Chapter Four
"Well, way to go Eternal. Throw about ten of your best knives away why don't you? Those were the last of your engraved ones too." Mercy growled to herself as she stripped the Kevlar and body armor off of herself, leaving on her tights and Lycra shirt as she laid out what remained of her weapons. She scowled at the sight of a half empty throwing knife sleeve, one throwing spike, and a two bloody close combat knives. She still had a handful of stun grenades left, but she tried not to use them at all since they were illegal for civilians to have and it was extremely difficult to get her hands on just one of them. She pulled up her chair, and put her booted foot on it, and reached inside her boot to pull out a straight edge close combat knife, and did the same with the other to pull out a karambit she only saved for extreme circumstances.
She counted the remainder of her throwing knives that she had brought with her. Only five out of the fifteen she had brought with her remained.
Mercy finally ripped off the scarf on her head, and threw it on the bed. Knives cost money that she couldn't afford to spend, and thanks to the Justice League and the army of Synced up guys in black, she wasn't going to receive $100,000 bucks anytime soon.
"Fucking fantastic…" She opened up the floorboards, and reached inside to pull out the large case that held most of her weapons. If she didn't restock her throwing knives now she would most likely forget and leave with a low supply of weapons.
She picked out the same type of black poly-fiber throwing knives with the circle at the end of the handle, a new set of black spikes, a few darts, and the bottle of cobra venom- which she noticed was running too low for her liking. That would be another $300 bucks down the drain.
Something about that night, with the loss of weapons and the failure of the theft aside, she was proud of herself. She didn't have to steal an item of tremendous value, and she may have been the reason that the members of Young Justice were still alive. The thought made her smirk a bit as she cleaned her knives.
"Finally got to do something decent with your talents?" A voice came from behind Mercy, causing her to whirl around, and throw the knife in her hand instinctively. The woman in the dress suit caught it between her slender fingers, and her cold stare remained stoic.
Mercy glared at the woman, or, android.
"Hello, Mercy." Mercy snarled, turning around and picking up her other bloody knife. Mercy, the android walked over to the bed, and placed the clean knife that had been thrown at her back on the bed, her light auburn synthetic hair swinging in her face as if it was real.
"What brings you here?" The black haired Mercy asked as she inspected her knife closely, looking for the smallest speck of blood or damage. The android Mercy looked towards the girl, her expression the same.
"I can't just visit Lex's second Mercy once in a while?" The Android stressed Mercy's name, and she glared at the fake woman that was now seated on her bed. The black haired Mercy turned back to her knives and costume, and began packing up her supplies.
"Not unless you're going to move my Mother out of here. It'd be nice if Luthor finally took responsibility for his employees." She sneered, taking off her Lycra shirt in front of the android Mercy. The human Mercy didn't care, as far as she was concerned, the android didn't either- embarrassment was not a function programmed into Lex Luthor's newest protector.
"Actually," Mercy stood, and pulled an envelope out of her purse. The human Mercy froze in place, and watched as the android held out the envelope to her. "One hundred thousand American dollars will be yours in a matter of twelve hours."
The human Mercy's eyes narrowed sharply. So Lex had been the anonymous client.
"But the diamond was a fake." Mercy sounded like she was accusing someone. The android Mercy continued to hold out the envelope. The black haired Mercy glanced down at it. "What? Did he write me a check?"Lex knew that cashing in 100,000 bucks would look suspicious. Android Mercy shook her head.
"No. They're instructions." Mercy finally took the envelope, but didn't open it. Android Mercy began to speak again. "Lex would like to meet up with you soon. He does miss his former employees, believe it or not. I wasn't exactly programmed for emotional bonding." At least Lex made her aware that she wasn't a human being unlike his first attempt at an Android Mercy.
"I'm just glad that he didn't make you look like me again." Human Mercy muttered as she looked down at the envelope. She reached up, and pulled on the strap of her sports bra before turning it over and spotting Lex's signature over the seal.
