General Douglas Walker hated the rain, it had always put him in a very surly mood. On this night in a dark alley in Shanghai the rain was pouring down in such torrents that Walker couldn't help but think of Biblical stories such as Noah's Ark, it did seem as if God himself had opened up the skies and let loose sheets of never ending rain on the Earth. He thought of sloughing the excess water from his raincoat but what was the point? The rain showed no signs of abating and it made him feel strangely apathetic. God he hated the rain.

Walker heard the sounds of the city not far away. He thought it strange that even in a city as large as Shanghai, with a population of over 13 million people, he could find a dark, secret rendezvous point like this alleyway. China was so overpopulated, he used to feel very claustrophobic whenever he was in the country, having been raised on a farm in Iowa he was used to wide open spaces, but he had long ago left behind the open spaces of his youth and instead spent most of his time conducting secret meetings in places like this. Of course these were the most basic tricks of his trade, he was like a cockroach that scurried to the darkest corner of the room when the lights came on. All for the greater good, he knew. The good, shiny, happy people needed someone to protect them from the unknown, someone who would get his hands as dirty as necessary to get the job done, he knew he was that man.

Walker looked at the building wall opposite him, at the many faded and discarded advertisements and posters, all in Chinese of course. He didn't speak the language but he knew all too well what the ads were for by their simplistic images. One was for a soft drink, another for a toothpaste, another for a new video game, and of course the requisite McDonald's advertisement. His grey Saab idled quietly as he lit another cigarette, inhaling deeply and savoring every second, this was his only vice, and he indulged whenever he could, even after he started coughing and hacking up black stuff every now and then. It didn't matter, long life expectancies were not the norm in his line of work anyway. He was amazed he had lived this long.

At the end of the alley he noticed a crowd of people, milling past and enjoying the evening, protected from the rain by umbrellas. Oblivious to him and his vehicle, they walked by, no doubt on their way to the nearby Zhangyang Road Commercial Center, which featured rows of shops arrayed with anything the tourist with money to burn could possibly desire. Despite Walker's large muscular frame he had become an expert at going unnoticed, it was after all, one of the first things he and others like him were taught when entering this line of work. Walker always stuck to the most basic rules of espionage, he found that so many of his contemporaries had forgotten the basic tenants of their trade, and died because of it. He followed these rules because they made sense, and they kept him alive.

He was waiting for one of his lieutenants, a tall and lanky Lieutenant named David Stephens. Stephens had served under his command before and knew the way General Walker liked to operate, he was due any minute now to deliver a package that Walker had placed on the back burner for almost a year now. Finally, the pot on that back burner had come to a boil and he was ready to move. All he needed was the package Stephens was bringing and he would authorize the next step. Walker was also exemplary at yet another lost art in his trade. Patience. Douglas Walker had more patience than Job. It was nights like this when his patience were tested most however, dark and raining and that claustrophobic feeling. Stephens had better show up soon.

Just then Walker noticed movement in the alley, someone was coming. He couldn't make out the figure. From beneath his trench-coat he produced a Glock 19 9mm handgun. He couldn't chance anything, if it was some covert operative out to attack him, he would shoot with extreme prejudice, between the eyes. Never shoot at the body, he was taught, because your enemy may be wearing body armor. Walker had dealt with that contingency as well, using Teflon coated bullets that would penetrate most body armor types. He felt reassured by the weight of the weapon in his hand. Walker relaxed when he heard a familiar voice call out to him.

"Stand down General..... it's me." Came the voice of David Stephens. Stephens stepped into the light, and Walker relaxed and put his weapon away. Stephens obviously relaxed when Walker did so and started walking toward the younger man.

"David, step into the car, we have some things to discuss. I want to get the Hell out of this rain." Walker said as he led Stephens into the rear door of the car. Walker got into the car after him and signaled to his driver to start driving. The grey Saab pulled smoothly into traffic and disappeared into the sea of automobiles. Finally the two men could talk.

"David, it's been a long time." Walker said.

"Yes sir General, not since Desert Storm." Stephens replied, removing his raincoat, Walker kept his on.

"Did you bring what I need?" Walker asked, all business as usual.

"Yes sir." Stephens replied as he pulled a large folder out of his briefcase and handed it to Walker. Without a word, Walker took it from him and began to look through it. It was very thick, filled with pictures of a young man in his early twenties. Sometimes the young man was in pictures with another older man, and sometimes with a younger boy in his teens, and yet other times with a group of men and women around his own age. There were many reports with dates, names, and addresses. Many of the addresses were in North America, located in Gotham City, and towards the end of the list, the addresses were in Bludhaven. A whaling city just down the interstate from Gotham. Walker was pleased, yet another successful venture thanks to his patience and subtlety.

"All this is confirmed David? There is no room for doubt?" Walker asked.

"According to what our team found sir, there is less than a 4% margin of error. It took a long time to find out what we needed to know as they covered their tracks very well. It is almost certain though. The key to unraveling the puzzle was when the subject under surveillance came into contact with a subversive group that one of our own teams had been looking into. A group called Cabal ran afoul of him 4 months ago and everything fell into place. He disappeared for a time when he was beaten by a man known as Bane. He then reappeared weeks later and coincidentally, so did his alter ego."

Walker nodded when he heard the name "Bane", obviously the name was known to him. "How many people were on your research team?"

"Fifteen men and women sir. As per your orders they have all been discreetly eliminated. No one but you and I know that Dick Grayson is Nightwing." Stephens replied in matter of fact tone, as if the murder of fifteen people meant nothing to him.

"Good.... good. You are as efficient as ever David. I am glad I could trust you with this." Stephens was practically beaming when Walker said that, it was obvious that he regarded The General as a hero figure and was pleased that he had done well in the eyes of his superior.

The rain had started to pour down even harder, to the point where one could barely see outside the windows of The Saab. It was impossible to tell where they were going, but Stephens knew that they were outside the city limits now, heading to more rural areas. This made Stephens a little uneasy, suddenly Walker's mood lightened and he began to speak in a jovial mood to the younger man.

