Nightwing #25 "Hostile Takeover"
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 Bludhaven. With the help of Special Agent Sisco Blaine, and the full power of the FBI; a new task force was integrated into the Bludhaven 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 Bludhaven. 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 Bludhaven from the new menace that threatens it.
Nightwing gummed his mask into place and looked up at the abandoned building; the glass was shattered in several windows, the paint was peeling off the walls, and there were holes in the cement that allowed you to see the rusted pipes. He sprinted in, and grabbed one of the rusted pipes, using it to pull himself up through the hole in first and second floor. He found himself coming out in a bathroom where a stall used to be, and he climbed out and guardedly made his way to the door. Opening it, he paused as he saw a shadow move by, and he heard voices. Pulling two pellets from his glove, he tossed them into the hallway; their small metal forms making light ping-ping noises before spraying out knock out gas.
The two men with automatics dropped, and Nightwing came out with his rebreather on. He checked them over, and they had CPS badges. Removing their weapons, he continued on where he held close to the walls using them as cover. He peeked around the corner after reaching the end of the hall, and saw several more men with CPS badges this time, and they had their firearms drawn out. He listened closely to the conversation one of the men started.
"I can't believe Blaine believes that this Grayson person would come here."
"Shut up, Roger."
"Why Bill?" asked Roger; he lowered his gun to his side. "You know I'm right."
"No, I don't; for all we know Grayson could be here."
"Well, then we better be ready," said a man with a shades on, and an orange T-shirt. "Quit your lip smacking, and keep an eye out."
The men nodded and separated to cover the area. Nightwing waited almost five minutes before he snuck up behind the one called Roger, and slipped a hand over his mouth, and an arm under his thick neck and dragged him back into the corner where he laid his body up against the wall. He took the clip out of the semi-automatic, and stuffed it into crack in the wall. He checked Roger for an ear mic, or a hand held radio, and after a few minutes found what he was looking for on the man's lapel. He listened to the com chatter, and became immersed on what was being said.
"This is bullshit!"
"What do you mean, Scotti?"
"Blaine has us screwing around waiting for that Grayson kid to show up when we should be out huntin' Blockbuster!"
Nightwing's eyes widened, yet he managed to hide his foreboding fear, and tuned the mic so he could get a clearer reception.
"Ever since Blockbuster escaped, we've had caught hell from the director -- Blaine needs to get his head out of his ass."
"That would be a site," laughed one of the ones talking.
"Give me a sit rep all stations," said Blaine. "And no more jokes, Scotti or your ass is mine."
"Understood sir," said Scotti. "First floor checks clear."
"Second floor, so far so good."
"Nothing here in the parking lot."
"I can't see anything from the roof," said Blaine with a lace of disappointment to his voice. "Keep an eye out."
He sat the mic down, and proceeded into the next room. Two men wearing casual clothes with guns strapped to their sides were smoking cigarettes and talking unaware of Nightwing's presence. He eased his way down the other path and made for the out of order elevator and turned left to the stairs. From there he followed them up to the parking lot where a guy with a shotgun sat on the hood of an old beater chewing tums like they were candy. Nightwing calculated the distance between the other stairs and the man and realized he could not make it without alerting him
So, doing what he was taught; he picked up a pebble off the cracked concrete and tossed it in the other direction behind him. The man hussled his overweight ass to where he heard the noise, but saw nothing. He cocked his shotgun as sweat beaded down his brow; the blow that came from behind took him unaware and he hit the pavement.
Nightwing took the shotgun, and emptied it when a click and the feel of cold steel against the back of his head made him freeze.
"Looks like I caught myself a fugitive."
Elizabeth climbed out of the worn mattress, and looked at the clock that sat on the night stand next to said bed. It read seven-thirty, and she stifled a yawn as she went into the bathroom to take her shower. After that was over, she ate breakfast and got dressed so she could mingle amongst the people to get a better lay of Bludhaven. She only learned so much of the city during her nightly patrols that she decided to spend the day learning all that she could so that she could be more effective. Upon coming out of the disused three story building that had a garage next to it, she caught the trollie that went right through Gibson street and straight down Glover Alley. She had heard of a coffee shop on Glover Alley known as the Mood Music, and she wanted to try out their mellow sixteen. The trollie whined as its aged wheels turned and the sparks flew. Passing by Willis Boulevard, Haven Plaza, and the Cameron Museum.
She got off at Glover Alley, and headed inside Mood Music where she found a ditzy waitress who was screwing up everyone's drinks. She instead chose to go to the freckle faced boy with yellow hair who was doing a better job.
"What would you like ma'am?" he said with heavy breaths.
"A mellow sixteen."
"All right, coming right up."
Taking a look around, Elizabeth noticed the more middle class citizens of the 'Haven attended this place, and they seemed less crazy. But, she reasoned that could be because its not night out yet. When she received her mellow sixteen, she took a sip, and smiled.