"If you have the time, Lex would like to see you for a luncheon tomorrow afternoon. We can arrange something for your Mother then if like." Android Mercy offered, causing the human Mercy to look up in surprise. The room was silent for a moment.
What in the world does Luthor want now? Mercy thought as she looked down to eye the envelope.
"Fine," Mercy said as she reached down and broke the seal on the envelope. She continued to open it as she spoke. "Where do I meet you at?" She asked.
"I've already arranged for a car to pick you up at eleven thirty tomorrow." Android Mercy announced as she walked towards Mercy's bedroom door. "A nurse will be here by five am-"Human Mercy looked at the clock and confirmed it was already four thirty. "-to watch over your mother. We wouldn't want you to be exhausted at your meeting tomorrow now would we?"
The human Mercy watched as the android walked out of her room, but pause at the door.
"Sleep well, Mercy." She said before walking away silently just as she had arrived. Mercy barely heard the door close, and began to wonder exactly how long Mercy had been there. She'd probably been there all night waiting for her.
Mercy looked back down at the envelope in her hands, and sighed at the typed instructions. Looked like she'd have three jobs Saturday night.
-0-
"Whoever attacked us, or whatever those guys were, obviously wanted that diamond." Robin reported as he viewed security camera stills back at the cave the day after their scuffle with the army of black clad men and Night. It was around 10:30 in the morning, and the rest of the team had yet to arrive, but Red Arrow was already there, dressed in civvies with sunglasses snugly placed over his eyes.
"And while we're at it…"Red Arrow reached towards the holographic keyboard and pulled up Night's criminal profile. He changed the gender from male to female. The estimated height changed from 5'11 to 5'4 and her estimated weight from 170 down drastically to 100.
"Wow." Robin commented as he watched the virtual image of Night shrink and take on feminine features. She was still faceless, and they weren't even sure what color her skin was.
"She's smart. No doubt about that." Red Arrow snarled, still angry that she had slipped away once more. She had been right there, directly beside him, and she got away. Again.
"Dude, calm down- she did basically save our lives." Robin said with a shrug. It was true. Red Arrow grumbled something inaudible as he walked towards the Zeta tubes. Robin noticed him walking away, stopped typing, and then looked towards his friend.
"Where are you going?" Robin asked, causing Red Arrow to turn around and look at Robin, whose hands were still poised over the computer.
"I've got things to do today. I'll be back later." Red Arrow said just before he stepped into the Zeta tube, and then left Robin to continue logging in last night's adventure.
-0-
It was close to 10:45 when Mercy awoke from her pleasant slumber. The nurse was doing a wonderful job of keeping her Mother preoccupied and quiet, but her first outburst of the morning had been her loudest, and long enough to wake Mercy.
The girl glanced at the clock on the wall, and decided now would be the best time to shower and get ready to go before Lex's car came to pick her up. Mercy threw the blankets off of her slender frame, and her long black hair swung into her face as she sat up. She blew it out of her face the best she could as she cracked her fingers, wrists, back, neck, and then stood to touch her toes, then the floor. She walked into her bathroom, and turned on the shower, leaving the room to allow it time to heat up. She walked to her small closet, and pulled out knee length dark gray dress with a low cut back, a pair of appropriate black heels, and her favorite black leather jacket, and an oversized knitted scarf.
After her shower, she braided her long black hair, applied a little makeup, and then dressed just as the clock read 11:45. She pocketed her cell phone, a thrust knife, which she tucked into the inside pocket of her jacket, and her wallet before walking through the front room, ignoring her mother's yells and greeting the nurse with a friendly demeanor.
She walked out of the building slowly, enjoying her relatively quiet morning, and then took a seat outside of her apartment building on the steps, watching as the hordes of people walked by her house. She lived in a busy part of Star City were civilians frequently passed by during the morning rush, and sometimes, she would sit outside of the apartment building and watch all of them pass by.
