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bradygirl_12Title: Rainbow’s Freedom (Project K Arc) (33/54)
Author: BradyGirl_12
Pairings/Characters: (this chapter): Elias Stark, Lex/Jamie, Mario Tortelli
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): PG-13
Warnings: None
Spoilers: None
Summary: Lex learns ominous news when he attends a meeting of the Kryptonian Control Committee.
Date Of Completion (First Draft): November 21, 2009
Date Of Posting: April 15, 2011
Disclaimer: I don’t own ‘em, DC does, more’s the pity.
Word Count: 735
Feedback welcome and appreciated.
Author's Note: Written for my 2010 DCU Fic/Art Bondage Challenge.
Like sands
In an hourglass,
Time slips
Away, so fleeting.
XXXIII
"LIKE SANDS IN AN HOURGLASS..."
Elias Stark scowled at the headlines on The Gotham Gazette website: CALDWELL JURY STILL OUT. So the verdict would come down soon. Damn that Bruce Wayne! Didn’t he have any sense of honor?
His aide poked his head in. “The meeting’s about to start, General.”
Stark clicked the window closed. “I’ll be right there.”
He gathered up his notes and left the office.
& & & & & &
“Hello, General.”
“Hello, Lex. Here for your Committee meeting?”
Lex nodded. “I suppose you’re going to the Hunt Committee session?”
“You bet. Sorry you’re no longer on that committee, Lex. You were a valuable asset.”
“Thank you, General.” Lex smiled. “I appreciate being appreciated.”
“Speaking of appreciation, where’s that pretty piece of yours?”
“My Prize? He’s already in the meeting room.”
“Unattended?”
“Of course. They’re all men of honor.”
Stark raised an eyebrow. “Like your buddy Bruce Wayne?”
Lex cocked his head. “Bruce is a man of honor, yes.”
“Then why is he prosecuting Edmund Caldwell?”
“Caldwell kidnapped his pleasure slave. That’s obvious.”
“It doesn’t mean that he has to break the Code of Honor.”
“Maybe he wasn’t too happy with his Prize being terrorized and threatened with eventual mutilation and death.”
Stark snorted. “Slaves, even of the pleasure variety, are a dime-a-dozen.” He crossed his arms. “Yet a man’s honor is priceless.”
Lex’s expression was impassive, but Stark was sure hat he saw impatience in his eyes.
“He chose to break the Code.”
“Yes, Wayne did.”
“Not Bruce. Edmund.” As Stark’s pale gray eyes narrowed, Lex said, “Gentlemen don’t kidnap other gentlemen’s slaves.”
“Be that as it may, a gentleman doesn’t pursue charges against another gentleman. They resolve the conflict between themselves. Edmund would have happily paid the fine and sat out the social season if Wayne required it, but instead he urges the District Attorney to go for the maximum sentence!”
Lex crossed his arms. "General, I have no problem with Bruce's decision. Hell, if Edmund had done to my Prize what he'd done to Bruce's, I wouldn't be so lenient."
Despite his battle-hardened exterior, Stark could not help but shiver at the cold, hard look in Lex’s eyes.
The son of Lionel Luthor was not to be crossed.
“The Prince is making a grave mistake.”
“I don’t think so, but even if prosecuting Edmund is a mistake, what of it? Edmund hates Bruce and always has.”
“Never poke a grizzly bear, son.”
Lex’s eyebrow rose as Stark walked past him down the hall.
& & & & & &
Lex shook his head. He could never fathom the thinking of people like Elias Stark.
Or maybe he could. Once upon a time he had not thought much about slaves’ plights. Oh, he disapproved of the kind of sadism the Caldwells practice, but he had rarely thought of the viewpoint of the manacled.
Then he had gotten to know Bruce’s slaves, especially Clark, and, of course, knew Jamie very well now.
Jamie and the other slaves were people, with their own hopes and dreams. Lex felt ashamed at the cavalier way he had treated slaves in the past. Granted, he had never been cruel, but maybe indifference was a form of cruelty.
