All New Robin - Heir to the Demon #23

Goon #1: The hell’s going on?

 

Lantern: The security shutters are closing.

 

Harley Quinn: It’s the stinking Bat! He and his freaks are here!

 

Goon #1: Are you sure?

 

Harley Quinn: Cram it. You know anyone else who would want to shut themselves in here with us?

 

Goon #2: Maybe one of the guards triggered it?

 

Harley pauses for a moment as she realises that’s actually a perfectly reasonable explanation for the shutters closing. It’s wrong, but she doesn’t know that. Clearly though she does have her doubt, that’s made obvious when she decides to quickly survey the room using the scope on her gun. I quickly duck out of sight before she can spot me making sure to draw my bo-staff just in case.

 

A couple of seconds go by without a word being spoken. Then, after about ten seconds or so, Harley speaks.

 

Harley: Hammer, Lantern stay here and guard the entrance. See anything resembling a Bat, a bird or a cop fill it with lead.

 

Hammer: On it, boss.

 

Harley Quinn: You two, take some of these explosives and head to the generator.

 

Goon #1: Cool, boss.

 

Angel: And us?

 

Harley Quinn: We go looking for whoever thought it was a smart idea to lock us in here with them.

 

They’re splitting up as I thought they would. It’ll be tougher picking them off than I first thought since they’re splitting up into pairs but it should be doable. My instincts tell me to go for the two guards here in the front entrance so I can take out the mini-gun now before it becomes a problem later, but It’s almost impossible to take one out without the other noticing. To take them out I’m going to need Selina’s help.

 

In the meantime though, Harley and her other three goons are fair game.

 

The smartest choice would be to take out the two carrying the explosives to the generator to remove the likely threat to the whole hospital. But were Bruce in my shoes I know exactly who he’d go for first. Harley.

 

Sever the head and watch body panic and flail.

 

Part of me thinks I should follow the path Bruce would likely take. From what I can tell Harley is clearly the brains of the operation so taking her out would cause confusion for the others. But the simple fact is that if her other two goons managed to plant their explosives on the generator it gives Harley’s crew something to use against us. That’s something I can’t risk.

 

As the pair walk down the right corridor towards the diagnostic imaging department, Harley and what I assume is her deputy walk left towards cardiology. This should be simple enough. Take out these two chumps quickly and dispose of their explosives then team up with Selina to take down Harley and the others.

 

Or so I thought.

 

Whilst slowly making my way back from the railing I’ve been spying on the entrance from, I hear what I think is Selina’s voice in the distance.

 

Catwoman: Harley?

 

Harley Quinn: Kitty? The heck are you doing here?

 

Catwoman: Having some fun out on the town. You’d be amazed how much you can get away with when the police and the big bad Bat are distracted. How about you?

 

The tone in Selina’s voice is…..causal….natural….I’d maybe even go so far as to say friendly. What’s she playing at?

 

Harley Quinn: Mr. J’s coming home tonight. Figured I’d throw a big welcome home party to celebrate.

 

Catwoman: I didn’t realise Arkham was releasing him…

 

Harley Quinn: Well….let’s just say I’ve got some friends on the inside who are willing to do me a favour for a favour. Nice outfit.

 

Carefully, I sneak back towards the railing I was just crouched behind to try and get a better look of their exchange. If Harley’s commented on the outfit it’s possible that she’s noticed Selina’s belt. It’s also possible that she hasn’t. This is Harley Quinn after all. You’re clearly not the sharpest tool in the shed if the Joker of all people can manipulate you so easily.

 

Catwoman: Thanks.

 

Harley Quinn: Trying out a new summer look?

 

Catwoman: Something like that.

 

Harley Quinn: Huh. You don’t see most people trying out summer clothes in November. That's a nice belt you've got there. Where’d you get it?

 

Selina very briefly glances in my direction for maybe a second or more before smiling and looking down at her belt. To most people that would mean nothing, but if what Bruce says about Selina is true that glance was anything but. Not knowing exactly what she wants me to do, I remove 3 shurikens and ready myself.

 

Catwoman: Oh this little thing? It’s amazing what you can find on the Gotham high street these days.

 

Harley Quinn: Huh, funny that you say that because it looks a little….familiar…

 

Catwoman: Oh? Did you have your sights set on it, hun?

 

Harley Quinn: Nah. It’s too batty for my taste………..Just like you.

 

Harley immediately tries to turn her gun on Selina but she’s quick to respond before Harley has a chance to get a shot off, using her whip to knock the gun out of Harley’s hand in the blink of the eye. Selina doesn’t give me any signal but I assume Harley turning the gun on her was meant to be itl and I throw all three of my shurikens at the lights in the corridor.

 

I take out all three lights and Selina quickly throws down a smoke pellet to quickly slip away in the confusion. Before I have a chance to plan my escape, my position comes under fire from the minigun forcing me to take cover.

 

Great. There goes what little element of surprise I still had. Hope Selina’s having a bit more luck than I am.

 

Done