3 Batgirl Joins The Saints
In the Batcave after tonight's patrol
With the mask off Bruce was sitting in front of the big Batcomputer scrolling through the Visagebook site of the Saints' Leader. He found many pictures of violence and different kinds of excessiveness. He found even a selfie with the dead Penguin.
He had over 100.000 followers. The amount was still small compared to other celebrities like Bruce Wayne who had over 5 million followers. But that a criminal could gain such a fan base was frightening.
His thoughts were interrupted by Barbara aka Batgirl and Robin aka Tim Drake, who just finished a training course. ''What are you looking at? The Saints? Wow cool.'' Tim shouted.
Bruce looked at Tim with narrowed eyes. ''They are not cool. They are criminals.'' He scolded his third protégé.
''Okay, the later part is true. But they are cool. I can't think of any teenager in Gotham who doesn't want to join the Saints. Gangsters weren't that cool even in the forties'.'' Tim stated excitedly.
''They are a group of misguided people lead by a psychopath. And we have to stop them.'' Batman declared disapprovingly of Tim's statement.
''Come on. Don't we have like a dozen other villains we could fight. Does it have to be them? Maybe they clear the underworld for us of all the other bad guys. They even managed to take out the Penguin. Think about it. Then it would be one good and only one bad gang.'' Tim still defended the Saints.
''You are missing the point, Tim. We exactly have to prevent something like that. A monopole in the crime business in Gotham would be too powerful to deal with for us, even the police wouldn't be able to stop them.'' Batman explained.
''But what do you want to do? Their organization is vast. You can't be everywhere at the same time. Also even if you manage to stop some of their flow you don't know what the leaders of the Saints are planning.'' Barbara chipped in for the first time in this conversation.
''I already thought of that. It also doesn't help that a big chunk of their business takes place during the day and where are many people among them also civilians.'' Batman said more to himself than to his partners.
''How about a spy? I could try to join the Saints, work my way up and tell you their next moves.'' Batgirl suggested.
''No. Too dangerous. You are the daughter of the police commissioner. What do you think they do to you when they find out?'' Batman immediately dismissed Barbara's idea.
''It is our best shot. I could use a different name. It is not like they will do background checks. I don't think they will be too suspicious. Why should they?'' Batgirl didn't give up.
''I said no.'' Batman gave his final answer and went back to study on the Bat-computer.
Barbara angrily walked towards the exit. Before she could get out she was stopped by Robin. ''We both know you will join the Saints. So between us if you meet the Leader of the Saints, could you get an autograph for me?'' Robin pleaded. Barbara just smiled and nodded.
One day later at Gotham University
Barbara was a student at Gotham University. She was studying Computer Science and was in her third semester. Although she had good looks she was target of bullying by a group of pretty girls because of her nerdy subject.
The girls were part of a shallow only female movement within the College. Instead of discussing how to improve the status of women in society, they tried to party all night long and get into fancy clubs. Barbara invoke their wrath when she declined an invitation from them. From that moment on she had become an enemy of their group.
To find a group of Saints wasn't really hard. The Campus of the university was in the territory controlled by the Saints. Scattered over the Campus you could see small groups of people wearing purple and the Saints' symbol.
That the management of the university wasn't anything against it was troubling. They were either too scared or more likely the Saints paid them to look the other way
Barbara just exited her lecture when she was intercept by four girl of the Alpha-Females Group short AFG. ''Look what do we have here our little nerd.'' Cindy their leader said.
She was an athletic, good looking, blonde girl. Although the others were also fit, she was the most athletic.
A black girl with big cleavage took Barbara's backpack and poured its content to the ground.
Barbara barely controlled her anger. She was tempted to just beat the hell out of them, but that was not the hero way.
''Angry?'' Cindy taunted and poured her coffee on Barbara's notes. ''You should understand your place in society, nerd.'' After she was finished messing with Barbara, Cindy left and her crowd followed her.
Still angry, Barbara gather her notes. Most were unusable. Now she had to ask some fellow student for notes. Now in a bad mood she searched for some Saints to execute her plan.
And indeed after not a long time she found a group of 5 Saints sitting in a circle on a lawn. In the middle sat a big guy who was clearly the leader. With him were also two female and male Saints. They looked up when Barbara approached.
One man stood up and addressed Barbara. ''What do you want?'' He asked.
Barbara a little nervous answered. ''I want to join the Saints.'' The Saints except the leader started to laugh.
''You?'' A girl exclaimed laughing.
''You are such a wallflower. We are no club to boost your self-confidence. We mean business. Get lost, before you hurt yourself.'' The other girl laughed.
''Please I want to change.'' Barbara played her role.
Suddenly the leader silenced his followers and started to speak. ''I am sorry for my friends. They are a little rude. But they are right. We are members of a street-gang. Why would you want to join us?'' He asked surprisingly polite.
''My dad and all my friends don't believe I could do anything on my own. I wanted to show them that I can be someone.'' Barbara lied.
