Nightwing #24 "The Infiltrator"
Written By Mick Edwards
RECAP: After the fall of Blockbuster, Mayor Soames placed a new official legislation into law called the Anti-Vigilante Displacement act. Making metas and non-powered vigilantes fugitives of justice within the city limits of Blüdhaven. With the help of Special Agent Cisco Blaine, and the full power of the FBI; a new task force was integrated into the Blüdhaven Police Department known as the Crime Prevention Squad. Meanwhile, Nightwing found himself betrayed by his information broker Oracle who agreed with Special Agent Blaine's plans to save Blüdhaven. He also discovered Blaine had a sample of his DNA, which would allow him to uncover his identity, so he fled in an effort to protect his identity and find a way to protect Blüdhaven from the new menace that threatens it.
Elizabeth:
It's been less then a week since I entered Blüdhaven, and already I have seen crimes perpetrated by the police on the criminals and people, which from what I've been told is far from norm. I didn't know what their agenda is. I have not been able to gather any Intel on their plans. The past couple of nights I've stole away at place Dick told me would be safe. I carried light, and I have an escape route; one that he mapped out. I also have the supplies he provided. I lean on a ledge, but I'm careful not to be seen. From my vantage point I can see a cop pistol whipping some blonde teenager, and the kid looks like he's doped up on something. I pulled a bird-a-rang out of my glove, and tossed it, knocking the baton from his hand. This proved to be a mistake, as the teen jumps on top of the cop, and started beating on him mercilessly, so I swing down using my decel jump line, and kick the kid off. The cop is unconscious, which unfortunately is a blessing because if I get caught, the CPS will be all over me. However, the boy wouldn't give up; he came at me. I kicked him so hard in the nuts that he fell limply to the side. I then tied him up to make sure he doesn't go anywhere. But, the whole time he has this crazy look in his eyes. I began to wonder as I left what kind of city lets crazies run rampant with no one, but corrupt cops to provide the innocent civilians with safety?
I think of Gotham, but even Gotham is not as bad as what I see. As I sprint down the street, I see an old man being harassed by some punks. I stopped, and started to head that way when he pulled a gun out, and shot them before my eyes. It didn't bother him at all; in fact he stood over them as they twitched in pain, and shot them dead. I ran off realizing that the citizens were just as nuts as the criminal element. By the time I got back to the safe house it's time for me to contact Dick, so I dialed the untraceable number on the disposable cell phone I bought.
"Yes" he said.
"You didn't tell me the people here were crazy too."
"Wouldn't you be after putting up with Blockbuster for all this time?" he said, "but, more than that they have been victims of violence more often than not."
I mulled over his words for a moment, but it doesn't excuse the actions I've seen committed.
"Still, it isn't right."
"That's what I once thought," he said, and I hear his voice take on that gritty edge. "Then I realized that some times you have to get your hands dirty."
"What are you doing now?"
Dick:
I knew she was going to ask me that. Despite the anger over finding out I was seeing some one else, she's still crazy about me. While I watch Agent Blaine get into his car, I hear her breathing expectantly for my answer.
"Nothing dangerous," I said, "I'll talk to you later."
She goes to say something, but I hang up. Blaine started to pull away, and I follow in the night bird. I need to rectify the situation he has placed me in. With the blood sample he took, he could easily figure out who I am, and probably trace my connections to Bruce. So, there comes the question on how do I convince him otherwise. Or, do I play to what knowledge he has uncovered, and possibly intimidate him through force to back off.
As I tightened my fists on the steering wheel, I know that is what I would like to do, but it probably wouldn't bring any results. I need to think of something before I confront him, and it has to be good. When Blaine turned down another street, I followed, but stayed behind a good enough distance that I could follow him to where he was going. Having been taught by the best, I knew how to tail a person real good, but some proved to be too smart to be tailed. As I figured out when Blaine's black sedan became lost among four sedans that entered the street we were on, and then they all split at the intersection. I didn't know which one to follow, and it's then I realized I should have bugged his car.
Blockbuster:
The sound of a vertebra snapping is like music to my ears. I like to watch the last traces of life leave their body, and then after that the thrill is gone. I find myself back where I started a whole lot pensive, and focused on one man -- Nightwing. I picture my massive hands wrapping around his throat; choking the life out of him. All for what he has done to me. Then I think about what I will do to Soames when I get my hands on him. Breaking his neck is too merciful. I think I will snap his spine first, and then leave him in the deepest, darkest hole I can find. But, first thing is first, after killing King Snake; I find myself saddled with his debts. I had two of my new men set up a meeting with these collectors, so that I can personally negotiate a truce, and perhaps an alliance.
