2. A New Enemy
Dick woke up in the batcave. Looking around, he saw Bruce, Tim and Barbara standing in front of the bat computer. 'How're you feeling?' said Batman without turning around. Tim and Barbara immediately went to his side and gave him a hug.
'Could be better', he said as he hugged them back. The three of them then joined Bruce who was still working on the computer. The man then replayed the footage from a street cam beginning with the explosion. They observed the fight between Nightwing and the man and watched with curiosity as he pulled out a sword from the thing on his back. 'Alien tech?' asked Tim.
'Could be', responded Batman. 'He also has proper training but not military'.
'You think League of Assassins?' asked Barbara.
'Unlikely. The League haven't made a move since Ra's death. It would take years before he gets back to his former self. Also, it's not their MO. The League always work in groups. This man, however, was working alone'.
They focused on the monitor once again and watched the man shoot Dick. They then watched him aim the gun at their friend's head putting it down and walking towards the armored car. Everything else went rather quickly after that. The man knocked out the cops before opening the armored car. He was quickly thrown out by the large man hiding inside. Marcus, a low level metahuman gangbanger who worked for Penguin, towered over their criminal. However, even with his size, the man was easily subdued and brought crashing to the ground. Then, the man aimed the gun at Marcus' head and pulled the trigger.
'No casualties other than our eyewitness', Bruce finally said. 'Based on what we've seen so far, we can say he's a professional. Possibly a rogue from the League of Assassin. Dick, did he say anything when you fought him'.
Dick nodded. 'Yeah, I asked who he was and he said he was a monkey proving a point'.
Bruce nodded at that. 'Very well'. Bruce then gave them their orders. A new enemy had just appeared in front of them. It's time to show him just how much of a mistake it was to step foot into Gotham.
---
With everyone gone for the night, Bruce said his goodnight and continued his work on the Bat computer. He studiesd the way the man moved. Not the usual fighting techniques used by the League. Agressive but still versatile, he typed in his report as we watched him face off against Nightwing. Specialized in fighting against stronger opponents. That's why he had an easier time dealing with Marcus.
He then watched the man pull out the gun. Luger P08. Used in World War 2. Mostly by low ranked Nazi officials. He adds the odd detail to document. It would also be something he'd have to check when he goes on the streets.
'A monkey proving a point', he remembers Dick saying. He then writes one final thing. Enemy is an experienced assassin. Footage reveals he is well versed in fighting metahumans and has hatred for them. Superpowered members of the League should be warry. Bruce then looked at the footage and watched the man grin before finally ending Marcus.
---
It's been months since Toji woke up to this new world. He's learned a lot since then, about the superheroes who fly over the world and the vile things that occur in very depths of the city. He's also managed to make a name for himself. Ever since that job he did for the Penguin went public, other 'opportunities' began popping up here and there. And most of them, somehow always relate to the Batman and his crew. Most of it was just bodyguard duty, with Toji making sure his employers manage to escape before the Bat family catches them. However, there are some special occasions when I gets asked to eliminate a metahuman. Those jobs, he enjoy the most. And so, after some time, the media gave him a name, the Meta Killer.
Other than that, he's also managed to find himself a good place to hide. The city has a wide intricate sewer system which is good when you're trying to hide. The problem is, everyone knows that. Toji had to break a few bones before he managed to secure a proper base of operations. A few scoundrels were happy enough to sell him some stolen goods, some couch, a bed, a small fridge, a TV, and a computer to help him with his work. Toji had to do some things to improve the place since it was still the sewers. The smell was still pretty unbearable so he had to spend some money to set up an air filtration system that he was happy with. Add in a defensive system and it was basically the mercenary's perfect home.
Some of his customers also get a bit too clingy after he completes his contracts. Some try to throw money while asking him to stay and work for them instead. Some goes straight to threatening him. That never ends well for them, eventually, learning their lesson after a few broken bones.
He doesn't like killing people though. Too much hassle, especially now that he has heroes watching the skies. And after his last mission dealing with that Riko girl, hurting helpless people left a bad taste in his mouth.
A loud ping suddenly comes from the computer. Toji sighs and looks at the details on the contract.The mercenary reads through it and smiles after reading the name. Louis Lane.