A Knight in Arkham

A/N: This fic is firmly AU

Chapter 1:

"Hey Jack, didn't think they'd let you outta the clink?" Jack O'Neill grimaced at Ferreti's question.

"I think the President worked out a deal," Jack replied as he and his team took their seats in the briefing room, alongside SG-2 under Ferreti, SG-4 under a snakeless and freshly recovered Kowalsky, and one of the twelve man CSC teams.

'Commonwealth Stellar Command, yeah the good ol' US ain't the only ones keeping secrets,' Jack thought as he took in the green uniforms.

The CSC began as a joint research group between Great Britiain, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa after an old (by Gould standards) Goa'uld transport ship was discovered south of El' Alamein following a stuka attack on an ancient Egyptian temple in 1942. An FTL test flight in 1947 had resulted in the discovery of another alien ship in Alpha Centauri, this time of human origin, though the crew had apparently died from depressurisation.

Examination of the wreck had led to a panic, as the hull breach was caused by weapons fire from Goa'uld ships, and a crash creation of not only a united military command and research detachment, but also a new international government, the Commonwealth Parliament, due to its secret nature it had little say in the day to day running of the countries but it could make its voice heard.

The wreck became the hub of CSC operations, both because it was out of the way but also because it's technology used little, if any, Osirisite (aka, Naquadah) in construction and operation, the first result was a home built version of a transport found In the hangar, the Hawker Atlas, in 1959, production of which lead to movement of men and material to allow construction of an actual space station around the wreck, expanding steadily to a four slip shipyard today, one of which permanently held the wreck.

The CSC technology base was decades ahead of the SGC, featuring not only FTL capable fighters, bombers and transports but two frigates and a new destroyer.

It was the existence of the last three that had caused the chaos of the last month, the destroyer had been on a shakedown run through the Solar System when Apophis arrived, the destroyer had fought fiercely but had nearly lost as it was designed to equal a Hat'tak, One! Not two. The frigates arriving not only saved the ship, and Earth, but had given SG-1 the chance to escape, only for them to end up in the older frigate's brig and the President receiving a chewing out from the Commonwealth ambassadors.

"Alright, you all know how the cards have fallen," the CSC colonel said as he stepped in, staring at each man and woman in turn, "The US got it in their heads to blunder through the Stargate network and kicked the Hive, bringing the King to Earth and forcing us to clean up the mess."

Jack winced, harsh but true.

"Now we've stepped in the US have to play by our rules," Colonel Balgowen continued, "The US have joined Parliament, though not without complaint, and given the CSC control of the Stargate Program and all its assets. Normally we'd scrap the US program as it's not only junior but inferior, however we don't have Stargate Operations as such, so the SGC will be incorporated into our existing structure as a new Command separate to the Army and Navy, that means they need to bring us up to speed on their side of things as they integrate into the CSC, for this purpose Command has decided to implement a joint training op to test both some new toys but also how our different unit structures in a controlled environment."

"This, is the Area of Operations," a 3D projector turned on to show an island that looked familiar to Jack.

"Arkham Asylum?" Jack asked.

Balgowen nodded, "glad to see you recognise it, Arkham Asylum is famous in America as the place where they treat so called 'Super-Villains' of their Insanity, in the past four years the already high security has been upgraded to beyond State-of-the-Art…"

"Yet it has a reputation for having a revolving door," Jack looked at the speaker, a young man with black hair, he didn't look impressed.

"There's a reason they're called Super-villains, the most high profile inmates are largely locals from nearby Gotham City, but there are a few from other climes," Balgowen elaborated, "concern has been raised over several of the inmates, some have strange abilities or powers beyond your average human, but also due to the seeming inability to hold these individuals for long. The Higher Ups want an evaluation of the Asylum, its security and the inmates, so you'll be pitted against not only the best security tech in the World outside one of our facilities, but also potential adversaries far removed from the norm in our line of work."

"Don't forget the Bat-freak and his feathered brained sidekick," the soldier from before added.

"True, Batman may try to stop you or capture you, don't let him, at worst we'll beam you out, but let's hope it doesn't come to that."

