8 A New Player On The Board

(Nathan POV)

Standing here, I realize that my actions with the corrupt cops may have been a bit extreme, but I find it hard to understand why my impulsive actions are so pronounced. Is it a lack of someone to talk to? 

I vaguely recall a couple of good friends from my past life that I could talk to. Those were good times, as going to work every day just to do the same thing over and over again seemed much more appealing.

As of now, I stand here with a sword to my neck and definitely two snipers taking aim at my head and chest based on the dots in those areas. 

Looking at Ra's Al Ghul, whose voice actually reminds me of his voice from the Arkham games, stares right back at me. Our will's clash in a visual exchange as I hold his daughter by the neck and a sword aimed at her gut.

Looking at all the other ninjas, I immediately decided which template to use for my third one, and as I assimilated Alex Mercer, I felt the innate change in my being as I could begin to feel every part of my body as the Blacklight Virus tried to consume my mind and soul but with involate and my own will I beat it back. 

I am not Alex Mercer or, in his case, an embodiment of the virus made human; I am something more. Or I will try to become something more. 

The process barely lasted a couple of seconds, yet it felt like days as the burning sensation within me settled as I said, "It depends on what you offer. I may be young, but I am not stupid. You could have killed me whenever you wanted, yet you waited. This was some form of test or trial but for what I leave to your discretion."

The man's eyes remained stoic as he replied, "That is a very arrogant statement as we could be simply trying to silence a witness as the one thing we do not want is a calm Gotham. The coming war between Gotham's gangs due to the clown's incarceration would present a great opportunity, but now, what do we do with you?"

Talia had been staring at me this whole time as I continued, "So what is this some form of hazing for your ninjas then? No, you have been watching me. I could feel it. But I assumed it was the Batman and not you. So, to put the question you asked in reverse, what are you going to do next?"

The standoff continues as Talia pushes the blade further. Blood begins to fall from my neck, and the other ninjas take out their katanas and point them at me. 

Someone had to give as I assumed the cop car going into Gotham Bay would get some attention soon enough, and deciding to end this, I took the sword and let go of Talia as she then jumped back with the other ninjas sheathing their blades.

"I knew you would see reason. But now, another choice: you have killed two of Gotham's finest, and Batman will want you behind bars regardless of the act being in self-defense. But I offer you an alternative, Young Rockwood. Join the League of Shadows and help us save the world from the shadows, or we leave you here to your fate, and your potential will be wasted." He then takes out a detonator and holds it in his right hand.

"And to make a choice easier, I have placed bombs within all of Gotham's schools. If you do not join us, all of them will go up in flames, and while there may not be many in those schools, the hostages we took will die. Now you have ten seconds."

This was drastic and ridiculous. What made him go so far? The possibilities were endless as to his reasoning, or he was just insane, which, after his many Lazarus Pit dips, would make sense. I then made the only choice: I took the blade and bent the knee as I handed it back to him.

He smiled in victory as he took the blade from me and said, "Good choice, Mr. Roockwood. Now we depart. Daughter, prepare our new recruit." 

She then nodded as she cuffed me, and a bag was put over my head as my sight was taken from me. I was injected with a sedative, which did nothing but use my very limited bodily control from Mercer and Loid's spy experience I am able to imitate being knocked out as I let myself go limp and slow down my heartbeat and breathing.

I was then hefted by one of the ninjas, and they began to load me into one of the few trucks they had near the location and drive to what I assume is an airfield outside the city. As they then pick me up again and, enter a plane, and then it takes off, I wonder what this decision will cost me in the future.

(Ra's Al Ghul POV)

Sitting down in my seat, my daughter sits down opposite me with Ubu flying the plane while keeping an eye on the men carrying the boy on the other end of the plane. After a few minutes of silence, Talia, ever curious, asks, "Father, I am not one to question your judgment, but why this child? While his martial ability is impressive, there does not seem to be anything special about him?"

Nodding my head, I answer, "You would be right, daughter, as everything relating to him seems completely normal, if not a bit on the worse side for an orphan, but you have only looked skin deep. Pay attention to his features and see if he reminds you of anyone. Focus on possibility and not just battle and scheming."

I can then see Talia go over what the boy looked like and how he fought, and her eyes widen as I say, "What you are thinking of maybe one possibility, but it definitely does show why I made this choice: if the Bat wants to find him he would have added him to his Crusade or kept him under close watch in one of those open door policies they call prisons. No, I shall make use of him and then be rid of him when his usefulness comes to an end." 

