Detective Harvey Bullock's perspective:

One of Gotham city's best, least conventional, tactless, and arguably rude detectives was spending his after-hours in his usual bar (where Bullock's services to the city guaranteed him at least three beers before he had to start paying) when he saw Commissioner Ronald Studge drinking with joy.

Bullock walked over to and sat next to Studge. "What you so happy about, Commish?"

"I can't tell a Bat-supporter," said Studge. "Not that I want to lose you as an officer. It's just that this isn't for your ears."

Somethin' a pro-Batman guy, even a cop, can't know? Gotta be real important an' even more interestin'. "As much as I love Jim," lied Bullock, "I think you're an' even better Commish. Lemme buy you a drink."

"Get in line," said a suspicious Studge. And rightfully suspicious; Bullock had wanted to punch Studge in the nose for months.

"Bartender," Bullock made a better offer. "Two o' the Russian shit."

"That's very kind of you, Bullock," Studge skeptically accepted the gift. "But I can't say. OK, since you bought me a drink, I'll say just this: it'll be the biggest bust in city history!" They drank. This was an interesting story. Bullock was determined to hear it. He only hoped his money held out.

Bruce Wayne's perspective:

"Why were you yelling at each other?" demanded Bruce in his den. Barbara Gordon and Selina Kyle had gotten into an argument that had gotten out of hand

"Selina couldn't take justifiable suspicion," said Barbara.

"I don't know what lies you've been telling Bruce, but 'I'm gonna get you someday' isn't my idea of justifiable," Selina disagreed.

"She raised her voice first," shouted Barbara.

"She was supposed to give me a chance," screamed Selina.

"Shut up," commanded Bruce. "You're both at fault. You have to learn to co-exist. And if you ladies want to stay on this team, you will."

"To think I'd end up the mature one," said Tim.

"That was uncalled for," warned Bruce, "Or you'll get punished as well. I believe in learning from your mistakes, not having them rubbed in. Understand?"

"Sorry," said Tim, looking ashamed.

"Don't apologize to me," Bruce said, pointed to the ladies.

Lieutenant Marc Freeman's perspective:

The next morning, Freeman and Detective Renee Montoya had been waiting in Freeman's office. Detective Bullock had messaged them to wait for them.

Bullock arrived minutes late, looking tipsy. "Fifty bucks say he won't make it to your desk," said Montoya."

"Hey," snapped Bullock.

"You're on," laughed Freeman. "Over here Bullock." Bullock reluctantly lurched forward, but fell halfway to the desk.

"I win," giggled Montoya as she helped Bullock up.

"Seriously," said Freeman as he wrote a check for Montoya, "I can't believe you actually drank before work, Bullock."

"Even I'm not that far gone," insisted Bullock. "This is from last night. It took a lotta booze to get Studge to spill even better shit."

"What better shit?" asked Freeman.

"He's got a way to catch The Bat-Freak," explained Bullock.

"You got blasted for that?" asked Montoya. "He's been trying to do this since he first got the job."

"It's different this time," said Bullock. "He said he's got a way to find Bat-Freak. And it ain't no bluff. I swear on my badge."

"Calm down and explain," said Freeman softly, suddenly very worried. He knew Batman and his allies were not the loose cannons that the Mayor and Commissioner thought of them to be, so this interested him greatly.

"He said he's got a big place east o' here with a sensor array," continued Bullock. "It draws power from every cell phone in this city. Within the week, he'll find Bat-Freak's fortress."

Freeman missed a beat upon hearing this.

Batman's perspective:

"Are you sure you're up to this?" a not yet suited up Batman asked Selina Kyle. She was tired from having done Alfred's work for the day.

"Not really," huffed Selina. Bruce, Barbara, and Tim went downstairs to the Batcave.

But after they left the chamber with their suits on, they saw Catwoman, who said, "I changed my mind."

"You pretended to be tired?" asked Batman.

Catwoman nodded.

"Why the deception?" asked Batman.

"'Cause it's fun," said Catwoman. Batman was not amused.

"You're not making me any less suspicious," warned Batgirl.

"I don't know," said Robin. "I think it's kinda funny."

"If I may be so bold," interjected Alfred, "So do I."

"Three against two," noted Catwoman. Batman and Catwoman entered the Batmobile and drove into Gotham City.

