Recommended Songs
[1] Folsom Prison Blues (Live) - Johnny Cash
Chapter 2 - Meet the New Team
While Waller could have just thrown the team immediately into the mission, from past experience, she knew that she had to introduce the members to each other before they could start. It would be best for them to let them know who they are working with rather than leaving them blind on what each member can do. [1]
At two different times, with DuBois and Harkness separately, Waller made sure to gather around the two new iterations of Task Force X.
"Each member of your team is chosen for his or her own completely unique set of abilities," she said to both men. "Looking through their skillset and their profile, they are definitely suited for the mission. So, while we will be sending you directions back at the communication hub, it would be up to you to decide how you want them to co-operate on your team."
DuBois isn't really always a social person. And the worst thing as a leader is that you need to try to get your team members focused on your mission without them screwing around. Especially those who can be rambunctious or dumb. He is praying that the teammates he is given would be veteran soldiers like he is or have something useful on the team. The last thing he wants is to sort any crazy team members out if he really wants to complete the mission.
He and Waller travelled through the top balcony of another prison room. DuBois never went there before other than to clean it up. They stopped by one of the inmates' bedrooms where one inmate is waiting just by the door, standing tall like a soldier.
A man with light skin and brown trimmed hair.
"This is Christopher Smith," explained Waller. "Known as Peacemaker."
Peacemaker? DuBois thought that Waller was kidding. What kind of criminal gives themselves THAT name?
"In his hands, anything is a deadly weapon. His father was a soldier who trained his son how to kill from the moment he was born."
Smith smirked as DuBois gave Waller a questionable look. Smith was told about who his leader is. And seeing that both of them have the same skills and abilities, this means competition. Also, DuBois looks a little too old to be on the mission.
"Are you having a laugh?" asked DuBois.
"What?" said Waller, raising an eyebrow. "No."
"You just said each member of the team is chosen for their unique abilities. He does exactly what I do!"
"But better," boasted Smith, raising a cheeky finger.
Waller turned to DuBois. "There will be other people who will have the same skills, but they have different methods when it comes to using weapons and attacks."
DuBois snorted as she led them downstairs.
"I always hit my targets dead center," grumbled DuBois.
"I hit them more in the center," insisted Smith.
"Well, you can't hit something more in the center-?"
"I use smaller bullets."
"What?"
"They go inside your bullet holes without even touching the sides," said Smith with a look of sass.
"It's too late now, but you could have just let him be the leader," commented DuBois.
"True," said Waller. "But no more complaining. You are on the team for a reason."
Smith nodded. She has a point, but he does kind of wish to be the leader of the team.
Once again, Boomerang knew that he shouldn't be too disappointed that he is stuck with new members. However, it gives him a chance to ridicule their minds a little. And a chance to show himself off for the mission. They might even know him as one of the oldest members of the team! He would have been interested in working with Bloodsport - he is like Deadshot - but beggars can't be choosers.
He is at first confused on why they are heading towards one of the doors that lead to the outside 'gym' room, but when Waller opens the door to reveal a lone inmate, he understands.
"This is Brian Durlin," said Waller. "Known as Savant. A self-proclaimed vigilante and computer hacker, known to have blackmailed and worked with every crime mob gang in Gotham. He's an expert in weapons and hand-to-hand combat."
Harkness observes the old man sitting on the bench, too busy bouncing a rubber ball to hear them. He looks really old, nearly muscular and has a set of scars that riddle the majority of his arms and face. Like the other criminals, Harkness knows the other criminals for being angry and hardened. Some of them act a bit too professional at times.
It looks like this Savant guy is quite sick of being in prison as much as he is. Seeing how this outside room is quite narrow and small, it feels like being in the worst prison cell ever. Surrounded by tall walls with barbed wires at the top to prevent them from escaping, stains and puddles all around to show its dirty condition and unable to spot anything outside these walls. Well, at least this area is used for shooting practice, evidential by the x-shaped stickers all around.
Durlin suddenly threw the rubber ball. It hit across three different targets; one on the front wall, one on his right and one at the back. He catches it without looking, a bored look on his face.
Harkness smirked a little, leaning in to whisper to Waller. "Isn't he too old for this? He might have a heart attack the second a gun is pointed at him."
Waller stares at him. "He is a veteran of wars and battles in the past. He's a skilled marksman, remember that."
When Harkness is about to protest, the answer lies right in front of him. A yellow canary flew down into the area, chirping around in the corner. It happily picked up what seemed to be a crumb, swallowing it down.
Burlin glared at it. A look of anger and distress appears over his face quietly. His face seems to tighten. The reason why he got into prison is because Black Canary got her in there. She kicked his ass and placed him in this hellhole. Seeing the bird entering the area blissfully reminded him that he can't escape from it. He is stuck.
Then, he remembered the rubber ball in his hand. He looked down at it. A dark orange color. Used several times by sweaty hands, but still looks new.
Who's to say he can't kill a man with anything?
Without even looking at where he is going to hit, Durlin throws the ball at the wall and watches it bounce around. Several walls this time. It hits all the targets and…
TWHACK! [1s]
It hit the yellow canary. In one strike, it crashed into its throat and broke its head when shoved against the wall. Its broken body left there to be dead, a small blood wound evident on its chest.
The ball bounced around before slowly rolling back to Durlin. He nonchalantly picks it up, seeing the blood on it. Oh well. He has been covered in blood before. He starts to wipe it off on his pants.
Harkness nods, impressed. But…
"He still looks out of shape," he said. "That is going to extend his prison sentence."
Waller rolled her eyes.
That is when Durlin took note of them.
"I got another fifteen," he said.
