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Rick Flag changed after everything that happened in Pokolistan. You were fed up with what the government had you doing because of it. Just doing horrible things just because Rick Flag or some random-ass government official who was a higher rank than you told you to, keeping an eye on metahumans since they are “dangerous.” All because he fought some metahuman with Task Force Monster. You were done. Then, suddenly Harcourt, Bordeaux, Economos, Fleury, Rip jagger…or Judomaster…whatever his name is all left? At the same time? Hearing that, you wondered why? They were so devoted, especially Harcourt. That was answered soon. Gossip spread like a wildfire at Argus, after all. Apparently, they all felt the same way about these missions and tasks as you did and made some organization. It was called “Checkmate” or something like that. Honestly, it was crazy that Flag didn't know. Or maybe he did, it didn't matter anyways because it isn't a top priority.
You heard about Peacemaker being trapped in Salvation. Honestly, the first time you heard it… It seemed crazy. Rick Flag is making a prison for Meta Humans? This isn't right. But, you realized… you helped with salvation. You were one of the people who brought and basically kidnapped to where the portal to salvation is. I mean, you thought Rick Flag was going to put him in a normal prison or talk to him or something! Peacemaker isn't even a metahuman, at least you think that. You're pretty sure he is just brute force and weapons. But, whatever it is. You officially were done. You quit Argus. It was too much. One mission with team M, now Rick Flag is totally crazy about meta humans and then he teams up with Luthor? Yeah. You dipped.
Your interview was very calm. The person interviewing you, Waller's daughter, she was very different from the woman herself. Leota Adebayo was warm, kind, friendly, and patient. It was pretty amazing and unexpected. Yeah, you'd heard a couple things about how nice she was in the office and when she threw her mother under the bus, but you never really took that as anything else but talk. But, it's real and you got the job. You were expecting to get the job, they seem like they need more staff but… It's still nice to confirm.
Adebayo got everyone's attention and introduced you to everyone, it's like you were back in school and the new kid. You were the new kid here though. Everyone was nice, you saw all of your former co-workers. Economos, Judomaster, Fleury, Harcourt, Bordeaux. You did not know them very well but, their names flew around. Especially Judomaster, he's such a bitch in the best way, he's also still eating all those Hot Cheetos while everyone greets you back. You were pretty curious how much Judomaster spent on Hot Cheetos a month, but you didn't ask. You just sat at the desk that Adebayo assigned to you. She was giving you a rundown about a couple things then added on…
“there's also a team meeting today for our first official mission, it'll be at three!” She said, smiling and then leaving while waving. You smiled back and started getting on with your assigned tasks, they weren't very hard. But, you were hearing Fleury quiz some guy on animal facts the entire time next to you…They were kinda interesting facts to be fair.
Three pm snuck up on the entire team, Adebayo got everyone's attention for it. The meeting wasn't the most professional, to be honest. Judomaster crunched those Cheetos so loudly, he sat right next to you. You were very tempted to ask for one but you assumed he'd say no.
“Okay guys, new objective…save Chris. We need to get him out of salvation island or whatever...” Adebayo started talking. You listened very carefully to what everyone was saying.
“How'd he even get there? I heard it was voluntary.” You said, because that is what you heard back in the office. Everyone turned to you.
“Chris wouldn't voluntarily do that though. Especially since we had that talk with him.” Harcourt replied. You had heard a lot about Harcourt while at Argus. She was amazing after all, an amazing fighter, an …attitude, very capable.
“It was probably a forged signature. Flag has been doing things like that after something with task force M” Bordeaux added. You didn't know what to think of Bordeaux, honestly. She was one of your higher ups. A lot of people didn't like her, a lot of people did. All you know is, Harcourt and Bordeaux don't…or at least didn't have the best relationship. They seem good now. They are civil at least.
“Well, whatever or wherever he is. We have to find him and a way.” Adebayo declared.
“How would we? It's not like we can just run into that little portal or however they get there. It's heavily guarded, which is what I expect.” You added.
“Dude, let's just kill the guards.” Adrian Chase, the vigilante said. This was the same guy being quizzed on owls twenty minutes ago mind you.
“We just need to go back into the area where the portal is and steal the portal.” Harcourt says, crossing her arms. “You.” Harcourt looks directly at you, so everyone else does. This makes you slightly nervous. “You worked with the government before this right?” You nodded. “How long ago did you send your two weeks' notice?”
“Last week” you say.
“So, you still have clearance.” Harcourt told you. You nodded. “You are going to use your ID and get us in there. Then, we’ll just bring Chris back.”
“Flag said that the portal doesn't spawn in the same place at once so metahumans that are trapped won't just wait there and try to escape” Bordeaux added.
“That makes this so much harder.” Adebayo said, thinking up a plan.
Adrian exclaimed “Goshh, I wish the tracker I put on him didn't die!”
“You had a tracker on him?” Harcourt questioned.
“Duhh, I have a tracker on him. It makes me feel safe, and in case something happens I could go to his location and help.” Adrian sighed.
Economos sighed. “You need help.”
After talking and bantering a little, Checkmate came up with a plan.
You walked up, showing people your ID to let you in. You were slightly nervous, but. You did not let it show. You had to look like you were supposed to be there. You had fake confidence, but it was believable. You had an earpiece in, the group talked in your ear. But, you walked directly to the portal, picked it up. You got out of there, no one even noticed because of your fake confidence and that they'd seen you do this before…except this time it wasn't for Flag. You said your goodbyes like you usually did, so they weren't suspicious. Then, you got in your car, and drove away. You immediately went back to checkmate.
“I got it.” You said, placing it on the ground.
“Oh my gosh!! YESS!” Adebayo exclaimed, she was very cheerful.
“So…uh. How does this work?” You asked.
Adebayo explained it to you as the group and herself did it. The portal opened, there was such a big breeze… You could have probably been blown away.
“Alright, let's get in there.” Harcourt and a couple others walked in. They had these walkie talkies. You stayed with Economos, you didn't really want to go out to salvation and neither did he. Hell, you didn't even want to see Peacemaker much since you had helped Flag get him into Salvation.
You and John did your work in silence. It was very comfortable, though. Even if you did not know anyone here well, you still had a sense of belonging in Checkmate. You felt seen in just a little bit here, you had been a part of a big thing here, you had trust. It just felt amazing… You were really happy here, it was still intimidating but so homely. It was amazing.
After a couple hours of waiting, you decided to get some coffee. It was getting late, it was needed.
“Hey, John.” You said.
“Yeah?”
“I'm going to go out for coffee… want anything?”
John gave you his order, it was very easy. He was a simple man.
John thanked you as you gave his coffee to him. You sat back down and sipped your own coffee as-
SLAM.
The group was all together and they came back with Chris. It was slightly awkward, by slightly I mean… it was extremely awkward..for you. I mean, you and everyone else capturing him were masked in some type of way. It was just really awkward, there was no way you were going to tell him you captured him.
“Guys, let's go out to eat in celebration!” Adebayo said, extremely happy. “Chris, you should tell us everything that happened there.”
You felt a little awkward going but, you did help out and…food!
“Who're you?” Chris asked at the restaurant, assessing you.
Adebayo introduced you to him, telling him how you stole his portal back and stuff. You smiled, embarrassed. She was like a mother or teacher talking all about your achievements. Chris explained all that happened at salvation, it was very crazy. You just sat there thinking, they were gonna put Superman and the justice gang in there. Hell, they'd probably put The Bride, Dr. Phosphorus, Weasel, GI Robot, and anyone else they imprisoned if they don't listen. It was clear you were in your own little world while everyone else was talking.