The Watchtower

Liam appeared from the teleporter, only to see Skylar waiting for him there. "What took you so long?" "Sky, it's a long-" "Let's move." Skylar said, turning his back on Liam and starting to walk towards Waller's office. Liam didn't even question him at this time. The personalities did trade characters, and Liam quickened his pace, soon walking next to Skylar. "Just slow down. That guy said in an hour, not a minute." "He said within the hour kid. But I shouldn't expect anything more from you."


Upon hearing that, Liam looked at Liam, his expression changing to anger. "Fuck you, you preppy hero wanna-be!" His voice let out a rather loud echo in the base, and Skylar retorted, rather quieter : "If I'm a wanna-be, what does that make you?" Liam wanted to say another thing, but, as they were walking, he saw some people and decided to keep quiet, clearing his throat. "That's what I taught."


Arriving in front of Waller's office, he looked at the one in charge of allowing people inside. "Green Arrow and Red Arrow. We have an appointment with Mr. Waller." Liam looked at Skylar again, noticing something eerie and odd, but preferred to stay quiet. Too many weird things happened today, so he taught that it was maybe his paranoia settling in, or maybe he was just overthinking things.


@SirLesPaul
 
Aya made leaps and bounds using the training equipment within the gymnasium--quite literally. After she became comfortable with the Watchtower User Interface, Aya found that the gymnasium had a plethora of optional equipment even with the safety parameters established by Agent Love. Most importantly, moving platforms and interactive obstacle course stations. While normally these functions were reserved for advanced simulations, it did no harm allowing her to use them. As it seemed, the dynamic additions, like swinging arms and twisting platforms, were not a problem for Aya; feats of strength and endurance seemed to be where she fell short. Clanging bars, holding her body weight onto improper surfaces and even at times running across unsteady footing tripped her up. Across the board, this was not uncommon. A lot of these features were designed for enhanced individuals. Not just a gender gap, either. A physical gap like the one which existed between Scyleia and Aya was large enough that what they could do to test their bodies required immensely different forces and drastically different equipment. What became notable was how Aya began integrating her abilities into her training sessions. Over the course of a half-hour, she was able to consistently perform feats of teleportation. Her time limit seemed to be eighteen seconds between each thunderous clap; otherwise, she was normally hit by a swinging arm she was trying to dodge. This time limit started at twenty-two seconds, but it didn't seem to be shrinking anymore. In nearly an hour of training, Love counted it as taking less than six minutes to shave off four seconds, but no further improvement. What Love inferred was that this was Aya's first time honing in her abilities in an Earthlike climate and that her personal focus played a large role in her abilities. It was good data.

Aya only had a little over an hour to play with the gymnasium before Agent Hope came returning. Alone, oddly enough. Normally she would require some type of escort, but she came through with an explanation. After checking her own sources, it seemed that the Team Arrow evaluation was significantly shorter than expected, which meant Karoline needed her training regiment started early. Agent Love intended for Aya to entertain herself in the gymnasium or cafeteria, but Aya apparently wanted to see what type of 'training' Karoline was going through. With a quick inquiry to Omega Squad, Aya was permitted to listen in. This training, however, was far less stimulating than her previous bout in the gymnasium. Agent Love began primarily with verbal explanation. What was the League? What was their goal? The League, quite simply, is meant to deal with the threats that standard governance cannot. This tied into other future points, like jurisdiction, but this introduction didn't make it that far. Instead, Agent Love focused on what happened in the three year absence of the League. The increase in crime overall at 126%, the increase in violent crime of 42%, but most notably, the increase in meta-human or enhanced crime of 35%. Crime across the board well-over doubled, but the most heinous crime and the most difficult crime to fight increased by large margins as well. Even with Advanced Intervention Units, fighting meta-human crime was next to impossible for normal law enforcement. If the numbers were scaled back not to just the increase, but to the percent of overall crime, meta-humans prior to Alcatraz only accounted for six percent. As it was now, they accounted for seventeen percent--a near tripling of percent of overall crime when crime rates itself well over doubled.

But, what did all those numbers mean? What was the importance of sharing statistics with these two wannabe Agents? The answer was rather simple. Alongside statistics and raw news footage, the point was to show them that there was a real problem in the streets that only a force counteractive to these criminals could face. Law enforcement casualties quadrupled in the year following Alcatraz and in the next year, it was suspect that the only reason they declined was the simple fact that new cops, EMS and firefighters declined greatly... it simply became too dangerous. Regular thugs and even crime lords were one thing, but threats like the Jokerz, crime families utilizing meta-humans and the prisoners released from Alactraz proved too dangerous for regular folks. These were the statistics evident to the United Nations. They were not just in the United States, either; while the crime rates shifted some, they were elevated globally. Agent Love even showed the success rate of Titanguard and Bastion; one was an initiative set by Lexi Luthor using advanced androids and military equipment while the other was a militant force lead by a handful of elite soldiers, Waller included. Titanguard proved efficient, but at such a cost it would nearly bankrupt the global economy--a price tag several times over what maintaining the Watchtower cost. Bastion proved unreliable even if at times more effective. In short, there was no effective replacement to the League and that is what Agent Love was explaining. Agents of the League were there because they needed to be. Earth needed them. And, the sad part was, even the League was outnumbered six-to-one in regards to meta-human criminals to agents. Their duties were dangerous and their lives were on the line every second they were in the field.