They drove up to a crackhouse. "Gonna be odd smashing up this place," said Catwoman.

They barged through the windows and began attacking the drug dealers. Because pure drug dealers were often pure salesmen, these were easy pickings.

When all the criminals were unconscious or in extreme pain, Batman noticed that Catwoman had wounded many with her claws.

"Gonna have to call an ambulance as well as the police," Batman noted. Catwoman smiled proudly. Batman's hope of molding her into a true heroine was not entirely successful so far.

Suddenly, a door opened. In came Bullock and Montoya.

"We had a feelin' we'd find..." At the sight of Catwoman, Bullock and Montoya drew their guns and pointed at Catwoman, who ran into the shadows cast by a set of interconnected tables.

"She's changed," explained Batman. "She's on the right side of the law now." Still, Batman gave Catwoman a look telling her to stand by for trouble.

"She's what?" asked Montoya. "Don't get me wrong. You tell me Bigfoot exists, I'll believe you, but she's wanted."

"Ferget it," said Bullock. "We got bigger things ta worry about. Thanks to o' little negotiatin' with the feds fer more money an' a little dirty politics that hid it from the media, that dumbass Mayor finally got a sensor array through the City Council fer $23 billion dollas."

"Our tax dollars at work," said Batman. "All the things $23 billion could've been spent on, and he chose me. I'm honored."

"This is why I was so reluctant to reform and fight for this society," said Catwoman. Batman wanted to argue, but did not at the sight of the rebellious Bullock shaking his head.

"Here's a map o' the state," said Bullock, handing it over to Batman. "It'll show ya the buildin' east o' town where the sensor array is. It's powered by harnusslin'..."

"Harness, Bullock," corrected Batman.

"Harnessin' the power o' cell phones," said Bullock with frustration.

"So what help can we expect from you cops?" asked Catwoman.

"You've already gotten it," said Montoya. "The place is run by officers, lab workers, and scientists of Gotham. We can't turn against them."

"You've already turned against them," said Catwoman. "Or I'd argue the other way around. Point is, you've tipped us off. You're traitors to the force. This middle ground is all bullshit."

"Fine words from a thief," snapped an angry Bullock.

"If I'm wrong," Catwoman pressed her point, "Why get bent out of shape about it."

Bullock and Montoya seemed to be rethinking this, but Batman said to Catwoman, "Let it go. We've all we need thanks to them. Thank you, Detectives." Bullock and Montoya left.

"You know," said Catwoman, "For such a tough and smart guy, you are so naive. So naive."

"Maybe," admitted Batman, "But they're taking a great risk in helping us. I just don't feel like asking any more of them."

Returning to the Batmobile, Batman picked up its phone as he drove it to call Batgirl and Robin.

"Hello?" asked Batgirl.

"Drop what you're doing and get back to the Batcave," said Batman. "Something big's come up."

"Let me guess," said Batgirl. "It's about Catwoman."

"She'll be involved in this," said Batman, "But believe it or not, it's much worse than that."

In the Batcave, The Dark Knight had the other three sitting in chairs in front of him.

"This is how it'll work," explained Batman. "The sensor array will be operational soon, maybe tonight. But we can't allow that to happen. We destroy the equipment."

"I don't mean to sound negative," said Robin, "But what if they just build another one tomorrow?"

"We're polarizing, not unpopular," Batman pointed out. "They had to pull some political stunts to get the Washington money and have it devoted to precisely this. We shut down the array, they'll be hard-pressed to get the political capital to pull this off, especially if the press gets wind of it."

"Hard-pressed?" asked an incredulous Catwoman. "You're hanging our freedom on that?"

"I knew she couldn't take the pressure," said Batgirl. "We can't get hysterical or we'll never pull it off."

"While I don't agree with her tone," said Robin, "She's right, Catwoman."

"Indeed," nodded Batman. "We'll split up for this bout of sabotage. Robin is with me. The ladies are together."

Batgirl and Catwoman groaned. That made Batman even more sure that he mad made the right decision. They needed to learn to work together, if that was at all possible.

On the drive to the facility at which the sensor array was to happen, Robin said, "Reality check. How do we get into a heavily armed government building being spotted? Catwoman's the only one of us that stealthy."

