As Nightwing rode toward Vance Laboratories he attempted to formulate a plan for getting in the building.

"Computer. Download building schematic for Vance Laboratories, Gotham City."

The computer silently began sending and recieving encrypted transmissions to the Monitor Room before displaying an architectural depection of the building, complete with red highlights depecting areas that would detect security breaches. Dick quickly scanned the roof, main entrances, and windows, all of which were completely plastered in red. Since Vance Laboratories also functioned as a research facility, he knew that they would have an outlet to dispense of liquid waste products that would be connected to a sewage system.

Nightwing parked his bike in an alley around a block and a half away from the building before leaping through a manhole. As he raced through the sewer and reached the opening, he noted that somebody had already breached it to enter the complex. According to the schematic of the building, the security room was on level 32.

"Great," he muttered to himself. "Using the elevator would probably let them know that I'm here, which would cost innocent lives. But its a freaking long way up."

Dick panted as he used the emergency stairs to run up... and up... and up... and up. After what seemed like an eternity of running, he stopped to catch his breath before bursting into the 32nd floor. Empty hallway, white walls. Pretty boring stuff, he noted. He figured that if he found the security room, he could find out where the hostages were being held and release them without anyone knowing. Nightwing burst in the door expecting a set of burly thugs that could be easily dealt with using basic martial arts techniques.

Instead, he was greeted by fully clad ninjas. He spent a moment gaping at a jet-black bodysuit that enveloped a slim and aerodymanic body. One of the ninjas wasted no time in flinging a ninja throwing star at him, which he barely avoided as he stepped forward.

"Well there's something that you don't see every day." As Nightwing punched one in the gut while delivering a roundhouse kick to another, he noted that their costumes and fighting styles were unmistakably similar to those of the Society of Shadows, an organization headed by Ra's Al Ghul, which translates to "The Demon's Head". Often thought to be a myth, Ra's Al Ghul used the legendary Lazarus Pits to maintain a youthful form for centuries. Nightwing flung his own custom-made electrified projectile near the belly of one of the ninjas, making it extremely difficult to avoid. His assailant gave a shriek of pain as he fell over. A second ninja gave an angry roar and forgoed approching Nightwing cautiously for the more impassioned method of rushing forward at him in a fit of fury. Dick used the ninja's emotional turmoil to his advantage as he flipped over the ninja, and delivered a flurry of punches and kicks that left him unconcious. Wanting one to interrogate, he ran toward the third ninja and smashed him into the wall.

"Tell me... what does the Society of Shadows want or need with ten million dollars?" The Society of Shadows was a very wealthy organization, and Dick wanted to find out why they made a risky attempt for some quick cash.

"You will never obtain any information from me," the ninja dully chanted. He pushed Dick back and touched a device on his neck. The ninja slumped to the floor, giving an empty gaze at Dick.

"Typical," sighed Nightwing. The members of the Society were so devoted that they killed themselves before they comprimised the integrity of the group, which kind of sucked. "At least I can disable the security systems and find where the hostages are being held."

Not one to waste time, Dick searched the many monitors to identify any captives or potential aggressors. Now that the security system was disabled, he could eventually alert the police and let them know that they could enter, but he first wanted to ensure the safety of the hostages. He saw a wriggling mass enclosed in a bag on the 11th floor, and he headed straight for the elevators. He pressed the "Down" button to no avail.

"Wierd," he thought. "Apparently disabling the security system also prevents the elevators from working." This was definately one of the strangest and nonsensical situations that he had encountered. He attached the end of a grappling hook right under the window, and jumped out. He slid down and began counting floors until he identified the 11th. He saw a searchlight briefly focus on him, but it didn't really matter now. Dick smashed the glass window into bits before leaping into the building. He darted straight for the hostage and broke the bag open. He gave a startled cry as he realized who was trapped in the bag. It was Robin.