Chapter 6 - With Extreme Prejudice
No one went to sleep just yet back at the communication hub. They had to check out where each of the scattered iterations of Task Force X were at, including Harley's group being captured. They also had to see who would try to attack them during the night, so that they could alert them for any trouble. So far, it seemed that the Corto Maltese Army was more focused on their recent captives and didn't search out for any of their troops hiding in the island.
As the early morning came, Moone decided to acquaint herself with the others. Crawley is a chill person when not at work. She turns out to be a cousin of Waller, though she doesn't agree with her values. A surprising thing that came from her is that Crawley used to hook up with the previous (now missing) members of Task Force X. Moone is surprised by this since she thought it was only her and Flag that got to know the criminals closely.
Economos is an appreciative and easy guy to get along with. He seems to be a bit of a doormat since he is intimidated by Waller. Doesn't stop him from cussing and pointing out things. Hearing about his job as being the warden of Belle Reve - in which he might retire from it soon as he implied - he is much better than the previous one who just treated the old members of Task Force X as pieces of s**t. The old warden must have been killed by Joker long ago for his stupidity. There should be more people like Economos for the job.
Harcourt is a bit more aloof, but at least she isn't too unpleasant. It turns out, she is a field operative but assigned on Waller's team as one of the team communicators. She is also hardcore; she knows how to use guns when she was younger. She explains that she herself is a little hesitant with the choices Waller makes - though she doesn't seem to care that much about the criminals they hired - and is aware of what Waller did to Moone.
Moone joked around with Crawley and Harcourt. Some chit chat between them while waiting for Task Force X to keep moving. Despite still feeling buzzy due to Waller sending her finance into a death zone, Moone feels that maybe this time, it won't be so bad. And those people even have their own moral compass as they do not go along with what Waller said. Maybe Flag might like them, though it might be too much if she is given competition.
At the moment, Crawley decides to bring up some music. Waller is mildly annoyed, but she is even bored with planning and waiting for the next step. However, it is kept at a soft volume, so it didn't distract the others who aren't on break. Crawley dances a little and encourages Moone and Harcourt to join along. They mess around a little with exchanging flirty looks and flamboyant movements while spinning in their chairs…
BEEP! BEEP! BEEP!
It is coming from Economos' computer. He coughs at his drink at the new discovery.
"Oh my goodness!" he said, his eyes widening in pride. "I'm good at my job. I found them!"
All attention is drawn to him. Waller steps closer and peeks over his shoulder.
There are three red spots blinking from one part of the island.
"Check it out," said Economos. "Look, right here, a mile north."
Moone stood up, surprised. Flag is still alive?
"Can you contact him?" she asked hopefully.
"They don't seem to be responding back," said Economos after a few tries of calling in their communicators. "Seems that they are damaged, but we are able to track Savant's and Weasel's vitals, and Flag's communicator device."
"Why do you think they are there?" asked Harcourt.
"Maybe they are captured?"
Moone could only sigh in relief. Thank God, Flag isn't dead yet. And with Savant and Weasel with him, he would have some company if he is trapped. And judging by Waller, she is surprised and relieved as well.
Waller expects Flag to either die or make it out, but him still being alive is a good thing. If he survives, the team would still have a competent special forces soldier to add to their ranks.
Finding that Bloodsport's group is the closest, she calls them.
"Task Force X," Waller said. "What's the status?"
"We are just getting up," said Bloodsport. "Packing up all our gear and getting ready for the big hike. I think Jaws got distracted trying to find breakfast since he is craving for a snack."
"Want eat possum?" said King Shark's voice.
"No. Humans don't eat those creatures.."
"You have an additional mission directive," explained Waller. "It might be long, but it is something that we think you might need."
"Another mission directive?" asked Ratcatcher II, sounding exhausted but serious. "So, what is the new objective?"
