[28th December 2010]
[Approaching Government Building, Central London, Untied Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland]
"Ugghhhh" John groaned to himself as he took another puff on the cigarette as the car rolled down the road towards its destination. They'd woke him up, after a good nights hard drinking and then some quality time with Kit, and essentially dragged him from his restful, bedridden, hangover and off too some blood idiot or something that knew his name. Wouldn't tell him much, not after he'd thrown up on the first fella's shoes, and till he'd drank down a bottle of water and that small bottle of alchemic crap junior dark lord John had sold to him a while back for situations like this. Good news; he felt a whole lot better, bad news...now he was bloody cranky, tired, and in need of a nice big greasy breakfast.
Course being in the government car helped as it turned the corner in the bright morning light; dark tinted windows keeping out said bright morning light and off tired bloodshot eyes. Another puff on the cigarette helped as he rested back in the comfortable seat, wasn't exactly Chas's taxi these days but it'd been a smooth enough drive and he hadn't puked up yet from it. That and it was good to be descending into a secret government underground car-park without fear of being tortured, or having it run by Satanists or crazy Christian Crusaders out to bring about the apocalypse. Even if the brief flash of high energy UV lights over the car, and as he stepped out, was bloody annoying and caused him to shield his eyes at the 'security measures' as they called it.
"I can open me own fuckin' doors mate" he growled, shoving said door out, as the vehicle stopped before fella in the suit with gun hidden away inside made to walk around to open the door after driving in. His equally suit and sunglasses compatriot, a decent looking woman if not for being a government spook, merely gave a shrug to the driver as John threw the stub of his cigarette unto the cold concrete floor of the car-park and crushed it underneath his shot. Seemed the smoke indicated he wasn't going to like what he was been dragged here to see, and that put him in even worse of a mood he found "...right, lead on and let's get this day started now ye dragged me out me nice warm bed on me day off"
"Constantine, about time" was the first words uttered to him after journey through a very dull series of grey and metal corridors, though seemed someone had been etching seals unto the various doors and walls of late. Air conditioned too, so maybe why that's why the place smelt of a hospital rather than fire and brimstone now the demon presences grew nearby. The one outside a metal doorway being too fucking familiar of late, and the faint pressure from inside somehow familiar too somehow even shielded a little by the...
"Oh, don't start now Blood, it's too early in the bleedin' mornin'...so what'ya drag me outta me blasted bed fer..." he growled back jerking his thumb at Tweeddale-dum and Tweeddale-sexy at his hells "...with the goon squad here. Wouldn't even bleedin' tell me either"
"It's called keeping things secret Constantine..." angry red haired man replied nodding at him and then at the two suits while resting his hands on his walking cane "...remain here and guard the door while I bring Mr. Constantine into meet our guest"
Then he rapped said shiny walking stick on the solid metal door, being viewed a camera apparently, before the thing slid up causing John to almost swear in startlement at the sudden movement. Leading into another grey and gun metal attired corridor as they stepped forward passed a guard into a larger area as the 'door' slid closed behind them. Thankfully the area beyond was a little better, almost like a modern office with it's clear glass workstations and people on computers working behind them; a turn to the right, through a thick metal door with an oaken veneer and large etched Seal, brought him into a room apparently adjacent to where he'd come in. Also brought him face to face with his past it seemed, and sighed as her face turned towards him expectantly, holding up wrists held by magically imbued manacles.
"Err...John, sort of need your help...and tha' warn ya. Ugh, didn't know your friends with Lord Etrigan though...shoulda figured though..."
"Ah Ellie luv, what's brought a lovely succubus like ye to an awful dreary place like this..."
--
[28th December 2018]
[Room 9, LexCorp Research Facility, Wyoming, United States of America]
Pain surged through her body once again as she bucked in her restraints once more for the amusement of her torturers. Then it was gone for a brief moment as she allowed herself to slump, showing weaknesses yet again before them, begging, weeping for mercy, maintaining the act as her eyes searched for any weakness, the chance to exploit. For now all she could do was buy time till such a notion presented itself, to allow them believe that they were breaking her, though in truth it was growing to be a concern that they were, in fact, slowly starting to do such a thing.
