Whiteout (Arnold + Mask)

[pioneer315]

Victor had driven to the old chemical lab to meet Arnold. The man owed Freeze for his assets and for protection from Batman. It had been one year since he last spoke to the bald man and his gangster loud mouth manipulator the Ventriloquist. It was night and Freeze intended to make the evening a cold one, he had been working on a new design that would make his lair the safest part for criminals.

Of course the criminals would have to wear jackets but it would be worth it ever since the FBI has been cracking down on all the rogues assets and suppliers. Freeze stole things so his supply base was limited but when it was in danger, the best thing to do would be to turn on your heat because a winter that Freeze would bring would make Gotham the next Antarctica.

Gotham police and the newest ADA had been trying to stop the Rogue's supply of income, stolen or not. Freeze had no interest yet he knew more than the average criminal. Freeze was a man of action and taste, he didn't care about other people because they were spoiled people who destroyed lives, like Victor's and Nora's. Freeze blasted the back door with his gun and walked straight through the ice, the building would do well for the meeting. If Arnold didn't show up then he would find him and freeze him.

Freeze looked down at the glass on the side, the building had no lighting except for the moonlight and freeze's suit. He adjusted his goggles somewhat to take in the scene, "A day undone by the batman, the cold doesn't feel pain, but brings it's sorrow into all who oppose it" Freeze thought of that just now, and it was especially true because Freeze rarely went back on his word.

Freeze tapped his boots as if he was listening to old music. He signed and stood still waiting and waiting for Arnold. Freeze was almost done with Nora's cure, of course he hadn't heard from Dr. Stenet in some time; strange the woman was usually hands on and responded quickly. The cure needed one vital piece of technology and biochemistry, if Freeze had the supplies he would have done it himself, but the Wayne enterprises had shut down their labs for the time being.

Freeze couldn't risk getting caught. In fact, he knew the feds badly wanted Freeze. Victor understood that the federal agents were idiots who were tempting a man who would make hell an un-ending winter of depression. As he thought about that, a light nearby flickered on and off, small and large, big and little. It startled Freeze because he thought he was alone.

[ventrioquist]

Arnold Wesker had heard about Doctor Victor Fries. The once benelovent professor who later turned into the notorious Mister Freeze after being on the end of the evils of this world.

Arnold had been sent a message through one of his former henchemen, Rhino.

"Mister Freeze wants to meet. Be there Arnold."

A million thoughts began racing through his mind. What did Freeze want? What was this all about? Last year, just before making a deal with Poison Ivy, Freeze had assisted the Ventriloquist in getting 'jump started' in the city by supplying him with money in order to purchase weapons and to hire Rhino, Mugsy, and Ratso. The investment did not pay to be a good one because of notable names such as Batgirl, Robin, Pamela Isley, the Riddler, and one Dr. Nina Stenent.

When Wesker received the message his initial thought was to not attend, but that could have been the worse possible thing to do. Freeze would have found him eventually and the reputation Freeze had for being unforgiving would have been very prevelant.

So the best course of action would be to attend the meeting and see what it was about. It was better to walk into the den of the dragon in hopes that it would not be ready to unleash a breath of fire.

The Ventriloquist walked into the chemical lab. Despite it being summer, the area was cold. The type of cold that effected you physically as well as chilled you to the bone. Arnold of course brought Scarface, who sat on his left forearm. Dangling from his right arm, was a small uzi machine pistol.

"Who's afraid of the big bad wolf ?
The big bad wolf
The big bad wolf
Who's afraid of the big bad wolf ?
Tra-la-la-la-la-la"

Arnold chimed the nursery rhyme as he slowly entered the chemical lab. The place was covered with Ice, meaning that Freeze had already arrived in some form or fashion.

"H---h---hello?" the Ventriloquist stuttered.

[saxman59]

Roman flipped the light switch he had been flickering for dramatic effect to reveal the noticably shaking little man. Roman liked the puppet; he had ambition. But he wasn't so hot on the man.

