The Jackal's pov
"The boss would like to see you in his office."
Just my annoyed glare sent the blonde intern running. The hair and body reminding me of all the bodies at that school. I took annoyed breath and got out of my chair; walking to Ozy's office.
Stepping through the door I wasn't surprised to see the news on his projector. What made my blood stop, was the dried white rose on the table. He looked to me, an assortment of different flowers behind him.
This freak. Normally white roses symbolized purity. A DRIED white rose was the opposite. It means that "death is preferable to loss of virtue".
"Ah, Jackal. I'm sure you heard the news." He looked right at me, "That rose, it's for you a little gift for your… virtuous work."
"What are those behind you?" I stalled, wondering if he's going to use my fiasco as an excuse to kill me.
"Oh these?" He gestured with his hands, "Shenzhen Nongke Orchids. Completely man-made. My scientists were able to replicate them. I was also able to get the Kadupul flowers as well. Most expensive flowers in the world, you should come around midnight to see them in full bloom. Beautiful sight."
He clapped twice, "Get us the Isabella Islay and two glasses."
The UK-based Isabella Islay is perhaps the most expensive whiskey on planet Earth. It is a perfect combination of high-end whiskey with diamonds and gold-encrusted by the top-notch jewelers of London. The 8500 diamonds, 300 rubies, and two bars of white gold cover up the crystal decanter in a purely handcrafted manner. He wants me to sip from a 6-million dollar whiskey.
"Now, Jackal. How long have you been in my employ?"
"Ten years."
"Have you ever messed up?"
"Never."
The servant came in and placed a silver platter on his desk. Ozy usually dismissed them but he stopped and basically froze the man in place with his stare. He pointed, "What's that?"
"Pardon sir?"
"Is that. A. Wrinkle. On your lapel?"
Normally I'd chuckle, here I was in jeans and a rugged leather jacket but the server boy is getting grilled because of his lapel. However, I was silent, still unsure of my fate. He had to know I killed all those kids, it was in his mood and his voice.
"Mess up again, and you're fired. You're dismissed."
"My apologies," he said, head down before leaving the room in a rush.
"You're quiet Jackal, you just said you never messed up. I was actually bringing you here to give you a bonus." He reached behind his desk and put a suitcase on the table. "One million dollars, and don't worry about the whiskey."
He's sending mixed messages at me and probably expecting me to form a whole coded paragraph. I always kinda hated this psycho. However, I don't think he's done with me yet.
"Turns out your old friend is meeting with family… for the first time. Were you aware of this?"
I hate this psycho, but I hated Slade Wilson more.
"I wasn't."
I couldn't find the daughter.
"Shame, I was just getting ready to call him. Offer him employment with our new protégé, his son. It would be a shame if something happened to his family while he was gone."
"Make him a deal he can't refuse." I quoted and Ozy smiled,
"Precisely, here," he beckoned with his hand, "sit, drink."
He poured a glass and handed it to me, I offered him a toast and asked, wheezing due to my throat from years ago,
"And to what are we toasting?"
"To the peaceful passing of Susan Clyde Ryan."
He tinked my glass but I was frozen in place.
"Who's that?"
"Poor girl," he looked right at me, "she was in the restroom when the shooters came in and sliced her throat."
I…missed one? No, we let several live. So it looked like a careless shooting. That girl though, I had asked her where Rose Worth was. She could tell someone that we were looking for her. Then it would look more like an attempted hit. My arm was so tense now, I was so close to crushing the glass, still frozen in place.
"Breathe, loosen up, let the whiskey help you unwind."
Taking the advice I slammed it like a shot.
"She's staying at Gotham Methodist hospital. It would be a shame if Wade's family went to visit and something happened while he did business with his son."
At this I chuckled, "You can quit talking like you don't know."
"Feel free to use Kahndaqi tech. I have other reasons to feed your animalistic hunger for petty vengeance. Oh, and use Kahndaqi guns this time. AK-19K's preferably. Use my resources to make sure both the… targets are in one spot." He leaned forward, "And don't mess this up again. Only strike when the dominos fall."
