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Post by arcalian on Nov 13, 2008 20:19:29 GMT -5
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Post by arcalian on Nov 13, 2008 20:22:22 GMT -5
Elseworlds: Batwoman #3 by Jayson Morriseau-Lussier Cover by Alex Vasquez Edited by Jay McIntyre Batwoman repelled down from the line with Bullock attached to the same line. Commissioner James Gordon watched her as she detached the unconscious Bullock and he rolled on to the roof. Gordon motioned to his men to secure Bullock and have him taken inside. “You think you're going to survive?” “I don't know, but I am going to stop those who would harm people.” She responded to him. “You're in over your head and you're going to get yourself killed.” He paused. “I don't want anymore blood on my hands.” “I am going to see this through with or without your help Commissioner. I came here to tell you that you weren't alone.” “I command the largest police force in the world, Bat-girl.” “Batwoman.” She corrected him. “Fine, whatever, and after all that it didn't save Wayne. He was just as committed to this cause as you seem to be.” “I am not him, Gordon, and I can definitely learn from his mistakes. I am committed to see this to the end.” Gordon shook his head in response. “Even if it means your life?” “Whatever the end means, Gordon; I will be here to protect those that can't protect themselves from tyranny and crime.” “Fine then you will have my support but you're officially a vigilante like he was.” “To the end then.” She nodded her head. “Good night, Commissioner.” She fired a grapple as it snagged a building near by them. She hoisted herself off the roof off police headquarters and disappeared. Gordon knew that crime would never ebb if there wasn't anyone that could face criminals down head on. Gordon went downstairs to talk to Bullock. He knew Bullock knew more about the situation than he was telling he had decided.
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Post by arcalian on Nov 13, 2008 20:23:08 GMT -5
The time it took to get things done caused her to make sure it was done right the first time. Being in charge left her few precious, but she that she didn't want to break it down any further than it already had been done. Her office was her solace now, but she knew that her role in Gotham City had changed. Lex Luthor walked into her office as she sat down finally. “Good evening, Mr. Luthor.”
“I was surprised that you were going to be in the office so late, Ms. Kane.” Luthor offered his hand to shake which she did shake.
“I keep pretty late hours at time, besides the Hong Kong market's are open mid-session.” Kane joked as she got up and offered him some coffee.
“No thank you, I don't think I'll be staying too long.”
“I was surprised to get your call, Lex, I thought we were at war.” Kane looked at him.
“We are, but I wanted to extend my hand as you make the transition with you acquisition of Wayne Enterprises.”
“Not needed, Lex, but I thank you.”
“Peace will come when I own all sectors of the financial sectors, Kate, so it might be good to talk about a...”
Kane cut him off as she knew what he was going to say. “No, I will never allow that to happen.”
“Bruce Wayne couldn't stop me so what makes you think you can?”
“Bruce Wayne is dead and you've been trying to take over Kane Industries for quite awhile as well.”
“I have to admit that your father and you a formidable foe.”
“Well, this is a change for you isn't it Mr. Luthor?” Kane raised an eyebrow in surprise.
“I've learned to watch my prey closely.” He stood up and nodded. “Since nothing is going to come from these talks tonight I will take my leave.”
“Well since you're leaving so early, I guess I won't be able to tell you about my proposal.”
Luthor curled a smile as he nodded. “Well you're finally making some sense, Kate.”
Kane nodded with a smile as she sat back. “I think we should make an alliance, instead of going to war.”
“War isn't for cowards.” Luthor his fingers as his fingers formed a steeple.
“True, but neither one of us is a coward.”
“Maybe, but I will agree to your proposal. I find it to be intriguing.”
“Good, because I wanted to make sure you're not going to betray me.” Kane warned him openly.
“If I turn my back on our deal, Kate, I will say it to your face.”
She nodded in acknowledgment. “Well, let's hammer the deal out over lunch tomorrow?”
“Dinner.”
“Dinner.” Kane nodded.
“Fine, Kate, have a good night then.” Luthor stood up and walked to the door.
“You too.” Luthor left her office and she sat back in her chair and pondered the nights events and something her father had always told her... Keep your friends close and your enemies closer.
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Post by arcalian on Nov 13, 2008 20:24:36 GMT -5
Kate sat back in the pilot's chair of the Batwing landed in the secret hanger located outside the city. She opened the hatch door. She took off her mask and let her auburn hair fall down by her shoulders. She saw Alfred and someone she knew as the former head of Wayne Enterprises, Lucius Fox. “It works very well, why didn't he use it?”
