Belle Reve Penitentiary once a prison, but now, nobody knows for sure, at least not officially. Furthermore a few high profile criminals have also gone 'missing' in recent months now ordinarily some would react positively to said disappearances. The first of those disappearances was Tempus Fugate aka the Clock King who after his last attempt to kill Gotham's Mayor Hill went along quietly though he did attempt to rig elections after his release. After that not much of him was seen though apparently he did appear to be dropping out of crime by starting his own clock shop, but conveniently about the same time, no pun meant there, Fugate vanishes, the shop changes hands. Fugate's disappearance does not appear to concern Batman because Fugate's never had much 'success' as a criminal, but the disappearance at first seems only noteworthy to Question.
Fugate could never really design his time affecting technology alone or maintain them alone either. However as the Clock King, Fugate's sense of timing is nothing short of impeccable, again no pun meant, but of course Question got a chuckle out of thought anyway. It made him a superb strategist yet he could never match wits with Batman to say the least. His disappearance is an anomaly, but then another lead disappears weeks after Fugate's disappearing act. This time one Betty Sans Souci aka Plastique similarly has all her affairs put in order before she too stops appearing in her usual spots or her residence in Quebec. As Plastique, Betty is known for her expertise in all things explosive, but her expertise in explosives are not limited to weaponry alone if the way men in many cases react towards her is any indication. Her beauty and charms are hers alone though it would take a certain kind of man to wrangle her interest.
One's an anomaly, two's a trend at least that is how the saying goes, but of course the disappearances do not end with Souci. Next to vanish is a regular Rogue from Central City, an Australian named George Harkness, better known to Flash as Captain Boomerang, whose weapons of choice include all manner of well boomerangs of course. His disappearance is more suspicious than Fugate and Souci because those two were on probation, very restrictive probation, but Harkness was doing time for his crimes. A review of the visitor logs from the Iron Heights, which itself rivals Alcatraz, says much given the now defunct Alcatraz's inmate reputation, indicates that Harkness had one regular visitor prior to his disappearance. Harkness was transferred out of Iron Heights and after that the paper trail goes into a black hole.
Harkness like Fugate is an inventor, but unlike Fugate he is purported to be an expert thief except he is quite often caught by Flash if he is stealing in Central City. It appears none of Flash's Rogues take him that seriously though not necessarily everyone would take him seriously given his propensity to make jokes. Question during his brief trip to Central City begins to learn quite a few things about Flash if only by observing the speedster in action and while his modus operandi seems confusing at first, it actually works for Flash. He apprehends them with ease, but not so much due to his speed. Flash cultivates a personable connection between himself and the villains even when they do not desire it.
His methods are a far cry from Batman or Superman still gets the job done, and he also manages to cultivate friendships with countless Central City citizens. He is close to so many without revealing his identity and from what little is seen of one Linda Park, it is clear that she has a thing for the Scarlet Speedster. Question for a moment considers what triggers attractions between superheroes and reporters, but romances are bound to start someway, somehow, some where even with Flash.
There is no need to divulge that he is Wally West, but of course on the few occasions that Question had spoken to Flash, he found the speedster to be a grounded yet slightly humorous man. He could sense why so many found him frustrating and irritating yet to each their own way of operating though even Question suspects it had taken a long time for any to warm up to him especially Batman. The other cause to be watchful of Flash is because of the other reality that Batman indirectly referred to in his argument with Superman after what happen in San Banquero.
[+++]
The most unusual yet not surprising is the fourth disappearance is Floyd Lawton. Lawton for his part in any number of high profile assassinations and the attempted assassination of Aquaman several years ago was arrested, convicted, and sentenced to death. However his death sentence is for the lack of a better word got 'commuted' and then he too dropped out of sight. Lawton as Deadshot had amassed a reputation as a solid assassin for hire and his fixation with atypical killing methods were often the hallmark that had always given him away especially if Batman was on the case. It was found out that the attempt on Aquaman's life was staged by his brother Orm and if not for the League or so more so Batman than the King of Atlantis would have died.
