With This Ring (Young Justice SI) (Thread Fourteen)

Handlewithcare · Oct 21, 2022

Poor William. That little boy always gets dunked in the trauma deep end.

Chojin Patriarch · Oct 21, 2022

Mr Zoat said:
31st December 2012
14:34 GMT -5

I set William down on the Belle Reve helipad and put my right hand on his left shoulder to support him as he slumps.

"Are you managing?"

"Ah… Managing? I think so." He tries smiling, but it doesn't look right, and he picks up on my reaction. "It really… Doesn't feel good, though. Are you sure you don't need me to do anything?"

And just like Adom, even without divinely granted courage, he's got the will and strength of character to get the job done. There's a good reason Jebidiah 'Shazam' of Canaan picked him for the job, and why the sword of Beowulf approved of him in the renegade timeline.

"You're a child who can block the Anti-Life. No one here is going to care about anything else."

He nods. Must be frustrating to be treated as an adult as Captain Marvel and then be routinely dismissed as William Batson. Even though Captain Marvel is a good deal more intelligent than when he's in William mode.

One good thing the Renegade's timeline did for him, giving him a magic sword and all. Though I have the feeling he prefers to work in adult form more often than not. Eventually, though, he'll grow up and be able to get that respect without his 'mask'.

"Orange Lantern to Warden Waller." I march in the direction of the entry point. "Ring, put that on repeat until she answers."

"Compliance."

I can already hear her screaming "WHAT?!" as she picks up the constantly-ringing phone.

William cautiously follows me towards the fortified gateway that would lead into the prison. Usually, this would be constantly manned night and day, but under the circumstances I shouldn't be too surprised that it's not. I am mildly impressed that the guards managed to retreat inside. If that's what happened: the wards are blocking my empathic vision. They might have fled, or-.

"Lantern. What the hell is going on?"

Great, the one time he needs to see in, he can't. Let's hope it hasn't gone all Birdcage inside...

"Anti-Life broadcast. We can't stop it yet. I'm here to perform an evacuation."

"You can't stop it? Then how am I thinking straight?"

Well, you are stubborn enough to give it a big middle finger, no matter what levers it tries to tug on... Otherwise you wouldn't be in charge out here.

"Metahuman, but he can only block it over a small area. As soon as he leaves-."

"I get the picture." I hear the clacking of keys in the background. "Security's fucked. I can't open the door, just override the emergency response."

Well, if it keeps the bad guys inside...

"I can break in. But I have orders for you."

"From who?"

"The President."

Straight from the top, huh? Who drew the short straw?

"Horne or Knight?"

"Adams."

...Okay, unless there's been some grave-robbign and necrourgy, I'm guessing you don't mean either of these gents.

"Who?"

"There's a giant super-robot in Washington and the entire population is forming neat lines under the orders of their mind control helmet." I smash the door apart with a crumbler ram, and the alarm sounds only once. "Including the former President and the President Elect. Proven unnatural mental influence automatically removes someone from the line of succession."

Well, that could be an interesting issue for their ongoing service. What's the bet neither of them will be considered fit to take office afterwards because of the outbreak?

"Shit. Who's Adams? How far down-?"

"The highest ranking air force officer we could find who wasn't completely non-functional." Thank goodness he was on the Watchtower when this happened. Apparently it's too high up to be affected easily by the corruption of the thaumosphere. "Can you get the guards together? I'm heading towards the prisoners now."

...You mean Captain Atom is in charge? Major Nathaniel Adams? Well, there's a turn-up for the books.

So many wonderfully effective security systems battered aside. I wince a little as each one crumbles.

"I can do that. We're in lock down, so they're in their cells. Or should be. What's your plan."

Well, make a note to come back and patch the doors up later, OL. This is an emergency.

"Task Force X has been approved."

"You said-."

Hot-damn, they're getting the Suicide Squad after all? And a few years earlier than expected.

"We're it, Warden. Most superheroes in America who weren't part of the League joined the Alliance of the Just. That's where it started. As far as we can tell, every single one is now working for Apokolips."

"Ah, hell."

Yes, that's about right. Heck, Hell would be against this shit.

Can't sin without Free Will, after all.

"So your plan is back in action. They fight and they get a pardon. They don't, they can stay here and take their chances."

"And if they try anything?"

Then they take their chances. I expect the ones who do want the opportunity will convince them. ...Might take a broken bone or a dozen, but they might fall in line.

"We don't have the resources to waste. If they fuck around and survive, they get to be our test subject. I don't know if removing someone's soul makes them immune to the Anti-Life, but it would be interesting to find out. Kadabra's class in session?"

"It was. I'll get the staff organised."

And there's an even better kill-switch option than a simple micro-bomb in their spine. Especially since some of the more technically inclined might be able to disable a bomb...

"Orange Lantern out."

"Ah, hey."

