AN: Just to note that I am in university, so I can't continue my usual writing time and now have to do writing time on one story a week than multiple. So, I ask that all of you are patient with me as updates may be slow after the next chapter.
Now, we look over to what the Thinker is caught up in...
Chapter 8 - My Dear Presidente
Grieves is NOT having a good day today.
Just earlier today, a military group raided his laboratory and his report team was apprehended. Some of them had been butchered by Suarez for unknown reasons. When he heard the news from the police, he knew that Luna and Suarez would have done something. And now, under the command of being sent to the government palace, he is seething to himself.
He isn't really given the time to change, so he is in a dark blue bodysuit. That would be his walking outfit, but the cops aren't so merciful with giving time to him.
As they enter through one of the entrances, Grieves finds one of his fallen workers on the floor.
All wearing in white with silver hair still looking fresh. But his neck is bloodied and a pool of blood seeps underneath him. It isn't a pretty sight, but Grieves doesn't have time to inspect the slash.
With a roll of his eyes, he hops over the corpse with the two police guards following him.
It looks like he needs to be wise to get out of this one alive. The Herrera family was generous to have him working on Project Starfish but he isn't sure about Luna and Suarez. What would they exactly do to him and his project?
Would they ruin whatever he has next to plan?
As soon as he enters the room, he finds them already looking into the first source of his work. The two presidents are watching a video they picked up from Jotunheim, silent as they repeated the footage. Sitting in a dark room as if they are watching a movie. They have an old film projector they found set up and it presents an image onto a large board covered by a white sheet. The image is showing a confusing sight of what appears to be…starfish covering people's faces.
"Hey," said Luna, calmful. His face lacks the joy and charm he had before when he played with the birds last night. "What is this?"
Grieves isn't in the mood to address that first. "What is this?!" He gestured back to the now-closed door, referring to his fallen worker. "You've slaughtered my staff!"
"Sorry about that," said Luna. "Suarez has been livid on finding whoever is on the Herreras' side."
"That does not give you the excuse to execute them. How am I going to run every experiment in Jotunheim?! It's going to take me a while to find new ones and I really paid for them well! Don't you know how to really keep your men in check like this?"
"They were loyal to the Herreras," repeated Suarez bluntly, spinning around a smoking cigarette. "If we let them go free, they would try to rebel against us like the rebellion force. Flying and buzzing away like stinky flies. Who are YOU loyal to, Thinker?"
Grieves gave him a glare. "Well, as long as you keep your hands off my team and off my work, then I will be loyal to you."
"We have a free guy here," grumbled Luna. Great. This one might be harder to convince to get onto their side.
Suarez looks over Grieves' headset. Amusing how he is still alive with all those wires and light bulbs in his head. Did he go through surgery to get all of these? Would he get dumber if one of those light bulbs is pulled out? Grieves must be a part-cyborg human.
"All that s**t in your face is to make your brain good?" asked Suarez with a smirk.
Grieves growls a little. "Yes. It makes my brain good! A bit much better than anyone's, right?"
Calling Suarez dumb wouldn't be the right choice.
"You're being sarcastic with me?!" snarled Suarez.
The older general got right up into Grieves' face, poking a finger right at his face and a hand onto his shoulder. Grieves grunts a little, but he knows that this guy wouldn't kill him if he is the one in charge of Jotunheim. The burning anger from the discovery of his research team being killed probably helps him not flinch in the slightest of a large-sized, chubby man throwing curses at him.
Fortunately, the second Suarez got up, Luna was already onto him.
"We shall do to you as we did to your employees!" threatened Suarez as he was held back.
"Mateo!" shouted Luna, annoyed before speaking in Spanish, "Stop being a child."
Suarez is about to just shove him aside, but then, he sees how serious Luna is for once. Despite him showering himself in victory, the discovery of what they managed to collect in Jotunheim finally got Luna's full attention. The older general sighs as he steps aside, keeping his hands to his back as if trying to look calm.
Luna turns to the Thinker and points towards the footage playing. "What is this?"
The footage is replaying once again. It starts off inside an American spaceship as one astronaut excitingly moves his cameras towards the window. Besides the large Earth below, there is one thing that stands up from the infinitely dark space out there.
Grieves raises an eyebrow. Well, he hasn't shared this with anyone for a while, so he might as well tell them.
"Project Starfish," he said. "It's been the primary focus on my experiments here for the past 30 years."
A starfish appears in space, floating aimlessly. Nobody knows if it is alive since it barely moves at all. It would roll eyes since it looks like some kind of huggable, plush toy, but seeing an entity like this makes one wonder if it came from the stars literally. The colors of reddish pink, blue and its yellow eye immediately tell everyone that this is indeed an alien.
The image changes to what appears to be after capturing the starfish. Its five appendages are tied up to the wall by white rope, its eye shifting around in fear. Three American astronauts are surrounding it, making silly poses around it as if taking a selfie.
"Look at these reckless Americans," said Suarez in Spanish. "Bringing the animal aboard the shuttle with no precautions."
