Chapters 6:" Inheritance Tax/Identity Crisis/Stream Star, Rollout?"
DISCLAIMER: I really don't own DC, it's worlds or it's characters.
(!!WARNING!!)
[ This Fan Fiction in General May Have Some NSFW, 18+, Dark themes, Fictional Violence, Offensive scenarios or language in the Content. So, Read at your own risk.]
****This is an IRREGULAR RELEASED Fan Fiction.***
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-Presently...
In the end hours of the night, near the morning dawn of a new day,
Below a House in an affluent Gotham neighborhood...
In this secure confidential black site several feet underground...
A man is ever moving his body & mulling over dozens of machinations in his mind within the heavily equipped fall out type headquarters for the past days on end...
That man is a Soul newly released from imprisonment in a void,
Now by happenstance is inhabiting in the form of the recently soulless & vacant body which was mysteriously brought back to life from the brink of death,
The DC Universe's; Deadshot, Floyd Lawton!
'This' Floyd Lawton is currently contemplating his recently made plans, projects, plights & insights?...
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'I'm doing last-minute practicing before heading out.
It has been some time since I got the voice message of Michelle's death; who was the birth mother of a 9-year-old girl named Zoe, Who is DC universe's Deadshot's/Floyd Lawton's Only Daughter...
It took me a while to come down, as the more time past, the more I surprisingly felt surging anger beneath the surface boiling within me!
Which is weird, cause at first, it didn't really affect me.
If I could, I'd interpret it as only a situational fleeting compassion.
About the Same as the passing sympathetic investment of onlookers delayed on the road when encountering a really horrible traffic accident scene.
You shake your head & say your "that's a shame" or spew a few "Hail Marys" for their crisis & keep rolling down your own route comforting yourself after you have offered only the most basic of sympathies or well-wishing for an outsider, or a stranger that you could.
That's what I originally felt like!
I've never met Zoe or Michelle, & I don't technically have anything to do with being the Ex-Client/lover to Michelle & father to a daughter who's the only remaining 'immediate' blood relative to former Floyd's identity in this world (that he 'knows' of).
Besides their prior connection/interactions to the new vessel my soul has inherited; whether it be history or situation that happened to them, regardless it shouldn't have concerned me too deeply.
However, as the continual playback of specific related memories stream in my mind, it seems to be influencing me, my thoughts & initial feelings about this disaster.
As Lawton's soul is all that actually left this body, the Leftover data in the form of brain synapses still exists, else how could I have inherited his outstanding skills; even his body's muscle memory is inherited!
These remembrances came as a package deals with these skills, like a luxury tax!
So could I possibly selectively delete these binding memories?
No, unfortunately, I can't just cut & paste the best of Floyd Lawton's life from the bad parts perfectly into a mind supercut; as I don't have such a skill!
Those memories are mine now, just like this body is now mine, It's up to me to either embrace them or maybe forcefully struggle to ignore these rememberings.
In the beginning, Part of me initially just wanted to submerge & relish in the new novelty of the range of emotions & sensations passed down to me in this new life; as I missed such things trapped in the void previously, & naively I thought I could block out everything else!
But I just had gotten too enthralled, immersed & lost in them, & now It's hard not to act when it feels so close & apart of you!
What started as weak sea currents of emotion rapidly built up, turning into a huge tidal wave of unsealed sentiments, knowledge & experiences I'm not used too!
The remembering of the first time he held his daughter in his arms, the first night he had with a woman, the first assassination he completed, etc...
The vivid memory is there, so are the corresponding feelings of that time.
Like a song on the radio that brings you back to a specific time or a smell might bring you to a place.
Even if my soul is telling me no, that never happened to me, my mind of inherited memories is telling me yes, it feels just like yesterday!
I understand now how those novel reincarnated Mcs could so easily accept the family & loved ones of their bodies previous self, despite having a sense of who they were prior to their own rebirth, as the minds new memories are too entrancing & captivating & immersive on one's soul!
