The Wayne Legacy: Knightmare
By BetterInTexas
Chapter 32:
Gotham City Police Department
Downtown Precinct
Detective Ruiz was in hell.
Seconds ago, he had been sitting at his desk, prepared to enjoy a box of candy, despite the turmoil going on around him.
Now he was surrounded by monsters. Not just monsters… but the ones that had haunted his nightmares since his youth. He saw killer clowns, werewolves, slimy creatures who seemed to have crawled out of sewers… even zombies with half their faces missing.
He immediately pulled his gun and the monsters stopped moving, backing away. He didn’t see any of his fellow officers. It was as if he had been teleported to hell.
“Stay back!” he warned the monsters. He quickly turned with his gun in front and saw he was surrounded.
The building he was in appeared to be some twisted version of the precinct he worked out of every day.
He knew he would have to fight his way out of this.
Another monster stepped in front of him with its scaly arms raised and Ruiz took aim at its green head.
For his part, Bullock was taken back by his comrade’s sudden change in demeanor. Ruiz was a man who was never spooked, even in the most strenuous conditions. Now he appeared terrified and was waving his gun threateningly, telling everyone to get back.
A dozen officers had drawn on him, but none wanted to be the one to pull the trigger.
Figuring he had nothing to lose in trying to defuse the situation, besides his life, Bullock stepped in front of the man with his hands up.
“Look Ruiz, you need to calm down. We are all friends here, remember?”
Ruiz aimed his gun at Bullock’s forehead.
“You don’t want to do that, buddy. I still owe you money from the Super Bowl bet, remember? If you shoot me, I won’t pay you one day. I probably won’t pay you anyway but as long as I am alive there is a chance, right?”
“Back up!” Ruiz shouted.
Bullock took two steps back, having accomplished what he set out to do.
Montoya had snuck around the desk to Ruiz’s side while he was focused on Bullock. She locked his arm, forcing the gun down, pointing it towards the floor. He screamed and fired, but the bullet hit no one. She hit him hard with an uppercut to his jaw, using her other hand to rip the gun away.
He stumbled back, close to passing out, when another detective hit him with a taser, quickening his collapse to the floor.
Bullock rolled him face down and Montoya cuffed him.
“We need to get him into a cell!” the woman shouted. Multiple police officers lifted Ruiz from the ground and moved him to the nearest holding cell, placing him face down on the floor and checking him for other weapons.
“What the hell is going on here?!” Gordon shouted, entering the bullpen floor. “I heard a shot.”
“Ruiz lost his mind, Commissioner. Started screaming and waving a gun. He had to be disarmed and taken down.” Montoya told him.
Gordon’s face went white as a sheet. It had only been four hours ago that a CIA agent had lost his mind and pulled a gun near Kara Wayne, screaming about monsters. He had been on the phone with Bruce all afternoon, as well as Diana, and learned quite a bit. According to Diana, she had no trust for the FBI or CIA at the moment and another organization was enroute to take over the investigation.
From what Babs could tell, the CIA agent was possibly sprayed with an aerosol seconds before he screamed and pulled his weapon, aiming it at Kara Wayne and John Diggle.
“What happened before he lost his mind?” Gordon asked.
He looked around at the surrounding patrolmen and detectives, but no one had an answer.
“I just saw him at his desk, sir.” A desk sergeant reported. “He suddenly got up and began screaming. Then he pulled his weapon and told everyone to get back. Bullock distracted him and Montoya took him down.”
Gordon walked over to the desk, careful not to get too close, and saw a box that had purple residue around the edges. “Everyone stays back from this desk. The box could have been an airborne poison. Rope off this scene and activate the HazMat team. I’ve got a call to make.”
Wayne Tower
In sublevel two of Wayne Tower, the atmosphere had calmed somewhat. Diana was still agitated and desperately wanted something to tear apart with her bare hands but calmed as Kara calmed. Kara had not left Dig’s side, despite his assurances that he was fine, and it was no more than a bee sting.
After Dig had kicked the FBI and CIA Directors off the screen, the President had called. Diana assured him she would deal with him and his National Security Advisor as soon as the situation had been contained.
She also informed the President that she would only work with A.R.G.U.S. as Emelia Harcourt’s agency was the only one she trusted to do as she asked.
The President had quickly acquiesced. He knew the upcoming election could tip to one side or the other. It depended on whether Diana Wayne opened or closed pipelines and lowered or raised interest rates and the stock market. He knew she didn’t support him, but he hoped she would stay out of the Presidential election and give him a fighting chance.
So, of course, the agents his National Security Advisor had insisted be around the two sisters despite Diana’s protests had made a horrible mistake.
Steve Trevor had been monitoring the situation from his office on the one hundredth and second floor. When the National Security Advisor made contact and asked how he could help, Steve told General Swanwick, in the most professional manner possible, he would likely be out of a job by the end of the week and to enjoy the time he had left.
Only Sam Lane spoke to Diana or Steve after that conversation. He had been instituting his plans for helicopter support for Wayne Manor.
