Fic: Rainbow’s Freedom (Justice Arc) (32/61)
Title: Rainbow’s Freedom (Justice Arc) (32/61)
Author: BradyGirl_12
Pairings/Characters: (this chapter): Clark/Bruce, Jim Gordon, Rory Culhane, George Hudson, Maury Addison, The Joker/Harley Quinn, Selina/Lois/Kathy (Lois does not appear in this chapter), Barbara Gordon, Alfred, Dick, Arlen/Adele
Series Notes: In the 23rd century, Earth is a technologically-advanced society that practices the ancient institution of slavery. Clark begins training under the Bat and secrets are uncovered as the Abolitionist Movement makes rapid progress with old and new methods. Can Freedom outrace rumors of War as the Galactic Empire rushes headlong to a new future?
The entire series can be found here.
Genres: AU, Drama, Slavefic
Rating: (this chapter): R
Warnings: Gore, violence, character death, mutilation
Spoilers: None
Summary: There’s another break-out from Arkham.
Date Of Completion (First Draft): June 19, 2011
Date Of Posting: September 2, 2012
Disclaimer: I don’t own ‘em, DC does, more’s the pity.
Word Count: 2090
Feedback welcome and appreciated.
Author’s Note: The magnificent story cover is by the wonderfully-talented ctbn60. Thanks so much, luv! :)
Clutch thy heart
And do not look
At the shadows
Because
You might see
Something
Looking back.
Adelaide Standish
"Shadows"
1899 C.E.
XXXII
MY BLOODY VALENTINE>
Water dripped as the slaves quickly donned their traveling clothes, the cave walls gleaming with moisture. The two cloaked figures stood silently, then the one who was slightly shorter spoke in a computer-modulated voice.
“Your next stop will be reached today. You will learn your next stop there.” The group was small, one man and two women and they nodded in understanding. “You will now receive a drug to knock you out. When you wake up, you will be at the next stop.”
The slaves received their shots and drifted off to oblivion.
& & & & & &
When they awoke, they were in a barn loft with a battered old couch, a desk and chair, and the sound of cows lowing in the distance. Food and drink were set out on the desk, the freshly-baked bread and cold apple cider a welcome treat for hungry stomachs.
& & & & & &
Bruce checked his map. “After Kansas, they’ll be onward to Canada, and then off-planet. From there it’s anyone’s guess.”
Clark nodded. They were sitting in the Manor’s library, the morning sunlight streaming in through the windows.
“It’s better that way,” Bruce continued. “We only know the North American stops and the next link in the chain off-planet has their railroad.”
“That way if this operation is busted up, we can’t give up our fellow conductors.”
Bruce nodded. “Unfortunately, the Govs have ways of making a man talk.”
Clark shivered. Even with his powers, he knew he could be easily rendered powerless, and there were his Human comrades involved in this operation.
They were all so brave, he thought proudly: fragile but strong all at once, not only his Family here in Gotham, but his Family in Smallville, too.
He had to protect them. Bruce could protect them with his money and position and guile, but he had powers now. He could protect them with every fiber of his being.
& & & & & &
Jim Gordon was a busy man. Gotham never allowed one to get too comfortable, especially if you were her Police Commissioner. As the day shift came to a close, Jim got a call from Arkham. With a sigh, he trudged up to the roof with a fresh-faced young recruit, whom he directed to turn the light on.
The famous Bat-Signal’s light sliced through the sky, shining like a beacon of hope. He jammed his hands into his trenchcoat pockets, the wind biting up here on the roof.
Jim studied the Bat-Signal. An ingenious method of contact, it also warned the citizens to be a little more vigilant. The Bat-Signal usually meant something big was up.
Jim and the young patrolman waited for half an hour. The older man was about to send the officer back inside when two shadowy figures alighted on the roof.
“Good evening, Commissioner,” said Batman’s raspy voice. “What can we do for you?”
Robin smiled, sparkling in Batman’s shadow. He was growing taller, becoming coltish as a boy on the cusp of adolescence often did.
“The Joker’s busted out of Arkham.”
Batman’s mouth twisted slightly. “How long ago?”
“An hour.”
Batman nodded. “We’ll meet you at Arkham.”
