Batwoman #3

The time it took to get things done caused her to make sure it was done right the first time. Being in charge left her few precious, but she that she didn't want to break it down any further than it already had been done. Her office was her solace now, but she knew that her role in Gotham City had changed. Lex Luthor walked into her office as she sat down finally. “Good evening, Mr. Luthor.”

“I was surprised that you were going to be in the office so late, Ms. Kane.” Luthor offered his hand to shake which she did shake.

“I keep pretty late hours at time, besides the Hong Kong market's are open mid-session.” Kane joked as she got up and offered him some coffee.

“No thank you, I don't think I'll be staying too long.”

“I was surprised to get your call, Lex, I thought we were at war.” Kane looked at him.

“We are, but I wanted to extend my hand as you make the transition with you acquisition of Wayne Enterprises.”

“Not needed, Lex, but I thank you.”

“Peace will come when I own all sectors of the financial sectors, Kate, so it might be good to talk about a...”

Kane cut him off as she knew what he was going to say. “No, I will never allow that to happen.”

“Bruce Wayne couldn't stop me so what makes you think you can?”

“Bruce Wayne is dead and you've been trying to take over Kane Industries for quite awhile as well.”

“I have to admit that your father and you a formidable foe.”

“Well, this is a change for you isn't it Mr. Luthor?” Kane raised an eyebrow in surprise.

“I've learned to watch my prey closely.” He stood up and nodded. “Since nothing is going to come from these talks tonight I will take my leave.”

“Well since you're leaving so early, I guess I won't be able to tell you about my proposal.”

Luthor curled a smile as he nodded. “Well you're finally making some sense, Kate.”

Kane nodded with a smile as she sat back. “I think we should make an alliance, instead of going to war.”

“War isn't for cowards.” Luthor his fingers as his fingers formed a steeple.

“True, but neither one of us is a coward.”

“Maybe, but I will agree to your proposal. I find it to be intriguing.”

“Good, because I wanted to make sure you're not going to betray me.” Kane warned him openly.

“If I turn my back on our deal, Kate, I will say it to your face.”

She nodded in acknowledgment. “Well, let's hammer the deal out over lunch tomorrow?”

“Dinner.”

“Dinner.” Kane nodded.

“Fine, Kate, have a good night then.” Luthor stood up and walked to the door.

“You too.” Luthor left her office and she sat back in her chair and pondered the nights events and something her father had always told her... Keep your friends close and your enemies closer.

Talia waited until Shiva and her guards showed up. It was nearly 2 AM when she saw Shiva and her group finally show-up. “Why are we here?” Shiva looked at Talia as her ninja surrounded her.

“This is the reason we want to control Gotham City.” Talia pointed to her guardsman that held the body of a slain ninja.

“He was killed yesterday.” Shiva raised an eyebrow.

“Follow me.” Talia pointed to a pit of boiling green liquid that was deep inside a cave where a two sides of the cave opened up that formed a small bowl like reservoir.

“What is that?” Shiva shook her head.

“This is the Lazarus Pit.” She nodded as the ninja was slide into the pit and both women watched as there was nothing at first and then an explosion of noise.

“Arrgh!!!” The dead ninja lunged from the pit alive and shaking violently. Talia nodded as she looked at Shiva and then shad the ninja soldier back as she awaited Shiva's

“I don't understand how this is possible.” Shiva shook her head.

“This pit has mystical energy and can restore a body that's been dead for less than a year...” Talia looked at Shiva's eyebrows as they lifted in surprise.

“This is the reason you want to destroy Gotham City...” It dawned on her finally. “You mean to bring back your father don't you?”

“Yes, and nothing should stand in the way.”

“This is NOT what we agreed to, Talia!” Lady Shiva's tone had become more serious.

“I know what we agreed to, Shiva, but my mission is much more important to complete.” The ninja that had accompanied Shiva had surrounded her and both women turned around when they heard a commanding tone.

“Enough with this fighting.” Ra's al Ghul appeared from the shadows. “You've both done well and are to be commended.”

Talia bowed before her father as Shiva looked at Talia and then back Ra's al Ghul. “What is going on?!”

“Very simple, Shiva.” Ra's lifted his hand as he waited for Shiva to bow herself which she did. The both women waited for Ra's to speak again. “I have been brought back from the grave to level Gotham to cinder and ashes.”

Shiva nodded. “Yes, Master, but how are you back from the dead?”

