abyss Prison under the oceans of earth. Only temporary holding for those that the League didn't quite know what to do with or hadn't gotten around to moving yet. Currently the Stasis Chamber held one of the feistier prisoners it'd ever held.

Cradle the Raven floated, suspended and trapped. Even its nanite swarm locked in place though a barrier of aritfical gravity. The force rising and falling to match the swarms Cradle tried to cast out. Beak clicking and clacking as its head turned. The raven no longer struggling as fiercely as it had on earth. Not that Cradle had given up, it just knew Izime wouldn't want it to really hurt anyone.

The bird patiently picking at the locks to the cage, knowing that it'd either free itself or Izime would arrive. The bond might have been cut but Cradle knew its nest program couldn't be so easily deleted in a physical sense. The proof lay in the fact Cradle still had a portion of Izime's data and it was active.

If he'd really been removed, deleted persay, they'd have gone with him. Then Cradle might take this game a bit more seriously. The raven just playing around with the stupid half-man that kept adjusting its bonds tighter at the moment.

Ret-Borg looked in through the layers of shimmering energy fields and complex refraction of shielding at the thing. His own Father Hexagon enhanced vision return the full levels of scanning that the raven still tried to use on him..

After being locked inside the layers of stasis fields this thing: Cradle had impressed him a bit.

The number of iterations the bird must have run to get even the few more bites of data from him through those layers was daunting to say the least.

The half-human advanced cyborg acknowledging that though his intellect was superior this bird was dedicated to solving problems. Taking every single combination of specs, lenses, fields it had and dropping them into the bucket of trials until something spilled over to Ret's side. Where one failed a new and better version one was being developed

Ret-Borg had developed his abilites as a precision instrument, the bird doing its best impression of a woodpecker. Jackhammering away at the stasis field around it even as Ret-Borg stood there reinforcing its walls. The cyborg knew it'd get through eventually. Maybe a decade from now but someday and days sooner if he wasn't here managing it.

Hopefully when that day comes we'll be getting along a bit better.

Ret-Borg gave a nod of acknowledgment to his prisoner, keeping his next thought a bit more private. His second hope that Dark Night and Radiation Man would just hand down the order to put the bird to sleep for good. Not something Ret-Borg would enjoy doing but it was his job as a fellow League member.

It was better if he handled the bird, Ret had decided that after encountering the very similarly altered corvid.

The cyborg stiffening a bit, eyes twitching as he realized he wasn't the only person in the room, turning warily as he kept the stasis field maintained.

"Constantinople, someone finally let slip where your friend's pet was?" The cyborg not quite willing to devote his full attention to the comparatively under-powered anti-hero. Still Ret kept his guard up just in case the exorcist tried to attack him.

"Nah Ret, used to be a member myself. I was the even leader of Mystic once." Constantinople shook his head leaning back against the wall of the room. The exorcist explaining how he'd found the place as he accomplished his part of Izime's plan to swipe the station. "Never had much use for the stasis chamber myself but I still know my way around the ole'Orbital mate."

"Just stand down Constantinople," Ret-Borg raised his arm, not quite yet readying his pulse cannon, though he did cycle its generator in warning. The member of League Savior wanting Constantinople to know who he'd need to get through to free the bird.

It was clear that the exorcist had showed up to do more than just meander the halls, Ret keeping both eyes and sensors trained on both the creatures in the room as he tried to talk his way out of the situation. "Your friends not even awake yet."

"I'm leaning mate, just checking on his birdie seeing as he's still in the med bay." Constantinople kept his hands in his pockets, the spell already activating when his enchanted coat had touched the wall. Giving a nod towards Cradle the exorcist asked, hoping to keep a bit of Ret's attention, "How is it?"

"Its mad like you said." Ret-Borg didn't bother looking away from the con-magician of an exorcist, far to warry to drop his battle senses around such a capable foe. Only detailing that neither of the two here could peacefully bring the bird back in, "And if it gets out it won't be a fun fi-"

That battle sense sounding out like an air raid siren as the other potential risk he'd been warned about spoke, her presence suddenly appearing much closer to him that Constantinople.