"No, you don't," said Waller. "You're up for today."
Durlin turned behind to see the woman who offered her a reduction in his prison sentence days ago. And right next to her is what must be one of his team members; an arrogant-looking one. Harkness chuckled as he gave Durlin a mocking wave as if saying 'g'day, mate'.
Durlin sighed. "Delightful."
"Next up is King Shark," explained Waller as she takes Smith and DuBois to the inside gym facility. [1]
There was no time for fighting since DuBois is still yet to know the other team members. But Smith is already on his nerves. It is a little annoying that Waller has hired another mercenary with the same abilities as he has. Is Waller really making a lot of reserves or does she want a rivalry going on?
Should have been fairer to at least have every one of them to have their own unique set of skills, but it would make sense that there might be another one to double the bark.
However, having someone who takes pride as being a Pissmaker - yeah, that is what DuBois is calling him for now - doesn't really help his commitment to the mission.
But the next member of the group as he and Smith enters the gym facility shocks the both of them.
A giant anthropomorphic shark in orange pants, reading a book. It is indeed one counting by the black bead eyes, the opened mouth with all those sharp teeth and its growls as it breathes.
"Holy s**t!" exclaimed Smith, nearly jumping back.
"What the f***?!" said DuBois.
How come this part of Belle Reve allowed a monstrosity to be here?
He could only stare at the shark, wondering what it would do if it noticed them. However, it doesn't seem to be paying attention to any of them and judging by the guards around him, it isn't really going to do anything. It is busy reading a book with a smile…well, reading the book upside down.
"His name is Nanaue, but the people call him King Shark," explained Waller, appearing interested about this member. "Some people claim that he is a descendant of an ancient shark god. Whatever the case, he's strong and deadly. Known to have been the muscle in numerous crime gangs before, but surprisingly, he often joins in whatever he thinks it's right."
"Does it talk?" asked DuBois.
Hearing his name, Nanaue lifts his head up. "Afro lady?"
Waller rolled her name at the nickname he likes to call her. "C'mon."
As she leads the three men to the next door, Nanaue stands up and follows them, waddling a little. He still has his book in his gigantic hands, still on the same two pages.
"Book read," said Nanaue.
Smith chuckled. The shark sounds like a grown man, but he sounds like a hulk. "Wow. The book is upside down." He turns to DuBois. "Do you see that? It's trying to pretend to read a book!"
"So smart me!" said Nanaue, acting like a child enjoying his homework. "Enjoy book so much!"
DuBois raised an eyebrow, still staring at this King Shark. He is now uncertain on the kind of mission he is going on. If this requires other metahumans, then he might need to be really prepared for it. And Nanaue seems harmless to him, but he might be a threat.
You never smile at a shark they say. But that is another line one of the retards say, so that doesn't count.
"Be a bit careful though," said Waller. "As he's developed a taste for human meat."
Yep. Never smile at a shark.
"Huh?" said DuBois. "Should we be concerned?"
"He will listen to you when you give him what he needs," said Waller. "From records, the staff informed us that he is like a child. He follows orders without questions. That is why he joined a lot of groups before in the past. He devours people, but he is easy to handle."
But DuBois knew that once Nanaue is out in the jungle, then he would be hard to control. However, he might as well have to see it himself.
"So, what do you want me to call you, mate?" said Harkness as he and Durlin followed Waller through the hallways.
"I rather not be called anything," grumbled Durlin. "But I'll do anything to get out of this hellhole."
Harkness snorted. "Well, welcome to anything, but be some help, bloke. We don't need to drag behind an old bludger if you suddenly have a stroke."
"Excuse me. You look like you might have a stroke due to how many cigarettes and beers you might have taken."
Harkness grinned. "Well, you're actually right about that one, but that doesn't harm my pretty face and size."
"Enough bickering," said Waller. "Up next are Blackguard and Javelin."
Upon entering the next room, Harkness finds two blonde men talking to each other. One of them appears to be well-built and has long blonde hair. Funny, his hair shouldn't be styled like that since they are in a prison with a lack of hair dryers. The other one is a man with bleached-blonde short-cropped hair who appears somewhat skinny with tattoos over his arms. That guy looks like he is a literal stick.
"So, you want to make sure that you are at the right position to fire," said the long-haired man.
"Yeah?" said the short-haired man. "I already know that."
"But you also want to do it at a good position. Like, making sure that your legs are spread out more nicely. You have your head peeking out to make sure that you aim at your right target. Let the wind blow in your hair to make you more fabulous."
"Ah…but wouldn't that mean giving yourself away, man?"
"Well, at least it gets the attention and makes people see you as a professional…badass you would prefer to say?"
"Oh yeah, man. Now that would be amazing. Though, I nearly got shot in the face too many times by that. Been in too many gun fights."
"Oh really? Well then, if so, perhaps it would also look delightful if you manage to shoot other guns?"
"Did that and…" He lifted up his shirt to reveal a burnt part on the left side of his stomach. "...I nearly died. I didn't know that gun was a rocket launcher! I thought it was a machine gun."
"Gunter Braun," said Waller. "Richard Hertz."
The long-haired man turned around, his long hair flying around 'majestically'. "Braun, that's me! You call me, Wally?"
"Yo, man," said the short-haired man, Hertz. "Let's not do that in front of-"
"Braun is a former German Olympic athlete who turned to crime," explained Waller, turning to Harkness and Durlin. "He used a set of weaponized javelins to trap, blow up objects or simply impale people. Quite known to be hunting down cows."
"Cows?" said Harkness, snorting. "Can he really use a javelin for heists? It would be useless if he can't get it back like my boomerangs."
