It's time for Caitlin's "Suicide Squad" to start their mission. No more Legends of Tomorrow similarities (I hope).

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Special thanks to DragonEmperor999, SwaggyB, Steve993, Master Skywalker 121, and lupo95gxd for reviewing the previous chapter.

To SwaggyB: Yeah, Oliver was referring to Amanda. She was the founder of the first Suicide Squad, after all.

At Gotham's children's hospital, Crystal Frost meets up with Dr. Leslie Thompkins, who was currently treating a young girl with a bruised knee. After she was finished, she turned her attention to the young woman carrying a baby redhead in her hands.

"I take it's my time to babysit?" guessed Leslie.

"I have work to do," said Crystal.

"If you ask me, you should retire from this black market job of yours," said Leslie. "It's not healthy for your kid."

When they met, Crystal lied to Leslie that she was a black market operative. It wasn't exactly false considering Crystal does dabble in the black market business a few times, even though it's technically not her real job.

"It's hard to make an honest living when you're like the identical twin of a mass murderer," said Crystal.

"Well, I'm only keeping your secret because you're my friend and you love you son very much," said Leslie.

"I do," said Crystal, looking down at her sleeping little boy. "Bart is all I have now, and I want to make sure that when he grows up, I can be the mother he deserves."

"You already are," said Leslie.

"Believe me, if you truly knew me, you wouldn't think so," said Crystal darkly. "I have done things I'm not proud of. Things you cannot even begin to imagine. I've ruined lives just to survive. If I had ice powers, I'd be just like my lookalike."

"I doubt it," said Leslie. "You're a good person, Crystal, and the little boy you're holding is proof of it."

Crystal smiles a little as she looks at her baby boy, who was still sleeping.

"Okay, my beautiful boy. Mommy has to go somewhere non-baby-friendly. Mommy's friend, Leslie, will take care of you until I get back, okay?" she said to her son.

Crystal kisses Bart on the forehead before giving him to Leslie.

"Take care of him," said Crystal.

"It's my job," said Leslie.


Meanwhile, in a secret underground laboratory, Clifford DeVoe, a.k.a. The Thinker, is currently solving some of the most impossible-to-solve calculations in history when his wife, Marlize, a.k.a. The Mechanic, walked into the room.

"You called me, Clifford?" She asked.

"Yes," said Thinker, turning off the digital screen to face his wife. "Caitlin Snow has assembled a team."

"As you predicted," said Marlize.

"It's only a matter of time until she finds us," said Thinker. "It's time to proceed with my plans."

"What is the likely thing she'll do first?" asked Marlize.

"Go after our contacts," said Thinker. "They must be protected."

"Samuroid 2.0 is almost ready, but creating two more will not be a quick process," said Marlize.

"Don't worry. I'll handle it," said Thinker.

"Who will they go after first?" asked Marlize.

"The most logical choice would be Ted Kord," said Thinker. "Ms. Snow is familiar with Kord Industries, so it's most likely she'll go to see him first."

"Kord is a noble man," mentioned Marlize, looking up on the CEO of Kord Industries. "Surely, she'll make him talk."

"That's where our new contact comes in," said Thinker.

"And if this new contact fails to prevent Snow from extracting information from Kord?" asked Marlize.

"I always have a backup plan," said Thinker.


Back at the black site in Gotham, Crystal's new team was gearing up for their mission. Deathstroke packs up some new guns. Huntress arms herself with a series of trick arrows. Black Siren found some linings in her suit where she can store the throwing stars. Captain Cold had finished upgrading his Cold Gun. Katana tests her sword on a metal rod. Constantine pockets a new lighter.

"I'm getting action movie vibes here," said Captain Cold.

"You and me both," said Black Siren, eyeing the ex-rogue. "This is worth a gearing-up-for-battle montage."

"Am I getting some kind of vibe here?" asked Constantine, looking back and forth between the former criminal and the Earth-2 metahuman.

"We should focus on the mission at hand," said Katana.

Crystal Frost exits her office dressed in her new suit.

"Are we all set?" She asked.

"Locked and loaded, Ms. Snow, or do you prefer Ms. Frost?" replied Leonard.

"Out on the field, my name is Crystal Frost, licensed psychologist, vigilante, and assassin-for-hire," said Crystal.

"Since when are you an assassin?" asked Deathstroke.

"Since being a psychologist doesn't pay much," said Crystal. "Now, we better get a move on. No doubt DeVoe already knows that we're going after Kord."

"So, I take there's gonna be full of shooting and punching when we get to Kord Industries," guessed Helena.

