Happy New Year to my wonderful readers!
As we step into this fresh chapter, I want to thank you for your support, inspiration, and love for the stories we've shared together. May this year bring you joy, success, and countless adventures—both in life and within the pages of every book you read. Here's to new beginnings and endless possibilities!
With gratitude and hope,
Maverick.
[Tom Hendricks POV]
"What trick? And how sure are you that there are two metas involved? Could be a single meta" Jason asked. The possibility of the coin just being dropped by some random person from the building was very likely, but the scene did paint a struggle between two metas.
"Got any change on you?" I asked Leo, stretching out my hand as I saw him dip his hand into his coat's inner pocket. "Here." He replied tossing me a coin.
"Look closely at the obstruction light at the top of that skyscraper over there." I pointed ahead to a building in quite a distance from us but the flickering red light was fairly visible.
"You mean that beaconing red light at the top of that skyscraper over there?" Jason asked, unsure of which light I was pointing at. "Yes genius, the beaconing light." I replied with a tone laced with sarcasm while Leo just did his best to stop himself from laughing.
"Keep your eyes on it." I instructed, transmitting a bit of my bioelectricity into the coin, as it began to crackle with electricity all over.
"Watch." I flicked the coin with my finger, sending so fast through the air that it left an instantaneous red trail behind, hitting the obstruction light and beyond.
"Wow." Leo remarked immediately the light went off. "It's just a theory buy it suspect the meta did a little something like that, while the other hit up the coins before they were launched at the gas tankers.
"We have to out an end to this Sparrow guys quickly, before nothing but rubbles are left in Gotham City just because they can't kill you." Jason said while taking a closer look at the scene to make sure we didn't miss anything.
"So what now?" Leo asked, wondering what was our next move and how I intended to deal with the Sparrows.
"Seems like Red Hood will be paying a visit to Batman, you have to relay every information regarding our findings to him. Also hand the coin over to him, maybe him and the police could get a print of it from other database, I've already scanned it with my watch an Gwen would notify me when she finds a match." I instructed getting nothing but a nod in reply from him.
"Cold, you're to identify every Pyro maniac currently residing in Gotham City, hopefully something useful comes up in our search for the Sparrows. Red Hood, also get a copy of the security camera from the elevator and staircase leading up to this rooftop from the last twenty four hours, they might have been sloppy after being disoriented from the blast, maybe they forgot to wipe the tape."
I adjured, then we headed home for the night. Jase was likely to contact Batman as soon as he possibly could.
I think it's time Ace also had a little rendezvous with the caped crusader, been a while I taunted that brooding Bat, might be fun robbing it on his face after I end some of these guys.
…
[Bruce Wayne's POV]
The city of Gotham is turning into something else, it's turning into a city I barely recognize. Since Joker's death, followed by that of Black Mask and Two Face, crime has taken a turn in a direction that was so well organized that only the riff-raffs gets caught at the scene of the crime these days.
Only the lowly criminals act according to old habits, the top crime bosses seem to be more cautious, more coordinated, and act more intelligently than before. I'm sure Ghost has a role or some sort of influence in all this.
I've been consistent on my search for him but still have no clue as to his true identity, and am yet to acquire proof of his existence as it seems like am chasing some kind of myth and not a shadow because he doesn't appear to exist. It's a good thing I've encountered two people who confirmed his existence, I might have started to doubt it for myself already.
Lately I've been distracted by the terrorist group that was yet to be identified, it's been one thing after another for the past couple of weeks.
First the incident with the unknown meta which led to the deaths of quite a number of police officers, then the other at Bludhaven. Recently there was an assassination attempt on a boy, right in front of a police station, and now there was a bombing which claimed the lives of hundreds of citizens and caused a massive property damage.
"Find anything?" Batgirl asked as she made a way past the yellow tapes and barricades. "Nothing yet, but it seems they planted the gas tankers in those designated positions to create such an high scale explosion without the need of C4." I elaborated, taking a closer look around one of the tankers in search for clues.
"Any idea who these guys are?" She asked again, still trying to wrap her head around the situation as she tried not to be emotional about the whole thing. It was okay and natural to be emotional but not while on the job.
"None other than those terrorist groups the commissioner made mention of, the Sparrows." I replied.
"I've never heard of them."
"Of course, that's because they don't exist to the outside world. Whoever they are, I'll make them pay." I replied as I tightly clenched on to my fist, feeling infuriated as I gazed upon the scene.
"I feel the same way too, but first we would have to identify them and smoke them out." Batgirl mentioned, stating the obvious.
