Studio Sky took up floors 56-62 of the Willis Tower. One of the tallest skyscrapers in the country. Jason was impressed. People from all over the world came to this club to party, from rich Saudi princes to Hollywood A listers, everyone wanted to get into Sky. Cindy knew the security at the front desk, so getting into the club was easy enough. They exited the elevator to a huge open room lined with white table cloth as far as the eye could see, expensive dinnerware, and a surplus of stuffy rich people. Steph snagged a glass of champagne. It reminded Jason of the benefits he had to attend as a child with Bruce. They weaved between the tables and made their way to the back corner, Steph already on her second glass.
"Whoa, easy there. What's up with you?" asked Jason.
Her face taught. "Nervous I guess. As hard as it is to believe, this is my first undercover mission…and I'm not big on dresses."
Steph pulled out her phone. She brought up Lucian's Facebook page. The stout man was decked out in a buttercream crocodile suit. "I don't see him."
Jason frowned. "I don't either. C'mon, let's go find the manager's office."
The office was located at the very top of the club. A spiral escalator lead them to an elaborate bedazzled wooden door.
"I already don't like this guy." Murmured Jason.
He was picking the lock when his stomach turned to ice and the hairs on the back of his neck stood up.
Jason placed the pick back into his pocket and walked over to the balcony looking out over the huge dance floor covered in tables. Two rows of men in suits walked in flanked by an older gentleman. The man looked to be in his sixties. His black suit was perfectly tailored and matched his sunken dark eyes. He sported a black trim goatee that, like his slicked black hair, had wisps of silver running through it. He carried a cane, but didn't seem to need it. The casual elegance in his walk screamed confidence.
"Oh man, if that doesn't scream bad guy I don't know what does." Said Steph.
"We should keep our distance." Whispered Jason. "C'mon."
It took him only a few seconds to get into the office. It was modest in size and matched the garish décor of the door. Jason took a seat at the computer and plugged in a usb drive, downloading everything from the computer, and installing Waynetech's own personal spyware. It may not have been up to date to whatever Batman was using now, but it was still years ahead of the competition.
Steph was busy looking through all the drawers looking for any evidence. She pulled out a roll of cash, looked like hundred dollar bills.
She shrugged before pocketing it.
Jason smiled.
He looked in and picked up the desert eagle in the open drawer. It was gold plated with diamonds lining the pearl handle.
He made a disgusted noise, placing it back in. "Find anything?" He asked.
Step shook her head. "Nothing, you?"
Jason unplugged the drive. "Not yet, but there is plenty to go through. Lets get out of here."
Just as they were about to leave, the door opened, and in walked Lucian.
Before he could run Steph grabbed him and threw him at the desk.
Jason held him down and placed a knife to his neck. "You're going to want to stay real quiet right now."
Lucian nodded, eyes wide.
Jason continued, talking slowly, deliberately. "This is what is going to happen. I ask you a question, you answer. If you don't answer, I hurt you. If I don't believe you, I hurt you. If you yell, try to escape or in any way insult me, I kill you. Do you understand the rules?"
Jason removed his hand.
Lucian nodded. "Yes, I understand."
"Good. Now, what do you know about a kidnapped little girl?"
Lucian swallowed. "You're gunna have to be more specific."
"Name is Sophia. Drug dealer Marc is the father." Said Steph
Lucian's eyes widened and he shook his head. "Oh man, not her. I can tell you about any other kid, hell I'll steal you a new one. Just…not that one."
Jason narrowed his eyes. He looked at Steph. "I think I saw some duct tape in the drawer."
She smiled.
It took a minute to tape his mouth, hand's and feet.
Jason sighed loudly. "You know, you could have made this easy for yourself." He took out his knife. Slowly looking at it. His voice lowered. "When I was a kid, I was taken by a very bad man. For months he tortured me. I wish I could tell you that I held strong, but it only took three days for me to give up all hope. Three days before I wished for death, dreamed about it even. That was the worst time of my life. The only good thing about it? Now I'm very educated in dealing out pain."