Lawton was by no means easy to capture that time and the next time he appeared was after Superman's presumed demise after the Kryptonian had taken the point blank blast from Toyman's robot's chest cannon. Toyman had been aiming it at Batman and Wonder Woman. It was a very brave and foolish thing to do, but one could not help being moved by it, not even Question. The wake was a beautiful thing too yet Batman did not appear during the event at least not on camera. It was clear from the news footage of the purported death scene that Batman held a scrap of fabric of what was left of Superman's cape at the scene. The scene bore no signs of destruction because all that was hit by the weapon's blast simply disappeared yet where did it go was a question in mind.
In the end, it really must have seen like Superman was gone yet Batman appeared to have held out the longest. Superman appears alive and well the day after his wake was astonishing to say the least. The League's third encounter with Vandal Savage happens soon after because apparently Savage was trying to steal technology from Ray Palmer aka the Atom. There was an upsurge of disbelief yet as he had gone around the city and getting back to his modus operandi, the people knew their purported protector was back. It must have infuriated Luthor a little even though at the wake he professed that he too would miss Superman.
As for Lois, one would hope she did not have a heart attack upon seeing her hero alive, but of course she would have probably gotten over it eventually and been all affectionate in spades.
[+++]
The only connection to Lawton in that event was he had taken part in the rampage that almost over took Metropolis in Superman's absence. He was priming to fire a shot that could have killed Batman if Superman had been there at that exact moment and Question could only in grimness imagine a world without Superman or Batman. Likewise if Superman had been a split second too late in getting hit by the beam only a few days before that Batman and Wonder Woman would have been sent to that future. As for whether they would have survived the journey is another question, both the journey via a time warp that would tear of their molecules apart then reassemble them somewhere or some when else. There is also how would they survive long to find a way back?
If had been them instead of Superman, Batman might have perished in that future thus creating a paradox dependent on whether or not Wonder Woman attempted to find a way to prevent Batman from being sent into the future with the past her. Time travel as a concept tended to be quite a headache though Question eventually learned the League had already had at least one experience with time travel when Savage changed the outcome World War Two forcing the six of them unaffected somehow by the change to go back to 'correct' history. The description of the Batman from the alternate present is expected though of course he would be leading a resistance yet in the six of them being insulated from changes they might have somehow caused there to be lack of alternate versions of themselves in that time line.
One explanation is that they were shielded yet still present when history changed around them, which is about the best possible solution to that question. The altered outcome of World War Two merely illustrated the ripple effect of altering the past and by going to 'reset' the past, it presumably restored the present to its previous state. Only they would be aware if it was reset though that is still theoretical because the League again encounters Savage except in the present though he tried to masquerade as a descendant, a grandson of Vandal Savage, but something about him convinced Wonder Woman otherwise. It had also been the mission to lay the foundation to the romance between Batman and Wonder Woman, but that rests on speculation too.
Question deletes the tangents relating to musings about the significance of Batman, Wonder Woman, and Superman. He also erases ones pertaining to the four missing criminals though there is still the tangent about why they are missing though it reads like a Cadmus stratagem.
The musings about the missing criminals' connections to the League founders are also deleted from his computer.
[+++]
Question makes his way to the commissary and finds it busier than usual for this time of day. There is plenty of relationship chatter today especially about Batman and Wonder Woman.
Some might ask why Paris and Question considers remarking why not Paris?
Such chatter was always the source of rumor mill speculations, but of course Question kept his presence in the commissary to a minimal. Most would stay away from him as without even trying, he somehow suspected he alienated plenty of people; it is not that he is not a people person, but Question for his own motives remains to this day very particular about social interactions. It is occasionally baffling that if he ever sits at already occupied table, the volume level drops, and from time to time some dash through the remainder of their meal just to get away from him.
What are they so afraid of? Is it that I don't show my face? Everyone in this room wears masks. Some are literal, others are psychological, and the rest are of other varieties or variable. I might know the faces, the eyes, the names, but that would be all I do know without insanely investigating all of you. I'm not that paranoid, Cadmus might be, but they have got the manpower to find you all out. I did warn Batman that they probably know who we all are except perhaps a few including me. Hardcastle confirmed it the last time I saw him alive.
