Issue 13: "Who Do You Trust?, A Crisis tie-in"

[Romans Empire]

[Romans Empire]

The Suicide Squad
(Justice League Vs. America tie-in)
Issue 13: "Who do you trust?"
Written by Jay McIntyre
Cover by Craig Cermak
Edited by John Elbe

[Romans Empire]

There is danger from all men. The only maxim of a free government ought to be to trust no man living with power to endanger the public liberty.
-John Adams (1735 - 1826), Journal, 1772


Never trust anyone. You are always alone, and betrayal is inevitable.
-Jard Yan Dooku, Star Wars: Legacy of the Jedi





The hospital ward was quiet in the early pre-dawn.

There was no change in the monitors of Amanda Waller's bed as her eyes opened.

She sat up slowly, and painfully, and looked around. No one had noticed her awakening yet.

She remembered everything, Maxwell Lord's words to her not least.

She quietly shut off the machinery monitoring her, disconnected herself from it, and tried to get out of bed.

She fell hard, as her numb muscled refused to support her. So she got up, gritting her teeth, and crawled on hands and knees.

She had to find some clothes, and then get out of there without getting caught.

Easier said than done. But nothing had ever been easy for her.

[Romans Empire]

June.

She turned in bed and moaned, but did not answer.

June, the voice insisted.

"You know what time it is?" June mumbled sleepily.

June, the Justice League have fallen. They must be destroyed.

Now she sat up, irritably. "You don't know that!"

No? Enchantress sounded amused. I know something is terribly wrong, and so do you.

June huddled under the blankets. It wasn't even dawn yet. "I've left that behind. We have an agreement."

Our agreement is that I respect you, and help you as needed. And you've left it all behind, have you? So much so that you even gave up on Mitch? I was rather under the impression you wanted to be with him....

June groaned and put a pillow over her head. "He has to choose that himself."

No June, he's waiting for you. And let me ask you this; do you really believe that he'll sit idly by while this is going on?

"No...." June admitted, sighing.

So go to him, and take him back to Belle Reve. There is much to do.... and truth be known, you do miss it, don't you?

"All right, all right, let me shower and then have breakfast at least."

However much time you think we have? Enchantress replied magnanimously.

As June stumbled into the shower, it occurred to her the Enchantress had told her to do the right thing.

She wasn't sure what to make of that.

[Romans Empire]

Belle Reve, maximum-security prison, Florence, Colorado-


Former Lieutenant Colonel Valentina Vostok. Once of the Soviet Air force. Now in charge of the Suicide Squad.

What a farce.

What an utter, utter farce!

After the whole mad Manhunters case and that "Oracle" business, it seemed like the team had no permanent roster anymore. Some, who could take their pardons, did so. Some stayed who surprised her.

Bronze Tiger sat by himself. His eyes were like stones. He was grim, unhappy, but also determined. No change there then. That was actually kind of a relief. It was good to have someone she could rely on.

Vixen sat away from him, next to Mark Shaw. The only reason those two weren't cuddling was because they were on duty. Val wasn't sure to be glad their bond kept them together, or worried that they might be a liability as a result. Also, whenever Vixen happened to glance Tiger's way, the air become positively frigid. That might be a liability, as well.

Val suddenly became aware that the door was open, and the frigidity in the air had more than one source.

"Hello, kids," Killer Frost crooned. "I'm ba-aack."

Val rubbed the bridge of her nose; she'd read the files on this one. "Not that I'm ungrateful, Frost, but why return now? You earned your pardon some time ago, and abandoned ship during the Apocalypse invasion."

"I figured it was easier to kill people with official sanction," Frost said smugly.

"...Right," Val said uncertainly. Another liability.

Everyone in the room was glaring at Frost except the Electrocutioner. He was gazing at her speculatively. Val shook her head; even she knew Frost was a man killer. Maybe Electrocutioner was too crazy to care.

Firehawk was standing before Frost, almost in her face. "I'm going to say this once," she said. "Don't. Try. Anything."