“The energies of the human spirit and mind can be channeled by the mystical powers of the Lazarus Pits. I used their energies as a insurance policy if anything had stopped me from accomplishing my mission.” He merely smiled. “I have returned from the dead to destroy this city forever."

Batwoman stood on the roof of Police Headquarters in a few minutes that Gordon had lit the signal. She had taken the Batwing that hovered over the building at low altitude. Why swinging down from the retractable ladder she jumped down and looked at Gordon. “I came as soon as I could.”

“Bullock called from the docks. He said he had the information we wanted.”

“I figured he would squeal if they squeezed him out their racket.”

“How did you know that?” Gordon raised an eyebrow. “Nevermind. We need to get to the docks right away.”

“On my way.” She got back up the ladder quickly. “Let me know if there's anything I need to know.”

“How?!” Gordon screamed at her.

Just before she climbed back into the Batwing she tossed him a cellphone like device. “Call me.”

“Right.” He said sarcastically. Batwoman closed the hatch and the hovering jets disengaged as the wing flew off at supersonic speeds to the Docks which were a few miles away towards the harbour.

Ra's was moving his people quickly to a ship docked at the harbour. Having been tipped off by Talia that Shiva had betrayed them to Harvey Bullock. Ra's had decided move quickly... He did not want to take any chances. “We need to hurry, the police will be here soon.”

“Master look up there!” Ra's looked up and saw the Batwing rocket into the harbour.

“Our mission cannot be stopped by her.” Ra's merely said. “Prepare the deck guns.”

Two soldier ninja mounted a pair of machine guns to the deck of the ship that was getting ready to take them out of the harbour and they took aim at the Batwing and fired multiple rounds at it. The bullets were whipping past the plated armour of the airship and the glass was bulletproof. Batwoman steered the Batwing into a super dive as her harness around her shoulders held her snugly in as the Batwing dove into the water... a huge splash followed.

“Where did she go?!” Ra's looked alarmed.

“I think we took her down, Master.”

“No you fool. She took her airship into the harbour... but why!?” Suddenly there was a rocking of an explosion that rocked the ship they were on. “She's attacking us from below!” As he realized that ship was both air and sea capable.

“Master, Lady Shiva and her soldiers are approaching.” Ra's' men pointed to the docks as the police pointed to the other side.
“We cannot be stopped now. Not now!” Ra's al Ghul looked at his daughter Talia “We need to implement our back-up plan. Is he ready?”

“I believe he is, My lord father.” She nodded.

Shiva's soldier's had pulled out their guns and started to fire at the police squad cars that started to show up. Al Ghul's ship had started to sink from the explosion beneath her bow. “We need to hurry!” Talia screamed at their soldiers. Talia was about to say something else when she felt a boot kick her squarely into the back. Batwoman had appeared from the Batwing... she had swam up from the submerged Batwing and swung over the bow. Talia stumbled down and felt her cheek cut open by gash hitting her face against the deck.

“Whatever your plans were they end tonight!” Batwoman called back to Ra's al Ghul as the Demon's Head turned around and faced her for the first time.

“I don't know who you are child, but you've picked the wrong time to interfere in my plans.”

“I am the guardian of Gotham.” Talia had gotten up and took out her sword and took a swing for Batwoman's head, but Batwoman had heard her in time as she did a backflip away and landed behind her. She took a defencive posture as she waited for Talia or Ra's attach next.

“We don't have time for this!” Ra's commanded as he pointed to his soldiers to dive into the water. “When I return, child, you will pay for your interference.” He dove into the harbour below as Talia gritted her teeth as she saw Lady Shiva getting taken over by the Gotham Police force.

“I don't know who you are, Batwoman, but this is not over.”

“It's over for today.” Batwoman tried to keep her from diving over the side of the bow but she disappeared below into the murky water.

The cops arrested Lady Shiva and Bullock. Batwoman pressed a button on her utility belt and she felt the ship beneath her rumble for a moment and the Batwing appeared from the murky waters and floated up into the sky. “I think I know where they went, Commissioner.” Batwoman called over the the comm link to Gordon.

“Go after them then!” Gordon responded as he saw the Batwing fire it's jet engines and fly off into the night. “I got to get me one of those...” He said in awe.

“Really, Commissioner I was under-cover! Honest!” Bullock was yelling as he was put into a squad car.

“Tell it to the judge, Bullock.” He slammed the door before the Detective could say anything and he pat the roof and the squad car took off. He held his breath for a moment as he tried to catch his thoughts for a moment. Things had happened faster than he had anticipated but he hoped she could catch them.