"We've located Colonel Rick Flag, Savant and Weasel. They arrived on the island as well as spies to look through the town. However, they might have been taken by the enemy."
"Rick Flag?" said Bloodsport, confused with why he was on Corto Maltese as well.
"I know, you both served on special forces in Qurac that took down Avral Kaddam. Flag was the one who initially recommended you."
Moone could hear the mercenary's sigh. She got a feeling that he wasn't informed that another team is going to be on the island as well, though they were sent to die as a decoy.
"You had other operatives in Corto Maltese and didn't tell us?" asked Bloodsport, clearly annoyed. "What else are you hiding, Waller?"
"Trust me on this one," said Waller. "I know what I am doing this time. You said that you are no leader, so Flag can be yours for your team before moving on to the city. There was no tactical advantage, now there is. I've uploaded the location on your MTS. Make sure that Flag, Savant and Weasel are safe, and terminate his captors with extreme prejudice. Kill anyone you see; these are dangerous people."
Moone nods to herself as she rests in her seat. Taking a look at the screens, it is clear that they cannot see where Bloodsport's team is at, only relying on their map coordinates rather than through their cameras. She just hopes that she might be able to talk with Flag again to catch up on what happened to him. Whoever his captors are, they might be a threat equal to the army.
There is barely any small talk between Bloodsport's group as they walk through the forest and walk across the high mountains. The heat is already unforgivable as the sun in the sky is already glaring down at them intensely. It frustrated Bloodsport more due to him wanting to get the mission over with so that he wouldn't need to lead the team under the heated mission. The immense trees and bushes around them seem to be spawning all over the place as if there is no way for them to get to the city. It is like the island is bigger than when it is told of its 'small' size.
Speaking of the lack of talk, everybody seems to agree to walk over to where Flag is. Using a tablet that acts as their GPS, they all made their way there. Aside from small breaks, there doesn't seem to be as much antagonism as last night. Peacemaker is more enjoying the view while Polka-Dot Man is on the look-out in case there are wild animals.
King Shark has obeyed the team really quickly as Bloodsport didn't see him trying to sneak off or sneakily eat them. He mostly hangs around with Ratcatcher II. The shark giggles when Sebastian is squeaking at him. The shark pants as he sees the exotic plants all around him. The shark smiles when looking back at his team.
It is no lie. Ratcatcher II has managed to tame the beast. Still, it is a stupid move for her to befriend a predator that could suck on her blood already. However, her ways of approaching the shark have worked. That is something that confuses him a little, but he knows that both of them have the mentality of children. And they aren't really trained soldiers as he is.
Bloodsport decides to make his way towards Ratcatcher II. He lets Peacemaker take the front. As the mercenary makes his way, the young girl immediately realizes that he wants a talk with her.
"You really have the nerve to befriend a shark bloke so quickly last night," said Bloodsport.
Ratcatcher II raises an eyebrow. "I was trying to help win his trust for the entire team."
"He might not lie," said the mercenary, seeing King Shark staring at a bird sitting on his head. "But don't you know that he is a much more dangerous metahuman than any of us?"
The young girl gives him a pointed look, frowning. "I'm not dumb. Heard a lot about the tales from the other inmates. The types of criminals who are chosen from the job. Same thing every day." She spreads her arms out, her tone sounding a little sarcastic. "And look, I'm in a group of dangerous criminals as well. And I am one. They considered utilizing rats as a deadly weapon. I know what I'm doing."
Bloodsport sighs. "But…what if he gives into his instincts again?"
Ratcatcher II sees something in his worried eyes. "I know what I am doing. I understand the risk. However, if Nanaue doesn't have friends, then…I think it should be fair that we should try to be nice with him. No one should be left in the dark."
She turns around to see King Shark giggling at the bird. He tries patting it, but it flies off, startled. He chases after it, repeatedly calling 'bird', but the aforementioned avian is so terrified that it speeds off. King Shark stopped somewhere in front of Peacemaker before his smile disappeared through the heavy panting. Peacemaker gives him a strange look with a bit of mockiness in him.