There were moments when he wished the Kryptonians could be left alone, but as long as they carried such potential power in their bodies, the Empire would never leave them be. Better to control the Kryptonians than to eradicate them.
“Master?”
Lex turned to see Jamie standing in the corridor. “What are you doing out here?”
Jamie smiled. “Coming to get you. The committee is waiting.”
“So they’re growing impatient, are they?” Lex smiled easily.
Jamie laughed. “You like to keep them waiting?”
“A little.”
Jamie pressed his body up against Lex. “May I say that when you become all arrogant and regal, I become very excited?”
Lex’s smile was purely predatory as he slipped his arms around Jamie’s waist. “You may.” He kissed his slave thoroughly, then said as he broke the kiss, “Let’s go.”
Lex and Jamie entered the conference room, Jamie taking his seat behind Lex.
“Good to see you, Lex,” said Mario. “Now, open your folders, please.”
Everyone did as requested, the folders rustling as they were opened.
“Unfortunately, two more subjects have died.”
Author: BradyGirl_12
Pairings/Characters: (this chapter): Elias Stark, Lex/Jamie, Mario Tortelli
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): PG-13
Warnings: None
Spoilers: None
Summary: Lex learns ominous news when he attends a meeting of the Kryptonian Control Committee.
Date Of Completion (First Draft): November 21, 2009
Date Of Posting: April 15, 2011
Disclaimer: I don’t own ‘em, DC does, more’s the pity.
Word Count: 735
Feedback welcome and appreciated.
Author's Note: Written for my 2010 DCU Fic/Art Bondage Challenge.
In an hourglass,
Time slips
Away, so fleeting.
Cerina Starfall
"The Sands Of Time"
2161 C.E.
"LIKE SANDS IN AN HOURGLASS..."
Elias Stark scowled at the headlines on The Gotham Gazette website: CALDWELL JURY STILL OUT. So the verdict would come down soon. Damn that Bruce Wayne! Didn’t he have any sense of honor?
His aide poked his head in. “The meeting’s about to start, General.”
Stark clicked the window closed. “I’ll be right there.”
He gathered up his notes and left the office.
“Hello, General.”
“Hello, Lex. Here for your Committee meeting?”
Lex nodded. “I suppose you’re going to the Hunt Committee session?”
“You bet. Sorry you’re no longer on that committee, Lex. You were a valuable asset.”
“Thank you, General.” Lex smiled. “I appreciate being appreciated.”
“Speaking of appreciation, where’s that pretty piece of yours?”
“My Prize? He’s already in the meeting room.”
“Unattended?”
“Of course. They’re all men of honor.”
Stark raised an eyebrow. “Like your buddy Bruce Wayne?”
Lex cocked his head. “Bruce is a man of honor, yes.”
“Then why is he prosecuting Edmund Caldwell?”
“Caldwell kidnapped his pleasure slave. That’s obvious.”
“It doesn’t mean that he has to break the Code of Honor.”
“Maybe he wasn’t too happy with his Prize being terrorized and threatened with eventual mutilation and death.”
Stark snorted. “Slaves, even of the pleasure variety, are a dime-a-dozen.” He crossed his arms. “Yet a man’s honor is priceless.”
Lex’s expression was impassive, but Stark was sure hat he saw impatience in his eyes.
“He chose to break the Code.”
“Yes, Wayne did.”
“Not Bruce. Edmund.” As Stark’s pale gray eyes narrowed, Lex said, “Gentlemen don’t kidnap other gentlemen’s slaves.”
“Be that as it may, a gentleman doesn’t pursue charges against another gentleman. They resolve the conflict between themselves. Edmund would have happily paid the fine and sat out the social season if Wayne required it, but instead he urges the District Attorney to go for the maximum sentence!”
