SPOILER ALERT: This is the second story arc in the DC2 series of Suicide Squad. The firt story arc is in Suicide Squad I: Bang and Blame.
The Suicide Squad 2- All Consuming Fire Part ONE- Burning Down One Side
Rick Flagg is dead, the mysterious woman known as Dolphin claims to have been a witness to this event. Last week Nemesis was ordered by Sarge Steel to pick up Dolphin and bring her back with him to Belle Reve. Dolphin had been missing for several months but wouldn't speak to anyone about where she was or why she disappeared. Steel had a hunch that she might talk to Rick Flagg. The two of them spent a couple of months together in a group called the Forgotten Heroes before Flagg moved on to the Suicide Squad. During that time they had grown close to each other.
It was just before the Squad went on their mission to Qurac that Dolphin and Flagg were reunited after ten months. When Flagg returned from the mission, Dolphin revealed that she saw Rick die. She couldn't remember anything else that had occurred over the last ten months. The next thing she remembered was Sarge Steel's men found her wandering around the Florida Keys.
It was obvious that Dolphin was still distressed, even after several days. Rick could see it in her eyes. Something had happened to her. Why else would she believe she saw him die? Rick knew he had to do something. He thought of contacting Steel but after what went down in Qurac and Washington, he didn't trust him to provide much help. No, the only way to get to the bottom of this was to contact the only other member of the Forgotten Heroes he trusted, Buddy Baker, known to the rest of the world as Animal Man. But to do that he was going to have to revisit a part of his past he thought he had left behind for good.
One year ago…"Do you know why we called you in here today, Colonel Flagg?"
"No, sir, I do not." Flagg replied.
He had been off duty for three weeks when he got a call to drive out to Maryland for a meeting at a law firm at this address. Do not ask any questions and tell no one where you are going. He was ordered by his superiors to tell them everything they wanted to know.
He now found himself seated across from two men he quickly assessed were government spooks the moment he walked into the room.
"Four months ago you were on a mission in Cambodia to liberate the daughter of a foreign prisoner who was extradited to the United States. Do you recall this?" The first man asked.
"Yes I do, sir." Flagg replied.
"Do you recall as well, what you reported had occurred during your attempt to flee the country with the girl?"
"Yes. Everything was in the report I made when I…"
"We want you to tell us the details that didn't make it into the report." The second man said interrupting Flagg. "Tell us about the pyramid."
With that, Rick Flagg told them everything. He was sent to pick up the daughter of a drug dealer who was willing to spill his guts about one of the largest drug trafficking operations in Cambodia. The man was going to spend the rest of his life in an American jail if he didn't cooperate with the government. He was willing to give up names and shipping routes on one condition; he wanted his daughter given safe passage out of the Cambodia and brought to America. It was Flagg's job to sneak in and rescue the girl who was being held against her will by the people who didn't want her father breathing a word about their trafficking operations.
Getting in was easy. Getting the girl out was the hard part. They were three miles away from the rendezvous point. Neck deep in the jungle with over twenty hired mercenaries on their tail, it seemed like a lost cause. The sun was beginning to rise and once it was light out, they would surely be spotted before they could get to the pick-up location. It was then that the girl told him about a place they could go where no one would find them. She led them through the thick jungle until they came to a clearing. It was then that Rick saw a temple that seemingly appeared out of nowhere. It was at that point in Rick's story, that one of the men slides a photo across the table at him.
"Did it look like this?" He asked.
"This appears to be somewhere other then in Cambodia, but otherwise it is exactly the same. What's going on?" Rick asked realizing these men were looking for answers and not willing to give them.
"So you stayed in the temple and got the girl out the next day?"
"Yes. But what does this have to do…"
Rick was interrupted again, "That will be all for now Colonel Flagg."
Rick sat there for a few moments, and then he got up and left.
A few days later he was being briefed on his new assignment. They told him that someone was attempting to round up anyone who's encountered one of these temples. His assignment was to infiltrate the group. His cover story would involve him being discharged from the military. He would wait and see if they made contact with him.
Rick Flagg had just accepted the assignment that would eventually lead to his death.
Belle Reve, maximum-security prison, Florence, Colorado The office of Amanda Waller:
Amanda Waller was a woman who insisted on being in control of every situation she was involved in. It was her determination and design that led to the formation of the Suicide Squad. But the Squad was a sham. Waller had unknowingly allowed Wade Eiling to use the squad to further the agenda of a criminal organization known as the Council. She was willing to acknowledge the fact that this occurred under he watch. She wasn't going to apologize for what happened nor was she willing to roll over and play dead. Amanda had seen to it that Wade Eiling was locked up and the proverbial key was thrown away.
President Lord would not sit still for long knowing that the Council had influence over a high-ranking government official. She knew that it was only a matter of time before he ordered Sarge Steel to send someone here to put the squeeze on Eiling. He would want to know if there are others like Eiling who are involved with the Council. But Amanda knew that Eiling was not going to give up the Council so easily. Maybe some time in a solitary confinement cell will soften him up after he realized that the Council has cut him loose.