Luna squints his eyes at the footage, waiting for the part to come. The very one that got him speechless and actually afraid. The image had a close-up on the starfish as it produced…a miniature self of it from a small hole of its armpit or whatever should be the right term for a hole in-between its appendages. Two more followed out, mushed together before separating.
"Here," said Luna. "What…What is it doing here?"
"Oh!" said Suarez flatly. "It is having little babies."
"Not progeny," corrected Grieves. "Extensions of itself."
The footage takes a frightening turn as the little starfishes float around eerily. For a moment, there is no movement from the astronaut. But then, one of the small starfishes suddenly wraps itself onto one astronaut. The other two latch onto the other two astronauts with one lifting their arms up as if trying to peel it off.
"They take hosts," explained Grieves. "And those hosts in turn become part of the central being." He walks across the room, nonchalant to the surreal image going on. He is already familiar with the procedures of what this beast can do, so it doesn't faze him. "Grows larger, more powerful."
Luna and Suarez watch in wonder, looking carefully on what the small starfishes do to their three targets. The three bodies flinched around in a seizure-like motion, unresponsive to the cameraman who was already shaking the camera. The three fell limp, unmoving. The cameraman quickly escapes and locks the room.
When it looked back inside, the starfish alien had already outgrown, touching the ceiling.
And its three hosts jerked their heads upwards before flying towards the door window.
No one can hear what they are screaming since there is no sound applied, but there is no need to find out. The explanation from Grieves is already enough to tell them about the nature of Project Starfish.
Luna turns off the film projector, taking the time to understand all of this. So, THIS is what the Herrera family used to rule their country with an iron fist. They never explained properly what this 'monster' is, but it has got their people worried ever since several disappeared from the public. Said to be consumed by the monster itself. Now, they know what kind of monster it is.
"So…" hesitated Luna. "Where is this Project Starfish now?"
Grieves grins. "Perhaps I can show you where it is. Consider it as a tour through Jotunheim in exchange for your forgiveness."
The trio, accompanied by their government coup, made their way to Jotunheim. Once they arrived by travel, Luna and Suarez took the time to look back at the tower. They only waited outside of the front entrance as they got their men to take care of everything, so now, they get a chance to see inside.
But now, they are welcoming themselves to the kinds of horror that might lie in this massive tower. It sticks out from the rest of the city, looking like some kind of dark cloud in the sky. Completely made from gray bricks, lacking any exciting features. A hulking tall building that looks like it can touch the sky. The front entrance looks neat, something that comes out from a Greek building, but the shadow covering it due to the sun facing the other way just tells them to turn the other way.
Grieves guides them into Jotunheim, but as they look around the ground floor, he decides to stir up a bit of friendly conversation to get on their side.
"I also heard that there was an attack at the beach last night," he said.
Suarez growls. "There were nine people and they all survived. It should have been small, but it doesn't add up that there were no casualties on their side."
"How were they able to outwit an entire army?"
"We…tracked them down on who they are," said Luna from memory. "This invasion team was made up of an outlandish bunch. Through our military records, we identified the leader as American Colonel Rick Flag."
Grieves raised an eyebrow. "I heard stories about him. I thought he would be back in the military after the Midway City crisis."
"That is what you think. It seems that he was drafted into some kind of black ops unit by the government. We identified his workers by their physical appearance and protection outfits. While there are connections, we haven't confirmed. But the three that we managed to capture are criminals."
Grieves blinked. "Criminals?"
"The three captured are identified under the codenames of 'Harley Quinn'..." Luna paused for a moment, feeling flustered for a moment. "...'Mongal' and 'Javelin'. The last they were spotted, they were SUPPOSED to be serving their prison sentences, according to the US prison system."
Grieves is left dumbfounded. Criminals? Hiring criminals? All led by a military colonel who should be in a team with soldiers? That is something he didn't expect. This must have helped them survive being ambushed by the entire Corto Maltese army due to their experience unlike a regular black-ops soldier. He doesn't understand why someone would trust criminals to sneak into their island.
But, of course. Americans; that is what they do. They would be DESPERATE to do anything to complete a task that should be kept out of the public eye.
Luna, however, is thinking about the captured three the army caught.
"For now, our army will scout out for the rest of them," said Luna. "They are expendable. I want the three we caught to be brought in alive."
Suarez doesn't look pleased. "We talked about it. Them invading in our country prompts a full-blown offense from America."
"That is true, but I've been willing to talk with them. And maybe, they can provide information to us."
"They would just turn on us," said Suarez. "Stop dicking around."
"Don't be so unwelcoming, Mateo. We're a stable country now, so let's be kind to our guests."
It didn't take long for their argument to end as Grieves, deciding to put the thought of criminals storming into the island, continued the tour. Suarez really doesn't understand why Luna is fancying all the pretty things he can find. One wrong move with any of those criminals they captured and they would all be doomed at the last minute. He trusts Luna, but the younger man can be shallow.
Arriving at the lowest level of the tower possible, the government coup is introduced to Project Starfish itself. Ignoring the huge cages of test subjects that cover up the leading hallway, they are presented with a marvelous sight of a gigantic starfish appendage waving around from the other side of a giant, circular window. There are wires-wait, actually, no. It seems to be tentacles sprouting out from the tips of the appendages, wiggling around.
