Fic: Rainbow’s Freedom (The Jewel In The Crown Arc) (29/31)
Title: Rainbow’s Freedom (The Jewel In The Crown Arc) (29/31)
Author: BradyGirl_12
Pairings/Characters: (this chapter): Lex/Jamie, Martha Kent, Kathy Kane, Lana Lang, Lois Lane, Jimmy Olsen, Celia Shaw
Series Notes: In the 23rd century, Earth is a technologically-advanced society that practices the ancient institution of slavery. The House Of Wayne travels off-world to the planet of Jovara on an important mission, and lovers Clark and Bruce learn more about their Master/slave dynamic through the eyes of this exotic culture. Meanwhile, Hal and Steve attempt to aid Diana and the Amazons to finally break free of their centuries-long enslavement on Paradise Island. The entire series can be found here.
Genres: AU, Drama, Slavefic
Challenge Category: Section E (Slavefic)
Rating: (this chapter): R
Warnings: Sadism, torture
Spoilers: None
Summary: Lex and Jamie attend the Slave Protection Laws hearing in Washington, D.C.
Date Of Completion (First Draft): June 4, 2009
Date Of Posting: May 4, 2010
Disclaimer: I don’t own ‘em, DC does, more’s the pity.
Word Count: 1725
Feedback welcome and appreciated.
Entered into the 2010 DCU Fic/Art Bondage Challenge.
"How can our society claim to be the best there is while allowing slave torture?"
Senator Lana Lang, (D-KS)
22-C.E.
XXIX
CRUSADE
The Senate Hearing Room was packed, a buzz going around the marble halls of the Capitol. The dais was set with datapads, styluses, pitchers of water, and glasses in front of each chair. Reporters and onlookers were anticipating the scheduled hearings as they took their seats in the visitor galleries.
Lex stood in the doorway, surveying the crowd. He pointed. “There’s two seats. You can claim them, and if anyone gives you trouble, invoke my name.”
Jamie nodded and went inside the chamber. Lex caught the attention of a guard. “Watch him, please?” He slipped the man a crisp bill. Paper money still had its uses.
Lex went outside the Capitol Building, going down the marble steps to the ring of protestors. A long table was set off to the side, and he smiled at Martha.
“Lex, how good to see you!”
“Hello, Martha.” Lex smiled and shook her hand. “You’ll be inside?”
“Soon.”
Lex looked down at the promotional materials for the National Abolitionist Society. “Always trying, eh?” he asked gently.
Martha laughed. “Yes. But we can’t stop.”
“No, and I admire you for it.”
“You’re a good man, Lex.”
Lex smiled, genuinely warmed by Martha’s praise. He received many accolades as the scion of the House Of Luthor, but it was mostly empty flattery.
Martha Kent’s praise was genuine.
“I see you’re attending, or do you have business with an esteemed Senator?” she asked.
“Attending. I was in town and heard about this hearing so snagged some tickets.”
“Your Prize is here?”
“Yes.”
“Your shadow?”
Lex laughed. “A pretty one.”
Martha smiled. “I agree.”
“Lex, good to see you.”
“Hello, Kathy.”
Kathy put a hand on Martha’s shoulder. “It’s time to go in.”
Lex walked with the women, entering the Capitol and arriving in the Hearing Room.
The grandeur of the Capitol never failed to impress him. Marble walls and rich, wine-red drapes at the windows created a Romanesque motif, ironic for a democracy, but then, America hadn’t been a democracy for centuries now.
All Hail Caesar!
Lex escorted the women to where Jamie was sitting. His slave looked up and smiled. “These seats next to me are reserved."
Kathy and Martha greeted him and their colleague from the N.A.S. who had reserved the seats for them.
A young woman in her twenties turned around and asked Lex, “Shouldn’t that slave be sitting at your feet instead of taking up a chair?”
Lex smiled coldly. “My slave’s position is none of your business.”
She scowled. “You aren’t one of those Abos, are you?”
Amusement glittered in Lex’s pale gray-blue eyes. “And what if I am?”
Disgust contorted her face. “You do know how traitorous that is, don’t you?”
“Traitorous?”
“It goes against the very fabric of our society.” She glared at Jamie, who tensed.
“If you feel that way, why are you at this hearing?”
“Someone has to counteract the bleeding hearts.” She turned around and Lex squeezed Jamie’s hand, the blond smiling shyly. Martha and Kathy had quietly watched the exchange, and Martha leaned across Jamie.