Frost smiled unpleasantly. "I won't try anything you can bust me for, you have my word on that."

"Children," Vostock said wearily. She was glad of Firehawk's support, but things were only going to get worse. Would Firehawk stay? She couldn't even guess right now.

Catman quietly polished one of his blades, looking at Frost in a way that clearly was not admiring. Perhaps Val should have him watch Frost; but she didn't want him to kill the frozen beauty before she did something wrong. Besides, Firehawk seemed to have that department covered.

Knockout merely rolled her eyes and returned her attention to Val. Grimly professional. Another reliable one.

Nightshade was very quietly sitting in the back; after glancing at Frost she said nothing. Val wasn't worried about Nightshade as a liability but rather how long she would last. She spent more time away lately. Val wondered if it was something she should look into. But for now she had other things to worry about.

"Right," Val began. "As you know the Justice League has gone rogue..." she stopped and stared.

Everyone turned to look and saw June and Mitch standing in the doorway.

"Could you use another hand or two?" June asked shyly.

"That we could...welcome back. But hopefully no more interruptions."

"Gonna let Miss Witch out to play?" Frost leered.

June glared back. "Try me."

"June," Mitch cautioned.

"People!" Val shook her head. "Right, we've been ordered to take on the Justice League."

"Delicious," said Frost.

"I am uncomfortable with this," said Bronze Tiger.

"Likewise," said Nightshade.

Vixen nodded. "Do we know they're guilty? I mean, really?"

"We have no choice," Mark pointed out.

Firehawk just sighed.

"Exactly. We hit them hard and fast. Now I know we're not up to their power level. This is why we have to take them by surprise. Besides which, Flash has already surrendered. Not having to deal with the speedster helps matters considerably."

"They're on the run," Catman pointed them out. "How do we know where they're going to be? Mind you, I'd love a good hunt, but I don't think we have the luxury of that kind of time."

Val nodded. "I would also rather take them down one at a time. But we don't have that option. They'll be fighting these super soldier agents wherever they go, which will slow them down and weaken them. If they're guilty, they'll make a power grab. If they're innocent, they'll be trying to clear their names. It's a safe bet they will at least be state side; best thing we can do is get you guys in a plane, get you airborne, and keep watching the news. It may take us a while to catch them, but catch them we will."

Resurrection Man sighed. "This is so wrong."

"Welcome to the world." Frost snickered.

June started to get up.

Caution, my dear, caution, Enchantress said in her mind. Now is not the time. Not yet.

Resurrection Man put a hand on her shoulder.

June blew out a sigh and sat down. Still she wondered why Enchantress was helping her.

"Now then," Val said, staring at them. "It is our hope that these agents can slow them down, weaken them. Maybe even separate them or take one or two down first. That will make our job so much easier.

"Are these agents in communication with us?" Bronze Tiger asked.

"No."

"And unofficially?" Vixen asked.

"Still no. Nobody tells me anything."

"Sounds familiar," Electrocutioner murmured.

"Right, if there are no more questions...or arguments?"

'One question," said Frost.

Val sighed. "Yes?"

"Are we allowed to kill them?" Frost asked sweetly.

Dead silence greeted this question. Not even Electrocutioner wanted to play with that one.

Val sighed. "Only if absolutely necessary. We're trying to bring them in. But.... as much as I hate to say it, this is Superman and Wonder Woman we're talking about. Lethal force may be the only way to bring them down."

"I can face either one of them alone," said Knockout. "But not both at once."

Val nodded. "June, you chose to come here. I assume Enchantress is up to the task."

June nodded, hair hanging in her face. "I was thinking she could neutralize Green Lantern, or at least counter him."

"Right, get going." Val said. Then she turned away, rubbing her temples, hating herself.

[Romans Empire]

Meanwhile…

A small but very well appointed private jet flew over the Atlantic.

There were only two passengers. One, a tall, broad-shouldered man. The other, a cute petite girl.

Both wore costumes, though it was not readily apparent if they were heroes or villains.

