A/N: What's up? Enormous increase I traffic for the last chapter. Two days and over thirty visitors, I'm humbled.
Here, there's a visit to the People's Republic of China. Not much action here, but all of this is crucial to the storyline. Everything will start to heat up in the next chapter, though I'll include a little Joker scene to tide all of you till then
Disclaimer: If Mariska Hargitay didn't get the Academy Award for Best Actress for her role as Olivia Benson in the blockbuster hit The Dark Knights, then I don't own either.
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Chapter 7: Chinese Anyone?
Strolling out of the 747, Olivia marveled at how much had changed over three years. Before, she couldn't fly without crushing the armrest at every little bump or jolt, and now she could sleep through the entire flight without the need for a sleeping pill. 'Well, Liv, three years ago you didn't think you could jump off rooftops, fire at criminals with an armored assault vehicle, or fall in love with your best friend,' no scratch that. She had always been in love with Bruce, it had just taken quite a long time, 32 years, to realize it.
Olivia shook her head. 'Focus on the mission Benson!' The official plan was simple, fly into Manila, stay in a hotel for two days waiting for Porter to arrive, pick up Mike Jurgens from the Manila Police Department's HQ, head back to Gotham with the rapist, and get justice for the victims. The unofficial plan however, was far less simple. Leave it to Bruce to plan the most ridiculous stunts, though there wasn't much else that was possible. The thought of him on his yacht for a week with a whole boatload of Russian beauties made her blood boil with jealousy (Olivia knew that she couldn't compare with them, or Alex; her mother's constant belittlings had instilled in her the realization that she wasn't at all special). At least she could take comfort that Alfred would be there, however much that helped.
Ninoy Aquino International Airport was located in the southern region of the bustling capitol city, less than a mile from Manila Bay. Stepping outside onto the arrivals deck, a cool sea breeze wafted in, blowing and messing up her slicked up red hair (a new style she was trying out). Sighing as she blew a wayward strand out of her eye, Olivia hailed a cab, driven by a balding, wiry man with thick glasses.
"Where to miss?" he asked in Spanish, the colonial language of the islands.
"To the Negros Navigation Ferry Terminal, North Harbor por favor," she repeated in the same language. With all the Latin immigrants in Gotham and dealing with Velez's Colombian thugs, speaking Spanish was a useful skill for a detective.
"Ah, an American," said the cab driver in English, also common from the colonial period.
Smiling weakly, Olivia nodded. "Is it that obvious?"
"No, your Spanish is good, but you clearly have the air of someone from the United States." He chuckled a bit and entered the cab, Olivia entering the backseat. "So where are you from, New York?"
"Gotham City actually," replied Olivia with all honesty.
"Hmmm," said the driver, rubbing his chin as he pulled the cab onto the main coastal road. "I have always wanted to visit America's Greatest City, but it is too dangerous for me. Too many thugs and criminals for my taste."
"So our reputation precedes us," she said a little sadly, hating the fact that her home city was so well known as a den of crime rather than the vibrant, cultural metropolis that it should be.
"I'm afraid so, but who knows? That Batman and Batgirl might just clean up everything over there."
Raising an eyebrow, Olivia inquired further. "You know of the Batman and Batgirl?"
The man laughed as if it were a ridiculous question. "Of course, they are quite popular in the Philippines. You should see the Japanese comic strip they have of them; it's a hit with both kids and adults alike." Olivia couldn't help but smile at that, she never intended to be an international celebrity, but she was, even if the world didn't know it.
The rest of the morning went according to plan. Calling in the hotel to say she was going on a sightseeing hike for today and tomorrow, Olivia hopped on a ferry for the Bataan Peninsula, enjoying the calming swells of Manila Bay. Arriving at the dock, she hopped a ride on a friendly farmer's truck, knowing it would be best to blend in with the locals from here on out.
