No Man's Land

Chapter 4

"You shot them?!" I shout, taking in the effects of the unfathomable action Dinah took against Lynx's followers.

"I didn't really have a choice, Barb-"

"There is always a choice, Dinah! The roads and phone lines are down, which means there are no ambulances. A gunshot is practically a death sentence unless the person is in front of a hospital."

Dinah's eyes narrow. "I get it."

"We don't kill; that is what sets us apart from the people we are after-"

"This is survival now, Barbara. I wish we could save everyone but that's something we can't guarantee under these circumstances!"

I bite my lip and take a few deep breaths. She's right... but that doesn't make the fact that we are tightrope walking between killing and saving lives any easier. "If we ever cross that line, Dinah... there is no going back."

Her head hangs low at her chest, "I know... I know."

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8:59....

Bruce slowly waits for his watch to tick to the next minute mark. Fighting with fists is easy. Politics... hopefully that's going to be easy too. He has his checkbook ready, just in case, as he sits inside the center of the Capitol building. He is bound to be here on a weekend. He has to.

As he watches the few representatives and senators working overtime funnel away from the metal detectors, he cannot help but wonder who among them supports the No Man's Land order.

He spots his man briskly brushing past the others, and almost knocking over a whole tour of children. Bruce glances at his watch: 9:00 on the dot.

"Senator Leahy." He smiles,  easily keeping up alongside the senator.

The senator laughs as he keeps walking, "Don't you have something better to do than to be in Washington, Mister Wayne?"

"In light of recent events, Senator, I think there is no place else to be."

There is a hiccup in Leahy's step. "Ah... yes, the No Man's Land executive order..."

"Is there anything that can be done to repeal it?"

Leahy steps to the side along the corridor, waiting for several aides to pass before speaking. "As I am sure you remember from history class, any executive order can be overridden by a two thirds majority-"

"Yes, and that's why I'm here; to get that support."

The nearing of footsteps causes the two men to grow silent. You can never know who is listening. Leahy clears his throat, "I am sorry I am unable to meet with you today, Mister Wayne. Perhaps another time."

"Of course, Senator."

The senator nods, "Let me check my appointments, and get back to you." He shakes Bruce's hand while more aides rush around them. He pauses until they are out of earshot, "Meet me at the World War II memorial, 12 o'clock."

Bruce smiles as he hears more footsteps behind him, "Thank you so much for your time, Senator. I will be sure to remember your words of wisdom."

Leahy laughs as he catches Bruce's coded words, "Enjoy the morning, Mister Wayne."

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