Issue 30: "Fracture , Part One"

-1-

June was walking down one of the corridors in Belle Reve. Things were relatively quiet, for a change.

June....Erinyes, my sister. The time has come.

June frowned. Time for what? She asked internally. Her magical mentor sounded....not concerned exactly, but certainly urgent.

You know that Mitchell requires frequent enchantments to maintain our control over him. But there is an additional danger you have not considered.

Go ahead and tell me, then.

He is called Resurrection Man for a reason. This you know. One day, perhaps soon, he will die again, and he will, in the process, be completely free from our control. What's worse, he might remember our control over him.

This caused June to stop dead in her tracks.

Enchantress pressed her advantage. We must move on this now, before anyone asks awkward questions. I cannot teach you the fullness of your power if we are prevented even from keeping your lover in thrall.

You know, Erinyes said back, I kind of wondered if you found my relationship with him tiresome.

To this, Enchantress actually laughed. Not at all, my dear! I've not taken a lover myself for over a hundred years, but far be it from me to dissuade you if it makes you happy! But enough distractions. We must move on this quickly.

What shall we do?

You shall arrange to take some time off...not that you're quitting, of course. Even that they could not argue with, but it might arouse suspicion, curiosity, or at the very least disappointment on the part of Waller and Shaw. But ask for some vacation time, you and Mitchell together. They'll grant that easily enough. Then we shall go to the relevant occult libraries and begin our search.

Surely you know what we need, already? Erinyes frowned thoughtfully.

I know what kind of thing we need, Enchantress agreed, yes. But I don't know the specifics of every talisman, cantrip and spell in existence. We need to find out details; ingredients, powerful ley lines that can focus our powers, and perhaps a magical artifact or two, and where they might be located.

Where shall we start? Erinyes asked eagerly. For June, the Erinyes, this almost hearkened back to her first days being aware of a larger world. For the first time in years, it felt like having an adventure again.

There are a number of places to choose from, Enchantress mused. In these modern times, there are plenty of websites, of course. But many of them hold speculative nonsense for the credulous. Some of it is real, to be sure. But separating the wheat from the chaff would take time. And also we could not use that as an excuse to get away from the Squad. So we shall visit the actual occult libraries of the world. The Miskatonic University, the Harry Ransom center at the University of Texas, the University of West Florida has a fine collection; the Metaphysical Bookstore in Seattle, the Ludwig Boltzmann Institute in Vienna, a couple of fine, if well hidden, bookstores in Japan. And China has plenty, if you know where to look. But I think we shall start in London, at the Library of Saint John the Beheaded.





-2-

“You let them go?” Mark was frowning.

Waller shrugged back. “What do you want me to do? Hold June's hand? Tell her no, you can't have some time off?”

“There's something wrong with Mitch. With both of them. I could see that during the whole virus thing, and even before. I don't like it.”

Waller cocked her head to one side, and her eyes were strangely dead. “Shaw,” she said with quiet but not inexhaustible patience, “I don't care if you don't like it. You're not paid to like it. You and your girlfriend are paid to run herd on our group of geeks, freaks, and crazies. If you don't like it, you're free to resign.”

Mark was slightly thunderstruck by Waller's obtuse attitude, but was too wise to say so. “I am running herd on this group of crazies,” he snapped back. “And when one of our most powerful members—who happens to have an evil spirit in her head, in case you forgot—decides to casually take some vay cay time along with another of our most powerful members, I think I have a right to be concerned about it. I think letting them go hampers my ability to run herd on this group of crazies, and limits our effectiveness in the field to boot. By objecting to this and bringing it to your attention, I am doing the very job you want me to do.”

Waller sat back and blinked. “You're really worried, aren't you?”

“No, I'm arguing with the Infamous Wall because I think it's a fun way to spend my spare time. Yes, of course I'm worried!”

“All right,” Waller said, using the soft sort of tone that one does when confronted by someone too obsessed or too senile to understand reality, “They've got three weeks of vacation time. If they don't come back when they're supposed to, or if Checkmate or any of our allies around the world reports something funny happening with them during that time, then I'll let you assemble the team and chase after them. All right?”

“All right,” Shaw hung his head and did his best to look repentant. He had gotten as much as he was going to get out of her, and well he knew it.

“Good. Now scramble whatever members you think necessary and handle that metahuman robber gang down in Atlanta. And when you get back from that, I'll want you to help us process a purple-clad idiot the Titans beat down in New York....”





-3-

London

“Are you sure about this, hon?” Mitch frowned uncertainly.

June smiled and touched his hand, sending another gentle enchantment through the physical contact. “Sure, trust me. I'm trying to research magic more to better control Enchantress.”

Mitch nodded blandly, his eyes no longer troubled. Inside her head, Enchantress was howling with laughter over the irony. Cunning and effective, sister! She praised. You learn faster and faster all the time.

Deception is easy, Erinyes grimaced internally. Magic is hard.

That, my dear, is part of why we are here.

The path to the library led through an area that had always been a violent slum; such helped to keep it obscure and relatively safe. The trick was to follow the twisting path to the place (which Enchantress knew well enough) without slowing, pausing, or glancing aside. If something untoward happened, certainly either sorceress or Mitch could strike down any opposition, but such would attract attention to them, precisely what they wished to avoid.

