Chapter 16

Bruce pulled out a map of the city. The phone call he tracked from Selena's phone call pinged off cell towers that covered several square miles but remained in the Silent Quadrant of the city.

It was known as the Silent Quadrant because it was a dead zone for business. Full of unfinished buildings and broken-down warehouses, it was a prime spot for holding hostages captive. It held countless buildings for hiding places for criminals. Five years ago it was a bustling metropolis, but after a chemical attack from the Joker residents refused to enter back into it and criminals now turned it into their neighborhoods.

Bruce knew the call was from a burner phone as he couldn't narrow down the location to a specific building which meant a night of investigating abandoned shells of buildings. He hated having to waste time trying to find the idiot's hiding hole. So be it. Even if it took him all night to tear the place apart he would in order to bring his son home.

Bruce loaded his weapons and equipment onto one of his many bikes and set out. Cutting through the city was too risky, so he took Gotham's Harbour Line which connected him to the Silent Quadrant in less than half an hour.

Bruce had told Gordon he could release the money at 10 pm. By then, hopefully, Batman had located his son and neutralized the Queen's Shadow.

Setting his bike behind some tarps, Batman got to work. Bruce didn't have any access to his drones which he kept at the main Batcave, so he'd have to go in old school. A cold northern wind blew through the land releasing creaks, groans, and bangs as loose items flapped and dangled in the gust.

The Silent Quadrant was huge, but Batman knew it like the back of his hand. The Queen's Shadow was a stranger on foreign soil. That meant land disputes. Criminals around here didn't like others coming into their business and causing trouble. For once, Gotham's scum was on his side. Sort of. They still hated Batman, but at least for the moment, the enemy was hated more.

Bruce started at the north end of the territory, scaring several stray cats along the way. The cats let out shrieks of protest before disappearing into the dark alleys. Most of the buildings were empty or were boarded up. There was no need to waste time combing through those. About halfway through his search, he observed a group of low-level crooks gathered around a makeshift campfire. Half of them were drunk as the ground was littered with empty beer cans. He saw one standing off on his own. A quick grab and the man disappeared in seconds. Batman clutched his collar.

"I heard rumors of some uninvited guests in your territory. For once, I am not here for you. Where are they?" the vigilante asked slowly.

For a minute, the criminal just stared at him. Then he smiled a toothy yellow-stained grin. "So Bats wants to help, eh? What's in it for me?"

Batman glared at him. "You get to keep your head tonight."

"Oh, please, we all know you don't cross that line."

Batman then smiled. "Don't tempt me." He let out a dark chuckle.

The man recoiled. "Just get rid of the British pests."

Batman drew closer. "Would you like a fresh dinner? Perhaps some steak and eggs?"

"What?" The criminal squirmed confused. Where was this coming from? Batman usually just beats them into submission.

"They are in the northwest corner in the Buckout building. Third floor. Now please just let me go!"

Bruce didn't release him just yet. "Did they have a young boy with them? How many are there?"

"Uh, yes and I think about 4 or 5? They are heavily weaponized. Not even my crew would take them. We'd start a war engaging with them."

"I see. Here take this." He reached into his pocket and held up a coupon for a free dinner at Munchin SteakHouse.

He patted the criminal on his shoulder and disappeared into the shadows.

"What the-?" The criminal stared at the piece of paper in hand. Did Batman just buy him dinner in exchange for information? He went back to his buddies who just laughed him off. "Batman here? Batman being nice? You've had too much to drink."

Batman scowled. He hated playing nice, but those low lives were no threat to him. He was here to find and free his son and put an end to Alfred's past.

He was about half a mile from the place the criminal spoke of. Grabbing his bike, he headed toward Buckout building. Most of the building was dark but there were lights on the third floor. For once the criminals spoke the truth. Clearly they wanted the foreigners out and if Batman was the one to get his hands dirty then so be it.

He pulled his bike to the side and grabbed his grappling gun. The place was quiet. Too quiet. Batman stilled hearing a soft poof. He dodged right just as two slugs passed over his head. Silencers. Most likely the same used on Alfred. It meant they also had thermal imaging which would be able to track his movements. He released two small objects from his belt. You want heat? Have it. He threw the objects toward the third floor which exploded upon impact. Batman moved swiftly up the side of the building and saw the result of his bat bombs which had knocked the assailant unconscious. Bruce quickly tied him to a metal support structure and stripped him of any useful gear.