But, aside from this introduction and explanation via statistics, Agent Love enlightened them on very little. The rest of Team Arrow had arrived via Zeta Beam and Agent Love was to bring Karoline back to Waller's main office while keeping Aya in custody. Agent Love had Karoline in the office before the other three even arrived then escorted Aya to a separate room. Agent Loved, in an attempt to distract the distraught Aya, asked if she had any more questions about the League. A half-hour was hardly enough time to explain; especially when they were intended to have an eight-hour session. Meanwhile, Karoline was instructed to sit silently until the Arrows arrived with Jenna. It wasn't long. Agent Love only beat them by a minute or two. Waller had his receptionist send in the group. His main office was considerably more lavish than the other. Behind him were three large screens and to his left was the Commander with a new overcoat and the remaining skin from his metal arm removed. Unfortunately, he did not have adequate time to have it 'reskinned'; that would have to come later. This was the first time Skylar, Liam and Jenna realized a simple fact: Kary was still alive. This meant that Aya likely was, too. Furthermore, it reinforced one fact: the Commander truly did work for Waller. He stood to the side of the Hand of Justice as one might expect any soldier. Stern. Cold. Chest out, arms behind his back, waiting for instruction.

"I see you idiots made it," Waller said. The Commander did not respond. 


@AnnoDomini @Demonhunter @NecroKnight @Rui
 
@Sir Les Paul


Karoline for her part, was feeling better after everything that had happened. Her talk with Doctor Reynolds had enabled her to remain in a more stable mindst - one that wasn't poisoned by pettyness or hatred for what had happened to her. As the common slogan said 'shit happens' - well she had stepped into the bucket on this one. It was true, it had been an exercise - but if it had been the real deal, then the League might have been short one Agent and liable to be on the receiving end of some galactic censure. Or made to look weak and incompetent,


She was also 'glad' that Agent Love took the time, to speak with her - instead of keeping that dull persona on her. Although Hope was surprised at the numbers, maybe it was because she hadn't seen such crime in her lifetime, had been lucky or just that Metropolis had some heavily funded and equipped heroes and officers on the job. Whatever the case, it was clear that the situation was dire. It also helped improve her mood and purpose - true, trying to pry or find emotions out of the upper echelon, that wasn't anger, was almost like trying to cut a diamond with a butter knife. But it did help Hope, understand.


Despite what she had done, the League was still willing to give her another chance at improving herself and doing right. The files and data, helped to show why was it that case. It also helped improve her belifs in wanting to help against this evil. While it sounded naive, childish or childishly naive to the upper staff - in her opinion people needed a good reason, to put on weird outfits and risk their lives for another. It was the reason why Hope started out in the first place - true it proved, that it was a fantasy dream that could end with her demise, it was still a purpose for her. It sounded better - than being a simple machine, with programms and parts designed to immitate a human and cause more pain and chaos.


Kary kept her mood and emotions in check - appearing calm and waiting, as she was in the room with Waller and the Commander. She mentally cursed herself, upon seeing how the Commander looked underneath that human exterior. It reinforced the stereotype, that she had been labeled with - namely being a rookie, kid playing with things she didn't understand. But she didn't let that show on her face, namely cause she was trying not to appear nervous or disrespectful infront of Waller. She wasn't a meta-human or supersoldier - Kary even doubted if those kinds of people could remain calm with Waller in the same room.


Luckily she didn't have to sit with them for long - as soon enough Team Arrow arrived. And judging by their appearances, they hadn't gotten a very...well, pleasant message. She thought about how her own encounter might have ended - yet looking at them, it was liable that it would not have ended in a plesanat way; even if she had resisted the man. She mentally cringed upon hearing them called idiots - meaning they had screwed bad time. Even she wasn't called a idiot, naive and childish but not that badly. She sat patiently at that - waiting to see how this meeting would turn out.
 
Aya was once again upset to be separated from her friend. 


Hair pulled back in a stumpy ponytail, her pink hair damp with sweat on the back of her neck. The training had been a needed release of steam and her fingers twitched anxiously with the need to reignite.