"Hello, old chum!" called Grieves with a cocky grin. "How have you been?"
The test subjects from the cages start to moan and wail in unison. Luna and Suarez whip around, but remind themselves that these subjects have starfishes on their faces, mind-controlled. Doesn't matter. Sacrifices are needed.
And with this kind of beast, a kind of power that can control people…
"Unleash the creature in the U.S," muttered Suarez in Spanish, burning in hatred towards the Americans. "Let it destroy them all to show them that we are not to be pushed aside.
"No, Mateo," said Luna in the same language, his grin widening. "Think of the potential; with such a dangerous weapon, the world will take us seriously. The 'Big Leagues', Mateo. It is like how many superheroes and powerful figures gather all the attention. Gotham, Atlantis, Krypton…it would put us back right on the map!"
"How would that work?" asked Suarez.
"Once we prepare to unleash this monster to the world, nothing can stop us. Not even the US. They will bow down on their knees by then."
Suarez raises an inquisitive eyebrow. Effective, but patronizing in the sense that there would ALWAYS be some sort of opposition against them.
Grieves understood what they were talking about. Living in Corto Maltese helped him to understand Spanish. At the thought of unleashing the monster, he hesitates. This might not go well since he hasn't really figured out how to control Project Starfish and they are daring to use it without knowing the consequences. But since he is the one in charge, then he has to play it cool.
"Marvelous idea, Presidente," he finally said. "But as I've noted, I've been working with the beast for 30 years. And there's no one capable of controlling it. It's only me who found a lease on it."
Luna turns his head to him, speaking in English. "What else do we need to know?"
"I have yet to find a way to actually mind-control this thing. It - and every single one of its hosts - have fallen into timidness of failing to reach my expectations however. It is impervious to most things that can kill humans. Militaries don't have a chance against that thing."
"And the hosts?"
"Well, allow me to show you more of my work if you want to know."
Luna nods. The doctor seems suspicious with his change of heart into helping him after they decimated his research team. However, he needs all the leads in order to bring Corto Maltese in the image he and Suarez want it to be. And how it should be seen by the world.
"Well, then…" he said, reaching his hand for a handshake. "Welcome to the team."
Grieves crosses his arms, staring at him with a cautious look. After a while, he shrugs before shaking his hand back.
They would have continued the tour, but they have to come back to it another time.
Luna wants everyone to be ready for his dear Harley Quinn.
Meanwhile, with Harley, Javelin and Mongal, the three members of Task Force X who were captured are in a really tight space. 'Tight' is the term. Being tied in ropes would be one thing, but being placed in a dirty hole is the worst kind of prison you would ever be in, especially since you don't exactly have handgrabs or be able to move your limbs around to climb your way out. When I mean by that, I mean having your body wrapped around in ropes that prevent you from moving your arms around.
Javelin, now Gunter Braun due to him being forced out of his outfit, is rather surprised that the soldiers were kind enough to look over his injuries. Despite him attempting to escape and find his teammates, he was placed down on a makeshift bed and the nurses used some kind of gas or drug to make him go into a coma. When he woke up, he found out that they removed the bullets that shot through his shoulders and gave him new bandages.
He was warned that he shouldn't move around his shoulders too much or else it would open up the wounds, but he thought that it was just an afterthought towards him when he is forced to go back into the hole.
"YOU ARE MAKING A BIG MISTAKE THROWING US DOWN HERE!" bellowed Harley's voice. "I WILL BE OUTTA HERE SOON ENOUGH! YOU'LL SEE! YOU'LL ALL SEE!"
As Braun hops into the hole, he lands right next to Harley. He grunts a little due to his shoulders feeling sore from landing. The ropes tying his arms prevents the luxury for him to rub his shoulders.
He looks around the area.
It is hopeless. Harley, covered in dirt and grime, is burning in frustration after spending a day stuck in a hole. Her eyes are darted upwards, murderous towards the soliders watching them.
On the side, Braun found Mongal. The alien warrior is still unconscious, her head resting against the wall. She is even tied up by ropes, but if she is awake, she would have got them out easily. Braun doesn't know how long it was the last time she was awake.
Harley pauses her ranting, turning to Braun. "Oh! Hi, Javvy! How are you?"
It seems that his presence has brightened up her day judging by the quick expression change.
"They healed me well," said Braun. "Quite handy in taking out bullets from the flesh. How nice do you think those people are?"
"They didn't do a round of gunfire on us," said Harley. "So, they might be nice people." She pauses for a moment. "You have really nice eyes! Now that I can see behind your cowl."
"It's a mask," said Braun with a grin. "And since my identity is now exposed to them, call me Gunter. Gunter Braun. Before I pay my ticket to the grave."
"But we might survive long. I mean, they were nice people healing you."
Immediately, she did a huge 180 and went back to ranting at the soldiers above.
"JUST YOU WAIT, YOU ALL!" shrieked Harley. "I GOT THE FINEST OLYMPIC IN THE WORLD…" She turned to Braun. "Wait, did you go to the Olympics before?"
Braun raised an eyebrow. "Do I need to remind you?"
