[center][color=darkgray][b][sub]E P I S O D E   FIVE :   G R O W I N G  P A I N S [/sub][/b][/color][b][color=bf2628][sup][h1]MISSION BRIEFING[/h1][/sup][/color][/b][/center][center][url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DfNxFY85WXw&list=PLpKsxXNMPuZjdkIdl3b31PWHvhxfyldG2&index=21]SOUNDTRACK[/url][/center]
[COLOR=bf2628][INDENT][B][SUP][SUB][H3]S E C R E T  S A N C T U A R Y[/H3][/SUB][/SUP][/B][/INDENT][hr][/COLOR][INDENT][INDENT][sup][color=darkgray]June 23[sup]th[/sup], 2021  |  09:43am.  |  Happy Harbour, Rhode Island[/color][/sup][/INDENT][/INDENT]
The Martian Manhunter was operating multiple screens around the communications complex, levitating from one display to the next, setting up the details for the Team's next mission. Members of the Team began to arrive one after the other. The Martian lowered himself to the ground, his cape rustling softly. He looked at the Team, his expression more serious than usual. There was something off about his behavior. 

[color=Mediumspringgreen]"Good morning Team."[/color] He nodded to their familiar faces. They'd been through a lot during the previous mission. Their resilience made him proud. The formation of the Team had seen many changes the past week. Talon left the initiative shortly after the Team returned from Atlantis. Casper returned from a harrowing journey into the Spirit World. He turned to the young hero. 

[color=Mediumspringgreen]"It's good to have you back with us Hex."[/color]

There was one member unaccounted for, Daphne. However her absence didn't seem to surprise her mentor and he began the briefing. 

[color=Mediumspringgreen]"The Justice League acquired a lead on Kobra's recent activities." 
"There have been reports of teens disappearing from the Meta-Human Youth Center. The mission teens are mostly males, between the age of 16 to 19."[/color]

The screens behind the Martian Manhunter showed photographs and video montages of the dark heights and obscuring alleyways of Gotham City. The background information wasn't lining up with the briefing content. A bunch of confused faces stared at him. He stared at them with a puzzled look until he turned around himself and noticed the screens. 
[color=Mediumspringgreen]"Oh...my apologies"[/color] He stammered and corrected his mistake by pulling up the corresponding footage. 

He cleared his throat and continued. 
[color=Mediumspringgreen]"We have identified a chemical you've encountered previously, during the mission at Gotham. It was able to alter Talen's perception and to a degree take control of his actions and free will. While we still haven't located the source, it is likely you will face it again"

"The goal is to locate the missing Teens and discern the extent of Kobra's involvement."[/color]

The Martian Manhunter levitated to the screens and turned them off one by one. He didn't dismiss the Team. It looked like he was buying himself some time. Because the displays could have easily be turned off with a single button. He floated in front of the Team.
[color=Mediumspringgreen]"There is something else of importance I must show you."[/color]

The Martian turned and seemed to be flying away. He lifted something of off the ground with his telekinetic abilities. The object was hidden from view earlier during the briefing. He returned silently, lowering a glass case beside him. Inside was Daphne, fully transformed and standing completely still, like she was sleeping. 

He allowed the Team a moment to process seeing her in this state before speaking softly. 
[color=Mediumspringgreen]"Professor Hall, Nymph's father contacted me a few days ago to inform us there'd been an incident during their study sessions."

"My attempts to reach her mind have been....unsuccessful so far. Her mind seems to have withdrawn and placed her body into a stasis."

"We know very little about her current condition, but she is alive."[/color]

He turned to the glass case, feeling like he'd failed. 
[color=Mediumspringgreen]"Until we find a way to free her, she'll stay here at the HQ."[/color]