Batman/Resident Evil: The Gotham Protocol
Chapter 14
By: Christopher W. Blaine
e-mail: darth_yoshi@yahoo.com
DISCLAIMER: Resident Evil™ is a registered product of Capcom Inc./Batman™ is a registered product of DC Comics Inc. Neither of these properties is used here with permission. This original story idea is ©2003 by Christopher W. Blaine.
Jill now knew what hell was really like.
The final destination for sinners was paved with the tears of the damned and an honor guard of zombies stood on each side of the path, pawing at you as you made your way towards the flames. At the end of the walk there was a large steel door and beyond it stood a half-woman/half-animal ready to tear you to shreds.
Jill knew the creature was female by the swollen, rotting breasts that swung as it approached her. There was also several locks of blonde hair on its misshapen skull and Jill couldn't help but wonder how she must have looked before Umbrella had transformed her. Watching as the horror slowly came towards her, Jill realized what had actually been going on here.
She brought her weapon up and shouted a warning, hoping beyond hope that the creature retained enough intelligence to understand. The red eyes told her enough as they focused on her; they were full of hunger. Jill turned her head slightly, one eye on the creature, and looked to Batman. The Caped Crusader was down, wrestling with another creature. Jill cursed like a sailor under her breath and pulled the trigger.
The gun jammed.
More curse words followed and Jill dropped the clip and racked the slide, stepping back in order to put some distance between her and the advancing bat-woman. The monster twisted its head to the side and seemed to be studying Jill, looking her over, much like a drunk in a cheap bar. The creature then looked down at itself and in the poor lighting, Jill could just make out a look of horror on the face of her adversary. Somewhere in its rotted brain, it understood how ugly it had become.
The female creature roared, a blast if stink-breath that would peel the paint off of a battleship and came running at Jill. This time her pistol obeyed the pull of the trigger and three rounds reduced flesh to pulp. The creature kept coming, however, and Jill had to turn and break into a run. She rounded several workbenches and headed towards the door they had come in.
Green Arrow was there, an arrow notched at the ready when he saw Jill running at him, the female creature roaring and swiping behind her. Arrow turned and closed one eye, letting the arrow fly. It zipped past Jill's ear and found a deep fleshy part of the monster to reside in. The monster didn't even pause.
Jill stopped at the side of Green Arrow and pointed her weapon at a shape coming towards them from the other direction. "Freeze!" she cried out, not knowing if it was man or beast. Green Arrow's bow twanged again and then he swore.
"Tough bitch, ain't she?" he said, pulling out his boxing glove arrow.
"Oh, I feel safe," Jill said as they stood back to back. She could now see a second bat-creature coming at them, this one with an exploded eye and a missing canine. Jill fired twice but the bullets simply passed through the beast. It was skinnier than the female and Jill wondered if that mean it was hungrier. "Where is Batman?" she asked.
"Baking cookies on the other side of the room for all I know," the hero responded as he fired at the approaching female. The boxing glove arrow bounced harmlessly off of its face. "Let's move!"
Jill responded by firing two more times into the face of the other monster and enough brain matter was expelled out the back of its skull that the body could no longer function. Twitching, the monster slammed onto the floor even as Green Arrow and Jill backed away from the female.
It was obvious that of the two creatures, the female was the stronger. Bullets and arrows hurt it, but were not enough so far to kill it. Its eyes were focused on Jill, going from her chest to her exposed legs and each time it got a good look, it growled. Now it marched slowly towards them and Jill used the opportunity to slap a fresh clip into her weapon.
Green Arrow looked up at the observation platform and saw the flames. "We've got to go," he told her.
"You tell her," Jill said, pointing at the monster with her pistol.
"Pretty," the creature suddenly said with a voice that sounded like a moaning child.
"I think it likes you," Green Arrow commented. He turned his head and saw another creature off to the side, watching them. He immediately recognized it as Man-Bat in the dim light. Batman was only a few feet away, his back to them. He appeared to be talking to someone.