Emelia Harcourt entered sublevel two with three other agents, escorted by Wayne Security personnel. She reached out and shook Diana’s hand, her agents hanging back while she greeted the CEO. “I am sorry I couldn’t get here sooner. As soon as we heard, we were in the air, but I wanted to touch base with Oracle to see enhanced video of what happened.”
Diana’s eyes were fierce, her expression intense. “Emelia, how would you like to be the director of an intelligence agency that is recognized by the public one day? CIA or the FBI maybe? How would you like to transition from that career into Congress, have seats on intelligence committees, and perhaps one day be President?”
Harcourt’s eyes widened. “You have my attention.”
“We both know who is responsible for this attack. I want Crane dead by the end of this night. I don’t want him taken into police or federal custody, questioned, or talking to anyone. If you do this, you become one of my closest friends. I take care of my closest friends.
“I’ve kept the FBI and the CIA out… only you and your agency are being allowed into this investigation. The entire government is watching you… I am watching you. This is your shot, the first step of your rise. Don’t screw it up. I’m counting on you.”
Emelia hid her excitement and her nerves. If she pulled this off, she became the most important intelligence agency director in the world.
Nodding, she took in the scene, determined to appear unaffected and in charge. “How is Kara?”
“Shaken but she has calmed.” Diana replied. “Who are your friends?”
Emelia motioned for the agents she brought to step closer. “This is Agent Iman Avesta, Agent Roger Harrison and Agent Lyla Michaels. They will liaison with your security personnel. I understand Mr. Diggle isn’t badly injured and will take lead on the investigation as far as the field command. They are at his disposal.”
Diana nodded at hearing this, happy her wishes were being granted and thankful she had Waller replaced. Harcourt understood the game, understood who the top players were and was ambitious enough to make the hard choices. Diana rejecting the FBI and CIA and asking for Harcourt today had made this woman’s career and cemented her loyalty. If she weren’t so valuable in her position, Diana would have recruited her to work for Wayne Enterprises as a fixer, someone to deal with the Cat Grants of the world so Diana didn’t have to.
“Mr. Diggle is in the back. Please check in with him. He’s in command, but I want you involved every step of the way. Work together, get along. I’ve told him you are very capable and can be trusted.”
Emilia was pleased to hear this affirmation, promising herself to do everything necessary to live up to Diana’s expectations.
“Oracle told me this was an aerosol attack. She picked up a slight purple haze emitted from an unknown man, bearded, wearing a hood over his head and sunglasses, who bumped into the agent.” Emelia reported. “I have agents combing the area for other CCTV footage. Hopefully, we will get a lead on a vehicle, or perhaps he removed his sunglasses in a shot, and we can get facial recognition.”
“We don’t need it. We both know it’s Crane.” Diana said. “The question is how?”
Emelia turned and made sure no one was in listening distance. “I sent an agent to speak to the doctor who matched Crane’s dental records. The dental records were brought to him by a retired physician. We have since learned that the doctor left his home to visit his daughter in the next state. When we attempted to contact the daughter, local PD told us she had disappeared months ago, and they weren’t aware her father had gone to visit her.”
Diana shook her head. “And this local PD didn’t think it was noteworthy to mention?”
Harcourt shrugged and sighed. “They are a small department, barely able to patrol their own small community. They reported her missing to the State Authorities and the State never followed up.”
Diana crossed her arms. “That would mean Crane would have needed to kidnap the daughter in another state, only a day or so after he escaped, contacted her father and threatened the man then plant a body in…”
Diana shook her head, greatly annoyed. She knew the body in the house was alive, but due to keeping Bruce’s secret, that fact wasn’t common knowledge, even to Harcourt. The man had stood, stomped on the detonator… the mask must have had a microphone. Crane was watching while his stooge…
Harcourt spoke softly, breaking her train of thought. “Crane had a man take his place every night in his apartment to throw police off his scent. He has released prisoners from Arkham since he took over. Who knows how many mental patients he has under his sway? He could have multiple people working for him. That may not have been Crane who sprayed the CIA Agent. That’s why I want to find facial recognition on the subject who sprayed the aerosol can in the Plaza.”
Diana closed her eyes, frustrated but knew it made sense. She just wanted Crane gone. He had taken a deliberate shot at Kara, using a CIA Agent as a weapon and Dig had been shot protecting her.
Diana was proud of her security teams. They were as good as she expected them to be, even better, but today had been too close.
Diana’s phone rang. Looking at the caller id, she would have ignored it had it been anyone else. “Jim, I have some news on a possible suspect. I’ll be sending over federal agents you can trust to help with the manhunt.”
“It’s Crane.” Jim responded succinctly, surprising Diana.
“That is my guess, but what makes you so sure?” She asked.
“One of my detectives opened a box on his desk and was sprayed with a purple gas. He lost his mind. Luckily no one was injured, and he was contained quickly. It was a fear gas. It looks like it may have left some residue behind, but I haven’t gotten close enough to tell for sure.” Jim told her.
Diana stilled, thinking of how that situation could have turned out. “Has the gas killed him?”
“That’s what is surprising. He is in a holding cell, perfectly healthy with a headache and no memory of what happened. Crane has made the gas less lethal. Why would he do that?”
The answer was obvious to Diana. “Because Crane wants his victims to see what they have done when it wears off. It’s less merciful than killing them.