Jason looked back down at Lucian. "So I'm going to ask you one last time. Where is Sophia?" He peeled the tape off his mouth.
Lucian, grimaced in pain. "Okay, okay. I don't know much. I got a call. I was told to just snatch a girl and drop her off to…drop her off to him." He motioned with his head towards the door.
"Who?" asked Steph
"The old man." Said Jason.
Lucian nodded. "I just run the street side of the business. I don't even know the old man's name, but nothing happens in Chicago without his say so."
"If this guy is so big why does he care about some stolen drugs?" asked Jason.
Lucian started sweating. "C'mon man, they're gunna kill me if I tell you anymore."
Jason slapped the duct tape back across his hostage's face. He slowly raised Lucian's red silk shirt and placed the tip of the blade against his protruding belly. Jason started by placing the gentlest of pressure. "I try to keep my knives sharp. There is nothing I hate more than a dull blade. Wouldn't you agree?"
Some more pressure. The blade just piercing the skin.
The man screamed under the tape.
"You ready to talk?" asked Jason.
He nodded furiously.
Jason tore the tape from his captive's lips.
He groaned in pain, but Lucian persisted. "It wasn't street drugs that Marc stole. It was M3."
Jason shrugged. "I'm supposed to know what that means?"
"M3 man, that shit turns you into one of those Meta freaks. I guess the old man stole a shipment from ARGUS. Five treatments, enough to make a Meta. Who wouldn't want a Superman in their back pocket?"
"Well this is starting to make a lot more sense. The old man, what's his name?"
Lucian swallowed. "They call him Death. I told you I don't know his real name."
Jason chuckled. "Okay, new plan. Take the old man and make him tell us where Sophia is."
"It won't be that easy. He's protected."
"Yes, we saw the security detail downstairs." Said Steph.
Lucian shook his head. "Not them. He has a crew on standby. Sometimes it's just a couple of them, sometimes it's all six. One of them is with him tonight. His names Bronze Tiger."
Jason snorted. "I know him. If he really is here, we're going to have to play it smart. The good thing is, he doesn't have any abilities, at least not when I went up against him."
"You've fought him before?" asked Steph.
Jason let Lucian stand. "Yup, he kicked my ass." He smiled "But I was just a kid back then."
Steph walked over and with the butt of her pistol knocked Lucian out. She looked at Jason. "He told us everything we needed to know. At this point he was a liability. So, tell me, what do I need to know about Bronze Tiger?"
Jason grimaced. "He's…complicated. Tiger isn't like most bad guys. He has a code, can be reasoned with. He also happens to be the best martial artist in the world."
"What's the plan?" Asked Steph
Jason was starting to worry. Six? If Bronze Tiger was any indication, then the rest of the hired security team would be dangerous. "Recon, for now. We could go down there right now and kill everyone, but that doesn't get us Sophia. We need to figure out who the rest of the six are. There's no way we can take them all on." He stood and straightened his shirt and tie. "C'mon, let's make our way down and schmooze it up with the rest of Chicago's elite."
Steph rolled her eyes. "Ugh, kill me now."
Jason and Steph strolled down the stairs.
"Loosen up, you're too stiff." He whispered.
"I can't help it. I'd much rather burn this party down then wear this dress."
An older lady with placed a hand on her chest at the sound of possible arson.
Jason smiled and grabbed Steph by the arm hurrying her along. "Joke. Just a joke. Big old…kidder that she is."
Steph emitted a rather masculine snort. "Easy Rose, I'm sure Jack got the Heart of the Ocean."
Jason made a face. "Titanic jokes aside, I don't think we can continue this operation with you drunk."
Steph pulled him close. The band on stage began playing, a smooth slow tune. "Shut up and dance with me. No one will look twice at some young, rich, drunk adults at a charity benefit."
"That's…not bad." Jason admitted.
Jason started slow dancing with Steph, all the while keeping an eye on the old man. He was posted at a table flanked by his guards. It finally dawned on Jason why this guy gave him the creeps. He just sat there. Not like a normal person, he was as still as Batman. Unmoving, never blinking, just taking in the scenery. They had only been there for maybe an hour, but Jason had already mapped out the best way to kill the old man, his guards, and make a run for it before Bronze Tiger made the offensive. His old training was still rock solid.
