I don't own Halo or Justice League; they are the property of 343 Industries and DC Comics/Warner Brothers respectively.
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WARNING! SLIGHT COD-MW3 CROSSOVER IN 3…2…1…
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/Message Interception/
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/Message Decrypted/
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MI6 Officer 1: The French just intercepted a message concerning suspicious shipments headed for French and British soil.
SIS Chief: Have we identified the vessels?
MI6 Officer 1: Yes, sir, the shipments are listed under Gotham International Botanical. Running confirmation on the serial numbers now.
MI6 Officer 2: Sir, GIGN's sending us security footage of High Value Individual leaving the Charles de Gaulle airport.
SIS Chief: Have we confirmed the HVI identity?
MI6 Officer 2: Yes, sir, the suspect is listed as Dr. Harleen Quinzel, aka. Harley Quinn. Recently reported as missing from the Arkham Asylum in Gotham City, USA. Seen leaving the airport along with cargo identical to the shipments headed for British soil.
SIS Chief: Wake up MI5 and notify them that we have an imminent threat.
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MI5 Director: Gentlemen, what do we know?
MI6 Officer: The American's intel was solid, ma'am. Known Gotham City criminal Harley Quinn was spotted being in possession of suspicious cargo matching the properties of identical shipments listed under Gotham International Botanical. Special Branch is sweeping up all persons of interest, but we advise tasking SAS to investigate Tier One threats.
MI5 Director: Patch me through to Hereford.
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Baseplate: Ma'am, I understand we have a special delivery from a certain uncomedic jokester over in America.
MI5 Director: Our American contact has informed us of multiple shipments that have arrived on British soil within the last twenty-four hours. We've tracked the cargo's serial numbers to several vessels that arrived in Europe within the last twenty-four hours, including here in the UK.
Baseplate: The Canary Docks. Right on her majesty's front doorstep.
MI5 Director: MI5 has identified several possible points of entry, along with multiple unknown hostiles providing security. Be advised, MI6 believes the cargo to be a possible MCBW. We advise you secure the cargo with extreme caution.
Baseplate: Rodger, my team is making ready. We'll be on plot within the hour. Don't worry, ma'am, whatever that clown's got planned for Old Blighty, we'll put a stop to it.
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"Amazing Grace."
November 10th, 19:27 PM
Canary Docks, London
High above the dockyards, the unmanned ariel surveillance drone kept track of the men moving around and within the warehouse. Some were on overwatch on the upper balconies, while others were loading crates into a column of cargo vans. Fortunately, these men were all common thugs hired to escort the cargo to its destinations; they had absolutely no training or experience in covert-ops and infiltration. As such, they never considered the possibility that their actions, or those of their 'employer', would warrant the attention of one of the best Special Forces units in the United Kingdom.
From their command center, the UASD controllers monitored the activity all around the dockyards. They tagged the licenses of all the vehicles, and took images of the men's faces for identification. Even if they managed to escape, they wouldn't go far before local police picked them up and took them in for interrogation.
Bravo-6/Wallcroft: Baseplate, we're online. Bringing it on view.
Baseplate: Rodger that, Bravo-6. There are multiple trucks in the docks marked 'Gotham International Botanical Delivery Service". At this time, we believe they are our target.
Wallcroft: That's a dodgy way of doing delivery service.
Baseplate: The trucks are leaving the docks right now.
Sure enough, the trucks began leaving the dockyards, each headed in different directions. The UASD controllers kept track of the trucks as best they could until they were out of view range. They then focused on the two remaining trucks still parked next to the warehouse.
Wallcroft: Our source say what they were transporting?
Baseplate: Intel on this op shows the shipment came from a High-Level Threat in America, possibly a MCBW. Be advised, two of the trucks are still at the docks.
Wallcroft: Guess we can't call in a Spectre and sink the whole bloody thing in the river.
Baseplate: Too risky, Bravo-6. Vulture's birds will provide air cover for now.
Wallcroft: Let's just get this thing done and dusted.
Baseplate: FLIR is picking up heat signatures in the warehouses. You will need to clear those buildings before securing the trucks.