Instead, she clasped them together, mentally willing her jumpy muscles to calm and be still. After a moment or so of concentration, the stillness of her hands resumed. She hadn't had to control her body in such a way since before her and her people's rescue. It was a mandatory thing, self control, especially when serving others, such as royals. One shaky hand could loose you a head. While the stakes here were nowhere near as high, the restraint she learned would still serve her well. 


Aya hummed to herself quietly, some old song she'd picked up who-knows-where. "When will I see my team again? The allotted time is nearly over." She chewed her bottom lip, the awkward silence nearly killing her. She was jittery now, something small and excitable seemingly crawling its way out of her chest. "Will John be back soon?" She wanted to pace, but she also didn't want to scare the agent. Besides, what if she burnt a trail in the floor? They were awfully nice floors...


"Could...Could I go back to the gym again, or something? I'm dying here."


She hadn't really understood the term "butterflies in the stomach" when she'd read it in some book or another; it seemed rather ridiculous to her. What would multiple small, brightly colored bugs be doing in anyone's stomach? Would that not cause death? Now she understood the turn of phrase, and absolutely hated it. 


@Sir Les Paul
 
Liam didn't want to look at Skylar while walking in, rather looking to his right. The moment he saw Kary, his expression changed from his frowny and unhappy one, to a more confused and reliefed look. He just wanted to run there and hug her, but, he knew that if he would do it, Waller would just kill him or kick him out imediately. He rather smiled at Kary, then turned his attention towards Waller. The Commander seemed to have not killed Kar, so Aya could be alive as well. That fact made Liam's feeling about him are mixed to say the least. Nonetheles, due to his military background, Liam put his feet togheter, puffing his chest forward as best as he could because of the wounds, and saluted Waller. "Sir!"


Skylar shot Liam a rather confused look, before he spot Kary as well, cocking an eyebrow. He put two and two togheter, then let out a rather tired sigh, making Liam turn to look at him. 'Dude...' Was all Liam could say as softly as he could. Skylar sighed for another motif. He was expecting the full storm Waller would bestow upon them. Both of them knew about how brutal and forward Waller could be, and Liam all but forgot how imposing 'The Wall' could be. The mere fact that he started the conversation had started with him calling them idiots was a sign that the evaluation went bad.


For Liam, Waller seemed to be like his drill sargent. Only, this time, he didn't have any idea of trying to punch or insult. He knew what the Commander could do, and Waller might be inclined to show him that it is true that Liam has his head up his own ass. Liam's hands went to his back, as they started to shake a little, and his eyes went to the ground. The tension was so intense, everybody could hear how Skylar was nervously paddling his foot. Sky seemed as stressed and panicked as well. Skylar already taught that everybody regarded Team Arrow as something of a nuissance, and a team that could not handle themselves. Well, now, they had proof.


None of the two arrows dared not to start a conversation, as they did not want to give them more fodder for the 'judges'. As much as they could've braced themselves, of course, it could not protect them for the verbal beatdowns Waller combined with the Commander would dish out.


@Sir Les Paul @NecroKnight @Demonhunter
 
Jenna was silent. At war with herself. The monster she called her dog following behind, slinking like a stalking wolf. Her inner thoughts were absolute turmoil. She saw herself as a weak link. She had minimal fighting abilities, an attack dog that was unmanageable, and the one ability that made her useful could kill her. Her personality was also a detriment.She was submissive, quiet, like a confidant rabbit. Jenna was constantly run over by her dog, she found herself being dominated in other areas as well. Jenna's mind had told herself she'd learned a lesson from all this: be more ballsy. Then again she also knew the ballsier she got, the more danger she'd be put in and the more danger her team'd be put in. Had she thrown caution to the wind and just healed like there was no tomorrow, she could have been killed, but then again if she didn't her team could be killed then subsequently she could be killed. 


The healer began to consider herself. Why did she fight so hard for her body back? Why would she fight so hard to become weak. The team didn't need meek and timid Jenna. They needed that horrifying demon. They needed Rai not her. Guilt hit her like a truck. Rai would have been able to crush most opponents and then some... all she could do was heal cuts and scrapes and somewhat manage a vicious animal. Her eyes trailed to Liam after jumping from 'the wall's' tone. 


Jenna's attention perks as Sodom snarls at the commander and Waller both. She had enough time to grab him by his collar before he leaps, rearing on his hind legs for a brief second, baring teeth. Sodom, Sit! Her tone was much harsher than normal from the pressure... and it worked. To her surprise the beast begrudgingly sat, but snapped at her hand as soon as she let go of the collar. She'd take the little victory. That was her new project... Be more assertive. 


