Chapter Four

Amanda Waller stood in her private hub of information, surrounded by analysts and monitors. Her eyes were narrowed at the view through the main window in front of her, the interior of Belle Reve Penitentiary. It was a normal prison, however. No, nothing she did ever was. This was a United States sanctioned prison for super criminals, ones the world would rather just not think about. Every cell was a translucent container that was constantly under surveillance, and for good reason. They were the worst of the worst, but Amanda had molded them into something more, with a little help from the bombs she'd implanted in their necks. Begrudgingly, they'd become her own private army, a unit of highly specialized, expendable, and most importantly condemnable supers.

They were Task Force X, her Suicide Squad.

She did a headcount of all of them, as she had so many times before. It was something of a ritual to her, every member filling in a certain strength the team would need for any given mission. Not a singular one of them was easy to obtain, and altogether the team itself had come at great personal cost to her, but ultimately they'd been worth it. At times as stressful as these, it was helpful to remember what she'd accomplished by bagging this team.

Floyd Lawton, Deadshot. World's Greatest Marksman and Second Deadliest Assassin. Captured by the Batman after a Penguin gang bust in Gotham city. Wanted for over eighty- five counts of first degree murder. Was slated for the lethal injection at Blackgate before Waller got her hands on him. Took from right under the Batman's nose, even forged some papers and footage showing Lawton take his deadly dose. Only one way to make those convincing enough to fool the World's Greatest Detective. Now he was hers, the man who never missed.

Waylon Jones, Killer Croc. The reason America's afraid to see what dwells in their sewers. Can swim up to 40 mph, durable scaled skin condition and jaw strength powerful enough to rip steel. Captured in Bludhaven by Batman's golden child, Nightwing. Wanted for thirteen counts of second degree murder. Waller intercepted him on his way back to Arkham, papers and documents all filed beforehand. Perfectly legal handoff, precisely framed out of public eye.

June Moone, The Enchantress. The ancient spirit of a witch from an age long passed, possessing itself occasionally within the body of an innocent graphic designer. Amanda would have felt remorse for the poor girl, if her other half was less of a danger to the free world than the facts suggested. Capable of mystic arts and arcane volleys, the limit of The Enchantress's powers are not yet known. Bagged her from her own home one night in her sleep. Didn't want to provoke a fight in a suburban zone. To her credit, there hadn't been an incident with June yet, but Waller couldn't risk that to last forever.

Digger Harkness, Captain Boomerang. A third rate villain to a first rate hero like The Flash. It was hard to believe Boomer's criminal career had lasted as long as it had, being wanted for forty five counts burglaries, thirteen counts aggravated assaults, and apparently even two counts of public urination. While egotistical and prone to emotional outbursts, Boomer somehow possess a mind capable of lateral thinking. He always somehow pulls out some contraption or witty way to escape even the deadliest scenarios in order to add more fame to his name. The Flash brought him to Iron Heights after an encounter with his former team, The Rogues, went south. Given the choice, she would have taken Captain Cold, a man with a far superior tactical mind, but thought better of it. Taking Captain Cold out of Central City would be like taking The Joker out of Gotham, it would attract too much unwanted attention. Speaking of which…

Dr. Harleen Quinzel, Harley Quinn. A psychologist at Arkham that had been transformed into another one of his puppets. He'd seduced her, transformed her, and made her into the clown princess of Gotham City. Immune to toxins and poisons, as well as an exceptional acrobat and thief, Harley Quinn was brought onto the team for one reason above all others. Morale. If the team saw someone like her amongst them, a pretty frame with a quirky, albeit crazy attitude of 'girl next door', they'd subconsciously be more inclined to participate in the mission. It was just human behavior. All the boys, whether they knew it or not, would try to impress her, and Miss Moore would be acting as the Enchantress, a spirit which always acted as its best. Taking her from Arkham was an interesting case originally. It seemed some very generous benefactor was paying for psychological treatment for her, trauma therapy far beyond anything anyone at Arkham was receiving. Despite her six counts of third degree murder, two counts of second degree murder, and nineteen counts of aggravated assault, it looked like Miss Quinzel was on the path to recovery. Unfortunately for her, recovery wasn't part of Waller's plan.

