Life In The Fast Lane (April 22, 2014)

[Nocturnal Vigilante]

Bruce tried to clear his head, struggling to look forward. The force the brute brought upon by smacking him into the wall was something he resembled in that of Bane. Hugo's test subjects this time around were clearly nothing to joke about. It's not like he hasn't felt pain like that before, while it still hurt he had enough discipline in one life time to live with it. He dusted off his clothes checking over the deceased man. They were almost identical in size to the one he had information on in the GCPD precinct. They possessed superhuman strength and the lack of will to think for themselves under the control of Hugo Strange. This man wouldn't have stopped until his mission was complete, or died trying. It angered him that the people he's tangled with have very little care for the lives they interrupt and even ruin. "Is everyone alright?" He said, looking from Alfred to Sara. "Good. We need to move. Now. Strange has made this more personal than ever before."

"What do you plan to do, sir?" Alfred asked, putting himself back into the chair.

"I'm shutting down his operations for good," It was low and gruff but serious and anyone could tell he meant it. Hugo brought those people to his home, who could have very well been aware of the secret he held. "We need answers, clues, anything that can get us to him,
Bruce grabbed one of the unconscious gunmen by their collar, bring his fist down on him. With a few more, he's bound to wake up willfully. "I'll get them out of the cave. They can't see any of this." Bruce took another one of the gunmen and dragged them up the long dark stairs with ease.  

[Sonic Cry]

Watching Bruce approach the downed man, she could sense that this thug wasn't just out for the count. He was down permanently. Releasing a deep breath that she had apparently been holding in. Her adrenaline rush was still pumping wildly within her veins.

"Is everyone alright?"

Strolling over towards the deceased, she nodded her head in response. Curiosity made her wonder just who did this and why?

"Good. We need to move. Now. Strange has made this more personal than ever before."

Sara's head jolted up at the name, Strange. Well whoever did this, definitely was strange. Frowning slightly she adverted her attention over at Alfred for when he questioned what was Bruce going to do? Remaining quiet to see how this all added up.

"What do you plan to do, sir?"

"I'm shutting down his operations for good. We need answers, clues, anything that can get us to him. I'll get them out of the cave. They can't see any of this."

"Are you sure this is all of them?" Finally speaking up. Jutting her chin over in the direction of the monitor screens. "Wouldn't hurt to take a look and make sure no one stayed behind while strong arm here had his fun with us." Bruce did not need this secret escaping, let alone have any loose ends.

Nocturnal Vigilante

 

[Nocturnal Vigilante]

He could see it on their shoulders, the long forgotten TYGER emblem or at least, that what it was supposed to be. After it's untimely disbandment, the militia group faded into the shadows. Until now, Bruce has heard very little of their activity anywhere outside of Gotham. "I'll make sure that the ones that found us aren't a problem," The man kept silent on the way up, reeling at the possibilities that this could have been much, much worse.

The smell of the Manor was unfamiliar to him before descending down into the cave. Their stench was all over the furniture as they moved it about in search of a way to find their targets. The lack of respect was visible on many counts. The damages to the estate as a whole would require some fixing. If it had went on further, had they continued to just rampage throughout the halls and rooms, there wouldn't have been much to come up to.

Bruce dropped the three men he dragged, propping them against the wall next to the splintered bookcase. They were completely unaware of where they were moved to, they probably weren't even conscious yet. One by one Bruce removed their masks, getting a good look at their faces. It was all he really needed if they just so happened to have a plan of escape. He needed answers, though he knew from the get-go: Bruce Wayne would not be the one to get those. He took the curtains that guarded the window, a dark crimson that was thick when compressed. Through various knots and pulls, he tied them down to the hard surfaces, linking them all together. He'd pat them down to check for any hidden small knives, even going so far as to kick away anything that could be used to grant their freedom.

He was ready to head back into the cave to change, to interrogate the few of them so that they may locate Hugo Strange. Bruce placed his hand on the wall barely passing the first step when he heard a sharp thunk, a few bounces and scuffles, and then finally a grunt that brought it all to a halt. There were two vans, of course. They had more than just the four that the three of them encountered. Bruce walked out into the open to climb the steps up to the second floor. He was expecting something quick, a few soldiers ready to hit him with a light canister of gas to get the job done. Though in reality, there was nothing, not even a mutter that could be heard. Were they intentionally being quiet?  