"Well, then. The gang's all here," stated Roman, noticing how fear invaded the stunted man's eyes . The eerie wooden eyes showed nothing but perhaps a little hate. Roman noticed the Uzi hanging on the man's hip and laughed to himself. A dangerous machine gun did not make a dangerous person. Roman could probably put three bullets in this guy's head before he could even raise his gun. Not that he wanted to. Freeze wasn't the only one that Arnold owed a little money.

Roman had taken a gamble with the petty thief and had come up with nothing to show for it. It was time for that small-time crook to pay.

"You owe me fifty grand, Arnie. And you better pay up, or the interest rate goes up. Oh, and the Big Bad Wolf? He's a carpet in my den.

[ventrioquist]

The lights within the old lab flicked on, momentarily blinding the Ventriloquist. He brought the hand that was holding Scarface up to his forehead to shield him from the light. Upon hearing the voice from someone other then Victor Fries, the eyes of Scarface popped to life.

Scanning the room, Scarface became fixated on the perpetrators. It was Roman Sionis, aka the Black Mask. Previously a minor player in Gotham's underworld, the Black Mask's criminal stock had risen dramatically over the past two years. Most if not all of the gangs and syndicates had people working under the Black Mask, and the man's brilliant yet insane mind provided him with enough insight to develop a network of ill-doing that rivaled that of Two-Face and the Penguin.

The Black Mask had been the Arnold Wesker's other investment backer a few months ago when Scarface had told him to make his move on Gotham's upper class.

The Ventriloquist brought the uzi to bear, pointing it at the Black Mask as Scarface spoke.


"Fifty-gran'!! Ye 'ave some nerve Mask. It's twenty-five. Dat's wat we g'orrowed from ye," the Ventriloquist shoved Scarface out toward the Black Mask, making the arms of the dummy dangle, and prompting the mannequin to scowl. "Da jui'ce migh' 'ave g'een running g'ut not long enough' to do-u'g-le da amount!"

[pioneer315]

"Cool it!" Freeze pulled the trigger to his ice gun which froze a nearby column. He pointed it at Arnold, annoyingly looking at Mask. He hated talking to people, they whined and gave you the worst part of the doubt. Freeze's patience was getting warmer, he had time for talking, but not for talking to a arrogant man who is afraid to show his true face. "Seems, like you also had a deal with others Arnold. The point of this meeting is to do a favor for me that I did for you last year".

Freeze used his vision to look at Mask. Victor disliked the whole Rogue Gallery because they were too concerned about being evil to realize that they were insane, obssesively arrogant and prideful, dim witted, and lame. Many of their plots were useless and could be easily sprung back. The only villian that Freeze didn't participate in with, because he knew that nothing would be gained is the Joker. Joker's plans were simple and too destructive for Victor's taste. Course he hated society, but he hated the clown that the last time he froze the clown's legs.

Ventriloquist's uzi didn't scare him, because the bullets wouldn't be powerful enough to actually kill Victor. Arnold was nothing without his Scarface associate. Remove the puppet, and you can torment the master. He stared with his icy and black eyes at Arnold, Freeze was good at death stares.

[ventrioquist]

Wesker backed away from the intense glare from the host. He held up Scarface so that the mannequin was blocking the peripheral vision between Mr. Freeze and the actual Ventriloquist.

“Yea? So what Freeze? A man’s not allow’ed to take two loans’ out of de g’anks?” Scarface replied, pointing a wooden arm toward the master of ice.

“Shhh….I would not provoke him Mister Scarface,” The Ventriloquist intervened.

Scarface snapped back…”Hey! Who does da talkin’ here? Who does da t’inking?” “Yo---yo—you do Mister Scarface.”
“Yer damn right.”
But Scarface had to admit that there was validity to Arnold’s statement. Victor Fries was a man not to be trifled with. Out of the Gotham Rogues he was one of the few who had actual meta-human powers. Clayface, Poison Ivy, Killer Croc, Two-Face, and the Joker to an extent were the others.

The Ventriloquist and Scarface looked at Black Mask and then to Freeze. Scarface began to wonder what the exact relationship between the two was? Were they allies? How were they affiliated with each other? Did Freeze KNOW that the Ventriloquist had made another monetary deal with the Black Mask? Then the later statement asking about their dealings with the Black Mask could have been trying to get Arnold to admit the double dealing?

