Chapter 5: Connections With Value
It was cool, with a damp chill on the air that soaked into the skin down to the bone, and the place was dark and oppressive, with the sensation of eyes on you at all times. But given the fact the Batcave was a vast underground cavern, Sofia supposed that was appropriate. It was simply part of the natural atmosphere of a cave and there wasn't much one could do to improve it, not that she thought Batman would have wanted to. The whole thing just suited him as was.
He was seated before the vast computer when she arrived. Unsurprisingly he appeared to be brooding, staring intently at the computer screen with his fingers steepled before him. He didn't look around but Sofia had doubts he already knew she was here. She was barely a few yards from him when Batman spoke, eyes still on the screen.
"What have you learned?" His voice was clipped, the demand blunt. This would annoy most people, but Sofia found it was something she appreciated. The vast majority of people weren't so precise and straightforward in their communication. The way Batman addressed issues made things easier for Sofia in some ways. She kept her eyes trained on the floor and the progress of her feet, making it easier to concentrate on delivering her report.
"Largely and in part, the most I have been able to deduce is that Nygma continues to expand his syndicate network at a steady pace. Mind you, he appears to have drastically lowered his standards in recent years in regards to who he just 'lets in' or hires," she began, but before she got much farther, he interjected.
"You disapprove."
She jerked her head up, but he still wasn't looking at her. This was a blessing, as she felt her cheeks growing warm.
"I never said that." She retorted, but even as the words hung on the air she realized how defensive she sounded. He glanced to her at last with a flat expression, and she quickly went on to pre-empt any smart remarks. "He could simply run the operation more effectively if he actually upheld the original standards he espoused concerning the intellect of those in his employ. Disparaging details aside, I have not yet been able to discern if he has any particular goals of late. But I'll keep looking; I wouldn't be surprised if he has something hidden on his personal drives."
There was a slow stiff nod as he looked away again. If the Dark Knight felt one way or another about the news, he gave no indication of it. Sofia waited for him to make another comment, to say something, but he remained silent. A moment or two went by and she started to get impatient.
The trouble there lay in the fact that unlike most people, who might fidget in some physical way when they were nervous and impatient, Sofia had a tendency to resort to snark, sarcasm, and smart-assery. It wasn't something Batman appreciated though, she'd come to realize. Therefore she could hold back the urge to fall into that habit around him, but it wasn't always easy.
"Don't go giving in to any delusions you may think of while you're there, Sofia," Batman remarked just a tad sharply.
She raised her eyebrows, surprised by his bluntness. "You wouldn't be suggesting that prolonged immersion in that environment might cause me to recess," she said in slight challenge. Of all the nerve!
Finally the chair spun around part-way, and the spy was fixed with an icy, quelling stare.
"That is exactly what I am saying."
Sofia fell silent, unusually cowed. The statement wasn't accusatory in tone, but it felt almost unforgivingly judgmental and indicated Gotham's greatest detective didn't trust her. Somewhere deep down, almost deep enough Sofia struggled to acknowledge it, that hurt. Yet she found she had no idea how to argue; logically speaking, Batman's lack of total trust in her was sensible. On a psychological level it was a sound concern that she might recess the longer she spent in the company of the Riddler's syndicate. She knew when people returned to certain environments or reunited with certain individuals they hadn't seen in years, a person could easily recess into behaviors from years past. And given her past and past history with Edward Nygma, even she knew it would be difficult not to fall back into old habits.
But Sofia had a code she operated by, and she was adamant that she would stick to it no matter how difficult things got.
"I understand your concern," she said evenly, "and I will do my best to keep it in mind at all times. But I have my code and I will stick to it, that I can promise you. I gave you my word when I started working with you, and I'm going to keep it."
He continued to regard her quietly for some time, offering up no opinions on what she said. She watched him, waiting for something, anything. But when he finally spoke, what he said wasn't anything close to what she was expecting to hear.
"You aren't entirely alone in the syndicate, Sofia."
Her jaw went slack and she had to work to keep her mouth from falling open like an idiot. "I-I beg your pardon?" she asked numbly.