“He never saw the need for it, but I knew you might.” Alfred looked at her and then he waited for Fox to say something.
“It was something of a project on the back-burner.” Fox cleared his throat. “Listen, I only got drawn into Bruce Wayne's madness by accident.”
“He wasn't mad, Mr. Fox.”
“Lucius, please.”
“Fine, Lucius, I believe in the same things he did. This is not over by any stretch of the imagination and I need both of you to help me.” Both men nodded.
“Well I can see that you're just as committed to this as he was.” Fox shook her hand. “What are your plans with Wayne Enterprises?”
“Keep the company operational healthy and keep it's people intact.” Kane nodded and smiled.
“What about your meeting with Luthor?” Fox raised an eyebrow.
“A plan for later.”
“Be careful with that snake, Ms. Kane.”
“Kate.” She winked at him and turned her attention back to Alfred as Fox smiled and left the hanger bay. “Any good news?” She asked Alfred.
“The news is always grim nowadays.” Alfred's measured response didn't surprise her.
“How did you know it was me?” Kate finally asked.
Alfred took a file out slide to her. “Apparently Master Wayne had kept a dossier of all the well to do in Gotham. Your name appeared on a number of files.” He paused. “Knowing as dedicated as he was, he used his time to investigate you and found out your secrets.”
“I wasn't Batwoman then.”
“No, but with all the discipline and training, Master Wayne believed in you before you did. So when you appeared as Batwoman before he died; He knew it was you.”
She nodded as she listened to what he was saying and tried to figure out what to say in response, but after a few moments she walked to the bay where she kept the batsuit. She started to disrobe and hung up the batsuit and put on a robe around her. Alfred had turned around to give her some privacy. “I hope his faith in me wasn't misplaced then.”
“Out of everyone I have known in my life, Miss Kane he rarely made mistakes.”
“He made enough to be killed, Alfred.”
“Yes, but that's where we will learn from his mistakes and not repeat them.”
“I am going to get some sleep, tomorrow is going to be a long day too.”
“Okay, Miss Kane, have a good night then.” Kate turned around and smiled at him. “Call me Kate, please.”
“Of course Miss Kate.” Alfred nodded with a smile and Kate shook her head and headed upstairs to her residence she maintained in Blüdhaven, a suburb of Gotham City.
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Post by arcalian on Nov 13, 2008 20:26:04 GMT -5
Talia waited until Shiva and her guards showed up. It was nearly 2 AM when she saw Shiva and her group finally show-up. “Why are we here?” Shiva looked at Talia as her ninja surrounded her.
“This is the reason we want to control Gotham City.” Talia pointed to her guardsman that held the body of a slain ninja.
“He was killed yesterday.” Shiva raised an eyebrow.
“Follow me.” Talia pointed to a pit of boiling green liquid that was deep inside a cave where a two sides of the cave opened up that formed a small bowl like reservoir.
“What is that?” Shiva shook her head.
“This is the Lazarus Pit.” She nodded as the ninja was slide into the pit and both women watched as there was nothing at first and then an explosion of noise.
“Arrgh!!!” The dead ninja lunged from the pit alive and shaking violently. Talia nodded as she looked at Shiva and then shad the ninja soldier back as she awaited Shiva's
“I don't understand how this is possible.” Shiva shook her head.
“This pit has mystical energy and can restore a body that's been dead for less than a year...” Talia looked at Shiva's eyebrows as they lifted in surprise.
“This is the reason you want to destroy Gotham City...” It dawned on her finally. “You mean to bring back your father don't you?”
“Yes, and nothing should stand in the way.”
“This is NOT what we agreed to, Talia!” Lady Shiva's tone had become more serious.
“I know what we agreed to, Shiva, but my mission is much more important to complete.” The ninja that had accompanied Shiva had surrounded her and both women turned around when they heard a commanding tone.
“Enough with this fighting.” Ra's al Ghul appeared from the shadows. “You've both done well and are to be commended.”
Talia bowed before her father as Shiva looked at Talia and then back Ra's al Ghul. “What is going on?!”
“Very simple, Shiva.” Ra's lifted his hand as he waited for Shiva to bow herself which she did. The both women waited for Ra's to speak again. “I have been brought back from the grave to level Gotham to cinder and ashes.”
Shiva nodded. “Yes, Master, but how are you back from the dead?”
“The energies of the human spirit and mind can be channeled by the mystical powers of the Lazarus Pits. I used their energies as a insurance policy if anything had stopped me from accomplishing my mission.” He merely smiled. “I have returned from the dead to destroy this city forever."
