FIC: "JLA: Necessary Force" (Part 6)
Hello, dear (and extraordinarily patient and loyal) readers!
My sincerest apologies that I haven't posted another part to this story since ... erm, December. *ducks* It wasn't my intention to leave such a long gap, but things in RL just seemed to keep cropping up and getting in the way of writing and posting. At any rate, here is the sixth part of this ongoing JLA Epic of mine, and I will not let such a long expanse of time happen again before the next one. Thank you to those still with me, and for understanding, and I hope you enjoy! :-)
Title: JLA: Necessary Force - Part 6: "Cormorant"
Author: Paxwolf
Fandom: JLA/Justice League
Rating: PG-13 (R in parts)
Warnings: Mature Situations, Language, Violence
Summary: When a powerful terrorist threatens the safety of the planet, the League must go to extremes to stop him, and Superman and Batman may have to make the biggest sacrifice of all.
JLA
“Necessary Force”
By Paxwolf
Note: Please see Part One of JLA: “Necessary Force” for all disclaimers, notes, acknowledgements, and warnings. Thank you!
Part VI:
“Cormorant”
“Damn, he's a real Speedy Gonzalez, all right."
"I would appreciate a more precise repo-"
"No need to get testy. I was getting there. He encountered a little trouble at the second security checkpoint - and before you even think about asking, it’s been taken care of." The note of reproach in the voice was unmistakeable. "He’s now nearly penetrated the inner perimeter, and he’s making astonishingly excellent time, all things considered. Like I said, quic-”
“No alarms?”
“None that either he or I have detected. And that’s saying something, heh?”
“Good. Keep me informed.”
“I wouldn’t dream of doing otherwise.”
“Every obstacle. Every step of the way.”
“You just aren’t having a good time with this, are you?”
Batman only gave an inarticulate growl.
“He can take care of himself, you know. Give the man some credit. After all, he is …”
“…entirely too willing to put himself in harm’s way," came the especially irritable reply to Oracle’s trained ear. "At any rate, it’s not him I’m worried about.” Uh huh. Right. “We’ve got helpless civilian hostages in there. Children! And more power than we’ve seen in years." Batman ground his teeth. "All at the mercy of a madman.”
“Yep,” she said agreeably. “That’s why the JLA was called in. The best to handle the worst.” She paused, and then continued in a softer tone. “We’ll get them out, Batman. All of them. Alive.”
Batman didn’t reply, presumably concentrating on whatever he was viewing through his magnetoscope-oculars or whatever the League had taken to calling the Waynetech-developed devices today. Oracle heaved an audible sigh over his comm unit.
“He'll be fine," she said in a softer tone, before turning businesslike again. "I’ll keep you in the loop, Boss. Get some rest if you can.”
He didn’t bother dignifying the suggestion with a response as the comm signal from Gotham deactivated.
After several unextraordinary minutes passed by, during which Batman studied every detail of the base laid out below him, and kept his mind occupied by a thorough examination of every detail of the situation the League found itself in, he felt a sudden prickling in his mind.
“Report, J’onn.” He didn't pause from his scan of the activity below his perch.
“We have secured our fall-back position at the old city waste plant,” J’onn’s voice sounded seemingly from inside his own mind. “Everything thus far appears to be in order. Additionally, Kyle has activated several early warning detectors in the happenstance of unexpected … arrivals.”
Batman frowned.
“We still don’t know precisely how Ayestrom shorted out the Ring in Canada. I don’t like…”
“That is, of course, why I am also here,” came J’onn’s unflappable response. Batman grunted. “And why we are also employing more mundane methods of advanced warning and security. Steel and Atom are expected momentarily. There seems to be ample room for the set up of their equipment.”
“Be as discreet as possible. We cannot afford to draw any unnecessary attention to ourselves from any of the locals.”
“We shall indeed be very careful.”
Batman stilled his mind for a moment.
“Batman?”
“J’onn, I want you to get Irons to set up an emergency infirmary at the camp. I plan on it remaining unoccupied, but …”
“As a precaution, I understand. Quite sensible, really.”
“Thank you,” Batman thought dryly.
“And just what is Superman’s current status?”
Batman scowled. “I wasn't thinking of him, but of possible hostage casualties should the situation turn ugly.”
“Of course,” J’onn nodded mentally. “And?”
He sighed.
“Oracle informs me he is well on his way. He’s apparently enjoyed some success in outmaneuvering a few interesting deterrents on his way inside.”
“That is good news for a change," said J'onn approvingly. "However, the next time a like crisis arises, I propose that we ourselves take action to order to deter him from plowing into such missions of risk practically single-handedly.”
Batman raised a brow at that, but after a moment only mustered up a dark “Agreed.”
“Even," J'onn continued implacably, "if we must resort to tying him down with Diana’s magic lasso and sticking a sliver of Kryptonite in his …”
“J’onn!” Batman blinked.
“He seemed entirely too determined to spare the rest of us unnecessary risk,” J’onn said, unperturbed. “He does realize we are all in this together?”
Batman said nothing for a moment, watching the movement of sentries below. “It was the only foreseeable way.”
“We may recognize that as a fact, but his attitude of late has been … disconcerting, to say the least.”
“You’re being too overprotective again." He shook his head. "Stop playing mother hen, J’onn.”
Batman could sense J’onn’s mental smile.
“And so the black pot calls out the kettle.” Batman scowled again before J’onn’s telepathic ‘voice’ became grimmer. “Kal-El was not in the tip-top shape he was pretending, Batman. The overlay of fatigue and pain I could sense emanate from him …”
Batman could feel his jaw aching again. “I know.”
“Yes, I am certain you do.”
“I shall leave the lecture to you, then, when this is all over.”
“As you wish. Ah, excuse me, Kyle requires my attention. I shall be in touch again shortly.”
“Undoubtedly.”