"It's good, thank you."
"You're welcome," he said; his breathing more laborious from exertion. "That will be three twenty five."
"That much?"
"Yes, ma'am; it's our special."
Elizabeth frowned, and handed over a five dollar bill and the boy walked over to collect her change. She took the moment to think more about Dick and what she should do about her feelings, and this other woman. She began to wonder if she should see this other woman, and find out if she is right for Dick, if this other woman is prettier; smarter than she is.
"Ma'am," said the freckled face boy. "Here's your change."
"Thanks," said Elizabeth; feeling embarrassed.
The boy walked away and she left alone again with her thoughts. She ran her hands along the cup and wondered what she should do. Then a terrible thought occurred to her, and that was the fact they didn't use protection...
She cursed herself for being stupid. She downed her mellow sixteen in one gulp, and tossed the cup in the waste basket near the door on her way out.
The steel serpents gang, and the crypt runners meet at a graveyard sixteen miles between Gotham and Bludhaven. It was mostly a civil war graveyard used for the burial of traitorous confederates. Blockbuster stood tall at the end of the graveyard near the alleged grave of Stonewall Jackson. His massive frame stretching his suit to its limits. All around him were the gang King Snake had known as the Poison Fangs. Blockbuster had his hands behind his back, a deadly smile on his face, and a glint in his eyes.
"Welcome, I do hope the trip was not too harrowing for you all."
"Cut the crap," said the leader of the steel serpents. "We want what is owed us; give us our money, Desmond."
"He owes us, so he has to pay us first!" said the leader of the crypt runners.
Blockbuster laughed at them, finding both gangs foolish. One gang wore silver snake tattoos. The other dressed up as vampires, and acted like they were a serious gang. He walked towards the amassed men, some thirty in numbers, and tightened his ties.
"I assure you, I have no money on me; what I do have is pain which I will deliver to all of you, if you don't swear fealty to me."
"Who does this gajin think he is?" asked the leader of the steel serpents. "Waste him."
The steel serpents charged Blockbuster, and a menacing smile stretched across his face. He brought his fists down like hammers completely crushing the first two men to approach him, and then he drove his right fist up knocking several others into the air. One of the steel serpents managed to get behind him, and fire his gun, but Blockbuster swung back his hand hand snapping the man's neck with the force of the blow.
He then looked at the others who stood several feet from him, and he laughed; it was a laugh that was satanic and chilled to the bone.
The crypt runners all kneeled and bowed before Blockbuster, a moment later so did what was left of the steel serpents after he killed their leader and a good deal of their numbers.
If one thing the dark knight ever taught Nightwing, it was to always watch his back. After living in Bludhaven, he had learned to take that lesson to a whole new level, but being from the city for so long he had gotten somewhat lax. He hated himself for allowing Blaine to get so close. Blaine came around to look Nightwing in the face, and had a large grin as he pulled out a warrant for the arrest of Dick Grayson.
"I have you," said Blaine. "And soon I'll have Batman."
Nightwing remained silent as he worked out several strategies of escape; yet he realized he needed to convince Blaine he wasn't Dick Grayson. That, that would be hard.
"Don't have anything to say for yourself?" he asked.
"...."
"Just as I figured."
Blaine lowered his mouth to his collar so he could speak into the mic placed there, but kept his eyes on Nightwing.
"All units, I've found the perp, rendezvous at the parking lot."
Hearing nothing, but silence; Blaine began to wonder what was wrong. Even Nightwing was wondering because he knew there was at least two men left. Then he saw a flash of silver and the gun barrel feel to the floor. With a swift to the nerve under the jaw, Blaine was out. Nightwing blinked as Katana sheathed her cursed blade.
"What are you doing here?" he asked.
"After our separation, I was contacted by a mutual friend that you might need help."
"Oracle..."
"Yes."
"I want nothing from her, or her agents."
"I do not come here because I work for her, Richard-san."
Nightwing turned around, and saw Katana had removed her mask. "I come because we share a bond."
He smiled, and then bent down to pick up Blaine. "We'll need him if I'm going to get him off my trail."
"I understand."
"Oh, and one more thing..."
"Yes?"
"Anyone ever tell you how sexy you look in that outfit?" he asked; his smile growing wider.
"I never took you for a flirt," she said; returning his smile.
They walked out of the decrypted building together with Blaine in tow.
Next Issue: Tricks and Disorder
NEVERMORE: I want to take this column to thank Scott Redmond for his reviews, and I also want to let everyone know I will be on Nightwing for the seeable future. Now, for a quote to leave you readers thinking.
To lose all sensibility in times of great depression is easy; the hardest thing is to maintain a calm, collected sense of mind.
-Mick
8/6/09