6467/Dark Knights at the Docks

Dark Knights at the Docks
Date of Scene:	12 February 2019
Location:	Gotham City
Synopsis:	Summary needed
Cast of Characters:	Batman, Robin (Wayne), Bluebird, Carrie Kelley

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Batman has posed:
     "BRRUUUUUCCCEEEEE!" screams a memory that's vivid and clear as yesterday. It reopens every time Bruce enters the cave. There is no respite from it. Bruce might even remember it. Despite a broken eight year old boy's wish that the memory ended differently, that's a beautiful lie. A lie he cannot afford to indulge. Everything goes back to that alley. A family's wish to get back home. Just a simple shortcut anyone would, and could, take. That's when the haggard face appears. One that carries a little bit of desperation, focus, and determination. A black revolver in hand, the gunman is going through a choice decided on long before all four people crossed paths.

     "Jewels. Wallet. Make it fast!" he says to Thomas. At first, the surgeon is calm, organized, even moving his arms slow to show submission. Thomas has no intention of fighting. Everything is free of violence, until the gunman lunges for the pearls on Martha's necklace. Out of instinct Martha fights back, it's a cherished heirloom. The motions are reactionary. Seeing that spark in Martha emboldens Thomas. He submitted to spare his family, now Thomas is trying to save it. Unfortunately, heroes don't exist that night. Two gunshots that echo through the alleyway drive that point home. Before the last shot echoes, Martha is trying to protect her son. And that's when she screams, "BRRUUUUUCCCEEEEE!" as if it would tell the young boy to duck, run, not just stand there frozen with fear, and panic.

     The gunman sees a now broken child, and he doesn't have the heart to fire a third time. It might have been easier on everyone if he did. The death of the King and Queen of Gotham to truly give birth to its Prince. All the boy does in that moment is scream out. The very foundation to his world is ash, and there is nothing he could do to rebuild. Deep down he knows this, but right now all he can focus on is the horror. Bruce sees this every time he enters the cave. Rather than clearing his mind, he grips onto that moment. As painful as it is, the memory reminds him to keep going, to keep fighting the war.

     Bruce steps into the cave for the first time in months. He took a backway in. No com messages. For the moment, he wants the basics. To keep reminding himself that the war started with him, and as much as he might to, it'll never be finished with him. Quietly he approaches a display case the hasn't been opened in months. Catching his reflection in the glass, it almost looks like Bruce is wearing the costume as he sees part of his face filling in spots within the mask. Each image overlaps in this moment, it's hard to tell which is the costume and which is real person.

     Pulling open the case, those baby blue eyes stare at the empty suit. Everything becomes routine. Shedding away the facade of Bruce Wayne as the grey armor starts to slip on like a well-worn glove. Black boots are placed. Gauntlets are next, he bangs them together to make small "Clacks!" as he makes sure they'll hold. The belt wraps around his waist and clasps. He checks a few of the pouches. Now the last piece, the infamous mask and cape.

     With cape and cowl in hand, Bruce just stares down at them. Now is the time he clears his head. Putting the memory back in its place, he remembers the promise made at the funeral. One that he repeats for several years to come. Focusing on that promise, he closes his eyes and slips on the mask. Some claim Batman is the same as the very darkness he keeps at bay. Part of the problem as his darkness extends, corrupts, and drags people down with him. To Bruce, that's far from the truth. He embraces the dark, the shadow, the fear, everything used against him in crime alley back on the source. The trick is to not let it consume. And that's why he goes through the ritual of pain, and promises. These are reminders to not cross lines. To avoid killing. To be above the very monsters he puts away, even if Batman isn't afraid to use their tactics.

     taking the first steps in the cave properly, dressed as Batman, he approaches the computer. A

Batman has posed:
     Taking the first steps in the cave properly, dressed as Batman, he approaches the computer. A quick clacking of keys sets a few things into motion. First all of the internal security footage from when he enters to five minutes after he leaves is erased. All of the master passwords are promptly changed, and any restrictions to members of the family are put back in place. Those passwords are changed, too. He knows how some people can be on this machine.

