No Permission To Die
1. Living Nightmare
Bane was in his element as he hung from the passenger seat of the small, inverted aircraft by a single arm, releasing a small groan in the unpressurised air, suspended ten thousand feet above the earth by a larger jet.
The rush of adrenaline from the high-risk operation was intoxicating, he felt fully alive, and it was the only time he could be completely distracted from his constant chronic pain.
'No! They expect one of us in the wreckage brother.' The masked man boomed above the rush of air as the broken body of the aircraft creaked dangerously in suspension around them, respectfully laying a hand on his comrade's shoulder as a final goodbye.
The young bearded man looked up as locks of hair blew into his eyes.
'Have we started a fire?' He questioned, loyally and graciously accepting his fate by releasing the rope from around his chest.
'Yes, the fire rises.' Bane confirmed confidently, sealing the man's fate, giving him a sense that he was dying for a greater cause.
In the end, they were all prepared to die for the cause, but Bane would relish every second of bringing Gotham to its knees.
Beside Bane, a terrified middle-aged man with greying hair let out multiple cries as the masked man worked quickly, wrapping a red safety harness around his chest.
'Calm down Doctor.' The masked man instructed in close proximity, their faces only inches away as they were both connected to the same lifeline.
'Now is not the time for fear. That comes later.' The masked man pressed the device in his grip triggering explosives and the body of the broken aircraft surrounding them immediately fell from suspension.
The terrified man continued to scream in fear as they hung in mid-air, trailing behind the large jet by a single line.
xxxx
Several months later
'Hi O, how are you today?' the voice on the other end of the phone sounded, happily.
'Hey Mom', Opal chimed back, taking in the fresh morning air, breathing in a regular rhythm as she felt the wind resistance brush over her face.
'I'm good, just been working on a new theme at the moment. I will play it for you when I am back in the studio. It's coming along nicely. How did your appointment with the new oncologist go yesterday?'
The conversation continued through Opal's earbuds as her black trainers pounded the asphalt at speed.
Dressed in her all-black running attire with swoosh logos, her athletic wear revealed the slender shape her toned physique as her long auburn ponytail swung from side to side trailing her movement.
It was a semi remote road with a few houses and older cottages scattered every mile that Opal loved to stretch out on and really feel her legs and lungs pumping full steam ahead.
She found that running long distances was not only great for her fitness but also clearing her head from too many thoughts at once.
That is why she liked to live a simple life.
Peace and quiet.
She couldn't say she was a fan of people who talked too much or even large crowds. Neither was she one for many words and she frequently thought others produced way too much white noise by flapping their lips.
Music was how Opal expressed herself. At home she could turn off the radio or tv, be completely calm, mindful and channel her ideas.
'So when will you get the results?' Opal spoke in between breaths, 'Fingers crossed it is some good news…..No don't worry about any of that….. I told you cost is not an issue, you just focus on your health….. Okay, take care mom. Talk tomorrow. Love you.'
As Opal ended the conversation on her cell phone, she quickly glanced over her shoulder towards the approaching hum of a powerful engine in the distance.
It was a black van that looked out of place in this area, especially this early in the morning and Opal hoped it wasn't a random paparazzi or overly curious fan that sometimes found their way out here hoping to get a quick snap of her.
Being a shitty low-grade local Gotham celebrity was more trouble than it was worth.
Opal wasn't important enough to be invited to any of the ultra-elite events as a VIP guest.
Instead, she found herself working at them, performing her music, enviously watching the real celebrities and entrepreneurs work the room doing their thing.
All for the good of charity and fund raising of course.
Opal continued her run as the van came closer but instead of roaring past as Opal had hoped, the revs of the engine dropped to slow beside her, to exactly match her running speed.
Here we go.
Opal rolled her eyes.
More candid pictures for the tabloids.
Opal, now running side by side with the front of the van looked over to see the front window down and a bearded man inside wearing dark sunglasses and a red bandana around his neck.
He didn't look as though he was going for a drive to snap some pictures, rather her gut instinct immediately warned her that something more sinister was at play here as the man lowered his sunglasses down his nose to take a good look.
