Chapter Text
Los Alamos, New Mexico
"-and according to recent tests, candidate 26 has made some slow progress on improving her link coefficient, going from a miserable 48.4% to a barely passable 55.3% within the last four months. We are still trying to improve the composition of the LiNKER formula but if we maintain this pace then I believe the project is still far from producing a working result, director."
Amanda Waller listened to the scientist's detailed report as she calmly strolls down a sterile, reinforced corridor. A pair of armed guards flanked her sides as she was escorted down the hallway while a gaggle of men dressed in white lab coats followed her closely from behind.
"I see. Is there any specific reason as to why progress is taking this long to develop, Dr. Desmond?"
While Waller's experience in the business might have taught her the value of patience, some of the other higher-ups in Cadmus don't exactly share the same views as her. While the secretive organization is not exactly strapped for cash as a result of having generous donors like Lex Luthor and Maxwell Lord working with them behind the scenes, said benefactors are still expecting a good amount of return for their investment like the ruthless, power-hungry businessmen that they are.
Waller heard one of the scientists trailing behind her nervously gulp air at her question.
"Um, the... the project manager has been very, very strict on the well-being of the test subjects. A bit too much if I might add. S-She told us we are not allowed to push them too hard, citing a need to avoid burn-out. I-In my humble opinion, I believe her cautious approach is causing us too much unnecessary delays to our progress yet I fear none of us are brave enough to openly question her methods. Not after she had Dr. Adolf violently removed from the project after the latter conducted an unauthorized testing experiment without her expressed permission. He... He is still currently confined in the ICU and the surgeons told us he won't be able to move for the next two months."
Waller resisted the urge to palm her face as her group stopped in front of the express elevator that would take them to the lower levels of the facility. The latest specialist recruited into Cadmus' ranks has proven herself to be far more troublesome than what Waller had anticipated. It wasn't the first time she heard about how the woman easily turned violently overprotective in regards to the well-being of her charges, a surprising trait which caught the hardened director off guard at first as her behavioural analysts initially pegged the woman as a sociopath incapable of expressing compassion for others.
Nevertheless, Waller knew she couldn't easily get rid of her, not just because she is too dangerous to make an enemy out of but also because she is Cadmus' best and only available expert in the realm of lost ancient technology and her vast personal knowledge on the subject has allowed the organization to develop several major breakthroughs on the field that would have otherwise taken them years to decipher by blindly stumbling around in the dark. And that's not even mentioning how she's also singlehandedly responsible for vastly improving Cadmus' defenses against potential psychic surveillance from the League by implementing what she calls a "Die Spinne Barrier" into most of their hidden facilities.
No, Waller doesn't have the luxury of needlessly antagonizing her. As long as she remains a huge indispensible asset to their efforts, Waller would have to handle this pragmatically and simply learn to put up with the woman's unpredictable behaviour for the sake of Cadmus' greater benefit.
Once the elevator finally slides open, the guards lead Waller and her group inside before the thick doors automatically slammed shut behind them.
"Where is she right now?" Waller questioned as her eyes watched the numbers on the elevator panel rapidly climbed down in reverse as they were taken deeper into the facility.
"Um, I believe she's scheduled to conduct a testing experiment with candidate 12 at this hour, ma'am." Another scientist timidly replied as he double-checks the watch on his wrist.
Not a minute too soon, the elevator abruptly grinds to a halt before the doors smoothly slide open to allow its passengers to disembark into the designated level where the testing site is being housed. As Waller's group ventured into the floor, the researchers who are working their shift immediately noticed her approach and proceed to give her a wide berth while keeping their heads down to themselves, not wishing to personally draw the attention of Cadmus' intimidating director. Luckily for them, Waller didn't even acknowledged their presence, except for a single individual who chose to deliberately stand in front of their path as if they were expecting their visit.
"Director Waller, it's a pleasure to see you. My mistress has been expecting your arrival."
The person who greeted Waller was a fairly tall-looking woman with green eyes and long brown hair that has a series of similar green-colored streaks running through it. Said woman was dressed like a secretary, garbed in a dark green vest over a long-sleeved turquoise shirt, a black skirt that went down to her thighs and a pair of black heels.
At first glance, the woman seems fairly unassuming and even harmless, especially with the relaxed, disarming smile she is wearing on her expression. However, Waller's gut instinct, honed from years of experience dealing with all types of dangerous villains and hardened criminals she encountered throughout her career, is practically screaming at her not to let her guard down whatsoever.
Upon closer observation, Waller can quickly tell that the person in front of her is not human at all. Partially because of her unnaturally perfect features which look far too flawless that it lands right on the far spectrum of the uncanny valley but mostly because the exposed fingers on her hands are showing visible artificial joints like that of a mannequin's.
It didn't take long for the green-clad woman to notice Waller's wary glance before she promptly moves to assuage her unease.
"Oh, you don't need to worry about dear old me, director. I'm just a mere humble servant of my mistress who she has appointed to act as her diligent secretary. As long as she continues to see benefit in your partnership, I shall remain loyal to your organization as my mistress is."
'That's not really reassuring at all.' Waller was tempted to voice out her thoughts but she held herself back and simply returned a curt nod.
"I see. Lead the way then."
With a smirk, the green-clad woman turned around and begin guiding Waller's group down the hallway until they eventually arrived at the testing lab whose doors automatically slide open upon detecting their presence. Inside, Waller spots more than a dozen scientists manning a set of complex machinery in the background while a blonde woman dressed in a white lab coat whose hair is styled in an unusually long braid is speaking to an anxious young red-haired girl dressed in a small medical gown who's sitting on the side of a gurney.
"Now Anya, I know I might be asking much from you with this, but can I request if you can manage to hold on to it for a minute or two? We need to improve your results from last week."
"I... I think so, Miss Dienheim. Although, do I really have to do this so regularly? Testing always left me feeling so tired and sleepy..."
"I'm afraid so, my dear. However, if you believe the strain suddenly becomes too much for you to handle then we can always pause the testing midway and resume once you feel comfortable enough to do it again. If you want, I'll even have Garie treat you to something special as a reward for your compliance today. I heard that you like that shaved ice treat I had her made for you and the others last month."
The young girl's nervous mood noticeably improved the moment the blonde mentioned about potentially rewarding her with her favorite treat.
"...Okay. I trust you, Miss Dienheim. You've always cared for me when others here didn't bother to take my personal feelings into account."
Meanwhile, the woman clad in green who led Waller's group into the testing chamber suddenly announced her presence to the blonde.
"Mistress, Director Waller is here to speak to you."
The blonde turns around to face Waller and the latter suddenly felt like an ant being sized up by a larger predator the moment she felt the woman's cold teal eyes land on her appearance.
"I see. Thank you, Phara. You may attend to your other duties right now. The director and I have some important manners we need to discuss in private."
The green-clad woman gave the blonde a respectful bow before she casually walks out of the testing chamber, leaving Waller and her group alone with her mistress.
"Director Waller, what brings you to my business? Is there something you wish to ask from me, the Murderer of Miracles?"