Jason's attention was brought back to Steph. It was an unfamiliar feeling, dancing with her. She refused to wear perfume, she smelled like her fruity shampoo and clean laundry.
"You're not bad Todd." She said with a smile.
His mind was getting clouded. Her smile, the scent of her. He shook his head.
"What's wrong?" she asked.
Jason shook his head. "Nothing."
Suddenly he realized Bronze Tiger was nowhere to be seen. The hairs on the back of his neck stood up. He was being watched.
Jason scoured the room, trying to maintain his guest composure. His eyes finally settled on Bronze Tiger. He was standing on the second-floor balcony so that he could see the whole party. He was staring right at Jason. He knew right there that their cover was blown.
Jason refused to tear his eyes away from the mercenary.
Of course he would single them out. A predator always recognizes one of their own.
He pulled Steph close to him, feeling the warmth of her body and spoke softly. "We're spotted. Take the elevator and go back to the motel."
Her hand tightened around his. "No way, I'm not leaving you."
He let out a breath of frustration. "I can't do what I do best if I'm worrying about you."
The worried grip from her hand turned painful. "I don't need you to watch after me."
Jason saw Bronze Tiger reach a hand up to his ear and speak.
"Okay, fine. We split up, meet up at the motel and grab your sister. You take the goons, I'll take Bronze Tiger. Lead them away from the party, try to make it to the lobby. Take the car back to the motel, I'll find my way back. Go. Now."
They both broke apart mid dance, Jason back towards the stairs, Stephanie towards the elevator, waving casually at the security detail who were staring them down. Several of the old man's guards broke away from the table, following her.
Jason walked up the stairs, slowly, with confidence. His hand sliding up the wooden bannister.
Steph would be able to handle the guards. Jason needed to lure his target away, somewhere cramped. He would have a better chance if his opponents movements were restricted.
Jason squared up with his target. Bronze Tiger was waiting for him. "You don't belong here. Who are you?" He asked.
Jason shrugged a shoulder. "No one important. So, what's a big time merc like you doing in Chicago, Mr. Turner?"
"None of your concern." He didn't seem to care that Jason knew who he was.
Jason smiled, as he caught a glimpse of Steph ducking into the stairwell. "So where do we do this?"
Bronze Tiger thought about it for a moment. "Rooftop?"
Shit.
Jason gave him a curt nod. "Lead the way."
He brought his hand to his ear again. "Anderson, take point. I'll be off comm."
It took a few minutes, but Jason was led to a narrow corridor, a small set of metal stairs at the end.
He needed to make his move now. If he fought Tiger out in the open he would probably lose.
Well…fuck it, thought Jason.
He lashed out with a kick to his enemies back, but Tiger was ready. Within a blink of an eye Tiger sidestepped the attack, caught his leg, and swept Jason from his feet.
So much for the element of surprise.
The skilled fighter grunted. "You fight with no honor."
"Yeah, yeah. Honor's overrated." Jason clambered back to his feet.
As soon as he stood straight, Bronze Tiger unleashed his attack. All Jason could do was play defense, but each blow that was blocked hurt worse than anything Bruce had ever thrown at him. Bronze Tiger was faster than any opponent Jason had fought against. It seemed his enemy was just as capable in cramped quarters as in the open. Jason tried pushing back, and managed to land a few blows, drawing blood above his brow. His enemy took a step back, centering himself. The fight continued, each side refusing to give an inch. Jason knew that if this continued he would be on the losing end. His body still wasn't fully healed from his time in Gotham.
Tiger parried a fist and struck out with an open palm to his chest driving him to the floor. He laid on the floor, gasping for air. It felt like Tiger had just crushed his heart. Jason tried to remember his training.
Center yourself, find your balance, and attack.
Jason felt the throwing knife up his sleeve. He angled his body so that his opponent wouldn't see him palm it. Tiger took a step forward as Jason threw the knife. It missed his enemy and struck its true target.
