Nightwing #18 "Hardboiled!"

By Mick Edwards

Dick had traveled miles out from Bludhaven, and stopped at a low rent hotel off the highway. After pulling into the driveway, he turned the nightbird off, and set his keys in the pocket of his jacket. Two men walked out from the hotel, both wearing immaculate black suits, and rayband shades. The one on the left had long black hair tied into a pony tail, and he was Caucasian; the other was an African American with a fro and mustache.

"What are you doing here?" asked the man on the left.

"I was hoping to stay at this fine establishment," said Dick.

"Who are you?" asked the man on the right.

"My name is Wilbur Johanson, and it's a pleasure to meet you boys."

"Sorry, Wilbur is it?"

"Yes indeed."

"Well, Wilbur this hotel is closed to the public."

"Why's that?"

"Because it just is," said the man on the right.

Dick eyed both of them, and then got back into his car, and pulled away.

---

Soames lie in bed sweating profusely. He ran a hand through his prickly, sandy brown hair, and grabbed the telephone where he immediately dialed Deloris' numbers. After two rings she answered.

"Deloris," he said.

"Yes, Mr. Mayor?"

"I am not feeling well. I need you to cancel my appointments."

"I will get to it right away, sir."

He hung up the phone, and lay his head back. His whole body shivered.

---

Bridget walked back upstairs, and plopped down on her bed. She didn't want to open her almond eyes because of the tears that ran down her cheeks. A heart felt goodbye would have made her feel a bit better about him leaving, but instead, he left her near the city limits to walk all the way back. She was a fit girl, and the walk wasn't hard, but it was the rudeness of the act. Not to mention the danger of the criminals in the city. She wiped back her short black locks, and sighed.

She didn't understand what was going on with him, and she wasn't sure she cared anymore.

---

Kasumi dropped down over the security gate, which separated the Mayor's manor from the corrupted streets of Bludhaven. She pulled shurikens from her belt and hurled them at the patrolling guards before pressing forward. The security cameras whirred, as they scanned over the property.

She ducked low, and used the darkness to conceal her presence, as she made for the doorway. Once through she tossed several pellets on the floor, which let out a gas that put the guard dogs to sleep.

From there on in she crept quietly into where she expected Soames to be, only to find some one else waiting; a man taller then her with a thick build, a shaved head, and wearing leather.

"Who are you?" she asked.

The man turned around with his hand on his belt. A silver nose ring connected to the diamond stud in his ear. On his bicep was a sword with wings tattoo, and he sported a goatee.

"Deathwing," he said.

Kasumi started to draw a dagger from her belt, but her foe tackled her to the ground before she could reach it. He slammed his forehead against the bridge of her nose, and wrapped his meaty hands around her throat. She could feel her lungs burn from the lack of air, and in desperation, she kicked him in the back three times. The fourth time, she bowled him over, but he managed to get to his feet before she did. He grabbed her by the back of her mask, and rammed her face into his knee several times until blood seeped through the nets that covered her eyes.

"Does that hurt, baby?" he asked.

"You tell me!" she said, grabbing his testicles with a hand claw slipped on.

He screamed in pain, and let go of her mask. She continued squeezing until he nearly passed out from the pain, but she kept slapping him across the face to keep him conscious.

"Talk," she said. "Where is Soames?"

He groaned in pain, and then uttered one word. "Ship."

"What ship?"

"Harbor," he said, pain lancing through his lower extremities. "The ship's called the Morrison."

"Good boy."

Kasumi let go, and kicked him the temple. He fell sideways landing on his face.

---

It was night fall, and Dick put on his black body suit with its blue bird insignia. He considered foregoing the extra layering, but considering he didn't know what awaited him; reason dictated otherwise. When he was ready, he checked over his equipment twice to be sure, and then made his way toward the hotel. He held a map in his right hand that listed a possible entrance to the sub-level below the hotel.

But, first he had to get past the guard detail in front, and odds were they weren't carrying pea shooters under their fine jackets, so he pulled a knockout gas pellet from a compartment in his glove; and snuck as close up as he could to toss it at them. By the time they took notice of it, the quick acting gas had them face down in the dirt.

Following the map, he surveyed the area beside the east side. There, he found an air grate, which he pulled off, and lowered a rope down. Making sure it was taut, he climbed down into the sub-levels beneath the hotel. On his left, he saw the FBI logo, and that made him all the more curious on what he would discover up ahead.

---

Soames woke up with a start, a damp towel on his forehead. He looked around the bedroom on his ship, and he breathed a sigh of relief. Next to him sat his bodyguard, Scarlet Jones. She took the towel from his forehead, and re-wet it before putting it back. Her wavy red hair hung down to her shoulders, which made her stand out it among all the women he had been with before. He placed his hand on her tanned cheek, which accentuated her Mexican heritage

"What would I do with out you, Scarlet?"