"Not being afraid of him," continued Ratcatcher, wincing in sympathy. "He must have gotten that reaction a lot before coming here. Besides, ignoring him isn't going to prevent him from harming us as well as he is indestructible, save for the bombs in our necks,. Not doing anything about his habits is an easy blip to be killed."
Bloodsport stares at the young girl, lost in thought. She isn't really suited for this black-ops mission, but it seems that she is taking it slowly and sorting things out to make their team more happy and effective. A part of him wishes that there should be more troops like her, but compassion doesn't always help in a mission like this.
"Just please know what you are actually doing," he said. "You have the best of whatever goodness you have, but you don't understand what this team is filled with."
Ratcatcher couldn't help, but asked, "Are you…afraid that I might get hurt?"
"What?"
"You're being protective."
Bloodsport groans, trying to not see the smile on the young girl's face. "I'm trying to keep my team alive."
"Waller is right. You really suit being a leader well."
"I don't have what it takes to be a leader," he insisted.
"And yet, you're acting like a teacher. Or a strict father."
"And you're not taking me seriously."
Ratcatcher II chuckles. "Alright then. I will look out." She starts to walk ahead, but not before she gives her leader one more reassurance. "But for the record, I'm not really a child. I feel young, but…it's a complicated world out there, right?"
With that, after a while of sharing looks, Ratcatcher II figures that they should keep moving and Bloodsport should have time to think about it then try to force her. The mercenary is left speechless. He still believes that this kindness isn't going to really help everyone on the team. He wants to get on with his mission already with no question. However, the young girl makes a really good point despite being a little naive.
Besides, he doesn't have his helmet on to hide how he is feeling at the moment.
He feels Polka-Dot Man patting him on the back.
"You're alright?" asked the white-cladded supervillain.
Bloodsport grunts. "I'm alright. I just…thinking of something."
Polka-Dot Man shrugs. "Life is tough. Trust me."
It took until the afternoon to finally arrive at the destination of Flag and the two soldiers he is with. It nearly grows dark and cold due to the sun being hidden behind the clouds. While it is still humid, the environment feels a little more wet due to nearby rivers.
As they hid behind bushes to observe the camp, Bloodsport and Ratcatcher II noticed something weird. That's strange. Surely, the army wouldn't be camping out here in those makeshift tents and cabins. They would have used proper tents, vehicles and campfires. Not huts that look like they can fall apart easily. And the people walking around in the area at the moment seem to be wearing dirty and ragged clothes rather than military clothing.
The weirdest things can happen however.
Bloodsport checks his tablet again and judging by how loudly it beeps, they are really close.
"That's where they're holding the three," said Bloodsport, pointing at a large hut that is bigger than the makeshift tents around, being the most covered against the weather. "We gonna need to take out the patrol guards to get through."
A thrill-seeking grin appears over Peacemaker's face. "Nothing like a bloodbath to start the day."
Ratcatcher II gives him a glance. For all that flashy outfit and heroic build, he looks too eager to fight.
"They call you Peacemaker?" she asked inquisitively.
"I cherish peace with all my heart," said Peacemaker nonchalantly. "I don't care how many men, women and children I need to kill to get it."
Bloodsport shakes his head. This would be expected for all the lunatical criminals he knows. However, Ratcatcher II is rightfully weirded out for this.
"I thought you were the crazy one," she whispered to Polka-Dot Man.
"I am," he muttered.
Ratcatcher II could only glance at King Shark and back at Bloodsport. He is right. She has to be careful. Bloodsport looks back at her.
The team then quickly set out with Bloodsport deciding on who gets to cover which area. On the other side of the large hut is a clearing with a few people doing their own business or resting in their harmocks. There are a few huts around there, including a tall tower for watch. A bit far, but on the left is another clearing of tents that looks like it can populate a huge village literally. Though, it doesn't look like there is anyone walking around there that much.