"Oh wait, you do. I forgot!" She whipped around again. "AND I GOT THE TOUGHEST ALIEN WARRIOR IN THE UNIVERSE! SO WHEN WE GET OUT OF HERE, WE WILL KILL EVERY LAST ONE OF YOU…" She paused for a moment as she tried to say the right demonym. "Corto Maltese-tezios. Maltese-els. Malte-multoids. Colt-a-mults?" She shook her head. "WHATEVER YOU MARIO-KART-RACING D-BAGS ARE CALLED!"
"Wow," grumbled a voice. "You can really scream as loud as the Earthling I once shanked."
Mongal.
She is already awake, her yellow eyes wide open. Harley and Braun stare at her dumbfounded as she sits up.
"Finally!" said Braun. "You're awake!"
"Actually, no," said Mongal flatly. "I managed to come to after that headache. I was just taking a rest and I decided to listen to Harley's war cries towards our enemies."
Harley gapes. "You were faking being asleep the entire day?!"
A smirk appears over the alien warrior, something not seen before. "It amuse me. If I even got you two out, they would fire on all of us and you two would be nothing more than dogmeat."
Harley pouted. "Aww…you're lucky that you're bulletproof." She whips back to the soldiers again. "MY GIRL IS AWAKE NOW! SO YOU DON'T WANT TO MESS WITH US! IF ANY OF YOU DARE TO POINT YOUR TOYS AT US, WE WILL RIP YOU APART! YOU HEAR ME?! WE DON'T NEED GUNS! BET THAT WE WOULD SHOVE THEM UP YOUR…"
As Harley rants on, Braun groans. This is getting nowhere. They are stuck. Harley is agitated, he is wounded and Mongal is doing nothing. What a waste of time. But Mongal is true that if they even jump out, they would start firing on them. Not to mention how many soldiers are surrounding them right now.
The wooden bar-like covering opened up and three objects fell into the hole.
"Please," said the captain watching them. "Put this on."
Three clothing sets covered in plastic. Harley, Braun and Mongal stare at them, wondering what they are. These clothes look like they came from a birthday shop, but they look…strangely nice. The plastic covering must be there to protect those clothes from dirt and dust.
"Wait," said Braun. "How are we supposed to put these on if we can't get ourselves out of these ropes?"
Mongal sighs and with a quick move of her arms, she breaks the ropes tying her around apart. She proceeds to untie the ropes for Harley and Braun. The soldiers didn't respond to this.
"Something doesn't look right about…this," said Mongal, prodding one of the outfits.
"Let's just get dressed before they force us to," said Braun. "Probably for the best. Now, where are the changing rooms?"
"There aren't any," whines Harley.
Braun huffs. "OK then. Well, tell me when I can open my eyes when you two are done."
It all went by in a blur, but the three find themselves in a black limousine, all dressed in suits and dresses that look like they came from a 1500s ball gown party. Their previous outfits were confiscated sadly, but at least they get a fresh set of clean clothes.
Nobody knows why they are treated this nicely, but they decide to take it in to see what is going on. Besides, no one can argue against getting a good clean up with a blast of water and hair scrubs.
Harley is dressed in a beautiful, glittery red dress. The ruffle on her skirt is lined nicely with a white tulle skirt underneath, though she realizes it is shaped asymmetrically. Her hair is styled much neater than her usual style with her bangs still hanging in the front and her black and red hair tied in a beautiful bun. As she sits in her seat with two make-up artists cleaning her face, she looks into a mirror two soldiers are holding for them.
She gasps at the result, seeing how bright and beautiful she is.
"Oh…wow," she said. "I'm a princess!"
She never thought she would be dressed like this. Dresses are a bit too expensive and neat for her, but they look really good on her!
In another section of the limousine, Braun feels grateful to be groomed once again. He misses this from the good old days of playing in the Olympics. The folks on this island must have paid attention to his interest and criminal record as he is dressed in a yellow jacket with blue lapel, a white shirt with a black bowtie, black trousers and black shiny shoes. A hair stylist is combing his golden hair and tying it up in a neat bun. He wants to tell her to let his hair flow, but decides to let her do so since it might make him look neat.
Through the window, he sees Harley giggling about her new appearance. He has to admit, she looks beautiful.
He looks at the two soldiers patrolling him. There is something strange about them being carried in such a nice vehicle meant for celebrities, but he can't throw away that offer, right?
He leans back on his seat, grinning.
Mongal is on high alert, her eyes looking around at every single corner of the room she is in. Away from her two teammates. She is the most reluctant to get out of her traditional armor, but falls for the outfit since it does carry the colors of her planet. Something that isn't too feminine while not being too masculine. A purple blazer with a black lapel, a black collared shirt, purple leggings and black boots. The skirt confuses her as a black waist-high irregular short skirt with golden intersecting diamond-shaped lines shouldn't be something for Earthling royalty.
She frowns as a hairstylist helps her refix her braid ponytail in the mohawk she loves while a make-up artist applies orange make-up on her cheeks. She feels that this is REALLY chary considering that they are being so civilized towards them; the team who just tried to invade their island. Wouldn't they be shoved into a police truck and placed into a jail cell? What is this?
