It's been awhile since I've updated, so I've included a brief synopsis of the last chapter. However, you may still need to reread it if you need a memory refresher. I apologize for the delayed update.

Last chapter: Helena and Vic discover that Steven Mandragora is out of prison. Not only that but he appears to be connected to the VII Sins, apparently working with both Sloth and an assassin named Lady Shiva. The proposed Keene Act continues to draw national controversy over its stance on vigilantism.

Meanwhile, Greed is planning for the assassination of Senator Keene.

"I want to make him a martyr for the cause."

Shades of Avarice

Chapter 6: The Assassin

Hub City
KBEL Daily News

The Morning Report

"The Keene vs. Nietz controversy reached new heights yesterday when Senators Greer and Keene introduced a new section to the proposed Keene Act as an attempt to compromise with the supporters of Nietz's Defense Bill.

The new section, instead of outlawing all forms of vigilantism, would allow government certified superheroes to remain in action. Under the Keene Act all superheroes and vigilantes would be required to be registered with the government. Any who do not would not legally be able to carry forth their brand of justice and therefore face prosecution.

There has yet been no response from the Justice League, but I can imagine that many in the superhero community are outraged. This bill would force them to reveal their secret identities to the government.

We are currently out of time, so thank you for listening to the Morning Report. Tune in at five for continuing coverage of the Bradvn murder. This has been Vic Sage reporting."

………………………………………………

"They can't be serious!"

All eyes in the cafeteria turned to Vigilante. The cowboy had become outraged after reading the day's newspaper, even spraying coffee over his friend Shining Knight.

"Calm down," Fire urged. However, even the Brazilian woman looked concerned as she turned to Zatanna. "Can they even enforce that?" she questioned. "Not all of us are even American." The magician shrugged her shoulders as she eyed a copy of The Daily Planet.

"No, but if Congress passes the Keene Act other countries may follow suit," Captain Atom explained. "Most of the world's probably waiting to see how this plays out here before making similar moves."

Concerned murmurings continued to filter from the cafeteria and throughout the rest of the Watchtower. A pair of Kryptonian ears tried to ignore the rising tension as he spoke with the newest member of the League.

"Mr. Terrific will most likely be contacting you today for a mission," Superman said. Today was the Hooded Justice's official first day in the League. The tall, broad man walked beside him, matching the Kryptonian's stride. The other man nodded his head silently. The new Leaguer walked in silence for a few minutes as Superman tried to fill the awkward silence with small talk.

"Do you think the Keene Act will pass?" Hooded Justice asked finally. Clark gave a start before sighing internally. Of course he would ask about that. It was on everyone's mind.

"There are more people against it than for it," Clark replied. "Although their addition of government registration has helped them gain a few more supporters. They don't know that the registration is pointless."

"Why?"

Clark paused at that. He wasn't sure how much to tell Hooded Justice. The Kryptonian knew that certain members in the government already had access to files containing their personal information. Bruce was going to speak with Amanda Waller today, but Clark already knew that she was against Keene. According to Bruce, Waller was secretly behind the new Defense Bill that would allow more coordination with the Justice League.

"Many of our names are already known to certain members of the government," Clark finally said carefully. "They've kept files on many of us." Clark didn't say any more and Hooded Justice didn't ask.

…………………………………..

"You're going out tonight, I take it?" Tot asked, placing some dishes back into the cupboard. Vic was staring blankly at the computer screen as tried to find some connection, any connection.

"Yes," Vic answered when Tot asked him again. "According to Goncherova, this Sloth controls many people in city council and the police department. If Mandragora is working as the middle man in black market deals, there's a good chance I can find him in Hub City.

"And how, may I ask, are you going to do that?" Tot asked.

"I'm going to pay a visit to Izzy."

"Ah…another outstanding evening with Isadore O'Toole," the professor quipped. Vic smiled. Police Lieutenant Isadore "Izzy" O'Toole was one of the few honorable cops in the corruption that was called the Hub City Police Department. Once one of the PD's most corrupt police officers; Izzy had completely reversed his direction in life after the Question had once saved it.

Vic knew full well that the police department was corrupt, hence why he often took pot shots at it during his news casts. The only saving grace in the whole PD was Izzy O'Toole and about a dozen cops who were loyal to him. Thirteen cops in a city with a higher crime rate than Gotham. The irony wasn't lost on him.

"Izzy will listen to me," Vic said. Isadore O'Toole was slow to trust or tolerate anyone. He tolerated and respected Vic Sage to a degree, but it was the Question that he was more willing to work with.

"By the way…I had a strange dream last night," Vic said. He finally had decided to close his folders on the computer and take a break. Tot raised an eyebrow from his place in the kitchen.

"Oh?" Tot asked. "Not your usual sort apparently." Aristotle Rodor knew that Charles Victor Szasz's dreams were often haunted by unpleasant memories.

"I don't remember much. There was a man with red hair. I felt like I somehow knew him," Vic replied.

"Your wayward brother perhaps?"

"I don't know," Vic sighed. "Maybe. There was another man too, in a wheelchair. I also remember seeing mountains." Maybe he shouldn't have had those M&M's and Twizzlers last night.