Unlike me who remembers nothing really substantial, only my yearning for, likes & dislikes in the void; is obviously more susceptible to suddenly an outside shocking influx of things I have been deprived of for so long!
I had to reach a consensus, as to not split my self down the middle in internal turmoil; splitting hairs on every new or old thought, or experiences origin; or else it will lead me down the path of a more fragile mental state than I'm already dealing with!
Since I Can't forget them completely, I'll have to deal with them eventually.
So I decided that those memories, & that those feelings they are evoking are now mine!
I Surmised I'm at most with these recollections a semi-hybrid, but not a carbon copy of the previous old Floyd Lawton!
However that previous DC Floyd Lawton soul is otherwise gone from this world & my soul in this new body is not entirely that man I was before my time in that void either, whoever I may have been!
I'm my own man, a new man with my own goals & sensibility as well as the inherited ones from Floyd, as I can ignore some of the memories but I can't completely forget them, so I'll just embrace it & add to the new overall being known as me!
What I do in the future as the identity of Floyd Lawton is entirely up to me!
Afterward, I calmed down & the patchwork on the existential crisis has it averted...for now.
It's been a while since I've arrived in this hideout testing, exploring & training.
However, two days ago I checked my messages on the private cloud server learning Amanda Waller (Task Force X program director)was on to me & my activities, also learned what had happened to my Ex-Michelle days before I checked my messages!
Since I heard those string of messages, & the various bombshells implications that the news contained in them, I've had about 2 hours of sleep since!
I've been Contemplating the impact on my initial plans it will have, & the best course of action I should have now.
I resolved quickly that reaching out to Zoe comes first before anything else!
So I called & I talked to Zoe his...my daughter, she seemed listless for obvious reasons but responsive.
I made her aware of my impending visit & consoled with banalities of better times, as time moves forward, & the importance of remembrance.
I tried my best to imitate both Floyd's speech patterns of concern & tone of other similar scenario scenes in my media library memories, where ones are in sorrowful grief; as I don't remember my personal self ever having to deal with it, as my sense of self is still...dubious at best.
If I was successful in pacifying her, I'll see for myself when I arrive, secure Zoe & investigate what happened after.
I thought to myself with narrowed eyes of what I would do in the future to those responsible for my daughter's suffering!
Since even before the news, nothing about me hasn't, or isn't doing something at some point since I arrived at this safe house.
However, I've become additionally hastened in activity with this new pressure on me!
Researching the world's common knowledge, & world history through audiobooks on x3 speed; while I work out & practice till I collapsed!
Adding this reckless behavior to my past actions since awakening here, it's evident to anyone that Obviously something is wrong with me.
From the time I arrived at this hideout after the initial sleep, one of the first things I did & have been doing is trying to do patch work on my twisted psyche!
While doing other imperative things, I took time & sought out the help of a recognized professional.
Reaching out to the best in the mental health field I contacted Doctor Hugo strange!
He hasn't gone rogue villain in this universe yet & I don't fear any of the true mysteries of my existence here are even plausible for him to disclose.
I realized the risk of using him as he was a brilliant mind that discovers Batman's true identity; however, Deadshot is not Batman!
My Deadshot alias should give him pause even if he discovered it; because By knowing my aliases, he would know my deeds!
Knowing my predecessor's actions towards enemies & targets, he'd be forever confined to a windowless or shut In lifestyle out of fear of suddenly being killed from miles away if a vantage point or clear shot is Ever available from my sniper rifle!
So with this interpretation, I use Doctor Hugo Strange's services without worries & adhere to suggested tactics to deal with my "Apathy & my restlessness at the moment to moment of inactivity, & control issues stemming from a long-time lack of it!"
What he had deduced from my sessions is more or less what I thought with less fancy words, but I didn't have the coping mechanism until he suggested them which was why I went.
During the past week or so, before I checked my messages, I've had very expensive priority service 3 a day session over the video phone with Dr. Hugo Strange.
However, because I obviously can't tell him I was in an actual void, I told him the similar known traumas that best closely described my feelings & plight in the void, such as claustrophobia.
I gave him a story about my solitary confinement in childhood.