     Bruce returns to the empty case, closes it delicately. One of the two pieces of evidence left behind for the others to find if they're not already out there. The third, and final piece, is literally the biggest. Walking to a platform, Bruce looks at the infamous Batmobile. Over the years it has changed. Sometimes becoming military, a tank on industrial tires, a regular car with a bunch of fancy gadgets, something in between that can barely stay on the road, because the times sometime demand different things. Tonight, it's something new with a few callbacks to the old.

     The sleek black vehicle looks street legal, smooth, shiny, and its own way, a little twisted. Both front tires are completely encompassed. If it isn't for the small bit of tire that shoes, people might think the front is somehow hovering. The body thins out a little while leading toward a hatch that has to move forward and back to let people in. The back tires are out like the front, but they remain exposed in case of hard turns. Plus, most people tend to shoot at the front of the car during high speed chases. A little extra armor is required more often than not.

     Going inside, Batman secure himself. He looks at the empty seat. More memories come. A roar of an engine from a different car echoes in his mind's eye. Robin is excited. It's one of the first nights there was ever a Robin. As the thrust kicks in, Bruce swears he hears Dick say, "HOLY ZERO-G'S, BATMAN!" Dick and his bad exclamations. Every cheesy one Bruce tries to remember. Memories come in, and fade. Jason is next to him, giving his own excited reaction. Then Tim is up. Damian is last, and outwardly he looks very unimpressed. He even points out, "I could make it fly." That is Damian's personality. Always a way that he is somehow -better- than everyone, regardless of the situation.

     Once Damian fades from his minds eye, the hatch closes, and Bruce starts up the car. Like so many before it, the engine practically screams out in proclamation. A warning that it's coming, even if the city cannot hear it. The batmobile never takes long to get into the city. Hanging over the skyline is the Bat-Signal. Gordon likes to turn it on, to remind people he's out there. With his absence, Bruce knows it's harder to maintain that story. Even if everyone else is just as capable as Batman, a few criminals still manage to have an outlook of, "At least it's not Batman!" Like somehow the oldest, is the worst. They clearly had yet to meet the newest Robin, or the guy with the red mask.

Batman has posed:
     Parking in an alleyway, the car opens up and launches Bruce into the air before the latch closes, and metal starts to cover the vehicle. Every Batmobile needs to have a good set of shields. The cape extends, stiffens, and the shadow of a bat starts to fill an alleyway before he lands on a rooftop. Tonight's target is the docks. Flicking the headset in the mask on, Bruce says two simple words, "Team. Report." Every soldier should know the sound of their general's voice, even without a proper introduction.

     "The Docks. Military grade weapons coming in. Come prepared," Bruce gives the order. He's waiting to strike. Tonight, the air is crisp, a little colder being at the docks. This side of the docs form a long rigged "U" shape. Various industrial complexes, warehouses, and similar. Some have exclusive control of certain cargo boats. Other boats it's a matter of contracts. One complex has three smaller boats waiting in front. Each boat has two people putting different pieces of cargo. To any bystander, everything looks normal. A business has a boon, but they're not big enough to afford to get on the barge. Bruce always checks on the docks because sometimes it's a criminal hotbed, then it remains cold as ice for months, maybe even a year or two. Then it ramps up, again before repeating the cycle. It comes in waves. One small, quick, yet crucial mistake catches Bruce's eye. A box slipped out of a dock worker's hands. The lid opened, and a few Submachine Guns clattered outward. This moment leads to a quick recovery. Unfortunately, lady luck is not on their side. Right now, Bruce is about to shine a big light on this operation.

If people pay close attention they can see two guards in front of the Warehouse doors, and what appears to be a foreman guiding traffic. Nine targets can be counted on, but who remains inside the warehouse is a mystery. A dangerous variable that can escalate the situation. Same goes for what -exactly- is in that warehouse has the same ability to escalate matters.

Robin (Wayne) has posed:
     Robin had been mainly focusing on Gotham of late. His relationship with the Titans was not the best at the moment. But just as always, he was out and about, surveying the city.

  The Redbird was also out of the batcave, the electric motorcycle was weaving in and out of traffic in a blur of black, green, red, and gold. Those who saw his golden-lined cape just stayed away, if they were smart. "Robin, heading southeast on 30th, passing Herod Arena. Will rendezvous at docks." He comments, short and to the point, much like Damian was. He kicks the Redbird up, performing a wheelie before skidding to take a turn and head for the docks.

