Batman: Hero of Gotham

33- The Bat Signal

Lieutenant James Gordon walked around on the rooftop of the GCPD. He paced around the light that had the bat symbol on it, waiting for Batman to arrive. Gordon spoke to a woman officer on his walkie-talkie. "Unit Six in pursuit of suspects westbound on 15th Street." The walkie spoke.

"Is it the Children of Arkham? Can you confirm?" Gordon asked.

"Negative. They're taking shots at us whenever we get close."

"Understood. Stay on them. We'll think of something."

"A little help would be nice."

"Hang in there alright."

"They knew we'd be there, Jim. We don't have enough officers to deal with this!"

Gordon put his head in his hands. "Look, everyone's stretched thin. I'm doing what I can." Gordon noticed Batman standing behind him. "I have to go." Gordon shut off the radio, facing Batman. 

"That light, has a bat on it, Jim." Batman stated.

"You give me a number to call, I'll rethink my methods." Gordon said, smirking. "I'm just glad it got your attention. I didn't have a lot of options. So, here we are."

"Well, it worked. I'm here." 

"I appreciate it. Things are a mess. I'd rather have you arrested than come to you for help, but the truth is we're desperate. I'm calling a truce. Just for tonight."

"Bring me up to speed."

"Right. Renee Montoya. One of my officers."

"The one who tried to shoot me."

"I know, but hear me out. She's trying to clear her name after those animals manipulated her into killing Falcone. She's supposed to be on leave, but she got a tip on the Children of Arkham's chemical stash. Went rogue. She's out there alone and I can't spare anyone to back her up. I told her to wait, but this is personal. The Children of Arkham pumped her full of that junk. She's a good cop. One of my best."

"I'll find her. We'll take down the Children of Arkham together."

"That's what I like to hear. These Children of Arkham are everywhere all of a sudden. Where the hell'd they all come from? I never heard of them before. Then that debate...god that was terrible."

"You want answers? Ask Oswald Cobblepot."

"Cobblepot? I'll bring him in for questioning." Suddenly, Gordon's walkie-talkie sprang to life with a voice talking.

"Gordon, this is Schultz. Over."

"Gordon here."

"We got a problem with the mayor, sir."

"What happened? Is he okay?"

"I don't know! We lost him. He took off and left us behind."

"Christ. One more crisis I can't deal with right now!" Gordon turned to Batman. "We've gotta keep Montoya and Dent safe. Somehow."

"I'm on it." Batman said. He turned on his microphone to talk to Alfred. "You there?"

"Always." Alfred replied immediately. 

"Launch the drones. I need eyes on the city."

"Lucius has made some upgrades. I'll let him explain." Alfred switched the speaker over to Lucius Fox, Batman's reliable man for crafting his tools and gadgets.

"Who are you talking to?" Gordon asked Batman. "You got a whole team or something?"

"My butler." Batman blurted out.

"Yeah, hilarious." Gordon chuckled.

"Patching you through to R&D in Wayne Enterprises." Alfred announced.

"Batman. Listen." Lucius's voice came on the earpiece. "The first model was only equipped for video surveillance, but seeing how you used them at the Skyline...I thought you need an audio feed as well. The microphones are incredibly sensitive...they can pick up sounds from up to five hundred yards. In some cases...you'll even be able to hear through walls. Like x-ray...hearing."

"Nice work." Batman congratulated Lucius.

"Thanks. I'll talk to you soon." Lucius brought the speaker back to Alfred.

"Any idea where they might be?" Batman asked Gordon.

"Montoya's car was spotted crossing the bridge to Arkham Island. Could be where the handoff is happening." Gordon told Batman.

"What about Dent?"

"Probably headed to his acceptance speech. They'd just left the hospital when we'd lost sight of him." Gordon said. Batman tracked down each of the two. He found them within a few seconds. Batman decided Montoya needed his help more than Dent did.

"I'm headed for the construction site." Batman said aloud. "Send whatever men you can spare after Dent." Batman then used his wings to fly off of the building to glide to the ground. "Alfred...send over the Batmobile." Batman ordered.

"Will do, sir. Good luck."