That I spent most hours a day secluded from others by an abusive foster parents couple, who volunteered to get the certain tax money bonus from the State for how many kids they took into that child mill they cloaked as a home.
I know he saw through my lies, being the brilliant mind he is, but he just took away the facts of my story like a professional.
That I feel restless when out in the open & wasteful when doing nothing productive!
Very 'Antagonistic' to those who are likely to bring me to any remotely similar situation to what I experienced in the past 'confinement'!
That the way I may behave toward such circumstance is with 'EXTREME' hostility & indifference.
'Apathetic Tunnel vision' to reach my goal regardless of collateral damage it may cause others or even my self if it's within limits of my self-preservation!
Dr. Strange gave advice, assign me the reading material, some in the moment cope tactics & meditation mantras. He said probable medication prescription is the final solution if these other tricks don't work.
I don't wish to be influenced by or dependant on drugs, but I also don't want uncontrollable indifference to ruin my second life!
That manipulative callous nature on that bus ride to Gotham still gives me pause when I reflect now.
If I could describe it, it's like whispers of a malicious instigator in my ear, calling for me to bring anarchy & chaos!
I felt I was on autopilot, going through the previously heavily rehearsed motions reflexively.
How many repetitive indifferent actions of similar situations over the years has Deadshot done, for that emotional hardened reflex to become his default setting even when his soul has already relinquished his body to mine.
An Astonishing lingering will ingrained in his vacant vessel, saturated in his very cells is the propensity of violent intent, truly Deadshot really wasn't a decent person.
All the more reason I want unconditional control!
Even if I'm forced or decide to do similar things in the future by necessity, it must be MY choice, not leftover survival instinctual impulse of my predecessor's ghost echoing in my machine!
I speculate to myself these things as I'm listening to these audiobooks on x speed, while my hands are not stationary but are Disassembling & assembling firearms.
Once every gun assembly is done, I immediately go to target practices with that firearm.
Getting a feeling for, & the use of the guns.
The feel of recoil of different guns, the weight, firing in multiple stances, holding positions, forearms motions, rehearsed body intense practice to avoid unnecessary injury & produce peak efficiency marksmanship!
Timing my reload, draw speed, trick shot, ricocheted shots & all while taking in experimental task data from the former Deadshot's recent memory that matches one of my own!
From my catalog of media memories about an office worker turned into an agent of the underworld part of society by a series of events.
Since vaguely I recall I was told there were a few obscure Black Lagoon anime-type elements to it, I gave it a chance & I watched it on recommendations.
Who gave me the recommendations or what they look like is all a blur now though!?
Well, It's a Story of A fish out of water in his own life, a sudden hot girl with guns kidnapped the guy, & the guy finds his calling in the chaos basically.
The other similar traits of black lagoons are that the MC Roc used his strategic mind to survive the underworld, that was his calling, while the other guy used his latent skill...
*Pulling back the cocking handle of the firearm-
-Click-Click! Chambered around!
"...the other guy used his shooting skill of Bending Bullets!!"
BANG!
BANG!
BANG!
BANG!
BANG!
Each shot like a dance bypassing the front targets, like an elite pitcher breaking ball to the rear target's vitals & head, dead center!!!
I put the special Beretta M9 down that has custom bullet specified for trajectory curving/bending bullets purpose.
When I fired/ releasing/ Shooting in a specific time & way that curves the projectile; so where the curved bullet goes is around obstacles to hit another target behind or beside it!
Using centrifugal force to force manipulate a homing effect, targeting what you will!
The downside, it takes extreme focus just to fire one, but an alteration to trajectory multiple times is beyond exhausting; I can manage 5, shot 6 if I'm forced!
That's why it's the last resort, a flexible trump card Deadshot was working on to truly kill the unkillable, unexpectedly with the right ammunition, with maybe the type of ammo that glows green...
I don't know if it's possible to use it without these special guns yet, but when it is, god help who it's aimed at!
The action has even me fatigued & muscles twitching in agony, so while catching my breath I put away everything & head to the shower.