Wallcroft: My team will take warehouse 1. Bravo-9 and Bravo-2 will handle the others.
Bravo-9: This is Bravo-9 in position.
Bravo-2: Bravo-2, standing by.
Wallcroft: Baseplate, all teams are in position. Our window's closing fast. We're ready to kick this off.
Baseplate: Copy that. All teams, you've got the nod. Mission is a go.
Wallcroft: Copy, Baseplate. Alright, mates. Let's do this. Weapons free.
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And with that, the SAS units got to work. The first team, Bravo-6, made their way up the back alley towards the back entrance of the first warehouse. They quickly neutralized the guards stationed at the entrance, then moved into the lower floors. Once the floor was clear, they moved up the stairs to the next level. They cleared out the rooms, then moved towards the offices overlooking the dockyards. Two SAS operatives quickly tackled and tasered three guards, who were then cuffed and moved back downstairs; a follow-up team would take them away for interrogation.
Sierra 1: Bravo-6, this is Sierra 1, two hostiles on top floor of your building. Taking the shot.
This was followed by two sniper shots from the SAS sniper team from across the street. Soon, the final room and balcony were cleared. It wasn't long before the other two teams radioed in that their warehouses were also secure.
Sierra 1: Outer perimeter secure.
Baseplate: Bravo-6, they're about to move the trucks. You have no time left!
Wallcroft: Greenlight on all teams. Go!
Then, all hell broke loose.
The SAS teams all started firing on the thugs around the trucks, and another SAS team charged through the gate in an armored van. The van stopped before the trucks, and the SAS team jumped out and opened fire. The thugs, caught completely unawares, were all but helpless against the better trained and disciplined SAS teams. Some of the thugs tried to fire the RPG's they'd smuggled along with the crates, only to be picked off by the SAS snipers.
It was over within minutes. The last surviving thugs were taken down and cuffed, and the SAS teams gathered around the trucks.
Wallcroft: All clear?
Bravo-9: Clear
Bravo-2: We're all clear, Bravo-6
Wallcroft: Alright, set up a perimeter. Sierra 1, keep an eye out for reinforcements. I'm not in the mood for an MW3, over.
Sierra 1: Rodger that. Bravo-6. We'll keep an eye out.
As the remaining thugs were taken to the armored van, the SAS soldiers approached the trucks and opened the back doors. And inside each of the two trucks…
…was a large crate marked 'Gotham Delivery Service. We deliver with a Smile!'
Wallcroft: Baseplate, jackpot. Trucks and cargo secure. What's the status on the others?
Baseplate: Good work, Bravo-6. We're tracking the other trucks headed away from the docks. Backup's already on route to intercept. Transports are on route to your location. ETA, thirty seconds.
"Captain! You better look at this" One of the SAS soldiers was holding a clipboard attached to the crate. Wallcroft took the clipboard and read over the packing slip.
Wallcroft: Bloody Hell…Baseplate, I have the packing slip. It says these crates are loaded with…poppy flowers. And they're being shipped to tomorrow's remembrance ceremony at the Cenotaph. What the bloody hell's going on?
Baseplate: That's the cargo, Bravo-6. Intel says each of those flowers are loaded with enough Joker Venom to take out an entire school room.
Wallcroft felt a chill run down his spine, as did the rest of the unit. "Joker Venom! You gotta be shittin' me! That psycho bastard from Gotham's behind this?"
Baseplate: Bravo-6, we're tracking another truck that's stopped at a road block just a few blocks from your location. Get your team moving to intercept them before they get moving again.
Wallcroft: …Roger that, Baseplate. Alright, Braco-2, stay and guard the trucks. Bravo-6 and Bravo-9 will go after the truck. Let's move!
With that, the two SAS teams turned and hurried out to the street, where two armored vans had pulled up and were waiting for them. Meanwhile, Bravo-2 fanned out around the trucks, making sure to keep a good distance from the very dangerous cargo.