“Well-played, my friend.”
Lex smiled.
There was a flurry of activity as a side door opened, and the hot klieg lights seemed to burn brighter as the Senators filed in. Lana Lang led the group and stood next to a television screen while her colleagues took their seats on the dais.
Lana held up her hand and the rumble of conversation died down. Her long red hair was stylishly-coiffed, accentuating her forest-green suit and shoes. A simple gold chain sparkled at her throat, an old-fashioned gold circlet pin on her lapel.
“Ladies and gentlemen, my colleagues and I welcome you to this hearing on the Slave Protection Laws. We will be discussing the need for stronger laws, especially for slave protection.”
A reporter’s hand shot up, and Lex recognized Lois Lane. Her colleague Jimmy Olsen was sitting beside her.
“In what way?”
“Against physical abuse, especially by Masters.”
Murmurs rolled around the room. The woman sitting in front of Lex stiffened and she muttered to her female companion.
“Does it include abuse by non-Masters?”
“Yes, but we must keep an eye on Masters, too. Other cultures in the Empire do not allow owners to have complete control over their slaves as we do.”
Another reporter stood. Her frosted platinum hair was a perfect complement to her cold gray eyes.
“Celia Shaw, of The Star City Sentinel. But isn’t it a Master’s right to discipline a slave?”
“Discipline is one thing, sadistic torture is another.”
Lana popped the tape she picked up from the dais into the monitor, and agonized screams filled the chamber.
People sat in frozen shock, Lex feeling nauseous as he watched the sadistic torture of a female slave by a man laughing out of camera range.
“No…please…don’t…!”
The terrified screams hurt his ears as blood flowed and thin, cutting wire did its work on human flesh. Edmund Caldwell appeared, pale eyes glittering.
Lana shut off the tape.
The fading screams echoed around the stunned chamber.
Lex wasn’t surprised to see Edmund as the torturer. His father had always warned him about the old man. He looked over at Jamie, who was very pale. Lana began to talk.
“Heinous sadism such as this must not go unpunished. This slave was the first of many on this tape. We probably won’t find the bodies of these slaves, buried in shallow graves or their bones bleached at the bottoms of vats of acid, but perhaps Lake Pinewood will yield some of the lost.
“That was where Bruce Wayne’s Prize would have ended up, his eyeless and limbless body destined for the lake after Edmund Caldwell kidnapped him last winter. This tape was used to show the victim his fate after sexual use. Batman and Robin rescued him and handed this tape over to Gotham City’s Commissioner James Gordon.
“Of course Edmund Caldwell can only be fined, though Lord Wayne is pushing for prosecution, but we need laws with teeth.”
Celia Shaw spoke. “Where’s Bruce Wayne? Why isn’t he here on this crusade?”
“He’s off-world, representing Earth at an economic conference.”
“But you’re only going after private citizens. What about the Government’s methods of executing runaway slaves?”
“That will be addressed in the future. It’s an equally-abhorrent practice.”
Rumbles of discontent went around the room.
“This sounds like a Socialist scheme, going after private owners.”
“I would say it’s long overdue.”
Lana ran the tape down and clicked it on, desperate begging turning into agonized screams.
Suddenly Jamie was scrambling by Lex and running out of the room. Lex followed, concerned for his slave and wanting to get away from the horror show on the screen.
He stood on the Capitol steps, then heard sounds close by.
He found Jamie at the side of the building, retching as he clutched his stomach.
Lex held his shoulders, Jamie’s body shaking with the force of his sickness. He finally stopped and used a tissue to wipe his mouth, hands still shaking.
“I’m sorry, Master.”
“It’s all right.” Lex gently stroked Jamie’s back as he held him.
“I…” Jamie looked at Lex with stricken eyes, his glasses fallen on the ground. “Clark…would have ended up…” He shivered. “The…the Caldwells had checked me out in a private viewing…before the Great Auction. That…that could have been me on that tape."
Lex felt the nausea hit him anew. The agony in Jamie’s eyes pierced his gut as he grabbed his slave and pulled him close, holding tight as Jamie shook in his arms. Lex gently rocked him, convulsively stroking his blond, silky hair.
“It’s all right, don’t worry, I’ll never let a monster like that near you.”
& & & & & &
Martha smiled and handed the woman paying her fee a membership card and packet. There was a long line behind her.