After traveling about five miles from the harbor, she signaled the farmer to stop. Handing him a fifty dollar bill in gratitude, Olivia, clad in a T-shirt and knee-cut jeans, hitched her waterproof duffel bag and began the trek westward in the jungle. The humidity was overwhelming, the air filled with buzzing insects that made her skin crawl. 'Focus Benson, you made it through worse fog than this against League of Shadows warriors fifty times more annoying as these pesky bugs.' Ignoring the distractions, she trudged forward.
Devoid of human habitation, Quinawon Beach still retained its natural beauty. Walking to the edge, Olivia noticed almost immediately her ride, the Grumman HU-16 Albatross seaplane waiting patiently ten yards offshore. "Their early, or maybe I'm late…" Olivia said out loud. Figuring it didn't matter, she threw the duffel into the water, watching it as it splashed. Bringing her hands together in the classic diving pose, she took a deep breath and plunged into the warm waters of the South China Sea. Resurfacing, she grabbed the duffel and kicked out for the Albatross, hoping Bruce packed her a set of spare clothes like he was supposed to. Knowing him, he would have left a parka and snow mitts to mess with her.
'And yet I love him anyway.'
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Spread out shirtless on a deck chair reading a five-day old copy of the Gotham City Ledger, Bruce grabbed the glass of ice tea on the end table and took a sip. Fifteen feet away, three blonde Russians in skimpy bikinis waved at him, giggling suggestively. He smiled; sure he wanted to marry Alex and settle down, but at times like these why not enjoy the life he had.
"Reveling in your scandalizing the high-society of Gotham Master Wayne?" Bruce looked up to see Alfred in a white button-down and a pair of Bermuda shorts, looking completely un-Alfred like. He turned over the paper to see the headline about his, let's just say, classic Wayne departure. "Don't worry Alfred, they love me anyway, despite my eccentricities." His butler rolled his eyes, causing Bruce to chuckle. "I wonder what the look on Alex's face was when she saw this."
"Not an expression I would like to face I'm afraid Master Bruce. I've had enough run-ins with what they in the Gotham Constabulary call 'The Badass Benson' for one lifetime." The thought of Olivia made a smile creep on Bruce's face, not unnoticed by Alfred. 'Oh Master Bruce,' he sighed mentally. The moment was interrupted by the whine of piston engines, all heads turning to the port side. The Albatross swept in low, kicking up a large cloud of sea spray as it hit the water. "Speaking of Miss Olivia sir, I believe that's your plane!" he called over the whine.
Nodding, Bruce rose, grabbing a waterproof haversack nestled alongside the chair. "You look tired Alfred. Unwind, enjoy yourself for once."
Looking back at the rear deck, several of the Russian ballerinas waved to him, pointing to their backs. "If you are going to leave me alone with them, at least tell me the Russian words for apply your own bloody suntan lotion."
Grinning, Bruce chucked the haversack into the sea and dove in, resurfacing after a few seconds. Turning his gaze back to the stern, Alfred notice a tall, leggy blonde exit the main cabin, smiling and winking at him. "On the other hand Master Bruce, maybe I will enjoy this vacation," he murmured with a wide smile.
Gliding through the water with the grace of an Olympic swimmer, Bruce reached the Albatross in no time. Grabbing the aluminum handles, he hauled himself up, only to almost fall in again.
Olivia laughed at his clumsiness. "Need a hand there Bruce?" she stammered, trying to control her giggles.
"I don't need your help Liv," muttered Bruce, his face red.
"You say that, and yet who is it that keeps bailing your ass out of trouble time and time again?"
"It's not time and time again."
"Yes it is; remember the baby smuggling ring, where you almost got blown up with that witness? How about that pedophile ring that managed to possess a minigun? Need I forget about the like ten ambushes Penguin has set up over the years for us?"
"Point taken Liv, it's just," he motioned to her outfit. "I didn't expect you to wear this."
She couldn't help but smirk, for she was wearing a halter top and short-shorts. "Well Bruce, this is what you packed for me," she said coyly, trying to not ogle him in his shirtless form. If she didn't know what he did, she would have sworn he lived at the gym.
