Chapter 50: Chapter 49
At that moment, Kara, Bruce, and the future Commissioner Gordon stood together, looking at the chaotic scene behind them on Arkham Island.
Arkham wasn't just an asylum; in fact, some people lived on the island as well.
"I have no backup here. All the special forces in Gotham have been deployed, but as you can see, everyone's down, except for me, thanks to the antidote Rachel gave me," Gordon said, his expression grim.
It made sense that, besides the three of them, no one else was left standing on the island. If Kara and Bruce hadn't arrived, Gordon would have been completely alone.
"That's why we're here," Bruce said in his characteristic husky voice, enhanced by the modulator in his suit.
Kara glanced sideways at Bruce, thinking it was interesting how he was trying to comfort Gordon. It seemed they had a strong bond.
"Do you want me to step aside so you two can have a nice heart-to-heart moment?" Kara gave them a sarcastic look. "Seriously, is this the time for a casual chat?"
This was Gordon's first encounter with this version of Oracle, and since it was Kara's debut as such, he couldn't help but feel a bit unsettled by her sharp remarks.
To prevent Kara from continuing to criticize or imagine things that weren't happening, Bruce quickly got back to the topic at hand.
"Arkham is just the beginning. A group is planning to spread the toxin throughout Gotham via the tap water and underground pipelines. They intend to use a microwave emitter from Wayne Enterprises to evaporate the water, spreading the toxin across the city."
Gordon paled at hearing the plan. "If that happens, the entire city will be destroyed."
Indeed, Ra's al Ghul and the League of Shadows were planning to destroy Gotham, killing everyone in the process. They fanatically believed the city was beyond saving and that its destruction was necessary.
Kara pursed her lips. While she also had radical tendencies, she would never harm innocent people. She believed in punishing the guilty, not the innocent.
There were too many innocent people in Gotham. That's why Kara had agreed to help Bruce; she couldn't just stand by and watch the city fall.
"How do they plan to get that emitter to Wayne Enterprises?" Gordon asked, focused on finding a solution before it was too late.
Bruce had already figured it out. "They plan to use the monorail."
Gotham had an elevated train system that connected the city to Arkham Island.
Kara slapped her forehead in realization. "Are you telling me they closed the bridge but not the monorail? Seriously?!"
And, why build a monorail when there was already a bridge?
And why a single track? Just one train going back and forth? It all seemed a bit rushed.
"I won't complain anymore… but a microwave emitter that evaporates all the water in the city? Won't that turn Gotham into a giant pressure cooker, evaporating everyone inside?"
Kara couldn't help but mutter her critique aloud.
Bruce and Gordon looked at her as if she were crazy. Was she upset that not enough people were going to die?
Bruce, used to Kara's sharp remarks, didn't bother arguing and continued with the plan. "I need your help," he said, looking at Gordon.
Gordon was surprised. How could he help?
Bruce handed him the Batmobile's keys. "My car has weapons that can destroy the monorail. I need you to get to Wayne Enterprises as fast as possible and blow up the tracks."
Gordon was stunned. Was the commissioner of police really going to destroy part of the city's infrastructure? But he understood it was a necessary evil. If the emitter reached Wayne Enterprises, it would all be over.
There wasn't enough antidote. Only four doses had been made: one for Bruce, one for Rachel, one for Gordon, and an extra in case of emergencies. If Ra's al Ghul's plan succeeded, the entire city would go mad from the fear toxin, and no one would be able to save it.
After thinking it over, Gordon took the keys with determination. "Trust me."
Bruce nodded.
Kara, never missing an opportunity to poke fun, added, "By the way, do you even know how to drive that car?"
Gordon felt a knot in his stomach. He had just seen Bruce and Kara jump over the broken bridge, and he knew he'd have to do the same to get back. And on top of that, Kara had a point: he had no idea how to drive the Batmobile.
Bruce shot Kara a look, then took Gordon over to the Batmobile and tried to reassure him. "Don't worry, it's like driving a manual."
Gordon looked at the complex console, full of buttons. You call this a manual transmission?
After a quick lesson, Gordon at least knew how to operate the basic controls and the weapon systems.
"I'm going," Gordon said decisively as he got into the Batmobile. Before leaving, he radioed for the bridge to be lowered. He didn't have the guts to jump.
Kara silently laughed. The poor guy was clearly nervous.
Bruce sighed, knowing Gordon's request wouldn't be answered. No one would dare lower the bridge while Arkham's situation was so dire.
In the end, Gordon would have to gather his courage and make the jump. Bruce trusted that he would.
Once Gordon was gone, Bruce turned to Kara.
"It's our turn now," he said firmly.
Kara cracked her knuckles, flexing her neck and shoulders. ""I was looking forward to it."
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