A pipe.
It burst, and hot water erupted in Bronze Tigers face. The momentary distraction was all Jason needed. He slipped out of his jacket and wrapped it around his enemies face, bending him over and sucker punching him, before driving an elbow down to the base of his skull.
Bronze Tiger collapsed to the ground unconscious.
A part of him hated that he had to use a dirty trick in order to beat Tiger.
Fuck it.
Jason made his way to the stairwell as fast as he could. He needed to make sure Steph was okay.
Steph had to take off her heels to stay ahead of the three men following her down the stairs. Before she got any further the door three floors down burst open and three more men started coming up.
Shit. Shit. Shit.
Looks like I'm getting off on this floor. She thought.
She walked through the door to a dark floor. Very few lights were lit, and she saw a janitor at the end of the hall pushing a cleaning cart into the men's restroom. This floor was all cubicles with huge offices lining along the walls. She crept into the maze of cubicles. It would force her pursuers to split up. It didn't take long for her to hear the soft shuffling of their feet across the cheap carpet. Steph reached into her small clutch bag an felt the handle of her switch blade. She waited for one, then two, and finally the third walked past her cubicle.
"You take the far right side, you search the cubicles, I'll take all the offices over here."
Steph let the guard get close before stepping from her hiding spot, she threw her fist, crushing his throat, and ending any chance of him yelling for help. She followed it with taking his back and placing him in a chokehold, putting him to sleep.
She stalked over to the right side of the room. The guard was making methodical work of searching the offices. He already had his gun out.
Looks like they aren't interested in having a conversation. She thought.
It would be difficult to sneak up on the guard, all the offices had glass walls with fancy blinds. The first thing the guard did was open the blinds and turn on all the lights. Steph crept along the left side and caught sight of her mark. She quickly kicked out his knee from behind. As he fell to the ground she grabbed his head with both hands and slammed it into the glass wall, cracking it. She slammed it again, spattering blood and widening the cracks; and finally a third time shattering the glass and sending the guard through it. She immediately dropped into a sprint towards the guard on the opposite side of the room.
Steph knew he would have heard the crash, investigate and possibly warn the other guards. So she adjusted her grip on her blade, jumped onto the clustered desks and ran towards the guard meeting him head-on. The burly man stopped in his tracks, caught off guard from the sight of the blond woman, fists speckled with blood, jumping from desk to desk with grim determination. He raised a hand to his ear piece, but before he had a chance to speak she threw the knife . She watched as it sunk into the guards hand.
He screamed in pain as she dove off the desk and tackled him into a nearby cubicle. She rolled away and stood up, picking up a keyboard, ripping it from its monitor with a single tug. She took several quick steps and smashed the keyboard across his face sending plastic keys flying. Steph didn't relent, she wouldn't be satisfied until her mark laid unmoving. She bent over and snatched his ear piece and threw it across the room. The guard regained his senses and reared his legs back and kicked with all his strength. He connected with her chest, sending her flying back through one cubicle and into another, one of the walls falling on her.
She coughed trying to catch her breath. Suddenly the cheap plastic wall lifted off of her and was thrown to the side. She rolled to the side and tried to run, but the guard grabbed her by the throat and slammed her into a metal support beam. He wrapped both hands around her throat . Her vision was quickly falling into darkness.
Steph could not lose. Her sister depended on her to bring back Sophia. She didn't fight her entire life across multiple countries to die at the hands of this guy.
She tried to kick off the beam and felt her leg brush across something metal and smooth . She reached behind her and felt a handle. She grabbed the fire extinguisher and swung it, connecting with the side of the guards head. He dropped her immediately and stumbled away. Steph screamed as she raised the extinguisher one last time and brought it down on his head with a loud crack.
She struggled to take in ragged breathes. Steph walked over to the other guard and grabbed his ear piece. She wiped it on her dress, now torn in several places. With the ear piece as her guide, Steph was able to sneak past all the other guards and their constant communication and make it to the parking garage in no time at all.