"Hey Ret." Psyis smiled glad that she'd let Izime handle the stealth side of things. Ret's sensors not detecting her until it was far to late, Ret's face even reflecting that with a worried look.

"Miss Psyis, I-come on now you two." Ret-Borg tried not to sound worried as well. The Thessian infront of him setting of even the human sense of danger Ret-Borg possed let alone his digital sensors. The cyborg realizing there wasn't going to be much more time for talking left.

Hoping to at least keep the two focused on the stations insurance and their investors wallet Ret tried to reign Psyis. Threatening them all with how they'd be abusing Stan's funds, "Lets not get Dark Night on our asses over expense reports, I'd rather not put you through a wall."

"Through a wall, me? Come on now Ret, I'm nice to you." Psyis reminded the cyborg hoping he wouldn't get too upset. "I give you metal polish every year for Christmas."

The thessian looking at the layers of armored panels that were supposed to represent the cyborgs abdomen. The various overlaps doing a decent representation of an eight pack, were they really that sturdy though?

Guess we'll see huh?

Psyis didn't respond to Izime's snark, instead asking if Ret used her gifts to care for them as her attack struck. "Do you use it?"

Ret's eyes went wide as multiple sensors in his mind went off. His bodies proximity alarm even blaring a warning as the sneak attack revealed itself. Looking down just in time to see a ball of purple haze boiling angrily swinging into his metal paneled gut.

Psyis had been slowly condensing a ball of air until it reached atmospheres that be more commonly scene on Jupiter. Now that Izime had gotten them close enough, she tore the bubble of air open. The explosive force of air pressure launching Ret-borg across the room without really damaging him that badly.

The thessian honestly hoping it really would just buff out like Izime had joked.

"League come in!" Ret wasn't as easily tossed and jumbled up like some skin-bag goon. Still having the sense to try and trigger the communicator built into his system before he'd even slammed into the wall.

Ret's call on the broad emergency line immediately set of Constantinople phone, Psyis' cellphone still fried from his spell at Lucky Dog's didn't of course. The walls glowing with a mystic light that rejected the signal waves trapping them inside.

The signal finally bouncing back and sounding Ret's own device. Ret-Borg helplessly turned watching from where he'd landed on the floor. Both eyes confirming his suspsicons as he looked around the room. Human vision and his scanners catching the signal as it was trapped inside of the magical energy field.

Ret's face twitching as he turned half his half-shaved and half-chromed head towards Constantinople. Those were the only phones that would be triggered, Ret confirming that the two'd thought this out at least a bit. The cyborg losing his temper as the exorcist sassed him for the attempt.

"Not bloody amateurs, mate," Constantinople pulled his hands from his trench-coat wiggling his fingers at the cyborg who'd let him so easily cast the spell. Chastising the younger hero who was supposedly his superior in the League, "Really think I'd let you call for back-up in the first minute?"

Constantinople immediately regretted taunting the human version of Cradle. Ret-Borg's cannon arm coming up as the generator in it began to cycle. A few small blasts coming towards the exorcist, though they only hurt a little as the charged particles fizzled, stuck to the enchanted tan surface of his coat.

The attacks leaving only a few sooty marks as the plasma fizzled away as the effects of defensive magic drained their energies.

Izime reached out with a flash of teal and purple snipping the feeds to the accelerator inside of Ret's arm. Psyis' feeling of relief and gratitude filling the mind where he was currently hiding.

Ret frowning further as Miss Psyis intervened. Keeping him from giving Constantinople a few bruises to remind him of who was who in the League. The thessian's powers easily pulling his arm skyward, several cables inside being ripped out as if she'd known exactly which ones would painlessly depower the arm-based cannon.

A fierce growl escaping his chest as he prepared a secondary laser attack from his shoulder mounted blaster. The cyborg leaning heavily to one side as he tried to line up another shot. This time on the thessian who'd kicked the whole little scuffle off.

"Any time now Izime!" Psyis called out for their third. The thessian hoping Izime's jacking of the entire Station would at least convince Ret to stand down.