"Oh, you're just jealous that you don't have a handsome hairstyle as I have?" teased Braun, blinking his eyes in a sexy way.
"Pimp," muttered Braun.
"What about me?" asked Hertz, trying to get some form of attention.
"He is a marksman; a brute in black armor," continued Waller without needing to alert the mentioned person. "As a former member of the 1000, he had a special combat suit for different jobs. A metahuman who requires the suit to be able to make energy weapons."
Durlin doesn't believe it. "Is that true? He looks like a kid."
"I'm 28 years old!" protested Hertz.
"It's still the same thing."
"And you look like you will meet your death bed," said Braun with a smirk. "So who cares."
Harkness snickered a little. Those two blondies look like they could be fun to f*** around as well. But he wondered how they would fight in battle since one only used javelins - a stick that should be used in sports - and one looked like some wannabe mercenary.
Hertz scoffed before shrugging as if trying to make himself humble. "You'll see what I can do."
DuBois is confused at first with why he, Smith and Nanaue are going into the female rooms of Belle Reve, but he reminds himself that there will be one or more female members on the team. He looks back at Nanaue. The giant shark dropped his book accidentally, now following them. Smith appears amused that they are going to the ladies' room. DuBois felt that they should have just called over the female members to come over to them.
"Next, we have Cleo Cazo," explained Waller. "Ratcatcher II."
There is a loud whistle from one of the female inmates. Then, there is cheering as all of them clap at the sight of DuBois and Smith coming in.
"SETTLE DOWN!" shouted Waller. "SETTLE DOWN, GIRLS!"
Smith takes the time to flirt with one of the female inmates by winking at her.
"Pissmaker," hissed DuBois. "Don't start ogling around."
"Lighten up a little," said Smith. "A little fun with the girls here to make them a little jealous."
"We aren't allowed to interact with the women here."
"Well, if we are lucky, then you might be able to peg one!"
"I had a wife and she died long ago," muttered DuBois. "End of story." [1s]
Smith stared at him. "Oooh…OK then!"
DuBois heard a chatter and looked behind to see one of the female inmates looking at his ass.
"What are you looking at?" he asked.
The woman grinned. "Nothing."
Smith turned to Waller, chuckling about their next member's name. "Can't we afford Ratcatcher I?"
"He is dead," deadpanned Waller as they approached one of the bedrooms. "This is his daughter."
Unlike the rest of the bedrooms, Cazo's room is completely decorated. There are several bottles, cups, books and a small radio placed around neatly. There is a drawing made on the wall that appears to be of a rat looking up at a very tall tower. A picture is pinned against the wall, seemingly a younger her with her father. The person in question is resting in bed, her face in the pillow.
Waller knocked on the door. "Cazo, will you be joining us?"
The young woman with dark brown wavy hair opened her eyes and struggled to lift her head up.
"I just woke up," she groaned with a noticeable accent. "I don't function well early in the morning."
"My deepest apologies for disturbing you," said Waller sarcastically.
"Hmmm," hummed Cazo, about to go back to sleep. "It's all right."
SLAM!
"Get your ass out here!" demanded Waller, slamming on the door.
Cazo lifted her head up in surprise before moaning. After taking a few seconds to rest her head on her pillow with a sigh, she moaned as she tried to get out of her bed. She wishes that Waller could have called her in the afternoon instead of 8 in the morning. She does remember Waller telling her to be ready when she is called up for Task Force X, but she wants her beauty sleep. She can't think straight at the moment. She groaned as she sat up, but when trying to get off bed, she slumped to the floor.
Smith scoffed. "Millennials."
Cazo groaned as she slowly got onto her feet. As she starts to walk out of her room to follow the group, she whines at every step. That is when something appeared on her shoulder
A rat.
A rat with a red backpack attached to it.
Clinging on her shoulder.
DuBois' eyes widened and he felt his heart beating rapidly in his chest.
"Oh, no way," he said. "That is not coming with us."
Waller gives him a disgruntled look. "She controls rats with a special mechanical wand."
"Yeah, I caught that. That's a disgusting superpower!"
Cazo rubbed her eyes, looking over at her rat pet. "This is Sebastian. Say hello, Sebastian."
Sebastian turns to DuBois and waves his paw.
"F***," hissed DuBois under his breath before turning to Cazo. "I'm not shaking the rat's hand."
Sebastian looks disappointed, looking down.
Cazo sighs. Knowing about her powers of interacting with rats, she knew that some of her new team members might be uncomfortable around her.
"What else can she do?" asked Smith to Waller. "There are 3 of us who can fight and she looks like she is still in high school."
"Cazo is an expert in training and communicating with sewer rats," explained Waller. "She can use them to sort out puzzles and complicated missions requiring stealth. In addition, she used to make poisonous gases."
"Can she even fight?" asked DuBois.
Cazo smiled. "I know how to defend myself at least."
Nanaue stared at Sebastian as he turned to face him. "Mouse."
Cazo cooed. "Aww. It's a rat. He seems to like you!"
Sebastian squeaked something, sniffing his nose at Nanaue.
As the group began to leave, they heard the female inmates cheering once again.
"Hey, everyone!" called one woman covered in rainbow tattoos. "Cleo is being chosen! Give it up for her!" [1]
A round of applause broke out through all of the female inmates. Half of them are joking since they doubt that Cazo is going to be able to survive the mission. However, half of them are delighted that female criminals are being chosen to help out the mostly male-dominated Suicide Squad since most people look down on them.
"SETTLE DOWN, EVERYONE!" called Waller.