“I’m sending Eliza over with the agents. Keep the detective isolated and don’t let anyone near that box.”
Diana ended the call and waved Eliza over, explaining the situation at the precinct to her and Harcourt.
Eliza had been brought to the Tower from the safety of her lab complex to remove the bullet from Dig’s shoulder and treat his wound.
“He changed the chemical makeup of the gas if trace powder is left behind.” Eliza stated confidently. “I couldn’t get anything off the agent. His head was literally blown off and there were too many bullets for a good sample to be found. If it’s basically the same gas only slightly changed… or mutated… I’m sending Alex to the precinct.”
“That’s not a good idea, Eliza. Crane is playing dirty. I’ve got bodyguards around Silver, Rachel and Gertrude. Alex is under guard now at the lab but if you are taking her into the open, she will be in danger.”
“There isn’t a choice. This is her specialty, not mine. I know the chemicals in the old formula, but Alex is the only one who can see how it has changed and reverse engineer it.”
Diana wasn’t happy about exposing Alex to potential harm, but did as Eliza wanted, making sure Alex was assigned her own security team. She then turned to Harcourt. “It is time to get our people home. Samantha Arias will be across the street and managing the Executive Suites security.”
While Diana was speaking with Commissioner Gordon, Amelia Harcourt and Eliza, Dig was introducing himself to two agents and reacquainting himself with another.
“You okay, Johnny?” Lyla asked.
“I’ve been worse. This is nothing.” Dig reassured her. “I’m surprised you are here, Lyla. Isn’t this a conflict of interest?”
Kara’s raised her eyebrows. “This is Lyla? Like ex-wife Lyla?”
Dig nodded and offered his hand to the other two.
“I’m John Diggle, Kara’s very protective, paranoid, pissed off bodyguard and head of Wayne Security.” He said cordially, before turning back to Lyla. “I understand you will be assisting in this case.”
“That is what we were told.” Lyla said. “Though I find it strange. In most circumstances, we take the lead in investigations.”
“In most circumstances, the owner of a private company doesn’t choose directors of intelligence agencies, but I see Director Harcourt over there, not Amanda Waller.” Dig pointed out. “My com is always linked with Miss Wayne’s. I just overheard her conversation with Commissioner Gordon. A similar incident has occurred at the downtown police precinct though thankfully no lives were lost.
“I’ve spoken briefly to General Lane. He has the 99th Air Cav on their way and they will escort Kara to Wayne Manor. I need you three to visit the downtown precinct along with Eliza Danvers. You will meet up with Alex Danvers who will be taking a sample of residue from the discharge device and examining its properties in detail. Once Kara is secure in the manor, I will meet you there. It is highly likely Jonathan Crane, or someone who worked under him or with him, is responsible.”
“Dig, you need rest.” Kara complained. “You’ve just had a bullet dug out of you, lost blood and your muscles must be sore. You need to stay with me.”
“Your client is right, John.” Lyla told him.
“I am not his client!” Kara said sharply. “He is my family.”
Lyla was taken back by the anger in the young blonde’s tone. “I apologize. I meant no disrespect.”
Lyla was surprised to see Dig kiss the top of Kara’s head and ruffle her hair a bit. “I’m taking you to the manor. Once I know you are safe, I need to lead our teams and find this guy before he hurts anyone else. Don’t worry, Kara, I will be fine. Okay?”
“You need pain pills.” Kara complained, huddling into him.
“I need to catch this guy so we can take walks to nasty Mexican food restaurants in safety. If these guys didn’t know what they were doing, they wouldn’t be here. I need you safe at the manor.”
Kara slumped, deflated, realizing she wasn’t going to change his mind.
“Hey, I need you there for more than your safety. We may be needing drones tonight and nobody has better drones and can operate them better than you, right? Make sure they are up to par and ready to roll if needed.” He told her, hoping to placate her.
Dig wasn’t sure if it worked but Kara nodded, then walked over to Diana.
Avesta and Harrison walked off to make their way to Gotham P.D. but Lyla held back.
“She loves you.”
“I love her. She’s family.” Dig replied.
Lyla shook her head. “When I heard you were going into personal security, I thought you would be treated like a disposable tool by some ultra-rich assholes. I’m glad that isn’t the case.”
“The Waynes are some of the best people I have ever met in my life.” Dig told Lyla. “I would die for Kara, and she doesn’t take that for granted. That is why we need to catch Crane.
“I’m going to escort her to the manor then I will head to the Gotham Downtown Precinct.”
“Wouldn’t Kara be safer here?” Lyla asked, surprised.
Diggle shook his head. “There is no place on Earth safer than Wayne Manor. I’ll meet you all at the station.”
Across town, John Blake had woken up very late after pulling a double shift that lasted until seven that morning.
He turned on the news and listened, dread filling him every second he listened.
He picked up his phone and thought of who to call. He could have called Diggle or Bruce or even the Commissioner.
Instead, he called Kara.
“John?”
“Are you okay?”
“A CIA agent pulled a gun and aimed it at me after he was sprayed with fear toxin by who we think is a probably still-alive-Crane. Dig was shot in the arm protecting me. He says he is okay, but he won’t go to a hospital since Eliza removed the bullet and treated the wound.”