"Batgirl?" Batman asked, suddenly aware that he was possibly facing nothing more than the animated husk that was once a proud and talented young woman. His stomach churned at the thought that he would be the one with the responsibility of stopping her before she killed an innocent.
This entire affair angered him. He had come face to face with that which he never wanted to meet, the living dead. Now, he understood that there was no hope for these creatures, be they zombie or mutant. They were not human; they had no real life. Batman assumed an offensive stance; he had no way of knowing if a zombie could retain martial arts skills.
The red eyes of Batgirl blinked. "I know I look bad," she said with a weak smile, "but I don't think you should beat me up."
Batman relaxed. "We have to help Green Arrow and Jill."
"Don't take any prisoners," Batgirl told him. Then she saw Man-Bat. Batman saw him as well, but Jill's gun made him choose another path.
Jill watched as the beast tried to force some more words out, but it seemed to have strained what was left of its vocal cords. Even as she fired again, she felt a wave of pity wash over her. The creature had once been human and it was commenting on Jill's looks, lamenting possibly for the beauty it once possessed. In the entire time it had been held here, it probably never saw a woman dressed like Jill. The S.T.A.R.s agent was not modest at all, preferring form-fitting attire for practicality than for fashion.
She prepared to fire again when a shadow washed over her and the arrow-deprived Green Arrow. It was the Batman, moving between them and the creature, which became enraged immediately when it could no longer see Jill. It swiped at Batman, who blocked it and then kicked out, striking it hard in the abdomen.
The creature produced a set of five-inch claws, but a batarang from Batgirl cut them down to the nubs. Jill watched the weapon fly back to the owner, while Batman pressed his attack. Like a man possessed, the Caped Crusader blocked every thrust, swing and strike, countering with a kick here and a punch there. Jill had never thought anyone who was not a metahuman would ever try to go toe to toe with such a monstrosity, but the Batman seemed perfectly suited.
She watched his moves and realized that he was using techniques from at least a dozen different fighting styles, from simple Judo to street fighting; all the while his face remained impassive. He was in his element now, using his fists and the poor creature to combat the demons that had to rage inside his skull. The Batman who had been apprehensive about this entire affair was now replaced by a Dark Knight seeking to get them out of here.
Jill and Green Arrow continued to back away from the fight, realizing that Batman was not just trying to buy them some time; he wanted them to figure out a way to secure man-Bat as well.
"Good God," Jill whispered when she looked at Man-Bat, his eyes a fierce red in the light of the flames above. There was actual intelligence behind those eyes; an intellect with compassion. She had encountered the worst science had to offer, human corpses animated to be weapons and animals transformed into the stuff of nightmares, so she was used to looking into faces that weren't human. What unnerved her here was the fact that Man-Bat seemed to be so very human.
Man-Bat regarded her as well and seemed to smile before spreading his wings wide and launching himself towards the ceiling. The flames were dancing higher now, spreading along the materials used to insulate the overhead. Now that there were more flames, she could get a real good look at the place. Green Arrow commented. "All of this stuff was put in after the sale, more than a decade ago."
"It makes sense; most of our intelligence shows that Umbrella started to get into the more obscure research around that time. They play their executives off of each other; whoever can come up with the best biological weapon gets promoted. Stuff like that," she commented, never taking her eyes off of the circling Man-Bat.
There was a pitiful scream as the monster engaged with Batman finally went down. He didn't even look back, but Jill could tell he was affected. His voice and mannerism told great tales if one knew how to look. "This is a wash," Batman announced. He looked up to see Man-Bat trying to figure a way out. The flames were herding him into a far corner. Soon there would be no place for him to fly to.
"I don't have anything non-lethal to take him down with," Green Arrow announced. "In fact, I don't have much of anything. I wasn't expecting to take on Satan's zoo, okay?"
"You thought there would only be businessmen in suits?" Batgirl asked as she joined them.
Green Arrow saw the red eyes. "You look like crap, but at least you know what you're talking about. Line me up some Republicans and I'm a happy archer."
"This place has nothing to do with politics," Jill announced.
