"What the hell is this place? I'm drunk, but I don't remember drinking anything."
Boomerang Captain clutched his forehead as he staggered upright. The harsh lights above and the empty, sterile room around him stirred a deep sense of unease.
His real name was George Harkness, an Australian by birth. In his youth, he had learned to hunt using Aboriginal boomerangs under his father's guidance. Restless and unimpressed with the slow pace of life back home, he eventually traveled to the United States, determined to carve out a reputation. With his exceptional skill, he quickly formed a gang and adopted the name Boomerang Captain.
Years of surviving on the streets had sharpened his instincts. The moment he regained consciousness, his eyes locked onto the group gathered nearby.
He immediately recognized one man standing with his arms crossed and a goatee on his chin. Deadshot, the infamous mercenary.
"What the hell is this place?" Boomerang Captain demanded.
"You'll find out soon enough," Deadshot replied calmly, glancing at the others still sprawled across the floor. "Looks like we've got some new faces this time."
Nearby, another man slowly pushed himself up, rubbing his head. He glanced down at his outfit with confusion.
"Where is this place, and why am I wearing this?"
This was Black Spider, real name Adrian Needham, a ruthless vigilante from Gotham. Known as one of Batman's enemies, he had no superpowers, relying instead on combat training and firearms.
He examined the unfamiliar uniform, his expression tightening.
As he stepped forward, he suddenly felt resistance beneath his foot.
"Hey, you're stepping on me. Move your foot, or I'll show you what cold blood feels like."
He looked down and saw a silver-haired woman in a revealing bunny outfit glaring up at him. His boot rested squarely on her smooth calf.
Before he could react, she lunged.
Despite her restrained hands, her strength was shocking. Her fist slammed into his chin, sending him crashing to the ground.
The impact echoed through the room.
She pinned him instantly, pressing her fists against his throat.
"Didn't anyone teach you to respect women?"
"Who are you?" Adrian rasped, struggling to breathe.
"Killer Frost. Remember it."
He smirked despite the pressure.
"Then remember mine too. Black Spider."
With a sudden burst of strength, he kicked upward, throwing her off him.
Before either could continue, a voice cut through the tension.
"Can you all be quiet? My head is pounding. Have some consideration for a woman with a broken heart."
A woman in a loose red and black jacket stood nearby, holding her head. Her clown makeup, striking figure, and erratic energy made her unmistakable.
Harley Quinn.
She tilted her head, voice lilting like a twisted nursery rhyme.
"I remember trying to kill my Mr. J. Death is such a beautiful thing. I wanted to share it with him, but he said no. That really hurt."
Killer Frost raised a brow. "So you broke up?"
Harley shrieked immediately. "Of course not!"
She waved her arm dramatically. "He said he wanted to die with Batman and gave me money for a taxi home."
Her shoulders slumped in exaggerated sorrow.
Killer Frost scoffed, unimpressed. "If it's over, stop talking about him. You sound pathetic."
That was enough.
Harley lunged at her. "I'll tear that mouth apart!"
The two women clashed instantly, trading blows in a chaotic fight.
At that moment, the door slid open.
A tall, imposing woman entered, flanked by armed soldiers.
"If I were you," she said coldly, "I would show some manners."
Amanda Waller.
Boomerang Captain frowned. "And you are?"
"Amanda Waller. I'm here to recruit you for a special unit."
She surveyed them without emotion.
"I refuse," Killer Frost said immediately. "I won't be anyone's government pet."
Deadshot shook his head. "I eliminate threats, but I don't work with criminals."
Boomerang Captain, however, grinned. "Shortened sentence and fresh air? Sounds good to me. I'm in."
Amanda ignored the back and forth.
"This is Task Force X, a covert government unit. Every member here is serving life sentences. You have nothing to lose. Complete missions, and your time is reduced."
Adrian spoke up. "And if we fail?"
"You die. Any other questions?"
Killer Frost touched her neck. "What's implanted in me?"
"A tracker," Amanda replied. "And a nano-explosive. Disobey me, try to escape, or hesitate too long, and your head explodes."
Silence fell.
The door behind her opened slightly, revealing a dim corridor.
No one moved.
"Good," Amanda said. "Now we understand each other."
She activated a holographic panel.
"Your first mission is this."
A figure appeared in midair.
Adrian.
The image caused an immediate reaction.
Boomerang Captain's face went pale. "You can't be serious. We're supposed to fight him?"
The memory of the Metropolis battle was still fresh in everyone's mind.
"I'm not suicidal," he added quickly.
Deadshot narrowed his eyes. "No one here stands a chance."
Amanda nodded slightly. "Correct. Even a hundred of you would fail."
"Then what's the mission?" he pressed.
"Find him. Find Homelander. Find Superman. Get close, and deliver a message."
Deadshot frowned. "The government could do this without us."
"Not like you can," Amanda replied. "You're expendable, and you operate where others cannot."
Harley suddenly raised her hand. "You want to negotiate with them, right?"
"That doesn't concern you."
Amanda turned to leave. "A handler will contact you. Good luck."
"Amanda," Deadshot called.
She paused.
"Be honest with me, and I'll do the job. Lie to me, and I'll kill you."
She gave a faint smile, then walked away.
Harley suddenly clung to Deadshot. "I love dangerous men."
He calmly stepped aside.
She dropped to the floor with a yelp.
"It won't be simple," Deadshot said, his tone serious. "Homelander is beyond anything you understand."
A memory surfaced in his mind. A man in Smallville. A single blow that had nearly killed him.
That same presence now loomed larger than ever.
Harley pouted from the floor. "You're rude."
Boomerang Captain chuckled. "You can flirt with me instead."
She made a face. "You look like a cat. Not a good one."
Killer Frost stepped closer to Deadshot. "We just have to find him. Nothing more."
"I hope that's true," he said quietly.
One day later, Gotham.
Harley Quinn stood outside a doll shop, dressed in full costume. She took a breath, then kicked through the glass window.
Shards scattered as she flipped inside gracefully.
She searched the shelves quickly, then froze.
Her expression darkened.
She shoved a doll to the ground, then another.
Frustration boiled over.
After smashing several more, she crouched down, breathing heavily.
"My stash was here," she muttered. "All my weapons."
A voice answered from the shadows.
"I took them."
She froze.
Then she spun around.
Batman stepped forward slowly.
"You should still be in Arkham," he said. "How did you get out?"
Harley narrowed her eyes and grabbed a doll, hurling it at him.
"I have no idea what you're talking about."