"We need Kord to give us some answers," said Crystal. "But if DeVoe sends something or someone after us, then, yes, there'll be lots of shooting and punching."

"I hate to dampen the mood, but wouldn't a mess at Kord Industries attract Oliver's attention?" said Constantine. "Obviously, you don't want him involved."

"That's why I stole 'this' from the Waverider," said Crystal, holding up a futuristic-looking handheld device. "It's a memory wiper. If things get messy, no one will remember it was us or DeVoe who made the mess."

"What about security cameras?" Katana asked.

"That's where Ms. Bertinelli comes in," said Crystal.

"And if Kord doesn't come quietly?" asked Black Siren.

"I'll make him," said Crystal.

"So, we're some kind of suicide squad, is that it?" commented Deathstroke.

Crystal inwardly laughed at the name of Amanda Waller's former team that consisted of criminals. Now that Lyla Michaels seems to have ended the program, maybe she can steal the name for her team... no... her squad.

"Now, remember. We're not heroes. We're not villains either. We're just individuals who do whatever it takes to achieve what we need to achieve," said Crystal. "We're all a danger to the people out there, but that only depends on if we choose to be. Regardless, the mission ahead requires us to do what is necessary. No restraints. No rules. Just do. Do what we can in order to succeed. Suicidal as this mission would be, we're no strangers to these kinds of endeavors. Death may lie ahead, but that's part of our lives. Our souls rest only if we decide it's time."

"That's one hell of a motivational speech," said Constantine sarcastically.

"I kinda like it," said Black Siren.

"You would," replied Huntress with contempt.

"Alright, boys and girls, let's get out there and make a mess," said Crystal.


At Kord Industries, Ted Kord had returned from a meeting and was on his way back to his office. He and his two bodyguards walk by a janitor who was currently moping the floor. Unbeknownst to everyone in the building, the janitor is Leonard Snart, hiding his face using a cap.

"Kord's heading upstairs," said Captain Cold through his comm-link.

"Keep eyes on him," said Crystal.

"Don't worry. I'm just outside his office," said Black Siren, who was posing as the secretary.

"Stay sharp. You never know who could be an accomplice of this DeVoe," said Slade, who was in a black van. "Ms. Yamashiro, are you in position?"

"I'm on the roof," said Katana. "No sign of any hostiles. Not yet, at least."

"Can't we just grab Kord and lock him his office now?" suggested Huntress, who replaced the one female security guard in the building. "I'm tired of waiting in here. None of these idiots are leaving the control room."

"Stick to the plan, Bertinelli," said Crystal. "John, where are you?"

"Kord Industries is a no-smoking area, so I'll be waiting for your signal across the street," said Constantine while smoking.

"Lance, keep an eye on the chubby bodyguard accompanying Kord," said Leonard. "He looks shady."

"Noted," said Black Siren.

...

Black Siren was bored sitting behind the desk answering calls and reading Kord's schedule. She decides to waste time and play a game on her phone, especially since no one is around to see her goofing off.

"Not enjoying yourself, I see."

Crystal Frost opens the ventilation shaft and jumps into the room.

"What have you been doing this whole time?" asked Black Siren.

"Trying to give Bertinelli some room to work," said Crystal. "Girl's just as impatient as you are."

"You know, when you called about a new job, I was pretty excited," said Black Siren. "I'm beginning to regret tagging along."

"Because you don't get to kill anyone?" guessed Crystal.

Black Siren sighs as she slumps in her chair.

"Look, Lance, I asked you to come not just because you're a killing machine but also because to help you," said Crystal. "You accepted my offer of a new life for a reason."

"I tried your way, Crystal, but it wasn't worth it," said Black Siren. "Dinah Drake. Strip dancer and thug-for-hire. I needed the thrills and the pleasure, but I knew you wanted me to do better. So, I tried to climb my way to a better life. I got a job as a lawyer, I tried to meet a good man, but nothing went well for me. I let my temper get in the way of everything, no matter how hard I try to control it, and every man I've met only like me because I'm attractive."

"Lance, when I offered you a chance at a better life, I wasn't asking you to be a good girl," said Crystal. "I was asking you to carve yourself a life that suits you and makes you a better person."

"And how is 'good girl' and 'better person' different?" asked Black Siren.

"A good girl is someone who is, well, a good girl. A better person is someone who uses her flaws to improve herself," said Crystal. "Look at me. I still kill for a living, but I do it just to provide for my own son."

"Speaking of son, where did the little munchkin come from?" asked Black Siren curiously.