Jack, his team and curiously the smart mouthed soldier shivered, the CSC Teleporters were more advanced than Goa'uld rings but nowhere near as refined, he'd seen what had happened to the slab of pork they'd sent through before him to check it was safe, not to mention the actual sensation.

"There are several persons of interest:" Balgowen continued, activating the projector again.

"First is this man, only known as Bane, his huge size and musculature comes from an experimental drug called Venom, the product of an illegal super-soldier project in South America…"

"Someone's been reading too many Marvel comics!"

"I quite agree, when not under Venom's influence he's fairly reasonable, but under Venom he becomes a Beserker, nearly unstoppable."

Click.

"Next is Dr Penelope Young, of note because she's been experimenting with Venom, why or what is unknown, finding out is a priority."

Click.

"Pamela Isley, Poison Ivy, she has a curious connection to plants and can control how they grow and the way they react to humans, the question has been asked if she could use her abilities to create plants that can clean the toxins and pollution in the soil as well as radiation, while an important inquiry it's not a priority, give her a wide berth if you can and try not to provoke her."

Click.

"What The Heck!"

"Kiler Croc," the smartarse grimaced.

Balgowen nodded grimly, "we don't know his real name but he was born with a mutation that turned his body partly reptilian, he's built like a tank, his skin has scales that'll turn a knife and he's carnivorous, and supposedly he's already taken a bite out of some of the guards."

"Not a rumour," Smartarse disagreed, "just look up one Aaron Cash."

Jack gulped as Balgowen continued, "we aren't interested in him as such, but if you get the chance put him down."

Click!

"What the Deuce?"

"Harley Quin."

"She's going Down!"

"Todd!" Balgowen barked, "Dr Harleen Quinzel, aka Harley Quin, formerly a staff member at Arkham, she was turned by the Most Infamous of the facility's inmate and now functions as his right hand girl and lover alternately."

"Less of the lover and more of the Lieutenant," Smartarse disagreed, he shivered for a moment, "when I was their captive I rode the Harley once, tighter than a Vegas virgin on Prom night."

"You? You rode the…"

"Enough! Quin is one of the primary targets, observe but be prepared to intervene if things get out of hand, but as Todd said, she answers to another."

Click!

"Holy…"

"What the Deuce!"

"The Joker," Smartarse, aka Todd, growled, "the self-professed Clown Prince of Crime."

"Correct, no one knows who he really is, but it is known that a run in with Batman was partially responsible for the transformation into this maniac. He was first entered into Arkham ten years ago, less than a week after Batman first appeared…"

"That Bastard has a Lot to answer for!" Todd spat.

Teal'c raised an eyebrow, or would if he hadn't shaved them off, "do you mean Batman or this Joker?"

"Joker was sent to Arkham for the first time after he threw himself off a thirty story building," Todd explained, "every crime Joker committed, every life he's taken, is because Batman just Has to save everyone!"

Every American looked to Balgowen who nodded in confirmation, "It's true."

"Joker looks thin and weak but he can hit like a truck when he wants to and can match all but a Master at martial arts," Todd added, "he's also, a marksman with handguns, a genius and well versed in chemical warfare, despite or maybe because his mind is twisted into knots. He's used most common conventional chemical weapons at one point or another, but he has two custom mixes that are his signature: the first is a type of laughing gas that'll make you laugh until you pass out, the other is a nerve gas he calls 'Happy Gas', it'll kill you and leave a stretched smile on your face like his."

"Now, Joker is currently free but sources indicate both the GCPD and Batman are closing in on him, we want SG-1 and B section to infiltrate Arkham's guard detail, the rest of you will infiltrate the island and act as a reserve force in case it all goes to hell."

The four CSC men mentioned looked at Balgowen like he'd grown two extra heads, "what are you smoking?"

"You realise if Joker is brought in Hell is guaran-Fuckin'-teed to break loose!" Todd stated disbelievingly.

"I realise that, which is why you are to discover whatever Joker has cooked up, then end it and Him!" Balgowen replied.

There was stunned silence for several seconds before Todd leaned back, raised his arms and shouted, "THERE IS A GOD!"

"Jansen! Moines! With Me!" the two guards stopped talking and headed after Sgt Cash, "Batman's bringing Joker in!"

"Fuck!"

"There goes the neighbourhood!"