Cazo made a weary smile as she waved back to them, playfully rolling her eyes. She caught a few of them saying 'you got this' with thumbs-up and overconfident grins. Well, hopefully, they will be lucky to go on scary missions with this team.
DuBois looks confused. "I thought you would lose your s*** to them already."
"Mmm," mumbled Cazo. "They have been alright, though bothersome and mischievous. They don't hold back making jokes about my pet."
"This should be fun," thought Harkness as his group entered another gym facility. "Are we going to meet another bloke who has the baby balls to complete today's mission to be the muscle?"
Waller sighs a little as she hears Braun and Durlin arguing to each other. Harkness is laughing away at seeing them cat-fighting. Meanwhile, Hertz keeps to himself, trying to take the mission seriously…despite the cheesy look on his face. Fortunately, they stopped bickering when they stopped by another male inmate.
One with short, brown, cropped hair with a muscular build, leaning against the wall while playing with his fingers.
"Hello there, Waller!" he said politely. "Are these the people I'm going to work with?"
"This is your new team, Pitzner," said Waller before turning to the others. "This is Cory Pitzner, who is given the nickname 'T.D.K'. A metahuman with an…interesting superpower." She decides to not say it under Pitzner's request. "He is a former trainee of the Justice League and now a criminal who acted as a bodyguard to numerous crime gangs in the past."
"Wait, his name is T.D.K?" said Harkness, confused.
"Yep," said Pitzner, shrugging.
"Is it really T.D.K?" asked Braun, equally confused.
"Yeah."
"What does it stand for?"
Pitzner feels a little embarrassed to say so. However, it might be more meaningful when he reveals his skills soon.
"You'll see very soon," he said.
"Oh, sure you will, wuss," muttered Hertz.
"Oh, Waller," said Pitzner, changing the topic. "I found Mongal and she is currently boxing with another woman while waiting for you."
CRACK!
There was the sound of somebody's hand being cracked and an unladylike scream echoing through the hallway. Harkness is baffled by this, deciding to go check it out first.
Entering the gym facility, he spots the most odd-looking woman he has ever known. While she is muscular - which makes sense since the women also use the gym facilities - she has hard, orange skin that nearly looks like crusty scales. She has circle markings on her face and lacks any eyebrows. Her long auburn hair is tied up in a braid ponytail, styled as a mohawk. Her glowing yellow eyes resemble a wolf.
"Mongal, daughter of Mongul the Elder," explained Waller as she and the others arrived. "She came from the planet called 'Warworld'. Known as a really strong alien warrior, she has superspeed, super strength and durability that reaches up to metahuman levels."
Upon hearing her name, Mongal steps out of the ring, leaving her other opponent angsting over her broken hand. She keeps a serious look on her face, matching Durlin's current look.
"This isn't some kind of freak show, is it, Waller?" snickered Harkness.
"Is there a problem?" asked Waller.
"Nah. Nothing wrong there, my lady. It's just that I'm not sure an alien can cut out the normal stuff going on here."
Mongal glared at Harkness. "Do you want to question that theory?"
Waller groaned as Harkness started to get up into Mongal's face. It is a good thing that Harkness becomes a team player instead of being a coward, but that even leads to more problems in increasing his pride.
"Oh, I like to see you try," said Harkness casually. "This isn't like some kind of sci-fi nonsense s*** you will be going through. All guns, tanks, stealth and things used by humans. Though, you DO have tough skin, so just make sure to cover your eyes."
"You'll be surprised of what I can do, Earthling," snarled Mongal, her voice getting husky.
"That's enough," said Waller. "Focus. This is your briefing."
Harkness nodded. "OK then, mate." He turned back to Mongal. "I'll look forward to seeing you punch."
Mongal rolled her eyes before looking over at her human comrades. Burlin just gives her a blank look before tilting his head as a gesture to keep going. Braun looks interested as he goes up close to Mongal.
"You look fit enough to do laps around the oval," he said in a flirty tone. "Perhaps we can have a duel right here."
She slaps his hand away. "Not interested."
"Ouch! She's really feisty."
Mongal growled before walking away with the rest of the group. She spots Pitzner and Hertz. The former looks a little nervous while the latter just shrugs as if saying 'sorry'.
The cells that are around the admission for entering Belle Reve and the offices to let the inmates know if they received any mails are known to hold some of the most powerful or dangerous criminals. Not many of the inmates would go around there since the people who stay in these cells never come out. Being blocked away as the real outcasts. DuBois doesn't really know much about the people in these isolated cells, but he has some kind of pity towards them. There is also some concern regarding how dangerous these people are.
As they enter, DuBois notices that there is a line of new criminals coming in, led by one guard. [1s]
"Who do you think is our lucky last guy?" asked Smith. "Is it someone who can fly?"
"That sounds ridiculous," muttered DuBois. "Why would we need one?"
"Well, we need every hand on deck. Having jetpacks would be cool to fly around."
"We don't need jetpacks."
"How the f*** are we supposed to get to our target? Flying around would be like what heroes do."
"We aren't heroes. And we don't need jetpacks."
"But my desire for a jetpack still remains because I got excited about it."
"Do you have experience riding a jetpack before?" asked Cazo.
"...no," admitted Smith. "...but jetpacks are really fun to fly around when you think about it."
"And finally," explained Waller as they stopped by one of the cells. "We have Abner Krill."
That certain cell is already opened with two guards taking off what appears to be a large metal collar around the inmate's neck. It's a skinny, nervous-looking man with short black hair, having a dour look on his face. He sighs in relief when the collar is taken off him, rolling his neck around as he slowly trudges towards the group.
"What was that around his neck?" asked DuBois.
"A power dampener," said Waller. "He required it here to control his power. Because of his powers, they call him the Polka-Dot Man."
