Chapter 14: Nothing more, nothing less - Act of espionage

November 31st, 6:00 p.m

"Alfred, prep the Batsuit," Bruce demanded.

"Very well, Master Bruce." Alfred responded. "As for the Batwing as well?" Alfred questioned.

"Very good, Alfred. I'm going to do a little reconnaissance on our friends Cobblepot and Thorne."

"A pair of scoundrels, those two are. Well, it's awfully cold outside. Be sure to stay warm on you journey," Alfred advised.

"Thanks, Alfred. I'll be sure to get back before midnight," Batman thanked.

November 31st, 6:45 p.m

"Are we fueled up and ready to go?" Batman asked, as he climbed upon the Batwing.

"Fully prepared, Master Wayne," Alfred granted. "But, sir, how do you know they are out right now?"

"Crime never sleeps," Batman stated, as he hopped down into the Batwing's pit.

**Vrrrrrrr** The Batwing roared, as the bulletproof hatch slid down into its locked position. **Pfffffffff** The Batwing burst through the waterfall of the Batcave.

"I suppose there's no rest for the wicked," Alfred stated to himself.

-

November 31st, 7:05 p.m - Iceberg Lounge

Batman stood atop a building across the street from the lounge.

"Hurry it up! I can't keep him waiting," Penguin barked, as he and his men made their way out of the lounge, into the car on the curb.

"Now's my chance," Batman said as he hurried to the Batwing, pulling out a large dart rifle.

Batman rushed to the ledge, and took aim at Penguin's car.

**PFFTT** the tracking dart made contact with the car's license plate.

"Step on it, you goons!" Penguin demanded, as they pulled away.

**vrrrrrrr** the car sped down the street, to their next location. Batman turned from the roof and started towards the Batwing.

**Bing** Batman activated his wrist communicator powering the tracker's signal.

"Where could you be heading off to?" Batman wondered.

Batman quickly made his way to the Batwing, and synced his signal to the Batwing's radar. Powering up the Batwing, Batman rose from the roof.

**VROOOOOM** Batman soared towards his target.

-

"He's meeting me over there," Penguin expressed, as he pointed over his goon's shoulders.

**errck - boom!** Penguin exited the car, as he gestured his men to drive away. Pulling away from the location, a masked man emerged from the darkness of an old fishing warehouse bordering the water of the port.

"Well, well, well... Rupert sure has some official acquaintances in this field. Looks like I'll have to keep an extra pair of eyes on my back," Penguin joked.

"There's no time for joking. Let's talk business, you bellowing fool," The masked man demanded.

"Very well. But might I ask, who are you?" Penguin questioned.

"My name is Deadshot. The name is self-explanatory. Now, if your done with this charade, might I suggest we get to it?"

"You must be a busy man," Penguin presumed.

Fading back into the darkness, Penguin lost sight of Deadshot.

**ffffwooooo** Deadshot swooped in behind Penguin, holding a large bowie knife to his throat.

"If you value you meaningless life, you should hand me the money and give me a name. Nothing more, nothing less."

"Ugh... ugh... okay... There's 500,000 in the case. You will get the other half when the job's done, you understand me?!" Penguin shouted from the clinch.

"NAME!" Deadshot demanded in his impatience.

"The former mayor: Mayor Hill," Penguin fessed.

**Bfff** Penguin fell to the ground clenching his throat, as a result of being strangled. Looking around, Deadshot was nowhere to be seen.

"Koff-Koff! He's one hell of a handy man," Penguin admitted.

November 31st, 8:55 p.m

**SSSHHHHHHHHHH** A mass of water shifted in the ocean before the concrete wall, bordering the water. Rising from the water, minutes after Penguin's goons recovered him from the previous exchange, rose the Batwing. The thrusters aimed down pushing out a vacuum of water and air. Then after their ascension upward above the water, the thrusters burst fire and shifted swiftly toward the back of the submersible aircraft. Batman's act of espionage was a success. - **VRRROOOOOMMMMMM**

"Unbelievably, they're up to much worse than I expected. Rupert has handed off one of his contract killers, for hire to Penguin. Too bad Hill is in for his reelection. Perhaps I could persuade him to drop out of the race... No surely not... he's too prideful. He'd take a bullet for this city as well. It's late. I should return home and get a little insight from Alfred on this," Batman thought.

November 31st, 10:00 p.m

**Vroooom-Splash** Batman penetrated the Batcave's waterfall, landing swiftly upon his landing zone. **ZZZiiiiiiTTTTT-KCeeerrr** The Batwing's glass released its lock and shifted inward. **Floooooop-Booom** Batman lifted himself from the cockpit, and threw himself out to the ground landing heavily.

"Greetings, Master Bruce. A success, I presume?" Alfred greeted.

"Not quite. I have an issue. Rupert has got a contract killer known as Deadshot... and Penguin in cahoots." Batman said.

"Oh, my... Well who is their target?" Alfred asked.

"Mayor Hill."