I stop, turning to see William kneeling next to a collapsed guard. William shakes his shoulders, and the guard looks up at him with a thousand yard stare.

Bet there's a lot of people in that state all over the country.

"What?"

"I know it's awful, what it does to your head. But right now the world needs you to get on your feet. Can you do that?"

Good luck, kiddo, he's well under the weather.

"I..?" He shakes his head as if in a daze. "It's… It's all…"

"We're leaving in twenty minutes whether you're on your feet or not. Do you want to go back to feeling like that?"

I suppose that's one way to get someone in gear. OL serving as the bad cop once again.

"Nono ohGod."

He scrabbles against the wall to pull himself upright, clearly not right in the head but at least in motion. William flashes me a disappointed look before taking the guard's right hand.

Better let them know to watch him...

"This way, mister."

"Ri-right."

First stop, a fresh pair of pants?

A little way down the corridor… And the door is missing.

Sonic projector.

"Kadabra, it's Orange Lantern. We're here to get you out."

Since he'd have good ways to gain control of the more uncooperative prisoners.

There's a brief delay, then the door appears and Thomas very cautiously sticks his head out. I've never actually seen him look scared before, but he's doing it now. He's half-cringed and tense as a cable. After seeing that it's really me he relaxes a little.

"Hey, man."

Thomas 'Terror' Beresford. There's a face we've not seen in a while. Guessing he's been keeping an eye on Abra.

"Thomas."

I walk up to him, push the door the rest of the way open, and hug him. It's a sign of how off-kilter he is that he actually hugs back. For about two seconds. I let go the instant I spot him getting uncomfortable, and he steps back into the room.

Because no matter how tough you are, sometimes you just need physical comfort...

Kadabra's class is a little larger than it used to be. Or as I should say, the educational program. These days, he's not actually the only teacher. The privileges that come with actually teaching the other inmates useful skills are good enough that several inmates with useful skills have volunteered, and if they're not a total psycho Waller generally lets them.

"Kadabra."

Good to hear things have improved within, and not all of the inmates are looking to become career criminals. Whether masterminds, gang-lords or goons...

He's sitting on his desk, looking a little more together than the other students. Looking, because I can see that it's due to his implants.

"That was Anti-Life, wasn't it?"

"It still is. We're not out of the woods. The world is infected and we can't turn it off. Who wants out?"

Ah... Yes, he would know about the historical aspect of it, wouldn't he? The first open attack upon Earth by Apokalips.

So... Emptying the super-prison and giving those incarcerated a chance to earn a little good-will towards parole. Or other privileges. Goes to show how hard the League is up against it in this disaster. At least those who accept will hopefully be aware that if or when they win, the League will be right there ready to quash any ideas about slipping away. Let's hope all goes well, then.

B00ki5h · Oct 21, 2022

Hell he's taking the long way around. He had Teth Adom, Dr. Mist, and could have had Billy there in ten minutes or less. Have all three place a hand on the spear of destiny and channel their power into humanity. A double shot of unbreakable will and a semi direct connection to the life entity herself; Darkside would twitch and have a bloody nose, and world wide suicide rates would plummet.

Mr Zoat · Oct 21, 2022

Chojin Patriarch said:
What's your plan."

Thank you, corrected.

LanguagAe · Oct 21, 2022

B00ki5h said:
Hell he's taking the long way around. He had Teth Adom, Dr. Mist, and could have had Billy there in ten minutes or less. Have all three place a hand on the spear of destiny and channel their power into humanity. A double shot of unbreakable will and a semi direct connection to the life entity herself; Darkside would twitch and have a bloody nose, and world wide suicide rates would plummet.

I think they've mainly kept the life entity out of the line of fire. The spear might serve as a greater link to it. Considering he hasn't gone full snake man they may be trying to keep him away from escalating entities of power if this is all bait. This is only one of the more skilled forms of anti life. If Darkseid is waiting to jump on one or test earths response he will likely be able to bring more to bear behind it.

Vaermina · Oct 21, 2022

It's kind of silly that at this point LePaul still isn't trying to contact Hephestus...

Awkward · Oct 21, 2022

Ngamer11 said:
When did the League reveal the Watchtower's existence?

They didn't. That part was inner monologue.

Stsword · Oct 21, 2022

Well since Captain Atom is now President Atom I hope he gets his dilustel shield.

In Arena, multiple Captain Atoms from across the multiverse were shown, including President Atom, who was very much a Captain America expy.

Which has always had me picturing a universe where all the DC characters are expies of Marvel characters, kind of like Heroes Reborn in reverse.

Dakkan Sall · Oct 21, 2022

Mr Zoat said:
"Task Force X has been approved."

So, first it was Angel (is there an official designation for him?), and now Paragon finally shelled out for the DLC. I guess that the Anti-Life Event is a bit too much to F2P it.

