Chapter 19: Rescue
It wasn't so hard for Bruce to gain the information on the whereabouts of where Talia took Harley after her and her league of assassins retreated. He knew she wasn't stupid enough to bring her back to their mountain headquarters halfway across the world. Besides, they couldn't have gotten far anyway, especially lugging around a hostage with them. However, Batman and Nightwing managed to catch up to one of the assassins, who had fallen behind due to an injury he sustained during the fight in the Batcave. With just a few more injuries to add to the list for the assassin, four broken fingers and three broken ribs, Batman was able to get the coordinates of where Talia had taken Harley.
Talia has a Gotham base, located underneath the Gotham Docks. According to the assassin, there is a secret entrance in one of the metal crates used by ships to transport cargo. It seemed a little too typical of a secret entrance, but Bruce wasn't complaining too much for his rogue gallery's lack of creativity. Sure made his job easier.
As the duo arrived at the docks, Batman scanned the area, using his thermal goggles. No use trusting his eyes on this task, since the League of Assassins were well trained in hiding in shadow. However, no amount of shadow could hide them from their own body heat. He was able to detect at least three guards stationed around the docks, in a triangle formation. The Dark Knight was able to surmise that the entrance to Talia's hideout was at the center of where the three guards were posted, in one of the many metal containers.
"Looks like there are three assassins around the docks."Nightwing pointed out, using his own thermal goggles.
"You take the left guard, I'll take the right."Bruce instructed, checking his gauntlets on his hands, "We'll meet up at the last thug and take him out. Then move on from there."
Without so much as a second glance back at Dick, Bruce glided down into the Gotham Docks below. The area was a maze, with shipping containers positioned around the docks forming pathways. The nearest assassin's heat signature was a little ways away. Silently, Batman navigated through the containers towards his target. They were not the only ones trained in stealth.
The assassin was just around the corner, peering carefully around, he saw the guard staring intently in the opposite direction. Probably keeping a careful eye on the entrance, no doubt expecting him soon. Well it was going to be sooner than he thought.
Carefully he sneak up behind the man, grabbing him by wrapping his arm around his neck, putting him into a sleeper hold. Before the assassin could cry out, Batman quickly covered his mouth. The goon struggled silently for a couple of moments, his movements getting slower and weaker. Finally, the body went limp and the Caped Crusader dropped him onto the ground below. He was out cold.
Using his grappling hook, he took the skies and climbed on top on a nearby crane, used for lifting the heavy metal crates. He surveyed the area and spotted Nightwing, who had just finished taking out his target. He spotted his mentor on top of the crane, flashing him a sarcastic wave and smile, before running off to the third and final assassin. The boy was way too cocky for his own good.
Spreading his cape, Batman glided towards the last target. He spotted Nightwing coming up behind him. As he descended upon the assassin, the man finally took notice, a little too late for him though. Bruce quickly him hard in the chest as he landed, knocking the man backwards. With a swift kick in the head by Nightwing, the assassin crumbled to the ground, joining the others.
"That was way too easy."Dick said, looking around, "I was kinda expecting more from the League of Assassins."
"We haven't even gotten inside yet."Bruce replied as the pair made their way to the center of the docks, "I'm expecting to have quite the fight on our hands."
"Then shouldn't we call in backup? Robin? Commissioner Gordan. Heck, the Justice League?"Nightwing asked as they came to a row of metal crates in the center of Gotham Docks.
"They wouldn't get here in time, besides, I'm sure we can handle them."Batman answered, using his thermal goggles once again, "I don't want to waste time when Harley's in danger."
"First Talia then Harley? Boy you sure know how to pick em Bruce."Nightwing said, smiling slightly, "What is it about her that you like exactly?"
"Now is not the time for that Dick."Bruce simply answered as he spotted heat signatures on the edge of one of the nearby crates. He pulled open the container to reveal a metal tube leading downward, with ladder rungs along the sides.
"Wait this leads under the docks."Nightwing stated, peering down into the darkness of the passageway, so their base in underwater?"
"Looks that way."Batman replied, then started descending the rungs into the assassin lair, followed closely by Nightwing.
As the pair climbed downward they could hear the water flowing around them, echoing throughout the tube chamber. Due to the roaring water around them, it masked their footsteps as they descended. It felt like ten minutes to the pair before they finally came to the bottom of the metal tube.