"Sure it does," Batman said as he stepped away. "The politics of hell." He watched Man-Bat try to fly into the offices above, realizing that there was probably a way out that way. The heat was too much for him and he flew away, screeching.
"Man-Bat cannot be allowed to die," Batman told them. "Too many people have died and frankly, I'm sick and tired of all of the death. I'm tired of zombies and conspiracies. We will save him."
It wasn't a prediction; it was a simple statement of fact. Batman produced some thin nylon cord from his utility belt and Jill found herself envious. If the S.T.A.R.s had been equipped with such wonderful things, oh the possibilities! "Arrow, get Batgirl out of here."
"I'm fine, Batman," she proclaimed.
Batman wasn't fazed. "If what Rebecca told us is correct then this mercenary fellow is probably rewiring the explosives. I need you to get out there and tell Jim Gordon to get his men back. They are bound to be coming."
Batgirl realized that warning the Commissioner was a convenient excuse to get rid of her. Green Arrow was savvy enough not to say anything, as he understood that until Batgirl was completely checked out, she couldn't be trusted. Rebecca had sworn she had been infected with the T-Virus.
"He won't listen to Green Arrow," Batman told her. "Besides, without arrows, he's pretty much useless."
The women did not see Green Arrow extend his middle finger at Batman or hear his mutterings about leather-clad fascists. "Arrow," Batman told him. "If I don't get out…"
"I'll contact Big Blue," Green Arrow replied, referring to Superman. "The League will be in here, no problem."
Batman nodded and watched as the Emerald Archer led off Batgirl. Jill waited until they were out of earshot before speaking to Batman, who was busy checking the knot on his cord as he attached it to a batarang. "So, is this how you get the girls alone? It's alright with me; I like older men," she joked.
"Funny, that's the way I like my women as well…older," he commented. He then pointed up at Man-Bat. "He's tiring; I should be able to snag him and pull him down but I'll need you to calm him down."
"Me?"
"Despite his appearance, he's still human with a heart. For some reason, your appearance seems to soothe the savage beast." Batman gave her the once over. "The skirt is a little short."
"I guess I have that angelic quality," She mused as she secured her weapon in its holster. The air was getting a little hot and she figured if she was uncomfortable in her mini-skirt, Batman must have felt like a ham in the over.
"Don't laugh; I've noticed that your features are almost perfectly symmetrical. Humans naturally have a desire for symmetry and we find individuals with those qualities particularly appealing." He took a step away from her and began to whirl the batarang.
"Oh, so that's why men like artificial breasts so much," she muttered as he threw.
His aim, as always, was true and the batarang allowed the cord to wrap around Man-Bat's legs. He screeched, more out of surprise than anger, and took a cursory swipe at the cord, but did not seem to resist very much. Batman pulled on the cord, his iron-like sinews standing out as he did so and Man-Bat decided, for once, not to fight.
Man-Bat understood that Batman did not want to kill him and he landed with a snort. He looked up at the flames and then tried to reason a way out of the situation. The concept of just opening a door was beyond him; it was far more complex than souring into the night sky.
The female started talking to him and he looked at her with fascination. He knew that humans would consider her very beautiful; a fine mate to fight over, yet Batman did not seem to be defending her. Perhaps Batman did not want a mate; Man-Bat had witnessed his battle with the foul smelling female bat-thing.
"We don't want to hurt you," Jill said as Batman slowly coiled in his rope. The lower level was now on fire and time was growing short. As she spoke to Man-Bat, she couldn't help but think about what a waste this had all been. Even if they managed to save Man-Bat, Batman had not said anything about a cure.
Chris had been hurt and she had learned that her former boyfriend was knee-deep in the stink of Umbrella. A man she had once shared her bed with was now her enemy! Then Batgirl might have been infected with the virus that turned people into zombies and all they had to show for it was a slightly singed Man-Bat. She let a curse word most foul slip past her lips.
Man-Bat cocked his head to the side and Batman shook his own. "I'm glad to see you're well-educated," he commented. He tugged on the line and Man-Bat became relatively docile, focusing on Jill instead. In his mind, he came to understand that at the very minimum, the humans would lead him out of the fire.
