Newman Park,
mid-afternoon, four months after Blockbuster's fall:
The citizens of Bludhaven were gathered to hear Mayor Soames'
speech. Among them was officer Richard Grayson who was apart of
the security detail...
Soames stood up to the podium; his eyes making out all of the people
that expected him to bring change to the city. Behind him sat the
newly appointed Police Chief Scott Hudson and Deputy Police Chief Zack
Garibaldi. Pressing for silence, Soames began to address the
crowd.
"Good people of Bludhaven," said Soames. "It has been four months
since the fall of the corruption that had rotted the core of our city."
"Since then… We have begun to rebuild, and worked on
repairing our image. But, it has been a hard road. Joining
me today is Captain Amy Rohrbach, Chief Scott Hudson, and Deputy Chief
Zack Garibaldi. Who share the same commitments as I do to make
sure that Bludhaven is a safer place. From vigilantes, and
criminals alike. Starting today, I have begun the process of
putting into city law; a bill that bans vigilantes from our fair town
and strengthens our police departments’ war on crime!"
A chorus of cheers rang out, and Mayor Soames motioned for Chief Hudson
to come to the podium. After shaking hands, Soames took his seat,
and Chief Hudson got out his reading glasses.
"Thank you, Mayor Soames, and the people of Bludhaven.
Right now, I would like to speak on this new bill. Because of
prior problems with vigilantes and metahumans; we have been given the
ability to put in affect our own special crimes unit. Unlike
Metropolis and to a lesser extent Gotham, we don't condone the
interference of metahumans, or vigilantes."
Chief Hudson changed papers and gestured for Captain Rohrbach to come
up. "Captain Rohrbach will be leading the special crimes unit;
under myself, and Deputy Chief Zack Garibaldi. Please listen in
as she shares a few words."
"Hello, and good afternoon. Under this new directive, I have been
authorized to place the vigilante known as Nightwing on notice," she
said. "Wherever you are, wherever you’re hiding, Nightwing,
you are now a fugitive as long as you practice vigilantism in our fair
city."
Dick tapped his pencil against his leg. His eyes locked on
Captain Rohrbach, as she walked by and entered her office.
He set the pencil down, and went to her office, shutting the door
behind him.
"Can I help you, Officer Grayson?" asked Rohrbach.
"I was wondering who you have in mind for this task force," he said.
"Sorry, Dick, I can't let you in."
"Why?"
"I've got no available spots."
"You already picked out your team?"
"I did."
"I see," he said. "I'll... see you around."
She nodded, and gave him a brief glance as he left.
Soames grabbed his pack of Marlboro Lights, and fished out a
cigarette. His guest waved the smoke away.
"Listen old man," he said. "I don't know what you think you can
provide me, but I already have all I could want."
"Do you?" asked the old man. "I'm sure there is more that you
desire."
"Don't mess with me you, old cad. I manipulated Desmond, so, I
know all the tricks."
"I come offering a favor in exchange for one, and you spit in my face,"
said the old man. "You will pay, Mr. Soames."
"GET OUT!"
The old man stood up leaving a card with Japanese calligraphy on
Soames’ desk.
Dick entered his apartment, and set his jacket on the bed. On the
computer, Oracle's digitized face appeared.
"Hello, man wonder," she said.
"Hey Oracle."
"I was talking with Huntress, and she said Bludhaven is outlawing
vigilantes."
"She's still in the city?"
"No, she just moved back to Gotham."
"You heard right," he said. "They expect me to leave the city
limits or expect to be brought in."
"I know you too well," she said," you won't leave."
"You'd be right."
"What's the plan?" she asked.
"I'm going to remain with the BPD; that way I can keep ahead of their
special crimes unit."
"Be careful," she said. "And remember; you are not alone."
Dick smiled, as he affixed his domino mask to his face.
Captain Rohrbach shifted through her folders, and checked the inventory
for the new equipment for the department. The phone rang, and she
picked it up hearing a wheezy voice on the other end.
"Yes," she said.
"Come to Eastwood Estates, alone."
She set down the phone, and took her leave.
Fonda Fields, a slum on the south side of the Haven. Several out
of work plants stood as statues of a time long forgotten. In one
of the plants, Soames’ guest sat Indian style before several
dozen Asian men and women. He pointed at a blind girl and a
gauntly man to come forward. As if sensing the old man's intent,
the girl came forward, and bowed.
"Begin," he said.
The gauntly man struck first, his fist hitting the blind girl's
jaw. She brought her foot up hitting him in the nether regions,
and then snap kicked him the face. He responded with a hook kick,
that made her head snap back. She smacked him in the face with
the top of her foot, and then the jaw with her heel.
He drove his knee into her face; breaking her nose, and brought his
forearm down on her back. She wiped the blood away, a thin smile
crossing her lips.
"Honorable death," she said.
"Honorable death," he said.
They charged each other, and she leaped up; wrapping her legs around
his neck, and completed a full flip that brought his head down on the
floor breaking his neck. The old man took a sip of the herbal tea
brought to him, and then eyed the winner.
"You have excelled despite your handicap," he said. "I am
pleased."
"Thank you, sensei."
The Sensei looked to his other students, and pointed to her.
"She is the example you all must strive for. The ruthlessness and
cunning of a hungry wolf."
The students lowered their heads, and the blind girl sat back down.
Nightwing leaped from rooftop to rooftop; his eyes and ears trained on
his surroundings. He performed a somersault down onto Gibson
Street to visit the Back Room
about a rumor.