Bluebird has posed:
"Hey, I hear ya." She states from her spot near to the docks. She was told to be here, she's here. Harper slips up toward the front of the area, looking around and quickly typing in something into her phone before she sprints to the side of a building, shoots up a grapple and scrambles up. She's no where near as graceful as the others but she's no slouch. She makes her way across a roof top, pulling her rifle from behind her back as she moves. She checks the taser ammo to be sure it is fully loaded before further responding, "I'm getting into position." She is moving just that way, though she really needs to ask the others for more training on some of that sweet parkour stuff they do.

Carrie Kelley has posed:
Kestrel doesn't respond immediately. There were others more senior than her answering first, along with one she wasn't familiar with. Yet. A mental note is made to follow up on who Harper was on the radio. For now it didn't really matter overly much given the situation required they just respond, and show up. "Kestrel here. By the Skystation. Be at the docks shortly." It really was a short distance as it was. Her own method of approach was still a bit more pedestrian than most. Rooftop to rooftop running, leaping, and using the grapple when necessary. At least until the buildings thin out and she's forced to blend in more with the shadows to avoid notice than using just elevation. The brick red and black of her suit at least blends in with much of the brick buildings in the area acting as a sort of camoflage to further aid her.

Batman has posed:
     Bruce waits for the others to arrive. Also, to see who is checking in, and available. "Three boats. Two people each. Two guards by warehouse doors. One person between the warehouse and boats. Krestel. Robin. Blue Bird. Each of you take a boat. Krestel, Left. Robin, Center. Blue Bird, Right. I'll handle the foreman and guards. I'll provide cover before entry into the warehouse."

     Each boat works on a similar principle. All are just going back and forth. Best way to time is when the one coming, and going. The one coming will be preoccupied holding a box. Easy target, lowers the threat.

     "Three. Two. One. Go." Bruce says over the coms.

Robin (Wayne) has posed:
     The autonomous Redbird makes for a fast approach, before launching Robin high in the sky, his cape made rigid by his gauntlets as he glides above.

  "In position." He says on subvocals, then diving down, landing on one thug with enough force to knock him out.

  The other paces around, the noise made by Robin hadn't been enough to alert anyone.

  Damian slips through, going the long way around, until the guard stands at the bow of the ship, looking out for a moment. Sound dampening soles assist him as Robin sneaks up behind, and quickly, with the pommel of his sword, the last guard goes out like a light. He searches this one, seeing what firepower they are packing, along with any radio communication the arms dealers are using that he can tap into.

Bluebird has posed:
Taking a soft breath, Harper drives one end of the device into the side of the warehouse and then lines it up. Carefully she aims and then fires. The rope shoots out and latches right into a post before the dock where her target boat is and then she leaps down. She hooks on and let sout a startled breath. It worked! She was grinning wide as Bluebird sailed down the wire and aimed her rifle at the guys who were already looking her way. Of course, by then it was too late. One guy gets shot before even drawing a gun and the other guy has his out only to go stiff as a board for a moment. Then he begins to shudder and shake like crazy as she lands and smugly nods before ducking down low and looking back toward the others. No time to pat herself on the back. Later? Yeah. Now? No.

Carrie Kelley has posed:
The left boat. Kestrel only takes a few breif moments to assess the layout of the situation based on what the Batman had said, and what she herself sees. Without a word she breaks from her hiding spot in a flat out run keeping herself low, and quiet as she flat out runs and then leaps off the pier as if about to dive straight into the chill water of the bay itself.

Instead she lands hands-first on one of the guards on the ship sending him down with her body weight and momentum. Just as he goes down beneath her, a single hand slamming down to ensure his head makes solid contact with the boat, she springboards off back to her feet. The other guard was alerted enough to whip around in her direction just in time to meet her foot in a swinging kick. She's not nice about it either. It hits his groin sending him doubled over. The perfect stance for her to step closer and latch her arm around his neck in a choke hold which she keeps tight until he goes limp.

"Done," she says simply over the comm.

Batman has posed:
     Bruce is there in the uniform and gliding down with the cape extended. The dark bat shaped shadow decends on the group. A few people in the boats may be a little distracted by it.