Once recess had been called, she and Kathy had come back to the table to join their N.A.S. colleagues, who were busy registering new members.
“Word got out fast,” Martha said.
“Someone got an illegal feed out.” Kathy quickly grabbed more packets from a box behind her chair. “The tape is all over the Internet.”
“Good.” Martha directed the line of people further down the table. It was time to get back inside. A shadow fell across the table. “Right down the table, sir, I have to get back to the hearing.”
“I know.”
Martha looked up. “Lex!” She smiled. “Are you going back in?” At his hesitation she asked, “How is your Prize?” Concern shone from her green eyes.
“Better, though he was pretty shaken up.”
“I can’t blame him.” She shuddered. “Even though I’ve seen the opening scene of the tape, I couldn’t watch the whole thing.”
“Understandable.” Lex took out his checkbook. “And I want to help you with your Mission.” He quickly wrote out a number and tore off the check, handing it to Martha, whose eyes grew wide. “Oh, Lex, that’s extremely generous!”
“It’s only money.” He smiled.
“You’re really serious about this.”
“I am.” Lex traced the edge of the table. “I believe in the Cause.”
Martha thought again of how upset Lex’s slave had been. She put her hand on Lex’s.
“He’s friends with Bruce’s Prize, isn’t he?”
Lex nodded. “I…” He shifted almost impatiently. “I don’t want either of them vulnerable to the likes of that old monster.” He sighed. “And of course my father would disapprove.”
Martha’s expression was sympathetic. “Lionel can be quite…demanding.”
Lex laughed mirthlessly. “That’s an understatement.”
Martha squeezed his hand. Lex smiled slightly.
Kathy appeared. “Come on, Martha, the recess is over.”
Lex released Martha’s hand.
“Are you returning to the hearing?” she asked.
“I am, but I’m keeping my Prize in the limousine. I have my chauffeur and security guards to protect him.”
Martha nodded. She rose and Lex joined her and Kathy as they started up the Capitol steps. Lex glanced back at the parking lot.
“I’ll be there in a minute.”
He quickly went down the steps and headed for his limousine.
“Man, he’s got it bad,” Kathy smirked.
“Don’t be too cocky.” Martha waved the check under her friend’s nose.
“Whoa!”
Martha grinned and they disappeared inside the Capitol.
Author: BradyGirl_12
Pairings/Characters: (this chapter): Lex/Jamie, Martha Kent, Kathy Kane, Lana Lang, Lois Lane, Jimmy Olsen, Celia Shaw
Series Notes: In the 23rd century, Earth is a technologically-advanced society that practices the ancient institution of slavery. The House Of Wayne travels off-world to the planet of Jovara on an important mission, and lovers Clark and Bruce learn more about their Master/slave dynamic through the eyes of this exotic culture. Meanwhile, Hal and Steve attempt to aid Diana and the Amazons to finally break free of their centuries-long enslavement on Paradise Island. The entire series can be found here.
Genres: AU, Drama, Slavefic
Challenge Category: Section E (Slavefic)
Rating: (this chapter): R
Warnings: Sadism, torture
Spoilers: None
Summary: Lex and Jamie attend the Slave Protection Laws hearing in Washington, D.C.
Date Of Completion (First Draft): June 4, 2009
Date Of Posting: May 4, 2010
Disclaimer: I don’t own ‘em, DC does, more’s the pity.
Word Count: 1725
Feedback welcome and appreciated.
Entered into the 2010 DCU Fic/Art Bondage Challenge.
"How can our society claim to be the best there is while allowing slave torture?"
Senator Lana Lang, (D-KS)
22-C.E.
XXIX
CRUSADE
The Senate Hearing Room was packed, a buzz going around the marble halls of the Capitol. The dais was set with datapads, styluses, pitchers of water, and glasses in front of each chair. Reporters and onlookers were anticipating the scheduled hearings as they took their seats in the visitor galleries.
Lex stood in the doorway, surveying the crowd. He pointed. “There’s two seats. You can claim them, and if anyone gives you trouble, invoke my name.”
Jamie nodded and went inside the chamber. Lex caught the attention of a guard. “Watch him, please?” He slipped the man a crisp bill. Paper money still had its uses.
Lex went outside the Capitol Building, going down the marble steps to the ring of protestors. A long table was set off to the side, and he smiled at Martha.
“Lex, how good to see you!”
