12 Justice League Shadows
"I think we're ready to strike now," Question observed.
The Justice League team had set up outside of Falcone's manor house. Falcone lived outside of the Chicago city limits. It was an upscale neighborhood that bordered on Lake Michigan. Nightwing had been startled to discover he'd recently lived nearby.
Margo was with them in the grove of trees that were near, but not overshadowing, Falcone's estate. The foliage had been cut back to give the estate a "kill zone". Of course, they would couch it in friendlier terms but the essentials lay bare. The clear cut was designed to allow the internal security force clear line of sight of any approaching, potential intruders.
A roving foot patrol walked outside the fence. The fence was lined with cameras. The external force patrolled with two guard dogs. The inner compound had electronic surveillance as well as dogs. The occasional guard could be seen as well. It was assumed that there were more gunmen in the manor itself.
They watched all day while Margo ran supplies back and forth. A grove of bushes provided nature's restroom. Since it was nearing Spring, night fell marginally later, but it was still early enough the JLers were quite awake, if bored out of their minds. Now it was time to spring into action.
"Huntress, you're up," Nightwing advised.
"Who died and made you Little Tin God?" she wanted to know.
"Batman did," Nightwing declared.
Huntress snorted, "Like he'd be so happy to see you."
She turned to Catwoman, "He gave Q and I the stink eye but he reserved looks of pure hate for you two. It was like Batwoman didn't even exist to him."
"He knows everything there is to about Batwoman. You two only register on his radar because you're both in the League," Nightwing elaborated on the theme; "Selina and I have personally offended him."
"So just what did you do?" Huntress was curious now.
"He forbade me to wear this uniform in Gotham," Nightwing explained, "So I left town."
Huntress was incredulous, "Why's that twist his panties?"
"He didn't get his way," Nightwing simply said.
Huntress looked to Question, who merely nodded his agreement. Next she turned to Catwoman, "That explains him. What about you?"
Catwoman wore a victorious smirk, "Now you know I never kiss and tell."
"You slut!" Huntress declared.
Catwoman shrugged, "It's been suggested. Personally I just chalk it up to bad taste in men. They're always controlling bastards and we end up fighting. Or it's just all about the sex."
The last was said so merrily that Huntress had to wonder if Batman qualified under both categories, "So what category does Hank fall under?"
Catwoman's smirk exuded hunger, "That remains to be seen. Unfortunately they transferred the hunk to the Justice Society."
"Say what?" Huntress yelped.
"Many things have happened back at the Metro Tower while we were engaged here in Chicago," Question offered.
"Spill, Q," Huntress commanded.
The Question briefly wondered how Huntress would handle the Batman. Nightwing had been too domineering for her taste. She'd probably fire a crossbow bolt through Batman. Then again, it would be a non-issue with her new crossbow.
The Question gave a synopsis of the transfers and the newly recruited members. Nightwing frowned, "This was well planned in advance."
"Obviously," was all the Question would say.
"It's like that shit where those CADMUS bastards captured you, Q," Huntress realized.
"Very much so," Question concurred.
"Wally told me about that," Nightwing admitted, "But the Library computer has no record of the event."
"It was an arrangement Waller made to cover her tracks when she became Chief Administrator of the JLU," Question explained and then he ventured forth, "Have you ever wondered why she puts in twenty hour days?"
"No," Catwoman said blithely.
"She is also the director of other meta-human response teams," Question described his findings; "She answers to, and is under the umbrella of, an agency called ARGUS. ARGUS actually began before CADMUS. When CADMUS' existence was publically revealed, and the agency dismantled, ARGUS absorbed its functions and entities."
"So, it's a super CADMUS?" Huntress inquired.
"Essentially," he confirmed it.
Huntress said a few words in Italian that would've made the others blush if she'd used English. Question understood them but he ignored them as he pressed on, "Another agency has come to life. The United Nations has endorsed the Justice League as its superhuman police force but they also created an agency to find, identify, and recruit meta-humans and masked vigilantes. This is known as the Department of Extranormal Operations."
Batwoman was grateful for her full face mask. Anything else would have betrayed her reaction completely. She could tell from Margo's furrowed brow that her partner had caught it though. She had even more explaining to do. Sonia wanted to scream.