Batman felt J’onn’s mental presence fade away just as the opportunity he had been waiting for obligingly halted itself directly below his position. He watched hawkishly as the unaware sentry took a quick, surreptitious glance around before fishing out a cigarette and fumblingly light up, carefully shielding the brief spark of flame from the direction of the base.
How very progressive of Ayestrom, Batman thought with a nasty little smile. No smoking allowed. Good news for us that rule-breakers generally exist in every organization.
In mere seconds he had swung down, looped a noose around the unsuspecting guard’s neck as he was wholly occupied with his inhalation technique, and yanked, hard. Not a sound escaped as the hapless man was hoisted up and out of sight.
This ought to make up for Interpol’s high-handed arrogance, Batman thought in satisfaction as he casually disarmed his prisoner and slammed him up against a chimney face. A merc for a merc.
“Mon Dieu!” whispered the soldier as he gasped for breath, taking in the menacing figure before him. “Vous êtes - le Chevalier Noir, … L’Homme des Chauves-souris!”
Batman allowed his teeth to show in a grim smile. “C’est ca. C’est moi. Et nous allons parler un peu, n’est-ce pas?”
If anything, the fear in the man’s eyes grew to terror at Batman’s quietly menacing words. Oh, yes, we are going to have quite a little conversation.
“O-oui.” The mercenary opened and closed his mouth like a fish. Then he shook his violently as if coming back to his senses. “Mais non, non! Je ne peux pas! Seigneur Ayestrom …”
“Yes. Tell me about Ayestrom.”
The mercenary blinked back at him, looking absurdly young for a member of a global terrorist slash murdering slash kidnapping organization. Was Ayestrom now recruiting adolescents for his insane campaign? Batman wondered disgustedly.
“He-he will execute me if I talk to you, monsieur. Please …”
“What makes you think I won’t if you don’t?”
The young man’s eyes widened and he cast a desperate look around him.
“You’ll be dead before anyone can arrive to help you,” Batman warned him, knowing the threat sounded very sincere. His captive swallowed involuntarily. “Now, do I need to get … agitated, mon ami?”
“S’il vous plaît, Dieu aidez-moi!” the soldier cried. “Ah, je suis mort.” He squeezed his eyes shut.
“Not necessarily. He can only kill you if he can find you. And I will only do so if you refuse to talk." He edged even closer, amping up his glare. "Comprendez-vous?" He growled, deliberately looming forward. He wasn't above classic intimidation techniques, not when so much was at stake. "Do we understand each other?” Batman paused, assessing the young man in his grip. “If you decide to help me, if you speak freely, you will be protected.”
The mercenary opened his eyes, an unexpectedly sudden sneer on his lips.
“Par les americains? Non! Jamais! I would rather die.”
Batman bit down on his temper, staying cold. “No. Not by the U.S. By the Justice League.”
The young guard stared at him for a heartbeat, and then inexplicably began to laugh.
Batman shook his head. This was taking too long. Ordinarily, he could get crooks to spill their guts in an inordinately brief span of time; criminals by their very nature were generally a superstitious and cowardly lot. But this young man was obviously more afraid of his master than he was intimidated by the Dark Knight. But this kid didn’t seem stupid. Batman decided to try a different tactic.
“Est-ce qu'il est drôle?" he asked neutrally, taking the most minimal of steps back and easing his grip fractionally. "Is the League a source of amusement to you?”
His captive stopped his hysterical laughter and looked back at him with a rather haughty look in his brown eyes.
“Mon seigneur Ayestrom, pour certainement, seems to think so, non?”
“Really. Your 'lord' won’t be laughing for much longer. I promise you that.”
He watched the expression in the mercenary’s eyes as they ran through a gamut of emotions, and decided to take a chance. He loosened his grip altogether and pulled back his weight from crushing his captive against the chimney bricks, giving him space.
“You don’t strike me as a particularly evil, foolish, or malicious young man,” he began almost conversationally. His prisoner looked back at him warily. “And it’s my business to know. What are you really gaining by doing donkey work for a monster like Ayestrom?”
The merc’s eyes flashed.
“Tu ne comprends pas," he said, showing insult by his use of the familiar 'you'. "You do not understand. You are a Yankee bigot. Ayestrom is a great man, and a superlative leader. The best my people have seen in generations. And he has the power to make Europe great again, to once more become the world power we once were." He snorted at Batman derisively. "C'est de rigueur. It is the way it is, the accepted way. And we shall be the first to reap the benefits from a more just and distributed society. Tout le monde va voir.”
“Fanaticism,” Batman returned sharply. “And blind fascism. And if you believe an ego-driven powerhouse like Ayestrom works for justice, and would ever deign to share power and wealth with the likes of nobodies like your lot, then you’re a good deal more naïve and idiotic than I had first supposed.” His captive’s face flushed a dark red, but Batman continued relentlessly. “Est-ce que tu es comme un petit enfant vraiment?” The soldier’s eyes flashed again at the insinuation that he was akin to a small child. “Je suis surprise. And disappointed. Because it’s not been all that long since the last period of time that a would-be tyrant successfully employed propaganda and prejudice to brainwash his people to not only do his bidding, but flock to his cause. Your grandparents can probably still recall the details of what it was like to live under the threat of that regime.” The kid’s eyes narrowed suddenly, but he said nothing. “And that mad grab for power was for ‘the good of Europe’ too, as I recall. ‘For the betterment of all humanity’. All humans who were actually deemed human, at any rate. You might even have heard of the Aryans and the "worthy few." The rest? Treated as less than cattle, less than slaves, and often as not, slaughtered outright.” He paused, glaring hard at the young soldier before him. “That individual was once considered a charismatic and effective leader too. And if you think Ayestrom is any different, then either you have never truly known tyranny and despotism and the world which allows super-villainy to exist, or you happen to live in an adolescent fantasy realm where you believe anything spoon-fed to you if it’s wrapped in pretty enough words. And if it’s the latter that’s true, then God help you and yours, because nobody else will be able to.”
