Dinah Lance

The Clocktower looks the same as it did the last time I was here, which, I guess, all things considered really wasn’t that long ago.  So why do I feel like something should have changed in my absence?

I was only back in Gotham a few days before Sergeant Steel tracked me down to join Task Force X so I really didn’t have the time to reconnect with my life.  I realize now that I should have made time to come here, to see the woman who could very well be the best friend I have in this world.

And now the first time I’m going to see her, I’m asking her for help.  Gee, that looks really good on my part.

There’s hesitation as I walk up the stone staircase to the front door.  I don’t know where it’s coming from.  I used to visit the Clocktower and its lone occupant on a daily basis, sometimes multiple times in a single day.  Why now do I feel unwelcome?

I shake off those thoughts and continue on my way.

“Do you think she’s going to help us?” the man at my side asks.  He is wearing a long trench coat to combat the familiar cold of Gotham that I had long ago grown accustomed to.

“Hopefully,” is all I can manage as a response.  I shouldn’t have disappeared to England the way I did.  I should have said something.  Especially to her.

“Is she going to be pissed that I tagged along?” Sergeant Steel asks.  As the Black King of Checkmate, and as an acquaintance of his for some time now, it’s rare that I see Steel shy away from anything.  Usually he’s in-your-face, gung ho about everything he does.  But he knows we need her help; he knows we have nowhere else to turn.  We’ve exhausted all the resources that we have and now we have to rely on the friendship that I may or may not have unintentionally broken.  Talk about a rock and hard place.

I open the door and step inside.  “Probably,” I reply.

Steel sighs.  “Wonderful,” he mutters under his breath, hoping I would hear him.

I hit the button for the elevator and hold as the computer systems she put in read my thumbprint.  Hopefully she hasn’t changed the locks since I was last here.  Fortunately, the elevator dings and opens to welcome us inside.

“Good sign,” I say as we both step inside. 

By now, she probably knows we’re here.  She’s not going to happy that Steel is here with me.  She is an extreme believer in confidentiality, which isn’t all that surprising when you consider what she does for a living.  Having crazed lunatics knowing your name and home address is not an ideal situation, especially after what happened when the Joker came to visit.

The elevator ride continues uninterrupted and deposits us on the top floor of the Clocktower.  The doors separate into her living room and, sure enough, she’s waiting there for us.  She’s upset.  I brace for what comes next.

“What is he doing here?” is all Barbara Gordon asks.  Even though she’s in a wheelchair, Babs is one of the most intimidating women I have ever met.  She was trained by Batman himself and can probably ruin lives with a few keystrokes on her computer.  Not someone you want to piss off.  And, of course, I went and did just that.

“Babs, it’s good to see you,” I say.

“What is he doing here, Dinah?”

Steel steps forward before I can stop him.  “Ms. Gordon, I’m Sergeant Steel of Checkmate.  I was hoping—”

“I know who you are,” Barbara responds.  “That’s the only reason I didn’t sick my security measures on you.”  She looks at me.  “Why did you bring him here, Dinah?  How could you bring him here?  Here of all places?”

“I’m working for Checkmate now,” I tell her.  She wasn’t expecting that twist.  I had told her about the first offer Steel had made me a few months back.  I had gone on a rant about how I would never work for the government.  I must look like a hypocrite in her eyes now.  “And as for him, you know I would never betray your trust.  He already knew who you are.  That’s the only reason I felt comfortable bringing him.”

Barbara looks to Steel.  Her gaze is scathing.  “How?”

“I work for one of the premiere intelligence agencies in the United States.  Plus, after the last time I crossed paths with your Birds of Prey*, it really wasn’t hard to put two and two together,” Steel answers.  He quickly adds, “But I assure you, no one in my organization besides myself knows your secret.  I promise you that.”

*In the “Madman’s Game” storyarc that ran from Birds of Prey #1-7

After a short silence, Barbara seems to lighten up a bit.  It’s all for show.  I know she’s still fuming inside.  “What’s the situation you need me for?”

