The Lone Knight (Under The Cowl Book #1)

CHAPTER 18

"What did you find?" Cyborg asked Alec as he stood in the center of the roof on a Gotham high rise overlooking the city.

"She's inside with a lot of escape routes. I want to say they are not impossible to cover at once, but I can't be everywhere. I also think she might have some help. Saw her with some kid; they seem to be talking in private. He brought her a duffel bag."

"Likely carrying what she may need if she were to find herself in a fight with us."

"Or Ruin." Daria interrupted.

An unwanted interjection Cyborg knew he made clear to Daria and their position when it came to dealing with the Mask of Ruin. "Just how many times do I have to remind you before you get the hint?"

"When you realize the danger the Mask of Ruin represents."

"We were not tasked to apprehend the Mask of Ruin. So get it through you thick skull, your personal vendettas do not come before our duty as Collectors of the Fifty-Two."

"Hey Cy, how about I do one more run around the neighborhood? Make sure our avenues are all covered. I think everyone will feel better knowing when we go to capture Stephanie Brown we won't run into the unexpected."

"If you want to try and appease to her heavy heart, running will not help you."

"Huh?"

"Did you two think I didn't know about your little lovers tryst? Clearly it's ended between you two, but I will not have it linger and affect our mission and cloud our judgment."

"My judgment is not clouded!" Daria shouted. "I know what I signed up for when I joined the Collectors of the Fifty-Two. But I don't think you are aware how dangerous the Mask of Ruin can be. I watched its power destroy my home and kill millions of Kryptonians. It jumps from planet to planet until everything around it is in ruins. And it will do the same to this planet."

Cyborg began to close the distance between him and Daria as if gearing for a fight. "When you decided to become a Collector it was the day you surrendered your past life. Whoever you were, be it the last daughter of Krypton, that woman forever died the day you became Collector Daria Zartron. Or have you forgotten just how binding your pledge is?"

Daria's expression slacked. She had no words. Behind the meaning of Cyborg's question carried a weight not even the strongest girl among the Collectors of the Fifty-Two could allow herself to think lightly once reminded.

"I expect an answer, Collector Zartron." Cyborg emphasized.

Alec stepped aside and lowered his head.

"No, sir, I have not forgotten." Daria responded with a defeated expression.

"How about we take a beat." Alec called out in order to settle the tension. "We all understand the gravity of each mission, and the last thing we need is to fight among ourselves. Besides, you have me. You two might not even need to step in. I can get Stephanie Brown out without ever being seen."

Daria scoffed. "And if Ruin shows up?"

"Relax, he wasn't fast enough to keep up with me last time. The second time will be no different. Plus, Stephanie Brown knows what you two look like and she might already have a plan to deal with you, like carrying a little green rock for instance." 

Alec turned to give Cyborg an up and down once over. 

"And Clay, you scream robot. Let me see what I can do first, and if things get a little too dicey, you know to step in."

Cyborg didn't necessarily like Alec's plan, but at the same time if they had worked together when Daria first encountered Stephanie, they wouldn't be in this mess. "Fine, we'll do it as you suggest first. Everyone turn on their coms. But if things start to turn sideways-"

"I know, I know." Alec replied with a wink and a smile that followed.

Alec raced to where he knew he needed to be for the next stage in their mission to move forward.