5 A Senior Saint
When Barbara woke up her whole body hurt. She was tempted just to remain in bed and lay there in this soft heaven for the whole day. But after some time, Barbara decided to stand up.
Except it wasn't as easy as she thought. Barbara needed two tries to get out of the bed. On the first try her body just gave in. Finally, she was standing on her own two feet.
She put on her clothes and walked to the door, opened it and exited. Barbara swore that wouldn't be her last visit in this personal heaven.
Barbara went down the stairs to give the Janitor the key back. Just when she turned around a corner she collided with somebody. Barbara remained standing under great pain while her opposite tumbled down.
''Ugh.'' Both women exclaimed surprised.
''So, you are the new senior. I wondered when I would meet you. Did you know that only 2 percent of the whole population has red hair? In the US is it 5 percent, though. The chance that two red-haired people crash into each other is roughly about 0.00562 percent.'' The weird woman said while getting up.
She stood up and tapped the dust from her. She was holding a computer in her hands and she was wearing glasses which to some degree hid her freckles. ''So, you are Barbara Croft?'' The woman asked.
''Yes.'' Barbara answered. How the woman behaved was odd. She was probably higher ranked than Barbara.
''I heard you also study Computer Science?'' She asked again.
''Yes.'' Barbara repeated.
''What should you do when your internal system back-up is assaulted by a Crimer-equation carrying a Trojan?'' The woman wanted to know.
''You should send a boomerang impulse deleting the equation which result in the Trojan losing its carrier.'' If the woman was impressed, she didn't show it.
''You know your stuff. So, it was true. We both know Computer Science is a booming profession. Why risk your safe wealthy future for a dangerous one in a gang?'' Barbara started to understand. This woman was the brain of the Saints. If she wanted to fool her she had to weighting her words.
''My dad and friends always believed I couldn't do anything on my own. If I can roll with the Saints, I could show them that I am not the little girl they think me for.'' Barbara explained.
The woman didn't change her expression. ''So, the little wallflower? Is this the act you want to play? If you were such a spoiled brat, you describe yourself as you wouldn't have been able to beat up over 10 people.'' She accused.
Barbara was getting anxious. ''My dad is a little paranoid. He sent me to self-defense.'' Still with the same expression on her face the other girl responded.
''I think you are smart enough to calculate the odds of a girl who 'just' did some self-defense against ten thugs at a time. Let's say I buy your, not well thought-out, story. Why would you want to climb up so fast? Just after one job for Shaundi you wanted to undertake the ritual.'' The weird girl stated.
''You are right. To show my dad it would have been enough, but I wanted to prove to myself that I could be strong.'' Barbara tried to get some sympathy from the girl.
''I am Kinzie Kensington. I would shake your hand, but I don't trust a girl who came out of nowhere, is strong enough to beat up 18 people and apparently has the brains to hack into any top-secret agency. I still don't know what you want but let me make myself clear. If you are trying to pull off anything against the Saints, I will find you and destroy you.'' Kinzie said and left Barbara standing.
The girl was even smarter than Barbara thought. Barbara wanted to show off her knowledge but in truth it was a test to check her skill. If Barbara wouldn't had answered right she may had scattered Kinzie's suspicions. Kinzie was now convinced that Barbara wasn't honest. Barbara understood that all. She had to admit, in Kinzie she had found a formidable opponent.
Hacking into the Saints' system won't be so easy anymore. Although she had suffered a little defeat from Kinzie, Barbara wasn't worried. She didn't do anything to lose the trust of the other Saints yet.
When Barbara stepped into the main room again, she saw a very different picture compared to yesterday. The music was so quiet you might have overheard it completely. Most people, who were awake, were holding their heads. A table and a few chairs were shattered. People were lying on the ground or cushions everywhere. That was the scene after a party.
Barbara saw Shaundi lying in between the bodies. She went to her and shook her gently. ''I leave now, ok?'' Barbara asked.
Tired Shaundi answered. ''What am I? Your mother? You don't have to check yourself out. Just come and go whenever you like. And now please dear god just leave me alone.'' Shaundi exclaimed extremely tired and holding her head.
Barbara decided not to bother her anymore and went to find the Janitor. He was standing in the exact same spot she found him in yesterday. ''Here, you have the key back. The room is really something else.'' Barbara complimented.
She wanted to give him the key back but he declined ''Just keep the key. I have a dozen of spare keys left.'' The Janitor stated.
Barbara gave up and just took the keys. When she was outside Barbara searched for her car but couldn't find it. After several minutes of search, she found a piece of metal which suspiciously looked like her car door. Barbara became furious. They lulled her in a false state of security and then they hit.