That was the head count of every super criminal they had left of Task Force X. There had been others, but their talents had since been replaced. King Shark had died due to disobeying a direct order, Slipknot had attempted an escape, Parasite had behaved very poorly during his incarceration, killing three guards, leading to his current catatonic state, and Killer Frost had been handed over to Batman for some sort of second string Justice League.

Yes, the Justice League. Those super powered champions of justice and peace. They'd been the world's saviors through countless crises and disasters. Villain after villain, criminal after criminal, relief effort after relief effort, their abilities were solemnly awesome and righteous, their power unquestioned. But Amanda knew. Knew that power that went unquestioned eventually answered itself. She knew that one day the League would turn on the world, and on that day she would need a response. The world would need one, and her Task Force X was that last line of defense. Did she truly believe that the likes of Killer Croc and Harley Quinn could compare with the might of Wonder Woman? The resolve of the two Green Lanterns that had recently joined the League? Even Superman on his own? Of course not. Task Force X was a last resort that would only be used as such, but now it seemed that would hardly be necessary. The Justice League was missing in action, after all.

Under normal circumstances, Waller would have felt cautious of whatever threat had downed any individual Leaguer, but this uncertainty wasn't giving her pause. It was giving her panic, an anxiety the likes of which she hadn't felt since her most recent encounter with known telepathic manipulator Maxwell Lord.

It wasn't just that the League was missing, it's that there was no trace left of them. No forensic evidence, no last stand, not even a vague message from Batman as warning. Just a puff of smoke without a gun to trace it back to. There was a hole on Amanda's mental chess board now, and she knew this vacancy would only create a power vacuum. Whoever had this power, to delete people and remain untraceable, who was to say they wouldn't attack her. If not even The Batman was prepared for this, where was her insurance she would not be next. The two had had a respectful rivalry of intelligence and clandestine activities towards one another. The man could use his fists and interrogation to some information, but her organization was influential enough to get things done at an even rate. Often times they'd even share intel on joint missions. They could rely on each other when the world was in danger, and there was no one else on the League who was his equal. And now they were all gone.

"Ma'am." Colonel Rick Flag stood behind her, arms crossed behind his back in his military uniform. He was an ex-Navy Seal, obedient, and most importantly her ambassador to the team. He'd interact with them on a personal level, go into combat with them, lead them through the most dangerous war zones known to man with minimal casualties. He was her voice to the team while she stayed here at Belle Reve, analyzing reports as the came to her in real time,with also managing the several other departments this facility ran.

"Flag, where is Katana?"

"Shore leave ma'am. Left a week ago, haven't heard since." Interesting, the League had disappeared just five days ago according to her reports.

"Any regular communications back?"

"None, not even the required 48 hour check in. Think something's wrong?"

"Possibly," she pondered, monitors flickering sparse lights across her face in the otherwise dark room. "Have you heard anything from General Eiling lately about her pet science project?"

"Captain Atom? No, ma'am. And usually he doesn't shut up about him. We spoke just three days ago and he didn't make any mention of him, why? What're you thinking, that those two are connected?"

"I'm thinking that both those disappearances along with the absence of the Justice League is far from coincidence." She squinted down on her five inmates. They needed to figure out what was going on, and they needed to figure it out fast.

"Get the Squad ready. Their about to go hunting."

"What for ma'am?"

"Not a what, Colonel. A who. With the absence of the World's Greatest Detective, there's only one other man I know who could help us figure out what happened to the League. I'll send you the briefing on your way off base." Flag saluted and went to make his way out.

"Flag."

"Yes, ma'am," he turned.

"He won't come with us willingly. Be prepared to use deadly force as necessary."