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bradygirl_12Title: Rainbow’s Freedom (Project K Arc) (23/54)
Author: BradyGirl_12
Pairings/Characters: (this chapter): Kara Zor-El, Eleanora du Maurier, Lee McCain, Kathy Kane, Edmund Caldwell, Clark/Bruce (Clark does not appear in this chapter)
Series Notes: In the 23rd century, Earth is a technologically-advanced society that practices the ancient institution of slavery. New superheroes appear on the scene as the Abolitionist Movement gathers strength. Meanwhile, Lex gets his heart’s desire while long-held secrets begin to spill out of the Manor. Nothing will ever be the same again.
The entire series can be found here.
Genres: AU, Challenge, Drama, Slavefic
Challenge Category: Section E (Slavefic)
Rating: (this chapter): R
Warnings: Graphic descriptions of torture.
Spoilers: None
Summary: Kara stays incognito on Earth while the Caldwell trial continues.
Date Of Completion (First Draft): October 20, 2009
Date Of Posting: March 1, 2011
Disclaimer: I don’t own ‘em, DC does, more’s the pity.
Word Count: 871
Feedback welcome and appreciated.
Author's Note: Written for my 2010 DCU Fic/Art Bondage Challenge.
The hearts of the twisted
Are shriveled and small,
Their souls stained
With the blood
Of innocents.
XXIII
BLOODSTAINED
Kara drifted through the open-air bazaar in Boston, curious at the merchandise on display. There was Jovaran jewelry, Rigellian firegems, and Virillian silks and spices. Definitely a high-end bazaar. She was curious about the Earth offerings, which included Chinese silk and Waterford crystal and Irish lace.
She carefully kept her mouth from twisting as she saw a young woman walk by, trailed by a female slave, her Mistress holding her collar chain. The utter casualness of it sickened her, but unless she planned to join the local Abolitionist organization, she had to keep her true feelings to herself.
The fact that there was such an organization garnered points for the Terrans. Apparently all of them didn’t approve of slavery.
A small television set on the back shelf of a booth was on, and a perky blond on-screen said, “The second day of the Caldwell trial begins. It’s expected that Kathy Kane, lawyer for The National Abolitionist Society, will bring out the tape that was shown in the U.S. Capitol, showing in great detail the sadistic torture of slaves by Edmund Caldwell.
“And now we will speak with the Reverend Lee McCain of the Church Of The Word. Reverend, you are an ardent supporter of Mr. Caldwell.”
“Yes, Miss du Maurier." The dark-haired reverend looked relaxed. Lean and conservatively-dressed, he held up a book. “This is all we need to know about the slavery question. This holy book tells us that slavery is divinely-inspired and condoned.
“Some are unsure whether slaves have souls, but what we can all agree on is that those born slaves were meant to serve. Perhaps it’s not fair, but when has life ever been fair?”
Kara was appalled but clamped down on her emotions.
The callousness of pro-slavery freemen could still astound her. Sure, it was easy to spout pro-slavery platitudes when you weren’t the one wearing the collar and manacles.
Shaking her head, Kara moved to the next booth.
& & & & & &
Kathy picked up the disc out of the jewel case, sliding it into the vidcorder. The picture flickered into the scene of a dungeon, filled with medieval torture devices, and zoomed in a naked female slave kneeling on a platform, her mouth crammed with a ball gag and her legs pushed apart, her arms up over her head and stretched tight.
“Time for fun, my dear,” said Edmund off-camera.
A hot, glowing poker entered the picture.
Several jurors cringed as muffled screams came from the television, then the ball gag was removed, the screams agonized as the torture intensified. Two jurors turned their heads away.
Kathy fast-forwarded to a naked male slave stretched out on his back, a large, serrated knife glinting above the bound body on the same platform, bloodstained from previous tortures. The hand holding the knife began sawing on vulnerable flesh, the screams filling the courtroom.
