This chapter will introduce you entirely new character, with it's own background and story arc. It will take time for this character to tell it's story and become something more, but everything takes time.
And also this chapter introduces you a version of a character that you might know from DC universe.
And, again, this chapter introduces you a subject that was thrown out of the window and my take on this subject and the reason why it was abandoned or never mentioned.
So, let's abandon the spoiler area and get to it.
Enjoy.
As always, Inque was siting on the couch in her own VIP lounge, looking to the club beneath her. She placed some monitors and upgraded her place a bit, just to see things clearly. Here, a collector from Maroni taking his share for "protection" and getting a drink on the house...here, her guards are dealing with drug trafficking because Inque wants to keep her business as legal as possible...and here we have Deanna, walking towards her VIP lounge. Inque pressed a button on a remote controller to open the door for her and quickly closed it, when Deanna walked inside lounge.
- Maroni raised their cut by two percents, - said Deanna, slowly walking to Inque, - Said, we need more of their protection these days.
- I saw it, - Inque nodded to a screen on the wall, while ordering another music to be played, - But I can not act until Maroni will raise their cuts everywhere - I don't want them give any ideas when Bat-Inque will talk some sense into them.
- Bat-Inque? - Deanna said skeptically.
- That's how they call me now on newscaster, - Inque grinned, shaking her head in negative motion, - Guess I am stuck with that name.
- Got it...look, I am also here because...you said, that I can own this place, if I can go to the top, - Deanna said, taking a sit near her mother.
- That is correct, - Inque glanced at her quickly, making Deanna shiver - despite how relaxed Inque was around her, and despite her best attempts to forgive her...there still was a large rift between them.
- I asked around, and...I need your money to pay for education, - said Deanna carefully, trying not to meet her mother's eyes.
- Choose whatever you want, I will pay for it, - she nodded approvingly to Deanna, - But choose wisely, and don't delay your choice - you have only this summer to think about it.
- Of course, - Deanna said, rising up from the couch and going to exit, - I have to go, hospital check up.
Inque opened the door for Deanna to leave and looked at one of the monitors, checking time on it. McGinnis send her a message that he will come along, but later, and for now she could relax, listening to music and feeling herself...free, alive...maybe complete or near completeness. It felt good to bee on the good guys side, but it felt even better to be able to finally start acting like a mother towards her own daughter.
The solution that Wayne found was lying inside Inque herself. Injecting stabilizers proved to be only supporting her condition, but the real treatment lied in her own stabilized mass. She provided 90% of her mass, and it should be able to enough for several years, but Wayne warned her that Deanna will become, in some terms, similar to Inque - it was clearly seen from computer simulations Wayne ran on Batcomputer, and the same thing were predicted by best and trusted doctors Wayne hired. It was a better alternative than see her own daughter slowly degrade, but...
Inque sighed and leaned back into her couch, looking at the ceiling, telling herself, that this is best possible outcome, a miraculous one - being Batman's right hand, kick bad guys off the streets, finding real solution to her problems...of course she had thoughts to just send Deanna away, to another city, but Inque and Wayne decided to develop several backup plans in case of emergency, while leaving Deanna in Gotham for further medical assistance. She couldn't help but to feel respect to this old man, who in his prime was clearing Gotham for decades and fought alongside Justice League, dealing with alien invaders, world cataclysms and other things. And while he was an old grumpy geezer, Wayne...Batman was still himself, with all the knowledge and wisdom. She remembered one of their episodes of training:
- So, is this better? - Inque said, training her ventriloquism.
- Better, but still traceable, - Wayne said it in such way that Inque heard this phrase from another direction.
- ...how you manage to do that? - she said with a bewildered expression.
- It's not as hard as you think, - Wayne pointed towards the case where a doll of Scarface was confined, - You do this all the time, but you never pay attention to it. In reality, you could become the best ventriloquist world ever known.
- And how can I use it? Lure someone?
- Exactly, - nodded Wayne, - Talk openly and make criminals believe what you want them believe...or to distress them, play on their fears and motives. Terry used such tactics in the past, and while he still needs training, he can be very proficient with it...but you, - Wayne looked at Inque firmly for a moment, which made her feel uneasy, - You are a meta-human. You can do things average person could not do, you can master many things to the point where you can become unstoppable. Terry will never be on your level, no matter how hard he will train.
- I don't seek Batman's mantle, - Inque understood, there conversation went, and she crossed her arms together, looking back at Wayne with a serious expression, - I don't want it in the first place.
- Do you know, why Batman should be a human?
- ...no, - she answered honestly, shaking her head, - I have some ideas, but...no.
- You will understand one day.
For now, the understanding still eluded her, but she knew it was something important to the Batman figure. But what, exactly? She looked at the monitor again and realized that McGinnis was a bit late, which wasn't an issue at all - college life, home duties, Batman stuff, and he still managed to get some time to spend around in her club. They all needed some time to rest and get their clean their thoughts from crime fighting and investigations while it was quite. Of course Curare will still train and relax in her own way, but they needed something...ordinary.
Suddenly she saw it - McGinnis arrived, parked his bike and went inside the VIP zone. When he arrived, Inque already gave all orders to be sure that no one trailed McGinnis here - security and secrecy for Batman were the same thing, as breathing air.
- Nice to see your evil lair received some upgrades, - he said, looking at the monitors in her room.
