I do not own DC, Batman or any related works

Chapter 6: The Screw-up

"OK so it was like this."


Twelve hours earlier

Blue Cobra moved silently around the truck. As she reached the cab she ducked down low and rolled under the large vehicle. She then placed a small tracker on the top side of the gearbox. Satisfied with where the small gps tracker was placed, she prepared to roll out when a female voice sounded in her ear.

"Don't move. Guard coming." Cobra obeyed the voice of her partner Red Phoenix who had made a snipers nest on top of the warehouse overlooking the motor-depot which had six trucks parked in it.

"Alright you're clear." At the ok Cobra rolled out and started to creep around the truck and back towards Red Phoenix.

"That's the last of them. Let's move out."

"Copy." Quietly they slipped away from the depot and made their way to the bar owned by Blue Cobra. They entered the closed bar from the back door and went straight to the basement slash Cobra's base of operations, grabbing a bottle of Vodka and two glasses on the way down.

The base was simple. A large cabinet in one corner held her weapons and other related gear. In front of it was a large training matt. On the opposite side of it was a large computer built into the wall. A couch was next to it.

April and Sasha shed their masks, depositing them on the desk of the computer. Sasha sat in front of the computer and opened the tracking program while April cracked open the bottle of vodka and poured two shots.

They clinked the glasses before downing the shots as the program finished loading and the trackers were shown on the screen.

"Well that's that. What now?" Sasha asked as she poured another two shots.

"Wait and see where they go." April answered, sounding tired.

"How long will that take?"

"No idea."

"Shit." The two shots were downed.

April's eyes then snapped to the screen as she spotted that one of the trackers was only a few miles outside the city, totally still.

"Hey where is that?" April asked as she pointed to the tracker on the screen.

"Hang on, let me check." Sasha started typing and soon the name of the location was found. "Vorstec military base."

"Why would Shadow supplies be going to a military base?"

"No idea. Want to find out?" April raised an eyebrow at Sasha. "What, it's just a three hour drive outside of the city."

April mulled it over for a moment in her mind. Deciding that it was worth the risk she answered. "You're driving." She said as she gathered up her gear.


Three hours later

Red Phoenix and Blue Cobra stood in the shadow of a large pine tree as they looked at the base through binoculars. They counted the guards on the outside, their patrol patterns and the CCTV cameras. They worked out the gaps in security and a way into the bases, now they just needed to work out what they needed.

"So if the supplies were moved officially then the manifest should show who ordered them and who signed off on them." April said as she put away the binoculars.

"The manifest could either be in the storage area or the records office." Sasha replied as she checked over her gear.

"How about you head to the storage area and I hit the records office?"

"Sounds like a plan. I'll take a proper look at the shipment while I'm there."

"Cool." April then raised her mask and gave Sasha a deep kiss, who responded in kind after a second of surprise. "For luck." April said as she pulled back.

"Don't need it. We have skill."

The pair shared another brief kiss before April pulled her mask back down and the duo took off towards the base.

They slipped through the gaps in security and split up. Blue Cobra moved quietly to the storage area. Staying in the rafters of the roof she looked towards the desk of the area were the paperwork was sorted.

Using a small spyglass she zoomed in on the desk and silently cursed. There were no files on the desk.

"Red Phoenix. Storage area is a bust. No manifest. I'm gonna check the cargo." Blue Cobra whispered.

"Copy. About to hit the records office." Red Phoenix answered.

Sasha then moved towards the tagged cargo. Using one of her many knives, a small boot knife, she quietly lifted the lid just enough to fit a flexicam inside. Thanks to the light at the end of the camera she saw what was inside, a case of brand new AN-12 assault rifles.


At the same time Red Phoenix waited until the clerk left for a toilet break. Quickly and quietly she entered the room and after a quick search she found the manifest. Looking over it the cargo was listed as cutlery.

"Found the manifest. Cargo is listed as cutlery. I'm betting it isn't." April whispered as she read over the manifest.

"Safe bet to make. Cargo is case of AN-12 assault rifles." Sasha answered.

