Chapter Two
I hear the birds on the summer breeze, I drive fast
I am alone in midnight
Been tryin' hard not to get into trouble, but I
I've got a war in my mind
- Ride, Lana Del Rey
Deadshot was being taken away with a smile on his face. Normally he would make a snippy comment and protest when the time came for his arms to be heavily confined with chains, a precaution to lead him back to his cell without escape, but today was a good day.
He had just spent an hour with his daughter helping her with math, something he never thought he would have the chance to do considering his punishment of a lifetime in Belle Reve.
That was something that Deadshot never understood; why he was sent to Belle Reve, Louisiana in the first place, and not Black Gate prison or even to Arkham Asylum back in Gotham. He wouldn't have put it past the Bat to send him to the latter, although he realized that maybe even he was involved in something more substantial.
He wondered if the Bat was threatened by Amanda Waller. He chuckled to himself, imagining Waller's fierce and impassive expression. There was no doubt that the Bat would feel intimidated by her, whether he chose to show that emotion or not.
"Something funny?" Griggs's scornful voice sounded.
Deadshot ignored the droning sound that occurred whenever Griggs spoke. Focusing instead on the loud sirens of the alarms that had begun sounding.
A female voice rang through the monitors. "Inmate escape code activated. Commence emergency procedures."
The guards were murmuring with urgency but continued walking him to his cell at a faster pace.
"Hey," he tried to turn his head to make eye contact with Griggs. "What's happening? Who escaped?"
"Shut up," Griggs scowled, but his words didn't conceal the worry and increasing paleness in his features.
Deadshot furrowed his brow, Griggs acted tough but he only showed fear when there was an actual risk of danger. He recalled a conversation that Griggs and Harley had that he'd happened to overhear. Harley had said something along the lines that he was in trouble, leaving Griggs with a terrified expression and him yelling back at her, desperately asking what she meant.
The only trouble that Deadshot could think of when it came to Harley was the Joker's wrath at him mistreating her. Everyone knew that the Joker was an extremely dangerous enemy, his erraticness only making him more menacing. There was no hesitation in wondering if he was capable of breaking someone like Harley Quinn out of a heavily compacted asylum.
"Was it Harley?" Deadshot asked, "did the Joker break her out?"
Griggs flinched upon hearing the Joker's name, his bleak expression wary as he shoved Deadshot back into his cell, locking it firmly, only confirming his suspicions.
Just then, Griggs cell went off. "Waller?" he said into the phone.
Deadshot turned to face him, his interest renewed.
"Yeah, I know, the alarms are going off like hell. What are you going to do?" Griggs paused to listen. "Are you sure that's necessary, I thought that was only in the event of an emergency."
Deadshot could hear Waller's raised voice from his cell. "This is an emergency, Captain." She said, sarcasm clear in her voice as Deadshot stifled a laugh. "Harley Quinn is a complete insanity case. There's no telling what she would do now that she's back in society, especially with the Joker in hand."
Griggs apologized and hung up the call. "Looks like it's your lucky day, Floyd. You're being called back in."
"Called back in? What the hell are you talking about?" he demanded, ignoring the fact that he called him by his first name.
"I'm talking about Task Force X," Griggs informed, signalling his other men to come while he unlocked Deadshot's cell.
Amanda Waller examined the criminals facial expressions. Deadshot seemed impatient as if waiting for some well-earned answers. Captain Boomerang had some sort of nervous energy and his eyes kept drifting towards the guarded door.
Waller was used to this, however, the way Killer Croc was just staring intently at her left Waller with an uncomfortable feeling. She had an impression he felt more of a sense of loyalty to her than the rest of the squad, something she could definitely use to her advantage.
Rick Flag and Katana were the only ones who knew for sure what was going on. She knew she could trust Katana but Waller wasn't as sure about Flag. He had proved to be loyal in the past, but now he was with June Moone and was even more compelled to protect her, especially since he had just gotten her back from the Enchantress. In other words, his actions were now unpredictable.
And being unpredictable was a threat. Harley Quinn and the Joker were living proof of that theory.
"You're all probably wondering why I have called you out of your cells," Amanda Waller began.
"Are you finally realizing that we saved your life, mate, not to mention the worlds, and now you're letting us out for good?" Boomerang asked hopefully, still watching the guards at the door with an eager expression to leave.
"No," she said sternly, glaring at Boomerang, causing him to gulp. "Your reward was your lives and shortened sentences. You should all be grateful."
Boomerang rolled his eyes and Deadshot stepped forward. "You do realize that three members of our little team died, right? Why should we be grateful about that?"
Waller shrugged, "I warned each and every one of you of the risks and you chose to obey. That was not my fault."
"You told them that they would die if they didn't cooperate and would most likely die if they did," Rick contradicted.
"That's enough," she ordered. "As you already know, a highly dangerous inmate has escaped from Belle Reve. It's your job to get her back."
"You're not even going to tell us that this inmate is Harley Quinn?" scoffed Deadshot. "Some pep talk."
"Yes, it is Harley Quinn who has escaped. She is currently residing in a hotel just outside the swampland that surrounds the prison... With the Joker."
"The Joker? Oh, hell no." Boomerang shook his head. "That clown is psychotic."
"Did I say you had a choice in the matter?" Waller demanded. "Either bring her back or I'll detonate the bomb inside your neck."
"Bullshit," Boomerang said. "You're already down to the four of us as it is. Do you really want to risk losing another member of the squad?"
"Captain Boomerang, I can assure you that I have a long list of other metahumans who fit the description. Are we clear?"
Boomerang crossed his arms but nodded in defeat.
Waller turned her penetrating gaze to Rick Flag and June Moone. "June, considering that the Enchantress is dead, I no longer have a use for you to be a part of this mission."
Rick quickly stepped in front of June, clearly suspecting that Waller would pull out her gun - that he knew she had on her - and shoot her due to the confidentiality of Task Force X. "Relax Flag. I'm not going to kill anyone," she paused scanning the rest of the crew, "yet."
"C'mon." The Joker gestured for Harley to climb in the helicopter. "We have to be quick, I'm not in the mood to fight right now."
Harley looked at him in confusion. Her puddin' was always ready for blood. "What, ya don't want to defend your girl?" She crossed her arms, a hurt expression obvious on her face.
The Joker placed an uncharacteristically gentle hand on her cheek. "Harley, shut up and get in the copter. I've got business to attend to back in Gotham."
"What business?" The harlequin said in a demanding tone, as his touch did the trick and she gave into his words.
"Now, now, Harls. You know I don't like discussing my business with you."
"Yeah, I forgot what it was like with you. Ya know I was important to those guys down there. They liked me," Harley pouted.
"Did I say I didn't like ya, doll?" the Joker sighed, turning towards her. "You said you would live for me, remember? I do not take that lightly."
Harley smiled, reminiscing that day at Ace Chemicals.
"Now, buckle up," he ordered. "Jonny, good man, get ready to take off."
Frost pressed some buttons and used the controls, there was no questioning that he was a pro at his job. After all, that was the reason why the clown kept him around.
Harley gasped at the exhilaration in her stomach as the copter took off, forced to use her hands to keep from sliding; she hadn't listened and put her seatbelt on. The Joker noticed and scowled at her. "Harley!"
Harley grinned but did as she was told, ever a slave to his words.