"Yeh Liv, I packed it for you, but I never thought you would actually wear it!" He was blushing, 'Since when do you blush Bruce?' "Your usual outfits are always so, grrrrr!"
"Oh shut up," Olivia groaned, throwing a thermos at him. Here she was, thinking he might reciprocate her feelings, or at least her attraction, but then he goes back to their normal, razzing nature. "Get in your seat, we'll be over Chinese airspace soon."
"Alright mom," he droned, relieved that the awkward moment was over. He was not going to have those feelings again, Bruce told himself. He would take Alfred's advice and talk to Alex when he got home. She loved him and he couldn't destroy that, and Olivia did deserve someone better. Not once did he think of his loving Alex as a reason (A/N: bear with me; we still have to have him come full circle; also, don't think Alex as bad in the love-triangle, just cautioning).
Two hours later, the low flying Albatross was passing over Tai Tam Country Park, a large wilderness preserve at the south end of Hong Kong Island. "Ready?" asked the pilot, a squat, wrinkly Korean who looked to have earned his pilot's stripes flying against the Korean People's Army during the Korean War.
"Damn right!" hooted Olivia. Bruce just gave the pilot a thumbs up.
"Ok… Go! Go! Go!"
Leaping five seconds after the other, Bruce and Olivia immediately felt their all-black parachutes deploying almost immediately. They were followed by a titanium case, containing their suits. Flying below radar level, the drop took only twenty seconds, both landing with a thud near a dirt track.
"You ok Liv?"
"Yes Bruce, I'm fine," she replied, stretching out the knots in her back.
"Helrow?" asked a voice in mushy, Chinese-accented English. A skinny man ran up to them with a flashlight. "Christian and Mariska Bale?" (A/N: Wink ;)
"Yes, that's us," replied Bruce, who had chosen those names for their cover. As far as the world knew, Bruce Wayne was on a yacht in the South China Sea and Olivia Benson was hiking in the Bataan Peninsula. It made him chuckle that they were posing as a married couple; it felt a little right too, and that was a bit weird. He wondered if Olivia felt it too
The man extended his hand. "Welcome to Hong Kong. My name Benny, and I take good care of you."
"That's good, cause Benny, we're starving," blurted Olivia, completely serious.
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"So Mr. Rajesh, who is this guy again?"
The middle-aged shopkeeper pointed outside. "Guy comes by sometimes," he said in a thick Indian accent, "He filthy, always rooting through my garbage. I go outside, wave my shotgun, tell him to get lost. He looks at me with wild eyes, yelling something about mind control and secret agent. What secret agent, I have business to run."
"Don't worry sir, we'll take care of it." Garret Perle gave the bodega owner a reassuring smile before walking out. A smug smirk began to form on his face as he fondled the fake detective's badge in his jacket pocket. 'God that was too easy. These idiots will believe anything.' The jury two years ago sure did, sending him to Arkham Asylum for treatment rather than to jail where he knew he belonged. He should know, he ran that whore down purposefully with his car. Perle wished he had gotten off completely, but you had to take the best option available. It wasn't as if his stint in the nuthouse hadn't paid off; being put in with the looney toons and crazies for so long taught him about how they thought, about how to relate to them. That was the main reason his new employer hired him, and if there was one thing Garret Perle loved more than the thrill of taking a human life, it was his new job (which promised more of the former).
The man he was after wasn't hard to find. Being a nut, as were a large plurality of Gotham City's homeless, he didn't have much sense to stay away from his comfort zone. Rooting through a dumpster behind a delicatessen, Perle strode up to him. "Kevin Walker."
The man's head shot up, eyes wide and filled with paranoia. "Keshisti! Keshisti!" 'My sources were right. He's perfect.'
"Calm down Kevin, I'm here to help you get back at the Keshistis." A bribed guard from Arkham had eagerly forked over many files of recently released inmates, a virtual schmorgas board of potential employees for Perle's employer. Garret had already snagged nearly a dozen new workers for the organization, and he was determined to make Kevin Walker his next recruit.