All things considered, if they refuse, none of them possess the forces to stop me from exterminating them. They are just lower rung gangs just like my new force is. But, then that's how I built my empire...
Captain Rohrbach:
I look through the books, the doctored books that list the crimes prevented, and it almost makes me ashamed. I set them aside, and run through the take my men have brought in from the businesses in the 'Haven. So far I have not heard from Mrs. Desmond, but I've gone too far to start backtracking now. Too many corrupt cops have been integrated into the CPS, and Agent Blaine is totally unaware of their connection to Blockbuster's syndicate. Most of them are officers he bought from other cities, but they do the job they're paid to. Each day I get a report of their activities. I know too much, and if I say anything my child and husband will be killed. So, I have to stay silent; endure the disgusting things I am forced to do, all for the sake of family. If there was ever a god, I would hope that he could see why I commit these sins, and understand.
Scarlet:
Aleta's dead, and as I rose up from the dirt covered pavement spitting up phlegm I see the big brute that did the job. It took all of the slugs I put in the forty four to take him down, and yet he still managed to slap me down. I lie here looking up at the street lights. Blüdhaven, such a shitty port town, why did Soames ever set himself up here? He had plenty in Australia. He was his own man, but no; he had to come to the city on the edge. He had to work with the feared crime lord that was being whispered about over seas. And now, now, he's probably dead. Just like I should be by all rights. I got up, dusted off my pants, and I bend down picking up the magnum. The stupid gimp broke the barrel making it useless. All I had was a little Walther PPK, which wouldn't do much against these lugs.
I need something with stopping power if I'm going to survive. I walk across the pier onto the street, and hold up a driver for his Pontiac Grand Am. Once I'm inside, I set the car into gear, and drive off.
Something tells me I should have flown off without Dudley, but what can a girl in love do...
Dick:
I looked at the stubble that's grown on my face. I've let myself become a bit obsessive with this, but if I don't do anything; the government will start sniffing around my background, and perhaps Bruce's as well. I took a sip of the coffee, it's stale, and not as warm as the waitress claimed it was. Across from me, I see some one who I've watched hang around Agent Blaine. The idea is to tail him, and see if he will lead me to Blaine. As soon as he goes for the door, I linger, then follow. He makes for a red convertible, as I walk by I stumble and plant a tracer, then get back up. He looks at me wondering what happened, and I smiled.
"Just tripped."
He nodded, and got in his car, and I go to where I parked the night bird, and follow behind thanks to the handy tracking equipment inside.
It isn't too long before we are on the highway, after about a half hour he pulls into the parking lot of a condemned building. I put my shades, and the rest of my disguise away; then open up the suit case with my costume inside. It's time I change the rules, the only way I know how.
Soames:
I wake up with pain flaring up every nerve in my body. I ache all over, and my lungs cry out for air, but all I'm breathing in is water. I realize pretty quickly some one has dunked me into the water. I struggled, and fought to get my head pulled out. Finally, the hard grip on the base of my neck let go, and I raised my head up. An Asian man stood beside me, and watched as I cough up; behind me I hear a woman speak, a voice like velvet. I turned and looked at her, and she came toward me, I took in her scent. She smells like raspberries, and when she touched me with her bare hand, I noticed its silky smoothness.
"What is your name gaijin?"
"My name?" I said, "Dudley, Dudley Soames."
Her lips pursed, and then a smile revealed itself. I looked into her eyes, and they are vacant. She's blind; possibly helpless. Lots of thoughts run through my mind, but then I hear a noise. Like metal scraping against leather. And then I feel immense pain in my back, like some one drove a poker through my back, but I looked, and it's no poker. It's katana. I spit up blood, and smile at the woman, her name I don't know, and then I collapse onto the pavement; my last thoughts a dirty one.
Elizabeth:
An hour goes by, and I hear screams and cries. No matter how hard I try I can't go to sleep. It's still dark out, and the moon is half lit. I think of some nights ago when my skin touched against his, and we melded into one; so long ago it was and yet I can't stop thinking about it. I curse myself because such thoughts condemn me. He has a woman, and all I have been is a floozy that he had a one night stand with.
I close the window, and lie back in bed. I lay my head on the pillow, and try to drown out the noise. If I could just get a few hours sleep, I know I would be all right. I know that these thoughts will fade, and that I can do what I asked.
And then darkness clouds my vision. I dream of him. His naked body; tight and lean, his lips, their kisses are so sweet. And I feel his strong arms around me. Holding me close, the smell of his hair, the taste of his skin. The warmth of his touch. I wake up, and it's daylight out, and I punch the bed; toss the pillow on the floor.
Damn you, Dick Grayson!
Why...why did you make me love you?
Next Issue: Hostile Takeover
NEVERMORE: I cry, and they sleep; I die and they weep.