Vigilante Struggles

Chapter eight

Deathstroke's P.O.V.
I slam my fist on the desk in frustration. I hadn't expected Mr Tim Drake to catch on that quickly. However it would have been foolish of me to believe he would not see the subtly, yet obvious flaws in our plan. That is why backup plans are essential, to fill in the little holes created by basic human error. I had placed obvious cameras around Grayson's living area, as well as microphones and smaller observation devices. Most of their equipment should be jammed, meaning they have no resources to scan the room thoroughly. Enigma managed to miraculously discover the frequency on which the Bat clan operated on. I left one of Jokers cards to hide my tracks, or even hide the true extent of the technology set up in the flat. Though I had a plan B for when my cameras were sought out, I  hadn't expected the Bat and his team of hopeless orphans would show up so soon. Nightwing should still be in the dark about my involvement and the partnership. They only have to figure out my employers.

My associates and I have already dealt with the 'Batman' situation. We set up a fake device posing as a disrupter. The real deal is cloaked by state of the art Wayne technology. How ironic. However, I know Bruce, he will figure out things sooner or later, but by then it will be too late. I have ordered Joker to set a distraction in Gotham. Batman will have to return in order to help poor Damien Wayne, the latest brat to join the bat. He is the only blood son in the band of misfits. However his pride and arrogance prevent him from reaching his true potential. How disappointing. Nevertheless, Richard Grayson is the target. I wanted him for myself at first, as a new apprentice, he was already trained and naturally smart. Unfortunately my employers threatened my demise and a not so unfortunate sum of money. Richard Grayson was off limits. I will strike as soon as Wayne leaves Blüdhaven, then I'll shut down communication once again.

Bruce's P.O.V.
I shut down the jamming device on top of the radio tower and rip it off the scaffolding to prevent reconnection. I try the comms in my cowl only to discover they were not yet operational. I pull out my back up phone and dial Barbra.
"Barbra, I have shut down the jamming device on the radio tower, yet our communication equipment are not functional."
"This could be a simple inconvenience Bruce. The device may have completely disrupted our equipment, or there may have been an EMP component present, you should bring it back here so Tim and I may check it out"
"Okay I'll be there in ten minutes" I hung up the phone and looked at the device. I hope Barbra can figure this out. We are at a major disadvantage otherwise.

----------TIMESKIP---------
I look over Barbra's shoulder while she unscrews the back of the device. The inside was destroyed. Sharp black wires stick out in all directions and any electronic microchips or pieces of metal were black from the electric current being violently cut off causing a small explosion.
"Well Bruce, you certainly shut this device off. All wires are severed and the motherboard is beyond repair. Even if you left it on the tower I doubt even the most experienced engineers could fix this." Barbra replied while turning the box around so she could see it from all angles.
"I don't see any evidence of an EMP component, soooo our little device here must have totally disrupted our equipment." That is something I didn't want to hear. I pick up the little comm piece that Tim and Barbra made before we came to Blüdhaven.
"So how come these communicators weren't affected by the device" I ask. I roll the earpiece between my thumb and index finger while examining it.
"Well, we set them to work on a separate frequency from all other communication networks, we also placed one of Dick's chips into them as a failsafe" Tim says, genuinely excited to talk about technology.
" I will have to ask Alfred to send in more equipment" I state. I pick up my phone and called Wayne manor.
"Alfred......"
"Thank god you called Sir. Master Damien requires your assistance right away" Alfred's voice rings panically in my ear.
"What is going on?" I ask. This was honestly unexpected. I had expected no problems in Gotham because all the heavy hitters were behind bars, except for Joker, but he is in Blüdhaven right now. Unless....it's a distraction.
"It's the Joker Sir, he is causing explosions and has hostages, I fear this is to big for Master Damien to handle alone"
"I'll be there as soon as I can Alfred" I had to go or I may lose Damien to that mad man, or even the city. I look at Tim and Barbra's faces.
"I have to return to Gotham" I get straight to the point.
"What! Why? We need you here to help Dick with Deathstroke and Joker" Barbra argues.
"Joker is causing trouble in Gotham and Damien needs me, he is still only young and inexperienced, especially with facing the Joker. If I take out the Joker we will only be left with one problem" I try to reason with her. She will understand sooner or later that I will have to go.
"It's a distraction Bruce, using Joker to take you out of Blüdhaven. Deathstroke knows we are here, there were cameras everywhere" Tim inputs. He pushes forward a pile of observation devices to the middle of the table. They must have been placed when Dick's apartment was broken into.
"I know it's a distraction but I can't leave Damien alone with this problem. Joker has hostages and there are recorded explosions throughout the city. I have to go" I pick up my gear and place the device Tim and Barbra made in my ear." Dick will be able to handle Deathstroke without the possibility of Joker showing up" I look at them both, I could see the acceptance in their eyes,
"Good luck Bruce. We'll keep in contact" Barbra smiles. I nod and head out of the apartment. I should be in Gotham in twenty minutes using the Batwing.