"Okay, Diana. RR is giving me a dirty look. Guess girl talk time is over." Harley said through her communicator.
Part of her new gear had been this handy ear piece with lines to all of the bat family and to Wonder Woman. And it came with a request from the Amazon princess to check in with her prior to and after the mission.
"Alright, Harley. Good luck. And tell Red Robin that coffee is no substitute for real sleep."
"You know, I kinda pegged self inflicted insomnia on him. Nice to know I was right. Ok, gotta go."
'Bye, Harley. Or should I say, Phoenix?" Diana said before ending the call.
Harley turned to Red Robin.
"Sorry for taking so long."
"It's wonder woman. Not gonna argue."
"Right. Oh, she said to tell you to lay off the coffee and start sleeping more. And, based on what I know about ya, I'm inclined to agree."
"You're not the first and..."
"And I won't be the last. Yeah, figured you'd say that."
Harley then pretended to have a recorder in her hand.
"Doctor's note. Patient displays unhealthy obsession with espresso and aversion to sleep. Further study is required."
"Hardy har."
"Yeah, you're Bruce's son alright. No sense of humor."
"You know only Damien is actually biologically related to him, right?"
"Course I do. But, as they say, nurture over nature."
"Fair enough. Now, let's get down to business."
"Roger dodger."
"Alright. First of all, Batman tasked me with explaining the capabilities of your new Phoenix costume. So, listen up. First of all, it's made of the same high density weave that all of our suits are. Its flexible and more than able to keep up with your acrobatics. But, it's also tough enough to stop small arms fire and most melee weapons."
"So, don't push it against a point blank shot gun or a sniper, but a nine mil isn't much of a concern. Same with bats, pipes and the like."
"You'll still feel the impact though, so try to block or dodge as much as possible. The suit can't do all the work. Now, as for built in weapons. Your gloves have tazer knuckles. To activate them, simply trace a clockwise circle on the Phoenix symbol on the backs of the gloves. Deactivate by tracing a counter clockwise circle. You also have gas pellets on the right side of your utility belt. The first pouch is simple smoke screen pellets, while the second is knockout gas."
"Hmm, I could smokescreen the bad guys with the knockout gas instead."
"Why would you do that?"
"Well, if memory serves, either one of those makes a big cloud that covers roughly the same area. And both reduce visibility by about the same too. So, way I see it, with my immunity 'power', I could just drop into a sleepy time cloud and go about my investigatin' while the thugs drop like flies around me. Two birds, one stone and I wouldn't even need to fight anybody or wear a gas mask."
"Um, that is built into your mask. Just press the hidden button by your right temple. By the way, how strong is that immunity?"
"Put it like this, it takes horse tranquilizer to put me to sleep. If I need surgery, my doctor has to consult a vet for my anaesthesia."
"Wow. That's impressive. Shame Ivy's on the wrong side."
Harley's head lowered. Tim noticed and placed a hand on Harley's shoulder.
"Hey, chin up. There's still hope for her."
"I don't know. She was pretty adamant about not saving her."
"Time for me to show off my skills. Was save the exact word she used?"
"Yeah, why?"
"A common skill in our brand of deductive reasoning is word usage. You can read into a lot of what a person is thinking based on the specific words they use. Written or spoken, doesn't matter. Now, let's examine that word she used: save. Saving in this regard implies a positive change or improvement. Now, let's psycho analyze Ivy. You're the professional here so, tell me Dr. Quinzel. Out of all the seven deadly sins, which one is Dr.Isley the most guilty of?"
"Hmm, good question. Greed and wrath are obvious choices. But, honestly, I think pride is the best fit."
"Exactly. Ivy is extremely proud."
"Yeah, she does go around referring to herself as a goddess or champion of the green. Pretty sure that's Swamp Thing's schtick and he's got it on lock. Like, officially chosen and junk. Not so much with Ives.'
"But it still doesn't stop her, due to her pride. Now, I am of the theory that the incident that turned her into Poison Ivy gave her so much trauma that she developed what could be considered PTSD. And she developed the Ivy persona to deal with it. But she still grew to trust you deeply. And when you wanted her to come with you, part of her knew it was the right thing to do. But that clashed with the prideful Ivy, cause that would mean admitting she was wrong about her villainous life. And that scared her. Her whole life after the change was, at its core, all about always being right and in charge. Admitting she was wrong for so long and handing the reigns over to someone else scared her. Maybe even dug up a bit of that trauma. That's why she pushed you away. She knew you wanted what was best for her, but her prideful persona wasn't ready to give in like that."
"So, you're saying that she ain't mad or resentful, or even outright hating me. She's just confused. Like, really confused."
"Well, mostly. You can be grade A irritating when you want to be."
"True, but I'm working on that. Same as everything else."
"That remains to be seen."
"And you still don't trust me. Tim, I have known the bat family's biggest collective secret for years and I never spoke a word of it. Even when it might have gotten me out of a serious jam, I kept it to myself. I never told Joker, never told Ivy, and definitely not a word to Waller or the suicide squad. Those are some powerful people who would have killed for that info. Given me whatever I wanted. But I chose all of you over that. I chose the greater good. Doesn't that mean anything?"