In the meantime, Amanda has other issues to deal with. Someone had infiltrated the computer network at Belle Reve. Someone claiming to be an ally, tipped her off about a leak in the Squad. It was this 'Oracle' that led her to discover that outside forces were responsible for sabotaging two squad missions. The obvious suspect at the time was Eiling. He was working with the Council and using the Squad and her all along. But protecting Marlo seemed to be in the Councils best interests. Why interfere with the squads mission to track down and stop his assassin? Marlo still ended up dead when it was all said and done.
Waller questioned Flagg as to why he killed Marlo before they left Qurac. She knew he wasn't responsible for pulling the trigger himself, but he was unwilling to sell out Eve Eden, even though it cost him his position as missions' leader. Amanda concluded that Eden killed Marlo because of what happened to her one time lover, Captain Atom. Marlo ended up being nothing more then an inconsequential victim to a crime of passion and Flagg an unknowing accomplice.
"So if it wasn't Eiling, the Council, Flagg, or Eden, who the hell else is playing in my Goddamned sandbox with out me knowing?" Amanda said out loud before picking up the phone and dialing a number.
"This is Economos." The warden at Belle Reve said.
"John. It's Amanda. I want Bernard Bonner sitting in the non-contact visiting quarters in one hour. It's time to draw Oracle out in the open."
June Moone had never felt more alone or frightened in her entire life. She cries herself to sleep at night and wakes up screaming. In her waking hours she ponders why she is afflicted with a monster inside of her? She could hear Enchantress laughing inside, taunting her to let go. What reason does she have to hold on? She feels like letting go, giving in to the witch inside her. Every time the Enchantress is unleashed, she becomes that much stronger. Appearing more violent and malicious. While June becomes weaker and more scared.
June clinched the pillow that she held over her face. She wanted to stop crying but she couldn't. She tried to picture Mitch's face. He would want her to be strong. He told her that he had faith in her. That she would get control. He was the only one that believed in her, and now he's gone.
June never imagined it would happen so quickly. She thought she had more time to prepare. There is a reason to hold on just a little bit longer. It was just before her and the Squad went off to Qurac. She didn't understand at the time why he was appearing to her like a phantom that wasn't really there. But he was there, and he had a message for her:
'I don't have time to explain. It took a lot of energy to find you at the right time, before everything went wrong. So you have to listen to me closely. There is a crisis coming. I didn't return in time, but you can stop him from destroying everything. Find Amazing Grace.'
"I won't let you down Mitch. I will stay strong and when the time comes, I will do whatever it takes to stop the crisis. You have faith in me. I know you will return. Hurry back to me Mitch. Hurry back because I don't know how much longer I can hold her back…."
Vixen lay sleeping in one of recovery room beds in the med center at Belle Reve. The doctors said that she is making good progress and is healing nicely from her wounds. It is unknown if the Tatu Totem was helping her heal, but Ben Turner had made sure it stayed around her neck. He hadn't left her side since she returned.
"This shouldn't have happened to you, Mari." Ben whispered as he sat at the side of Vixen's bed. " I should have been there with you, not Shaw. Waller was wrong to let you go off to France. It was too dangerous."
Ben wiped away the tears that were forming in his eyes. "I don't know what I would do if I ever lost you. Flagg is gone and I am now field commander. I need you by my side. I need you there to make sure I do the right thing. I just need you…"
"Is she awake yet?" Mark Shaw whispered, standing in the doorway.
"No. She was awake for a few minutes but that was a couple of hours ago." Ben said while keeping his eyes on Vixen.
"Well, let me know if she wakes up again and is strong enough to talk ok?" Shaw replied.
"Don't you think you've done enough?" Ben snapped as walked over and faced Shaw.
"Slow down! I just want to thank Mari. I owe her my life." Shaw said taking half a step back from Turner.
"She is owed a little bit more then your miserable life!" Ben yelled. "That should be you lying there, not her!"
"You don't think I wish that was the case?"
"You were the ops leader! She shouldn't have been in that situation to begin with! You should have protected her!" Ben cried out.
"Protected her? I think you have her confused with someone else. She is more then…"
Shaw paused. "This conversation is finished. I will come by later when Mari is awake, and alone."
"She won't ever be alone." Ben muttered under his breath as Shaw walked away.
George Harkness reached over and snatched his pill bottle off the table. He opened it and quickly popped two pills in his mouth. He then tossed the bottle back onto the table. The doctor told him that he should make a full recovery from the gunshot wound he received last week. The wound was caused when Deadshot put a bullet in his thigh. The bloke just couldn't take a joke could he? Well the joke is on them. He wasn't afraid of Floyd Lawton. He wasn't afraid of anyone. A psycho with guns wouldn't bully him. Not an unsophisticated brute like Deadshot. But mama Harkness didn't raise a fool either. Boomerang knew he had to be patient. Wait for the right opportunity. Then, once he had his way with Deadshot, only then would he make a full recovery.