Two deadly cargos down…and a whole many more left to go…
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November 11, 9:36 AM,
Warehouse district, Paris, France
The city of Paris was bustling with heavy human and vehicle traffic, as thousands of people made their way towards the Champs-Elysée. All along the sides of the road, thousands of families were standing and/or sitting impatiently, their hands and heads bundled up against the cold late-autumn wind. And every single one of them was wearing the iconic bleuet de France in honor of the men, women and children who died during 'The War to End all Wars'.
A few blocks away, the owner of a local botanical shop was engaged in a heated dispute with the morning delivery serviceman. Sitting between them was a large crate bearing the label 'Gotham Delivery Service: We deliver with a SMILE!'
"For the last time, monsieur," the shop owner said, impatiently, "we did NOT order a shipment of poppy flowers from America. First, zey come from Flanders Fields, not America. Second, we do not use ze poppy; we use ze bleuet de France."
The delivery man simply shrugged, and replied, "Well, buddy, you should've told me that before I unloaded them."
Whatever else the shop owner had to say was cut off as an armored van screeched to as halt just down the alleyway. Both men were surprised when a team of GIGN Special Operatives burst out the back, wasting no time in securing the two men and the mysterious cargo. Upon checking the cargo's contents, the team leader spoke into his radio, "HQ, this is Sabre Leader. Target secured. Confirmation on suspected MCBW. Awaiting transport, over."
At the same time, other GIGN teams were moving in on other botanical shops and storage warehouses throughout the city. Each team was assigned to enter and seize multiple warehouses suspected of housing MCBW's shipped over from the United States; specifically, Gotham City, New Jersey. And given what they've heard about the city of crime over recent years, they were not about to take any chances. For this reason, several French DECON ACMAT's were deployed to support the GIGN units, and once the warehouses were secure, would transport the MCBW's to a secure location for containment.
Fortunately, thanks to their American contact's information, each team was able to enter the warehouses, and successfully secure the MCBW's. With most of the populace attending the Remembrance Day parade and festivities, they were able to operate with little risk of civilian casualties.
At the same time, other GIGN teams were securing and transporting the MCBW's in other cities and towns across France, including Dieppe and the coastal towns along the Normandy WW2 beachheads. Thankfully, they were able to intercept most of the packages before they reached their destinations. However, there was still a certain escaped Arkham inmate to deal with, along with the special cargo she was escorting.
Fortunately, there was one other team in position to intercept both targets well before their intended destination…
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November 11th, 10:28 AM (local time)
Brussels, Belgium,
The Armistice Day ceremonies were just about to kick off. Thousands of people were gathered to honor the brave soldiers who had fought and died for their country's freedom during both the Great and Second World Wars. The King was preparing his speech, and thousands of people waited to pay their respects.
All the while, the Belgian CUTA was coordinating with the Belgian Special Forces Group (SFG) to intercept and secure several potential MCBW's being delivered and shipped across the nation. While initially cynical of the American General's claims, they were quick to deploy their forces after receiving confirmation of the threat from both the British SAS and the French GIGN.
Now, all units had been mobilized and deployed to secure the shipments before they reached their designated targets. Thankfully, a number of SFG teams had recently returned from the European Union Joint Training operation in Ukraine; their return helped bolster the numbers of specialists available to secure the MBCW's for containment.
Then, they could focus their attention on finding and capturing the criminals responsible for this deliberate attempted attack on Belgian soil…
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November 11th, 10:44 AM (local time),
On route to the Vimy Ridge Memorial,
Northeastern France,
"Amaaazziinngg Graacce, hooow swweeeet the sooouunnd…!"
The former psychologist turned self-deluded lover of the Joker, Harley Quinn, was driving the delivery van wildly down the road leading towards the Vimy Ridge memorial. In the back cargo space was the crate she had brought over with her from Gotham. Thanks to a few favors, the staff at Gotham International were more than kind enough to load it onto the plane for her.
The staff that greeted her in Paris…not so much. Honestly, who knew the French had such a lousy sense of humor.
Fortunately, it wasn't something a little of her puddin's laughing gas couldn't cure. Just like those kids she gave all those free game consoles to. True, there was something about them having an 'explosive' reaction to the game itself. But hey! At least they died with a smile on their face.
