Bane grabbed his clothes off the fire guard as he raced over to the grandfather clock. Clumsily he dressed himself as quickly as possible, almost tripping over his boot laces on the way down the stairs but luckily he managed to land upright with a heavy thud.
Still, he wasn't fast enough. Bruce Wayne was already in the Bat-mobile and had closed the overhead door before Bane could jump down onto the platform to join him.
"Stay here!" he barked, before the engine roared to life. And Bane could only watch as his best ride to the city flew out the cave, leaving him alone in the cold unable to argue against him.
Panicked Bane turned around and ran up the stairs into the study, while in his mind he was also rushing to think of a plan. He swung open the door and sprinted down the hallway towards the garage, a cold sweat beginning to break down his spine and up the back of his neck.
I'll take the Aston, he thought. I'll follow him.
Quick as a flash he dashed across the large sterling kitchen, he had the garage door in his sights, he grabbed the handle but it didn't budge. He tried to force it open only to find the door locked with an encrypted code.
"Damn it!"
He doubled back out the kitchen into the main hall, his footsteps echoing of the walls of the empty mansion.
I'll go around.
He skidded up to the front doors, grabbed the handles with both hands but found that they were locked too. Panic turned to boiling rage, he slammed his body against the oak panel to rip them off their hinges, but they didn't break. He pulled back and tried kicking the locks into pieces with his powerful leg but no matter how he tried it would not fall.
Why cant I break it down?
"Reinforced steel."
Bane turned around to see Alfred standing by the grand staircase. "I've taken the liberty of putting the mansion on lock-down until Master Bruce returns; all exterior doors and windows will remain locked to keep out any would-be assassins and/or other undesirables. It's a rather routine safety measure you see."
Bane leaned against the door for support, his hands were damp and clammy, his legs were shaking like he was coming down with the flu. He needed to get to the city.
Safety measure, ha. You just want to make sure I can't follow him.
Bane was use to locked doors and bars, he had been incarcerated for most of his life. First in Pena Duro where he paid for the sins of his father, and later in Blackgate where he paid for his own. They were both hell in their own right, but it was behind those prison walls that he learnt the value of patience, of knowing how to wait for the right moment, and strike when all the pieces were in place. Time meant nothing when it was all you had. But now in his heightened state of anxiety every second was a lifetime, every tick piled on his shoulders like lead weights, one on top of another, each one pulling him down to the ground the longer he stood idle. His enemy had struck again and he needed to know what had happened. Now, time mattered more than anything.
Straightening up Bane turned to face Alfred, his bulking shadow loomed over the thin Englishman.
"Old man," he hissed,"You are going to unlock this door and let me out. Or else I am going to turn you inside out."
Undaunted by the sudden threat on his life Alfred stood his ground, tall and confident, with no fear in his eyes. Just a mild contempt.
"You know, there is a video lens in Batman's cowl that allows me to see everything he sees. If you're really biting at the bit perhaps you might like to follow me downstairs and look for yourself, before resorting to your usual method of getting things done through wanton violence."
Bane stepped back, as Alfred's words broke him out of his murderous meditations.
Taking this as a nod Alfred began to lead the way. "Come on then. Oh, and do fix your laces before you land on your face."
Down in the Batcave Alfred sat typing away on the computer while Bane stood behind him with his arms crossed impatiently, waiting for any word from Batman. Of course he didn't need Batman to tell him what had happened, that he already knew. Marie had been abducted by Ra's Al Ghul's assassins and were probably with him right now or on route. What he needed to know was where they had taken her and what clues did they leave for him to track her down. He was ready to do anything but he couldn't even get out the door. Instead he must contend himself to wait, drumming his fingers while Batman picked his way into the back door of The Monarch Theatre. The last place they saw Marie.
"I suggest you work fast, sir." Alfred instructed via his headset. "The police could be on the scene at any moment assuming Mrs Sharpe followed your instructions."
"I'm not too worried about that, they're more likely taking her statement, and interviewing the staff at the hotel."
"All the same sir I wouldn't linger too long, time is of the essence."
"On that we can all agree." Bane muttered under his breath.
Finally the lock clicked and the door swung open. Successful, Batman silently flew down the hallways, passed the theatre and the bar to the surveillance room. The room itself was only slightly bigger than a broom closet, not made to accommodate more that two people at a time. Inside was a standard computer system, its monitor split into multiple smaller screens each filming a different room in the building, excluding the restrooms and dressing-rooms. With them Batman should be able to see where Marie went after the show.
He touched the keypad and was greeted with a pop-up box.
"It needs a password," he said.
"Patch me in sir, I'll see what I can do?"
