Note: Ya know, looking back through this whole thing, it feels almost like
months have passed in the story, but actually, it's like two weeks or three
weeks. That's pretty jacked up.
Disclaimer: They are still not mine. Can you believe that?
The nightly patrol was just finishing up with the more deformed creatures retreating back to their base before dawn could catch them. One after the other they filled in through windows, door, or holes in the walls, each of them eager for a break. As they were entering, several others were leaving the building dressed as so not to bring attention to themselves, but at the same time to hide their slightly abnormal features. It was difficult work though since wearing a coat during the summer heat is slightly conspicuous. However, it was only a small risk, and would most likely do no harm in the end. It had been fortunate enough for them to find an apartment building large enough to store them all, and with very few near by residents. So, they considered it safe enough to send everyone out in droves to search for their objective.
On the inside things were equally busy. Many of those who had come crawling in moments ago lay sleeping on the hard, wooden floors. Several of them were curled up against large groups of others where they all lay content to sleep against the warmth of another. Heavy snoring, and other such sleeping sounds filled the room making sure that no work would ever be able to be accomplished on that particular floor. Thankfully their main operations floor was higher up, and thusly unable to be disturbed by the noise.
The next floor up was filled with weapons of all sorts, along with those inspecting and cleaning all of them. Guns were put up on racks, explosives carefully stored, and Kevlar vests hung along the walls. Most of it probably wouldn't be necessary, but if they could press any advantage, it would be best to do so. They knew how powerful these girls were; already metas to begin with and then pushed one step beyond. Yeah, weapons and their superior numbers would be their only assets to win this.
Up on the third floor was the briefing room. There was a table with four chairs set up along one side of the wall with a large map of the city behind it. Several parts were circled in different colors, while others were xed out. On a few other places were colored tacks attached to specific buildings and streets, their colors specified to what areas had the best chance. These were moved after the reports came in to the next most likely spots. None of them seemed to be anywhere near the clock tower though. It seemed that the birds would keep their location hidden for the next while.
The final floor was perhaps the most important. It was off limits to all except the generals who used it to plan everything out. Various maps, and pictures were spread across the rooms, some on the floor, others on the walls, and some strewn about the one table. A laptop also sat on top of the table somehow finding space amongst the debris. Right now there were three 'people' standing in the room examining the pictures tacked against the wall. The pictures showed all of the birds in all of the ways that they had ever been known. There were pictures of Batgirl, Barbara before she was shot, Barbara in a wheel chair, Dinah as a little girl, Dinah while with the birds, Dinah as Canary, what Dinah looked like now, Helena as a teen, Helena as Huntress, and Helena as she is now.
"Look at them. So many adversities over come time and time again." One of them commented brushing the cheek of Oracle on the picture. He looked fairly human until you noticed the fact that his arms were far too long for an average person. They hung down to his knees (allowing him a far superior reach), and looked as if they contained great strength.
"We know this, and while it is impressive, it won't be enough. All of us together are far worse than anything they've ever had to deal with before." The next one spoke. This one looked much like a snake down to the scale like skin, and the forked tongue.
"Still, we need to be careful going into this. While they were captured by two of our kind before hand, they have now been improved upon greatly. Already we know that they've escaped from situations that should have left at least one of them dead. This needs to be planed out carefully, or we will fail and simply be another notch in their belt so to speak." The final one remained very human looking. His hair was white, and hung in a ponytail down to his waist along his back, and there was a slit in the middle of his forehead. None of this was very unusual though, and it was easy to explain away should anyone ask.
These were the three in charge of this particular group of forced metas; Rio, Dias, and Orin were their names. They were the smartest, the most fierce of their little brigade, and were thusly given their positions. Each of them all had their own talents, and when put into a group together, the results were bound to be tremendous. Dias specialized in brute force typically choosing to overwhelm opponents, Rio focused on the overall strategy, and Orin spent his time focusing on the smaller details taking in account for human nature. With them together you found an extremely powerful army with an airtight plan to take down the opponent.
