Chapter 3: Plan

Rating: T

Date: Sunday, April 14, 2019

A/N: Scholarships, competition, interviews, homework... Stress is killing me. I've barely gotten any sleep. I'm sorry this took so long, y'all. It's just been so hard. My best college offer right now is paying 11k for a school I don't really like that much and I haven't gotten any scholarships outside because it's so hard to find ones I can apply to as an immigrant. I've been trying not to break down, but it's really hard not to when there's little hope. This chapter was difficult to write, but it's something.

Plan

"My men performed extensive research on your background and identity, David. And you know what they found for this so-called David Steven? Nothing. A blank slate. As if this guy never even existed. Well, clearly it must be wrong if you're right here in front of me," Trenton voiced as he circled around Garfield. "So, David. Mind explaining yourself for me?" He kneeled down in front of him and observed him with a blank stare. Unlike Raven's, his gaze was brooding, nefarious, and utterly disgusting.

Garfield felt the need to spit on him, but he refrained himself from doing so. He kept his voice low and steady as he responded, "Sorry Mr. Roth, but I'm afraid I don't know what you're talking about. My name is David Steven, and I'm very much real. If you'd so kindly asked for me to bring my identification, I would've gladly done so. All I'm searching for is a business partner, I assure you. There's no trickery involved."

"Very well. Then I assume you could answer any of my questions," Trenton challenged.

"Ask away," Garfield smirked, though he was pretty much panicking on the inside.

"What's your mother's full name?"

"Stephanie Clark Steven."

"Where do you work?"

"I was assistant director of international relations for a few years before I decided to quit and join my friend's business at a local club he owns."

"What's your friend's name?"

"Roy Harper."

Trenton arched an eyebrow, "Why don't we give this so-called Roy Harper a call and see if your story pans out?"

Garfield's grin widened, "My pleasure. His number is on my phone which, pardon me, I didn't have time to grab before I was knocked out by your charming men."

Trenton smirked and pointed two fingers at one of his men, "Find me Roy Harper's phone number."

"Right away, sir," the men nodded before marching out of the room.

"Don't worry," Trenton turned back to Garfield. "Your phone won't be necessary to acquire his number. In the meantime, why don't you tell me about your family?"

"There's not much to tell. Both my parents died in a house fire when I was fourteen. I don't have any siblings. I was thrown around in the foster care system for a while, ran away from home a couple of times."

Trenton stayed silent for a couple of seconds, eyes watching him with interest. He signaled one of his men with two fingers who handed him a manila folder. Trenton opened the folder and took out a large image to show Garfield.

"Do you recognize this woman?"

Garfield scanned the picture quickly, his stomach suddenly in knots. "Jillian Jackson," he told him. "Daughter of a famous millionaire. Why do you ask?"

"You were spotted at Mr. Nol's famous gala with her. I'm interested to know why," he questioned as he laid back on his chair and crossed his arms.

"It was the only way to gain an invitation and to come in contact with Mr. Nol, otherwise to come in contact with you," he shrugged.

Before Trenton could reply, the man he had sent out walked in holding a phone. "Sir, we acquired Harper's number, would you like us to call it?"

"Yes, put it on the table," he ordered. The man quickly placed the phone in between Garfield and Trenton. "Call and put it on speaker." The man did as told.

Garfield remained silent in his seat staring at the scene unfolding in front of him. The phone rang for a few seconds before being picked up.

"Hello?" the familiar voice asked.

There was an extended moment of silence before Garfield realized he was supposed to speak. "Hey Roy, how are you doing? It's David."

Roy seemingly paused, and Garfield felt his stomach drop. Please remember.

"Hey... David! Dude, what's up? How's your trip going?" Roy played along, and a sense of relief overpowered Garfield.

"So far so good, it's pretty rainy over here," Garfield chuckled, hoping Trenton couldn't hear the anxiety in his voice. "How's Verdant doing without me?"

"Oh please, you know we got a better handle of things around here without you," he replied cockily. "She's thriving as usual."

"Well I really hope to catch up with you when I travel back," Garfield told him.

"Yeah definitely, everyone really misses you."

"I have to hang up now, need to run some errands, I'll talk to you later," Garfield said his goodbye before Trenton ended the call.

He revised some of the documents inside the manilla folders he had acquired along with the phone. "Says here your friend doesn't run any of our operations despite the fact you told Malchior he was the one who informed you about us," Trenton posed. "Mind explaining?"

"Roy wasn't the one who told me. He has co-ownership of the club with another person."

