![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
bradygirl_12Title: Rainbow’s Freedom (The Jewel In The Crown Arc) (1/31)
Author: BradyGirl_12
Pairings/Characters: (this chapter): Lex/Jamie, Clark/Bruce (Jamie and Clark do not appear in this chapter)
Series Notes: In the 23rd century, Earth is a technologically-advanced society that practices the ancient institution of slavery. The House Of Wayne travels off-world to the planet of Jovara on an important mission, and lovers Clark and Bruce learn more about their Master/slave dynamic through the eyes of this exotic culture. Meanwhile, Hal and Steve attempt to aid Diana and the Amazons to finally break free of their centuries-long enslavement on Paradise Island. The entire series can be found here.
Genres: AU, Drama, Slavefic
Challenge Category: Section E (Slavefic)
Rating: (this chapter): G
Warnings: None
Spoilers: None
Summary: Lex has a proposition for Bruce.
Date Of Completion (First Draft): February 23, 2009
Date Of Posting: January 2, 2010
Disclaimer: I don’t own ‘em, DC does, more’s the pity.
Word Count: 1002
Feedback welcome and appreciated.
Entered into the 2010 DCU Fic/Art Bondage Challenge.
"If you could stop a war, wouldn’t you?"
I
"EARTH NEEDS YOU!"
“Thanks for meeting me, Bruce.”
“Happy to do it, Lex.” Bruce sat in the chair in front of his friend’s desk in his Lexcorp office. The office was chrome-and-glass, decorated in silver-and-blue, very up-to-the-minute and sleek, much like Lex himself. “I was in Metropolis, anyway.”
“How’s the family?”
Bruce smiled. “Fine. Clark’s doing much better.”
“I’m glad.” The late afternoon sun streaked butter-gold against the sky. Summer was coming to its end, the heat and dustiness fading as the first colors of autumn began to touch the trees. “He’s really special.”
“No argument there.”
Lex smiled. The colors of the sky framed him against the window, complementing the serenity he seemed to exude nowadays. Bruce had a good idea why.
“How’s Jamie?”
“Doing well. He’s really happy.”
“I’m glad to hear it.” Bruce cocked his head, smiling as Lex blushed slightly. “What’s up, Lex?”
Lex’s mouth quirked. “You know me well, Bruce.”
“When you know a guy since even before kindergarten, you learn things.”
Lex laughed. “True.” He leaned back in his chair, the Moroccan leather creaking. “I have a proposition for you.”
“Ooh, sounds intriguing.”
“I hope so.” Lex’s gray-blue eyes were serious even as he smiled, Bruce genuinely intrigued. “I’m offering you a covert mission.”
Bruce raised an eyebrow. “Covert mission?”
Lex nodded. “We’ve learned about a Kadoran plot to kidnap an important official at next week’s conference on Jovara.”
“So what’s that got to do with me?”
“You’d be in perfect position to thwart the plot.”
“Me?” Bruce wondered for a wild second if Lex knew the truth about his alter ego.
“Yes. You see, Bruce, this conference is rather special. The Jovarans have requested true blueboods to attend as the various Government representatives. It has something to do with their religious calendar.”
“So, why me?” Bruce covered his relief. “I’m not royalty.” At Lex’s arch look he insisted, “My title of Prince is merely an honorific.”
Lex’s smile grew a tad smug. “Come on, Bruce, we know the truth.” As Bruce shifted in his chair, Lex continued, “’Honorific’ or not, you fit the part.”
“What agency is on this case?”
Lex smiled again. “Does it matter? My contacts are usually pretty reliable.”
“I’m not really interested, Lex. I’d have to be away from home too long…”
“Bruce, do you know what would happen if the Kadorans succeed in kidnapping the official?”
“A galactic incident…”
“More than that. This gentleman has a lot of information stuffed in his head: troop readiness, defense plans, computer codes…that’s just scratching the surface. The Kadorans will happily torture him for the information.”
Bruce crossed his legs. “Why not just order him to stay home?”
Lex laughed. “Surely you’ve dealt with royalty before?”
“I have.” Bruce smiled.
Lex smirked. “Then I think you understand. Prince Mirax of Rigel 7 doesn’t exactly take to orders, unless he’s giving them.”
Bruce’s eyes widened. “Oh, yeah! I see what you mean. I’ve met him through Dax Mantell. Man, he’s one arrogant sonofabitch.”
Lex nodded. “You’d be 100% correct, my friend. He’s a pain-in-the-ass but brilliant. If the Kadorans got the information they wanted, they could launch a war.”
Bruce tapped his fingers on his chair arm. “The Kadorans are always threatening war.”