"You don't have heat vision otherwise you'd burn through all that by now."
Somebody sits across from Question, it is Huntress of course, but what is her game today wonders Question. He hides surprise when he feels her boot touch his leg, but then occasionally thoughts of her doing things like that did crack his tangent threading. She coyly smiles at him knowing that he is probably enjoying this. Most men would react to such gestures quickly, but he remains in his seat and showing no signs of movement at all until feeling something touching her. Two can play this game is probably the thought in mind for Question. However as soon as it begins, it is over, and they leave separately. There is a lot of whispering going on as she does have a slight flush while he exits the room yet showing nothing.
She glares at the table where Supergirl and several other female Leaguers are eating together. Lip reading on her part indicates they are talking about men, maybe even Question for that matter.
"How about you leave the girl talk for the off-hours farm girl," quips Huntress.
"I thought it would take super hearing for her to hear that," comments Crimson Fox.
"There is also something called lip reading Fox," snaps Huntress.
"Easy no need for a cat fight in the commissary," remarks Vixen.
"I am done here, besides probably got a mission waiting for me knowing J'onn," chirps Ice.
"I too must go, so perhaps I'll see some of you later," says Fire.
Fire and Ice leave together, the two did spend a lot of time together, but of course friendships, relationships, and animosity all exist in tandem especially among the expanded roster. Stargirl departs too saying that S.T.R.I.P.E. said he would need her assistance with repairs to his armored suit. Vixen sprints across the room after spotting Lantern. Huntress and Supergirl stare each other down until Superman and Batman arrive from opposite directions. The two had been avoiding each other since what happen at San Banquero, but even so everyone seem to be sliding to an edge from time to time lately.
Huntress leaves without saying anything further and wonders for a moment why she suddenly had come to Question's defense especially when he was the subject of girl talk of all things. At the same time, she had also flirted with him only moments before though her mind recoils at the idea yet she had done it.
Get a grip Helena, he is a conspiracy theorist, you have had a room across the hall from him for weeks, and still all you know about him involves what he always wears because he appears to dress the same in all situations. Nobody wants to be in costume all the time unless Question is more of a workaholic than Batman. Every time we speak, it feels like he is hiding something and it has nothing to do with his face.
Huntress… Helena… feels like she had gotten over the fact she has yet to see the face behind Question's mask though her curiosity about the face remains at the back of her mind for the time being. She stops by her quarters then knocks on his door, he is not there, probably went planet side after leaving the commissary. She couldn't blame him; she is starting to hate it up here being in such proximity, so frequently with this many costumes is more agitating than her search for Mandragora. He would pay, she felt certain that she would be the one to make him pay, but so far he seems to have dropped out of sight again.
She beams down and tries to put Question out of mind for awhile.
[+++]
The individual who had approached and recruited Harkness is Colonel Rick Flagg, but this verification had only come from tracking down hidden camera footage yet again. Cadmus is being almost predictable about covering their tracks. It fits their M.O., to conceal or erase any trace of movement. Likewise Question also finds that Flagg is the man who handed off the paperwork for Lawton's death sentence to be commuted, and more than likely Flagg is the Cadmus connection between the missing four. It turns out Lawton was doing his time at Belle Reve, which is a rival for Arkham. There is obviously some kind of plan in mind with bringing these four together, but what for is the next question in the tangent.
Nobody has seen Lawton's face at least not recently aside from the prison personnel at Belle Reve. Harkness would be recognizable to Flash and Fugate likewise would be familiar to Batman of course. As for Souci, a pretty face is noticeable, but blend the four of them into a crowd, well then one might miss them. Next issue is where they would be going to blend in with a crowd that would warrant Cadmus sending them instead one of their own teams, but plenty of Cadmus security personnel have been by the League. Their faces would be recognizable to whoever was either on hand for Cadmus taking the Ultimen back or from the Cadmus cleanup crew for the Dark Heart.