Seriously…did that guy really just wink at her?
Opal felt a rush of adrenaline as she saw him nod once before pushing his sunglasses back up and speaking a few inaudible words to an unseen passenger behind him in the back of the van.
Suddenly the van's sliding door opened revealing two large army types at the opening, eyes trained directly on her.
Using a hand as an anchor, Opal didn't even have a chance to scream as one of them reached out and firmly latched onto her arm as the van swerved ominously close, effectively swallowing her into the moving vehicle.
xxxx
Standing alone in the makeshift command centre of the underground sewers where The League of Shadows had discretely taken up residence, with hands hooked into the collar of his vest, Bane nodded to himself as he viewed the small monitors in front of him.
So many people busily going about their daily life oblivious to what would soon unfold.
In a few short weeks Gotham would resemble an occupied war zone and everything was going to plan.
It was a scene he was much looking forward to in conjunction with the fact that Talia Al Ghul's revenge against the death of her father would finally be realised. And Bane would claim the title Warlord of Gotham.
Bane looked down at the bench filled with chemical samples, electronics, blueprints and weapons and his gaze landed on the Gotham Police Department issued pistol and folded handwritten papers.
Items that had been acquired from Commissioner Gordon only last night, before he unceremoniously dumped himself into the sewer outflow to escape.
Bane couldn't afford any more careless mistakes with any of Daggatt's sloppy 'workmen' and vowed to make further example out of any man that didn't follow his instructions to the letter.
Due to Gordon's unexpected visit, he now had some valuable information on the Bat-man and Harvey Dent confirming how far gone Gotham really was.
Bane raised his head as his second in command walked quietly through the unevenly lit space towards his set of gear on the bench offloading a handgun and a taser both of which hadn't been required this morning.
The bearded man nodded once in acknowledgement of affirmative completion of the job. The second acquisition had arrived.
Being a much less complicated operation than the first but no less important, he trusted his second to complete the task successfully.
'This one put up more of a fight...' The smaller man spoke quietly, referring to their previous plane hijacking and kidnapping of the nuclear physicist in the months before. Bane continued working unconcerned. '…and she's easy on the eye too, boss.' Bane's comrade raised his eyebrows, displaying one of his two talents.
An expert in firearms with superior marksmanship skill firstly, and a lady-killer second.
Or at least he liked to think so.
John Barsad had made the most of his stay in Gotham so far, frequenting bars and clubs for cheap thrills.
Priding himself on going out in an expensive tailored suit when time constraints allowed, splashing around few dollars around and telling a few jokes ensured that he never left empty handed with one or more attractive women attached to his arm.
Bane never joined him of course, he wasn't interested in that sort of frivolity and viewed this behaviour as weakness.
Besides, the mask made any sort of leisure activity impossible, however he wasn't opposed to his comrade enjoying himself in this city while there was still time.
Bane didn't always agree with Barsad's lifestyle choices, but Barsad didn't always agree with Bane's methods of manipulation either.
Nevertheless, they still had the other's back and lifelong respect after working alongside each other for so long.
'Perhaps we can find more than one use for her.' John Barsad smirked as he began checking over his weapons.
Bane's eyes flicked over sternly, unimpressed.
It didn't take much to turn Barsad's head.
'Do you not have enough entertainment above ground brother, to eye off a captive now?' Bane stated almost in a scolding tone.
'Sure boss,' Barsad shrugged.
Bane had been reluctant to acquire the second captive for this very reason.
He definitely didn't want a female down here.
Bane knew that whilst Barsad had wandering eyes, he could trust his comrade not to make it an issue, but he didn't have as much confidence in some others, namely Daggatt's workmen.
Not to mention that Bane didn't see it a necessary procurement.
Bane had strongly advised Talia against using the composer, but she had insisted that it was imperative to access information to streamline crucial stages of the master plan.
Bane's mind flicked over what he knew about this Opal Brigitte Brummer.