DAT_NOOB · Oct 21, 2022

Dakkan Sall said:
So, first it was Angel (is there an official designation for him?), and now Paragon finally shelled out for the DLC. I guess that the Anti-Life Event is a bit too much to F2P it.

Damn... I was gonna make the joke that "Looks like Paul finally bought the DLC!"

Mr Zoat · Oct 21, 2022

Chojin Patriarch said:
...Celestia did make sure Luna was brought up to speed on modern culture, law, and so forth, didn't she?

ouble-Picard: Oh, gods-damn it, sun-butt... You had one job... Please tell me Grayven tells her off when she shows her sparkly hide?

Having considered what happened later in canon, I suspect that this was a deliberate action on Celestia's part. She wanted to quit as sovereign and dump the whole thing on Twilight. If she'd taught Luna how to rule in the modern era, Luna would naturally want to actually rule. Keeping her ignorant left her with a few negative associations and no reason to not go along with the 'retirement' thing.

Steelplaza · Oct 21, 2022

Signaller said:
Is Sportsmaster's kill-on-sight sentence still in force? As I recall he had pretty good anti-telepathy training.

I thought of Sportsmaster too. This seems like his big chance to actually get out of prison without Orange Lantern tracking him down and killing him.

Darko · Oct 21, 2022

Chojin Patriarch said:
Well, that could be an interesting issue for their ongoing service. What's the bet neither of them will be considered fit to take office afterwards because of the outbreak?

I don't think they'd have to worry all that much, since aside from Adams, no civil servant or civilian was spared.

Chojin Patriarch said:
...You mean Captain Atom is in charge? Major Nathaniel Adams? Well, there's a turn-up for the books.

Went from being a disgraced soldier to the leader of a powerful country, though not how he'd like it.

Chojin Patriarch said:
Yes, that's about right. Heck, Hell would be against this shit. Can't sin without Free Will, after all.

Plus they lose all those souls.

Chojin Patriarch said:
Ah... Yes, he would know about the historical aspect of it, wouldn't he? The first open attack upon Earth by Apokalips.

Well there was that attack in Kahndaq, but that was Queen Bee.

Chojin Patriarch said:
So... Emptying the super-prison and giving those incarcerated a chance to earn a little good-will towards parole. Or other privileges. Goes to show how hard the League is up against it in this disaster. At least those who accept will hopefully be aware that if or when they win, the League will be right there ready to quash any ideas about slipping away. Let's hope all goes well, then.

I'm kinda reminded of the last episode of JLU.

Darko · Oct 21, 2022

Chojin Patriarch said:
Yes, that's about right. Heck, Hell would be against this shit. Can't sin without Free Will, after all.

You know, with Maze showing up and Lucifer being mentioned, I can't help but think that she will somehow contact him to deal with this.

Can't wait to see how Darkseid likes dealing with him.

Darkseid: Behold! My power is limitless! All shall fall before Anti_Life!

Lucifer: Hmm, oh now I remember that little thing. Some uppity little void-dweller started spewing nonsense when me, Michael and father were creating the universe and said that he'll rule everything. Killing it was such an annoyance. I guess some of it must have survived. Oh well, I'll finish killing it so that I can go back to traveling.

Dsrkseid: Fool! Nothing can stand up to Anti-Life! I will destroy you!

...

Lucifer:...Riiiiight. Well good luck with that.

rdfox · Oct 21, 2022

Stsword said:
Well since Captain Atom is now President Atom I hope he gets his dilustel shield.

Technically, Major Adams is only Acting President, and only by virtue of the President's role as Commander in Chief of the US armed forces. Since Major Adams is the highest-ranking American military officer not affected by the Anti-Life and thus not rendered incapable of discharging his duties, he has become the de facto Commander in Chief of what remains of the US military until such time as a higher-ranking officer is able to once again take control of the situation.

Civilian presidential succession is actually very much a matter of established law in the US (it goes Vice President, Speaker of the House of Representatives, President Pro Tempore of the Senate, and then proceeds down the list of Cabinet Secretaries in order of the job's seniority, starting with the Secretary of State and ending, currently, with the Secretary of Homeland Security). Nobody outside that list can technically be President; the non-elected positions must have first had their nominations confirmed by the Senate. That said, the position of Acting President can be (and has been) effectively held by people outside the official chain of succession. The most famous example would probably be from when President Reagan was shot in 1981; during the first press briefing, White House Chief of Staff Alexander Haig told the media that, "for the moment, I'm in charge here at the White House, pending the arrival of the Vice President," as VP George Bush (the elder, not GWB) had been on vacation in Maine at the time and needed to fly back to DC. While Haig technically had no actual power (and, had it come up, until they got Bush back in communication, control of the nuclear forces would have been in the hands of the Speaker of the House), he was effectively acting as President until the official line of succession could be brought into play.