"It certainly doesn't hurt your case. But lets be honest with ourselves here, Harley. You are highly unstable at the best of times. And now you are in a very precarious situation, many dangers and unknowns all around. That stress would test someone of a completely sound mind. So if you really want to know why I don't trust you fully its because I'm waiting to see if you crack or not."
"Damey said I was one bad day away from being a monster again." Harley said sadly.
"Well, clearly he was wrong. You've had many bad days and haven't broken yet. But it's that yet that's worrisome. I'm waiting to see if you can handle the pressure or if it takes a certain amount of bad days to break you. I need to be sure, because if we're going to work together from now on, then we all need to know you aren't going to backslide. Especially not in the middle of a mission."
"So, you're worried about my mental health. Well, that's sorta sweet of ya, Timmy. I'll have you know though, I am on several strong medications for my various issues. And I take them regularly, without fail. As a matter of fact, I took my night time meds before we left. Also I practice a sort of constant meditation via a little chant I keep on loop in the back of my mind. I'll admit I do lose my place in the chant when something very distracting happens. But I'm usually able to find it again once I calm down. And in case you're curious, I chant the words peace, harmony and tranquility repeatedly in my mind. Yes, it sounds redundant but it's remembering the words and what word I'm on that helps my focus and my overall cognitive process. In short, I'm a work in progress, but I'd say I've laid good ground work."
"Well, I'll give you that. Now, last of your equipment is extendable escrima sticks tucked into the back of your belt. Simple twist activation. Twist them to the right to extend, to the left to collapse."
"Righty tighty, lefty loosey, got it. So, anything in my mask besides the gas mask? i know you guys have all sorts of tech in these things."
"Standard setup all of us have. Built in telescopic vision, night vision, automatic flash bang dampening lenses, and various investigation modes. Crime scene photo mode, electrical current tracking mode and chemical slash medical analysis mode. Just press the button by your other temple and say which vision mode you'd like to use. Also, you've surely noticed your choker."
"Yeah, i was wondering about that. Thought Brucie might have a fetish or something. You know, considering his flings with Selina that i know about and what she likes to wear."
"I don't even want to think about that. But yours is actually a voice modulator. Your voice is very distinct and no matter what kind of tone you'd try to use, it would still give you away. Pressing the button in the center of the choker will activate it and make you sound completely different. Its set to a posh british accent right now, i believe."
"Jolly good, love. So, shall we get started?"
"Let's."
Harley and Tim knelt down and both turned on their telescopic lenses. They examined the warehouse below through the windows.
"I see one two three...six goons down there. Nope, scratch that. One was in the little boys room. So seven." Harley said.
"Eight, actually. There's one by the back corner having a smoke."
"Oh, yeah. I see him now. So, plan?"
"Your mission. I'm just back up. You tell me."
"Ok, we grapple over to that corner, so we're right above the smoker. You drop down and take him out quietly then sneak inside at ground level. Meanwhile, I get in through a window, drop a couple smoke bombs and then we clean up."
"Sounds solid. Let's do it." Tim said, grabbing Harley about the waist.
"Why Mr. Drake!" Harley said in a Southern accent and fanning herself.
"Just hang on."
"How long till I get a grapple gun?"
"That's up to Bruce. Now lets go."
The two swung over and began to enact Harley's plan. Harley also activated her voice changer just in case. As soon as Harley dropped the smoke pellets, the two vigilantes went to work. Harley activated her tazer knuckles and began throwing rapid punches. Meanwhile, Red Robin deployed his staff and began striking. Harley slid between the legs of one man, then tripped him into Red Robin's staff. Shortly after, Tim kicked one man in the back. This drove him nose first into Harley's elbow.
Tim had to admit to himself, this team up was working quite well. He didn't feel much different fighting beside Harley than he did Barb or Cass. At this moment, he really thought that he could get used to this.
The duo soon had the thugs dealt with. Tim then went to work tying up all the crooks while Harley deactivated her gloves.
"Hey, I know that guy." Harley said, pointing at the unconscious man to Tim's right.
"You do?"
"Yeah. And him, and him over there too. Let's see, if memory serves, that one next to you is named Larry. The one knocked out on top of the guy in the ski mask is Jay. And that guy laying front down with his face turned to the right is Dave."
"I'm going to hazard a guess and say they all used to work for Joker?"
"Ding ding ding. Give the man a prize."
"How do you know their names though?"
"Well, unlike Joker, I spent a lot of time around these guys. Stake outs, prep time, et cetera. It was usually me overseeing them. And I'm not a terrible boss, so I would chat with the guys to pass time. Found out why they were in this life. Larry has a daughter, Amanda, with a chronic illness. He fell in with the clown to make money to pay for an operation she needed. Jay was in a similar boat, only it was his grandma. She was stuck living in a country that was in danger of being invaded by Bialya. Even after the league stopped Queen Bee's plans, she was still afraid of repeat attempts. Jay fell into the Joker's hands in an effort to build up the money to move her here. Finally Dave, well, he was a recovering addict. He just wanted to get his life together, but nobody would hire him. So, you can connect the dots there."
