10. Detective

In the heart of Gotham, Bruce Wayne stood in the Batcave, his eyes fixed on the multiple screens that surrounded him. Each screen displayed a different camera feed from Wayne Manor. Despite his efforts to keep his dual identity a secret, Bruce had always known that the manor's security could never be too tight.

Alfred Pennyworth, his trusted butler and confidant, entered the cave carrying a tray with a cup of tea. "Master Wayne, you look troubled. Is something amiss?"

Bruce didn't take his eyes off the screens. "Something's off, Alfred. The manor's security system recorded some unusual activity last night."

Alfred set the tray down gently. "Unusual? How so?"

Bruce rewound one of the recordings and pointed to the screen. "Watch this."

Alfred leaned in, observing as the footage played. The video showed the library, appearing normal at first, but then a section of the wall slid open, revealing the hidden staircase to the Batcave. To an untrained eye, it would seem as if the door had opened on its own.

Alfred's eyebrows furrowed. "But there's no one there. It's as if the door opened by itself."

Bruce nodded. "That's what concerns me. Whoever did this knew exactly what they were doing. They avoided every camera, every guard, and managed to get into the Batcave without leaving a trace."

He paused the video and enhanced the image, searching for any minute detail that could provide a clue. "There's only one person I know who could pull off something like this. It was probably a Spider eye operator.."

---

Bruce sat down at the Batcomputer, tapping into the databases and surveillance networks he had access to. He pulled up a file on Nøkk. Her record was completely unknown like she didn't even exist.

"Alfred, we need to find out why she was here and what she was looking for," Bruce said, his voice steely with determination.

Alfred nodded. "Do you think she's working alone?"

Bruce considered this. "Possibly. But it's also possible she's part of a larger operation. Either way, we need to be prepared."

---

Meanwhile, in her safe house, Nøkk was deep in thought. The information she had gathered from the Batcave was crucial, but it had also put her on Batman's radar. She knew he would be investigating the breach, just as she was investigating the secrets hidden within Wayne Enterprises.

Her encrypted phone buzzed, and she answered it, recognizing Deimos's voice on the other end. Deimos was a member of the first generation of the Spider Eye project, a predecessor who had been through the same brutal training as Nøkk.

"Deimos, any updates?" she asked, her tone professional.

"I heard you got into Wayne Manor," Deimos replied, his voice a mix of admiration and concern. "Impressive, but risky. What did you find?"

"There's a hidden base beneath the manor," Nøkk said. "It's where Batman operates. I managed to extract some data, but it wasn't much. Just enough to confirm my suspicions about Bruce Wayne."

Deimos was silent for a moment, then spoke with a hint of caution. "You realize this puts you directly in Batman's sights. He's not someone to take lightly."

"I know," Nøkk said. "That's why I need to move quickly. The data I extracted hints at a connection between Wayne Enterprises and some covert operations. I need to find out more before they realize I'm onto them."

"Be careful, Nøkk," Deimos warned. "Gotham is a dangerous place, especially when you're poking around in Batman's territory. And remember, emotions are for the weak, we are but a weapons"

"Yes. I'll be in touch."

---

Back in the Batcave, Bruce continued to analyze the footage. He enhanced the infrared and ultraviolet filters, searching for any sign of Nøkk's presence. Finally, he spotted something—a faint heat signature, barely detectable, but there. It moved with purpose and precision, confirming his suspicion.

"She was here, all right," Bruce muttered to himself. "And she knew exactly what to look for."

Alfred, who had been monitoring the investigation, stepped forward. "What will you do, sir?"

Bruce leaned back in his chair, his mind racing. "I need to find her. If she's after the same thing I am, we might be able to work together. But first, I need to know more about her motives."

---

The next night, Bruce Wayne attended a charity gala hosted by Wayne Enterprises. It was an opportunity to gather information and observe potential threats without drawing attention to himself. The event was filled with Gotham's elite, all dressed in their finest.

As Bruce mingled with the guests, he kept an eye out for any sign of Nøkk. He knew she was skilled at blending in, but he had a hunch she might be here, gathering her own intel.

---

Nøkk, under her alias Saga, had indeed infiltrated the gala. She moved through the crowd with ease, her keen eyes taking in every detail. Her mission tonight was twofold: gather information and avoid detection.

She overheard snippets of conversation that hinted at deeper secrets within Wayne Enterprises. Business tycoons and politicians spoke in hushed tones, their words laden with hidden meanings.

"Did you hear about the new project Wayne Enterprises is working on? It's supposed to revolutionize the city's infrastructure."

"Yes, but there's more to it than meets the eye. I've heard whispers of a covert division handling... less public matters."

Nøkk filed away each piece of information, her mind working to connect the dots. As she made her way to the quieter corners of the gala, she felt a presence behind her. Turning casually, she found herself face-to-face with Bruce Wayne.

"Enjoying the gala?" Bruce asked, his tone friendly but his eyes sharp with curiosity.

Nøkk smiled politely. "Very much. It's a wonderful event. Mr. Wayne, correct?"

Bruce nodded, extending a hand. "Bruce Wayne. And you are?"

"Jessica Harper," she replied, shaking his hand. "I'm a journalist with Global Business Review. I'm here covering the event."

Bruce's smile was genuine, but Nøkk could sense the underlying scrutiny in his gaze. "A pleasure to meet you, Jessica. I hope you find the gala informative."

"I'm sure I will," Nøkk replied smoothly. "Wayne Enterprises always has something interesting going on."

As they conversed, Nøkk remained vigilant, aware that Bruce was likely probing for information. She kept her answers vague, steering the conversation towards safe topics.

---

After a few minutes, Bruce excused himself to mingle with other guests. Nøkk watched him go, her mind racing. She knew their paths would cross again, and next time, it might not be under such polite circumstances.

---

Back in the Batcave, Bruce reviewed the night's interactions. He replayed his conversation with "Jessica Harper," analyzing every word and gesture. His instincts told him she was hiding something, and he intended to find out what.

"Alfred," he called, "I need you to dig into our guest list from tonight. Look into anyone who might have a connection to Nøkk."

"Right away, sir," Alfred replied, already at the computer.

Bruce leaned back in his chair, deep in thought. The game of cat and mouse had begun, and both he and Nøkk were skilled players. The truth lay hidden in the shadows, and Bruce was determined to uncover it, no matter the cost.

---

In her safe house, Nøkk contacted Deimos again. "I need more information on Wayne Enterprises and their covert operations. The gala gave me some leads, but I need something concrete."

Deimos responded promptly. "I'll see what I can dig up. In the meantime, watch your back. Batman is known for his tenacity."

"I will," Nøkk replied.

As the connection ended, Nøkk prepared for her next move. The shadows of Gotham held many secrets, and she was determined to uncover them all. The mission was far from over, but with each step, she moved closer to the truth. And in the world of shadows and secrets, Nøkk was a force to be reckoned with—a silent guardian in the dark, uncovering the truths that others sought to hide.

(End of a chapter)