As waterfalls down my slowly fading away buzz cut, I go over my itinerary.
I have already familiarised my self with my new body & tools, made the funeral arrangements for Michelle, assign separate counseling sessions for Zoe(& myself), prepared equipment,& possible escape routes should I run into trouble.
I have no new clue or reasons for my healing factor among other bizarre things; but rather than delve into it, I assign it all to the rear of my mind!
That's correct I'm going to ignore it!
Probe for answers? Expose the mystery? There is only one truth! Huh, Am I, Conan?
The truth is Overrated! Somethings are better off not knowing!
Forget about It! As I feel the answer is going to be a flag for some type of rabbit hole down into a cluster fuck of trouble!
I will not pull on that loose thread string for it to unravel the sweater that's insulating/covering a monstrous truth threatening to devour me whole once I learn it!
So I won't just to satisfy my curiosity; poke the bear or hornet's nest or whatever fancy sort of way of saying "if you don't seek 'death' you won't die!".
Besides everyone knows if you avoid an issue it always melts away harmlessly with no backlash at all!
So unless some side effects show up, I concluded that denying is the right & healthy move, yup it's totally normal...right?
*COUGH*
...Regardless, Right now I'm at 100% & healthy & most importantly no local Justice League member activities in recent days; they seem to be tackling somethings in that thankless job that is much more important than focusing on me!
Such as what's going on here, as I look at the live feed from over the web fresh out of the shower.
A golden towering obelisk with Egyptian symbols that emerged a day before in the middle of a city, slowly growing brighter & taller as time passes on!
It doesn't take a genius to know that's not good news for anybody!
The city was evacuated immediately!
Now an hour after the city was proven cleared of civilians; at the anomaly's base, it was finally opened by mystical arts team members of the Justice League!
But an explosion pushing everyone back, knocking out most the mystical arts team, then fighting just outside of the obelisk immediately ensued over the various live feeds!
The unsteady streams captured by drones & distant news helicopters showed an out of focus image of two beings in the sky in an exchange of hypersonic clashes!
The clash of mega powers continues until the one in a blue blur with red cape is blasted suddenly by a unique energy wave!
The hit blue blur falls toward the earth while being gazed on by the figure in black form-fitting attire with a stock clip art like lightning bolt symbol on his chest!
That being who has the high ground probably grew bored of the test exchange of strength & sneaked shot that unique energy wave dishonestly, getting an edge on his opponent!
The blue & red falling figure from the sky is clear to cameras now was the krypton kid himself, Superman!
Suddenly, Appearing beside Superman as he free falls, the black figure was now also still enough to identify on screens!
The tall, tan-skinned man with an epic widows peaks hairline that rivals a certain warrior races prince, is identified as the fallen hero Black Adam!
The man Black Adam was now dashing with an open hand-coated with magical energy, that transitioned into a claw Mashing Superman by the face, then driving him headfirst with a Mach speed to the surface below ground!
BOOOOOOM!!
The impact resulted in Creating a chasm On the earth!!
The intimidating collision is launching sand & dust clouds in the atmosphere!
The fading sunlight behind the raising sand dust plumes is bringing an ominous comparison of what may have killed the dinosaurs in the hearts of the viewers watching!
As the picture was compromised by the impact shock & sand combustion, the blurry feed online then switches to another battle not too far, in front of the golden pillar on the ground level.
A beautiful faced, devil red skin woman with a desirable voluptuous physique & short upturned horns of a beast atop her head; stood at the Golden Pillers entrance unhurried!
She was not alone, as she was seen caressing a golden thunder symbol dressed man on the cheeks lovingly; then suddenly pointed toward the adjacent heroes with commanding authority!
The man eager to fulfill her objective was A golden-eyed Captain Marvel aka Shazam!, who obviously had his mind compromised by this fierce unique knockout of a woman somehow!
He is actively attacking the group of league members who are trying to have an intervention with him!
Members of the league, Wonder Woman, Hawk Girl, 'a' Green Lantern & Flash attempt to stop him without hurting him!