They were watching the chaos surrounding the Justice League unfold on one of the many American news channels, as their plane took them ever closer to that land of opportunity. The news was still full of talking heads babbling about the Flash's surrender.

After some time, the girl spoke. The language was Eastern European in extraction. "You want me to get involved with this? When even the a-list heroes are going bad?"

"I want you to make a difference, and to make up for your own past mistakes," the man replied in the same tongue. "The guilt of the Justice League has yet to be proven to my satisfaction."

The girl snorted.

"If they are innocent," the man went on, "Then someone will have to stand by them. If they have indeed fallen, then we must stand against them, much as it would hurt my heart to do so."

"Not to mention me getting my butt kicked by them," she pointed out. "I'm not exactly Justice League material, brother."

He laughed softly. "Nor am I, sister. Nor am I. But there are many other options."

She smiled back, and for a moment there was real affection in her eyes.

The flight continued on in thoughtful silence.

[Romans Empire]

"Hello, Colonel Vostok," said a voice.

Val turned, wondering what the hell was with security today, and stared...

At Amanda Waller.

The woman had lost maybe thirty pounds, and didn't look too good, leaning against the doorframe. But her eyes were alight with determination.

"Waller?!? You're awake?"

"Obviously. We have a lot to talk about."

[Romans Empire]

SS 2-The Suicide Squad Transport Plane-


Frost settled down in a window seat of the plane. Electrocutioner sat next to her.

"I didn't ask for company, sparky," she said distantly.

"I know you don't like people much, ice princess," he countered. "But I think we'll get along fine."

"Don't get your hopes up."

[Romans Empire]

In the back of the plane, June was brooding.

"What is it?" Resurrection Man asked her.

"I have to...I have to change into her now. This is the Justice League; we have to be ready."

Mitch frowned. "If you're sure."

"I am." She took a deep breath. "Enchantress!"

The witch blinked, then smiled at Resurrection Man. "She really loves you, you know."

He rolled his eyes. "I didn't need the likes of you to tell me that."

Enchantress laughed. "So why haven't you done something about it, handsome?"

"The time isn't right. Now let me ask you a question, sorceress. Why are you helping us so readily?"

Enchantress smiled smugly and shifted in her chair. "I have my reasons."

He nodded. "I just worry what those reasons are."

Enchantress laughed again.

[Romans Empire]

Vixen laid her head on Mark's shoulder.

"This is wrong," she said. "Fighting the Justice League."

"What else can we do?" he said.

"Maybe we should see what shape their in when we meet them," she said. "Perhaps they'll listen to reason."

Mark said nothing but closed his eyes

[Romans Empire]

Bronze Tiger sat alone.

Clearly Vixen had left him high and dry. And without her, what was he staying for?

Fortunately new opportunities had presented themselves. Where one door closed, another opened.

Being a "good guy" clearly had no future in it. Just ask the League.

He closed his eyes and meditated, preparing for what must come.

[Romans Empire]

As it turned out, it didn't take long to find the League at all. Most of them, anyway.

The Leaguers were tired, exhausted and angry, surrounded by piles of super soldier agents they'd defeated. Flash, of course, had given himself up. Aquaman was already AWOL. Had he already gone rogue separately? They neither knew nor cared. Martian Manhunter was down from the battle with the agents. The Atom, a quivering ball of pain, normal sized and helpless. Batman bleeding from the nose. Wonder Woman's costume ripped; she was also bleeding.

"Wish we had a speedster," Tiger muttered. "As it is any minute they'll see us."

"Or I could simply hear you first," said Superman, and the entire League turned to look at them.

Resurrection Man swallowed audibly.

[Romans Empire]

"You just got out of a coma and you want your job back?" Val asked sarcastically.

"You sure you want to keep it?" Waller returned, raising a brow.

Val sighed. "I don't know where else to go."

"Way I look at it," Waller said, by the time this is all done, Lord will be toast. You'll have no backing from him; but I rather think other people in charge will find a use for you."