Batman dug into his belt and pulled out a USB drive and stuck it in the outlet. The screen turned blue and a flurry of codes trickled down the monitor, before reopening with a welcoming sight of the theatre logo.
"I'm in Sir, now you have access to the entire surveillance system."
"Thanks Alfred, I'll rewind the footage back to the interval at 8pm before we left."
Batman got straight to work scrolling through the most recent footage from the last 12 hours. Each location was marked including the bar, stage, front and back entrance and the dressing room hallway.
Bane looked at the hallway intently.
It was paused at the exact moment Marie banished him and Bruce in a fit of frustration. He could not see her from the camera's angle but watching how she sent them away reminded him how speechless she left him. The two men walked out of the theatre looking very dejected before going their separate ways to follow Dr Cooper, unaware of the deadly traps awaiting them. Soon after Marie left the room herself, locking the door behind her before leaving to get back on stage. From there Batman fast-forwarded the footage to about an hour later when the show had ended and Marie went back to get ready for the after party. But then Batman noticed something, slowly rewinding the footage he caught a glimpse of movement and stopped it.
Bane saw it too.
At around 8:55pm, while Marie was taking her final bow, in the shadows of the employee parking lot three figures dressed in black with peaked caps stepped out of a large black mini-van and ran towards the building.
Moving with precision they gathered by the back door then went in one by one. The largest of the group stayed behind to hold the door open for the final member who appeared to be pushing a trolley with a larger black cylinder shaped container.
"A drum case?" Alfred guessed.
Batman tried to zoom in to magnify the faces, but the poor resolution made it harder to make out the group. However the build and attitude of the leader was something Batman and Bane could recognise.
"Ubu," Bane sneered.
Once everyone was inside they went backstage, they lingered in the confidence that no one would think to notice them, in their stage crew disguises they were practically invisible.
When the show came to a close and Marie left the stage, skipping with vigorous pride, the dark men made their move. Following her like a giant shadow straight to her dressing room.
Grimacing in discomfort Bane found it harder to keep watching. It was as if it was all happening right now in front on him, and he was powerless to stop it. He knew what was about to happen and the knowledge brought with it an anticipation that made him sick. He breathed in, forcing himself to look.
The large man knocked on the door, then when Marie opened it they all rushed inside pushing the trolley in behind them before closing the door.
After two torturous minutes the door opened and they all came out with the drum case on the trolley and Ubu locked the door, taking the key with him as they casually made their way through the crowd back out the door. Out in the parking lot they hastily loaded the case into the back of the mini-van, then they got in inside and drove away, disappearing into the night.
"Bastardos."
"I'm running the license plate through the database now, sir." Alfred said.
Having seen everything there was to see Batman moved on to investigate the scene of the crime. The hallway seemed to stretch on forever. At the end on the left stood the door with a painted star.
"Switching to detective vision."
Batman looked down. The cowls analyser detected several partial fingerprints on the door handle, in the Bat-cave Alfred took the images and ran them through the computer's database. Meanwhile Batman picked at the keyhole to unlock the door. To Alfred's dismay the only readable prints he could identify belong to Bruce Wayne and Bane. Being a foreign visitor, Marie's fingerprints couldn't be found in the database, as for the assassins they must have been wearing gloves.
"He is wasting his time, we saw them go through the door, this forensic analysis is pointless."
"He just being thorough." Alfred explained, of course Bane was unimpressed.
Unpicking the lock with ease Batman opened the door and walked inside.
Everything inside the room was exactly the way they left it. The papers were untouched, the flowers were still fresh and alive, Bane could almost smell the lilies. In the corner stood the same mannequin, dutifully holding Marie's poncho.
Alfred shook his head, "She never got the chance to change. And in this bitter chill."
Batman turned to the vanity and checked the table but again none of the prints belonged to anyone in the database, least of all Ubu.
He switched off his detective vision, glancing up at his worried reflection.
"No prints, no signs of a struggle," Batman sniffed the air. "There's a faint smell of chloroform."
"She couldn't fight off her attackers, even if she tried."
"Any info on the mini-van?" Batman asked.
"Not as much as I'd hoped," Alfred shook his head, "The mini van was from a 'Wonder Wheels Rental Service', it was returned at quarter pass nine."
"Sounds like they switched vehicles to make it harder for us to track them."
Batman checked the drawers but they all turned up empty, and then he saw it. Under the table was Marie's handbag. Carefully he picked it up and placed in front of the mirror.
He opened it up and emptied the contents onto the table, rummaging around loose change and house keys until he found what he wanted.
"Marie's phone."
Bane started to shake again but he kept it to himself. Blaming it on the dank environ.
Batman turned it on and opened up the last conversation Marie shared with Sharon, the last message she made was sent at 9:01pm, reading:
'Got a headache, going to sleep it off, go have fun without me.'
