CHAPTER 18

By morning, they entered the city. They made their way to the Street of Lotuses as fast as they could but had to stop and hide several times because of the patrols.

"Wow, they're really out in force," Dick commented to Rufus as they crouched behind some trash cans.

"They want you," Rufus said. "Lee can be pretty single-minded."

"Yeah," Dick said with a worried look. "And they've got Batman."

Rufus gave him a frustrated snort. "Forget Batman. What about you? Everyone says that Batman can get out of anything; he's almost like Superman!"

"He doesn't have Robin to help him out," Dick said. "Batman doesn't do it alone..." He craned his neck around the trash can. "Coast is clear. We'd better get moving." He slid an arm around Rufus chest and helped him up. The two boys kept going.

A few minutes later, they got to the Street of Lilies. Rufus glanced around for patrols but saw nothing. He turned to Dick, who nodded. "Looks okay," Dick said. "Now, how do we find this place? Do you know enough Rheelasian to ask for directions?"

Feeling guilty, Rufus pointed toward the small building with paper flowers drooping from the eaves. "Try that one. I...uh...don't think a guy owner would put flowers up in his doorway. Probably owned by a woman, don't you think?"

Dick shrugged. "It's as good as any other strategy. C'mon, let's go." He helped Rufus over to the doorway. A small, thin woman stood behind a counter and smiled benignly at the boys. She said something in Rheelasian that Rufus answered.

"She said, 'Good morning, what can I get you?'" Rufus interpreted. At hearing his words in English, the woman started and stared at the boys more closely. When she saw their eyes, she quickly went to the door and shut it, then locked it.

"I know who you must be," she said in English. "Which one of you is Dick Grayson?"

Both boys stood there, aghast. Dick began to look for exits and getaways, when the woman smiled suddenly, her face brightening. "Don't worry, I'm not with the police. You're here looking for an escape, aren't you? You were kidnapped by President Lee, yes? You're looking for the underground railroad? I'm Hana Kim."

Still suspicious, Dick asked, "Why are you looking for Dick Grayson?" He subtly backed himself and Rufus toward the door.

Smiling softly, the woman held out a hand. "You must be Dick; I've heard so much about you from Leslie. Our group is funded by Wayne Enterprises and managed by Dr. Leslie Thompkins."

Dick's eyes widened. "Bruce never mentioned your group to me. Not at all."

"I doubt he discusses all his charitable works with you, Dick," Hana said sympathetically. "And in any case, rescuing brothel children isn't something you talk about with your fourteen year old son. He probably wanted to protect you."

Dick frowned a bit. "I'm pretty sure he did," he said shortly. "But I'm glad we found you. Can you get Rufus out of the country?"

Rufus turned to Dick. "Hey, what about you? Batman told us to get out of the country, fast! And you're in more trouble than I am!"

"I'm not going anywhere," Dick said. "I can't leave Batman. He rescued me, the least I can do is try to help him."

Rufus gawped. "You're a fourteen year old kid. What can you do?"

"You'd be surprised," Dick said softly.

PRESIDENTIAL PALACE OF SINGH MANH LEE

Batman woke slowly through a groggy haze. What had happ...Dick! Was he safe? His eyes flew open and, to his startlement, he was in a comfortable bed in a...hospital? His bad leg lay outside the covers, well wrapped in bandages, and an IV led to his arm. His costume had been removed but his cowl remained; he could feel it on his head. He tried to raise his hand and discovered that he was in restraints, both arms and legs and...chest as well. The last thing he remembered was being beaten up by Lee's soldiers and dragged out of their hiding place. He'd shouted for Dick and Rufus to get out. What had happened to them? Where on earth was he?

"Hello? Anyone there?" he shouted. "Anyone?"

A small Asian nurse came in the door and smiled shyly at him. "Hello. I'm

Li Na, your nurse," she said in perfect English.

"Where am I?" Batman asked. "What is this place?"

