Chapter 8

Starling City

Laurel sat at the coffee table reading her book. It seems to be the only escape she could find. Her sister plane had crashed and there were no survivors. Her parents are separated. Now her father cannot stop drinking. It is like every night her father is drunk. Part of her wanted to go to Central City to live with her mom. She could easily transfer to the college there. But no, her father needed her, whether he knew it or not.

"Laurel?"

Laurel looked up and saw Tommy standing in front of her.

"Oh my God, Tommy!" Laurel dropped her book and quickly stood up and hugged Tommy. "Are you okay? I heard on the news what happened."

"Yeah, I am fine. I came by to see how you and your parents are doing." Tommy said.

Laurel let go of Tommy and sat back down in her chair and lowered her head. Tommy could see that she was upset. Tommy pulled a chair out and sat next to Laurel. "Tommy, it is not going so good. My parents are separated now. It seems that my dad is drinking more than ever. Sarah..." Laurel tried not to cry in front of Tommy. No matter how hard she tried, there was no stopping her tears from falling. "...Sarah is gone. And Oliver..." Laurel tried to finish what she was going to say, but she could not.

"You still have feelings for him, don't you?" Tommy said.

"I do, I really do. And I hate him at the same time. I have never stopped loving him. But, I do not think he felt the same way."

"Are you kidding, you were all he talked about. Even when we went out to the clubs and girls were hitting on him. He would talk hours about you."

Laurel looked over to Tommy. "Really, then tell me why that son of a bitch messed around with that girl?"

"Because he was stupid and got drunk that night. I know he should not have done that in the first place. But, he did stop and went home alone, even when that girl asked him to go home with him." Tommy took a breath and lean back in the chair. "You know, I truly do believe that he still loved you."

Laurel looked down at the table, "I loved him. But I could not be in a relationship with someone if I cannot trust them." Laurel let a giggle, "You know, I had always thought my sister's love life was screwed up."

Tommy gave a smile.

Laurel started to cry and leaned in toward Tommy. "Tommy, I know it seems like I am doing okay and I am being strong, but I do not think I can handle all of this. I miss my sister so much. My dad, he is getting worse every day."

Tommy put his arm around Laurel. "Hey, you are strong. Okay? I know it might not seem like it now, but when my mother died, I felt like my whole world was gone. My father left me in a private school while he took off to who knows where. But, I made it. It is not going to be easy. Not a day goes by without me thinking of my mother. I cannot promise you it is going to be alright, but I can promise you, you will make it."

Laurel looked up at Tommy and smiled. "Thank you." Laurel lifted herself up and grabbed a napkin to wipe her eyes. "I went by your place to look for you to see if you heard about Oliver. I saw your dad there."

"I know, he told me." Tommy said.

"Listen, I would love to talk with you some more, but I have an appointment I need to keep."

"No problem, just call me when you need someone to talk too."

Laurel reached over and gave Tommy a kiss on the cheek. "Thank you. Trust me, I will be calling you."

Laurel walked out of the coffee shop and started toward her car. "Ms. Lance, Laurel Lance?"

Laurel turned around and saw a man in black suit standing in front of her. "Can I help you?" The man reached out and handed Laurel a card. "Internal Affairs? What do you want with me?"

"I have a few questions to ask you about your father." He replied.

A.R.G.U.S.

Waller kept looking at the files. As she closed one, she threw it to the side. Lyla walked in and could tell that Waller was getting aggravated. "You see this here?" Lyla shook her head, "These are the files on the scum of the earth. This pile here on the floor, useless to me. They have nothing to offer. This pile here, which is only about five, is not useless. We can use them."

"Why would we need them if they are as you said, the scum of the earth?" Lyla asked.

"Because, sometimes we need someone to get a job done that requires a special set of skills and who will not hesitate." Waller reached over and pulled a few red folders out. "League of Assassins. In Midway City, the Criminal Alliance of the World, known as CAW. The Hierarchy of International Vengeance and Extermination, also know as H.I.V.E. I really do believe they called themselves that so can say the hive. These are dangerous people. And take a look at these Jokers; they call themselves the Royal Flush Gang." Said Waller.