     Damian slips in easily. There is a radio signal to hak, but it's on silence at the moment. It's easy enough as people don't expect a tech-head to snap into the network. Both guards go down with the utmost of ease. The boy wonder may even believe that these two wonder even be a challenge fully armed, and seeing Robin coming.

     Harper's line sticks. Her shots hit! People go stuff, they shudde,r shake and fall. There may be a question of bowels, and other involuntary movements from the shot. Also, the boat is probably dead for the immediate future. Once she realizes it, Blue Bird may have created a nice bit of evidence to search.

     Like Damian before her, Krestel is able to put her full weight into the first attack. And the kcik rings true. A "huhhhrrnnngg," noise leaves his lips as the utmost pain hits him followed by, "Gkkk!" as he is getting choked out. Out he goes.

     By then the Batman is down, landing on the foremen with all of his weight. If anyone is watching, it's like seeing a hat trick between Robin, Krestel and Bruce. Bruce rolls after the attack and rushes one of the guards at the door. He waves as the left guard's gun barks with each pull of the trigger. The gun keeps firing until, "THUD!" rings out as a black gauntlet slams the man's head into the wall. Those gunshots killed their cover.

     Bruce tosses three batarangs toward the other garud, two ring true striking the man in the hand. Dropping the gun, he cries out in pain before Bruce rushes in. The he jumps driving a foot into the man's chest in a jump kick.

     Bruce waits readying Batarangs, "Breaching," then he moves into the warehouse. By now, people know something is terribly wrong. It's a shipping warehouse with boxes upon boxes of content that could conain everything, and anything.

One person is still in a forklift. Three are running heading toward the other end of the warehouse. Two more are breaking open boxes to grab any gun they can find, mostly SMGs. Two others are waiting to grab weapons from each box. That makes six armed men. Three runners. And one has the power, and protection of a vehicle. "I've got cover. Robin call your shot." He knows Damian would probably want in first. The other two could follow behind, working with his attack.

Robin (Wayne) has posed:
     Damian quickly grapples to the roof of the warehouse, getting himself in position above the two moving for guns. "I've got the two at the crates." He comments, readying a pair of smoke pellets. "Tossing smokes." He says on the subvocals, throwing the pellets to land in between the two so he has a good diversion to attack.

Carrie Kelley has posed:
Kestrel follows suit. While she normaly parkoured in this case the grapple was the best option. She lands on the roof very soon after Robin does and takes the scene in herself. "Got the runners," she explains as she quickly moves to the other end of the rooftop intending to cut them off at the pass. A quick flip through one of the high windows allows her to perch there as she takes out her slingshot. It wasn't a toy, not this. The slingshot was hunting grade and she pulls it back aiming some gas pellets which she lets go in the middle of the trio. Her hand lifts after to tug up a peice of fabric around her neck to hook over her nose and mouth so she won't breathe it in as she moves further inside.

Bluebird has posed:
While the others rush to various positions on the roof or otherwise, Harper starts running across the dock to the side of the warehouse and idly pulls out a grappling gun. She looks at the thing a moment and then idly aims it carefully at the other end of the warehouse toward the roof and launches. The thing hits and she goes flying with a small smile as she flies across and then she grits her teeth and lets go of the reeling button after a moment and holds on tight as she swings tarzan style right to the front of the warehouse and comes skidding to a halt on the ground. She rolls a few times as before ending up on her butt right by the otherside of the warehouse. She idly hops up, brushes herself off of and aims a pistol toward the exit, just waiting.

Clearly, no one say her fall on her butt. Clearly.

Batman has posed:
     Smoke consumes the two crates, and it swallows all six gunmen. Screams fill the air as they've lost their sight. "WHERE ARE THEY?" one cries out, "RAT-TAT-TAT!" goes one of the guns. Two more quickly follow. Those last two, the shots are too wild. Too blind. It's too far up to hit those on the ground. And the shots aren't angled sharp enough. Everything from them misses. However, that first one. IF the bullet doesn't hit, it comes really close. Luckily even if it does hit, Damian's armor is quick to to stop the bullet. "LUCKY SHOT!" if it hits. He totally has the drop on the six targets.

     Krestel's slingshot rings true. Both targets cry out in pain before smoke consumes them. One one of them manages to leave, but by the time he does, Carrie can totally get a bead on them. In short, she has superior position like Damien before her.