"Who?"

"Jade Nguyen," Garfield stated and Trenton arched an eyebrow. He smirked, "I'm assuming you know her."

"I do, in fact, know her. She's been one of my longest running henchmen. I didn't realize she adopted a club," Trenton eyed one of the men in the room.

The man instantly replied, "Yes, sir, Ms. Nguyen joined the club business last year after she decided to distance herself from her original position."

Trenton turned back to Garfield, "Impressive. I didn't think you'd pass the test, Mr. Steven. Everything you've said so far seems to correlate with our information about you. So far, you seem to be on your way to joining my plans. However, there's one more test to pass."

"What's that?" he asked.

"We have two girls who need delivering to one of our best customers. If you can successfully smuggle them into the United States, I can offer you a permanent position. If you were to fail… I'm afraid you won't be the only one in trouble."

"BB, I seriously think you're wondering in too deep. All we needed was some sort of evidence against Trenton not for you to turn into a criminal," Dick chastised.

"Robin, this is the best way to catch this son of a bitch. Arresting one of his customers and getting testimony straight from two victims is sure to bring down his operations," Garfield responded.

"BB, you're not doing it. End of discussion. I let yesterday's thing pass, and I'm going to ask this of you one more time. You need to get back. Cyborg can easily use the information you gathered against Trenton."

"I'm sorry Robin, but if it's going to save the lives of two girls and be sure to bring him down, I have to do this."

"You're not in the best state of mind and I'm not letting you do this while you're-"

"I'm fine. You're not going to stop this. I'm going to finish my mission," Garfield snapped.

He heard Dick sigh from the other end, "You're making a big mistake."

"Sorry Rob, maybe I am, but you also made the decision to send me here," Garfield replied before hanging up. He sat down on his bed and ran a hand through his messy hair.

What had he gotten himself into?

"This is the merchandise. Make sure you don't get them too dirty during the trip." The man pushed two girls inside the room. They looked to be around fifteen, both dressed in revealing outfits and a face caked with make-up, neither smiling. One of them, a blonde girl with bright blue eyes, stared up at Garfield with undeniable fear. He felt a sense of guilt overwhelm him, but he didn't outwardly show it. Another man walked over and tied a cloth over their eyes before pushing them to the ground.

"If you don't mind me asking, what exactly do you do for Trigon?" Garfield addressed the man who'd kidnapped him only a few days prior.

"Me? I'm kind of like Trigon's left hand. I run errands, and he repays me with a great lifestyle surrounded by these whores," he gestured to the girls in front of him, and Garfield felt the urging need to punch him. He contained it though, and he didn't comment on it.

"Seems fitting," he replied.

The man furrowed his eyebrows and took a step forward, practically towering over Garfield. Now that he noticed, he was much much larger than Vic, "What's that supposed to mean?"

Garfield only stared, however, not letting any fear come through.

"Jared," a voice behind him called, and they both looked back. Garfield felt his stomach drop. "Please contain yourself from attacking potential business partners," Raven deadpanned. She stepped inside the room and glared at the man, seemingly unacknowledging of Garfield.

Jared snorted, "Whatever." He approached Raven, "You know, you wouldn't be all that without Daddy's protection, now would you Rachel? I don't even know why he would will all of his fame and fortune to you out of all people."

Raven watched him intently, "Are you insinuating that you'd be better equipped with handling Trenton's assets?"

"Of course I would. Even Jack would be better suited, and that dumbass can't do shit," Jared growled, inching closer to her. Garfield wanted to jump in, but he decided against it. He had to keep his cool, keep in character while he could.

"You know, Jared, your problem is that your anger often gets the best of you. Maybe if you'd learn to control it, Trigon would pay more attention to you. But he doesn't because he considers you the disposable son."

Jared grimaced, his fists clenching and unclenching.

"That's enough," Trenton announced as he walked in. "Leave her alone, Wrath, and go find your brothers. I've got an assignment for you."

Jared glared one last time before pushing past Raven and exiting the room. Raven finally made eye-contact with Garfield, and he felt his knees grow significantly weaker at her gaze.

"Mr. Steven. I hope you're ready for your long trip. You will be traveling our usual route. This mission should be rather easy, especially for you. I trust that everything will go as planned," Trenton explained. He glanced at the two girls sitting against the wall. "Take them to the jet," he ordered two of his henchman who quickly rounded them up like sheep in a farm. "I will be sending one of my most trusted assistants with you. She will be overlooking your mission, and if something were to go wrong, she'll know exactly what steps to take."