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Not wanting the bot to break out anything more powerful than that small plasma cannon or to actually hurt her fellow hero. There was a line to walk between helping Izime and feeling like she'd actually turned on the League. Psyis not wanting this fight to get any rougher than their usual training exercises.

Yea yea I'm on it.

Just let me handle Dark Nights security codes.

The rest of you back up so nobody gets bey bladed.

Izime finished telling Psyis exactly which cables would disconnect the targeting on the shoulder-laser before hopping out of her mind. Looking around the room for a moment the A.I. form prepared to finish the tasks it had just listed. The almost cave-man level of programming offered less than zero resistance. Izime even giving Ret-Borg a smarmy nod before quickly entered the stations systems.

Hopefully the heroes would enjoy the minor security upgrade he'd given them.

"That's, what the hell?" Ret-Borg blinked as he saw a very live if small version of the same man that Radiation Man had put in the medical ward.

Looking between the two heroes who'd arrived to assist in this obvious break-out, Ret felt a bit torn. The cyborg knew they'd come for the raven, the man's bird and his pet.

Even if the thing was a killer machine so was Ret-Borg.

His own father having died in an attempt very similar to this breakout attempt.

The cyborg not wanting being a total villainous monster that kept someone from their pet or cold-hearted shadow like Dark Night. A 'hero' that only saw logic and justice instead of chances of reform or reconciliation.

"Yea, my mates apparently a bit harder to knock out of the fight than that. Luckily enough for you lot he's only here to bust out the bird before they both walk into to a cell for us." Constantinople brushed his hands off hoping the fighting was over for the day; Izime would soon release Cradle and then they'd be off to the cell.

The exorcist hoping he could convince the cyborg just like Izime had them, "So still a nice enough chap everything considered; we're gonna let him borrow the station for a minute, OK?"

"Oh, hell no" Ret-Borg replied as he considered the likelihood of that not happening.

Once the man had that overpowered bird back in his possession he could leave and go where he pleased. Let alone if the digitally based being had control of all the firepower on Savior Orbital. The station designed to be a bulwark and bunker against the powerhouses of the universe.

"Way to late Ret, really need to stop paying Dark Night for that virus protection." The station lights flickering as the shields around the bird began to fizzle and pop were all the answer Ret needed.

The sarcastic voice that come from the speakers was simply too extra. "Now lets see what kind of cage you've been building..."

"You know Schrodinger would be impressed you can still see inside this thing," Izime knew that Cradle couldn't really hear him inside those layers, but he'd wanted to say it anyway.

Shuffling his own form through the layers until he found the first locking mechanism that was holding his bond. "let's get rid of that gravity lock first of all."

Izime flicking that switch and calling out as he threw himself into his bond quite literally.

Hey Cradle. We're back buddy.

CAW!

Cradle felt the comforting mind run through its body the same second the gravity locks released.

Gray metal talons touching down, Cradle cooing as softly as it had when it was a chick, black feathers fluffed intimately. Crooning and flourished its wings in display as its bond finally returned, the raven welcoming the single member back into their Unkindness.

Pouring every ounce of comfort and happiness into that connection as its body danced happily on pure instinct. Ruffling its feathers as the stasis field slowly began to drop layer by layer.

The same layers peeling back in Cradles mind as it connected the dots between Izime's return to this form and its capture.

The attack within that infuriating magical dimension had just happened to Cradle. Beady lenses checking around the room as it finding three bodies waiting one being the same cyborg that had managed to subdue it. Ret-Borg had attacked it but these other two? Cradle looking between the others in the room. The raven glad all the people were being very still, someone had hurt Izime and it didn't want to jump to conclusions.

Pulling now from the same information banks it shared through the bond with Izime, quickly locating his body Cradle took to wing. A few flaps in finding its body locked, crying angrily with an accusing look towards the cyborg before realizing who had stopped them. That cry whimpering out a bit as Cradle felt Izime intentions.

Fight! Fight Good!

I know we could. We can't.

I was bad so we can't fight them.

"Can one of you take us?" Cradle tilted its head curious as to why the others now looked at it uncomfortably.