A relatively wealthy Gothamite, she had been pulled off her high horse sooner than others of her status.
In his research, the media labelled her a gifted local composer who had hit the big time a few years ago, her neoclassical style music was heard and recognised all over the city, played on the radio, at high society functions and expensive restaurants.
But this small-time local celebrity had a side project no one knew about. That was why she now found herself in compromised circumstances.
The spoilt brat had just had a rude awakening curtesy of The League of Shadows and she would soon find herself in a living nightmare.
Bane, who prized himself on being self-educated and an avid reader on many topics, had respect for anyone that was highly skilled at what they do and was interested to meet this apparent 'musical genius'.
Music was a universal language after all.
Bane had noted one curious fact, unlike others of her financial situation, the composer had chosen to remain living in the very modest family home rather than in a flashy modern inner city penthouse.
xxxx
Earlier
After being dragged into the van sideways and knocking her ankle heavily on the edge of the moving vehicle, Opal kicked into fight mode.
Opal was no trained fighter, but she knew a few self-defence moves and wasn't going to go anywhere with these men willingly if she could help it.
As the first attacker restrained her arms behind her back, she kicked the second one in the groin after he had secured the door and he landed hard against the panelling.
After he had recovered his balance, he punched her in the stomach causing Opal to double over in pain.
Opal attempted to twist away from the man holding her wrists but as she did so, he took a more aggressive approach, slamming her to the van's unlined interior wall.
Opal's head made heavy contact with the steel, and she fell to the floor, unconscious.
xxxx
Opal came to when the van roughly jolted over a bump in the asphalt, and she soon realised they were still in motion.
Lying on her side, she found her hands tied in front and head covered.
She had no idea how much time had passed but she could tell they were now in the city from all the traffic noise, and it was approaching the start of the morning peak.
Her head throbbed and her heart was racing but she attempted to control her breathing, conceding for the time being to reserve her energy for whatever was to come and remained still.
These men didn't seem like they were opportunistic amateurs, but what the hell did they want?
Was this a professional kidnapping for ransom?
They seemed like they knew exactly what they were doing, which made her even more worried about what was to come.
Eventually the van came to a complete stop, Opal heard the sliding door open and there were footsteps and men's voices.
Where are we and what the hell is going on?
She was hoisted upright as two different sets of hands with strong body odor hooked under her armpits and led her out of the vehicle.
Still unable to see, Opal stumbled around turns and down flights of stairs seemingly moving further underground as the air felt increasingly colder.
Stopping, one of the men removed her hood, revealing some sort of complex, dim in places but a hive of activity and armed men.
Opal blinked, trying to establish her bearings and take mental notes of all the details.
Workmen drilling, construction sounds, distant flowing water and armed guards.
She saw many sets of eyes follow her as she was escorted by the men to a large sectioned off corner which at first glance seemed to be some sort of hidden lair.
Her gut told her that she should be very afraid as a shiver went down her spine that wasn't just from the crisp air.
As a new wave of panic engulfed her, Opal used all her weight to unbalance the man on her right as she unexpectedly pulled away and grabbed the small blade that was within easy reach clumsily sheathed in his belt and stabbed him in the leg with it.
He swore loudly and released his grip on her arm as he moved to clutch his bloody leg.
The man to her left retaliated, punching her cheek with such force, she instantly dropped to the ground.
Blinking momentarily, adrenaline coursing through her system, Opal gathered herself off the filthy concrete to a crouching position.
She was still clutching the blade in her restrained hands, readying her next attack when she heard heavy footsteps approach from behind.
'Is that any way to treat a lady?' A distinctive melodic voice aided by amplification like nothing she had ever heard before sounded from the shadows, followed by mechanical breathing.
Opal detected a tone of mockery in the delivery.
'Your will to live is strong, but it is foolish to resist.'
Holy shit- was the first thought that came into her head when Opal swivelled around to see an enormous hulk of a man wearing some sort of claw like breathing apparatus over his mouth and nose.
His solid bare-chested form glistened in the uneven light as if he had just finished a vigorous workout.