"Just as Mrs Sharpe said."
"Yeah. But I doubt Marie was the one who wrote it."
Sharon replied to acknowledge the message, then several hours later she sent a list of increasingly concerned messages demanding that Marie answer back.
Batman noticed another app was also activated recently. He tapped on the icon to open it and it brought up a voice recording made around the same time as the text message.
"Looks like Marie or her abductor left another message before they left."
"Play it." Bane insisted.
He pressed the play button and everyone held their breath.
In the background the men heard faint sounds of frantic struggling. And a muffled wailing that was quickly silenced so that Ubu could speak.
"The master has been very patient with you Detective, but now that patience has run dry. Our demands are simple: stay in your city and do not interfere with the master's plans. Do this, and the girl shall be released unharmed once our mission is complete. Refuse, or if we even suspect that you are following us, and we will kill her. Such is the will of the master. You have been warned."
the message ended and the cave grew very still.
A shiver ran up Bane's spine, but he tried to keep his composure. Inside him he felt a hand crushing his chest while another clutched his throat making it hard to swallow. This was the true extent of the Demon's malevolence and cunning. Ra's knew that neither Batman nor Bane would go down easily in his death traps, he knew that at least one of them might survive, and so while they went out to chase their false trails the old devil sent his men to the theatre to abduct Marie in case he needed a bargaining chip.
Batman replaced the phone and put the bag back where he found it for the police. He scanned all around the room for any trace of evidence, even the floor for possible residue from the attackers shoes. But there was absolutely nothing that could tell him where they came from or where they were going. Ra's really didn't want to be followed.
Since there was nothing he could do Batman got in his car and drove back to the manor. Over the horizon the sun began to rise, shining over the glass towers of Gotham City. But its radiant light offered little hope for their future.
In the Bat-cave Bane paced about behind Alfred trying to think of a plan, something concrete but the jumble of emotions made it impossible to concentrate, and the more he tried to clear his mind and focus the more lost and enraged he felt.
"That was a complete waste of time, what did we learn from that that we didn't already know?"
"I fear Bane may have a point, sir," Alfred conceded, "This situation is looking increasingly dire especially for Miss Kelly, without a clear path to follow I'm not sure how we can help her."
But Batman seemed more hopeful, "Ra's still doesn't have the Phoenix Formula, so we still have time. All of Coopers research was destroyed in the abattoir attack, so if he wants to finish the Formula he'll need to retrieve his notes from the other lab on Santa Prisca, finding it will be my next step. Alfred prep the Bat-wing for immediate departure I'm on my way now."
"Right away sir."
Bane's eyes widened, "Wait. So you still don't know where the labratory is?"
Alfred didn't reply. He walked off to go prepare the jet for take off.
Bane rung his hands anxiously, cracking his knuckles to relieve the tension. Without a clear idea of where the lab was it could be days or even weeks before he found it, Cooper may have moved all his research to another location and completed his formula by the time he found it. Ra's could become immortal by then and Bane would never get his chance to kill him.
And then what would happen to Marie?
If Ra's got what he wanted he'd have no reason to keep his word to let her go, or even let her live.
Bane began to feel dizzy from all these grave scenarios. He slumped down in Alfred's seat to try and collect his thoughts.
In his mind he replayed Ubu's message. The noise in the background painted a scene so clear he could almost see what happened. Marie locked inside her dressing room struggling against her attackers, screaming into a rag before the anaesthetic pulled her into unconsciousness. Then those bastards stuffing her in a dark, cramped cage like an animal. Trapped and alone, gasping for air. Just like in his vision.
"Dios Mio."
The realization knocked him back with the force of a tidal wave. Suddenly the vision of the old well filling with seawater became so vivid in his head, and he could see everything in total clarity.
Where in Santa Prisca could a criminal organisation like the League of Assassins set up a laboratory where they can conduct their experiments without fear of being exposed to the authorities, and where could they get a steady supply of test subjects that nobody would miss.
Just like with the Venom. They've gone to Peno Duro.
This epiphany filled Bane with an exuberance that inflame his imaginations and revitalised his spirit. He started to move but then stopped himself, looking across the black chasm of the cave, to the platform where Alfred was preparing the Bat shaped air craft. Batman would be back soon ready to fly to Santa Prisca and he probably wasn't going to invite him to come along.
I could steal the Bat-wing, the butler wont stop me and if I cannot start it myself I could make him tell me.
Bane shook his head. No, Batman will be back in any moment, I haven't enough time to learn the controls. I could kill the butler, take the car, drive to the airport and hijack a jet . No, I still need the access code for the doors, and besides, I have enough enemies to contend with without Batman coming to avenge his father figure's death. And what about when I get there, if they are keeping Marie there she will likely be heavily guarded, I'll need a distraction to take care of the pawns while I find her and that miserable Dr Cooper.
