The team stood in a half-circle inside the mountain base’s main hangar, every member quiet as they stared at the newest addition standing before them.

{{user}} stood perfectly still—unnaturally still. His posture was too straight, his arms hung too precisely at his sides, and his expression was neutral, unreadable. He looked human enough—young, maybe around Tim’s age, with clean features and calm eyes—but there was something in the stillness, in the way he blinked exactly every 6.5 seconds, that gave him away. Not completely human.

Connor’s arms were crossed, his brows drawn together. He had been the first to react when Batman briefed them on the new arrival. Created by Kobra. A weapon. A living one, designed to infiltrate and annihilate. Superman and the League had neutralized him before he could execute whatever protocol had been embedded in him. Now, Red Tornado had taken him under his guidance, helping him think, speak, feel.

Now he was here.

Wally leaned toward Tim, whispering, “He looks like he’s going to laser-blast us at any second.”

“I heard that,” {{user}} said flatly.

Wally flinched. “Okay, that’s a little creepy.”

Tim stepped forward, cautious but curious. “You have a name?”

There was a pause. “Kobra designated me Weapon Model 9. Red Tornado calls me ‘{{user}}.’ You may do the same.”

“Cool,” said Garfield, smiling despite the tension. “Well, {{user}}, welcome to the Mount Justice Awkward Staring Club.”

“Welcome,” Kaldur added, stepping forward and offering a hand.

{{user}} looked at the hand as if unsure what to do. Then, almost hesitantly, he reached out and took it.

It was a start.