“This time they’d have the deck stacked in their favor.”
“Lex, I’m no good at cloak-and dagger. I’m just a billionaire who stays out of the Government’s way.”
“Oh, don’t be so modest, Bruce.” Again Bruce wondered if Lex knew. “You’re a wealthy businessman! You understand subtlety and subterfuge. You do it every day!”
“But why me, Lex? You or Ollie would be just as well-suited.”
“By money, sure, but not by bloodline.”
“Ollie’s got noble blood, stretching back to the auld sod.”
Lex smirked. “You’d be right, though it’s a little fuzzy. But you…”
“…am just a hard-working American businessman.”
Lex steepled his fingers. “It’s admirable that you keep up the fiction of no royalty in this country, Bruce, but we need you. Earth needs you!”
“’The Empire needs you’.” Bruce folded his arms. “Since when have you become a Gov shill?”
“Sometimes you just have to work with them, Bruce, considering what’s at stake.”
Bruce sighed. “I really don’t want to be away from my slaves that long.”
“You won’t have to be.” At Bruce’s inquisitive eyebrow, Lex said, “You’re required to bring an entourage.” He handed Bruce a bound volume. “This is a complete protocol handbook.”
Bruce flipped through it, pausing at one section, eyes widening slightly.
“You don’t have to bring Clark.”
“Pleasure slaves are required.”
“Doesn’t have to be Clark.” Lex leaned back in his chair. “You could rent a slave to play the part, telling the Jovarans that he’s too sick to travel.”
Bruce read, his fingers tapping the pages. “That’s an idea.”
“Read through it. I’ll give you some time.” Lex rose. “I’ve got a meeting down the hall. I’ll be back in an hour.”
Lex left his office, Bruce staring down at the handbook. He resumed reading.
& & & & & &
He looked up a half hour later at the glorious sunset streaking across the Metropolis sky. Tiny stars twinkled on the edge of ribbons of ruby-red, burnt orange, and lemon-yellow as they blended into purple-indigo, dusk giving Bruce a sense of peace. He had read the handbook cover-to-cover.
“Well, that was productive,” Lex said in a satisfied tone as he came into his office. He walked behind his desk and sat down. “Decided yet?”
“Yes.” Bruce closed the book. “I’ll do it.”
Lex smiled. “Excellent.”
“I’ll have to talk it over with Alfred, Dick, and Clark. I want volunteers on this mission.”
“Probably best.”
Bruce sighed. “I can’t just order them into something like this.”
“And Clark?”
“That depends, I suppose, on how far his recovery has come.” Bruce felt his stomach tighten.
I hope I haven’t made the wrong decision, Clark.
Author: BradyGirl_12
Pairings/Characters: (this chapter): Lex/Jamie, Clark/Bruce (Jamie and Clark do not appear in this chapter)
Series Notes: In the 23rd century, Earth is a technologically-advanced society that practices the ancient institution of slavery. The House Of Wayne travels off-world to the planet of Jovara on an important mission, and lovers Clark and Bruce learn more about their Master/slave dynamic through the eyes of this exotic culture. Meanwhile, Hal and Steve attempt to aid Diana and the Amazons to finally break free of their centuries-long enslavement on Paradise Island. The entire series can be found here.
Genres: AU, Drama, Slavefic
Challenge Category: Section E (Slavefic)
Rating: (this chapter): G
Warnings: None
Spoilers: None
Summary: Lex has a proposition for Bruce.
Date Of Completion (First Draft): February 23, 2009
Date Of Posting: January 2, 2010
Disclaimer: I don’t own ‘em, DC does, more’s the pity.
Word Count: 1002
Feedback welcome and appreciated.
Entered into the 2010 DCU Fic/Art Bondage Challenge.
Christian Depp
as Steve Rogers in
"Captain America"
2241 C.E.
"EARTH NEEDS YOU!"
“Thanks for meeting me, Bruce.”
“Happy to do it, Lex.” Bruce sat in the chair in front of his friend’s desk in his Lexcorp office. The office was chrome-and-glass, decorated in silver-and-blue, very up-to-the-minute and sleek, much like Lex himself. “I was in Metropolis, anyway.”
“How’s the family?”
Bruce smiled. “Fine. Clark’s doing much better.”
“I’m glad.” The late afternoon sun streaked butter-gold against the sky. Summer was coming to its end, the heat and dustiness fading as the first colors of autumn began to touch the trees. “He’s really special.”
“No argument there.”
Lex smiled. The colors of the sky framed him against the window, complementing the serenity he seemed to exude nowadays. Bruce had a good idea why.