"Polkas?" asked Nanaue, not familiar with the word.
Smith snorted mockingly. "Polka-Dot Man. What does he do? Throw polka-dots at people?"
Waller remained silent, sighing.
Everyone in the group stares at Waller, wondering if she is right. DuBois is as confused as everyone else, really surprised that she isn't kidding.
"H-He does," said Smith, incredulous. "He throws polka dots at people."
Krill sighs, nodding. He isn't really happy with this. The news about his powers being revealed to the world is still seen as a lame power by nearly every villain around. His new team stares at him as if he looks funny. He knows that they think he looks funny. And he wishes he can at least just go on his own rather than worrying about what they would think of him.
"Hey, Polka-Dot Man!" shouted one of the inmates from the line. "I was hoping you'd entertain at my kid's birthday party, YOU F***ING PUSSY!"
He then started to laugh at his own joke.
They are right. Krill knew it. While a childish insult, it did cut really deep for him.
One of the guards started laughing as well.
DuBois frowned. In a situation like this, he wouldn't really try to intervene, but seeing how Krill looks ashamed of himself for apparently being a lame supervillain with a ridiculous gimmick just stoops to this level. Now that is embarrassing
"These are soldiers?" asked DuBois, disgusted towards the assholes.
"Settle down, men," said an annoyed Waller to the laughing inmates. She isn't too heartless; she considers Polka-Dot Man as a worthy candidate and one of the strongest metahumans of Task Force X. If she can help him prove his worth and reduce his sentence, then Krill might as well get some respect from Belle Reve. "Quiet."
But the inmate who started the joke is still laughing at his own joke for a long time.
She rolled her eyes. She is done with this.
"We need a debrief," she said. "C'mon, everyone."
Krill nods shakily. An empathetic Cazo decides to come to him and place a gentle hand on his back. A little shaken but wanting to get away from the humiliation, Krill nods again and the two start walking together. Smith is still giving Krill a weird look, trying to think how shooting polka-dots is lethal. Nanaue nearly wanders off, but quickly catches up with the group. DuBois is left standing, still wondering how he got into this crazy team.
As he is about to follow, he spots something in another cell.
A weird-looking anthropomorphic weasel licking on the window. It looks really cracked up and gross to say the least. If there was another nice word to call someone gross…then there isn't one for this creature. Its bulgy bloodshot eyes nearly look like they are going to pop out of their sockets. After two licks, it stops at the third lick when it sees DuBois.
DuBois groaned. "F***..."
He walks away, deciding to ignore it.
What kind of creature like this ever appears on the face of the Earth?
"What kind of creature like this ever appears on the face of the Earth?" said Hertz, equally creeped out as the others.
Yes, Waller has chosen Weasel to be on Harkness's team. Nobody knows what to say about this, but Economos recommended Weasel to join them, claiming that he has what it takes to travel through Corto Maltese. Waller made sure to check his profile and Weasel turns out to be a very feral animal. Though, looking at it now, she isn't sure anymore.
He kept licking the window, intensified. Something must have been on it and Weasel must have found it really tasty to eat.
"There is no way that thing is coming with us," said Hertz as he hid behind a stunned Pitzner.
"Why's that?" asked Harkness. "Nervous, mate?"
However, the Australian finds it hard to try to mock him. He is even too shocked to even think that this thing has to come along with them.
"Who is this fellow, may I ask?" asked Braun.
"Why is it even coming with us?" asked Durlin.
"This is Weasel," explained Waller as the cell door opened. "Formerly known to be Doctor John Monroe. He used to be a really ambitious scientist, but one day, he got caught in an experiment gone wrong and eventually gave into his new animalistic instincts."
Judging by the silence, it is clear that no one knows how to respond to this.
Weasel chittered as he was let out. He took the time to observe his new teammates. A hobo, an old guy, a skinny man with bleached blonde hair, a musclehead, a female alien and a sportsman. And then, he does the next thing he feels like doing.
Urinating.
Nobody is able to see its genitals, but he seems to have a hole underneath all that fur.
"Aww, F***!" yelled Hertz, cringing.
"What the s***?!" said Harkness, stepping backwards to avoid stepping in the now spreading pool of pee.
"That is not right," said Pitzner, scrunching up his nose.
Waller sighs in annoyance. She is really fed up with all this silliness between all the new members of Task Force X. Without batting an eye, she slowly made her way out of the group, avoiding getting her shoes dirty. One of the guards is already onto Weasel, lightly bonking him on the nose with the butt of his gun.
"Bad Weasel!" snarled the guard. "Bad! Now look at what you've done!"
Weasel only gives the guard a look that shows that he doesn't understand. He let out a few child-like chitters, unaware of the pool underneath him.
"Does it even speak English?" asked Mongal who is more dumbfounded than disgusted.
"That we are trying to confirm," said Braun, shaking his head. "It looks like we have a new team pet with us."
"Team pet?" scoffed Durlin. "This is not some kind of family walk."
"I have to agree with Pops," said Harkness. "I don't think it is necessary to have that bloody thing come around with us."
"Look on the bright side," said Pitzner.
"What bright side?" hissed Hertz, still clinging behind his back. "What good advantage can we have from this motherf***er?"
"He is scary. He might be scary enough to frighten away our enemies."
"Or a good target for practice shooting," snarled Hertz.
"...or a distraction to make you feel better."
"At least he looks like he isn't going to kill any of us for now," said Braun, coming towards Weasel while the angry guard cleans up the piss on the floor. "Now, who's a good boy?"
In response, Weasel licks Braun's hand before chittering happily. The German slowly lifts up his hand to see how much saliva coated it.