“Hello, Martha.” Lex smiled and shook her hand. “You’ll be inside?”
“Soon.”
Lex looked down at the promotional materials for the National Abolitionist Society. “Always trying, eh?” he asked gently.
Martha laughed. “Yes. But we can’t stop.”
“No, and I admire you for it.”
“You’re a good man, Lex.”
Lex smiled, genuinely warmed by Martha’s praise. He received many accolades as the scion of the House Of Luthor, but it was mostly empty flattery.
Martha Kent’s praise was genuine.
“I see you’re attending, or do you have business with an esteemed Senator?” she asked.
“Attending. I was in town and heard about this hearing so snagged some tickets.”
“Your Prize is here?”
“Yes.”
“Your shadow?”
Lex laughed. “A pretty one.”
Martha smiled. “I agree.”
“Lex, good to see you.”
“Hello, Kathy.”
Kathy put a hand on Martha’s shoulder. “It’s time to go in.”
Lex walked with the women, entering the Capitol and arriving in the Hearing Room.
The grandeur of the Capitol never failed to impress him. Marble walls and rich, wine-red drapes at the windows created a Romanesque motif, ironic for a democracy, but then, America hadn’t been a democracy for centuries now.
All Hail Caesar!
Lex escorted the women to where Jamie was sitting. His slave looked up and smiled. “These seats next to me are reserved."
Kathy and Martha greeted him and their colleague from the N.A.S. who had reserved the seats for them.
A young woman in her twenties turned around and asked Lex, “Shouldn’t that slave be sitting at your feet instead of taking up a chair?”
Lex smiled coldly. “My slave’s position is none of your business.”
She scowled. “You aren’t one of those Abos, are you?”
Amusement glittered in Lex’s pale gray-blue eyes. “And what if I am?”
Disgust contorted her face. “You do know how traitorous that is, don’t you?”
“Traitorous?”
“It goes against the very fabric of our society.” She glared at Jamie, who tensed.
“If you feel that way, why are you at this hearing?”
“Someone has to counteract the bleeding hearts.” She turned around and Lex squeezed Jamie’s hand, the blond smiling shyly. Martha and Kathy had quietly watched the exchange, and Martha leaned across Jamie.
“Well-played, my friend.”
Lex smiled.
There was a flurry of activity as a side door opened, and the hot klieg lights seemed to burn brighter as the Senators filed in. Lana Lang led the group and stood next to a television screen while her colleagues took their seats on the dais.
Lana held up her hand and the rumble of conversation died down. Her long red hair was stylishly-coiffed, accentuating her forest-green suit and shoes. A simple gold chain sparkled at her throat, an old-fashioned gold circlet pin on her lapel.
“Ladies and gentlemen, my colleagues and I welcome you to this hearing on the Slave Protection Laws. We will be discussing the need for stronger laws, especially for slave protection.”
A reporter’s hand shot up, and Lex recognized Lois Lane. Her colleague Jimmy Olsen was sitting beside her.
“In what way?”
“Against physical abuse, especially by Masters.”
Murmurs rolled around the room. The woman sitting in front of Lex stiffened and she muttered to her female companion.
“Does it include abuse by non-Masters?”
“Yes, but we must keep an eye on Masters, too. Other cultures in the Empire do not allow owners to have complete control over their slaves as we do.”
Another reporter stood. Her frosted platinum hair was a perfect complement to her cold gray eyes.
“Celia Shaw, of The Star City Sentinel. But isn’t it a Master’s right to discipline a slave?”
“Discipline is one thing, sadistic torture is another.”
Lana popped the tape she picked up from the dais into the monitor, and agonized screams filled the chamber.
People sat in frozen shock, Lex feeling nauseous as he watched the sadistic torture of a female slave by a man laughing out of camera range.
“No…please…don’t…!”
The terrified screams hurt his ears as blood flowed and thin, cutting wire did its work on human flesh. Edmund Caldwell appeared, pale eyes glittering.
Lana shut off the tape.
The fading screams echoed around the stunned chamber.
Lex wasn’t surprised to see Edmund as the torturer. His father had always warned him about the old man. He looked over at Jamie, who was very pale. Lana began to talk.
“Heinous sadism such as this must not go unpunished. This slave was the first of many on this tape. We probably won’t find the bodies of these slaves, buried in shallow graves or their bones bleached at the bottoms of vats of acid, but perhaps Lake Pinewood will yield some of the lost.
