AN: Finally able to make another chapter. This is probably going to be a bit boring, but we get more of Team A! Hope you enjoy it!

For this chapter, I've written my own lyrics for 'Waltzing Matilda'. If this may be wrong or considered copying, then please let me know straight away and I'll try to take it down immediately.


Chapter 9 - Waltzing over Pros and Cons

"Are we there yet?" asked Blackguard, already puffing.

"Not yet," said Boomerang, trying to ignore the humid air.

"How much longer? What time is it?"

"About 2 minutes ever since you asked last time."

The three men barely say a single word as they walk across the thick jungle, feeling the sun glaring down on them. At least T.D.K isn't wearing anything too heavy, but the other two men would be dragged down due to how heavily clothed they are. But they are tough, so walking for 13 hours on a tropical island is just another day in the office. Boomerang has already experienced having sore feet in the past while the other two have their own experiences when it comes to scouting places for long lengths of time.

T.D.K hums along to himself, enjoying the sights. It has been a while since he ever gets to go out. Maybe hiking in his armor might not be comfortable since he doesn't wear it when he is not putting his nose in work, but it's better than just wearing the loose prison shirts and pants he was given in Belle Reve. And being in a jungle is definitely much better than being in a crowded and unclean prison.

Boomerang has been growing a little bored from all that walking. To him, the jungle seems to be a little boring for him. He isn't used to nature. In his mind, he wishes that they could have used the plane to fly over to their destination, but he acknowledges that they could be shot down the second they are in sight. The jungle is one of the only hiding places they can use in case any soldiers appear out of nowhere.

He takes out one of his boomerangs and spins it around. Being alone in the jungle gives him an opportunity to train before the next big fight. Aiming at a nearby tree - it looks dead anyway due to the leaves appearing to be withering - he flings it.

A loud snap and he catches the returning boomerang. The tree timbers to the side, crashing into a few bushes. This might have squashed some unfortunate small critters as several birds went flying out of it in panic.

He chuckles a little, though that is silenced when T.D.K gives him a quizzical look.

"Sorry, mate," slurred the Australian, unconvincingly.

Meanwhile, Blackguard is nearly sulking away due to all the long walk. Maybe it is due to how tight his suit is. Because Boomerang has been leading the trio, Blackguard knew that he wouldn't take things easy with him. In terms of honor, he would be the last to make a good request, but maybe they should take the time to catch their breath. They rarely took any breaks. The last one, they had to do a water break and Boomerang goaded them to drink out of a nearby puddle.

"So," asked T.D.K, breaking the long awkward silence. "Anyone's first time out sneaking through an island like this?"

Boomerang shrugged. "Sort of. Never been one with the naturists."

Blackguard raised an eyebrow. Aren't naturists those who go naked?

The teal-cladded man chuckled a little. "It's funny that this is a hostile island when the jungle is peaceful. I mean, the people are the ones hostile, but I thought they might have started taking down all the jungles."

"Construction sites don't really blow s**t down and reinvent them into huts in a week, mate," pointed out Boomerang. They would be really lucky if they saw a crane coming through the jungle.

"I think we should stop for a while," said Blackguard, wiping his forehead.

"Toughen up, bludger. We shouldn't stop now. Unless Detachable has a reason to sit down."

T.D.K just smiles. "Nah. I'm alright."

"Why's that?"

He smirks. "Do I need to remind you? I need my cardio!"

Boomerang turns to Blackguard with a stupid grin. "Yeah. Simple as that. A little exercise can help us with entering the city. Unless you are a lazy bum."

The blonde mercenary clicked his tongue. "I'm not one! I've stolen from museums, banks and warehouses before that I overstayed there without any food for 6 nights!"

"Well, then act like you do," teased the Australian. "Besides, staying in one spot here is one way to get your face treated."

"No way that could happen!" And then, he could feel a mosquito biting into his cheek. "ACK!"

With a quick slap, the mosquito was squished and dropped to the ground. Despite wearing gloves, Blackguard wiped his hand on his pants to remove the strange goo spilled on it.

Boomerang snickered. "See?"

"Shut up," snarled Blackguard.

Boomerang looked around the place. They are walking over a hill and on their left, it is a long way down. The sun is resting on the horizon, emitting an orange glow over the dull green trees surrounding them. The sound of birds chirping and leaves brushing each other are the only things he can hear. He doesn't hear the chatter of anyone else around. He doesn't smell the cigarette smoke or the burning of fire or faint gold smell of leftover bullet shells. It feels quite…different.

"Though, it doesn't feel like much out here, does it?" he said.

"Well, it is nice being outside," said T.D.K, feeling the warmth of the fading sunlight. "You get to see all these sights around you."

"Like I said, I'm not really one with the naturists."