"Now David, tell me a little about what you have been up to. Still single? No girlfriend? Amazing you haven't settled down, never got married or had any kids."

"No sir. I really don't have time for relationships. My work keeps me pretty busy."

"Your parents both passed away two years ago didn't they?" Walker asked.

"Yes sir." Stephens didn't like where this was going. His fears were confirmed when Walker again produced the Glock 19 from beneath his trench-coat, aiming it at Stephens.

"You do good work David, I want you to know you have served your country well. Your efforts will help preserve freedom worldwide. I want you to know that."

Stephens knew why he was given this mission and he knew now why Walker was going to kill him. He had no family, he would hardly be missed. He looked out the window and noticed through the pouring rain that the car had entered a junkyard, wrecked cars piled one on top of the other and blocking out the city lights beyond. A virtual city of abandoned vehicles. The Saab began to roll to a stop.

"Please sir..... don't. I can still be of use to you." Stephens begged, suddenly on the verge of crying.

General Walker's driver stopped the car and got out, walking around and opening the rear door for Walker. Walker stepped out and handed the thick file to his driver. He wasn't happy that he had to kill Stephens, but the trail had to be erased. Anyone with this knowledge was to be eliminated. If the need arose, Walker would put the gun to his own mouth and pull the trigger, but throughout his career he had managed to avoid that fate.

"I'm sorry David....." and he emptied the fifteen round clip into David Stephens.

Walker then closed the door and put the gun back in its holster. Behind him, his driver had pulled up in an identical Saab to the one they had arrived in, even the license plates were identical. The driver again got out and opened the door for Walker. He got in and rolled down the window. He watched as a large crane swung over and attached a huge magnet to the top of the Saab that Walker had arrived in. It picked the car up and placed it in a large compactor which was activated by some unseen operator. The car was then crushed into a cube and placed into a pile of other crushed vehicles, to be forgotten.

Walker rolled up the window and the car pulled away again, this time heading back for the city proper. Walker pulled a cellular phone from his pocket and called up a number from memory which he then dialed. After only one ring there was an answer.

"Yes?"

"Phillip, this is Doug. I think I have the operative we need for Operation Judas." despite himself, Walker shuddered at the mention of Judas. Judas was a danger unlike any other he had ever faced, and only a certain type of person with a certain type of specialized training could assist Walker and his team in eliminating Judas.

"Are you sure Douglas? Where did you find a person with the type of skills we require to deal with him?" Asked the voice on the other end of the phone.

"You leave that to me Phillip. I want you to assemble Impact Squad and meet me in the city of Bludhaven, the city just down the interstate from where the big Gotham Quake hit. I should be there in two days."

"Understood sir. Any further orders?"

"Just make sure your men are in peak condition Phillip, Impact Squad is going to enlist it's newest member and I suspect he won't come quietly. A costumed vigilante known as Nightwing is going to be our ace in the hole, he's going to help us eliminate Judas, whether he likes it or not."

The man on the other end replied that he would be ready when General Walker arrived in Bludhaven and the two men closed the connection. Walker returned his cellular phone to his pocket and again pulled out his Glock 19. He removed the empty clip and inserted a fresh one, tossing the old one out the window. He ordered his driver to take him to the airport. There was much to be done and little time to do it in. Now that he had knowledge of an operative with the special training he required and enough knowledge of the man to make sure that he would play ball with them, he would strike like lightening, the time for waiting was over. Patience had again rewarded him.

On the seat next to Walker the file lay open and he looked at it intently. On one page was a picture of the costumed vigilante known as Nightwing. On the opposite page was a picture of a handsome young man with a winning smile and long dark hair, a picture of Richard John Grayson..........

"Need any help Robin?" Nightwing asked his yellow and black clad partner. It was another night of insanity in Bludhaven. So far that evening, the pair had put away at least twenty seven thugs in the midst of various crimes from attempted rape to gang violence. Despite the fact that he was fighting a very strong individual with an exceptional knowledge of karate and another knife wielding maniac, Nightwing couldn't help but smile. It took a lot to get him down when Robin was by his side. Tim Drake, the young teen who had taken the identity of Robin for himself had been spending the last few nights in Bludhaven at Batman's request. Several weeks ago Tim had tried to collar several car-jackers and the only thing that had prevented him from putting the maniacs away was a lack of aerial skill. Batman knew the boy's strengths lay in more cerebral pursuits such as computer work and puzzle solving, but aerial and gymnastic training were necessary tools as well. Tools that were necessary to keep Robin alive when in the field. After Jason Todd's death, Batman would never have another apprentice ill prepared for their job.

Tim could still hear Batman's words when he found out he was being sent to Bludhaven to spend time with Dick, "There are things you need to know, things Dick can teach you better than I could. I've seen Dick survive circumstances that would have killed even me. He has all the detective skills to continue your training and you can learn by doing following Dick around. He gets into more deadly situations on moving vehicles in that city than most people have had hot dinners. Spend two or three weeks with him and you will come back a better...... and a totally exhausted crime fighter."

Tim didn't have to be told twice, it was early August and he had all the time he needed to learn at Dick's side. Tim had always felt more comfortable with Dick than Bruce. Obviously Dick could relate to Tim and his trials as Robin better than anyone else in the world. This made Dick a more patient teacher, and a more comfortable friend to be around. Tim also had a lot of hero worship for Dick, perhaps even more so than he had for Bruce. Tim had sought out Dick after he had learned their secret identities and the fate of the second Robin, Jason Todd. If not for Dick, Tim would never have been taken into The Batcave, or allowed to wear the Robin costume. Dick had also taken up the mantle of The Bat for a time to replace both Bruce and Jean Paul Valley, and Robin felt most comfortable and able to be himself with Dick than he was with Bruce, and certainly more than Valley, who almost killed him. Tim had no siblings, but he had looked to Dick as sort of an older brother ever since the day they had first met in Haly's Circus just a few short years ago.

