Chapter 103: The True Target

**Chapter 103: The True Target**

Following the events with Harley and Joker, Slade retrieved the remote and asked Harley to retreat back to the botanical gardens once she was done mourning.

She didn't reply to Slade at that time and continued to stare at the floor with tears running down her face.

Slade could only continue the mission as he had initially planned to, alone.

Following a confused Barbara's directions, he began heading for another cell block, despite the hostages being kept elsewhere. Barbara had assumed this was a rescue operation, but so far it was proving to be anything but.

Although she didn't voice it, Barbara was very uncomfortable with the direction the mission was taking.

Even before she was taken under Batman's wing, she never killed any criminals. But now, she witnessed Slade end the warden's life, while Harley ended Joker's.

One was a terrible human being, and the other was an outright monster, but still, her belief in not taking lives stood. However, considering she wasn't on stable footing with Arias, she said nothing, thinking she could voice her concerns after the operation was done.

At the end of the day, the hostages' lives mattered more than her beliefs.

Little did she know that even they were only a necessity towards the true purpose of the day.

…

It didn't take long for Slade to arrive at the one section of Arkham that hadn't yet fully lost power in its holding cells.

Cells that kept especially dangerous individuals, not only mentally unstable but physically unique and powerful, even with collars. It was in this section where juggernauts like Solomon Grundy were once kept and studied.

In rare cases, new arrivals to Arkham would be kept here until they were seen as fit or stable enough to join in the regular programs of Arkham, such as therapy.

This time around, though, the section only housed three individuals.

One was a long-time resident who thus far had never been allowed out of the section, Killer Croc. To many, he, or rather it, was too far gone and could only be kept under tight lockdown.

The other two were only here as new arrivals after their violent killing spree was stopped. They were, of course, Cheetah and Killer Frost.

Unlike Killer Croc, their holding cells weren't too far into the section and were opposite one another. The cell doors were fully metallic without any place for them to see through.

But hearing footsteps, they could both tell someone was out there. The first to shout was Killer Frost. "Is someone there!? Let me out, and I'll make it worth your while."

Thinking the person was an inmate who had wandered there, she made this daring offer in hopes he would be easily swayed to open the door.

Following her lead, Cheetah also added, "Prrr, don't forget me. This kitty is dying to be let out to play," she offered in an equally bold manner.

"Operator, open their cells." Slade communicated and stepped back with the remote in hand.

Even before the cell doors fully opened, Cheetah squeezed through and pounced out while Killer Frost slid through the opening. Both looked ready to end the life of the poor soul who fell for their trick but were surprised to see a strange figure in all black instead.

This alone didn't deter them, but when Slade waved the remote, they both took some slight steps back.

Killer Frost didn't give up, though, confident in her sexy appearance. "The offer still stands, big boy. Why don't you get these pesky collars out of the way, and we can have some fun? Wouldn't you agree, Cheetah?"

"Oh yes, this kitten just loves to play in groups…"

Their words were definitely appealing to the common man, but Slade just shrugged and shook his head. "I've seen many fetishes in my life, but none that involved a cat and a walking popsicle. Besides, I'm strictly here on business."

Slade's words put them both off, but they didn't even try to complain; he literally had their lives in the palm of his hand.

"What sort of business?" Killer Frost stopped the slutty façade and just asked plainly.

At this moment, Slade said nothing more and just threw two earpieces in their direction before saying, "You're better off hearing it from the boss himself."

Both Killer Frost and Cheetah looked a bit skeptical, but their options were very few. They quickly put on the earpieces, and a voice immediately resounded.

"It seems you're willing to hear me out, good. With your personalities, I assumed you would have attacked and gotten killed immediately after you were let out. Don't bother responding; it's one-way communication."

The voice was Arias's, but the pair found it hard to pin it to him. Rather than guess who, they just listened.

Arias started by making it crystal clear that they had no say in the matter. It wasn't a negotiation.

This caused them to frown, but they couldn't protest, so they just listened with looks of displeasure. Both Slade and Barbara had no idea what was being said as the two earpieces were connected to a separate private channel.

The longer the conversation went, the deeper the frowns of Killer Frost and Cheetah became.

"…those are my orders. Follow them to the tee, and I can guarantee you'll be free in no time, along with a lovely-looking bank account. Fail or betray me, and I'll let you experience firsthand that there are fates worse than death."

"You already tried to be my enemy once, and look at you now. Don't make the same mistake twice."

Arias's tone was authoritative and domineering as he mocked them and relayed his orders.

Afterward, the transmission ended, and Arias gave Slade a new instruction.

"Deactivate their collars and destroy the remote. The operation is done; leave the rest to them."

Slade didn't hesitate; he quickly pressed a few buttons on the remote and then crushed it under his boot, the sound of breaking circuits echoing in the dimly lit corridor.

Killer Frost and Cheetah exchanged a glance. Whatever Arias had said, it was enough to instill both fear and compliance in them. Their expressions hardened; they knew they had no other choice.

Slade turned to leave, speaking one last time. "Remember, you two are just tools right now. Do your job, and maybe you'll survive to see another day."

With that, Slade walked away, leaving Killer Frost and Cheetah standing in the cold, metallic hallway of Arkham Asylum. They had their orders, and they knew what was at stake.

As they prepared to carry out Arias's commands, a new resolve burned in their eyes. They had to survive, and they would do whatever it took to ensure they did.