CHAPTER 28: "The Job..."

"You want us to do what?!?"

The outburst came from one of the large groups of assembled criminals who were sitting, standing, and listening with different levels of interest to the Riddler's plan.

"I want you," Riddler explained again with irritation, "To attack the GCPD, Major Crimes, and Blackgate penitentiary. What is so difficult about that?"

"Besides attacking literal police stations and a fortress armed with marines guarding the prisoners, no it should be a piece of cake." Another man shouted sarcastically.

A few others chimed in with their agreement with the assessment, others tried to give their two cents, and soon like with every normal criminal enterprise, everyone was arguing. Riddler could be seen deflating slightly as he tried to wrangle back control of the discussion.

Out in the back of the crowd, James leaned against the wall in his usual attire for crime, utterly bored out of his mind. The Riddler had hired him to be part of this large job he had planned but so far based on what he was hearing he wanted nothing to do with it. Robbing tech companies and beating up gangs was one thing. Attacking Gotham's police headquarters for law enforcement and Major Crimes was insanity that even the mad clown wouldn't do.

'Well, maybe the clown would,' he thought.

No one really knew what that psychopath would or wouldn't do.

Then there was the addition of attacking Blackgate Penitentiary which as mentioned has an actual platoon of U.S. marines acting as security. The place while it had been broken into, out of, and all the in-between usually required a small army or a powerful enough meta that could challenge even the Justice League.

It was all fairly insane and thus his growing disinterest and readiness to leave this gig.

"ENOUGH!" Riddler yelled with finality.

The room with its large assortment of thugs, crooks, and want-to-be super villains finally settled down.

Riddler took a deep breath both to probably gather his thoughts and gain patience from killing all these morons.

"I am not foolish to suggest you have to destroy or capture these locations but merely attack and distract them for no more than say 30 minutes, surely that is possible!"

Glaring around at the gathered he said, "30 minutes of you all causing mayhem and a guarantee of $50,000 for each of you."

At his words of the short time required and the high pay for such a straightforward job, many of the naysayers had gotten quiet. A few of the villains still looked doubtful, but the power of greed was potent enough for them to tentatively agree.

For the next hour, Riddler assigned various tasks and gave instructions on when to begin their attack. James was incredibly tempted to pull out his phone and play whatever game was on it to pass the time.

Finally with instructions given the group dispersed leaving Riddler and James seemingly alone in the room.

"Well, what do you think Krios?" Riddler asked.

James couldn't help but snort, "For one the reward is nowhere near what was promised, and even if it was, those idiots actually think it is worthwhile to attack? I mean you seriously think those guys can do any real harm? You have guys like Cluemaster, Egghead and f&%king The Cavalier... Cavalier who dresses like some sort of musketeer."

"I am not putting my neck out for what is a suicide mission," James shook his head.

The Riddler merely smiled, "Of course, you are much smarter and less greedy or desperate than these others."

He looked behind James, "As are your colleagues."

James' eyes widened as he tried to turn around only for a blade to press against his neck. The coolness of the blade caused him to shiver. A feeling of profound fear enveloped him at being snuck up on as he was.

He was not the easiest to sneak up on, training sessions with his sensei had helped hone his awareness of his surroundings. And a life of crime tended to keep most on their feet. He also had the advantage of his telekinesis which could help him detect things around him. However, it required active use which was not practical to have constantly running. It would wear him out constantly reaching out with his power feeling objects around him.

"You boy need to be aware of your surroundings." A male gravely voice said.

A feminine and husky voice teased, "Oh do be nicer to the boy, I am sure he is learning."

"Hmmm."

The blade pressed against James' neck left just as quickly as it appeared. The sound of it being sheathed gave him enough confidence to turn around to greet his new 'friends.'

Standing right next to him was a large man covered head to toe in armor. Thick metal plates covered his vital regions with highlights of black and orange coloring. At first glance there seemed to be some sort of weapon everywhere on the man. From his wrists to knives strapped across his chest, with two different swords strapped to his back and holsters filled with pistols. It looked like a tank mashed with an attack helicopter was given legs with all the weapons. And staring back at James was a solid full-head helmet, one side black with no eye hole and the other orange with a single eye examining James closely.

Everyone in the underworld knew who this was. Considered one of if not the best assassin in the world, the Terminator, The Balkan, The Professional...

"Deathstroke," James said quietly.

The assassin kept his eye on James, "Despite the boy's shortcomings he was right to question if you are wasting our time Riddler."

"Of course, of course," Riddler said dismissively, "I know well enough not to waste your time Slade."