Talia nods in obedience as she then asks, "What of the Bat then you sought to test him as a viable successor?" I then started out the window of the plane as I watched the skyline of Gotham fade into the distance.

"The Bat has already been tested and found lacking. He believes he can end crime in Gotham yet allows men like the Joker, the penguin, the Riddler, and Scarecrow to thrive under a corrupt system he seems to do nothing about. This is a crusade to him, and like all crusades, they only focus on one aspect of an issue. While the Bat spends time beating up the criminals in Gotham, his efforts to end crime and other methods are stalled or useless. While his mind and will are strong, his resolve and willingness to commit dirty acts for the greater good are lacking. While Batman is effective, Bruce Wayne never left that alley when his parents died, and that is what holds him back." I sigh at lost potential as Ubu speaks over the PA.

"Master, we shall arrive in the Himalayas in fifteen hours. There seems to be a storm in our path, which may make the journey a bit longer." He then goes silent as Talia groans in annoyance, and I chuckle at her impatience.

"I would advise you to head back to our new recruit and learn of his various traits. Make a profile on him; I must speak to my "colleagues" about this development. Try to get along, as I would rather this journey be bloodless."

My daughter then bowed and headed to the back end of the plane as I activated my audio scrambler, as one can never be too sure of a conversation's privacy these days. It makes me miss the days when carrier birds were the fastest way to send messages. And so I dim the lights, and multiple screens appear before me.

Multiple viasages then appear before me, covered in a white light, and as everyone arrives, L-1 speaks first, "We greet each other in the Light, but it seems that L-2 has found a new player for the board. But I must ask the point of your ventures in Gotham."

"It is simple. I have learned so much already that if I were to leave him by himself, he may present a threat to our plans. Now we may turn him to the Light's cause, and from what I have seen, he will be a valued asset." I can hear the disbelief as L-4 speaks.

"He cannot be that valuable. We have seen a man fly and catch planes with naught but his own strength. What makes this child different L-2?" The lack of knowledge makes me smile.

"Well, for one thing, he was entirely willing to see his captors die for his own safety, and while this may seem like an ordinary response, the car he escaped from had no discernable signs of struggle other than bulletholes in the shattered windows. But the fact that he could dodge bullets so close shows a degree of physical skill few have access to. Also, another thing is how he fought my daughter."

"And what made this bout so special, L-2? We have seen the competence of Gothams's police, and they could not hit the broadside of a skyscraper without you carrying the bullet to it. So stop wasting time, L-2." L-3 asks as I shake my head in mirth.

"Well, as he fought my daughter, he copied her entire style in seconds as years of martial training were learned in mere moments. And he was improving at such a rapid rate that if I did not get involved, he may have killed her, and he was fully willing to do so. So either my training is insufficient, or he is beyond ordinary, even though his profile shows nothing of the sort. So, anything to add L-1?"

The question left the group stunned as I heard garbled laughter from L-7 as he said, "Well, it seems a new player has joined the game. I want to meet this new addition soon, L-2, as I can already feel that this will be amazing." His laughter continues as I somewhat worry for the new recruit, as L-7 is a rather eccentric being.

"Other than L-2's new addition, has there been progress on other fronts?" L-1 asks as I add, "Yes, my investigation of the Court has made some progress, but they have managed to elude me for now. I will find them as their presence will lead to complications for the Light."

"Do you require assistance L-2? If the documents we have found prove to be true, this organization has existed since my time and maybe even before. They are not to trifled with." L-1 asks.

I shake my head as I answer, "That will not be necessary. While the organization is powerful and widespread, so is mine, and while they may have their own assets, I have my own fangs and knives in the dark. They shall be taken care of soon."

"Alright then, L-3, how are your efforts in analyzing the samples for project Kr?" I could feel L-3's frustration as he said, "I have made progress, but it is slow as "his" species is highly advanced, and their DNA is rather complex even for me as even now I have yet to find a combining agent to stabilize a proper DNA strand."

"Keep trying. It's not as if you lack the resources. But make sure to keep Dr. Desmond focused, as his reckless ambitions are not a goal of the Light. For now, though, this meeting is adjourned; keep succeeding, and all shall fall to the Light." The screens then deactivate, and I wonder how my new pawn shall change the board or if he is even willing to play.

Looking at the cameras I have in the holding area, I see all my men staring at him. It seems he has woken up early, and I wonder how this shall go. I have not felt this much interest in a while since the Great Fire in London.