((Slade’s factory base, throne room))
The alert panel for Rose’s lab had lit up. With a flick of his wrist, Slade brought the report up to his screen. She had been playing with a neurotoxin before he called her if the air scrubbers were accurate. A spill? Or had she thrown her work in anger? No…. A spill was the most likely culprit. She had been working on this project for too long to allow her anger to get the best of her.
Another flick and the information was gone, allowing the scrubbers to continue their work. He had more important things to focus on than introducing more problems to his apprentice's life. “On my way.” Slade leaned back against his throne as he got her confirmation. He’d have to introduce this mission carefully. Ravager didn’t exactly enjoy babysitting jobs, and he could not have her blowing this off. He’d need to convince her of its importance, it was the only way to ensure she'd give it all of her attention.
Once more he found himself questioning his decision. It would be far simpler to get rid of the girl before she could begin to look for revenge. She worked at a bar, she walked Jump’s streets at night. It was terrifyingly simple for such girls to vanish. No one important in her life would look for her for long. That was simply the way of things in a crime-filled city like this. But…. Yes. He’d admit it to himself. He had grown fond of his little apprentice. Her fight, her spark, it had drawn him in and held him even now. He respected her, in a sense. It took real strength to stand and fight. Not to mention, she had defeated him. Very few held that honor. If he could convince her to return….
No. Too risky. A dog that has bitten its master should be put down. It was only the Titans, and the off chance that they watched her as he did, that stilled his hand. He'd rather not have them sniffing around. Sure, it wasn't likely. He had tried to throw the Changeling off of the case a couple of times. But he couldn't keep an eye on them like he used to, now that they had scattered to the winds. Having Rose get close to her and keep her under control was the only option now.
Speaking of. The doors of his control room slid open with a soft hiss. Slade leaned forward as his apprentice entered, looking her over carefully. She was tense, but her uniform was in proper order and she even remembered to bow her head. Good. She wasn’t in the mood to fight him. That would no doubt change as she heard her mission, but it was always nice to start with compliance. “Ravager, this is a personal mission. There is no contract holder. You will be answering directly to me.” Should he have lied and said someone was paying for it? No, she would have seen through that. A button press and Gia was brought up onto the screen. All the information he had on her, including some cameras. Her apartment was bugged, her bar, Slade had even tapped into traffic cameras to watch her on her day-to-day activities. “I have reason to believe that Terra, she is going by Gia Stevens now, is beginning to recover her memories. You will situate yourself into her life to keep an eye on this development. If it seems as though she remembering too much, and plans to strike against us, you will take her out.” The screens went dead as the information was sent to Rose’s personal computer systems.
“This is the most important mission I have given you. Do it well and you will be rewarded.” He didn’t mention what would happen if she failed. His own death, most likely. But whatever she imagined would be a better mobilizer. “I have set you up with an apartment, and in two days time you have an interview at her bar. Tonight I want you to find her and introduce yourself. You will stay undercover until I contact you or you are forced to put her down. Am I understood?”
((A bar in downtown Jump))
She knew that some people feared to walk Jump’s streets as the sunset. Hell, she herself had had a couple of not-great encounters. But it was Jump. Gia knew what she needed to do to keep safe. Keep her head down, move quickly, keep a pocket knife on her person. It was easy to vanish in the city’s shadows, to disguise oneself in them to ensure safe travel.
Rule one of Jump. Keep your nose where it belongs, and give off a presence that makes others do the same, and you’ll be okay. Those who planned to live long in the city very quickly took this rule to heart. Those who didn’t left Jump. Normally very quickly.
Her bar, thankfully, wasn’t in a too dangerous part of the city. This area of downtown was very well lit, with both police and local heroes making a show of hanging around. It was one of the few places that night owls and young adults looking for a party could expect to have a good time. Surprising, really, that the villains left the area alone. Though, perhaps it was as self-preservation. If the crime rate of Jump went too high certainly the Justice League would get involved.
Gia slipped into a darker alley and into a non-descript backdoor meant for staff. She really didn’t feel like talking with the security guards tonight. She’d just go in, find somewhere to sit and-
“GIA!” The blonde couldn’t even take her jacket off before she was enveloped in a tight hug. Sarah was wearing her customary bright grin, brown eyes sparkling. “I was about to check the street for you! I thought you had lied and weren’t coming!” She said it as if Gia going back on her promise would have shattered her world.
Her tone prompted a laugh from Gia as she hugged her coworker back. It was impossible to keep her customary distance with this girl. Sarah demanded to be liked. Plus, it was nice to know that someone cared if she came tonight. It felt good. “I over-slept. Has he gone out yet or?”
“He’s about to! Hurry. Meet me at the bar later.” There was gossip. Interesting. But before Gia could get in another word the girl was back out to the front to check on her customers. Gia shook her head and hung up her jacket before making her way out into the customer area. She’d have to keep her curiosity contained for now.
The bar was almost boring compared to some of the clubs in the area, but that suited Gia just fine. A long bar ran along one side of the building, where Sarah and another coworker were currently tending. In one corner was a little elevated area, a makeshift stage for artists or karaoke night. The rest of the area was, usually, filled with small 4 person tables. Tonight, however, a few of the tables were missing to make room for a small dance area near the stage.
Gia picked up a drink from the bar and made herself at home in one of the remaining corner tables near the stage. The bar wasn’t quite full yet, but judging by the jingle of the door that was about to change. This dude really was bringing in a crowd. Sarah would be raking in tips tonight.
Lucky.
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