Steel answers before I can.  “On a recent op, a few of my agents collected information from a group called the Strong Arm of Humanity.  Are you familiar with them?”

“Never heard of them,” Barbara replies.

“The information we collected is encrypted extremely well.  No one in Checkmate can break the code.  That’s why we need you.”

Babs looks at me, then at Steel, and back at me.  “I’ll help you,” she says.

I can see Steel relax at my side.

“But first, Dinah and I have to have a chat.”

I look Babs dead in the face and nod.  “Yes, I think we do.”


XXX

Cheshire America's Personal Meta-Team...


:Division of Checkmate

“Encrypted”

Task Force X #11 - October, Year Five by Matt Hrubey


XXX


Patrick Dugan

This is the first time in my life that I can honestly say I wish I wasn’t going home.  I love my family more than anything on this earth, but I know that this trip is going to end badly.

The moment I step foot inside the door, my wife is there to greet me.  She kisses me deeply as if she hasn’t seen my in years.  It’s nice.  More than nice really, but I can’t focus on it.  There’s a sword hanging over my head that is just waiting to drop.

“I missed you,” Barbara tells me.  I can see the baby behind my wife, entertaining herself in the highchair with a hand full of Cheerios that will no doubt end up all over the kitchen floor.

“I missed you too,” I say, kissing her once more.  “How’s everything here?”

“I told Mike and Courtney that you were coming home.  They were thrilled and decided to stop in for the night.  They should be here anytime now.”

“Sounds great,” I say.  The words sound nice, but sad too.  I’m not the only one to notice.

“What’s wrong?” Barbara asks.  Her face is suddenly somber as she looks into my eyes.  It’s like the piercing gaze of truth staring through me.  I have to turn away.

I move to the baby and plant a kiss on her forehead.  She stares up at me through wide eyes and I can’t help but smile.  She’s the cutest child I’ve ever seen, though my opinion is obviously biased.

“You’re avoiding my question,” Barbara says.  She’s stubborn; never one to let things go easily.  Her hands are on her hips.  She’s waiting for an answer.

I still can’t look at her.  “Something happened,” I say.  “Something you’re not going to like.”

“Waller changed her mind, didn’t she?” Barbara asks.  Her fists are balled tightly.  I don’t keep secrets from my wife so she knows all about Waller’s blackmail.  Suffice to say, the White Queen isn’t Barbara’s favorite person.  “She let you go and now she’s reeling you back in, right?”

“Not exactly.”

“Then what is it?  I can’t take the theatrics, Patrick.  Just tell me.”

“Amanda let me go, but I can’t help but feel Courtney and Mike are still in danger,” I say.

“We can make the kids come home,” she offers.  “Tell them that we aren’t comfortable with them being a part of Young Justice anymore.  They’ll be mad but they’ll understand.  We can be safe here.”

I wave off the suggestion.  “Mike and Courtney are becoming adults.  They have to be allowed to make their own decisions.  Besides, I don’t want to do anything rash based on what could be an empty threat.  Waller’s a bitch but I’m not sure she has the balls to follow through on her threat.”

“Then what’s the problem?”

“I explained the situation to Sergeant Steel, Waller’s counterpart, and he asked me to stay on as his personal advisor,” I explain.  “I won’t be a part of the field team anymore so I’ll be out of danger, but I will still be living in Washington, D.C. so I can watch Waller; make sure she doesn’t do anything to jeopardize the kids.”

Barbara suddenly understood.  “And you said yes.”

I nod.  “I did.”

I stay silent so she can digest.  She had been so excited when I told her I was coming home for good.  Now, that reality has been ripped away from her.  I honestly don’t know how she’s going to react.

“Did you stop and think if you should ask for my opinion, Pat?” she asks.

“I’m doing this for the kids.”

“Don’t you dare use that as an excuse,” Barbara replies.  “I was less than thrilled when Waller showed up and forced you to join Task Force X, but I understood because your hands were tied.  I didn’t want you in any more danger than you needed to be in.  But now, when you have the chance to leave all this bullshit behind, you are voluntarily staying?  You’re staying when you know you’re family is here waiting for you to come home?!”