"No I'm uh....... doing..... fine." Tim managed to say. The three thugs that were converging on him would have given him no real threat, except for the fact that he had to face them on the bed of a truck loaded with wood leaving Bludhaven for Metropolis, destined to become the next issues of The Daily Planet. The truck was moving quickly through highway traffic and his footing was unsure on the huge, wet logs. This was definitely "learning by doing" as Batman had said. They had chased these thugs across several rooftops after preventing them from attacking a group of street walkers. The chase continued over a bypass until they jumped onto the passing truck hoping for a clean getaway. Nightwing would have none of that in his city. With a stunning three somersault leap into the night air Nightwing landed as gracefully as a ballet dancer on the piles of logs, Robin used a jumpline to get there instead. Cornered, the men decided to fight their way to freedom. Fighting on an open truck bed, doing at least 55 miles an hour, tripping over huge heavy logs, Batman would call this "good training". To Tim it felt like attempted suicide. Tim thanked the fates that at least the moon was full and shining brightly tonight, allowing him to see without the infra-red lenses built into his mask. From the corner of his eye he saw Nightwing whirl around with a roundhouse kick toward his foe, not an easy feat on the back of a moving truck. Tim wondered to himself if he would ever be as good as Dick at the physical part of the job.

Dick also regarded Robin as he grappled with his foe. He always kept an eye on Tim when they were together, albeit a much more subtle eye than Batman would keep on him. Dick also had no siblings and he also regarded Robin as a brother, someone to pal around with and to look out for. He was pleased when Bruce informed him that Robin was coming to stay with him for a few days, and when the two were not on patrol they ate pizza, played nintendo, and basically acted as brothers. In many ways Tim reminded Dick of himself at that age, hard working and dedicated, and often feeling inferior to the all knowing, ever dour Batman. He was glad to give the youth the benefit of his experience with Bruce he only wished someone could have done the same for him at that age. Nightwing grappled with yet another foe after dispatching with the first. Here, with death only a bad step away, he was in his element. Fighting crime, the wind screaming by him, adrenaline pumping, with Robin at his side, an ear to ear grin blossomed on his face.

Nightwing evaded a knife thrust from one of the hoods. He knew Tim envied Dick his physical ability and he wanted to do everything in his power to make Robin a better, more effective crimefighter. With a lightening like maneuver Nightwing thrust out an open palm and knocked the thug unconscious. Nightwing then watched as Robin swung his quarterstaff and caught all three of his opponents in the mid-section, doubling them over in pain. Moving quickly, Nightwing tied them all up with one of his jumplines, the threat was over.

"How do we get these guys to the Police?" Robin asked.

"We don't." Nightwing replied as the wind whipped past them, "The Bludhaven Police Department would never take the time to put these bozos away. I'm satisfied that they're on their way out of town on this truck, that's about the best we can do tonight." Nightwing realized he was yelling to be heard over the roar of traffic and high winds. Robin smiled in amusement at that.

"Come on boy wonder, let's head home for the night." Robin was pleased to hear that their nightly patrol was over. It was a very busy and hard fought night and dawn was only two hours away. Nightwing jumped into the air and again somersaulted gracefully before throwing out a jumpline and swinging back towards Bludhaven. He was proud to see Robin perform the same maneuver flawlessly. His skills had indeed improved in the short time he had been in Bludhaven. Within minutes they were back in the city proper, headed for Dick's Bludhaven apartment.

"It's been a busy night Tim. I'm glad you were here. I'll take all the help I can get." He said as he clasped Robin on the shoulder. Tim felt a rush of pride, Batman would never have been so open with praise for him.

"Glad to be of help Dick. I'll give you this, you sure have your hands full with this town, I thought Gotham was bad but Bludhaven is a totally new kind of insanity."

Dick chuckled at that, "Maybe so but I like a challenge. Besides, I would take Bludhaven any day over Gotham after the quake."

Tim agreed, "Well at least Gotham is getting the help it needs now." They were both glad to hear that Gotham was going to be rebuilt. Even though he was a circus kid who always traveled from town to town, Dick had done much of his growing up in the Gotham. Tim also felt a connection to the city that one always feels to the stomping grounds one grows up in. It had been painful for them both to see Gotham practically leveled in the quake and then left for dead by the rest of the world. Sealed off from civilization, the people of Gotham were abandoned, only Batman, Robin, Nightwing, Huntress , Azreal, and a few others including handful of dedicated cops maintained order in post quake Gotham. Things were finally looking up. As they talked they ran over the rooftops and finally found themselves on the roof of Dick's apartment building.

"A good night's work partner.... all in all I'd say.." Tim was cut off by Dick's gloved hand over his mouth. Tim tried to talk but all that came out was muffled noise. He reached up and pulled Dick's hand from his mouth.

"What was that for?" Tim asked.

"Shhhhhhhhhh." Dick said, "Listen." Tim strained his ears to listen. He heard nothing but the whistle of the wind.

"I don't hear anything." Tim said.

"Something's not right." Dick replied. Tim looked up to the sky and suddenly felt something was wrong as well, "Hey! Where'd the moon go?" He said as he pointed up towards the sky. The moon was bright and the sky cloudless earlier, now the moon was nowhere to be seen. The stars had disappeared. Suddenly they both realized that something was directly above them, blocking out the sky. Something large and black.

"Move!!" Nightwing yelled as he suddenly realized they were in great danger and pushed Tim as hard as he could to the other side of the rooftop. The dark silhouette grew larger as it descended upon them, blocking out the night sky. The wind suddenly began to pick up to fantastic speeds. Tim was lost, unable to see what was threatening them. He switched to infra-red and the situation became clearer to him. Descending upon them was a large, and very silent machine. It looked like a helicopter, but made virtually no noise. It was obviously as black as the night itself. Tim could make out Nightwing's form, his escrima fighting sticks at the ready.

From the huge silent flying machine several figures emerged, descending on ropes, towards Dick. From Dick's point of view, things were moving very fast. He shoved Robin out of the way and to safety only to find a heartbeat later that several people were descending towards him. Whoever these people were, they moved quickly. He brought up his fighting sticks in a defensive posture. However, another assailant descended behind him and hit him square in the back with a heavy thud. Nightwing rolled with the impact and came up further from the silent helicopter, giving him some distance. Robin counted at least ten figures now on the rooftop, while the helicopter simply hovered there, nearly silent and opaque.