The limousine stops as they are escorted out. Harley briefly shields herself from the afternoon sun before looking around their new surroundings.
They are in the area of the government palace. It looks like the park she went to at Disneyland when she once left Gotham for contract work. Soldiers watch over the area with guns in their hands to make sure nobody attacks. There are two lines of servants, cooks and maids to form a welcoming entrance to the front doors and the white palace.
Harley feels like crying at this scene. She never thought she would be treated like a princess.
Braun's smile widens at this sight. This is gonna be interesting.
Mongal is paranoid by this, uncertain by all the gifts showering on them.
"If it ain't my royal subjects all lined up for their beloved Princess Quinzel," said Harley.
"Senorita Quinn," said a nearby servant. "Senorita Mongal. Senor Braun. On behalf of the entire staff of Our Honorable General Presidente Silvio Eleuterio Luna, it's a pleasure to serve you."
A pleasure to…serve them?
Since when do they start to treat them like their kings and queens?
Braun grinned, surprised by this.
Mongal could only stare, bewildered.
Harley seems to be not worried in the slightest bit.
"Gracias," she said as she started to walk in a graceful manner.
Braun shrugs. "Well, I guess we can't take 'no' for an answer."
"Wait a minute, you oaf," growled Mongal in German, grabbing Braun.
The former Olympic turned around, speaking in the same language. "Got a problem?"
Mongal looks around. There are a few eyes, but no one seems to understand what they are saying. So, the two continue to speak in German.
"Don't you think that this presentation is a trap for all of us?" asked Mongal. "It looks kind of suspicious."
"I don't know about you," said Braun. He thinks for a while. "But you got a point. It DOES look like a trap."
"Maybe we should get out of here. Or we can use this time to slaughter the president. This would help with taking down whoever is going to misuse Project Starfish."
"Let's not be hostile just yet," said Braun. "I say that we go ahead and pretend."
Mongal takes a step back. "What are you proposing?"
"These guys are really being generous to us, am I right? Look at how they set things up. They are probably like 'Everyone get ready. Where's my tie? Where's my perfume? Did we set up the food nicely for them to eat? What should we serve to the alien?' If this was a trap, then they wouldn't have set things up like this and none of those servants look like soldiers"
"So?"
"I say that we act dumb. Play along. Charm them. We'll keep an eye out for anything in case they are ready to strike. This is a good way to find intel and a way to get into Jotunheim."
Mongal thinks about it. She is more on the offense, but she never tries to bribe people before or pretend. She is all honest. But Braun has a really good point. Using something to their advantage to turn the tide?
She turns her head to see Harley ogling with the line of servants.
"You think she would be onboard?" asked Mongal in English.
"Let her have her fun," said Braun.
And as they follow her, she is already having fun.
"Colonel," said Harley as she pointed at a pouty woman. "Draw and court this one for chronic resting b**ch face."
"Is that how you humans make laws for your people?" said Mongal.
"If you are younger than 10 or never went to fifth grade…maybe," said Braun.
"Give this one's children to this one," said Harley, gesturing to a male servant and then to a female servant. "So she may learn how to love." She points back to the male servant. "And this one will learn how to be grateful for all the things he loves by losing it."
She points at several servants, picky on whose face should be whose.
"Take this face and put it on this one. And this one's face with that one. Like in that movie, Face/Off."
The military colonel gives Braun and Mongal a look, asking them why this woman is so out there. The two just give him a look that says 'don't look at me, she's Harley'.
Harley is already onto one of the female servants. "Do this. NA-NA-NA-NA-NA!"
The female servant broke her stoic look and happily copied in a high-pitched tone. "NA-NA-NA-NA-NA!"
"No!" exclaimed Harley.
"Whoa!" said the female servant, surprised.
"NA-NA-NA-NA-NA!"
"NA-NA-NA-NA-NA!"
"BA-NA-NA."
"BA-NA-NA."
An unsatisfied Harley turns to the military colonel. "Hang her."
The female servant went back to frowning.
"That sort of command sounds really immature," said Mongal. "Is this really how you treat your servants?"
"Hey, girlfriend," said Harley with a grin. "I'm just doing me. You do you. It's not like everyone gets to have their dream of being a Disney Princess in a lifetime!"
Mongal narrowed her eyes. "I am a princess to my planet, you idiot."
"Let's not bother our dear servants," teased Braun. "I think we kind of pissed them off a little."
"Nah, they can take it," said Harley. "Give it a try!"
Braun and Mongal glance at each other, wondering if it would be a good idea to request something to be done to one of their 'loyal subjects'.
"Go on!"
Braun hums before turning to a female servant. He tenderly stroked her face.
"Do you perhaps have a free night?" he asked, blinking his pretty eyes. "I have a reservation just for you."
Unfortunately, she isn't having any of it.
SLAP!
Braun winces and moves around his jaw after being slapped once again.
Mongal rolls her eyes before turning to one of the servants. "Do you have a sparring training room? One of those sports you humans do on Earth?"
He nodded.
"A sparring room?" asked Harley.
"I want to see how well you do well when it comes to swordsmanship," said Mongal. "You may have impressed me, but I like to see how you two fare well when it comes to classic combat."