King Shark, Ratcatcher II and Polka-Dot Man are assigned to take the clearing on the left side to distract any people living there while Bloodsport and Peacemaker will be taking out the guards around the area of the large hut.
As Bloodsport waits in his spot, he sees two guys on the side of a long hut. A shared tent for the people resting around here as he counts the number of harmocks. One guy took the others' cup to refill with the second one waiting in his spot.
And then, he sports King Shark.
Bloodsport thought of getting up and telling him to get out, but it seems to be a good spot to take out one guy.
This guy doesn't seem to notice anything as he checks on his fingernails. He hears soft footprints, but it is nearly unnoticeable to hear due to the bushes swaying around due to the cool breeze. King Shark - in hiding in the bushes - slowly creeps up to the man, waiting to see if he doesn't notice him. After a few seconds of seeing the guy unaware of his presence, that is when King Shark strikes.
He rushes in and grabs the guy, lifting him up. The poor guy could kick his legs around before his head is chomped on. Without needing to tear the human apart, King Shark just munches as he devours the entire body. He doesn't take notice of the muffled cries since they die down as he swallows the whole and munches.
Bloodsport couldn't help but nod in awe. That would be an effective way of hiding bodies in this camp.
As King Shark is called by Polka-Dot Man, the other guy - unaware of his friend's demise- heads over to a table where it stores water and different types of drinks. Placing the cup down, he gets a kettle ready and opens the coffee bag…
…only to find rats in it, stored by Ratcatcher II.
He yelps as they crawl over him before he lands on his back. But the rats become the least of his problems when he looks up. They already scurried away, leaving him at the mercy of an intruder.
Peacemaker comes out of the bushes, wielding an ax he stole. The guy is about to duck, but he throws it at a guard that is charging far behind him. Splatters of blood flew out from his head before he dropped to the floor. The guy who is still sitting down quickly whips out a gun, but Peacemaker acts quickly.
He whips out a machete and chops the guy's hand off. As the guy screams in agony as he could only stare at the stump where his hand used to be, Peacemaker swings the blade at his throat and the guy goes down, dead.
Peacemaker jerks his head up when he hears a yelp from behind him. There is a body of a guard with a long, sharp dart through his neck as he lays bleeding on the dirt. He looks to his right to find a sniper on a rock, ready to shoot. Only to be shot down by another dart.
It is coming from Bloodsport. Using his armor's slingshot to kill the guards silently. He takes out a charging third guard before turning to Peacemaker. He has his helmet on; a threatening figure to show that he isn't going to be f**king around in this place.
And three kills are more than what Peacemaker accomplished just now. All in stealth.
Bloodsport flips a middle finger at him.
Peacemaker scoffs and sticks out his tongue. He rubs on his groin and points it at the armored mercenary, telling him to suck it.
Bloodsport just moves his head to gesture them to go already.
There are already two guards at the tent. They just arrive back, but they seem too drunk to see what just happened. The two criminals slowly walk towards them with Bloodsport taking out a garotte wire and Peacemaker digging the ax out of his previous victim's head.
Close to the target, stay on the target.
Never lose your concentration.
There is no need to be sure on when to strike.
Bloodsport wraps the wire and begins strangling the guard on the right.
Peacemaker grabs the guard on the left and just cuts his throat, throwing him to the side. Then, he spots one guard sleeping in a hammock, covered by a white blanket. Well, Waller did order them to kill them with extreme prejudice. Swinging his ax, he proceeds to chop the guy at different spots as he moves along like chopping sausages.