Batwoman had held it together when Vibe was listed amongst the new Justice League recruits. He and Agent Chase had tracked her down some months ago. They offered a simple deal: work for them or they would hand over the training, weapons, and materials she'd received from her uncle. Her uncle was a Colonel in the Army Delta Force.
Sonia had been accepted into West Point but had been drummed out because of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell". Sonia had known she was one of the highest scoring plebes. Physically and intellectually she outperformed every expectation. So why did she have to hide who she truly was? The Army liked the rest of her. They just couldn't just cope with the complete picture.
She'd transferred to Gotham University and created a core group of friends. Strangely enough, her core group had been two straights. Kathy Duquesne's father was a crime lord who supplied muscle to anyone for the right price. A rival had killed Kathy's mother while Kathy was at college. Rocky Ballantine hadn't suffered any tragedies during school but afterwards, her fiancé was convicted of a crime he was framed for by the Penguin. Sonia had these things in the back of her mind as she attended the police academy.
The Gotham City Police Academy had been a cake walk in comparison to West Point PT. She'd achieved top marks and graduated top of her class. She'd made a helluva patrolwoman. The detectives exam, in turn, had been a breeze. She'd just been putting in her time until she could take the sergeants exam and then the lieutenants in turn.
And then the concept of Batwoman came to Sonia. By having all three of her afflicted friends work together by taking turns as Batwoman, they could strike at both Duquesne and the Penguin. Word was they were in bed with one another.
Sonia brainstormed the Batwoman identity to pay homage for Batman's intervening to save her parent's "mom and pop" corner store from Rupert Thorne's protection rackets. Thorne was to be the Penguin's silent partner so the women could strike all their enemies at once.
Agent Chase had utilized Batwoman's detective skills to track down several costumed killers and a meta-human. Joining the Justice League had never been on the horizon, either for Sonia or her newfound masters at the DEO. All they had said was "do it" after she'd already agreed to join.
"You've got this?" Nightwing asked Huntress.
She gave him a wry expression, "Are you bedding a mermaid?"
"Not right now, no," Nightwing retorted.
She glared at him before she moved off. She entered the "kill zone" and waited for the guards and their dogs to appear. She didn't have long to wait. The bastards were nothing if not punctual.
They released the dogs first. Huntress took aim and fired. Thanks to the ammo magazine in the crossbow's grip and the auto retractor, the weapon automatically reloaded and cocked. It was ready to fire within seconds of discharging a bolt.
Only Huntress wasn't exactly using bolts right now. Her crossbow had been modified to fire Nemesis' trademark darts. She stunned both the dogs and all four sentries before they could raise the alarm or get a shot off. She signaled the others and they joined her. All save Margo.
"Ready, Selina?" Huntress asked.
"I was born ready," Catwoman boasted.
Catwoman vaulted off of Nightwing's lift to climb up onto the perimeter wall. She unplugged several cameras. They were all aimed at the interior. From what she could eyeball, the only exterior cameras were aimed at the front gate.
She used two fingers to point at her eyes and then motioned with her hand in the direction of the gate. Nightwing ran towards the wall and leapt for the top of it. His hands got a grip but his feet were having trouble fining purchase on the wall itself. Catwoman assisted him with a smirk.
"You owe me for that," Catwoman declared.
"Let's disable the interior cameras while the others distract the guards," Nightwing urged.
"I think we should talk about the terms of your repayment," Catwoman said throatily.
Nightwing gave her a wry look, "Sorry Selina, I don't dip into Batman's sloppy seconds."
"Fine," she grated. That was twice in two days. Was she losing her sex appeal or what?
She unplugged camera after camera while Nightwing took out the cameras mounted on the house with a slingshot. It had been Tim Drake's while he'd been Robin. Nightwing thought Batman was a heartless bastard not to look in on the boy. Tim had literally given everything in Batman's service and what did he receive for it? Institutionalization, that's what.
"Excuse me," the Question asked as he stepped up to the gates. He had his hands in his trench coat pockets and had seemingly appeared from nowhere.
"What the hell happened to your face?" a sentry asked.
"Is there something wrong with it? Question inquired.
The two guards opened the side gate just large enough to grant access to a single individual at a time. They both cleared the gate, leaving it open behind them. Huntress' round kick into the face of the lead guard dropped him. The second reached for his gun but a batarang slammed into his head, stunning him. Huntress finished the job with punch to the guard's nerve cluster.