As she continued driving up the road, she noticed a dark-blue helicopter hovering just above the tree line of the adjacent forest. Leaving one hand on the steering wheel, she leaned out the window and gave a mock salute. Little did she know, she had only ensured that her visit to the Canadian memorial at Vimy Ridge would not come to fruition.
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Further up the road, a team of Canadian Special Operations Forces Command (CANSOFCOM) operatives waited along the side of the road. A few minutes before, the GIGN support helicopter had radioed that Harley Quinn had been spotted heading their direction. With a confirmed time of approach, they were ready to spring their ambush.
The Canadian SPECOPS team had recently finished their deployment to Ukraine as part of Operation UNIFIER. On route to their FOB in Central France, they received word about the suspected MCBW's being delivered across Western Europe. As the nearest unit in the region, they were tasked with intercepting the escaped Arkham convict Harley Quinn before she and her cargo could reach their destination.
And given her destination was the Canadian memorial site at Vimy Ridge, the operatives were particularly determined to apprehend her with extreme prejudice.
Soon, they could see the delivery van erratically making its way down the road. The team CO watched and waited for the van to get within range…Once it had, he gave the signal to engage.
The team's sniper opened fire at the van's engine, while two other operatives threw spike strips across the road in front of the oncoming vehicle. Harley froze at the sound of bullets hitting the van, then screamed as the van began careening out of control. She ducked behind the console just as the rest of the Canadian soldiers opened fire – all aiming for the van's engine and tires. The focused firepower was more than enough to completely destroy the van's engine, and cause it to swerve into the ditch along the side of the road.
Once the van came to a halt, the SPECOPS team moved in to secure the vehicle and its cargo. Some of the soldiers held back with their weapons trained at the vehicle cockpit, ready to react in the event the Gotham convict tried to lash out at the operatives.
Thankfully, this would be unnecessary. Whether out of childish negligence or sheer foolishness, Harley Quinn had neglected to fasten her seatbelt after her stunt with the helicopter. And between trying to control the vehicle and avoiding the oncoming bullets, she had left herself unable to protect herself from the impact. She now sat semi-conscious in the driver's seat, blood dripping from her broken nose and scrapped forehead.
She was soon pulled from the vehicle and forced down onto the ground, where she was bound and carried to the armored vehicle waiting in a nearby dirt road. The MCBW was retrieved from the van's cargo area, and the team's CO radioed the helicopter to alert the GIGN to send an ACMAT to their location.
Suffice to say, Dr. Harleen Quinzel, aka. Harley Quinn, would not be making her delivery to Vimy Ridge…
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Not too far away, the bugler began playing the Last Post as the wreaths were laid at the foot of the base of the Vimy memorial. The assembled crowds watched and listened as the bugler finished his tune, and then all fell silent in a moment of remembrance.
At that moment, a single ray of sunlight shone through the clouds overhead, and illuminated the lone cloaked woman statue standing on top of the memorial. The woman, also known as Mother Canada, remained standing in her mournful posture, forever grieving the lost sons of Canada who died seizing that position…and the brave German sons who died defending that same position.
Whilst they were enemies in life, they would now forever rest side by side as brothers. Remembered by both their mother nations for their courage, determination, and sacrifice…
Lest we forget.
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Lest We Forget…
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So, the Joker's plan has mostly failed, with all his 'packages' headed across Europe intercepted by the special units mentioned above. One of the benefits of not having their own superhero to rely on, is that they put more emphasis on their elite units to fight the hard battles. I apologize for the very delayed Remembrance Day chapter; that's what happens when you're juggling work, family matters and personal health. I also apologize if any of the information I wrote is inaccurate.
Alas, even after his death at the Spartan's hands, people are still going to suffer from the Joker's lunacy. But I'm afraid, that will have to wait until the next update – hopefully, I'll be able to post it before the end of the year.
I also apologize for the very long delay between updates. Unfortunately, I had fallen victim to the new flu sickness going around, and am only now just on the mend. Hopefully, I'll be fully recovered before the Christmas Eve celebrations I am attending with my family.
So, until next time, have a safe and happy holiday, and a very Merry Christmas 2022!