"Yep that sounds like the Shadow. The guy who ordered the supplies was the head of this base, General Levkov. I'm going to hit his office."

"Roger that. Be careful."

April quietly moved to the General's office. Thankfully he was away so the office was empty.

April entered the office and set to work looking over every piece of documentation she could find. She was doing well until Cobra voiced in her ear.

"Phoenix you've been made. Large group of soldiers are heading you're way."

"How the fuck did that happen." April put the paperwork away and looked around the office frantically until she spotted the small camera pointed towards her. "Bollocks."

"Phoenix get out of there."

"I can't. Window is barred. No time to get through. Just shadow me and don't get spotted. But when security begins to lighten up a bit slip away and plant a bomb at the main entrance. We'll use it as a distraction" April then disconnected the communicator in the mask before dialling her brother's number and hearing the phone ring from the mask it was linked up to. Before he could answer she shouted out.

"Vorstec military base. Need extraction. Two souls. Eight hours from now. Support from east."

"What?" Samuel exclaimed.

"Now!" April urged before she threw the phone on the ground and smashed it to pieces.

Suddenly the soldiers entered and all tackled her. She tried to fight through them but she was overwhelmed and soon she was carried away.


Eight hours later

She stayed quiet during everything. The shouting. The punches. The threatening of her family. Everything.

She was trained to handle the worst that could be done and if they did break her, they were in for hell.

They had taken her sword, her gauntlets, her utility belt and her mask. All were now sitting on a desk to the side and forward of her. She herself was sitting with her arms handcuffed together behind her back and her legs handcuffed to the chair legs.

Between her and her weapons was her new interrogator, General Levkov himself. The regular interrogators had left a few minutes ago after no progress was made. The General had arrived and sent out all of the guards. She had a feeling he was more than he seemed.

He was just sitting in front of her, leaning forward with his hands laced together and his chin chest resting on top of them.

"So, I presume that you are not American, correct?" He asked in English but with a thick Russian accent.

April just stared back into his eyes, showing no emotion. The General just continued.

"I presume this because of your size. You see I have found that Americans are naturally big, even the women. Maybe it is what they eat. Such high-calorie fatty foods. We Europeans eat more healthily and we see eating healthy food as an enjoyable experience, not a chore." The General shifted and pulled out a lighter and a pack of cigarettes.

"Of course we tend to smoke more, but we give and take." He placed a cigarette in his mouth and lit it, blowing the smoke in April's face, still causing no reaction.

"Now I know you are European but which country. You don't seem to be tanned enough for most of the Europe. And you are not blond or plump enough for Germany or the northern areas. So that leaves either Britain or Ireland?" He sat back and crossed his legs, idly smoking his cigarette.

"Because of the fact that you don't have any makeup and that your hair has no trace of any hair products, other than the faded dye, I am going to say Irish. But that is what I am guessing." He then tapped the ash off the cigarette on his boot.

"Now that we have you're nationality out of the way, let's work out who you are working with. Since you have such exotic weapons and you clearly know how to use them, I believe that you are either a member of the Ty Lee or the League of Assassins." He dropped the cigarette onto the ground and stomped it out.

"Now I have a saying. If a League of Assassins member kills you, it is business. If a Ty Lee member kills you, it pleasure. That's why I think you are Ty Lee. You seem to be more personal. Well that and the fact that I am in Ra's good graces." She said nothing.

"Well I think I am going to leave you to explain yourself to Ra's. I hope that gives you pleasure." He got up and turned, about to leave.

"No." He stopped and turned back towards April.

"Excuse me?" Levkov asked.

"My pleasure will be in picturing you explain yourself to Ra's when he finds out you lost me."

"Lost you?" Suddenly a small metal dart flew out of the shadows and embedded itself in Levkov's neck. He pulled out the dart only to collapse a second later.

Blue Cobra then dropped down behind April and quickly undid all of the handcuffs. Once free she ran to the table and quickly put on all of her gear.

"You planted the bomb, right?" Red Phoenix asked as she pulled on her mask and holstered her grapple gun.