Her attention turned back to the situation at hand only to realize a familiar face was revealed... one she was told was supposed to be dead. Disbelief shook her, but then again... she herself was dead for a while. It shouldn't be as much of a shock as it was to her. Whatever was said today would probably determine Jenna's future pursuits. She was faced with a few options at the surface of her mind. She had been shown, her condition as is wouldn't work. It was either get stronger, or make a sacrifice to do so. 


@Sir Les Paul @annodomini
 
""If any of you had military background, I would be ashamed... not a single salute, recognition of rank or even modicum of respect. But, if I was looking for any of those qualities, I wouldn't have became the Hand," Waller said, immediately scrutinizing how the group presented themselves. While Jenna admittedly attempted to keep Sodom in check, neither Arrow seemed to acknowledge Waller as their superior. But, as he said, the League was hardly as structured as a true military organization and while there did exist ranks, respect hardly equated to a rank or title. The point made was less of a comparison to the military background Waller came from and more so to enlighten all three of them on the fact they were being judged--harshly--from the moment they entered his office, if not earlier.

"I will request Agent Hope in the room once I finish the report over your specific encounter," Waller told them, changing the direction of the lecture. "The Agent you were evaluated by is formally known as the Commander. He is a Gamma-level Agent, but not part of Gamma Squad. He is part of the Vanguard; of the three of you, I suspect only Green Arrow knows of the group. They are my elite squadron. Aside from the Council Members, not even a Senior Agent holds rank above them. This means that I put you not only at the mercy of a target significantly above your skill set, but one whose skill and expertise placed him even above legacies like you Arrows. The point, however, was not to blatantly overpower you; I needed someone to realistically test you. To understand the parameters of this evaluation, you must understand my choice. The Commander is an enhanced human that served in the military and later paramilitary groups. During the three years the U.N. attempted to function without a League, the Bastion initiative was one of the attempts to fill the void left by the League. The Commander served only one rank below me in Bastion and likely only because he served under his brother--a man of my rank. I did not choose just anyone to collect data; I chose someone I knew personally to be competent and capable of analyzing your faults as a team, in strategy and in efficiency. That said, I will allow him to recite his evaluation."


The Commander nodded, then turned toward the group. His stone eyes were the kind they had all seen; he was a man whom had served. Despite the figure they all saw on the peer, despite the nearly monstrous personality he debuted to Skylar, now back in base, he was tamed by Waller. It almost spoke to the nature of Waller to have a beast like him on a chain. Sodom, by comparison, was but a little French poodle. "Your first error was allowing Agent Hope to take custody of the asset and furthermore allowing her to depart from the group. Before I continue on, I want to explain precisely what she did so that you understand the hands you put your asset in. Agent Hope first took Kal'Aya to her personal apartment. Not only was this alone a complete breach of protocol that I intended to interject on, Agent Hope proceeded to engage in a verbal exchange with me after I had infiltrated her apartment prior to her accessing it. I knew of her capabilities, so with a simple, local interference with her systems and a modifiable badge issued by the League, I convinced her that I was an Agent of the Star City Police Department with intention to take Kal'Aya to the hospital for her physical examination--which was your objective to begin with. Not only was she unable to then discern jurisdiction, but she was completely fooled by my impersonation which I intentionally began to degrade with inappropriate and unprofessional mannerisms. Ultimately, she allowed herself and Kal'Aya to enter a mode of transportation of my choosing. I detonated a nearby vehicle to show her what could have happened and left the wreckage for you to find. In summation, you put the hands of a high-priority asset into the hands of an inexperienced, untrained and arguably incompetent agent. The error honestly is only partly hers; as her direct superior, I find it your responsibility," the Commander told them, coldly giving his opinion in the narrative.


"Returning to your faults. While your attempt to halt human trafficking was valiant, it was inefficient. Each one of you should have been able to target one-to-two groups of those targets; Agent Constantine should have even been able to clear them faster if she could properly utilize Sodom. Instead, I had to intervene and ultimately halt four other groups, two of which were already loaded--one of which had already departed. Without my outside help, you would have potentially allowed at least eighty individuals to leave the port. When accounted for, most of them were of East Asian ethnicity; so, at the very least, if your focus was solely to save the Star City civilians, you may have accomplished that. That, however, does not account for the one-hundred and six others you overlooked. It is not necessary to delve into specifics as your slow response, ineffectiveness as individual units and inability to function as a team prevent you from being proper guardians to your city. However, at the request of Waller, I will do so. Both Liam and Jenna show absolutely no affinity for teamwork. It is difficult to pinpoint which of you are the bigger liability. Sodom only made Jenna a target and Liam made himself one. Without any knowledge of me or my capabilities, he ran in headfirst and effectively made himself a hindrance to Green Arrow, a larger target and wounded himself. Jenna provided almost nothing in terms of combat potential or strategical placement. This leads me to you, Arrow.


