Episode 21: Mirage
Takes place 13-24 November 2010.
Short version
The Team frees the country of Qurac from a Mind Control-assisted takeover attempt by Queen Bee.
Longer version
Paul and Zatanna look through Kent Nelson's old journals (at Alan's house), trying to find information about Nabu. However, the journals from the point in time where Kent found the helmet appear to be missing. Alan learns about Nabu possessing Mr Zatara and is shocked by his actions, and even more by the League — including Wonder Woman — covering it up. He offers whatever help he can.
A few days later, Paul visits Amanda Waller, who raises concerns about Doctor Strange's role as Warden of Belle Reve. Their talk is interrupted by Senator Knight, who had a meeting with Waller. Paul takes the time to explain some of the basics of magic and gives the senator the idea to get Atlantis' aid in American defense against magic attacks.
Paul also visits Holly in her new house, meeting Catwoman there (a friend of Holly's) and discussing Holly's rehabilitation needs.
The Team is then sent to Qurac, in the Middle East, where the president appears to have been mind controlled into announcing that his country will be handed over to Queen Bee. They find Psimon there, controlling the president with embedded compulsions, along with a number of soldiers using low-grade Apokoliptian weaponry (still extremely dangerous by Earth standards). With Paul as team leader for this mission, they quickly free the government and capture Psimon. Magnificus Sivana is also present, hoping to study the alien technology, and briefly attempts to stop the Team, but turns out to be legitimately unaware that the takeover is illegal, and is freed afterward.
While waiting for the Bialyan troops to withdraw, the Team visits the Logan Animal Sanctuary, where Miss Martian meets her idol under more peaceful circumstances than canon. A contingent of Bialyan soldiers does attempt to pass through, but Miss Martian impersonates Teth Adom to scare them off.
In the Renegade timeline, the Renegade is brought by Jade to Ra's al Ghul. The Renegade then asks Ra's what the latter's motivation is, so that the former can understand and decide whether or not to join Ra's' side. Ra's claims to have adjusted his approach, no longer seeking mass deaths, and that he has partners.
The Renegade Team is similarly sent to resolve the situation in Qurac. However, rather than infiltrate, the Renegade simply smashes into Queen Bee's palace and interrogates her. She reveals that an Apokoliptian provided her with an artificial telepathic lifeform to replace Psimon (after the Renegade removed his powers). The Renegade realises that this lifeform will soon be capable of mind-controlling the planet, and he takes Queen Bee with him so she can see the truth as he destroys it.
Later, the Renegade reports to Batman about his contact with Ra's and Queen Bee, both of whom spoke about strategic partnerships to benefit the human race. He suspects a larger collaboration, and seeks endorsement to stay undercover to investigate it, instead of immediately attacking the League of Shadows. Batman is concerned about his objectivity after he started dating Jade, but agrees.
Equivalent canon episode: "Image". "Mirage" may refer to the deception being foisted on the people of Qurac by mind-controlling their president, as well as Miss Martian bluffing Bialyan soldiers into leaving the Logan Animal Sanctuary alone.
- Badass Boast: The Renegade makes one when he is standing in front of Queen Bee and a row of heavily armed soldiers aiming at him.Renegade: Shoot, then. Get it out of your systems. Your weapons worry me about as much as a single wind-wafted pollen grain worries you.
[Beat]
Renegade: Mortal Queen. Order them to shoot me. - Continuity Nod: The statue that was left the last time the Team was in the area is mentioned.
- Immune to Bullets: The Renegade demonstrates how ineffective bullets are against him when he attacks Queen Bee's palace. He didn't even use his ring; his skin is just that tough.
- Look Behind You: Lampshaded by Psimon, who thinks OL and Miss Martian are trying to trick him. Unfortunately for him, it wasn't a trick; the Ophidian was behind him.
- O.O.C. Is Serious Business: The normally stoic Martian Manhunter is furious after the Renegade shows him that the Guardians literally put shackles in the minds of all Martians long ago which is the reason for both the skin based caste system and inherent lack of desire to ever leave their caves.
- Shout-Out: The Renegade makes references to The Spectre and Deadman when he points out to Zatara that letting Nabu possess the latter is wrong.
- Splitting the Arrow: Celestial Archer demonstrates his supernatural skill by doing this to all the arrows Green Arrow loosed, in a single shot.
- Victory Through Intimidation: Sort of. Miss Martian pretends to be Teth Adom in order to scare Bialyan troops away from the Logan Animal Sanctuary without revealing the Team's presence, since their existence is supposed to be secret. However, it wasn't entirely a bluff; if it came to a fight, the Team members present (Robin, Kid Flash, Miss Martian, Superboy, and Paul) were more than capable of curb stomping a bunch of mundane soldiers.