Kara’s voice sounded frightened, small… broken. It wasn’t something he ever wanted to hear from her.
“Where are you?”
“I think Diana and I are going to the manor by helicopter.”
“I’ll meet you there.”
“It’s in lockdown.” Kara told him quickly, not wanting him to be shot by accident.
“I’ll tell Bruce to meet me at the gate. I will see you there.”
Wayne Manor
True to his word, when Kara, Babs, Steve and Diana landed twenty minutes later with Dig on the manor grounds, Bruce, Alfred, Hippolyta and John Blake were waiting for them in the foyer.
Rather than making small talk, the party walked towards the elevator and began descending three at a time.
Once they were all secured in the manor basement, Kara felt safer and was able to think.
“Oh, damn.” She whispered.
“What?” Diana asked quickly. “Are you okay?”
“Tommy. If Crane has crazy people working for him, what if someone is in Star City?”
Diana shook her head. “Once security protocols were activated, a bodyguard on retainer was sent to Tommy’s location. He is safe.”
“We have a bodyguard on retainer in Star City?” Kara asked, surprised to hear this.
Diana nodded. “Dig’s brother Andrew. Tommy is safe, Bunny. There is nothing to worry about now.”
Kara nodded then grabbed Blake by the arm and walked him away from the others who were talking in urgent tones.
Once the two were alone, Kara took his hand. “I’m sorry.”
Blake was confused. “About what?”
“Me, you, us. When I was… when I saw that gun… everything that I always knew could happen became very real to me. Once everything settled down… when I knew Dig wasn’t going to die and…”
Kara paused and took a deep breath. “I told Diana I wasn’t going to stay at home after what Emily did. I wasn’t going to let Emily make me a prisoner in my own home. But she did. I pushed everything away. I cancelled our date, I stopped dancing, I stopped talking to you and I pushed you away because I was scared to trust anyone again. I showed up to a charity run Diana organized for my new charity and didn’t even run. I let Emily beat me and I let her drive me away from everyone.”
“Hey, it’s okay. You got burned. It’s been a rough few months for you.” Blake said, trying to comfort her.
“That’s no excuse. I have a new lease on life, and I am wasting it. I shouldn’t have cancelled our date. As crazy as you drive me sometimes, that’s how into you I am, and I just backed away. I know you can hurt me and that scares me. You wouldn’t beat anyone to death and then kill a DA, but you could get killed because you chase serial killers into steel mills and have gun fights and knife fights like an idiot and you do all these stupid, stupid things, I wonder if you even have a brain sometimes. You don’t think, you just do and…”
Blake placed his hands on her cheeks. She stopped rambling; her eyes suddenly wide as he leaned in to kiss her.
Kara was stunned at first then returned the kiss.
He continued kissing her, placing his hands around her waist, pulling her tight as she placed her hands gently on his chest, letting him pull her close.
When they reluctantly pulled apart, they noticed the silence in the room. They turned and saw everyone quietly staring at them.
“I’m going into work.” He told her, ignoring the quiet they had brought to the basement.
“You’re off. I know your schedule.” Kara reminded him, then remembered he didn’t know that she knew that.
He shook his head. “You are safe here and I can’t catch him from inside your basement. I can do more out there. I will be as careful as possible, but I can’t promise I won’t be in danger. That’s the deal. We are going to catch this son of a bitch and when it’s over, we are going on that date, okay?”
Kara nodded and kissed him once again. “Go get him.”
Blake walked off towards the elevator, Dig following him.
Kara sighed, watching them go. The idea of danger had always been there. Now it was real and though she should have been scared, she touched her lips, and didn’t feel quite so frightened.
Bruce refrained following them at Diana’s silent request. Once they were gone, he walked towards the vault, out of listening distance of the others.
“I need to go, Diana.” Bruce told her quietly.
“Think, Bruce. We have no idea where he is, so what are you going to do? Suit up and drive your motorcycle all over Gotham? This city is crawling with agents and extra police presence.” Diana reminded him. “If you are seen, they will spend more time chasing you than chasing Crane. Crane has insane criminals working for him. What is Gotham P.D. or A.R.G.U.S. going to do if they see you? Please, just wait.”
Bruce huffed but understood what she was saying. Until he had an idea of where Crane was, there was nothing he could do besides check possible locations from Crane’s past. He doubted Crane would be stupid enough to return to them and those had probably been checked by Gordon’s crew already.
He nodded, and Diana relaxed. The two walked back to Babs and Kara, anxious to see what they could find.
Gotham City
Blake had called Cash when he reached the station, only to find the man had beat him there. They were both dressed out in minutes after hearing about the action concerning Ruiz, the arrival of Alex and Eliza Danvers and federal agents from an unidentified agency. Seeing things were under control in the precinct, the two took an unoccupied patrol car and began driving around Gotham, planning to search Arkham City for Crane or his cohorts.
“Unit 42, we have a 10-79 at 490 Grisley. An unknown box has been left in the middle of the street. Please divert traffic and secure the scene until the bomb squad arrives.” Dispatch instructed them.