(Kalashnikov Concern offers a variant of the AK-12 chambered in 5.56×45mm NATO, known as the AK-19 upon the request of international clients. Compact variants of the AK-12 and AK-15 are also under development, respectively the AK-12K and AK-15K which features a shorter barrel. This is a FICTIONAL rifle to my knowledge but simply a shorter AK-19.)
A blue light began blinking on his white futuristic phone on his desk and he clapped to answer it, the speaker on as he did,
"Ah! Ravager! I trust you have good news?"
"Mr. Smyth is in my possession."
"Good, the serum is truly something isn't it?"
"I'm ready."
"We shall see. Did you get the footage of the fight?"
"Yes sir. I'm sending it to you now."
"This isn't the military but I'm sure you are curious."
He chuckled, "You want me to ask why the interest in Grendel wiping the floor with those capes?"
"This… Grendel, has a brain mutation that gives him abilities akin to your serum. It was a perfect test, or mock battle to test the Titan's abilities to combat someone like you."
"Looks pretty dang bleak, I left when they all were grounded. I think he might have killed some."
At this Ozy's voice chilled, "You. Think? Do you mean to tell me you didn't record until the end?"
"The water was above my shins sir. I watched for as long as I could down to the last second. I was dragging Mr. Smyth and swimming into the pod for our escape."
He sighed, "That's a shame. Good work, is Mr. Smyth within earshot?"
"No sir."
"Kill him."
————
Slade Wilson's pov
"How could either of you not tell me?!"
"I can't believe you sometimes," Lillie said, "you're mad at us for not telling you when you never visited."
We had went to a restaurant to talk. Wintergreen was with Rose at a table out of earshot so he can help her process the "WITSEC" program. We even got copies of documents for her to sign and everything.
"Jesus I still can't believe it." I said, raking my hands through my hair.
"Believe it or not, she's your daughter."
I overheard her laugh at something the much older Wintergreen said. He was always better with people than me. I was the better soldier but that's not because Wintergreen wasn't one of the best. It was because I was THE best.
"You want to go talk to her?"
"No," I said, "I'm fine."
At that moment, my phone started ringing and I checked it. Why that cheeky devil-
"I'm sorry, it's my son. I gotta take it."
"Your sons never call Slade." She said in a flatlined expression.
"It's about my son." I corrected.
"Oh, is he in some sort of trouble?"
I hesitated on the answer but replied, "The worst kind."
I stepped outside and answered the phone.
"Is this some ploy to get me to work for you?"
"No," Ozymandias' voice said, "in three days, I think your son's partner on that mission will betray him. Just a hunch."
"Oh so you want me there as insurance!? Is that it?!"
"No, to be honest. I don't care if you are there or not. I'm not paying you to do your fatherly duties. I'd thought it'd be good business for a man as myself to warn you. I have nothing substantial however."
"You will regret getting my family involved in your games."
"What games Mr. Wilson? It's just business." There was a roar and Ozymandias said, "Aww, seems Bubastis is getting lonely. Ta-ta Mr. Wilson. I do have a video to share that might make you rethink that tactical criticism you gave my representative. Let me know if you want to do business."
While I was fuming, I couldn't tell if that was a threat or not. If he was wanting a war with me, killing my son would do the trick. However, he gave me the heads up in good faith. Right?
Lillian came out on her phone as well and stated after hanging up, "We're going to Gotham Methodist Hospital."
"What?"
"Some of Rose's friends is in the hospital and they are accepting visitors."
"Weren't we just planning on leaving the city?!"
"No one will come at us as long as you and Wintergreen are with us. She needs her friends right now and I'm not taking no as an answer."
About to tear my hair out due to this woman I conceded, saying, "Look, three days. I got a quick family thing in the evening. Make sure my son is okay. After that, we. Are. Leaving!"