     As for Bluebird, she has a clear shot at the two peopple Krestel swallowed in somoke. Like Carrie, she too has a good shot. The only thing currently wounded may be her pride.

     And that leaves Bruce with only one target...the forklift. Bruce rises up from his spot, and tosses a batarang toward the vehicle. The plan, terat the person behind it like a bull, and the batarangs he uses are the red cape. It only takes two before the vehicle suddenly tears toward him. The driver is trying to lower the forks down so it could crush Bruce. These parts are slow to move, and so Bruce just times it. When able he jumps on the front, and drives a fist down onto the driver. A quick toss to remove him from the vehicle, and Bruce jumps off before it hits a wall with a loud "CRASH!" Metal walls to the warehouse's metal was groan as the vheicle bends it, severally. At least the drive ronly has a black eye, maybe a brooken nose. If he stayed in the forklift, it could have been worse.

Robin (Wayne) has posed:
     Before Damian can jump down to the crate proper, a sudden dull feeling hits his left pectoral. He got hit in his armor, ripping a hole through his mostly cosmetic tunic and hitting the black armored suit beneath. >tt< he tsks at himself as he changes his mask's vision mode to thermal and dives in.

  Robin lands, and reaches to disarm one of his two targets, pushing his palm very forcefully against that thug's chin. The other target would get a firm boot directly to the jawline, aiming for a good bell-ringer and to drop him.

Bluebird has posed:
For her part, Bluebird has switched to a pistol at this range and carefully takes aim. She knows others are moving around as well so she is taking extra care and unleashes a shot right at the nearest guy before taking aim for the next one. She isn't really great yet with that whole hand to hand thing but she will get down and dirty as necessary. She instead prefers to make them do a little dance of pain before they go unconcious with her tasers.

Carrie Kelley has posed:
Kestrel moves among the rafters of the dockside warehouse with the familiarity of one accustomed to walking through such confines. This was one 'skill' she hadn't needed to learn from the Bats. Time in the theater, moving above the stage, was enough to make this quite easy for her. Nimbly finding her way through the crisscross of supportive metal beams, and electrial wiring, she positions herself just above the remaining two currently caught in the cloud of gas pellets. Quickly she pulls a length of the grapel gun free to loop over one such beam. Then she drops down into the cloud weilding the wire like a lasso to loop around the pair. And if successful the quick recall button of the grapple would pull them up into the air like a pair of very uncomfortable pinatas.

Batman has posed:
     Two of Damian's target's go down with ease. They cry out causing fear to ring out in the remaning. His night woudl have been bad unless someone intervened.

Blue Birds shots take out the two Carrie consumed in some. They all go down with ease, just like her targets in the boat.

The Answer to Damian's night turns a lot better as Carrie comes down on two more. Now, they're two left. By now the smoke is starting to clear.

     Batman is just roaming toward the duo. A hard backfist knocks out the other. Then he grabs the other one by the throat with one hand. Why one hand? Because it's a hell of a lot scarier than two. Pinning the man to one of the large industrial shelves, with a little help from a box. "Talk!" Rumbles Batman's voice, modulated by the voice changer in the mask. And that's when the story comes out from the man. Typical mob, and underworld gun running. Names come out, none of them ring any bells. However, Batman keeps pressing. He might know something not being shared with the class. Then he knocks the man against the box knocking him out. A look is given to Damian, "Teach her how to use the grappling hooks," then he looks to harper. "You have potential, but it's your first time, and it shows. If you slip, you'll wind up hurt, or worse. You need to be better." Then his gaze switches between the two women, "Good aim, both of you." Then he looks back to Damian, "What have I missed?" he asked before casually heading toward the boat that Harper has completely disabled.

Robin (Wayne) has posed:
     The smoke clears, and Robin emerges, switching his mask back to the normal HUD view. "Agreed, Father." He looks over Kestrel and Bluebird, a slight scowl on his face.

  He reaches into his tunic, and extracts the mushroomed slug. "One got lucky." He admits in front of everyone, if he didn't, Batman would have. Damian knew it was a test. "Got to replace the plate and three hours in the simulator." If his eyes were able to be seen right now, the trio would see that he's rolling them back into his head. It was a dumb mistake, he shouldn't have been hit at all.