At this point, Major Adams isn't, technically, POTUS--he wasn't VP, Speaker, or President Pro Temp, and he was never nominated or confirmed as a Cabinet Secretary--but he's the closest thing that there is to a legitimate head of state the country has and thus people are basically accepting that he's de facto in charge until a legitimate member of the succession is found who is capable of governing. Will he be on the historical list of Presidents? Not unless he's elected (or appointed to a vacant post in the Succession and then becomes President via the succession) in the future, but the buck has to stop somewhere, and he's the highest-ranking person in US government service (civilian or military) who is currently mentally competent to make decisions, and this is a crisis, so the niceties of normal law don't exactly apply for the duration.

Steelplaza · Oct 21, 2022

rdfox said:
At this point, Major Adams isn't, technically, POTUS--he wasn't VP, Speaker, or President Pro Temp, and he was never nominated or confirmed as a Cabinet Secretary--but he's the closest thing that there is to a legitimate head of state the country has and thus people are basically accepting that he's de facto in charge until a legitimate member of the succession is found who is capable of governing. Will he be on the historical list of Presidents? Not unless he's elected (or appointed to a vacant post in the Succession and then becomes President via the succession) in the future, but the buck has to stop somewhere, and he's the highest-ranking person in US government service (civilian or military) who is currently mentally competent to make decisions, and this is a crisis, so the niceties of normal law don't exactly apply for the duration.

Yeah, but on the other hand who is he giving orders too? If an Air Force major is the highest ranking officer not affected, that pretty much means that everyone is affected. If he radios out some orders to any random military group he gets one of two responses:
1. Manheim IS!
2. Uh, Major Adams? Who? Well you say you're not affected and that you're the highest ranking officer who isn't, but maybe you're just fighting through it like I am. You tell me what you want me to do and I'll judge if it seems sensible or if the mind control is creeping in.

What I'm trying to add to what you wrote is that it's not like this gives Adams much practical authority. It mattered in this situation because Orange Lantern was telling Waller to do something she wanted to do anyway, and telling her that Adams is "acting president" gives her a legal fig leaf to justify it afterwards. That's all.

Dakkan Sall · Oct 21, 2022

DAT_NOOB said:
Damn... I was gonna make the joke that "Looks like Paul finally bought the DLC!"

Sorry. If it helps, technically we're both late on making the joke since King of Frost already did so way back when the AngelPaul bit came out in the first place.

Coda · Oct 21, 2022

rdfox said:
At this point, Major Adams isn't, technically, POTUS--he wasn't VP, Speaker, or President Pro Temp

The POTUS isn't dead, resigned, or impeached, just incapable of performing his duties, which means that he would be Acting President but not actually President. He wouldn't be included in the historical list of Presidents any more than would a VP who held that role while POTUS was undertaking medical care.

And since this is a case of temporary inability to serve, the rules of the 25th Amendment don't apply, and the Presidential Succession Act doesn't say what to do in such a situation, it falls back to Article II Section 1 Clause 6, which says that Congress may by law declare any Officer of the United States to serve in that position -- and military officers do qualify under this definition. Military officer promotions do, in fact, require Senate confirmation, although typically this is done in bulk without ceremony.

The challenge here is finding a quorum of Congress to make such a declaration. This matter came up in 2004 as the House tried to figure out what to do if a terrorist attack were to incapacitate but not kill the majority of congresspeople. The consensus there is that the quorum could be provisionally reduced in case of extreme emergency -- though that is merely consensus, not conclusion, and as far as I can tell no further action was ever taken. It's still a strong enough consensus that I believe that should the need actually arise in practice that we would probably just run with it on a temporary basis for the duration of the emergency. (I imagine there would be a massive call for review afterward.)

So... I think that what's described here is probably as accurate as it could be!

FreeGod · Oct 21, 2022

Coda said:
The POTUS isn't dead, resigned, or impeached, just incapable of performing his duties, which means that he would be Acting President but not actually President. He wouldn't be included in the historical list of Presidents any more than would a VP who held that role while POTUS was undertaking medical care.

And since this is a case of temporary inability to serve, the rules of the 25th Amendment don't apply, and the Presidential Succession Act doesn't say what to do in such a situation, it falls back to Article II Section 1 Clause 6, which says that Congress may by law declare any Officer of the United States to serve in that position -- and military officers do qualify under this definition. Military officer promotions do, in fact, require Senate confirmation, although typically this is done in bulk without ceremony.

The challenge here is finding a quorum of Congress to make such a declaration. This matter came up in 2004 as the House tried to figure out what to do if a terrorist attack were to incapacitate but not kill the majority of congresspeople. The consensus there is that the quorum could be provisionally reduced in case of extreme emergency -- though that is merely consensus, not conclusion, and as far as I can tell no further action was ever taken. It's still a strong enough consensus that I believe that should the need actually arise in practice that we would probably just run with it on a temporary basis for the duration of the emergency. (I imagine there would be a massive call for review afterward.)