- You have your cave, and I have my lounge, - she retorted back with a smile, but Inque noticed how tensed and distressed McGinnis was, - ...seems like you were late because something happened.
- You can say that, - he walked towards the bar and found some simple soda without alcohol - he still had to drive home. Inque raised her eyebrows, watching him closely as she turned in her couch to face him. After one glass of soda, Terry sighed and turned towards Inque, - I don't where to start...or if I should.
- I am pretty straightforward woman, so you can hit me, not literally though...but I have a feeling that it's something really personal.
- It is, - he nodded, taking some time to consider if he should even talk about that. He leaned against the bar, looking at Inque, - Before we met at Deanna's manor, I had a...bad fight with one close person, with whom I had dates for a long time...she called me tonight and asked to meet her again to discuss how we should continue, and if we should continue at all.
- ...oh. Just when we had our first date and were about to make a second one, - Inque sounded what Terry already knew. She rose up in her couch and walked towards McGinnis, leaning at the bar beside him, - But I don't think this changes anything.
- How so?
- What we have right now is...consider this is a long foreplay with no strings attached, - she said with a familiar seductive smile on her face, - We can talk, dance, watch movies, visit some places, or what normal humans do in their free time...and this is not cheating for you, it's just you spend quality time with your best friend Inque, - she helped herself around the bar, making herself a cocktail of her own. By the look of it, it was something chemical and gooey, - And if this isn't working for you, you can visit me with Max, we broke the ice some days ago, - Inque turned to face Terry, placing her finger inside the chemical cocktail, slowly draining it, while she was looking at him with a clear curiosity in her eyes, - ...I wonder what will you do.
- I have the same question for myself, - Terry rubbed his face tiredly, letting out a long sigh, - And I need to answer it.
- Be honest, that's your best quality, because your honesty opens up something...remarkable to see, - Inque grinned again, glancing at Terry, - But I have a funny feeling that you are more honest to your enemies, rather that to your girlfriend.
- Yeah, just like we are doing it right now, - Terry let out a short laugh, realizing his situation, - Because I can't talk to her about my job.
- I talked to Deanna about what I was doing before, and what I am doing right now, - Inque frowned, looking at the monitor to see her daughter helping around the bar, - And she now experiences the world from the other side, seeing many things that are mostly stays in the shadows..., - Inque looked at Terry, with her smile and seductive look now completely vanished, - But she just touches it, while you and me live in those shadows...which is not for everyone...Terry.
- ...that's the first time you called me like that.
- First time for everything, but, my bad, we jumped the first kiss a while ago, - she laughed seeing Terry's reaction, putting on her seductive mask again for a short while, but she quickly continued seriously, - I can help you so far, but...
- It's my choice, I get that, - sighed Terry, looking at the large pillar inside the club, where neon lights were dancing in some strange pattern, - ...maybe we should take it slower now, because I want to sort this out.
- No pressure here...for now, - she bumped lightly on his shoulder, smiling at Terry, - Come one, you are getting like your old man - grumpy and closed off, while there's young blood inside you. Be a little more reckless and light-headed sometimes when you are off duty, you can afford that for now.
- But just a little, - Terry smiled slyly and showed how "little", making Inque let out a short laugh, - Any ideas how to spend this night?
- Maybe we should discuss how to spend next one - it seems that staying here will only harm your conscience...so how about you and Max will come to my place sometime?
- Isn't our thing supposed to be some sort of date?
- I am more interested in company of young energetic boys and girls, it suits me, - she smiled again, going to her couch and stretching to the sides, - Whatever you choose, it's entirely up to you.
- ...I will leave tonight, - said Terry after thinking a lot about current situation, - I have to sort this out...but that doesn't mean we will end this.
- Take your time, - Inque nodded, glancing at Terry from her couch, - Because we both know, what rushed choices can led to. I know for sure.
Days were going by in typical routine - training in Batcave, educating, working with devices so everyone could understand how they work, learning about newest criminal activity and, of course, planning to infiltrate inside the "New Dawn". But there were other thing to be worried about - Gotham was still itself, and they had to resume patrolling Gotham pretty soon. With three of them, they could cover more ground and help more people. Criminals, of course, were fighting back, but with one metahuman and one experienced assassin the fight was one-sided...for now:
- Ears just dropped something interesting - there are rumors that gangs are not happy with our Bat-family, - said Terry, driving Batmobile through the Gotham, - Especially with Inque.
- I wonder why? - she said sarcastically on the radiolink, while she was in the middle of interrogation, trying to decide which bone to break of the street robber.
- I wonder. Too, - now it was Curare, who was stalking the kidnappers around the middle-Gotham. Bruce was developing new gear for her, but for now Curare was using gliding wings and grapple hook with rocket booster to travel around the city.
- So, do we have any plan before we break into "New Dawn"? - asked Terry from Wayne, looking at the monitor of Batmobile.
- So far - no. But I think we should interrogate those "New Dawn"'s mercenaries that were on the video while we break into their headquarters...if we can get ID on them. And to do that, we need to break inside, which I must say not the very easy task even for me...Inque, we need your experience, when everything will be ready for planning.
- How much for the job?...joking, boss. Hey! - Inque shouted at someone in the background, - Stay on the head!
