The Inquisitor

Chapter 29

Gorilla Warfare

A/N: just to prevent any misunderstandings the events in "Targets" have already occurred, off-screen actually. I just didn't have an opportunity to put in somewhere that the events had occurred without it coming completely out of nowhere. Luthor and Dante may eventually meet but I want it to be under different circumstances.

Also I think it should be safe to say that I'm going to go full AU very soon…I really have a bad habit of stating the blatantly obvious don't I?

.


-Arkham Asylum, Quincy Sharp's office-


.

A few minutes after his last session with Miss Isley, Birch had been called into Warden Sharp's office. For what reason, Birch had no real idea but something told him that it wasn't something that he was going to enjoy. Ever since his appointment at the asylum, Birch had been given a rather poor first impression of the warden when he had been ordered to take on Isley as his patient. There had been no warning for his change of assigned patient, and even less time to properly review her files and come up with a proper therapy plan.

To put it bluntly, it had been an absolute god given miracle that Birch had managed to pull off.

After a few days Birch had thought that maybe, just maybe Sharp had simply given a poor first impression and that perhaps he would surprise him. It only took less than a week for Birch to be completely and utterly proven that the first impression was spot on. Throughout the course of Birch's time at Arkham, Sharp had proven time and again that he was far more interested in profiting politically from curing the patients than he was in actually treating them, or failing that at least keeping them from escaping over and over.

Sharp had made multiple, extremely thinly veiled comments that gave the implication that he wanted some of the more…difficult patients cured so that he could use them as a means to start a political campaign. Birch didn't know what it said about him that he no longer felt nauseated by someone attempting to use the medical treatment of people to further their own political agenda. It was likely though that he was simply becoming more hardened by the rather poor management of this facility.

The doctor soon found himself in front of the door to Quincy Sharp's office. Doctor Birch knocked three times on the door before he heard the Warden say "Come in."

Feeling as though he was going to regret this, Birch reluctantly entered the office of Quincy Sharp. Just like the last time he had entered several weeks ago, the Warden sat behind his desk, his pudgy hands steepled in front of him. The only noticeable difference was that the man had a rather uncharacteristic smile on his face that was disconcerting, to say the least.

"Ah, Doctor Birch, it is good to see you. Please have a seat." Sharp gestured to the chair that was just across from his desk, indicating that he wanted Birch to take a seat. The psychiatrist did as he was told and took his seat. Sharpe looked at him from behind his steepled fingers for a moment or two before he spoke.

"I understand that Miss Isley has started showing quite a bit of progress as of late." It seemed as though the warden simply wanted to state the obvious.

"Yes sir, she has," Birch stated cautiously all the while wondering where Warden Sharp was going with this. "Improvement enough that she might be released during her next review?" Sharpe asked.

At that point Birch had to hold back form demanding to know whether or not Sharp was insane. Isley was not ready to be released. She may not have been a danger to others at this point but she was still in an emotionally and psychologically fragile position, if she was pushed too far at this point in time then it could severely damage her psyche. While it was clear that she was in no present danger of a backslide into her old ways it could cause her to become fully suicidal be it either through normal means or through putting herself in a position where a police officer may need to use lethal force on her.

"Sir, I have to completely disagree with you on that one, right now her position is precarious, if we push too hard too quickly we could risk irreparable damage to her psyche. I strongly recommend that we continue therapy as it is. In addition I also think that given recent revelations, we should keep her on suicide watch for the time being as she is showing signs of severe guilt and depression. I would strongly recommend that after three to six months, if her condition improves further, then we transfer her to the medium security wing for a few more months until her next review."

Sharp clearly didn't like any of what Doctor Birch had just said and made it very clear in his next statement "You are suggesting that we simply ignore the fact that one of our more troublesome patients has finally, after several years of being in and out of our facility mind you, shown actual recovery."

At that Birch began to massage his temples, desperate to ward off a headache and did his best to not remind Sharp that Isley hadn't been "in and out" of their facility per-se, it was more that she –along with most of the other super-criminals incarcerated there- simply continued to escape over and over again.

Instead Birch simply stated "Sir what I am suggesting is that we tread carefully around her. In short, she's no longer a danger to others but she can definitely still be a threat to herself if we're not careful. I need more time and I promise that she will be fully rehabilitated."

Sharp didn't look even slightly convinced judging by the look on his face. However the warden of Arkham Asylum soon let out a bated breath and gave an unexpected answer "Very well."

That wasn't what Birch had been expecting. At. All. In fact the psychiatrist had been all but certain that Sharp was more than prepared to argue the point over and over with him and then some. However it appeared that wouldn't be necessary as Sharp seemingly just acquiesced to his plan. Of course he knew that this would likely come with some kind of strings attached to it.

Sure enough, Birch was proven correct when the warden opened his mouth less than a second later "However, I will need something from you." Well that figured.