[Sonic Cry]

As Bruce departed the cave, Sara turned her attention over towards Alfred and the monitor screens. "Are you alright, Alfred? Considering what all took place?" She was concerned for Alfred's well being, that was just a part of her nature. Walking slowly over to where he was located at, as she traded a glance between the monitors. She was sore from the beating she took in that rocking rodeo ride earlier, nothing she couldn't handle. She's had worse. Glancing down at her tattered and torn dress and heels destroyed, she shrugged her shoulders lightly. She knew, if Laurel was wearing the dress, that she'd probably be upset at the fact the dress was a known designer gown and had been ruined in a matter of minutes. The thought brought a small smile upon her lips. What mattered more presently was the fact that there might be others loose in the mansion. This Strange guy? Whomever he was. Was most definitely going to pay!

Nocturnal Vigilante

 

[Nocturnal Vigilante]

Alfred began patting his hair over, believing it to be unkept. He stood up right to dust off his clothing setting himself at an example he should always be. “Thank you for asking, Ms. Lance. Though we’ve been through much worse.” He didn’t do much, he usually hoped that he didn’t have to unless it came down to it. The shotgun they had around guarded them in a thick situation, when there was no other option. It was no secret that Alfred’s frail stature was in no comparison to Bruce, thus he needed an edge. He took his seat at the front of the Batcomputer checking back over the cameras. Each screen displayed the many rooms inside the manor, from bedroom to kitchen, when in a crisis there were no secrets on the inside. Out of the corner in the top left screen, Alfred saw a brief glimpse of something out of place. A sneaky black figure that moved quickly through the halls of the second floor. The small blue accents were very easy to spot in the little time they showed up. A smile showed across his face deducing just who this mysterious figure was.

Bruce could hear a loud thud from up above followed by more that were fairly discerning. Clearly he was walking straight into a group of more armed men. Bruce ascended the steps slowly, the heel of his shoe touching the fine wooden stairs ever so carefully to alert no one of his presence. He approached the wall, tilting his head slightly to peer around the corner. All clear. Then where's the commotion coming from? He thought to himself. Very few things were now adding up. While finally turning the corner, he met eye to eye with the ex-boy wonder: d**k Grayson, or Nightwing as he preferred to call himself.

Bruce's attention darted from the unconscious man and back to Nightwing. The sudden appearance of his old friend was random at best and though he wouldn't admit it, highly appreciated. His secret overall was kept under wraps. "Why are you here? You're supposed to be in Blüdhaven. Forget it, bring him down." He questioned, not even bothering with so much as a thank you. Bruce nodded him along to follow beginning to fill him in on what has transpired in the last day, why Wayne Manor was now a mess.

Back in the study, Bruce took hold of the guards once more bringing them back down to the dark cave. "And now Strange has set his sights on me. Again. Now he's using innocent victims to carry out his deeds. Nothing has changed since last time." Bruce dropped the men down, much harder than last time where he gave them a nice propped up position.

“If you’ve got a change of clothes, get them,” He encouraged, looking to Sara more so mentioning her late night attire. There would be no time to waste once information was gathered. Really she could leave and never come back if she wanted to. She had no reason to stay though her willingness to help this far proved otherwise. Bruce thought back to the other night. She told the Batman that someone was watching, whether that was Hugo Strange or some unknown force yet to be revealed, hopefully all would be known in due time. He stepped in front of the glass case that held his suit, accessing the keypad to open the casing and grabbing his suit. The kevlar-weave was made to fit over clothing, such as his now tattered suit. Each well fitted plated piece were fixed together to keep the center in place.
Putting himself in the center of the group, Batman began to speak to everyone addressing the situation. “I don’t know how much time we have before Strange sends another assault. Better we take the fight to him while he’s regrouping.” He craned his neck in the cowl to stare over to the unconscious men, included with the deceased. “Alfred, see to it that he’s taken to the proper people, it’s best that any family he has is notified of his demise.” The task would be set upon him to identify him and have transported to the appropriate place. With a nod in agreement, Alfred went about determining the identity of the masked strongman.



“Let’s get to work.”  

[Sonic Cry]

“Thank you for asking, Ms. Lance. Though we’ve been through much worse.”