You are responsible for both of these immature agents. They are, of course, Junior Agents. You are the leader and the lack of a leadership and teamwork thus falls to you. Your combat prowess is fair. In our exchange, if it were not for my prosthesis, you may have easily had the upper hand in close quarters combat once you stopped relying on your bow. I understand its signature to you, but once I disarmed you, you became a considerably greater threat. Arrows are predictable, especially once I realize your tricks. Strategically, I will admit that you utilized a wider array of tactics and I can further admit that the most damage done to me personally was by Liam using a trick I'm sure he picked up from you. You were not without merit. Together, you may have even stood a chance at forcing me to retreat. You do not know the limitations or details of my ability, but in an extended battle where you were observant, you could. Oliver was known for such, I see no reason you could not be. Nevertheless, my point remains: you are hardly a leader and more of a babysitter. You alone were a greater threat than you three combined as the others only made themselves liabilities. That is not acceptable. More so, I understand you come from a legacy of heroes. On a personal note, I cannot fault you for the ideation of refusing to leave your allies behind; but... understand I could have killed both of them several times over. Consider this: I put you in chronostasis and the most difficult engagement of our conflict ensued. Was that chronostasis, then, a benefit to you or I? The answer is simple as is the blunt reality that if I were a real threat, you could have done nothing to save them and they, quite frankly, could not have st--"


"That is enough. You have given report and your personal opinion is noted, but it is becoming unprofessional," Waller said, interjecting in a tone that blatantly made it apparent he was not simply going to allow the Commander to continue to blatantly tear the team apart verbally.

"My apologies, sir," the Commander responded before bowing his head slightly and returning to his stark stare.


"I personally could analyze the faults in your combat further if I had such intent. For instance, the use of ice to create a slick surface in the rain became counter-intuitive when you were the one sliding on it as you put yourself in an unsafe, uncontrolled situation due to the lack of friction and heavy rain. That example will be the only one I provide as you have a much more daunting task ahead of you, Arrow. Your team lacks cohesion and competence. Your efficiency and value to your city are sub-par. Agent Hope will be returning to you, but as you can see, she did no better than you," Waller continued on. His example was a powerful one and a prime example of his tactical prowess. He had an entirely valid point. Once Skylar jumped on that ice, he lost control of his momentum. As with acrobatics of any kind, that lack of control put him at a several disadvantage to a grounded opponent. "I have said enough and you have impressively held your tongues well. All of you, actually. My question, then, is what do you, Arrow, have to say for yourself and your lineage?" he asked with no salvation in his tone.


@AnnoDomini @Demonhunter






"John is in the meeting," Agent Love responded to Aya. The information was hardly privy at this point and it seemed that Aya was becoming impatient as it was. "We could return to the gymnasium, but I doubt this will take long. They're all already in the room. I'm also quite sure I'll be lecturing your entire team, so it would be a waste of time to go back over what we started," Agent Love told her. "On Earth, they say patience is a virtue. That is an odd word that your language doesn't seem to have a good translation for--trust me, I looked. On Earth, there are many religions. Like the old ways of your people, but different. Virtues a good qualities in people, specific and important to life. It seems like a simple concept, but it is hard to be a virtuous person in a world like ours. A single virtue can be hard to maintain, but it is next to impossible to maintain them all. As I said, it's an odd word... but it means that patience is a quality that is hard to maintain, but valued if one can achieve it," Agent Love explained. Mostly to create small talk. Some Earthly idioms translated poorly to Aya, so she was taking this moment to capitalize on that as a distraction.


@Rui @NecroKnight (Considering I'm going to have Kary sent in, likely next post cycle, I don't have much of a response. As you can see, however, she is hardly the only one to make a mistake...)
 
Aya crossed her arms and, despite herself, began pacing. 


"I have no patience." she muttered, her pace picking up until she was practically walk-running in a steady line. She would then pivot sharply and continue the other way. At the least, the speed of her walking was drying her iridescent skin, still damp with the sweat that remained from her time at the gym. It gave her tanned skin a sort of ethereal gold glow, like being dusted in a thin coat of shimmery bronzer. 


Aya watched her feet as she walked, a pouty expression coming over her face as she did so, deep in thought. She wondered if Kary was with John, and perhaps if they would be reunited again soon. They might get to see their team once more. She was eager to start and get out of this stuffy-official building. It was awe-inspiring about two hours ago...now it was growing confining. 


@Sir Les Paul
 
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The two Arrows stood still, neither of them talking. Every word that the commander uttered made Liam even sadder, as he realized that indeed he had made himself a target. Maybe if he was more temperate, he could have helped Skylar stand against the Commander. In truth, every word hit hard, but the worst yet was what he called Slylar : a babysitter.