The idea of recruiting criminals would likely cause a twitch for Flagg, but he get over, he is a 'patriot'.
"I think it is an exploit angle for there to be a support staff on the Watchtower," comments Question.
"I'll take your concerns under recommendation," answers Superman.
The conversation with Superman on subject had proven to be the wasted one. The chat with Batman shows him to be more receptive. Superman is too trusting until there is undeniable proof right in front of him and as for Batman; he made sure that security got a bit of beefing though that was about as far as that went at the time. Everyone carries a security encrypted identification card at all times, but the technology is almost too easily to duplicate even with all the encryption layers. It would be simpler to forge fake ones or better yet capture a support team at a beam up site then alter the photo images on the cards.
The simplest tricks are the ones people ignore at their own peril as well as treating the checking of such things as tedious. He had seen it happen quite frequently after the protocol had become a permanent fixture even on the satellites. Lax and lapse could get people injured or killed, but then such things had been the topic of debate for centuries though more recent events made it the subject touchy again.
As for Cadmus possibly intending to infiltrate the support staff... it would require proof of some kind. However he could not track every beam up sites so either he lets it happen despite his suspicions or warn someone and hope they would believe him. The only way Cadmus could learn about the beam up sites is for there to be an insider already among the support staff and so a screening of his latest copy of the Watchtower's archives is in order. The insider would have to be someone usable by Cadmus though just as easily left behind without any way of proving who exactly he was helping to infiltrate League operations, which means this team is going after the Watchtower for something.
There are still sections of the Watchtower that Question lacks the authorization to enter, which is just another reason to be somewhat wary of the Founders. However in the interests of protecting whoever is put in harm's way by being caught between the League and the Cadmus team, he would have to find out what they would be after if he should be unable to prevent them from getting inside. The support staff screening produces a handful of potential Cadmus double agents including a Monitor Hub technician named Vance so he prepares to forward the information to J'onn. However something is preventing him from raising the Watchtower.
"Question to J'onn."
There is no response, which meant he miss the window of opportunity to stop them.
[+++]
The Cadmus team had already come and gone by the time that Question had found out exactly what they had come for except they left two behind to take the fall including one of Question's double agent suspects.
The suspect is Vance.
The other left behind is Betty Sans Souci. J'onn and Stewart are already questioning them though naturally neither is saying much. J'onn admits to considering mind wiping Vance, which could probably only incense Cadmus to add it to the log of immoral behavior by the League. The Martian decides against it yet Stewart also makes the obvious commentary that now they can no longer afford to trust any staffer completely. Cadmus found the crack and widened it though nobody admits to Question that his suspicion about staffer infiltration is correct.
Question feels more unease at not stopping Cadmus as they had already gotten away with murder, with genetic manipulation, with employing criminals to conduct a heist aboard the Watchtower, and made a dent in the trust between the League and the staffers. Superman is obviously furious that Cadmus was able to penetrate the League's nerve center. Batman makes no sign of a response yet clearly the idea that Cadmus used criminals to assist in this action bothers him. As for Wonder Woman, she nearly broke the table in the Founders' Conference Room. Question could hear it through the walls yet then again who could not her slamming her fists into it.
Wonder Woman had intermittently shown behavior in recent weeks of being harsher to criminals or enemies simply because she is tired of them making keeping the world safer harder. One could appreciate the frustration yet Question had seen all types of crime transpiring without single drop of hindsight in regards to who might be hurt or who puts others' safety ahead of theirs. It had been on one of those occasions that Wonder Woman was paired with Hawk and Dove. If Dove had not seen through what powered the Annihilator than things could have gone much worse with the on-going Kasnian Civil War.