"How do you know my name if you're not one of them?" asked Walker, speaking as if he were on fast-forward.
"My boss, his specialty is hunting them, for you see, they hurt him as much as they did you. Do you want to get your son back?"
"Tate, need to get him back." His neck twitched as he glanced around in panic. "They have him, must die!"
"Come with me. My boss will help you." He put an arm over Walker's back and guided him away from the alley.
Reaching the basement of a run-down tenement, Garret steered his new quarry into the main room, filled with a collection of schizophrenics and psychos, all edgy and clutching knives and firearms. In the middle, unperturbed by the armed crazies around him sat Garret's employer, playing with a small utility knife.
"Hey boss," called Garret. "I got you another one."
Turning around with an intrigued smile on his lips, the Joker folded the knife and sauntered to the confused-looking Walker. "So, [licks corner of mouth] who did you get this time?"
"His name's Kevin. He wants to get his son back, but he's being held by the Keshistis."
"Sooo! Kevin, everyone thinks you're mad right?"
The man was twitching nervously, repeatedly tapping his right ear and pacing back and forth. "They want to get me! They want to break me because I know their secrets, but they won't get me; I'll fight as hard as possible but the Keshistis will never win."
"Keshistis hmmm?"
"Yes," blurted Walker, suddenly manic. "He, he, he said you were the best in, hunt, hunt, hinting them."
"You could say that! [giggles] People may think you're mad, [licks corner of mouth] but I don't. I understand that you're just misunderstood, like me. Or like these fine gentlemen here." The Joker motioned to the assembled henchmen, some bare-faced while others sported clown masks. "You seem like the right type of guy to join our little task force. The qualifications you have are perfect for the team, the right anger, the right motivation, and the right attitude. Are you ready and willing to kill some Keshistis?"
"Yes! Yes! Keshistis must die so Tate can live."
"Can you handle a gun," he giggled, throwing the man an AK-74 carbine, just one of the treasure trov of goodies that Penguin supplied him from foreign sources.
"Yes."
"Very good Kevin [giggles]. Very good indeed. Now let me tell you about the top Keshistis, the ones that control everything and everyone. The ones who have your son."
"Who?"
The Joker broke out into a chorus of giggles. "The Batman and Batgirl!" Unable to control himself, he started cackling, joined in by Perle and the other clown henchmen. The already had enough men for the call Penguin assured them would come, but the more the merrier.
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Since Chek Lap Nok International Airport was located far away from Hong Kong itself, LSI Holdings made sure to charter a helicopter to transport Lucius Fox to his headquarters. Looking out over the city, Fox couldn't help but admire how modern it looked. As a young graduate student back in the sixties, he had visited Beijing as part of his world travels, and the drab, dreary city that he remembered didn't look at all like the metropolitan city before him. To be fair though, he said to himself, Hong Kong spent the entirety of the twentieth century in British, not communist hands; Deng Xiaoping might have revitalized his stagnant country with the introduction of limited free enterprise, but Fox reminded himself that they were still communist at heart, no matter how they chose to display it.
Though the LSI Tower was prominently visible in the city center, the helicopter made a hard left turn, settling on the helipad of a neighboring building only a block away. Fox thoughts it was a mistake, only to have those thoughts extinguished when he saw Chien I-Hsuan, the executive vice president of LSI Holdings, waiting for him off to the side.
Exiting the chopper once the rotors were shut off, Fox gripped Chien's extended hand. "Welcome to Hong Kong Mr. Fox. Mr. Lau regrets that he is not able to meet you in person."
"Not to complain or anything, but why is it that I was taken here instead of to LSI Tower?"
"Oh that," Chien laughed. "For security reasons. Lau has powerful enemies, and who knows what might happen."