Garfield locked eyes with Raven, who stared at him with an unreadable expression (like she usually did). "She can be a little difficult to deal with sometimes, but I trust that you two will get along. In case you don't know Rachel, she's Mr. Nol's wife and-"

"Your daughter," Garfield finished for him, his eyes still scanning Raven. He looked back at Trenton. "I'm aware."

Trenton nodded, "Very well. I look forward to working with you after this mission, David. I hope everything goes as planned. Let me escort you to the jet."

Raven and Garfield walked side by side while Trenton followed behind. As they reached the jet, they came to a halt by the stairs, "Have a safe flight," Trenton told them before they climbed into the plane.

Once inside, the two men who had brought the girls walked out and the doors shut shortly after. As they got ready for take-off, they remained quiet. Garfield took a seat on the chair nearest to one of the windows and watched the two girls silently cry and hold on to each other in the corner. He wanted to console them, but he wasn't sure if there was any surveillance on the plane.

Ten minutes later they were on the air. Raven stood up and walked to the pilot's cabin. Garfield couldn't exactly hear what she said, but when she walked out, she glared daggers at him.

"The cameras are off and the microphones are muted. Will you explain to me what the hell you're still doing here? And why you're setting up a partnership with Trigon of all people?" she questioned, finally showing some sort of emotion-despite that being anger.

"I'm gathering intel against your father."

"By trafficking two young girls across the border? How does committing a crime translate into gathering intel?" she demanded.

Garfield let out a humorless chuckle, "Look who's talking Raven."

Raven narrowed her eyes, "The difference between you and me, Gar, is that I didn't choose this lifestyle. I was born into it. You, on the other hand, had no reason to get involved. Do you realize how fucking hard Trigon is to take down? Take it from his own daughter. He has all kinds of back-up plans, especially against someone like me. Why do you think you of all people can take him down by pulling some stupid shit like this? The only thing you'll accomplish is getting yourself in jail."

Garfield sighed, "Raven, please, if we work together, we'll have a better-"

"Just stop it, Gar. I don't know what you're playing at, but it's not going to work. I don't understand how after all of these years you're still stuck in this fantasy world where you and I-"

"Are you going to kill us?" the blonde girl interrupted Raven, her voice quiet and trembling.

Garfield stood up and approached the girl whose eyes widened with fear as he neared them. "We're not going to kill you. On the contrary, we're going to make sure you're safe. No one will hurt you anymore."

"How do you know that..? You're one of the bad guys…" she muttered.

It felt like a bullet pierced Garfield's heart, and he bit his lip, "I'm not. I'm an undercover officer. I'm going to make sure you get home safely. When we land in the United States, we're going to find you a safe place with other police officers around. This will never happen to you again. I promise."

"We're not landing in the United States, Gar," Raven told him.

Garfield turned back to her, "Where are we going?"

"We're landing in the Dominican Republic, where we'll sail off a boat to Puerto Rico and then to Florida, where the customer will be waiting. What exactly do you plan to do then?"

"I can call Dick to set up a seize," Garfield responded.

"If you do that, you'll be discovered quickly. The customer we're looking for has dozens of guards around. Any of them can contact Trenton's men at any time. Trigon will know you're an agent faster than you can count to three. You're going to need a better plan if you're going to stop this transaction."

"Then we can send the girls somewhere to hide and-"

"They have an implanted chip in their skin. The moment that chip is removed or we move off course during the trip, it'll alert Trenton. He'll know."

Garfield frowned, "Well what do you suggest we do?"

Raven took a seat and stayed quiet for a moment. Garfield thought she wouldn't answer, but before he could berate her for it, she spoke, "We make sure the customer doesn't make it to the meeting point." She looked up, "That way we delay the transaction long enough to distract Trenton and get the target off our backs."

"Alright, how are we going to do that?"

"That's your friends' job. Not ours. We can't do anything as long as we're with them," she gestured at the girls.

Garfield sighed. Of course, he'd need Dick's help after all. "Who's the customer?"

Raven took out a tablet from her purse and typed something. She handed it to Garfield, whose eyes scanned through the document carefully.

"He operates under the alias The Terminator, but his name is Slade Wilson."

A/N: Can't promise anything. I will update The Butterfly Effect today though. I just need to proofread the chapter. Also, human trafficking scenarios are so hard to write, it's not realistic at all. Please don't hate me for taking so long...

Thank you Azarath Cat for the idea to make his "blown cover" a test. Your suggestions are always helpful for the story!