The young mercenary began to tremble slightly, and tore his gaze from Batman’s relentless stare.
“Peut-être vous demandez ca de vos grandparents!” He suddenly burst out, shaking in anger.
Batman smiled grimly. “My grandparents and parents are dead. You ask yours.”
“Non, vous ne voyez pas! Ayestrom …”
“…est méchant. He is evil. Pure and simple. He lusts for power. He doesn’t require your loyalty. Only your obedience. He will discard you as a useless tool once he’s achieved his ends. He has already aptly demonstrated how little he values human life. Don’t delude yourself into believing otherwise. You are nothing to him.”
“He is our hope, and our inspiration!” The young man struggled for words. “Il est différent!”
“No! No different. I know him. He's no better than the scum I scrape off the streets every day. Believe me, I’ve met many men just like him. And we have stopped many like him before. Just as we will do so again. If you don’t want to take a very long fall for him, you will help us now.” He stared intently at the young mercenary, willing him to listen.
"Laissez-moi tranquille! Allez-vous en!"
"I won't leave you alone, and I'm not going away. Not until you've listened to me. Écoutez!"
At the young soldier's silence, Batman abruptly stepped back completely, releasing his hold of the man’s jacket altogether. The captive stood stock still for a moment, and then slowly sank down the chimney wall to the ground, obviously struggling with his emotions. After a minute, Batman crouched down to peer at him closely.
“Comment vous appellez-vous?” he asked levelly, after another moment.
The young man looked as if he were still fighting something before at last closing his eyes in defeat.
“Je m’appelle Etienne Bondue.” He surprised Batman suddenly by cracking open an eyelid and asking, “Et vous?”
Batman nearly smiled. So the kid had a sense of humour after all.
“Pourquoi, je suis L’Homme de Chauve-souris, bien sur.”
The merc - Etienne, Batman corrected himself - actually chuckled.
“Je m'excuse. I had to ask. And, monsieur, we really don’t call you ‘the Man of Bats’ here, you know. Unless … unless as a joke.” He ducked his head a bit. “And then it’s usually ‘L’Homme de Souris’ seulement, oui? 'Souris' by itself? 'Man of Mice' Or Mousema-“
“C'est assez,” Batman growled, “you’ve made your point.” He tilted his head, considering his prisoner. “Not too many goons who work for criminal masterminds care to apologize after impudently demanding my true identity, followed by cracks at my expense.”
“Dare I say not too many goons who work for criminal masterminds are so easily swayed from their God-given purpose by a man in a Hallowe’en mask and tights?” Etienne returned immediately, a slightly bitter tone to his voice.
Batman raised his eyebrows, and his estimation. “It’s as I thought. You’re much too smart and savvy a kid to be clutching onto the cape-tails of scum like Ayestrom. And I highly doubt God had very much to do with your 'purpose' here.”
Etienne smiled for the first time, however faintly.
“As it may be." He was silent for a moment, and Batman watched him closely, wishing he had J'onn's ability to read mind right then. Then, the kid looked up. "Alors,” he said rather hesitantly. “If I tell you what you want to know, you will protect me? J'ai fait une gaffe; I know I maybe made a mistake. Mais ... ah mon Dieu, mon seigneur ... my lord's retaliation is not to be desired.” He shuddered slightly. “Qu'est-ce je fais?"
"What do you do? You do what I tell you, and you will be all right. That I promise."
Again, the hesitation was long, but Batman bit down on his impatience, and waited, watching, heart squeezed in a vice.
This has to work. I have to help him. Clark ...
"You will offer your League’s protection?”
His eyes snapped back to Etienne at the sudden, fearful words. “Yes.” There was no denying the steel in Batman’s voice.
“Even … even if I don’t have all that much useful information for you?”
“My word is given, Monsieur Bondue. The Justice League stands by its promises.” He resisted the urge to lick his dry lips, and pushed back the hope that had flared.
“Mais … I am not very high in rank, non?”
“I never would have deduced that,” Batman said dryly.
Etienne almost gave a shy grin, and slowly rose to his feet, propping himself against the brick wall for support. He looked over the edge of the roof with a troubled look, and Batman watched him warily, in case he should made a sudden bolt for it, and his compliance had merely been a charade. But after a moment, Etienne turned back to him, drawing in a deep breath and squaring his shoulders.
“You do not offer me many options.”
“No. I don’t. I can’t afford to.”
“So … I suppose I ought to have quit with the cigarettes, eh? Je ne vais pas fumer encore!” He looked rueful. “Maman tried so hard to sway me from coming out here. But ... mes amis … they all came too. We all thought ... c'est un grand aventure, oui? The lord Ayestrom, he was so persuasive. And to betray him …I … you cannot know …” He was trembling slightly, Batman saw.
“You will save many lives,” he said firmly. “Including your own." The mercenary was still looking more irresolute than convinced. Batman grit his teeth. "Would your mother really want to see her son party to brutal kidnappings and murder?”
Bondue's head shot up. "What are you talking about, monsieur? There has been nothing ..." He stopped at the look that must have been evident on Batman's face, masked or not. "Hein? Qu-est-ce qui se passe?"
"Surely even a man in your position has heard rumours or news of illicit activities occurring at the main base - and throughout the world? I have difficulty believing that you could be completely ignorant of current events."
"Je ... je ne sais pas. We are not allowed to watch television or listen to the radio. There had been some talk among the les garçons, oui, but only of the glorious battles in other places where we are told great victories against the so-called superheroes have taken place."
"Unbelievable." Batman frowned. "Then, you have heard nothing of the mass abduction of children and foreign ambassadors?"