Together, Batman and Jill coaxed Man-Bat to walk out of the lab and into the adjoining passageway. He took one final glance over to the virus vault; it was possible that if he got Man-Bat out in time, he could return. His desire to find evidence of Umbrella's crimes was starting to override his better judgment and Jill's coughing served to bring him back down to Earth.
The battle was over and there were too many casualties, but at least he had gotten to see the enemy up close.
Chris was sleeping in the back seat of the van, a result of a shot that Rebecca had given him. He would live, but they really needed to get some good medical attention to prevent any permanent damage. In the distance, just across the fence line, the explosions were starting. They weren't rapid, not like anything she had ever seen in a movie, but it was something more akin to someone shooting fireworks off on the 4th of July.
In the light of the raging fire, which now had theme music via the fire trucks of the GCFD, she could see Green Arrow and Batgirl slowly walking towards them. Her heart jumped into her throat and she exited the van and ran to them. She started to slow when she saw the look on Green Arrow's face. As she approached, she saw the condition of Batgirl's eyes.
"Oh, my God," she exclaimed even as she pulled out her penlight. She shoved past Green Arrow and put the light onto Batgirl's swollen orbs. "Does the light hurt?'
"When it is jammed into my eye, yes," she replied with a weak smile.
Rebecca pulled the light away and began looking her over, paying special attention to the wound on her leg. "You've been infected," she announced.
"Boy, am I glad they made you the field medic," Green Arrow relied as he went to the van to use the radio.
"It hurt very much, but it seems to have passed," Batgirl told her. "I do not know why."
"Chaos theory," Rebecca whispered. She bit her bottom lip and then scratched her temple. "I always believed it was possible that there could be someone out there whose unique immune system could counteract the effects of the T-Virus. I mean, factoring in all of the possibilities…"
"So, this is being immune?"
Rebecca shrugged. "You need a full blood work-up, but it's possible. You might even hold the answer for a cure!" She helped her over to the side door of the van and eased her down onto the floor. She grinned. "Did ya whip his ass?"
"Does it look like it?"
"Man, you have everyone coming in there, Ollie," Arsenal said over the radio. "They think that there is some sort of terrorist incident going down and they've put the blame on eco-terrorists. You guys need to haul ass because Gordon is like third in line from getting there."
"Great," Green Arrow said. He looked over at Batgirl. "Son, we need medical transport for at least two, maybe more. Someplace secret."
"Green Arrow, this is Oracle," a female-voice interrupted. "Nightwing has arranged care at Leslie Thompkins' clinic, but you have to take the back way. Metropolis S.T.A.R.s are on their way as well and according to Nightwing, they're a top-notch team."
"Uh, well, we're still waiting on the Big Bad Bat right now," the archer said, looking out as the sewage treatment plant exploded. He sighed inwardly as he remembered the day he, as young Oliver Queen, broke the ground on this facility. "Better to see it burn than corrupted," he said, trying to console himself.
A helicopter roared overhead and Green Arrow saw it was a newsbird, but he knew that wouldn't last long. Rebecca came up to him. "They better hurry; I know about Metropolis S.T.A.R.s."
"Federal stormtroopers?"
"The best, non-corruptible, but totally loyal. We had hoped to recruit them, but their leader wouldn't talk to us," Rebecca said.
"Nightwing already tangled with them," Oracle said over the loudspeaker. Green Arrow adjusted the volume. "They are not fond of super-heroes now," she told them.
Green Arrow laughed. "Good, because I don't like cops…much…except cute ones."
He signed off with Oracle and had Arsenal download directions to the clinic from the Batcomputer to the on-board navigator. He winked at Rebecca. "My girlfriend is from Gotham, not me."
"You have a girlfriend?" Rebecca asked, not believing it. After the way he had leered at both her and Jill, she found it impossible to conceive a woman stupid enough to put up with a man like him.
"Only when she's around," he said, wiggling his eyebrows. He got out of the van and walked around it to the driver's seat. "Get your butts in, kiddies, 'cause we are out of here in ten minutes."