Predicament

  I turn back into an owl and fly to the orphanage rooftop. Looking around I see the money drop slot that is used by the vigilantes when they take money from crooks in the area. I return to my natural form and think a bit, then I find something to wedge the slot door open and shift down to the smallest size I have tried yet. Though it's comparable to the hummingbird I used in my fight against Faust. A small green gecko, their feet are super useful for this break in. Only thing I didn't count on was how fucking cold it was at night in Gotham. 

  I quickly scampered down the shoot and poked my head into the office to make sure it was clear. Unfortunately, there was someone still present, they were going through the file cabinet at the moment. I watched as the guy took three files out of the cabinet and placed them on the desk. When they turned to the computer it had gone to a screen saver and the operator cussed the computer for having to type in the password. I watched and laughed at the password he typed in. 

  After typing for about 5 minutes, he reached out and picked up the phone and said, "The kids you wanted will be ready for pickup at 3am like you asked. They will have all their files on them, there are no backups on the computers." As soon as he was done, he hung up. He rubbed his hand across his face and said, "Lord help me if I'm wrong!" He then got up after closing to his screen saver and left the office. 

  I gave him about 15 minutes to remember anything he forgot and then I changed shape and opened the window. Devilgirl slipped through the window before I made it back to the desk to look at the files he pulled from the cabinet. 

  Devilgirl, "Should only take about 5 minutes to crack the password on this, what did you find there?" 

  Logan, "Try [My redhead librarian is too sexy!!!] and these are files for three kids he pulled out of the filing cabinets." 

  I ignored the blush on Devilgirls cheeks as she typed in the password. 

  Logan, "I overheard him on the phone talking about someone picking up the kids at 3am, that alone is suspicious. But combined with the notes in these files, it is downright dangerous. Jenny here has made paper so hard that it will cut glass smooth. Billy has made food rot with a touch. Chris can apparently change rubber into any shape he wants without heat. These children are most likely carrying the meta gene, sometimes called mutants." 

  Devilgirl, "I have no record of them being here at the orphanage in the computer files. Those paper copies are all the proof that they are alive." 

  Logan, "Look under the recent deleted file, people often forget they need to empty their trash bin." 

  Devilgirl, "Good call, they are there. I will copy the files in case we need it for later." 

  Logan, "Do me a favor and search for the name William Stryker on the internet, probably a high-ranking military officer if he is there." 

  Devilgirl, "I am not finding anything on that name." 

  Logan, "Well that's hopeful at least. It is a bogyman name I heard that likes to experiment on kids with the meta gene." 

  After thinking for a bit, I ask. "I am not sure where we stand legally on this one. If these kids aren't being taken without the orphanage's knowledge, is it kidnapping? I am defiantly going to monitor this pick up just because of how suspicious it seems, but if there is a legitimate agency behind this what can we do?" 

  Devilgirl, "Can't you just read their minds when they pick the kids up?"

  Logan, "Would it be ok for me to read your mind just because I think you were suspicious, jumping roof to roof in a costume?" 

  Devilgirl, "Well you connected to mine and Nightwings mind not long ago."

  Logan, "Yes I did, but that was just a surface connection not an invasion into your thoughts though. I don't read thoughts and memories lightly. It can go wrong very quickly and cause permeant damage to someone who could be completely innocent of wrongdoing. I could go in with good intentions but be wrong and damage them for life." 

  Devilgirl, "What do you think we should do then? I can't walk away without being sure the kids are safe."

  Logan, "Let me radio the watchtower and see if they have anything related or some recommendations. Let's first get out of here and get to a spot to overwatch. Its about 4 hours to 3am so we should have time to get some advice. I'll be back in 20 minutes, if anything happens before I'm back leave a message in this spot." I quickly head back to the junkyard to use the zeta tube comms to contact whoever is on watch.

  Trying to be as fast as possible I get to the gate and request to speak to whoever is on desk duty. 

  "Mister Terrific here, watchtower says you have an issue?'

I quickly explain what Devilgirl has found and our point of concern with what is going on with the children.

  Mister Terrific, "That is a tricky one. I will contact the Xavier School and do some searching on my side. I will send you a T Sphere to stay in contact with me."

The zeta tube started up and shortly after that a baseball size sphere appeared. Looking it over I just shrugged and said, "Hope you can keep up."

I went back to where I left Devilgirl and told her about Mr. Terrific looking into it from the watchtower. She seemed more interested in the sphere than conversing with me, but it stayed just out of her reach constantly. She pouted at that.

  At 3am on the dot a black van pulled up to the orphanage and 2 individuals in suits walked to the door and entered with no hesitation. I turned to Devilgirl and said, "Do you want to tag their van for you to follow? I plan to shapeshift and follow but I can't carry you without being so big that I will be easily visible to them."

  She pulls out a small tube from her belt and points it at the van. I heard a pop of released air and then I heard a small tink come from the wheel well of the van. I assumed it was some compressed air system that shot out a tracker. 

  We both watched as the two men came out followed by the guy I saw working in the office along with 3 kids looking between 10 and 13 years in age. The T sphere sounded out with Mr. Terrific' s voice saying, "I have their scan's, I'm putting them through the database now along with the numbers on the van.

  I look at Devilgirl, "I will see you wherever they stop." Then I change into an owl and take to the air as I follow the van from above. Normal Owl's can fly for hundreds of miles so I knew I wouldn't lose them, and the night was overcast as always in Gotham so no moonlight to throw a shadow to betray my actions either. 

  They only went a few miles to a warehouse at the Miller Harbor before they entered, and I lost sight of them. I went to the roof and changed out of my owl form to start looking around. I found a skylight and could see several bunk beds set up with a good many of them filled. The 3 that just came with the van were directed to find an empty one and get some rest as they would all be leaving by ship in a few hours. 

  The T sphere that arrived with me went its own direction to do whatever Mr. Terrific wanted it to. After about 15 minutes of gathering information, I caught a smell of stale tobacco and gun oil, so I immediately dodged towards a fan unit between me and the smell, but I was too late. 

  I hear him call over his radio, "I think I saw someone up here on the roof, I am investigating."

I get ready to turn into a mouse or something when I hear metallic sounding thump next to my hiding spot. I look over and see a gun on the rooftop and then I hear, "They have a gun; I am under threat. Responding." Next thing I know I am being shot at. 

** Taking a break this weekend to pamper the wife. See you on Monday **