Cash turned the lights and siren on and raced to the address in old Gotham District, five minutes from their location. Grisley was a busy street with only two lanes.
When they arrived, multitudes of cars had pulled over and civilians lined the streets, giving distance to the large present in the middle of the street on the yellow line.
“Don’t go near the… damn it, Blake!” Cash said in frustration.
His partner was creeping up on a square box, approximately three feet tall and wide, covered in orange wrapping paper, with a black bow on top. The most noticeable thing about it was the white envelope on top. Large, blood red letters spelled out the name Diana Wayne .
“It’s not a bomb. It might be gas though.” Blake said to his partner, going with his gut. “Clear these people out and keep them upwind from it.”
“You could help!” Cash yelled. “Get away from the damn thing!”
Blake spoke into his radio. “Dispatch, advise bringing gas masks. Be aware, there is an envelope on top of the box with the name Diana Wayne written in large letters.”
“Copy Unit 42. Bomb squad enroute.”
Blake took the opposite side of the street from Cash and began moving citizens upwind from the box.
Once that was done, the two officers placed flares on both directions of the road to prevent more cars from driving through the area.
Soon enough, a giant van with GCPD Bomb Squad on the side rolled up, followed by several units. Blake also noticed black SUVs, similar to Wayne Security’s. Two women and a man wearing suits stepped out of the SUV and Blake knew they were Feds.
A bomb technician was using a rover to approach the box. The rover carefully picked up the card from the top and brought it back to the officers. Detective Montoya grabbed it before the Feds could reach for it.
“Do you mind sharing, Detective?” Agent Michaels asked. “We are on the same team.”
“Sure, let me make sure it isn’t tampered with or booby trapped.” Montoya told her, having no intention of sharing.
Another SUV had pulled up and John Diggle was now racing through cars to the scene. Blake caught him before he rushed in and quickly informed him of the situation.
Dig nodded and moved towards the detective and agents.
“Mr. Diggle, we need to run this through forensics to ensure it isn’t poisoned or otherwise…” Montoya started.
Diggle pulled a pair of black gloves from inside his suit coat, put them on, then grabbed the letter from her hand.
“Knife.” He ordered.
An annoyed Montoya handed him a pocketknife and Dig sliced through the top, pulling the letter gently out.
He unfolded it and read the neat writing.
Diana,
I hope you aren’t too upset about your puppy almost getting shot. I couldn’t resist and she looked so adorable hiding underneath her hulking bodyguard.
I will give you one day to find me. On October 31st, I am unleashing hell on Gotham. It will be a Halloween you and this city deserve.
J.C.
“Do not open that box until our people get here. If it is the gas, we need a pure sample. One of our best is on her way.” Diggle ordered everyone on scene.
“We have our own forensic specialists who can isolate the compound.” Agent Avesta told him.
Dig shook his head. “I’m in charge and I want our people. Here she is now.”
Alex Danvers walked onto the scene, surrounded by four, very large bodyguards and carrying a large black box that she sat on the ground.
“Her?” Lyla asked, obviously not impressed. “What is she… twelve?”
Dig looked at her and frowned. “She is Alex Danvers, an expert on chemical pharmacology and biological mutations. She will be able to isolate each compound, tell how they have changed from the original fear gas and make an antitoxin. Once it is determined the box is not explosive, she will use her equipment to take a sample.”
The group did not argue with John Diggle, instead watching the Bomb Squad rover approach the box once again. This time the rover shined a light over the box, scanning it top to bottom, then doing the same on each side.
Watching the proceedings, Emilia Harcourt was a bit agitated. Not having control of the investigation was driving Emilia nuts. Diana wanted her to make sure Crane was dead by the end of the night, yet she also wanted her head of security to lead the investigation. If she butted heads with Diggle, it would get back to Diana and A.R.G.U.S. would be pulled. Like her entire professional life, Emilia had a balance to maintain to get ahead.
“We are seeing nothing explosive inside. No machinery of any kind. We cannot get a pressure reading on it. If we drill a small hole in the top, all the gas could release.” A bomb tech told the group.
Blake and Cash stood back with Alex, listening to the report.
“Looks like you’re up.” Blake encouraged Alex who nodded nervously.
She walked to the agents and John Diggle, adopting an air of confidence she didn’t quite feel. Up to this point, Alex’s experiences had been in a lab or on field assignments at school. Working around police officers, federal agents and bomb squads was not something she had ever done before.
She had been taking residue samples from Detective Ruiz’s desk at the precinct when this call had come in. Despite the obvious worry on her mother’s face, she told Alex to go to the scene and collect any evidence she could… that she believed in her. Dig had told the bomb squad to wait for her. They had confidence in her, so Alex would have confidence in herself.
After considering the bomb tech’s report, Alex decided against examining the box on location. “Dig, I think it’s best to move the box to mom’s lab. There is an airtight clean room we can use to release the gas. It will analyze the chemical makeup in the air and burn it in the room as soon as we have what we need, reducing risk of exposure.”
“Are you sure it’s a good idea to move it?” the bomb technician asked dubiously. “We have no idea how much pressure is inside the box or how thick the box is. It was pumped full of gas of some sort, probably by a small hose and then plugged. We haven’t found the plug.”