Normally one needed a ticket, a de-facto letter of approval. These were supposedly very hard to forge. Enchantress could have, with June's help, made a forgery that would have fooled even the experts of the library, given time. But they needed time for that research, and following up that research.

The simple truth was that even the library was not beyond bribery, although bribery of a very specific kind. Money would not do. You had to give the library something they needed; that is to say, a tome of magic or ‘bad science’ or controversial nature they did not already have.

For Enchantress, of course, this was easy. Before leaving the states, she had led June to the grave of one of her previous hosts, and they had, with little fuss, extracted two books about the Spanish Inquisition, one about Caribbean vodoun, which were capable of creating real undead zombies, as opposed to the infected berserkers the Squad had faced recently; and finally, an ancient scroll that had some early writings of contact between humans and the Great Old Ones previous to the writings of Abdul Alhazred. That last work alone would have gained them admittance, but Enchantress wanted to ensure they could study without being interrupted. The very nature of the dark tomes might raise some eyebrows, but if it came to that, June was prepared to explain that the Suicide Squad wanted to entrust the dangerous writings to the library's care.

One thing for certain was that, however it might be possible for them to get in, they could not actually smuggle any of the works in the library out. Even copying the work by hand was forbidden. This was, however, no problem for Enchantress, as she was able to use her powers to memorize any relevant texts.

At first, they came across things that were interesting, but not very useful. Proof of the multidimensional Fox-Schwartz theory, when apparently Flash had traveled to another dimension. Interesting on a metaphysical level, but not really useful. The tragic story of Amakusa Shiro Tokisada, Japanese martyr of the Christian faith. Deliciously scandalous to Enchantress, but of no practical use. June passed these stories on to Mitch to keep him occupied while they did the real research.

Then Enchantress found it.....the Staff of Xasoruq Cei Yibaruc.

Created by a Philistine sorcerer, it had been lost for centuries. Every now and then it popped up, and someone would grab hold of it. It was inherently evil, but its power was manifested through its wielder. Give it to a peasant, and he would become a serial killer; give it to a businessman, he would become a cruel and corrupt industrialist. Give it to a politician, he would lead his country to conquest and atrocity. And so forth.

It would be ideal for their purposes. But where was it?

Of course, the library didn't have the most instantaneous up to date information, for that they would have to move on.





-4-

“Hey, Waller.” the voice emanated from her intercom.

“What is it, Steel?” Waller snapped. “I'm kind of busy.”

“Just thought you'd like to know, our spy satellites caught June and Mitch visiting a very disreputable section of London. At first we wondered why they were slumming, but then we found out what was hidden in there.”

“Well, don't keep me in suspense!”

“The Library of Saint John the Beheaded. Biggest occult library in the world.”

Waller sat up straight and breathed out. “Are they still there?”

“No, they just got on a plane. Not sure where exactly they're going, but computer checks indicate the plane is supposed to land in Germany.”

Waller frowned. It had been a little over a week; certainly well within the accepted time frame. But they were supposed to be basking on a romantic sunlit beach or perhaps visiting some mountain resort, not studying magic in hidden libraries.
“Waller? Still there?” Steel's voice prompted.

“Yeah....trying to figure it out.”

“Maybe you should send someone after them, hmmm?”

“Maybe,” Waller allowed. “Not the whole team, though. Not yet.”

“If you say so,” Steel said uncertainly.

“Thank you for your help,” Waller snapped. “Now leave me to put my own house in order.”





-5-

One of the very few differences of opinion between Enchantress and Erinyes was on the use of certain specific aspects of modern technology, the Internet most particularly. Enchantress had nothing against the modern world's technology per se, but she saw it as a tool to be kept at arms length, and not always reliable. Erinyes, on the other hand, having grown up with the modern world as June, found her mentor's reluctance on this point extremely frustrating.

I'm telling you, she insisted, we should search the Internet for rumors on the staff's location!

And I'm telling you, Enchantress countered, that it is a waste of time. Rumors are precisely that; gossip and nothing more. And the Internet is the most unreliable gossip den of them all. We need documented proof!

And you think we'll find it here in Vienna?

It's the next logical step.

The Ludwig Boltzmann Institute was, to all appearances, a normal place of learning. And it certainly was that as well. Its magical and dark religious tomes were kept in a series of underground storage rooms, dusty from disuse. Aside from the librarians themselves, the spell casters and Mitch were the first actual people here in some time.

June exclaimed with distaste when she opened a book and flies came buzzing out of the ruined pages. “Agh!”

“Easy, June,” Mitch soothed her.

She smiled gratefully at him. Inwardly, she seethed at Enchantress, You honestly think we'll find something up to date in this mausoleum?

Not all the information is so ancient, Enchantress responded. And don't be so eager to dismiss mausoleums. I once lived out of one for five years.

Erinyes shuddered, less than reassured by that piece of information, and continued searching. Near the door, there were some relatively new pieces of information, organized in filing cabinets. Paper in plastic protective sheaths, in manila folders.