"I don't know about you," said Braun cockily. "But once I get my hands on a sharp stick, expect me to make a huge body kebab."
"I know better ways to cut a man into pieces with just one sword."
"Oh, but can you throw your sword like a marksman?"
"You don't know what my planet can do compared to your inferior weapons."
Braun smirked as he got into Mongal's face. "Oh, so you want a match, do you?"
"You mess with me, Mongal, Princess of Warworld, and your head will be nothing but an apple on a spike on the nearest bridge I can find."
"I bet that you'll be entranced by my dashing moves that you'll fall on your knees and give me a chance to cut out your throat."
"Oh, is that a dare?" asked Mongal, glaring.
"Oh, it's a PROMISE," said Braun, feeling competitive.
"Ladies, ladies!" said Harley, separating them. "Let's not have a catfight going on. Be civil for today, ok?"
The two didn't get to respond to this as she is already hugging one of the female servants.
"Harvest this one's eggs and freeze them," she said, cuddling the woman lovingly. "She shall be the mother of all humanity in the year 4000."
The female servant is understandably confused by this, staring at her as she gives her a kiss on the forehead.
Harley decides that she should be entering the palace, running up to it. She pushes, but the door refuses to open. Frustrated, she starts bashing her body against it, trying to open it. Like she is practicing bumping into her enemy with style. All eyes are on her, confused or deadbeat by this.
Mongal smirked. "She's a bit moronic."
"Hey, Quinn!" called Braun, trying to catch her attention. "You shouldn't be pushing the doors! It's supposed to be pulling them. You would have to-"
But two male servants - dressed in black and golden jackets - already made their service.
"Senorita," said one of them. "Allow us."
Harley isn't sure at first what they would do, but she is amazed by how gentle and professional they are when they pull the door open for people to enter the palace. She steps towards one of them and caresses his cheek.
"Adopt these two as my sons, Colonel," she whispers lovingly. "They will have this palace when I die."
Both boys don't look like they are eager to be her sons at all.
Harley whoops as she hops inside the palace. Braun and Mongal glance at each other, exchanging nods and a fiery look. They'll look forward to their match later, but they need to keep an eye out for anything that can pop out from nowhere. Without looking back, they enter the palace, trying to catch up with the giddy Harley.
As they enter, Harley starts hopping on the tiles of the floor like a child in a she took off her high heels, the colonel has to carry them for her. Braun, thinking it looks fun, decides to try along. It feels like getting to be a child again. Mongal pays no attention and instead looks around the room they are entering.
It would remind one of being in a very ancient palace due to all the decorations and the ornate patterns seen. There are staircases made in the shape of curls like a gateway to heaven. Blue and golden colors paint the entire walls, fitting for a king. Chandeliers made from diamonds sway around on the ceiling, its shine reflected by the sunlight. There are several vases, display cases of swords and guns and small statues of significant figures of Corto Maltese.
This looks something more for royalty than presidents, but leaders got to live the best life.
Harley hops onto the last tile near the room where Luna wants to meet them.
"Ha!" she said, turning around. "Gunter! Beat that."
"Aww, man," chuckled Braun. "I made it easy for you."
"We can play again soon! What about you, Mongal? Why so slow?"
Mongal is too busy observing the entire room. "This…looks so…enchanting."
"It really is!" said Harley, beaming. "It's like getting to be in a castle from your favorite storybook! I never thought we would get to enter a place like this before."
"Would your palace look like this, your alieness?" teased Braun.
Mongal rolls her eyes. "My palace isn't that much like this. I was expecting more technology and weapons around here than a museum house."
"They must have preserved this one because it means something to the island," said Braun.
"I'm concerned that it might not be fit for an attack or an invasion."
"At least it looks really nice and they already have a military army backing them up," said Harley. "Though, girlfriend, you're right. It kind of looks old…"
She trailed off when she looked into the room.
It is actually a spa room and Luna comes out from the water. Wearing nothing but a tight pair of speedos. However, he is a walking eye-candy since he looks absolutely ripped! His hair is untouched from any water, combed nicely. As he climbs out and a servant gives him a white bathrobe, the trio notice that the smoke is coming from Suarez who is smoking in his chair.
Luna smiled, warmingly.
Suarez doesn't look happy to see the three, turning away.
Harley, Braun and Mongal can only gaze, knowing that they are face to face with the two leaders they need to watch out for. Luna looks like he is a cuddle bug right now, but Suarez is rather cold.
Are any of them going to hurt them?
Though, Harley and Mongal are a bit flattered by the abs and muscles Luna has.
"Forgive my appearance, senoritas," said Luna as he walked over to the trio. He is rather excited to see these three criminals. After looking through their records, he can be sure that they would make the perfect ambassadors of the island. Even though the three are a little confused with his kindness, he approaches them gently without intimidation. "I have admired the three of you from afar for many years now."
He tenderly grabs Harley's and Mongal's hands, and gives a kiss on each of them.
"Senoritas," he said softly.
Mongal is disgusted, wrenching her hand away from Luna.
"Do I get a kiss as well?" asked Braun.
"Wait, us?" said Harley. "But, you don't know any of us before!"