So... I think that what's described here is probably as accurate as it could be!

So a quorum of 0 then? Unless Paul has managed to find an unaffected congressman somewhere?

Windona · Oct 21, 2022

FreeGod said:
So a quorum of 0 then? Unless Paul has managed to find an unaffected congressman somewhere?

If Paul could, depending, that Senator or Congressperson might be Acting President instead.

Still, imagine Captain Atom getting a medal or award for his excellent leadership of the country in time of crisis. In front of Eiling.

More on that, I guess that Billy channeling the shield against Anti-Life requires him to not be transformed to maximize effectiveness. Of course, now he has Waller's consideration. After the crisis, at least.

It will be interesting to see which villains go along- and which end up surviving. It could lead to a very interesting shake up.

Coda · Oct 22, 2022

Windona said:
If Paul could, depending, that Senator or Congressperson might be Acting President instead.

There is a constitutional argument to be made that congresspeople, as part of the legislative branch, are barred from concurrently holding executive office. There's another argument that they aren't confirmed by the Senate. In either case, a military officer would outrank them in the executive branch barring an explicit act of Congress such as the Presidential Succession Act that makes exceptions for the Speaker of the House and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate.

There definitely can't be a quorum of 0; that's division by zero. But there's a pretty solid argument found in the papers of the Founding Fathers that the Constitution shouldn't force the country to fail. In that case, something akin to the "rational basis" test might apply for extremely short-term emergency powers -- when all else fails and there's no established precedent for what to do, the minimum necessary action for the minimum sufficient time that seems to have a reasonable rationale for why that action was chosen over others is the best you can do, and you restore the status quo ante as quickly as possible, with special elections if necessary.

Prince Charon · Oct 22, 2022

Coda said:
There definitely can't be a quorum of 0; that's division by zero. But there's a pretty solid argument found in the papers of the Founding Fathers that the Constitution shouldn't force the country to fail.

This is usually phrased as 'The Constitution is not a suicide pact,' and has been used by people in various parts of the political map at various times for various purposes. It tends to be used in hypotheticals and stories a lot, and while AFAICT this has never needed to be tested in real life, it does make sense.

Mr Zoat · Oct 22, 2022

31st December 2012
14:41 GMT -5

"What're you going to do to him?"

I raise my left eyebrow as I destroy the entrance to the arcane containment section of the prison and step aside as the bleary-eyed duty magicians stumble out.

"Enslave him permanently, mind, body and soul." I put my right hand on the shoulder of the closest magician. "Which way to Colin Thornton's cell?"

31st December 2012
14:47 GMT -5

"Gentlemen."

I float through the middle of the men's cell block, a grey blur in my visual field where Mr. Crock is standing. My ring will also turn his voice into that of a commercially available voice generation program. The prisoners I've come to know through my visits are lined up behind me, their costumes on and their equipment in-hand.

"What you were feeling until a few minutes ago is something called 'Anti-Life'. A man named Bruno Mannheim -head of Intergang- has used it to mind control the majority of the population of Earth. And by 'majority', I mean about ninety nine point nine percent. He has to all intent and purposes conquered the Earth. His aim, so far as we can tell, is make everyone feel so completely miserable all of the time that they voluntarily renounce free will and celebrate as he uses and eventually disposes of them."

"If you want to know what that would be like, remember how you felt half an hour ago, forever."

A few winces, but most remain outwardly impassive. Some are new faces, but most of them… Aren't ever going to be anything but supervillains. This is the other side of the in-prison social divide.

"Or at least until you jump off a building with joy in your heart that you will no longer inconvenience your master. So I'm here to offer you a choice, and a temporary escape. Sign up with Task Force X today, and walk out of prison a penal legionnaire! The Justice League's secure accommodation is guaranteed as Anti-Life proof as anywhere on Earth, food's reasonable, and you'll be pardoned at the end of the campaign."

That actually gets a twitch from Mr. Crock.

"Yes, you can imagine exactly how happy I am about making that offer, and what it suggests for our odds. Still, the offer's genuine, and gives you a slightly better chance of survival than staying here. The ladies and gentlemen behind me have already accepted. Do you have any questions, bearing in mind that we've got about fifteen minutes until the Justifier force from Baton Rouge gets here and turns this into an actual fight."

"What the hell happened to the military?"

That… Was from a vaguely ogre-looking fellow who… Isn't in my database.

"I'm sorry, I don't think we've been introduced."

"You put me in here. Eiling, Wade. General."

How did he end up-? Okay, there's a certain irony to him being used in experimental testing, but don't they have military prisons or-.

Task Force X was still ongoing, and they were going to use him.

I don't know why I'm surprised.

