jla_watchtower | (no subject)

Last time they talked, Dent gave Jervis a card to contact him when the device was finished.

That time is now.

Sure, the process was painstaking. You'd think that subtle emotion stimulation would be easier than full-blown mind control, but it's not. Hacking a brain into submission, complete override, all that takes is force.

This, this takes trickery. It involves increasing the production of certain neurons, commands to the brain to shut down some areas, or at least slow them. And most importantly, it has to do it sub-consciously. Thorne can't wake up one day and realize he's been a bit more twitchy than he normally is. It has to be completely unnoticeable by Thorne himself.

And since he's got cronies to study him too, some other things have to be implemented. Up his aggressive urges, so that he gets angry at anyone who suggests that there may be something rotten in the state of Denmark. And even that has to be subtle. He can't be more aggressive towards everyone, or the plan could backfire entirely. Certain phrases, certain people, they have to be the triggers.

Not guaranteed fool-proof, but there's a much higher chance of success than failure.

All in all, Jervis is proud of himself. This was a real test, and he feels he's passed it. All his tests on the device have gone well. Lab mice reacted appropriately. Even that sap of a thug he was allotted for human experimentation.

Of course, that thug did kill himself, but that's just as likely to have been from all the other stress and tests, not just this one.

So now, Jervis finds himself with the phone in his hand and calling Dent's number. The real fun gets to start soon.

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The phone rings. The secure line.

Thankfully, Sonia's left for the evening. It saves him a potentially unconvincing explanation.

Only a select few people know this number. Doesn't look to be Lawton.

He picks it up cautiously.

"Speak."

Jervis has a grin on his face that would put Joker to shame.

Or might before the lunatic killed him out of jealousy, or just because he's crazy.

He puts on his best 'proper narrator' voice, and begins:

"Twas brillig, and the slithy toves
Did gyre and gimble in the wabe:
All mimsy were the borogoves,
And the mome raths outgrabe..."

Ah. About time. He's determined not to rush this plan, but his patience was shortening.

Still, it's good enough news to indulge Tetch a bit.

"Can I expect a frabjous day, or must I shun the frumious Bandersnatch?"

Jervis laughs.

"No no, the bandersnatch has long been snicker-snacked. All we've to deal with is the Batterwock. Who, I still assume, isn't to be a problem with the plan?

"As for the rest...the mechanism is finished and installed. All it needs is a finger to be put on. Like any wedding ring, the wearer will be its best accessory."

"Leave the Batterwock to me. I trust you'll understand when I say that, for now, the less you know, the better. It's safer for all involved. When can I pick it up?"

"That works for me. As some of my, er, 'victims' I suppose, have shown, plausable deniability will do wonders in case of a disaster.

"You can pick it up anytime you'd like." The Hatter reads an address of one of his back-up test faciilitis. Certainly can't give him the primary ones, too high chance of things leading back to him and the Society. And even if it doesn't link back, Deathstroke will know.

Not a good one to piss off, Deathstroke.

Normally, he wouldn't be so concerned about Tetch's well-being. But he agrees that getting Slade Wilson or his accumulated clout brought down on him isn't good for getting anything done on either side of this.

The Society. Evens the odds. He's sure that's in the brochure.

"I'll be there in an hour."

And it is. Right next to "We'll kill you first."

Terribly persuasive, that pamphlet.

It won't take Jervis long to reach the place, so he takes a cup of tea before making his way over there.

Making Rupert Thorne super-squeamish...Just what is it Two-Face has planned?

It's not for Tetch to know. Not until the plan has worked, and he'll need his help once again.

It's been a long day, so he's stopped for a tall coffee. When he shows, punctual as always, he looks casual. A bit tired.

And he knows to come in the back way.

There's a table sitting out with a tea pitcher and cups, a plate of scones, and a small white envelope containing Thorne's recently-adjusted ring.

Jervis is many things. Uncivilized is not one of them.

"Here you are. Device and the specifics are both in the envelope. And help yourself to a snack and tea. Rest assured, nothing unusual in either."

Of course. He didn't need the coffee.

He takes a seat and sets the cup aside. Glancing at an envelope before sampling his tea carefully.

"Of course not, Tetch. That would be more Crane or, God forbid, the Joker's M.O. I should hope you're beyond that."

Casually, he picks up the envelope, smoothly opening it with a practiced ease.

The ring looks unchanged. Either the work is good, or he's being ripped off.

The work is good.

"The ring doesn't weigh exactly the same, but it's been programmed so that Thorne won't realize that once he puts it on."

Jervis decides to be upfront about the kinks. He likes Harvey well enough to want him aware.

"The ring emits a radio wave of ten feet that will lightly boost the desire to wear it. So you won't have to worry about Thorne just not putting it on. It does increase his aggressive nature, but only with certain responses. So don't tell him that you think something might be wrong with him. Or ask if he's feeling okay."

Jervis also hands Harvey a small remote.

"This is a kill-switch. The radio wave that compels him to wear the ring is as untraceable as I can make it, but that's no guarantee when it comes to really advanced equipment. If something happens and you need the device disabled, press the button on this remote. When turned off, it's completely untraceable. No signal of any kind."

Jervis knows his trade.

Harvey's eyebrows lift at this.

"Thorough as ever, Hatter. I'm impressed."

Even more elaborate than he'd planned. He pulls out a small white envelope of his own.

"As agreed - the first half now, the second half after we make sure it does the job. If it works, there'll be more work for you in short order. It'll be less subtle, and chances are the time frame will be shortened, but I'll give you as much lead time as I can."

A major downside of working with the Society is how utterly boring it gets sometimes. Making this for Harvey was the most fun he's had in a while.

"I'll be waiting."

Harvey finishes off his tea, before standing up with his coffee and grabbing a scone.

"Thanks for the hospitality, Tetch. I'll be in touch."

He tucks the envelope with the ring into his pocket and heads off into the night.

Push the guilt aside, Harv. This is for the greater good. This has to be done.