"You aren't alone," Batman repeated. "The Gotham Police Department have someone on the inside as well, in a manner of speaking."
"'In a manner of speaking'?" she echoed incredulously. He didn't reply right away but spun around again in his chair and ran his fingers over the keyboard of the Batcomputer for a moment. The monitor flicked through a few different screens quicker than Sofia could keep up with, before an image was pulled up of a brunette woman not too much younger than she was. Something about the woman's face seemed vaguely familiar, as though Sofia had seen her before. It wasn't until she took notice of the gray wings emerging from the woman's back that the spy let out a noise of recognition. She had seen this woman at the Riddler's hideout.
"Miss Pendragon isn't exactly easy to forget once you've gotten a good look at her, is she?" Batman said dryly.
Sofia frowned. "She's an officer?" she asked uneasily.
"She's a criminal informant-consultant," he clarified. "Among other things, she and Nygma have something of a relationship, if my understanding is correct."
"They're a couple?" she asked in surprise.
"I expect it's a bit more needlessly complicated than that," he remarked, reaching for a mug of hot coffee Sofia hadn't spotted before and taking a slow sip of it. "You know how the Riddler is."
She chewed her lower lip, both annoyed and subdued by the unspoken jibe. Instead she nodded, not looking directly at him. Her gaze wandered and she found she was looking at Miss Pendragon again. The winged woman seemed an odd choice for the police to utilize, given that she stood out so starkly. Then again, Sofia questioned much about the police department's choices and actions.
As if sensing her skepticism, Batman spoke up again. "She's in a bit of a rough spot as of late, and Detective Ellen Yin already keeps her on a very short leash."
Sofia lifted her eyebrows. "Oh, well I can't imagine that's very gratifying for any sort of bird," she remarked dryly.
"Not particularly," he agreed. He paused for a moment before adding, "I believe it would be beneficial for you to talk to her, Sofia. To get close to her and coax her to open up to you."
"Would you like me to gain her confidence so we can later interrogate her?" she asked, beginning to feel excited. "Does she have some information we need?"
She knew as soon as he spun toward her and she examined his face the answer to her question was no. But the words he actually spoke were terrifying.
"I want you to build a relationship with Pendragon."
Sofia faltered. "You...want me to become partners with her? A confidant? A co-worker?"
"No. I think it would be good for you both if you became friends."
The spy tensed and breathed deeply, trying to calm herself.
Making friends was not in her job description.
Her fingers brushed over the soft blue material in tender strokes as she turned the plush dragon over in her hands. Yin was rambling about something or other—again— and Guen was only half-listening. Her gaze on Fangs, she lounged on the couch, her wings draped over the couch arm so she could be comfortable. Her mind seemed to be set on some sort of loop. It moved from the disastrous lunch with Riddler to Mystery and Kwiz Kid and then to her talk with the redheaded guy, Lonnie. And the whole time only two turns of phrase stuck out in her mind.
"How do you know Nygma is your Lancelot and not your Arthur?"
"Are you happy, Guen?"
They were such simple questions and they should have had simple answers, yet there weren't any. She wasn't entirely sure if her misgivings were a result of the pregnancy or if being pregnant had simply made certain doubts more real. Whatever it was, she was starting to feel like many things and many people around her weren't making sense anymore.
And… am I… really happy?
"Pendragon? Pendragon, are you listening?!" Yin's sharp tone made her jump and Fangs slipped a little in her grip.
"What? Oh, um, yes? Er, well, no...actually," she replied.
The detective groaned in frustration. "We need to make sure you can lead the G.C.P.D. to the location of Riddler's syndicate in order for us to make a move on it." She had the tone of one who was growing tired of repeating herself.
Guen gave an uncomfortable squirm. "I'm there once and you already want me to betray the trust I'm building?" she asked incredulously.
"You and the Riddler were apparently close before you agreed to be our criminal informant."
"He was there when I first talked to Batman about turning myself in," Guen retorted. "Don't you think that's bound to put him back on edge? It's sure to have created uncertainties in his mind, and he'd be stupid not to suspect you would make me case his hideout since he knows I'm your informant."