"We can't do anything until we find their base of operations. What we should do is start a situation in the middle of the city and force them to come running to the rescue. Then we can take them down since there will be more of us, and they won't know what will hit them." Dias spoke confidently turning his attention from the pictures to his comrades.
"While it is a fairly sound idea, the problem is that they know more about the city than we do. An open space may not hinder them as we hope. They need to be confined were we will have the most effect. If we attack where they hold their operations, then we will succeed with surprise." Orin's voice was soothing, soft, and tranquil, almost taking on a hypnotizing note.
"The problem is finding them, but when we do, Orin is correct. We have to assume that their base will be heavily guarded. If or when the system is disabled the attack will leave them at a sever disadvantage." Rio imputed his own thoughts of where Orin had been going.
"Fine, but if this takes too long, I'm taking out a team to do my idea." Dias consented.
"Speaking of which, the last team just came in, and their report is down stairs." Rio stated turning around and heading towards the door. "We should go see what they found."
After taking a quick look at the report, they found the less than promising news. Orin walked over to the large map and placed more red xs on several parts. "Bit by bit we lower the searching area. With a city this large however, it will take time." The tacks were then moved to a few different areas. "I believe that we should search these next. The population near them is minimal."
"Guesses like that haven't done us much good before. Maybe they're hiding in plain sight." Rio pointed out.
"I have already considered this, and I know the possibilities of it being true are fairly high. However, they are not the only thing I'm searching for." Orin smiled turning to face his comrades.
"You know our objective Orin. Why are you doing this, and what are you searching for?" Dias questioned staring in interest.
"There are those of us who have defected. They might be having trouble living comfortably, so I though that we may get other's to join our forces. If not, then we could kill them and stop them before they become troublesome."
"Very well. Just be cautious, if our employer were to catch wind of this, she might not be too receptive." Rio warned before turning and walking back up the stairs shortly followed by his two counterparts.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------
"Excuse me, Miss Baxter, there's a detective Jessie Reese here to see you." A meek assistant entered the pristine office looking terrified of her boss.
"Really, this proves to be interesting. Send him in." Only moments later, the detective made his way confidently into the office, and down into the chair sitting before the desk. "Detective, how can I help you?"
"Did you know, that I know about what a branch of your company has done? That I know how they took unwilling people off the street and changed them?" He asked acting nonchalant.
"Why yes detective, I did know that." Reese looked up at her in shock while she merely smiled at him. "I know about your little involvement in helping those girls escape. You see, I know that the famous Barbara Gordon was the main asset of that escape. I also know, that she couldn't have gotten them both out by herself. So, I looked into anything involving her, and surprise, I found that there were several calls from her to you. It wasn't hard to put two and two together to realize that you were as responsible as she was. Now that we have that cleared up, how can I help you?"
Reese sputtered for a moment shocked that she knew all of this already. "I uh, I thought that we might be able to help each other." He finally managed to choke out.
"Really? The only thing I can think of, that I want and you might have access to, is Barbara Gordon. Are you willing to betray her?" She asked leaning forward in her seat and staring at him intently.
"If I get what I want, then yes." He answered readily.
"Not even an ounce of hesitation. I find that interesting. Well, what is it that you want? Money, and new job perhaps?" She smirked at him.
He glared at her before answering. "No, what I want is for you to do to me, what you did to all those other people."
"That's even more interesting. First, let me ask why you want that." She folded her hands and rested her chin atop them.
"Sometimes you have to go to the extremes to get what you're after." His tone clearly showing that he wanted the subject dropped. For a moment his eyes gained that far away look as though he were thinking deeply about something, or more appropriately someone. It didn't last long however, and only seconds later his eyes regained clarity.
She had noticed the look he had gained, but made a choice not to mention it, and to instead file it away for further consideration. "All right, I know how to take a hint. But now, what if I were to tell you that I already have an expansive team scouring the city for those girls, and that it's only a matter of time before they're found?"
"Then I suppose that me not turning you into the police would be good enough." He grew angry as she began to laugh out loud at him. "What's so funny?" He growled gripping at the arms of the chair he was seated in.