Kathy muted the sound as the video continued.
“This, ladies and gentlemen, is what the defendant is capable of doing to helpless slaves. These poor souls were still alive when the mutilation was performed before, finally, merciful death.
“Whatever your views on slavery, I’m counting on your basic humanity to be appalled at what you see here.
“This is not just a Master having some bondage fun with his slaves.
“This is sadism, pure and simple, and if done to free men and women, would be considered a crime of the highest order.
“The law states that you can convict this man of stealing a valuable slave with the intention of mutilating and murdering Bruce Wayne’s Prize.
“The law states that he can be hit with a fine and a prison term of six months. After seeing this video, I hope that you will vote to convict to the fullest extent of the law.”
Kathy looked directly at the jury while blood filled the screen.
“Reach deep down for your humanity and vote for conviction.”
& & & & & &
Bruce felt drained. Seeing that tape again had been deeply disturbing. The thought of Clark suffering that kind of torture made him physically ill.
Unfortunately, Addison Atterby could argue tomorrow that Edmund was only doing what the Government itself did to slaves classified as runaways or people put to death under a Hunt Decree.
Tiredly he sat down in the chair behind his desk in the library. It had been a long day. Alfred had piled the day’s mail on the blotter.
It was growing dark outside, settling into his bones.
A year ago today, Clark had been kidnapped.
He wanted to go upstairs and be with him under warm covers. The hell with patrol tonight.
Sighing, Bruce quickly looked over the mail: ads, bills, an invitation to a party…and a plain envelope in unfamiliar handwriting. Curious, he used the antique letter opener to slice open the envelope, taking out a single sheet of cheap paper.
His heart nearly stopped as he read it.
& & & & & &
Bruce Wayne,
I know that your Squire is a Gypsy.
Instructions to follow.
(this new counter installed 5/22/11)
Author: BradyGirl_12
Pairings/Characters: (this chapter): Kara Zor-El, Eleanora du Maurier, Lee McCain, Kathy Kane, Edmund Caldwell, Clark/Bruce (Clark does not appear in this chapter)
Series Notes: In the 23rd century, Earth is a technologically-advanced society that practices the ancient institution of slavery. New superheroes appear on the scene as the Abolitionist Movement gathers strength. Meanwhile, Lex gets his heart’s desire while long-held secrets begin to spill out of the Manor. Nothing will ever be the same again.
The entire series can be found here.
Genres: AU, Challenge, Drama, Slavefic
Challenge Category: Section E (Slavefic)
Rating: (this chapter): R
Warnings: Graphic descriptions of torture.
Spoilers: None
Summary: Kara stays incognito on Earth while the Caldwell trial continues.
Date Of Completion (First Draft): October 20, 2009
Date Of Posting: March 1, 2011
Disclaimer: I don’t own ‘em, DC does, more’s the pity.
Word Count: 871
Feedback welcome and appreciated.
Author's Note: Written for my 2010 DCU Fic/Art Bondage Challenge.
Are shriveled and small,
Their souls stained
With the blood
Of innocents.
Maxon Raxel
Rigellian Poet
"Dark Hearts"
1200 B.C.E.
BLOODSTAINED
Kara drifted through the open-air bazaar in Boston, curious at the merchandise on display. There was Jovaran jewelry, Rigellian firegems, and Virillian silks and spices. Definitely a high-end bazaar. She was curious about the Earth offerings, which included Chinese silk and Waterford crystal and Irish lace.
She carefully kept her mouth from twisting as she saw a young woman walk by, trailed by a female slave, her Mistress holding her collar chain. The utter casualness of it sickened her, but unless she planned to join the local Abolitionist organization, she had to keep her true feelings to herself.
The fact that there was such an organization garnered points for the Terrans. Apparently all of them didn’t approve of slavery.