"I always have a plan," said Batman. Sure enough, they wound up wearing the clothes of workers of the pizza parlor Roman Legions over their suits. Robin held three pizzas while Batman spoke to someone at the front gate making it difficult to enter, let alone without drawing attention.

"I didn't order any pizzas," said a guard, walking up to his side of the gate.

The unmasked but disguised Batman seized the guard by the head and slammed him into the gate.

"Out of shape," said Robin. "That's what he gets for eating pizza too often."

"Hurry up the gate," said Batman. He knew it would not take long for someone to find the unconscious guard. Batman and Robin climbed up the gate and slid to the ground. One obstacle down. who knew how many to go?

Batgirl's perspective:

The Batgirl absolutely hated this. She was certain that The Catwoman would betray the rest of the team sooner or later. Batman was the frog. Catwoman was the scorpion. But now Batgirl was teamed with her. Batgirl knew that it would be difficult for Catwoman to kill her without ending whatever she was pulling on Batman, but in a heavily armed facility, there would be ways.

Batgirl stopped her Batcycle a good distance away from the place. Because Batman and Robin were trying to enter through the front, Batgirl and Catwoman were taking the rear.

"Go," said Batgirl.

"You don't trust me?" asked Catwoman sarcastically.

"I hate you," declared Batgirl.

"You're gonna make me cry," grinned Catwoman. She walked on ahead. They climbed up the fence. There were patrolling Army soldiers everywhere.

"Hard to get through them without a tank," Batgirl realized.

"Not that hard to the best thief in the world," said Catwoman.

"I see you're as modest as you are honest," noted Batgirl. For more than minute, neither of them said anything. "Why are we waiting?" Batgirl finally demanded to know.

"For a hole in the patrols to open up," answered Catwoman. "And have a little patience, kid. Good things come to those who wait."

After a few more minutes, Catwoman said, "Now!" She began climbing down the fence on the other side.

Batgirl had doubts that all the guards' backs would be turned for long. But after Catwoman, climbing down, said, "I'll tell the guys what a fraidy-bat you were," The Dark Lady followed, but on the run to the facility's wall, she feared that Catwoman would make a sound to expose her as she climbed up the wall by herself. Instead, she clinging by her claws to wall, waiting for Batgirl.

"Didn't lose your guts," said Catwoman when Batgirl arrived. "What a pleasant surprise."

"Not as pleasant as you not tipping them off," Batgirl expressed her own surprise.

"Grab onto my waist," said Catwoman. "I'll get us up."

"I can do it myself," promised Batgirl. Like I'm letting you drag me up.

"No," said Catwoman. Batgirl drew her Batgrapple anyway, but put it back after Catwoman added, "It's too loud, you idiot! They'll hear." So a reluctant Batgirl rode Catwoman to a window.

Catwoman extracted a segment of the window with her claws so Batgirl could open it from outside. They entered. It was an office. Obviously, whoever worked here had gone home for the day. Batgirl put her hand on the knob of the door out of there when Catwoman slapped it off.

"You're hopeless," said Catwoman. "These aren't grunts we're dealing with this time. These Army guys. First sign of trouble, they sound the alarm and maybe call in reinforcements from a base. And you wonder why I call you 'Bratgirl.'"

"What's your plan?" asked Batgirl.

"Watch and learn, little girl," said Catwoman. "One side of the door. Ready your Batgas." They were on opposite sides. Catwoman called in a disguised voice. "Ow!"

Two soldiers entered the room. Before they realized what had happened, Batgirl and Catwoman had knocked them out with Asian nerve holds from behind. Batgirl tied them together while Catwoman removed all of their communicating equipment.

"I have to admit," said Batgirl. "We're doing good as a team."

"Wrong," said Catwoman. "I'm doing good. You have to have your wing held. Kinda like your has-been dad."

"At least I don't have reason to believe he's ashamed of me," said Batgirl, knowing that Catwoman may have had an unpleasant experience with the spirits of her own. "By the way, I've got truth serum. It'll probably get us some answers from them." Catwoman said nothing as Batgirl injected it into both soldiers.

Batman's perspective:

Batman and Robin had ambushed the two door guards and entered. They sneaked around the facility, avoiding sight of the guards.

Suddenly, Batman stopped as he noticed a particular soldier. "I recognize that one, Robin." He pulled a Battablet out of his belt and began surfing the Internet.