"And I thought this is why we are here. To do the job, the government will not do." Lyla said.

"We are the first line and the last line of defense. Sometimes, an extreme situation comes up that require extreme measures...or extreme individuals to handle the problem. So, if something comes up that needs to be taken care of and it is no chance of coming out alive. It is better to send some low life in to get the job done."

Lyla sat down and looked at Waller, "And why would these people do this?" She asked.

Waller looked up and smiled. Lyla was getting worried. She had never seen Waller smile before. "Simple, they get time off, get out from behind bars for a while. Not get the needle or the chair. And my favorite reason, not having their heads blow up. Waller rose from her desk and pointed a small remote at a screen. Images of five people appear on the monitor.

"Meet your team Agent Harbinger. 29 years old, Mehdi Frankhulama. Expert in four different styles of martial arts, master of anything with a handle on it. He has death roll for the killing at least 20 people. That's what we know of so far."

"I remember reading about him. A hired hitman." Lyla said.

"A Joanna Bockman, 35, computer hacker. In jail for 80 years. Hacked into over 30,000 different banks and sent a virus that affected all the accounts they have and had a half cent deposit in her account every week from each person. This went on for 8 years before she was caught. This included judges, senators, mayors and as such."

"The FBI also thought she was responsible for leaking photos of many of the celebrities private moments on the internet." Lyla commented.

"Which lead us to Amanda Donley, 27, kidnapping and blackmailing. She would kidnap high ranking people and take photos of them wearing diapers while she was in her cat leather outfit with a whip. In jail for 125 years. She is an expert in torture and very handy with a whip."

"125 years, I guess she pissed off a lot of people." Lyla said laughing.

"That she did, since many of them were part of the Supreme Court. This is Connor Robisten, 31. Like his half-brother, very dangerous. Master of weapons, we do not know how many people he has killed."

"If I remember, he was a mob enforcer who decided to kill everyone in the organization."

"He did, but they still do not know all of his victims. And you last member, Richard Turcson, 31, has life, for crushing a man skull with his bare hands."

"So, he is in the military."

"That's right. I want you to lead them." Waller said.

"You want me to work with murders, blackmailer and..." Lyla started to say.

"YES!" Waller looked Lyla in the eye, not blinking. "You signed up for ARGUS to make a difference. This is where it really counts. These lowlifes here have a chance to do something good and make a difference. And if they die, it is no loss. At least, it has not been a waste. Taxpayers spend millions a year to house and feed murders, rapist, child molesters and everything else. I say it is time, they earned their keep."

Lyla was not sure what to think. The idea working with criminals seem crazy. "Alright Waller, I will do this. But one condition..."

"I'm listening."

"No rapist or child molesters. If you do put me with anyone like that, they will not be coming back." Waller leaned back in her chair and gave a smile.

"Like I said, these are suicide missions. If someone does not make it back, I am not even going to question it. The only time I will question anyone if you do not make it back." Waller handed Lyla the folders. "Now, put your team together. You have 36 hours."

HUNTSVILLE, AL

Lyla sat in the room waiting for her first recruit. As the door opened she saw a woman in handcuffs walk in wearing glasses with long red hair. "Hello there Joanna. My name is Agent Michaels. And I have a proposition for you."

Joanna walked over to the table and sat down. "Who are you again?"

"Joanna, my name is Agent Michaels; I work for an organization that can use your talents."

"Will this get me out of jail?" Joanna asked.

"It will help reduce your time. I must warn you, if you commit to this, it will be for 5 years. But I need an answer now."

"Sure, what do I got to loose?" Joanna replied.

"Your life," Lyla took out a small box and pressed a button on top. "There, we can talk in private. Joanna, I want you to join my team. We need your help for a mission. But it will be dangerous. However, if you do this and live, I can make your life better and get your time reduced."

"You want me to risk my life to help you? How dangerous is this?"

