A "Map" from the Cosmos!

The bridge of the Jokester was less a spaceship's command center than a lavish palace built among the stars.

Beyond its vast floor-to-ceiling windows lay the depths of space and the slowly turning blue Earth. Soft, dark red carpet covered the floor, while the walls bore wild, artistic graffiti painted by Harley Quinn herself.

At the center of the bridge stood a Throne made of dark metal and white bone-like material, facing the stars beyond the windows.

Link sat upon it. Harley lounged sideways across his lap like a lazy cat, playing with her freshly painted nails, each decorated with a little Joker design.

Below the Throne, Kraglin and several of his most capable lieutenants stood with nervous deference, like minor lords granted an audience with their king.

The Punchline had "escorted" them all the way back to Earth orbit. When they saw the Orbital Shipyard, larger than their entire fleet combined, and the Jokester, a ship like a mobile fortress, their last stray thoughts of defiance vanished.

They understood exactly how powerful a patron they had found.

"Kraglin, was it?" Link's calm voice broke the silence on the bridge.

"Yes, yes! Your Majesty!" Kraglin hurriedly bowed, his trademark metal teeth gleaming humbly beneath the lights.

"Your Marauders are called the 'Void Curs'?"

"Void Hounds, Your Majesty. We're the best scavengers and pathfinders in the universe!" Kraglin corrected him at once, eager to sell the value of his crew.

"Good." Link nodded. "From today onward, you'll serve as the Jokester's direct escort fleet. I don't need pirates who only know how to raid and rob. I need hounds who can clear a path for me and gather intelligence. Understood?"

"Understood! Completely understood!" Kraglin thumped his chest. "Just point us at a target, Your Majesty, and we'll bite!"

"Loyalty takes more