T.D.K suddenly halts. "Just hold on a minute." He gets the two men to turn around to face the sun. "Take a step back. Look around. It feels slow, don't you think? A bit of a step away from the busy life in town. As if you are in true paradise."

Blackguard can't really say that he agrees. While maybe if they don't have a bomb in their neck and not focusing on a mission, then it would be nice. He takes a look at Boomerang.

Boomerang is having a bit of a…different feeling. Growing up on the streets, he only finds pleasure and mayhem in town. He isn't too interested in nature and plants that much. No one really lives in the woods, so where is the fun if there aren't people around?

Though, looking at the forest, he can see that the Corto Maltese Army is nowhere in sight.

There is no one here except the three of them.

It suddenly feels…quiet.

There is a strange sense of peace right here. It is rather slow and calmful.

Like there isn't anything that is going to disrupt them.

A place to relax for a while.

Away from the inhumane prison and getting to be as free as a bird.

To say the least, it is something Boomerang is not used to.

"It…bores not that much life here, does it?" he asked, wanting to make sure the jungle isn't boring.

"You gotta be kidding me," said T.D.K. "And like you said, staying in one spot here is indeed one way to get your face treated. But I assume that you would want to take the challenge. You may never know what kind of fun you find in this place."

The Australian could only nod. "Good point, mate."

"Yeah," muttered Blackguard. "Whatever." To him, he didn't mind the nature, but he didn't go further into understanding how this jungle could be some kind of heaven for them.

The trio continued walking for the next few minutes. After a while, Boomerang thinks back to his team once again. Filled with so many new rookies and he isn't familiar with all of them. Harley did tell him to give some respect to each of the new members. Well, they seem to be a handful. A guy who has an odd power and another who tried to betray them.

He might as well try to find how they can be useful.

"Sorry if I haven't been listening," said Boomerang as he rolls around his shoulders. "Who are you two exactly again?" His companions give him looks. "I mean, not in terms of code names, but what you two did?"

"What did you do?" asked Blackguard.

"You're asking me?"

"I supposed," said Blackguard bluntly. "Just wondering what was the big deal of having a hobo with weapons from a dumpster on this team."

Boomerang didn't let his pride lower down. "Hey, I'm an asset relocation specialist. I take the money that is rightfully to their proper owner. Robbed all the banks in my homeland and successfully managed jewelry heists in America. You've got to admit, you've probably seen me in the papers for my efforts working on this team before!"

"At least I was known in some papers BEFORE going to prison," pointed out Blackguard.

"What?"

"Nothing."

"What about you?" asked T.D.K, suddenly interested. "What's your team called again? The…zero thousand?"

"It's the 1000," corrected Blackguard, smirking cockily. "An elite criminal organization in Metropolis, b**ch. Probably worth doing a google on it. And before that, I had my own career. Managing to take down whatever valuables my eye can spot for profit."

"And it is true that you're a metahuman?" asked Boomerang.

"This suit probably helps," admitted Blackguard. "Stolen from S.T.A.R and only I have the ability to perform…egokinis when in this special suit? Is that what it's called?"

"Ergokinesis," corrected T.D.K. "Able to manipulate forms of energy. That explains the whip."

Boomerang nods. "Probably suited for a wimp like you."

Blackguard narrowed his eyes. "Well, can a wimp do this?"

Out of thin air, he whips out a huge mace. No, a GIGANTIC mace completely from nowhere! It is in a turquoise translucent form with an electrifying aura. Boomerang wonders if he is tripping, but the spikes shining and seems to be growing longer and sharper make him realize that Blackguard is indeed an effective fighter.

Though, Blackguard has trouble holding the mace up, nearly falling over. It disappears in his hands as he tries to retain his balance.

"Whoa!" gasped T.D.K.

Blackguard smirks. Now this is more like it.

Lifting his hands up, he forms a huge golden dome-like shield around him. Completely made from energy due to the small energy particles flying around.

"You look like you are in a golden egg," joked Boomerang. "And it's not Easter yet."

"Whatever," said Blackguard as he removed the shield. "Though, you have to admit, it's a dope power."

That's true, thought Boomerang. "Well, it's more useful than using you as a meat shield."

"Very funny. Though, it didn't really take long for me to be in the 1000, hence why Waller called me a 'former member'. It's probably their fault since they are not grateful to begin with."

"The reason of you kicking the bucket and drafted here was due to you setting off a bomb in a black market," snarked T.D.K. "One way to gather so much attention and enemies."

"And what about you?" fires back Blackguard. "Waller said you were a former trainee of the Justice League."

