Endgame
A rush of fear was flowing like a raging river in both Sparrow Hawk and the visiting Batclan's veins. Sparrow Hawk was the largest part apprehensive, though Batgirl was almost to point of being beyond fury. Terra was extremely passionate on the subject of plants and animals. She was a bit of an environmental activist at times. Furthermore it could be said she had a bit of animal empathy. Seeing how when it came to Bruce's dog Ace, he on no account on once growl or snapped at her, unlike her twin brother. So she did share Rebecca's love for Eco-City trying to make nature and man live harmoniously.
It only took them ten minutes to get to the zoo. The paramedics in addition to the hover scarlet ambulance were already on the scene and busy tending to what injuries the zoo personnel had. At least seven workers had been, assaulted in addition to being wounded all together, and it was keeping the three paramedics extremely preoccupied.
There was one staff member who was sitting off to the side a bit. Sparrow Hawk immediately recognized her as Alicia from the news report. Unlike the others who'd simply been Tased along with a few other minor injuries, she looked like she fought with tooth and nail, to try and prevent the abduction of the cubs. It was painfully obvious she was hurt worst out of all the zoo people. She had fresh blood staining some of her auburn locks, as well as looked like she also had some bruises. The dark haired medic was tending to a large cut on her right arm from a knife wound.
"You really ought to have a medical doctor take a good look at that, Alicia. It might get infected. It's gonna at least need some stitches," Sparrow Hawk stated kindly as she jumped off her glider. The Batclan almost immediately landed next to her and took a good look around.
"I'll be fine for the moment, Sparrow Hawk. I'm more concerned about those cubs. They need their mother's milk and quickly. We've got to find them!" the blood-spattered young woman replied with a little pain in her voice. It was clear to the four heroes that this woman cared more about the cubs, then her own injuries.
"Trust us, Ms. Alicia; we'll do all we can to track down those despicable men who stole them! That's a promise we intend to keep. We'll get them back!" Batgirl vowed very passionately to Alicia who looked very grateful to see all the heroes.
Batgirl's white eyes were now gazing passed the wounded female to the mother tiger Selena. It was easy to see that she was grieving, and really hoping her babies, would come home soon. Even her mate Sher showed how upset he was. He was licking his mate but at the same time looked about ready to maul anyone who got too close.
"Thank you for the promise, Batgirl. It means a great deal to me and the rest of the people here at this safe haven. Though I feel I must ask. Why is the Batclan so far from Gotham? I mean this is Eco-City and Gotham's a bit far from here. Shouldn't you be protecting your home? Not that we ain't grateful for your help, but why are you here?"
Though the question was directed at Batgirl, it was her twin brother who answered Alicia's inquiry. "We're here to help our friend and ally Sparrow Hawk. She helped us when those eco-terrorists from Eco-City came to destroy Gotham. Furthermore, we helped her on one occasion a few months back; you know when your city was being poison?"
"That's right!" Robin interjected ecstatically surprising her friends a bit. She smiled a bit and continued on, "We're friends as well as a sort of a family, milady. Additionally if someone needs our help we'll be there to help. I mean lady think about it for a moment. Even Superman needed the help from the Justice League and other heroes in the past. No-one can do it all of themselves!"
"You've got a point, Robin. Well I thank you three on behalf of all of Eco-City that you and Sparrow Hawk can stop these madmen! What do you wish to know?" Alicia asked kindly as the paramedic finished cleaning her knife wound. She wince a bit as he began use triple antibiotic ointment on her gash. It would have to do till they'd get to the hospital where a doctor could stitch it up.
"We need some clues if we're to locate the cubs. Do you have any information that would be beneficial? Give me a minute to hook up my palm computer. So we can access the information more rapidly," Robin asked the stunned young woman, at the same time as she held up her right hand, and began to use its mini supercomputer to access the correct information.
"Well, to tell you all the truth it happened so fast, that I'm not even sure our security cameras even caught most of it. Here's what I do remember. I was on my way to check on Selena and Sher. I was gonna give them some fresh red meat to eat. I was almost to the enclosure when the lights went out. It was totally silent for a moment, and then as the other keepers came to aid me, I heard the crackle of electricity as we're Tased. I've taken self-protection program when I was a kid so I manage to avoid getting Tased. I tried to fight those two monsters, but in the dark it wasn't possible," she recalled sadly as she paused for a moment. She looked really depressed and angry at herself. Taking a deep breath she continued on with her story and the heroes hung onto her every word.
