Chapter 12

The Hunt

For Rubicon

Disclaimer: Originally I was going to ignore this stupid ass plot point from the show but then I thought about it and felt that maybe it could serve a purpose for this fic. Apologies for the delay in getting this out, got somewhat sidetracked by GTA 5 after I decided to re-play it again. I can also say I am honestly not that excited about the Flashpoint story being used for the next season of Flash. But hopefully it doesn't end up screwing up everything that's already happened. And as always, I own nothing but what you see here! I've also barely read any of the DC comics so I really have no clue about how messy a Crises can get. And I'm glad to see folks enjoying the little revelation involving Felicity. Had that planned since the beginning!


May 4th, 2016 Wednesday, Somewhere in Vermont

After the death of his wife Ruve, Darhk had put considerable effort into tracking down a program known as 'Rubicon'. A program that would allow for him to take control of the world's nukes. Something that would finalize Project: Genesis and allow for a new and better world to be made in the ashes of the old. A new world that his daughter and others could live and grow in without the degradations of society and the like. Drone 4 had also certainly proven to a valuable resource as the Drone continued to stay by his daughter's side much to his and Miss Larvan's high approval. Larvan's new body had gained in strength over the days as time passed and she now had the ability to produce eight Drones a day and quite a few of them had already been put into use by causing chaos in Star City. Leaving for quite the workout to be had for those fighting against them when they were especially used in tandem with the Ghosts as war was waged on the streets of the city. The man was also doing his damnedest to try and find where that bastard Oliver Queen was situated at in the city so he could send a few soldiers there to break in and steal back the remains of the idol and repair it after already having had completely destroyed their little Loft.

And perhaps kill anyone who was there as well. Unfortunately there had been no luck in that area much to his annoyance and he was doing his level best to also keep his rising ire in check around the HIVE Council as they began to question him more and more about the potential success of their plans for the world. Thanks to his Ghosts and two of the Drones that were unfortunately lost, the ARGUS base that had been situated a few miles outside of Star City had been eradicated entirely in addition to several other ARGUS bases in other states as part of a two fold plan to cut off support for Star City from ARGUS and also to find 'Rubicon'. Something that was rumored to be in close contact with Amanda Waller, the head of ARGUS and a stone cold fox. Which was the reason he himself had personally come all the way out to Vermont alongside Thanatos and a Meta-Human crook named Gherkin who could create gateways to allow for long distance transportation. Something that had proven to be quite handy on several occasions! Gherkin had been around long before the STAR Labs Particle Accelerator had exploded and caused many in Central City to become Meta-Humans over night.

Darhk had actually met the man back in the late eighties by complete accident due to a mishap with his gateway ability that had the crook meeting the long lived man after hauling ass from a bank robbery that proven to be more difficult then it had been worth and after some reassurances and the like was made, Gherkin soon became an employee of Darhk's. An arrangement that continued on to this day and when the time came for Project: Genesis to begin, he would be instrumental in helping anyone who wished to live a better life reach their little Haven. And perhaps even using his ability to make the nukes hit even faster if Darhk felt so inclined. Darhk had chosen to bring the man along with him for this trip to make extraction a much shorter task once they had 'Rubicon' in their possession. The ARGUS base was a small one but it was by no means light on its staff as Thanatos and Gherkin were currently learning while he was in the jeep a good distance away! "Hmm… Perhaps I should have brought a few Ghosts with us." Mused the man thoughtfully as he heard the mass amounts of gunfire from where he sat.

Then he chuckled. "Nah! I'm more then sure those two have this handled perfectly. Plus... I'm sure they could use the exercise."

Exercise however was the absolute last thing on either Gherkin or Thanatos' minds. Though the blue clad armor wearing figure was somewhat considering just shooting his temporary partner in the head to save himself the hassle of hearing the fifty something year old man gripe about things. "I'm tellin' ya I got a bad feelin' about this job." Remarked the Meta as they burst through the doors after shooting their way to them and quickly found places to hide as more security came their way.

"You waste your time relying on 'bad feelings' old man." Replied Thanatos emotionlessly after shooting several guards in their heads and instantly downing them.

Gherkin merely harrumphed over that. "I don't waste my time on a damn thing punk. My gut feelin' has never let me down in the past and you'd do well to develop one of your own before your ass ends up dead."

"Noted."

"SURRENDER NOW OR BE SHOT DOWN!" Came the bellow from one of the soldiers.

Which he certainly wouldn't be the first to say something like that either! "I think not soldier." Responded Thanatos as he chucked a grenade at the man and his fellow soldiers.

Unfortnuately for them, unlike their two unwanted guests, they had no quick access to any areas they could shield themselves from the blast and soon were sprawled all over the place. And in some cases quite literally after their bodies had been blown apart by the blast of the grenade! Thanatos then started walking forward with Gherkin following forward and somewhat regretting the fact he hadn't bothered to stay in better shape the past few years. As they made their way to where they believed Waller would be located at, the two would be forced to defend themselves on more than one occasion and Thanatos would even be mildly surprised by the fact that none of the members of the so called 'Suicide Squad' had shown up yet to fight them off. Perhaps those assets are being used elsewhere for the time being… Pity, it would be a fantastic challenge to go up against one of them.

