Note: This story doesn't really fit in with official continuity, although it will reference some events.
#1: Project Suicide Squad, Part 1
Checkmate Central Meeting Room
The heads of Checkmate sat down at the table, situated in a room with a chessboard-themed room and walls littered with computers and screens displaying data, current news events, etc. Six figures were seated at the table. Dr. Emil Hamilton, head of both Metropolis' Star Labs and Cadmus, and quite a good scientist. General Hal Rock, son of World War II hero Frank Rock, a veteran of several wars who had risen from a sergeant to a five star general with decades of invaluable experience. General Wade Eiling, lower on the military pecking order, but heavily involved in major scientific organizations such as Hamilton's Cadmus. Maxwell Lord, commissioner of metahuman affairs. Madeline Regina, who ran a massive communications company and helped the government in much of its business, such as providing satellite surveillance, fake IDs, etc. She managed to weasel her way into a prominent security position, in the process earning herself a spot in Checkmate. Sixth was Amanda Waller, a thick woman, was an incredible success story. She had been a normal woman and wife in Chicago, until tragedy had killed or driven away the rest of her family. She struggled to better herself and had quickly risen through the political structure. Now she has heading Checkmate, a secret organization that had influence and control over many other key organizations and agencies.
At this particular meeting Waller was furious.
"Has the JLA changed its decision yet?" she asked Lord.
"No, ma'am. They are adamant in their denial."
"Damn it. Kobra's organization is funding and arming terrorists in the Middle East to attack our armed men and women. Because they're in a neutral country we have to use covert methods to shut down these terrorists and maybe find Kobra. Thanks to the nature of the weapons they're packing we need a special breed of heroes to take them down and retrieve information that can lead us to Kobra himself. But the Justice League doesn't believe in interfering in such affairs, saying they wish to honor the neutrality. These self-righteous superheroes are getting out of hand. Don't they understand service to their country? After all they are the Justice League of America."
"To be honest, many of their members were never American to begin with," pointed out Regina. "Wonder Woman might happen to wear red and blue, but she's an Amazon from an independent island. Several other members are from other planets and just happened to take up residence in the JLA Watchtower. Aquaman is not just from Atlantis, he's a king with his own agenda, one which sometimes conflicts with America's."
"True," responded Waller. "It appears that the Justice League can never always be counted on to carry out the wishes of the country."
"Which leads into something that I would like to propose," said Eiling.
"Go on ahead, general. I hope it is good news!"
"Well, I decided to assist in archiving old secret military files and came across those concerning an on-and-off team called the Suicide Squad."
"I believe I have heard that name before. Please explain further."
"The Suicide Squad was started in World War II to deal with, you can probably guess, suicide missions, operations with little to no chance of survival."
"Are you suggesting we send non-metas on a suicide mission?" interrupted General Rock. "Some of you may like to cross lines, but I won't stand for sending our boys into the meat grinder."
"Very noble, sir, but please let me continue."
"Go on," said Waller.
"You see, this squad first consisted of people with physical or mental problems who were barred from service, but were willing to take any risk to serve their country. Over time military criminals were given the chance to join, taking tough missions in exchange for shorter sentences, lighter punishments, or full pardons. It was disbanded in the seventies. I think we can take this a step further."
"And this step is…?"
"We currently have over three hundred 'super-villains' locked up in prisons across the country. Surely a handful of them can be convinced to work for us in exchange for pardons or lighter sentences."
"Are you serious?" snorted Rock. "How can you control them? Half of them are escaping prison all the time on their own anyways!"
"But we can have superhuman agents doing our hard operations. Plus I have already spoken to Dr. Hamilton, who has a solution to control them."
"What is your solution, Hamilton?" inquired Waller.
"Devices called 'death chips', which we can implant in the super-villains an threaten them with. They'll work provided we don't pick any that have insane death wishes or are so powerful that they would override the chips."