Fox nodded, gathering that with his dealings with the Gang of Seven, Lau earned the right to be paranoid. "I understand; I just hope Mr. Lau doesn't see little ol' me as a threat." He grinned, flashing his still pearly white teeth.
Chien grinned back, a seemingly cheerful and decent man considering who he worked for. "I assure you, no one here thinks of you in that way. We have a car waiting downstairs to take you to LSI Tower. We have also booked you a room at one of the finest hotels on the island, which is the least Mr. Lau can do for you."
"Your boss is very generous; I'll be sure to thank him in person."
One of the more modern buildings in the modern city, LSI Tower seemed like an Oriental version of the New Wayne Tower, an all glass and steel structure that exuded architectural greatness. This was the symbol of the new China, Fox thought, though it had been built through corruption and deceit.
"So here we are Mr. Fox," said Chien, watching happily at Fox's gazing. Since being under Earle allowed Fox to easily disguise his emotions, Chien didn't grasp how disgusted his guest truly was. "Sorry about this, but for security purposes, you have to check in your mobile. The guard here will return it for you as you leave."
"No problem," replied Fox, removing a cell phone from his pocket and handing it to the guard, who accepted it with a smile and a nod. "Xièxie – thank you," said Fox to the man, who was genuinely surprised that a superior would stoop to talk to him. A veteran of the People's Liberation Army, superiors usually treated him as cannon fodder (A/N: modern Chinese battle strategies are just that, overwhelming manpower; the reason for the population boom of the fifties, sixties, and seventies was because Mao wanted an overwhelming population advantage in case of Nuclear war, the "you can kill millions of us, but we have millions more that you can't kill" strategy).
"Welcome to my personal suite Mr. Fox, said Lau Qian ten minutes later on the penthouse level, which had been designed as his own penthouse apartment that rivaled that of NBA players or banking executives.
Motioned toward the balcony, Fox admired the late afternoon skyline. "Such a wonderful view Mr. Lau. I am curious as to why you would build your home in the same building as you worked?"
"Well Mr. Fox, I am a simple man who believes work is one of the most important things in life. Naturally, I like to keep my business and my pleasure close by. Also, may I say that I just can't stand traffic. It gives me the most awful headaches."
Fox chuckled, for most could relate to that. "I see your point." Home to over a billion people, the People's Republic had an overcrowding problem, as one could see in the bustling streets.
A mute servant opened the glass door to the balcony, kept cool by the gentle sea breeze. "Would you like some tea Mr. Fox?"
"I would love some thank you," he replied, watching as the servant poured him a cup. "Now, on to business."
"First thing, let me just apologize for leaving Gotham in the middle of our negotiation. It was rude and I'm deeply sorry, but," he smiled awkwardly, as if trying to phrase something delicately. "This, uh, misunderstanding with the Gotham Police Department and District Attorney's Office, I couldn't let such a thing threaten my company. I'm sure a businessman with your experience and stature will understand."
"Of course Mr. Lau. This is a tough world we live in. Every little decision we make is observed and analyzed by our competitors. If we make one mistake they'll be on us like flies on honey."
"A perfect analogy to describe my predicament, and I can assure you, this matter is far from lost; I'm sure the issue will be cleared up forthwith." Fox smiled and nodded his head. Lau certainly wasn't stupid, but even he should know that Fox could read the subtext of the Chinese language. Whenever a Chinese man or women phrased a situation as not lost, or soon to be fixed, he or she really meant it was fucked up beyond all recognition, but one needed a skilled understanding of the culture to realize that. Ever since the Chinese began to emerge as a major player on the world stage, Fox made sure to learn how to read these people, lest he be tricked.
"Well, I'm sure it'll be cleared up too."
"Exactly, and now that you are here in this fine city we can resume where we left off."
"I am thankful and deeply honored at you bringing me out here in such style Mr. Lau, but…" he was interrupted by his cell phone ringing.
"We do not allow cell phones in here," cautioned Lau.