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Post by arcalian on Nov 13, 2008 20:26:33 GMT -5
Bullock hadn't given Gordon anything he was looking for, but Bullock knew that he was in trouble so he had tried to call his contacts, but none of them had answered his call. He was panicking as he put on his hat and headed to the docks where he had meet with Shiva before.
There was a light rain that had started to fall. He pulled his coat over his shoulders tighter as he looked around. He lit a cigarette and waited for a few minutes. Finally, he saw a couple of Shiva's ninjas so he decided to walk over to them.
“I need to talk to her!”
“She's not available right now, Detective.” “That's BS! She owes me money! I need my money!”
“I suggest you leave now, Detective.” The Ninja did not waver. “If you persist we will kill you.”
Bullock thought for a moment. “I would hate to go to the media about the crap going on here, you know? I mean it'd be a damn shame.”
“That's enough, Ikano.” Shiva's voice cleared from a shadow. “What do you want, Lieutenant Bullock?”
“You owe me some money!”
“You have not completed your work, Mr. Bullock.” Shiva appeared full from the shadows as she had two kitana swords. “You're a new outsider to our ventures, Detective, don't believe for one moment that we won't act on that.”
“I delivered the information you wanted! I was the stooge you needed inside Cops' headquarters!” Bullock was getting upset by the moment.
“You led Batwoman here, Bullock.” Shiva crossed her swords as she walked closer to him. “You've made our operation a focus on the officials were were trying to steer away from.”
“I want my damn money!”
“How about you keep your head?” She looked him directly into the eyes. “If you do not leave here now you will never be able to tell anyone anything.”
“You're leaving Gotham aren't you?!”
“There are some changes in our plans, yes.”
“I'll leave, but I'll be coming back with the cops!”
“Bring them then, Lieutenant, because their deaths will be on your head.” She turned away from him when she heard him pull out a gun from his trenchcoat. He aimed the gun at her but suddenly there was a Chinese star thrown at his hand and the star sliced his hand to the point that he dropped the gun.
“Arghh!!” He grabbed his hand as blood started to pour out. “You're going to pay for this bitch! I swear that I am going to bring down the law on your operation!”
Shiva merely smiled and nodded. “Good as I said, bring them!” She walked away as her ninja soldiers followed her. Bullock pulled off his tie as he wrapped it around his bleeding hand. He dialed on his cellphone.
“Commissioner, you said you wanted to know?” Bullock started. “Meet me at the Docks.”
Gordon looked at his watch. “OK, Bullock we'll be there in a few minutes.” He looked at his watch again and got up. He went to the roof of the building and lit up the night sky with the Batsignal. It was something he told himself he was never going to use again, but the young woman had convinced him that she could be counted on. The sky was dark except for the Batsignal that illuminated the night of chaos.
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Post by arcalian on Nov 13, 2008 20:27:14 GMT -5
Batwoman stood on the roof of Police Headquarters in a few minutes that Gordon had lit the signal. She had taken the Batwing that hovered over the building at low altitude. Why swinging down from the retractable ladder she jumped down and looked at Gordon. “I came as soon as I could.”
“Bullock called from the docks. He said he had the information we wanted.”
“I figured he would squeal if they squeezed him out their racket.”
“How did you know that?” Gordon raised an eyebrow. “Nevermind. We need to get to the docks right away.”
“On my way.” She got back up the ladder quickly. “Let me know if there's anything I need to know.”
“How?!” Gordon screamed at her.
Just before she climbed back into the Batwing she tossed him a cellphone like device. “Call me.”
“Right.” He said sarcastically. Batwoman closed the hatch and the hovering jets disengaged as the wing flew off at supersonic speeds to the Docks which were a few miles away towards the harbour.
Ra's was moving his people quickly to a ship docked at the harbour. Having been tipped off by Talia that Shiva had betrayed them to Harvey Bullock. Ra's had decided move quickly... He did not want to take any chances. “We need to hurry, the police will be here soon.”
“Master look up there!” Ra's looked up and saw the Batwing rocket into the harbour.
“Our mission cannot be stopped by her.” Ra's merely said. “Prepare the deck guns.”
Two soldier ninja mounted a pair of machine guns to the deck of the ship that was getting ready to take them out of the harbour and they took aim at the Batwing and fired multiple rounds at it. The bullets were whipping past the plated armour of the airship and the glass was bulletproof. Batwoman steered the Batwing into a super dive as her harness around her shoulders held her snugly in as the Batwing dove into the water... a huge splash followed.
“Where did she go?!” Ra's looked alarmed.