''It seems you are just the kind of girl we are looking for.'' The big guy stated.
''Are you kidding, Brad?'' One male Saint asked.
''Why not? She needs something like this. And remember weren't you in a similar situation before you joined the Saints?'' The leader asked. The crowd was silent in embarrassment.
''Whom should we send her to? Johnny?'' One girl asked.
The leader decided otherwise. ''The University is Shaundi's turf, so she should decide. We will bring you to Shaundi.'' He stated.
They stood up and went together to a purple pickup. They got in and the leader drove off. A little bit later Barbara got out of the car in front of a shisha bar called 'Loa Dust'. They went inside. Barbara immediately felt the strong smoke.
Her companions led her to the VIP longue. She was brought to a pretty girl with dreadlocks smoking a pipe, sitting on a pile of comfortable pillows. ''And who are you?'' She asked slowly.
''I am Barbara Croft and I want to join the Saints.'' Barbara stated simply.
Shaundi looked her up and down and answered. ''Are you sure? Our line of business is quite brutal. I can tell out of experience.'' She said blinking slowly.
''I can handle it.'' Barbara said confidently. ''Hm. Okay, I might have a job for you, girl. If you do this little favor for me, I might send you to someone who could help you with that.'' Shaundi started to explain.
She opened a little back and poured white dust on the table. Skillfully she formed a line and took a strong sniff. ''Oh, yeah!'' She cried out pleased. ''I am Shaundi, by the way. I got this couple of clients, who I sold some of my stuff on credit, and now they own me money.'' Shaundi began.
Such a cliché. Barbara thought.
''This is Martin Gregory. He owns me 10,000 dollars. Dona Ziro. 4000. And Stephen Cowell owns me 6000.'' She handed Barbara three pictures. ''You should find them all on the campus somewhere. Martin is an addicted player. You should find him on the campus' little casino. Dona is part of the Human Rights Organization 'A Beer, A Day'. And Cowell is part of the tennis club.''
Barbara took the pictures and nodded to signal that she understood.
''Brad, give her a gun. She might need it, if things become heated.'' Shaundi ordered. Brad gave Barbara a nice looking revolver and a set of patrons.
Reluctantly Barbara took the weapon. Her father was police man, so she was no stranger to guns and her years as Batgirl took away all her fear of them. Still she had an uneasy feeling when she took it.
''Brad, please be so kind and give her a ride.'' Shaundi dismissed Barbara.
A little bit later Barbara was back on the campus again. She decided to go to the tennis club first.
Cowell was a big, a little intimidating, guy. Barbara approached him carefully. ''I am here to collect Shaundi's money.'' She said getting straight to the point. The big man visibly flickered and became pale.
''Please, don't hurt me. I just forgot.'' He pleaded. Surprisingly quick he reached into his sport bag and pulled out the 6000 dollars and handed them over to Barbara. After she checked if all 6000 were there he quickly ran away.
Barbara was a little surprised that such a big man like Cowell could be such a coward. He didn't even try to resist and furthermore against a weak looking girl like her. If all three would go so easily, Barbara would have finished it sooner than she expected.
Next was Dona. After 20 minutes of search Barbara found a booth of her organization. She was in luck. Dona was the one giving out flyers.
''Hello, Dona. You own Shaundi some money.'' Barbara greeted Donna.
''I don't know what you are talking about. Leave me alone.'' Dona replied.
''Do you really think you could trick Shaundi? Not a smart move.'' Barbara warned.
''Leave me alone. I will call my friends.'' Dona panicked looking around nervously.
''Alright. I understand. I will just tell Shaundi that you don't want to pay. You sure are brave to pull the Saints over the barrel.'' Barbara turned around as if she wanted to leave.
''Please, I just need some time.'' Dona pled.
''Time is precious. We all need it and you are wasting mine. Give me the money or I will tell Shaundi.'' Barbara answered.
''Okay, okay. Please don't go. I will give you the money.'' Dona said and went to the booth. When she returned she handed Barbara the 4000 dollar. After she checked them Barbara left the poor Dona alone.
Barbara had to admit being the bad guy is pretty amusing. You don't even need to do something and people give you money. Then Barbara reminded herself that she was only doing it to deliver justice to the Saints and not to play around.
Last was Gregory. She went to the little casino on the campus. It wasn't a serious casino only some automats and two tables. Of course a casino on campus wasn't allowed, but one of the rich students had an influential father and managed to set up this little entertainment without any resistance from the university.
Barbara sighed. Nowhere was it more plain than in Gotham that money rules the world.
To find Gregory wasn't hard. He was sitting at one of the machines trying his luck.
Barbara headed Gregory's way when he noticed her. He left his place and rushed towards the backdoor. Although a little surprised she chased after him.
As a seasoned crime fighter she had outrun him quickly. She grabbed him by the shoulder to turn him around. Using that moment Gregory stabbed after Barbara. If she weren't trained by Batman she wouldn't have reacted quick enough. She grabbed his hand disarming him by twisting his arm.
