The Memorial Day Murders

Chapter 3 : Formation

Sitting alone in the clock tower I focused my gazes on the screens. Bruce and his allies had just left and now I'm here, helping to monitor them. We connected through the comms network but Bruce maintains a private line between us. Bruce decided to hunt down Deathstroke, Luke against Riddler, Kate against Sionis, Richard against Dent and Duke hunts down The Penguin. "You... seemed quiet today Isa." Bruce said. Flickering my gaze to one of the five screens I saw him gliding across the skies.

"Sorry Bruce, it's just... Memorial Day's next week." I said. He didn't reply. He knows that my former CO has died and the importance of Memorial Day to me. "God, he shouldn't die in such a violent manner."

"He's always been proud of you, I'm sure."

"He's a good man. Not much commanders in the field can replace his position in my memories while serving abroad." I always mourned the lieutenant general, visiting his grave in Arlington has been my solo tradition. But this year is way more different as the former gang is reassembling to honor our fallen commander. I tried to smile upon the thought of the old gang getting back together since the disbandment. "But I will try to indulge you in attending the Memorial Day Gala with you."

"I was hoping you would say that Isa." he said as he landed on the rooftops of the AmerTek Building. "But I'm not forcing you to wear anything flashy." feeling offended I rolled my eyes.

"You don't get to argue with me." I said, my fingers dancing on the holographic display to access the building's schematics. "I know what I would wear."

"I need the schematics-"

"I've done that Batman, sending them now." I said, tapping rapidly on a few buttons and accessing the security footage available. "Deathstroke's holding up in the manager's office, but he isn't alone."

"Noted, multiple heat signals is showing up on my gauntlet sensors. He's got muscles to back him up."

"There are hostages Bruce, kept prisoner around the facility. I've marked the nearest one to your location on your gauntlet."

"Thanks Athena." he said. I raised my brows in question. Bruce has never referred to me as Athena before, although he is aware of the presence of the Athena Codex.

"I also marked the remaining locations of the hostages on your gauntlet." I said. "Good luck out there, be careful."

"Always." He ran down the hallway towards the first location where the first batch of hostages were kept prisoner at.

"Bruce, wait." I said, noting a problem. "There are guards inside the room." He stopped to a halt at the corner and placed a hand against the wall.

"How many?" his voice came through the comms. Hacking into the surveillance footage, if there even have any, I did a quick look at the situation inside.

"Nine crows. All armed and dangerous, you should take out the leader first. He's wearing a S-vest."

"Noted."

"There's a air vent system above you. Try there." I said. He then took out his grappling gun and grappled upward, entering the vent system through the grate. As I watched him maneuver through the systems to reach the crow wearing a suicide vest my phone buzzed. "Dom." I said after signing off.

"Hey Isa." Dominic Hayes said. "I was wondering that... you're coming to Arlington right?"

"I never forget the tradition Dom." I said. "Fact is you guys rarely showed up."

"Yeah, kinda suck." he said.

"Anything else?" I asked. "I'm reading."

"Eh... sorry." he apologized. "Bye."

"Bye." I said, ending the call. Turning my focus on Bruce he has already taken down the man with the suicide vest and proceeds to take down the remaining gunmen. Signing on I kept track of him as he downed one gunman over another and saved the first batch of hostages.

"I have been trying to reach you just now Athena." Batman said as the hostages moved out quietly to avoid detection.

"Sorry, got a phone call." I replied. "But you can still handle yourself."

"Have you found Slade's location?"

"Yeah, I have. But I thought that you would want to save the hostages first."

"I'm moving to the second." he said, sprinting down the hallway.

"The offices are your next but the crows had the door barricaded." I said. "But the hostages are kept in a large cubicle. Armed thugs patrolling the perimeter Bruce."

"Noted." But as he entered I lost contact with him.

"Batman? You there? I lost you." I asked. But I heard static from his side and I switched to his cowl interface. After I managed to gain access I know what happened. Deathstroke has set up an ambush and the footage of him in the manager's office was a fake. "Intriguing, bastard's set up signal jammers to block interference." I mused. He brought his sword down as Bruce blocked it with his gauntlet. He knows that Deathstroke and him are equally matched in terms of fighting. They fought in a whirlwind, but I can see Deathstroke trying to hack and slash Bruce with his sword. Batman doubled back and threw out a batarang, knocking the sword out of Deathstroke's hand but he withdrew a crossbow and an arrow was discharged. The arrow hit Bruce on his arm and he flinched.

"Never like last time." Deathstroke said as Bruce held the bleeding arm. Holding back the pain Bruce fought back, clearly knowing where to hit but he withdrew a staff and blocked Bruce's offense. This is intense. I muttered. Seeing past the staff's weakness he broke it in half with his gauntlet, much to the mercenary's surprise. "Adopted new tactics I see." he said beneath his helmet. I felt the need to go there and aid him but I know he wouldn't let me. An idea came to my head and I scrolled through the schematics while maintaining the interface link. Bruce forced him towards an air vent unit and grabbing the opportunity I unleashed the freezing air con, freezing enough to immobilize the mercenary, giving Bruce the chance to bash him in the face hard, causing the helmet to crack and fell off him. The impact knocked him out and Bruce leaned against one of the cubicles, breathing heavily. The cam feed restored once the merc went down and I tried again to contact Batman.

"Batman?" I asked. "Bruce?"

"I'm fine Athena." he said, forcibly pulling out the arrow embedded in his arm. "Deathstroke lured me here for a fight."

"You need to get back here. The remaining hostages were set free just now, GCPD's on their way."

"What about the others?" he asked as he pushed himself up.

"Radio silence." I replied. "You have to come back right now, I'll patch you up."