“That was where Bruce Wayne’s Prize would have ended up, his eyeless and limbless body destined for the lake after Edmund Caldwell kidnapped him last winter. This tape was used to show the victim his fate after sexual use. Batman and Robin rescued him and handed this tape over to Gotham City’s Commissioner James Gordon.
“Of course Edmund Caldwell can only be fined, though Lord Wayne is pushing for prosecution, but we need laws with teeth.”
Celia Shaw spoke. “Where’s Bruce Wayne? Why isn’t he here on this crusade?”
“He’s off-world, representing Earth at an economic conference.”
“But you’re only going after private citizens. What about the Government’s methods of executing runaway slaves?”
“That will be addressed in the future. It’s an equally-abhorrent practice.”
Rumbles of discontent went around the room.
“This sounds like a Socialist scheme, going after private owners.”
“I would say it’s long overdue.”
Lana ran the tape down and clicked it on, desperate begging turning into agonized screams.
Suddenly Jamie was scrambling by Lex and running out of the room. Lex followed, concerned for his slave and wanting to get away from the horror show on the screen.
He stood on the Capitol steps, then heard sounds close by.
He found Jamie at the side of the building, retching as he clutched his stomach.
Lex held his shoulders, Jamie’s body shaking with the force of his sickness. He finally stopped and used a tissue to wipe his mouth, hands still shaking.
“I’m sorry, Master.”
“It’s all right.” Lex gently stroked Jamie’s back as he held him.
“I…” Jamie looked at Lex with stricken eyes, his glasses fallen on the ground. “Clark…would have ended up…” He shivered. “The…the Caldwells had checked me out in a private viewing…before the Great Auction. That…that could have been me on that tape."
Lex felt the nausea hit him anew. The agony in Jamie’s eyes pierced his gut as he grabbed his slave and pulled him close, holding tight as Jamie shook in his arms. Lex gently rocked him, convulsively stroking his blond, silky hair.
“It’s all right, don’t worry, I’ll never let a monster like that near you.”
& & & & & &
Martha smiled and handed the woman paying her fee a membership card and packet. There was a long line behind her.
Once recess had been called, she and Kathy had come back to the table to join their N.A.S. colleagues, who were busy registering new members.
“Word got out fast,” Martha said.
“Someone got an illegal feed out.” Kathy quickly grabbed more packets from a box behind her chair. “The tape is all over the Internet.”
“Good.” Martha directed the line of people further down the table. It was time to get back inside. A shadow fell across the table. “Right down the table, sir, I have to get back to the hearing.”
“I know.”
Martha looked up. “Lex!” She smiled. “Are you going back in?” At his hesitation she asked, “How is your Prize?” Concern shone from her green eyes.
“Better, though he was pretty shaken up.”
“I can’t blame him.” She shuddered. “Even though I’ve seen the opening scene of the tape, I couldn’t watch the whole thing.”
“Understandable.” Lex took out his checkbook. “And I want to help you with your Mission.” He quickly wrote out a number and tore off the check, handing it to Martha, whose eyes grew wide. “Oh, Lex, that’s extremely generous!”
“It’s only money.” He smiled.
“You’re really serious about this.”
“I am.” Lex traced the edge of the table. “I believe in the Cause.”
Martha thought again of how upset Lex’s slave had been. She put her hand on Lex’s.
“He’s friends with Bruce’s Prize, isn’t he?”
Lex nodded. “I…” He shifted almost impatiently. “I don’t want either of them vulnerable to the likes of that old monster.” He sighed. “And of course my father would disapprove.”
Martha’s expression was sympathetic. “Lionel can be quite…demanding.”
Lex laughed mirthlessly. “That’s an understatement.”
Martha squeezed his hand. Lex smiled slightly.
Kathy appeared. “Come on, Martha, the recess is over.”
Lex released Martha’s hand.
“Are you returning to the hearing?” she asked.
“I am, but I’m keeping my Prize in the limousine. I have my chauffeur and security guards to protect him.”
Martha nodded. She rose and Lex joined her and Kathy as they started up the Capitol steps. Lex glanced back at the parking lot.
“I’ll be there in a minute.”
He quickly went down the steps and headed for his limousine.
“Man, he’s got it bad,” Kathy smirked.
“Don’t be too cocky.” Martha waved the check under her friend’s nose.
“Whoa!”
Martha grinned and they disappeared inside the Capitol.