Eiling added, "Thus I suggest, if you agree, ma'am, that we focus on tech or skill-based criminals rather than ones with actual powers."
"I think this is a good idea. Let us put it to a vote and state our reasons for our decision. And I want this to be unanimous. We're using scum for our agenda. I say aye. We need a quote unquote superhero team that will do what we wish, however unwillingly."
"Of course I say aye," said Eiling. "with the same reasons in mind."
"I say aye," voted Regina. "It's about time we had more superhuman operatives."
"Aye," said Hamilton. "It would save the time, effort, and money of trying to create new heroes."
"I'm a little hesitant," said Maxwell Lord. "But I vote aye. Kobra must be found and stopped and this can make that happen."
"I will make this unanimous if you all agree on one condition," stated Rock.
"And what is that condition?" asked Waller.
"That we appoint a superhero as head of the team to stop the Squad from going too far out of control. I don't want bad guys leaving a trail of innocent dead in our county's name."
"Agreed," said Maxwell Lord. "I know of several who would be willing. How about Captain Atom?"
"He's too busy with other affairs," said Waller. "General Rock, did you have anybody particular in mind?"
"Yes, Vincent Saylor, one of the holders of the Major Victory persona. He had a short run, barely noticed by the superhero community, before an incident caused him to retire."
"How do you know he will be willing?"
"I'm not sure, but I think I might be able to convince him."
"Then try, and succeed! Do you vote in favor now?"
"Aye."
"Then this meeting is adjourned. Tomorrow we will figure out villain candidates."
An Apartment in New York
Saylor heard a knock on his door, which led into his sparse apartment. He lowered the fork containing his noodles. "Who is it?"
"It's me, General Rock."
Saylor sighed. The name brought back some bad memories. "Come in."
General Rock entered in everyday clothing rather than his military uniform, doubtlessly trying to avoid attention.
"Haven't seen you in years, Saylor."
"You can call me Vincent, general. What is this about?" asked Vincent before he put noodles in his mouth, barely looking at his guest.
"Vincent, I'm asking you to come out of retirement and serve your country again."
"You know that's not going to happen."
"Vincent, please. I know that was a terrible mistake you made then, but it's been four years. It's time to move on."
"Don't you have other heroes who can work for you?"
"Yes, but they all need to be out in public enhancing the reputation of the American government and military."
"Are you asking me to do a dirty secret mission?"
"More specifically a secret group who without the guidance of a hero will make their missions dirty."
"Can you be more specific?"
"I know you will keep this a secret. An organization I am affiliated with is creating a team of super-villains that will be sent on government missions. It's called the Suicide Squad."
"The mission is to get killed?" Vincent said sardonically as he finished chewing up another forkful of noodles.
"We're giving criminals lighter sentences and pardons in exchange for going on dangerous missions. We're going to implant them with these things called 'death chips' to keep them in line. If they try to turn on us we'll activate the chips and cause severe neural damage. but they still need a moral compass on the ground to stop them from causing excessive collateral damage. You're off the radar since you stopped being Major Victory. You would make the perfect leader."
Vincent stood up, angry. "Perfect leader? The reason I handed in my costume was that I made collateral damage! I'm responsible for the lives of several children and a pregnant woman! I have to live with that guilt every day now!"
"And that's also why you're the perfect leader. You know what can happen if these villains aren't supervised well enough. We need you, Vincent. I need you."
"Give me time to think about it."
"Then take the time. I'm going now and I'm expecting you to make the right decision. Call me when you make it."
General Rock left as Vincent sat back down, lost in thought.
Checkmate Central Meeting Room
Amanda Waller sat down. "Alright, it's time to go down a list of narrowed down candidates for the Suicide Squad. All choices must be approved by unanimous decision. Before we begin, General Rock, how did Saylor respond?"
"He did not say yes, but I think I got through to him. If he doesn't call within the next twenty-four hours we'll have to pick a different superhero."
