Bane had only heard of the lieutenant, a self-absorbed bastard looking for glory and a crooked wage from anyone willing to pay him off to look the other way. He apparently was paid handsomely by Black Mask when Roman was in charge. Joker stuck to the ruse and did it too, but Branden seemed to have a suspicion something was off, at least he believed he was about to be double-crossed...not that the current Black Mask wasn't Roman...which was easier to cover for as being a paranoia.
It seemed the twisted lieutenant also wanted to get rid of the newly arrived captain of the force, Jim Gordon. It wasn't surprising one like Branden wanted to keep all wraps on the GCPD and Gordon posed a decent threat to exposing the corruption if he caught wind of it. Fortunately, Commissioner Loeb was also in Black Mask's pocket so there wasn't any fear of the captain's concerns being pressed at the moment. It was exactly as Joker wanted and when the time came, both Loeb and Branden would disappear, leaving the GCPD vulnerable in fear for the overhaul Joker planned for later after the Bat was gone.
This man, though, was not Bane's idea of a soldier. He didn't think he would ever meet the hostile officer in person but someone snitched and one Bane's operations was swatted. He feared that such a raid would alert the Bat early but as it turned out, Branden did it under the radar of his own police force. If the police themselves didn't know sans a select few, the Batman would hardly be aware of it until it was too late. Even then, it would only look like a mere small-time drug operation, not a front for a deadlier plan.
Branden had some nerve talking to his men like they were amateurs, gloating like he was a hero. Funnily enough, none of his men alerted the bragging lieutenant that their boss was there...watching from above on a catwalk. They played to the lieutenant's ego just enough to distract him.
When Branden finally asked who their boss was, that was Bane's cue to approach and he did so with a bang. Leaping down from the catwalk, his landing shook the building almost and Branden's SWAT went from aiming their weapons hoping for the Bat to becoming disheartened at the size of their opponent. To top it off, watching Branden's face drop when he saw Bane was priceless.
Unafraid of the weapons and what they could do if any of the officers got trigger happy, Bane stomped up until he towered over Branden. It didn't go unnoticed the lieutenant did a quick glance-over of his form, mainly out of intimidation if anything.
"You're a big guy."
The obvious statement told Bane he unnerved the lieutenant. That meant easy prey.
He simply tilted his head and replied, "For you."
Branden's officers were unsure of what to do. They had dealt with strong men before probably but he wasn't those men. He was Bane and even if the name didn't register to them, his presence alone did.
"So," Bane began, "what can I do for you fine officers this evening?"
Playing it smooth also intimidated them it seemed. If someone they confronted got angsty or started wit with information off the bat, it was a sign of nervousness they could use to crack down on the situation with the upper hand. But if someone didn't fear them, like Bane, and wasn't offering any information, they had no power therefore they were only horses in the field, nothing more.
Lieutenant Branden stroked the underside of his chin in thought, a gesture of uncertainty in Bane's eyes. "We, uh, had a call about a drug ring going on in this area. Now, you boys wouldn't happen to know why that is, would you?"
Bane could tell what he was doing. A common police tactic was to get the suspect talking, get them to reveal a little piece of themselves even if it had no relevance to the initial suspected crime. Once that happened, then they would ask more about the suspect and lead into questions that could only be given by revealing truths. Santa Prisca did it too, so Bane was hardly new to this game.
"I, unfortunately, have not seen any activity in this area. But if you find someone who is selling, you have my condolences."
A normal human being would have "admitted" it wasn't them. Technically, he never admitted anything and if Branden pressed him on that, it was an unofficial declaration on the officer's part of coercing a suspect which was its own legal issue.
Branden grew frustrated, "Are you kidding me? Fine, be that way. I know what you're up to. I know about Black Mask's deal."
Bane's brows furrowed in amusement. "Such a broad statement. This Black Mask? You think he has something to do with me?"
"Doesn't he? Why are you here then? I know you aren't from this country by your accent. I know about mercenaries Black Mask hired in my city. Now why is it there's reports of drugs and I find several questionable illegals in this area? Hmm? If you are doing something, either you tell me or I lock you up until you get deported. How's that for a reality check? Want to keep lying to me now?"
The amusement of the situation began to slip as Bane took a disliking to his tone. Maybe he just should answer Branden...and give him an answer he couldn't possibly use against him.
"Fine, amigo, you want to know why I'm here? I'm collecting a bounty in a week. I have all the supplies I need to get it done including Black Mask's resources. Now, either you can report this and be a target of his ire, one he just might hire me to take care of so we may meet again in the future, or you can walk away with any dignity you have left and leave me to my job. I'm no such illegal as that implies I am staying in this country which I have no intention of doing. Deporting me would be meaningless because my country knows me quite well. They would refuse a transfer. And I know for a fact you are in Black Mask's pocket the same as all your officers here so you try coming down on me, you're going to have to turn yourself in, Howard," Bane said unflinching. Then he smiled, "How's that for a reality check?"
His response left Branden stunned and, for once, silent as the grave. Branden's officers were already standing down so they only coughed at the awkwardness, and his men were making impressed and humorous faces at how he just dragged the proud lieutenant on his face figuratively, all of which was true.
The lieutenant swallowed silently and kept eye contact minimal before shaking off the embarrassment with a nod. "Um, I'll just let you off with a warning."
Bane crossed his arms and smirked, "You have a good night, officer. Sorry for the misunderstanding."
Branden and his officers were quick to leave the scene and when they did, Bane's mercenaries fell to the ground cackling like hyenas. Even Bane himself began to laugh.
"The way his face dropped!" One soldier wheezed, "He looked like his soul left his body!"