A small television set on the back shelf of a booth was on, and a perky blond on-screen said, “The second day of the Caldwell trial begins. It’s expected that Kathy Kane, lawyer for The National Abolitionist Society, will bring out the tape that was shown in the U.S. Capitol, showing in great detail the sadistic torture of slaves by Edmund Caldwell.
“And now we will speak with the Reverend Lee McCain of the Church Of The Word. Reverend, you are an ardent supporter of Mr. Caldwell.”
“Yes, Miss du Maurier." The dark-haired reverend looked relaxed. Lean and conservatively-dressed, he held up a book. “This is all we need to know about the slavery question. This holy book tells us that slavery is divinely-inspired and condoned.
“Some are unsure whether slaves have souls, but what we can all agree on is that those born slaves were meant to serve. Perhaps it’s not fair, but when has life ever been fair?”
Kara was appalled but clamped down on her emotions.
The callousness of pro-slavery freemen could still astound her. Sure, it was easy to spout pro-slavery platitudes when you weren’t the one wearing the collar and manacles.
Shaking her head, Kara moved to the next booth.
Kathy picked up the disc out of the jewel case, sliding it into the vidcorder. The picture flickered into the scene of a dungeon, filled with medieval torture devices, and zoomed in a naked female slave kneeling on a platform, her mouth crammed with a ball gag and her legs pushed apart, her arms up over her head and stretched tight.
“Time for fun, my dear,” said Edmund off-camera.
A hot, glowing poker entered the picture.
Several jurors cringed as muffled screams came from the television, then the ball gag was removed, the screams agonized as the torture intensified. Two jurors turned their heads away.
Kathy fast-forwarded to a naked male slave stretched out on his back, a large, serrated knife glinting above the bound body on the same platform, bloodstained from previous tortures. The hand holding the knife began sawing on vulnerable flesh, the screams filling the courtroom.
Kathy muted the sound as the video continued.
“This, ladies and gentlemen, is what the defendant is capable of doing to helpless slaves. These poor souls were still alive when the mutilation was performed before, finally, merciful death.
“Whatever your views on slavery, I’m counting on your basic humanity to be appalled at what you see here.
“This is not just a Master having some bondage fun with his slaves.
“This is sadism, pure and simple, and if done to free men and women, would be considered a crime of the highest order.
“The law states that you can convict this man of stealing a valuable slave with the intention of mutilating and murdering Bruce Wayne’s Prize.
“The law states that he can be hit with a fine and a prison term of six months. After seeing this video, I hope that you will vote to convict to the fullest extent of the law.”
Kathy looked directly at the jury while blood filled the screen.
“Reach deep down for your humanity and vote for conviction.”
Bruce felt drained. Seeing that tape again had been deeply disturbing. The thought of Clark suffering that kind of torture made him physically ill.
Unfortunately, Addison Atterby could argue tomorrow that Edmund was only doing what the Government itself did to slaves classified as runaways or people put to death under a Hunt Decree.
Tiredly he sat down in the chair behind his desk in the library. It had been a long day. Alfred had piled the day’s mail on the blotter.
It was growing dark outside, settling into his bones.
A year ago today, Clark had been kidnapped.
He wanted to go upstairs and be with him under warm covers. The hell with patrol tonight.
Sighing, Bruce quickly looked over the mail: ads, bills, an invitation to a party…and a plain envelope in unfamiliar handwriting. Curious, he used the antique letter opener to slice open the envelope, taking out a single sheet of cheap paper.
His heart nearly stopped as he read it.
Bruce Wayne,
I know that your Squire is a Gypsy.
Instructions to follow.
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2011-03-02 02:31 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-03-02 02:40 am (UTC)Sometimes! But not this time. ;)
no subject
Date: 2011-03-02 03:02 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-03-02 04:26 pm (UTC)Yes! The plot thickens!
no subject
Date: 2011-03-02 04:38 pm (UTC)~bites nails
no subject
Date: 2011-03-02 11:57 pm (UTC)Blackmail is rarely good. :(
To cease his anti-slavery activities, to show support for something he doesn't want to, "just" money, or to hand Dick over to somebody...eek! I wish I hadn't thought of that one! 0.0
~bites nails
Hmm...
no subject
Date: 2011-03-02 04:07 am (UTC)So much, so much, so much is happening. Kara, the trial and now this.