"There is a fundraiser for the Asylum in a little over a week, I want you to attend as one of the guests. It's a high society event, and Senator Evan Gregory, one of our biggest donors will be in attendance so I suggest you dress well."

So that's what it was, he wanted to use Birch's success in treating Miss Isley to make the attempt to gain more funding, or just show him off as a great doctor to show that Arkham Asylum was doing something right for once. Not only that but Birch would have to be at one of those damned parties where the upper classes would just walk around and flaunt their wealth and egos. Under most circumstances he would protest at being used as a damned advertisement for someone's political games but given the situation he was forced to relent.

He would have to find a decent suit to wear and maybe find out the strength of the alcohol they were serving. There was no way he was going to be able to get through a night listening to some ham-fisted bluebloods dribble on and on without some liquid courage. If not he would probably end up becoming an inmate at Arkham before it was all over.

.


-Mt. Justice, Main Atrium-


.

The Inquisitor knew that he was in for another pointless and quite possibly overdramatic debate from the Justice League the very millisecond that he saw Batman approaching him with Captain Marvel in tow. Batman had the same stoic look about him while Captain Marvel's face seemed to be off. It was as though he was trying to look friendly but at the same time he clearly wasn't happy to see the Inquisitor.

For the Inquisitor the feeling was more than mutual. He had more than ample reason to despise the gibbering man-child. Not only did the damned fool receive his powers from what was obviously a heretical source but he clearly had the maturity and mental capacity of an infant! Every single time that the Inquisitor spoke to the Emperor damned fool, it was like he was arguing with a mentally stunted child who had been sheltered their entire life and had never been exposed to the reality of the world. For someone with supposed wisdom, Captain Marvel certainly lacked anything remotely resembling such a trait.

Strangely enough though, Captain Marvel was not someone that the Inquisitor had expected to arrive at the Cave at any point in time. Unfortunately though, Dante had more than just one idea as to why the fool was even doing there and none of them were good. If any of them were true (though knowing his lack of good fortune, all of them were) then it would only prove to be an extremely irritating detriment towards training the sidekicks and any future missions they went on.

The Inquisitor marched up to Batman and gave a semi-polite nod before skipping any unnecessary pleasantries and getting straight to the heart of the matter "Batman, this isn't a scheduled inspection, and you don't normally bring another Justice League member when giving the Team a mission. I request to know exactly what is going on."

Batman cocked an eyebrow from behind his mask while Captain Marvel had a strange expression on his face. It looked as though it was a combination of frustration with a hint of anxiety. "Due to some, unique circumstances, Red Tornado is unable to continue to act as the Cave's Caretaker. So for the time being, Captain Marvel has volunteered to step in."

For several seconds the Inquisitor looked from Captain Marvel and then to Batman, searching for some sign that the former had put the latter up to this pathetic attempt at a prank. When he didn't detect anything in either of their facial features Dante simply looked Batman dead in the eye and decided to simply confront the matter in a way that was without any hint of the subtlety expected of an Inquisitor "First: what exactly do you mean by, 'unique circumstances'? Second: Is this some sort of pathetic attempt at a joke? Because if it is, there is nothing remotely humorous about it."

Captain Marvel, true to his immature nature looked angered by the implication of the Inquisitor's words. In fact he looked as though he was about to burst a blood vessel or two if the veins pulsating up against his skin were any indication. Perhaps it would prove amusing if that were to happen. Batman however simply shook his head in response "Unique, circumstances as in; it is currently something the League can't tell you about. Second, Captain Marvel volunteered and at the current time we can't spare anyone else. While I don't expect you to like it, I expect you to remain professional."

Ugh. Well at least he wasn't going on missions with-

"I'll also be joining you on missions," the man-child declared.

Why?! By the God Emperor's Golden Throne Why?!

Immediately Dante noticed that the caped crusader was massaging his temples because of the headache that was heading his way. Apparently he had known that this would be a problem and more than likely planned on delivering the news himself in a more, controlled fashion. Behind his helm the Inquisitor glared daggers at Batman to the point that if looks could kill, Batman would have been dead several times over.

"Batman, you have forced me to put up with many indignities since my arrival, but this is over the line. I will not have this man-child anywhere near the missions we undertake, nor will I have him anywhere near a position of authority on the Team. He does not understand the meaning of stealth, subtlety or subterfuge and seems only capable of punching problems until they surrender."

The man-child seemed even more frustrated "Hey I can be subtle!" He insisted crossing his arms petulantly. The Inquisitor spared an appraising glance at the gaudy outfit Captain Marvel was wearing and knew that there was no way in hell it would ever blend in anywhere. The idea of that imbecile being even remotely subtle was as likely as Eye of Terror collapsing in on itself.