- This new "Unity" group is also up to something, - said Terry, checking sensors on the Batmobile, - They are organized and equipped from the train wreckage, and they sure as hell connected to "New Dawn" and New League.
- The latter definitely created "Unity" to make "New Dawn" a worthy adversary and to be a meaning of pushing PMC inside Gotham, - Wayne was working on the Batcomputer along with Max, who was monitoring distress signals...at least she tried to understand how to monitor and prioritize at all, - Despite how everything is quite, it's only temporary.
- ...speaking of which, Gordon on the line, - said Max suddenly, - Patching her in.
- Quite night, kids? - she asked with a slight grin on her face, - Because we have something unusual today.
- What kind of unusual?
- I just got visited by a European vigilante, calls herself Sidonia...and she came to seek aid from Batman and his allies.
- When she came? - Terry asked, turning towards GCPD HQ.
- One minute ago. I am turning on the signal.
- On my way. Oracle, do we have anything on this Sidonia?
- Well, she's new, not just in town - she appeared in the database of various agencies several weeks ago, - Max was already on her, digging onto new vigilante, - Not much known about her for now, but she wears some old looking armor...
- Figures, - Wayne interrupted Oracle with his own observations, - Originally, Order of Sidonia was a Saxon knighthood order, that awarded women with status for their help with wounded soldiers during Franco-Prussian war, where Saxon were allies of Prussia.
- So our vigilante likes history? - Terry asked, trying to follow what Wayne was trying to imply.
- German history. Try to pay attention to her accent - the more information we get about her, the better.
- ...she originated from Germany, - said Max after a small pause, - That's where first reports came from - she attacked a group of illegal antique traders...zero dead, by the way, but she beat them hard...and got beaten herself from what I see...She continued her crusade for a while, hitting criminal groups all over Western Europe, and suddenly vanished a week ago.
- That's where she needed alibi to visit Gotham...and it happened after the shipment raid, - said Wayne, glancing at Max thoughtfully, - I don't believe this is coincidence.
- It never is, - said Terry, carefully flying towards the GCPD rooftops.
He already saw them - Gordon on the rooftop with several most trusted police officers for backup was standing right next to a figure, that was above Gordon's height by head. This figure was inside weird suit of armor, that resembled typical European style of knight's armor, but it was...weird - the "armor" parts were narrow-sharp closed-off helmet with chain mail protection for neck, shoulder pads, hip pads, heavy-looking armored boots, armored gloves with armrests and some armor parts to protect organs. All those "armor" parts, bright-silver in color, were placed on the tight-looking black suit, that had resemblance to Terry's own suits except that the whole Sidonia's suit was a powered exoskeleton. She also had lots of utility belts for grenades and other stuff, but most importantly was her short sword with a large guard that she kept inside her scabbard. Sidonia also had her own transport - black aerobike, that was stationed nearby. Terry dropped down from the Batmobile, walking slowly towards Sidonia and realizing how tall she was - even taller than him. Inque was also there with Curare, but they were hiding on the rooftop in dark place, but Terry saw them with the help of their radiolink's signal.
- ...how long have you been here? - asked Terry, carefully parking Batmobile on the landing pad.
- Five, maybe ten minutes, - Inque said quietly.
- And why? - Terry opened the cockpit and jumped from Batmobile, slowly walking towards Gordon and Sidonia.
- We want some dramatic entry.
- She wants. I just. Play along. For amusement, - replied Curare.
- You can come out now, - said Terry, approaching Gordon and Sidonia. Inque and Curare finally came out from shadows, startling the police officers, but they recognized them before starting to shoot. Terry just closed his eyes for a moment before he approached Gordon and new vigilante, - Commissioner...Sidonia, - he nodded towards both of them, and Sidonia responded with a slow respectful bowing of her head, - What's for tonight?
- That's up to our guest to tell us, - Gordon glanced at Sidonia appraisingly, while taking step to the side.
- A large collection of stolen old historical artifacts was transported to Gotham, - she started to talk. Sidonia used a voice modulator to disguise and distort her voice, making it more mechanical, but her accent still was there. A German accent, - I tracked them down to private warehouse, where they will be held for some time.
- You seem pretty capable and well equipped, why you need my help? - Terry crossed his arms on his chest, looking straight at Sidonia's helmet. He couldn't saw her eyes, but she probably worked around it with sensors or other things.
- ...I am not experienced in crime fighting, like you are, - she admit with a pause, letting out a short sigh, - And I need help to track those artifacts, because they probably moved or are about to - they never stay in one place for more than three-four days.
- How those artifacts came to Gotham? - asked Gordon from Sidonia.
- Sea shipment, - she turned her head towards Gordon, - It arrived when your attention was diverted to a gang war and trap, that nearly killed Batman.
- Do you know anything else about this shipment? - asked Terry.
- It had artifacts from all over the world, - Sidonia now turned towards Batman, - And maybe something else, because I kept losing them a lot.
- ...should we tell her? - Batman asked from Gordon.
- I think we should, no reason to keep her in the dark, and we need more information on the case, - she nodded.
It took a while, but Terry and Gordon filled Sidonia briefly in what was happening around Gotham - they talked enough to make her understand the situation, while keeping lots of critical details to them. After some questions Sidonia took some time to process the information before she continued:
- Now I believe this is not a coincidence either. I can point you at people who were dealing with the shipment, not only the captain guard you arrested, but those who were paid on the border and those who transported the contents to the very first secure warehouse, - Sidonia slowly reached for her pectoral pocket on the utility belt, opening a secure container and giving Gordon a small disc, - It's a copy of everything I got.