“Then you should be very careful when you pick it up and drive carefully. I recommend wearing hazmat suits.” Alex told him pointedly. “I assume you know the address of the Wayne Medical Tech building. Top floor.”
The man looked doubtful, so Dig stepped closer. “You heard the woman. She’s the scientist. She wants it in the lab so let’s take it to the lab.”
Thirty minutes later, some very nervous bomb technicians practically ran out of the airtight clean room after placing the box on a counter. The room was sealed tight after they left.
Only Dig, the A.R.G.U.S. agents, Eliza and Alex were present.
Alex called her mother over, out of earshot from the others.
“So, what’s the plan?” Alex asked.
“You wanted to open it and have the room analyze the components.” Eliza reminded her.
“Yes, but after that, what do you want me to do? Find an antitoxin? Apparently, the gas only acts in the short term so it would wear off by the time an antitoxin could be administered unless every cop in Gotham carried a syringe on them. How can we help the investigation?”
Eliza shrugged. “Do what you feel is best. The key to finding Crane is the gas. That is the only evidence he has left behind.”
Alex bristled at her mother’s instructions. “This isn’t a joke.”
“Believe me I know.” Eliza sighed and shook her head. “Alex, I can break the new gas down into components and develop filters to cleanse the toxins, but I can’t do anything else. I don’t have the skill set to figure out how he designed it, but you do.
“I have faith in you. This is too important to leave in your hands if I didn’t believe you could do it. I can’t trace it back to him… but you can. Go find Crane, Alex.”
Alex stared at her mother for a long moment, then took a deep breath and walked to where the agents were. She took the controls of the robotic arms reaching into the room, maneuvering them over the box. The minute she cracked the top, it flew off and purple gas filled the room.
The monitors began showing results of the chemicals in the air. Alex examined each one by percent and mixture, then began breaking it down into molecular structures.
The read outs were strange. The chemicals all affected the centers of the brain dealing with fear, panic, anxiety, along with a strong hallucinogenic. It also had a receding isotope that shortened the life span of the gas. Unlike the previous toxin, which had cells attack and latch onto the mind, sending the adrenaline glands into overdrive and destroying the temporal lobes, this gas focused on central parts of the mind and then dissipated.
“How the hell did you make this while on the run?” Alex whispered to herself. “Freaking evil genius. Murderous, sick, twisted psycho but still… a damn genius.”
She watched the read outs then began searching through the chemical makeup and reversing the process.
After studying the results for a few minutes, she looked at the others in the room. “He doesn’t need much. Based on the residue from the box at the precinct and the amount here, we are dealing with a solid aerosol and judging by the previous sample as little as 0.1 to 900µm.”
The A.R.G.U.S. agents and John Diggle were looking at her with blank faces.
Seeing their incomprehension, she explained it in terms they would understand. “A puff of Axe Body Spray in the face is all it would take for a five-minute outburst. The effects are nearly immediate.
“Has there been any patterns of murder suicides, mass shootings, things like that in the past months since Crane was supposedly dead?”
Emelia took out her E-Pad and began searching the FBI criminal database.
“Sadly, those are common occurrences so it may be hard to narrow down a particular pattern.” Harcourt told her.
Alex shook her head. “Check small towns, out of the way places that wouldn’t have street cams, lots of wide-open area to hide out in, small police or country departments.”
Emelia checked again and began cross-referencing the types of crime Alex described with the locations that could match.
“I have it.” She realized after she applied the specified filters to her search and the expected pattern emerged.
Alex nodded. “How many?”
“More than ten, all in small towns in the Northeast.”
“Follow those crimes and you have a map of his movements.” Dig realized. “How does that help us now though?”
“It doesn’t help you… it helps me.” Alex corrected. “You can’t help me here. I’ve got to figure out what tools he had available to him, and then reverse engineer this gas. I need to know how he made it. It will give us a clue as to how he is making it now and that could lead…”
“To where he is making it, or at least where he has been hold up.” Dig smiled approvingly. “We will leave you to it, Alex. Security is outside. You and your mother go nowhere without them. Call me when you find something.”
Alex nodded, not really paying attention, lost in her work.
“How did you do it, psycho? You must have been hiding in barns or abandoned houses… this is a unitary chemical, and you are probably… Mom, did video pick up what kind of container was used to spray the agent who attacked Kara?”
“Aerosol can, possibly hairspray can.” Eliza replied.
“Athena, are you plugged in here?” Alex seemingly asked the room.
“I am plugged into every building Diana owns .” The program answered.
“Check the towns that Harcourt pulled up. Tell me what sort of structures they had in or around them, private places he could hide out.”
“An NSA satellite will be in position in five minutes.”
“You could just use Google Earth.” Alex reminded the program.
Athena was silent for a moment. “An excellent suggestion.”
Alex watched the screen light up with the type and position of structures that could be used by someone hiding. She cross-referenced those buildings with the type of possible equipment she could use, studying the list carefully.
Within ten minutes she had fifteen locations identified.