Batwoman strolled up nonchalantly, "Way to go."
"No sweat," Huntress smiled, "Now let's take the fight to your would be tormentor."
"I like the way you think," Batwoman said, "And smell."
Huntress was surprised. Question shook his head, "Need I remind you about Margo?"
"Nope," Batwoman smirked, "Just playing around."
"I believe that is what they call it," Question said a little sharper this time.
Batwoman held up her hands, "I'm harmless. I swear."
"If you truly were you wouldn't be wearing that outfit," Question ventured.
Batwoman's smirk took on new meaning, "Maybe. Maybe not."
"What's the hold up?" Nightwing asked as he descended from the wall.
"Nothing," Question replied.
Nightwing noted Batwoman's relieved expression and wondered just what Sonia had been up to. Catwoman dropped down next to him and then distanced herself from him. Her cool demeanor was obvious to all.
"Should I ask what the problem is?" Huntress inquired cheekily.
"No problems," Nightwing assured her.
Catwoman snorted, "Whatever he says. Batman's little disciple knows all and sees all."
"I believe we should access the house now," Question remarked.
They all agreed to that plan and set forth.
This time, Batwoman joined Catwoman and Nightwing as they scaled the manor. Arriving at the second floor, they began moving from window to window seeking out Falcone. Finally they reached an office-den attached to Falcone's bedroom. Nightwing silently signaled for Catwoman to proceed to the bedroom balcony. He attached a small bomb to the office window and waited.
Catwoman jimmied the lock on the sliding glass door on the balcony. She slowly slid the door aside. As she began to creep in, a murmur alerted her to the fact that the bedroom was already occupied. Falcone's bed was full of not one but two women. Catwoman smirked. Either Falcone had hidden depths of stamina, or as was more likely, the two women enjoyed each other's company much more than his.
They were intertwined around one another and Selina crept up on them. One of them opened her eyes and made to scream but Catwoman clamped a hand over her mouth. Her companion got the same treatment as she awoke as well.
Catwoman pulled her hands slowly from their mouths. She flashed her claws and shushed them. They nodded their understanding. One pointed out Selina's whip to the other. They both got a hungry look in their eyes. Catwoman wanted to gag. She not only had standards, she also had limits.
Catwoman went to the door attached to the office. The two girls dove under the covers. Apparently they knew better than to witness what was about to happen. That marked them as survivors in the interminable mob wars plaguing Chicago these days.
She soon heard giggling coming from the bed. Selina rolled her eyes. She supposed she'd make the best of a bad situation too.
The Question's analysis of Falcone's situation was, as usual, spot on. Falcone's lieutenants had broken off and taken large portions of the rackets with them. Many of his former operations were now under their control. Other bosses, who Falcone had a measure of control over, were also running rampant. They were all competing, trying to take his rightful place as don of the Chicago Families.
Of course it didn't help matters any when Chicago was still divided between Italian and Irish families. Over the last thirty years, gangbangers and the Columbians had moved in. Now the Mexican narcos were running wild, cutting into the Mob's traditional pipelines.
The last unspoiled business had been the protection racket. But those peon merchants had hired Sonia Alcona to build a case against him. The cops wouldn't touch him because he owned half the force. But then he'd learned that Sonia's little girlfriend was one of the CPD's "untouchables". Margo Collins continually made his life hell because she doggedly tracked down his boys and pinned murder raps on them.
And then the damn Batwoman had taken an unholy interest in his protection schemes. Not only that but she'd hit the numbers markets, the prostitution rings, and the drug pushers. She was always looking for the connection to Falcone.
He'd tried pushing her towards his enemies but she'd been too smart for that and stayed at his jugular. So he decided to push back. His people had finally tracked her down to her home address and discovered that the nosy PI digging around was also the Batwoman. It was no wonder they had similar pursuits.
He'd tried the old fashioned approach with Sonia. He'd gone after her in her civilian guise since then she wouldn't be wearing her trick belt. But she'd wiped out his best enforcers. Even more irritating, she'd gotten her girlfriend to arrange for another of her "untouchable" buddies to watch over Sonia.