"Quiet!" Cash barked, "we're going to meet them at the scanner."

"Yes Sir!"

"Tunnel's full! Start the scan!"

Jason typed in the sequence, "Scan initializing!"

He tried to tune out Joker as the scanners played over him, nothing like the ones on Yorktown or Ark Royal but certainly above the bar, a warning indicator flashed, "Hold on, got a Red Light! Multiple prohibited items."

"I want Joker scanned again!" Cash barked.

"It's not the patient, it's Batfreak," Jason clarified.

"Ooooh!" Joker exclaimed, "what'd you sneak in with you Bats? Batarangs? Batclaws? Bat snacks?"

By this time the far door had been opened, "like he'd tell you," Jason spat.

"I want multiple weapons on him at all times!" Cash ordered.

Batman stared at me as he passed but said nothing, I was thankful for the full face helmet obscuring my features.

As Joker was led out, Jack walked up to me, "I got a bad feeling about this."

"If we weren't already jinxed I'd belt ya," I replied, "Come on, we need to secure the tunnel."

We backtracked towards the entrance, locking down the tunnel as we went and were lucky enough to be near the lifts just as Joker got free.

"Well that was unexpected, wasn't it?" Joker commented, then muttered to himself, "note to self, need stronger test subjects."

"Seeing as I'm feeling generous, I'll give you this one for free," Joker declared, stepping to the edge of the cell, "knock me off, I dare you. End this, pull the plug, Stop Me Once and For All!"

I watched as Batman drew a Batarang and drew it back, I wondered if he'd really do it, but was disappointed.

Joker laughed loud and long, "You're getting too predictable, Bats," he crowed triumphantly, then the cell began to move, "I'd love to stay and chat, but I have a party to organise. I've got guests flying in from all over Arkham. You'll see."

He ran through as the door opened, slowing when his radio went off.

"Batman, what's happening?"

"Joker's escaped, he's sealed himself off. He's got your Father," Batman replied.

"Dad," Barbara gasped.

"Don't worry, I'm get… Oracle?" Batman started, then stopped as the signal broke into static.

"Wasn't enough, was it, Old man?"

"Who is this?" Batman demanded.

"How many more people have to die? How many more lives must be destroyed by this twisted game you play?"

"What do you want?"

"To finish what You started," was the answer.

"You took the best years of my life, Old Man, and for What? The same tired story again and again. Joker's right about one thing, You're Predictable, because of that the butchers bill gets longer. No More!"

"I'm going to finish where you failed all those years ago. Joker, Quinn they're not leaving this island alive, I have my orders and I'll gladly see them through."

"This isn't the right way," Batman protested.

"And who are you to claim yours is right?" the voice retorted, "Jason Todd, Barbara Gordon, they placed their faith in you and you betrayed their trust. It took ten months for Jason's torment to end, did you know that?"

"How…"

"I was there, Batman, six months he waited, believing that if he held out just one more day you would save him… then Joker showed him a photo of you and his replacement."

"I didn't…"

"Doesn't matter what you meant, he lost the will to fight. Then Barbara got caught in the crossfire of your twisted game with Joker."

"Your times past, Old Man. The Clown's drawn the ire of a higher power, they've given me the power to destroy the island and everyone on it if it means he's put down."

"You'd kill hundreds of innocent people!" Batman argued.

"A few hundred are acceptable casualties if it means saving tens of thousands from Joker's schemes. But take comfort in the fact it's the absolute last resort, personally I doubt it'll come to that. Stay out of my way and I'll stay out of yours, Old Man."

The signal dropped, restoring his line to Oracle, "Did you hear that?"

"I did," Oracle replied, "I don't think it's a good idea to antagonise him, he knows you."

"He does," Batman agreed, "any idea what he means?"

"Just one, shortly before you arrived City Hall announced that a private militia had been stationed on Arkham island to ensure Joker doesn't escape again, by any means necessary. The public leader on the island is someone called the Arkham Knight, I've sent you a photo," Oracle replied.

"See what you can dig up about him, I'm going to try and find out what Joker's up to," Batman replied, "hopefully I won't step on too many toes."

"Good luck, I think you'll need it," Oracle said, then cut the signal.