"You are in the Presidential Palace of the Beloved Leader, President-for-Life Singh Manh Lee," she replied. "He has commanded that you be given the best of medical treatment. The shrapnel in your leg has been removed and your infection is being treated with antibiotics. You also had some bumps and bruises, but those will heal with time. Are you in any pain?" she asked sympathetically.

Batman just stared at her. He'd beaten the crap out of Lee when they'd last met and now he was being treated as a star patient? "What? Why?"

The door opened again and a battered but smiling Generalissimo Lee stepped in. "Good morning, Batman," he said cordially, waving the nurse away. After she'd left and closed the door behind her, Lee pulled a chair next to Batman's bedside and sat down. "Feeling better?"

"What's your game, Lee?" Batman demanded.

"Batman, or should I say, Bruce? I want you in excellent health," Lee said, settling comfortably into his chair. "You'll have to be to carry out my plans."

Batman scowled at Lee while secretly testing the restraints. "What plans are those? You know I'll do nothing for you!"

"Oh, I think you will," Lee said easily. "Once Robin is in my custody again, you'll have a series of tasks to carry out for me. That is, if you ever want to see him alive and well again."

Batman felt his muscles tense and regretted his inability to strangle Lee where he sat. "You won't get Robin. He's out of your hands and he'll stay that way," he rasped.

"Oh, I don't think so. That boy, Rufus? He's agreed to bring your boy back in where he belongs. Back to me. He's the one who alerted my troops to your location and he's with Robin right now. Rufus knows what's good for him." The Generalissimo leaned back in his chair. "Bruce, you know I've never forgiven you for the fiasco you made of my trip to Gotham. I'd paid for those nine little girls in advance and not only did I lose the money, but you damaged my yacht as well." He leaned forward. "I understand that Robin had a hand in keeping my cargo from me as well. Bright boy. You should be proud of him. In any case, I've had five years to study you two and I think I can be confident that Robin is not going to leave you behind. So here is how it will be, Bruce," Lee smiled broadly. "You will rest here so that you can be fit enough to carry out my plans when I release you. Oh yes, I'm flying you back to Gotham City. Robin will remain here with me, where I shall enjoy his company. And you will do everything I ask of you, quickly and efficiently. If you fail in any of your tasks, Robin will suffer for it." Lee's eyes glittered. "Do you doubt that I can do all I promise?"

"If it involves human suffering, I don't doubt you, Lee," Batman gritted. "But remember, you don't have him yet."

HANA KIM'S STORE

Hana locked the door to the small shop and pulled the boys into the back room. "Well, whether you are going or not, you're probably hungry. Have some breakfast while I make some arrangements." Her nose wrinkled. "And you both could use come clean clothing and a bath."

Neither boy argued with the prospect of breakfast and sat down hungrily to their rice porridge. Hana soon came back with two sets of clean clothes and a crutch for Rufus. "The shower is ready," she said. "You two get clean and you'll probably want to take a nap. I'll contact some people and plan to get you out tonight." Her eyes sharpened as she looked at Dick. "Bruce Wayne won't thank me for letting you stay here, Dick. You're going."

Dick took his shower and considered his options. Could he call for help? While they were holed up, Batman had said something about the League not wanting to get involved in Rheelasian business and to call Oliver Queen instead. He didn't know the country or the presidential palace. He didn't speak the language. He finished the shower, much cleaner but still undecided. He also felt dead on his feet, so he didn't object to taking a nap, feeling relatively safe for the first time in days.

He was shaken awake hours later by Hana Kim. Rufus, head buried in his blanket, was just starting to move. "Dick, you must leave the country immediately," Hana said, holding a piece of paper. "Look. They are handing these out all over the city."

Dick picked up the paper she handed him and read it, going pale. Written in English and Rheelasian, the flyer was addressed to him. 'Dick Grayson', it said. 'Batman is a prisoner of the Rheelasian people. If you do not turn yourself in to authorities by midnight tonight, Batman will be executed by firing squad. If you turn yourself in, you will be treated humanely and Batman will be released. You know that I am serious. President-for-Life, Singh Manh Lee.'