The Inquisitor looked directly Batman, and he could tell that the Inquisitor was demanding to know what form of madness had afflicted the Caped Crusader.

Batman knew that this was coming and he really, really, really didn't want to have to deal with this at the moment. He had a lot of problems already and he didn't want to get dragged into something so pointless and petty. Just a few days ago, Catwoman regained consciousness after being attacked. By that point however, Batman had already worked out what she was doing even before she attempted to tell him everything. She was working with Shifter, but also working against him at the same time. Selina would use him for all he was worth in order to gain access to funds to help the girl she considered a younger sister and then tell everything she knew of him to the Justice League.

It made a lot of sense as Selina was the type who would play both sides. Still though this was something that really hurt the Caped Crusader. Knowingly or not Selina had aided the person who had abducted and tortured his protégé and his friends. Sure she had every intention of giving him up to the League and she could have been doing it to help someone else but she still aided a monster in torturing the boy he thought of as a son, even if inadvertently.

But right now wasn't the time for such thoughts instead Batman focused on the present and decided to stop this before things got out of hand. "Inquisitor, Captain Marvel will not be in a leadership capacity should he accompany you on missions. In fact he will be under your command whenever there is one, provided you don't give an order that goes against the League's policies."

'Well that's one disaster partially averted at least,' thought Dante as he turned to the man-child and highly doubted that the idiot would ever follow an order that he didn't like. Still, he may as well use this for all it was worth during missions, and if the man-child was to somehow meet an unfortunate end during said mission, well that would simply be a horribly coincidental tragedy now wouldn't it?

Unfortunately if such a completely coincidental and truly tragic event were to occur it would have to be done in a very specific circumstances, and certainly not just after the man-child had been assigned to the team. Despite his method of dealing with his enemies and appearance, Batman wasn't a complete idiot. Dante would probably have to wait while at least.

Of course Captain Marvel being who he was, he would most likely end up dead sooner or later due to his own stupidity. The only reason that he was still around was likely because of either his heretical powers or because the League kept him alive during battle.

Breaking himself out of those thoughts the Inquisitor turned his attention back to the Caped Crusader "I take it that there is also something else that you wished to speak to us about." Batman wouldn't have shown up himself over something so trivial so there must be more important matters to attend to.

"That's correct. Have the team meet in the main atrium."

With that having been said Batman and the man-child left, leaving the Inquisitor to gather his subordinates. Immediately Dante activated the communicator that members of the team were now to carry with them at all-times and spoke "Attention, all training exercises have been postponed for the day, everyone is to report to the main atrium immediately."

.


.

It took almost fifteen for the other members of the Team to get from the training grounds to the main area. Given the fact that they were all sweating and trying to catch their breaths when they arrived it was likely that they were still in the midst of drills when they were called. They would likely have to clean up somewhat before they went on their next mission. At the front of the group was the Inquisitor who was waiting for batman to begin the briefing.

Fortunately the Caped Crusader wasted no time and immediately brought up an image of four dead individuals in a South African jungle. Two of the men were riddled with dozens of bullets, and judging by the size and severity of the wounds it was likely that they were 7.62mm rounds. Given the number of wounds and their severity it was likely that these men were shot at very close and not only that but it would have to be a weapon with a very large ammo capacity.

The damage done to the other two bodies were clearly done from close quarters fighting. There were crushed limbs some of which had been completely ripped off the body if the damage was correct. This told the Inquisitor that whatever was responsible for this was extraordinarily strong. Most likely it was a mutant of some kind albeit one with enough strength to both handle a heavy weapon and enough intelligence to use it as something other than a cudgel.

"Over the last few days there have been several attacks on tourists, poachers and those on safari. The few survivors tell stories of an oversized gorilla that was wielding a machinegun." Well, that certainly hadn't been what Dante had expected. If it wasn't Batman speaking with an entirely straight face, Dante would have thought that the man was making a very poor attempt at humor.

Apparently though Kid Flash thought otherwise and asked "This is a joke right? Batman's sending us on a wild monkey chase?" utterly incredulous at the claim.

At that Robin looked over at his friend and said "This is Batman. What do you think?"

Dante decided to nip this at the bud and simply glanced in their direction and simply said "Focus."

To their credit the sidekicks immediately stopped making japes and paid more attention to the briefing. Aqualad looked at the Caped Crusader and asked "Is it possible that these individuals have simply made a misidentification. Civilians during times of panic can make mistakes."

"True but these accounts are all consistent with one another. There is something out there targeting people in South Africa and the Justice League can't investigate due to newly arisen problems in our respective cities. Therefore it is up to you to make an investigation into the matter and if necessary stop it."

"Have the local law enforcement elements attempted to launch their own investigation?" asked Dante while leaving a more scathing 'or did they decide to not do their jobs and wait for the League?' unsaid.