More demands for information as her naked form shook in the X shaped frame covered in sweat, allowing herself to whimper and grovel to these maggots of Luthor before allowing a few more, irrelevant, pieces of information to pass through dry and cracked lips. Begging for water, drugged as always as it touched them, but her mind had protections against such thanks to Father, and pain...she had been brought up on pain and agony from young. Such primitive tortures, attempts at humiliation and shame, meant nothing...but they could not be allowed to be believe otherwise in case other, more dangerous and likely successful, methods were utilised against her. Just a little more time and she could...
She stamped down the urge to jerk up and narrow her eyes in study as what could only be an alarm distracted her torturers and their guards away from questions. Instead she kept her head down, whimpering softly, listening at click of buttons, soft demands for confirmation they did not know she could hear. Listen, wait, subtly flex muscle, move toes and fingers, nails long enough now to be useful as time passed like molasses, like paint drying, as indications went against signs of successful defence. Whoever was attacking was causing chaos, winning perhaps...the touch on her mind, and collapse of one or two of her tormentors guards indicating magic as her mind fought it off...
...faster than her captors it seemed as she decided to act. Her head snapped up, body tensing at her command as fingers moved expertly over the metal bindings at her wrists; contempt for her had lessened their vigilance, and she had been trained on just such mechanical restraints by both Father and her Beloved. Dancing fingers and then a click as her wrists were freed...pain on her throat as the weight shifted downwards, pressing on the restraints there and upon her ankles as her air supply was cut off. No matter, no need to be concerned as slammed the sides of her hands against the neck-chain, once, twice, thrice...
The floor rose up meet her as it snapped open, startled swearing from her captors echoing out around her, feet and hands going into motion. Too late as palms met floor, then pressing up immediately with a shove, targeting the chains holding her ankles bound to the sides of the metal frame with all her power...drawing blood on hands as they snapped. Drop backwards, roll with momentum...come out into a backwards kick...
"Gggggrrrrrrrahhhhh" shrieked out as the cattle prod touched skin, a weakness on her part that her Beloved might forgive, but Father would have not. She would train it out at a later date when she was free. Still she rolled sideways into the strike, crying out in pain even as her elbow slammed upwards into the solar plexus of the guard. Moved with it, pushing her off her feet and then slamming the guard down, face first into the floor to hopefully break her neck...
...armed now, prod to nearest guards neck as feet propelled off a nearby console. Impaled, too much force...
...spin in mid air, wrap around dying man, plant feet on ground, throw...two enemies staggered...
...kick. kick, twist, dodge moved, break neck...block, block, grab...break neck here...gun now...crack...crack...crack...crack...
...keep last alive, youngest, weakest link, threaten for exit, similar build to herself. Force strip, clothes to blend in, intimidates 'scientist' as she begs, cut once, cut twice, ignore begging...doors opening. Problem solved, bind hands behind back, shove forward gun foward knife at ready...
...armed guards, not LexCorp or Mercenaries known Light affiliation, judging by dead LexCorp personal around them. Hmmm...blood flowing down chins nearest, turns towards her. She remains on guard, screaming scientist forwards as a shield...
"Talia Al Ghul?" nearest non-human, vampire most likely from appearances, states wiping blood away from mouth after shoving a dead guard down to the ground. She nods, crisply, efficiently, weapon likely less than effective if proves hostile; utilise knife and martial arts more likely to be successful if throw captive at them "...your friends have sent us to...rescue you from this facility"
'Which ones? Not League personal, nor other agents, Father is...gone...Savage perhaps? Others? One amongst League ranks turned perhaps? Feign agreement, obedience' she thought then smiled politely "Thank you, lead the way if you please. I do believe I'll keep this one, perhaps as a gift for your leader"
A shrug, sounds of fighting continuing but confidence indicating success in mission "Right, you two bring'em up safe to the wizard and get'us gone. Mistress demands it"
Female leader then, so noted she reminded herself, trying to remember files on potentials from amongst these creatures kind that the League had been briefed on. Need to know more so she can escape, Father no longer revival in all likelihood, League assets compromised...fleeing at some point, recovering his Heir, and bringing him his sire, her Beloved, seemed the best course of action. Greater resources available to Detective, Father no longer in way of chosen path...all that mattered was getting past these creatures and their allies and finding the opportune moment to strike. She smiled tightly and nodded as she followed her 'rescuers' out of this hell hole...