"But you three are in several American newspapers," said Luna, grinning. "Your contributions to the necessary damage around the States has caught my attention. Harley Quinn, the clown princess of crime. Javelin, the Olympic who never loses his shine, and Mongal, the alien princess of destruction."
This is sketchy.
"What makes you admire us?" asked Braun.
"You're heroes to me," said Luna. "As well as to my people."
Harley grins tightly. She isn't really a hero. She did help out on some points, but she prefers to stick with the vigilante and criminal life since being a hero isn't her thing.
"I think you might got me confused," said Harley.
"Harley Quinn's fire and rebellion in the face of American oppression is something to which my entire country aspires," said Luna.
Harley nods. "Oh."
Of course. Luna is a hater towards America and he would root for whoever wreaks havoc in the cities.
He turns to Braun. "Javelin, an international 'superstar', makes the perfect athlete to crush down all our competition in the world. I heard many people calling you the 'Nazi Superhero'."
Braun isn't pleased. "That's not really my thing. I don't really support Nazis. The world isn't like that anymore…"
"And me?" asked Mongal, feeling defensive about getting a raise.
"Mongal," said Luna. "Or is it Mongul?" Mongal shook her head. "Mongal it is. You are like a weapon ready to evaporate all the troublemakers in the States and actually getting close to terrorizing the American senators and officials."
Mongal can't help but puff her chest in pride. Hell yeah, she just did.
"I have prepared dinner," said Luna, offering a hand to Harley. "Would you be so kind as to join me?"
Harley blinks, not sure whether to trust this man. He looks really handsome, she has to say, but does she want this? Is he the best type she can go for? She doesn't really plan to have a boyfriend, but she sometimes wants one though after months of being single. She considers it before deciding to take the offer to see how it will go.
"I'm so kind, sure," she said, holding onto Luna's hand.
Braun and Mongal glance at each other. So THIS is his game, huh? They didn't get any more time to think when the question lands on them. Besides, Braun is starving already after having nothing but moldy protein bars given by the soldiers earlier.
"Sure," mumbled Mongal.
"Well, I'm starving," said Braun. "What's for the dinner?"
The whole visit with Luna turns into something more…unnerving to say the least.
Dinner is nice, but the main show is Harley and Luna having the time of their lives.
They are sitting in the middle of the table, joking and laughing. The warm sunlight bathes them, filling in the good time between them. Harley finds herself enjoying Luna's presence, getting to tell him of the many goals and adventures she went on. He has been patient, willing to listen and relates to her. He doesn't mind the way Harley is holding her chicken drumstick and ripping the meat off with her teeth. He even wipes off some stain off her cheek!
Braun is feeling that he might have some rivalry with the leader. He did take interest with Harley back on the plane. Remembering his chats with her, she is a fun girl to be around with and she even seems to like him! Hopefully, he still has a chance or he might as well kick the bucket. Opposite from the two, he makes sure to just look into his stew; hot, creamy and smell like garlic.
He has to give credits for the hair stylist for pulling his hair up in a bun or he would be seeing hair strands in his dinner.
Mongal is feeling nauseating by this sickening act of human romance right in front of her. She's seen worse, but romance isn't her thing. Good thing her stomach is made from steel as she never throws up whatever she consumes. She thinks she might as well just lose her appetite due to sitting next to Braun.
Speaking of the devil, like a gentleman, he decides to share some of his stew with her. However, Mongal is already happily munching on her large plate of cooked lobster and pulling it apart with no need for a knife. She thinks that Braun should just continue drinking his stew since it should fill him up. She waves a claw in a manner as if saying she doesn't want some. Braun decides to continue drinking his stew.
The group is then led to the balconies on top of the palace.
Luna is grateful that they quickly dispose of the heads before their guests arrive and clean the blood away. They got a really nice view of the entire city, seeing how neat and lively the streets are. They are given a nice view of the tropical forest that covers the surrounding mountains. The sun is just setting which gives the sky an orangish blue color.
Harley is already in the warm and comforting arms of Luna as he shows her around. She is surprised by how nice he is towards her. This feels completely different to the Joker. The Joker doesn't always have time to share good moments with her. Luna is more sane than her previous boyfriend. He isn't rushing or crazy or trying to use her as a puppet. He is…genuine and really patient. Even unafraid of resting his head on her shoulder, but didn't apply too much weight on her.
For a girl like her.
Mongal finds herself even roped into feeling Luna holding her gently. At this point, she is about done trying to not get touched by anyone. Besides, this guy isn't a pervert. She just tries to go on while trying to stay awake.
Looking out at the forest, Braun suddenly feels worried for the rest of their team. Despite not getting to know the others, he wonders if they are still out there or already executed by Luna's henchmen. He knew that they are somewhere, but the question on where they can exactly be seems to be left unanswered.
It doesn't even remove the fear of the bombs in their necks going off. Would they be caught for being in cahoots with the Corto Maltese president?
Next, they visit the bird house.
Braun doesn't really mind the parrots chirping around them. One dared to poop on him, but he quickly got out of the way. As he sat down on a bench, he let a few of them sit on his head.