“How’s Jamie?”
“Doing well. He’s really happy.”
“I’m glad to hear it.” Bruce cocked his head, smiling as Lex blushed slightly. “What’s up, Lex?”
Lex’s mouth quirked. “You know me well, Bruce.”
“When you know a guy since even before kindergarten, you learn things.”
Lex laughed. “True.” He leaned back in his chair, the Moroccan leather creaking. “I have a proposition for you.”
“Ooh, sounds intriguing.”
“I hope so.” Lex’s gray-blue eyes were serious even as he smiled, Bruce genuinely intrigued. “I’m offering you a covert mission.”
Bruce raised an eyebrow. “Covert mission?”
Lex nodded. “We’ve learned about a Kadoran plot to kidnap an important official at next week’s conference on Jovara.”
“So what’s that got to do with me?”
“You’d be in perfect position to thwart the plot.”
“Me?” Bruce wondered for a wild second if Lex knew the truth about his alter ego.
“Yes. You see, Bruce, this conference is rather special. The Jovarans have requested true blueboods to attend as the various Government representatives. It has something to do with their religious calendar.”
“So, why me?” Bruce covered his relief. “I’m not royalty.” At Lex’s arch look he insisted, “My title of Prince is merely an honorific.”
Lex’s smile grew a tad smug. “Come on, Bruce, we know the truth.” As Bruce shifted in his chair, Lex continued, “’Honorific’ or not, you fit the part.”
“What agency is on this case?”
Lex smiled again. “Does it matter? My contacts are usually pretty reliable.”
“I’m not really interested, Lex. I’d have to be away from home too long…”
“Bruce, do you know what would happen if the Kadorans succeed in kidnapping the official?”
“A galactic incident…”
“More than that. This gentleman has a lot of information stuffed in his head: troop readiness, defense plans, computer codes…that’s just scratching the surface. The Kadorans will happily torture him for the information.”
Bruce crossed his legs. “Why not just order him to stay home?”
Lex laughed. “Surely you’ve dealt with royalty before?”
“I have.” Bruce smiled.
Lex smirked. “Then I think you understand. Prince Mirax of Rigel 7 doesn’t exactly take to orders, unless he’s giving them.”
Bruce’s eyes widened. “Oh, yeah! I see what you mean. I’ve met him through Dax Mantell. Man, he’s one arrogant sonofabitch.”
Lex nodded. “You’d be 100% correct, my friend. He’s a pain-in-the-ass but brilliant. If the Kadorans got the information they wanted, they could launch a war.”
Bruce tapped his fingers on his chair arm. “The Kadorans are always threatening war.”
“This time they’d have the deck stacked in their favor.”
“Lex, I’m no good at cloak-and dagger. I’m just a billionaire who stays out of the Government’s way.”
“Oh, don’t be so modest, Bruce.” Again Bruce wondered if Lex knew. “You’re a wealthy businessman! You understand subtlety and subterfuge. You do it every day!”
“But why me, Lex? You or Ollie would be just as well-suited.”
“By money, sure, but not by bloodline.”
“Ollie’s got noble blood, stretching back to the auld sod.”
Lex smirked. “You’d be right, though it’s a little fuzzy. But you…”
“…am just a hard-working American businessman.”
Lex steepled his fingers. “It’s admirable that you keep up the fiction of no royalty in this country, Bruce, but we need you. Earth needs you!”
“’The Empire needs you’.” Bruce folded his arms. “Since when have you become a Gov shill?”
“Sometimes you just have to work with them, Bruce, considering what’s at stake.”
Bruce sighed. “I really don’t want to be away from my slaves that long.”
“You won’t have to be.” At Bruce’s inquisitive eyebrow, Lex said, “You’re required to bring an entourage.” He handed Bruce a bound volume. “This is a complete protocol handbook.”
Bruce flipped through it, pausing at one section, eyes widening slightly.
“You don’t have to bring Clark.”
“Pleasure slaves are required.”
“Doesn’t have to be Clark.” Lex leaned back in his chair. “You could rent a slave to play the part, telling the Jovarans that he’s too sick to travel.”
Bruce read, his fingers tapping the pages. “That’s an idea.”
“Read through it. I’ll give you some time.” Lex rose. “I’ve got a meeting down the hall. I’ll be back in an hour.”
Lex left his office, Bruce staring down at the handbook. He resumed reading.
He looked up a half hour later at the glorious sunset streaking across the Metropolis sky. Tiny stars twinkled on the edge of ribbons of ruby-red, burnt orange, and lemon-yellow as they blended into purple-indigo, dusk giving Bruce a sense of peace. He had read the handbook cover-to-cover.