"I need a word with Red Hood, he gave the information to Vicki Vale to pass on to the commissioner. He might know something and could help us piece together this unsolved puzzle as to their reason for all this."
I did not like the idea of contacting Jason because we had agreed to protect Gotham City in our own way since we just end up getting in the way of one another. But I think this time Gotham needs us both if this city is going to survive this phase.
…
[Tom Hendricks POV]
The search result I had Gwen run on the fingerprints found on that silver coin came out phase. She couldn't match the prints to anyone, meaning they either had their prints erased, or they just do not exist in any database.
Which begs the question if they are humans or not. The girl I fought the other night seemed pretty human to me, quite cheeky and hot headed but was still a human, although a meta at that.
Since Deathstroke and Deadhot had nothing concerning this group which was revealed to us to be known as the Sparrows, I needed another set of eyes, one of which has connections beyond that of the underbelly. I'm referring to the shadows mere men do not trespass upon without the proper certification or reputable validation.
Picking up my phone I dialled the only number I knew could possibly help me with this little dilemma I found myself.
"Hello Talia, been a minute." I greeted as she picked up the call. [You don't call me unless you want or need something from me, so what is it?.] She asked from the other side of the phone, unsure of which of her services I required this time around.
"I'm sure you already know why am calling, but I'll play along anyway." I replied. "I know you are quite aware of the recent happens in Gotham City, especially after that night with the meta human terrorist group."
[I've been keeping tabs, I also heard about the assassination attempt on you. If you were that easy to kill, I would have gotten rid of you a long time ago.]
"Ouch, now that hurt my feelings." I sarcastically replied. "Anyway, someone put a bounty on my head and had a group known as the Sparrows to claim it. Know anything about either?" I briefed, hoping she knew something that might be helpful in tracking down those guys and ending this little charade once and for all.
[If you have those guys coming after you then you have your work cut out for you. The Sparrows is a group with members who are unknown, therefore they donot exist. But for us who deal on this field, they are a mercenary group with meta powers who hunt down their targets and swiftly eliminating them, making it seem like an accident in the process.] She replied, finally I found someone who knew something about them.
"Good, tell me everything I need to know about them." I instructed as she filled me in on the little details as to what she knew about them and only being able to identify just one member of their group, their leader who's known as Jamie.
I was expecting some scary code name and not one that reminded me of that fucker from Game of Thrones. "Okay, find out whatever you can on them, while also looking into who was responsible for giving them the job of having me killed." I added, hopefully something comes up and the hunters shall become the hunted.
The citizens of Gotham City had been on edge and still in a state of panic, so I agreed to an interview with Vicki Vale, one she had proposed to me earlier on but I finally agreed to it since it was an perfect opportunity to gain the people's trust and love with my humanitarian activities in the city.
Gotham City was still recovering from the massive blow dealt to it's citizens and everyone toned in to the morning news in hope of hearing the good news that it was all going to be over soon.
"Good morning everyone. I'm Vicki Vale from the Gotham City's Gazette, and seated right next to me is Mr. Hendricks." She introduced.
"So tell us, after your bold declaration of helping out the city, what's your take on the recent happenings and have you had a change of mind due to them?" Vicki asked like she expected me to have a change of heart and run scared with my tail between my legs, she thought wrong.
"All I can say is that it's times like this were we are all scared for our lives and that of our loved ones, that we need to stick together and be our neighbors keepers."
"That is indeed true." Vicki remarked, nodding along to my opening statement as I continued. "It's during times like this we have to stay strong if we are going to survive this chaotic phase."
"You sound awfully confident Mr. Hendricks." She said with a smirk. "Indeed I am, a city is not just a place, but is made up of the people who reside within it and wish for nothing but peace and prosperity for the society." I replied while locking eyes with the camera as I spoke, while Vicki patiently listened to every word of mine.
"I have to say, that was well spoken." She replied. "I'm assuming you'll have some sort of contribution to the recovery of the city." She speculated.
"Of course I will." I replied, taking a minimal pause as I continued. "It so happens that the nearby hospital where majority of the victims were admitted, was at the verge of shutting down due to certain reasons which aren't appropriate to be disclosed by me." Vicki nodded, understanding what I meant.
"I had a meeting with the Mayor of Gotham City and after a few discussions and persuasion, I was able to purchase the hospital and prevented it from shutting down." I confidently said, pacing myself so I don't sound too cocky.
"That's wonderful news, I'm sure every patient and people who have a loved one there will be glad to hear this." She commented, holding up a smile as she did so.