"Good chance you can be killed."

Joanna looked at Lyla for a moment. "Okay. I will do it. So when do we leave?"

Lyla walked up behind Joanna and grabbed her head and leaned her back. She stuck a needle in Joanna's neck and injected her. "Now..." Lyla said. Lyla had let go of Joanna.

"You bitch, what the hell was that?" Joanna asked.

"That right there is to make sure you do not escape. You have 48 hours before your brain turns to mush. The cure is back at HQ. Now stop your bitching and let's go."

NASHVILLE TN.

"So Amanda, you want to join us and have some fun? At least, you will not spend your entire 125 years behind bars." Lyla said.

"This is some kind of sick joke?"

"No Amanda, this is real. I can use you for my missions. Each time we do a mission, time will be reducing on your sentences." Lyla said.

"So, the redhead with the big tits on this too?"

"Joanna is almost like you, in jail with no hope of seeing daylight ever again. You got 10 seconds to give me your answer."

"A chance to go out, get killed, and never come back. But to breath outside air, that is not behind prison walls and a chance to see the world, Hell yeah."

"Good, now there is one thing we need to do before we leave." Lyla pulled out a syringe.

"What the hell is that for?" Amanda asked. Before she could react, Lyla had stuck the needle in Amanda's neck.

"Now, you get to join the club with me." Joanna said.

CHICAGO, IL

Mehdi walked up to the chair and sat down. He looked and saw a woman was sitting on the other side of the glass holding the phone. Mehdi picked up the phone, "Well now, who are you and what can I do for you?"

"My name is Agent Michaels; I am here to offer you a chance to save your life."

"I'm listening."

"Mr. Frankhulama we are in need of your special talents for a mission. If you agree, you will not be getting the needle."

"So, your saying, if I do this, I can get out of jail?"

"Only for the missions that we can use you for. At least, you will be alive."

"You know, they listen to these talk's." Mehdi said.

"Do not worry about that Mr. Frankhulama. In fact, this conversation never took place. If you agree, you will at least, have a chance to be outside when we have a mission."

"Well now, can't argue with that."

"Good, I will make arrangements. We start today."

BEAUMONT, TX

Connor rubbed his necked, "Damn, that hurt."

"Stop complaining Mr. Robisten. It is not going to kill you, well not now it won't."

"What do you mean?"

"It is my way to make sure you do not try to escape. The cure is back where we will be going. Now get your ass up. The others are waiting in the van." Lyla said.

"Huh, so there are more? So, it looks like we got ourselves a party going on."

"And your brother Mehdi is one of them."

Connor stood up, reached out and grabbed Lyla arm. Before Conner could react, Lyla grabbed Conner's hand and bent it back and spun him around and slammed his head on the table. "What the hell?" Conner yelled.

"Mr. Robisten never laid a hand on me again or you will loose it. Then I will have no need for you. Just remember, you and your brother are good at what you do, but I am better. Is that clear?"

"Yes, yes, yes...you can let go of my head and arm now."

"Good, we have one more stop to make before we head back." Lyla let go of Conner's arm and started to walk out the door. "Are you coming?" Conner stood up and followed Lyla out the door.

ARKANSAS Desert

"Why are we in the desert?" Mehdi asked.

"Yeah, is our last member a hermit?" Conner replied.

"How about you both shut up." Lyla said. "There is our destination." Everyone looked out of the window and saw what looked like a tall concrete wall. As they got closer, they could see two Marines heavily armed standing guard at a gate.

"What is this place?" Amanda asked.

"Looks like some kind of military outpost." Joanna responded.

Lyla stopped short of reaching the gate. She turned around and looked at the four in the back of the van. "Listen and listen carefully. You are to remain in the van at all times. If you get out, I will not be responsible if you're killed before we start our first mission. These men and women have orders to shoot, kill, and ask questions later. Is this clear?" Everyone shook their head. "Good." Lyla pulled up to the gate and handed the Marine her badge and a piece of paper.