It was at that point that Liam's eyes went to the ground, not even able to look his teammates in their eyes, much more to look at Waller, the one that got him a new job. But, a surprising thing he had felt through out the whole conversation was Skylar's lack of input. Red did think of him as a loose cannon, so he was ready to hear him act like a spoiled brat.

Skylar looked at Waller, and began to speak. "I am honored that you gave me a word. This... test, gave me an insight into my abilities, as well as those of my teammates. I have no excuse for the shape my team is in, and of course, it is my fault entirely. As for my linage, I can honestly say that I have already carried my linage. What I am striving for, is the team's linage, team Arrow's linage. What I am fighting for, and what I am trying to do is train the next generation of heroes, and to make them better than me, better than what I could ever do. That is all I have to say, sir." All this time, Skylar stood straight, eyes forward, a neutral expression on his face. Liam heard what Skylar said, but he did not dare look up, or say something right now, but inside, he was smiling.

Sir Les Paul Sir Les Paul
 

Waller, Hand of Justice



Waller allowed his deep, brown eyes to stare down Skylar as he spoke. There was an intensity to them unlike ever before. The oxygen in the air felt like concrete; breathing only became more difficult for those in the room.

Waller wasn't holding back any longer.

He drummed his fingertips on the table in front of him, allowing the silence to sink in for a minute. Few things in his arsenal were more powerful than silence. It lead to suspense. Anxiety. It made one question if what they said was... good enough. Whether it was war or administration, the man knew how to pick his battles.

Waller then inhaled before standing up. His eyes closed as he did; for a moment, there was a brief period of relief. In the next, the pressure was poured on even worse. His eyes were not lit with a flame, but became an abysmal chasm. The atmosphere changed as he let his eyes leap from each one of them. Even Sodom backed behind Jenna solely to whimper. The Hellhound knew. He knew what type of aura an alpha exuded.

"Arrow, your efforts are not sufficient. You have been training your apprentice for an extended period of time, yet he is the same liability as he was when you first introduced him to a bow. I have no reason to believe you are doing any good for the next generation of heroes. Team Arrow will be dissolved. Both the Green Arrow and Red Arrow will return to Star City; the rest of you will be reassigned," Waller explained. It was a world-shattering statement. The status quo as they knew it was changing and it was due to the man in front of them.

At this time, Agent Love had ushered in Kal'Aya as well as Karoline. While there reunion may have been sweet, the reality of why was quite bitter. Waller was calling them all in for the news.

"I intended on issuing all of you remedial training, but I believe you will require more than a few mere training sessions. Instead, I have found an alternative. Decades ago, there was an Initiative to train young heroes or sidekicks in small groups. It was used when conflicts were too dangerous for the young, but we still required heroes. This initiative was called the Teen Titans. I am resurrecting that idea as the Titan Initiative. Agent Hope, Agent Constantine and our new asset Kal'Aya will be assigned under Agent Love. The base of operations for your new team is the Titan Tower located in San Francisco where the threat level is suitable for you. You will undergo conditioning for protocol for Agents as well as proper combat and field training," Waller explained to them. All of them. He designed an entire educational system because of the incompetence shown in this evaluation. It was a blow to their egos as much as it was a brick thrown into their glass reality.



Rui Rui NecroKnight NecroKnight D3lmoniko D3lmoniko Demonhunter Demonhunter
 
Liam's eyes went straight on Waller hearing the news. A mix of emotions could be read from his stare, as his eyes jumped from the Hand of justice to his right hand man. One of his hands went into a front empty pocket, and made a fist. One of the reasons why he was honorably discharged was coming into play. His anger.

He closed his eyes, breathing in slowly. As silent as the whole room was, the air could be heard being taken in slowly, then exhaled sharply. In his mind, Liam was counting slowly from 1 to 20. After this, he felt a little calmer than before, before turning to look at Skylar, only to be surprised by him not being there.

While Liam was calming down, Skylar, without a word, turned and went on his way, not paying attention to the other. He didn't even cast an eye towards Kary.

Liam turned to Waller, and saluted him militaristic once more. "Yes, sir." His voice was a little shaky, but seemed normal nonetheless. While walking towards Skylar, Liam's eyes went in Kary direction, smiling a little, before turning his attention towards Skylar once again.

One out the room, Liam put his hand on his arm. "Sky, you just... You didn't even salute Waller." "Sorry." "You know you shouldn't tell me this, but he'll probably not care and still rip you a new on-" "And it's Green Arrow from now on, Red." Liam fell silent, walking slow for a moment. He saw Skylar simply walking into the zeta beam, only to disappear.

Liam stood in place for a moment, hearing a couple of voices in his head telling him the same words, over and over again. 'You are a liability-' 'Magot!' 'Retard!' 'Moron!' Liam put a hand on his head, almost feeling like the world was spinning. He turned to see a camera, before flipping it, and putting his hood on, stepping into the zeta beam.