Barbara stamped towards a bus station. How could they do that? She got the car to her 18th birthday. Just before she could leave she was caught up by a teenager. He said. ''You are Babs, right? We got a little surprise for you. Come with me!'' A little surprised she followed him to a near car workshop.
''Hey, Big B. She is here. Bring out the baby.'' The young man cried out.
In front of Barbara opened a car gate and Barbara dropped her car keys in surprise. In front of her was standing her car pimped out with best stuff imaginable. Still it remained recognizable. With cautiousness was every part which Barbara liked kept.
''Go on! Give her a ride. Me and the boys worked all night. She has a full tank and a new set of everything. Just try her out. She is waiting.'' A huge man with a long beard said.
Barbara reluctantly got in the car and started the engine. In the past it quietly whistled to life now it roared that you could hear it two blocks away. ''I don't know what to say. Thank you.'' Barbara happily cried out.
''Aw it's nothing. As a Senior Saint you will watch our asses so that is the least, we could do.'' The man answered with a grin.
Barbara felt a sting of guilt. She shouldn't be accepting this. It was wrong. Yet Barbara couldn't bring herself to decline. Barbara shook off the depressing thoughts and concentrated on the upcoming ride. She hit the gas pedal and started to drive.
One whole hour Barbara cruised around just for fun. It was amazing. Eventually she drove home. At home she was studying and mentally preparing herself to face Batman. She hasn't been Batgirl for the last couple of nights so Batman would probably be suspicious. He probably knew it already and Barbara expected that he would scold her.
It became evening and Barbara put on her costume and went out in the night in direction of Wayne Manor. Half an hour later she arrived at the Batcave. Like she predicted Batman was awaiting her. For a while both remained silent.
Then Batman asked. ''Where were you the last couple of nights?''
''Busy.'' Barbara answered not in the mood for Batman's mind games. He probably already knew it. He just tried to make Barbara say it herself so that he doesn't have to justify that he spied on her.
''I made myself clear. You weren't allowed to join the Saints.'' Batman stated.
''Allowed? I am not a small girl anymore, Bruce. You can't allow me nothing.'' Barbara retorted.
''As long as you follow my lead. You will listen to what I say.'' Batman stated.
Pissed Barbara wanted to say something inappropriate when Tim entered the cave. He was holding a plate filled with cookies. ''Bad timing?'' He asked. Tim immediately sensed the tension in the air. Neither Barbara nor Bruce responded. Tim just went to a quiet corner and started to eat the cookies.
''That kind of attitude makes you lose all your allies. That is also the reason why Dick left.'' Barbara said agitated.
Batman became a little pale. He was still struggling a little with the fact that his first Robin left him. But he answered firmly. ''I don't force anybody to work with me. If somebody doesn't like the way I do things they are free to go and try it their way.''
Barbara scuffled her hair. ''You think you have to do everything by yourself. You are a control freak. You aren't alone because you have to, but because you make it so. You suppress every independent thought of your allies. You suppress them even if they have a good idea and made better progress than yourself. I assume you find out nothing?'' Barbara asked smugly.
She was right Batman got nothing. He couldn't even find out the names of the leaders except the one publicly announced.
''And for what price did you obtain this information? What crimes did you have to commit?'' Bruce accused.
Barbara was speechless. How dare he accused her of something. Barbara barely controlled herself. ''You also infiltrated a crime syndicate once or did you already forget? How is that different to my situation.'' Barbara wanted to know.
Batman stated calmly. ''You are young and impulsive. When you enter the life of crimes you will face situation which will bring you to the brick of your morals. You don't have any control over your emotions. Your mind clouded you will do mistakes which I won't. I trained many years to control my feelings. Even confronted with extreme situation I will be able to make a rational decision which you won't.'' Batman finished his explanations.
Barbara turned around without a word and went to the exit. Just before she exited, she turned around one last time. ''Although they know me just for a couple of days, the Saints accepted me. I showed them my skills and they trust me. They don't belittle me. How come that you whom I proved many times over the years that I can look out for myself can't place his trust in me? If the good guys are like you nowadays maybe it is better to be the bad guy. I will help you when you apologize to me.'' Barbara didn't wait for an answer and left the cave.
Too unfocused to go on patrole tonight, Barbara went straight home. Tired she got out of her costume and went to bed. Even when falling asleep she was still angry with Bruce for the things he said.
The next morning Barbara woke up to go the University. She didn't sleep well, probably the emotional stress from yesterday. With the signs of a bad sleep on her face Barbara got in the car and drove to the University. Like usual when she exited her lecture she was intercepted by Cindy and her gang.
''You are still coming here? And I thought I made myself clear last time.'' Cindy said. Unnoticed by both parties a group of Saints saw the argument and they came over. ''Now take off your backpack.'' Cindy tried to grab Barbara's bag, but her hand was grabbed instead.
