A little side note before you start to read this chapter. There are supposed to be breaks placed in certain spots to let you know where a scene has changed. Annoyingly everytime I try to edit them in they disappear from the final version. If you know how to fix this problem please let me know.
(Edit. I've attempted to add
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX's in place of spacers. Hopefully they appear right.)
Eye for an eye
I'm not going to tell you again Deathstroke. You're not getting paid to have your way. You're being paid to follow orders. MY orders. If you can't get that through your head of yours you can take off."
"Our task is to take care of Diaz Martinez and his venom lab by any means necessary. He's a punk producing drugs for kids. Do you really want to let him alive after everything he's done?"
"What I want is to follow Waller's orders. Our top priority is to capture Diaz ALIVE! Waller needs him to track down the rest of his cartel. We won't get answers out of a dead man Deathstroke."
The two assassin's stood their ground in the others faces. Neither side wanting to admit the other is right. Deadshot wanted nothing more than to put a bullet through this drug peddling punk. Waller however had other ideas. Deadshot had no choice when it came to 'The Wall'. All ways were her ways. After all it wasn't Deathstroke's head she'd have blown off if this mission went bad.
Business had been slow for almost a year now. Deathstroke had little to no hits offered to him and when there were jobs were far too boring or low pay for his tastes. He had thought that when Amanda Waller had personally offered him a temporary position in Task Force X he'd enjoy the change of scenery. How wrong a decision that was.
"Are you two done yet? The rest of us would like ta head 'ome tonight." A thick Australian accent came was heard from the opposite side of the roof the Suicide Squad was camped up on.
"Yea come on boys. How about we all hug it out huh? Come on bring in the love." Harley Quinn keeping her distance from the two assassin's held her arms outstretched toward the two gesturing for a hug.
"Shut it Harley!"
"Shut it Harley!"
The pair shouted in unison staring at the blue and pink haired jester.
*Humph* "Where'd you learn ya manners a cereal box?"
"Let em go Harl. Though if you're offering some lovin', I'm more than up for some fun luv."
"Bite me Boomer. You ain't my type."
"Can we all get back on track here?" All eyes turned to Deadshot standing in the middle of the roof. "Our objective is to capture Diaz making as little noise as possible. Taking him out is an absolute last resort." Turning his head to face Deathstroke directly he continued. "If for any reason we can't complete our objective new boy. You can explain to Waller what went wrong. Clear?"
"As crystal."
"Good. Let's move out."
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"That night the Suicide Squad were tasked with kidnapping the mexican 'Venom' cartel leader Diaz Martinez. He and his partners had been planning on smuggling an estimate of around 1.6 billion dollars worth of Venom into the United States. Waller had had enough of him and his crew so she sent in her Task Force."
"Venom. The same thing that gives Bain his strength?"
"Precisely. Expect it had been manufactured as a gas rather than the liquid our lucha libre friend prefers. The doses weren't as strong as the liquid but they were enough to give the crack head's their fix."
"Why did Waller want you for her task force. Why not just get some other criminal."
"Perhaps she wanted a professional to get the job done. The Suicide Squad are to put it nicely sloppy."
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Diaz being the man that he is is throwing a party at his multi million dollar mansion prior to the next mornings smuggling of the Venom. The Suicide Squad had one shot at this. Deadshot knew what his orders were. He'll be damned if Deathstroke ruins this.
Looking the his binoculars Deadshot watched as the party carried on into the night. Flashing lights, people dancing and topless women. This was his kind of place. Shame he would be able to enjoy this party since he was about to crash it. Men with coloured bandanas also seemed to be paroling the area.
'Must be his crew... Ah there you are.' Deadshot thought. Diaz was outside by his swimming pool laid out on lawn chair chatting up with some of his lady friends. Annoyingly he was also accompanied by some rather large henchmen. 'This is going to be more difficult than I thought. If only one of us could just walk over and and convince him to go somewhere quieter...'
"IIIIII'M BOOOORED. Come on cowboy less pondering and more pounding."
'Sometimes you know just what to say Harley...'
"Alright here's the plan. There's an unoccupied bedroom on the second floor of the mansion. Deathstroke and I will sneak inside while Boomerang keeps watch. Harley. I need you to sweet talk Diaz into following you back to the bedroom."
"Hey! What kind of woman do is take me for?! I ain't no body's honey bunny."
"Relax Harley. Just get him up here, we'll do the rest."
"Fine... Well what are you waiting for?"
"Waiting for what?"
"Incase you haven't noticed Einstein, but all those dames up there ain't wearin' no clothes, so if you don't mind... Turn your stinkin' butts around so I can change!"