"As a matter of fact the local authorities attempted to hunt this creature down multiple times. They either came up empty or they fell victim to it. Now they've pulled back and have cordoned off the area until they can figure out a way to deal with this."

That was very important as it suggested that this mutant had not only basic instinct but quite possibly human level intellect. This creature was not only able to ambush small groups of civilians (an exceedingly easy task that anyone with an iota of intelligence could pull off) but also trained law enforcement, which was an altogether different beast. Unlike civilians and 'heroes' these were individuals that were actually trained to kill if necessary. Granted Dante had seen what how most of the police forces of the Terra trained and while it wasn't much in the way of training, especially when compared to the Adeptus Arbites but it was still far better than simple civilians. All in all he'd place them at a decently trained militia at worst.

The Inquisitor would need to be cautious for this one. Every single step they take into the jungle could lead into a potential ambush. He would need to ensure that the sidekicks tread lightly on this mission. While the Inquisitor would begrudgingly admit that they were starting to improve, they still showed signs of the same recklessness that they had when the Team was first formed. If this mission was to be a success, then the Inquisitor would truly have to stress the need for subtlety during their investigation.

Eventually Batman came to the primary objectives of the mission "You are to investigate the attacks and should it become necessary, apprehend those responsible." A relatively simple mission in theory, but in Dante's experience, there was no such thing as a simple mission.

Then came the most annoying part of the briefing, one that Dante had been dreading since it began. "In addition, Captain Marvel has volunteered to join the mission."

The reactions were similar to the Inquisitor's but it was clear that it wasn't for the same reasons. Some of the sidekicks began to whisper to one another about how the League "still didn't trust them on their own." The Inquisitor knew that was a distinct possibility but it was just as likely that they didn't want him to be teaching them more efficient methods of doing their jobs. Especially if said methods trampled over their delicate morals.

With that having been done Batman dismissed the Team and had them start preparing for mission.

The Inquisitor already knew exactly what would be required of them, they would primarily require reconnaissance and possibly infiltration equipment. And given the equipment that they had already started to gather, they knew it too. As they did, the group began to talk idly amongst themselves.

"Do they really think we need a babysitter on this? I mean sure we've had some…problems recently but we're good now," said Kid Flash.

It seemed as though the sentiment was shared, especially by a certain green clad archer "I know right? You'd think that after we managed to survive in a warzone they would have more confidence in our ability to make it through one mission on our own."

Other similar grumblings were heard throughout the rest of the Team, most of them were complaints directed at the man-child and how he was clearly sent to babysit them. In the Imperial Guard such dissension within the ranks would have been severely punished by the regimental commissar but in this case, Dante figured that it might actually be in his best interest if there was more of a rift between the Team and their mentors. After all a weakened Justice League was only beneficial to humanity in the long run when they finally turned on it.

Dante noticed that they were also grabbing equipment that was meant for actual reconnaissance, more specifically the uniforms that were designed to shift their coloring to blend into any background. They really were not all that too dissimilar to the Cameleoline weave in his Camo Cloak. Of course it didn't shift to different environments nearly as quickly as the camo cloak did, nor did it hide heat signatures (I don't know if that's canon in WH40k but please just go with it).

The Inquisitor also had a small tinge of satisfaction when he noticed that the members of the Team that relied almost exclusively on their powers were grabbing things that they normally wouldn't even consider touching. Night vision goggles, stun batons, grapple guns, flashbang grenades. It seemed as though their time in the Qurac/Bialyan border region had convinced them that they couldn't solely rely on their powers and expect everything to go their way.

To tell the truth it was more than surprising that they were actually starting to learn from their mistakes given what they had done previously but at least now they were showing that they actually were capable of it, albeit under extreme circumstances. Still best not to question it for the time being. While they were showing some preparedness it was still clear that he would need to work on their discipline more. Perhaps some of the methods that he had gleaned from listening to the Imperial Stormtroopers talk about their drill abbots might help.

In any event, the Team soon finished gathering what equipment they felt they might need for the mission and began to make their way to the Martian Bioship. Ordinarily they would have simply taken a Zeta Tube but apparently this location in particular didn't really have outlets available for them to use.

The Inquisitor barely managed to repress a feeling of revulsion. While he had been in the damned thing several times it was still far from ideal. He would take any Imperial transport any day over that abomination of nature. In fact if circumstances were different he would have preferred to simply walk to their destination if it meant avoiding using that aberration of a ship.

Standing nearby the ship however was something even more irritating. More specifically a certain idiot in an even more ridiculous outfit with a stupid grin on his face. While it was clear that the idiot was eager to at the very least be among the sidekicks but the feeling was obviously not mutual if their expressions were anything to go by.

'Emperor grant me the mental fortitude to survive this madness,' thought Dante as he made his way over to the machine and into the bioship with the other sidekicks following close behind him.


end preview