- That would be useful, - Gordon nodded, taking the disc from Sidonia, - And maybe you should track them, but not raid them on the spot.
- You suggesting to take them hot, while they will transport the artefacts from one place to another, - Terry quickly got the idea, turning to face Gordon.
- Exactly. Raiding private warehouse would raise questions, because we do not have warrant...but a sudden police patrol could stop the convoy and inspect it because of anonymous tip or another convenient reason, - Gordon smiled like a sly fox, putting her hands inside the coat, - And if they will hide behind the law to avoid inspection, something could happen to attract police attention and make them panic, - Gordon looked at Inque, who responded with a slight nod, getting the general idea.
- Smart strategy, - nodded Sidonia, - What will be our next step?
- You will lead us to the warehouse you tracked down, and we will get some answers from there, - said Batman to her, - If the artifacts moved, we will find out where, and if they don't, we will find out when they will move them, if tonight - we track them to the next place.
- Got it. I am ready, and you?
- Always...also, can your aerobike take a second passenger?
Soon Curare and Sidonia were on the aerobike, leading the way, and Inque was casually laying inside Batmobile, playing on some newly bought game system with headphones swallowed a bit inside her mass.
- How you managed to hid it? - finally asked Terry, looking at the reflection of Inque and her game. She was playing some sort of stealth action game, carefully and non-lethally taking down everyone one by one...using a cardboard box.
- I stored myself in this flying toaster, remember?
- ...yeah, I remember it too good. Sidonia, how long?
- Almost there, - she responded on the radiolink Terry gave her for the time being.
They dropped down on the rooftops of some old warehouse - Sidonia hid her bike with a special camouflage net in darkness while Terry just left Batmobile in silent running and cloaked it on the rooftops near Sidonia's aerobike. Four of them started to move around, and Sidonia surprised everyone with her version of grappling hook that was attached to her wrist protection. While it was rather short and slow one, it was able to carry her around, but Terry noticed that she was still trying to use it correctly.
When they finally reached needed roof, everyone slowly crouched behind Sidonia, who took cover in shadows and pointed towards the warehouse on the other side of the road. It wasn't noticeable, just another private warehouse, but they were a little late - there were eight trucks at loading areas, and some trucks were already leaving the area, one by one with big intervals.
- You sure this is the place? - asked Batman, taking a careful peek from his cover. Curare was doing the same thing with her optical sensor device.
- It is, - nodded Sidonia, - Some of those people are wanted, and if we could get a clear picture and laptop, I would've...
- Oracle, - Terry interrupted Sidonia while he was looking around the warehouse, - I need you to ID everyone Curare and I managed to have visual on.
- On it, running face recognition...she is right - some of those men are wanted or paroled, but they are all US citizens, - answered Max, working hard and fast to get Terry needed information, - Some of those men are wanted for years.
- This warehouse also had reputation of being transit station for gray or illegal deals, - that was Wayne talking, - GCPD tried to shut this place down seven times, but the owner of this warehouse was two steps ahead from them.
- Sounds like they had an advantage because they were warned by corrupt officers, - said Sidonia, turning her helmet a bit towards Batman, - I don't say the commissioner is the one, but those who under her - definitely are.
- Gordon was with most trusted and clean cops, Sidonia, - Terry shook his head in negative motion, taking pictures of license plates and trucks with his sensors, - But now I know why she wanted to make such complicated operation.
- And we better help her make it succeed. While it's good to have a pictures of those trucks, we have to find a way to track them without being seen, - Wayne leaned back to his chair, watching at the monitor of Batcomputer.
- Do we have a Bat-tracking-thingy? - asked Inque, - I don't want to say Bat-bug.
- You just said that, - Terry searched his utility belt for little tracking device, giving it to Inque, - Be careful, - she nodded, swallowing the beacon inside her mass and started to slowly slither from the side of the building. While Inque was approaching vehicles without being noticed, Terry took another look at Sidonia and suddenly asked, - I have a feeling I have to sue you for copyright infringement, - she turned her helmet to him silently, clearly not getting it, - Grappling hook? Utility belt? Grenades?
- ...I took inspiration from you...and the one who was before you, - she explained, turning away, - In terms of gear, tactics and maybe some other things.
- No-killing rule too? - Terry just kept asking questions while he could.
- Yes, - she turned her helmet back to face Terry, - But I don't have the same experience as you...and I don't think I will do this for long - I have a goal, and when I reach this goal, I will put this suit back.
- Many people were talking just like you, and they never retired...maybe you will be the first one who could do this, - Terry watched as Inque waved him with her tentacle from the storm drain. She waited for the next truck to go past her and attached the tracking beacon to it, - Good job, Inque.
- I know. I will follow them to the final destination and observe from a distance.
- We will have to make shifts, - said Wayne on the radiolink, - Starting today, Inque - four hours, Curare - next four hours, Batman will enter the shift tomorrow.
- Got it, boss.
- And me? - said Sidonia.
- And you, young lady, will be in touch with us, - said Wayne uncompromisingly, - As you said yourself, you do not have the needed experience, but your help will be required during the raid on the convoy...and maybe you can use your persona and connections to figure out more information.