"Oh, erm, right." The teal-cladded man chuckled. "Though, I tried to join the league, but I kept failing a few times after…my skillset wasn't enough to prove useful to them." He frowns a little, rubbing his arms. He remembers that time when he embarrassed himself in front of those legendary superheroes. When looking at them, it is clear that he doesn't fit in at all. "I wasn't…really sure what I could do, so I thought 'Hey, why not just try to look out for myself to survive?'" He chuckled again sadly. "Then, I was hired by different mob gangs and people. Ended up getting low pay anyway for most of them. And now, I'm here."

Boomerang blinks. He doesn't really know much of T.D.K since he is more like somebody in the crowd. Who knows how long he has been keeping his powers a secret. The way he is polite and not being a dickhead implies that he isn't really a villain as some people say. And hearing a little bit more on how he tried to join the legion is pretty sad and pathetic. The Australian wonders if T.D.K decides to go to villainy due to feeling it is his only choice.

"Wow," he muttered. He isn't sure how to respond to all of this. "I thought you were going to have a longer story." A weak laugh escapes from his lips, but the joke isn't really going to help.

T.D.K obviously doesn't want to tell the rest. "Is that what you expect?"

"I got a bit of a lengthy story, man," said Blackguard. "What kinds of people do you work for?"

"Bad ones. But we're bad guys after all."

"You don't sound like you're cut out for being a 'bad guy' if you know what I mean," pointed out Boomerang.

"Well, not everyone gets a proper chance. Even if by some miracle, where are we gonna find the right path the world wants us to have? Of course, coming from Belle Reve, we are all screwed up and backstabbing each other. Task Force X is all f**ked up; those who don't have a choice."

That is true. Boomerang still remembers DuBois being forced to be on an iteration of the team due to Waller threatening to throw his daughter into jail. He even remembers being picked suddenly on his first mission and not being informed of what he is going to do. T.D.K seems to be just a nice guy someone shouldn't place into this team.

"True," said Boomerang. "But after a while, it's my own choice, mate. I agreed to come over eventually. Took some time, but I won their respect."

"You're still trying to reduce your prison sentence, right?" asked T.D.K. "We all are."

Boomerang smiles. "Yep, but it's been…kind of fun on the team. Get to know Harley better and Flag is not that much of a douchebag lately. I'm a veteran already. You die through all of the incoming missiles and bullets, then you know you would want more than just relaxing.."

The teal-cladded man rubs his arms. "I'm…not really sure. Especially since…"

"Yeah, yeah, yeah. Though, it's your choice. You've agreed in the first place. After this mission, you can just leave the team. But it gives you a bit more of an exciting ripper than wasting your life behind bars. We even get to be outside, doing a good job in protecting…some people."

Boomerang isn't always one to be the most supportive, but that doesn't mean he is going to back down. He can take the time to be serious about something. T.D.K isn't a sissy, but Boomerang can sense how displeased he is with following orders from the shady Waller. While he is aware that the other members would just want to get out of the team, Boomerang comes to like being one of the core members. He might as well take Harley's advice with how they treat the new ones.

T.D.K thinks about it. For a while, he wonders if he could just leave everything behind once he gets out of Belle Reve. But being on a team with the same misfits? A team that can do good for once?

"Hmm, that's true," he said, a small smile appearing. "Something meaningful."

"Well, I suppose," said Blackguard gloomily. "But it can get ugly."

"You have to be careful as well," warned Boomerang. "Next time you try to sabotage, you will end up in the drink."

Blackguard rolled his eyes. "Not unless I cut your head off first."

"Let's see about that spine of yours."

"T.D.K, man," said Blackguard, ignoring the Australian. "Thinking about it…you don't have any other weapons with you, right?"

T.D.K shrugged. "Only my two fists and my arms. I am a good combatant after all, hence why I worked with many people before."

"The army have more lethal weapons. They're gonna saw you down the next time we bump into those f**kers."

Boomerang thinks for a while. No one should be touching his stuff, but unless…

"I only need one boomerang," he said as he took one off his utility strap. "Two if I feel like starting a fight. You can use this one. Has a bit s**t left over on it."

T.D.K shakes his head. "No thanks. I'm not a boomerang guy." He looks back at Blackguard. "Maybe I can try your whip."

The blonde mercenary raises an eyebrow. He hesitates, but groans and throws his whip at his companion. "Well, be careful. This one actually has power in it."

Gingerly picking up the whip, T.D.K grins as he starts spinning it around. At first, it starts slowly since he needs to pick up speed instead of going too fast. He adds a bit more pressure to this, spinning the whip around more.

Deciding to experiment, he detaches his arm and it is left floating upwards as he keeps spinning the whip. About that point, a golden energy shield is formed over the top of the whip.

"You must be planning to helicopter all of us to Jotunheim," said Boomerang, smirking. "Can it carry all of us?"

"That would be cool to see!" said T.D.K cheekily. "Watch it fly!"