Sir Les Paul Sir Les Paul Demonhunter Demonhunter NecroKnight NecroKnight
 
Aya was quiet for a moment before copying Liam's phrase.
"Yes Sir."
Her voice was quiet and mostly monotonous, but what little emotion there was in her tone was somewhat disquiet. She didn't know what San Francisco was, nor Teen Titans, nor why everyone was sad and leaving. She wrapped her arms around herself, suddenly uncomfortable. She felt vulnerable in her ignorance, and searched the room for a familiar face to guide her. It was hard when everyone looked so miserable. Her anxiety reached a crescendo when Liam and Skylar parted; the two had been so close when she'd arrived. Her eyes shimmered with power before instead shimmering with tears.
"My friends..." she murmured, more to herself than anyone, "...hei hei noni omayu."
Her gaze then stooped down to the floor, the tension in her back keeping her posture stick-straight, despite her desire to melt into nothingness on the floor.
(Translation: May light find you)
 
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Reassigned? As in breaking them up? Jenna was silent, she didn't want to go to this new place. She wanted to stay in star city. She... she didn't know why she did. Erm, she did, she just didn't want to admit it to herself. Skylar? Her voice was quiet, heart heavy. She was holding back tears, the same terrified look in her eyes that Rai held as she was sent to hell.

She was scared, really scared. But when she turned to find Skylar he was not there, walking away. She just wanted him to tell her it'd all be okay, she'd be alright. They'd fix this... Right? Sodom picked up on his handler's whirlwind of emotions. Seeing an opportunity to take complete advantage of her. The demon hound snaps his jaws down on Jenna's trembling hand. She yelps, turning to the dog. she was in no mood. She yanks her hand out of his jaws and used it to smack him on the nose a bit harder than she intended, enough to make her feel it herself.

She didn't know which option to choose. Fight this or to follow it and make strides to get better so she could be put back in Star City. She be damned she was going to fight her way back to Star city one way or another. The thoughts in her head churned like a brewing storm, enough to make Sodom uncomfortable and sulk away from his holder.
I'll be back in Star City. You can bet on that. Her smile was cheerful... and screamed pure vengeance toward Waller. Not in a way that'd be deemed threatening, more of a promise. She was going to fight her way back here and fix everything and more Waller had asked if it killed her. He'd have to put her back in Star City when she was done.

She turns back to face Aya, Karoline and more importantly, Agent Love.

Sir Les Paul Sir Les Paul D3lmoniko D3lmoniko
 
"Yes, Sir," replied Kary, nodding in agreement and yet having no other choice but to accept the designation and transfer. She gave a sad smile in return to Red Arrow - knowing that they wouldn't be liable to meet eachother again in the near future. Or atleast until she fixes herself up and turns around her life - namely for the better and becoming a stronger hero.

She then joined the other duo of heroes - to await Agent Love. She looked over Jenna - the girl with the untrained hound, Kary hadn't worked much alongside her, but she understood that will she had been strong; she was nearly useless without her dog doing anything or something.

Kary was however glad to be working with Aya again - or rather with her, after everything that had happened, she was happy she had atleast one friend left in their group. Maybe San Francisco was a place for them to all start over again.

Sir Les Paul Sir Les Paul
Rui Rui
Demonhunter Demonhunter
 

Waller, Hand of Justice



"You three are juniors agents," Waller said once the Arrows left. It didn't quite seem it was time for them to leave, either.

"Right now, your minds are probably running through various emotions and scenarios. You want your team back. You probably think this isn't fair. You probably feel like your dearest friends were just ripped from your life. I can just imagine all of these ideas in your head... they're natural reactions, honestly. Human. That is why I need to adjust you all to reality:

Team Arrow is gone. If it is ever reformed, it will not be with you. Part of becoming an agent is learning to let go and be reassigned. You are put where your potential is best used, plain and simple. The Titans Initiative is intended to train you to put you on real teams, so chances are, you three won't be in a team forever. The longer you dwell on your feelings now, the harder this will be for you. More importantly, the bigger danger you are to your peers.​

Silence. It was one of the most powerful techniques Waller had in his arsenal. It allowed time to think and ponder. Lectures could go on indefinitely, but what point was there if those receiving them could not digest their contents?

"Before I release you to Agent Love, I want each one of you to reiterate why you are here. Not just to me, but to each other. Why are you agents? Why are you here - in the League? Quite frankly, I don't care how you feel. You all need to remember why you're here," he instructed them. In the typical fashion of Waller, he got down to the necessities of the situation. The very core. The three were likely full of all sorts of feelings, but he was going to make sure their judgement was not clouded. Not for long.