"You honestly think that's a bargaining tool? Of course this company has been caught partaking in illegal matters, but all it takes is a bribe, and Phoenix inc. is a very large, very rich company detective." His look turned sullen, and he got up as if to leave. "Hold on a moment." He froze, and sat back down when she motioned for him to do so. "There is an arrangement I believe we can make. You want to be turned into one of my super soldiers, and it just so happens that we have a new, experimental procedure. If you agree to become our subject, and tell us where Barbara Gordon is, then I believe we would have a deal." The barely there smirk on her face showed that she knew she would get what she wanted.
"I'll do it."
"Perfect, follow me, and we'll get you nice and cozy in a tank."
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------
"Sar, what did you just see?"
"The detective has just traded information about the girls to obtain what he desires." She barely turned over her shoulder to regard the person behind her.
"Is it time then? Will we go and talk with the girls?"
"Hardly, the time has yet to come."
"What do you mean? You said that a betrayal has to happen. And now you said that the detective has just done so."
"It's true, this was a betrayal, but a very small one. Right now he means almost nothing to these girls, therefore his defect will barely register to them until it's too late."
"Too late?"
"Yes, you see, a far greater betrayal is about to happen, and when it does, we must be there."
"I hope you know what you're doing."
"Not entirely, sometimes you have to use a little guess work. Oh, I almost forgot to tell you this, we need to move to the other side of the city."
"What? Why?"
"Because if we don't, then are chances for survival drop dramatically. There will be a force coming here tonight, and we need to be ready to leave before they find us and kill us for not joining them."
"I'll go spread the word."
"We'll still need to send out some scroungers, but make sure that they stay to the inner city."
"For the same reason we're moving I assume."
"Exactly."
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------
Note: I know, I know, no birds again. Please don't throw things at me. I promise they'll be back again soon, most likely next chapter. I also know that this took a while to get out, and I'm sorry. Also, helenakyle1, I'm sorry, but I can't kill Reese. Don't get me wrong, I'd like to, but he will now serve more of a purpose in this story. Till next time, please review.
P.S: I really can't tell you guys how sorry I am that this is so late. It was absolutely ridiculous. My Internet was down and I couldn't get online, I'll try and make it up to all of you in the next chapter.
Disclaimer: They are still not mine. Can you believe that?
The nightly patrol was just finishing up with the more deformed creatures retreating back to their base before dawn could catch them. One after the other they filled in through windows, door, or holes in the walls, each of them eager for a break. As they were entering, several others were leaving the building dressed as so not to bring attention to themselves, but at the same time to hide their slightly abnormal features. It was difficult work though since wearing a coat during the summer heat is slightly conspicuous. However, it was only a small risk, and would most likely do no harm in the end. It had been fortunate enough for them to find an apartment building large enough to store them all, and with very few near by residents. So, they considered it safe enough to send everyone out in droves to search for their objective.
On the inside things were equally busy. Many of those who had come crawling in moments ago lay sleeping on the hard, wooden floors. Several of them were curled up against large groups of others where they all lay content to sleep against the warmth of another. Heavy snoring, and other such sleeping sounds filled the room making sure that no work would ever be able to be accomplished on that particular floor. Thankfully their main operations floor was higher up, and thusly unable to be disturbed by the noise.
The next floor up was filled with weapons of all sorts, along with those inspecting and cleaning all of them. Guns were put up on racks, explosives carefully stored, and Kevlar vests hung along the walls. Most of it probably wouldn't be necessary, but if they could press any advantage, it would be best to do so. They knew how powerful these girls were; already metas to begin with and then pushed one step beyond. Yeah, weapons and their superior numbers would be their only assets to win this.
Up on the third floor was the briefing room. There was a table with four chairs set up along one side of the wall with a large map of the city behind it. Several parts were circled in different colors, while others were xed out. On a few other places were colored tacks attached to specific buildings and streets, their colors specified to what areas had the best chance. These were moved after the reports came in to the next most likely spots. None of them seemed to be anywhere near the clock tower though. It seemed that the birds would keep their location hidden for the next while.