Jim nodded, too, turning away as the Dynamic Duo used their grapple hooks to fly away. The blond officer’s blue eyes were as huge as saucers. Amused, Jim said gently, “Kill the light.”
“Wha…? Oh, sorry, Commissioner.” The young man hastily flipped the switch and the beam of light disappeared.
“Let’s go, son.”
Might as well throw the rookie into everything he can expect here in Gotham.
& & & & & &
Arkham Asylum was a medieval nightmare, or at least it always seemed that way to Jim. Built in the 19th century, it was solid brick and stone, like much of Gotham herself. Gargoyles and flying buttresses was the décor, and Jim half-expected seeing vampires and werewolves roaming the grounds.
It always seemed to be under a perpetual cloud. If it wasn’t raining, it was dark, ugly clouds blotting out the sun.
Tonight the clouds were hanging heavy over the brooding Gothic buildings, and Jim suppressed a shudder. He wondered if Blackgate Prison was not a better option.
He kept those thoughts to himself as he met with Dr. Hudson, a tired-looking man with graying hair. Jim could not blame the man. The job must have all kinds of pressure.
Hudson smiled wearily. “Sorry to disturb you again, Commissioner.”
“Quite all right, Doctor. It’s what we’re here for.” Jim nodded to the Chief of Security, another tired-looking man, his dark face harried.
You couldn’t pay me enough to work here.
Officer Rory Culhane looked ready to bolt, but to his credit, he stayed by Jim’s side.
“The Joker escaped about two hours ago,” said Dr. Hudson.
“How?” came a voice out of the shadows, startling Hudson and Chief Addison.
“It’s all right, Doctor, Chief,” said Jim, aware that both men were extremely jumpy.
Batman emerged from the shadows, his bright shadow right behind him. Jim felt his nerves relax.
“He had help. We’re just not sure who.” A blond woman in a white coat approached. Jim nearly did a double-take. She was the exact twin of Dr. Hayley Quinzel, but he remembered that she truly was the doctor’s twin.
Hudson said, “Gentlemen, Dr. Harley Quinzel.”
She smiled, her perky expression a bit jarring in this sea of gloomy faces, but maybe she was just a naturally effervescent person like Robin.
“Hello, gentlemen. Sorry to meet you under such circumstances.”
Jim nodded. “What can you tell us about this escape, Dr. Quinzel?”
She looked solemn at the question. “Not too much. I was in the cafeteria when the alarms sounded. The Joker is very clever, but he would still need help to get out of this place.”
“The tapes show nothing?” Jim asked Addison.
The chief shook his head. “Nothing.”
“I’d like to see those tapes,” rasped Batman.
“Of course.”
“I also want to see the Joker’s cell.”
“Shouldn’t you be out looking for him?” Hudson asked.
“Batwoman and Batgirl are on the case.”
Jim felt his nerves curl up again and said, “The cell, please.”
& & & & & &
Batman had studied the cell and the tape, taking a copy with him. He and Robin went on the hunt, Jim hoping they captured the Clown Prince soon. The thought of Barbara going up against that psycho scared the hell out of him. He could order her to break off the search, but she would counter that Batwoman needed her and that she could not run out on her now.
He dearly hoped that the Dynamic Duo found the Joker first.
& & & & & &
It began to rain as Batwoman and Batgirl traversed the city, keeping their eyes open for the Joker, but he was too clever to leave himself in the open. Instead they rousted their snitches and dug for information as to the Clown Prince’s whereabouts.
“He’s like the thing that crawls out from under a rock when you turn it over,” said Batwoman.
“I know,” said her partner.
“I don’t think you do, hon.” Batwoman put a hand on Batgirl’s shoulder. “During Robin’s first encounter with him, he was nearly killed.”
“I know he’s dangerous, Batwoman. I’ll be careful.”
Batwoman nodded, still uneasy.
& & & & & &
The wind lashed the rain against the Dynamic Duo, who continued the hunt. The Blur was applying his expertise but coming up empty as the storm grew worse, finally driving the heroes back home.
& & & & & &
In the Gordon home, Jim greeted his daughter. “Babs, I’d rather you didn’t take part in the hunt for the Joker.”
“I know, Dad, but I can’t do that. I can’t be a hero and opt out of this hunt merely because the criminal’s dangerous. They’re all dangerous.”