All three boy's turned all equally a little scared of the blonde haired princess of crime. If there's one thing you don't want to do. It's catch Harley on a bad mood. Spying on her changing is a sure fire way to find her mallet against your face.
"Alright. I'm makin' my way over now. If I see any of ya staring at me, I'll rip out ya eyes and replace them with ya gonads!"
Not wanting to test that statement the boys made their way to their assigned positions.
"Woow weee. What a woman. Am I right fellas?"
"Shut it Bommer!"
"Shut it Bommer!"
Folding his arms across his chest Captain Boomerang turn away from his colleagues making his way toward the mansion with Deadshot and Deathstroke close behind. 'Geez these three need to learn how to pull the undies out from their backsides.'
Diaz's mansion was massive. Far bigger than any single man could ever need. Harley made her way through the corridors of the mexican millionaires mansion in search for the pool. Security had been loose to say the least. 'Guess he likes his bodyguards how he likes his girls. Heck there's more women here than beds!' Harley thought as she passed multiple groups of latina women.
Gazing out she eyed Diaz who she presumed was chatting up some brunette stunner. Opening the sliding door she approached 'I hope you boys are ready.'
"Outta the way tots, it's my turn!" Grasping the girl by her wrist Harley spun her around flinging her back toward the door.
"Aye Yai Yai. Aprende algunas maneras que la calada del cerdo!"
"Yea, yea keep walking sugar!"
Already forgotten whoever he had been speaking too. Diaz's eyes gazed over the full filled figure of Harley Quinn. "Never have I seen a blonde more beautiful than you mamacita. Where have you been all my life?"
Taking a seat on his lap Harley laid across his chest twirling her hair with her finger. "Oh ya know, here and there. But what's important now honey is that I'm here right now." Moving her bright red lips up toward Diaz ear she continued. "Let's say we make up for lost time puddin". Harley said before gently nibbling on his ear.
"Mmm you're a wiley one. I like a woman who wants to have as much fun as I do."
"You don't know the half of it honey. How about we ditch this place for somewhere quite?"
"Lead the way momma." Spanking Harley's behind the two made their way up to the ambush point. 'Lay that hand on me again and you won't have as many fingers as whatca started with.'
Deadshot stood behind Deathstroke as he watched the assassin turn the door handle left and right, pulling and pushing but to no avail.
"It's locked."
What do you mean it's locked?"
"What do you think I mean when I say the door is fucking locked Deadshot?"
"Just get it open already, someone could come at any second."
"Then shut up and let me concentrate." Pulling out a lock pick Deathstroke started picking at the lock.
"HEY ¿QUÉ INFIERNO ESTÁS HACIENDO!" Deadshot turned to face two angry mexican gangsters aiming pistol's in his and Deathstroke's direction.
Suddenly through an open window flew in a boomerang spinning rapidly colliding with a gangster's head. Collapsing against the floor the second gangster had no time to even question what just happened to his partner when he too received the same fate as his friend as a second boomerang hit him on the side of his head leaving the two gangsters knocked out across the floor.
Standing outside on a nearby hill was Captain Boomerang holding the two boomerangs he had thrown. "I wouldn't be Captain Boomerang if they didn't return now would I?'' he said through the radio smuggly.
Through his ear piece Deadshot spoke. "How do you get them to return after you throw them at people's heads anyway?"
"...You ask too many questions Lawton..."
"More like you don't answer enough."
"Yea whatever. You might wanna hurry this up. Harley's makin' 'er way up tha stairs with 'er new hubby."
'Crap.' "Deathstroke?"
"Got it."
Pulling on the door Deathstroke opened it making his way inside Deadshot following close behind him.
Harley and Diaz walked down the corridor coming to a stop infront of the now, not so vacant room. "Why don'tca wait inside sugar while I go put on something more comfortable."
"Whatever you say baby. Don't leave me waiting too long ya hear?" Walking inside Diaz walked over to the bed falling down onto his back with a flump. Taking off his white wife beater he threw it aside infront of one of the assassin he had yet to notice inside his practically pitch black bedroom. Five minutes had past and Diaz was beginning to wonder what was keeping his new woman.
"You ready for a good time Hun?"
"You bet honey. Come on in here and show pappy whatca got."
Harley walked inside now re dressed in her regular red and black uniform. "Let's have some fun." Flipping the light switch the darkness no longer hid the assassin's who where stood in the two closest corners of the door.
" ¡SÍ! QUIÉN- W-WHO THE FUCK ARE YOU?!"