Yin silently mulled over this, unable to make an argument against her suspicions. After a moment or two, she switched tactics.
"Miss Pendragon you can't act like this would just go ignored. You know that if you come into contact with any other criminals, the department will expect you to divulge necessary information when asked."
"I know, I know! It's part of my job if I want to serve my probation and have my slate wiped clean. But you can't seriously expect me to just stab these people in the back already!"
"I'm not saying we're doing it right now," Yin replied, tense. "I'm asking if you're capable of leading us to the location in the future. We still have other cases to work on in the meantime, so you'll be able to maintain your ties to Nygma." She paused, then appeared to add as an afterthought, "Or… is it those two kids you're worried about?"
Guen pointedly returned her attention to Fangs, stroking his shimmering, iridescent wings. "I dunno," she answered in a bored tone Yin was bound to see right through. "You're the detective; you tell me."
Out of the corner of her eye she saw Yin cross her arms, but otherwise the detective made no comment.
A key turned loudly in the latch of the door, which swung open to admit a lovely woman whose blonde hair was just starting to get a touch of gray at the roots. Yin looked up as she entered, and Guen sat up to look over the couch.
"Nobody panic, it's just me," Clio said in her half-joking way as she kicked her shoes off and shut the door behind her.
"Hey, Mom." Guen allowed more warmth in her voice as she eased herself up from the couch. She crossed the room, not waiting for the older woman to set down her grocery bags before wrapping her in a hug.
"Mrs. Zeus," Yin said respectfully.
"Oh! I hope you're hungry!" Clio let out a small chuckle as she gave the grocery bags a shake. "I bought stuff to make homemade pizza."
"Mom, you're singin' the song of my people!" Guen grinned, taking the bags and easing them onto the table. "Is Logann going to eat supper with us tonight?"
"I don't think so. If my understanding is correct…" her mother paused, then leaned in conspiratorially, waggling her eyebrows and finishing in a stage whisper, "He's taking your friend Akira out for a steak dinner tonight."
Guen shook her head, grinning good-naturedly. "A steak dinner, huh? Somehow it sounds perfect for those two. I prefer your pizza, though. Oh well, their loss!"
"Detective?" Clio turned to Yin as she shook off her coat. "Did you want to stay and have supper with us? We'll have more than enough to make some for you as well."
Guen stiffened, the motion following through all the way to her pin feathers. She loved her mom, but sometimes she could be utterly confusing, not to mention downright too nice for her own good. Yin already eliminated much of Guen's freedom, as well as her idle time and social life. She was willing to accept that, but she didn't need her handler practically joining the family. There was such a thing as taking this "criminal informant" gig too far.
"Thank you Mrs. Zeus, but no," Yin replied, and Guen suppressed a sigh of relief. The next second however, she stiffened again as the words that followed. "I would like to speak to you about something though. Preferably privately."
She glanced over her shoulder, not surprised to find both Clio and Yin had turned to look at her. She waited it out a few seconds, then exhaled in resignation.
"Alright," she said calmly, heading toward the door. "Say what you have to. I'll be on the roof. Come get me when you're done."
Before either of the other women could raise an objection she was out the door and letting it swing shut behind her. Striding through the hall, she passed the doors of the other apartments and toward the maintenance stairwell that led to the rooftop.
Typically the maintenance stairwell was kept locked and only people with the proper key could unlock the doors to use it. Wraith had grown irritated with that and before long had taken to slipping a lockpick in her pockets just to circumvent the issue. So when Guen tried the door to find it locked, she slipped her hand into her left pocket and found the lockpick. Smiling in appreciation at her other personality's resourceful habits, she knelt down, inserted the pick, and gently worked at the tumblers.
This wouldn't be an issue if I could just ghost through stuff like normal.
The errant thought came to her in a flash of annoyance, and she fought to shake it off. Becoming insubstantial was a wonderful convenience, and she kept finding more reasons why she missed it. Still, orders were orders; the Plague Doctor did not want her ghosting in the event it would harm the baby.
