Zulu: Spartans, Tonight We Dine In... Wayne Manor?

I went home that night and didn't sleep a wink. I got on tracing and tracking all communications between Marlowe and Warren. Most of it was financial records for repairs on Warren's suit. Most disturbingly, I found out that Warren had hired Marlowe to carry out a hit on Bruce Wayne! Apparently he had failed miserably to do so undercover, and Warren was well... disappointed to say the least. He said he was gonna whack Marlowe if he didn't redeem himself. Anyhow apparently tomorrow night of all fucking nights, Warren's whole crew, Marlowe included was supposed to launch a siege on Wayne Manor. Of all places to take out the Bat himself, they track him to his cave! Ha! Like that'll work!

 

The next day, I snooped on Warren's phone-line for the better part of the light hours. He was sure as hell making some grand plans for his raid on Wayne Manor! RPG's, SMG's by the boatload, and hell, even a bloody construction vehicle! Once I got what I needed, I suited up and covertly headed to Wayne Manor, It was 5:15 PM now, and Warren wasn't due to attack until 10:00. Bruce and I would need all the time we could get to prepare.

 

I snuck in through a vent that led into Bruce's office. I yell-whisper at him from inside.

 

"Bruce! Bruce! Hey, Bruce!"

 

He whirls around in his chair and glares at me.

 

"Zulu? What. Are you. Doing here?"

 

"Uh... yeah. I'd be more comfortable talking in the errmm... basement?"

 

"*Sigh* I'll open the bookshelf."

 

Bruce removes a number of books in a special sequence, and the shelf slides open, revealing the entrance to a sturdy looking freight elevator. I climb in, and Bruce closes the shelf back up. We don't for the whole ride.

 

When we finally reach the famed Batcave, Bruce speaks.

 

"Excuse me for a moment."

 

He taps the glass in front of a black and grey suit, and the glass slides down. He steps inside, and the glass fades to black. Now that is fucking awesome.

He steps back out after three minutes in the iconic suit, cowl under his arm.

 

"So, Ariadne, what brings you here?"

 

"Jacob Marlowe and Warren White. They're in cahoots, they're looking to kill you."

 

"What? Do explain."

 

I fill Bruce in on the situation. He remains stone-faced throughout my explaining. I can tell he's nervous though. I know that look in a man's eye when he's going to face the uncertain, possibly even death. He stares at me, and speaks.

 

"Look, Ariadne. I appreciate you informing me of this, but... I think I can handle this myself."

 

"What makes you so sure? Maybe Marlowe WILL bag the bounty of a lifetime. Maybe even YOU the famed Batman... need a little extra help?"

 

"Maybe I do, and maybe I don't. Ariadne, you know I disapprove of your methods-"

 

"-But the results are mighty fine, Bruce."

 

"Th-that IS true. But I don't work with killers. This team up? Out of the question."

 

"What if you're hurt? I don't Little Robin Red Breast running around here, nor do I see his lady friend. Bruce... as of right now, it looks like you're gonna have to put up with me."

 

"Leave. Robin. Out of this. I think you're a fine person, Ariadne it's just... I don't want you getting hurt-"

 

He's annoying me now. I whip my hood off and chuck my mask at the ground out of frustration. The mask's wood click-clacks on the floor.

 

"What, so you can keep shagging the woman who fucking TAUGHT me to kill? Christ, Bruce. I got through that time in Brazil unscathed, and that was a few years ago. I think we can handle this together, alright? Hmm?"

 

"God dammit. Fine. But don't expect me to need you to help me frequently."

 

"Oh, I don't! Just wanted to help an old frenemy!"

 

"We have until ten?"

 

"Yes."

 

"We better be ready, even for street level thugs. We should spar for a while before the siege."

 

"I've heard worse ideas. Let's go!"

 

Bruce leads me to the Cave's boxing gym. We spar for about two hours, and spend the rest of the time checking radar. That's when we hear the front door explode.

Done