His last ace to play had been Machele. Sonia may have been sharing Margo's bed but she was an irrepressible flirt. So he sent his best female killer after her. Machele had come on and come on strong. Sonia had nearly broken, she'd been so tempted, but she'd finally said an unequivocal "no".
Denied the opportunity to kill Sonia alone, naked in bed, Machele asked for a lift home. She'd played up that she was far more intoxicated than she really was. Sonia got Machele to her doorstep but Machele aggressively pulled her in with a fierce kiss.
Sonia gave in for a second and only started resisting as images of Margo filled her mind. That was when she discovered Machele wasn't about to let her go. Only her years of training and street experience alerted Sonia to the knife that was about to plunge into her back.
Sonia subdued Machele after a drawn out fight. Sonia later admitted that Machele was Falcone's best yet so far. Margo didn't appreciate that description. Sonia admitted her near infidelity but also explained why she'd managed to save her own life. If she'd given in to Machele's overtures she'd be dead but she'd resisted because her heart belonged to Margo. Margo eased up but made Sonia promise not to drink with strangers anymore until this Falcone business was done.
Driven by desperation to shore up his image, Falcone had taken the previously unimaginable step of calling in costumed freaks. Of course, he'd done his research. The Penguin had a personal beef against Batwoman so they would both win. The price the Penguin had quoted had been robbery but it was worth a short term loss to solidify long term gains.
Only now the punk was trying to muscle in on Falcone's action.
"You just don't know when not to bite the hand that feeds you," Falcone grated at Penguin.
"Are you referring to my own hand?" Penguin chuckled, "You're done, Ennio. Your syndicates belong to us now."
"Over my dead body," Falcone warned.
"Exactly," Deadshot lifted a hand and his wrist gun coughed once. The bullet was a .357 hollow point so it expanded after smacking into Falcone's skull and blew out a major part of his skull. Falcone's men all chuckled.
"Clean it up boys," Penguin instructed, "I have some calls to make to end the violence between organizations."
"Sure thing, Boss," a hired lug happily said.
Gunshots suddenly rang out downstairs. Penguin snarled, "Curses! Who could it be?"
That's when the window exploded and the bedroom door flew open as well.
The Question and the Huntress had disabled four gunmen at the front door. Huntress used her modified crossbow while Question had relied upon brass knuckles. Huntress was amused by the damage Question had wrought.
Gunfire began blazing towards them as they retreated out beyond the doorway. While Huntress used her dart gun to knock out assailants, Question picked up some pistols from those already down. He began shooting people in the leg.
"Damn Q!" Huntress exclaimed, "Try taking a prisoner or two!"
"You have one 8 round magazine of darts left and three darts in your bow," Question rattled off. Huntress fired three times and discovered she had to reload. Question resumed his explanation, "I just thought I'd even the field somewhat."
He emptied one pistol and tossed it aside as he grabbed the second one out of his coat pocket. Huntress expended her last round even as Question's pistol slide locked back. He tossed the gun aside.
"It seems we have run out of opponents," Question observed.
Huntress saw a wounded thug try to get the drop on them. She threw a knife into his wrist. She extended her quarterstaff and began bashing each wounded flunky over the head. When she was done, she gave Question a satisfied grin.
"All dressed up and no one to knock around," she quipped.
"Finally," Question heaved a sigh of relief, "Although if those distant gunshots are any indication, our erstwhile teammates could use our help."
The shots ceased and Huntress gave Question a look of alarm, "That could be bad."
He nodded, "That could be very bad."
They raced up the stairs and started opening doors.
Catwoman snapped her whip and its stinger wrapped around Penguin's umbrella. Catwoman yanked hard and ripped the offending accoutrement out of his hand. She didn't even want to give him a chance to reveal what nasty variation of trick umbrella he was carrying.
She rotated her wrist to free her whip from the disguised weapon. Selina had used a cat o'nine tails for a while but found the bullwhip to be more to her liking. Catwoman, being Selina, insisted it was a "cat whip".
Penguin started for the umbrella lying between Catwoman and himself. He got two steps towards it before she knocked his top hat off with a crack of her whip. Penguin knew full well the crack came from the whip breaking the speed of sound. A strike upon his flesh would split it open. He wisely backed away and held his hands where she could see them.