The baby is crying now.  I rub her head gently to try and soothe her.  It’s not going to work.

“Barbara, I’m sorry—”

“No, you’re not!  And that’s what makes this that much worse!  I can tell you’re not remorseful!”

“How can you say that?”

“You want to know what I think?” she yells at me.  “I think that you miss your old life.  I know all about you and your Stars and Stripe days.  I know how you loved being a hero.  But I thought when we married that you were past that.  Now that you’ve been reintroduced to that life, you don’t want to let it go again.  Waller may have pissed you off by blackmailing you but she gave you exactly what you wanted!”

I’m heated now.  “Are you insane? I want nothing more than to be back here with you and my family!” 

“Then do it, Pat.  What’s stopping you?”

The answer to that question walked in at the most inopportune time.  The smiles that Courtney and Mike, my stepdaughter and son, had been wearing faded when they saw the anger in the room.

“Uh, did we come at a bad time?” Courtney asks.
XXX

Preston Varner

“Ballsy.”

The message is still scribbled on the wall in the dried blood of my comrades.
YOU DON’T KNOW WHO YOU’RE MESSING WITH.

I shake my head as I admit the truth of the message.  I don’t know who I’m messing with, but it is only a matter of time until I do.

“That’s one way to describe it,” I reply, stern faced and arms crossed.  I am not happy and those around me know it.

The man that had spoken was Drew Mackenzie, my second-in-command of this regional office of the Strong Arm of Humanity.  He’s taller than me, smarter than me, more good looking than me, but I was still the one chosen as Director of his facility.  It eats him up inside each time he sees me.  Drew shrugs at my comment.  “How would you describe this?” he asks.

“Stupid,” I shoot back.  “Whoever did this has made the wrong kind of enemy.  We are going to massacre those responsible without thinking twice.”

“Sounds like a plan,” Drew replies with that million dollar smile of his.  “How can I help?”

There’s much to do, but only certain things can be done by those I trust.  Despite the professional jealousy, Mackenzie is one of the most loyal men I have under me.  I would trust him with the lives of my family if I had one.  “I need you to go back through the security tapes,” I finally say.  “See if you can find a clear image of the murderer that we can work off of.  I want this bastard found quickly.”

“It’s as good as done.”

I’m about to thank Drew for his assistance when my cell rings.  It is at the most inopportune time that these calls take place.  I don’t bother to check the caller ID before I pick up the call.  I already know who is on the other end.  “Go ahead,” I say.

I stand there for the next few several minutes, Drew at my side, listening to the voice on the other end.  I don’t respond to any statements; he hates it when he’s interrupted.  Finally, the call ends abruptly, without the slightest attempt at a goodbye.  I flip my cell closed and set it back into my pocket.

“Was that him?” Drew asks.  He already knows the answer but insists on asking the question anyway.

I nod.  “Yes.  He’s on his way.”
XXX

Dinah Lance

“I really have to apologize, Babs,” I say once we move into Barbara’s command center for more privacy.  It’s dark in here, but she prefers it that way.  The 3D display screens at my back glow green and vibrant, providing the only light.

“You’re working for Checkmate now,” Barbara replies.  The statement is accusatory and straight to the point.

I sigh.  “I’m sorry that I’ve upset you.”

“You haven’t upset me.”  It’s a lie.  I’ve known Barbara too long.  I can read her emotions like a book.

“I disappeared…ran away.”

“Yes, you did.  I thought you might be dead.  At least until I tracked your credit card usage to Europe.  Did you have a nice time?”

Her anger is passive aggressive.  She wants to yell but won’t bring herself to do so.  “It was a vacation.  I saw some sights and blew off some steam.  I’m back now.”

“And John Constantine?  Was he part of your trip?”