Sara provided an understanding smile. Somewhere in the back of her mind, she was certain that they had been through much worse. A tale to tell on a much later date. Admiring the fact that Alfred was making sure that his attire was still up to par. Even after everything took place. She knew that a change of clothes might be acceptable in her case. At least the dress wasn't being too revealing. Then again, the material wasn't meant to be worn in a fight, it was designed to be used as a tool to help attract the opposite sex. It worked, but it wasn't the dress that did the job. Providing a head to toe glance over with her eyes, she was certain that Alfred could use rest. Not now, work needed to be done. Which meant she needed to grab her gear.

Sara craned her head over her shoulder, as she heard movement from behind. Seeing Bruce and someone dressed in blue and black make his entrance from behind. Obviously someone who had his relations to the family business.

“If you’ve got a change of clothes, get them.”

Sara acknowledged Bruce's advice with the simple nod of her head. Since her things were upstairs, she made her way to the stairs, briefly pausing her footsteps to trade a glance between the newcomer and Bruce. "I won't be long." Returning her attention to the narrow stairwell heading up, she departed the cave for the time being to get rid of her tattered dress and put on something more appropriate for the situation. It did not appear she was gone too long, as promised Sara Lance returned, descending down the steps dawning her all black leather attire. Weapons could be found sheathed along her back, down along the underside of the weather worn jacket sleeves and utility belt. The Canary was a weapon in and of herself, the weapons were additional tools, that helped aid her in battle. With a titanium, expandable nightstick bo staff in hand, she stood at attention at the bottom step of the cave. With her head held high, showing that she was ready as she replied.

"I'm here, as promised."



“Let’s get to work.”

show spoilerhide spoiler

Nocturnal Vigilante

Acrobatic Vigilante

 

[Nocturnal Vigilante]

Gladly taking the files from Nightwing, Batman brought them over to the surface, part of which held the Batcomputer up on the stand. Straight from Gordon and collected and related to any findings the GCPD had. Across the way, Batman grabbed the set of files he grabbed earlier in the morning while at the precinct beginning to compare notes with whatever the police's new findings could sum up. What secrets he couldn't find were now in this folder, obviously they wouldn't disclose such information to Bruce Wayne. It was best that they didn't alarm the public, or someone who they thought could not handle the situation. The GCPD's confirmed a lot of his own suspicions, ranging from their secret activity in the undertown of Gotham and the rising numbers of people seemingly going missing.

Alfred turned around in his seat, smiling to Richard. "Welcome home, Nightwing." Sara may know of Bruce's identity now, but d**k was his own man and could choose to disclose the information on his own, unless she did her own digging on the night Bruce Wayne took him in.
Alfred tapped the screen on a red dot, signifying that this was the location where they would bring the deceased. ”The preparations have been made, sir. All that is needed now is the means to get to said destination.” He would offer to do it himself, but the manor was already a mess before the attacks, he’d have plenty of work to do while they’re gone to clean up what he could.

Batman stepped over to the work table gathering items for his utility belt while listening to Nightwing explain himself. He rarely ever saw him unless the crisis called for everyone to come home. Ever since he left it was usually just Tim around or Damian though neither of them were around, probably down with the Teen Titans. While he wouldn’t admit it, it was a nice change of pace having him back around. In his utility belt he placed a set of twenty sharpened batarangs, smoke pellets, grappling hook, explosive charges, and one of the gas breathers just in case Strange had any new toys he wanted to try out. He wouldn’t expect the numbers, none of his men have made contact back that Batman, The Canary, and Nightwing are coming for him soon enough.

“First things first, we need answers.” Batman lined the utility belt up around his waist, clipping it at the front as he walked away from the table. He grabbed two of the gunmen by their collars, dragging them to a deeper part of a cave, an area that overlooked the aerial exit/entrance from the cave. Batman’s prowess with interrogation was near unmatched, there was always something or someway people would talk, especially with the right reasons. Batman clipped a grapple line to their ankles, followed be a swift jab to the stomach to get them going. The first of the bunch wheezed in pain, coughing as he regained consciousness. Seeing the caped crusader in the dark made him flinch and try and back away but he held on tight to his leg. He’d bring the two of them over holding them up by their ankles as they dangled above the rough waters below. Their combined weight was nothing he couldn’t handle, unphased by the strength it was taking him to hold them up. He shook them once, getting a good scream out of them as they became fully aware of their situation.