"Who the hell are these guys?" Robin asked no one in particular.

Nightwing saw that they all had the builds of well muscled men. They wore black clothing and black ski masks over their faces. Even the eye holes in their ski masks were covered with infra-red goggles. Nightwing knew a threat when he saw one, they confirmed his suspicions when they produced some sort of automatic rifles from their backpacks and pointed them at Dick.

"Holy shit!!" Nightwing muttered to himself and rolled behind the building's smokestacks as they opened fire, oblivious to Robin's presence on the rooftop. Robin was surprised to find that even their weapons were silenced. Whoever these people represented, they were well funded and noiseless. They obviously didn't want to attract any attention to themselves. The question was, just who were these people? The dark figures suddenly stopped firing their silenced weapons. The night was suddenly still again. Had they hit their target? In response, Nightwing jumped high over their heads and landed with all his weight on two of the attackers, sending them skidding across the rooftop. Whirling, punching and kicking, Nightwing took the fight to his silent assailants. All this happened in less than a minute while Robin looked on and tried to assimilate this unprovoked attack into his brain. Finally he was galvanized into action. Grabbing one of his own "R" shaped throwing stars he ran back towards the action.

Robin noticed one of the men aiming his weapon at Nightwing. Dick had his back turned to the man and was unaware of the imminent danger he was in. Adrenaline pumping through his body, Robin knew he was the only one who could save Dick.

"No!!!" Robin yelled as he threw his weapon with all his might. The throwing star lodged itself in the wrist of the gunman. Bullets sprayed the entire rooftop as the gunman reflexively fired his weapon, despite the severe pain he was in. Robin watched in horror as Nightwing was picked up off his feet, struck in the back by the spray of wild bullets and toppled down to the rooftop, landing in a heap. Robin couldn't believe his eyes, Dick had been hit by several bullets, if he lived, he would surely be crippled for life, even with Kevlar protection. Panic seized him. He ran towards Dick and, remembering his first aid training, didn't move him.

"Dick," he whispered, "try not to move buddy, I'll get help. I swear I will." With a sudden move Dick thrashed around and was about to throw a punch, and realizing it was Robin, stopped himself. Both Robin and Nightwing suddenly realized that he should be bleeding and paralyzed.

"Dick? You're ok?"

"Weird. I should be talking to Saint Peter right now." Nightwing replied. He reached around to the small of his back and when he brought his hand back around it had three cylinder shaped objects in it. They were not bullets.

"Knock out Darts?!?" Robin was shocked again. He thought his best friend, his older brother, had been killed, shot in the back. He was stunned to find that Dick's life was never in danger at all. Even when fired at close range, the darts would not have penetrated his Kevlar mesh costume. Suddenly he felt a tremendous wave of relief wash over him, no matter what happened, at least Dick was alive.

"Don't you ever scare me like that again." Tim said with a smile.

"I promise, next time I'll make sure I stay dead." Nightwing replied with a smile.

Robin's relief soon faded and was replaced by anger at these silent attackers. Who were they? What did they want? What was the purpose of this attack? Nightwing noticed that Robin was shaking with fury at situation. Taking the offensive, Nightwing jumped to his feet and again threw himself at his attackers. The silent assassins were caught unaware by Nightwing's newfound aggression. Nightwing was a blur as he leaped form one to the other, in constant motion, punching and kicking and throwing his escrima sticks at the assemblage. Robin felt like he was moving in slow motion compared to Dick.

"I've had enough of this!!" Nightwing yelled as he pressed his attack. Robin finally joined the fray as well, swinging his quarterstaff with uncanny precision. Nightwing back flipped behind one of the attackers and, reaching back, grabbed him by the shoulders and flipped him over. Tim heard a ripping sound as the attackers sleeves ripped off in Nightwing's hands, sending the man himself flying. After only a few more seconds they heard a muffled voice yell, "Pull back!!"

The ten men grabbed the ropes on their belts and began to climb them, disappearing back into the silent, opaque helicopter, which then rose high out of sight and disappeared, leaving behind Nightwing and Robin, and a lot of questions.

Nightwing ran over to Robin and held out his hand to help Robin up off of his knees. Robin could tell Nightwing was brimming with curiosity.

"What in the heck was that?" Robin asked.

"I don't know," Nightwing replied, the wind whipping around him, "but I may have a clue right here." he said as he held out the sleeve of the man he had thrown over his head. The sleeve was as black as the helicopter that had hovered overhead so silently. The only marking was a small insignia on the shoulder of the sleeve. It looked like a skull's head with a knife through it, behind the skull was a small silver lightening bolt.

"That looks.... menacing." Robin said as he scanned the insignia.

"I think it means more than that Robin. I have my suspicions as to what this is, but I think we should consult someone before we jump to any conclusions." Robin knew what that meant. Nightwing already knew what this insignia meant, but he wanted to make sure his facts were correct before he let Robin in on his hypotheses.

"Oracle?" He asked as he wiped the dust off of his uniform.

"Not this time kiddo, we need to talk to Batman."

An hour later Dick and Tim had changed into their everyday clothing and were now wolfing down nachos and Coca-Cola, huddled around Dick's computer, which featured a visual link to The Batcave on the large screen. The majority of the screen was filled with a pixilated version of the cowled Batman, in the distance and slightly out of focus was the ever faithful Alfred, serving dinner for the master of Wayne Manor.

"I think I don't like this." Dick said through a mouthful of cheese and jalapeno peppers. Another image flashed on the screen followed by Batman's deep, resonant voice. The image was almost identical to the one Dick had ripped off one of his attackers. A skull with a knife through it, the lightening in the background of the symbol was missing however.

"The symbol you're seeing now is sort of an unofficial symbol of the U.S. Elite Special Forces division. Most of the members of this division sport that symbol as a tatoo. Although I've never come across it with a lightening slash. I've passed it on to Oracle and so far she hasn't found an exact match for it either."

"Now I'm sure I don't like this." Dick replied.

"What have you done to warrant a visit from U.S Special Forces Dick?" Bruce asked.