Etienne's eyes opened wide. "That cannot be! Our lord is no criminal or petty terrorist, monsieur! He wants what is best ..."
Batman grit his teeth. "It happened. And in the process, not only was the Earth itself endangered, but major cities around the globe suffered damage and casualties, especially in the city of Metropolis. And people ... innocent people, were murdered. In cold blood." His gaze bore into Etienne's. "And that would include children."
"Les enfants ...?" Etienne whispered, his eyes round with horror.
Batman nodded shortly and regarded Etienne unflinchingly.
Etienne stared long and hard back at him. “Je vu.” He drew in a breath, and his expression cleared. "D'accord." He licked his lips and then met Batman's gaze. "I believe you. I do not fully understand why, but I do. If you will protect me, I will do my best to help you."
Batman closed his eyes. "Merci."
"I would say 'de rien', but it is not likely that it will really be nothing, n'est-ce pas?"
"Not likely, no."
Etienne swallowed and then nodded once before lifting his head. “Alors, puis, quand est-ce que je peux connaître tes amis? That is, ah, when shall I get to meet your vaunted teammates?” He asked this last a bit shyly, and at Batman’s look, he shrugged slightly. “I must confess I have always been curious about you ‘superheroes’. And your League is most famous, around the world. It is part of what attracted us to Ayestrom, I think. He ... I thought he was our own superhero, only better. Le meilleur. The best.”
Batman withdrew a batarang, hefting it in one hand.” “Let’s get you somewhere safe first. Then, we do need to talk.”
Etienne sighed resignedly. “D’accord, monsieur. But …”
“We do not have much time, Bondue. Certain individuals are in grave danger, as is the world in general." Batman straightened and looked back out at the base. "More knowledge about Ayestrom is our first order of business.”
Etienne looked at him with fear for the first time since being hoisted up on the roof. “Can … can you do it? Our Übermensch is very, very powerful. You do not know…”
“Übermensch?” Batman questioned sharply, swinging back around so quickly that Etienne took an involuntary step backwards.
“Ah, oui. C’est … it is what we are to call Lord Ayestrom amongst ourselves. At his direct command.” Batman’s gaze narrowed. “Is that … significant?” Etienne asked hesitantly, obviously not certain how to interpret Batman’s sudden, disturbing silence.
“It may be,” Batman said at last. “Or not. At this point, any information is of value.”
“Monsieur?” The young mercenary looked almost tremulous.
“What is it?” Batman hadn’t meant to snap, but worry fused his voice.
“Je repète …can your JLA oppose him? There are many who have said that none have been born with such vision, or such power. We are told, even the youth, we would be fools not to follow him into glory.”
“You would be fools to follow him too.”
“That may be, but you, pour certain, will be risking all of your lives in defying his will.”
Batman forced an impatient sigh out instead of the vicious retort he had been ready with.
“We have no other choice. Do you not see that yet? If we do not stand up to him, there are very few left who can. And his brand of terrorism simply cannot be tolerated. Not now. Not ever.” Batman frowned at his uncharacteristic eloquence. Usually he left all the speech-making to Superman or one of the others. “We have always stood between evil and the freedom and rights of the people. That is what the League does. And that is what I do.”
Etienne bit his lip, hard.
“Then … you really do not know what it is you are facing.” He hesitated. “You do understand that he is toying with you, n’est-ce pas?” Batman stared down at him with hooded eyes. “Ayestrom wants you and your compatriots here. He wants it more than anything else. He wants to see your JLA actually try to - what’s the English word - to thwart his plans. This is his goal. That is why he has the hostages. Screw the U.N. Screw your president! M. Batman, he wants you to fight him. He believes in the old world system of rule, of "Right by Combat". Do you not see? He desires more than anything else for you people to come to him, on his own ground, on his terms, so that he can prove to the world which of you is truly righteous, who is better, who is more powerful. Even … more just.” Batman’s face was absolutely unreadable. Etienne drew a breath and plunged on. “Tout le monde sait que je dit la vérité. It is the truth. We all know this. He plans everything to draw you heroes to battle, so that he may … ‘take you down’ in the sight of the world. And ultimately, he conspires to ... to humiliate you.” He hesitated, and looked a little afraid at the utter coldness that must have been radiating from Batman’s masked visage. “And, monsieur … he can do it, too.”
Batman stared long and hard at this boy he had captured or liberated - he was no longer certain which - from the enemy camp. The young man stared back, daunted, but unmoving. He reached a decision as swiftly as he reached for his communicator.
“Oracle,” he barked. “Come in.”
“Hey, Boss,” came the clear, instantaneous reply. “I was just about to contact you. Psychic, now, are we?”
Batman wasted no time on pleasantries.
“Tell Superman to get out. Now.”
“What? You’re kidding, right? Why?”
“Never mind. Just do it.”
“But …”
“Abort the mission, Oracle,” Batman snarled. “Now!”
“Batman, it’s too late,” she replied, apparently alarmed at his tone. “That’s why I was about to alert you. Superman’s been able to breach the final security perimeter. He’s in.”
Batman almost growled in frustration.
“It’s not too late. Order him to retreat.”
“That’s the thing. I can’t. He’s in temporary silent running mode. There seems to be powerful detection devices planted all over that sub-basement he’s currently infiltrating. There's no turning back now.” She paused, obviously worried. “What’s wrong? What’s happened?”
Batman looked out over the brightening rooftops to the east where the first tinges of dawn were visible in the somber, overcast sky. Etienne shivered suddenly as he watched him.
“Batman?” came again Oracle’s questioning, fearful voice. “What is it?”
“It’s a trap,” he answered finally, bleakly. “And we’ve all just walked straight into it.”
And thoughts churning, the tension knotted so tightly in his gut that it became acute pain, he closed down the line of communication with an audible and ominous snap.
Part 7, "Inferno", can be read right here!
