In plain sight (Sequel to Unappreciated by all except you.)

Chapter 3: Manic gingers and guns don't mix.

For the next few weeks things went on as normal or as normal as you could get in Gotham. As predicted Jim Gordon wasn't destined to withstand Uni duty for long which resulted in him finally relenting and paying Penguin a visit, just as Ed knew he would. What he hadn't predicted, however, was the surprising yet pleasant side effects of that this little visit would bring about. Now, Ed care much about Jim either way. He was nicer to work with than Bullock for sure but Ed could never quite forgive him for the way he treated Oswald. 

However, there were some who truly hated the over zealous cop and none more so than Commissioner Loeb. In fact, he hated him so much that in order to get Gordon reinstated Penguin was forced to convince Loeb to retire, a task that wasn't accomplished with out a few heads rolling or so Zsasz said.

With Loeb out of the picture a new police commissioner was needed and to everyone's delight Captain Essen was asked to take the post. Despite the fact that she was his boss Edward considered her a friend ad he may have even had a hand in securing her promotion, having a boyfriend who was in charge of the mob had its perks. As always in Gotham though, the good times never lasted and change arrived in the form of a chaotic group of Arkham escapees calling themselves the Maniax.

After their shocking debut on the roof of the Gotham Gazette the group of crazed lunatics seemed by no means tired of playing with the terrified citizens of the city. Their escapade with the cheerleaders made it clear that they were just getting started and, even more worryingly, gave indication that they weren't the only thing Gotham had to fret about. Both Oswald and the GCPD had suspected outside involvement when it came to the Arkham breakout but when, in his last few moments before he was shot expertly with a sniper rifle by an unknown shooter, one of the Maniax admitted to having been abducted and coerced things only began to look worse. 

Despite the chaotic randomness of the Maniax movements there was a terrifying chance that things were not as spontaneous as it first appeared which lead to the important question, were would their plans lead them? If they did indeed have a mysterious benefactor then what did they get out of it? Who were they? When would the horrors stop?

The GCPD was on high alert and down in Penguin's criminal network things were just as tense. Oswald hated the Maniax, they messed up the order of his hard won empire and he was just as desperate as the cops to get them off the streets as soon as possible. However, despite Edward's best efforts, neither party had succeeded in apprehending them yet and it was in a fearful state that the citizens of Gotham went about their day to day business. A fear that, for the staff at the GCPD, was well justified.

Ed was on his way to drop off some files on detective Bullock's desk when he heard a strange metallic rolling sound. He glanced around curiously, catching a quick glimpse of the smoke bomb on the floor just before it started spewing a thick white fog which promptly filled the room and making it almost impossible to see. Ed watched in horror, rooted to the spot, as cops fell in rapid succession as gunshots echoed in the mist. He didn't know what to do. Should he run? Should he grab a gun off a fallen officer and join the fray? There were no orders from the assailants and it was clear that what they wanted was a massacre, not hostages. 

Then, Ed saw it through the dense mist. One of the attackers had his gun pointed at Miss Kringle who seemed to be petrified with fright. With out thinking Edward dived at her, knocking her to the ground as the bullet that had been intended for her lodged itself into his upper arm. Kristen tried to scramble back up but Ed had the presence of mind to pull her back down onto the floor.

He put his finger to his lips and looked at her pointedly, willing her to understand. She stared at him in confusion and distrust. Despite Ed's best efforts to convey his remorse and the severity of their current predicament Miss Kringle was still, understandably, uneasy around Edward and placing her life in his hands was not something she was overly comfortable with.