Diaz scampered away trying to back himself up against the head of the bed. Reaching for the bedside draw he pulled out a small revolver taking aim he was about to pull the trigger when he felt a sharp pain attack his wrist causing him to drop his weapon. In his hand, Deathstroke held small throwing knives.
Rolling off the bed Diaz reached for his gun not noticing the man dressed in all black walk up to him and stamp his outstretched hand against the floor. In a cry of anguish Diaz tugged against the boot holding his hand down. "Diaz Martinez. We need to talk."
Through gritted teeth Diaz replied. "What the hell do you people want?"
"Answers. I'm only going to ask nicely once. Where are your Venom labs?"
"Go to hell you filthy cockroachs! ARGGHH!"
Forcing his boot down on Diaz's hand harder Deadshot continued. "Wrong answer. Care to try again?"
"Ahhh, okay okay I give!"
Deadshot slowly lifted his boot off Diaz's hand. Grasping his injured hand with his other Diaz winched as he slowly stood up off the floor.
"Well?"
"My labs... Are right HERE!" Quicker than Deadshot would like to admit Diaz had grabbed the lamp on the bedside table before smashing Deadshot over the head with it. It wasn't like it hurt Deadshot per say. It was more annoying than anything. Diaz bolted for the door. Strangely neither of the other two Intruders seemed interested in giving chase or blocking him off. Diaz ran out of the bedroom only to come face to face with a forth intruder. "G'Day mate."
With a quick crack across Diaz's jaw, Captain Boomerang sent Diaz tumbling back into the bedroom into the path of a very pissed off looking Deadshot. Grabbing him by his arm Deadshot threw him like an oversized baseball bat into a nearby wall. Diaz bounced off the wall leaving a large hole in the drywall as he fell. Curled up on the ground, blood dripping from his lip Diaz could hardly move without immense pain.
"I'm losing my patience Diaz. Where are they?"
"You- You think I'm just going to give all that up? It's worth BILLIONS! I already have money. I can pay off the cops, the border patrol the judges. Like it or not. Tommorow. I'm gonna be more rich than anyone could even imagine. AND THERE'S NOTHING YOU BITCHES CAN DO ABOUT IT!" Diaz was laughing like a mad man. In a way he was right.
"Then I guess there's always plan B." Pulling out a pistol Slade walked toward the laughing man on the floor.
"HAHHAAHahha- wha?"
Slade gripped the man by his throat lifting him up with one arm pinning him against the wall pressing his pistol against the man's skull. "Let me give you a piece of advice Diaz. I'm not with these guys." Rocking his head toward the rest of the Suicide Squad Deathstroke continued. "Quite frankly if it was up to me I'd have put a bullet in you and already be sitting on my porch drinking a nice cool scotch right about now. But alas life isn't so simple." Diaz was gasping for air at this point. Any longer and he'll pass out in Slade's grasp. "If I don't get answers then I'm just going to put a bullet through you and go home. I get paid either way. So. Are you going to keep making this difficult for everyone here or start co operating with us."
As faint as a mouse Diaz spoke. "el-el... Paso-" Releasing his grip on Diaz, Deathstroke let the man fall to the floor once again. "A little louder for the rest of us son."
"El Paso... Next to the border... Is my factory..."
Folding his arms Captain Boomerang looked up from the man toward Deadshot and Deathstroke. "Right. So what now then?"
"Now?"
BANG*
"We take care of business."
Smoke rose from the barrel of Deathstroke's pistol scenting the room of warm gun powder. The lifeless corpse of Diaz Martinez collided with the carpet turning the cool blue colour into a deep dark red. Cries of near by women could be hear from outside the bedroom all in fear and confusion.
The rest of the Suicide Squad were wide eyed. "DEATHSTROKE! What the hell is wrong with you!" Deadshot was furious.
"We got our answer. Have Waller search any nearby warehouse's that are considered suspicious. We're done here." As if nothing had even happened Deathstroke holstered his weapon back in his hip pouch staring at his most recent kill. "You weren't actually going to keep him alive were you Deadshot?"
"Incase you've forgotten, this task force ISN'T SUPPOSE TO EXSIT! If anyone finds out we're out of prison doing the missions we do it'll send America- hell the WORLD into chaos!"
"Then I suggest we make our exit before anyone else arrives." Walking past Deadshot along with the other two Squad members, Deathstroke went to make his exit.
"Sorry but that's not good enough."