Smoke wafted in the air, several of the lowlifes looked Nightwing
straight in the face; dark grins on their mugs.
"Don't you know you are illegal in this town?" said Corle.
"Listen, Corle. I don't care about the new law," he said.
"Right now, I am here about a rumor."
"Well, I don't have to answer to you," said Corle. "Take him
outside, boys."
Nightwing flipped backwards onto a table behind him, his feet
connecting with the jaw of a patron with a gun. He dodged a
thrown bottle, and tossed a Nightarang that knocked Corle silly.
Two bikers came at him; he dropped to his back, with his feet pulled
back, and launched them forward into their sternums. Four more
encircled him, and he smacked them with quick, brutal strikes from his
escrima sticks. By the time Corle rose from the floor, Nightwing
had knocked out every patron in the bar.
"You feel like talking now?" he asked.
"S-sure," said Corle. "Whatever you wanna know."
"I've heard a new presence approached Soames," he said. "Who was
it?"
"I dunno man," said Corle. "I swear."
Nightwing drove his fist into the wall next to Corle's head.
"Then find me someone who does!"
Corle nodded.
The sounds of sirens drew near, and Nightwing made his retreat.
Giuseppe sat in room with no furnishings besides the seats
provided. Next to him sat Tod and Tad Trigger, and they wore the
same fine clothing that Giuseppe wore. On the other end sat
Special Agent Cisco Blane and Mayor Soames.
"Blockbuster is gone, Chief Redhorn is but a memory, and I am
mayor. What could be better?"
"I can think of a few things," said Blane.
"Like what?"
"We have developed a new drug at the agency; and we want to use
Bludhaven as a testing ground."
"I got’cha, with policies here; our pest problem couldn't bother
you."
"Right, whereas Gotham or Metropolis..."
"I want in," said Soames.
"I expected that," said Blane. "But, I had hoped you had changed
your ways."
"Cut the crap," said Soames. "And make me an offer."
Blane got up and went to the desk near Tad Trigger, and opened a large
metal suitcase. Inside was a syringe.
"Is that your new drug?" asked Soames.
"It is," said Blane, "how about testing it?"
"Oh no," said Soames.
"Tod, Tad."
The Trigger Twins grabbed Soames and held him, while Blane administered
the shot. It took a few moments, but Soames started to feel the
effects. His eyes were dilated, and his body became lax.
"He won't be any trouble," said Blane. "In fact, he will do
anything for us now."
Giuseppe crossed his legs, and turned away from the display before
him. A card with Japanese calligraphy on it rested in his closed
hand.
Nightwing ran as fast he could; the whipping of a police chopper could
be heard overhead with its search light scanning the roof tops
below. He fired a jump line and swung across to his apartment
where he saw Bridget watching television in his room. He bit his
lip and leaped away from the window. Not aware of the glance she
had cast him before he left.
Sensei held a red and blue suit in his hands, as they stood together
for the crowning of new member of their order. The blind girl
bowed before him, and accepted the suit, allowing no emotion to be
present for this honor.
"You have done more then any other," he said. "From here on in,
you shall be known as Kasumi; the whisper of death."
"I accept this honor," she said.
"Go now," he said, "and make your brothers and sisters proud."
The entire clan chanted a Japanese song of blessing as she left.
Captain Rohrbach arrived at Eastwood Estates with her firearm left in
the glove box of her squad car. She quickly found Mrs. Desmond,
Roland's mother in her room with an oxygen mask on her face.
"You came," she said.
"I did," said Rohrbach.
"That's good," she said. "Did you place the officers I told you
to."
"Yes," said Rohrbach.
"Don't worry, Captain," she said, "nothing will come to harm you, or
your children ever again."
Captain Rohrbach lowered her head.
To
be Continued... Next Issue:Time to kill (Voices Part 2) NEVERMORE:
It's been close to three long years I
believe since I have written anything for JLU 2001. It was a hard
decision for me to leave, but as I told Curt (the EIC), and Jae.
It was in the best interests of the site. At the time, some, or
most of you know I had a long feud with Dino Pollard sparked by
personal problems I had at home, and with an unrelated fan-fiction
group. Combined with creative differences, and differences in
personal life style choices. It was stupid, it was ugly, and it
damaged the community, myself, and our readers most of all. While
I don't agree most of the time with everyone's personal and creative
opinions, I was raised to respect them as they would respect me.
And, I haven't done that. But, now hopefully all of that mess is
behind us.
Now, onto the thrust of this
column. I have always been a Dick Grayson fan, and you will find
I hate, despise, and loath the Devin Grayson run. Along with all
the runs following it. I felt Chuck Dixon created a thriving
atmosphere for Dick that set him apart from Batman. Thankfully
JLU is not burdened by DC editorial edict, which most of the time is
inane.
From here on in I will be
writing Nightwing the way I view him, and that is his own man.
Not Batman junior, or Batman-lite. Which means I will be fazing
out the nightarangs next issue, and he will go back to the bat shaped
shurikens called wingdings. As for his darkening under Dino's
run, you will have to stay tuned to see whether Dick's views of
morality have completely changed or not.
I want to thank Dino for giving me
another chance, and I know after so many false starts on previous
chances; that he had given up on me. But, a part of me believes
that this time it's genuine. Because I know not only will I get
another chance, but my best friend, Curt, will be hurt by any bad
decisions I make. And besides, my mother and father taught me
better then I have been acting online, and it's time I start acting
like it. I disrespect them by acting like a fool.
I hope you join me as I continue from
where Dino left off, and here's hoping for a successful run by me.