"No, he looked like he'd seen a ghost!"
"I think he was already a ghost when Bane showed up! He died right there and just didn't know it!"
Holding back, Bane cleared his throat but the funny scene still kept him in a good mood. "Alright, cálmate, todavía hay mucho por hacer. We need to get back to work."
Branden didn't seem to take his warning lightly. When Joker reported to Bane of several calls complaining about him, it wasn't hard to figure out who it was. Why he was tattling to Black Mask, or Joker in disguise, was somewhat guessable and it seemed to help him understand the officer a bit more.
He was no psychiatrist but Branden had problems with authority and he had an attachment to control, probably as a kid too. Some adults just kept those quirks, never learning the word "no" and acting as entitled or demanding of power. When they couldn't control who they wanted, they went for the throat of the person by going after associates, people and businesses regarding the person which either worked or it didn't. There was never a middle outcome.
At the same time, people like Branden also used these methods to hide insecurities. What Branden's insecurities were, Bane had to know more about him to guess. But maybe, he had already seen them. Jealousy was a big possibility. Branden wanted what Black Mask had but lacked the capability and the brains to take it. Granted, he wasn't stupid by any means but Roman didn't keep his empire afloat through family money by being stupid either. Pride was a given, what he hid behind but for what was unclear. A sore loser was one guess though not so much an insecurity against it being a large flaw. Bane found himself facing down Branden again to get some answers...but not how he ever expected to see the man.
When Joker as Black Mask invited all to a night on the hotel with raises, stolen money but not a huge loss in Joker's opinion, even the corrupt cops of Gotham showed up. They were rightfully threatened that if they pulled anything, their families and associates would pay the price. Naturally, as a corrupt official would, they were more than happy to pretend it was nothing but a gathering of good friends.
Bane studied the lieutenant from afar only to find the officer uncertain. He was surprised to say the least. Branden seemed to have friends but were they really? He had his pay. A side glance at his cut looked pitiful. Even when the man looked around at everyone he was among, there was a sense of sadness in the small moments between being cocky as he always was to show off and smiling when he didn't truly want to.
That was his trouble. Bane could recognize it now. Branden was miserable deep down, nothing but a sad, lonely boy underneath all that bravado. Like a schoolyard bully, he tackled people weaker than him. But when the curtains came down and his friends were gone, he wasn't anything more than a lost sheep among wolves.
Branden left the service provided and stepped outside onto one of the hotel's large balconies away from the commotion. Bane followed and met him as he leaned against the railing in the cold. He rubbed his eyes, oblivious to the snow falling.
"If you stay out here, you might get frostbite," Bane said, pushing his hands into his pockets.
"What do you want?" Branden muttered with a lack of his signature brash nature.
"Just a curiosity more like. Why are you not inside with your friends? They are your friends, right? Those other officers?"
A twitch of a sour expression from Branden's face made it apparent it was a bad subject. "Friends. I'm only here for the money. I don't need anybody."
Bane made a quiet huffing noise of thought before lifting the suitcase next to the officer. "You mean this? A stash of money you put by you that anybody could steal off of you without you knowing...or caring."
Branden just glared at him but made no move to retrieve the money from Bane.
"It's not about the money, is it? It's not about me or Black Mask or your job. It's something about you that is hurting you. All that aggression and need to control, it's because you don't have any outlet for your inner turmoil. It's eating you alive."
The smaller man growled, "Why do you care? Why-you're just some punk for all I know! You, Black Mask, and all those other freaks are nothing but trouble, and you pretend to know me so you can hurt me! I can't believe a terrorist madman who gets off being a psycho for hire thinks he knows Gotham better than its own people, people like me! You don't know anything! And if you think I'm going to tell you anything, forget it!"
Bane pushed the suitcase of money back into Branden's arms to his bewilderment. "And you fail to realize that deep down, you're a fool. I am not telling you this because I expect you to open up to the likes of me. I am telling you that you are destroying yourself because it's the truth and you need to stop acting like it isn't."
Branden grew quiet but didn't have the same expression of guilt he did in their prior meeting.
"Your sense of pride and greed are biproducts of your darkest ambitions which I am convinced you don't recognize which leads you to getting into trouble with the wrong people like me. Inside, you were acting and I saw that you were a pathetic mess. I'm giving you one chance to back down or I will warn that there are many people here who will destroy you if you let yourself be consumed by those insecurities."
Slowly, Branden shook his head. He then repeated softly, "Why do you care?"
Bane frowned but closed his eyes. He sighed, "Because I was once like you. I don't expect you to change and I don't expect you to stop. But understand this: your corrupt decisions will put you in a position you're not going to like in the end and taking it out on those lesser than you will hurt everyone you care about, if you care at all."
As Bane began to walk away, he heard Branden speak up finally. "Wait, that's it? No personal threats? No bribes?"
"Bribes? Threats? Oh, why would I want to threaten you? I don't threaten those whose life has no meaning. They are already suffering, no point in giving them a potential way out of their own prison," Bane mused. "That's up to you and you alone. When you find out who you are and your purpose, let me know."
And he left Branden on that balcony. It was one of his harsher words but once again, they were true. He couldn't help the lieutenant, not that he really wanted to, until the officer learned a bit of humility. Maybe there was potential for him in the future but until then, Howard Branden was nothing short of a bastard.
AN: Branden was an interesting character but I feel like he should have done more to be a villain. He did a few things and then he was forgotten about so idk. Also, I wouldn't know who would be shippable with this guy. He gives me wife-beater vibes so nooooooo, he gets nothing from Bane that's for sure.