Unfortunately, it goes flying out of his hand and up straight into the sky. Up, up, up…and it is gone from the human eye.

The three men can only stare upwards at the sky in hopes of finding the whip as T.D.K places his arm back into his socket.

"Obviously, you have a lot of super strength in you as a metahuman," said Boomerang, nodding in approval.

"Where is it?" asked T.D.K, squinting his eyes. "I can't see it."

Boomerang chuckled as a dirty thought came into his mind. "Maybe it might get caught up in a jet turbine and send a plane tumbling down into the earth in a ball of fire."

A long beat as the teal-cladded man shuddered. "I don't think I want to know that."

"Hold on," said Blackguard, seeing the black dot in the pink and orange sky. "I can see it. I can see it."

"Mate, you think you can catch it?" asked Boomerang.

"Well, if there is anyone who has experience, then it's me." The blonde mercenary slightly pushes T.D.K aside. "It would fall back into the same spot you were in."

"Let me try!" insists T.D.K, taking back his spot.

"OK," said Blackguard, quickly moving T.D.K's arm around for positioning. "Just open your hand. Get ready to grab it in 3 seconds. You would be able to feel the han-"

CLONK!

The handle eventually lands onto Boomerang's forehead. The rest of it drops all over his face. It surprises him enough that he ends up falling down onto his back.

T.D.K stares at Blackguard with a judgy look. "You have experience, you say?"

"At least it wasn't me who did it," said Blackguard before turning to help Boomerang up. "You're alright?"

"I'm fine. I'm fine." Boomerang rolls his eyes, grumbling under his breath, "Bloody dipwhip."

The black-cladded mercenary decided to just ignore him for now, turning back to T.D.K. "You can use this. I don't think I would need it."

T.D.K couldn't help but feel a little touched by Blackguard offering up one of his weapons. Possibly in exchange for helping him adjust his seatbelt, but that was only a minor thing. He thought the mercenary would keep all his weapons to himself.

"Why thank you, man," he said politely, wrapping the whip around a loop from his belt.

Blackguard smiles, though that changes when he looks away, a little embarrassed. "W-Whatever."

The trio march on into the jungle. As the sun sets below the horizon, the trio agrees that they would need to find a clearing to rest for the night. They already travel far enough, so they wouldn't need to worry if they are far behind from the other teams, possibly stuck in other places. The tension amongst the three men dissipates, even though Boomerang keeps a firm eye on Blackguard.

But the silence around them is making them feel paranoid with whoever is hiding out there. They are surprised that the army isn't following them.

"This is a little bit quiet out here," said T.D.K.

"Then it means that we are safe for now," said Blackguard.

"I'm used to hearing a lot of ruckus at the prison," said Boomerang. "We need sound. Maybe talk more, mates."

"Perhaps, we should have a bit of a song going on" offered T.D.K. "Helps lift up our spirits!"

Blackguard grunts in disgust. "Dude, life isn't a musical."

"Maybe so."

"Do you have any recommendations?" asked Blackguard to Boomerang.

A song shouldn't hurt. Boomerang feels like singing along to a song he knows a long time ago. It's called…'Waltzing Matilda', is that one? He can't remember all the lyrics however. Might as well improvise to get a reaction out from his companions.

"Just the hits," he said. He clears his throat before singing at a low tone. "'There's once a mate who is camping by the river, under the shade of a s**tty-made hut…'"

"Nice voice right there," commented T.D.K.

"'He coughed as he smoked his durry and waited till his cobber came, then he saw a pig-looking thot…'"

"Interesting way of using rhyming," deadpanned Blackguard. While he does swear on a daily occasion, this use of profanity just makes the song weird.

"'As the two embrace and sleep near the billabong, he feels something prickly to his back like a rake; Then he feels the hoe pushing it further right into his flesh, cause she's from the enemy and is a snake…'"

T.D.K's eyes widened.

"'We're waltzing all over, waltzing all over; Waltzing all over to the sniper's shell; As the man dies and reflecting on why he didn't choose his mates rightfully; our ghosts will be waltzing over hell…'"

As neither of the two men say anything about this, Boomerang continues.

"'The man feels the pain growing all over his body, he can feel his soul slowly taken away; His flesh and bones is all that is left, lying down there to decay…His body would never have to feel the cold or hot again, letting the crows peck on it as food; As the ages roll by as he watches from the cloud, he can only hope his bones turn to wood…'"

"Kind of getting grim," commented Blackguard.

"'We're waltzing all over, waltzing all over; Waltzing all over to the sniper's shell; As the man dies and reflecting on why he didn't choose his mates rightfully; our ghosts will be waltzing over hell…'"

Boomerang's smile grows larger as he sees T.D.K and Blackguard slowly stopping and staring at each other with fear-filled eyes. Already dreading for a spy to pop out from the bushes and shank them right in the back. He wonders if those two have the mentality of children since they don't look happy with the thought of him talking about death.