"I manage to injury one man a bit. I clawed at him with my fingernails and manage to scratch him up pretty good, and I also gave him a black eye, but he then took out a penknife and cut me. Once I screamed in pain he took the handle of the knife and hit me over the head with it. That's all I remember, I'm afraid my friends. When we came to the cubs were missing and we didn't know what to do next. I failed to save those precious cubs. Do you realize we've tried for three years to get Selena to have cubs? We're worried that she was infertile. We're so over the moon when she gave birth to the cubs. We've GOT to get those babies back!"
"Don't worry, Ms. Alicia. Like I said before, we'll get those cubs back ASAP. So do you've anyway to track the men who took them?" Batgirl inquired desperately to the young woman before.
For a moment it looked like the zookeeper looked like it was hopeless, then all of a sudden her vivid emerald eyes lit up and she exclaimed excitedly. "We do have a way to track them! I was so upset about loosing little Javan, Caspian and Bali that I forgot about the safety measures we took to protect them!"
"Let me guess. You put microchips under their skin? We once had to stop a poacher named James Van Dial. He was posing as an environmental conservationist, but in reality was an avaricious as well as self-centered poacher." Batman recalled vividly. It had been one of their harder missions. His sister looked at him and smiled.
"You stopped a poacher? Then I'm very impressed and grateful. I do believe I did read something about that in a newspaper. On the other hand, if he was a slick one how'd you find out his secret?" inquired Alicia intriguingly.
"Well, to tell you the truth, Alicia, we wouldn't have even known about him, if it weren't for one of his victims. We encounter if you can believe this or not a super strong and super smart spliced gorilla named Fingers. He told us the truth about Van Dial and we quickly tried to stop him. I really hate those who harm animals for profit so I was ready to kick the man's sorry ass." Batgirl explained.
"Yeah, but if weren't for that gorilla's help we'd be dead. I mean we're thrown into the lions den and none of us are named Daniel!" Robin interjected as she recalled how they'd almost been cat chow.
"That's all fine and dandy, my friends. But can we get back to the problem at hand? Finding those three tiger cubs?" Sparrow Hawk reminded them in a flustered tone of voice.
"Sorry," the Clan replied.
"So," Sparrow Hawk said returning the attention back to Alicia. "What did you do to protect those cubs? How do we find them?"
"Well, we didn't utilize microchips. Those can be removed as I'm sure you guys found out when you're fighting that poacher. Consequently we with the help of Eco-Inc came up with a new way to track animals and make sure they couldn't be stolen."
"How? What did you do?" inquired the redhead anxiously.
"We came up with a nanotech serum. It's kinda like a radioactive isotope that doctors from time to time use in some of their cases. I can recall a doctor once using it to find out if a woman was deliberately poisoning her child. That was what gave Eco-Inc such a grand idea that we used. So we came up with a nanotech serum that merges with the animal's blood cells itself. Therefore if the animals are sold or captured, by poachers or someone else looking to make a quick buck, all the police would've to do is a simple blood test, and if they discover the serum in the animals blood, they know immediately those animals are stolen and they can take them into custody."
"That is a brilliant idea, Alicia! So how long can this serum stay in the bloodstream? I mean I'm sure it wears off eventually and needs to be replenished" Batgirl questioned with enthusiasm. The auburn haired woman nodded but she had just as an enthusiastic look on her face.
"The serum remains in the animal system for about two to three years, depending if the animal is hurt or not. When they're born we gave them a series of inoculations and made sure to include the nanotech serum. While it's mainly used to keep track of the animals we can use it to find them too. The nanites give off a radiofrequency you can follow!"
"That's fantastic, Alicia! So give us that frequency and we'll go get those babies back!" Robin exclaimed excitedly. The four heroes looked at each other in elation. At least there was something they could do to get those precious babies back and quick!
So the zookeeper took out her own mini computer and transferred the data into all four of the heroes' computers. Quick as a flash as soon as the download was complete they took off like a speeding bullet. As they took to the air they headed northwest hoping to zero in on the cubs' blood.
"So, Sparrow Hawk how that homing in going on your wind glider?" called out Batgirl to her friend who was busy using her onboard computer to help them.
"I should have a lock on them in a few minutes, Batgirl. The only question that remains how are we to get them back without getting killed, or them getting killed? I can find them but we still need a plan of attack. So anyone of you three got a good one?"
"We won't have a plan till we know what we're up against, Sparrow Hawk. Nevertheless, I'm in no doubt we can come up with a good one. The Batclan is a well oiled machine and you've been a great partner to us in the past. So once we see what we're up against I'm sure we can figure out that conundrum." Batman replied assuredly as he banked left.