Now Batman could make up for some of the gear he was missing. One down and three more to go unless they called for back-up. For a hit team, they weren't very well meshed together. He paused and crept back to the body. Lifting up the shirt arm, he saw no tattoo. There was also nothing on the neck. A decoy man. Go figure.

He figured the high powered team would be holed up inside. He could either take them out one by one or take them all out at once.

Right now, he had the element of surprise but he'd lose it once their buddy didn't check in. He grabbed the radio hearing it crackle to life.

"North end, check in."

Batman held the radio close. "All clear," he responded in a British accent. It was a terrible impression, but hopefully it would pass.

"South end. Check in."

"All clear, boss."

Batman was worried someone heard his bat bombs, but the compression boomers held up to its reputation. Instead of an outward explosion, when released it sucked out the oxygen in the immediate area knocking out whoever it was directed toward. Less risk for fires too.

According to the radio, the group of them was spread out. The best course of action would be to take them out one by one. However, time was ticking down. It was nearly 9:30pm. He had less than 30 minutes before the money would be released. The south end would be about 3 minutes away, far enough away to delay backup, but close enough to have a sniper shoot at him.

Time to take out the gunners. He swept right ducking behind empty crates and old piles of broken steel. Fifty yards ahead stood another enemy who casually reached into his pocket for his lighter. He had no chance to enjoy his smoke break. A black form slammed into him from behind knocking him out cold. Bruce tied and gagged him and shoved him into an empty crate.

Two patrols left.

He sneaked toward the floor's western end, hearing a door slam and hushed voices. Several figures huddled together in a group before they began grabbing crates and hauling them inside. Batman didn't need to get any closer. The sides of the crates had an emblem of one of the gangs that held territory here. The British invaders had swiped some gang's prized possessions and now wanted to bring them home.

Bruce paused. There was something that didn't sit right. Why would a high-level organization be collecting products from local criminal organizations? Spy networks invading street gangs don't go together. They had more firepower, so there should be no need for extra weaponry. What were they up to?

As much as Batman wanted to go gun-ho on those who kidnapped his son, he had to play his cards the right way. He watched and waited until there was a lull in activity. When it had been three minutes and no one came in, he stilled beside the door. It opened and he slipped inside unbeknownst to the agent.

Wasting no time, he clung to the shadows trying to get an idea of his bearings. The inside was dark yet dimly lit in the center.

A flurry of activity involving stacking crates on top of one another occurred toward the end of the room. Further to his left a group of men stood guarding a door. It opened and Ace walked out in a trenchcoat. In her hand was a clipboard to which she glanced at her watch and then began barking orders.

"We leave once the money comes in."

"What about the package?"

"Prep it for departure."

Bruce wasn't sure what the package was but time was running out. He had to find his son. He hoped they perceived Dick as a low level threat but he doubted it.

Where would a spy organization stash a 9 year-old boy? If he was even on-site. There was 15 minutes left until the money dropped triggering the trap. Dick had to be here. The tip the criminal gave seemed to match him but he was also semi-drunk. So reliable. Bruce stayed in the deep shadows and edged his way along several corridors trying the office doors. They were all locked and dark. He continued down another hallway repeating the action. No luck.

Using his night vision and thermal imaging he scanned the area but found no signature of the boy. Bruce could feel his anxiety slowly rising. Then he heard it. A low humming sound but it cut off after a few moments. He stilled and listened. It repeated itself in threes. Three short hums and then three longer bursts and repeated. He smiled. It meant SOS. There would be only one person here who would give that signal. Now the trouble was figuring out where it was coming from. Clearly the sound traveled through vents, but it came from a central point. In old buildings, ventilation shafts are often connected through a labyrinth of pipes and rooms. Most led down to the basement of buildings but on occasion, an old storage room held the end site of pipes.

Batman hadn't had time to sweep the floor, but he knew where the old storage rooms were. In the northwestern corner, tucked behind the main offices, it waited for an old rusted door perfectly in disguise where the average person would miss it. Bruce was about thirty yards away and ready to slip inside when a shadow loomed behind him. He barely had time to register it when he came across FOX. The third in command. Often a vicious, tricky individual their purpose was to guard the second and first positions. But their primary purpose was guarding any prisoners or captives caught by the Queen's Shadow.

Batman turned as a six-inch blade bounced off the kevlar protecting his neck. It would have been a lethal hit without that added protection. He narrowed his eyes taking in his opponent. His presence had been discovered by none other than a British elite assassin. The man was tall and thin but moved with a practiced fluidity of many years in the killing profession. Batman fought against opponents swiftly, but never in a deadly motion.