"He's toast already. Flash took him out."

Waller raised an eyebrow. "Dead?"

"No, comatose."

"Then he'll be back, just like I am. But he'll be weak, and vulnerable. And even if he doesn't come back, his cronies are still in power, and they need to go. I can help you, and I bet you wanna help me."

"Why am I not reassured?"

"Vostok," Waller looked the woman in the eyes. "Do you want to help me take down Maxwell Lord, or whichever of his parasites is left over?"

Val stared back. "Hell yes."

Waller grinned. “Good, because I know a secret that’s hiding out in the White House. A big nasty secret.”

[Romans Empire]

"Too bad for you, Superman," said Enchantress. "But we're under orders to take you in. You enjoyed playing the other side of the street, I trust?"

Superman sighed and shook his head. "This was a frame up from the start."

"Yes, of course it was," she smiled. "Just like Flash's attack on the President. We're all victims of circumstance. Perhaps you could come in and talk to Vostok about it; she's very reasonable, really."

"We don't have time for this," Batman almost snarled. “We need to find out who’s responsible and how to stop them. Everything else is a waste of time.”

"What you're going to find out," Knockout intoned, "Is that you're not as untouchable as you think you are."

Green Lantern stared at them in disbelief. "Are you idiots for real? Do you really think you can beat us?"

"Well actually," said Frost, "Not to put too fine a point on it, yes."

"No!" Vixen shouted. "I refuse to do this!" she stood by Green Lantern.

Mark Shaw and Bronze Tiger joined her, glaring at each other all the while.

Nightshade followed. "I am officially done with the Suicide Squad," she said.

Firehawk said nothing, but followed suit.

"The rest of you, back off," Superman said. "This doesn't have to get messy."

"Sorry boy scout," sneered Catman. "But we have our orders!"

"You have no chance," Green Lantern shook his head.

"Oh I don't know," Frost said, wandering over to Hawkman. "Perhaps we could...talk about it?"

She kissed him. As he struggled to push her off, he began to freeze.

Wonder Woman was instantly there, shoving them apart. "Enough. You are no threat to us."

Knockout slammed into her, and then threw her at Superman. "Typical arrogance!" she spat.

The Enchantress turned, eyes glittering, and blasted the entire League with her magical power. Superman, still getting up, suddenly cringed and went to one knee as the witch's magic affected him.

Green Lantern moved to block; magic against the power of Oa. But he had forgotten about Frost, who grabbed him from behind. "Let's play, greenie."

Batman strode in and went face to face with Catman.

"You have no chance," Batman said.

Catman grinned. "Try me."

Bronze Tiger attacked Catman before Batman could respond.

[Romans Empire]

Resurrection Man stood helplessly on the sidelines. "This is wrong!" he shouted. "We shouldn't be fighting!"

"Then it comes down to a matter of doing your duty," said Enchantress, "Or having what you want." She smiled unpleasantly at him.

Then Wonder Woman was in her face. Enchantress ducked the first punch, and then fed her a wave of power that no magical bracelets could block. Wonder Woman stumbled back, mind filled with dark images that only Enchantress could provide. The Amazonian's mind was strong enough to withstand them, but she was certainly distracted enough not to go on the offensive again, for the moment.

[Romans Empire]

Batman and Bronze Tiger were beating Catman down. Electrocutioner zapped them both.
Hawkman had recovered, and came flying in, swinging his mace. Electrocutioner frantically scrambled back. Hawkman swung again, and Electrocutioner blasted back. The electricity of the mace and of Electrocutioner's power combined in a massive shock that knocked both of them back, stunned but not out. Hawkman's Nth metal protected him to a degree, but he reached for his own fallen mace with trembling fingers. He was angry, but also unsteady. Electrocutioner, for his part, was stumbling around looking like he didn't know what hit him.

[Romans Empire]

Before Enchantress could press her advantage on Wonder Woman, she was blocked. Vixen, Nightshade and Manhunter ganged up on Enchantress, taking her out of the equation; surprised by their attacks, she couldn't cast a spell. Wonder Woman shook her head clear. Firehawk rescued a half frozen Green Lantern, sending Frost staggering away with a blast of power. "I told you not to try anything," she said.