"You'd be dead," she said, "and I would still be working security detail for the former mayor."

"But, don't you just love the changes?"

"Yes," she said, leaning down to kiss him.

He pecked her on the lips before giving a firm embrace, and a slap on the ass. They were disturbed; however, by the Aryan looking Trigger Twins.

"What do you two fucks want?"

"Is that anyone to talk to us, Soames?" asked Tad Trigger.

"I think he forgot his place," said Tod Trigger.

"I forgot nothing," said Soames, "I'm the Mayor."

"The Mayor, who answers to our boss," said Tad Trigger.

Tod Trigger walked toward Soames, and Scarlet. He grabbed her by the wrist, and pulled her away from Soames, but he found himself hunched over in pain with her boot in his stomach.

"Don't touch me!"

"You shouldn't have done that lady," said Tad Trigger.

Scarlet brought the back of her foot down on Tod's head, and spun around to confront Tad.

"Bring it on!"

Soames reached under his mattress, as Scarlet fought with Tad Trigger. He pulled out a forty-four magnum, and cocked back the hammer as he aimed it at Tad Trigger.

"Oh Tad," said Soames, "smile for me!"

Tad looked at Soames, only to take a slug right between the eyes. Tod screamed upon seeing his brother fall to the floor.

"Whose next?" asked Soames, as he looked down at Tod.

---

Kasumi sat still as the medic tended to her twice broken nose. Sensei walked up to her, and planted himself right next to her. The mat proved to be harsh comfort when placed on the hard concrete, but neither Sensei or student should their discomfort.

"How goes your mission?" he asked.

"I know where Soames is," she said.

"Why did you not go there immediately?"

"Because," she said, "I want to be at my best when I make him suffer."

"You should have killed him now," he said, "but, I will grant you this reprieve."

"Besides, it matters not when he dies."

"Thank you, Sensei."

"You are welcome, my daughter."

Sensei walked away, and Kasumi lowered her head.

---

Nightwing had tried several different corridors, but all of them ended up the same; dead ends. It took him a while to find a path that lead to a room where he found James Jesse in prison clothes, and eating dinner. James looked the same with mop of dirty blonde hair, and wild blue eyes. Before he could proceed to speak with the former Rogue, Agent Blane walked into the room. So, he placed a transmitter on the wall, and listened in to their conversation.

"How are you doing, James?"

"Fine, yeah," he said, "just fine."

"Good, I am hoping we can begin the second phase soon."

Blane snapped his fingers, and an agent walked in to remove the tray of food.

"I will have a shower prepared for you, and your clothes," said Blane, "I hope you won't disappoint me."

James watched Blane leave, and drew his legs in, and rocked back and forth on his cot.

Nightwing watched him, waiting to figure out his next move.

---

Scarlet wiped the blood from her lips, and kicked the corpse of Tad Trigger. She then walked over to Soames and sat beside him. He wrapped his arm around her, and sat down his gun.

"I think it's time we settled this dispute with Agent Blane," he said, "call Red Claw."

"What do we need with your ex-wife?" she asked, "I can do any job you require."

"Like you love, I know Aleta won't fuck with me," said Soames, "now get her on the GODDAMN phone!"

"All right," said Scarlet, as she got up off the bed. "Jerk."

---

The medic looked at the black and blue swelling that distorted Kasumi's delicate Asian features. He swept back her long bangs, and put the face guard on, to which she expressed some discomfort. When he was finished, she snapped her fingers, and an apprentice brought in her clothes. He possessed homely features, and eyes filled with malice. As she reached out for her clothes, the boy made a sudden movement, and the medic stared in shock as Kasumi caught the boy's wrist, and in his hand was a knife that was inches from her heart. With a simple twist she broke his wrist.

"Try to kill me again," said Kasumi, "and I will kill you!"

The boy nodded as she applied pressure to his broken wrist.

"Now, get out of here," said Kasumi, "and don't bother me again."

Once the boy left, she put on her uniform with only the medic around. He captured a brief peek at her backside before she pulled her pants up, and she turned around with a smile on her face.

"Like the show?"

---

When the guards started to escort James Jesse from his cell, Nightwing made his move, and threw two stun darts into their necks leaving only himself and James.

"Come on, James," said Nightwing, "I'm going to take you out of here."

"Why?" asked James, "I -- kinda like it here."

"Trust me, this isn't a good place to be," said Nightwing, "and you are not where you belong."

"Yo-you're trying to put me back there!" he said, stumbling back. "I'm not going back there!"

"Back where?" asked Nightwing.

Before James could answer, Nightwing was struck from behind, causing him to collapse to the ground. James stared at Nightwing's assailant with fear in his eyes.

NEXT ISSUE: Dick Grayson: Fugitive

NEVERMORE: When a man is on the run with everything to lose, and his back turned to his friends; he deserves no comfort.

-Uncredited