“Crane’s homes over the last three months.” Alex said, satisfied she was right. “Now what kind of junk would he have access to? What kind of drugs? Athena, use the criminal database Harcourt was just using and find smaller crimes along the route, a drug store burglary, a drug dealer dead, particularly ones that sell LSD.”
Soon, Alex’s screen was filled with the information she requested.
Her eyes lit up in excitement. “That’s how you made it. An abandoned washing machine, a car battery, old heater coils, and a camp stove. You used harmless pharmacy drugs as a bonding agent, added LSD… muscimol? GABA drugs… all are in the analytical results…
“Athena, list off exact drugs taken from the two robberies and compare it to the particle’s measure identified in the clean room. Follow my lead. We are going to virtually make the drug using junk. Look for radiation spikes of any kind that could possibly be followed or traced.”
Alex studied the Google Earth images and found old cars outside old garages. She had so many available tools she could use in the process: toluene from brake fluid, lithium from car batteries, freon, old empty propane gas tanks.
Within minutes, she had a working lab, and had mixed and molded the chemicals exactly as Crane had.
“Athena?”
“The drug is an exact copy of Crane’s. Only one minor radiation spike found in simulation .”
“The use of radium-223 dichloride to break the drug’s bonding agent to the lobes before it becomes fatal!” Alex said, finding what she wanted.
“Okay…” she said, exhilarated. “Now to trace it.”
Alex had forgotten her mother was in the room, never saw Eliza looking on with pride. She had lost herself in the mind of a dangerous drug manufacturer and the thrill of discovering his process.
She had a way to track him now, but tracking wasn’t her expertise.
“Time to call Torchwood together.” Alex whispered to herself with a bright smile. “Athena, get Kara and Babs on the monitor.”
It took a few seconds but both women popped up together on the same screen. Alex recognized the room behind them as the manor basement. They both looked like hell, exhausted and frustrated.
“Time for Torchwood to ride again, ladies.” Alex declared in a loud voice. “Wake-up.”
Kara perked up. “I’m the Doctor. ”
“I’m River.” Alex called.
Babs scowled. “I’m not Amy Pond. I guess it’s Captain Jack for me. What are we brainstorming on? ”
“I’ve recreated Crane’s drug.” Alex replied.
“Alex!… I mean, River! ” Kara shouted, a horrified expression on her face.
Alex rolled her eyes. “In a simulation, Doctor. Every piece of equipment he has used is junk with no radioactive signature, but we got lucky. He is using a drug that gives off a specific but slight radiation signature. Is Bad Wolf around?”
“Of course. Bad Wolf created herself. She is everywhere in time… oww! ” Kara rubbed her head in the spot Babs had slapped. “Most valuable brain in history! Show a little care! ”
“Bad Wolf is on Parlow. ” Babs said.
“No, she isn’t. ” Kara corrected. “I took her off last week. By now, Emily has made gear to protect herself from facial recognition. I know she did because I could make it. All she would need is an electronic parts store. She could block out her voice recognition too. ”
Babs shook her head. “Could you tell me next time?! I’ve been waiting for results to pop up! ”
“It’s been over a month. Emily wouldn’t take our tech for granted. She is too smart for that. ” Kara told her.
Babs huffed. “Stop calling her Emily. She is Parlow or Dr. Psycho. I know you were tight with her, but she is a murdering maniac. Her parents probably were too. Dad told me they were criminals. Crap like that runs in families. Stop acting like she is your doctor friend you are going to have lunch with. She betrayed your trust in the worst way possible.”
Kara said nothing but Alex noticed she visually paled.
Wanting to stay on topic, she said, “Lay off, Babs. We have work to do. The process used to create this drug is going to stink. You said Bad Wolf can find anything. Can it find radioactive signatures, no matter how small?”
“She can if I have a specific search grid. If I just asked her to search Gotham, she would be stuck over all the hospitals, cancer treatment centers, the trace radiation at the special projects’ facility… you get the point.”
Alex sighed. “Kara, any ideas?”
“I’m launching T.A.R.D.I.S. One. It is equipped with sonar and ground penetrating radar. What am I looking for, Alex?”
“When I say stinks, I mean the process stinks bad. You would need a filtered mask to be around it. It’s going to be a place in a rundown area, full of homeless, drug dealers, prostitutes, but it will be the one building that homeless stay away from.”
“Like a black hole of people.” Kara said. “I have a few ideas.”
The three waited for ten minutes until Kara picked up what they were looking for. “There is an apartment building just outside of Arkham City. It has been condemned. There is a scarcity of people within blocks.”
“I’ve got Bad Wolf homing in.” Babs said. “Definite radioactive signature… it’s similar to a stronger one I’m detecting from Wayne Memorial Hospital. ”
“The drugs are used in cancer treatments.” Alex confirmed. “How fresh is the signature?”
Babs shook her head. “It’s small, but it is there. Looks like it is leading to… I’m losing it. ”
“Send the trace readings to T.A.R.D.I.S. One. I can pick up the trail. ” Kara told her in a quiet voice, not full of the usual excitement she had when on a hunt.
Babs did as instructed while Kara made several passes over the area.
“Got it. Babs, pick it up on Culver Avenue.”
Babs followed Kara’s directions and found it once again.