However, Captain Marvel or Shazam! fights with the intent to kill!
The red devilish female whose characteristics I now recognized (totally not cause wonder woman screamed her name as she dashes towards her on the live feed) I assume is Lady Blaze one of the 'Ancient Wizard' Shazams two bastard hybrid demon children with a demoness from hell. The Wizards demoness daughter looks upon the carnage with glee!
The whole time superman continues to play interference against black Adam, with supergirl who now arrived as support!
What I notice in this chaotic scene is that there is not a single 'street-level' hero around!
Only those with reinforced strength, cosmic or magically enhanced abilities are present.
No Batman insight anywhere on the battleground.
Though I think it would be strange to see him in the day time for some reason, regardless of my opinion, he's not here!
The other thing Is that I've learned Live feeds are big business for people in this world!
It's a profitable era of real-time reality streaming!
It's a totally legitimate act to broadcast public happenings, so the League can't shut it down for it's exposing the Justice League members fighting moves, power & tactics to potential enemies; as well as others unsavory profiting off the chaos.
This new form of profit paparazzi is making their heroic task more difficult.
However, the Justice Leagues is openly hostile towards some shady places that arrange illegal prop bets on the live feeds, routinely raiding them.
Primarily because some villains provide tips of future crimes featuring themselves or associates for a cut of the broadcast action; while venues use this information to organize flash battle parties to watch on like in a Superbowl weekend type atmosphere!
Even if the villain is captured by The League, when he/she leaves/or escapes jail a large payday might be waiting for them if they either placed prop bets or covering some spread.
All involved, from top to bottom are making money off the backs of the hero's efforts, very efficiently & without guilt!
It makes me think about setting up my own online hustle as well!
However, mine won't be live but pre-taped footage, gathered over time featuring the secret life of heroes & villains whose secret identity I'm privy to!
When I know they are out on a mission,
I'll Anonymously pay some tight-lipped career criminal, who's in the dark of the truth of the gig, to bug places such as civilian identity areas, living/workspace or lairs of high profile figures!
With Atomic Element #82-covered fiber optics cables & cameras sending live feed recordings to a cloud on a private server online to reorganize & edit remotely.
Imagine Hawk girl poolside in a bikini sun tanning, Zatanna done shopping switching clothes to prepare for a date in a bugged 2way mirror semi-nude, or Wonder Woman in a tee shirt & panties eating ice cream watching classic movies!
Blurring out the face initially, letting the audience guess who's who, fanning the rumors of who they are, then later releasing censored content episodes to those who buy high price subscriptions.
At the end of the series, the subscribers then Vote with cash to reveal the truth of only one of the Mosaic faces.
Then the identity of the star they selected & all corresponding uncensored recordings footage related to that star is then sold in a high priced pay per view buy out event!
However, I would obviously rig it to be the heroine/villainess who is least likely to cause me trouble if the source is discovered later!
Inciting beyond their own limits of restraint for a Kryptonian or Amazon war goddess is not smart after all. I can take on a black Canary but not a superwoman!
Amoral, invasive, but very profitable as Sex always sells! It's a scumbag thing to do, but fuck it got a new kid to feed now!
Also, this seems much more profitable than just selling at an underground auction about secret identities in a one-time act of misdirection like I was planning to do before as an emergency tactic; sending the world in chaos if my back was against the wall somehow.
Maybe I can use the stream to advertise for my authenticity of secret knowledge, & build a future auction house of my own for information selling, creating the D.C version of truth agency!
Whatever, these are just some fleeting thoughts...for now.
On the other side of the world, on another live feed; certain 'street-level' heroes & above are Dealing with the Apparent schemed attack if Cheetah, Copperhead, Killer Croc, Captain Cold, Gorilla Grodd & Response from a team of the Cyborg, Green Arrow, Black Canary, Red Tornado, etc...
These types of events were why the League had been so busy as to not pay attention to my small actions of assassinating a US government worker, however newsworthy these activities to others; pale in comparison to other Justice League priorities.
Again no Batman to be seen on any screens, that is worrying me slightly.