"The Anti-Life effect is worldwide. The military isn't more immune than anyone else. They're either crippled or Justified. That's stage two of exposure, where the afflicted voluntarily kowtow to Mannheim. We can't protect mass troop deployments from the Anti-Life and in any case anyone not protected works for the enemy. Trying to fight this as an actual war will kill more people than the Sheeda did. Compared to weaponry we already possess, military assets aren't worth the risk in trying to acquire."

The grey blur representing Mr. Crock has come as close to me as he can with the bars in the way.

"Why us?"

"We can't afford to grind this out. This fight will end with targetted strikes against Anti-Life broadcasters and against Mannheim himself once we've located him. Aside from a few elite military units, you collectively fit the requirements far better, and… Almost all of them were Justified before we could get to them."

"And what happens if we tell you to fuck yourself?"

That was… Alexander Trent. Bloodsport 2. The Nazi one, not the delusional one.

"I leave you here, in your cells. The power suppression system is still active, and the Justifiers are on the way. The staff will be pulling out with me, so there's a small chance that you could get out before they arrive, but the Anti-Life protection system leaves with me. And if the Justifiers ignore you and go somewhere else, you'll be stuck in your cells with no food or water or toilet facilities."

I smile beatifically.

"But the choice is yours."

Joar Mahkent's face is impassive.

"And what makes you think you can trust us? We ain't like those bootlickers behind you."

"I'm glad that you asked. The original plan for Task Force X was to give the participants explosive collars or implants. I regard that as inefficient."

I release Construct-Lantern Colin Thornton, and a few of the less hardened inmates recoil.

"You may recognise Colin Thornton, aka Lord Satanus. He keeps access to his demonic magic in this form, and I had him write up a contract."

It's not a long contract, covering the cogent points of the deal on offer. I float a copy each over to Mr. Mahkent and Mr. Crock.

"You have but to sign it and I will release your cage. As you've no doubt realised it's a magically-enforced demonic contract. The penalty for breaching the terms is your soul immediately being forfeit. It's an unpleasant way to die, and then you're in Hell. The terms-"

They're both looking through it, and their neighbours are leaning in to try and read it.

"-are enforced by the magic in the contract, so it won't matter how, say, Batman or Superman feel about it."

"This your idea?"

"Yes, Mister Crock. It is."

"Thought you were going to kill me if you ever saw me again."

"All I'm seeing is a grey blur. Please signal your agreement to the terms with a drop of your blood."

"I'm not signing a demon contract I haven't read."

"Alright, but I'm going to start ferrying guards to safety now, and I'm taking the Anti-Life jammer with me. So feel free to-."

"I'll sign!" I look around as Mr. Flinders waves an oversized hand. "You're letting the women's side out too, yeah?"

"Certainly." I float a contract over to him as he bites his right forefinger with his right lower canine. "Time permitting."

He presses his bleeding finger against the paper, which glows for a moment and then puffs out of existence in a cloud of sulphur. I then crumble the bars of his cell, along with his suppression collar.

I take a moment to make eye contact with the waverers, and float contracts over to all of them. There's reluctance and attempts to see what everyone else is doing, but after a few seconds they start signing.

"Thank you all. Oh, and so you know? You're pardoned whether you live or die. So congratulations. Today is the first day of the rest of your life."

LZB1285 · Oct 22, 2022

Mr Zoat said:
"I'm glad that you asked. The original plan for Task Force X was to give the participants explosive collars or implants. I regard that as "

Cut off sentence.
I love the rules lawyering with Mr Crock.

Ngamer11 · Oct 22, 2022

Mr Zoat said:
"What the hell happened to the military?"

That… Was from a vaguely ogre-looking fellow who… Isn't in my database.

"I'm sorry, I don't think we've been introduced."

"You put me in here. Eiling, Wade. General."

How did he end up-? Okay, there's a certain irony to him being used in experimental testing, but don't they have military prisons or-.

Task Force X was still ongoing, and they were going to use him.

I don't know why I'm surprised.

I'm a little curious on what exactly they did to Eiling. Is he as strong as the Shaggy Man from the comics?

Mr Zoat said:
I release Construct-Lantern Colin Thornton, and a few of the less hardened inmates recoil.

"You may recognise Colin Thornton, aka Lord Satanus. He keeps access to his demonic magic in this form, and I had him write up a contract."

Forcing all the irredeemable villains to sell their souls. I really want to see the Justice League's reaction to Paul doing this. Also, it's nice that Paul has more options for magic support now that he has Satanus as a new Construct-Lantern.

Chojin Patriarch · Oct 22, 2022

Mr Zoat said:
31st December 2012
14:41 GMT -5

"What're you going to do to him?"

I raise my left eyebrow as I destroy the entrance to the arcane containment section of the prison and step aside as the bleary-eyed duty magicians stumble out.

"Enslave him permanently, mind, body and soul." I put my right hand on the shoulder of the closest magician. "Which way to Colin Thornton's cell?"