“Definite trail, fresh considering we are picking it up at all.” Babs confirmed. “Rain is in the forecast. A storm is approaching, we need to hurry.”
“Once it rains, the trail is gone. We know the building he is producing it in but if there is a trail leading away… he likely had his ingredients. He is carrying the completed toxin somewhere.” Alex surmised unhappily.
“I’m sending Dad and Dig the coordinates of the building with no heat signature inside.” Babs reported. “I let them know we are following a trail.”
Babs quieted for a moment, studying the information being fed to her by the satellite.
“Oh, shit.” She finally whispered. “The trail ends. Bad Wolf is scanning… nothing else. It’s stopped at Union Train Station. I am picking up a stronger signature here too. ”
Alex and Kara groaned.
Union Train Station was a big building with a large mix of people: travelers wanting late travel to various locations along with gang members and drug dealers hanging out. All it would take was one violent person in the crowded area with a gun for a chaotic, nightmarish scene to occur.
Babs activated the security cameras around the station and swept the area, using facial recognition software as well as information on his body type, height and possible hair lengths and facial hair.
“Got him. ” Kara said. “Grey hoodie, sitting in boarding area, long hair, hood up, wearing glasses. Eighty‑two percent probability it’s him. ”
“I’m sending the information to Dad and Dig now. Looks like we found him. ” Babs said. “It’s out of our hands. ”
At the medical research building, Eliza put her hand on Alex’s shoulder.
“I knew you could do it. He is going to be stopped and it’s because of you.” She said, kissing her daughter on the cheek where she sat.
Alex didn’t react to her mother’s words or actions. She didn’t want credit. She wanted the police to hurry up before Crane had the chance to use the aerosol can that was likely in his backpack.
Gotham PD
John Diggle, Emilia Harcourt and Jim Gordon got the call from Babs at the same time. She quickly told them what was going on and where Crane was.
It was a worst-case scenario.
Jim knew he had to take command of the situation for due process to be upheld.
“Dig, I know you got your guys, but my guys need to take this.” Jim informed him. “It needs to stand up in court and a Wayne Security assault force raiding the train station could be cause for all kinds of appeals.”
Dig sighed and realized Jim was right. “Okay, but I will be right by your side.”
Harcourt stepped up. “My agents are going in with your SWAT. I have enough to circle the building. I’m not trying to step on toes, but we are involved, and my people are trained for chemical warfare.”
Gordon and Dig met eyes for a moment. Gordon knew Diana trusted Harcourt though he didn’t exactly trust any director of an agency so black that the CIA wouldn’t admit to their existence. Still, Harcourt had been a team player so far.
“Fine, have your agents coordinate with Montoya. She is leading SWAT.” Gordon said.
Dig and Gordon walked off, leaving her with her three top agents.
“Coordinate with the police but understand and make it clear to our operatives. This is our time. Wayne Security found him, the police want to take him in, but I want him dead. He is a clear threat to national security.”
Lyla snorted.
“Something to say, Agent Michaels?” Harcourt asked directly.
“He’s a psycho, not the leader of a terrorist cell.” Lyla replied offhandedly. “He took a shot at Kara Wayne because of her status, not as a strike at the United States Defense Department.”
Harcourt was immediately incensed, first because her authority was being tested and secondly because her agent was dead wrong.
“Kara Wayne’s safety and well-being is paramount because she is the United States Defense Department . Regardless of any other perceived status, any attack on her is a threat to our nation’s security.” Harcourt stated, walking up to Michaels. “If you can’t follow orders then stand down and stay here.”
“I follow orders.” Lyla replied, wide-eyed. “I was just giving my opinion.”
Harcourt scowled. “Right now, I don’t need opinions, especially opinions that are made without thinking through the full ramifications of the stupidity in which they are made. I need agents who get the job done that I assign to them.
“Now move. If any of you get a kill shot, take it.”
The agents moved off to find Montoya leaving Harcourt alone. She pulled her phone out and made a call that would ensure Diana’s wishes were carried out.
Emilia was ambitious. She wanted it all. To achieve that, she had to make Diana Wayne happy. Diana felt this man, Jonathan Crane, knew too much about something that wasn’t Harcourt’s business. But it was only after Crane’s attempt on Kara’s life that Diana made her feelings clear.
He answered on the first ring.
“Are you in Gotham?” She asked.
“Yes.” Was the short reply.
“Union Train Station. Only become involved if it looks like he is going to be taken in. If police place him in custody, take him out. Don’t miss.”
“I never do.” He promised. “This is it. I’m out after this.”
“I don’t threaten families. I’m not Waller. This is a simple favor for a favor. You make sure Crane is dead and I will get you into Russia under the radar with all the equipment you could possibly need. Then we are done with each other.”
“We have a deal. Crane will soon be nothing more than a bad memory.”
The call ended and Emilia contacted Diana. “My contingency plan is in place.”
“Excellent.” Diana seemed pleased. “No friendly fire. Clean and precise. No others can be hurt.”
“Trust me, I’ve seen a lot of killers, and none have been as precise and clean as this guy. By the end of the night, whatever you don’t want Crane talking about will be as dead as him.”
Bella MacLeod's Twilight Fanfiction 
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