Even the prospect of owing Victor Fries a favor did not seem appealing to the Ventriloquist, but there was pretty much no other choice at the moment. The bottom line was, that they did not have the money to pay either the Freeze of the Black Mask back.

Scarface and the Ventriloquist turned back to Freeze.

“Wh----wh----what’s the favor?” the Ventriloquist asked with a stutter.

[pioneer315]

Freeze knew that the point had been made, Arnold had tried to charm too many cobras, except Victor was the king cobra. "You will intercept a sonic device being brought here from NASA. I need the device for my machine that will protect myself and others from the FBI. I am building a device that will freeze anything once the camera is directed at it. Inside the van will be some crystals, sonic plates, and a highly sensitive focuser. Bring them to me in mint condition, if I find one scratch on them you will be fed to my polar bears. As a reward you will be staying with me and my men in my headquarters for the time being, the FBI will probably take out cobblepot since he is the banker of the rogues. Staying with me is the best option if you want to stay alive and out of a jail cell. Understood?"


Freeze knew Arnold would agree, after all his machine would stop the FBI from entering his headquarters. Freeze had already made designs which Billy had modified and was able to create a program for the machine. Seven prototypes were made, yet all failed because of the sonic device which would be surrounded by the plates. The sonic energy would turn blue and emit a highly dangerous beam of ice which will enter the molecular frequency and freeze anything that it is directed too. Freeze had asked Billy to install a temperature gauge, a supercomputer, and other buttons that allowed him to control the Ice laser. The weapon is bulletproof and can only be destroyed from the inside. Freeze had already updated his lair with new designs, the apartment complex was now the facade behind the cold winter it was storing.

Freeze stared at Black Mask, the gangster didn't have the knowledge to understand what Freeze said, and Arnold would be playing a key part in his survival and the expansion of the winter that Gotham would be having. "Make your choice now, the Van is on it's way in seven hours." Arnold would take it, Freeze was confident. He didn't make this offer to everyone, and he especially didn't offer it with a relaxing feeling. The Rogues needed Freeze in this situation, then again they always needed him. He wouldn't offer it to Joker, Ivy, Croc, Or Clayface. But he would offer it to Two-Face in time and possibly Catwoman since she will need a place.

[ventrioquist]

Neither Scarface nor Arnold enjoyed hearing the method in which Victor Fries wanted to collect his debt. The job was to risky.

Going head to head with a convey of trained military and governmental agents was out of power level of the Ventriloquist. This was not like your typical bank heist against out of shape Gotham police officers or a turf war against under-powered Gotham gangs, the job consisted of going against a real threat in the form of the FBI.

A villain with powers such as Sinestro, Doctor Polaris, or Burning Skull would have been able to use brute force to pull the job off. Individuals with martial skill like Talia Al'Ghul, Lady Shiva, Deathstroke, or Two-Face could have used their natural talents.

With time to plan, research, and study there was a slight chance, but as things stood. No way, especially after their confrontation at the border with the strange telekinetic.

"Yer handcuffin' us Freeze. Dem FBI agents ain' no pushovers. Da dummy and I are going to nee' some 'elp if da job is going to 'ge pulled off c-w-rectly."

[pioneer315]

Freeze frowned because Arnold had the chance to say yes regardless of who a was telling him what to do. Freeze lowered his gun and walked closer and closer to Arnold, then he picked Arnold up with his left hand on his shirt and lightly smacked him into the ice column, Freeze still had his left hand holding Arnold who was now off the ground. Victor was now a few inches away from Arnolds eyes. " Your right they aren't pushovers, but if you want to prove yourself to the rogue gallery that you aren't worthless you will do the job. Only thirteen FBI agents and three SWAT members will be escorting the van. Use your intuition and you will be protected after you transport the items. If you value crime and your life you will accept graciously." Freeze let Arnold go and walked a little bit then turning around.