"What if they detect you being on the Internet?" whispered Robin.

"This isn't a comic book," Batman explained himself quietly. "It's not that easy when a lot of these soldiers get online in their spare time. They'll never know the - I knew I recognized him. Wait for me."

Batman got behind the soldier and put his hand over the soldier's mouth from behind. "I won't hurt you, Lennie. This is Batman and I need your help." The soldier nodded cautiously.

They went to Robin. "This is Lennie Supps," Batman introduced him. "Was stationed in Arkansas before he was recommissioned here. He's a supporter."

"Glad to meet 'cha," said Robin, shaking his hand.

"You look like good a young man," said Lennie. "What humble thing do you heroes ask of me?"

"The sensor array," said Batman. "Where is it?" Lennie gave him a map and key card.

"Now make yourselves scarce," said Lennie as he laid down and closed his eyes as if he had been knocked out. Batman and Robin continued on their way.

"When'd you get so trusting?" asked Robin.

"I've been hanging around you kids too long," said Batman. "I think Catwoman's especially worn me down."

"I think I like you better this way," smiled Robin.

Batman picked up his communicator. Batgirl answered, "You get in, Batman?"

"Better than that," said Batman. "I got us a map. Where are you?"

"Mideastern section of the fourth floor," said Batgirl.

"Don't go anywhere," commanded Batman. "We're coming."

After a lot more sneaking around, The Dynamic Duo had reached area Batgirl had identified where they found her and Catwoman.

"I see you managed to co-exist after all," said Robin.

"We may not like each other," Batgirl admitted, "But we have made an effective team. But don't get me wrong. That's how far it goes."

"For once," concurred Catwoman, "We agree."

"It's a start," said Batman. "To the computer room."

If was difficult trek to get to the computer room with plenty of patrolling soldiers on the way, but through stealth, ambush, camouflage, and making sounds to distract soldiers, they made it. Batman put his head against the floor directly in front of the door. "A lot of people, but only two actual soldiers. As long as we're careful, this is a picnic."

Batman used Lennie's key card to open the door and he and Robin charged the soldiers. Batman's jab and right cross, along with Robin's flying kick, knocked them flat. Catwoman's feline-like hiss made some programmers freeze just as they would have sounded the alarm.

"Everyone get a mask on," said Batman as he drew masks from of the rear packets of his belt and passed them around to his comrades. They each put a mask on. "Batgas!" He, Batgirl, and Robin each chucked a Batgas pellet.

"What about our masks?" asked a programmer as he and his coworkers began coughing.

"Sorry," quipped Robin. "This party's by invitation only." Within seconds, the programmers were out colder than ice.

"Why the Hell did you gas them all?" asked Catwoman. "We need one to shut down the sensor array."

"No, we don't," Batgirl smirked proudly at Catwoman. "We've got me."

"You know how to hack?" chuckled Catwoman.

"I happen to be better at it than Batman," boasted Batgirl, obviously relishing the chance to get under Catwoman's fur. "Without me, the Batcomputer might've been hacked by now. No offense, Batman."

"But lots of offense to me, huh, Bitchgirl."

"That's enough," said Batman. "Get to work." Batgirl sat in a desk with a computer, looking extremely satisfied. Catwoman was seething. People who hate each other can learn to work together, but I guess you shouldn't expect miracles.

Within minutes, Batgirl said, "Bingo was his name-'O!' Give me an hour and I'll trigger a chain reaction in the machinery that powers the sensor devices followed by an explosion that'll disable it."

"What if they just fix it?" asked Robin.

"They'd have to get more money from Washington for that," said Catwoman. "Never thought I'd say this, but thank God society is so wrong."

But within eleven minutes, Batgirl stopped smiling. "Guys? We've got ourselves a situation."

"What?" asked Batman.

"The sensor array's already been triggered. It'll start in less than seventeen minutes." Things had gone from bad to good to worse.

"Guess you're not the mistress hacker you thought you were," grinned Catwoman.

"So us getting caught is all worth it, huh?" asked Batgirl.

"Stop arguing," snapped Batman. "We need a solution."

"They might not find us before Batgirl takes their toys away," suggested Robin.

"We can't stake everything on 'might.'" Batman rejected Robin's idea.