A big guy with the Saints logo on his shirt caught her arm. ''Hey, who are you trying to intimidate? You leave her alone or we will show you what happen when you mess with the Saints.'' Cindy and her friends looked around scared. They were surrounded by five more Saints looking menacingly.
''I will tell my dad and he will show you.'' Cindy answered nervously.
''The fuck you say? Would you repeat that.'' The man took a step closer and looked threateningly. Nearly wetting herself Cindy and her gang retreated. Cindy was so scared she didn't even give an arrogant comment.
''Boss, you ok?'' The man asked turning to Barbara. ''We know you could handle it, but we thought you shouldn't waste your time on garbage like them. We are here to deal with unpleasantness' like that.'' The man explained.
''You called me boss. Why?'' Barbara asked surprised. The man laughed and answered. ''You are a senior of course. You are our boss. Of course, not the boss boss. But I think you get it. But seriously you should wear something that fits better to your new position. If I hadn't seen you yesterday on the party, I wouldn't have even known you were one of us.'' The man stated.
Barbara looked at herself and had to admit new clothes would do her some good. ''Ok, I will speak to Shaundi maybe she has a fashion advise for me.'' Barbara said. ''Go rather to Viola. She has a better sense than Shaundi for those things.'' A girl said. ''Don't get me wrong. Shaundi usually knows what she is talking about. Only, she is high the whole damn time.'' She added.
''Ok, where can I find this Viola?'' Barbara asked.
Another guy responded. ''If you are lucky and she is not on the road with Boss, she is in headquarters.''
''Alright. See you, guys.'' Barbara said and left the other Saints. They went to the spot where they came from and continued whatever they were doing before. Barbara got in her car and drove to the base.
A little while after she entered the building again. The mood was very quiet there were even less Saints around. She asked a group of Saints who were playing cards where Viola is. They told her she is in one of the side-rooms. She went into the side-room and looked around. The room was a little imitation of the main room. Barbara then saw a beautiful woman with white sunglasses sitting on a table reading a fashion magazine.
Barbara approached her. ''Are you Viola? I am Barbara Croft the new Senior. I want to buy me some new clothes and I could use your advice.''
The woman put away her magazine and replied smiling. ''Of course, I will help you. It's true that I have the best sense of fashion within the Saints. Except maybe Pierce, but he is a wuss. Shaundi is also a good bet but she is high all the time, so her judgment isn't the best.'' Viola explained to Barbara.
''Hey, I heard that.'' A scream could be heard and Shaundi showed up behind a couch. ''Now you are on, sister. I will make her the most fashionable person in whole Gotham.'' Shaundi exclaimed.
''Wanna bet? Whoever outfit she picks wins.'' Viola betted.
''Ha. Don't come crying to me when you lose. Now let's go shopping.'' Shaundi responded and got up. Barbara not expecting such attention tried to retreat.
''You don't have to. I just wanted your opinion.'' She tried to stop them.
''There is nothing better than three girlfriends bonding over a good day of shopping.'' Viola responded and also got up. ''I just know the right place. Come with me. We can take my car.''
Barbara followed them reluctantly. Still this was a good opportunity to learn more about the Saints. During the drive they chatted with each other.
''I still haven't met the boss. What kind of guy is he?'' Barbara asked during their conversation.
''He would describe himself as a puckish rogue. His enemies call him a psychopath. In all honesty, he is somebody who you get along with ease.'' Viola answered.
''I wouldn't be so sure. You weren't with us when the boss started. Just let me say he was serious. The things he did. Sometimes when I want to scare myself I remember them. Gives me the chills every time.'' Shaundi explained shivering. ''But since the Saints are running smoothly Boss lost most of his tension. But I wouldn't recommend to piss him off.'' Shaundi added.
''Still the Boss is a real friend. Holding to us even when we are at our lowest. I own Boss greatly. He helped me to take revenge on the man who killed my sister.'' Viola said.
''Yeah, you are right. He saved my butt countless of times. One time it was especially nasty. One of my ex-boyfriends took me hostage and threaten to kill me. Boss found us, killed every last asshole there and then freed me from my stupid ex-boyfriend. You won't find someone who isn't in some way indebted to the Boss.'' Shaundi agreed.
''Why does everybody call him the 'Boss'? Doesn't he have a real name?'' Barbara asked curiously.
''He probably has one but I never heard him using it. He is simply the boss and that is it.'' Viola explained.
''And what I wanted to ask you. Aren't you lieutenants? How come you have so much free time? You even have enough time to go shopping with me. Don't you have anything important to do?'' Barbara wondered.
''Ha, kid. You still have much to learn. We do things, when they need to be done and when nothing is to be done, we do nothing.'' Shaundi explained simply. Barbara couldn't argue with that logic, but it was still too undisciplined.