This time he was facing a killing machine. He had to be careful. One wrong move and his son would once more become an orphan. The man's eyes were dark pools of indifference. There was no mercy in them. An enemy stood before him and his mission was to take out the intruder aka Batman.

Batman swallowed. There would be no talking this one out. No room for reason and no room for hesitation. Batman's survival instinct kicked in and he went into a mode of subduing. He needed to render his opponent useless. This meant striking at vital points while also protecting his own. A hard chore indeed but not impossible. However, Batman had other obstacles. He was in enemy territory and his presence now exposed meant the others would soon gather.

Batman's back was to the door that held his son captive. He slowly maneuvered himself closer to it. FOX picked up on it instantly, but to Batman he calculated that FOX thought he had him cornered. He was correct. However, Batman hoped his fake being backed into a corner would aid him.

For a minute they stared at each other and then collided in a brutal attack. Bruce had more weight and force on his side, but the FOX was quick and easily danced out of reach. Eventually FOX would pick up on Batman's technique, so he had to dodge and weave in an unscripted pattern. He flung Bat-a-rangs at the assassin who easily dodged it, swiping them away with his stick.

It hit with a metallic clang before disappearing into the darkness. Batman stood between the door and the enemy. He watched FOX shift his weight and pounce. Batman pulled toward him grabbing his shoulders and driving his knee into his solar plexus. Its effect was instant. The man crumpled into him and let out a gasping wheeze. Batman slammed his fist against the back of his neck knocking him out. He gripped the unconscious assailant and dug into his pocket which held a key. He swiftly opened the rusted door and threw the man inside, tying him to a drain pipe.

"Richard?!" He whispered fiercely, still worried someone else might be there.

Something rolled to his left and he turned bracing for an enemy attack but an old paint can came tumbling toward him. Ignoring the can he launched into the dark. Sitting gagged in the corner sat his precious son. His arms and legs were tied but Batman could tell he had tried to saw it loose on an old rusted pipe. Two small tear stained, hopeful eyes peeked out at him.

Batman instantly came to his side, slicing his bonds in one swift motion. He gently took the gag from his mouth.

The young boy flung his arms around the vigilante.

"You found me." He whimpered.

"Of course I did! Nothing can stop your dad." He squeezed his son in a tight grip.

Bruce could tell the boy was rattled even though he tried to hide it.

"Are you hurt?" He asked concerned, pulling back and doing a once over on his son.

"I'm okay…" the small boy replied shakily. The kid didn't have any visible wounds besides a few general scrapes and cuts.

Batman did a whole body check from head to toe checking for any deep wounds or broken limbs. Satisfied, his son's life wasn't in immediate danger, he looked at him straight on.

"Alfred is fine." He knew Dick would be worried sick thinking the last thing he saw was his butler on the ground after taking two bullets.

"How?! They shot him!"

"I know, but he is alive and waiting for you."

"Can you stand?" Batman asked just as his phone vibrated. The money decoy had been dropped. Outside the closed utility door, a woman's sharp voice could be heard. "Where is he? Go check the room!"

Batman whirled around searching for a spot to hide his kid. There was an old locker in the back. Dick would be small enough to hide in it. He jerked his head before grabbing some cardboard boxes and thrusting them in front.

"Get in and stay low. Don't come out unless I tell you." He commanded. Dick obeyed knowing his father or Batman rather had to still deal with his kidnappers.

Batman had about fifteen seconds before they came bursting through the door. It was all he needed.

He disappeared into the shadows.

The door slammed open, as a soft layer of dust rolled into the room. The only light was a self-flickering bulb on the far side of the room casting deep shadows all around.

The man that entered was burly, and he lumbered toward the captive a figure sitting on an empty carton with a white sheet over it's head. He ripped the sheet off only to find an empty bucket and a mop head.

"Hey! Tell the bos-" the poor soldier got cut off as a black figure fell from above knocking him out cold. Batman loomed over the individual before tying him up and placing him under the sheet.

"Not so lucky this time." Batman rumbled. He turned around as he felt eyes on him. A large black blade flew past him embedding itself into the wall. A second one bounced off his chest thanks to the heavier metallic kevlar. He may not have his heavy weaponry, but he certainly didn't sell himself short on protection on the Batsuit.

However, more protection meant more hits because his movements were slower due to the suits weight. He raised an arm, as his gauntlet caught another blade.

The fourth blade he caught in midair and flung it back toward the assassin who barely dodged it.

For a moment the assassin stopped the deadly onslaught.

"Where is he?" The British man asked dangerously.

"Who?" Batman crossed his arms.

The assassin glared at him. "Answer the question."