“I think we took her down, Master.”
“No you fool. She took her airship into the harbour... but why!?” Suddenly there was a rocking of an explosion that rocked the ship they were on. “She's attacking us from below!” As he realized that ship was both air and sea capable.
“Master, Lady Shiva and her soldiers are approaching.” Ra's' men pointed to the docks as the police pointed to the other side. “We cannot be stopped now. Not now!” Ra's al Ghul looked at his daughter Talia “We need to implement our back-up plan. Is he ready?”
“I believe he is, My lord father.” She nodded.
Shiva's soldier's had pulled out their guns and started to fire at the police squad cars that started to show up. Al Ghul's ship had started to sink from the explosion beneath her bow. “We need to hurry!” Talia screamed at their soldiers. Talia was about to say something else when she felt a boot kick her squarely into the back. Batwoman had appeared from the Batwing... she had swam up from the submerged Batwing and swung over the bow. Talia stumbled down and felt her cheek cut open by gash hitting her face against the deck.
“Whatever your plans were they end tonight!” Batwoman called back to Ra's al Ghul as the Demon's Head turned around and faced her for the first time.
“I don't know who you are child, but you've picked the wrong time to interfere in my plans.”
“I am the guardian of Gotham.” Talia had gotten up and took out her sword and took a swing for Batwoman's head, but Batwoman had heard her in time as she did a backflip away and landed behind her. She took a defencive posture as she waited for Talia or Ra's attach next.
“We don't have time for this!” Ra's commanded as he pointed to his soldiers to dive into the water. “When I return, child, you will pay for your interference.” He dove into the harbour below as Talia gritted her teeth as she saw Lady Shiva getting taken over by the Gotham Police force.
“I don't know who you are, Batwoman, but this is not over.”
“It's over for today.” Batwoman tried to keep her from diving over the side of the bow but she disappeared below into the murky water.
The cops arrested Lady Shiva and Bullock. Batwoman pressed a button on her utility belt and she felt the ship beneath her rumble for a moment and the Batwing appeared from the murky waters and floated up into the sky. “I think I know where they went, Commissioner.” Batwoman called over the the comm link to Gordon.
“Go after them then!” Gordon responded as he saw the Batwing fire it's jet engines and fly off into the night. “I got to get me one of those...” He said in awe.
“Really, Commissioner I was under-cover! Honest!” Bullock was yelling as he was put into a squad car.
“Tell it to the judge, Bullock.” He slammed the door before the Detective could say anything and he pat the roof and the squad car took off. He held his breath for a moment as he tried to catch his thoughts for a moment. Things had happened faster than he had anticipated but he hoped she could catch them.
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Post by arcalian on Nov 13, 2008 20:28:10 GMT -5
“I refuse to believe that she was the only reason our plans were stalled.” Ra's was angry but he knew they needed to get out of town before the police had realized they had survived the police ambush. “Shiva will pay for her treachery, father.” Talia nodded as she stepped out of the Wayne prototype flight pod which was an amphibious vehicle that could fly and submerge into water. They had used that as their back-up plan for escape. “I am glad you were able to save him.” “It wasn't easy, Father, please believe me.” Talia pointed to the sky as they saw the Batwing circling for a place to land at the private Wayne Enterprises air strip. “She is persistent isn't she?” “She is, Father.” “I think it's time to go then.” Ra's pointed for the remaining soldiers that had accompanied for them to get aboard the Wayne Enterprises Private Jet. Batwoman had jumped out of the Batwing and her cape electrified into a glider as she landed on the air strip near the jet. She looked at the Flight pods that Ra's had used for his men and he to escape the docks. “Those are Wayne Enterprises' property!” Batwoman called out to Ra's as he as about to close the loading door. “I will not debate you in that, but there's someone should meet, Batwoman.” He gestured as Bruce Wayne appeared next to him. “Bruce...” She opened her mouth in shock at seeing him alive. “We'll be back for round two next time, Kate.” Bruce merely grinned and he pat Ra's on his back and the two men disappeared as the jet closed it's doors and took off with rocket jet speed. She knew that the Batwing was fast but it wasn't nearly as fast as one of private jets that were now. She felt heart beating and racing. She breathed in another moment. “Bruce... what the hell is going on?” She said to herself. She turned around and saw the Batsignal lit up over Gotham City. She was going to need to return and tell Commissioner Gordon that Gotham's former Dark Knight now was behind Ra's al Ghul's escape. It would be a shock to them all.... The End
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Post by Romans Empire on Nov 13, 2008 21:41:56 GMT -5
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