- ...you figured it out? - she asked with a clear indication of fear in her voice.
- Not yet. And if I will, I will keep it for myself, unless you will made me use this knowledge, - Wayne made a pause, to let those words sink in, - That's our deal. You better prepare your suit and equipment for the raid, because it won't be easy.
Inque confirmed that everything was relocated to yet another warehouse, and shifts were made by Wayne to keep track on artifacts - one always at post while other two patrolling in other parts of city. Gordon was informed about the location and she make some changes into shifts and patrol area to be able to intercept convoy in time. With shifts planned, everyone started to wait for opportunity to strike, and while they Bat-family was waiting, Dana decided to go with Terry on a concert. She already had tickets, so she left no choice for McGinnis.
The choice was interesting - Dana bought tickets for a group called "Screaming Veil", that were performing in retro-alternative-metal genre. The concert room was quite big, able to accommodate about five-seven thousand people. The stage was a round one and was located in the center, on a big platform with guard railing, and this stage could slowly rotate when needed. Dana bought very expensive tickets that allowed both of them to be close enough to the stage.
- I heard something about them, - Terry carefully walked with Dana, trying to squeeze through the crowd, - They are quickly coming up to the top of charts.
- I bought all their albums and EP's, their singer is very talented...and the music is really schway.
- Well, I never doubted your musical taste, not going start now.
- Of course you won't...tsh, here she is.
- She?
The center of the platform opened, and a big lift brought up "Screaming Veil" under loud ovation - four men and one woman, all looking in their mid-twenties. He couldn't see them clearly from distance, but they were all dressed in some schway black gothic attire, with main singer waring a semi-transparent white veil over her face. She raised her hands slowly into the air, asking the audience to come down to their senses and waiting for complete silence to fall down. Only after that they started the concert, starting with instrumental experiments, that sounded really nice and were warming up crowd steadily.
But when the first notes of their latest hit rocked the air, everyone went crazy. "Veil" had to even prolong their intro for some time before the main singer started to sing. From the first words that came out it came clear why Dana loved this stuff - main singer while had a bit hoarse tone, it was a powerful one and captivating one. Terry couldn't find right words to describe what he felt, and he only got back to his senses when it was over. Dana was still looking at the central platform, sighing with a clear disappointment in her voice:
- Well, that hour and a half concert felt like ten minutes.
- ...I am taking back my pessimism, - said Terry to Dana, shaking his head slightly, - I mean, wow...I never heard someone sing like this.
- McGinnis, I hope it's just a common praise, - Dana turned to Terry, frowning.
- Of course it is, - he quickly raised his hands in defending motion, - Look - no one danced or tried to trash this place up, everyone just stood there.
- And this is what makes this band schway.
On the way from the concert Terry couldn't resist to buy all the available albums, some T-shirts and accessories for bags, Dana also asked Terry to buy something from concert for herself. Of course Terry bought it, and they went into nearest cafe to continue their date, discussing the concert, the band itself and it's superstar:
- So, they are all Irish?
- Only Aileen, others are Scottish or British, - Dana took a sip of cocktail Terry bought for her and closed her eyes for a moment with a dreaming face, - And her voice is something I never heard anywhere. Sure there are many singers around there, but they can't compete with Aileen.
- Yeah, because not every singer or composer can make me spend money on that, - Terry grinned and nodded to his bag with all merchandise stuffed inside.
- McGinnis, you are irredeemable, - Dana chuckled, looking at Terry slyly.
- I know...and, don't be mad, because I know you will be, but I have to go to work in about forty minutes.
- ...McGinnis..., - Dana moved her cocktail to the side, now quickly looking completely pissed off.
- Dana, we had a good time, right? And we can have even some more right now...if you let this go.
- You know, I wanted to take it slow, but you just pushed me, - Terry knew exactly what will happen, and he mentally prepared himself for this, - You injured yourself when you were working for that grateful mister Wayne, you were put in a hospital, for God sake! - she didn't yelled...yet, but she leaned towards him to hiss like a really dangerous snake, - Yeah, you mother called me, because you did not, and I wanted to visit you but I had no idea where Wayne put you in, even your mother didn't! - she looked around to see, that everyone in the cafe were attending their business, and Terry took the opportunity.
- Yes, I injured myself when I was repairing boiler system, - he sighed, remembering instantly the alibi they developed with Wayne, - It was new one, but someone probably had an idea to attack Wayne with it - he had lots of enemies.
- Yes! Lots! And you are what, his meat shield? - Dana went even more furious, now raising her voice, - Why are you working for him?
- Because this work pays for my college, - responded Terry almost instantly, - Because this work helps us with the paychecks, because this work allows me to have internship in most advanced corporation in the world...it's hard, - he continued after a small pause, seeing how Dana had nothing to say, - It's dangerous, sometimes it's ungrateful, but this is what I need to do.
- You just never told me about what exactly you do, - Dana backed down, placing her hand over Terry's, - And even if you will not tell me...is this dangerous work worth it? I mean, you could've died.
- I know, - Terry nodded, slowly taking Dana's hand, - But it's worth it.