Jim sighted. “I know, but this is the Joker we’re talking about.”
Barbara looked like a drowned rat, her hair hanging wet and straight, her costume stuck to her skin. The rain was coming down even harder outside as it drummed on the roof.
& & & & & &
Kathy purred as she curled up against Selina in bed. The former jewel thief laughed and kissed her lover’s temple. “What a night.”
“I don’t like you searching for the Joker alone,” Kathy said.
“I’m not. No way am I going up against that psycho all by my lonesome.” Selina draped her leg over Kathy’s. “If I found out where he is, I’ll let you know.”
“Smart kitty.”
Selina laughed.
& & & & & &
Alfred served hot chocolate and freshly-baked pumpkin bread as the Family resided in the living room by the fire.
“I hate cutting this patrol short,” said Bruce.
“Even the Joker won’t be out in weather like this,” Dick assured him.
Bruce grunted. “We probably should have checked the sewers.”
Dick nodded, taking a sip of hot chocolate. He had been delighted to discover tiny marshmallows floating on top.
“I searched the whole city,” Clark said. “I didn’t see a trace of him.”
“He’s clever. He’ll disappear and you won’t have a clue how he did it.” Bruce frowned. “I want to know who helped him escape. I’m going to look at that security tape again.”
The wind howled, rattling the windowpanes.
& & & & & &
Arlen slammed the phone down. “Damn!”
“What is it, dear?” Adele asked as she knitted a sweater. She had recently taken up the craft again.
“Eddie told me that bitch Lana Lang is well on her way to getting a strong new Slave Protection Law Bill ready for the fall session.”
“Well, she obviously doesn’t have the votes to do it this session, and the summer can be a long break.”
Arlen sighed. “I know you’re right, but the fact that she’s gotten this much support shows a seismic shift.”
“The fault line was that hideous tape of Caldwell’s.”
Arlen grimaced. “You’re probably right.” He sat down heavily in a chair in the living room where he and his wife were sitting out the storm.
“I know I am. People may pledge their support to her face, but you know your fellow senators: they’ll stab her in the back as soon as a better deal comes along.”
Arlen smirked. He had done the same thing himself many times “You are right, my dear. Lang will find the situation different in September.” He sighed. “I’m beat. I’m going to bed.”
“I’ll be up as soon as I finish this row.”
“All right. See you soon.”
Adele nodded. She continued knitting, the lamp by her chair flickering, but staying on. A flash of lightning illuminated the room and she swore as she dropped a stitch. The lamplight flickered again as a tree branch tapped against the house. She shivered and glanced at the window, disliking the shadowy darkness she saw outside. She resumed knitting, her hands shaking slightly. She hated storms. They always portended disaster. The branch tapped again.
Finally, she finished her knitting for the night, and shut off the lamp as she prepared to head upstairs.
& & & & & &
Bruce frowned as he looked at the security footage yet again. Nothing was obvious. The Joker was sitting in his cell, humming to himself, and the security check was performed by the guard, Paul Pringle. Pringle was in Intensive Care, stabbed during the Joker’s break-out.
Dr. Quinzel spoke with Pringle during that check, resting her hand on the latch as she flirted with the young guard. She left and the security tape showed nothing unusual until three minutes later, when the picture jumped slightly. Bruce’s frown deepened.
“Come to bed, Bruce,” said Clark.
& & & & & &
Dawn broke over Gotham, gray and cloudy as the rain stopped.
Not long after, Jim Gordon stood in the Hawkins living room, staring down grimly at the headless corpse lying in a pool of blood. A homicide detective bagged the pair of knitting needles, tips stained bright red. Stab wounds were peppered all over the body.
Another detective came down the grand staircase. There was a body upstairs in the bed, the sheets soaked red.
“Can’t find his head, either, but we did find this.” The detective held out a bloodstained playing card, a twin to the one found by the downstairs body.
Jim’s hand curled into a fist in his trenchcoat pocket.
& & & & & &
The blond woman dressed in her crisp new black-red-and-white outfit smiled as two hatboxes were set in front of her, one tied with a purple bow, the other green.
“Oh, Puddin’, for me?” she trilled, clasping her hands and fluttering her eyelashes. She opened the first box with a squeal of delight, the edges at the bottom seeping red.
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