Meanwhile, Bloodsport pulls out a flail weapon; simply a ball attached to a wire to his armor and swings it around as he approaches three guys who just came out of the bushes. The guards, seeing this, got into batting positions. But Bloodsport - being a trained mercenary - is no stranger in combat. He swings the flail ball at one guard, knocking him out. One guard tries to punch, but he grabs his fist with both arms before delivering a sucker punch to the cheek. He knocks out the third guard with a quick flick of his flail weapon right at his throat. The first guard managed to get back up, but Bloodsport swung his weapon right at him. All three guards lay at his feet, unconscious.
Peacemaker grabs onto a high wooden plank that is resting on the roofs of the two huts. With enough strength to push him upwards, he is on the higher ground. As he starts to slowly cross over the roofs, he takes out a blow gun. Not really suitable, but it is a silent weapon that can help him. And it is useful in this environment. Pulling out a poisonous blow dart and placing it in the muzzle, he finds a woman washing clothes, singing a lullaby.
Taking good aim, he blows and the dart pierces right into the woman's throat. She gasps, choking from feeling the sharp tip in her throat and the poison moving to her bloodstreams. She feels pain, but her body starts to feel numb. Weakened, she drops to the floor.
Peacemaker grins to himself as he goes near the edge of the roof. He shoots down another guard that is picking up wood for a campfire. Another woman walks in and he shoots down. Even though it might just be a harmless person, there should be no witnesses. Killing is necessary for the job.
Even though he might be wearing a colorful outfit and on top of a roof to be seen, no one can see him when he uses stealth.
Getting out a Desert Eagle gun, he hops down to find Bloodsport using a wrist-mounted flamethrower. He already set one on fire before moving onto a second guy who pleads. The mercenary is having none of it and sets him alight on fire. The two incernated men panic as they flail around while walking around blindly, their entire bodies covered in flames. The dominant orange flames make it hard to see their faces. They can only tell their features by some of the blackened parts on their clothes and faces, signs of them turning into charcoal.
An unimpressed Peacemaker just puts one of the burning guys out of his misery by putting a bullet through his heart.
The other one just walks around blindly before falling over and crashing into the river.
The two criminals walk along a small bridge before finding a guy, coming from inside his hut - checking through the makeshift window to see what is going on. Peacemaker raises his gun over Bloodsport's face before firing.
Bloodsport swears that he thought that man is naked, but he didn't get to see.
That does it.
He slowly takes off his mask and gives Peacemaker a deadly glare. Both are assassins, killers. Born to be deadly weapons. With similar skill sets, but Pissmaker claims to be better. There can only be one who proves to be the ultimate fighter and possibly the one who is fit enough to be the leader of this team. With the two of them having clashing differences, there is only one thing in mind.
"Who does he think he is?" they both thought.
Without even noticing or looking, Bloodsport takes out one of his pistols and aims it at a guy resting in a full bathtub. He fires, but he misses. No, wait, it just hits the arm of the table carrying the fan. And the fan is electric. Just as the guy realizes what is going to happen, it falls in and starts electrocuting him to death. He twitches uncontrollably for a lengthy time before lying back, dead.
With a stoic look, Peacemaker points his Desert Eagle at a guy a significant distance away. Without looking, he fires a bullet right into his shoulder. The guy groans, distracted by the wound.
Bloodsport scoffs. "Non-lethal. You lose."
Peacemaker huffs. "Exploding compression bullets."
And as to prove his point, the guy's entire torso EXPLODES into bits with flesh and blood spilling everywhere. The other half of his body collapsed on the floor uselessly.
"No one likes a show-off," growls Bloodspoint, pointing a finger.
Peacemaker smirks. "Unless what they're showing off is dope as f**k."
Bloodsport frowns as he turns around. 'F**k. That's true…"
Their three other companions arrive back. They reach up to them with King Shark still chewing on his latest snack.
"How did you take care of the others?" asked Bloodsport. "Got them distracted?"
"Well…" started Polka-Dot Man.
There is a commotion going on over the hills as they could hear screams of terror and squeaking of rats. Some of the people are crying while some of them are yelling while some are laughing. One guy briefly pops his head over the hill before dropping down when a rat crawls onto him and tries to enter through his mouth.
