El Paso
October 1st 2016
23:30 MDT
A quiet knocking on a door reverberated through the alleyway. Six teenagers stood behind an office building, shrouded by the hoods of their jackets, waiting for their knock to be answer. Their senses teetered on edge as anticipation scratched beneath their skin. They jumped at the loud creek of the back door opening.
The door opened wide, revealing two broad men in suits. They ushered them in through the back door, leading them down the hallway. The building's dim light at silent halls caused at an anxious shiver to slither up their spines. At the end of the hallway, the men opened two large steel doors, and directed them into a dark room.
In the middle of the room they saw a beautiful and daunting middle aged woman. She sat a shiny leather office chair behind a large wood desk. Her thick black curls fell past her shoulders. Her hazel eyes studied them as they walked towards her. She did not look like any preconceived notion on what a 'crime boss' might look like. Her spotless designer business suit tailored around her flowing blouse. Her hair, makeup, nails, everything, was flawless. A smile of pearl white teeth emerged beneath her deep purple lipstick. The two men moved to stand on each side of her.
"I see you had no troubling finding this place," her voice was sultry. She gestured towards the two open chairs on the other side of her desk. "Please, have a seat."
Two of the teenagers took the seats in front of her. The other four stood, placing themselves a few feet behind them. Their arms crossed and minds teetered on edge.
A feminine voice rang out from one of the teenagers in the chairs. "Thank you for honoring us with this meeting." A native american accent rested heavy upon her words.
"It is not a problem mi hija," the woman in the suit chimed back. "Or should I call you Black Bison? That is your masked name is it not?"
She nodded, "Yes ma'am, but please address me as Jenny, Jenny Ravenhair, during our...business...meetings. If it pleases you."
The business woman smiled, "Of course. Now, let's see if I can get this right." She pointed to the two other members standing behind Jenny. One, young woman with long blonde hair, and the other a young man with short black hair. "Summer Day and Jivan Shi: The Hyenas." She then pointed towards the two other standing teens. One, a brown skinned young man with shaggy brown hair, "Sebastian Ballesteros: Cheetah. Aaaand..." She chucked as the other teen, who was much shorter than the other five, cowered behind Sebastian. The woman hummed beneath her smile, "I don't believe I know that one."
"She is new to our pack," Jenny told her. "We rescued her after you and I first met."
The business woman bared a condescending toothless smile. "Bringing in a rookie to a business meeting? I would say that is a bold move. Let's just hope for your sake and hers, she is not a narc." Her guards moved back their suit jackets to reveal pistols on their hips. The young girl shook as her eyes darted between them.
"I can assure you madam," Jenny spoke. "The little one, Adalae, is of no threat to your or our...future endeavors. She is a pup whose powers have barely even blossomed."
The woman shifted her gaze towards Jenny, "Well then. I'll take your word for it. Make sure she is aware of our system of punishment for those who decide to... backtrack"
"We understand clearly, mistress," Jenny assured her.
"Excellent," the woman chimed. She finally brought her gaze to the final member. The young Native American teen who sat the chair next to Jenny. His gaze was stern and unwavering. "And you," she addressed him as she cocked her head. "Must be Tye."
"Yes ma'am," he affirmed. "Tye Longfellow. And yours?"
"Senior Tye Longfellow," his name spilled off her tongue with a fiery flare. "You may address me as madam, ma'am, or La Dama." She cocked an eyebrow. "Now, if I am not mistaken, you were on the other side not too long ago. Fighting the the good fight with that, what is his name, the Blue Beetle?" A mischievous smile rolled across her face. "Now what on earth would make you stray from the path of those beloved do-gooders?"
Tye's expression became fierce. "The Justice League have proven over and over that our struggles are of no concern to them. I am sick of seeing my people suffer. And if I have the means to help them take back what is ours, I am ready to do it." She watched as he clenched his hand around the edge of the chair's armrest. "By any means necessary."
"And that, I assume, is why you have contacted me?" La Dama asked.
"Yes," Tye answered. "We've made some progress on our own but we need certain...resources to take our plan to the next level. To really make a difference in the lives of our people." He placed his hand on Jenny's as it laid on her armrest. He looked at her, as if for reassurance, before turning his attention back to La Dama. "Jenny said that you might have what we need."
