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Chapter 9

Alfred was washing dishes in the kitchen. GCN's Jack Ryder reporting the news on his small kitchen television; however, Alfred's mind wasn't on the news. It was with his charge wherever he was. Alfred had tried contacting him several times only to never receive an answer. The same was happening with Sylvia. After speaking with Commissioner Gordon it seemed like both of them fell off the face of the earth.

Now with the news doing full coverage on Sylvia's precarious situation made Alfred worry more about his charge. Sylvia needed him desperately and he was nowhere to be found. It was very unlike him.

"We have an update on the Riddler and Vicky Vale is in the middle of the action with this coverage. Vicky," Jack Ryder told viewers before the scene changed to show Vicky Vale at the Shipping docks.

It was easily recognizable to Alfred since he found himself at those same docks almost every morning. Batman's makeshift headquarter was located beneath one of those storage units.

"Thanks Jack. Breaking News, Gotham," Vicky Vale said steadily from the screen. "It looks like Riddler's puzzle has indeed been solved and the Batman, newly acclaimed hero, has been located."

The butler abandoned the plate he was drying and turned up the volume.

"Spectators say he has been imprisoned in a storage container left at the bottom of Gotham Bay," Vicky recited while behind her a crane was at work. "Employees here at the Gotham City Shipyard are hard at work attempting to save the hero. Divers, who were the first ones at the scene, say that they have been communicating with the Caped Crusader during this ordeal through Morse code. Latest update, the Batman told them the water level within the storage unit was now up to his chest."

Vale stepped to the side enabling the camera to shoot the events unfolding at the surface of Gotham Bay.

"As you can see, crane operator Samuel Hallow is lowering the hooks into the water to the three volunteer scuba divers so they can attach them to the receptacle below. Although, some disheartening news has already befallen these hard working citizens," Vale claimed coming back in the camera's view. "Shipyard workers are speculating that if they don't begin bringing up the steal vessel now, the water flowing in may make it impossible for the crane to lift. I along with my fellow Gothamites down here are waiting on bated breath sending prayers, wishes, and hopes that our hero will rise from the Gotham Bay waters alive. I'm Vicky Vale reporting for GCN here at the Gotham City Shipyard sending it back to you Jack."

"Thank you Vicky," Jack Ryder took over effortlessly, "We'll be keeping up with that story along with the mobile ticking time bomb that is getting closer and closer to the Gotham tunnel. But questions are rising about what the police plan to do with the three mile traffic back up from the tunnel. We'll be back after these commercials."

Alfred turned off the television leaving the kitchen. Arriving at the entry hall, he placed his trench coat off and headed down the elevator. His destination was the Gotham Shipyard.


Batman took in slow calm breaths but that was becoming difficult. Three quarters of the unit was already filled with water and the lack of air was starting to affect him. He can't lose consciousness now. He could hear noises coming from the exterior part of the vessel but he couldn't decipher what they were anymore. He quickly found himself treading water and trying to suck up the last remaining oxygen. Fight, Bruce! He kept telling himself.

Sylvia…his mind kept returning to her. The last conversation they had was less than that and more of an argument. He knew she was sorry and yet his hurt and pride got in the way. Now, he may never see her again whether he got out of this situation or not. From what he heard, she was in just as much trouble as he was.

A harsh jolt made the water swoosh around. It felt like he was being lifted. But, there was still little air and the water level wasn't getting better. Bruce needed to fight to remain conscious.


"Divers out of the water," Mark yelled from the railing as the crane was finally hooked. It took them a lot longer than it should have.

The three swimmers came to the ladders leading up to the dock and hung on just in case they were needed. They were a safe distance away from danger.

"How's it looking, Sam," Mark asked into the radio.

"So far so good," Sam responded, "mind you, we won't hit any complications until the container gets closer to the surface. That's when gravity will run its course."

And as Sam predicted, complications did indeed arise. Water was too unstable and versatile. It was becoming difficult for Sam to keep the weight evenly distributed to all hooks.

"Shit," Sam cursed trying to keep everything balanced.

"Alright I see it, Sam. Keep it coming nice n' easy," Steve directed watching as the white container became visible.

There was no way for Sam to respond since he was using both hands on the machine. The crane began to make unusual noises. It was from the stress of lifting something with so much weight. The container was barely breaking the surface as the noises got louder.

