HOLA! Ok, so I want to first thank my fans once again…a special tip of my hat to Midnight and Paladin. Midnight I may tease you about bugging me to post regularly, but I only tease peeps I like! Thank you for keeping on me, cause it helps inspire me to keep writing!

So I got this sudden silly urge to throw in a couple of new characters…they aren't gonna have a major role, it's just something I'm going with on a whim. Some of you might recognize the names of the cops I've mentioned in this chapter. Yeah I love NBC's Third Watch too, and since our police officers needed names….voila!

So Gargs belong to Disney, BOP belongs to DC & WB etc. etc. and Third Watch belongs to NBC.

Oh…and Red Jr and Malibu if you read this story (finally) let me know what you think!

Somewhere along the Eastern Seaboard Between new Gotham and Manhattan….. (yeah that was real specific huh?)

2:30 a.m.

Elisa woke up with a start, glaring at the man that was quickly withdrawing his hand to step back and grin infuriatingly at her. "Hey sleeping beauty time to get ready for round two."

"Damnit Tony!" she growled at him as she fumbled around for her top. "How long have I been out?"

"You stress too much over the little stuff Maza. It's gonna give you early wrinkle lines," he told her blithely.

"Screw you," she hissed, as she struggled briefly with the form fitting, kevlar reinforced, leather. She hadn't really noticed before just how much her clothing weighed until she stood from the bed, still exhausted and light-headed from the injury.

"Now Sugar is that anyway to talk to the man that just brought you breakfast in bed?" he asked in mock hurt as he pulled a cloth off a tray he had resting on the counter next to where he was leaning. "I hope for Goliath's sake you aren't always this grouchy in the morning."

Elisa glowered at him as he continued to goad and tease her, but the food smelled good, and her body made it quite clear that it needed some nourishment. Come to think of it, when had she last eaten? Breakfast the day before? It was a wonder she was still on her feet.

Ignoring Tony's pleased look, she shoved him out of the way and tucked into the pasta and salad that someone had whipped up. The carbs quickly began to raise her low blood sugar, and by the time she was finished, Elisa had to admit that she was feeling considerably better.

Breaking the silence, she glanced at the clock. "We still on schedule?"

"Down to the minute. There was a slight change in plans however. Canmore re-arranged the docking point. Not really sure why, he didn't mention anything in the transmission and I didn't want to arouse to much curiosity by asking."

Elisa frowned as she set the fork down on her empty plate and took one last drink of her water. "That just made me think of something else. We need to have another chat with our captain."

Tony merely raised an eyebrow as he followed her down the hall and up the stairs into the pilothouse. The nervous looking Captain was steering the ship around the point of Manhattan, Lady Liberty shining brightly off the port side of the ship.

Elisa advanced on the man, and Dracon nodded slightly to the two men who were keeping guard. The Captain shrank back slightly, and Tony grinned to himself. Maza was getting good with the whole intimidation thing. Of course it could just be the outfit, he mused silently. She didn't look anything like a cop right now- more like one those vigilante friends of hers. One that was hell bent on stopping this shipment.

Grabbing the man by his coat lapels, she shoved him against a computer console. "Just one last thing. I've been working undercover with Quinn's men for over three months now. Quinn kept the location a secret, but he didn't keep the details quiet. When the time comes you have that man over there give the all clear signal. If I see the warning signal, I'll make sure this boat is turned around immediately and heading out to sea where no one will be able to save you from the worst death you can possibly imagine. Do I make myself clear?"

The man nearly whimpered as he shook his head. "Y-y-yes ma'am," he stuttered out as she let go of him and stalked out of the pilothouse.

Tony chuckled quietly as the frightened man nearly tripped over himself getting back to the helm. The two guards grinned widely, and one of them winked at the mob boss. Stepping out of the small room, Dracon followed after Elisa, tossing her a cap as she prepared to head outside.

"That was pretty good Maza," he complimented as he pulled on his own cap, and began buttoning up his heavy jacket. "Nearly had me wetting my pants."

"Please," she huffed as she began checking the utility belt.

"Ok so that might be an exageration, but you almost had him wetting his pants."

"It wasn't too over the top?"

"Are you kidding? After you were willing to let my boys break a few of his fingers earlier? You should work for the CIA as an interrogator."

"Gee thanks," she retorted sarcastically as she pulled on a pair of gloves and looked out the small porthole.