Deathstroke looked over his shoulder to be greeted by Deadshot firing his own pistol in his direction. He should never had been slow enough to let himself get caught like that. But he did. Deadshot pull a round right through his right eye. Deathstroke grasp his eye socket in agony. God it hurt. His entire head was hot. He presumed the bullet would have past through his skull at this distance.
Deadshot walked up to the vulnerable Deathstroke firing a second round through his lower chest just above his hip. Gritting his teeth Deathstroke fought back the urge to beg for mercy. He'd be through this before. He'll do it again.
"Whoa whoa mate! Tha' hell are ya doin?!" Harley Quinn and Boomerang stood beside Deadshot as Deadshot too put away his pistol.
"If Diaz's gang find Deathstroke here they'll kill him and just assume someone put a hit on Diaz. Now hurry up. We gotta go." Deadshot ran from the massacre in the bedroom leaving a split Harley and Boomer. The two didn't like Deathstroke put even by a criminal code this is plain cold hearted but what choice did they have. The two gave one last look down at the wincing Deathstroke.
"Sorry mate..."
"Wish there was something we could do for ya..."
With time running out the two ran after Deadshot making their getaway leaving there ex team mate for dead on the floor. Deathstroke could hear multiple voices approaching.
If this really was how he was going out, he wasn't going down quietly. Shakily Deathstroke took a knee before finding his feet. Letting go of his eye Deathstroke tested his new line of sight to find absolutely nothing from his right eye like he feared. He gripped his recently fired pistol pulling it from the holster along with one of his two katanas on his back. He took aim at the door way waiting for his enemy's to approach. "Deadshot... If I make it out of here alive. I'll make you regret this..."
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Deadshot drove the SUV he had stole to the meeting point inside a government owned garage. Driving through the doors or the garage a pair of government agent's shut the door behind the Suicide Squad.
The inside of the garage seemed like another world compared to the slums outside. The walls and floors where a glistening white with rows of the highest quality computer equipment lined neatly up against it while the opposite wall was lined with military grade weapons of all kinds to pack a small army. Only the best for Amanda Waller. Who was walking toward the SUV containing the Suicide Squad.
Killing the engine Deadshot excited the drivers seat ready to address Waller with Harley Quinn and Captain Boomerang stood beside him.
"Where you successful in your mission Lawton?" The African American woman had a voice that could cut steel. A tone Deadshot was all too use too.
"Too an extent. Diaz has a warehouse by the El Paso border. We couldn't get any more than that."
Waller eyed the leader of her task force noticing the disappearance of Deathstroke. "You're one short. Care to explain?"
"Deathstroke was wounded by one of Diaz's men. Snuck up on us. We had to leave him behind."
"Don't screw with me convict. What. Happened?"
It was a long shot but Waller isn't going to like the truth. 'Let's just hope I get too keep my head after this.' "Deathstroke was reckless. He murdered Diaz in cold blood alerting anyone inside the house and had no interest in following the plan in the first place. He needed to go."
Waller said nothing. Her stare burrowing into Deadshot searching for any kind of uncertainty in his answer. "Is it true Harley?" Waller turned her gaze too the clown.
"Wha- me?"
"Yes you. You're a horrible liar. Now, fess up."
"Well geez Waller. You couldn't get it as clear cut as what ol' Deadshot's put it. It's all true ma'am."
Giving Harley the same treatment as Deadshot, she stared her down looking for any clues of deception but too no evial.
"Is he dead Lawton?"
"I can't give you an answer."
"So you're telling me that you let the highest caliber of assassin out of your sight without confirmation of his status."
"Argh say that again for me sweetheart?"
"It means Boomer, that Deathstroke. Is. M.I.A. And if he is alive, he'll have all of our head's. You best hope he's found without a pulse. For your sake Deadshot."
All eyes were on Deadshot. If anyone was going to pay for the fate of Deathstroke. It was him. "I'll deal with him if it comes to it."
"You better."
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Deadshot's cell was anything but inviting. No decorative features or personal of any kind featured in the Devil's hitman's cell. Nothing other that a singular photo Deadshot kept under his pillow. His one keepsake.
Deadshot held the photograph while he laid back against the cold, firm mattress. The smile on his face was one of the few genuine smile's he pulled in his time with the Suicide Squad. In his hand Deadshot held a photo of himself and his daughter. Both laughing as the photo was snapped by his now ex wife. No moment would ever make Deadshot happier than this.
A loud banging came from his cell bars. Deadshot stood from his bed to walk over too the bars. On the outside of the bars stood a young man wearing a security uniform holding a cell phone. Deadshot wasn't surprised. In fact he was expecting him. "You're late." Deadshot took the phone from the man and started to dial a number.