"Thank you--" Green Lantern began, but then Killer Frost leapt on Firehawk's back.

"Chill out," Frost advised her. Caught by surprise, Firehawk began to go down. Wonder Woman almost casually plucked Frost off and tossed her away, to land hard on her back.

The Squad began to waver, save for Knockout, who was doing her best to go toe to toe with Superman. They were trading blows, Knockout giving almost as good as she got.

Wonder Woman went to assist Superman, but he waved her off. "I've got this," he said, and grabbed Knockout around the waist. Together they shot up into the atmosphere, Knockout still yelling about "Kryptonian arrogance."

Bronze Tiger walked away; Nightshade followed him. Electrocutioner crawled away on his knees. Firehawk remained for a moment, talking with Wonder Woman, who had helped her up. Vixen and Manhunter remained quietly on the sidelines. Resurrection Man scooped up the unconscious Enchantress, slung her over his shoulder, and walked away without a word.

The others scattered, save for Catman, who was a bloody mess.

[Romans Empire]

Superman carried Knockout up.

Up, up, up.

The continent became clear. Then the curve of the Earth.

She was giving him everything she had, which was a lot. But he could take it. His head was ringing and his nose was bleeding, but he made no attempt to answer her blows or block them; he simply took everything she had and hung on, carrying her up.

And one thing she could not do.... was fly.

When they were high enough, he flung her back down. Hard.

"Happy landing," he advised her.

He shook his head and flew off.

[Romans Empire]

Knockout smashed into the ground not far from Catman, who was shaken by the impact. He groaned and stirred, but did not wake.

"Shall we go after them?" Green Lantern asked.

Batman shook his head. "No time. We've got bigger concerns now and more will certainly follow."

"What about these two?" asked a still shaky Hawkman. "Surely we can at least tie them up?"

"What would be the point?" Wonder Woman asked. "The Squad will just take them back into their roster anyway. Come on, Superman needs us."

"I'm sorry," Firehawk said. "We had no choice."

"There's always a choice," Batman said. "You made the right one. Make another and walk away from the Squad."

"Superman," Wonder Woman reminded the others, and they went, Green Lantern taking the recovering Atom with him.

At the same moment, the Martian Manhunter recovered. Firehawk could see him join the others, then after brief conversation with Wonder Woman, fly off in another direction. Towards Washington D.C. perhaps?

Firehawk stood there a moment longer, then nodded. Yes, she could leave this pair of losers here to find their own way back. Would she go back? Something to think about as she watched Martian Manhunter disappear into the clouds.

She took off into the sky herself, and was gone.

[Romans Empire]

Knockout and Catman lay helpless.

No one was around to notice a Starro crawling towards the fallen pair, from out of the bushes.

Almost as if someone had left it there in the confusion of the battle...

[Romans Empire]

”Word just came down that the Vice President is getting ready to make a plea to the ‘superhero’ community to take down the League.” Val said monitoring the national news reports.

“He’s getting desperate,” Waller growled. “Which means we are running out of time. Of course the rest of the boys and girls in tights can’t do any worse then your squad did.”

Val sighed as the news came in. None of the squad had reported back, but the news was now talking about a ‘failed attempt to contain the League by some rogue Meta humans.’ "Disaster." She muttered.

"These things usually are." Waller commiserated.

"More than you know," Bronze Tiger responded.

"What?" she turned, and he punched her lights out.

"Ben, what the hell?!" Waller demanded.

"You're back but not for long." He kicked her and she went down.

He activated a view screen, and tapped in a special code. "I’m in, sir."

"Very good," said a smug voice replied as a shadowy figure formed on the screen. "Very good indeed. Neutralize Waller and Vostok and then wait for further instructions.”

[Romans Empire]

To be continued in Justice League Vs. America #3!!!

[mockingbird]

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