T.D.K is right. A bloody, good musical is a good way of getting his team pumped up!

"Dude, I don't think 'shell' is the right one," pointed out Blackguard, glaring at Boomerang.

The Australian giggles, feeling that his dumb song worked. "I know that."

T.D.K coughs, trying to change the subject. "How about I sing a bit of Ariana Grande?"

This earns another wheeze from the Australian.

Blackguard, on the other hand, is clueless. "Who's he?"

"Wait, you don't know her before?" said T.D.K incredulously.

Blackguard tries to think. "Well, I-"

Before he could answer, Boomerang got in front of them and placed his hands over his two companions. They both stop.

At first, the two are dumbfounded, but there is something rattling behind the larger bushes nearby.

And there is whistling.

And the crackling and smell of a campfire.

The trio creep through the bushes to find that there is already a military unit camping right there.

It doesn't seem to be the best place to be resting at, but the soldiers got themselves comfortable with setting up sleeping bags on the leaf-covered ground. Some of them are sitting at the back of a large military vehicle. There seems to be at least 5 soldiers around, all sitting by the bright orange campfire they made. Spanish words are exchanged between the men, making it unclear for the trio to identify what they are talking about.

Blackguard sighs in relief. Boomerang couldn't help but sigh as well. This is it. This can be their resting place instead of needing to lie down in a wild area. Judging by the several box crates lying around, food packages already set up at a table and water canteens, they can use these to regain their energy.

They have to be careful. Those soldiers aren't exactly having a party. Surely the guns attached to their belts aren't for glow sticks to wave around. Boomerang is surprised that one of them is wielding a machine gun, swinging it around in pride as he rambles about a mystical tale.

"Finally," said T.D.K. "We can rest around here. One more thing to take care with."

Blackguard smirks as he pulls out his guns. "I say we go for a full-frontal attack."

"Full-frontal?" said Boomerang. "Your guns are going to make too much noise, dumbarse!"

"Well, watch me do it this time. I can blast out 8 guys with them."

"Yeah," snarked Boomerang. "Like you nearly did on the beach."

Blackguard glared at the Australian.

"Aren't we less exposed here?" asked T.D.K. "We even have a higher approach. And with that much cover and less light, we can take them by surprise."

"There is one thing to note," said Boomerang. "This is in an open space. Not that many other things for cover. And who knows if there are other soldiers around? We would be outnumbered 1 to 5!"

"What are the odds? We survived a full attack by the army yesterday and it's by dumb luck." He paused for a while. "Well, not wanting to test fate, but…"

"Just shut up and watch, boys," said Boomerang. "Let me show you how we do this the old-fashion way in Australia."

Before Blackguard can protest, Boomerang is already onto his feet. His head nearly peeks out of the bushes. Taking out his namesake weapons, with a quick fling, he watches the boomerangs fly. Just enough flick in his wrist is enough to make them more silent than the 'shing' sound he would hear. This works since none of the soldiers are going to know where they came from.

The trio waited as the boomerangs went flying far away. T.D.K and Blackguard are confused by this. Shouldn't Boomerang have thrown them a little closer to the soldiers on first shot?

But the Australian doesn't even need to tell them.

Within moments, the boomerangs come in like a pair of flying daggers.

One fly by, coming from the right, and zip towards two men. It lowers down, cutting through their throat before flying upwards. The other one, coming from the left, mowed down three men. Cutting through their throats as well, but it even stabs right through one of the soldiers. Like sideways. Through the arms and sides of the chest.

The blonde mercenary and the teal-cladded man can only gape as all 4 soldiers drop down and choke on their slit throats while the fifth one starts bleeding from the new holes in his shoulders and chest before falling down face-first.

The five soldiers wriggle around in pain as a pool of blood forms around them. The blood eventually sinks into the ground, staining it, and so too the soldiers who eventually gave up their life.

Blackguard and T.D.K glance at Boomerang.

Boomerang chuckles and shrugs, lifting his hands up as if acting sheepish. The two boomerangs fly towards him…but he doesn't catch them.

T.D.K looks behind to find that the two boomerangs aren't just going behind for no reason.

Two wet cuts from far ahead and two bodies can be heard dropping to the floor.

The two boomerangs fly back again and Boomerang catches them. They are already covered in blood. The Australian sniggers before licking one of his weapons.

Eventually, he spits it out.

"OK, that doesn't taste right," he said. "Not sure if it is due to the taste of iron or how much dirt these babies got lately."

"I don't think I want to taste the blood at all," said T.D.K.