Surely they have a computerized filing system? Erinyes frowned.

For the ‘respectable’ stuff upstairs, yes. Not down here. Something I, personally, am grateful for.

Erinyes sighed and shook her head. They would have to talk about her mentor's luddite mentality later. In the meantime, the file folders contained a number of interesting things....including metahuman activity in the last year.

This was not a place where they thought they would find anything, but as the main resources were turning up dry, Enchantress thought perhaps this file might at least give them a lead, and Erinyes agreed.

Wonder Woman was apparently concerned about something big happening, but details were scarce. Apparently the long underwear crowd was playing that one close to the vest. Erinyes made a mental note to ask Waller about it when they got back. The Seven Soldiers of Victory had returned. Interesting, but not practical. Enchantress wished she could have studied their enemy, though. No such luck. There had apparently been some tomb robbing in the Egyptian Pyramids; but either no one knew what had been taken, or once again secrecy had won out.

But then.....then there came the perfect piece of information.

The staff of Kasoruq Cei Yibaruq had been found on Wickersham Isle, off the coast of the Carolinas. The Teen Titans had defeated a powerful old mage there, and the staff they described matched the ancient artifact of malice. And the old wizard had begged them to take it. Alas, they had not been able to find it, it had drifted out to sea.

Is it sunk? Erinyes asked. Are we finished?

My dear sister, Enchantress laughed, have more confidence. The staff will not sink to the bottom, helpless and useless. It will seek a new wielder. All we need to do is find it, and take it from them.

Well that's great, but how are we going to find it now?

Patience.... Enchantress calmed herself, and reminded herself that her young sister and pupil was, for all intents and purposes, still mortal; she had not yet outlived her mortal shell. During her natural life, she had been much the same. There is no more information here, that is so. But we will continue to search for more recent appearances.

Even on the Internet? Erinyes brightened.

Enchantress heaved a mental sigh. Yes, even on the Internet. Now hush. Let us take Mitch back to the hotel and make him more pliable once again.

Erinyes certainly had no objection to that.





-6-

Mark did his best not to smile. Firstly because it would piss Waller off. Secondly because he was genuinely worried about June and Mitch.

“All right,” Waller said without preamble. “Checkmate confirms something is up with June and Mitch through their satellite surveillance. You may take Vixen and one villain with you, if you can keep them on a leash. At this point this is just reconnaissance we don't know they're doing anything wrong yet....just....odd.”

Mark wanted to say about a dozen different things at that point. He settled for staying on point. “All right. Where are they now?”

“Their plane landed in Germany but apparently they went to Austria after that. They may have moved on by the time you arrive. We'll keep you up to date.”

Mark frowned. “They must be blowing through Mitch and June's combined savings at that rate.”

“It's paid leave and they've both got money saved up. Stop wasting time talking to me about it; you and Mari need to figure out who your third member will be, fast.”





-7-

“I knew I didn't like what was going on with her,” Mari grimaced.

Mark nodded. “Waller let us take one other member with us.”

“Gee, that was SO nice of her,” Mari sneered.

“Actually I see her point. We don't want to attract attention unless we absolutely have to.”

Mari considered. “It's a real bummer that all the best people we coulda used for this are gone. Catman woulda been a great tracker, but he quit; Terra could have given us a flying platform from which to watch them, but she joined the Titans; and Malthus' robots would've been great, but the Government took him and his buddy back.”

“I don't miss Malthus, but otherwise I see your point,” Mark grimaced. “Of the options we've got left, it's either Electrocutioner, or Cavalier.”

Mari wrinkled her nose. “Cavalier's got enthusiasm, but he has a hard time being quiet. Electrocutioner can be quiet, but it's hard to keep him from killing the 'scum' if he deems it appropriate.”

“Yeah,” Mark sighed, “But given that those two are our options, I have to pick Electrocutioner.”

Mari nodded. “We leave tomorrow?”

He raised an eyebrow at her. “This has gone on long enough and there's no time to waste. We leave tonight.”

She nodded and they began to change into their costumes as Vixen and Manhunter, respectively.





-8-

What they did not see, because she took great pains not to be seen or felt, was Killer Frost.

She had noticed Mark arguing with Waller on occasion since June's departure, and normally would have made nothing of it. However, she did note that Mark was worried about June.

That meant June might be doing something ‘bad’. Exactly what Frost would have wanted.

Since Terra had left, Electrocutioner had been the only person she could talk to, and even that relationship was bittersweet. If it was even remotely possible that June might be turning, Frost was determined to help her, and sabotage any plans Waller or Manhunter might have otherwise.

So she had, at painful cost to herself, limited her cold aura as much as she could to listen to Vixen and Manhunter talking about the situation. The fact that they chose Electrocutioner as their third, thus depriving her of his company, only motivated her further.

The embarrassment she had suffered in Gotham had done nothing to improve Frost’s mood.

She would find a way to follow them....and help June embrace the darkness to whatever extent she could.

She was smiling to herself as she walked away from Manhunter and Vixen's quarters.

It was a smile that, had anyone been able to see it, would have been terrible to behold.