"Oh, god, no!" yelled a man's voice in an unladylike fashion. "There's a mouse in my asshole!"
Bloodsport winces a little in pity. While he is safe at a distance, he shivers at the thought of actually being attacked by rats. He is so lucky he isn't there to watch the whole thing unravel.
"Will those rats be biting down on them or will they leave the fleas to do the job?" asked Peacemaker, amused.
Ratcatcher II shrugs. "Mmm, I don't know. I'm just distracting them. As long as they distract them for long to allow us to escape, they won't be coming after us."
The sound of curtains opening comes from the nearby tower. Two men appear with one of them as the sniper. Before Bloodsport could take out another weapon, Polka-Dot Man opens his right gauntlets and they glow a bright blue and pink color. A huge swarm of rainbow polka dots went flying out of it and straight towards the leg of the tower.
With the polka dots slashing through the legs or burning them up, the tower comes crumbling down like a house of cards. The two men follow and crash onto the ground, hitting their head hard enough to cause internal bleeding or cracks in their skulls. Whatever the case, they laid there, slowly dying. All that remains behind them is a broken wooden tower with dangling pieces and excess polka dots flying around aimlessly.
Everybody could only stare at the flying polka dots. Bloodsport isn't surprised, but this helps prove his idea that Polka-Dot Man is a dangerous metahuman. He has been treated like a joke, but he is really deadly in taking down anyone with a flick of his arm.
Even Peacemaker is impressed, baffled. "He does throw polka-dots at people."
Polka-Dot Man shuffles around awkwardly. "I'm sorry, it's so…flamboyant."
"It looks cool, I think," claims Ratcatcher II.
"Pretty!" said King Shark, staring at the flying polka dots.
Bloodsport just nods. "You are really a strong metahuman with powers. You can be a good shooter."
The team starts to slowly approach the large hut. They can hear talking inside. It must be Flag and someone else. King Shark is ordered to take the other entrance to make sure nobody really escapes while the others take the front entrance.
"So you give your victims the chicken pox when you kill them?" jokes Peacemaker, a little light-heartedly.
"I don't like to kill people," explains Polka-Dot Man. "But if I pretend they're my mum, it's easy."
Bloodsport raises an eyebrow. "T.M.I, mate."
After asking everyone if they are ready, he pulls the curtain aside. Everyone pulls out their weapons, ready to attack.
However, the scene in front of them is anything but a danger. Save for a few bandages on his shoulder and side, Flag appears untouched. Not tortured. Well and breathing. And he is sitting in a chair with a mug in his hand, looking like he is on a vacation. An old guy with long white hair is sitting next to him, Savant, still wearing his outfit excluding the black goggles. There is a woman at the table with them; light skin, dark hair pulled in a ponytail and wearing what appears to be jungle gear.
King Shark pokes his head from the other entrance, looking around. There is a squawk and he looks down to find Weasel, tilting his head. Weasel chitters before resting back down on the red mat and biting on his leg.
What?
Why is Flag like this?
Why is he just talking with this lady?
And why is that THING from prison here…panting like a dog?
"DuBois?" said Flag, recognizing Bloodsport.
The mercenary is confused. "Hey, Flag."
"What the hell are you doing here?"
"Waller told us that you were…uh…why are you drinking tea?"
Flag blinks. This must be all a big confusion. The people who caught him, Savant and Weasel are actually nice, not their enemy.
"This is Sol Soria," he said, gesturing to the ponytailed woman. "She's the leader of the freedom fighters; the resistance trying to take down the current government. They saved our lives."
Oh.
"Oh," muttered Bloodsport as everyone lowered their weapons.
So…they just…killed a bunch of innocent resistance fighters? Not the soldiers from the army?
"Why did my people not alert me of your arrival?" asks Soria in a native accent.
She is waiting for answers.