This was how Izime and it had existed since birth, bonding and sharing thoughts and self. Why should it be weird for Izime's voice to come out of them both now, they had always been together.

"I-ah yea mate sure thing lemme just..." Constantinople quickly took of his protective trenchcoat, balling it up as he crouched. Trying to sneak up on the bird that had just asked to be carried.

"Just pick us up Constantinople,"

"Come here now, no..."

"Just drop the coat dude."

"Shite too! That thing's bloody vicious!"

"No shit you're scaring Cradle!"

"Oh, for gods' sake Constanople. Come here Cradle" Psyis walked over and knelt, holding one arm out with her elbow bent level, giving it a shake hoping Cradle would simply fly over. The bird glaring at her for a moment as if considering who it'd like to fight more, Constantinople's coat or her arm.

"It's me, the coat, or the stasis chamber mister, pick one." Psyis tried again, assuming Izime's silence meant he was trying to convince the raven to perch on her arm as well. Reaching out she patter her forearm hoping tha—OH GODS HERE IT COMES!

"AHH!" Psyis whipped her head back, slipping and falling on her butt as the bird's metal wings brushed against her face.

Heart hammering expecting blood to be pouring out, instead only feeling an odd soft tickle from the black razor metal, "Thats a good bird."

Psyis tried to dust herself off as if that would return any of the dignity her cheeks had stamped onto the floor with that spill. Glancing over at Ret who was similarly just as disheveled as her now apologetically she explained.

"Sorry Ret, I'll get you a buffing pad this year." Psyis gestured towards the scuffs her powers had left on the super-strong metal-man. "We just kind of figured you weren't going to go along with it."

"That's him?" Ret-Borg pulled his shoulder-laser back, looking between Psyis and Constantinople before finally settling his eyes on the black winged bird that perched on her silver arm. "Is he, are they really going to go to a cell? Just like that."

Ret glanced at the bird he'd briefly admired wondering just what it was, what both of them were. The animal giving an occasional flap as it looked around the room, occasionally settling its eyes on him angrily. The cyborg unsure if it was the animal, the man or both that were directing their ire towards him.

Either way he'd feel more comfortable once they were both in lock-up.

"We're gonna fix his real body first but after, yea that's the plan. His plan..." Psyis nodded running a hand gently over Cradles back. Feeling the tiny talons pricking at her arm as it tensed still in front of Ret she wanted to explain quickly. "I think you can call the league here in a bit just don't cause the same freak out Dark Night did, Izime's coming in on his own this time."

"Ready?" Psyis asked, Cradle not looking at her. The thessian feeling the affirmative from the way the birds head bodded and rotated to look down the hall towards the medical ward, "Let's go wake Izime up."

Psyis walking down the empty halls with Constantinople behind her. Confident that any warnings would come from Cradle or Izime as they currently owned Savior Orbital.

Passing through various other wings and modules until she finally arrived at the same medical room, she'd decided to switch sides in. Izime's body still laying there, the monitors beeping steadily as various tubes and I'V.s supported it.

"Do we need to do anything?" Constantinople suspected they'd need to. Most super level restorative means had to have the more common medical accompaniments removed. The various hoses, needles, tubes and other apparatus of modern man and not mystical marvel.

"Pull everything and then you might want to leave." Cradle and Izime hoped from Psyis arm, landing on the rail of the medical bed. Izime finishing with a warning that it'd be best to exit the room while Cradle worked. "It's a little macabre."

"I've seen some things mate; I'll stick around to see you wake up." Constantinople waved his hand not really carry what Cradle had to do to bring Izime back. Thinking he'd at least get to see how it happened this time, he stood aside for Psyis.

"I'm staying I.." Psyis tried to think of a reason. White brows furrowing as purple and blue switched about on her face. Psyis glanced at the bird resting on her arm, quickly deciding it'd be best to say less.

Not wanting a repeat of overstepping herself like last night still regretting opening her mouth at all she simply finished. Excusing her own attendance simply saying, "I'm staying."