All Previous Parts of the story can be found HERE.
My sincerest apologies that I haven't posted another part to this story since ... erm, December. *ducks* It wasn't my intention to leave such a long gap, but things in RL just seemed to keep cropping up and getting in the way of writing and posting. At any rate, here is the sixth part of this ongoing JLA Epic of mine, and I will not let such a long expanse of time happen again before the next one. Thank you to those still with me, and for understanding, and I hope you enjoy! :-)
Title: JLA: Necessary Force - Part 6: "Cormorant"
Author: Paxwolf
Fandom: JLA/Justice League
Rating: PG-13 (R in parts)
Warnings: Mature Situations, Language, Violence
Summary: When a powerful terrorist threatens the safety of the planet, the League must go to extremes to stop him, and Superman and Batman may have to make the biggest sacrifice of all.
JLA
“Necessary Force”
By Paxwolf
Note: Please see Part One of JLA: “Necessary Force” for all disclaimers, notes, acknowledgements, and warnings. Thank you!
Part VI:
“Cormorant”
“Damn, he's a real Speedy Gonzalez, all right."
"I would appreciate a more precise repo-"
"No need to get testy. I was getting there. He encountered a little trouble at the second security checkpoint - and before you even think about asking, it’s been taken care of." The note of reproach in the voice was unmistakeable. "He’s now nearly penetrated the inner perimeter, and he’s making astonishingly excellent time, all things considered. Like I said, quic-”
“No alarms?”
“None that either he or I have detected. And that’s saying something, heh?”
“Good. Keep me informed.”
“I wouldn’t dream of doing otherwise.”
“Every obstacle. Every step of the way.”
“You just aren’t having a good time with this, are you?”
Batman only gave an inarticulate growl.
“He can take care of himself, you know. Give the man some credit. After all, he is …”
“…entirely too willing to put himself in harm’s way," came the especially irritable reply to Oracle’s trained ear. "At any rate, it’s not him I’m worried about.” Uh huh. Right. “We’ve got helpless civilian hostages in there. Children! And more power than we’ve seen in years." Batman ground his teeth. "All at the mercy of a madman.”
“Yep,” she said agreeably. “That’s why the JLA was called in. The best to handle the worst.” She paused, and then continued in a softer tone. “We’ll get them out, Batman. All of them. Alive.”
Batman didn’t reply, presumably concentrating on whatever he was viewing through his magnetoscope-oculars or whatever the League had taken to calling the Waynetech-developed devices today. Oracle heaved an audible sigh over his comm unit.
“He'll be fine," she said in a softer tone, before turning businesslike again. "I’ll keep you in the loop, Boss. Get some rest if you can.”
He didn’t bother dignifying the suggestion with a response as the comm signal from Gotham deactivated.
After several unextraordinary minutes passed by, during which Batman studied every detail of the base laid out below him, and kept his mind occupied by a thorough examination of every detail of the situation the League found itself in, he felt a sudden prickling in his mind.
“Report, J’onn.” He didn't pause from his scan of the activity below his perch.
“We have secured our fall-back position at the old city waste plant,” J’onn’s voice sounded seemingly from inside his own mind. “Everything thus far appears to be in order. Additionally, Kyle has activated several early warning detectors in the happenstance of unexpected … arrivals.”
Batman frowned.
“We still don’t know precisely how Ayestrom shorted out the Ring in Canada. I don’t like…”
“That is, of course, why I am also here,” came J’onn’s unflappable response. Batman grunted. “And why we are also employing more mundane methods of advanced warning and security. Steel and Atom are expected momentarily. There seems to be ample room for the set up of their equipment.”
“Be as discreet as possible. We cannot afford to draw any unnecessary attention to ourselves from any of the locals.”
“We shall indeed be very careful.”
Batman stilled his mind for a moment.
“Batman?”
“J’onn, I want you to get Irons to set up an emergency infirmary at the camp. I plan on it remaining unoccupied, but …”
“As a precaution, I understand. Quite sensible, really.”
“Thank you,” Batman thought dryly.
“And just what is Superman’s current status?”
Batman scowled. “I wasn't thinking of him, but of possible hostage casualties should the situation turn ugly.”
“Of course,” J’onn nodded mentally. “And?”
He sighed.
“Oracle informs me he is well on his way. He’s apparently enjoyed some success in outmaneuvering a few interesting deterrents on his way inside.”
“That is good news for a change," said J'onn approvingly. "However, the next time a like crisis arises, I propose that we ourselves take action to order to deter him from plowing into such missions of risk practically single-handedly.”
Batman raised a brow at that, but after a moment only mustered up a dark “Agreed.”
“Even," J'onn continued implacably, "if we must resort to tying him down with Diana’s magic lasso and sticking a sliver of Kryptonite in his …”
“J’onn!” Batman blinked.
“He seemed entirely too determined to spare the rest of us unnecessary risk,” J’onn said, unperturbed. “He does realize we are all in this together?”
Batman said nothing for a moment, watching the movement of sentries below. “It was the only foreseeable way.”
“We may recognize that as a fact, but his attitude of late has been … disconcerting, to say the least.”
“You’re being too overprotective again." He shook his head. "Stop playing mother hen, J’onn.”
Batman could sense J’onn’s mental smile.
“And so the black pot calls out the kettle.” Batman scowled again before J’onn’s telepathic ‘voice’ became grimmer. “Kal-El was not in the tip-top shape he was pretending, Batman. The overlay of fatigue and pain I could sense emanate from him …”
Batman could feel his jaw aching again. “I know.”
“Yes, I am certain you do.”
“I shall leave the lecture to you, then, when this is all over.”
“As you wish. Ah, excuse me, Kyle requires my attention. I shall be in touch again shortly.”
“Undoubtedly.”