They are doomed.
Quick, act dumb!
"We didn't see any people," said Bloodsport, trying to look confused.
Peacemaker is silent for a moment before blankly responding, 'Yeah, I didn't see anybody on the way…"
"There's no one out there," said Bloodsport, giving Peacemaker a look that screams 'don't copy what I said'.
Ratcatcher II grins sheepishly while Sebastian squeaks along. "They were gone when we got here."
"I turned them into my mother in my head and killed them," muttered Polka-Dot Man.
The three stare at him. Not that dumb!
Soria could only gape at the four costumed criminals, dumbfounded. What did they do? Flag and Savant exchange looks and it is clear they knew what happened. This iteration of Task Force X just barged in and took down an entire camp of guards without asking. What do they think they were doing?! Even Weasel is speechless, staring at the four new people with curious, bulging eyes and a gaping jaw.
The true answer came when King Shark started to cough. There is something stuck inside his throat. Choking it out, he spits a lone, chopped finger onto the table. With a bloody golden ring on it. And it looks real, save for the saliva covering it. Right in front for everyone to see. Soria just stares at it in horror, the fact that a huge portion of her people were slaughtered hitting her.
Bloodsport and Ratcatcher II clench their teeth nervously. This isn't really going to go well now that they just interrupted the lives of harmless resistance fighters. Sebastian squeaks an 'uh oh' to explain their thoughts. Polka-Dot Man stands in his spot, unsure what to do next.
For Peacemaker, time to improvise.
"That is mine," said Peacemaker as he stepped into the hut, smiling. "Hi."
Flag and Savant give him disappointed looks while Soria gapes on, her expression unchanged.
He picks up the finger. "I am Frodo of the 9 Fingers." He looks back at it. "And the ring. This is where I keep it."
He tries putting the finger right into the ammo pocket…only for it to flop onto the floor.
"It's a fake finger," he tries to lie. "A prop one to scare off my foes and tell them to never come near me. It doesn't even move! See? It's hard as stone!"
The way he swings the finger around and seeing it shake shows that it is NOT a fake.
There is one thing left to do to prove they didn't kill any people.
Peacemaker licks on the finger before putting it in his mouth. Everyone is silent as they watch him taste the finger. He pulls it out before nodding with a smile.
"Yep," he said. "It's a dick."
He turns it around and holds it out to Bloodsport as though he'll want to try it too.
"It…tastes more like jam," said Peacemaker with a strained smile. "If it is real, then it would be jelly. Do you know the difference between jelly and jam?"
What the f**k is he even trying to accomplish?!
"Erm…yeah?" said Bloodsport, already getting disgusted.
"Well, I can't jelly my cock down your throat," said Peacemaker.
The mercenary blinks. "Wait, what?"
"Yeah, it would be true. I mean like jelly is hard to get through a hole. Like, I don't know how small or big your anus might be, but jelly can't exactly go through it since it can feel weakened by the heat." Peacemaker, at that point, has no idea what he is talking about. "Now, it might be anyone, but maybe Nanaue might be different."
Bloodsport scrunches up his nose. "Thank f**k for that."
Soria groans before she gets up and makes her out of the hut. Bloodsport and Ratcatcher II give each other a nervous glance. They knew what was about to come and all that killing was for nothing.
Flag and Savant get up from their seats, knowing that they might have to be involved. Even though they won Soria's trust, it might be hard to convince her to not have an excuse to kill their new partners. Weasel - a bit oblivious to what is going on - follows the two with childlike chittering and dangling arms. Bloodsport's group could only step back with their leader staring at Weasel, understandably weirded out.
Well, at least they completed the mission as Waller told them to do.
Rambling from the leader of the resistance feels the entire communication hub. Soria's voice could be heard through the team's communicators, switching from English to Spanish. Everyone decides to just ignore it while quickly getting up Weasel's and Savant's vital profiles to keep them in check since it is confirmed that they are alive. The consequences of killing a resistance team, who doesn't have anything to do with them at all, might be seeping into them as well.