Ah, looks like OL will be walking out of this with at least one new Construct Lantern made from a former foe. And a powerful one at that. Which explains how he's going to do the 'strip their soul out' penalty for the Task Force volunteers.

31st December 2012
14:47 GMT -5

"Gentlemen."

I float through the middle of the men's cell block, a grey blur in my visual field where Mr. Crock is standing. My ring will also turn his voice into that of a commercially available voice generation program. The prisoners I've come to know through my visits are lined up behind me, their costumes on and their equipment in-hand.

I suppose that's one way to avoid invoking the 'If I ever see you again...' threat he made.

After all, Sportsmaster might still be useful. And good to see at least some of them are joining up of their own free will, rather than by the carrot and the stick.

"What you were feeling until a few minutes ago is something called 'Anti-Life'. A man named Bruno Mannheim -head of Intergang- has used it to mind control the majority of the population of Earth. And by 'majority', I mean about ninety nine point nine percent. He has to all intent and purposes conquered the Earth. His aim, so far as we can tell, if make everyone feel so completely miserable all of the time that they voluntarily renounce free will and celebrate as he uses and eventually disposes of them."

Oh, you may mock, to make it sound less nasty to them, but this is not going to be easy.

"If you want to know what that would be like, remember how you felt half an hour ago, forever."

A few winces, but most remain outwardly impassive. Some are new faces, but most of them… Aren't ever going to be anything but supervillains. This is the other side of the other side of the in-prison social divide.

Like I said yesterday. These are the career masterminds, gang bosses and goons. The clever ones, the mean ones and the stupid ones.

"Or at least until you jump off a building with joy in your heart that you will no longer inconvenience your master. So I'm here to offer you a choice, and a temporary escape. Sign up with Task Force X today, and walk out of prison a penal legionnaire! The Justice League's secure accommodation is guaranteed as Anti-Life proof as anywhere on Earth, food's reasonable, and you'll be pardoned at the end of the campaign."

That actually gets a twitch from Mr. Crock.

Yeah, he can already guess how bad things are if they're waving that big a carrot in front of multiple-murderers, lunatic and outright monsters.

"Yes, you can imagine exactly how happy I am about making that offer, and what it suggests for our odds. Still, the offer's genuine, and gives you a slightly better chance of survival than staying here. The ladies and gentlemen behind me have already accepted. Do you have any questions, bearing in mind that we've got about fifteen minutes until the Justifier force from Baton Rouge gets here and turns this into an actual fight."

"What the hell happened to the military?"

The same thing that happened to everyone else. A big old dose of 'fuck your independent thoughts'. Not a lot would be able to withstand Anti-Life with no warning...

That… Was from a vaguely ogre-looking fellow who… Isn't in my database.

"I'm sorry, I don't think we've been introduced."

Ooh, the General? I didn't think he'd have gone through the comics storyline that saw his brain implanted in the Shaggy Man. Not in Earth-16...

"You put me in here. Eiling, Wade. General."

How did he end up-? Okay, there's a certain irony to him being used in experimental testing, but don't they have military prisons or-.

Ah, right. He fucked up big time... Off-screen, apparently, mentioned as being in prison here. Amusingly, in the same post as the debrief of the League's attack on Apokalips, and a mention of the Infinity Man...

Task Force X was still ongoing, and they were going to use him.

I don't know why I'm surprised.

Because of course they would have. Never mind that the Shaggy Man's android body is extremely resilient, and thus unlikely to be harmed much by a bomb, short of it being planted inside Eiling's brain. Nor that Eiling would not be in the most cooperative mood at that point...

"The Anti-Life effect is worldwide. The military isn't more immune than anyone else. They're either crippled or Justified. That's stage two of exposure, where the afflicted voluntarily kowtow to Mannheim. We can't protect mass troop deployments from the Anti-Life and in any case anyone not protected works for the enemy. Trying to fight this as an actual war will kill more people than the Sheeda did. Compared to weaponry we already possess, military assets aren't worth the risk in trying to acquire."

The grey blur representing Mr. Crock has come as close to me as he can with the bars in the way.

This is going to be a shadow war against Mannheim. Small elite unites hitting targets of opportunity.

Just the thing the Suicide Squad was made for!

"Why us?"

"We can't afford to grind this out. This fight will end with targetted strikes against Anti-Life broadcasters and against Mannheim himself once we've located him. Aside from a few elite military units, you collectively fit the requirements far better, and… Almost all of them were Justified before we could get to them."

Admitting that does give them more leverage in negotiations, though. Even with the promise of a pardon, some of them will probably be considering just fucking off when they're deployed...

"And what happens if we tell you to fuck yourself?"

That was… Alexander Trent. Bloodsport 2. The Nazi one, not the delusional one.

Ah, a pleasant specimen of humanity, isn't he? God knows how many reasons he has to hate OL on principle...