"Agent Michaels, they are expecting you. You are to follow the yellow signs only. Any change of course will result in the destruction of this vehicle. As you arrive at the main building, you are the only one allowed to exit and enter. If it looks like anyone else about to exit the vehicle, they will be fired upon." The Marine handed Lyla her badge and paper back to her. He waved his arm and then pointed at the gate.

The gate had slowly opened and Lyla drove through. Following the yellow signs, Lyla had reached her destination. "Stay here." Lyla stepped out of the van and could feel she was been watched. She walked in through the front door and saw it was huge room completely white. There in front of her was a man chained at his hands and feet. There were four guards standing behind him with their M-16 pointing at him. "Richard Turcson?, I am Agent Michaels. I have a deal for you that you might like."

"I'm listening."

"You men may leave now." The four guards lowered their weapons and left the room. Richard looked around to saw it was only the two of them now. "I am putting together a special unit for missions that no one else will want to do. There is a chance that you and the rest of the team will not make it back alive. But you will be out of here and move to another location that is a lot better than here."

"Do I get a chance to kill someone?"

"These are very bad people we are going after. They will try to kill you." Lyla responded. Richard gave a smile,

"Let's Party."

A.R.G.U.S.

Hours later Lyla and the rest walked into a room. They were five chairs that looked like school desks. "Have a seat and remember to keep your mouth shut till we are done. We will let you know when you can ask question's, if we let you." The five took a seat and looked at each other. They could see two men dressed in black standing outside the door with automatic machine guns in their hands. A woman walked in and placed a pill and cup of water in front of them. "I suggest you take that fast. Time is almost up." They quickly swallow the pill and drink their water.

"Hello." They looked up and saw a black woman walked in the room. "My name is Ms. Waller. You will be working with me. First, I want to show you something." Two men brought a cart in with a watermelon on top in a plastic box. Ms. Waller lifted her hand up and was holding what looked like a rod with a button on top. "Please pay close attention." She pressed the button and the watermelon exploded. "The watermelon makes a good demonstration of a person's head. If any of my rules is broken, this will be your head. Each of you has been planted with a micro bomb."

"What the hell?" Mehdi rose out of his seat. At that moment, two men came in pointing their gun at him. "Easy gents. I am sitting back down."

Waller walked over to Mehdi. "This is to ensure that none of you will try to escape when on a mission. My rules are simple. Do the job with no questions. Make sure nothing happens to Agent Michaels and she returns alive and complete the job you are given. If you are able to manage all of this, not only you get time off from you sentence, but you will be a patriot to America. Each of you has been transferred to here. As you complete more missions, you will be given more freedom. Trust me, what we offer here, is a lot better than what you had."

Lyla Michaels and the suicide squad will be having their own story coming in first of January.

PACIFIC OCEAN

"Felicity, wake up." Oliver kept shaking Felicity. "Hey Felicity, wake up."

Felicity opened her eyes and was trying to figure out what Oliver was looking at. "What are you looking at?"

"Look." Oliver pointed up.

Felicity could not believe what she was seeing. "Those are birds."

"Not any birds. Those are Seabirds." Oliver looked at Felicity and smiled. "I forgot. You're a computer geek. Seabirds have been known to lead sailor to land."

"Oliver, are you saying there is land close by?" Felicity asked.

"Yes!" Felicity leaned forward and wrapped her arms around Oliver's neck. Oliver let out a cry. "Felicity, take it easy."

Felicity looked and had not noticed, but Oliver's face was red on the side where she had hit him with a paddle. She could also see a black eye forming around his eye. "Oh, Oliver!"

"Felicity, stop it. It is okay. Just got a knot on the side of the head and my jaw is swollen a little. But I am fine."

"How far do you think we are from land?" Felicity asked.

"I have no idea, but we need to go that way." Oliver and Felicity took turn passing the one make shift paddle they had left and started to stroke the water. With in an hour, the two had stopped and saw an island in the distance. "There, we're saved." Oliver and Felicity hugged each other and kissed.