"It's snowing again," she sighed. "I really want to take a vacation someplace tropical when all of this is done."

Castle Wyvern

Manhattan

2:30 a.m.

"I see your two rocket launchers and raise you one Robot," Fox grinned as she punched a button on her console. The small group of invaders on her screen started to panic in the face of the seemingly indestructible Steel Clan robot, and turned to flee, only to be apprehended by two others waiting just around the corner.

Fox's eyes flared green and she turned to scowl at her husband. "That's not fair! You have to find and get your own thugs, not wait around for me to flush them out to your robots," she told him, clearly annoyed with his tactic.

"That was never stated in the rules," he answered back smoothly, with his trademark smirk.

Her eyes narrowed, and a slow smirk ran across her own face. "So that's how we're gonna play now is it?"

He wiped his face of every expression, except one of fake innocence. "Why my dear I'm simply trying to play within the limits we set for ourselves."

Fox turned from him, and began typing in a series of quick commands and numerous overrides. "Play with this then," she muttered under her breath as she hit the 'send' button and then turned to flash her husband a sweet smile before turning back to the monitors to watch her handiwork unfold.

Concerned that his vast lead over her was about to be jeapordized, Xanatos turned back to his monitors just in time to see his two robots freeze on their way to the dungeon. Their limbs went slack as their systems shut down, and the captives wriggled free, only to be scooped up a few feet further down the hall by Fox's waiting Clan robots.

On two more screens, another three of David's robots followed a similar fate, and Fox chuckled low in her throat. "I believe that puts me ahead dear."

Not one to be outsmarted so easily, Xanatos cracked his knuckles and grinned. "My love, you always make the games more challenging. It will make victory all the more sweeter."

Fox merely sniffed, her hands poised over her keyboard as she waited for his countermove.

Tunnels

Manhattan

2:45 a.m.

Captain Chavez looked back at the small group of cops that she and Matt had recruited. It was a mixed bunch to be sure, but she knew that every one of them could be trusted. There was of course Morgan, who had been a beat cop with Maza's father and herself and had happily stayed on the streets when everyone else had moved upwards, onwards, or retired. Pinnelli, had been trained by Chavez herself, and had lost his partner two months ago to an HQ. He had begged the Captain to let him help Bluestone and Maza the day he came back to work.

The remaining five officers were from 55th Precinct - the only other precinct in the city to have been hit hard by the guns. The Lieutenant, Lou, had gone through the academy with Chavez. After serving their year as rookies they had been partnered for awhile, and Maria knew she could trust Lou to watch her back. When she had quietly approached him a week and a half ago with the information, he had quickly promised her help. She was surprised when he had informed her a few days later that he had four more officers that he had hand-picked to assist.

She knew Officer Sullivan…he'd been a beat cop for over two decades now. Sully was as loyal as they came, and he was now partnered with Ty Davis Jr. The young man seemed determined not to follow in his old man's footsteps. Ty Sr. had been a good cop, who got mixed up with the wrong guys wearing blue. Chavez had met the senior Davis, shortly before he had been shot on what appeared to be a set-up cop killing. Rumors still floated around every now and then as to what really happened all those years ago, but whatever they may have been, Ty Jr. was as straight as they came according to Lou.

The other two officers puzzled her a bit, but Lou vouched for their credibility as well. Faith Yokus, was another dedicated cop, one good collar away from being meritoriously promoted to detective. She had been quiet and observant the whole time, except when she was keeping her younger, obnoxious partner in line. Of the whole team Lou was bringing with him, Bosco was the most questionable to Chavez. But Lou said he was a good cop through and through. Served as an MP in the military during the Gulf, the guy bled blue according to Lou. So Chavez didn't question him.

The funny thing about Bosco was that even now, after everyone else was starting to get ancy, freezing their butts off in the sewers, he had finally gone quiet. Must have been the military training. Because now, just minutes away from the fight of their lives, he was the most calm and collected of the bunch- even more than herself.

Shaking her head slightly, Chavez checked her watch and then looked over at Matt and nodded. It was time to start getting into position. The train would be arriving shortly, and one of the largest gang take-downs in New York history was about to happen.

"Alright everybody listen up," Chavez said quietly. "Let's do a final check. This party is about to get started. Remember, use whatever force necessary to take these men down. Keep your heads low, your backs to a wall if possible, and make sure of your target before you shoot."

"Hey Cap, we gonna get a medal for this?" Bosco asked as everyone began checking their firearms and extra ammo.