“You know where Strange is and I need answers. Start talking or you both take a dive.” Making the grip tighter on them, he could feel them wince in pain holding in their responses. “I could go all night.” He said, confirming the worst for them.  

[Sector 2814]

The plan failed, he was one hundred percent sure none of the forces retrieved Bruce Wayne. Though really, he didn't expect much of them outside of sending the adolescent Ramon Worthington. The billionaire on the outside seemed more like any old rich guy with a lot of money but on the inside he was much more, he understood the distinct and fascinating similarities between Bruce Wayne and Batman. A formidable opponent, a very formidable opponent indeed who a standard strike team alone could not handle. He'd have to up the stakes, make it difficult and straining on the Dark Knight.

Hugo passed through several halls as he made his entrance to a large room where he could oversee the production floor. Ten metal chairs in a square formation were placed all across the flooring. Every subject strapped to them proved to be a reliable asset to his even smaller private army and a match to the appropriate testing he would put them through. Tubes distributing liquid were place in their necks, similar to how he did with the others. This time he would be bringing the hammer down.

In the cave, the other two were doing their best not to disclose information that would end up getting them killed, if the Batman didn't do it himself. That's what they didn't know, it was his code to leave people alive, almost under any circumstance. With the strong grip over their legs, they held their words in while mentally debating which fate would be worse, Hugo Strange or their captor's. Unless you were the GCPD, no one really knew what Batman's motives truly were, the lengths he would go. That shook them to the core. The second man, held on by the Batman's right hand spoke up.

"We're not saying a damn thing, Bat-freak. We talk and he'll kill us!" There was plenty of tension in his voice, but he was determined to not risk his own life. He'd possibly even shoot for a reward if he got on Strange's good side. Highly unlikely.

The other to his left was a little more willing. He was getting dizzy as the blood rushed to his head. The waves below appeared to be much closer than they really were. "You..you don't think he'd do the same?" He said with his words slightly slurred. He paused in hesitation, getting a glimpse of his partner. "Look okay, Strange has himself hold out in an underground facility, we usually get there through the docks on the East End. Please, he don't really tell us much. Don't hurt us!" Upon finishing his revelation, he became extremely nervous by the fact that he wasn't sure how their chances were now that he told just about everything he could muster up what with being disoriented and all.  

[Nocturnal Vigilante]

He expected more, especially the fact that between the two of them, they most likely had enough considerable information on Strange to give him an idea of a way to make the next plan work. The other was less than cooperative while his squadmate valued who was much, much worse. Strange may kill them, grant them the swift and gruesome death. On the other hand, Batman was there to make them wish they were dead, if they refused to disclose certain things to him. Batman glared at the man refusing to speak on behalf of his fear of strange. Simple interrogation techniques passed through his mind, some of his favorite, some that were quick and effective, and others that would draw out the situation, make them suffer some. He thought it better to go with the second set of choices as their time table began to decrease.

"You're call." He loosened his grip on the man's ankle, holding onto the grapple line that was attached to them. He could hear his screams on the way down echoing throughout the cave. He stopped him from falling just above the crashing waves below. The water would those who fell in deep out into the harbor, right near the home of a certain crocodile-like criminal that he's yet to put a stop to. He wouldn't actually subject anyone to that but he'd let them know what they were dealing with.

"I could let you go right now and not give a damn, your choice," He was almost shouting now as the rushing waters would be toning him out from way up on the cliff.  

[Sector 2814]

"Why the hell would you tell him!?" He yelled above the roaring waters. He held his arms over his face to block the constant splashing. The non-complaint refused to say anything. Something about Hugo Strange frightened him even more than the Batman himself. It was a hard call to make, but he knew that if they ever made it back there, the other would be sent out to the pasture.

"Please! Let us go!" The other begged and pleaded, unsure of what the vigilante might do to them. He twisted and squirmed to try and free himself from his grasp to no avail. The hold he had was too tight. They were entirely at the Batman's mercy.  

[Nocturnal Vigilante]

With no use for them, he did as the man asked by loosening his grip over his ankle, watching him plummet down in front of the rushing waters below. If their screams were any indication, the drop was most definitely unpleasant. The reeling line screeched as it reached it's limit, leaving the man dangling only a few inches from sharp jagged rocks and a pulling wave of water. With them now in reach, Batman let go completely of the grapple line, viewing their faces as they were swept away down in the deeper areas of the cave.