Next few days went in the previous routine, until it was time to strike the convoy. Inque, Curare, Sidonia and Batman placed several remote hidden camera's around the warehouse for Oracle to observe the area, while Inque was creeping around to not let the convoy go. When first three trucks moved, Inque managed to get inside the last one without being noticed and quickly reported:
- Three very bad guys inside with some serious gear...inner hidden camera...oh, they had a blind spot. Peek-a-boo...jackpot, it's legit one.
- Gordon, you heard that? - asked Terry, while he was flying above the convoy in silent running. Curare was inside the Batmobile in her black attire, watching convoy closely.
- Loud and clear, - she quickly responded, - There's a police patrol on the intersection nearby, I will tip them. Inque, how serious is gear?
- Laser rifles, armor pads, helmets, slug pistols...each one has one grenade.
- In Europe they used local mercenaries, but all they got were old weapons, - said Sidonia, who were driving her aerobike several blocks away from the convoy, - Your criminals are much more dangerous.
- They always are...Gordon, got a visual on police car, they are stopping the convoy, - Terry saw how police aerocar signaled the first truck to stop and demanded to pull over to the side of the road, - Sidonia, you cover the rear and use those things I gave you to stop the trucks from moving, but don't go into open - hide behind something...Curare, you take the second truck, and I will take the first one. Inque is our ace in the hole if something goes wrong.
- Not "if", but "when", - she said in the radiolink, - Ready to trash.
- I know you are ready, - Terry initiated the frequency suppression system and checked it to be only allow his and police's radiolinks to be working around. Then he turned on optical camo and dropped down from the Batmobile, gliding towards the police car and silently dropping behind it. Batman lowered his voice while he was observing the conversation, - OK, they are inspecting the manifest now, but it seems it's legit one. Inque.
- Finally! - The third truck started to shake violently, quickly attracting policemen to it, especially when shots were made from the inside from sluggers, - That was me, I already done with those guys, and also they will not move anywhere soon.
- ...oh crap, - Terry noticed that one of the drivers reached for slug pistol, and Terry made a split-second decision to fire a flashbang batarang, - Curare! - shouted Terry, quickly reaching for the drivers and getting them out of the truck with their faces down to the ground.
- Dropping, - she dropped from the Batmobile on the second truck, which started to move, trying to get back to the warehouse. Curare used her blade to hold herself in place, but Sidonia was already covering from her side - she threw several EMP sticky grenades at the truck, turning it down completely. Curare nodded to Sidonia and threw sleeping gas tablets inside the cabin and inside the hole she made with her sword.
Terry and two police officers were busy with the first truck, Inque already took care of the third one, and Sidonia with Curare were fighting together with the second truck's guard. It didn't take long, though - Inque even knocked out the drivers from the third truck, and the element of surprise payed off. When they finished with tying everyone up, Terry nodded to police officers who were requesting backup forces and went inside the first truck, carefully opening one of the crates to see some sort of old jade statue.
- Yeah, it's the one - the truck has some old artifacts inside, - Terry closed the crate, getting out of the truck and contacting Wayne, - Sidonia, Inque?
- Same.
- Same.
- Good to hear, now we need to...
The sudden force along with the deafening shout knocked Terry so hard from his feet that he crashed through the wall. Batman groaned, removing the debris from himself when he saw Curare flew past him, crashing inside the same store Batman crashed in, but she was getting up quickly. Batman got out from the crashed store and saw something that caught him off guard.
Sidonia was fighting with a stranger figure when Batman managed to get outside, and he got a pretty good look at that woman - it was a female for sure - that punched Sidonia so hard that latter fell on her back several meters away from the attacker. Her whole body was black with white parts on the chest area, gloves and boots (which had some weird torn effect). Cut white hair with black strips and length enough to cover the neck, weird white face with strange skull-esque expression and ghostly cyan eyes.
- Silver Banshee! - Wayne even rose up in his chair, not believing his eyes, - She uses her voice to project soundwaves, which could be deadly enough to outright kill you, and she is very dureable.
- I am not...that powerful, - she suddenly talked, facing Terry. There was something weird with her, like she was trying to move but couldn't, and speaking was hard for her, - ...leave...I don't want to do this.
- Then why are doing this?
- I...n-no, I am..., - she suddenly grabbed her head and let out such screech, that the section of the road under her started to crack and fall down. Terry was lucky, he had Batsuit and some experience with Shriek to compensate sound effects, maybe Sidonia had something like that too, but Inque and Curare...no, Curare is fine, she put her healing salve over her ears. Meanwhile Banshee stopped her screeching and dropped down to her knees, growling in anger, - Leave! I don't want to hurt you!
- But I want.
Inque suddenly appeared behind Banshee and threw her tentacle arm at her, closing her mouth and jaw, while also choking slowly by her neck. Narrowing her eyes, Inque started to trash Banshee around, hitting her head over the road, trucks and buildings. That gave Terry enough time to approach policemen and help them go into police car to evacuate them:
- Inque, we need to take fight somewhere else! - yelled Batman on the radiolink, seeing that Inque was holding Banshee in the air, choking her and squeezing her hard.
- She will be out very soo...
Inque couldn't finish her sentence as Banshee suddenly managed to tear Inque's mass in one motion. While she was in the air, Banshee screamed down at Inque with such force that it pinned Inque down, and later the part of the road fell down along with her. Banshee stop her screaming when she took a rocket to the face from Batmobile, throwing her backwards to hit the road several times...but it wasn't enough, because she was slowly getting up, restoring herself gradually.