Steve began to hear it as well and so did Mark. Mark cursed profusely when out of the corner of his eye he found an elderly man in a trench coat standing beside him. Mark smiled at him sheepishly apologizing for his language.

"I won't mind if you don't mind my foul mouth," the older man joked with a soothing British accent.

Mark chuckled at the jest before they both brought their attention back to the water. As a half a foot of the storage unit became visible, Steve instantly noticed the unevenness in the lifting. The back of the unit was about a foot out of the water compared to the front.

"Sam we need to straighten –"

Two bangs resounded closely after each other from their load while the crane creaked and clanked from the sudden weight change. Two hooks from the same side had snapped off. Surprised shrieks and yelps sounded from the spectating crowd. As luck would have it. The two hooks that were still attached were keeping the opening to the container just above the surface.

"Guys we need to do something," Sam spoke his words dripping with alarm, "I don't know how much longer these hooks will stay connected."

Sam's statement was rapidly followed by several splashes but not the type that signaled the hooks releasing but the type of splashes made by something falling into the water. In this case, it was several somebodies falling into the water. The persons resurfaced swimming toward the steel unit. Some with different tools like tire irons and crowbars. Soon more citizens followed, jumping into the water to help. Doctors, lawyers, off-duty cops, mail carriers alike jumped into Gotham Bay to give aid. The group of a dozen or so converged to the vessel straining to pull off the chains sealing the container.

Alfred watched from his place at the dock as the citizens dove in. The sight was heart wrenching and so completely awe-inspiring. Alfred felt the tears well up in his eyes as he watched the people Bruce continuously risked his life for so desperately try to save him. A cry of victory sounded as the chain was broken and the seal opened.

More citizens congregated to the ladder, a rope at the ready, to watch as the Batman was lifted from the depths of the container. At the sight, more cheers were heard from the group. It took the three divers and two citizens to keep the Batman afloat and taken to the ladder. The end of the rope was thrown down to the group and instantly tied around the Dark Knight's waist so he could be hoisted up. Gothamites pulled together and brought him safely up to dry land.

Another citizen was quick to come forward to perform CPR but found that it was unnecessary. Batman was breathing.

"He's alive," the person announced with great enthusiasm followed by celebratory cries.

"Give him some breathing room," Mark insisted holding his arms outstretched to symbolize how far they should get.

Batman was sat up with some assistance. It was quite overwhelming for him to see so many concerned faces looking down at him Alfred amongst them and none attempting to hurt him.

"Hey pal," one of the divers greeted Bruce, "you okay?"

Bruce merely nodded before attempting to stand. Many aided him while chastising him claiming that he needed to 'take it easy'. There was no time for that.

"Where is Sylvia Juarez," Batman spoke, his customary gravelly voice in place.

"That reporter," someone questioned Bruce nodding in response.

"She's headed toward the bridge," another answered.

"Her car has been rigged with a bomb," Vicky Vale revealed pushing her way through the crowd. The usual news cameras nowhere near her. "It's set to go off if her speed falls below forty. They're trying to get the car out of Gotham and to the rural area through the tunnel. However, the traffic is still backed for half a mile or so."

Looking around the group, Batman could only say, "Thank you."

One off-duty police officer shook his head and replied, "You don't need to thank us."

"We should be thanking you," the female diver added with a smile.

Batman gave no further words before using his grapple gun and soaring out of the vicinity. Or at least that's what it looked like to the citizens. In actuality, he found himself in front of his HQ for the Batpod. He needed to get to the highway and fast.


Across town, police were working diligently to clear the highway. Most were trying to clear the tunnel but with not much to show for their efforts. Tunnel was still full with hard working persons heading home from a hard day at work and their bomb was coming up fast.

Sylvia drove on feeling Gordon's frustration through the phone.

"Talk to me, Jim," Sylvia pleaded, "What's going on?"

"How far are you from the bridge," Jim questioned watching the turmoil around him.

"Ten miles give or take," Sylvia answered.

Jim gasped wondering where the time went. She would be here in less than fifteen minutes and there was no lane opened to let her through. Gordon needed to think fast but what could they do?

A gasp came through from the phone causing Jim to panic but before he could ask what had made her pant Sylvia ordered, "Jim, tell your men to pull back."

"Vee, I –"

"Just do it, Jim. It's going to be fine," Sylvia assured him. "He's here."

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