Dick shook his head in amazement, "Who me? I don't think I want to know."

"You do know what the possible ramifications of this are don't you?" Batman interjected. Suddenly Dick's face grew serious. At first he said nothing. Tim looked at Dick, and then at Batman, "What does it mean Dick?" he asked.

"They attacked us on the roof of the building I live in Tim. We can hope that's a coincidence. But if it isn't....." Dick's voice trailed off, leaving Tim to fill in the blanks.

"Someone may have figured out your secret identity." The entire room fell silent as they let the impact of that last statement sink in. The full meaning of the statement had huge ramifications. What if someone figured out Dick Grayson was Nightwing? How many others would be in danger? Bruce, Tim, Alfred, Barbara Gordon, and so many others. Dick frowned as he got up from the computer terminal and walked to the window, his mind racing. Unlike Batman, he had many friends, and he would rather die than see them in danger because of him. He hoped and prayed that this was all a huge coincidence, but he doubted it greatly.

General Walker sat in a darkened room, smoking a cigar. The room served as his base of operations in Bludhaven. Every possible surface was covered with papaers ranging from maps of the city to folders and communiques. He was listening to a report from his friend and comrade Colonel Phillip Young, Commanding Officer of Impact Squadron. He liked what he heard. While Walker was the brains of the operations, Impact Squadron was Young's to command in the field.

"This Nightwing character is one tough hombre General. He man handled ten of our guys. Our weapons weren't hot though so he had a bit of an advantage. Nonetheless, I already respect the hell out of him. What makes you think he'll play ball with us sir?"

"That's my little secret for now Phillip. This was an excellent test of the waters. The next time Impact Squadron meets Nightwing, things will go smoothly and according to plan. Nightwing is about to become our greatest ally, whether he likes it or not."

They stood before him, looking for all the world like a pack of hungry lions, damn he was proud of them. They were in top physical and mental condition, awaiting their orders. He couldn't help but feel proud of them..... Impact Squadron. They were the toughest bastards on Earth, and they lived and died at his command. Colonel Young walked slowly past his men, inspecting them as they stood at attention, all the while looking straight ahead. Cortez, Francis, MacQuarrie, Styles, Johnson, Murrant, Dixon, Romaine, Brooks and Sito. His entire command save one. Major Summers was on special assignment but would join up with them later in the mission. They came from every possible cultural and racial background and each had a different story. They all had one thing in common, the protection of the free world from terrorist forces and superhuman threats. Their own lives were expendable in the pursuit of that goal.... and if they were to die, the government would disavow any knowledge of their existence and their families would be told a cover story to explain their deaths. They truly were the best of the best of the best. The ten men were dressed in their battle gear, as black as the night, patiently waiting for him to speak. As always, Colonel Phillip Young wouldn't pull any punches or give them any bull. He was their commanding officer and they had put their lives on the line for him many times..... and he for them. That kind of relationship required clear lines of communication and given the state of their current mission, this moment was no exception.

"Listen up ladies." He addressed them in his most stern voice while continuing to pace back and forth in front of them, "We all know that bringing down Judas is our main goal. To that end we are here in this godforsaken city of Bludhaven to, shall I say.... �shanghai' a man who has some..... special skills that we need in order to get to Judas. Our target's code name is �Nightwing'......" He paused when he heard a snicker from the assemblage before him and walked over to Lieutenant Francis and shot him a look that would stop the Devil himself in his tracks.

"Something funny Francis?"

The smile disappeared from Francis' face as Young's own face was barely an inch from his own. Francis' face suddenly became like a statue, unmoving, and locked in a serious gaze straight ahead. For a moment, the young man said nothing.

"Well?" Young prompted.

After a few more seconds Francis finally spoke, "Nothing really sir, just a little amused by this guys name. I mean... Nightwing??? Sounds like he reads too many funny books."

Even Young had to smile a little at that. "Does it now? Well this young man happened to fight off every man jack of you last night and come out the other side with barely a scratch. How many people alive today can say that they fought Impact Squadron during a surprise attack and lived to tell the tale?"

At this question the entirety of Impact Squadron stiffened noticeably but only Francis answered.

"Not one single living soul sir!" He shouted.

Young nodded approvingly at the young man's answer. Indeed, anyone who had gone up against Impact Squadron had failed miserably, and yet this Judas had always eluded them. A constant embarrassment to the Squad. Young stepped back from Francis and continued his pacing back and forth in front of his team as he spoke.

"As I was saying, his code name is �Nightwing'. General Walker seems to have some kind of inside track on this man. He has provided me with the appropriate times to attack this vigilante and it is my belief that the General holds quite a bit of dirt on Nightwing which will ensure his cooperation." He paused to let this information sink in before he continued. Young backed away from them and folded his hands behind his back, taking them all in with his gaze.

"There is only one possible outcome for this mission." Young continued, "we capture this Nightwing character alive. We will not be using live ammo. We attack quickly and silently, using Tranq darts only. As you well know these darts can penetrate any known body armor. All we have to do is subdue this Nightwing character and get him to General Walker. It is the General's job to make Nightwing see that working for us against Judas is the only option. General Walker has assured me that he will need only one day to make Nightwing a willing member of our team. There is to be a zero body count during this mission. I REPEAT.... ZERO BODY COUNT!!"

There was a heavy silence in the room. There was no doubt that the members of Impact Squadron were uncomfortable with the thought of this outsider as one of them. Having to trust him and watch his back without even knowing his real name, assuming that he would even watch their backs at all. This was a risky venture, but they all knew that capturing Judas would require outside help. Too many had died trying to end the threat he presented to the entire world.

Young stepped back a few more paces and addressed them all, "If there are no more questions, we move as soon as the night falls. Cortez, Francis, MacQuarrie, Styles, Johnson.... you will comprise Alpha team. Murrant, Dixon, Romaine, Brooks and Sito will comprise Beta team. You all know your assignments and the appropriate �go' codes. I trust that you will all do your best as you always have."

They stood there, looking at him. He smiled proudly. They weren't moving an inch until he gave the order. He stood there for a moment, savoring their iron will and total obedience to the chain of command. They were all his children in a way, and he would die for all of them... and they for him.