"What? Are you my boss or something?"
"No but if I were you I wouldn't keep me waiting much longer."
"Right, I'll keep that in mind. You know the drill. Half an hour and you're done." Said the guard before walking off.
Every week Deadshot was allowed one phone call to his daughter who was living in the newly built Jump city as part of an agreement with Waller. No funny business on missions and he's allowed to phone his daughter along with a visit every two months.
Holding the phone too his ear Deadshot waited for the line too connect.
*Ring**Ring**Ring**Ri-* "Hello? Susan speaking."
"Sue, it's me again."
"Hello Floyd. Still alive I see."
"For one reason yes. May I speak with her?"
"She's been waiting for your call. Give me a moment. ZOE! DADDY'S ON THE PHONE!"
Deadshot waited for the usual sound of his daughters feet running down the hall but surprisingly. He heard nothing.
"ZOE?! Zoe where are yo- HMPH!"
Muffled cries were heard on the other end of the call as the phone hit the floor with a bang. "Susan?! Zoe?!" All was quite for a while. Deadshot didn't know what to do.
"Susan?! Hello?!"
"Hello Deadshot. It's so good to hear from you again so soon."
Deadshot's eyes went wide. No. Not him. It can't be him. "DEATHSTROKE IF YOU LAY ONE FINGER ON MY DAUGHTER I'LL-"
"You'll what Deadshot? Kill me? You've already tried remember. You're daughter is save. For now. Right now you should just listen."
He was backed in a corner. Deadshot couldn't risk the life of his daughter. He had to do whatever this mad man said. His body was tense. Never had he felt stress like this before. "What do you want?"
"I have an proposition I'd like to offer you. One you would be foolish to decline."
"And that would be what exactly?"
"From the moment this call ends you'll no longer have any kind of contact with your daughter."
"Or else what?"
"She along with her mother dies."
"Why... What do you possibly have to gain from this?!"
"Revenge Deadshot. As simple as that. You think I can just let what you did to me slide?"
"Leave my daughter out of this you maniac!"
"You see there's the problem Deadshot. See's the only thing you've got left in your miserable life. No other family, no friends or future. Nothing but this one little girl... And I'm going to take her from you."
Deadshot felt like he was being broken in two. He's emotions divided like an axe being driven into a log of wood. An angry mix or fear, angry and frustration clouded his mind. No matter what choice he made he'll still never see Zoe again. "Let me speak with her."
"I can't allow that."
"Deathstroke please... I'm begging you. Let me speak to her..."
"Deicide. Now. Or I'll do it for you."
Warm tears dripped down his cheeks. What was the point anymore. Without Zoe in his life he didn't care. "Fine. *Sniff* You win..."
"If you even think about arranging any secret meetings or calls don't bother. I'll be listening. Goodbye Floyd." *Click*
Deadshot sank to his knees and weeped dropping the phone by his feet. It had been atleast thirty years since he last cried over anything.
Deadshot didn't know how long he had sat there for. Easily a good half an hour he had spent simply crying and moaning over the loss of his daughter.
Deadshot looked up hearing the sound of someone clearing their throat by his cell bars. Behind them stood the young officer along with Amanda Waller. Both bewildered by the site before them. No one had seen Deadshot remotely as vulnerable as he was at this very moment. Amanda felt well... Sorry for him. Her ice queen demeanor practically melting away. "Floyd?"
"*Sniff* What..."
"Whatevers just happened. I'm sorry for you."
"Get away from me... BOTH OF YOU!" Deadshot grabbed the phone off the floor almost snapping it in two with his bare hands before hurling the device at the bars towards Waller and the young officer. The phone smashed against the bars breaking into pieces like glass. Waller and the officer ducked out of harm's way taking shelter behind the wall.
With nothing left to do with his life Deadshot laid on his bed. Waiting for nothing. All he could do now was cry and exsist.
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"You're the most heartless man I've ever met Slade..."
"Deadshot's daughter is his pressure point. Any kind of leverage over her and he'll beg like a puppy. Sad really."
"I guess someone like you couldn't know the importance of family."
Behind his mask Slade Wilson couldn't help but smirk. 'If only you knew Robin.'
"We're here."
The pair hadn't walked too far away from where the original exit was out of the sewers. Slightly worrying knowing Slade has bases set up almost viewing distance from Titan's Tower.
Infront of them stood what seemed like a plain brick wall at the end of another dead end of the sewers. 'Hidden door. No way we would have ever found this on our own.'