Though he had no doubt he would end up being the victor due to his considerable amount of training courtesy of the best trainers HIVE had to offer their people. Eventually, the two found themselves at a closed room on the lowest level of the base and Thanatos was the first to test the waters and once he found there to be nothing that would be detrimental to the two of them, they entered. Only to find a desk and a chair with its back facing against them. "I've been expecting you." Came a female voice.

One that had the man once known as Tommy Merlyn frowning behind his mask as something about the voice felt off to him. "I give you options to consider Agent Waller. One is to hand over the 'Rubicon' program and you'll be allowed to live. Two will be for us to forcibly take you back with us and the treatment will not be a kind one. Or three, we simply kill you now and that way we don't have to expend energy dealing with you. But either way, HIVE will have control of 'Rubicon' before this day is done."

"I'm afraid none of those options are ones I can see myself willingly abiding by."

"Look lady, just turn your ass around now and stop screwin' around!" Demanded the balding grey haired Gherkin impatiently.

The chair swivled around, allowing for the two men to get a good look at their intended target. "The Hell is this!?" Demanded Gherkin before Thanatos could do so!

A smirk came from the short haired African American woman wearing nothing but a tan dress suit. "My apologies gentlemen, but I'm afraid Agent Waller had more important matters to attend to today."

Thanatos stepped forwards with his automatic rifle pointed at her and was a tiny bit impressed when the woman didn't even so much as flinch over the action. "Tell Waller to get here immediately or you will either face death here and now or later on after we've sufficiently tortured you for any information you have."

"Hmm… I could do that Mr. Merlyn, and yes we are quite aware of who you are considering events in Star City. Or I could simply not do that as I find both ideas to be highly unfavorable." She then brought out a small little cd and kept it within her fingers.

"This cd contains the 'Rubicon' program your HIVE masters want so badly. This on the other hand?" The woman then brought out a fat looking object with a button on it.

One that had Gherkin's eyes widen considerably while Thanatos did nothing. "This contains your death."

And with the press of a button thanks to her thumb, she smiled in grim satisfaction. "Aww s**t! Kid, get in this thing now!" Swore the Meta-Human loudly as he formed a portal to the outside world.

KABOOM!

"WHOA! And I didn't even think to bring anything to make S'mores with!" Exclaimed Darhk from his seat in the jeep.

An orange colored portal appeared and spat out a smoking and singed Thanatos, causing for the much older man to quickly get out of the jeep and came to his soldier but making sure to avoid the flames coming out until the portal closed seconds later. Extending a hand, the coughing Thanatos took it gratefully and was helped up, only to see the expectant look from his boss. "Well? Where is Gherkin and the objectives?"

"Dead sir. The target was a ruse with a detonator in hand. As of now, 'Rubicon' is no longer accessible."

For a moment, Thanatos was damned sure he was about to meet a second death here and now as he watched on silence after informing his boss that he had ultimately failed. What followed would be something considered a bit uncharacteristic as Damien Darhk began to rage and curse over the fact a man he honestly considered to be a friend was now dead and that that bitch Waller had tricked him. A damned trick that cost a good man his life in addition to the loss of 'Rubicon'. After expelling his rage on the surrounding area that unfortunately included their transportation, Darhk looked directly at Thanatos and the man had to resist the urge to take a step back due to the slight fear he was feeling after seeing his boss' rage right in front of him. Fear he shouldn't be feeling all things considered but here he was feeling it nonetheless! "Amanda Waller is a thorn that needs to be removed and resources will be used to ensure it happens." Threatened the man angrily as he turned away from his soldier to stare at the flaming ARGUS base.

The loss of 'Rubicon' meant they would have to also use other means to ensure their new world but he doubted there would be little issue in getting it to happen. And if there was any strong opposition? Well… He could always take it out if need be. "Your will shall be done Master." Replied Thanatos emotionlessly.

"And this will not be a task I shall fail in either. Provided of course you allow me to… Live."

Darhk just chuckled after hearing that. "Killing you would be a waste of resources and as well as the time put into you." Though he did have to admit that the desire to end young Thomas' life did have some appeal however.

"Now, come on. Let's get out of here and find some viable transportation." Ordered the blonde haired man and the two began to walk away from the flaming sight behind them with one of them planning a wrath so great that even the Gods themselves would feel it when the time came!

He would not be stopped, not when he was so close to the final stages of 'Project: Genesis' and ensuring a long and happy life for his daughter and others who wanted to be part of a better world. Waller, Queen, his little Green Arrow groupies, and their precious little city would know his wrath and if need be, he would personally direct a little gift to the middle of the city that would show just what sort of power HIVE truly had. I think some torture for Miss Smoak sounds like an excellent idea. Thought the man darkly as he and his singed and somewhat torn up companion walked on.

Perhaps he could send a video to the Mayor's office showing the torture of the girl just to see if it would accomplish breaking Queen's mind for good as he struggled to figure out if what he was seeing was truly real or not. And my oh my how he wished he could be a fly on the wall for that moment!


Author's Notes: And so ends a stupid plot point that will most definitely NOT be seeing the light of day again in this story or in probably anything else I write. That's just too damn much power for even someone like Waller to be having her hands on. As for Gherkin and the un-named woman? Two completely made up characters by me and who knows… Perhaps they could be seen again elsewhere. Up Next: Daddy's back and he ain't happy! R and R!