"So we meet again." The voice pulled her out of her reverie, and her grey eyes met with a fairly familiar pair of blue ones. It was the handsome man from yesterday who had called her beautiful.
She smiled at him, and he sent her a smile in return. "Indeed." Mercy's voice sounded as smooth as silk, and the man smirked at her.
"So, Stranger," Mercy began, the most flirtatious smirk grew on her face. The man leaned on the rail next to Mercy. "Have you been out here waiting for me? Or have you been walking by my building all this time?" She teased, causing him to chuckle. He shook his head.
"You make it sound bad either way." He smirked. Mercy narrowed her eyes, her lips still smirking at him.
"And how is that, Stranger?" She asked, tilting her head to the side slightly as she watched him eye her.
"Because I can't believe I've never seen you before. You're stunning." He said outright. Mercy felt her cheeks warm up slightly. She chuckled, and looked away in an attempt to hide her burning cheeks.
"I don't mean to intrude or anything," Stranger began as Mercy looked back at him, batting her grey eyes at him as he did. "But what are you all dressed up for this early?" He leaned in a little closer, and Mercy didn't back away. She smiled, and looked down at her dress before looking back up.
"Well, I have a luncheon with my Boss." She made sure that her explanation was relatively vague. As if he had been summoned, Lex's limousine pulled up to the curb, his company's logo fluttered in the wind on two small flags attached hood of the car. "That's my ride." Mercy sighed as she stood, brushing off the back of her dress before she walked towards the car. She didn't notice Stranger stare at the car strangely for a moment before practically rushing after her. Before she could reach the handle, Stranger pulled it open.
"Allow me." He said politely, sending Mercy a sweet smile. She smiled back, and placed her hand on top of the door, as if she was about to step inside. She paused before getting in, and then a slightly mischievous look grew on her features.
"Could I see your phone?" She asked Stranger. He gave her an odd look, and then placed a hand in his back pocket. Mercy laughed, aware that he was skeptical.
"I promise I won't steal it." She held up two fingers. "Scout's honor." He smiled at her and handed over his cell phone.
She quickly found his contacts, and entered her own number and her name before handing it back to him.
"Call me sometime, we'll have dinner." She winked at him, and then stepped into the car. The Stranger looked at his phone with a slightly surprised smile, and then leaned down to smile at her.
"Will do," He said before closing the door behind her, and then waving at the tinted glass.
Mercy granted herself a satisfied smirk as she adjusted her dress slightly, and then looked up at her fellow passengers. Lex Luthor himself sat at the other end of the limo with a smirk on his face. Mercy the android was nowhere in sight.
"Nice to see you, Mercy." He greeted with a permanent smirk on his face. Mercy's features became hard, and she watched Lex as he poured a glass of brandy for himself, and Mercy. Even though Mercy was underage, she accepted it gladly, and cheered to him across the limousine, and then chugged the brandy while he sipped.
She sighed quietly, eyed the empty glass, and then looked directly at Lex, who was still quietly sipping on his brandy.
"Nice to see you too, Lex. Long time no see." She held out her glass, and Lex took her it, but only refilled it half the amount he had the first time.
"Seventeen years old and drinking. That's a bad habit to get into, Mercy." He commented as he put the crystal bottle of brandy down. Mercy chuckled, and slowly rocked the brandy around the glass as she watched it before looking back up at Lex.
"This is the first drink I've had since we last met, Lex." She took a sip, trying to make the drink last. "And plus, after my Mother began to lose her shit and the hell I've been through because of you, I think I deserve it." She practically snarled before taking another sip. Lex didn't even seem fazed by the comment.
"Still angry. Still Mercy." Lex took one last sip of his brandy. "I guess it's a good thing you haven't changed." Mercy shot him a strange look as she sipped her brandy.
"And why is that?" She questioned after she swallowed. Lex chuckled slightly, but didn't answer. The limousine stopped in front of Lex Towers, and the door was pulled open by the driver, who patiently waited for both Mercy and Lex to exit the vehicle. The Android Mercy was waiting for them at the front doors.