Crawley is shaking her head in embarrassment.
Harcourt has a hand over her forehead, realizing how stupid it is to attack on a rebel camp in mistake of the army.
Economos is trying not to hear, but it is a bit awkward hearing Soria scolding the squad like she is a mother.
Moone doesn't know how to feel. Flag is safe and he is in good care. She is grateful for the resistance. Though any chance of them helping Task Force X is completely gone. So out of the window, shut it close and let the car run over them. That might soil the team and ARGUS more for their callousness.
She stands up and approaches Waller who is just listening to Soria's ranting in silence.
"It wasn't the enemy," said Moone firmly. "You knew about this?"
"Yes," said Waller initially.
She doesn't look as intimidating as before. Moone tilts her head and raises an eyebrow.
"I mean, no," switched Waller before trying to wriggle out of this. "All forces that interrupt our troops are considered to be threats."
"Well, except for the innocent," grumbled Moone sarcastically. "Very expendable in the world, right? Not sure how they will come back to bite any one of us."
"But…it is their fault," said Waller with a lack of a proper explanation. "If they took Flag, Savant and Weasel, why did they prolong them from calling us?"
"I don't know. Maybe it's due to s**tty connection or the three damaged their devices by accident!"
Moone pauses for a moment. Waller never really thinks about the safety of other people. Whether in the team or outside of her team. Anything she tries to control or situation she thinks she can manipulate eventually turns on her and the rest of them. By a LOT of things. Her arrogance really leads to disaster like how she provoked Enchantress to hostility in the first place. And she tried to run away from the blame of killing so many people back then.
"Seriously, did you even think about getting the team to approach the resistance fighters politely before you order the team to commit a MASSIVE wipe out of an insurgent camp?" snarled Moone, feeling fed up.
An awkward pause between the two.
"…everyone dies eventually," mutters Waller. "Sometimes, sacrifices are needed."
It doesn't have an effect on Moone. "I feel so convinced that I feel that you would die from sacrificing yourself to protect your country. How extreme. Why didn't I think of that?"
Waller sighs and shakes her head. She leaves the room to take a break, leaving the rest of the work to Flag and Bloodsport's team…if they are able to leave if the resistance leader allows it. Moone stares back at the screens and checks all the vital profiles of each member of the squad. It is now only Harley's group missing in action. She looks back at Bloodsport's profile. His picture - the grumpy and tired-looking mercenary - makes her think of the weary look on Flag's face right now.
If he is able to get out of this, he would be able to finish this mission with the rest of the team. And speaking of Bloodsport, Moone never knew he once worked with Flag, though it might be due to the mercenary's real name not being shared around that much.
She might get a chance to talk with Bloodsport and Flag properly in their free time.
AN: What if Waller didn't know that the enemies that captured Flag are just resistance fighters? Here, she is made as a joke for that. showing how callous she is.
Peacemaker playing around with the finger is actually based from the blooper gag where his actor has fun with using the chopped finger prop. I feel like using that in her since it adds another layer of hilarious awkwardness and the fact that he doean't really have good social skills.
The conversation between Bloodsport and Ratcatcher II actually takes inspirations from AO3 story 'Missing Scenes' by Flameo0515. I though of having a moment of those two since Bloodsport is in disbelief of what the young girl did…I mean young woman. Boy, I have to try to be consistent! I say that Ratcatcher II's explanation pf why she showed kindness to King Shark is in the way of Charlie comforting Vaggie in the pilot episode of Hazbin Hotel.
I think I rushed this chapter than the others. Is there anything that is out of place in this one? Let me know please. 😅
And oh, I forgot to put in how Flag, Savant and Weasel bumps into the Resistance. Don't worry, it will be in the next chapter!
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).
Until next time, keep on rocking!