Rui Rui NecroKnight NecroKnight Demonhunter Demonhunter
 
Sir Les Paul Sir Les Paul
(Why is it, that Waller' explanations leave one scratching their head - on what he wants to hear, without the danger of him tirading the opposition of what a dumb mook you are - for not realizing his question underneath the 10th level mindfuckery?)

---

"I am here, because I want to protect people. I had gifts nobody else possessed. And I want to do good - as idealistic as that sounds," replied Karoline, deciding to answer the questions as they were asked of her. Kary still didn't undertand Waller - did he want people honest, speaking without personal bias, with bias, with heart or as emotionless machines. She likely still wouldn't understand him ten years from now - if she was allowed such a possibility.

She didn't know how to reply to his statement 'of why agents' - because that was the rank they were given? It was the name given to those serving on the field? A bit of her was thinking, if Waller simply liked to play mind-games with them - since half the times, she was certain he had another agenda or question behind the initial one. That or, she was just to plain to understand the man - he did run the new Justice League.

"We're in the League - cause it's considered the lawful way of serving the world, bound by rules and boundaries. Without having anybody make up their own rules, endanger others or become a vigilante bound by nothing but their own will," she spoke - hearing how she sounded like some League recruiter or law enforcement agent now. "It's also a place for untrained 'heroes' to learn and train their skills - without having the lack of training be paid in humans lives."
 
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Kal'Aya
Location: Waller's Office

Aya placed her hand on Kary's shoulder.
"Please, Kary, let them do as they wish." She shook her head softly, "It is not our place. The Waller is correct." She said nothing more, her green eyes portraying no expression.
While she may not like the order, she really did have to think about her future and the future of her people. If she were to disobey, refuse, or antagonize the league, she and her kind could find themselves evicted. She couldn't take the risk.
"I am here, Sir, because my people need me, and so to protect them I am to protect yours." She spoke with fondness of her own kind, those who she had been born into protecting by fate's design.
"I will do so as best I can for as long as it is required of me."
She looked back towards John, clearing her throat for a moment and dropping her gaze from him.
"So when will this begin?" She asked, the words coming in an exhaled breath. She was afraid, if she was honest with herself. Afraid to fail, afraid to hurt anyone else, afraid to break another team.
They'd been fine without her, and once she arrived their whole lives fell apart.
With that realization, her eyes fell to the floor, inspecting her feet to distract her weary mind from slipping back into that sort of thinking.
Sir Les Paul Sir Les Paul NecroKnight NecroKnight
 
SNMgTu0.jpg
Thrall
Servant of Themyscira





It was the end. His end.

With one eye swollen closed and the rest of his face either bruised or bleeding, Thrall looked down to see the burning edge of a golden hand plunged through his abdomen. The skin around his new impalement was searing, charred off around the weapon-like appendage that was plunged through him. The pain that radiated through him was unlike any he had ever felt. Even Diana had never managed to bring him to his knees like this. Even after breaking his shackles and pushing himself to his limits, he was still forced down. Forced to kneel.

Thrall was on the brink of death as he looked into the golden eyes of his assailant. He could feel it slowly encroaching on him. "You were the last challenge this world had... but now, your power--your strength--will just aid me in bringing down the Heavens," his assailant told him. His tone was the same from earlier. Confident. Powerful. Clearly laden with a goal. A voice that made even Thrall feel like a stepping stone.

"You should feel privileged. Without you, I would be hesitant to challenge the Eternal Heralds... but now? Oh, now... Now I am sure that Destiny will finally answer to mortal demands," the voice continued on. As he spoke, Thrall could feel everything about himself fading. Even if he wanted to, he had not the will to use his hyper-evolution. The voice then added, "Do not fear Death... she didn't."

Those were the final words Thrall remembered.

Then, he woke up. Screaming in his containment cell. His arms and legs were chained down, but even then, plasma blasts from his eyes scorched the solid metal around him. Thrall awoke feeling the same pain he did in the moments before his passing in his fever dream. Panting. Panicking. In a dead sweat, gasping for air as if they were the last efforts of a drowning man.

Diana watched this from cameras outside of the cell. She stood with her arms crossed in contemplation. These fits had no psychological or physiological cause that could be determined. When they happened, Thrall lost control of himself. He became a threat to everyone and everything around him and even Diana had no idea why.

Waller stood beside Diana, both watching Thrall as he came to. Even then, Thrall began to throw up. What little was on his stomach was gone, but even after, he began dry-heaving, hunched over his restraints. "We can release him to you if you want, but to be blunt, we don't know what to do with him."

"No. Leave him. I do not know what is causing this and if medicine has no answer, then I know only one who might," Diana responded.

"Who or what do you have in mind?" Waller responded. One of the few times Waller was honestly not in control of a situation.

"Waller, use whatever connections you have. Say I request his presence if you must. But, we need Doctor Fate."


 
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