"Not what's important right now," said Crystal. "What I'm saying is that you took my advice way too seriously. I never wanted you to be like your doppelganger prior her death. I wanted you to see the bright side in turning over a new leaf. I never expected you to change. I just wanted you to find a new path, as I have."

Black Siren remains silent as she thinks about Crystal's words. She now feels like an idiot for how she's been spending the past several months. All that good girl acting, wasted on a misunderstanding.

"Frost, we have a problem," said Katana through her comm-link.

"What is it?" asked Crystal.

...

On the roof of Kord Industries, Katana was fighting two individuals who appear to be ninjas. They were swift, but she was just as swift.

"Assassins. Ninjas," said Katana.

"They must come from the Japanese crime syndicate, Masayoshi," guessed Crystal. "Judging by their reputation, they should already be in the building."

"Take care of them. I'll stay here and stand guard," said Katana.

Katana blocks a strike from one ninja and stabs him in the stomach, killing him. The other ninja kicks Katana's sword off her, but that didn't stop her. She and the ninja get caught in an evenly-matched fist fight. Katana lands three quick strikes on the ninja's neck before spin-kicking him to the ground. Before the ninja could stand up, Katana stabs him in the chest.

"Rooftop patrol has been dealt with," said Katana.

"Good, because I could some backup down here," said Captain Cold, sounding as if he was in a struggle.

...

Captain Cold was currently dueling with the chubby bodyguard. He may have appeared chubby, but he was as agile as any ninja. Captain Cold was getting overwhelmed by the bodyguard's swift punches and kicks. Fortunately, Katana shows up and slashes the bodyguard in the leg from behind, causing him to fall. Captain Cold grabs his Cold Gun from his janitorial cart and freezes the bodyguard before he could stand up. The bodyguard falls down with a frozen mid-section, slowly freezing to death.

"About time you showed up," said Captain Cold.

"Patience is a virtue, Mr. Snart," said Katana.

"I know," said Captain Cold. "One of my values as a thief."

"You appear unaffected mentioning your past," said Katana.

"Only when I didn't have to kill anyone," said Captain Cold. "You can thank the Flash for teaching me that."

...

Outside the parking lot, Deathstroke, wearing his armor and mask, was fighting against three ninjas who attempted to ambush him. They broke both windows and the windshield before the fight led to the damaging of other cars. Deathstroke kicks one ninja in the stomach before slicing his back. He grabs one ninja's head and slams it to the ground before snapping his neck with his foot. He takes down the last one by slashing his shoulder before running his sword through his chest.

"I got three," said Deathstroke through his earpiece.

"Good news, everyone. Security cameras are down," said Huntress.

"What took you so long?" asked Deathstroke.

"One of those ninjas disguised as an ordinary guy got the jump on me," said Huntress. "Don't worry, Slade. I remembered my training."

"Well, you're gonna have to show me your stuff, Bertinelli, 'cause we got four more outside the CEO's office," said Black Siren.

...

Huntress and Black Siren both fought ninjas outside of Kord's office. Kord was keeping his distance by stepping back into the elevator before the doors closed. The doors opened again and a young brunette entered the elevator with a hand extended forward towards him, offering to help him get up.

"Come with me if you want to live," said Crystal.

Black Siren jumps and kicks one ninja with both feet, knocking it down. One hit her from behind, but she blocks his next strike, breaks his arm, and flips him to the ground. She snaps his neck to keep him lying down. The ninja she kicked down earlier gets up and attempts a butterfly kick, but she counters it with a roundhouse kick. She stabs him in the throat with her heel, killing him.

Huntress stabs one ninja in the chest with an arrow and kicks it towards the other. The ninja dodges his incoming ally and unleashes a series of moves on Huntress. Huntress manages to put an arrow in the ninja's hand and kicks it away from him. The arrow beeps and explodes, knocking the ninja down to the ground.

"Nice," complimented Black Siren. "Although, you could've done it without your arrows."

"Well, I'm still learning," said Huntress.

...

Inside Kord's office, Crystal was fighting two ninjas who burst into the windows. She kills one by freezing its face, and incapacitates the other by kicking it towards the wall.

"What is going on here?" asked Ted. "And who are you?"

"Give me a minute," said Crystal.

The ninja gets up and attacks, but Crystal blocks his kick before kicking him down to the floor. She then stabs him in the back with a shard of ice, killing him.

"Okay, now we can talk," said Crystal. "Long story short, I'm here to kidnap you."

"Why?" asked Ted.