The rest of them adjusted their wings and banked left as well. Using a bit of remaining updraft from the city's huge solar battery that was below them the got enough lift and headed closer to their destination. Sparrow Hawk's onboard computer was homing in fast. She looked up with a pleased smile yet at the same time it was tempered a bit with anxiety. She called out to the Tomorrow Knight.
"You sure, Batman?"
"Hey, Sparrow Hawk? You're talking to the trio who put the Clown Prince of Crime out of commission evermore. And I might add saved the former bearer of my title. Furthermore, my darling friend, I'll have you know that was no easy feat. So I'm sure we can do something wonderful to beat the crap out of these douchebags!"
"You're right. We've got nothing to worry about. I just hope this is the final fight. I want their ringleader. So let's go!"
Before they knew it they had found the source of the signal. It was coming from inside an unfinished construction building. It looked at least from the air like it was gonna be an open-air amphitheatre. That was precisely what is was in fact and though unfinished at the moment Rebecca was sure it be ready by next summer. The people building it were just not having a lot of luck and it just would take longer then anticipated to finish. Still it seemed a great place to hide.
"We should cloak before they spot us. We want to maintain the element of surprise as much as possible. So here's what we're going to do. Robin? You and I'll check it out from the west and Batgirl and Sparrow Hawk can go in from the east. Try and be silent like mice? Ready?"
"You're the leader, bro. We'll do as you say. But take care as well, okay?"
Batman nodded and cranked the switch on his suit that made him go imperceptible. The other three swiftly did the same. Like a quartet of Night Furies they silently descended from the blacken heavens and locked in on their targets.
Careful not to reveal themselves they hid from view and whispered quietly to each other. Perched in the midst of the gargoyles, and other half-finished parts of the parapets, they took a good look around their surroundings. The half-finish stage was desolate as a wasteland. Yet thanks to Batgirl's sharp eyes she noticed the outline of a trapdoor. There was a sliver of light escaping from the edges. Each of them was willing to bet the cubs and their abductors were under it. Batman gave the signal that he and Robin would go first and that the other two women would follow.
Taking a deep breath the Dark Knight jumped and made a soft landing on marble as well as wooden stage. He pressed his fingers on the metal trapdoor and listen for a few minutes. He then looked up at Robin who did a fantastic mid-air spin before landing next to him. They opened the door and disappeared under it. Waiting five minutes the last two went in as well.
To the Batclan and Sparrow Hawk surprise the passageway under the stage was more like the ancient catacombs of Pairs. It wasn't very modern look at all. Sparrow Hawk presumed this was to make it more alluring in addition to enchanting to the actors. Even with night vision worked into their masks it was still dreadfully spine-chilling and it defiantly spooked the foursome. Still they had a job to do and they're running out of time. So gathering the courage up they began to descend the eerie corridor.
It didn't take long to unearth the abductors. After walking for about ten to fifteen minutes they came to a stone statue inside an old conked out water fountain. The sculpture itself wasn't a distinguishable figure given it was worn and chipped. But two men in black leather outfits were just sitting on it smoking their brains out. At their feet was a medium size metal cage. Inside were the little tigers that looked like they're having a lie-down. For now they're out of harm's way. Still it was imperative to get them back to their mom as fast as possible.
One of the men stubbed out his cigarette and lit another. After a few puffs he glanced at his collaborator and said in unfamiliar accent, "How long do you think it's gonna take for that stupid dame to get here? I can't stand feeding these stupid felines much longer. At any rate my allergies are acting up," he asked as he sneezed three times in a row, each time a smoke ring came out of his nose.
"Didn't you know you're allergic to cats prior to Ven giving you this assignment? Or did you think it was only housecats that make you sneeze?" the younger man inquired in reply as he smoked once, then took out a silver hip flask and down whatever was within it. He offered it to the other man who took a long swing of its mysterious contents as well.
Before any more could be said by this merciless duo something else happened rather quickly taken the wicked men by totally surprise. Three razor-sharp solar disks shot out of Sparrow Hawk's left wrist guard. The repulsive cigarettes were sliced right out of their mouths, and what remained fell out of their lips in shock. Looking around they tried to perceive what had just done that. They looked totally stunned and bewildered by what just happened.
Although, before they could even do that, a black and red batarang knocked the silvery hip flask out of the younger one's hand. The young man in black screamed and cursed loudly and violently in his native language which again no-one was sure of. Still he was also bleeding some from where Batman's batarang had nicked him.