"OK, pull the plug." Izime and Cradle both looked towards the currently lifeless body on the bed directing the two with opposable thumbs to get to work.

Psyis carefully and tenderly unwrapping his shoulder while Constantinople gingerly picked at a piece of tape holding the I.V. in.

Gray talons tapping back and forth on the metal bed frame as time passed slowly.

Izime watching as Psyis unflinchingly pulled the breathing tube from his mouth, Constantinople still picking at that same piece of tape.

A few more moments and Psyis was removing the various taped on sensors of monitoring equipment, Constantinople was still occupied with that piece of tape.

"Just rip the stuff out Cradles just going to..." Izime start to order them around. Getting impatient he hopped onto the bed sheets, trying to hurry them.

The fierce look they'd received convincing even Cradle to hop back. "OK OK! Take your time jeeze!"

Psyis rolling her eyes at Constantinople who was still glaring at Izime's lack of care for his own wellbeing, ironically enough for the cancer riddled exorcist.

Still the two did pick up the pace a bit, it would only be so long before someone caught on that Savior Orbital had been hijacked. The last bit of bandage coming off Izime's chest as Constantinople finally managed to get the tape off. Psyis reaching across and quickly but delicately pulling the needle free.

"Wake me up quick buddy." Izime pet Cradle fondly through his bond, nervously anticipating awakening once more in the human form. Immediately planning to demand a drink, just as soon as he had walked that body down the hall to the cell waiting for him.

Izime leapt from the bird to the near dead.

The two watched as Cradles blue scanning light took in Izime on the bed, a slight shimmer passing from the bird to the body as the intellect passed over.

The raven giving the two heroes in the room a look before moved to start, wanting a fresh sample to begin Izime's rebuild. The raven quickly hopping over and pecking at its owner, Psyis and Constantinople both paling. The absence of the medical equipment's noise only highlighting the noise as the metal tore in.

Blacken razors delicately carving in as the bird tore chunks of Izime's face. Fresh blood pouring out as the black head tilted back each of those pink and bloody strips vanishing down its throat.

"I oh gods."

"Thats..ok it is so disturbing."

Cradle tilted its head at the two's complaints, Izime had warned them once already.

Besides this was best accomplished in the truly sterile environment inside the techno-beast. Creating a fresh batch of purpose built nanites was a delicate task after all. If you were making something that could carry parts of atoms then you needed to get all of the pesky molecules out of the way before you started building.

The bits of Izime in it quickly getting worked over and examined.

Task oriented nanites being created that were designed to improve on the original design completed by Bell. Cradle once again adding a few of its own improvements through the many thousands of various elements and technologies it had eaten since Izime's last iteration.

Finally having a crop full of the oily black nanites that would rebuild its bond and restore Izime to an even higher function Cradle brought them back up. Wings flapping as its gullet cramped dumping two thick slops of black nanites on Izime's chest.

The piles quickly sloughing away in a wash of red clumps before dispersing as they went about their tasks. The un-bandaged arm quickly forming chains of the microscopic bots that built muscle, bone, and nerve, tiny bridges between stretching to form new tendons. Tearing open the healed skin, cauterized wounds and frost-burnt areas to start over anew.

Cradle pacing nervously on Izime's chest simply out of care and worry, eyes scanning beneath the skin as the bots repaired Izime's lungs and decayed tissues. Slipping between the cells to find the hole his ribs had punched, tiny manipulators quickly assembling more of the soft bits, restoring function once more.

Years of healing and therapy passing over in just a few minutes as its bonds form was restored to a better than new state.

The blue light returning as the robotic bird checked on the minor strength enhancements it had made, the slightly denser muscle fibers and metal lattice bone structure should help.

Especially seeing as Izime had come back reeking of that filthy overpowered Thessian crowess. Cradle feeling all the bits of Purple still dripping through Izime's side of the bond. As data Izime'd probably managed the sultry attacks the trashy crowess had attempted to make. In this body he'd need more help if he wanted to fend off the stronger female.

The raven pacing protectively wanting to make sure that the pheromone riddled interloper didn't try and steal its family as soon as he woke. Cradle came first!