Bane charged Nightwing. Nightwing leapt into the air, placed his hands on Bane's head as he started to sail by, and vaulted into Deadshot. Deadshot went down even as Nightwing landed on his feet. He punched upon Deadshot and quickly stripped the assassin of his wrist guns.
Deadshot pulled a Walther PPK out of a carry all located on the small of his back, "Weren't expecting this, were ya punk?"
A wingarang knocked the pistol from Deadshot's grasp. Nightwing smirked, "I guess you aren't 007 after all."
Deadshot chose to break and run. Penguin followed him out. Nightwing could have sworn he saw a blue flash fill the hallway. There was no time to investigate because Batwoman needed help. Or did she?
Batwoman bounced a batarang off of Bane's skull. It stopped him in his tracks and he shook his head, "Not very nice."
Batwoman snorted, "You people tried to kill me so the hell with nice."
"Try again and see if you can avoid me breaking your lovely neck," Bane chuckled.
Batwoman flicked open her remaining batarang. She threw it but this time her target wasn't Bane himself. It was the feeder tube that led from his left wrist into the base of his skull. Without fresh infusions of Venom, Bane would eventually wither down to a mere mortal. And mere mortals could be brought to their knees.
"Nooo!" Bane cried as the tube was severed.
Batwoman was under the distinct impression Bane hadn't "juiced up" yet. She delivered a kick to his face. He actually staggered back.
She threw a punch as hard as she could into his solar plexus. Bane was reeling as she landed punch after punch and kick after kick on him. Finally she pulled out an aerosol dispenser and sprayed him in the face.
Bane sniffed and face planted. Nightwing and Catwoman were both grinning. Nightwing beat Selina in saying something.
"I'm impressed. You took him down in half the time of Batman's record," Nightwing remarked.
Batwoman smirked, "Well, the best man is always a woman."
Nightwing wasn't certain how to react to that. Catwoman nodded though, "Sometimes the boys just don't realize that it takes more than a penis and a pair of balls to make a man."
Huntress and Question burst into the room. Huntress still looked somewhat alarmed, "Where the hell is the rest of them?"
"They didn't pass you?" Nightwing asked.
"No one got past us, Bird Boy," Huntress retorted.
"Looks like my problem with Falcone has been solved," Batwoman observed, looking at the bloody smear on the wall that used to comprise a sizable chunk of the mobster's head.
"So the Penguin opted for a 'hostile' takeover," the Question mused.
"I'd say it's time for you to call Margo," Nightwing suggested.
"Right," Batwoman pulled out her phone and speed dialed Margo, "Babe, it's me. We've finished here. Falcone is dead."
Batwoman got a rueful expression, "No, I didn't kill him. Some guy named Deadshot did the deed. But it was at the Penguin's behest. You'll have to tell the Organized Crime Unit the Penguin is the new head of the syndicates."
"Yes, I'm okay. We're all okay. Just call in the cavalry," Batwoman requested, "Really, I'm fine."
Batwoman suddenly smiled. She was glad that her mask hid her blush, "Looking forward to that. Now I got to get back to work."
She noticed everyone seemed amused so she shrugged, "It was the wife."
"I thought you said you couldn't marry Margo," Huntress remarked.
Batwoman grinned, "She has hope so I have hope."
"We should check on the wounded thugs downstairs. They may bleed out before the EMTs arrive," Question suggested.
"Why are they wounded?" Nightwing asked crossly, "I thought you were relying on Huntress' nifty new crossbow."
"We were. She only had so many darts and the bad guys just kept coming out of the woodwork," Question explained, "They were all hit in the leg, and for your information, it is very difficult not to hit the femoral artery every time."
"I'm reporting you to the JLU brass and recommending you be charged with excessive force," Nightwing warned, "And if even one of these men dies, I'll have you charged with murder."
"So be it," Question remarked nonchalantly.
Nightwing stormed out. Batwoman gave Question and Huntress a wan smile, "Gotta tell Margo to request paramedics."
She was back on the phone as Catwoman appraised Question, "Don't sweat it. You did what you had to do."
"Yes, but will the administrative staff see that?" Question asked.
"J'onn is an administrator," Catwoman reminded him, "He's used to field work."
"Ah yes, but so are Superman and Wonder Woman," he reminded her, "Which is precisely the problem I'm facing."
Neither Catwoman nor the Huntress could argue with that summation.