Welcome to chapter 9! This chapter is pretty much dealing with the aftermath of chapter 8, thing s are getting pretty scary for Faber.
As Dick surveyed the chaos around him, the gravity of the situation sank in. Shattered glass littered the floor, and the acrid smell of smoke filled the air. He couldn't afford to dwell on the shock of the explosion; he had to focus on getting Faber to safety.
"Shit," he muttered under his breath as he carefully lifted Faber, her body limp in his arms. Every step felt like an eternity as he navigated through the debris, searching for a way out of the danger zone. He could hear distant screams echoing through the building, but he blocked them out, focusing solely on getting Faber to safety.
"Faber!" he called out, his voice strained with concern as he gently shook her. "Are you okay?"
"What the fuck just happened." Faber's response was groggy, her hand reaching up to her head. Dick's heart sank as he realised she had likely sustained a concussion in the blast. He couldn't shake the pang of guilt for not acting sooner. He couldn't't help but question how he hadn't noticed the bomb before Faber, they were looking out together. He wasn't focused.
"There was an explosion, but I'm gonna get you somewhere safe," Dick reassured her, his voice steady despite the chaos surrounding them. He scanned the area, searching for a route that would lead them away from the danger and towards the rest of the crowd. Panic threatened to overwhelm him, but he pushed it aside, focusing on the task at hand: keeping Faber safe.
He spotted Wally first, who had changed into Kid flash, and was already taking citizens out of the chaos in seconds.
"Oi, you!" he called out, careful not to sound all too familiar with Kid Flash while he was still Dick Grayson. Wally rushed to Dick a flash of horror on his face as he noticed Faber was in Dick's arms.
"I'll take her." With that, Faber was transported out the building with the others, a paramedic at her side in a second.
Soon enough, Dick heard Batman in his ear. "Nightwing, where are you? Are you alright?"
Dick hurried to somewhere discreet to change. "I'm fine, I was with Faber on the balcony. She spotted the missile early enough that I could get us both out the way. Wally took her downstairs. She has a concussion, I think she's fine. What's the damage report?"
"The entire east side of the top five floors are destroyed. Awaiting Kid Flash, Wonder Girl and Red robin's assessment of casualties on the scene. Artemis, Robin and I are headed to the building opposite across central park to investigate where the missile came from," Batman detailed.
Dick, now Nightwing, ran and leaped off the building, swinging into the floors below, "I'm going to check the floors below, and hopefully find a computer to check surveillance in the buildings opposite. I'll get back to you if I find something." Nightwing's swift descent brought him to the lower floors of the damaged building. His mind raced with the urgency of the situation as he searched for any sign of survivors or clues about the attack. With each step, he listened intently to his surroundings, ready to spring into action at a moment's notice.
As he moved through the wreckage, Nightwing's sharp eyes scanned for any intact computers or surveillance systems that could provide valuable information about the source of the missile. The sound of distant sirens echoed in the air, a constant reminder of the chaos that had unfolded just moments ago.
Finally, Nightwing spotted a partially intact computer terminal amidst the debris. He quickly made his way over, his fingers flying over the keyboard as he accessed the building's surveillance footage. With a sense of urgency, he searched for any suspicious activity in the vicinity leading up to the attack.
As the surveillance footage played out before him, Nightwing's instincts kicked in, his eyes narrowing as he spotted a figure moving stealthily across the rooftop of the building opposite. Without hesitation, he captured the footage, knowing it could be crucial evidence in unraveling the mystery behind the attack.
With the information secured, Nightwing activated his comm link, relaying his findings to Batman and the rest of the team. "Batman, I've found surveillance footage of a suspicious figure on the rooftop of the adjacent building. It looks like they may be responsible for the attack. I'm sending you the footage now."
With his part done, Nightwing prepared to join Batman and the others across Central Park, ready to confront the threat head-on and bring justice to those responsible for the devastation.
Emerging the crowd of injured, Harriet appeared running to Faber.
"Faber, are you okay? I came as soon as i heard," Harriet's voice was frantic. She hugged Faber, who winced. "Shit, sorry."
"It's fine, it's just a couple bruises and a concussion, I just got checked," Faber said, trying to sound reassuring to calm her friend.
"Faber, I'm beginning to think you should hire a bodyguard. I mean, the burglary, then this… sooner or later you're going to need one and maybe this is a sign."
Faber appreciated Harriet's concern, even though her suggestion of hiring a bodyguard felt like an overreaction. She had the money for one, but she spent most of her time either at home or at Gotham U, attending lectures or researching. She knew that her friend only had her best interests at heart, but the idea of constantly being shadowed by a hired protector felt suffocating.
"I'll think about it," Faber replied with a faint smile, trying to reassure Harriet. "But for now, let's just focus on getting home safely."
Harriet nodded, her expression still filled with worry. "Of course. Let's get you out of here." With Harriet's support, Faber leaned on her friend as they made their way through the crowd of injured and panicked partygoers to Harrtiet's car.
In the car, Harriet explained that Kate stayed to help, she had experience with trauma injuries. Harriet brought Faber to her bed, making sure she had water as she lay down. Harriet laid beside her, refusing to leave her in case Faber's injuries took a turn and were more severe than at first seemed. Faber didn't protest. She loved how much Harriet cared, and if the roles were reversed, she would do the same.