Instead of answering, Crystal throws a tranquilizer dart at Ted, putting him to sleep. The door opens and in comes the rest of her squad, Constantine included, who was holding the memory wiper.

"Don't worry, luv. All employees are gonna wake up with amnesia and a headache thanks to his bad boy," said Constantine, fiddling with the device.

"Now, get us out of here before the mayor shows up," ordered Crystal.

Constantine raises his hand and starts citing an incantation.

"Ut nos auferat ei et ubi quaerere."

And with that, Constantine teleports everyone, including himself, out of Kord's office.


Ted wakes up and finds himself tied up on a chair underneath one lit light bulb, surrounded by six costumed individuals and one man wearing a trench coat. The CEO was mostly intimidated by the man wearing a black and orange mask.

"I think Mr. Kord here is most afraid of you, Deathstroke," mentioned Black Siren.

"Deathstroke?" Ted asked with fear.

"That's why I kept the name," said Deathstroke.

"Enough," said Crystal. "Alright, Mr. Kord, I'm gonna make this very clear. Just answer my questions and we won't harm you. You hear me?"

"You're making a big mistake," said Ted.

Deathstroke draws his sword as a means to further intimidate Ted. Clearly, it worked.

"Okay, I'll talk," said Ted. "Just don't hurt my family."

"Oh, we don't want your family, Mr. Kord. We want DeVoe," said Black Siren.

"DeVoe?" asked Ted.

"We hacked into your phone and read a very interesting conversation between you and DeVoe," said Crystal, holding up the man's phone. "However, you two are being awfully vague about this device you're making for him."

"I can't tell you," said Ted. "He told me specifically to keep our deal confidential."

"Please, Mr. Kord. We just need you to cooperate," said Katana.

"This DeVoe guy, he's no good," said Constantine. "Whatever he's asking you to make for him, it must be a tool for destruction."

"It's not a weapon," said Ted.

"Well, we're getting somewhere," said Captain Cold.

"What is it?" asked Huntress.

"It's a reactor," answered Ted. "DeVoe said he needed a reactor that can stabilize this contraption he's working on."

"What kind of contraption?" asked Crystal.

"I don't know, but I checked the specs he sent me, or part of them, at least," said Ted. "It was very complicated and seemed impossible to keep stable, but he said that Kord Industries had the means to create a reactor that can sustain whatever energy the contraption gives off."

"And how's the process of this reactor?" asked Deathstroke.

"It's almost complete," said Ted. "You said that DeVoe is a bad person. Why?"

"Trust me, Mr. Kord. It's way too complicated to explain," said Crystal.

"Nor would we tell you anyway," said Black Siren.

"Anything else you would like to say, Mr. Kord?" asked Deathstroke, keeping his sword in front of Ted's face.

Ted continued. "There is this ancient scarab that gives off strange energy. According to DeVoe, it's the key to powering the reactor."

"But no one is supposed to know about the Blue Beetle," said Crystal.

"How do you know about it?" asked Ted, confused and surprised.

Crystal ignores the question and asks one of her own. "Did DeVoe threaten to release info about the Blue Beetle if you didn't cooperate?"

"Y-Yes," confessed Ted.

Crystal immediately opens a laptop and hacks into the Kord Industries security feed. She can see more Masayoshi ninjas escaping the building with a reactor.

"DeVoe played us," said Crystal, slamming her hand on the table. "He knew we'd take Kord away from his company to interrogate him, which gave him the opportunity to steal the reactor."

"He what?!" Ted exclaimed.

"We played into his hands," growled Crystal.

Crystal grabs a tranquilizer gun and shoots Ted, putting him to sleep again.

"Now what, fearless leader?" asked Captain Cold. "Do we go out there and chase those ninjas?"

"Knowing how DeVoe thinks, it wouldn't matter if we go after them or not," said Crystal. "We stick to the plan. We got after his other contacts."

"And what if that's what DeVoe wants?" asked Deathstroke.

"His way of thinking is beyond human imagination," said Crystal. "We just have to keep him thinking that we're aware that whatever we do is what he wants."

"Like how you tried with Flash and his friends?" asked Black Siren.

"If this DeVoe is smart as you say he is, wouldn't he be counting on us to think like that?" wondered Captain Cold.

"Sometimes, Snart, we don't need a plan. Sometimes, we just have to improvise," said Crystal. "Even if it's what DeVoe expects."

So, what do you think? Worth the wait?

I thought introducing Ted Kord would be a fun idea. Sure, he was more like the "hostage the heroes have to protect" but his involvement in DeVoe's plans was the focus here. The Suicide Squad have lost this round, but the game is far from over.