"Move out!!!" He snapped. Like a well oiled machine they snapped into action. Loading the helicopter and preparing their weapons and night vision goggles. Inspecting their own body armor and otherwise mapping out their strategy. Amidst the controlled chaos, Young stood there for a moment, admiring Impact Squadron. When night fell Impact Squadron would move like a well oiled machine.

It was rare that Dick Grayson ever got a chance to be alone with his superintendent Clancy and for the first time since he met her he was wishing that he wasn't alone with her now. He had only recently graduated from The Bludhaven Police Academy and was still awaiting his first job as a cop and Clancy had already taken him to dinner twice to celebrate his graduation from the academy. Despite his concerns over the attack on his rooftop the night before, Dick felt obligated to return the favor when Clancy had received the Waynetech scholarship that would allow her to become a doctor. When Clancy showed up at his door wanting to celebrate with Dick he felt he had no choice but to put his problems aside and take the beautiful young woman out to dinner. Leaving Tim back at the apartment, the two enjoyed a movie and dinner in a dark Italian restaurant known for it's very large portions called "Nick's". Dick had the tri-color tortellini while Clancy had the salad and lasagna.

With the sudden realization last night that some arm of the military may be setting its sights on him, Dick felt as if he were wearing a bulls eye on his forehead even when in his civilian clothes. It was a feeling he wasn't used to and he didn't like it. He wanted to show Clancy a good time but he felt as if he was putting her in danger just by being with her and she didn't even know it. It was unfair to treat Clancy in such a manner he thought.. .and he felt like a heel just being with her and acting carefree when he really feared that his attackers from last night could descend on him at any time. It was when Clancy sidled over and started feeding him bread sticks from her plate that he knew he was in real trouble.

"I'm glad you're having a good time Clancy." He said as she fed him some more. The look in her eyes told him that she was indeed having a very good time. He also saw desire in those eyes.

"Tonight of all nights..." Dick thought to himself.

"You and I have been seeing a lot of each other lately Dick. I've really been enjoying your company." She said as she fed him one end of a bread stick and broke off the other end for herself. Despite his new problem, Dick couldn't help but notice Clancy's perfect lips as she chewed on the bread. Why did she have to pick now to come on this strong?

"I haven't really thanked you properly for coming to my graduation." He felt her hand alight on his knee underneath the table.

"You can thank me now." She said, her voice becoming huskier, clearly indicating her arousal.

She was hard to resist, Dick had to admit it. He had been through a lot lately, with the protection of Gotham during the quake and trying to catch up on his studies at the police academy. He barely had time to realign himself back in Bludhaven before he was attacked by some shadowy military organization even Oracle couldn't identify. Before Dick knew what he was actually doing, he was kissing Clancy and she was returning the kiss with passion . Her soft lips on his rekindled the feelings he had almost managed to forget during the quake and its aftermath. After several minutes they broke the kiss.

"Clancy...... I..." She put her index finger to his lips, silencing him. "Dick honey, for once, just shut up." Dick felt her take him by the hands and, leaving money on the table for the bill, she led him back to their apartment building.

"Clancy.... I shouldn't..." He said as they entered the main door to the building, "My friend Tim is staying with me."

She kissed him again before she spoke in a hushed voice that Dick found incredibly sexy, "Did you forget I have my own apartment Dick?" She said as she fumbled for the many keys to the many locks on her door. Dick was torn between duty and passion. He was very attracted to Clancy and was glad to have her back in his life but he knew that now was not the right time for getting too involved. Of course, in his life, there was never a right time for getting too involved. Clancy had finally unlocked all the locks on her door and it swung open. He felt her soft hand envelop his once again and lead him to the living room, where she turned and kissed him again. He returned the kiss and pulled her body tightly against his. He was still torn between duty and passion...... but he was giving in to the passion. It was then that fate made the decision for him. Without warning the lights flickered out, Clancy and Dick found themselves cast into darkness.

"Should I consider this a bad omen or a good one?" Clancy whispered seductively into his ear. Dick wasn't listening. His eyes were gazing out into the darkness and his ears were straining to listen. He heard it. It was barely there, but he could hear it just the same. From above, the slight vibrating noise he heard last night when the silent helicopter had descended on them from nowhere. It took everything he had to break off the embrace with Clancy.

"Listen, maybe I should check on the lights Clance. What do you think?" He said as he stepped back from her a few paces toward the door.

"I think if you knew what was good for you Grayson, you'd come right back here to me. The dark can be a lot of fun." She said as she gestured with her index finger for him to come back to her. Dick knew that time was running out, that the hunters were almost on top of him. He turned on Clancy and broke into a sprint up the stairs.

"I better check on Tim Clancy. I'll be back soon." He yelled as he took the stairs three at a time. Behind him he heard the door to Clancy's apartment slam shut and he winced as if in physical pain. He knew that this would hurt his relationship with her, he just hoped it wasn't damaged beyond repair. Dick turned his attention to the task at hand and vaulted up over the railing on the stairs and toward the door of his own apartment. He stormed into the darkened room. Tim was nowhere in sight.

"Head's up Tim.... we've got company!!!" He yelled as he shut the door and dove for his closet. Tim emerged from the bathroom with a quizzical look on his face.

"Dick?!? Is that you? Where are you? Why are the lights out?"

From the closet Nightwing emerged, escrima fighting sticks in hand, his voice noticeably lower and more threatening. "Our friends are back."

Tim ran past Nightwing into the closet to don his own costume. Nightwing ran to the window, he was suddenly blinded by a powerful searchlight cutting through the darkness. The eerie silence was shattered by the shattering of glass. Three smoking canisters landed on the floor and began to billow smoke.

"Alpha team in position. Awaiting go code."

"Alpha this is command.... go code is �Bravo'."

"Roger..... Alpha engaging."

Five figures dressed in midnight black crashed through the window. They moved with a speed that impressed even Nightwing.

"Robin I could use your help out here!!" He called as he back flipped away from the invaders and toward the kitchen area.

