Batman:
Warzone Chapter 11
An injured Bruce followed close behind Cain through the narrow tunnels under Arkham Asylum. It had been several minutes since either of them had said anything, they were both completely focused on their individual things. Bruce had no clue what was on Cain's mind but in his, he thought of ways to defeat Azrael and disarm the bomb.
Soon, they reached a thick steel door that had been latched, barred, bolted, and air sealed.
"What's this?" Bruce asked.
Cain; using several sets of individual keys, unlocked all the mechanisms and stood back as air hissed out of the seams.
"This," Cain said as he pulled the foot thick door open. "this is a bomb shelter."
Bruce cocked his head to one side. "Why would we-" then he paused. "You mean to let the bomb go off."
Cain sighed and leaned against a table inside the bunker. "We've enough food and water to feed an army, this bunker has a built in PSG, (Photosynthesis Simulator Generator) we could survive for months."
"I can't leave them to die." Bruce said firmly.
"I once thought the same. 'Anyone I can save will be saved.' It's all one sick joke, you can't save everyone. Sometimes, it's best to let them die."
"Now, now is not one of those times." Bruce turned towards the door.
"You're just as stubborn as you were when I met you twenty years ago."
Bruce looked down at the cowl he held in his hands. "And you're just as stubborn."
Lifting the cowl above his head, he placed it back where it belonged. Batman turned to face Cain again.
"Thank you, David." he said.
Cain shook his head. "Not necessary, Bruce." he paused before speaking again. "Say hello to Ducard for me."
Batman nodded and left the bunker.
/
"Where is he!?" Azrael shouted. "We have his group and he doesn't show his face?"
"I coulda killed him right then and there, why did you stop me?" Anarky objected.
Azrael turned to face him. "Because, Mr. Machin. Killing the Batman is not your destiny. It is mine."
Anarky scoffed. "You hired me to kill the Batman, when I kill the Batman, you'd best stay outta the fuckin' way."
Azrael took a step forward. "Is this what you truly believe?"
"You better fuckin' believe it's what I believe."
Azrael sighed. "I see."
Anarky's face went white, blood bubbled from his mouth and spurted out his nose, Lonnie Machin looked down to see the hilt of Azrael's sword against his chest.
Bronze Tiger looked on with a sickening smile as the sword came from his back, stained red by the blood of Anarky.
Anarky fell to the floor. Azrael wiped the blood from his blade with Machin's body.
"Never disrespect a member of St. Dumas." he growled.
Turner held out his arms. "The League of Assassins are all too similar, my friend."
Azrael turned to leave the room. "Batman must be delayed from his goal, contact Savant and Creote. Let them be the canon fodder."
/
Batman stood in one of the hallways, after entering through a sewer access tunnel, his sense of direction has been non existent. But, he knew where we needed to go. Maximum Security.
Indeed, crazy as it sounded, Batman was going to release some of the more cooperative Maximum Security prisoners to help him against the Suicide Squad, else they go up with the building.
After some time, Batman encountered two tall, muscular men, both of them were wearing matching shades. Their hair was pulled back in a ponytail. One with red hair, the other with blonde.
"Brian Durlin." Batman said. "And Aleksandr Creote. Not entirely surprised, Azrael sent you to slow me down?"
"Da," Creote said. "We come to 'slow' Batman."
"I see your comprehension of the English language has worsened since we last met."
"No talk," Creote stammered. "Fight."
Creote's big arms lashed out in a huge bear hug. Batman rolled out of the way only to be met by Savant, who hit him with a boxer's one two and three. Dazed, Batman stumbled back. Creote caught him from behind and held him there.
Savant drew a knife and advanced on the Dark Knight slowly. "I'm going to enjoy this, Batman."
His head rose as he peaked at the cowl. "But," he said. "how 'bout we see the man under the mask."
When Savant's hands touched the cowl, Batman lashed out with a boot to his groin. Savant stumbled backwards, clutching his private area in pain. Batman sent a pointed elbow into Creote's ribs and then into his neck.
Creote broke off, struggling to breath. Batman launched a batarang at Savant and another at Creote. Enraged, Creote withdrew a firearm and aimed it at Batman, From behind him, Batman heard Savant do the same thing.
The two mercenaries fired their weapons at the same time. As if time itself froze, Batman analyzed everything in a split second, the trajectory of both bullets and percentage of success.
As the bullets neared him, Batman ducked down and allowed the bullets to collide in mid air. One wrapped around the other and they fell to the floor harmlessly.
Time returned to normal pace, Batman stood up and glanced at the faces of the bewildered duo. He smirked, sent a right cross into Savant's forehead, and then a boot into Creote's cheekbone.
Both men were on the floor, clutching injured body parts. Only now, did Batman realize that he was sweating profusely.