"Yeah…" he said, grinning tightly. "This won't be a problem."
"Well, it seems that this will definitely not be a problem," joked Pitzner.
He starts patting Weasel on the head. The feral creature blinks and starts cooing. He suddenly looks adorable in the metahuman's eyes as he keeps making these cute chiterring noises and nuzzles his head into his palm. He didn't even try to use his claws or teeth on him. He appreciates the affection.
"Hey, Brian!" said Pitzner, turning to Durlin with a grin. "Maybe you should try."
Burlin rolled his eyes. "Someone please kill me."
"Don't sweat it, mate," chuckled Harkness. "It's not like you get to touch a half hairless mutt once in your life. It can be your dog!"
Before Burlin could fire back with an insult, Weasel's attention turned to him. He coos and walks towards him in a way how a meerkat would. Burlin took a step back as this creature started smelling him. After a while of seeing it sniff around and staring at its drunk-like eyes, Weasel takes a step back, chittering in a way of hoping to get his approval.
"Do you understand me?" asked Durlin.
Weasel tilts his head, looking confused.
Durlin couldn't help but smile in amusement. "Huh."
"This world is so confusing," stated Mongal.
"You're telling me, babe," said Harkness. "Ask Waller; she knew about a witch before."
"We do not talk about that," growled Waller, catching everyone's attention.
"OK, that makes sense," said Mongal.
"We need a debrief, everyone. Follow me and don't think of trying to run off."
Nearly everyone in this group tries to stay away from Weasel, but Durlin decides to try to guide him to come along. Pitzner and Braun decide to stay at the back to make sure Weasel doesn't try to slink off somewhere else. Hertz and Mongal exchange glances with each other. Harkness decides to stay close to Waller. He isn't sure why, but he knows that this team isn't going to be like anything he imagines of.
Waller made sure that they placed the small nanite bombs in their necks. They are so small, but when activated, they can even blow up a brick that all that is left is the crumbs, clumps and sand from it. Though, some of the members are hard to be held still since they used a needle to shove it in the back of their necks.
DuBois is more than happy to have a crate of his armor and weapons back with him. However, he notices that he doesn't have his special teleportation system bag that allows him to use weapons from a warehouse full of guns. Oh well, at least he has the arsenal of collapsible weapons that are attached to his dark navy blue and bronze outfit. Filled with twin pistols, a garotte cord, wrist-mounted flamethrowers, a dart-launcher, a hand cannon and a collapsible katana. He could have got more protective equipment then covering his entire chest, but at least blue jeans, shin guards and brown combat boots are comfortable enough for him to move around.
The one thing that caught his attention is his helmet. Designed as a grinning, skeletal mouth and an eyeless face. It looked more like an alien than a skull.
DuBois remembers the first time when he picks up this helmet. Staring at it, he is brought back to when he starts doing his contract work. If he needs something to hide his identity, to show that he means business, to show that he is a really dangerous man as his old man, then he needs it. Using this helmet, it ultimately gives him the codename 'Bloodsport'. Bloodsport doesn't waste time firing all of his bullets or burning bridges around. He gets the job done and moves on. He never leaves a mission undone. And most of all, Bloodsport doesn't give a f*** for those who are around him or those who try to stop him.
The helmet means a lot to him. To wear it again, going on this mission would also betray who he is. He isn't a supporter of the American Government and he can't really commit to doing a mission that would save lives.
But if Tyla needs to be saved - even if she doesn't like the thought of her father being Bloodsport - he might as well need to use the helmet.
DuBois considers wearing the mask already to conceal his looks, but remembering that it is collapsible, he decides to just hold onto it. Mask or not, he is still Bloodsport and that is it. His helmet is at least not as bulky or heavy as Smith's helmet.
Speaking of which, Smith's - AKA Peacemaker - superhero outfit looks like a joke. Normally, on a black-ops mission, you would want to wear dark clothing to make sure that you aren't seen. However, this guy must be deranged enough to have a really colorful outfit that stands out from the others.
A bright red shirt with blue accents with a yellow symbol of a dove above his pecs, blue gloves and a blue utility belt filled with ammo, white baggy pants and dark blue combat boots. To top it off is a VERY shiny metal helmet with a large horizontal fin on it. A toilet seat to be exact. It should be something darker since the chrome texture gives Peacemaker himself away to enemies. The thing that pains Bloodsport's eyes is the fact that Pissmaker has all of his logos printed everywhere on his outfit.
At least Cazo's outfit is something more sensible, though she looks out of place as if she came from the Great Depression. She wears a hooded leather trench coat which is tightly closed in colors of dark brown, green, blue and black. Though, she doesn't seem to have that much protective legwear as she only wears a brown skirt, a matching pair of trousers and shin length hiking boots. To complete it off, she has a leather belt across her waist with holsters across her shoulders and a brown leather gas mask in the style of an exterminator mask.
King Shark's outfit is just…him wearing a pair of large sized jean shorts. That's it. But still, he looks like a threat to anyone.
Krill's outfit as the Polka-Dot Man is probably one of the strangest but at least more sensible than Peacemaker's. At least his sleeves and legs are covered up instead of being bare naked. A white leather bodysuit that covers his entire body except his face with colorful polka-dots covering it. Bloodsport isn't sure if the outfit is really his to explain his title or given to him as a joke. Polka-Dot Man also wears brown goggles with orange lenses, brown boots and gauntlets. He looks like something out of a light-hearted steampunk show.
Meanwhile, Harkness finds his team to be more colorful than before.