"Dreams are a strange thing Charlie." Tot sat down on his favorite chair as he faced his former pupil. "Some say it's our subconscious at work trying to tell us something. Others say it's merely a fantasy of our brain."

"Or a glimpse of the future," Vic added. He refrained from telling Tot all about the CIA's hidden research into viewing the future with dreams. Or how the Illuminati Mystics used dreams to…

"That too," Tot said, cutting off Vic's train of thought. "Anyway…" With that Tot pointed a threatening finger at the younger man. "Friday night you and Helena are coming over for dinner. It's about time I meet this girl." Vic started to protest about how he didn't have the time, he had to investigate…

"No excuses," Tot insisted firmly. "No whining." Vic allowed himself a small smile. The aging professor looked like a father lecturing his misbehaving son.

"I don't whine," Vic retorted. Funny how Helena often accused him of that too.

"Then you complain in adolescent way," Tot shot back. Vic glared at him, but Tot ignored him. Vic Sage decided to be an adult and ignore the comment.

"Pray…may I enquire as to what Chef Rodor is concocting on Friday night?"

"Lasagna," Tot answered. "And you'd better be here. Even Plato didn't write his Symposium on an empty stomach." Vic leaned back on the couch and closed his eyes. He had to go back to work in a few hours and he needed the rest if he was going to be awake a significant portion of the night. Still, he couldn't resist throwing out one more piece of sarcasm.

"I don't think Plato ate lasagna."

"One more quip out of you Charlie and you're having bread and water!"

"Can I have flavored water?"

…………………………………………………………………

It hadn't taken the Question long to find Izzy O'Toole. He had the police officer's phone number on speed dial.

It was close to ten that night when the two men had met up near a run down Chinese restaurant on 27th Ave. Izzy stuck his hands into his pocket as they walked a few blocks to be certain they weren't followed.

"So what d'you have for me No Face?" Izzy asked gruffly. The Question came to a halt as he looked at the grizzled cop.

"Bradvn's murder," he said.

"What about it?"

"She was going to run against Mayor Fermin in the next election. Apparently Senator Keene deposited $20,000 to a private account of Bradvn's to help pay for the upcoming campaign costs."

"We checked her bank account," Izzy said. "I had one of my own check it. She found nothing suspicious."

"It was listed under a false name."

"You're sure it was Bradvn's though?" the policeman asked.

"Positive."

"Damn." Izzy wasn't happy with that news, especially when a new thought struck him.

"Wait…did you say Keene? The asshole who has the whole country fired up about vigilantes?"

"The very same," the Question answered. "And that's not all. The 'VII' that was carved into Bradvn's face…it stands for the Seven Sins."

"What, so we have a bunch of religious nutjobs?"

"Seven, although religious is hardly the word to describe them. At least one of them, named Sloth, is operating in Hub City. My sources tell me that this person has control over much of the city council and even your department."

That last part didn't surprise Izzy. The police department had been corrupt for a long time. He had also noticed that his superiors had basically given up on the investigation. It was only because of the insistence of Mayor Myra Fermin as well as his own stubbornness that there was still even an ongoing investigation.

"You should also know that a criminal named Steven Mandragora is working for Sloth," the Question added. "He's a former crime boss and is responsible for the deaths of many people. He was in prison for a while, but someone paid the bail money about a month ago."

"I've heard of him," Izzy said. "I hear he's really nasty."

"Like moldy Feta cheese. He's been playing the go between for Sloth in the black market. Weapons…to be more precise. Mandragora also has a professional mercenary with him, a lady named Shiva. Do. Not. Fight. Her." The Question emphasized the last part. If Batman of all people had trouble with her, there was nothing Izzy could do but lose his life.

Izzy O'Toole was not a happy man. Hub City's internal corruption was bad enough as it was…especially for the small number of still loyal police officers.

"Word on the street is that members of the Chinese Triad got a hold of some new weaponry a few weeks ago," Izzy finally said. "According to a guy we caught shoplifting Sunday, a group Neo-Nazis are expecting a shipment of weapons in a couple days, but we don't know where or when. I don't exactly have the manpower to find and stop them."

"I know Izzy," the Question answered. Inwardly though he was seething. Three things enraged him…okay, four, but missing an episode of Oprah was another matter. He hated seeing people hurt kids, he despised people who made Helena cry and he hated ignorant racist bigots.

"I'll see what I can find out," the Question promised.

"Be careful No-Face."

……………………………………………………………………………

A tall, muscular man stood at the window, looking up at the moon. He and the moon had been friends for a long time. A chilly breeze wafted through the window, announcing the approach of October.

"Keene should be dead soon," a female voice said. Greed looked over as Lust walked softly up next to him.

"Perhaps," Greed replied.

"This man you hired, you suspect that he may not succeed?"

"My associate informed me that this assassin, the one they call the Fox, had an incident about three months ago. He was supposed to kill a child, but he resisted."

"Did he kill her?" Lust asked.

"My associate claims he did, but he was lying. I know for a fact that the child got away."

"Then why…what if this 'Fox' fails?" she asked cautiously. Greed smiled.