I don’t even want to ask how she knows about my staying with Constantine.  It’s scary what she knows.  “I know you aren’t—”

“He raped you,” was all she says.*

*In Hellblazer Special #1: Shattered- Part Three

“He helped me,” I respond.  “There’s a difference.  I was being manipulated and he did what he needed to break the spell.  His choice of tactics was crude but effective.  Plus, he was amazing.”

She’s glaring.

“But that’s not the point, is it?”

“No.  You disappeared without a word or a message letting me know you were okay.  You left the country and your duties behind to be with the last person on earth I expected you to be with.”

“What duties?” I ask.  “The Justice League disbanded.”

“Your duties to me!”

There it is.  Her feeling of betrayal.  It was only a matter of time before it reared its ugly head.  After saying the words, Barbara looks shocked.  Eyes wide, she covers her mouth with her hands.  “Dinah, I…I didn’t mean—”

I nod.  “Yes, you did.  But it’s alright.”

She shakes her head.  She looks weary and defeated; very unlike her.  “You don’t owe me anything,” she says after an awkward silence.

I take Babs’ hands.  “But I do.  When you came to me with the offer to work for you, I was grateful.  I was lost; going through life without a purpose and a final destination.  I never said so but I was thankful…am thankful.  I’m sorry I never said anything before I went to England, but after everything that happened in my life, I had to go.”

“I understand.”

“I don’t know if you do, Babs.”  I take a deep breath.  “I died.  Died.  Like actually died.  Zee brought me back and then I watched her crumble under the weight of her own power.  Like you, she’s one of my best friends and I had to stand by uselessly while she suffered.  Then I was thrown into another dimension where I moved from battle to battle just trying to stay alive.  People shouldn’t experience these things, Barbara.  It’s too much.”  I know now that I’m crying.  “I’m just trying to be happy again.  I’m trying to work through what happened to me.  I’m trying to find a place.”

“I understand those feelings more than you might think, Dinah,” she says.  “I was brutally attacked and crippled by potentially the most evil man on this planet.  After that, I thought my life was over.  No more being Batgirl.  No more being normal.”  She squeezes my hand.  “I want you to do whatever makes you happy.”

“Joining Checkmate gives me the place and purpose I’ve been looking for.  Sergeant Steel has given that to me…at least I think he has.  All I know, and all that matters, is that I’m going to help people again.”

“It’s what you’re best at.”

We hug then.  The anger and sadness is gone.  We’re friends again.  Nothing more and nothing less.

“I’m sorry,” I say again.

Babs nods.  “I am too.”
XXX

Patrick Dugan

“Dinner was fun.”

I jump at the voice.  “Jesus, Courtney,” I say, my hand on my chest as I breathe heavily.  “Give me a head’s up next time before you scare me to death.”

“Sorry,” she replies.  She sits down on the picnic table next to me and looks up at the stars.  “It’s beautiful out here.  It’s views like this that make me miss Nebraska.”

I pat her on the knee.  “Nobody misses Nebraska, honey, unless they’re small town folk.  And you, Courtney Whitmore, are most definitely not small town folk.”

“I still usually miss this place, though.”

“Usually?” I ask.

“Dinner was fun,” she repeats to me with a smile.  “What did you do that put you in the doghouse?”

I stand up from the picnic table, the stars forgotten.  “I’m not in the doghouse.”

“Then you need some glasses because you can’t see what’s right in front of you,” she says.  Courtney’s never spoken so candidly to me before.  It’s…strangely nice.  “Mom is mad.  She didn’t say a word to you at dinner.  What did you do?”

“It’s nothing, Court.”

She was standing next to me now.  She takes my hand and I look into her face.  “It has something to do with me, doesn’t it?  Mike too probably.”

I consider not telling her for a moment.  Even though she’s coming of age, she’s still a child.  Telling her the truth might scare her.  But as I see her now, I see a maturity never before witnessed.  I nod to her.  “It is about you and Mike.  Kind of.”

She cocks an eyebrow.