"Is that all of them?" said Blackguard.

"Maybe we should wait for a while, just in case."

And so, they remain like this for the next 15 minutes. The fireplace died out since nobody was there to monitor it. There were a few radio buzzes from the enemy's equipment, but so far, no soldier was seen entering the campsite.

It is already getting cold and sweaty. And cramp. The three groaned as they got up, having to squat down for too long.

"I guess we are safe?" asked T.D.K.

"What do you expect?" said Blackguard. "There is nobody around here."

There is a low moaning from nearby and a soldier appears out from another bush far away. Boomerang can see that the guy is obviously taking a piss since he has his pants down. He wishes that he could get a closer look when a loud BANG echoes through the jungle.

The man drops down with a bleeding hole from his forehead.

Boomerang turns to find Blackguard spinning his gun back into his holster.

"Now," said Blackguard in a low tone.

"Please keep the guns away," whimpered T.D.K. "You nearly made a scene."

With the coast clear, Boomerang, T.D.K and Blackguard make themselves at home as they dominate the campbase. There are still leftover supplies so it would be enough for dinner and for the rest of the day tomorrow. Even better, they have a vehicle they can use to get to Jotunheim and it is half-filled, so it might be enough to get through the road-blocks.

The first thing Boomerang gets into is stashing every beer can he can find around the camp, hogging all of them out. He notices T.D.K stealing some of them using his detachable arms, but Boomerang decides not to intervene. Maybe it's due to how creepy the orphaned arms appear when in the dark and only illuminated by the glow of the fire.

A pop from his first can as he sits down. One chug and he savors the moment. Now this is the life! He sighs, placing a hand behind his head as he lies down onto a soft wooden log. He smiles to himself. It feels…peaceful out here with only two mates for the night. Nobody is going to get them. This 'nature' area seems to be a good place for him to relax instead of needing to get into the craziness of the mission.

He can feel the warmth of the fire, warming him up for the now-cool night. He can hear the hissing from a kettle T.D.K has started using. Though, Boomerang swears that the hissing sounds more like something rattling…

Boomerang hissed again as he tried to move away. He looks behind the helicopter, coming towards him. A flaming ball of fire coming his way with blades still spinning. He sighed, knowing that this might be it. He closes his eyes and…

He shudders, pushing the near-death memory inside a locked box. He didn't think if it would impact him at any moment now. But he feels somewhat sad again. It reminds him of Flag and Harley. Since they were confirmed to be alive, he wonders if they are in a good spot. Harley, no way. Flag, maybe. But it would be nice if they reunite again.

Boomerang smirks to himself. This is one of the reasons why he chose to remain on the squad. Is he going soft?

Looking behind, he can see T.D.K gently making three cups of tea for them to share. Or was it hot cocoa? None of them can't understand Spanish from the powder container cover, but the image does seem to be something of a warm, creamy, tan drink. Boomerang is surprised that T.D.K appears to be happier there.

Aside from his pride of having an utterly lame power, this guy seems to be having a good time setting up the drinks. Again, the thought of him as a villain seems rather poor since he is normally civil. The way he is acting like a waiter and nearly rushing over the steps of making hot drinks is amusing to watch.

Blackguard seems to have settled down, not looking like he would flee. Maybe it is also due to how dark it is around them. Of course, cowards would stay close to the fire. Since this is a good time to chill, the blonde seems to take this as an opportunity to muck around. Boomerang gives him a sharp look when he sees him pouring what appears to be dirt soil into Boomerang's tea cup. The blonde just smirks before tossing the inedible drink away.

It has been good that Blackguard has been obeying so far, even though he has been complaining the whole time. Quite entertaining to actually have him around the whole time since he would be a good target for practice. Though, he seems to be affably, albeit a little cold towards Boomerang and T.D.K.

As T.D.K gives him his - thankfully clean tea - cup, Boomerang sips his beer can and looks up. The night sky is void of any stars due to the bright light of the campfire. He wonders if he might see any soon. Despite not being interested in stars at night, it might be a real treat for him to see in this jungle. Maybe T.D.K isn't wrong about nature.

And for some reason, Boomerang kind of enjoys his new teammates' company.


The best way to get your enemies to tell you what you want is to make sure that they are intoxicated enough to spill the truth. Suarez learnt that trick a long time ago and that gives him an opening in how to slaughter the Herrera family when they were in a guarded mansion. Though, he feels that he might as well regret this poor choice since it doesn't seem to have ANY effect on the two drunken criminals sitting with him at a lone table.

The only thing he is able to get out from them is they were told about the execution last week and to invade Jotunheim.

Braun grins dumbly as he sips down another cup of liquor. He is slightly aware that spilling information would give Waller a reason to blow his head, but he is too giddy to think about that fate.