He finds Harley playing with the birds. She is amazed and loving the birds already. This reminds her of her fellow Birds of Prey. They should come visit this place; it's gorgeous! With a small container of seeds, she allows the birds to rest on her. There are a lot, but they are so cute that she forgot that she can't hold so many of them.
Mongal is just staring at the birds flying by, a glassy daze in her eyes. That's weird. Braun swears that she isn't really like a zombie. Well, she refuses to show that much emotion aside from all the anger and pride she built herself on. At the moment, she looks like she might collapse.
Braun is greeted by a sight that he feared to happen.
Luna and Harley are slowly stepping close to each, lost in a trance and a connection forming. Their eyes are locked with each other…love at first sight, you would say. Staring at each other makes them feel like it is more of a dream they are in. A pleasant walk outside without any drama or worry for a turn in the weather. They see each other for their beauty, but now, they can see through their eyes. What is more beyond their looks.
A match made for heaven.
Braun feels a little jealous seeing this. He got an early shot, but that bastard just came in to swoop her up. He groans a little, feeling that he lost. What did he exactly do wrong to fail to get her attention? Did he miss a step? Is he lame compared to that guy?
He shrugs.
Oh well. At least there are…more pretty blonde ladies.
This reassurance doesn't and never works. He can't help but feel a bit heartbroken.
As he excuses himself, he sees Mongal already out…holding a squirming yellow parrot in her hand.
"Mongal?" he said, his eyes widening. "What are you doing?"
The orange alien stares back at him with an unreadable expression. She quickly stuffs the bird inside her mouth.
Braun is already up close to her. "Spit it out! SPIT IT OUT!"
She shakes her head like a child taking the last cookie.
"Spit it out, Mongal! I'm telling you now. Spit it out."
While she didn't bite into the screeching bird, she swallowed it whole.
Braun's jaw dropped. Uh oh.
He looks back at the bird house, sighing in relief that neither Harley or Luna notice them.
"What?" said Mongal. "Aren't avians essential and tasty for the humans' diet ?"
The former Olympic narrowed his eyes. "Mongal. Throw it back up."
"No."
"I'm telling you right now! Last warning."
"I ate more dirt than any of you humans can in your entire planet's lifetime. You can never take something out of my stomach."
"Throw. It. Back. Up. Or else."
"Or else what?"
Without warning, Braun gets behind and wraps Mongal around her tummy. Soon enough, she finds herself being lifted upwards and squeezed repeatedly around her chest. She didn't know he would be THIS strong! That is the least of her worries as she finds herself choking, unable to concentrate on using her arms to break out of his grip. And Braun, oh, he is so mad. He may have slaughtered cows, but he isn't one to discard an animal that belongs to their supposedly enemy who could use this excuse to boot them out.
"GET! THAT! BIRD! OUT! RIGHT! NOW!" demanded Braun with every hard squeeze.
One servant came upon the sight. "Phew! The bodies should be safe down there. No more needing to-"
He is left speechless at the sight of a muscular athlete holding an orange-skinned alien upwards and pushing her stomach like a vet trying to help squeeze out a hairball from a cat.
The servant turns around and flees, trying to block out all the furious noise. He doesn't need to see more s**t around here.
Finally, after roughly half an hour, Braun finally squeezes the parrot right out of Mongal's mouth. It splats onto the floor, coated in saliva. It laid there for a few minutes, twitching and breathing in the fresh air. It got up, shook off the saliva and flew off.
"You took away my snack," growls Mongal quietly. "On my planet, nobody dares to steal the food entitled to their supreme leaders."
"I'm sorry," said Braun. "I would rather not have any of us off or you having a chest-open surgery."
None of them know why, but they feel that someone is towering over them. They turn around to find Suarez, waiting.
"You two," he snarled, spinning a huge green bottle. "You better start talking."
That 'talking' doesn't seem to include a friendly conversation with a general. And in his hands is a huge bottle of liquor. So many sinister choices of how he can use a wine bottle on them…
AN: I love writing Harley, Javelin and Mongal together! Whenever these three get their own scene, there is chaos that unfold. Especially since Javelin and Mongal are going to last a little longer here, I'm going to try out how they interact and their reactions.
I expanded a bit more on Grieves with his reaction to his research team. It isn't really addressed in the movie that much and he seemed to shrug it off. However, this time, I'm going to showcase how it can add stress onto him since a lot of things do get around with Project Starfish. I have to admit the scenes with him, Luna and Suarez takes inspirations from the AO3 story 'And Blackguard, Too' by niichts. If there is anything that I might have copied, please let me know and this will be changed immediately.
Mongal's skirt is a reference to Evelyn (K/DA POP/STARS skin) from League of Legends.
I understand why they have to cut out the scene with Harley playing with the line of 'loyal subjects', but I decided to have it in for the sake of making an expanded version of the movie. This one is really fun to make!
I know that it is impossible for Javelin to be able to pick up Mongal and make her spit out the parrot she ate...but nothing nearly makes sense in the movie, so I'm keeping up with the wackiness, due for town!
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). Please don't be nervous in revealing your thoughts about this as I would like to hear.
Until next time, keep on rocking!