- ...now that's cheating, - said Terry crossly, looking at sensors to see how Banshee was restoring.
- You can't fight the Banshee now, - said Wayne on the radilonk, - We have to retreat.
- You don't say? - moaned Inque on the radio, slithering behind Banshee and distracting her for a short while by throwing her dagger-like mass at her.
- ...Curare, Sidonia, we need to take take those vehicles to GCPD. Get those people inside the trucks, Inque! Go get her! - Batman launched yet another rocket, but Banshee destroyed it halfway to her, rising up in the air to avoid Inque and to face Batmobile...when suddenly Inque moved towards Sidonia's bike and slithered inside it, activating thrusters and ramming right into surprised Banshee. Inque managed to threw her mass into Banshee to close off her mouth for a short while, and it was enough for bike to ram into Banshee and take her to the upper road, exploding from collision.
- Damn it, I hope you will compensate it for me, Inque! - said Sidonia, quickly getting tied up people inside the trick
- I will buy you a better one! - Inque managed to drop down right before the explosion and now she was a gliding mass, - But she's tough, gotta give it to her.
- We only. Need. To stall her, - said Curare on the radiolink, already getting inside the truck and dusting off from the fight.
- Loaded both trucks, - reported Sidonia, getting inside one, - I will be right behind Curare.
- Boss, any ideas? - asked Terry, looking at Banshee who appeared slowly from smoke and fire, looking right at Inque with wide open fiery eyes.
- You can't do anything to her for now...but you got a cavalry.
- I see them, - Batman saw on the sensors multiple police aerocars that were approaching on a high speed towards the Banshee, who wasn't sure what to do. Growling from desperation, she suddenly rushed down, making her way right through several levels before disappearing.
- ...I will not even think about pursuing her, - said Inque, looking though the hole Banshee made to escape, - Damn, she is really tough one...
All three trucks were received by Gordon, along with the perpetrators and camera feedback. The captured thugs quickly made a deal with the GCPD, selling everyone out. Sidonia, despite how badly was her exoskeleton damaged in a short fight with Banshee, was fine and she retreated to her hideout, while Wayne ordered everyone to rest. Later in the early morning GCPD took down the warehouse, securing even more antiques and capturing dozens of people involved into this operation. So, before Gordon was about to call, Wayne gathered everyone at Batcomputer:
- Silver Banshee, the previous one, on the left. This one on the right is completely different, - he showed everyone two images - one on the left side of the screen showed the Silver Banshee from Justice League time, and another image was taken from Terry's Batsuit, - Not only visually, but different behavior, different speech pattern.
- So she is like me? Took up the mantle from previous one? - asked Terry, comparing two images.
- Maybe, but it's not important, - Wayne opened a file with a captured video footage, showing everyone the segment where Banshee was screaming, holding her head with both hands, - Before this happened, she was stalling the moment of her attack, and more to it - she tried to scare you off with her sheer power. The real Silver Banshee would kill you on the spot without hesitation or second thought.
- Someone is forcing her hand? - now came question from Inque, looking at new Banshee seriously.
- Exactly. And she is not that powerful as the original Banshee, - Wayne leaned back into his chair, frowning and studying several other images closely, - The original Banshee went toe-to-toe with Superman, event to the point where she managed to defeat him several times...Supergirl was also having troubles with original Banshee.
- ...OK, now I am afraid of her, - said Inque, breaking the silence after Wayne's words, - But right now she is not that powerful, and we have a chance to fight with her?
- We have, but her appereance is more than just a coincidence, - Wayne opened some files on original Banshee, refreshing his memory, - Originally, she was created when her magical ritual failed due to sabotage from her own brother, - Wayne read a passage that came from Zatanna's and Constantine's knowledge, - She presumably died, but was resurrected by a powerful being named Crone and returned back as Silver Banshee to honor the deal they had.
- Magic? - Terry raised his eyebrows, - Higher beings?
- You are leaving in the world with splicers, cyborgs, metahumans and Green Lanterns, and you are surprised by magic? - asked Wayne back to Terry.
- Actually, I am. I mean, I can find explanation how some things work, but magic? Some beings in other planes of existence?...you were not kidding about battling demons, - suddenly said Terry, remembering one of their conversations, and Wayne's grin only confirmed it, - So, what happened to that one?
- I have several theories, but they are nothing without any viable proof...and we are in very bad position, since there are not so many magical and occult specialists left in the world - most of them died or disappeared, - Wayne crossed his finger together, looking at new Banshee thoughtfully, - Her appearance means one thing - magic returned to Gotham in some form, and she was protecting convoy because along with the historical artifacts someone could smuggle magical ones.
- So we can't contact anyone to help us with her?
- No, - Wayne closed his eyes and slightly sighed, - There is no one left to help us with that matter. We have to find a way to rescue Silver Banshee and to understand how this shipment and Sidonia are connected to New League...but we have to talk about how you fared against Banshee, - Wayne turned in his chair towards Inque, Curare and Terry, looking at them firmly.
- Here we go, - Inque sighed.
- Curare, you made everything out of the opportunity to attack her from behind, - Curare slowly bowed her head, listening to Wayne's words, - And you made a right choice to not engage in battle when you failed, seeking new opportunity to attack. You were analyzing your enemy?
- Yes. Took longer. Than it. Should.