Slade walked over to a rusty old pipe that was fixed against the side wall of the passage firmly twisting the rod like you would rev a motorcycle to reveal a worded key pad. Carefully Robin studied the code Slade entered. He expected something difficult to be Slade's password. Hell something far more complicated than what it was. 'R-O-S-E. Rose? Slade doesn't strike me as a flower type... Perhaps it's a code name of some sort.'
Entering the code Slade twisted the pipe back to it's original position triggering the next step to his lock. A brick eye level to Slade slid back into the wall and in the bricks place was a small scanner. Putting his eye toward the scanner the device began reading the villain's eye.
"Recognised. Deathstroke. The. Terminator."
A loud hissing noise came from the wall. Robin watched as the bricks were pulled from the wall reveling the doorway to Slade's lair.
"Deathstroke the Terminator?" Robin looked up at his enemy confused.
Under his mask Slade hid a smug grin. Call it nostalgia or laziness but Slade could never bring himself to change the recognition system. It had been a long time since he went by that name.
Deathstroke was THE guy. If you wanted a job done right you called him. Deathstroke was a man of commitment, shear will and composure. Through blood and sweat he completed any task. When it came too payment. It was a cash in hand transaction. No questions asked and the two party's would part ways.
Slade wasn't this man anymore. Slade no longer had any kind of desire for money. Those days had long since past. In his time as a hired gun he had earnt enough money to last multiple lifetimes. No. Slade decided he needed a career change. He was done and such he decided to retire Deathstroke the Terminator. Now Slade called the shots, made the demands.
"I could never bring myself to completely forget my former title. It has a nice ring too it." Slade made his way into his lair leaving Robin at the entrance.
Following suite, Robin made his way into the lair. Slade's lair was nothing outside his usual style. The room was dimly lit from the large computer monitors that were fixed to the wall. Multiple smaller screen's sat next to the larger ones showing a live feed of the sewer system. 'So that's how he found me.' Robin thought as he surveyed the room. Besides the monitor's the room was next to empty. No other doors or equipment other than a keyboard and mouse on a desk under the monitors.
'Whatever truce Slade and I have it's finished the moment we catch Deadshot.' Pulling out a small tracker from his belt Robin hid the device between his fingers as he followed behind Slade. If he could plant a tracker, he could make a move on Slade in the near future.
"Why did you bring me here Slade? What do you need my help for?" Slade sat down in a chair facing the monitors. Turning in his chair he looked up at a frustrated Robin.
"What I need is for you to hand me one of the two ricochet pads you have in your back pocket." Slade stated calmly extending an open palm out toward Robin.
"What?! How did you kn-"
"I was watching you. That's how." Moving the curser Slade brought up a window playing a recorded video of the Titan's encounter with Catwoman. The feed showed the Titan's engaged in combat before giving chase to her. "I didn't expect much when I hacked the surveillance cameras of the museum. To my surprise I found Beast Boy and Raven trying to hold their own against Selina Kyle. I was intrigued. As you know it isn't her style to work outside of Gotham city."
"She was a decoy. A distraction to make me drop my guard."
"I'm well aware what the pair were doing. It's a simple trick but effective trick. Now the pad if you please."
Pulling out one of the two pads Robin stored away he handed Slade the device. "What use does that have?"
"More than you realise. Deadshot's ricochet pads are more than just a piece of well designed resistant metal. They're fitted with a camera at the base. All his pads are linked to his eye scope. He can toggle through all active camera's and have eyes wherever he needs them to be." As Slade explained how the pads worked he was tinkering with the device. Forcefully pulling the back of the pad Slade began dissembling Deadshot's pad. "Unfortunately for you. These two are active." Flipping the now un usable pad around to show Robin. A small blicking light could be seen in amongst the circuitry and wires indicating the camera was active. Slade wasn't an idiot however. He had been holding his gloved finger over the camera as he worked and with the second pad in Robin's back pocket. There was no way Deadshot could see through the pads if he had been looking.
"I'm sensing a but about now."
"Correct. While he can't hear or see the two of us, he can still track us through these pads. Deadshot's ricochet pads measure the distance between itself and the partnering eye scope helping to wearer calculate distances between targets."
"So he knows how far away we are but not where we are." Thinking back to when he had encountered Slade in the sewer he was about it leave with the pad in his pocket. Deadshot would have known exactly where he was going to make a break for it. 'And Slade knew it. He- He saved my life...' Robin couldn't believe it.