Boomerang lay back in his bed and smiled. He was lost in the thought of sweet revenge when there was a knock on his door. He looked over as a folded piece of paper was slid underneath the door of his room. He struggled as he got up and went over toward where the paper lay.
"Bloody hell! Couldn't you hand it to me! I am on the mend you know!" Boomerang yelled at the closed door and grimaced as he reached down to pick up the paper. He unfolded it and read the note:
I believe a man of your talents deserves more respect. I think our combined efforts could really shake this place up a bit. I know a way for you to get back at Deadshot and take down the entire Suicide Squad in the process. Interested?
Speak to no one of this. We will be in contact soon.
D.
Boomerang smiled as he pointed his hand in the shape of a gun at the door. "Bang-bang! Your dead, Deadshot!"
"Forgive me Father, for I have sinned. It's been…too long since my last confession"
Eve said as she sat down next to Father Richard Creamer in the back pew of the small chapel.
He looked over at her and smiled. "Eve, I am not catholic nor a priest."
"Well this is a house of God isn't it?" she said looking around the small chapel. "Even if we are in a prison."
"That it is. And you'd be surprised how many hunger to hear the word of God, even in this prison. Though, you may also be surprised at how many excuses I hear as to why they miss Sunday Service. They always seem to have other ahh…commitments." That got a slight giggle out of Eve as she slid closer to Father Cramer. He reached over and put his arm around her. She laid her head on his shoulder. They quietly sat there for a few minutes before either of them spoke again.
"Can I ask you a question Eve?"
"Sure, Father."
"Why are you still hiding your beautiful blond hair under that black wig?"
"I am having a bad hair week Father. A bad week, period."
"I heard what happened on the mission. Things didn't go as intended did it?"
"They never do." Eve sighed.
"Anything you want to talk about then?"
"What do you want to know Father?" Eve said sitting back up. "The mission was a disaster. I lost someone I cared about dearly. Another person I foolishly cared about ran off with a white haired chick. Oh yeah, I also killed a man."
"You only did what you had to for the mission." Father Creamer replied, not knowing what else to say.
"It had nothing to do with the mission. I killed Marlo because of what he did to Nate. I nearly ruined the mission."
"Eve you are asked to do things on a daily basis that would send the average person running in the opposite direction. You can't punish yourself."
"I am not punishing myself. I think God is punishing me enough."
"God has better things to do then punish his children. Open your eyes and you will see his forgiveness is waiting for you to receive it."
"What if it too late Father? What if when I open my eyes and discover God has abandoned me like everyone in my life?" Eve began to cry as Father Creamer noticed the shadows in the chapel closing in around them.
"It's never too late to pray Eve. It's never too late."
Nemesis sat in the visitation center at Belle Reve and waited. He was taking an enormous risk with what he was planning. But he believed the benefits outweighed those risks. But more importantly he felt that both President Lord and Waller were wrong in letting Eiling rot in a jail cell. He would see to that that his brother's killers were brought to justice and Eiling got what he deserved in the process.
After a few minutes Wade Eiling was brought into the room and sat down across from Nemesis.
"Come here to gloat Tresser?"
Tom waited to speak until after the guards left the room. "You are not allowed to use my family name, ever!" he said glaring at Eiling.
"You can't possibly blame me for what happened to your brother."
"We both know exactly who is to blame so lets stop this right here and now and get down to business."
"What kind of business do we have? Waller knows I will not talk. So if she sent you down here to give me the bad cop routine, you can forget it." Eiling said with a smug look on his face.
"Waller isn't part of this. In fact, no one other then a select few know we are meeting right now. I am here to offer you a deal. Give me the name of my brothers' killer. Give me the leader of the Council."
"What do you possibly have that would even make me consider such an offer?"
"Because I can offer you something you don't have...freedom."
Belle Reve is touted as the most secure prison ever built. The dark figure who lurked outside of the thirty-seven acre facility was about to put that to the test. It was three a.m. and it took him twenty minutes to move past the three outer perimeters. He waited in the shadows before he was certain he hadn't been detected. While he waited he scanned the designs to the facility he had uploaded into his mask. With one click of a button a 3-D map appeared before his eyes. Another click and it was gone. He determined which holding center he needed and headed to the nearest service entrance.
He was inside and moving toward the inner corridor. He paused and allowed himself a brief smile before moving on. There was one major flaw with Belle Reve that he has easily been able to exploit. Prisons are built to keep people in, not out. Everyone is looking in the wrong direction. The man stopped when he found the cell he was looking for. He was certain that the security cameras would pick him up once he opened the cell door, but it would be too late by then. He pulled out a small device and punched in a seven-digit number. The doors are controlled electronically and by remote control. Within seconds, the device had bypassed the system and the door in front of him opened. He promptly stepped inside. The woman inside quickly jumped out of her bed. The cell was dimly lit, but between the shadows she was able to recognize the figure that stood before her.
"I have come for you, Nocturna." He said to her as he removed the cowl from his head.
"You'd think after all this time you would call me Natalia." She said as she pressed her body against his. He leaned down and felt her breath on his lips.
"My love, my Batman." She said before kissing him.
To be continued…