They quickly looked around, expecting to be surrounded instantly by Talia's lackeys. However, the area around them was totally deserted. Batman noticed that they were in a narrow chamber, where the floor and walls were made of gray stone bricks. It was modeled to look like the hallway of an old stone castle, although Bruce was sure that behind the brick and mortar was steel, otherwise this place would have been underwater long ago.
The pair crept along the corridor, moving from shadow to shadow as quick and silently as possible. So far they haven't come across anyone in the hideout. Strangely, that did not make Batman feel at ease. It could either mean that Talia's men were slacking off, or that they were walking into a trap. Past experiences meant it was most likely the latter.
The hallway emptied out into a huge room, where it was mostly pitch black, except from the light coming from the corridor. The moment the duo stepped into the darkness light suddenly filled the room, momentarily blinding them. Their eyes quickly adjusted to see that the room was circular, with dozens of assassins lining the walls around them. In front of Batman and Nightwing, on the other side of the room atop of a ledge, stood Talia, Joker, and a tied-up Harley Quinn. Bruce and Harley's eyes met, hers a mix of happiness, pain, and sadness all at once, his was of worry and anger. Anger at himself for not protecting her like he should have.
"I knew we should have called the League."Nightwing grumbled, gazing at the many opponents surrounding them.
"Wow Batsy I expected better from you than this."Joker cackled, patting Harley's head. The contact wasn't rough, but just the fact that the clown was touching her caused Harley to flinch, "However I guess the love bug causes even bats to do stupid things."
"You're so predictable my love."Talia said, causing Bruce to grit his teeth in rage, "Although I must say we didn't expect you to be here so quickly. Otherwise you would have been greeted with only a dead harlot."
"Let Harley go...now."Batman ordered, his tone calm yet dangerous.
"Now why on earth would we do that?!"Joker asked, incredulously, "Not when this soap opera is getting to the BIG reveal! Go ahead Harley! Tell the big lug the good news!"
Joker smacked Harley hard in the back of the head, causing her to squeal in pain. The force of the blow caused her to double over, losing her balance a bit. She managed to get back up onto her knees, looking down at her lover. Bruce looked back up at her, his face questioning. Her eyes glance hatefully from Talia then back to the Dark Knight. She bit her lip, pondering if she should resist telling him. However, Harley knew he would find out one way or another this day.
"I'm...I'm pregnant Bman."Harley admitted, looking down at her knees. She couldn't bear to look at him. What would he do now? Leave her? Send her back to Arkham, not wishing to be tied down with both her and a child?
"It's going to be so much more sweeter now when we kill her right in front of you." Joker said, grabbing Harley's hair and pulling her head back roughly, so she had no choice but to look directly at the one she loved. She saw a great many emotions on his face, but most of all she saw love in his eyes. His feelings for her had not changed at all!
Bruce turned his stare away from Harley, looking both at Joker and Talia, "I was only here for Harley, but now, I'm taking both of you down."
The way he said that line caused many of the assassins to stir uncomfortably in their place. Even Joker and Talia looked down at Batman nervously. Nightwing simply pulled out his weapons, the electricity coursing through them.
"I've had enough of this! Kill them both!"Talia snarled as her minions leaped down towards the Caped Crusader and his companion. Talia bent down and whispered harshly in Harley's ear, "Watch as your precious lover dies before your eyes! Before I kill you then your bastard child!"
As the assassins swarmed the duo the Dark Knight quickly threw down a smoke pellet, shrouding the area around them in a thick wall of smoke. Bruce had no time to deal with the small fry, he had to take out Joker and Talia before they killed Harley...and his unborn child. Pulling out his grappling hook, Batman shot it into the ceiling above the ledge, where Talia and Joker were standing, watching the fight above. Bruce surged forward into the air, leaving behind the cloud of smoke and his companion. Dick could handle the assassins, especially since they were distracted by the smoke. As he was above the pair, Batman let go of the hook, gliding quickly down to them. Before they had time to react, he managed to kick them both in the chest, knocking them backwards. The Caped Crusader bent down and untied Harley, helping her to her feet.
"You ok?" Batman asked, hugging her close to him.
"I'm fine Bruce."Harley answered, smiling up at him, "I knew you would come for me."
"Oh what a happy reunion! It's the perfect Hallmark moment!" Joker sneered as he and Talia got back up onto their feet.
"I'm tired of this nonsense! You two can die here together!" Talia snarled, Bruce was about to step in front of Harley, but his blonde lover stopped him by gently putting her hand on his chest.
"No Bman. She's mine." Harley said, her eyes locking with Talia's, "It's payback time you bitch!"