Batman felt J’onn’s mental presence fade away just as the opportunity he had been waiting for obligingly halted itself directly below his position. He watched hawkishly as the unaware sentry took a quick, surreptitious glance around before fishing out a cigarette and fumblingly light up, carefully shielding the brief spark of flame from the direction of the base.
How very progressive of Ayestrom, Batman thought with a nasty little smile. No smoking allowed. Good news for us that rule-breakers generally exist in every organization.
In mere seconds he had swung down, looped a noose around the unsuspecting guard’s neck as he was wholly occupied with his inhalation technique, and yanked, hard. Not a sound escaped as the hapless man was hoisted up and out of sight.
This ought to make up for Interpol’s high-handed arrogance, Batman thought in satisfaction as he casually disarmed his prisoner and slammed him up against a chimney face. A merc for a merc.
“Mon Dieu!” whispered the soldier as he gasped for breath, taking in the menacing figure before him. “Vous êtes - le Chevalier Noir, … L’Homme des Chauves-souris!”
Batman allowed his teeth to show in a grim smile. “C’est ca. C’est moi. Et nous allons parler un peu, n’est-ce pas?”
If anything, the fear in the man’s eyes grew to terror at Batman’s quietly menacing words. Oh, yes, we are going to have quite a little conversation.
“O-oui.” The mercenary opened and closed his mouth like a fish. Then he shook his violently as if coming back to his senses. “Mais non, non! Je ne peux pas! Seigneur Ayestrom …”
“Yes. Tell me about Ayestrom.”
The mercenary blinked back at him, looking absurdly young for a member of a global terrorist slash murdering slash kidnapping organization. Was Ayestrom now recruiting adolescents for his insane campaign? Batman wondered disgustedly.
“He-he will execute me if I talk to you, monsieur. Please …”
“What makes you think I won’t if you don’t?”
The young man’s eyes widened and he cast a desperate look around him.
“You’ll be dead before anyone can arrive to help you,” Batman warned him, knowing the threat sounded very sincere. His captive swallowed involuntarily. “Now, do I need to get … agitated, mon ami?”
“S’il vous plaît, Dieu aidez-moi!” the soldier cried. “Ah, je suis mort.” He squeezed his eyes shut.
“Not necessarily. He can only kill you if he can find you. And I will only do so if you refuse to talk." He edged even closer, amping up his glare. "Comprendez-vous?" He growled, deliberately looming forward. He wasn't above classic intimidation techniques, not when so much was at stake. "Do we understand each other?” Batman paused, assessing the young man in his grip. “If you decide to help me, if you speak freely, you will be protected.”
The mercenary opened his eyes, an unexpectedly sudden sneer on his lips.
“Par les americains? Non! Jamais! I would rather die.”
Batman bit down on his temper, staying cold. “No. Not by the U.S. By the Justice League.”
The young guard stared at him for a heartbeat, and then inexplicably began to laugh.
Batman shook his head. This was taking too long. Ordinarily, he could get crooks to spill their guts in an inordinately brief span of time; criminals by their very nature were generally a superstitious and cowardly lot. But this young man was obviously more afraid of his master than he was intimidated by the Dark Knight. But this kid didn’t seem stupid. Batman decided to try a different tactic.
“Est-ce qu'il est drôle?" he asked neutrally, taking the most minimal of steps back and easing his grip fractionally. "Is the League a source of amusement to you?”
His captive stopped his hysterical laughter and looked back at him with a rather haughty look in his brown eyes.
“Mon seigneur Ayestrom, pour certainement, seems to think so, non?”
“Really. Your 'lord' won’t be laughing for much longer. I promise you that.”
He watched the expression in the mercenary’s eyes as they ran through a gamut of emotions, and decided to take a chance. He loosened his grip altogether and pulled back his weight from crushing his captive against the chimney bricks, giving him space.
“You don’t strike me as a particularly evil, foolish, or malicious young man,” he began almost conversationally. His prisoner looked back at him warily. “And it’s my business to know. What are you really gaining by doing donkey work for a monster like Ayestrom?”
The merc’s eyes flashed.
“Tu ne comprends pas," he said, showing insult by his use of the familiar 'you'. "You do not understand. You are a Yankee bigot. Ayestrom is a great man, and a superlative leader. The best my people have seen in generations. And he has the power to make Europe great again, to once more become the world power we once were." He snorted at Batman derisively. "C'est de rigueur. It is the way it is, the accepted way. And we shall be the first to reap the benefits from a more just and distributed society. Tout le monde va voir.”
“Fanaticism,” Batman returned sharply. “And blind fascism. And if you believe an ego-driven powerhouse like Ayestrom works for justice, and would ever deign to share power and wealth with the likes of nobodies like your lot, then you’re a good deal more naïve and idiotic than I had first supposed.” His captive’s face flushed a dark red, but Batman continued relentlessly. “Est-ce que tu es comme un petit enfant vraiment?” The soldier’s eyes flashed again at the insinuation that he was akin to a small child. “Je suis surprise. And disappointed. Because it’s not been all that long since the last period of time that a would-be tyrant successfully employed propaganda and prejudice to brainwash his people to not only do his bidding, but flock to his cause. Your grandparents can probably still recall the details of what it was like to live under the threat of that regime.” The kid’s eyes narrowed suddenly, but he said nothing. “And that mad grab for power was for ‘the good of Europe’ too, as I recall. ‘For the betterment of all humanity’. All humans who were actually deemed human, at any rate. You might even have heard of the Aryans and the "worthy few." The rest? Treated as less than cattle, less than slaves, and often as not, slaughtered outright.” He paused, glaring hard at the young soldier before him. “That individual was once considered a charismatic and effective leader too. And if you think Ayestrom is any different, then either you have never truly known tyranny and despotism and the world which allows super-villainy to exist, or you happen to live in an adolescent fantasy realm where you believe anything spoon-fed to you if it’s wrapped in pretty enough words. And if it’s the latter that’s true, then God help you and yours, because nobody else will be able to.”
