CH.3: Gotham peril
Alex spent the rest of her day exploring Gotham and getting a feel for the city. The city was mostly in darkness though the day did allow her time to get a bearing on her situation without having to resort to Batwoman or even Kate Kane. It was a truly architectural delight at the tall buildings and the detail alone made her wonder how these buildings stood the test of time. However there were certain parts of the city that appeared worn down or just one rock throw and they'd crumble.
National City was almost always in the light and yet even a sunny day like today there were still looming clouds above as a reminder of gloom and doom to follow in the night. Alex surveyed what she could and figured she might need some wheels. Alex wasn't much for four wheels as two so thankfully she had been saving her money over time working at the D.E.O.
Alex wasn't one for impulse buys but wow…these bikes were something else. The bike shop here had some really eclectic looking vehicles each with a different paint job or certain ones went faster while others were for more style.
"So, we meet again?" Alex dropped her shoulders as she recognized the voice all too well. Was she being followed or kept tabs of?
"Kate Kane, twice in one day how do you do it?" Alex of course mentioning how she got the drop on her in the Wayne building.
"I think you were too absorbed in the bike to notice my appearance, so, not intentional spook. Anyway this has nothing to do with you…I just happen to be admiring the handiwork done on these bikes. Do you ride?" Alex looked over at the other woman who seemed to be dressed casually and no doubt not dressed for a board meeting.
"Uh yeah…I do a bit of riding now and then. It sure beats four wheels in traffic. What about you?" Alex found her attention on the woman who ran her hand along one of the vehicles.
"Oh yes, the thrill of riding at high speeds…nothing beats that. Here in Gotham at night…traffic is minimal so that is the best time to just let loose. However not that I would recommend it…lest you have a death wish." She was quick to change her tune and she wondered if it had to do with the crime here.
"I see. So which bike would you recommend?" Alex wasn't sure at the moment as she was sort of torn between two. Perhaps having an outside voice from her conversation in her head would help.
"How about this one? This one has good handling with good speed which allows for greater turns at high speeds. Should prove efficient in whatever you have planned whether joy riding or getting to your destination much faster. There is a lot of ground to cover here in Gotham and sometimes going by foot won't cut it."
Alex did have to admit that did sound tempting. Plus it was her type of bike model given she had one just like it back on Earth 38, yeah, she was still getting used to multiple earth's or the Multiverse as it was called.
"A bit pricey but not outside my price range. Do you have a similar bike then?" She went to walk up to the cashier to ring her up.
"I have something like this, sure. This person you are searching for…just what is his deal, his mo?" Alex didn't really know how much she could reveal. She had revealed already she worked with the D.E.O. with Batwoman and with this woman she had revealed she was F.B.I. If she was not careful she might find herself revealing information not classified to a civilian.
"He is a highly intuitive fugitive who has escaped custody and any and all who get in his way he will dispatch without the mercy or act of kindness one would expect. This man enjoys watching others suffer for sport and he takes great pleasure in every moment passing that his victim suffers." Which wasn't all that far from the truth as just being out put others in danger.
"Sounds like he would fit right in here at Arkham. I'm not sure Supergirl filled you in but here in Gotham we have an Asylum, a place where the criminally insane are locked up and evaluated and an attempt to cure the madness is put into motion. Not everyone leaves though as some refuse to change their ways. Perhaps he'd be more suited for there then where you were holding him if he escaped-."
"Thanks, but, he belongs with the F.B.I. no offense to this Arkham as I am sure it sounds like a nice place." Alex had not meant to sound so offensive but what did this woman know about the criminally insane or even her line of work?
"I did not mean to overstep my boundaries, just; he sounds like a lot of colorful characters who have overstayed their welcome here in Gotham." Alex wondered about that but didn't figure she'd be staying more than at least a week here. She was needed back in National City and the D.E.O. must be falling apart without her there.
Alex had her bike and she waited for it to be taken outside so she walked out with Kate following behind her. "You have quite the city Kate, and, while I appreciate our conversation I have a lot of ground to cover if I am going to find my guy before nightfall."
"Of course, I did not mean to take up any of your time. I am curious though, which do you prefer guys or girls?" Alex was a bit taken off guard by that and the fact she had only met the other woman recently.
