The Flightless

A Revolution

Loren and I start the process of creating order amongst the in-house clinic. There's another one on the northern side of the green zone that's actually set up in an old hospital. Here, though, I'm reminded of my days working with Falcone.

Never enough supplies for all of these injured bodies. This time, creating an unsalvagable pile isn't an option. We teach the nurses to take inventory and how to prioritize injuries. While a majority of those who seek care are truly sick, some are looking to secure extra rations or simply get out of their daily duty.

I especially feel nostalgic when I hear Penguin shout down the hall.

"Sera Gordon!"

Loren sets down her equipment. She picks up a wooden mallet from under a bed and swings it over her shoulder. "If he comes in, I'm decking him."

I cross my arms over my protruding belly. "I don't think that's going to be necessary."

"Sera, I—" Oswald appears at the doorway, surrounded by the diesel gang. He pauses, daring to have a look inside. "Isn't this familiar? May I speak with you for a second?"

I follow him outside. He dismisses his men.

"Is this revenge on me?"

"What?"

"You took— not only your men which I gave you— but my men, too. You stole them from right under my nose and you brought them here."

My jaw drops. "Don't flatter yourself, Penguin. You didn't give me any men. They would've worked for me one way or another."

"My question still stands."

"Everyone who followed me did so on their own accord. We were starving. I ran out of rations because of the ties you severed with Barbara. By all means, this revolution was really your doing."

"I can't give away something I don't have, Sera."

The annoyed look I shoot is so frightening that he recants the statement.

"Maybe I could've spared a few meals here and there."

"To answer your question, Oswald, no. I didn't steal all of your people in some nefarious scheme. We would've starved; I would've starved. Did you really want that?"

"No." He softens. "You could've come to me. You know I would bend heaven and earth for you."

"But not for anyone else," I say, "and that's the problem. Gotham's gone dark. I know we want to rule the world, but what is the world if it's a prison?"

"Still the world, my dear. Now, I have commandeered Haven from your brother. Everyone is returning to their proper place. You can choose to stay, or you can return with me where you will be well-fed and taken care of."

I scoff. "You're unbelievable. Where's Jim?"

"In a prison."

"Once we're stocked up on enough supplies, then maybe we'll return to your territory. You can start by getting Arthur Penn for me." I grab my husband by the collar. "Don't screw this up."

He groans, throwing his hands up in the air. "Fine. Follow me."

I trail behind him. Together, we walk into the main room.

Mr. Penn trembles from the grasp of the diesel gang as they chain him up. "Mr. Cobblepot!"

"Stop!" Penguin shouts. "That one belongs to me."

"No can do," the other guy says. "You sacrificed one of my guys calling the cop's bluff."

"So what?" He snatches Penn from the collar. "I said he's mine."