It takes the next ten minutes for me to explain everything to her.  I tell her about Waller’s blackmail and her use of Courtney and Mike as bargaining chips.  I continue on about my involvement with Task Force X and my subsequent firing.  I finish with my decision to stay with Checkmate to keep an eye on Waller.  By the time I’m done, Courtney is pacing.

When she realizes I’ve finished, Courtney stops her movement and glances at me.  “You should have told me this long ago.  I would have given up the costume under the circumstances.”

“But you wouldn’t have been happy,” I respond.  “The happiest I’ve ever seen you is when you’re wearing that costume, flying around the sky.  It would have killed me to let Amanda Waller manipulate you into giving up the uniform and the cosmic converter belt.”

“What are you going to do now?” Courtney asks.

“My first move is to get your mother talking to me again.  After that, I have to go back to Washington.”

Courtney wraps her arms around me and I feel tears in my eyes.  “I’m sorry my decision to be the Star-Spangled Kid has had this great of an impact.  I just wanted to help people.”

“And you have,” I tell her.  “And you’ll continue to do so once you go back to Young Justice.  I didn’t tell you any of this to get you to leave your team.  I just felt that you had a right to know that you are potentially in danger.”

“I’m always potentially in danger,” Courtney says.  “I accepted that a long time ago.”

I wrap my arm around her shoulder and guide her back inside the house.  “Let’s grab some dessert, kid.  I want some more food in my system before I start groveling.”
XXX

Preston Varner

I greet him with a handshake when he steps out of the nondescript Buick in front of my deli.  His grip is firm and mildly intimidating.  In fact, nearly everything about him is intimidating.  There’s a reason he was chosen to assume control of the Strong Arm of Humanity over everyone else in the organization.

“Take me to the scene,” was all the Director said to me.

I led him through the store, into the back, and down the stairs in silence.  When he came across the murder scene, his eyes glanced around, taking in the area.  Everyone was in the room was quiet, most out of awe that the Director was standing before their eyes.  The smart ones, like me, were awaiting orders. 

The Director seemed to hesitate when his eyes came across the message on the wall.  His eyebrows furrowed ever so slightly before he cleared his throat and spoke.  “The first step is damage control.  I assume the authorities have not been informed of the murders?”

“That is correct, sir,” I interject.

“Good.  The first step is destroying the evidence.  All the evidence.  Cremate the bodies and destroy any proof that these murders happened.”

The way he spoke with such blatant disregard for the snuffed out lives of my people, I momentarily refused to believe that this man was in control of the Strong Arm organization.  “And after we’ve accomplished that, sir?”

“Find out who did this,” the Director orders.  “Find out who is responsible so we can return the favor.”
XXX

Dinah Lance

Sarge and I say nothing while Babs works.  Her body is hunched over her workspace as if she seeking to become one with the computer.  I guess the argument can be made that she already is, but whatever.

Babs catches me off balance when she slams her fist down on the desk and screams, “Eureka!”

I cock an eyebrow.  “Eureka?  Babs, really?”

“Shut up,” she says without skipping a beat.  “I found the key to the encryption.  Once the computer decodes the information you brought me, it should—”

“Ms. Gordon?” Steel asks after a pause.  “What is it?”

“I found what looks like a list,” Barbara explains.

“What kind of list?” Sarge asks.  “An employee roster?”

“No, no, nothing like that,” Barbara replies, scanning through the names and small biographies that accompanied them.  “It almost seems like…a hit list?”  Barbara taps a few computer keys and the information on the computer screen is broadcast on the wall above our heads, giving Sarge and I the chance to glance over the unencrypted data.  “It’s a list of targets.  All meta-humans.”

My eyes dart up and down the list, failing to recognize any of the names.  “So the Strong Arm of Humanity has a list of known metas at their disposal and probably wants to kill them all.  What now?”

“We do what we were hired to do,” Sergeant Steel answers.  “We save them.”
XXX


NEXT ISSUE:  When a foreign head of state is targeted for assassination, Amanda Waller goes on a recruitment drive.  Be here for the beginning of “Suicidal.”

Story © 2008 Matt Hrubey and may not be reproduced without permission.