"Fine. He's gone. Now you're dealing with me."

"Why are you here? Our mission doesn't concern you."

Batman grunted in displeasure. "You kidnapped and attacked the residents of Gotham. Your mission does concern me." Batman took a step toward him. "Whether you like it or not."

"COBRA what's your status? Is the package secure?" The soldier's radio crackled to life.

Batman leaned closer holding the sharp end of a Bat-a-rang. "Tell your leader, yes."

"Yes."

"Good. Move. Cheese in. Monkey's out. Meet in the sandbox."

Batman frowned at the code words. He knew cheese meant money. He guessed monkeys meant soldiers and sandbox was some sort of meeting place.

Batman pointed the tip of his weapon at the assassin's jugular. "Why the package? Answer truthfully and I might let you live. Lie and you might die." Of course Batman would never kill, but the foreigner didn't know that.

COBRA eyed the weapon warily. Bruce pressed it harder as a trickle of blood began to flow. Batman was not messing around.

"Answer me." He asked menacingly.

"Package was to be secured and transported back home."

"Why? Do not make me repeat myself."

"New blood needed. Old connection traced here."

Ah. There it was. They knew about Alfred. Found him. Did surveillance on him. Found Dick and wanted to recruit the kid into the service. That explains why they tried to kill Alfred and not execute Dick.

"Who found the connection?"

The man froze and shook his head. "I'm a dead man if I tell."

Bruce leaned in till his cowl nearly touched the man's nose. "You're a dead man if you don't."

"I'd rather take it to my grave."

Bruce snarled in frustration. "Fine have it your way." Bruce rarely went extreme but when someone targeted his family he pulled out all the stops. A hidden pocket holding a syringe appeared under his arm. A tiny needle loaded with fear serum from the Scarecrow. He jabbed the assassin's neck in seconds.

The man instantly stilled and went rigid. He stared straight ahead his eyes bulging. The serum had a paralyzing agent to it and even the toughest soldiers would succumb to it. Fear was an emotion and a strong one at that. Let him ride out his nightmares for five minutes then we'll talk.

After two minutes, Batman injected half of the antidote. COBRA wasn't as tough as he thought he was. His wide-eyed stare from across the room found Batman's searing gaze.

"Tell me the contact that found the connection," Batman growled raising the syringe again.

The man's eyes darted back and forth to the syringe and his captor's face. Batman lowered it closer to his neck. The man glared at him but refused to speak. The syringe went in again.

This time five minutes later, COBRA was practically shaking in terror as Bruce could hear the man's teeth grinding against each other.

"Ready to talk?" Bruce growled his impatience growing every second.

The man shook his head.

"Seriously, you are one tough nut, but to be expected by the Queen's Shadow's second in command."

The man's eyes darted back to Bruce's. "That's right. I know who you are. COBRA is a lethal serpent of the desert and the second in command of the Queen's Shadow. I also know what you are vying for." Batman stopped and squatted down so he was level with the man's gaze. "I can give you what you want, but only if you help me." Bruce twirled the syringe between his gloved fingers.

The man still shook his head. Batman sighed standing up. "Fine. Good luck living out your nightmares." This time the full contents of the syringe plunged itself into the man's thigh.

Two minutes later, and the man sat rigid staring at nothing. Bruce even waved his hand in front. Whatever the man saw had him captivated. He would never get out of that nightmare by himself. Bruce hit him with the anecdote again and waited until he was coherent.

"Surely, by now you've realized I could do this all night," A black shadow loomed over COBRA.

The man looked up at the vigilante with nothing but pure hate and aggression in his eyes. A second later the face fell silent as a dime-sized hole punctured his head. He slumped to the ground as Batman dove to the right. Rolling to his feet, he looked up to meet flashing green eyes.

ACE.

"So, you're the one taking down my men."

Batman remained silent his whole body waiting like a coiled spring. He watched her intently mindful of the MR16 handgun in her grasp. The woman had snuck in without his radar going off. She was dangerous. Not many people in this world could get the drop on him. Though a supposed elite assassin would be one that could. But even assassins were humans and humans can bleed.

"Hand over the package and—" A puff of smoke cut her off as two smoke grenades exploded at her feet. Batman disappeared into the dark.

"So you're a stealthy fighter. I like that in prey," She swung her weapon around the room running on instinct over sight which was now obscured in a thick layer of black smoke. The room itself was already small and dimly lit.

She chuckled darkly holstering her gun and sliding out two long knives their metallic clang echoing around the room.

"Shall we dance, Batman?"