The final floor was perhaps the most important. It was off limits to all except the generals who used it to plan everything out. Various maps, and pictures were spread across the rooms, some on the floor, others on the walls, and some strewn about the one table. A laptop also sat on top of the table somehow finding space amongst the debris. Right now there were three 'people' standing in the room examining the pictures tacked against the wall. The pictures showed all of the birds in all of the ways that they had ever been known. There were pictures of Batgirl, Barbara before she was shot, Barbara in a wheel chair, Dinah as a little girl, Dinah while with the birds, Dinah as Canary, what Dinah looked like now, Helena as a teen, Helena as Huntress, and Helena as she is now.
"Look at them. So many adversities over come time and time again." One of them commented brushing the cheek of Oracle on the picture. He looked fairly human until you noticed the fact that his arms were far too long for an average person. They hung down to his knees (allowing him a far superior reach), and looked as if they contained great strength.
"We know this, and while it is impressive, it won't be enough. All of us together are far worse than anything they've ever had to deal with before." The next one spoke. This one looked much like a snake down to the scale like skin, and the forked tongue.
"Still, we need to be careful going into this. While they were captured by two of our kind before hand, they have now been improved upon greatly. Already we know that they've escaped from situations that should have left at least one of them dead. This needs to be planed out carefully, or we will fail and simply be another notch in their belt so to speak." The final one remained very human looking. His hair was white, and hung in a ponytail down to his waist along his back, and there was a slit in the middle of his forehead. None of this was very unusual though, and it was easy to explain away should anyone ask.
These were the three in charge of this particular group of forced metas; Rio, Dias, and Orin were their names. They were the smartest, the most fierce of their little brigade, and were thusly given their positions. Each of them all had their own talents, and when put into a group together, the results were bound to be tremendous. Dias specialized in brute force typically choosing to overwhelm opponents, Rio focused on the overall strategy, and Orin spent his time focusing on the smaller details taking in account for human nature. With them together you found an extremely powerful army with an airtight plan to take down the opponent.
"We can't do anything until we find their base of operations. What we should do is start a situation in the middle of the city and force them to come running to the rescue. Then we can take them down since there will be more of us, and they won't know what will hit them." Dias spoke confidently turning his attention from the pictures to his comrades.
"While it is a fairly sound idea, the problem is that they know more about the city than we do. An open space may not hinder them as we hope. They need to be confined were we will have the most effect. If we attack where they hold their operations, then we will succeed with surprise." Orin's voice was soothing, soft, and tranquil, almost taking on a hypnotizing note.
"The problem is finding them, but when we do, Orin is correct. We have to assume that their base will be heavily guarded. If or when the system is disabled the attack will leave them at a sever disadvantage." Rio imputed his own thoughts of where Orin had been going.
"Fine, but if this takes too long, I'm taking out a team to do my idea." Dias consented.
"Speaking of which, the last team just came in, and their report is down stairs." Rio stated turning around and heading towards the door. "We should go see what they found."
After taking a quick look at the report, they found the less than promising news. Orin walked over to the large map and placed more red xs on several parts. "Bit by bit we lower the searching area. With a city this large however, it will take time." The tacks were then moved to a few different areas. "I believe that we should search these next. The population near them is minimal."
"Guesses like that haven't done us much good before. Maybe they're hiding in plain sight." Rio pointed out.
"I have already considered this, and I know the possibilities of it being true are fairly high. However, they are not the only thing I'm searching for." Orin smiled turning to face his comrades.
"You know our objective Orin. Why are you doing this, and what are you searching for?" Dias questioned staring in interest.
"There are those of us who have defected. They might be having trouble living comfortably, so I though that we may get other's to join our forces. If not, then we could kill them and stop them before they become troublesome."
"Very well. Just be cautious, if our employer were to catch wind of this, she might not be too receptive." Rio warned before turning and walking back up the stairs shortly followed by his two counterparts.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------
"Excuse me, Miss Baxter, there's a detective Jessie Reese here to see you." A meek assistant entered the pristine office looking terrified of her boss.
"Really, this proves to be interesting. Send him in." Only moments later, the detective made his way confidently into the office, and down into the chair sitting before the desk. "Detective, how can I help you?"
