Chapter Text
Increasing the members of Task Force X was vital for Amanda Waller. After the events of Midway City involving Enchantress and Incubus, she knew a new addition to her team was highly needed. Slipknot was a lost cause as he was killed before the mission ever truly began for attempting to escape. The Enchantress was dead thus rendering June Moone useless and El Diablo was still recovering from his near death experience in fighting Incubus. The latter was still in the infirmary wing of Belle Reve but kept under a lot of surveillance.
Amanda had a lot of choices to pick from. Vigilantes, assassins, metahumans. It was all to her choosing. But as one of her metahumans was dead and the other was still healing, she decided that would be her best choice. And so, she scoured for a metahuman whom she could manipulate and slowly ease into the team with her other miscreants.
Iron Heights Penitentiary had recently opened up a separate wing solely for metahuman prisoners. They each had a special cell to contain them if need be while most had power canceling cuffs, courtesy of Cisco Ramon from Star Labs. It was here that Amanda dug through files, searching for the perfect addition to her team.
Mark Mardon ended up being the prime candidate. He was better known as the Weather Wizard with the ability of atmokinesis which allowed him to manipulate and control the weather around him. He was somewhat sane hence he wouldn't be a problem in the mental department. He was what the team vitally needed.
With a few quick calls and a few strings pulled, Amanda managed to get Mark Mardon’s transfer in order. He was rendered unconscious in Iron Heights with the use of a syringe and the correct medicine before being cuffed with regular cuffs, that were placed besides the power rendering ones, and placed inside a chopper with a direct route to Belle Reve.
Amanda also managed to get her hands on a copy of the Weather Wand, a device that would allow her to render Mardon’s powers useless. Although in his hands, it would enhance his abilities but he wasn't going to get his hands on the wand anytime soon.
Star Lab had made a copy for Iron Heights in case it was needed and now that same wand was in Amanda’s hands. She currently held the slim device that reminded her of a compact lightsaber in both hands, manicured fingers running along its cold metal surface.
When she lifted her gaze to the chair before her, she put on her best smile. A sinister smile of one who could easily kill another without batting a single eyelid.
Mardon was chained to the chair by the waist and ankles with a long metal chain that would keep him in place. A strand of the chains ran up to the cuffs around his wrists that were placed besides the glowing cuffs that would render his power unusable. He was coming to, blinking groggily and wincing at the bright sunlight that fell across his face from the slim windows on the wall behind Amanda. His chains rattled as he shifted in the chair, cursing the sunlight that blinded him.
“For a man kept locked up in a cell, you sure don't appreciate the chance of sunlight.” Amanda spoke, a humorless chuckle following.
Blinking, Mardon squinted his green eyes at her then glared. “I believe I have you to thank for being knocked out in the first place.”
“Indeed you do.” Amanda responded as she moved to stand closer to the man, her hands visibly tightening on the wand between her fingers.
“Wand ain't necessary. These cuffs won't allow me to do anything.” Mardon replied as he lifted his arms for her to see.
“Oh, I'm aware. But those cuffs can be removed on certain occasions which is why I'll be needing this.”
Narrowing his eyes, he grunted. “And why would you even think of removing my cuffs? Aren't you aware of what I can do?”
“Ah, yes. Mark Mardon, the Weather Wizard. I know exactly who you are.” Amanda smiled once more then moved to settle into the chair opposite the metahuman, crossing a leg over the other.
As she sat, Mardon took the time to look around the room before meeting the woman’s gaze. “Where am I? And who are you?”
“My name is Amanda Waller and you are at Belle Reve, a penitentiary made specifically to house my assets. I have recruited you for a team I have assembled, Task Force X.”
“Hold on a second, you ‘recruited’ me? What? Is this some sort of little group you supposedly run to do your bidding for you?” Mardon spat, clearly unimpressed and unamused.
“You're smarter than I presumed.” Waller responded with a chuckle. “Yes, I already have this group assembled with prominent members. I will simply be adding you to the ranks.”
“And what if I don't want to be part of your stupid little group?” With a glare, Mardon leaned forward to convey his clear annoyance.
“Would you prefer to be locked up in Iron Heights? Or would you rather spend time here and be called on for missions where you finally remove those cuffs and show everyone just what you can do?” Amanda’s face remained impassive as she tapped her fingernails along the wand in her hands.
This statement silenced Mardon as he mulled over her words. He had missed the raw strength he felt when he used his abilities. Had missed the creations he unfolded with a single thought and a simple wave of his hand. He felt weak with the power blocking cuffs around his wrists, felt as if his power was slipping from his fingers.
Amanda smiled as if reading his thoughts. She knew he would agree to her demands, just as the others had.
“Your role here is simple. You will be kept locked in your cell but will be fed, have shower privileges, and rare opportunities of being allowed out when called upon. When a new mission presents itself, Task Force X will be assembled and let loose wherever the problem is. You will be lead by Colonel Rick Flag who you must listen to at all times unless I say otherwise.” Amanda explained as she rose to her feet and motioned to the wall behind her where a picture of Rick Flag was displayed.
“I'm assuming there's a catch to the limiting of my powers?” Mardon finally spoke after a few seconds of processing her words.
“The cuffs will remain on you while you are contained and transferred. They will be removed during missions but Flag will have access to the Weather Wand in case you get any ideas.” Amanda rose the metal wand simply before grinning broadly.
“Not to mention the fact that a nano bomb was implanted in your neck while you were out. Try to remove it, try to escape, try to step out of line and that bomb will go off, killing you effectively.”
At this, Mardon snarled and rose his hands up to his neck, a rather challenging task with the chains around his wrists. His fingers clawed at his flesh as if he could feel where the imprint of the chip was before he dropped both arms to his lap.
“Anything else?” He hissed between tightly clenched teeth.
Waller continued to smile. “I expect you to be on your best behavior. Respect me, respect Flag, and respect your team members for they will be who you will have to work with for the next years.”
“And is there a chance I get to leave anytime soon?” The man arched a brow. The chances were slim but he wanted to know.
“Every mission you complete is another ten years removed from your prison sentence.”
“Let me guess,” Mardon began with a sneer. “I was just given a very high prison sentence.”
“Right on the money,” Waller responded before turning her gaze to the guards assembled by the doorway.
“Take Mr. Mardon to his cell.” She said to them before meeting his gaze once more. “You will spend the night in your cell. Tomorrow morning, you will get to meet your teammates for the first time and you will get to show them what you bring to the table.”
With a grin, Mardon rose to his feet once the soldiers removed the chain locking him to the chair. “What a joy to look forward to,” He muttered sarcastically before letting himself be lead out of the room.
Once she was alone, Amanda turned to her desk and gently placed the weather wand upon it. Picking up a file, she shuffled quickly through it before pressing down on a button upon her phone.
“Yes, Ms. Waller?” The voice on the other end asked. A measly guard who was always called upon to send messages back and forth.
“Send in Flag. It's time he learns who his new team member will be.” Smiling devilishly, Amanda turned to face the door, file still in hand.
Today had been a good day.