This is better anyway, Wraith chimed in to her thoughts. Practice makes perfect.
We agreed we're giving this up,
Guen shot back in slight irritation.
What about our work with the G.C.P.D.? Wraith challenged. Yin is going to ask us to pull stuff like this all the time. Even if we give up a criminal lifestyle after we've served time, it's still useful. And besides, after just leaving college to go all Rogue, we've not figured out a real career for you yet.
The lock clicked open and Guen straightened up, replacing the pick in her pocket and opening the door. What are you suggesting, Wraith? she asked as she started to climb the stairs.
What if we kept doing this? Stayed on as a criminal consultant? Hell, we could even transfer to other places and help them out too. Central City's pretty heavy on the weird stuff, so we wouldn't stand out too much there. Plus we got to Star City so I could break into the lab there, so chances are Green Arrow might be easier to work with than Batman. You know, if we approach him right and all that.
Guen remained quiet as she trotted up the stairs, thinking about the suggestion. It was true, she'd had a bright and promising future in college, though arguably she'd learned a lot more about the gritty reality of criminal psychology from living it rather than reading out of a textbook. And it was also true she'd thrown away both her chances in college and her part-time job at the Scotsman Hotel as a server after the chaos that led all the way to where she was now. If she had to be completely honest with herself, Guen hadn't given her possible future much thought at all… not in light of learning about her unexpected pregnancy.
She reached the roof door and as she strode outside, her thoughts continued. So far she had already helped the force catch and put away a troublesome ring of gunrunners new to the city, as well as to find a notorious forgery artist. She was uncertain how wise it would be to continue on with the work; after a while the criminal underworld of Gotham City would be bound to catch on, especially since she couldn't disguise her wings. But the more she thought about it, the more Guen realized she enjoyed getting to work with the law while still breaking the rules. And as for the thrill and adrenaline that came with it, that part made Wraith happy as a clam. By all accounts it could be an ideal job for her.
Her stomach gave an abrupt growl, the sound reminding her of the one catch. The baby. Before long she would be told she couldn't go out in the field with Yin because she would be too far along. And assuming all went well with childbirth, she would have to find a way to care for the kid and still somehow work until her sentence was over.
Being pregnant has seriously screwed things up.
Crossing her arms, she began to pace the length of the roof, going slow so she could take in the sights. She felt angry and resentful, but she couldn't really blame the baby. It hadn't ever asked to be conceived, and was innocent of its father's sins.
Following on the heels of that thought came the unwanted memory of what happened over three months ago. She didn't dare close her eyes because she knew once she did, she would remember that bastard's face all too vividly.
"You really ought to discuss what happened, Miss Pendragon," Professor Strange had said on more than one occasion. "It is after all, the first step to true recovery."
Not with him I'm not going to, Guen had decided stubbornly, and Wraith had backed up her choice. Talking was needed and she would eventually tell everyone who needed to know about her pregnancy, but a creep like Strange wasn't getting anything out of her.
She shook off those thoughts, trying to clear her mind as she kept pacing. All she wanted was to be able to breathe in the fresh air and stretch her legs for a moment while she had the chance. And so, she continued to pace, hugging her arms as she stared out at the city.
Suddenly Guen became aware of another presence on the rooftop with her. She tensed, the feathers on her wings puffing out, and before she could panic too badly, Wraith took charge. The two of them slipped in and out in a breath, and Wraith balled up her fists.
"You gonna come out and talk to me, or are you just gonna do the whole silent brooding schtick?" she said loudly, waiting for Batman's low growl of a voice to start lecturing her.
"Is this how you greet everyone, sweet nightingale?" a completely different voice answered, and her eyes popped open wide as she spun around. The white-suited, masked man called Anarky stepped into view, smiling in a coy way as he regarded her.
"Nightingale," Wraith echoed flatly. "Where'd you pull that one from, a princess movie?"
"Now, now, now," he said in a soothing tone. "There's no need for that. I know we sort of got off on the wrong foot—"
"Oh, just sort of?"
"But I did mean what I said before, Miss Pendragon. I was hoping our paths would cross. Tell me, are you familiar with the individual who goes by the alias of Dungeonmaster?"