"Da." Cobra answered.

"Good. Let's head to the motor pool. Our ride should be here.


One hour later

"So that's what happened."

Samuel, Jason, Roy and Kori listened to April and Sasha's story dutifully. They kept quiet for a moment before Jason broke the silence.

"Oh well, shit happens." He said before turning round and focusing back on the controls of the ship. The rest nodded in agreement.

"Here we're back in Saint Petersburg." Roy said

"Oh thank-you." Sasha said as she gathered her stuff as the ship landed and the door opened.

"Do you have to leave me so soon?" April asked as she walked up and rested her hands on Sasha's hips under the door.

"Sorry but I have a bar to run. And my identity wasn't blown." Sasha replied as she rested her forehead against April's.

"Damn it."

"I know. Don't worry. We will have time for more fun in the future. And don't worry I'll send your luggage to you."

"Thank-you." The gap was bridged and the two women kissed passionately for a good minute before they broke apart and Sasha turned to leave.

"Hey, you still owe me that vodka!" Samuel shouted as the door closed and the ship lifted up and flew away.

"So hey we don't really have enough fuel to make it to Gotham, so we need a pit-stop." Roy commented as he flew the ship.

"Hey most of us haven't slept for a day. How about we stop at the island so all of us can refuel." Kori suggested.

"I like the way you think princess." April said as she dropped down into a seat and curled up.

"Jason that ok with you?" Roy asked but all he got as an answer was Jason snoring loudly from his seat. "I'm going to take that as a yes."

"Samuel you ok with that?" April asked her brother. She only got a mumble as a response. She looked over and saw her brother sprawled out in the seat, his mouth wide open and with nonsense dribbling out of his mouth. "He says yes." April directed to Roy before surrendering to sleep herself.


Two hours later, Outlaw Island

"Well welcome to our humble abode." Jason said as he carried himself and his gear into the large spaceship the outlaws called a home. April and Samuel looked up in awe at the size of it and the beauty of the island it was on.

"You lucky bastards." Samuel exclaimed as he looked around.

"Can I vacation here sometime? I'm a sucker for the sun and sea." April asked as she and her brother were led to the spare rooms by Jason. He stopped between two doors and opened both.

"Here's the guest rooms. Both have bathrooms and king sized beds. Enjoy." He gestured to both rooms.

"Thanks man. You're too kind." Samuel said as he nodded and headed straight towards the bed and collapsed onto the bed as the door closed.

"He'll be fine in a couple of hours. Thank you for your hospitality." April said as she crossed into the room and dumped her gear onto the floor.

Jason leaned against the doorframe before speaking. "You know Bats still labels you as a threat. You sure you want to go to Gotham? He's gunning for you. And Robin is out for your blood."

"Why? You worried about the little bird's safety?" April sneered as she removed the top of her armour.

"Oh I'm not worried about his safety." Jason turned and went to leave. "It's yours I'm wary about." He finished as he left for his own room. April clicked her tongue as she changed and crawled into bed.


Eight hours later

Samuel rubbed his eyes as he arose from his sleep. He rolled out of the bed and stripped for a shower. After cleaning himself up he dressed and left the room to find some food.

He could smell something cooking but couldn't tell what so he went in search. What he found was something he could not describe in the future;

The Red Hood, scourge of the Gotham underground and one of the most wanted men on the planet, wearing an apron and fussing over waffles, sausages and bacon in a fully decked out kitchen.

"Wow." Samuel couldn't help but say that out loud. Jason turned to look at him with a spatula in hand. He raised an eyebrow in a challenge and Samuel raised his hands in surrender. "Hey I'm kinda amazed that you bats can cook."

"I am the only one who can cook and the only one who should be allowed near a kitchen." Jason chuckled as he went back to cooking.

"Need any help. I'm a bit of a foody." Samuel asked.

"Yeah grab an apron and tend to that bacon." Jason pointed to a spare apron hanging by the oven. Samuel put it on and tended to the pan as Jason made up some waffle mix.