This means he is likely here in Gotham, doing something more important than JL support enough to stay here!
However, other than that guy, Gotham shouldn't have any overly broken characters right now except, the new replacement heroes, who are untested & unfamiliar with coordinating with each other's hero crews.
They are guided on assignment by Jon in the watchtower I'm guessing.
In general, even for those broken or Over Powered vigilantes, they stay out of Batman's city both out of respect & fear!
The same way you'll hardly ever find Batman in the Metropolis or Central City; hanging out in Superman or Flashes sectors & turfs.
Batman is Barely welcoming to the active native vigilantes of Gotham he works with already, much less the hero imports.
Unless maybe it's a league level threat response that's needed or something.
That being said, I have some space to maneuver in the open without retribution of a hero beyond my means for now at least.
I'm Thinking these things as I dress in everything custom made.
From the combat boots to cargo pants, with hooded sweatshirt under a long Brown coat, not out of place in this chilled fall weather.
The threads I'm dressed in served a function as much as they are fashionable.
All in which consist of high-level bulletproof microfibers, used to creating impact-resistant clothing, to stop or absorbed concussive blows, most small-caliber rounds or impacts on a molecular level.
The synthetic threads are inspired by the indestructible yet flexible style of certain spider webs; which was researched by Star Labs technicians & sold by corrupted employees to Deadshot.
On top of that, all the synthetic clothes are covered or layered with waterproof, flame retardant textures or chemicals!
Finally, to stop or lessen the possible bypass through the synthetic spider web inspired fibers, a leather-textured coat is arranged with Teflon metal plates for close-range blast or heavy-caliber rounds fire.
I gaze at my attire in the long mirror.
(Similar To The Novel Cover.)
A Teflon metallic plated brown coat, on top molecular impact-resistant fibers clothing, underneath the fiber clothes is a slim standard maneuverable bulletproof vest.
I equipped on a hat, medical mask, non-prescription glasses, & Officer Garp's gun; the Glock 19 which now serves almost as a good luck charm as my first weapon in this world rather than my primary weapon.
I nod approvingly, then I grab the large Suitcase Deadshot used for holding a various arsenal of weapons or for kidnapping/ retrieval/or extraction of the targets silently; as the custom travel case comes with a breathing mask attached to a 6-hour air tank inside the hidden space compartment to avoid suffocation of the extracted target inside.
The suitcase is reinforced with a mix Made of the most formidable metals of this planet!
A mobile fortress in the shape of an airport rolling 4 1/2-foot high carrier pull able suitcase.
It is still light enough to throw & lift, but depends on the added weight of weapons or if a body is inside from site extraction.
A lot of Deadshot monetary gains are spent on custom expensive gear like this, but it's necessary for the dead shot gigs efficiency.
When I look at it & I can't help think of the gun Graves anime, Brandon heat's carry on, 'loaded coffin', but this airport suitcase is less noticeable & has way more features that I hope I won't have to use on this excursion.
I sighed & shrugged as I complained aloud to my self:
" I can remember such an absurd Anime reference but can't recall my name or what I look like before the void seclusion!"
I secured my backpacks pull the suitcase & continued on.
I take a tunnel out of the lair which collapses at my exit, further reducing the number of exit/entrances before I'm forced to use the mansion up above to move in & out which would defeat the purpose of a hideout.
I walk away confidently, ready to start my expedition!
Packed to the limits in weapons of war, a military arsenal enough to start an invasion or uprising in a small country!
Everything for my possible needs & various contingency plans in mind to counter any & all situations but I suddenly stopped my power walk mid-stride...
I slowly turned as I gaze back to the newly collapsed exit/entrance to my hideout in a scowling then grimacing face.
In an exasperated tone I said out loud:
"For all my doomsday prepping...I forgot the cell phone with Michelle & Zoe's most recent new home address in it."
"...Damn!"
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•••[Next-Chapter 7: ("Worlds Current Equilibrium/Public Transit?Never Again/Deadshot Deeds/How I Met Her Mother/ Daddy's Home/A Better Understanding/WHAT?!