I would thank you for sharing but....cliffhanger-ers get spanked not thanked young lady............:P (Thanx anyway)
no subject
Date: 2011-03-02 04:31 pm (UTC)So much, so much, so much is happening. Kara, the trial and now this.
I would thank you for sharing but....cliffhanger-ers get spanked not thanked young lady............:P (Thanx anyway)
*grins*
I know, cliffies can drive me crazy as a reader, too! ;)
But what better place to end this? Dick in peril! Perfect! :)
no subject
Date: 2011-03-02 04:46 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-03-02 11:47 pm (UTC)Yes, I'm not THAT evil! ;)
no subject
Date: 2011-03-02 06:10 am (UTC)Bad cliffies, bad! Write Moars!!
no subject
Date: 2011-03-02 04:32 pm (UTC)Both! :)
Bad cliffies, bad! Write Moars!!
I will! :)
no subject
Date: 2011-03-02 11:16 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-03-02 11:43 pm (UTC)It's getting scary!
no subject
Date: 2011-03-03 12:26 am (UTC)Something the government does under the law isn't necessarily ok for private citizens to do, either-look at the death penalty! Executing criminals who have been arrested, tried, and convicted by a jury of their peers, is NOT the same as a private citizen performing the same actions on their own, without due authority. Even a cop or a judge couldn't just go grab someone and kill them legally, without the whole process.
So saying it's ok to torture and kill stolen slaves because the government does so to freed/runaways is a fallacious argument. (After that point is hammered home, they can tackle the issue that it's BTW NOT OK to torture and kill bought slaves, and work outward from there. Best not to bring that into this trial, though. D:)
~flips off Caldwell's lawyer
no subject
Date: 2011-03-03 01:08 am (UTC)They also like to plant the seeds of ideas in juries' heads. The judge can instruct the jury to ignore certain things, but human nature says that's hard to do.
I should bring back Addison Atterby in future arcs. He's wonderfully smarmy and unctuous! ;)
no subject
Date: 2011-03-03 01:22 am (UTC)Anarchy is a bad thing, see? ~prim face
Ya just gotta blind 'em enough to get through the trial, they can think about it later and say hey...wut? lol
Ever see the musical 'Chicago', with that trial number they did?
no subject
Date: 2011-03-03 02:08 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-03-03 08:12 am (UTC)Also great writing as always
no subject
Date: 2011-03-03 06:01 pm (UTC)Also great writing as always
Thank you! :)
There will be a meeting between mother and son, but whether it's this trip or not, can't tell you that! ;)
no subject
Date: 2011-03-03 06:48 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-03-03 11:47 pm (UTC)Aww, don't worry, hon! Everyone's notifications are all messed up. Just a typical LJ screw-up! :)
I figured you'd like Kara in this. :)
no subject
Date: 2011-03-07 08:06 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-03-04 09:06 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-03-05 12:23 am (UTC)*beams*
Thank you! And there's lots more to come! :)
no subject
Date: 2011-03-09 02:27 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-03-15 01:24 am (UTC)*grins*
Cliffies can be evil, all right! ;)
no subject
Date: 2011-05-22 03:55 am (UTC)Man, just when things were starting to look up a little.
(Btw, this chap. was missing the rainbows freedom and project k arc tags, so it took me a while to find it. Just fyi.)
no subject
Date: 2011-05-22 04:01 am (UTC)Man, just when things were starting to look up a little.
The plot thickens! :)
(Btw, this chap. was missing the rainbows freedom and project k arc tags, so it took me a while to find it. Just fyi.)
I'll fix that right away! :)