"Sorry, forgot I had it." Fox smiled sheepishly and placed the phone in his pocket. "Now about the joint investment deal, I'm afraid we have to nix it. The board and Mr. Wayne personally have decided to go with the BAE/Lockheed Martin JSF offer. We gave yours all due consideration, and it was pretty tempting, but our legal advisors recommended that we can't afford to be seen with business that may is, well, whatever your accused of being." Slightly angry, Lau began to rise, throwing his napkin on the table. "I'm sure a businessman of your experience and stature will understand."
"I believe Mr. Fox, that a simple phone call might have sufficed for this piece of information."
"I thought so too, but Mr. Wayne didn't want you to think that he was deliberately wasting your time when he took up your offer."
"Just accidently wasting it."
"That's very good Mr. Lau," laughed Fox, trying hard to sound cheerful and lighthearted "Accidently, very good. We are responsible to our shareholders Mr. Lau, and a majority of them, including Mr. Wayne, felt the JSF program was the better investment of our resources."
Lau, though he didn't look pleased, nodded begrudgingly, "Though I am saddened that you rejected your offer, I do understand about being accountable to your shareholders."
'I bet you do,' thought Fox sarcastically.
"I hope you enjoy your stay in Hong Kong."
"Thank you Mr. Lau, and the tea was heavenly."
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The business formalities out of the way, Fox left the elevator, having people he had to meet"Hey sir," called the guard to Fox, the one man of a higher class who treated him with respect. Fox looked over and saw the guard was holding a cell phone.
"Sorry," Fox took his own cell phone from his blazer pocket, flashing it at the guard. "I already have mine, thank you though." He smiled and meandered to the exit, whistling an old tune. The guard looked puzzled for a moment, for he could have sworn that the man had left a phone with him. Shrugging, he decided that it was none of his concern. 'They pay me to be an automaton, I'll be an automaton.'
Outside, Fox hailed a cab which took him to City Hall Memorial Garden, packed with wealthy residents and eager tourists. Spotting the very people he wanted to meet, he wandered over to them. "Mr. and Mrs. Bale I presume?"
Bruce and Liv, who were pretending to snap pictures, turned around and smiled at Fox, thankful that he had finally arrived. "Hello Mr. Fox," said Olivia warmly. "Just enjoying the lovely city."
"A word of friendly advice, there's a better view from the peep tram."
"I'll keep that in mind Lucius," said Bruce, his oddly pleasant attitude differing greatly from his usual moody, contemplative self. 'Maybe it's the company. No, focus Bruce, you have a fugitive to catch and Alex to talk to.' "I actually heard the best view is from the LSI Tower. What do you think Mr. Fox?"
"Well it is, but I'm afraid you can't go up there Mr. Bale, the owner is locked up good and tight." He took out his cell phone and put it in Bruce's hands.
"What's that," asked Olivia, who sported a detective's natural curiosity.
"I had the boys in R&D cook it up. It contains a special sound wave generator that can give a detailed readout of a target room or building. It can even activate other phones within the same building to give readouts."
"Impressive, so it's like sonar," remarked Bruce, while Olivia simply nodded her head in amazement. "So it's just like a, a."
"A submarine Mr. Bale, a submarine."
Liv smacked Bruce in the arm, "How could you not know that honey?" 'Boy, saying that felt absolutely right. Focus Benson, you don't have time for this!' "So Mr. Fox, is the other device in place?"
"It is Mrs. Bale." Bruce and Olivia turned to leave, but Fox cut them off. "Mr. Wayne, Miss Benson." They both turned. "Good luck," he whispered. "Oh by the way Mr. And Mrs. Bale," he said louder, "You look great together." He chuckled at their respective blushes, knowing he had hit a nerve.
A/N: I know it's shorter and a lot less action-packed as the other chapters, but trust me, I have a plan.
You all remember Garret Perle from the episode Game. Tell me if the Joker doesn't pick his men well.
Next up an unauthorized extradition, some good old fashioned interrogation, and Olivia has a talk with Porter (do not kill me).
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