The young mercenary began to tremble slightly, and tore his gaze from Batman’s relentless stare.
“Peut-être vous demandez ca de vos grandparents!” He suddenly burst out, shaking in anger.
Batman smiled grimly. “My grandparents and parents are dead. You ask yours.”
“Non, vous ne voyez pas! Ayestrom …”
“…est méchant. He is evil. Pure and simple. He lusts for power. He doesn’t require your loyalty. Only your obedience. He will discard you as a useless tool once he’s achieved his ends. He has already aptly demonstrated how little he values human life. Don’t delude yourself into believing otherwise. You are nothing to him.”
“He is our hope, and our inspiration!” The young man struggled for words. “Il est différent!”
“No! No different. I know him. He's no better than the scum I scrape off the streets every day. Believe me, I’ve met many men just like him. And we have stopped many like him before. Just as we will do so again. If you don’t want to take a very long fall for him, you will help us now.” He stared intently at the young mercenary, willing him to listen.
"Laissez-moi tranquille! Allez-vous en!"
"I won't leave you alone, and I'm not going away. Not until you've listened to me. Écoutez!"
At the young soldier's silence, Batman abruptly stepped back completely, releasing his hold of the man’s jacket altogether. The captive stood stock still for a moment, and then slowly sank down the chimney wall to the ground, obviously struggling with his emotions. After a minute, Batman crouched down to peer at him closely.
“Comment vous appellez-vous?” he asked levelly, after another moment.
The young man looked as if he were still fighting something before at last closing his eyes in defeat.
“Je m’appelle Etienne Bondue.” He surprised Batman suddenly by cracking open an eyelid and asking, “Et vous?”
Batman nearly smiled. So the kid had a sense of humour after all.
“Pourquoi, je suis L’Homme de Chauve-souris, bien sur.”
The merc - Etienne, Batman corrected himself - actually chuckled.
“Je m'excuse. I had to ask. And, monsieur, we really don’t call you ‘the Man of Bats’ here, you know. Unless … unless as a joke.” He ducked his head a bit. “And then it’s usually ‘L’Homme de Souris’ seulement, oui? 'Souris' by itself? 'Man of Mice' Or Mousema-“
“C'est assez,” Batman growled, “you’ve made your point.” He tilted his head, considering his prisoner. “Not too many goons who work for criminal masterminds care to apologize after impudently demanding my true identity, followed by cracks at my expense.”
“Dare I say not too many goons who work for criminal masterminds are so easily swayed from their God-given purpose by a man in a Hallowe’en mask and tights?” Etienne returned immediately, a slightly bitter tone to his voice.
Batman raised his eyebrows, and his estimation. “It’s as I thought. You’re much too smart and savvy a kid to be clutching onto the cape-tails of scum like Ayestrom. And I highly doubt God had very much to do with your 'purpose' here.”
Etienne smiled for the first time, however faintly.
“As it may be." He was silent for a moment, and Batman watched him closely, wishing he had J'onn's ability to read mind right then. Then, the kid looked up. "Alors,” he said rather hesitantly. “If I tell you what you want to know, you will protect me? J'ai fait une gaffe; I know I maybe made a mistake. Mais ... ah mon Dieu, mon seigneur ... my lord's retaliation is not to be desired.” He shuddered slightly. “Qu'est-ce je fais?"
"What do you do? You do what I tell you, and you will be all right. That I promise."
Again, the hesitation was long, but Batman bit down on his impatience, and waited, watching, heart squeezed in a vice.
This has to work. I have to help him. Clark ...
"You will offer your League’s protection?”
His eyes snapped back to Etienne at the sudden, fearful words. “Yes.” There was no denying the steel in Batman’s voice.
“Even … even if I don’t have all that much useful information for you?”
“My word is given, Monsieur Bondue. The Justice League stands by its promises.” He resisted the urge to lick his dry lips, and pushed back the hope that had flared.
“Mais … I am not very high in rank, non?”
“I never would have deduced that,” Batman said dryly.
Etienne almost gave a shy grin, and slowly rose to his feet, propping himself against the brick wall for support. He looked over the edge of the roof with a troubled look, and Batman watched him warily, in case he should made a sudden bolt for it, and his compliance had merely been a charade. But after a moment, Etienne turned back to him, drawing in a deep breath and squaring his shoulders.
“You do not offer me many options.”
“No. I don’t. I can’t afford to.”
“So … I suppose I ought to have quit with the cigarettes, eh? Je ne vais pas fumer encore!” He looked rueful. “Maman tried so hard to sway me from coming out here. But ... mes amis … they all came too. We all thought ... c'est un grand aventure, oui? The lord Ayestrom, he was so persuasive. And to betray him …I … you cannot know …” He was trembling slightly, Batman saw.
“You will save many lives,” he said firmly. “Including your own." The mercenary was still looking more irresolute than convinced. Batman grit his teeth. "Would your mother really want to see her son party to brutal kidnappings and murder?”
Bondue's head shot up. "What are you talking about, monsieur? There has been nothing ..." He stopped at the look that must have been evident on Batman's face, masked or not. "Hein? Qu-est-ce qui se passe?"
"Surely even a man in your position has heard rumours or news of illicit activities occurring at the main base - and throughout the world? I have difficulty believing that you could be completely ignorant of current events."
"Je ... je ne sais pas. We are not allowed to watch television or listen to the radio. There had been some talk among the les garçons, oui, but only of the glorious battles in other places where we are told great victories against the so-called superheroes have taken place."
"Unbelievable." Batman frowned. "Then, you have heard nothing of the mass abduction of children and foreign ambassadors?"
Etienne's eyes opened wide. "That cannot be! Our lord is no criminal or petty terrorist, monsieur! He wants what is best ..."
