Chapter Text
Amanda Waller walked down the cold gray hall, black heels clacking against the floor and a stack of beige files in one arm. She kept her sharp gaze straight ahead to ensure that no one caught the glimpse of ambitious deceit in her eyes.
Amanda tried to relax her already nervous and rigid posture. She'd worked her ass off to develop this plan, but one no from the council and it was all over. Well, that or she'd have to take measures into her own hands.
Starting from scratch was not an option.
Placing a hand on the hardwood door of her destination, she pushed it open and entered the dark room.
Inside was a long mahogany table filled with the country's most respected military officials dressed head to toe in uniform. They looked up with prying eyes as she approached her seat at the head. Placing the files down in front of her, Amanda met their stares with icy disinterest. She only had one focus today.
"Gentlemen, I've asked you here today—"
"Right right, we know." One of them cut her off, "You've come up with some groundbreaking solution to all our security problems." He leaned back in his chair with a sideways glance. Amanda gave him a once over. He was rather short with thinning brown hair and a withered face, yet he held himself with the same composure as a cocky intern in his twenties.
Men.
"Let the lady finish." A deep southern voice silenced the remark.
Amanda knew it instantly. Rick Flag, her most trusted—and disposable—colleague. Of course he would be in attendance today.
She nodded in thanks as Flag motioned for her to go on.
Passing her files around the table, she began the master-presentation she'd spent hours rehearsing in the mirror. If she didn't nail this just right, there was no deal, and Amanda wasn't fond of losing.
"I've asked you here today to consider a proposal. Gotham's security is in danger, especially with clowns like the Joker running around." She left extra emphasis on the Clown Ruler of Crime's name. "We seem to be relying heavily on our so called Justice League for assistance, but they can't seem to go anywhere without a grand scene—or leaving mess."
"So you suggest what exactly?" Another piped up.
"I suggest we find something that doesn't"
"So what, we ask Wayne Enterprises to make us a giant vacuum?"
"Look at the files commander." she drawled, glancing down at the bulky objects in front of him, "You'll see what I'm suggesting."
The commander eyed her warily, but opened the file all the same. After reading it over, he looked back at her in disbelief.
"You're joking."
"I'm not."
He threw the papers back at her and shook his head.
"Ms. Waller, you want to take a pack of wild criminals and use them as a line of defense when the Justice League does just fine?"
"The Justice League isn't always available. These people are trained killers, they don't just know the streets, they own them. They can get in and out of places without anyone ever knowing. Think of how essential that would be."
The commander shook his head again.
"Ms. Waller, even if we did go through, we have no way to control these people. I'm sorry, but that's not fixing the problem, that's making it worse."
The others nodded their heads, murmuring in agreement, while Flag just looked at her with a curious glint in his eye. At least there was one person who hadn't turned her down yet.
The men stood from their seats and the commander addressed Amanda with a nod. "I thank you for your efforts, but I just don't think it's going to do. Now if you don't mind, we'll be on our way. There's nothing more to discuss."
Amanda's fists clenched under the table as she watched them leave. All her work, for nothing.
Now only Flag remained, still watching her with careful eyes.
"It wasn't that bad of an idea." He said in an attempt to reassure his friend, "Just needed a few tweaks is all. For now, maybe it's best to leave people like the Joker for Batman and the rest of 'em."
Although she appreciated the console, she stiffened under the mention of the Joker's name. If it wasn't for that bitch, she would have never had to do any of this in the first place.
You see, the Joker was the whole reason for this little idea of hers.
Once upon a time, Amanda Waller had been well on her way to being the most powerful woman in Gotham.
She'd never been a good guy.
Everyone had feared her.
Until they didn't.
Because a new name began to rise.
The Joker.
The Joker was insane. An escapee from countless asylums, the clown-woman made quite a name for herself. In just a few months, she had racked up one of the highest body counts Gotham had ever seen. Every villain within a 100 mile radius came running to her feet, all wanting a share in the glory she could bring them.
And just like that, Amanda Waller had been dethroned.
From then on Joker wreaked havoc upon the city, completely unopposed. Even Batman couldn't contain her.
But these people, these people could. They were like her, they came from the same breed. Amanda couldn't kill Joker on her own, but with an army by her side, she could very well achieve her goal and rise to the top once more.
"It could still work." she said after her moment of reflection had passed.
"What?"
"We could still do it."