"That we can all agree on, boy," said Catwoman. Batgirl nodded

"OK," offered Batgirl. "This is almost as risky, but I can destroy their sensory equipment right here, right now! Only... without taking every possible precaution, the moment I do, every alarm in the place will go off. We'll have to get out fast."

Batman waited a few minutes to null over this decision. He wanted a safer alternative. Finding none and receiving none from the others, he finally gave in. "We have no choice. The second you're finished, say so. Before we're up to our necks in soldiers."

Batgirl got back to work. Eventually, she shouted, "Now!" Before the four hunted crimefighters were out of the room, alarms had sounded.

Batman, Catwoman, Batgirl, and Robin ran to a window and opened it. "It's too dangerous down below," said Batman. "To the roof. Batgirl, you go first." Batgirl climbed out.

Already soldiers had reached them. Batman threw a couple smoke pellets on the ground to ruin their aim and sight. Robin went next through the window and up to the roof.

"I'm the best climber," said Catwoman. "I'll be OK."

"No," said Batman. "The leader makes sure no one is left behind." Catwoman kissed him on the cheek and went through the window and up.

Two bullets to the right arm were only partially blunted by Batman's body armor before we went through the window and Batgrappled to the roof himself.

"OK, handsome," said Catwoman. "We're up here. Now what?"

Before Batman could answer, a voice over a megaphone stated, "Batman, this is Colonel Volan Brinman. You are completely surrounded. We are sending a chopper to pick you up. Comply or be shot."

"That's our break," said Batman. "They have a weakness. The same one I have, but in a stronger dose: a reluctance to kill except in war."

As the chopper took off, Batman set his Mini-Batjet to go after the pilots. When the helicopter landed on the roof, the masked heroes came forwards with their hands up. The front of Batman's was towards the chopper so his Mini-Batjet was concealed.

"Stop, men," Brinman suddenly shouted over his megaphone. "He has a weapon." Too late. The Mine-Batjet was launched and stunned all the helicopter pilot and passengers. After literally throwing the stunned soldiers out of the helicopter, Batman used it to fly them away.

As Batman flew towards the Batmobile and Batjet a distance away, he was hugged from behind by Catwoman.

"Don't think she cares about you," warned Batgirl.

"I could've 'accidentally' gotten you caught so many times," said Catwoman, "And you still don't trust me?"

"I can't explain it," admitted Batgirl, "But that's the whole point, isn't it?"

"This changes nothing between you girls, huh?" asked Robin. Catwoman and Batgirl shook their heads.

"Could've been worse," said Batman. "At least our identities are protected again. But not safe. That won't be so until we expose or change the mind of the fanatic running Gotham city."

Mayor Charles Falsootu's perspective:

Mayor Falsootu had called the aides of the Speaker of the House of Representatives and Senate Majority Leader for more money to make another attempt at a sensor array when he first woke up. It was lunchtime and they still had yet to return his calls. Feds. Love their pet projects, but ask for yours and they have to 'Watch the budget.' No wonder voters hate politicians. I've certainly done nothing to contribute to our bad reputation, no matter what apologists of The Batman want to say.

"After Falsootu had finished with his fancy sandwich, his secretary, Joyce, entered with Commissioner Ronald Studge.

"Mr. Mayor," said Joyce, "The Commissioner's here to see you."

"You're excused," said Falsootu before looking at Studge. "I place no blame on you for last night if that's why you're here."

"No," said Studge. "Can we try again?"

"No," sighed Falsootu. "They won't even tell me to screw myself."

"Your honor," said Studge softly, "We've got an even bigger problem."

"What could be a bigger problem than the costumed criminals getting away once again?" asked Falsootu.

Studge paused. Whatever he had to say was obviously big. "We've looked at sightings of Batman and his friends over the last week."

"And?"

"None were outside of town. There were sightings of Batman and Catwoman outside the country, but not anywhere in Gotham but... North Dakota."

"You mean they've got us bugged," asked Falsootu, a little paranoid.

"Worse than that," said Studge. "I think they have friends on the force."

Falsootu saw the logic and stood up with an angry look on his face. "Only thing worse than a vigilante is a corrupt cop. Find them. They must be held as accountable as Batman."

"I've got an idea who they might be," said Studge thoughtfully. "I'll find 'em. I swear it."