Bluebird has posed:
"Uh, sure." Harper agrees and nods her head even as she walks back toward the boat she disabled, "Just was trying something new. That's all. I'm sure I'll get better at it." She nods again and Harper is looking over at Damian before whistling a little and then looking ahead, "Either way, thugs done." She nods her head and idly slides her pistol away, patting it lightly.

Carrie Kelley has posed:
The sight of the bullet is what catches Kestrel's attention more than anything when Robin produces it. A faint frown creeps over her that she quickly schools into a far more neutral expression. "You all right otherwise?" It's just asked conversationally, not like she was fawning over him with worry or something. She almost makes a motion to stuff her hands into her pockets before recalling that she was in her gear and it didn't have the traditional sort of 'pockets' to begin with. Instead she reaches up to pull down her balaclava breathing in the fresh (sort of) air again. "What now, Boss? Check the boats for evidence?"

Batman has posed:
     "Things got done today, but what aobut tomorrow?" Bruce poses to harper. Then he moves onto the boat. Sirens could be heard in the distance. "Three minutes. Try to make it thorough," Bruce says as they move to the hosue boats. They could folow him to the center one, or take one of the others. All are equally still.

Robin (Wayne) has posed:
     "Yes, I'm fine. The suit under this is as armored as Batman's. The cloth is a ruse to make me look unprotected." He comments to Kestrel before heading to the boats. Robin puts the slug into his utility belt, moving to the center boat. As soon as he comes aboard, he starts scanning for compartments, any hidden places this boat could have to smuggle things, or anything that they didn't want to be found. The guns were probably loaded off already, but he's looking for intel or anything strange worth mentioning.

Bluebird has posed:
Looking briefly to Damian as he speaks about how he isn't dead. She then looks to Batman briefly. SHe nods a little and then simply moves on to the boat to start looking. She searches for something else entirely. She's looking for electronics. GPS, computers, phones, etc. ANything that might have information on it about where they were coming from, why they were coming in, who they were selling to, etc.

Carrie Kelley has posed:
Kestrel inclines her head at Robin's explanation. Even if it might seem unnecessary to someone who is used to running with the Bats, and even though she knew he had far more experience than her, she was still relieved to hear it. The remark of three minutes doesn't leave her much time at all. She wasn't even entirely sure what to look for. Her eyes scan the hull of the boats seeking out names of the vessels. House boats would have to be docked somewhere, eventually. Even if they'd faked the names. A thought strikes her, and she leaps onto one of the boats ducking beneath the cabin quickly. Documents she wouldn't know what to recognize so instead she heads into the engine compartment to take a reading off the fuel gauge. It's quick, and she doubles back right after to head back up. No sense in wasting more time.

Batman has posed:
     And so each person goes tot heir boats. All of them are looking about. As they go through the various bits, each bring up similar reults. Damaian finds no hiden compartments, at least on this boat. The search for eletronics from Harper don't bring up anything interesting or out of the ordinary. Then finally, Krestel starts to scane for anything that ould earth results. And like the others before her, she doesn't find anything. Sadly, she probably finds out the least as Damian knows one boast is clean, and how another work works. Krestel only finds travel brouchers, and plans for AFTER teh guns were sold. Nothing about before...or how.

Batman has posed:
     Those sirens are getting closer, and Bruce aims a grappling hook up, "Cachk," the weapon goes off and Bruce is going back up to the rooftops. "Report. I might have found something, but I don't know for certain," he is moving across the rooftops waiting to hear form the others.

Robin (Wayne) has posed:
     Damian tsks again as he finishes the search. "Nothing." He eyes the other boats, and watches the time. He calls the Redbird, fully intending to make a fast getaway. "Nothing from mine." He comments, revving the bike and rushing out of the immediate police area

Carrie Kelley has posed:
Kestrel doesn't hang around much longer as she gets out her own grapple gun to take off. "Just some brochures on where they were heading. Nothing solid," she explains. "Don't know if that was planted or not though."

Bluebird has posed:
"No electronics of any use." Harper adds before she is also getting out of there. She uses the grapple she had and shakes her head a little as she goes flying up. She considers and nods. Definitely gonna make some personal modifications. She runs along and shakes her head as she runs, "Gotta hit it hard." She states, "Got to take care of the city in a different way." By doing her day job...which also happens to be at night sometimes.