"Or," Riddler gestured to the other new occupant, "Our beautiful lady's as well."

James glanced at the whom Riddler was addressing and the owner of the earlier sultry voice he heard and nearly lost his breath.

It had been a while since James felt anything for the opposite sex, his training, school, work, and frankly mental state meant he missed out much on the pleasures of being attracted to women. But standing in front of him was what he assumed for a second must be a swimsuit model or goddess. Red hair that went past her shoulders, light skin with a hint of a green tinge, full lips with sharp facial features, and gorgeous green eyes that promised mischief. Right there and then... James was feeling a little funny.

What helped snap him out of his gaze was that he recognized her. Twirling a small vine between her fingers only reinforced it. Poison Ivy, known terrorist and one of Gotham's deadliest criminals. This was a woman who had killed who knows how many dozens and nearly wiped out Gotham a few times.

Noticing him staring at her, she returned the look and gave a mischievous smile making him blush under his mask.

'Pull it together idiot, it's just a pretty woman... a very pretty, attractive, sexy... woman.'

"Ahhhh," she purred sensing James' discomfort, "He is so cute, why can't you be more like him Slade?"

To that, Deathstroke just growled before placing his full attention on the Riddler. Ivy likewise did so, interested in the earlier question directed to Riddler.

"Well, with all three of you here we can finally discuss the real plan."

Taking out a small black box that James was familiar with he placed it in front of the three.

"Krios has already done the leg work to place a few of these lovely devices around City Hall. I can only tell you how annoyed he was that I refused to tell him what exactly they were, except to reassure him they were not bombs." he laughed lightly.

"The devices you placed are an invention of mine I have been working on for years. It all started as a riddle..."

"Don't start!" Deathstroke and James said together. They both glanced at each other, and while James felt embarrassed he was sure Deathstroke was just annoyed.

Riddler huffed, "Oh very well."

"The devices are essentially wireless data downloaders. Their basic function is to mimic a building network in order to access the digital files that are on the computers, cloud, and basically anything that is connected."

"How is this able to penetrate firewalls and security to do this?" Deathstroke asked skeptically.

Riddler smiled, "That is the genius of the device, as I said it mimics the network within a certain range. The firewall thinks you are the network allowing it to download data."

"But what good are these files you are getting from City Hall? Ivy asked, "It is not like there are bank account numbers or military secrets you could sell."

"Ah, but that is where you are wrong my dear," Riddler's eyes gleamed, "There are bank account numbers stored in City Hall. Most are of government employees which I do not care about. What I care for is the account number, password, and authorization details of one specific entity."

Riddler picked back up the black box with a loving look, "I also designed this beauty to transmit its data directly to a transponder where I can access the data. The only problem is that once the data is stolen and begins transmitting back to me, it will be a blazing light to those with the right eyes."

The way Riddler emphasized the problem helped them know exactly what his concern was, Batman. Anyone who had been in Gotham long enough knew Batman had eyes and ears in most of Gotham's digital network. It made cybercrime a difficult prospect when the dark knight could come crashing through your window and smash your face into the computer.

"What I need is for you three to do is keep me safe from Batman while I acquire my data, in exchange for a few hours of work I will pay you each $2 million."

James was shocked, he was going to do a job in the millions. He thought with how the job was made to sound it would be a few hundred thousand, but millions?!? This was a much greater opportunity than he could imagine. Not only would it cover his expenses for Freeze's research, and Crystal's medical bills, but it would secure him enough financial freedom to stop doing jobs for quite a while.

For Ivy and Deathstroke though, these were low standard rates for acquiring their services. They were used to this level of wealth.

Ivy stared at Riddler suspiciously, "For a simple protection job the price is fine if a little much for what you want, what is the angle?"

"No angle," Riddler reassured, "I just want to incentivize you properly. And trust me when I say if the job goes well I will have more than enough to compensate you all."

"There better not be, or else..." Deathstroke threatened.

Nodding to Ivy and merely glancing at James he made his way out, as he left he said, "Contact me with the date and location you need me at Riddler."

Ivy stretched herself like a cat and yawned, "My beauties need me to start watering them, I will see you later."

With a sway of her hips and a battering of her eyes towards James, she was able to elicit another blush from the young man.

She walked out with a smirk.

"Well, it seems those two are on board, what about you Krios?" Riddler asked.

James merely nodded, as he began to make his way out, but stopped.

"Whose bank account are you trying to steal Riddler?"

Riddler grinned, "Why one of the richest bank accounts in the city, Gotham's city fund itself!"