'I see."
"Yeah, so, I pitied these guys. I gave them money from my own stash and told them to ditch Gotham asap. Told Joker they got cold feet. He made me do all their work, but luckily, he never seemed to care about tracking them down. Looking back, I wish I'd heeded my own advice back then. But, yeah, it just goes to show you, not every crook in Gotham is a greedy homicidal maniac."
"If you helped them break free, then why did they go back to doing this?"
"Hard to say for certain. But, if I had to guess, id say they fell on hard times again. And we humans are creatures of habit. Typically, we seek the easiest solution to a problem. The shortest route being a straight line and all that."
"Seems logical. Alright, that's enough showing off your psychoanalysis and criminology skills. Let's see your old fashioned detective work skills in action. Search the place and see if you can find the chemicals the case files said they stole."
"Yes, sir." Harley said and began combing the area.
Tim looked at the three men Harley had talked about.
"Having Harley here adds a new perspective. Maybe there's more we can do out of costume to make sure guys like these don't ever feel the need to do this again. I should talk to Bruce about this." Tim thought to himself.
"Uh, RR?"
"Yeah?"
"You done over there? Cause you need to see this."
"Just a minute."
Tim quickly finished and walked over to Harley.
"So, I found the chemicals pretty easily. They're right here. But I thought those names sounded familiar. Now I know why. Look at this paper I found." Harley said, handing over the slip in her hand.
Tim scanned over the note. It had exact ratios for each chemical to be used in a recipe.
"In case you don't recognize it, that's the formula for an old version of Joker venom."
"They were making joker venom?"
"A super diluted version, yeah. That last ingredient is a diluting agent. And judging by the amount they planned to use, it was gonna be a pretty weak JV. Laughing fits and partial, but temporary, paralysis at worst. Shouldn't last more than fifteen, maybe twenty minutes tops. Just long enough for an old fashioned smash and grab, plus the getaway."
"I see. Sounds like you've already solved this one. But how did they know how to make this in the first place?"
"Dave is how."
"That former addict you mentioned?"
"Yup. See, Joker didn't know Dave's whole story like I did. But, the poor guy made the mistake of telling him the basics of him being a former addict. So, of course, Joker made him be the guy who mixed the chemicals for JV. He thought it was hilarious, some sort of sick irony. Anyway, Dave must have a pretty good memory and decided to use what he remembered to make their later plans go smoother." Harley said, gritting her teeth a bit as she chewed the words out.
"Phoenix, are you..."
"I'm fine. Just thinking about that time makes me sick to my stomach. Promise me one thing, RR. If we ever run into that green haired monster on patrol, I get to kick his nasty teeth in, no questions asked."
"I'd have to stop you from taking it too far but, I think even the big guy would overlook a few extra bruises."
"Good enough for me."
"Okay, let's report this to Oracle."
"Oh goody. I have always wondered who exactly you were talking to."
The vigilantes activated their coms. The tech expert soon answered.
"I'm here, Red Robin. Go ahead."
"Hi, Ory!"
"Heh, hi, Harley. Oh, right, sorry. I mean Phoenix. Let me say, I was glad to hear about your big turn around. I kind of always hoped you'd do it one day."
"Even back when you were batgirl? I mean, I recognize this voice."
"Yeah, even then. And I'll have to remember to introduce you to the current batgirl."
"Its the blonde again, right? The one who was a robin for a little while?"
"Man, you are too good at this. Yes, that's her. Anyway, let's get on with this."
The two made their report.
"Alright. Notes sent to the big guy and GCPD. And I put a memo in for help from the Wayne Foundation for those guys Phoenix mentioned."
"Thanks, Ory."
"Not a problem. Alright, you two. Back to the grind. Oracle out."
"I'm surprised you didn't ask Oracle why she stopped being batgirl." Tim said as he led Harley out of the building.
"Same reason I haven't brought up how you became an adopted son of Bruce's. I know it's personal and you'll open up in due time about it. I mean, I have studied those of you who's identities i figured out. Naturally, i found out what happened to your mom and then your dad. I always knew Boomerang was a bastard but jeez. Too bad I didn't discover that particular nugget until after I had already left the squad. Otherwise, I might have at least popped him one for you. Anyway, I don't plan on blasting any if of you with a million questions. I'll ask the occasional one if I'm really curious. But, other than that, I plan to let all of us get comfortable with each other first."
"Wow, you are really serious about being part of the family, aren't you?"
"As a heart attack, dear nephew. Now lets go. The night's still young."
Meanwhile, a man in red watched from nearby.
"So, Tim beat me to this one. Oh well. But that girl. She's disguising her voice and wearing a new suit but id know that frame anywhere. Why the hell is he working with Harley damn Quinn?"