Monday morning
Chicago Executive Airport
The jet landed smoothly and taxied over to the waiting car.
The luggage – several large cases – was loaded into the trunk and then the jet's two passengers climbed into the back of the waiting Jaguar XJR.
"Hi, guys!" I said cheerfully, turning in my seat. "Good flight?"
"Hiya, Mindy!" Selina Kyle replied with a grin.
"Hello, Mindy, the flight was not bad, thanks," Bruce Wayne, added.
"You guys ready to start your training?" I asked.
"We can take anything you throw at us!" Bruce said simply.
I grinned fiendishly.
Bruce would not be saying that in a few hours!
Forty minutes later Mindy pulled over to the side of the road and passed something soft and black to each of us.
"Put them on!" She ordered.
It was a blindfold. I looked over at Selina, who just shrugged as she pulled on her blindfold. I followed suit a little concerned, but I trusted Mindy.
"Thank you." Mindy replied.
The car accelerated hard and swung left and right. I lost track of the turns that Mindy made, then the noise changed and it sounded like we were in a parking lot, we then took a tight turn and went around and around until finally we stopped and Mindy turned off the engine.
"You can remove the blindfolds now..."
"Oh!" Was all I could say as I saw where we were; I was astounded and saw that Selina was similarly speechless with her mouth hanging open.
We had entered via a large vehicle-sized steel door. Beside the Jaguar was an armoured Range Rover and several motorcycles that included Shadow's blue Ducati Panigale. They were parked behind an eight-foot tall armoured glass shield that ran across the available width of the forty-foot wide cavern and had a large six-foot tall figure '1' on it. The top of the shield was angled over at forty-five degrees, to prevent anybody climbing the structure from our side. The floor of the 'cavern' was ribbed steel and concrete.
About a hundred and forty foot away, I could see the far end of the cavern. We passed through a door in the shield and headed towards where Mindy waited on a large padded mat. Beside her, I recognised Erika and Dave. There was also another girl about the same age as Mindy. Erika and the other girl were both clad in a Gi each. Erika's was dark blue, whereas the other girl wore black. That in itself seemed a little ominous.
Over to the far left was a glass-enclosed room that housed computer equipment and large flat screens. It was obviously the Command Centre and had a biometric palm scanner, similar to those that we had already seen in the cave beneath Wayne Manor in Gotham. Immediately beside the Command Centre was an external steel staircase.
The staircase provided access to a walkway, which ran around the central section of the cavern and provided access to a number of rooms on the second level. Another steel staircase came down to our right from the same walkway. The walkway was about ten feet off the ground and ringed with a steel and glass barrier that rose to a level of three and a half feet and the walkway itself was made of steel, but had a foam rubber covering. There were various doors, visible, that led off the walkway into rooms, with unknown purposes. The ceiling and some of the walls had foam rubber sections that reduced the echo in the cavernous room.
"Selina Kyle, Bruce Wayne, please meet Hailee Richards, otherwise known as Petra," Dave said with a flourish.
"Pleased to meet another one of Mindy's team," I said, taking Hailee's hand.
"Good to meet you!" Selina said cheerfully.
Safehouse F
After giving Bruce and Selina an hour to say hello to Erika, Hailee and Dave, and to get themselves acquainted with the Safehouse, I decided it was time to begin their training.
"Master Wayne, Miss Kyle! Welcome to Fusion Boot Camp and Hell Week!" I growled, throwing each of the startled teenagers a small pack. "Your clothing. I suggest you both go and get yourselves changed. You have fifteen minutes before hell drops on you both."
Both of them hesitated, a little confused.
"Or, we can just kick the shit outta you, right the fuck now!" Dave growled ominously.
"We'll, err, go get changed!" Cat said quickly, grabbing Bruce and dragging him in the direction of their rooms.
Both kids reappeared within ten minutes – a good sign.
Each wore a pure white Gi and they were bare foot. They were very apprehensive as they came down the steel staircase and onto the mat.
"You two want to become bad-ass vigilantes, huh?" Hailee began.
Bruce nodded and so did Selina.
"Well there's a lot of work to be done!" Hailee continued and I saw Selina frown at the jibe.
"The next two weeks are going to be hard," I warned. "For the first week, you will spend eight hours here at the Safehouse, each day, training. We will teach you to defend yourselves. We will teach you to attack. We will teach you to use firearms. We will teach you to use bladed weapons. You will leave here with enough for you to continue with your training back in Gotham."
"It is going to take you months, if not years to get to a suitable level. We have promised to help you. Hailee will be your main instructor. She knows a hell of a lot, so ask her questions and do not let her slim form fool you," Dave cautioned. "Watch!"
With that, Erika and Hailee faced off against each other.
Hailee started the sparring with a kick that span through the air and which was intercepted by Erika's arm and she in turn span herself sideways absorbing the energy of the kick. Erika kicked out and was flipped over and down by Hailee. Erika landed with a brief scream of pain, but jumped up immediately as Hailee moved towards her.