--
[28th December 2018]
[Mount Justice, Happy Harbour, Rhode Island, United States of America]
It was the right decision to bring Donna here, or more accurately convince her to come, she thought watching as her apprentice and Superboy sparred while the others had the their little party of sorts in the background. While Troia had decided to focus on highschool...it was good for her to stay in practice during her down time, and she certainly seemed to be enjoying the back and forth of the fight.
"...technically a Christian holiday but it's more of a..."
Diana held back a slight wince as Donna was slammed into the ground, the computer signalling the end of that back and forth with Superboy's victory. Recent training and young Fortune's new armour seemed to have settled matters in the half-Kryptonian's victory even without his greater strength.
"...get you next time..."
'And how to approach that matter as well' she mused to herself allowing the small indulgence of a slice of cake while the victor raised his arms in victory and her apprentice huffed away after glancing at Diana and shaking her head to be left alone. Now they knew the details of Connor's situation...it was hard to know what to say exactly on the matter, though it seemed the young man was at least aware of the situation himself.
"...gives you a bow that stuns people and Superboy super-amour, and then me a..."
Clark was trying at least to handle it now, bit late of course, but she herself had spoken against Lantern Ring scans or similar without her young wards permission and that was that. Even Bruce had accepted such without issue, though ensuring there were no further mental blocks in Connor's mind had been agreeable, once Superboy okayed it come the new year.
"...said magic wasn't real and that's why you get what you asked for..."
She appears to have enjoyed the spar despite grumblings to the contrary does she not Diana?*
"...Donna, meet you again. Actually I was meaning ask, as Cassandra wanted me to..."
Diana nodded chewing on the cake *Oh, I hope so J'onn, it would be good for her to engage with the others her age with powers, not have to be alone on the job should she decide to come into the life. How have things gone with M'gann?"
"...I...did promise to help didn't I? Sorry about that, study...but I'd love to help if Wonder Woman is okay with..."
She is well, though she is unaware of the attempt to have her return to Mars thankfully. I had many communications with M'jard and J'holk in regards that preposterous proposition" J'onn communicated back as Diana resisting wincing, but also making a note to ask Donna what she was discussing with young Fortune before his phone rang and distracted them from the talk.
"...sorry, let me take this..."
Her...status is a problem?*
"...suppose be emergencies John..."
Her success is a problem* he almost growled back *As is her heritage, word will return to Mars of her fame...and of mine, and that will cause distress some fear. Agitation between Green and White Martians, I disabused them of such talk, or of daring to talk of replacing my niece with a more acceptable young female*
"...what you mean a succubus just turned up? I don't want to know about yours and Kit Ryan's..."
Diana found her head turning to glance back behind her at the young man behind her in the kitchen, hand on phone and gesticulating with his other hand as Donna and Robin looked on with bemused confusion *I am glad that you told them of their ignorance J'onn, M'gann has grown close to her friends here, and they to her. It would only hurt what has been a positive opinion of your world to bring such matters forward so publicly and...ah, something appears to be amiss*
Fortune had gone ramrod straight, voice colder and clearly focused on the phone as the irritated gesticulations ceased "Uh-huh...Uh-huh...and she says...uh-huh...I'm in Mount Justice, Gemma?...good, good they should be safe there...yes I fucking know John, bloody demon lord with a grudge...uh-huh, fine I'll..."
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