"We? What are yo—"
She rose abruptly from her spot and stalked over to where he sat.
"You said it yourself." she purred, choosing each word with care, "It's a good idea."
Flag looked bewildered at what she was suggesting.
"A good idea yes, but it's still only an idea. There's no plan, no guarantee. You heard what the commander said, I mean, how do we control these people?"
"I have a plan. Send them in with the promise of their freedom, dig up the problem by its roots."
"You mean the Joker."
"Who else?"
"Waller, the bitch is insane. She'll kill them."
"Then we'll have no need to worry about a bunch of criminals running free anymore will we?"
"Well, if Joker kills them, who kills Joker?"
"Don't you see?" She asked, keeping her tone as smooth as satin, "That's where you come in."
"Me? Kill the Joker?"
Flag looked as if he'd seen a ghost eating a cheeseburger.
"Waller, you can't be serious."
Amanda rolled her eyes. Why were people always so complicated like this? Couldn't they just see the bigger picture for once in their pitiful lives?
She turned away from him, but then spun back around in a state of realization.
"Your girlfriend..."
Flag gave her a warning glance.
"Don't go bringing June into any of this."
She waved him off, shaking her head.
"No, no. I mean, if you help me, I can help her."
"What?"
"She's been possessed by this witch with no hope of a cure, but I know people. People who could help her."
Flag looked conflicted, but Amanda knew she had him. Every person had a weakness, and it seems she'd just found his.
"Even if I agree to help you, the council turned you down. What then?"
"You leave that to me."
Flag contemplated her offer a little longer before letting out a defeated sigh.
"Fine. June's worth it. I'm not doing this for you, I'm doing it for her."
Amanda tried not to let her smirk show through.
"I wouldn't think anything less."
"So then who are we dealing with?"
Amanda pushed the flies closer and sat down.
"Let me introduce you."
She opened the first one.
"Deadshot. Gotham's best hit man. Urban legend has it he never misses. His weakness? His daughter. He was doing fine in the job until the bat showed up and she begged him not to hurt the man. The Bat got him. He's locked up in Belle Reve. Home for the worst of the worst. Next, Harley Quinn. She was a renowned psychologist back at Arkham Asylum, now she's the Joker's other half. They're a workplace love story gone wrong."
Flag let out a choked laugh. "
"I'm sorry, but you want to use the Joker's girlfriend to kill the Joker?"
"She's even crazier than her and doesn't give a shit how much danger she's in. But a heist went up in flames and Joker 2.0 didn't get away." Waller answered ignoring the remark, "And besides, who said they had to know what they're up against?"
Flag eyed her again, but kept his mouth shut.
"Next we have the beast. The streets know him as Killer Croc. He's evolution gone backwards. The guy's a brute. He doesn't need his hands to rip your head off, he only needs his teeth."
Her companion raised an eyebrow in disgust.
"He sounds horrifying." he said. Then he pointed at a rugged looking man with a golden tooth in the next folder, "And who's this?"
"Calls himself Captain Boomerang."
At this, Flag seemed unable to contain his laughter.
"What?" she asked, a bit annoyed at his continuing interruption.
"I'm sorry, but who fuckin' calls themselves Captain Boomerang?"
"All names aside, he's a master thief with a specialty for diamond theft. He can get in and out of anywhere without a single person knowing. He could live in your air vents and you'd never know."
"Thank you Amanda, for putting that image in my brain."
Ignoring his sarcastic comment she opened the last file.
"This man here is known as El Diablo, a pyromaniac. He once torched an entire courtyard in under two minutes."
Flag looked impressed as he read over the description attached. Then he closed the files and folded his hands on the table, facing her again.
"So what now? We just break them out?"
Amand shook her head, "I've already made arrangements for you to collect them at Airbase 7. They should be there now."
"You sly fox."
Amanda shrugged, "There's nothing wrong with being prepared."
Flag stood from the table and tilted his cap at her in salute.
"I'd best be on my way then."
Waller smiled to herself as he walked through the doors. "You'd best."
Once she was sure that Flag was well on his way out, she picked up her phone and dialed a secure number.
When she heard the click of approval, she pressed the device to her ear.
"Amanda Waller speaking. I'd like to report a jailbreak."
She fell quiet for a few moments as they took down her information and her smile widened when they asked for any suspects.
"One." She replied, "His name is Rick Flag."