Wraith raised her eyebrows, taken aback. "Gary Myers? He's a robotics engineer. Kind of, anyway." Growing suspicious, she scowled and asked, "Why?"
"Why, it was Mr. Myers who mentioned you to me!" Anarky replied as he started pacing, his gaze fixed on her eyes. He stayed, Wraith noticed, a good distance away from a potential wing-slap.
Smart boy, she thought grudgingly. Aloud she asked, "Gary told you about me? What for? He keeps to himself. He's not the type to sell someone out."
"No, he isn't," he agreed, giving a brief nod. "And I admire that about him. It feels rare lately to see someone actually maintaining their integrity and staying loyal to others. However when I approached Mr. Myers seeking an ally, he mentioned you might be interested. Or at the very least, you might be open to the possibility of working with me."
She crossed her arms and gave him a flat look. "Y'know I'm just a little-lotta-bit unsure after that stunt you pulled at the mall, especially since Guen tried to talk you out of it before I stepped in. Not that I'm not down for the idea of down-with-the-janked-system, of course."
His pacing slowed as he watched her, his expression open and unassuming, unbothered. It was strange but for some reason, Wraith felt like he actually cared about and was interested in what she was saying.
Kind of feels like déjà vu in a weird way, Guen whispered.
"Actually this doesn't really have to do with my mission to purge Gotham of its political cancer. If you're interested though, I wouldn't say no to some help there as well." A corner of Anarky's mouth twitched up in a half-smile before he resumed a serious expression. "This is about the murder of your father."
"My father?" Wraith echoed in confusion for a second before she understood. "Wait, you mean Arty Pendragon?"
Anarky's cowl bobbed as he nodded his head. "That is correct," he replied. "I trust you know he and the late Mr. Myers senior were both murdered by the same person?"
She frowned deeper, pursing her lips. "We always figured their deaths were connected, but we didn't know that for sure, let alone figure they were probably killed by the same person."
He stopped pacing, turning to face her directly, and pressed the tips of his fingers together. "Believe me when I say that circumstances brought things to light and I've learned they were. That is the reason I am here. That is the reason both the Dungeonmaster and now you have come to my attention. I know who killed your fathers."
Wraith sucked in a deep breath, tensing.
He can't be serious! Guen spluttered. Nobody knows that, and Gary's practically been hunting like a bloodhound for answers to his father's death for ages!
But he
is serious, Wraith argued. I can hear it in his voice and I can read it in his body language. Either he knows something not even Gary's found, or he's one hell of an actor.
Guen gave an unsure hum in response and Wraith took a few seconds to steady herself. She hated trying to keep cool—she was the instinctive raptor responses of the two personalities, after all—but she had to play this smart.
"Sorry if I'm a bit skeptical," she began, but he held up a hand to forestall her, a smile spreading over his face.
"No apologies necessary," he said in an easy, lilting voice. "I'm not at all surprised you don't trust me. But perhaps I could give you reason to consider what I'm saying. Forgive me for not asking sooner, but what is yourname?"
She blinked in surprise. "Wraith," she blurted out before she could stop herself. Anarky's smile widened and his eyes seemed to glitter beneath his mask.
"Interesting," he trilled. "I must say, it suits you."
Her cheeks grew warm with the threat of a blush and she did her best to force it back in annoyance. In the back of her head Guen registered the reaction and sent out waves of confusion. Wraith extended her wings around her slightly, hoping to block the glow of city lights from illuminating her face.
"Flattery won't get you anywhere," she muttered.
"You should join me," he said brightly, acting as if he hadn't missed a beat. "We have a common enemy. I know he plans to come to Gotham soon, to try to further oppress it and twist it under his thumb. I plan to move against him, and I know Mr. Myers wants vengeance for his father's murder."
He took a few steps closer, spreading his hands in excitement.
"And an ally like you?" he said in a low voice.
"What about me?" she shot back, pulling a face.
"We could make such a brilliant team!" Anarky exclaimed, throwing his arms up into the air. "I sense a kindred spirit in you. You're wild, untamed…" He quirked a brow and gave another sultry smile. "And I like that about you."