Erika rolled and as Hailee moved to attack, Erika took advantage and kicked Hailee's legs out from under her.
There was something about seeing girls fighting each other, even when you were a girl!
I watched as the two, very beautiful, girls span around the mat kicking the crap out of each other. I craved to be as good as they were, but I knew that would take years. I looked over at Bruce and he was a little shocked by what he was seeing. The kid was not as used to violence as I was and the next two weeks were going to be very hard on him.
Being a street-kid in Gotham had exposed me to a lot of ugly shit and I had nightmares about a lot of it. I had learnt the hard way – learn or die! Bruce would need to learn the same thing or he would not last a minute on the streets of Gotham.
Hailee was really, very good. I had only seen one other person move as fast and that was Mindy.
I had a distinct feeling that I was not going to be enjoying myself over the next couple of weeks.
Alfred had been gloating a little too much when he had said goodbye in Gotham. He obviously knew some of what Mindy had planned for Cat and I. He could be really, really, devious at times! Alfred was expected to be joining us mid-week.
The two girls looked awesome as they flew across the mat. They were a pair of the hottest girls that I had ever seen! Suddenly they stopped and turned to face us both.
"I kid you not, this week will be hard work and deadly serious," Dave warned. "If you want to walk away then do so, right now."
I glared at the two teenagers and neither moved a muscle.
"Brave fuckers!" I growled with a grin.
Bruce looked a little unsure and the kid was so far out of his comfort zone I was surprised he had not turned and fled; I would not have blamed him.
"Let's start you off easy, shall we?" I said slowly. "I think that before we beat you through the mat, we should teach you how to defend yourselves."
"It's only fair!" Erika smirked.
"We'll see you two later...," Dave said with a laugh.
"... If you're still alive!" Mindy grinned.
"Taekwondo has a handful of basic blocks..."
Lunchtime
"Well done!"
They had performed very well. Poor Bruce was sweating badly, but Selina was very fit and coped with the rapid movements.
"Time for something to eat!" Came a voice from above us. "Assuming you're hungry!"
Bruce and Selina looked up eagerly.
"Go, see Cathy and she'll feed you," I said.
The five of us settled down to lunch and chatted, giving the two kids time to recover and build up their energy for the afternoon.
"You're Chloe's Mom?" Selina asked.
"For my sins!"
"Chloe was very brave in Gotham and I enjoyed her company," Selina added.
"Thank you, Selina."
"You look after Curtis, too, don't you?" Bruce asked.
"Yes, I do. His parents were killed almost a year ago."
"What's it like – I mean, you have two kids in Fusion?" Selina asked.
"I have many sleepless nights, but I know that what they both do; it makes me proud. They've both been wounded and I hate any of them getting hurt; even Mindy – she's like a daughter to me."
"You patched up many bullet holes, I assume?" Bruce asked.
"Yes, I have."
I lay on the mat, staring at the roof of the Safehouse.
My back hurt, my legs hurt, my arms hurt; actually, the list of what did not hurt was way shorter and contained one word: nothing! Selina came over and helped me up; she was grimacing with pain, too.
"Get up, Bruce!" Hailee yelled and I rapidly got back to my feet.
After showing us how to block, we had moved on to some basic punches and kicks. We also learnt that if we stayed still too long, or stayed down too long, we would be attacked. We were only allowed to rest when we went up to the kitchen for a break. I had never been so exhausted in my entire life, but I resigned myself to the hard work, as I really wanted to succeed. I was also happy in the knowledge that I was being pounded by professionals. I knew Erika, but Hailee was new to me, although I knew of Petra by her reputation and the fact that Hailee had looked after Chicago alone, while Fusion was in Gotham.
I willed Bruce to get up, as I did not want him to be pounded by Erika again.
Erika could be very cruel, especially to me, but I knew there was a good reason for it and I really wanted to become a successful vigilante. As far as I could, I also tried to look after Bruce and I did my utmost to help him as much as I could.
I actually glared at Hailee for yelling at Bruce. I knew this was supposed to be a week of hell, but I was concerned that things might go too far.
I felt bad about yelling at them and I knew Hailee did too, but Mindy had said that we had to push Bruce and Selina to breaking point. We had to find out what they were really, capable of if they were to become big, bad vigilantes.
I kicked my right leg and Bruce blocked it. I followed through with a punch, which Bruce deflected. Hailee was doing the same with Selina. I smiled at Bruce, who lost concentration; I kicked his left leg from under him, and he went down again, for what had to be the eightieth time that afternoon. The kid had stamina, tons of it!
I noticed that Selina was getting mad every time that somebody picked on Bruce; that was good. We wanted the two of them to become a close-knit team. I was not picking on Bruce on purpose; well actually, I was, but only to find out how Selina would behave. I nodded at Hailee and I started to go easy on Bruce while Hailee turned nasty towards Selina.