Mongal feels like she needs to sleep since this is quite boring to her. She would rather watch Harley and Luna make love instead of getting into this long talk.

The soldiers patrolling the room they are in look like they need a smoke break soon.

"How many troops do you have in Corto Maltese?" growled Suarez.

"Er…about 6 others?" slurred Braun, blinking. "I think we have 0 now."

"Do you have any other units around?"

"Nope."

"Do you plan to take away Project Starfish?!"

"No. No-nopety-nope!"

"Perhaps you know something about Luna's interests and obsessions!"

"Nope." Braun laughed to himself, a mocking sight for the general in front of him. "Haven't been in touch with Instagram lately."

Suarez slams a fist onto the table, out of patience. "You know something about Project Starfish here! Now don't repeat the debriefing you were given! What else do you know?!"

"Mmm…is it like…extra…what is the other word?" He tries to think, his other hand rubbing his groin. "Extra-testerone? Extra-tests? Extra…tentacles?" As an octopus randomly comes into his mind, he licks his lips. "I mean, are there any tentacles around here?"

Suarez shivers, shaking his head. He turns to the deadbeat Mongal. "You?"

She took a small sip from her glass. "I've been hearing about Project Starfish. I suspect that it's a…Star Conqueror, but I wasn't given enough information."

Suarez raises an eyebrow. "A Star Conqueror? What is exactly a 'Star Conqueror'? Sure that your weird alien brain works differently from the rest of us."

Mongal's eyes seem to glow. "Excuse me?"

"Well, Luna's been watching so much of that sci-fi s**t that I can list down any type of alien stereotype you are."

"My 'weird alien brain' tells you that you might want to keep your mouth stitched before I place one of my blades down your throat," Mongal growled. She is ACTUALLY growling.

Suarez gets the first few sights of red. "Are you being sarcastic with me?!"

The orange-skinned alien motions making a line with her finger across her throat. The general, fortunately street-smart, decides that he would rather breathe than get into the face of a fighter who can really crush his skull if she wants to.

"The blades I was given can even wound the toughest aliens in which I was trusted to use them," said Mongal quietly. "You're lucky that you stole them away."

"You were saying something about a 'Star Conqueror'?" mumbled Braun, resting a hand over his throbbing forehead. "Do these stars…conquer a man…or woman?"

Mongal rolled her eyes. "A Star Conqueror is known to be aliens in the shape of these organisms you call 'starfish'. In myths, they were said to live in the world of Hatorei, sharing a link throughout and between everyone on the planet. Back then, they were known to be the greatest empires, dominating and enslaving millions of planets. However, they all start becoming extinct and all the fear they picked up from their hosts eventually shorten their lifespan. A few wandered off eventually, the last member of the species aimlessly floating around."

Suarez takes his time to understand all of this. So if what she said is right, then that means this creature kept at Jotunheim is indeed a Star Conqueror. It came from a race that enslaves people?

"And what do these Star Conquerors do?" he asked.

"It is like a parasite. Asexually reproduce countless minatures. They latch onto you and take over your mind. It would already be too late when they take over your consciousness." Mongal stops for a moment, suddenly looking scared. "No one can survive that. No one." She slowly leans in, the details on her face writing how serious she is. "If what I said is true about this 'Project Starfish' you are holding, then you are tampering with one of the worst aliens in the universe. My best advice is to think carefully on how you use it…" The air blows out from her nose. "...not so simple to use, is it human?"

OK. So this is how they are going to fire back.

All those points seem to list down what Project Starfish can do. Only the alien lady knows about it. Suarez wonders if the Americans knew about it as well. But if it isn't simple, then that means they are using a greater weapon to place their country on the map. They must seize their biggest opportunities.

"What else were you informed about?" demanded Suarez.

"We weren't exactly told anything. We were told to destroy any trace of your 'Project Starfish'." Mongal finishes her drink. Then finishes her glass. Like EAT her glass. In one bite. She notices how silent it becomes when everyone is staring at her. "What?"

"Never mind," said Suarez quickly.

Braun glances at Mongal in approval. If she can survive being shot, being on fire and able to eat sharp objects that could pierce through her insides, then what else is she invincible to?

"Doesn't mean I'm going to make it any easier for you," continued Suarez. "You Americans."

Braun giggles. "Technically, we aren't Americans. I'm German and she's alien."

"You two were picked up by the government to send you here?"

The German shrugs. "Well, when you are given a prize, you gotta do what you have to do!"

"What prize?"

"Being free from prison! Getting hooked up with chicks. Maybe being able to go out for vacation. Maybe watching how the cows are chopped into steaks."

Mongal stares at him, stupefied. "What he said. Well, except for the second and third part."