The blush threatened to grow darker as Wraith forced her expression into careful neutrality. This was definitely different. She was not used to guys flirting with her specifically. If anything Guen was the one that was hit on or liked, especially where Edward Nygma was concerned. Wraith was used to being ignored or tolerated, the unfortunate luck of being Guen's alternate personality… again especially where Nygma was concerned.
"Just one little flaw in your plan there, Casanova," she remarked, pleased her voice stayed steady. "Guen's a bit more docile than I am. You think she won't dig her heels in if I decide to go along with your arrangement?"
She had expected this to be a stumbling block but to her amazement, Anarky grinned.
"I think you'll find I rather like both sides of you. Split personality or not, both Wraith and Guen, you're two equal parts of one whole. It's a very intriguing yet balanced contrast you share. I find it fascinating."
Wraith opened her mouth and shut it again. She was at a loss for words. Guen too was stunned speechless, she knew. Nobody had ever said something like that before. Maybe Two-Face once had insinuated something to that effect, but it wasn't the same.
It's like he's seeing and acknowledging us both as separate, but also viewing us as one person at the same time, Guen thought after a moment, as though trying to solve another of Ed's stupid riddles and finally realizing the answer.
But, nobody's ever done that before. Wraith's train of thought was as much for herself as it was a response to her alter. A mix of puzzled emotions rose in her. This was new and strange.
"Besides," Anarky said, "I think you'll find that I can be quite the charmer when you get to know me a bit more personally."
Wraith snorted. "I'll take your word for it."
"Trust me, you'll see," he said with a wink. "Just give my proposition some thought, will you?"
And before she could work out any sort of response, he strode away. Without another word, he drew a grappling hook from his silver belt, fired it at a nearby rooftop, and jumped from the building. His timing couldn't have been better, because a second later the door to the roof opened to admit Detective Yin.
"We're done, you can come back now," she announced. A second later she frowned as she looked at Wraith, taking in the winged woman's expression and posture. "You alright?"
"Yeah," she answered, her eyes trailing to follow Anarky just as he lept from the other roof and vanished from sight. "Yeah, I think so."
A heavy silence had fallen over the Riddler's hideout hours ago, long after Aaron and Codi had scuttled off. Rook had attempted to hang around for a while, but when the continued lack of any real conversation indicated Riddler's grouchy mood, Rook too had slipped away. Now only Phantom was left in the office with him and she was feeling restless. It was rare for her to be left completely alone with Mr. Nygma for this long a stretch of time, and the silence was making her uneasy.
Habit spurred her into motion. She would walk from one corner of the room to another, wait there for several moments, and then move again. She would crouch, shift her posture, check her gun holsters, adjust her mask, or push back her hair. All the while she managed to focus her attention on either the door or the ventilation shafts, the two points of entry to the room, but her restlessness found ways in which to make itself evident. Not that she was entirely aware of it, at least until it was pointed out to her.
"Is something wrong, Kaina?" Riddler asked abruptly. She jumped, startled. Her cheeks grew hot, partially from shame and partially from something else entirely. Mr. Nygma was the only employer she ever had who bothered to learn and remember her given name. Her stomach tied itself in knots whenever he said her name, and her heartbeat quickened its pace.
It felt good to be seen as a person and not just a hired accessory.
"Sorry," she answered, shaking her head. "Nervous habit."
"Ah." His tone softened sympathetically. "I can understand that." He paused for a moment in thought and then said something she had never expected to hear. "Why don't you sit down?"
He couldn't see her eyebrows rise behind her mask, but she couldn't help her surprise.
"Me? Sit down?"
"Yes. You are company and I could use someone to talk to."
She hesitated, her insides squirming in a mildly pleasant way. After a moment she crossed the room and took the other chair nearest the desk. This prompted Edward to grin and launch into a prepared set of riddles, mostly to see if Kaina could solve them. She wasn't sure she could, at least not right away, and in any event she was more so just enjoying his company.
It really felt good to be seen as a person, especially a person with value.