His new outfit surprises him. Normally, he would be given a blue cotton jacket and a wooly coat of any kind alongside a beanie. But since his old outfit might have been dirtied and ripped to pieces, he is given a new set of clothes identical to the one before. But this one looks so damn bloody good! A dark blue beanie, a blue shirt, a utility strap where he can place his boomerangs on, a large dark blue trench coat with orange accents, fingerless gloves in colors of dark orange, blue and black a weird-looking buckle belt, dark pants and black combat boots. A street punk look for the Australian.
Even better, he has his boomerangs back!
His favorite weapons.
Unfortunately, he isn't allowed to have his trick boomerangs back after they prove to be too dangerous for the guards to hold onto. But no worries; the two new ones look really bright and can glow in the dark. He nearly thinks that they are magical, but that is probably because of how the new material is.
With that set, Harkness feels ready to know that Captain Boomerang is back for the show. And not only that, he gets to see the others' outfits, though they look too distracting.
Durlin as Savant looks like a sore thumb out of the group. His super suit looks nice as he has a red leather jacket with a couple of pockets, brown combat trousers, black combat boots, black gloves and a pair of black goggles. But the funny thing is due to his hair which makes him look like some kind of craggy, cyberpunk vigilante. Boomerang couldn't resist snickering despite the old man glaring at him.
Hertz's outfit looks really generic and boring, but the shiny golden accents make up for Blackguard the black-ops mercenary. His outfit looks like a mix of a sci-fi warrior and a mercenary. He wears a black leather combat jacket with golden accents, stripes, buttons, shoulderpads and gauntlets. Golden bullets decorated all over in several pockets, including straps of them near his shoulders. There are even holsters to hold his guns on his top torso. To finish it, he wears black jeans with a whip attached to the belt and black combat boots.
Mongal's outfit looks like what must be the traditional armor of her homeworld. She wears a purple sleeveless bodysuit that seems to be made from metal, a matching headdress that makes her look like an alien racer with her braid ponytail popping out from the top of it, black straps, black gauntlet gloves and boots, purple shorts and black armbands. She is even given a pair of two retractable arm-mounted blades, looking eager to have them again as she twirls them around.
Javelin's suit looks like a stereotypical supervillain getup and is too bright, but it gives him the kind of demeanor he wants. It is a yellow leather bodysuit with blue accents, matching blue gloves, boots, shin guards and knee and elbow pads. He even has a blue domino mask to cover up his eyes, but Boomerang doubts that would help cover his identity.
Pitzner taking on the mantle of T.D.K makes him look like a wrestling character from a 1980s cartoon. It is a mostly dark teal outfit; a sleeveless bottle leather bodysuit with protective padding, gauntlets, jeans and boots. He even has a bottle leather helmet to cover up his head, but it looks more like a helmet for go-karting. He has his logo on his chest which is a black skull with two severed arms making a crossbones with a yellow outline. This one looks cooler than Javelin's.
Weasel doesn't need to wear any clothes. Boomerang jokes that they should give him a yellow singlet to wear, but the creature doesn't look like he wants to wear anything at all. Durlin thinks that they should at least give him pants so that he doesn't wet the floor easily again.
At two different times, with two teams separately in an auditorium, Waller made sure to debrief the new and improved Task Force X about their new mission. It is the same facts. However, both teams have their different responses to the mission they are supposed to go on. The mission the government sent Waller and trusted her to take care of. She watches all of the members listening to her as she shows them a powerpoint from a light projector producing the images on a white board.
"Corto Maltese," explained Waller as the first image - a map of the island - appears. "A small island nation off the coast of South America. Over the past hundred years, the country has been ruled with an iron fist by the Herrera Family."
The next image shows a family who look pretty prim and fancy. They seem pretty happy and innocent, though all of them are cloaked in black. One man has a strap of the flag's colors; red-orange, yellow and blue.
"But, a week ago, this guy…"
The image switches to a handsome-looking man with combed slicked hair and then another man who appears to be in his 50s with a grey goatee.
"General Silvio Luna along with his right-hand man Mayor General Mateo Suarez took control of the Corto Maltese government in a violent military coup. The entire Herrera Family were hanged in a public execution."
The image changed to a disturbing video where they show the aftermath of the family hanging from the ropes around their necks. It isn't seen on their expressions due to the black bags covering their heads, but it is clear that they are lifeless.
Peacemaker takes some notes down in his folder. This is interesting to note down. Luna and his coup must be really vicious.
Bloodsport could only stare at the video, speechless. While he is a born killer, that doesn't mean he can have some pity towards the family. They don't look like they deserve it.
Ratcatcher II and Polka-Dot Man are devastated to see this. Three of the hanged victims are CHILDREN.
King Shark just looks at the image, not sure what to say.
Captain Boomerang's smile faded away, knowing that it wouldn't be the right time to be a piss around on a dead family.
Savant, Javelin and Mongal have equal stoic looks.
Blackguard and T.D.K are visibly disturbed by the violent reveal.
Weasel coughs, trying to understand what the image means and the fates of the family.
"Although the United States did not condone the excesses of the Herrera Regime, they were non-antagonistic towards the U.S. Luna, however, is virulently Anti-American."
"That's a wonderful fact," muttered Durlin.
"So you want us to kill Luna?" asked Peacemaker, feeling some sense of revenge.
"Your top priority is Jotunheim," said Waller, switching the image to a tall tower. "A scientific experimentation facility containing something known only as Project Starfist."
Project Starfish? Everyone is confused on how 'creative' this name is. What can possibly be held in a project like this?
"Our intelligence sources tell us that 'starfish' is extraterrestrial in origin. In the hands of the lunar regime, it is potentially cataclysmic for Americans and the world."