''Please! Stop!'' He pled loudly.
''You tried to kill me! I should be doing more than this.'' Barbara angrily replied.
''What do you want from me?'' Gregory tried to fake ignorance.
''You know what I am here for. Shaundi's money. Give it to me or I will break your arm.'' Barbara threated.
''Let me go. I don't have the cash with me. It is at my home. I can give it to you there. I will lead you to it.'' Gregory explained.
Barbara let go off his arm. They left the campus and Gregory led Barbara to a little row house. It was in a catastrophic shape. Only the poorest of the poor would live here. They reached the second floor and Gregory opened a door. They entered and looked at a small one-room flat.
''I will get your cash.'' Gregory said and reached under the bed. Suspicious Barbara was on high alert. And really Gregory turned around quickly and pointed a gun at Barbara.
Unfortunately for him, he wasn't able to pull the trigger before Barbara kicked the gun out of his hand and delivered a strong roundhouse-kick to his face. He immediately plumbed down unconscious.
Barbara searched his apartment and found a case filled with money. After she counted the money she turned around to leave.
Surprisingly enough Gregory regained consciousness and begged. ''Please don't take it from me. I only need a little more time. I have a great plan. I will pay you twice as much as Shaundi gave me. Please I need the money for my family. My mother is sick.''
Although she felt pity rising in her heart Barbara answered coldly. ''You tried to kill me, twice. Whatever noble goals you had, they lost meaning through your actions.''
After that she left Gregory alone. Barbara made her way back to Shaundi.
30 minutes later, she stood in front of the VIP lounge again. She was stopped by two doormen.
''I have business with Shaundi.'' She said showing the case with money. They let her pass. Again she was greeted by the sight of Shaundi sitting on pillows only in a slightly different position.
''And who are you?'' She asked again.
A little surprised Barbara replied. ''I am Barbara Croft. You sent me to bring you the money.''
''Oh, yeah. I remember now. I wasn't sure at that time if you were a hallucination or not.'' Shaundi explained. ''Okay. Let's see what you got there. I believe Dona and Stephen weren't much of a problem. How did you handle Martin?'' She asked.
''Although he tried to kill me. I eventually got his money.'' Barbara answered.
''You didn't kill him?'' Shaundi exclaimed surprised. ''I even gave you a gun. Do you know how to use a gun?'' She asked doubtfully. ''Just point at the guy you want dead and peng he is dead.'' Shaundi explained.
''It wasn't necessary to kill him. He gave me the money.'' Barbara defended herself.
''Alright. I admit you did a fine job. Here, take a breath.'' Shaundi handed Barbara the pipe. Although resisting at first Barbara gave in to Shaundi's persistence. Barbara should try to make friends with Saints and Shaundi seemed to be an important figure of the Saints.
She took one strong breath and opened her eyes. Colors danced around, everything rotated, she could see Shaundi double and she could swear saw a little deformed rabbit running away from her.
The next moment everything was over. Barbara blinked a few times to assure herself and gave the pipe back to Shandi. ''Serious stuff.'' Barbara commented.
''You are new to this. There are still several other surprises which will await you. Don't worry you will get used to the stuff. Now to the payment. Here you have 2000. 10 percent of the money.'' Shaundi handed Barbara the money over. Reluctantly Barbara took it.
''Technically you are part of the Saints already. But if you want to get in big you have to undertake a joining ritual. I advise you against it. Instead rather become one of my direct subordinates. '' Shaundi proposed.
Barbara now curious answered. ''I want to try and undertake that ritual.''
Shaundi shrugged. ''Your decision. But don't say I didn't warn you. Here go to this location on Friday 10pm. I will tell them of you, so that they let you in. Good luck and don't die.'' Shaundi waved a friendly goodbye and continued to smoke.
Before Barbara could leave the bar she was intercepted by Brad. ''You don't need to do this. Of my group I was the only one who took the ritual. Trust me, that is nothing for a girl like you. Just stay in Shaundi's territory and don't try to raise up within the Saints. The higher up you are in the Saints, the more they expect from you. And the things you will have to do, is nothing compared to the little crimes we do. They do heavy shit and you have to be ready to do it.'' Barbara was touched by his worry.
''Don't worry. I will be careful.'' Barbara assured him.
''Okay. Don't hesitated to come to us for help. We are family now. If you mess with one Saint, you mess with all of us.'' Brad escorted Barbara to the door.
''Hello, here is Jane Valderamma your reporter on the heels of the Saints. Lately it became quiet around the Saints. What are they planning? Their last public assault was on Mr. Bergman the CEO of Motor Systems a pioneer in the car industry. Just two days later he returned without any injury. He underwent a marvelous change. Mr. Bergman is now critizing his company's environmental policy investing a fortune in clean energy resources. What did the Saints do to him? And why their sudden interest in the nature. These questions remain unanswered. Until next time, I am Jane Valderamma from Channel 6 News.''