While Robin pondered on his discovery, Slade was connecting his own circuitry to Deadshot's ricochet pad. Multiple wires and cords where removed, rewired or replaced. "To put it simply Robin yes. He most likely knew you where hiding below the surface. Now, I'd like to bring your attention to this." Inserting the last wire into the now mangled mess of what was Deadshot's pad, a new camera view had taken the museum feeds place. This view was odd. It was no security camera view. This camera was overlooking the bay where Titan's tower stood in the distance. The camera was aiming directly at the man hole Robin was planning on leaving earlier. That could only mean one thing.
"You hacked into Deadshot's eye scope."
Robin took in the details of the screen. Deadshot's scope was keeping track of any detail a marksman would need. Distance. Slope. Wind. Ammo. It was all there. 'All Deadshot needs to do is take all the numbers into consideration and he could calibrate his rifle for almost any shot. Cyborg would love all this.'
"Yes. There's no way you can simply avoid Deadshot forever. So I, am going to be your God's eye so to speak." Holding out his hand to Robin, in his palm Slade held an ear piece. "I presume you remember how to use my ear piece since the last time we worked together."
"Like I had a choice Slade."
"True. I'll direct you on where Deadshot is aiming his rifle when you make a break for it back to your tower."
"It's one thing knowing where he's aiming. It's a another avoiding them. How you expect me to dodge his shots?"
"That's not my problem Robin. I can only help you so much you know."
"My life is really in your hands isn't it."
"You trust me. Don't you Robin?"
Turning heel Robin made his way back to the entrance to Slade's hide out. "Slade?"
Slade didn't bother turning around to face Robin, he knew what he was going to say anyway.
"This changes nothing. Once we catch Deadshot. I'm coming back for you. I won't stop until you're locked behind bars. I swear it."
Slade listened as the clicking of Robin's boots made their way out the door until he could hear nothing but his own breath through his mask. "I wouldn't have it any other way Robin."
As Robin left the door shut behind him effectively locking him out. 'I guess here is as good a place as any.' Looking down at an old rusty can, discreetly Robin drop his tracker onto the sewer floor kicking his tracer into the can making sure it's well hid. 'Rest assured Slade. You won't win. Not this time.'
Robin took one last look at the can before walking in the opposite direction from where he had followed Slade. While Robin now had a chance of escaping Deadshot. He still needed to get inside of the transport tunnel. 'I'll need Cyborg's help to open the door.' He thought to himself while he walked down the sewers.
Unhooking his communicater from his belt, Robin dialled in Cyborg's number.
*RING*
*RING*
RI-* Robin's communicator screen portrayed the dark skinned hero. He was clearly worried. Robin couldn't blame him. "Yo Rob. Where are you? Are you alright?"
"I'm fine Cyborg. I had to make a change of plans. I need your help to open the transport tunnel door."
"Arghhh yea sure thing? But why can't you do it?"
"I'm not going to have the time for that. The only way of making it back to the tower is to make a run for it. Deadshot has my exit covered."
"Robin slow down a second. There's got to be a better way. Star and I can find him and take him down."
"Sorry Cyborg. But there's no way of pin pointing where he could be set up. He's likely to be camped out in a vacant apartment. Without Raven to help locate him there's no way we can find him. This is the only way."
Knowing he was defeated Cyborg sighed sadly. "Alright. I'll do whatever it is you need."
"Thank you Cyborg. Make your way down to the end of the tunnel. I'll let you know when it's time."
"I'm on it. Be safe Robin."
"I will." The two friends disconnected from each other both making their way to where they need to be.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
The streets of the bay were peaceful. The calm waves gently crashing against the damp sand. The sea birds were asleep in their little homes inside the rocks of the observatory.
'This place is in for a rude awakening.' Deadshot thought to himself as he kept his eyes fixed on the man hole he had set up shop above.
Deadshot was a tad confused. According to his scope, Robin was right under the manhole about to climb up out of the sewers. Why didn't he? He couldn't have known he was there. Hell he was lucky he followed Robin as well as he did to figure out where he was hiding. If Robin wanted to get back to his little tower he'll need to make his way above ground.
Deadshot had been through scenarios like this before. He's had to waited over multiple days for his targets to show. Each similar in terms of discomfort. None of that helped change how boring just waiting for his target to show up would be.
Tapping his ear piece, Deadshot opened the channel between his and Selina's radio link. "Selina. I'm guarding Titan's tower waiting for the kid to show. He's underground in the sewers by the bay. Where are you?"
"Selina do you copy?"
"Selina?!?"
Angrily the marksman disabled the link between the two. 'You can't rely on anyone nowadays.' Tapping a button on the side of his eye scope Deadshot toggled through till he found what he was after. The camera in Robin's back pocket.