''What Shaundi means is that Boss give us a job and we finish it. Until he has a new job for us we can do what we want.'' Viola said.
''Yeah, like my last job. I should find that eco-girl with the weird plant power.'' Shaundi told them.
''Poison Ivy?'' Barbara nearly screamed.
''Yeah, her. Do you know her?'' Shaundi asked a little surprised by the outburst.
''No, I just read about her in the papers.'' Barbara responded a little startled.
''Boss need her to develop an antidote against that stuff Joker uses.'' Shaundi explained.
''Why would he need that?'' Barbara asked.
''For a probable war against the Joker. The Boss's goal is the whole city. He doesn't expect the other criminals just to sit tight and let him take over the city.'' Viola stated. This information was priceless. Barbara grinned. Batman surely didn't get that information. Viola stopped the car. ''We are here.'' She said.
The three got out of the car. They were standing in front of a shop called 'Dolce and Gava'. ''That's my favorite shop. They have the best things.'' Viola said and entered followed by Barbara and Shaundi. ''Go ahead to the changing rooms. I will get you some outfits.'' Viola said and disappeared in to the ocean of clothes. They did what she asked and waited patiently.
After ten minutes a man came over to them. ''What do we have her? Saints so far away from home. Black Mask doesn't like it when somebody invades his territory. Aren't you Shaundi? Oh man, Black Mask will reward me handsomely when I bring you to him.'' The man said.
Barbara and Shaundi backed away a little. They understood that it would come to a fight. ''Don't make it harder for you than it already is. And where the fuck is that bitch Viola? I saw her entering with you.'' The man wanted to know.
''I am right here.'' Viola who suddenly appeared behind him whispered into his ear and stabbed him with a knife right into his heart. He was dead immediately. Viola pushed the body in one of the empty changing rooms and wiped her knife.
''You killed him.'' Barbara stated shocked. That was the first time she witnessed the Saints killing somebody.
''And when you see what is waiting outside you will be grateful for it.'' Viola exclaimed. ''Let's go to the backdoor. I am afraid our shopping spree has to wait a little.'' Viola said and directed them to a hidden exit. The moment Viola opened the door she dropped to the ground. Just in time before bullets flew over her. She rolled out of view. ''I hate when that happens. Back to the front door we have to get to my car. There I have a little something which should help us.'' Viola explained and they went to the front door.
''Does everybody have a gun?'' Viola asked. Shaundi took out two guns. Holding them akimbo style. Barbara shook her head. ''Girl, as a Saint never leave your home without a gun or two. That is like rule number 1.'' Viola sighed in disbelief. ''Here take one of mine.'' She handed Barbara a light machine pistol.
Barbara looked at Viola's skin tight outfit and wondered where she kept so many weapons. ''You two will provide cover while I try to reach the car. Once I reached it, I will deal with the rest of them, then you will get in the car and we get the hell out of here.'' Viola explained her plan.
Neither Barbara nor Shaundi knew what the thing was but they trusted her. After a few minutes of heavy shooting and slow progress. Viola finally reached the car. She opened the trunk and got a bazooka out.
''You wanna play? Play with this!'' Viola said and fired at a car of the Black Masks. It exploded on impact. The men started to retreat. Three more shots and the street was a battlefield. Everywhere were fire and parts of people.
''Nice destruction, Viola. Boss would be overjoyed by this sight.'' Shaundi commented when she Barbara reached the car.
''Are you crazy? You can't just fire a rocket launcher on the streets.'' Although she also shot her gun a few times Barbara made sure not to hit anybody. ''You could have hit civilians.''
''I didn't think you would be such a party popper and besides most of the civilians ran away when the fight started anyway. Now let's go before the cops arrive.'' Viola said not understanding the attitude of Barbara. The three women got in the car and drove back to the base. Nobody was in the mood to continue their shopping.
"Hello, here is Jane Valderamma your reporter from Channel 6 News. Once again Gotham looks upon a scene of death and destruction. Today was a normal day like every day else until today at noon a fight broke out between the Saints and the followers of the crime boss Black Mask. Black Mask whose Identity isn't well known because of his black, hard to remove mask. He is the crime lord who controls the North of Gotham. He has his fingers in major drug deals and the gambling industry. Also cruel like every other villain in Gotham Black Mask is famous for paying handsomely high money when you execute his orders. The cause of the fight is still unknown. The theory which makes the most sense is that some Saints members were cruising in the Black Mask's territory. Although a lot of bodies which could be placed as Black Masks were found none for the Saints. It is to reason that the Saints escaped this battle without any casualties. In this first confrontation the Saints were victorious. Will be Black Mask the second big criminal which will be taken out by the Saints or will he crush the rising gang? Only the future and your reporter on scene will tell. I am Jane Valderamma from Channel 6 News."