Bane smiled, for in his strategic mind the wheels began to turn and a plan started to form. But then he faltered, it was an ambitious plan, one that would require support. He looked over again to Alfred, luckily he was too busy working on the machine to take much notice of Bane as he walked up the stairs towards the study.
Above ground the mansion was filled with the glow of daylight, the sun was pouring in through the wide kitchen windows giving off a warmth that Bane found pleasant on his aching back.
His phone was ruined in the flooded sewers last night, as he reached for the wireless off the kitchen unit he thought to himself how useful it was to have a photographic memory.
I doubt Wayne will mind if I make a quick overseas call.
The dial tone rang twice before his lieutenant picked up, Bird was extremely relieved to hear from him.
His distorted voice panted down the line. "Boss I've been trying to get in touch with you for hours. What happened?"
"Never mind that," Bane cut him off. "What do you have to report?"
"Oh right, get this: A couple of guys down the west of the island say they heard a jet flying over near Pena Duro."
"When was this?"
"Around midnight, we used a drone to try and get a better look a what's going on over there, but some chump on the roof shot it down. It was a damn good shot too! Some thing's definitely up on that island. A lot more guards than usual with bigger guns, top of the line military grade."
Bane nodded, "It is as I thought, the Demon is working with the policia on the island. Listen carefully: here is what I need you to do..."
The Bat-mobile glided into the cave preceded by a great mechanical roar. Batman stepped out and headed up the platform stairs.
At the Bat-computer Alfred stood waiting, "Welcome back, sir, the Bat-wing is prepped and ready."
Before Batman could answer his attention was snapped away by a deep booming looked up across the cave to see Bane standing by the Bat-wing.
"Finally you've returned, Come, there is no time to lose."
Batman groaned in annoyance, "I almost forgot."
"Our guest has been rather anxious while you've been out, Master Bruce," Alfred whispered, "If you have any plans to see him off now maybe the time to do it, or else I fear he may not be so willing to sit this one out."
"Don't worry,"Batman assured boldly, "I've been waiting to show him the door since the night he arrived."
"Shall I call the police to be on the safe side?"
"Not yet, but keep that option open."
Batman climbed up to the top of the raised platform, there he found Bane leaning against the hand rail waiting for him. By this point Bane could see Batman was tired of his presence.
"So, you still think you're coming with me?"
"No, Batman," Bane shook his head, "I know I'm coming with you."
To this Batman sneered but kept his tone cool, "Sorry to disappoint you, Bane. But the way I see it you have two options, either you wait here or in GCPD lock-up."
"Very amusing. But let us be serious, there is no point arguing over this any more. Especially when I am of a mind to offer you my help."
"Thanks, but you've already helped enough."
Then Bane played his gambit,"You want to know where Cooper's laboratory is. I can tell you."
Batman eyed him darkly, smelling something suspicious, "How do you know?"
"I'll tell you about it on the way."
"I'm not falling for your games, Bane, either tell me or I'll find out anyway. But I'm not going to put Marie in more danger just so you can go chasing after the League." With that, Batman walked past Bane towards the air craft.
Bane over took him."No games. I have spoken to my people, they say there has been some unusual activity coming from Pena Duro. If the laboratory is there, God willing, Marie will be too."
Batman looked down in deep thought, before giving Bane a firm nod. "Thank you for sharing that. Now move."
He made another move but Bane pulled him back by the shoulder, "That's not all I have to say. You'll never get in by yourself. The Hard Stone is one of the most impenetrable prison complexes in the world. In comparison, Arkham and Blackgate are mere health resorts with revolving doors. No one gets out alive."
"You did," Batman pointed out.
Bane nodded, "Si. I had to die first. And now it is crawling with assassins with military arms waiting for you to show up. But I know every brick of that structure and I can get you inside without them noticing."
"What's the catch?"
Bane gripped tighter, forcing Batman to look at him, "You listen to me, If I have to take a plane to Santa Prisca I will, but it'll already be too late. And if those dogs even smell you coming they wont think twice about killing Marie. I want the Demon destroyed but I will not let her die."
Batman felt Bane's hand relax enough for him to remove it, but their eyes did not break their firm contact.
"You said I could have this truce, so I say we work together one last time to bring her back then we part ways. My knowledge, my resources are at you're disposal. Just let me help Marie."
Batman looked at him long and hard, then sighed, "Get in the back."
In his mind Bane grinned in satisfaction of this small but significant victory. He turned towards the craft before feeling Batman's hand on his shoulder, forcing him to look back at his furrowed brow beneath his dark cowl.
"Don't make me regret doing this, Bane."