As it turns out, the Annihilator is precisely what the Cadmus team stole from the vault, but they completely ignored the Achilles' disruptor, definitely curious to say the least about it. He examines whatever traces he could find regarding their movements on the Watchtower. The bomb that Souci used on the reactor was a diversion to enable Flagg and Harkness to break into the vault. The video footage shows Lawton using one of those non-metallic guns, clever way to dodge the metal detectors and as for Flagg he appears to have not used any weapons. The absence of Fugate implies he was the only keeping them on the timetable because the whole incident seems orchestrated towards the theft of the Annihilator. As for why the Annihilator, they would have to find a way to use it without relying on the established trigger functionality otherwise it just sits there doing nothing except collecting dust.
They had done all of this with J'onn, Stewart, and Captain Atom aboard the Watchtower. It is perplexing, but then they had the timing more or less.
[+++]
"Betty Sans Souci aka Plastique… demolitions/explosive expert… so what is the deal with you and Floyd Lawton?" queries Question.
"Don't you want know about the team? Why we were up here?"
"I already know why you were here."
"You didn't try to stop us though."
"Who said I wasn't trying?"
"The League doesn't believe the suspicions of its resident paranoid."
"And they say I am the one with the mouth."
"Fine you want to know about me and Lawton. He is an attractive man with a flair for the dramatic and can do anything with weapons; you saw it in the footage no doubt."
She had no interest in dying by one of her own bombs plus it was a diversion anyway as Question had suspected after visiting the site.
"Your little surprise on the reactor could have turned this station into dust, so why did you not use a more power explosive?"
"You nuts? We wouldn't blow ourselves up just to get rid of the League… besides Flagg would have…"
"Would have what?"
Betty is clearly sweating between the injuries and unease about ratting out Flagg.
"We were ordered to not kill anyone."
"Casualties do more than cause a mess of paperwork."
"I'm surprised they left me behind."
She looks sad, probably had to do with Lawton more than anything else.
"It probably bothers Lawton, but Flagg strikes me as the type to believe in acceptable losses."
"As you can see I am pretty banged up, at least I think I still have my looks."
"It'll take more than your looks to keep you out of jail after this…"
Question turns to leave the secured room used to treat Souci's injuries.
"Wait… Flagg said we were each on a five year stint to this thing called Task Force X."
"Is it a part of Cadmus?"
"How should I know? I thought this was a black ops steal for the military given Flagg's involvement."
Question finally exits the room and tries to put seeing Betty looking like the world was over at least for her out of his mind.
[+++]
Another woman however invades his thoughts... Huntress... as well what his investigation into her past had led him to discover though of course it only deepens his interest in her. Variables kept his mind sharp, kept it tumbling, and kept him alive because there is no resting on assumptions because the Task Force X heist had shown the League made the assumption that they could freely trust staffers except there is no such thing as complete trust. All he could do is follow the variables within his musings on tangents yet at the same time the pathways are bringing him closer to Huntress… to Helena… he inwardly admits he more than likes her on many levels.
A/N 1: Enter Task Force X, in this update Question investigates each one after they 'disappear' and of course identifies Colonel Flagg as the connection between the four. It is never shown who recruited Fugate, Souci, or Harkness, so Question merely suspects it was him.
A/N 2: There are references to several episodes from various DCAU series including The Clock King and Time Out of Joint from BtAS. Other references to The Savage Time, The Enemy Below, Maid of Honor, Hereafter and Hawk and Dove. The BtAS ones relate to Tempus Fugate.
A/N 3: Question's musings about the ties between Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman are at best him wondering about the symbolic significance of them as well as how important they are to each other. It is also about how they could change if something drastic happens as it nearly has several times already, but this time is different because there's no reset waiting at the end of the maze... permanent consequences.
A/N 4: I realize Question doesn't appear in this episode, but this is how I figured he might have or at the very least how he could have become aware of Task Force X yet still being unable to stop them. The fate of Betty Sans Souci aka Plastique is unclear aside from her sustaining severe injuries. She is being treated, as for whether she survives well I doubt she'll appear again after this point in keeping with JLU continuity.
A/N 5: The commissary scene is a bit of sexual tension for Question and Huntress. As for Huntress berating Supergirl, it is part of how she settles into the awareness that she is feeling something for Question. I think she did do something like this in the series, so I'll have to check my DVDs again.