The human Mercy nodded in greeting to the Android Mercy, and she nodded in return; once Lex was next to her, she followed them closely towards the elevators, and Lex pressed the button that would lead them to the five star restaurant on the top floor.
"Well?" She asked again, which caused Lex to shoot her a sidelong glance.
"I'll explain after lunch. I'd recommend the caviar; it tastes divine this time of year…" He knew the subject change would irritate Mercy, but she went along with it. Lex was, after all, giving her an opportunity to get rid of her mother guilt and cost free, and was willing to pay her close to two million if she accepted the job offer he had sent to her with the android Mercy last night- granted, she succeeded.
Which she always did, obviously.
Lex and Mercy were led to a table in the far corner of the restaurant, and the android Mercy left them, returning to the elevator as soon as they were seated. A waiter came by, took their drink orders, and Mercy allowed Lex to order her appetizer for her since she hadn't eaten at such an expensive restaurant in very long time, and she couldn't remember what was good and what wasn't.
"Now," Lex leaned forward. "Let me explain something about your Mother." Mercy suddenly granted him her full attention. She had been fiddling with her napkin the entire time the waiter had been taking their order.
"What about my Mother?" Mercy questioned, smoothing out the napkin on her lap. Lex smirked, and took a sip of his water. Mercy hadn't touched hers yet. She was still trying to enjoy the aftertaste the brandy had left in her mouth.
"I did have a hit taken out on your mother once she…'retired'-"Mercy cut him off.
"Was terminated, more like it." Mercy snapped. Lex continued as if Mercy hadn't said a word, let alone snapped at him.
"…after confiding in a close associate about the development of the G-gnomes," He paused and looked straight at Mercy, who was staring him down as if he was the item she was about to steal. "You do remember the g-gnomes, correct?" He asked. Mercy rolled her eyes.
"Of course. Telepaths. Teachers. Whatever, continue please." She waved her hand at him, and finally gave into her glass of water, taking a long sip before placing the glass back on the table.
"Your Mother was a risk. She could not even be considered any sort of protective detail by that point. And the ever growing threat of force against my life grows in power by the day. Your Mother… she knew too much, and she had made too many friends in the Shadows for my liking. She had to be executed- but in a manner that would look… accidental." He sighed, looked away from Mercy, and then continued.
"When I hired the hit, I was not aware that the hit man would try and kill your mother with you around. And he didn't even succeed in his objective." He leaned back in his seat, straightening his back and sitting tall.
"That's why-"he cleared his throat. "I chose you." He looked straight at Mercy before taking a sip from his glass once more. Mercy knew exactly what he was talking about.
"Chose me to be your next bodyguard." She grumbled as she narrowed her eyes at Lex. "I remember."
Lex released a satisfied sigh as if the water tasted more divine than before, and then set down his glass as he began once more.
"Of course you do."
The waiter brought their appetizers and drinks, and left the table with two curt thank you's from Mercy and Lex.
Mercy picked at her food at first, and then began to eat. Lex had chosen not to talk until after he was finished, so the two ate in silence. They remained silent through their meal, and after the waiter had taken their plates and left Mercy with a tall glass of cold passion fruit tea and Lex with a glass of water, it picked back up.
"So, I propose," Mercy leaned forward. "You place my mother in a nursing home…or asylum, whichever one seems better suited- and you pay all of the expenses. It wouldn't even put a dent in your wallet for god's sake. And as for me?" She eyed him questionably, and his eyebrow rose as he took a sip of water.
"As for you," He started after placing his glass back on the table and raising his hand to call for the check. "I'd like you to do some Intel work for me. Whatever jobs you have planned on Saturday, cancel them. I'll reimburse you." The two of them became silent again when the waiter brought the check. He gave them an odd look, and then left them once again.