Like a deer in the headlights, Opal found that she couldn't look away as he casually strode towards her holding a gun by his side.
A true specimen of strength and power, he left Opal in no doubt that he was the one in control down here.
Her next thought was- don't show him your fear.
Opal instantly felt the weight of his gaze as his eyes seemed to pierce her flesh.
Taking in the lines of her fit appearance as he drew closer, apart from the fresh marks and bruises from the rough handling during her recent capture this female was a bright eyed picture of health and was not what Bane had expected.
He had seen her face in some media articles here and there when she made an appearance in the city, but Barsad had been correct, noting her high cheekbones and porcelain skin which had been accentuated as the blood drained from her face.
Not that any of that was important to him.
That was not why she was here.
In a crouching stance on the filthy concrete slab and still gripping the knife, Opal shifted the tip of the blood coated blade in his direction, evaluating him as a much bigger threat than those two clumsy morons and struggled to stay mentally strong.
She wanted to run, she was good at that and intended to look around for an exit plan but found that she couldn't shift her eyes off the huge man with the metal muzzle.
Was he part machine?
His size alone was imposing enough but the fact that the man's face was partially covered made him look even more intimidating and mysterious.
The masked man halted in front of her and raised the Commissioner's handgun that had only been acquired the night before, pointing it at her head.
Opal closed her eyes and took a deep breath as any thoughts of escape immediately vanished.
Was this a kidnapping or…an execution?
The former didn't seem so terrible now after all.
Opal remembered who this man was now from news reports.
The masked man known as Bane. He was the leader of a terrorist group who had shown up in Africa not so long ago.
On the world's most wanted list but not much was known about them.
Clearly an alpha male, dominating all around him. Nothing could prepare her for his presence in the flesh.
Opal knew he killed without hesitation.
Armed with that information she knew she should be very afraid.
Bane noticed the small cut accentuated by large welt forming on Opal's cheek, marring her otherwise clear complexion.
Bane shifted his eyes from Opal, up towards her two handlers.
'She was to be delivered unharmed.'
Great, so I am not going to die right now.
Slightly relieved, Opal opened her eyes as she heard his commanding voice.
Bane saw the two men nervously look at each other.
'The bitch stabbed me.' The injured man reasoned, the steady flow of blood trickling down his leg as he spoke, using all his strength to remain standing in Bane's presence, favouring his weight on the other.
'What good are you if two armed men can't handle one little girl?' He mocked. 'Your mistake was to underestimate her.' Bane said.
The Commissioner's gun was still pointing at Opal, but he moved quickly and shot the man who hit her, followed by the man she had stabbed.
Opal nearly jumped out of her skin at loud gunfire and the bullets flying directly above her head and as her ears began to ring, she heard both men drop to the ground with a thud behind her.
Opal didn't dare turn around to look, as that would mean turning her back to Bane.
Bane lowered the gun back to his side, there were more where they came from.
Opal struggled to keep her body functional as the blade shook in her hand.
'Drop it, you will only hurt yourself.' Bane growled.
Fine.
Opal immediately released her grip, the knife clanging loudly on the concrete floor.
'Stand.' Bane ordered.
Opal complied raising herself slowly, maintaining her defensive position, one foot slightly in front of the other.
At full height she was eye level with his chest.
Why am I here?
She looked up into his harsh penetrating stare, but remained strong, channelling her immense fear into defensive anger directed at him.
Bane glared down, his fingers flicked by his side as he waited for her to do something, say something.
Wail or beg for her life, plead for mercy, question what she had done for her to be here, or ask what would happen to her.
Opal gave him no such satisfaction but focussed on controlling her breathing.
Bane slowly outstretched his hand and raised it to her throat in a show of dominance.
Opal tried hard not to flinch.
Is he going to strangle me instead? Opal instantly thought as her 31 years quickly flashed before her.
As his warm fingers wrapped around the delicate skin on her neck, a sharp sting followed.
The strong sensation to close her eyes quickly enveloped her in a matter of seconds as everything faded to dark for the second time that morning.