"Guess that all depends if the big boys upstairs let me keep my job now doesn't it Boscorelli?" Chavez responded, finally happy to say something that actually shut the cocky young man up.

"Captain Chavez….are you saying this mission isn't sanctioned by the Department?" Yokus asked into the silence.

Everyone stilled, and Chavez looked over at Lou, her eyes widening. My god. Had he not told them everything that was going on?

Lou looked away and then cleared his throat as he looked over at his team. "Uh…listen people I haven't been exactly forward about this because I didn't want there to be any repercussions on you. But what is happening here tonight, has not been sanctioned by The Powers That Be." The Lieutenant sighed, and Chavez and the others watched on with shoulders suddenly sagging.

"Captain Chavez and I graduated together, and then served together for some time. She trusted me with this information, because she knows how personal this has become to us. Of the whole precinct, I trusted you four alone with the details of this mission, because I knew you were loyal. Quinn and Canmore have too many ears, or too many sympathizers out there…even in the Department."

"Sir…are you saying there won't be any backup?" Davis asked finally.

"There will be backup," Chavez answered. "But not until we call for it…which won't be until this fight gets started. If we call in now, we WILL lose the element of surprise. The same thing had to happen in New Gotham. It's the reason we have been forced to partner with the mob and civilians in this battle."

"Look I can't make you do this… that much I made clear to begin with. But now that you know what's at stake….well if you want to back out now I understand."

"Jesus Lou, you could loose everything over this," Sullivan murmured as he finally grasped the gravity of the situation.

"Sully, if we don't stop these people tonight, we could loose the whole damn city," Lou answered quietly. "So who wants out?"

There was silence as the four other officers looked at each other and then at the rest of the group. Surprisingly the first response came from the one who had the most to lose. "I'm in," Yokus answered definitively.

"Well hell, if mama bear can fight then I can too," Bosco said a second later.

"I'm staying," Sullivan announced.

Davis Jr. looked at the others, and then he too nodded. "I can't let all of y'all have all the fun now can I?" he added finally.

With that decided, the group fell silent as weapons were drawn, checked and then re-holstered. "Stick with your partners and don't loose contact. Let's move people," Lou ordered as Maggie and Delilah began leading each group to their assigned exit point.

Not too far away in the Tunnels……….

Lex tapped Brooklyn on the shoulder and nodded. The crimson gargoyle straightened and looked the small group of warriors over. "It's time. Remember the plan, watch each other's back, and we'll make it out of this alive."

The group began to up into teams of two. Angela and Derek, Broadway with Bronx, leaving Lex and Brooklyn. Broadway paused before walking past his two brothers and grinned proudly at Brooklyn. "Hey Brook, just wanted to say that you've done a great job filling in for Goliath. I know he doesn't always tell you that you're doing a good job…well I just thought you should know."

Brooklyn blinked and then chuckled, a little embarrassed. "Uhhhh…well thanks bro…I appreciate that. I'll, um, see you on the flip side okay? Be careful."

The gentle giant of the clan clasped arms with his Clan brother, and then clapped Lex on the shoulder. "Keep him outta trouble little buddy," he joked.

Lex snickered. "Goliath can't keep him out of trouble. What makes you think I can?"

"You need to create some kinda shock collar for him. One that'll zap him when he starts to get too near to trouble."

"Hey get going before you give him any more ideas! I've already played test dummy to one too many of his gizmos," Brooklyn protested as he shoved his rookery brother in the direction he needed to be heading. "And don't let Bronx eat too many thugs! He's just starting to shake off a few of those pounds he put on while sitting around with Hudson these last few months."

The gargoyle beast raised his head at the mention of his name and gave a bark of indignation. "Yeah you know what I'm talking about," Brooklyn responded. "No more slacking off for you."

There was a whine of protest from the Clan's watchdog, and Broadway chuckled as he reached down to scratch Bronx behind the ears. "Don't worry boy, I'll protect you from the big bad Brooklyn. Come on let's go get us some bad guys ok?"

The beast jumped to his feet excitedly, wagging his stump of a tail, and barked twice in anticipation. The three brothers chuckled, and said one final goodbye before Broadway and Bronx headed down the tunnel to their assigned exit point. Turning back to his smaller partner, Brooklyn cracked his knuckles. "Ready little brother?"

"After you oh fearless leader," Lex answered with a grin.