Lex crossed his arms. "General, I have no problem with Bruce's decision. Hell, if Edmund had done to my Prize what he'd done to Bruce's, I wouldn't be so lenient."
Despite his battle-hardened exterior, Stark could not help but shiver at the cold, hard look in Lex’s eyes.
The son of Lionel Luthor was not to be crossed.
“The Prince is making a grave mistake.”
“I don’t think so, but even if prosecuting Edmund is a mistake, what of it? Edmund hates Bruce and always has.”
“Never poke a grizzly bear, son.”
Lex’s eyebrow rose as Stark walked past him down the hall.
Lex shook his head. He could never fathom the thinking of people like Elias Stark.
Or maybe he could. Once upon a time he had not thought much about slaves’ plights. Oh, he disapproved of the kind of sadism the Caldwells practice, but he had rarely thought of the viewpoint of the manacled.
Then he had gotten to know Bruce’s slaves, especially Clark, and, of course, knew Jamie very well now.
Jamie and the other slaves were people, with their own hopes and dreams. Lex felt ashamed at the cavalier way he had treated slaves in the past. Granted, he had never been cruel, but maybe indifference was a form of cruelty.
There were moments when he wished the Kryptonians could be left alone, but as long as they carried such potential power in their bodies, the Empire would never leave them be. Better to control the Kryptonians than to eradicate them.
“Master?”
Lex turned to see Jamie standing in the corridor. “What are you doing out here?”
Jamie smiled. “Coming to get you. The committee is waiting.”
“So they’re growing impatient, are they?” Lex smiled easily.
Jamie laughed. “You like to keep them waiting?”
“A little.”
Jamie pressed his body up against Lex. “May I say that when you become all arrogant and regal, I become very excited?”
Lex’s smile was purely predatory as he slipped his arms around Jamie’s waist. “You may.” He kissed his slave thoroughly, then said as he broke the kiss, “Let’s go.”
Lex and Jamie entered the conference room, Jamie taking his seat behind Lex.
“Good to see you, Lex,” said Mario. “Now, open your folders, please.”
Everyone did as requested, the folders rustling as they were opened.
“Unfortunately, two more subjects have died.”
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2011-04-16 02:59 am (UTC)But put a slave in that same situation, and suddenly, there's no value to the owned "object" at all. Which is screwy, even in this setting, you know?
no subject
Date: 2011-04-16 03:07 am (UTC)*nods*
He certainly would get more support.
But put a slave in that same situation, and suddenly, there's no value to the owned "object" at all. Which is screwy, even in this setting, you know?
I think it's a psychological defense for freemen: they can't even put a value on slaves in the abstract in this particular case, because Kathy and the N.A.S. are challenging the way of things. The Gentleman's Code of Honor is something prized and respected, and Bruce is breaking that. For whatever reason, society will back his play if Clark was a valuable statue or painting, but not because he's a living, breathing being. Too close to home.
Prejudice goes through hoops to keep up some kind of psychological facade. While slaves are valued on the books as property and treated as such, in this particular instance, the Code comes first. Gentlemen settle such things among themselves, out of the public eye. Crazy, but what can you expect from a society that buys and sells people like furniture?
no subject
Date: 2011-04-16 10:48 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-04-16 11:46 pm (UTC)*nods*
I've read stories set in that era, and the upper classes positively loathe the police, far more willing to sweep things under the rug rather than let scandal escape.
no subject
Date: 2011-04-16 03:09 am (UTC)I didn't like the sound of the Two subjects dying. That can't be good. Poor CLark has limited time and I'm worried. I'm also worried about what will happen once his heritage is known who besides bruce will protect him? Wonderful chapter honey really made me think.
no subject
Date: 2011-04-16 06:20 pm (UTC)Lex is willing to back Bruce's play. They're old friends, and Bruce gifted him with Jamie. Good reasons right there. :)
I didn't like the sound of the Two subjects dying. That can't be good. Poor CLark has limited time and I'm worried. I'm also worried about what will happen once his heritage is known who besides bruce will protect him? Wonderful chapter honey really made me think.
