Not As It Seems

intel

"Do you really think someone is going to attack the meta human sanctuary?" Cassie asked, leaning back in her seat on the bioship. "I mean, what makes Batman think that the sanctuary is going to be attacked?"

Barbara rolled her eyes. "Didn't you hear him? He said he has a credible source, and when Batman says that, you better believe him."

Artemis sighed from her spot in the pilot seat, tuning out the conversation among her teammates as she focused on getting the team to the sanctuary safely. She honestly wasn't sure if the sanctuary was going to get attacked, but she knew if it did, it wasn't going to end well. Especially if the Light was involved.

"Yeah, but how could he have a source within the League of Shadows? Doesn't that seem like a bit of a stretch?" Bart mumbled through a mouthful of banana, earning a scoff from Tim.

"He's Batman. Nothing is a stretch for him." Tim sounded proud, if slightly annoyed. "We are talking about the man who has contingency plans to take down his own team should the need arise and you are surprised he has connections within the League?"

"Why are we just assuming his source is within the League of Shadows? It could theoretically be anyone within the Light." Jaime shrugged when all eyes turned to him. "Just saying."

"Maybe because the League of Shadows is the easiest part of the Light to infiltrate without raising suspicion?" Artemis finally spoke up as she steered the bioship towards Taos.

"How so?"

"Think about it. Batman can get information on anyone, and information is power. All he has to do is confront the person, the source, with his acquired information and bam! He has them under his thumb."

The team blinked at Artemis. "Are you...are you saying Batman blackmails people into working for him?"

"Precisely. How do you think he has so many informants in Gotham's underworld? He just needs something to hold over their head, say, a family member like a spouse or a child and- that son of a bitch."

"What? What is it?" Bart looked startled at the sudden snarl coming from his cousin's girlfriend.

"I know who Batman's source is. And when this mission is over, I'm going to kick his ass."

- - -

Jade was not surprised when she was assigned the mission along with Jason and a few League foot soldiers.

Jade gathered her weapons, placing her mask on her face before making her way to the waiting helicopter. She slid in, taking a seat next to Jason, who gave a nod of acknowledgment as the helicopter took off. She sighed, looking at her reflection in the window as they left under the cover of the stars.

"You seem...off." Jade was startled by the mechanical voice, turning to look at her partner. "You're not pregnant, are you?"

Jade snorted. "No, one baby is enough for me." Jade paused, weighing her options. She could use this course of conversation to her advantage and find out more about Jason and Control, but it was risky. She didn't want Jason to get suspicious and report her to Deathstroke.

But a teenager's life and free will were on the line here, so she took the risk.

"What about you? You've seemed different ever since you skewered your hand on that mind control drug. Are you...okay?"

Jason let out a mechanical laugh. "What's with the concern, Cheshire?"

"I'm a mother, its in my genes."

Jason sighed. "Well, if you must know...I have never been better." Jade made a sound of disbelief. "No, really. I have a 'techno-virus' in my veins and my brain that allows me to get orders directly from my master. Some may see this as a curse, but not me. My goals have never been clearer, my resolve stronger."

"And I'm assuming Deathstroke is your master?"

Jason raised an eyebrow. "Well, it sure as hell ain't Batman."

Jade decided to play dumb, see if Jason would reveal any information directly to her. "Why would it be Batman?"

Jason laughed once more, a terrible mechanical sound. "Cheshire, you may be my partner, but I'm not about to tell you my every dirty secret."

Jade held her hands up in a surrender position. "Fair enough." There was a beat before Jade spoke again. "Why you?"

"Excuse me?"

"Out of the entire League of Shadows, why did Ra's Al Ghul pick you, a fresh newbie, to be his pet project? And why did that carry on to Deathstroke when he took over?" Jade half snarled. "What is so special about you?"

"I'm damn good at my job?"

"Puh-lease! I could easily beat you- and I have!" Jade's eyes widened under her mask at the slip of her tongue. "I, uh-"

"What was that?"

"I said I will beat you." Jade spoke quickly, mentally kicking herself for being so stupid.

Jason narrowed his eyes at her. "Uh-huh." He turned to look out the window, letting Jade know the conversation was over.

Jade sighed inaudibly, glaring at her feet. How could she make such a simple mistake? She almost gave away the fact that she knows Jason is Jason under that mask. He obviously knows that the two of them have never fought or sparred together, despite being partners, while in the League of Shadows, so when could Jade have possibly beaten him?

Luckily, Jade didn't have long to ruminate on her slip up as the helicopter approached the drop point. She straightened out her uniform and double checked her weapons one last time before sliding the door to the helicopter open.

She turned to Jason with a hand on her hip. "After you."

Jason gave her a mock salute before jumping out, Jade quickly following with the foot soldiers pulling up the rear. The group of assassins landed on the ground outside the towering building, starting to walk towards the back entrance when off the roof jumped down a group of vaguely familiar young heroes.

Jade smirked, drawing her sai. "Hiya, sis."