'Looks like the party is about to start anyway.' Reading the distance of the pad Robin was only a couple of hundred metres from where Deadshot was hidden. Right under the manhole cover. 'And here comes the guest of honour. Smile for the camera Birdie.'
Moments later the top of the entrance leading down into the sewer appeared to practically explode in a giant ball of thick black smoke. An entire basketball field size cloud hung over the entrance to the sewers.
Sprinting out of the smoke was Robin. Like a bat out of hell he was bolting toward Titan's tower with what Deadshot thought was the manhole cover that he had been focused on earlier. The marksman rolled his eyes not caring he wore a smug look on his face as he took aim. 'Good night Robin.'
With Robin's head in his cross hairs Deadshot pulled the trigger sending a bullet sailing towards his head with a loud boom certainly waking any nearby residents. At the last moment Robin pulled the manhole cover shielding him from Deadshot's shot. It hurt Robin's hands like hell. But it was far better than the alternative. The boy wonder groaned as he ran. Lowering his shield he took of sprinting again. He had a lot of ground he still needed to cover if he was wanting to make it too the tunnel. He couldn't stop now.
"What the hell?!" In a mild state of shock Deadshot cocked another bullet. Forgetting about his first shot as best he could the marksman lined up a second, again aimed at the boy's head. Pulling the trigger a second time, another bullet was sent flying toward Robin's head only to have the same result as his first shot repeat itself.
Deflecting the bullet away from his head Robin continued to run. It was working. With Slade's directions Robin was able to put a stop to Deadshot's sniper.
"Low. Your shins." With barely anytime to react Robin lowered his shield down covering his legs blocking yet another bullet.
"Mid section." *Bang* *Block*"Head." *Bang* *Block*"Head again." *Bang* *Block*"Your shins." *Bang* *Block.*
"HOW IN GOD'S NAME DOES THIS LITTLE SHIT KNOW?!" Deadshot was livid. Screw being patient. This brat has had him running around all night. He will not let him get away. Robin was almost at the transport tunnel trying his best to cover his backside.
Loading another bullet Deadshot lined up a shot with the back of the boy's head. Pulling the trigger Deadshot watch as the boy pulled up his shield at the last moment.
"Robin now's your chance, he's empty. Run." 'What does it look like I've been doing?' Ditching his bullet ridden shield Robin ran as fast as he had ever ran in all his life. Ignoring the pain, the exhaustion. One last push. "CYBORG NOW!" The large doors of the tunnel slowly assessed into the roof with a concerned Cyborg stood behind them.
"ROBIN COME ON MAN YOU CAN MAKE IT!"
'You're the best Cyborg.' If he didn't have a second wind before he certainly did now. He was not dying like this. Not infront of one if the best friends he had ever had the pleasure of knowing. "NOW CLOSE IT!"
"ROB YOU WON'T MAKE IT!"
"JUST DO IT!"
Cyborg didn't have a choice. Leaving the door open too long and Deadshot would have time for another shot. Reversing the door he could only watch as his friend litterally ran for his life.
'NO! Not like this!' Deadshot needed to be fast. He didn't even have enough time to switch out his empty magazine for a fresh one. Pulling a raw bullet from the side of his shoulder pad he loaded the single bullet and cocked it. "DIE!"
Robin was mere meters from the door which was also a mere meter off the ground. Robin dove for the gap in the door tumbling under the door. To his horror, Deadshot's final bullet pierced the door practically millimetres above his head right before the door shut behind him with a hiss. He was safe. He did it. And he only had a few minor scratches to his name.
"Well done Robin. We'll be in touch." The boy wonder laid with his back to the pavement. His body was on fire. He stared up at the ceiling panting and gasping for air. Right now Slade could wait. He needed his lungs more than Slade at the moment.
"Robin!" Cyborg ran to his leaders side kneeling beside him. "Are you okay? Are you hurt?"
"No Cyborg- *Quick inhale* -I'm fine- *Quick exhale.* -I just need to- *Inhale* -lie down for a bit- *Exhale*."
"I don't blame you man. You'd have given Más and Menos a run for their money with that."
Pant* "The last thing I need right now *Pant* is more running..." *Pant*
So after a month I've finally finished Chapter 8. This is by far the longest thing I've ever written. I'd like chapter's to be this long from now on but I'll need to find the time too write them this long in under three weeks max because waiting over a month is far too rich in my opinion.
I'm really looking forward to hearing your reviews on this chapter. On past chapters I've received about 1 per chapter so I'd like to see 3 for this one. Even if it's 1 line.