"Alright then. Let's start choosing. The list is alphabetical, so the first candidate is…?"
"Bane, name unknown, strength enhanced by a steroid fluid called venom," read Hamilton from his laptop.
"He's too smart. He even had a total victory over Batman, unless you think that armored psychopath that popped up for a bit was actually him," said Regina.
"Agreed, he's too risky at a formative stage," said Waller. "Still, he might be good to add later on."
"Bloodsport, Robert Dubois, can teleport weapons into his hands."
"Very psychotic, but he can take out a lot of the opposition in a short time," said Eiling.
The vote was going to be unanimous until General Rock. "He's too psychotic. He'll probably accidentally shoot his teammates."
"David Cain, expert assassin."
"He just escaped yesterday," pointed out Regina.
"Damn, he was one of my top picks," said Eiling.
"Captain Cold, Leonard Snart, uses 'cold guns' that can create ice, snow, etc."
He was unanimously selected.
"Cheetah, Barbara Minerva, much strength and agility thanks to the 'spirit of the cheetah'."
"Wonder Woman has been keeping close tabs on her," said Maxwell Lord. "She might react in an unpleasant way and put too much attention on us."
"The original Cheetah, Priscilla Rich, top-notch athlete."
"Nay for the same reasons."
'Copperhead, unknown, many snake-like powers such as venom."
"He's still recovering from injuries," said Waller. "We can add him later."
"Count Vertigo, Werner Vertigo, induction of vertigo and dizziness as well as flight."
He was voted in.
"Deadshot, Floyd Lawton, expert marksman, great with weapons."
"He wouldn't take down as much enemies as Bloodsport, but he would be much more precise," recommended Rock.
"Agreed, we could use someone with his keen eye," said Eiling.
Deadshot was added to the team.
"Electrocutioner, Lester Buchinsky, suit can generate electric shocks."
He was chosen. For a while no one else was. Firefly, Hardshell, Jewellee & Punch, Killer Croc, Lady Flash, and Lock Up were all dismissed for various reasons.
"Mouse and Gizmo, very good with hacking and other computer skills, have a pet squirrel."
"Cute," commented Regina.
"It sounds like they could be useful, though we already have Checkmate technicians that could provide support off-site,' said Rock.
"Still, we might need to sneak someone into enemy computers," said Eiling.
"There's also the risk that they might find a way to override the death chips. We'd have to have our own people be on guard 24/7," said Hamilton.
"I think this is one risk we can take," said Waller. "They have skills not common among super-villains."
The pair was voted in.
"Plastique, Bette Sans Succi, can cause explosions with her fingertips and is a demolitions expert."
It was agreed that her demolition skills were very useful and she was voted in.
"Poison Ivy, Pamela Isley, vast botanical knowledge, pheromones, control of specially engineered plants,"
"Isn't she an Arkham inmate?" asked Waller. "Those people are too crazy.
"Yes, she is crazy," replied Hamilton. "But she would be highly useful in forested areas, not to mention she can seduce males in more delicate missions."
"I agree," added Lord. "As long as we can prevent her from seducing Checkmate operatives or her own teammates."
Poison Ivy was given a unanimous approval.
Nobody else from the rest of the list was chosen. Scarecrow was highly considered, but was placed alongside Bane and David Cain as a potential future member.
"Alright, this is a manageable start," said Waller. "Our line-up is Captain Cold, Count Vertigo, Deadshot, Electrocutioner, Giz, Mouse, Plastique, and Poison Ivy, plus a yet to be appointed team leader.. In two days all of our chosen candidates will be moved to a secondary facility and briefed on their missions, assuming they accept. Project Suicide Squad can be considered underway. Meeting adjourned."
Somewhere in Checkmate's Base Building
General Rock picked up his cell phone. "Hello?"
"It's me, general. Vincent."
"So what's your answer?"
"I'm in. When can I be there?"
Next: The Suicide Squad gathers and goes on their first mission.