"Did you know, that I know about what a branch of your company has done? That I know how they took unwilling people off the street and changed them?" He asked acting nonchalant.
"Why yes detective, I did know that." Reese looked up at her in shock while she merely smiled at him. "I know about your little involvement in helping those girls escape. You see, I know that the famous Barbara Gordon was the main asset of that escape. I also know, that she couldn't have gotten them both out by herself. So, I looked into anything involving her, and surprise, I found that there were several calls from her to you. It wasn't hard to put two and two together to realize that you were as responsible as she was. Now that we have that cleared up, how can I help you?"
Reese sputtered for a moment shocked that she knew all of this already. "I uh, I thought that we might be able to help each other." He finally managed to choke out.
"Really? The only thing I can think of, that I want and you might have access to, is Barbara Gordon. Are you willing to betray her?" She asked leaning forward in her seat and staring at him intently.
"If I get what I want, then yes." He answered readily.
"Not even an ounce of hesitation. I find that interesting. Well, what is it that you want? Money, and new job perhaps?" She smirked at him.
He glared at her before answering. "No, what I want is for you to do to me, what you did to all those other people."
"That's even more interesting. First, let me ask why you want that." She folded her hands and rested her chin atop them.
"Sometimes you have to go to the extremes to get what you're after." His tone clearly showing that he wanted the subject dropped. For a moment his eyes gained that far away look as though he were thinking deeply about something, or more appropriately someone. It didn't last long however, and only seconds later his eyes regained clarity.
She had noticed the look he had gained, but made a choice not to mention it, and to instead file it away for further consideration. "All right, I know how to take a hint. But now, what if I were to tell you that I already have an expansive team scouring the city for those girls, and that it's only a matter of time before they're found?"
"Then I suppose that me not turning you into the police would be good enough." He grew angry as she began to laugh out loud at him. "What's so funny?" He growled gripping at the arms of the chair he was seated in.
"You honestly think that's a bargaining tool? Of course this company has been caught partaking in illegal matters, but all it takes is a bribe, and Phoenix inc. is a very large, very rich company detective." His look turned sullen, and he got up as if to leave. "Hold on a moment." He froze, and sat back down when she motioned for him to do so. "There is an arrangement I believe we can make. You want to be turned into one of my super soldiers, and it just so happens that we have a new, experimental procedure. If you agree to become our subject, and tell us where Barbara Gordon is, then I believe we would have a deal." The barely there smirk on her face showed that she knew she would get what she wanted.
"I'll do it."
"Perfect, follow me, and we'll get you nice and cozy in a tank."
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------
"Sar, what did you just see?"
"The detective has just traded information about the girls to obtain what he desires." She barely turned over her shoulder to regard the person behind her.
"Is it time then? Will we go and talk with the girls?"
"Hardly, the time has yet to come."
"What do you mean? You said that a betrayal has to happen. And now you said that the detective has just done so."
"It's true, this was a betrayal, but a very small one. Right now he means almost nothing to these girls, therefore his defect will barely register to them until it's too late."
"Too late?"
"Yes, you see, a far greater betrayal is about to happen, and when it does, we must be there."
"I hope you know what you're doing."
"Not entirely, sometimes you have to use a little guess work. Oh, I almost forgot to tell you this, we need to move to the other side of the city."
"What? Why?"
"Because if we don't, then are chances for survival drop dramatically. There will be a force coming here tonight, and we need to be ready to leave before they find us and kill us for not joining them."
"I'll go spread the word."
"We'll still need to send out some scroungers, but make sure that they stay to the inner city."
"For the same reason we're moving I assume."
"Exactly."
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------
Note: I know, I know, no birds again. Please don't throw things at me. I promise they'll be back again soon, most likely next chapter. I also know that this took a while to get out, and I'm sorry. Also, helenakyle1, I'm sorry, but I can't kill Reese. Don't get me wrong, I'd like to, but he will now serve more of a purpose in this story. Till next time, please review.
P.S: I really can't tell you guys how sorry I am that this is so late. It was absolutely ridiculous. My Internet was down and I couldn't get online, I'll try and make it up to all of you in the next chapter.