Suarez sighs, shaking his head. So it is true. Those Americans are so willing to sacrifice those people into war.

"When we heard about you," explained Suarez, taking out a cigarette. "I was pretty shocked that you two, criminals of the world, were trusted to spy on us. And then, after thinking about it for a while, I think the Americans are just more than happy to sacrifice you."

"Not really," said Braun, shaking his head to let a few loose hair strands fly around. "They looked into our profile. You have to admit, I'm a spectacular player on the team."

Suarez is unamused. "Do you consider what would happen if you two are killed off?"

"That would never happen," claimed Mongal.

"That is not the right answer. Answer properly."

No one pipes up until Braun gives a quiet answer. "Well, maybe they might set up a funeral for us?"

"A funeral, really? When there isn't anyone who is going to miss you?"

"But…"

"How do you know people aren't going to celebrate your deaths? How do you know that your leaders are going to give you the award you desire? What makes sense in doing something right when you know that the country is going to deceit you? Would they even remember you after you bite the bullet?"

Braun and Mongal stay silent. The former, through his drunkenness, is able to understand what Suarez is getting to. The general has a point. How would they know if Waller and her team have any remorse in sending them on a suicidal mission? What would they exactly get out of this if they were killed?

And Braun doesn't really have anyone to call. He hasn't seen his family in a long time, so they are out. Even his followers on his social media platforms would have flat-out ignored him and turned to another sexy man. Like Luna. In fact, he doesn't even know how isolated he is to the world before he ended up in prison.

"I don't know," he whispers.

Suarez turns to Mongal. "I suppose that you have an alien empire of your own, do you?"

"It's been years ever since I contacted them." Mongal pauses for a moment, suddenly feeling alone in the world. "I…don't know what's going on at the moment. I haven't received word from them ever since."

"See what I mean? Do you think anyone is going to care for you if you are gone?" Suarez lit his cigarette, the red-orange glow born from it, bitter in its light and taste. "There's not a doubt in the whole world that the US is going to just use the most disposable people they can find. Look, the world hates you, so they need someone to be the blood spilled to not lose any value."

As Mongal contemplates on if her fellow Warworld colleagues would be worried about her, Braun can only nod. He doesn't realize all the consequences of joining Task Force X.

Suarez nods, knowing that he struck a nerve. Maybe that can convince them to give in and tell him everything later.

"I see how this is," he said as he stood up. "I might as well ask your little Harley later. But you really think that the people who hired you are going to coordinate with your wants?"

Braun is about to talk back, but Suarez already turns his back to show that this chat is over. As the general leaves them alone for now, the German is now not sure if helping out Waller is going to be the best thing he could ever choose. While he decides to not expect too much, he can't help but feel as if all the people enlisted on the team are being taken advantaged.

Before he can dwell more on it, a servant comes in.

"Mr. Braun and Miss. Mongal," she said politely. "The sparring room you requested is set up and ready for your use."

This brings the two out from the sullen tone of the realization, remembering that Luna gives them special privileges to use the facilities around the house. And they still promise each other to give a good duel.

"Alright then," said Braun as he got up...only to stumble forwards. "All that yummy yet bitter juice should be enough to give me strength."

"Due to how much you drank, you could have gained more weight and gone slower," muttered Mongal.

"I'll survive. I exercise daily. Race you there?"

Mongal raises an invisible eyebrow. "You're sure about this?"

Braun stupidly grins. "Yep. Burn off some stress before the match."

The alien rolled her eyes and dashed past him. She is already making her way out, her legs nearly a blur. It is when Braun remembered that she also has super speed along with her strength.

He sighs. "Show-off."


AN: I would have written a scene of Harley in this, but it might make the chapter a bit too long than usual and it might not suit right. You see here, the squad thinks about why they are sent on this mission. Boomerang is a bit more hopeful, actually enjoying his time in Task Force X. And as to his point, T.D.K and Blackguard can also move around freely despite on these missions. On the other hand, Javelin and Mongal are told if anyone is going to care for them if they die in action. This plays with the trope of them being victims and if anyone is going to miss them.

I gave T.D.K a bit more character. I decided to make him a nice guy and a fan of nature. He doesn't appear to be the most evil or the meanest of the group. Like Ratcatcher II, he is really kind...though he is still dangerous. Detachable arms may not be seen as useful...but they will be. And he is also conflicted with being a superhero or a villain.

The part where Boomerang is singing is a reference to a scene from The Big Bang Theory where Sheldon sings a grim song in an underground mining simulator. I decided to use 'Waltzing Matilda', though I make up my own version. Just imagining singing the song in the melody of it!

And of course, I have to mention Ariana Grande. Have a clue, Pete?

Getting Javelin to be drunk is similar to a hilarious scene from Ratatouille. :3

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!