"When and where is on your instructions," Mercy nodded, recalling the exact words in her mind. "And I'm sure your eidetic memory is still intact?" He questioned as he signed the check, and then closed the check book with two hundred dollar bills tucked inside of it. She nodded again.
"Good. Because what I'm asking you to do means that you'll need it more than even your weapons. I have associates that will clear the way for you, but you're the one who will be carrying the valuable information. Under no circumstances do you engage in conflict. Understood?" Mercy narrowed her eyes at Lex, a bit angry that he was ordering her to work with someone else, and stay out of conflict. He knew good and well that Mercy could take down anyone she wanted and she would walk away without a scratch.
"Why am I not allowed to engage in conflict?" she questioned. Lex smirked, and she scowled.
"I know you can take care of yourself Mercy. I made sure of that. But I afford you to take any risk, no matter how small. Get in, get out. Understood?" He asked as he summoned the waiter once more. He scurried over, took the check, and wished them both a good day.
"Thank you again, Esteban, everything was delicious." Lex said as he and Mercy stood from their seats, and Esteban thanked Lex for the enormous tip as they walked away.
They finally reached the elevator, and as the doors closed, Mercy answered Luthor.
"Understood."
-0-
It was around eleven in the dark city of Gotham when Mercy finally crossed the city's limits, the duffle filled with her costume and weapons seated next to her as she watched the strange city pass by from the back of the car Lex had sent to take her to her home for the night.
She was to conduct her business, and then stay in a secure room at the Waldorf Lex usually only reserved for himself. Her number one concern though, was to stay away from the infamous Dynamic Duo that guarded this city like eagles over their nest.
"Madame Mercy." The driver spoke as they pulled up to the Waldorf. Mercy looked towards the front of the car where the driver was speaking through the partition. "Master Luthor has informed me that your associate is upstairs waiting for you in your room. You have already been checked in and you will find your key with the doorman. Introduce yourself as Madame Ewig." He got out of the car before she could speak, and walked around to open her door for her.
"I bid you goodnight, Madame Ewig." Ewig was German for Eternal. "And good luck." Mercy stood there for a moment, and then smirked at him before wishing him goodnight.
As the car pulled away, Mercy walked towards the entrance of the Waldorf, and greeted the doorman with a smile, introducing herself as Madame Ewig.
He pulled out a room key from his pocket, and slipped it into her hand as she shook his.
"Have a wonderful night Madame Ewig. Pleasure to meet you." He nodded his head as he pulled the door open, and Mercy smiled at him as she walked through, and went straight towards the elevator to the top floor. She silently stood next to a man dressed in an expensive suit with a head of blond hair and a mustache to match, and patiently waited to reach the top floor.
"In town on business?" The man suddenly asked her, causing her to turn her head to look at him. She smiled as kindly as she could, and chuckled. He smiled at her kindly.
"Pleasure. Family visit." She gave a short explanation, and looked the man in the eyes. Oliver Queen, owner of Queen Enterprises. He nodded his head, and the doors opened to his floor.
"Have a nice night."Mercy said as he stepped off of the elevator. He looked at her softly, and then nodded his head at her in return before the doors closed.
Her stop was one more floor up, and when she finally reached it, she walked out of the elevators, and opened the penthouse doors without a second thought. When she walked inside, she placed her things on the floor next to the steps leading to the living area of the room, where her three costumed associates sat on the couch and armchairs sipping on drinks.
She recognized all three of them. Cheshire, in the flesh was sipping on a glass of water, while Hook, and Spider- who was staring at Mercy- sat on armchairs across from her.
"Good evening," Mercy greeted as she removed her thick scarf from her neck, and took of her jacket, revealing her backless gray dress to them all. "I assume you all already have your assignments?" She turned her back to them, and retrieved her things.
"Of course." Cheshire replied, turning her bare face to look at Mercy. "Nice to see you again, Merc."
"Same to you, Jade." Mercy replied as she walked towards one of the many bedrooms. She would be the only one staying here tonight.