"I leave you here, in your cells. The power suppression system is still active, and the Justifiers are on the way. The staff will be pulling out with me, so there's a small chance that you could get out before they arrive, but the Anti-Life protection system leaves with me. And if the Justifiers ignore you and go somewhere else, you'll be stuck in your cells with no food or water or toilet facilities."

I smile beatifically.

...And every man there feels a chill run down their spine... Because OL smiling is not necessarily good for them.

"But the choice is yours."

Joar Mahkent face is impassive.

Ah, Icicle I. The father of one Cameron Mahkent, who's an old friend of Artemis, who played a part in the foiled breakout from year one. Like father, like son... Though they don't really get along.

"And what makes you think you can trust us? We ain't like those bootlickers behind you."

"I'm glad that you asked. The original plan for Task Force X was to give the participants explosive collars or implants. I regard that as "

And as noted, those can be subverted or foiled. I suspect OL's idea is far more reliable...

I release Construct-Lantern Colin Thornton, and a few of the less hardened inmates recoil.

"You may recognise Colin Thornton, aka Lord Satanus. He keeps access to his demonic magic in this form, and I had him write up a contract."

...Okay, that's one way to enforce loyalty in these matters.

It's not a long contract, covering the cogent points of the deal on offer. I float a copy each over to Mr. Mahkent and Mr. Crock.

"You have but to sign it and I will release your cage. As you've no doubt realised it's a magically-enforced demonic contract. The penalty for breaching the terms is your soul immediately being forfeit. It's an unpleasant way to die, and then you're in Hell. The terms-"

And with the mechanism of it being tied to OL's control, means Waller won't be as capable of abusing the system as she sometimes did in the comics...

They're both looking through it, and their neighbours are leaning in to try and read it.

"-are enforced by the magic in the contract, so it won't matter how, say, Batman or Superman feel about it."

Which are not likely to be good thoughts. Wonder if this could be one of the many straws that ruin Batman's relationship with OL?

"This your idea?"

"Yes, Mister Crock. It is."

And no doubt his reputation precedes him, so those present will understand just what will face them if they double-cross him, even without the contract's penalty.

"Thought you were going to kill me if you ever saw me again."

"All I'm seeing is a grey blur. Please signal your agreement to the terms with a drop of your blood."

Knives available on request, I suppose?

"I'm not signing a demon contract I haven't read."

"Alright, but I'm going to start ferrying guards to safety now, and I'm taking the Anti-Life jammer with me. So feel free to-."

So, no pressure, gentlemen. After all, this isn't the only wing he has to make the offer to...

"I'll sign!" I look around as Mr. Flinders waves an oversized hand. "You're letting the women's side out too, yeah?"

"Certainly." I float a contract over to him as he bites his right forefinger with his right lower incisor. "Time permitting."

Mammoth, no doubt concerned about his sister. They always were close.

He presses his bleeding finger against the paper, which glows for a moment and then puffs out of existence in a cloud of sulphur. I then crumble the bars of his cell, along with his suppression collar.

I take a moment to make eye contact with the waverers, and float contracts over to all of them. There's reluctance and attempts to see what everyone else is doing, but after a few seconds they start signing.

"Thank you all. Oh, and so you know? You're pardoned whether you live or die. So congratulations. Today is the first day of the rest of your life."

Ah, peer pressure. The best method to encourage acquiescence. Once Mammoth signed, and didn't instantly die, the rest were more likely to follow. Then the desperate ones sign. And finally the reluctant ones. Persuasion skill check aced, OL.

And so ~~the Suicide Squad~~ Task Force X gains its first official recruits. I expect many on the ladies' side will sign on as well, especially if they consider what might happen to those who remain behind... And the League gains an army of its' own. One made of barely-restrained criminals half-pressed into service, but an army nonetheless. What happens next will be a sight to see, I think.

His aim, so far as we can tell, if make everyone feel so completely miserable...

His aim, so far as we can tell, is make everyone feel so completely miserable...

Joar Mahkent face is impassive.

Joar Mahkent's face is impassive.

theaceoffire · Oct 22, 2022

Mr Zoat said:
I regard that as "

...As what? As WHAT!? I MUST KNOW!

Lord Ernest · Oct 22, 2022

New Construct Lantern acquired!

I know it's a messed up thing to do, but damn, it is the signature move of the Orange Light! Had I an orange ring I would Identity Thieving left, right and center!

And nice way of giving certainty to this Suicide Squad (or is it battalion?). No bomb in their necks, but a one way instant ticket to Hell, and depending on how the contract was worded it could activate with a simple thought to betray, double cross or escape.

Awkward · Oct 22, 2022

I don't like this. I get that this is a crisis situation, but literally enslaving people forever is not going to go over well with anyone.

Temp0101 · Oct 22, 2022

It's kinda fucked when the chips are down OL resorts to the fuckery he was trying to reform out of in the last arc. But what are you gonna do.

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