Mongal swears she heard about this before. "Is it a Star Conqueror?"
"We cannot confirm if it is, but due to how much power the Herrera Family have, it is most likely dangerous towards humankind. Your mission is to infiltrate Jotunheim and destroy every trace of Project Starfish."
"How are we supposed to get in?" asked Bloodsport.
Waller switches the image to another man in his early sixties with a tall and slender build, pale skin and blue eyes. His head is completely bold but riddled with several wires and light bulbs sticking out of it due to the thinking cap embedded into his skull.
"This is Gaius Grieves," explained Waller. "Also known as the Thinker. He is a geneticist in charge of Project Starfish. After hours, he hangs out at a gentlemen's club called La Gatita Amable."
"So a club full of nice ladies there?" asked Javelin.
Boomerang's smile widened, feeling a bit too eager to go to the club.
"Don't have any ideas," warned Waller.
The Australian's smile disappeared.
Javelin gives him a look, but not one of disapproval.
"Get Grieves to help youtube whatever means necessary and he can get you into Jotunheim. We will be providing you with explosives to destroy all the records in the tower."
The powerpoint finishes and the lights turn back on.
"Any questions?"
Bloodsport's team has a lot.
Cazo lazily lifts her head and points to an object she is unfamiliar with.
"What is that?" she asks.
Waller gives her a deadpanned look. "That is an overhead projector."
"Do you…ever use it anymore?"
Waller shakes her head. "No. Not really."
"So why don't you just throw it away?"
"Consider it as a back-up." Another hand is raised. "Peacemaker."
Peacemaker gives a serious question.
"'Starfish' is a slang term for asshole," he said. "Is there any connection?"
Bloodsport turns around to give him look that screams 'what the f***'.
Waller just stares at the so-called 'superhero' with a blank look. "No."
Peacemaker nonchalantly writes in his notebook, "No connection."
Waller turns to King Shark. "Nanaue?"
But it turns out that the giant shark is more interested in his…
"Haaand!" he said, pointing at it.
Ratcatcher II giggles a little at his childishness.
"Yes," sighed Waller sarcastically. "That is your hand, Nanaue. Very good."
King Shark even looks so proud of himself that he pointed it out. He nods and sits back in his chair as if he just won the crown.
Bloodsport groaned. This team isn't made up of real soldiers.
"We're all gonna die," he said.
Polka-Dot Man gives him a look. He appears nervous and resigned to the promise of death itself.
"I hope so," he whispered.
"Oh, for God's sake…" muttered Bloodsport.
Boomerang's group is mostly silent for a while as none of them have anything to say about Project Starfish. They are all pretty anxious or confused with what they are dealing with.
Boomerang is about to open his mouth.
"Good," said Waller, not noticing it. "Your team won't be going out alone. Your commanding officer will be Colonel Rick Flag."
Flag smiled as he entered the auditorium. After talking with a few of the inmates and getting to visit Deadshot again, he is more than happy to meet his new team members. The room is filled with a lot of strange criminals this time, but he sure can handle it. Harley already showed him all the rainbow and glitter.
"Welcome, Task Force X," he said politely.
Boomerang grinned, his golden tooth shining. "G'day, mate. Glad to see that you are back in the game."
"You want another drink of beer before we go?" joked Flag.
"Nah. I'm good, mate." He turned to the rest of his teammates. "So, listen up, everyone! Me and Flag have done this before, so if you have any questions, come to us. The experts have this covered for all of you!"
While the rest of the team are pretty unconvinced, Boomerang can't help but show off a little. He can handle the stares and glares, but he always shows that he is on top of his level with his boomerangs and trusty pinpocket skills.
"Nobody really asked you," grumbled Durlin.
"Well, I didn't really ask for who I got," snarked Boomerang. "So, remember, don't doubt any of us. We are professionals and we have proof that we defeated a witch from destroying the world."
Flag snorted a little. Moone wouldn't be happy to hear this, but to be fair, it isn't her fault that Enchantress took control of her body. He remembers that Boomerang would sometimes annoy Moone at times when she and Flag visit. But the weirdest thing is that the Australian would act mostly gentlemanish around Moone since he has some respect for Flag's fiance. Or maybe it's just an act to make Flag jealous.
"What a team," said Durlin, shaking his head in disappointment. He really wants to just bolt to the exit already.
"This shouldn't be too hard," muttered Blackguard, looking confident.
"Wait, what?" said T.D.K.
"Nothing."
"Well, love them or hate them," said Flag. "These are your brothers and sisters for the next few days."
AN: The introduction to the team with every member revealed! While Bloodsport's team is a bit more the same, I had fun doing around with Boomerang's team. For both them, I try to add depth and thought to each of these characters, experimenting with what they might be seeing through their eyes. However, for most of them - especially characters such as Blackguard and Mongal - I have to improvise their personalities in this version. So while I will be trying to take inspirations from the original source, this will be a huge change.
Writing through Boomerang's point of view is so much fun. :3
One of my favorite scenes would be in the female room with all these female inmates. I imagine them clapping when they see Cazo coming into the Suicide Squad.
Weasel peeing over the floor is actually used before from the AO3 story 'Failed A Spot-Check' by Advocate_267
I know that it is unnecessary to describe each of the members' outfits, but I just can't help it and observe how they appear.
Thanks for reading this chapter! This story is still in-progress, so be ready for more updates. If you enjoy this story, be sure to follow or favorite this story, so you can get updates about this story. Make sure to review this chapter on what you think about this chapter. I'm OK of hearing improvements from you (please no flames).
Next chapter, we will be suiting up for Corto Maltese! Will go out in a bang!
Until next time, keep on rocking!