*beams*
Thanks, C.! I'm glad that you are enjoying this and it's stimulating thought, among other things! ;)
Clark's time is like sand through the hourglass: running out.
no subject
Date: 2011-04-16 07:20 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-04-16 07:45 pm (UTC)Yes, the soaps are dropping out of sight, too! They just cancelled One Life To Live and All My Children.
*hugs GH*
no subject
Date: 2011-04-16 09:45 am (UTC)AWESOME new chapter honey!
no subject
Date: 2011-04-16 06:21 pm (UTC)Yes, time is not on Clark's side. :(
AWESOME new chapter honey!
Thanks! :)
no subject
Date: 2011-04-17 04:49 am (UTC)Between Dick and Clark, Bruce must be a wreck. Can't wait till he has peace again, or at least an outlet for his stress.
Great chapter. :))
no subject
Date: 2011-04-17 06:45 pm (UTC)Glad you're enjoying it! :)
Between Dick and Clark, Bruce must be a wreck. Can't wait till he has peace again, or at least an outlet for his stress.
This 'verse isn't very kind to people, no matter what lot in life they have. :(
Great chapter. :))
Thank you! :)
no subject
Date: 2011-04-18 03:15 am (UTC)I just finished reading all the way through the many arcs of this story and I wanted to say how impressive it was. This is not my fandom - I came across a Batman/Robin story of yours while looking for something else entirely and stayed to look around - but I have been completely hooked on your portrayal of the characters and their unbelievably detailed alternate universe. You have the best and worst of humanity in this, and the debate over slavery feels eerily accurate. I've seen slave fic in various fandoms, but you use it to breakdown society as well as interpersonal relationships. I love the Family and their holidays, too. Any story that features both Batman and baking pies is definitely worth reading...
So thanks for the great story and I look forward to more!
Mira Took
(I don't have a livejournal to link to, but if you should like to know who's lurking, you can find me at one of my fandoms over at www.faramirfiction.com.)
no subject
Date: 2011-04-20 06:41 pm (UTC)I just finished reading all the way through the many arcs of this story and I wanted to say how impressive it was.
Thank you! Welcome aboard! :)
This is not my fandom - I came across a Batman/Robin story of yours while looking for something else entirely and stayed to look around - but I have been completely hooked on your portrayal of the characters and their unbelievably detailed alternate universe. You have the best and worst of humanity in this, and the debate over slavery feels eerily accurate. I've seen slave fic in various fandoms, but you use it to breakdown society as well as interpersonal relationships.
Thank you! The main reason I started this Epic was to explore the Master/slave relationship between Bruce and Clark, and then the Abolitionist theme cropped up, so it got me writing both personal and social aspects. Which always entwines together when you deal with slavery, but I expanded things when I realized I wanted to do a little more social commentary.
Thank you for reading a story that isn't in your fandom. I really appreciate it! :)
I love the Family and their holidays, too. Any story that features both Batman and baking pies is definitely worth reading...
LOL! They have to keep an eye on Bruce. Somehow making antidotes and other complicated chemical stuff doesn't translate to pies. ;)
So thanks for the great story and I look forward to more!
Mira Took
You're very welcome, Mira! I hope to have a new chapter up soon. I'm still writing slavefic, but in different 'verses the past week! :)
(I don't have a livejournal to link to, but if you should like to know who's lurking, you can find me at one of my fandoms over at www.faramirfiction.com.)
Excellent! I will check that out! :)
no subject
Date: 2011-05-22 08:15 pm (UTC)I love that Lex's views have come so far around, though. It's good that he's on our heroes' side!
no subject
Date: 2011-05-23 12:16 am (UTC)Elias Stark is a friend of Edmund Caldwell's. 'Nuff said.
I love that Lex's views have come so far around, though. It's good that he's on our heroes' side!
Bruce isn't the only character to have done some growing in this series. :)