"So, you want to tell me the real reason why you're gunning for Ra's al Ghul?" Jason asked as he cooked. Samuel paused for a moment before continuing on cooking.

"That son of a bitch killed my family. Me and my sister were the only ones left alive. That a good enough reason?" Jason stopped and looked at the hardened features of Samuels face.

"I'm sorry. You going to kill him?"

"Yeah. Just him. Only him."

"Well I wish you luck but even if you do manage to kill him he has the Lazarus pits. Heard of them?"

"Yeah they heal your body. Keep it young and healthy."

"They don't just do that. They heal every injury. Hell they can even bring back the dead." Samuel looked at Jason with a raised eyebrow?"

"I heard a rumour about that. Didn't think it was true." Jason chuckled as he pulled out the waffles and set the table.

"Buddy I am undead proof that it does." Samuel just stared at him in wide-eyed amazement at what he just heard.

"If the pits can raise the dead, could they…"

"No. Your family's been dead too long. I'm sorry."

"Damn it." Samuel placed the meat on the table just as April, Roy and Kori came into the room, laughing and joking around. Well Kori and April were laughing. Roy was silently grumbling.

"Ship's ready to go when we are." He sternly said as he sat down and began eating. Samuel and Jason looked at the still giggling Kori and April but got no answer, so Jason bypassed subtly.

"What's got your bow in a twist." Jason asked as he sat down and picked out some food.

"Nothing." Roy grumbled but he began eating while glaring daggers at April.

"What did you do?" Samuel asked his sister.

"Beat him at a knife throwing contest." April said cheerily as Kori snorted again. Roy glared again as Samuel and Jason rolled their eyes.

"Nobody is that good."

"I am."

"She is." The five chatted over breakfast before going to the ship and taking off for Gotham.

The sun had just set when they reached the city. Samuel had messaged Kate and asked her to leave his bike in the alley next to the building they were landing on. She had agreed and said that she would meet them there.

The ship landed and the occupants came out to say their goodbyes. Jason said that Batman wanted to see him for something or other, so he was staying.

"So how was your trip?" Batwoman asked as she hugged Samuel and shook April's hand.

"Eh it was ok." Samuel said.

"Kinda chilly." April added.

"Alright let's go." The trio turned to leave.

"Thanks for the help Hood." Samuel shouted out to Jason as he was moving to grapple off the roof.

"No problem dude." Jason replied.

"RED PHOENIX! YOU AND I HAVE UNFINISHED BUSINESS."

Everybody on the roof froze as the boots of an eleven year old on the roof.

Kate, Samuel and April turned to see Robin standing there in a new uniform with a black and gold cape and hood, a new tunic, and a katana strapped to his waist.

"Robin this is not the time for this." Jason said as he approached his younger brother.

Robin turned his intense glare onto Red Hood. "Shut up Hood. This doesn't concern you. I am here to take back my honour."

April hadn't put on her mask, unlike her brother, so her incredulous look was seen by everybody.

"Seriously? What are you, Prince Zuko?" Robin growled and drew the katana, getting into a fighting position. April's features turned to one of amusement as she smirked.

Samuel recognised that look and put a warning hand on his sister's shoulder. "April, we don't need this."

April's smirk grew into a grin as she shook her shoulders free. "Actually I haven't had a good fight in ages. I got an inch that needs scratched."

"Oh shit!" Batwoman, Red Hood and Green Dragon said as April stepped forward.

"Ok little man." She quickly drew her own sword and got into position. "Let's do this."

To be continued…

Next Chapter: Grudge Match

A/N I am so, so, sorry about the wait for an update. Was so busy and I kinda drew a blank when I started writing this chapter. Hope you like the Outlaws team-up. I absolutely loved that team in the comics, though I agree that Starfire's look was very sexist. I'll try to update more regularly now.

Fun Fact: Samuel McEntee is a fantastic cook. He enjoys cooking, especially the more complicated dishes. He also hates the foods which are highly processed and filled with high fructose corn syrup. He also doesn't like corn itself.