La Dama tilted her head up slightly. "Senior Longfellow, I can see that you have the makings of a great tribal chief in you."
He nodded, "It is all I can hope to be."
La Dama interlaced her fingers as she rested her elbows on her desk. "Well, rest assured I do have the resources to help you in your journey to become one. But I must be clear in the fact that these resources I do not hand out free of charge. My suppliers must be confident that their business partners are serious about their endeavors. You have caught my attention with your escapades so far. But playing 'Robin Hood'? Taking from the rich and distributing to the poor only goes so far with the people above me. I can supply you with the basic tools you'll need. But you must be willing to prove yourself with a more serious approach. A more...persuasive approach." She leaned forward, "Do you understand?"
"Yes madam," Jenny affirmed. "I assure you that that approach is already planned."
La Dama snickered, "A proactive bunch you ninos are. I'm impressed."
"So we have to prove ourself to your bosses." Tye stated. "But I am going to assume that that is not the only thing you'll need? For a steady supply on our end, you're most likely going to need a steady supply of favors from us. Is that correct?"
A spark ignited in La Dama's eyes, "Oh you are intelligent. You cut right to the chase don't you? Yes, to get what you need we'll need to create a steady partnership. Once you have proven yourself, I will give you what you need, whenever you need it. And in return I need your help with a certain...errund." She cleared her throat to make sure that all six of the teens were giving her their undivided attention. "My suppliers have created a profitable new product on the east coast. They are looking to spread it west. I have set up the partnership, but the intended buyers they wish to sell to are of your age range. I need your help spreading this product to your peers." She straightened out her jacket. "After all….teenagers are much more likely to listen to their friends than adults."
Tye squinted in stern curiosity, "What kind of product do you speak of?"
She tossed him a cocky smile, "A new...recreational product."
An angry expression overcame Tye as he jumped out of his seat. The guards responded quickly, almost pulling their pistols out of their holsters. "You can't be serious!" Tye shouted. "That is the kind of thing. That-that white man's poison, that we are trying to save our people from! And you want us to spread more of it for you?!"
"Tye," Jenny pleaded with him. She grabbed to his hand and placed her another on his forearm. "Please, my love, do calm yourself."
La Dama raised her an eyebrow as Jenny's eyes began to glow. She noticed Tye's muscles relax in response and his expression soften. It became clear to her who within the young coupling was the one who was really in control. La Dama laughed. "S'all right." She gestured to her guards to ease themselves as Tye sat back down. "He has every right to be..angry, on edge. You are so full of passion young Tye. It is understandable for you to be wary. I promise you that this..product, will be no threat to your people. I will make sure of it. And by giving you full control of its distribution, you have control of where it ends up." A wicked smile flashed across her face. "Destroy the white man with their own poison, yes?"
A silence overtook the room as Tye warily debated within himself. But looking over to Jenny, he felt a little more at ease with her warm expression. She squeezed his hand, signaling that this was the right choice. She would be there with him the whole way.
Tye let out a heavy sigh, "Alright. We'll do it."
"Good." La Dama smirked. "I'm glad we have an arrangement. Now, do not contact me. I will be in contact with you when the first shipment is ready for distribution. I should be able to let you know when and where by the end of the month." She snapped her fingers at one of her guards. He hurriedly made his way towards the door and opened it. "My men will escort you out. It was a pleasure doing business with you. I look forward to our future interactions."
The young team walked in silence out the doorway. Before leaving Jenny turned and said, "Thank you, La Dama." The office door closed behind her and the other members of her pack.
"I must say I do love your methods of manipulation." La Dama heard a voice emerge from behind her. The large television screen on her wall emitting a blinding glow. A fearsome man with scars across his face appeared upon it.
La Dama responded with a seductive grin. "The manipulation of a man's mind is one of a woman's most powerful gifts."
He grinned back at her, "Not that we doubt your methods. But are you absolutely sure these children are going to help us deliver effectively?"
"Their desperation stinks the room they occupy like an infection," she sneered. "I have no doubt in my mind that they will obey."
The man chuckled.
La Dama continued. "I take it you're pleased with the recruitment I've made for you, Vandal Savage?"
"Yes, undoubtedly," he assured her. "Today you have helped paved the path for great things to come La Dama. You are free to consider yourself one with The Light."