*J* (the continuation)

Part Thirty-Six: Chapter 276: Aces High

When the hatch door to a plane suddenly opens at 36,000 feet, it's usually an indication of something seriously wrong with the plane. But when an overgrown man dressed as a bat lands in the asile, it's even more confusing than plane malfunctions. Ace's gun was pointed at his head before Bruce could even make it to his feet. Jester quickly reaches over to Ace's gun and gently pushes the barrel down. It wasn't like his bullets could pierce the bat suit. Bruce closes the hatch door and turns to the men.

Jester brushes his desheveled green hair back with his hand and sighs, "I certainly hope you have an explanation for this intrusion Bruce."

Bruce reaches up to his cowl and removes it from his head. "I came to help. She's my niece as well."

Jester's eyes narrow, "You came to help us break several laws? I have a little trouble believing that one. Have you come to try to stop us?"

"No. No I came to help. My niece belongs in Gotham," Bruce says and plops down in a seat. "I thought you might need the help since you don't have a lot of experience with matters like this."

"Oh? You think me incompetent?" Jester seemed to ask in anger.

But Bruce knew better than that. There was an entire morgue filled with bodies Jester put a hit out on. But one look into Jester's eyes told Bruce to placate him instead of telling him his real reasons for dropping in on him. He could see the change in Jester. He no longer saw Dr. Jake Smith. All he could see was J. "No. I don't doubt your capabilities Jester, I just want to make sure you get her back."

Ace and Jester glance at one another, "You want me to shoot him boss?" Ace asks and points his gun back at Bruce's head.

"Mmmm," Jester thinks it over a moment, "No. My brother wouldn't wish for that." So Ace uncocks his gun and puts it back in the holster.

"Do you have a plan?" Bruce asks him.

"Of course I have a plan," Jester rolls his eyes.

"Care to clue me in on it?" Bruce shrugs.

So for the rest of the flight Jester fills Bruce in on his plan. Together they work out the small details. When they arrive in Dublin Bruce gets them a hotel suite. By then, with the time difference, it was six hours earlier than their internal clocks told them. The sun was just coming up and Jester wasn't willing to waste any time with sleeping. But Bruce was used to running on very little to no sleep.

Jester stands in a mirror trying to adjust a wig to cover his vivid green hair. Today they were supposed to be blending in and tailing the Irish mobsters. With a sigh he rips the wig off. A dark wig only made his skin seem more abnormally pale. Painting it or wearing makeup over it just made him stand out that much more. He instead pulls on a hoodie and hides beneath it the best he can.

Bruce walks out if one of the bedrooms with a briefcase in his hand. He lays it flat on a table and opens it. "This will help us stay in contact with one another as we branch off into the city," he motions at several survalence ear pieces. He extends one out to Jester.

"Good thinking," Jester takes it and places it in his ear.

Just then Ace enters the suite followed by a dozen well dressed Russian mobsters. He introduces them to Jester and Bruce. One of them produces a map of the city and starts to point out the locations to start at. All were places frequented by the local mafia.

"I'll go to this park," Jester points at the map. I'll have a good view of the pub from there." The pub was one of many of the fronts for the Irish's illegal activities.

"I'll take the diner where the O'Neary's frequently have breakfast," Ace says.

The Russians each take a location and Bruce notices that one of the locations is to a business that has dealings with Wayne Enterprises. He chooses this location to go in under the ospises of business. Half an hour later they are all on their way to their destinations. They had photographs of all their marks and quickly got to work.