Arnold was one of those criminals who associated with the Rogue Gallery but was never a real member so to speak. He was clumsy and his plans never amounted to anything. He was best at robbing banks or killing thugs but nothing over that. He always needed support, which Freeze hardly ever needed. None of the Rogues accepted him, he wasn't worth it, and Freeze agreed with that. Arnold was afraid of the FBI, Freeze could tell.

Victor looked at Mask again who wasn't saying anything but probably thinking about his plan for Arnold. Victor had nothing against the man, accept that he prided himself with "controlling" greedy, arrogant, ignorant mobsters and gang members. Anyone could do that. Victor was relaxed and badly wanted the confrontation to end so that he could continue working on the laser.

[ventrioquist]

When Freeze began to approach them, the Ventriloquist backpedaled until their backs hit the wall. Victor easily lifted the Ventriloquist off his feet, and slammed him into the ice column, which caused the puppet master to be dazed and numb for a moment.

Freeze then brought Arnold’s face only a few inches from his own.

"You’re right they aren't pushovers, but if you want to prove yourself to the rogue gallery that you aren't worthless you will do the job. Only thirteen FBI agents and three SWAT members will be escorting the van. Use your intuition and you will be protected after you transport the items. If you value crime and your life you will accept graciously."

The Ventriloquist’s eyes widened as he nodded his head very quickly, at least ten times, in answer to the ultimatium.

“Y---y---yes sir,” the villain stuttered.

Scarface had left the mind of the Ventriloquist, because it knew not to question the power of Victor Fries. Both the Ventriloquist and Scarface slumped to the ground when Mister Freeze dropped them.

Arnold began to rub the back of his neck and readjusted the spectacles that had fallen to the bridge of his nose. Freeze was focusing his attention on the Black Mask. Good. Arnold did not want to be in Freeze’s presence any longer then necessary.

Freeze was pretty much sending them into a suicide mission. Thirteen highly trained FBI agents and 3 Special Weapons and Tactics police officers were more then they could handle. These SWAT officers were trained and motivated by Jim Gordon, making the task that much more difficult. If captured by the FBI, Arnold Wesker would turn the tables on Mister Freeze by revealing to them the location of this frozen laboratory, thus sending the dogs after the manipulator of ice.

[pioneer315]

"But as a precaution to make you feel better, I'll give you a small insurance cap". Freeze motioned to one of his men who took out a case, opening the case revealed a sniper rifle, a smoke grenade, and a C4 with a detonator. "If that doesn't make you feel better, then your out of luck." Freeze had more than that in his armory, but he kept it on lockdown, he had plenty of ammunition.

But not as much as his equipment and technology. He is the leader in Cryogenics and he will be forever. He has pushed it further. He also is a genius in the scientific field. Science is easy, but Victor also had a hobby for history. Science was the engine of the earth, History was the textbook that you read out of it.

Ricky gave the box to Scarface, it was about 15 pounds but the old man should be able to carry it. Freeze felt bored, and was being surprisingly kind to the man, usually Freeze would have him begginning on his knees not to kill or freeze him. Freeze rarely made exceptions, but this time he would. Carl took out his M16 just for protection of Freeze.

[ventrioquist]

When Freeze dropped the trio of weapons at their feet, it was hard for the Ventriloquist and Scarface not to feign surprise. From a business and professional stand point, it made sense. continue to supply your investment with the necessary tools to be productive. But from a personal stand point, this was Victor Fries. One of the 'coldest' individuals to walk the face of the earth, both figuratively and literally.

Not that the Ventriloquist would be complaining. He would take all the help he could in an operation of this magnitude. Then again, the Ventriloquist would be lying if he said he did not want to pick up the sniper rifle and shoot the doctor in the back of the head, thus cutting all ties with someone they owed a favor too.

But, that in itself would be a automatic death sentence, and nearly impossible to pull off knowing Freeze's power level. That and the large henchmen with the M-16 erased those negative thoughts.

The Ventriloquist finished rubbing the back of his neck and quickly picked up Scarface, propping the mannequin on his forearm.