"Coming mother!!" Robin, the boy wonder replied as he charged from the closet still holding one boot in his hand and tackled the figure closest to him. Nightwing landed a hard kick on another of the men while the others began to open fire. Nightwing could tell from the silenced sound of the weapons that these men were using the same non lethal ammunition as they had the night before. That gave them a slight edge. If they wanted him alive, they would have to pull their punches, but he didn't. Nightwing let loose with several roundhouse kicks to his assailants, sending them scattering like ten pins while Robin brought his opponent down with a hard right to the jaw. Whoever they were, Nightwing thought to himself, they were good. They managed to strike again so quickly that they even caught Robin with one boot off. All the same, Nightwing knew that he would be giving as good as he got with these shadowy figures.

"Command. Target is showing Alpha Team a hard time of it. Awaiting go code."

"Relax Bravo, this is just phase one."

"Nonetheless sir, they sound like they could use some help."

"*sigh* All right then. Bravo Team..... go code is Epsilon."

"Roger command. Beta... engaging."

The sound of shattering glass once again filled the room and five more dark clad men descended via ropes into the room. Nightwing switched to infra red vision. The room was becoming very crowded indeed. It was only a matter of time before they hit him with something he couldn't avoid.

"Fire in the hole!!" He heard one of them yell. Suddenly a noiseless flash grenade rolled toward him and exploded right in front of Nightwing, who fell to his knees..... blinded. The incredible white light explosion combined with the fact that he was using infra red lenses rendered Nightwing's eyes useless.

"All right!!! That tears it!!" Momentarily sightless.... Nightwing flipped backwards and grabbed a chair from the kitchen. Grabbing it firmly by the legs, he began to swing it in the air with as much force as he could muster.

"Look out!!!" One of them yelled. Nightwing felt the chair impact several times on his assailants, he also felt them rolling with the impact of the blow. These men were more than professional terrorists..... he was now quite convinced they were top level military grade fighters as well. He had to be at his best to fight them off. Still.... he had to wonder... what did they want with him?

"That's enough!!! Stand down Nightwing!! We have your partner." Came a rough voice. Nightwing stopped swinging and shook his head. He then rubbed his eyes..... his vision was returning ever so slowly. He strained to see the figures in the darkness past the spots of light dancing in his eyes. It was then that he could barely make out Robin, on his knees, one of the assailants held an automatic weapon to the back of Tim's head. Upon seeing this, Nightwing immediately dropped the chair and raised his hands in the air.

Robin looked at Nightwing with an apologetic look on his face. "Sorry partner."

Nightwing managed a grim smile, "Nothing to apologize for pal." Moving quickly, another of the men stepped up behind Nightwing and raised a weapon to his neck... pulling the trigger. Dick felt a small pinch and then his knees began to buckle as the heavy tranquilizer entered his system. Eyelids fluttering, Nightwing turned to the black clad figure that shot him with the tranquilizer and began to speak, his speech slurred. "I'll remember youuuuuu...." was all he managed to mumble before falling forward onto the floor, asleep.

Across the room, Robin suddenly heard the hammer being pulled back on the weapon at the back of his head. He closed his eyes and waited for the inevitable. Images of Dick, Bruce, Barbara, and of course his father and mother flashed through his mind. He hoped Bruce wouldn't torture himself over his death as he had over Jason Todd's death. He also hoped Bruce wouldn't blame Dick for his death. He also thought of his father and hoped losing his only son would not kill him as well. At least it would be quick.

"Holster that weapon Soldier!! Zero body count remember?" Another soldier yelled. Robin breathed a sigh of relief when the gun was put in its holster. He then felt the pinch of the tranq dart on the back of his neck and the subsequent weak knees. With no control of his body, Robin fell to the ground and into a black haze.

Two hours later Robin awoke, still in costume, on the floor of Dick's apartment. The lights were back on. He tried to clear his eyes and look about the room. It was as he feared.... "They're gone."

He was known by many names even though he had no parents and was never given a proper name. He found that very ironic. The American Government had code named him "Judas". He preferred to call himself Kane. He was a man who had no family and no past. That left only the future, and he was at this very moment peering into the future as Nostrodamus could have only hoped to. He read the code as easily as anyone else would read the newspaper. It revealed to him all possible futures, but he was the one who had to decide which future would be his. That was the blessing of this special knowledge... and the curse. As he read what the code revealed to him from this most sacred of books, his brow furrowed. The code revealed tough times ahead. Kane knew he would not only survive them, he would also thrive. For he was the next step in human evolution, the ultimate man. How could he fail?

"They are coming for me yet again.... and not alone it seems."

Beside him Angelica stirred from her sleep. She reached out to him and placed a hand on his broad shoulder. Her hand felt unnaturally hot against his skin, which was cooler than a normal mans.

"What do you mean my dear? What does the code tell you?"

"The code. It tells me the future as you well know. It reveals the name Walker crossing my own.... and a new name, Nightwing."

"What will you do?" She asked as she got up from the massive bed and walked to the bathroom, the meager light silhouetting her voluptuous nude form.

When Kane answered, it was in a very soft, almost soothing tone, "I will, of course, kill them all my dear." And with that he put down his copy of the sacred Torah and left the room.

"Wake up!!" Nightwing felt the hand slapping his face three times before he reached out and grabbed an arm, stopping the next slap only an inch from his face.

"All right. I'm awake....." He was so tired he could barely open his eyes but he heard two sets of footfalls walking away from him. He heard a door open, more footfalls, and then he heard the door shut. Other than the hum from the lights he heard nothing.

"Was it my breath? Anyone still here?" He called out.

"Yes I'm still here. Don't worry you are in no danger from me."

"You could have fooled me. Who the Hell are you?"

"Allow me to introduce myself. My name is General Douglas Walker of the United States Special Operations Division, and you sir, are Dick Grayson. Adopted son of Bruce Wayne. You are also the vigilante known as Nightwing, and we are about to become the closest of allies."

