Chapter 169: A Diabolical Mind Part 3

Batman frowned internally due to the many new factors Arias had presented at that very moment. His initial plan was based on the assumption that they'd only be searching the compound built into the mountainside. Even if the compound had underground tunnels or bunkers, they were prepared. But this was different—it was a military-grade structure, the kind one would expect from the world's best militaries.

Immediately, the plan had to change. On the surface, Batman remained composed, nodding toward Arias before turning to Martian Manhunter. "Do it."

In the next moment, the entire group found they could communicate telepathically via Martian Manhunter's power.

"We'll maintain radio silence to avoid our frequency being interrupted or detected. We can communicate like this instead," Batman quickly explained.

Some members of the League were already aware of this ability, while others weren't. Still, no one seemed the least bit surprised—not even Arias or Harley, though the latter commented, "Gee, this sure is freaky. It's like one of those... whatcha call it? Those thingies for the mind?"

"Focus, Harley," Arias interrupted, causing Harley to remain silent as Batman continued.

"Did you get a map of the layout inside?" Batman asked Arias.

Arias shook his head. "No, that guard was only ever posted on exterior positions."

This wasn't the answer Batman was hoping for, so he fell silent for a few seconds, trying to quickly formulate a plan. Given how quickly this new information had been introduced, they didn't have time to create a solid plan. He opted for one he felt had the highest likelihood of success.

"Okay, we'll split into three teams. One will attack the compound on the side of the mountain, as initially planned, drawing their forces there, while the other two will investigate the underground infrastructure."

Batman then assigned positions. "Superman, Hawkman, Hawkgirl, Green Lantern, and Dr. Fate will attack the surface structure. Since you all can fly, it'll be easier to retreat if anything goes wrong up there."

The logic was sound, and none of the assigned members objected. Batman continued, "As for the two ground teams, Team 1 will consist of me, Green Arrow, Arias, Harley, and Black Canary. Our primary objective is to capture and restrain individuals inside—quietly, if possible."

"Team 2 will have Flash and Martian Manhunter. J'onn can phase through the place, moving independently to maintain the telepathic connection, while Flash can quickly search through rooms to rescue captive children if any are found."

The distribution, though uneven, was suited to the scenario, with each person placed according to their unique abilities. Seeing no objections, Batman nodded and gestured for everyone to begin. "Let's go."

Superman and his team immediately took to the skies, while the ground teams moved into the interior. 

Inside, the compound had metallic floors and walls, making it hard to believe they were inside a mountain range. But no one's attention lingered on this detail—they had a mission to complete. Flash quickly zoomed away, while Martian Manhunter phased through the ceiling.

In the next moment, **Boom!** The entire structure quaked. Batman's team, left in a lone pathway, realized that Superman and the others had started their attack.

"Ouu, looks like the fun started. Can't be caught lagging behind. Harley's going for the kill streak," Harley proclaimed proudly, bringing out her bat and tapping it against her palm with a sinister smile.

"No killing," Green Arrow reminded, but Harley brushed off his words.

"You ain't the boss of me. Besides, Mr. M said I could bash heads in, so... neh neh neh neh, hehe," Harley cackled, a worrisome sound, before rushing off in a random direction.

Green Arrow looked at Batman with frustration, but Batman ignored his gaze. "Let's go."

Since everything was being said telepathically, Green Arrow wasn't the only one concerned about Harley's bold statement, but Batman seemed to have it under control, so no one brought it up.

The teams moved quickly. On the surface, it was a one-sided battle. Hawkman and Hawkgirl moved swiftly, circling the compound in a predatory manner, making it nearly impossible for the armed men below to get a shot off. 

Superman, meanwhile, didn't need to dodge anything. He moved rapidly, knocking out anyone he came in contact with and breaking their guns with his bare hands or laser vision. 

Green Lantern had an equally easy time, using his ring to create a large sphere around himself, which he used to navigate the ground. Though bullets caused cracks in the sphere, it didn't shatter, and Green Lantern continued to ram into the enemies, sending them flying in all directions. 

Dr. Fate simply hovered in the skies, occasionally shifting his gaze as if observing something from a higher plane of existence.

Down below, chaos reigned.

Loud alarms blared from every direction. Batman's plan for a stealthy breach into the lower infrastructure failed immediately when Harley began charging at her targets.

Having started first, Harley was in the lead in terms of people taken out. While the others moved carefully, Harley fearlessly charged forward, even as bullets flew toward her.

The two guards in the narrow hallway were shocked to see that Harley wasn't going down.

"Here's Harley!!" she yelled proudly, launching herself off the ground and using the walls to propel herself from side to side, taking advantage of the narrow hall.

!!

The closer she got, the more panicked the guards became. Soon, disaster struck.

**Click. Click.**

Their guns clicked blankly as they pulled the trigger, realizing they had emptied their clips, but Harley kept coming.

It was too late to reload, so one of them rushed toward her, yelling in a language Harley didn't understand. 

Harley skillfully dodged him, stepping on the back of his head and using him as a launchpad to propel herself toward the second guard, who was frantically trying to reload.

Seeing Harley coming, his eyes widened in terror. Knowing he couldn't dodge, he raised his gun to block her flying kick, but Harley adjusted mid-air and kicked him in the face instead.

"Ugh!" he groaned in pain as teeth flew out of his mouth, accompanied by streaks of blood.

**Bam!** His body hit the metallic ground, and he looked up at Harley with hatred—only to see her pointing her gun at him with a smile.

"That's seven!" Harley declared.

Before he could register what she meant, she pulled the trigger, and his head was shot.

This act enraged the first guard, who rushed back at Harley, but she wasn't fazed. She shot him in the leg.

"Ugh!! Y***," he screamed in his foreign tongue, but Harley, assuming it was an insult, only smiled wider. She shot him in the other leg, bringing him to his knees.

She then walked toward him slowly, dragging her already-bloody bat behind her, grinning as she shouted, "Batter up!!!"