- You did everything right, but you need to voice your observations and plan accordingly...and maybe we should make an operation on your throat for it to heal faster, - Wayne now turned to Inque, - You underestimated your opponent, and it is a miracle that it wasn't a fatal mistake, though you learned from her mistake...I hope...and Terry, - Wayne glanced at McGinnis, who quickly tensed, - Good call to take fight somewhere else and commanding in general. Quick thinking.
- There were no other options, - Terry relaxed his shoulders a bit, - Either this, or we get our butts kicked.
- What also interesting, is that Banshee could hear radiolink, but only from close distance and definitely not from the inside of Batmobile, - remembered Wayne, turning towards the Batcomputer, - That is something we all should keep in mind while dealing with her.
- But how we can beat her? - asked Terry, rubbing the back of his neck.
- ...exosuit, - suddenly said Inque, with everyone turning to face her, and she just pointed at it in the armory, - That thing could punch really hard, I can vouch for it. Why we won't use this thing?
- It puts too much strain on the heart of the user, - Wayne explained, looking at the exosuit, - Mine for sure, but we did not tested it on Terry...and we needed it only in one occasion, - said Wayne, glancing at grinning Inque.
- So...what our options? - asked Terry from him.
- ...I will pull the strings to be able to upgrade our current exosuit or construct a new one, - said Wayne after a long pause, thinking about current situation, - But until we got it, we can't afford a direct confrontation with Banshee - even in her current state she is still powerful enough to fight with all of you and win...now, - Bruce nodded to Batcomputer where Gordon was calling in, - Let's focus on what we have.
- We busted many people today, but according to data Sidonia provided and various testimonies from our unlucky souls we missed several trucks that were able to leave before we managed to close the perimeter, - Gordon looked outside of the screen, probably looking at another computer screen, - Our guests are talking a lot to give us bigger picture, though, and we are onto big black market group that specializes in antiques and rare items...but that is something interesting - according to testimonies, Silver Banshee was helping with convoy protection, but she always stayed away to be a backup force...and there were also some items that were not supposed to be brought to auction, rather they were supposed to be traded to another customer...customers.
- Do you have anything else? - asked Wayne from her.
- Not at the moment, but I will keep pressing around...and kids, - Barbara glanced over the trio with a slight grin on her face, - You did good today, but don't get it over your head...tomorrow I want see you with Sidonia at GCPD, can you contact her?
- I already did send her a message, she will come. Ten?
- Ten. Gordon out.
- This just keeps getting bigger and bigger, - said Inque, shaking her head slightly, - But, on the plus side, we have Sidonia, and probably we can rescue the Banshee from whoever controls her.
- It could by either control via magical artifact or physical implant, - said Wayne, crossing fingers together, - And whatever this control device is, it must have direct communication with her.
- Just like...that thing, several months ago, - said Terry to Bruce with a clear hint in his voice.
- Something like that, - he nodded, getting the idea...when suddenly he returned to Batcomputer, opening recorded video. Wayne kept opening and closing the segments when he found one - it was the moment when Banshee turned around to get smashed by Sidonia's aerobike. Just before that hit Banshee was completely turned towards Batmobile with her back. Studying the one section of the video, Wayne zoomed in and enhanced the video, repeating it again on a very slow speed. Just for a split-second Banshee's black suit or mass drifted apart from her back, revealing a physical device that was implanted over her spine.
Inque couldn't find any words, but watching in horror at what she saw. Curare maybe wasn't as shocked as Inque, but her eyes widened when she was studying the device.
- ...what is this thing? - Terry forgot how to breathe for a moment, looking at the device in utter disbelief.
- Spine. Of the. Sinner, - suddenly said Curare, coming closer and pointing on the segments of this device, - Multiple. Needles. Have to. Keep it connected. With the spine. One segment falls. Other explodes...look, - she pointed towards the back of Banshees head, which also opened for a split-second, revealing yet another device attached to her head, - That is how. They control her...she risked. Showing it. To us.
- ...Curare, do you know how exactly Spine of the Sinner works? - Wayne glanced at her with such cold fury, that Curare found herself fearing this old man.
- ...I will. Find. The one. Who knows. It will...take time.
- Now we are even more limited in terms of engaging Banshee, because if she will be defeated..., - Wayne glanced at the image again, feeling how fury kept boiling inside him, - ...there will be nothing left of her afterwards.
Whew. Yeah. Silver Banshee. Entirely new one. I wasn't quite...satisfied with how she was handled, especially with her constant downgrades and her New-52 appearance. The potential of the story of Silver Banshee is insane, and the potential of Banshee Beyond - even more intriguing and hooked me as idea. And this introduction of Banshee helps to introduce magic, or it's remains, into B:B, which will play it's role later.
And, of course, Sidonia - entirely new character, that wasn't given her proper time in this chapter, but we will get to that in time. She is more like a...concept of how Batman Beyond changes the world around him to the point where people are looking up to him to use his tactics and gear to start their own crusade.
Next chapter maybe will be really big because of how many arcs are connected to each other, and I need to resolve some of them before moving on. But I don't regret about multiple arcs being implemented at the same time - it adds the tension and feeling of the scale of those events, especially when you resolve them.
See you in the next chapter. I hope soon, because this takes A LOT of time, and the next chapter will take probably even more.
I just hope it's interesting enough. Feel free to comment/rate and other things like that.