"IZ! I! ME!" Cradle crying out as a familiar but new arm rose from the bed to hold it, black wings flapping against a healed chest in the best imitation of a hug the bird could offer, "IZ! IZ! IZ!"

"I'm back. Thank you Cradle," Izime stroked carefully stroked Cradle, holding the bird against his body as he felt that oddly warm metal full of life welcome him back. Looking up at the other two who had helped bring him back to the breathing. "And you two as well. Thanks for being the best friends and going against the League for me while it lasted."

Izime started to stand realizing immediately he probably shouldn't. Just that little movement had sent hundreds of familiar warning signals through his body. First his body felt weak as hell, second it was obvious from the feeling of the bed sheets he wasn't wearing pants.

Izime closing his eyes and taking a moment to let his nerves throw their little riots, hands pressing into the blankets.

The process of jump starting the human body no less stressful on this fleshy pink form than any other. The damage was repaired sure but tell that to all the nerves he'd activated as soon as he'd left Cradle. The ghost pains slowly possessing his whole body but mostly his chest and new arm, Izime taking a moment to adjust to this old body's new sensations.

"I uh, look I know I said I'd walk down to the cells, but can I get some clothes first?" Izime blushed a bit as he glanced underneath the hospital beds blanket recognizing the typical open back hospital gown.

Looking up feeling the familiar and unfamiliar in this new-again body. Izime asked for something to eat as some sensations were still absent, "and some food I'm starving, probably?"

Izime looked at the two who'd just watched his body being rebuilt and their pale faces. It was likely a good thing he didn't feel any sort of appetite, or he'd have lost his as well. Apparently, the idea of food being the last thing that was crossing either Psyis or Constantinople's minds.

A low grumble building confirmed the A.I.'s suspicions on his body.

Constantinople nodded and left preparing to go get something for his friend to eat. Let the Thessian dress him if she felt like otherwise, he'd grab Izzy an orange jumper afterwards. The exorcist thinking how he'd put a ball and chain on that bird too, if only it'd not eat it. Giving Ret a nod and a smile as he passed.

"Is?" Ret-Borg paused pointing down the hall towards the only room with the door open, two voices coming out. The silver metallic hand extended in question, unsure if taking a shot from Miss Psyis had actually been worth it. The whole thing was already over, the cyborg figuring he couldn't have missed all that much.

"Aye, my mates back and hungry." Constantinople nodded pulling one hand free, gesturing behind him towards the door as he walked by Ret.

Explaining further Constantinople turned trying to remember which way the cafeteria was. "Wants to get locked up in something that's at least got a zipper if you could grab something my build but the thessian's height?"

The exorcist giving a nod as he saw a sign pointing towards the League mealtime facilities he headed off. Constantinople catching Ret looking into the room as he rounded the corner.

The massive mechanical cyborg timidly standing as he leaned around the doorframe. The man on the bed gave a slight wave as Ret's shiny half-skull gave him away. His longer hair down and a bit messy across his shoulder as Miss Psyis acted a bit unusually, fussing about him.

Ret blinked, uncomfortable with the nonchalant friendliness of the stranger. The cyborg finally walked into the room giving him a wary glance, Ret now aware of the possible risk.

"Hey Ret." Izime gave a weak wave, catching the chrome shining as it peeked inside.

Psyis stepped back looking to see who'd entered, no longer pulling at the covers uselessly as they waited on food. Finding the cyborg, she'd left still half-winded and scratched up in the Stasis Chamber entering Izime's room.

The woman wishing Izime would at least allow the heroes to introduce themselves. Maybe not just like he had her, but it was more polite than just walking over other members of the League.

"You'll get used to it Izime knows everyone." The thessian hoped Ret would let the lack of introduction not bother him as Izime welcomed him in. Red eyes looking away quickly as Ret gave her a questioning look Psyis deciding to step in on Izime's behalf and start explaining the attitude, "Even sassed Dark Night so don't take it personally if he's just saying hi."

Both Izime and Psyis knowing that if the League took anything personally it wouldn't be that.