The flagon had been knocked clear across the underground chamber, and it spilled is malodorous as well as nauseating aroma around engulfing their unprepared noses. The stuff smelled as bad as it tasted. It had to be tequila from what they smelled. Ignoring the pungent smell the Batclan and Sparrow Hawk attacked.
Robin and Sparrow Hawk rushed at them, then as if they're were suddenly doing ballet. They did a pirouette and kicked the men in square in the chest. As they toppled the two women then knocked them off balance by breaking their stance. Meanwhile Batgirl went to get the tigers seeing how no animal could resist her charm. Batman dashed to get between both groups and was ready to back up anyone who needed it.
The men quickly recovered and pulled out their Tasers. However, the Bat Twins fired their batarangs to knock them out their hands, and with the help of one of Batgirl's electric batarangs short-circuit them. Then both Batman and Sparrow Hawk used their bolo and energy ropes to tie them up.
By this time Sparrow Hawk had had enough of these men and all the suffering they'd put her and her city through. So yanking the larger man up and getting into his face, she then hissed like a cobra. "Well, I say it's time you two talked! And if you know what good for you you'll do just that. My friends and I have many ways to persuade you to talk. Though if you want to skip the scary part, I suggest you tell me right now, what all the hell this has been about! SO TALK!"
"Calm down a moment, Sparrow Hawk. We first need to make certain the cubs are alright. So hold on for just a moment, okay?" Batgirl reminded her. Bending down she peered into the cage and was just about to exam them when the guy who Sparrow Hawk was holding shouted at her.
"Those miserable little fur balls are in good health. We've been feeding them synthetic milk. Not exactly mother's milk, but they wouldn't have starved. We weren't gonna hurt them anyway."
"What do you mean by that?" demanded Batman as he held the other guy in his grip. He tighten the bolo rope around his man, just enough to make it a little bit harder to breath. But he then loosened it a minute later. The man understood what he wanted so he told him the rest of the story.
"Like my big bro said, the tigers were never in any bona fide danger. If fact not a soul in this city was ever gonna give up the ghost. We used rubber bullets and blanks during that gunfight. Furthermore, you meddling heroes, we're controlling the fire, and were standing by to extinguish it if it got too out of control. The gas at Rosey's was non-toxic as well. It was just mild nitrous oxide"
"So you've been placing innocent people in danger even if it was on the safe side? Why are you attack my home? What do you want? And where can I find your boss?" demanded Sparrow Hawk angrily.
"The boss, lady, you've already met him. You and he dance the sweet tango of battle when he and our cousins did the gunfight. His name's Ven and I say he's got a crush on you. He was extremely impressed by both your figure and fighting abilities," the one she was holding answered with a grin.
She dropped him in shock and Robin caught and held him. She was holding her palm computer and looked at it intensely. "He ain't lying Sparrow Hawk. His heart rate is normal. So he's not untruthful."
"Thanks for the info, Robin. Now why is your brother Ven attacking my city? Why is he calling this dance? What does he want?"
The younger one spoke this time. "We only do what we're told, lady. He the only one who knows who really calls the dance. We're only mercenaries for the reason that in our native Guyana we come from an extremely underprivileged family. We've had a lot to struggle with, and it's not been incredibly pleasant in our homeland of the last couple years. Therefore we needed money. Ven does value life and won't take it without feeling, if at all. We kidnapping the cubs were really just a decoy. That's all. Honest."
"Decoy? For what exactly? What's the aim of the game? Tell us!" demanded Batgirl as she held one of her electric batarangs close to the guy's face.
"That's all we know! Honest! Now if you want to hand us over to the police we'll go quietly. We swear!" the older one said.
The guys wouldn't say anymore. So they quickly reunited the cubs with their parents. Alicia and the rest of the zookeepers gave them a lot of hugs and kisses out of their thankfulness that the cubs were okay. The police force was at the zoo as well. They'd been called by Alicia who told them that the Batclan and Sparrow Hawk would be bringing the men back with them.
"Here you go, gentlemen. Tell Chief Kohaku to make sure they're interrogated and comfortable. Where is she anyway? I thought she'd be waiting to escort these brutes personally to the clink! Where is she?" inquired Sparrow Hawk as the detective put the mercenaries into his hover cars.
"Didn't you hear, Sparrow Hawk?" asked one who to their surprise was none other then Seth Knight, Lena's fiancés! "Lena is at the hospital right now. She and her girlfriend Kendra and their friend's Rebecca's family were attacked!"