Batman grit his teeth. "It happened. And in the process, not only was the Earth itself endangered, but major cities around the globe suffered damage and casualties, especially in the city of Metropolis. And people ... innocent people, were murdered. In cold blood." His gaze bore into Etienne's. "And that would include children."
"Les enfants ...?" Etienne whispered, his eyes round with horror.
Batman nodded shortly and regarded Etienne unflinchingly.
Etienne stared long and hard back at him. “Je vu.” He drew in a breath, and his expression cleared. "D'accord." He licked his lips and then met Batman's gaze. "I believe you. I do not fully understand why, but I do. If you will protect me, I will do my best to help you."
Batman closed his eyes. "Merci."
"I would say 'de rien', but it is not likely that it will really be nothing, n'est-ce pas?"
"Not likely, no."
Etienne swallowed and then nodded once before lifting his head. “Alors, puis, quand est-ce que je peux connaître tes amis? That is, ah, when shall I get to meet your vaunted teammates?” He asked this last a bit shyly, and at Batman’s look, he shrugged slightly. “I must confess I have always been curious about you ‘superheroes’. And your League is most famous, around the world. It is part of what attracted us to Ayestrom, I think. He ... I thought he was our own superhero, only better. Le meilleur. The best.”
Batman withdrew a batarang, hefting it in one hand.” “Let’s get you somewhere safe first. Then, we do need to talk.”
Etienne sighed resignedly. “D’accord, monsieur. But …”
“We do not have much time, Bondue. Certain individuals are in grave danger, as is the world in general." Batman straightened and looked back out at the base. "More knowledge about Ayestrom is our first order of business.”
Etienne looked at him with fear for the first time since being hoisted up on the roof. “Can … can you do it? Our Übermensch is very, very powerful. You do not know…”
“Übermensch?” Batman questioned sharply, swinging back around so quickly that Etienne took an involuntary step backwards.
“Ah, oui. C’est … it is what we are to call Lord Ayestrom amongst ourselves. At his direct command.” Batman’s gaze narrowed. “Is that … significant?” Etienne asked hesitantly, obviously not certain how to interpret Batman’s sudden, disturbing silence.
“It may be,” Batman said at last. “Or not. At this point, any information is of value.”
“Monsieur?” The young mercenary looked almost tremulous.
“What is it?” Batman hadn’t meant to snap, but worry fused his voice.
“Je repète …can your JLA oppose him? There are many who have said that none have been born with such vision, or such power. We are told, even the youth, we would be fools not to follow him into glory.”
“You would be fools to follow him too.”
“That may be, but you, pour certain, will be risking all of your lives in defying his will.”
Batman forced an impatient sigh out instead of the vicious retort he had been ready with.
“We have no other choice. Do you not see that yet? If we do not stand up to him, there are very few left who can. And his brand of terrorism simply cannot be tolerated. Not now. Not ever.” Batman frowned at his uncharacteristic eloquence. Usually he left all the speech-making to Superman or one of the others. “We have always stood between evil and the freedom and rights of the people. That is what the League does. And that is what I do.”
Etienne bit his lip, hard.
“Then … you really do not know what it is you are facing.” He hesitated. “You do understand that he is toying with you, n’est-ce pas?” Batman stared down at him with hooded eyes. “Ayestrom wants you and your compatriots here. He wants it more than anything else. He wants to see your JLA actually try to - what’s the English word - to thwart his plans. This is his goal. That is why he has the hostages. Screw the U.N. Screw your president! M. Batman, he wants you to fight him. He believes in the old world system of rule, of "Right by Combat". Do you not see? He desires more than anything else for you people to come to him, on his own ground, on his terms, so that he can prove to the world which of you is truly righteous, who is better, who is more powerful. Even … more just.” Batman’s face was absolutely unreadable. Etienne drew a breath and plunged on. “Tout le monde sait que je dit la vérité. It is the truth. We all know this. He plans everything to draw you heroes to battle, so that he may … ‘take you down’ in the sight of the world. And ultimately, he conspires to ... to humiliate you.” He hesitated, and looked a little afraid at the utter coldness that must have been radiating from Batman’s masked visage. “And, monsieur … he can do it, too.”
Batman stared long and hard at this boy he had captured or liberated - he was no longer certain which - from the enemy camp. The young man stared back, daunted, but unmoving. He reached a decision as swiftly as he reached for his communicator.
“Oracle,” he barked. “Come in.”
“Hey, Boss,” came the clear, instantaneous reply. “I was just about to contact you. Psychic, now, are we?”
Batman wasted no time on pleasantries.
“Tell Superman to get out. Now.”
“What? You’re kidding, right? Why?”
“Never mind. Just do it.”
“But …”
“Abort the mission, Oracle,” Batman snarled. “Now!”
“Batman, it’s too late,” she replied, apparently alarmed at his tone. “That’s why I was about to alert you. Superman’s been able to breach the final security perimeter. He’s in.”
Batman almost growled in frustration.
“It’s not too late. Order him to retreat.”
“That’s the thing. I can’t. He’s in temporary silent running mode. There seems to be powerful detection devices planted all over that sub-basement he’s currently infiltrating. There's no turning back now.” She paused, obviously worried. “What’s wrong? What’s happened?”
Batman looked out over the brightening rooftops to the east where the first tinges of dawn were visible in the somber, overcast sky. Etienne shivered suddenly as he watched him.
“Batman?” came again Oracle’s questioning, fearful voice. “What is it?”
“It’s a trap,” he answered finally, bleakly. “And we’ve all just walked straight into it.”
And thoughts churning, the tension knotted so tightly in his gut that it became acute pain, he closed down the line of communication with an audible and ominous snap.
Part 7, "Inferno", can be read right here!
All Previous Parts of the story can be found HERE.