"Either way, I win," he answered. The other woman gave him a curious look, to which he replied with a quote.

"A man once said, 'How to achieve the moral breakdown of the enemy before the war has started – that is the problem that interests me.'"

"And who said that?" The dark skinned woman saw a mysterious smirk grow on her leader's face.

"Adolf Hitler."

……………………………………………………

Location: Jeffersontown, Kentucky

The Home of Senator Charles Keene

Silent feet landed on the opposite side of a high security wall. The man froze, hidden in the shadows as his sharp eyes scanned the perimeter. Satisfied that the security system had indeed been disengaged, the assassin known as the 'Fox' slinked softly towards the two story mansion.

An owl hooted in the cool night air. A crescent moon hung high overhead as the man suddenly dropped down behind a hedge of bushes. An armed security guard stepped around the corner, boredom evident on his face. The silent shadow watched and waited. It was standard procedure at this location for armed guards to travel in pairs. Moments later, a female figure also stepped around the corner.

The Fox struck before either guard could react. He carefully checked their pulses before pulling out a couple of needles. Once he would have killed them. But now, for reasons not entirely understood to the assassin, he merely drugged the pair and hid them in the shadows.

The man pulled a small grappling gun from the inside of his jacket. He took aim at the roof. The hook latched securely in place and the wire grew taut. Clicking the retract button on the gun, the assassin slid silently up the wire and landed quietly on the roof. Looking around, the Fox quickly slid down to a ledge and expertly opened a locked window.

He was inside.

The Fox padded down the hallway, searching for his target. A few minutes later, he slipped into a large family room. A gray haired man lay dozing in an elegant armchair. The assassin crept up and pulled out a Beretta. He lifted the gun and pressed it to the side of his target's head.

The man woke up with a start, but the assassin covered the target's mouth with his other hand. The older man's eyes widened in terror as the assassin prepared to pull the trigger.

Then he froze.

A small child was curled up in the man's lap. The assassin deduced that this must be a grandchild. He prepared to pull the trigger again, but his finger refused to move.

The child…

That child…

Unbidden, a memory from three months ago overwhelmed his senses. A memory that had been haunting him.

A young girl stared impassively at him. The assassin wondered how she could be so calm, so emotionless. Was it because of her abilities? The Society had assured him that they had that part taken care of, all he had to do was pull the trigger. They had given him specially designed bullets for the child.

The pale girl's dark eyes pierced sharply into his own brown ones, her dark raven hair barely moving as she took a step forward.

"You're just like me," the child said. The assassin gave a start. Just like her?

"A pawn," the girl answered, as if reading his thoughts. There was a hint of anger in her voice. "I can see it in your eyes. They tell you what to do, you don't think…you don't choose to do this."

"What do you mean?" the assassin asked. The girl gave him an unblinking stare, as if peering deep into his mind.

"They took you as a child, tortured you, trained you, formed you into this." She said the last part with distaste. "You never had a choice."

The gun lowered a fraction. He stared at the girl.

"What?" he asked.

"They did that to me too," the girl went on. "Ace can you do this; Ace I want you to kill them. Ace, Ace, Ace…"

The gun trembled in the man's hand. His vision blurred as a long forgotten memory surfaced.

"Boy I want you to shoot this target. Boy, kill this man. Boy, Boy, Boy…"

"They took your free will," the girl said. "You can take it back though. I did."

"Free…will?" he questioned, voice trembling.

"What's your name?" the girl asked. The man blinked. A name? He had always been Number 16 or the Fox. A name…?

"They even took your name," the child said with a touch of pity. "At least I still have mine. I'm Ace."

"I…don't…"

The man suddenly doubled over as his mind screamed in agony. It was as if an electrical shock had ignited his brain. When his vision finally cleared, he saw that the girl was gone. However, he heard her faint voice in his mind.

"Run away."

The assassin's eyes cleared as he saw that he was still pressing the Beretta to the target's head. His name…did he once have a name?

"What're you waiting for?" Senator Keene finally growled. "Do it."

But the assassin still hesitated. He looked down at the sleeping child and back up at the senator. Free will…

"No," he finally whispered. Silently he withdrew the gun and placed it back inside his jacket. He quickly withdrew from the room as the senator held his breath. Senator Keene caught a flash of red hair as the man who had tried to murder him escaped from the room.

"SECURITY!!"

Within minutes, the whole house was bustling with security officers as the frightened family burst into the family room.

Search though they did, the unnamed assassin had already disappeared.

……………………………..

Chapter notes:

Izzy O'Toole is a recurring character in the Question comics.

I suppose you can say that the assassin was influenced somewhat by the Bourne Identity, but I also was influenced by a manga called 'Black Cat.'

For those of you who have read the comics, then you probably can guess who the second man in Vic's dream was.

The Chinese Triads that were mentioned are Chinese organized crime groups. They are known to have connections in the United States even though their presence isn't as significant here as other crime groups.

For those of you interested, I found a cool Question amv/tribute video on youtube. I posted a link for in in my author profile. There's not a lot of comments on it, which is sad as it is the best JLU Question vid I have yet to see. The song that is used is very addicting.