4. Fallen operator

The mission to the United States had been unlike any other for Nøkk. Boarding the plane had been a rare moment where her true identity, under the alias Sága Fyor, was exposed. Her short black hair and piercing yellow eyes marked her as a woman of formidable presence, despite her young age falsely documented as 21. As the hours passed in transit, she remained focused on the task ahead—retrieve the fallen operator and infiltrate the U.S. servers.

(She lookes like Velmet from Jormungand->)

The challenges awaiting her weren't solely from governmental security but also from the infamous vigilantes known as the Justice League, whose presence in the U.S. posed unpredictable threats.

Planning and cautious maneuvers through customs, Nøkk set out to uncover the fate of the fallen operator. It took her a week of covert surveillance and subtle inquiries to trace the operator's last known whereabouts.

The night draped Gotham City in a shroud of darkness, where the towering skyscrapers cast long shadows and whispered secrets echoed through deserted alleyways. Nøkk, concealed in the cover of darkness, observed the vigilante duo of Batman and Robin as they confronted a group of armed criminals.

Batman's presence was a force of nature, his cape billowing behind him as he moved with silent determination. Robin, his young companion, leaped into action beside him, agile and quick-witted, their teamwork a testament to their years of training and experience.

Amidst the chaos of the confrontation, Nøkk's sharp senses caught fragments of their conversation:

Robin, his voice filled with youthful enthusiasm despite the gravity of their situation, asked, "Batman, what about the operator from Spider Eye we reprimanded? Do you think they'll show up?"

Batman paused in his methodical dismantling of the thugs, his piercing gaze turning sharply towards Robin. His expression beneath the cowl was unreadable, a mixture of concern and reprimand.

"I told you not to talk about sensitive matters in the open, Robin," Batman replied, his voice low yet carrying a firm edge of admonition.

Robin's youthful demeanor faltered for a moment, realization dawning upon him as he glanced around cautiously. He met Batman's stern gaze with a sheepish expression, his blue eyes reflecting a mixture of apology and determination.

"I... I just thought they might already be nearby," Robin explained earnestly, his voice lowering to a whisper. "Considering how skilled they are."

Batman regarded his young protege silently for a moment, the weight of unspoken understanding passing between them. He knew that Spider Eye's operatives operated in the shadows, their missions veiled in secrecy and precision.

Nøkk, listening intently from her vantage point in the darkness, pieced together the puzzle with newfound clarity. The slip-up from Robin inadvertently confirmed her suspicions—the fallen operator from Spider Eye, reprimanded and in custody, must be held within Gotham Central.

Determined to gather more information, Nøkk silently navigated through the labyrinthine streets of Gotham. As she approached a secluded alleyway, she heard voices—a pair of Gotham City Police officers discussing recent developments.

"Did you hear about that guy they brought in?" one officer asked, his voice low but audible in the quiet night.

"Yeah, word is they got caught snooping around Wayne Enterprises," the other replied. "Supposedly gathering intel on some high-tech project. They've got them locked up tight in Gotham Central."

Nøkk's heart raced as she absorbed the conversation, the pieces of the puzzle falling into place. Wayne Enterprises—the connection to Bruce Wayne and the technology rumored to be at its heart. This was more than she had anticipated, but also more dangerous.

She retreated further into the shadows, her mind racing with the implications of what she had heard. This fallen operator held crucial information that could turn the tide in Spider Eye's clandestine operations.

With newfound determination, Nøkk continued her reconnaissance, mapping out her next moves with meticulous precision. The night was far from over, and Gotham City held secrets that only the shadows could reveal.

---

Later that night, back in her safe house on the outskirts of Gotham, Nøkk initiated a secure communication with Spider Eye headquarters. The encrypted line crackled to life, and a voice spoke in hushed tones from the other end.

"Nøkk, report," the voice commanded.

"The fallen operator is indeed held at Gotham Central," Nøkk replied crisply, her voice betraying none of the exhaustion that weighed upon her. "They were apprehended while gathering intelligence on Wayne Enterprises."

There was a brief pause on the line, the sound of muffled voices discussing her report. Finally, the voice returned, firm and decisive.

"Terminate the operator," came the order from Spider Eye. "Ensure no trace remains."

Nøkk's jaw clenched imperceptibly, but she simply nodded in acknowledgment. "Understood."

The connection terminated abruptly, leaving Nøkk alone in the dimly lit room. She knew the implications of Spider Eye's orders—they were ruthless, driven solely by the mission's objectives. Yet, a flicker of conflict crossed her mind, a brief moment of hesitation before she pushed it aside.

Her loyalty was to Spider Eye, to the mission. Emotions were a luxury she couldn't afford.

With grim determination, Nøkk prepared herself mentally for the task ahead. Tomorrow night, she would venture once more into Gotham Central, not as a seeker of information, but as an instrument of Spider Eye's will.

(End of a chapter)