"Don' tell me yer gettin' soft Vic-Toe. Ah' mean de guns and weapons are welcome, g'ut this form of generosity is surprising coming' from you...." Scarface asked meekly, "Wat's da catch?"

[pioneer315]

Victor cringed when Scarface tried talking to him like a dog. He narroed his eyes, and his lips were starting to curl. His expression wasn't of massive anger but annoying toddlers who didn't shut their mouths and ask any questions. He pointed his gun at the uzi and pulled the trigger which sent a blast of ice in the form of a blue and white beam smashing into the uzi, which froze and fell to the floor, not shattering but not useable anymore. "Do I look soft to you Arnold. Don't ever mistake my lack of caring for being generous. I'm only doing this because you are too afraid and insecure to get the goal accomplished" Victor was fed up with villians asking for catches and talking back to him, Victor was being relatively calm, but that's because if he was really in a rage you wouldn't want to be near him in fifteen miles. He looked at Ricky who put off safety on his gun, "If you can't accomplish this task, then you will be wiped off the face of the earth. By any means necessary, scarface get the job done." He looked over to Ricky who was ready for a firefight, no matter the cost of life and insurances. If Freeze was colder he would have kept Arnold in the back of the headquarters where he would freeze, and Victor could marvel at his sculpture of idiocracy and mortality.

Freeze spoke in his com which was built into his suit, but people could recognize or even know that freeze was talking, "Tom, get the boat over here in thirty minutes, be stealthy, I don't want any police officers going out of their patrol range." The com then stopped and a semi deep voice was called, "Alright, I'll be there boss". Tom was a universal pilot, he could fly anything. He also had pretty good marksmanship. Victor liked his crew, but he didn't have any intention of getting closer than a business relationship.

[ventrioquist]

Arnold Wesker and Scarface scattered back like a crab when their endorcer froze the uzi which they had been using as a weapon. The machine pistol dropped to the ground, frozen in a block of pure ice. The message had been sent, the Ventriloquist and Scarface had to hijack this embargo from the FBI or ELSE.

Wesker had been on board with the project the moment Freeze asked out of a lack of spine, so it was Scarface who needed to coerced. And the usage of the ice blast had manage to send the correct message.

"Ah-wrigh' Victor,"Scarface said meekly. "We'll get wr-ight on it."

The Ventriloquist fumbled as he began to place the series of weapons into a large duffle bag that had been provided to them. He let out a deep sigh...

"Dummy, wat have you gotten us into?"

"M--M---Me? Mister Scarface, you were the one.."



"Shuddaup! Jus' finishi' 'gackin' da weapons. We 'ave a lot of plannn' to do, ye and Ah' g'etter be on da same page for dis jog', otherwise...."

Scarface finished the setence with a 'slit throat' gesture. The Ventriloquist simply nodded. They scanned the back of the room for any sign of the Black Mask. The crime boss had been quiet thus far, outside of his introduction. Very unusual for him. If the Black Mask was not going to make a statement, Arnold and Scarface thought it best to leave ASAP.

Had to deal with the wrath of on debt collector. Not having to deal with a second seemed like a good night for the duo.

[pioneer315]

Ventriloquist was the man that every paid no attention to. His plots were weak, his status was lower than a rock, and his puppet did the talking. Sad, to have a wooden object draped in clothes to control your every thought. Freeze took a sense of pleasure in that, he had no empathy for anyone, why should he? After all people betray and take the things that are most precious from you and burn them. People destroyed him and Nora. And people would pay for it. Gotham didn't know what it felt like to be in Winter, and Winter was coming. Winter gave Freeze extra strength and the duty to take the things that people felt dear and look at them and ask them if they feel any different. If Freeze couldn't save Nora, then happiness wouldn't exist in Gotham.

He knew it was time to leave, yet he continued staring at Arnold as if staring at the man who took the things from Freeze; Nora. He hated all villians,heroes, and civilians. They were all morally greedy and took the smallest of things for granted and deserved to be taught a lesson. Arnold had nothing on Freeze except for the meeting, he didn't know where he was and he didn't know the real theme of this. Sure he had a plan, but the FBI wouldn't be able to find Freeze.