The exit leads to an undisclosed location in the Gotham City harbor, by the time they reached the end, they'd be too disoriented to traverse back or even make out where they just came from. Done and over with and out of the way. The best they had was a location and if anyone knew him as well as they thought they did, a hunch was all he needed.

Batman stood front and center, looking towards Nightwing, Canary, and Alfred.

"Well, sir? What information did you procure?" Alfred asked of him.

"Strange is holding out near the East End. One of them was more inclined to give me a little bit of information." Batman stopped speaking to step forward to the Batcomputer. Pressing a few keys here and there, up on the bright blue monitor displayed the sewer system of Gotham City, mostly directed towards the point of interest East End. "One of them said he was deep underground and I know the the whole area well enough to pinpoint exactly what his location might be," Hugo Strange was using some sort of experimental chemical, drug, toxin, whatever it was, if he wasn't topside in Gotham City, that meant he had to be working in a place that is plentiful with space and could house a lot of high security equipment and a number of soldiers.

"I wouldn't doubt that sending these men bought him time to assemble a greater group of soldiers, recuperate and think through his plans. At this point, he won't know that he's outmatched by skill. We need to stop Strange before he puts more innocents in harms way," It had to be on all of their minds, to take the fight back to him finally. Batman turned from them all, pressing a button on his gauntlet that triggered The Batwing. It's new model could sit a total of four and very few modifications were made to the final touch.

"I had the Batwing prepped and ready, sir. I assumed this would be your choice of transportation. Ms. Lance and Nightwing would be most invaluable to have at your side from start to finish," Alfred suggested the idea, finishing off with a slight head bow.

Batman thankfully nodded to his good friend, stepping past him and towards the Batwing, it's engine roaring at the sound of it starting up. "We need to go, now." He declared as he ascended the steps of the landing pad. At the back of the aircraft the hatch opened, sliding the walk pad down for the others to enter. Batman pressed on inside, taking note of it's slightly up to date interior. It had a very dark red hue to it, the panels shining from it.

Taking hold of the controls, he did the rest of the prepping by setting up the controls from the interior. Weapons were functional, navigational system, tracking systems, all of it was there. Not that they would need all of it but it never hurt to come prepared.

 

[Sonic Cry]

Not too far off from where The Canary stood, she could have sworn she heard a shout in distress somewhere nearby. She was quite certain the scream was from one of the detained men. Breaking down her expandable nightstick bo staff, placing one of her tools along her back, she noticed movement from the corner of her eyes. The movement was Batman emerging back into the area where she, Alfred and Nightwing were located at.

"Well, sir? What information did you procure?"

"Strange is holding out near the East End. One of them was more inclined to give me a little bit of information."

The Canary couldn't help but smirk somewhat after hearing Batman's comment that one of the detained men was a little more inclined to provide further intel. She figured either the man was either too loyal to spill the beans, or that the man was scared shitless that he feared going back to his employee to face impending doom, far worse than what card of fate he'd be given here.

"One of them said he was deep underground and I know the the whole area well enough to pinpoint exactly what his location might be."

At the mentioning that this lair was possibly deep underground, made the Canary wonder if this Dr. Hugo Strange, might of possibly found a Lazarus Pit. That would explain a lot, but she wasn't about to delve that deep unless there was enough evidence to prove her wrong. And she hoped she was wrong.

"I wouldn't doubt that sending these men bought him time to assemble a greater group of soldiers, recuperate and think through his plans. At this point, he won't know that he's outmatched by skill. We need to stop Strange before he puts more innocents in harms way."

"I had the Batwing prepped and ready, sir. I assumed this would be your choice of transportation. Ms. Lance and Nightwing would be most invaluable to have at your side from start to finish."

Canary traded a smile and respectful, short bow of her head towards Alfred for his compliment. Redirecting her line of sight towards the wowing effect towards aircraft before them. She didn't have to be told twice that now was the time that they needed to move onward. Time was precious. Time was of the essence and needed to be handled carefully or all would be lost. The good people of Gotham were in dire need of help in this darkened hour. If the three of them didn't at least attempt to try and stop this madman. Who would?

"We need to go, now."

Nocturnal Vigilante

Acrobatic Vigilante