..._...
Over the next ten minutes, Hailee planted a few very good kicks on Selina and the girl was grimacing with the pain. After another five minutes, I could see tears in Selina's eyes; Hailee was cutting it fine, but then Bruce snapped.
He flew across to Hailee and drove a punch into her left side. Hailee had seen him coming, but had pretended not too. Bruce then kicked Hailee, rather hard, into her left thigh and Hailee fell backwards onto the mat.
"Stop it! Leave her alone! Can't you see she's in pain?" Bruce demanded angrily.
Hailee grinned and nodded.
"Yes, Bruce, I did," She said.
Selina came forward.
"Bruce, they're testing us. They're pushing us to our limits and I think you passed," Selina said with a smile, and then she gave Bruce a kiss on the lips. "Thanks."
Bruce looked a little astounded, not to mention embarrassed!
"Well done, Bruce – you both passed. You are both actively looking after each other. I saw your expressions, Selina, as Erika pounded on Bruce and I yelled at him," Hailee said. "I'm sorry if I hurt you, but we're not teaching you to chaperone at kids' parties!"
"I think we can call it a night," I said. "Go get showered and changed, then we can debrief over dinner. Marty and Chloe will be showing up soon and they will be spending the night here with you guys."
I turned as the sound of motorcycle engines rumbling into life cut through the Safehouse. Kick-Ass and Hit Girl were just about to leave for a night out on the town!
That night
We left the Safehouse on our motorcycles.
"You think they'll survive?" Kick-Ass asked.
"Yeah – they're both tough kids."
"I suppose so, as long as Petra remembers that they are kids and that they can break!"
I laughed at that!
..._...
"Coffee?" I asked seeing a vigilante friendly diner close by us, an hour later.
"Why not."
As I often did, I entered the diner without fanfare and was handed a fresh coffee. The diner rarely had trouble, as I was a frequent, but irregular caller.
It had been a long day and I was not paying too much attention. There were about a dozen people in the diner – more than usual, but I just thought it was a busy night. I left the place with my coffee and when I was a few yards down the street, I took a sip and almost baulked. There was one or two tonnes of sugar in the cup and it was gross! I turned and saw a 'closed' sign appear on the door. It was nowhere near closing time; I smelt a rat.
"Kick-Ass! We have trouble at the diner – I'm going for a Dirty Harry!"
"Sounds cool!" Kick-Ass replied from further down the street and I saw him shaking his head.
As I re-entered the diner by the back way, I moved to the door that came out behind the counter. I saw four men; three armed with shotguns, the other was armed with a large pistol. It took a moment for that man, who seemed to be the leader, to see me. He turned to stare.
"What are you doing here, bitch?"
"Most nights for the past year, I've been coming in here and Loretta gives me a white coffee, no sugar – tonight there's a tonne of the shit!" I growled. "I came back to complain. Now you boys put those guns down."
"Say what?" The leader asked, incredulously. All four weapons were pointed directly at me.
"We're not gonna just let you walk outta here!" I commented calmly.
"Who's we?"
"That would be Kick-Ass and me!"
Two shotgun blasts exploded into the diner and I felt the pellets hit my armour. Before the other two men could fire, I span, kicking the pistol out of the leader's hand and then kicked him down to the ground. One man pulled open the door and fled, but a few seconds later, he came back into the diner, although this time it was via the window and I saw Kick-Ass lowering his fist. The other two men raised their hands. Kick-Ass came in through the door and pushed them to their knees.
The leader had scrambled up from the floor; he seized Loretta and grabbed another pistol from the waistband of his trousers. I stared at the man, raising the pistol that I had just pulled from a holster.
"Go ahead, make my night!" I growled.
The man hesitated as sirens could be heard approaching, he glanced at the ominous form of Kick-Ass and then at the gaping muzzle of the Glock 22. He then carefully lowered his pistol. I seized it from him and kicked him to the floor.
"You okay, Loretta?" I asked gently.
"Hell, yeah!" The woman replied with a smile.
Safehouse F
We returned to the Safehouse an hour later.
After parking the motorcycles, we headed up to the kitchen for a proper coffee. I could hear laughter and saw Marty and Chloe seated across from Bruce and Cat. I heard the end of what Marty was saying.
"... I actually fell off my chair when Shadow replied, 'Yeah! My left boob will be totally bruised though'!"
All four of them collapsed in laughter, even Chloe. I remembered that it had been Shadow's first patrol around what was then Safehouse A.
"Fuck me; that was a long time ago, almost nineteen months!" I commented as I sat down and Marty jumped up to get me a coffee. "Chloe was only thirteen back then..."
"It was the most exhilarating night of my life and thanks to these guys; I survived it with only a bruised boob!" Chloe said, with a nod at Dave and me.
"You had fun tonight?" Marty asked with a grin.
"You weren't monitoring us?" I replied innocently.
"It was an eye opener!" Selina commented. "You watch too many old movies!"