"I'm not sure it is any of your business." Alex went to swing her leg over the bike once it was out and had the kickstand up.
"Perhaps…then again if I am being honest my persuasion is more towards the…female shaped variety over that of males. Here, in case I didn't give you my number from our previous exchange. Don't be shy in calling me up, if to just talk or maybe hang out." She slipped her number into her backpocket, her hand a bit too close for comfort and yet Alex grips the bike tight. What was it about this woman? Was there no such thing as boundaries here in Gotham?
"I'll be sure to give it some consideration, but, I would not hold your breath." Alex revvs up the engine as she leaves behind the woman who somehow was making it impossible for her to focus.
Arthur Samuels known as the Vicerator watched as the D.E.O. agent fled the scene leaving him free to wonder the streets. He was a rather tall gentleman around 6ft with emerald green eyes and dark skin with wild unruly dark locks of hair. He was tall and lean and had a goatee. The human guise allowed him to blend in with humans which he despised but it did allow him a chance to better go about unnoticed.
He hailed from the planet Xexus and as such his kind had the natural ability to take shape of the one who predominated a planet, as such humans did this on Earth. However before landing on the planet he realized that a weird signature came off it. Which he then came to the conclusion that there was more than one Earth; strange, but it did give him options.
"Hello there handsome…you lost?" Arthur turns around and finds a flame haired female standing near the building. He noticed right away her curves and her sensual husky tone.
"Well aren't you something, pretty little fine thing. I was about to ask you the same thing." He moved towards her and noted how she didn't back away.
"Mmm, I bet you were. A strong boy like you, well…I feel like you have quite the stamina about you just by looking at you. What brings you to Gotham City?"
"How do you know I am not from here?" Arthur stopped short of her wondering what she was getting at.
"Oh please…I know this city like the back of my hand and you don't look like you belong. Please, follow me." She led the way, her hips swaying and he wouldn't mind getting up in that. He follows her into the alleyway and he couldn't shake the feeling something wasn't right.
"What is your name?" He inquires as he can feel the eyes in the back of his head opening up as it was his defense mechanism, it kept him alive when someone tried to sneak up on him. But so far nothing.
"My name is Duela, but, I go by something else. Something more sinister and something that truly fits me; I am the daughter of the Joker. You do not know the name now, but, you will. Sadly dear old father is no longer around leaving me to look after things. I've been on the look-out for a bodyguard and after your little test you are in."
"Test, Joker's daughter, what?" He suddenly ran at her but a hail of gunfire ceased his movement. He tore at his clothes as he sprouted an extra pair of arms and nails increased till they went to the floor. He howled out in anger and he did a twirl of sorts while his nails caught on to hidden bodies dragging them about the wall and tearing them asunder as he landed back down with the walls painted with their blood. Hearing footsteps behind him his eyes enlarged and the man froze in his tracks before he leaped behind him and ripped at his neck.
The man spasms some before dropping to the ground kicking about as he grew pale; heh, served him right. He then turned to Duela who was clapping.
"Brava, well done…and now it would seem I am down an army. Still, you have proven yourself worthy and welcome to my circus. Oh don't give me that look…besides what did you think was going to happen? I prefer females, I suppose I take after dear old dad, may he rest in…pieces." She let out a laughter that made Arthur revert back to human.
"A little warning next time…and…who said I wanted to work for you?' He had been doing fine on his own so far.
"Trust me…lest you know Gotham like I do you will be sticking out a bit much. I can protect you, give you a purpose. I could just leave you to that woman you are looking out for, maybe even serve you up on a platter of justice to Batwoman, and before you know it you have a cell of your very own in Arkham."
"F-Fine, you have yourself a bodyguard. Do you have somewhere like maybe a lair or something?" He felt drained from the fight.
"Oh I do, don't you worry your muscled body over. Come, we have much to discuss." She led the way and he followed figuring any fate with her was probably better than what awaited him against this Batwoman or the D.E.O.
Authors note: Yep, the Joker's daughter is now in the fold. And plenty more characters never before seen in the Arroverse will be making their debut in this fanfic. As I mentioned multi-femslash is still an option and with Alex her confusion will only grow with Batwoman and Kate.