"Not only that, but I will be covering everyone of their hospital bills. Meaning those who were admitted due to the gas explosion, will be treated free off charge." I broke the ice, that was sure to have the people of Gotham City talking and help me gain the favor of other politicians with higher power than the Mayor.
"That is wonderful news." She remarked, looking a bit dumbfounded by the information I had just dropped, seems she wasn't expecting that. I don't blame her, no one did, the mayor had a look of surprise on his face when I mentioned that to him during our second meeting.
"All that's left is the renovations of the buildings and infrastructures which were damaged from the blast." She made clear, attempting to ease the minds of the listeners.
"Oh, I also discussed that with the Mayor on that. I will be contributing to the rebuild of the infrastructural buildings in whatever way I can. And I intend to build an orphanage for those kid who lost their parents in that incident, I know how tough it is to live as an orphan." I declared with a sympathetic look in my eyes, making my claims sound more genuine and not just some political lies. I don't do politics but intend to reap from it and suck the government dry.
"You're full of surprises Mr. Hendricks, thank you for going out of your way to help this city during this trying times." She said, signaling the impending end of the live interview.
"It's my pleasure, I hope to rebrand this city into one different from its current reputation." I specified.
"There you have it folks, remember to be your neighbor's keeper. Until next time." She concluded as she put an end to the live interview. "Thank you for joining us Mr. Hendricks." Vicki appreciated once more with a charming smile across her lips.
"Of course, just doing my part in making the world a better and safer place." I replied, complimenting her smile with a brief one of mine which disappeared as quickly as it had appeared.
"You keep evading the question as to what you do for a living, I don't get how you're able to do all this without an actual source of income." Vicki brought up a topic I've done my best in avoiding for a while now, my company over at Metropolis was still under development so I couldn't use that. It was a good thing I started making investments in beneficial firms all around the world when I started to come up as Ghost.
"I made multiple investments which are baring consistent profits, but one that produces the most profit is an investment I made in the Middle East. Oil to be precise." I elaborated as we got off set and walked through the media hallway. Once again, an investment I was only able to get due to my connections as Ghost.
"Oil money?" She paused to ask, completely dumbfounded as she never expected that reply.
"I must say, you're quite full of surprises."
"Of course I am, I keep certain details private. That way I'm a complete mystery to those who do not know me on a personal level." I replied, pushing the elevator's button.
"And how do I do that?" She asked as the elevator's doors opened and a few people stepped out, showing signs of respect as they waved past me, some stared as they walked by, while two others interrupted our conversation to take a selfie with me.
"How about we go get dinner sometime." I replied, placing my hand at the edge of the elevator so the doors do not close. "Mr. Hendricks, are you asking me out?" She inquired with a flirty tone.
"Nothing too grand, just a dinner date. We could get to know ourselves a little better." I replied with an half smile, and she blushed a little upon hearing those words. "By the way, call me Tom." I chipped in right before the elevator's doors closed between us, then headed out of the building.
…
Upon getting home I met Leo seated on the sofa with a book in hand, while Jase was glued to the T V screen as he locked in on the game he was playing.
"If it isn't the man of the hour." Leo remarked, clearly stating they saw the interview. "Ha ha, very funny." I snarked.
"Gwen, turn off the TV." I commanded.
"Wait wait wait….!!!" Jason tried to stop Gwen but was too late. "Come on dude, a little warning next time."
"I'd be sure to remember that next time." I replied. "So what did you find?" I asked, referring to the assignment I had given to him during the night of our little investigation.
"Be right back." He replied as he got up and headed up stairs to go grab his laptop. About a minute later, he came back downstairs with his laptop and with a flash drive.
"There was nothing on them, they cleared out the footage from around the time period of the explosion." He briefed, but there seemed to be more. "All but one." He added.
"One of the cameras caught the reflection of these two entering the building, but they do not appear in any of the other cameras." He elaborated, pointing at the reflection of a dark-skinned dude with gray locks and some hot chick in a red dress.
"Run facial recognition on them." I instructed, fully aware nothing would come up but it wouldn't hurt to try. "Way ahead of you man, already did so but nothing came up."
"That's okay, now that we know what they look like….It's time to go hunting boys." I said with a mischievous smirk, I didn't create a top grade AI for nothing. "Gwen, Run a search on these faces and alert me the moment they come up on any surveillance camera or that of private establishments." I instructed.
"Yes, Master Tom." She replied, it was high time I stopped being the hunted and brought the fight to them instead.
Want more chapters? Kindly visit my to read ahead./Da_suprememaverick