“Well, that was productive,” Lex said in a satisfied tone as he came into his office. He walked behind his desk and sat down. “Decided yet?”
“Yes.” Bruce closed the book. “I’ll do it.”
Lex smiled. “Excellent.”
“I’ll have to talk it over with Alfred, Dick, and Clark. I want volunteers on this mission.”
“Probably best.”
Bruce sighed. “I can’t just order them into something like this.”
“And Clark?”
“That depends, I suppose, on how far his recovery has come.” Bruce felt his stomach tighten.
I hope I haven’t made the wrong decision, Clark.
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2010-01-03 05:11 am (UTC)This is a great start to a 31 chapter I-Have-Something-wonderful-to-look-forward-too-ness. You have me intrigued, with this Kandoran business. Isn't Kandor one of the cities of Krypton??? And you're sending Clark out to Kandor??? I see foreshadowing!!! and I like it LOL. Thank you for sharing and I will look for the next installment patiently (yeah right :P)
no subject
Date: 2010-01-03 04:55 pm (UTC)This is a great start to a 31 chapter
*laughs* Appears to have worked, eh? ;)
I was surprised at getting back into it so quickly, but that's Muses for ya. ;)
I-Have-Something-wonderful-to-look-forward-too-ness. You have me intrigued, with this Kandoran business. Isn't Kandor one of the cities of Krypton??? And you're sending Clark out to Kandor??? I see foreshadowing!!! and I like it LOL. Thank you for sharing and I will look for the next installment patiently (yeah right :P)
Kandor is the bottle city from Krypton, but these are Kadorans (no 'n'). Kandorians would be hunted down and killed. The Kadoran Empire is independent and spoiling for a fight after losing to the Galactic Empire generations ago.
no subject
Date: 2010-01-03 05:41 am (UTC)::off to read!!::
no subject
Date: 2010-01-03 05:16 pm (UTC)::off to read!!::
Happy New Year! :)
no subject
Date: 2010-01-03 08:23 am (UTC)"Bruce flipped through it, pausing at one section, eyes widening slightly."
I can't wait to read what this is about, it hopefully won't be too tough on Clark after all he had to endure through the last arc.
no subject
Date: 2010-01-03 05:21 pm (UTC)Happy Birthday, Anna! :)
"Bruce flipped through it, pausing at one section, eyes widening slightly."
I can't wait to read what this is about, it hopefully won't be too tough on Clark after all he had to endure through the last arc.
I think the boys will start out nervous and end up happy...maybe. ;)
no subject
Date: 2010-01-03 02:40 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-01-03 05:23 pm (UTC)*grins*
Waaay more fun to come! ;)
no subject
Date: 2010-01-03 03:21 pm (UTC)"Earth needs you!" and “Pleasure slaves are required.”
That will prove to be interesting, but I hope Clark will not end up suffering too much after all he had to endure in the last arc, our Starchild should get some time to recuperate.
I also hope Bruce has some safety measures in place, to protect all the secrets and liabilities he leaves behind on earth while off planet.
Can't wait to read the next 30 chapters!
:-)
no subject
Date: 2010-01-03 05:25 pm (UTC)Happy New Year! :)
"Earth needs you!" and "Pleasure slaves are required."
That will prove to be interesting, but I hope Clark will not end up suffering too much after all he had to endure in the last arc, our Starchild should get some time to recuperate.
Bruce is asking for volunteers, so he's leaving it up to Clark. After he reads the protocol handbook, of course. ;)
I also hope Bruce has some safety measures in place, to protect all the secrets and liabilities he leaves behind on earth while off planet.
Yes, quite a few snoopynoses around, aren't there? :)
Can't wait to read the next 30 chapters!
:-)
It should be fun typing them up. :)
no subject
Date: 2010-01-03 05:31 pm (UTC)I so love the set up here. So many possibilities for things to happen, both bad and good...
no subject
Date: 2010-01-03 05:35 pm (UTC)Always fun! :)
I so love the set up here. So many possibilities for things to happen, both bad and good...
Oh, yes. ;)
no subject
Date: 2010-01-03 05:35 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-01-03 05:36 pm (UTC)*grins*
This will be a wild ride, guaranteed. :)
no subject
Date: 2010-01-03 07:54 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-01-03 09:54 pm (UTC)Thank you, Moonie! :)
no subject
Date: 2010-01-04 04:38 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-01-04 06:34 pm (UTC)Thank you, Jen! :)
I like the way Bruce kept worrying over whether Lex was picking him for the mission because he somehow knew about his night job.