Truthfully though, she wanted to be out there as Belladonna investigating the scene for herself to discover who made an attempt on her life and so many others. Thankfully to her sight, she spotted the missile early, but not early enough. She chastised herself for dampening her senses. Even more so, she inwardly groaned as she realised Harriet was not gonna let her go out as Belladonna for at least another week, even though her immune system would have her healed in a couple hours. Though Faber had speedier healing, it didn't mean she didn't get hurt the same as everyone then recalled how many people on stretchers she had seen, others walking round with cuts and bruises calling for loved ones. They were going to take much longer to heal.
She then remembered she meant to text Dick, she never saw him leave the building. She hoped he got out after she left. Turning to see Harriet was asleep while Faber had stayed awake thinking, she grabbed her phone and searched for his contact. She knew she had it, but had never used it. Faber needed to know that he would be okay, bickering aside, he saved her life, she owed him her gratitude.
Dick rushed straight to Batman, who was already investigating the empty floor of the building opposite Robin. "Be honest," he said storming in, "did you know something like this would happen."
"I suspected something as I do for any of the events like these, but not to this measure, no."
Nightwing's frustration simmered as he listened to Batman's response. The realisation that this attack had been anticipated, albeit in a more subdued form, left him feeling a mix of anger and apprehension. He trusted Batman's instincts, but the magnitude of the explosion had caught them all off guard.
Nightwing stood with his arms crossed, his gaze fixed on Batman as he awaited an update. "Have you found anything?" he inquired.
Batman nodded. "Managed to scavenge some footprints," he began, his voice steady and deliberate. "Size 12, indicating our assailant is at least 6 feet tall. Not much else, however. Our adversary knows how to cover their tracks well. All cameras in the building are down, except for the one on the roof, which you checked."
"I may have found something." Turning his attention to Robin's discovery, Nightwing approached his younger counterpart, his mind racing with possibilities. The presence of gunpowder hinted at a deliberate act, one designed to cause chaos and destruction.
Nightwing spotted Robin scanning something, "What did you find?
"It seems like gunpowder, so that means our missile was some mega dynamite missile or some sort, manmade, which makes it harder to trace who would build such a thing." Robin continued to scan the surrounding area.
"Run in through our system to see if it matches any gunpowder samples we found in past investigation," Batman directed.
"Doing it now, it may take a second."
"Where's Artemis?" Dick inquired.
"She checked the neighbouring buildings and found nothing and so headed back to help with the injured," Batman responded.
As Robin worked to run the gunpowder sample through their database, Batman and Nightwing exchanged a concerned glance. The realisation that the missile was man made only added to the gravity of the situation. Whoever was behind this attack had access to dangerous resources and was willing to use them without hesitation.
"I'll reach out to Barbara," Nightwing suggested. "She might be able to assist us in analysing the data or cross-referencing it with any recent criminal activities in the city."
Batman nodded in agreement, acknowledging the value of Barbara's expertise in such matters. "Keep me updated on any progress."
With that, Nightwing activated his comm and contacted Batgirl, filling her in on the situation and requesting her assistance with the investigation. As they waited for her response, Robin signalled that he had found a potential match in the database.
"I've got something," Robin announced. Batman and Nightwing gathered around Robin. "No it can't be."
Robin and Nightwing turned to look at Batman. "Why does it say that the gunpowder was cultivated by Wayne Technologies?"
"I assure you I knew nothing of the attack, it seems like there are two possibilities however. One, we have a mole and two, we are being set up." Batman's jaw tightened as he processed the implications of Robin's discovery. The idea that Wayne Technologies could be implicated in the attack was deeply unsettling, raising questions about the security of their operations and the integrity of their personnel.
"We need to investigate this as soon as possible," Batman said, his voice firm and decisive. "If there's a mole within Wayne Technologies, we need to root them out before they can cause any more harm."
Nightwing nodded in agreement, his expression mirroring Batman's seriousness. "We'll need to access Wayne Technologies' internal systems and conduct a thorough investigation."
As they descended the building, they got a call from Spoiler requesting backup in Crime Alley. The urgency in Spoiler's voice was unmistakable as she called for backup in Crime Alley. Without hesitation, Batman, Nightwing, and Robin sprang into action, their minds focused solely on the task at hand.
"Give us your coordinates, Spoiler," Batman commanded, his voice steady and authoritative. "We're on our way."
The investigation would have to wait.
January 1st, New Year's Day. Morning.
Dick had been out all night. He was heading home to bludhaven just as the rest of the city were on their way to work and start the new day. He checked his phone as he walked through the door to his flat and saw a message from Faber. For a second he was shocked as to how she had his number, and remembered that he gave it to her after their first class together, he couldn't deny she was hot when he first met her. Nonetheless, he was slightly surprised, and flattered, that she'd kept his number.
Hey thank you for getting me away from the explosion. Hope you're okay, I didn't see you leave the building. Let me know when you can.
Dick relished in Faber's concern. Are you saying you were worried about me? ;) He looked at his phone for a second awaiting her response.
Don't make me regret the whole 'blank slate' thing Faber replied. Dick laughed inwardly, but remained staring at his phone noticing that she was still typing. But yes, I was, I watched the door to see if you walked through but you, I thought you right behind me.
Dick couldn't help feeling a bit bad, she was probably scared, but he knew he needed to become Nightwing. That wasn't for debate. I continued to search to see if anyone was trapped. I'm fine, not even a scratch. Are you okay?
Yeah, just a couple bruises and a concussion, Faber replied.
Dick texted, i'm glad, then put his phone down and headed straight for the shower, then headed to bed for some well deserved rest.
aweee, enemies to friends?