"Great I've got one of you telling me I'm doing a good job and the other is mocking me," Brooklyn sighed in mock hurt as he began to ascend a nearby ladder to the surface.

"Well someone has to keep your ego in check," Lex answered form behind.

"Yeah that's what Goliath is for."

"And then Elisa and Angela go and undo everything he says," the olive colored gargoyles teased.

Brooklyn snorted, but he couldn't argue with Lex's logic because it was true. Every time Goliath came down on him for something, or some screw-up, either Elisa or Angela was always there to help build him back up. When he had been chosen as Goliath's Second in Command, he had no idea what he was getting into.

When the Clan Leader had disappeared for almost a year with Elisa and Bronx, Brooklyn would have completely freaked out if it hadn't been for Hudson's steady guidance. He had learned a lot from the elder, and when Goliath came back, he was much more prepared to learn from Goliath's leadership.

He had come a long ways, of that he could be proud. But his temper and rashness sometimes still got the better of him, and he knew he still had a lot of learning to do before he was even qualified to lead the Clan. These last two weeks had been a great test for him, and as pleased as he was with how things were turning out, he would definitely be glad when Goliath returned to resume control.

As he moved off to one side to let Lex slip a small spy camera through the manhole cover, he began to realize just how heavy a responsibility he had been given. Lex moved the camera around and gave the all-clear sign as he moved back down a few feet to allow Brooklyn to slid the cover off.

Slipping the cover back quietly was an easy task for the beaked gargoyle, thanks to his inhuman strength. The two swiftly crawled from the hole, replaced the cover and ducked into their nearby cover. Snow was just beginning to fall, and Brooklyn eyed the tracks they had just made and swore quietly.

"Damnit, that's pretty obvious." Reaching to his throat, the gargoyle pressed the activate button. "All teams this is team Captain, hold your position. Snow's falling and covering the field. Delay of game until the coach has arrived, so be ready to move on my mark. Do you copy?"

His own teams checked in and then he repeated the message, waiting to hear from the other ten teams of humans and mutates. Slowly they began to check in, although a couple had already surfaced. Those that had surfaced said they would take care of the tracks, and Glasses informed him that he and one other team were in an area of high traffic already and didn't have to worry about it. With that concern laid to rest, the two gargoyles moved several large crates around a bit, to cover their own tracks.

Lex looked at his watch, and Brooklyn grinned as he heard the first sounds of a train locomotive approaching in the distance.

The Train

Manhattan

2:55 am

Dick Grayson grinned like a child as he blew the train whistle as he crossed the last major intersection before he would begin to enter the industrial section. "Man this is great! I always wanted to drive a train when I was a kid."

"Just make sure ye finish gettin' us there in one piece now lad."

"And miss the party? You guys just remember to wait until I set off my concussion charges or you'll be missing out on some of the fun."

"How much longer?" Goliath asked as he closed his cel phone with a frown.

"Only a couple of minutes more. What's wrong?"

"I'm still unable to reach Elisa and I haven't been successful in trying to reach anyone else either."

"Och lad ye know the tunnels wreak havoc with those devices. Even Xanatos hasn't come up with a comm tha' will work more than a hundred yards down there. The lass made it through the first fight, an' Dracon is still with her. I'm sure she's fine and would be havin' a fit if she knew ye was being distracted right now by worrying about her."

"You're right," the Clan Leader admitted with a sigh. "Come on, old friend. We should get into place outside now before someone spots us moving too close to the yards."

The elder gargoyle opened the door and grimaced. "Lad, remind me about this the next time I insist on following ye and Elisa around somewhere," he said as a blast of frigid air hit the small group.

"Geez it's colder here than in Gotham!" Dick complained.

"Just don't get too cozy here in lad!" Hudson teased as he ducked outside.

"Hey Goliath," Dick called to the lavender giant just before he left. Goliath looked back and Dick grinned at him. "As soon as I get this bad boy stopped and set off the grenades, go after your woman. I'll look after Hudson. Don't worry about things here, I called in a couple of favors of my own. These guys will be gift wrapped for the police in no time flat."

The vigilante winked at the gargoyle, a grin splitting his face, and Goliath arched an eyebrow before nodding slowly. "Thank you Nightwing."

"They act all big and tough and independent, but someone's gotta save them from the situations they get themselves into right?"

"Indeed. Take care Nightwing. I look forward to seeing you again under much more pleasant circumstances."