LOL! Yeah, it does seem suspicious, doesn't it? ;)
I'm wondering what was in the handbook that made Bruce so worried but I'm sure that will be revealed in good time.
You're correct! ;)
no subject
Date: 2010-01-04 04:51 am (UTC)But what is the deal with Clark? And why do pleasure slaves play such a big part in the conference? What exactly would he be required to do.
I was sooooo happy to see this today. *bounce* Yea!!
no subject
Date: 2010-01-04 06:37 pm (UTC)He might! ;)
But what is the deal with Clark? And why do pleasure slaves play such a big part in the conference? What exactly would he be required to do.
Ah ha, you must continue to tune in! ;)
I was sooooo happy to see this today. *bounce* Yea!!
*grins*
no subject
Date: 2010-01-04 07:58 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-01-04 06:41 pm (UTC)Lex is a smart man. ;)
Regardless, Bruce is obviously the perfect person to deal with the plot. Can't wait to see what role the rest will play.
Everyone will have their part. :)
no subject
Date: 2010-01-04 03:22 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-01-04 06:43 pm (UTC)*grins*
Did you watch the Winter Classic game televised from Fenway Park on New Year's Day? It was very cool! :)
no subject
Date: 2010-01-04 08:57 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-01-04 10:55 pm (UTC)Fenway is a magical place, and of course hockey's roots are outdoors. Happily the Bruins won. :)
"Prince"
Date: 2010-01-05 02:05 am (UTC)Also what does Lex know and how does he know about Bruce being at all competent in covert ops? Also about Bruce's entourage? For public consumption, Bruce is an untrained businessman, Alfred is old and used to a sheltered routine, Dick is a small child, and Clark only exists to look pretty. Why would Lex think any of them would be usefull in a dangerous off world situation? Actually if the laws governing slavery were looser offworld perhaps Bruce could find some place that would allow his slaves to be free, but then Bruce would be desperately lonely.
no subject
Date: 2010-01-05 02:20 am (UTC)You will have to try to back up the "Prince" comment. I can't see how Jovarans would be impressed by a society title.
Ah, but that's the fun. Bruce pretends his title is simply a tabloid title, but his bloodline stretches way back as a genuine royal. The Jovarans want royals, but they're willing to play along with Bruce's little subterfuge if it gets Bruce to attend.
Also what does Lex know and how does he know about Bruce being at all competent in covert ops?
Bruce is their 'in' to Rigel's Prince, and he doesn't need to have spy training, just good powers of observation while the real agents do their work. Besides, Lex might just be on to Bruce's night job. ;)
Also about Bruce's entourage? For public consumption, Bruce is an untrained businessman, Alfred is old and used to a sheltered routine, Dick is a small child, and Clark only exists to look pretty. Why would Lex think any of them would be usefull in a dangerous off world situation?
Same as for Bruce. They're Bruce's window dressing while Bruce gets close to the Prince, keeps an eye on him, and the real agents are around: Jovaran security and anyone Earth sends.
Actually if the laws governing slavery were looser offworld perhaps Bruce could find some place that would allow his slaves to be free, but then Bruce would be desperately lonely.
Very true!
no subject
Date: 2010-01-05 11:37 am (UTC)Thank you (for it showing up).
Oooooo Bruce. Does this mean Clark might have to dress in an interesting way? I'm assuming Bruce won't want him naked. I look forward to more chapters. :)
Angeloz
no subject
Date: 2010-01-05 05:42 pm (UTC)Thank you (for it showing up).
Heh! Actually, I wasn't sure it would show up this month, but then I got in the mood to start working on it again. :)
Oooooo Bruce. Does this mean Clark might have to dress in an interesting way? I'm assuming Bruce won't want him naked. I look forward to more chapters. :)
Angeloz
Thanks, Angeloz! And who says Clark won't be naked? ;)
no subject
Date: 2010-01-05 09:37 pm (UTC)You'd think Bruce wouldn't want to share him. And seriously also he'd want to protect him. It is Bruce. And he better.
Angeloz
no subject
Date: 2010-01-05 11:16 pm (UTC)*grins*
You'd think Bruce wouldn't want to share him. And seriously also he'd want to protect him. It is Bruce. And he better.
Angeloz
Ah, but will be able to on an alien planet? *whistles innocently*
no subject
Date: 2010-01-08 04:31 am (UTC)Hmm, Lex, I wouldn't put knowing past you.
no subject
Date: 2010-01-08 06:30 pm (UTC)*beams*
Hmm, Lex, I wouldn't put knowing past you.
Yep, never put anything past Lex! ;)