Before Seth could say another word Sparrow Hawk already took to the air. The Batclan wasn't far behind her. They flew faster then even before when they'd gone to get to the zoo. They got to the hospital very quickly. After changing out of their costumes Rebecca came running like a madwoman into the ER. Crying franticly for her loved ones, the twins and Max also were doing the same. Afraid their loves ones may've been hurt also while they're away. The hospital was very crowed and noisy and it seemed it'd be impossible to find their loved ones. All of a sudden Lena came running from the elevator with a handsome physician following her.
"Rebecca! Thank God you're alright! We're so worried after you four disappeared!" Lena exclaimed as she hugged Rebecca tightly. The redhead hugged her friend tightly and cried a bit. The twins and Max were busy catching their breath and the doctor handed all three of them some water.
"Thanks," they all replied.
"Welcome. Are you okay, Ms. Young? Ms. Kohaku was worried sick about you. And I can't answer your questions unless I know you're okay as well. Are you sure you don't need a doctor yourself? You four look like hell," the doctor said.
"Look, Dr…"
"Dorien, Dr. Dorien."
"Okay. Dr. Dorien. I had an emergency at work that I had to take care of. And my friends, Terry, Terra and Max agreed to help me with it. That emergency is over with. Now will someone tell me what the hell is going on?!"
"Come with us. Everyone else is in the I.C.U. Hurry!"
"The I.C.U?! What are they doing there?!" all four of them exclaimed at the same time. Lena and Dr. Dorien didn't' say anything. They just ushered everyone into the elevator and took it to the fourth floor. Once the door opened they quickly went to end of the corridor where Kendra was waiting apprehensively. She looked very pale and troubled.
"Kendra! Kendra! What the hell is going on?" Rebecca demanded in an angry tone of voice. She paused for a moment when she realized both Lena and Kendra had stitches on different parts of their bodies. Calming down some she took a deep breath and asked more calmly. "What happened, Kendra? I was only gone two and half hours. Something came up and I needed the twins and Max's help."
"Well, how you go from work to here without anyone telling you where were?" inquired the blond curiously.
Before anyone could think of an excuse Lena spoke. "I had Seth text her. I just told him to say meet us at the hospital. I didn't have him text her why. Now let's us tell you what happened."
"Okay, what happened, Ms. Lena? And are our friends alright? I mean you've got stitches! Is my Danny okay?"
"Alright this is what happened, Terra. Rebecca, you and your friends might want to sit down for this," Lena suggested so everyone took a seat on some plush burgundy chairs and they began to sing a story about what had occurred.
Apparently after the four of them had left to do their hero business, (not that Lena or Kendra knew that) they'd been attacked by Ven and his three remaining brothers. They'd all put up a good fight and we're actually doing well. But their luck hadn't lasted for long. Somewhere in the mêlée Ven had use some type of unknown weapons in addition to dishonorable fighting tricks to subdue them. They'd all been knocked out and when they came to they'd been already brought to the hospital.
Rebecca's father, Sam, had suffered a concussion, but it thank god wasn't a serious one. He didn't' need any surgical treatment, and probably would remain unconscious for a few days. But he was otherwise fine. Bruce had aggravated his heart and after much struggle and commotion, the doctors finally manage to give him a sedative and hook him up to an EKG machine. He was now asleep with some pain meds and with Ace at his feet. Danny, Dana and Kieran were all okay. They'd suffered minor wounds. Mostly bruises and cuts, and Danny had a black eye. A few stitches were need for Kieran but otherwise those three were alright.
"So what about my mom and Warren? Where are they now? Are they in another room?" Rebecca asked as she glanced around the ICU room. Everyone else was resting comfortably in their beds. But Barbara and Warren were missing. Everyone just got really quiet and Rebecca and the Batclan knew something was really wrong.
"Rebecca, I… I…" Lena started to say but couldn't. Kendra just hugged her friend tightly and spoke quietly. "Your mother and Warren we believe were abducted. The other police and the paramedics said that they weren't with us. And we just found this," she informed the shock judge a scroll.
Taking it gingerly she read the message.
"Tell Sparrow Hawk if she wishes the return of Judge Young's mom and her judge friend that she is to meet at these coordinates at midnight under the light of the blue moon. Tell her to come alone or if any one else comes the hostages will be killed immediately.
Ven."
Rebecca and the Clan looked stunned and all the color in their faces drained away. This was bad. Very bad!