"I have to find him. Everything goes to the back burner as of right now. Finding Dick is the number one priority as of this moment." His voice was the epitome of determination and iron will as it echoed against the walls of the Batcave. He was the master of this realm filled with bats and stalactites. He was born Bruce Wayne, but he was known to the criminal elements of Gotham City as The Batman.... and he was not at all happy. He threw his cape, cowl, and gloves across the floor of the Batcave in an uncharacteristic display of anger and stalked across the floor of the Batcave to the giant cray computers. Behind him, Alfred Pennyworth and Tim Drake were slightly awestruck by Batman's lack of control.

"I don't think I've ever seen him like this." Tim whispered to Alfred.

Alfred whispered his reply so softly that Robin could barely hear it, "Master Bruce and Master Richard have repaired many of the problems that have been plaguing their relationship in the past years and I fear the master is once again afraid of losing Master Dick, even if the circumstances are beyond his control." Tim nodded in agreement.

After shaking off the effects of the tranquilizer dart Tim immediately locked up Dick's apartment and drove the Redbird back to Gotham as fast as he possibly could. Luckily, Batman had yet to leave on his nightly patrol and he breathlessly informed both Bruce and Alfred about the assault and kidnaping of Dick from his very own apartment. Bruce and Alfred listened silently to Tim's retelling of the event with rapt attention. It was not until Tim finally finished his account that they spoke. Alfred was the first to say anything.

"My word. It sounds as if Master Dick could be in mortal danger."

"I don't know Al," Tim replied, "They seemed to be taking pains to take Dick alive and they could have killed me but they didn't. They distinctly said they wanted a zero body count."

"May I remind you Master Tim, that The Joker and a wide variety of psychotics have had a chance to kill each one of you but instead declined preferring to put off your deaths until it was more fitting and, in their own deluded minds, more dramatic a time?" Tim knew Alfred spoke from years of experience that he didn't have and he quickly conceded the point. Still, Bruce said nothing. After a few more minutes of silence, Tim and Alfred simply stood there, waiting for Bruce to react to the distressing news. They were both slightly shocked however, at his lack of restraint. After a few minutes of using the computer at he turned to Tim.

"Tim why don't you go home for a few hours and catch up with your father. I'm going to do some research here and in two hours you can report back here. I want you to come with me to Bludhaven. We can search Dick's apartment for clues." Tim agreed and left for his fathers home, only to report back after everyone else in the house had gone to sleep. This left Alfred and Bruce alone, and it gave Alfred the opportunity he needed to discuss the situation candidly with him.

"I must say sir, I have not seen you this distressed in a very long time." Bruce didn't answer but instead continued his research, seemingly deaf to Alfred's words.

"With all due respect sir, please don't try and fool me. I can clearly see that you are upset." Alfred was shocked when Bruce actually slammed his fist down on the panel, making the keyboard jump high in the air. Such displays were uncommon with Batman, and Alfred almost jumped himself at the sudden noise. Instead he merely arched an eyebrow. Bruce swivelled the chair to face his oldest friend. Worry lines etched in his face.

"I can't lose him now Alfred. I simply can't. We've made so much progress, we've come so far. Whoever these people are they're serious and they're very good at what they do to have taken Dick so quickly and efficiently. I'm.............. afraid." He choked out the final word as if it were actually painful to say. It took Alfred a moment to take in exactly what it was that Bruce said.

"Sir? I can't remember the last time you admitted to feeling fear."

"Just between us Alfred? You won't tell Tim any of this?" He asked.

"Of course sir if it is what you wish. I would never betray your confidence." Alfred replied immediately, almost insulted by the notion. Bruce took a moment to gather his thoughts and calm himself. He then took a deep calming breath and took a moment to choose his words before he spoke again.

"I am feeling fear. You know me well enough to know I hate the sensation..... And the fact that I can't control it makes it even worse. The precision and efficiency of the people who've kidnaped Dick makes it clear to me that he is in the hands of someone who is very potentially deadly. This is a much more controlled and intelligent type of malevolence than say......The Joker. I can already tell that this is far more than just a fist fight with Bane or a run in with Blockbuster. This is whole different level. This reeks of the military and that in itself disturbs me."

Alfred half smiled at Bruce, "I seriously doubt that is what frightens you."

Bruce actually smiled back at Alfred, perhaps at the butlers ability to know his so well. "No you're right Alfred. That's not what scares me. This house was so dreary before Dick came to live with us. Like a mausoleum."

"I remember quite vividly sir."

"And then when Dick came, everything was brighter. It felt like we were a family. And then we had our disagreements, Dick left and we didn't speak for ages. The house was dreary and gloomy again. Something was missing. Not even Jason, God rest his soul, or Tim can replace what Dick brought to our lives. Since we've been making inroads with one another and patching things up, I've started to feel our lives brightening up again. I used to tell Dick that I was his mentor and friend, but never his father. Well.......... now I'm starting to realize that we are a family. You, Dick, and myself. And I don't want to lose him just as we are becoming a family again. I will not lose another family member again. Not after my parents, and not after Jason."

Alfred permitted himself another wry smile, "You certainly speak as a father would sir. I am sure you will find him. If anyone can, you can. And you will. I also have faith in Master Richard as you must. He has survived battles with many powerful foes by your side, with The Titans and on his own."

"He'll be okay." Bruce muttered, "He has to be okay."

"I shall prepare something for both you and Master Timothy to eat on your trip to Bludhaven sir and leave you to your work. You must keep up your health during these trying times." Alfred smiled and left for the kitchen leaving Bruce alone again with his thoughts and his fears. He once again resumed his research on the computer, counting the minutes before he and Tim left for Bludhaven.

"He'll be okay........he's the best there is.......he has to be okay." He muttered to himself. His only response was the flutter of bat's wings.

At the moment Nightwing could only be sure of two things: the first being he wasn't dead........ yet. The other thing he could be sure of was that this man who called himself General Douglas Walker was not to be trusted one little iota. Nightwing regarded the man, there was no doubt he was a military type. Everything from the way he talked to his haircut told him that Walker was no doubt a lifelong career man in the military. He was obviously a man who got straight to the point as well. He had blurted out, in a few crisp, clear sentences exactly who he was, what he wanted from Nightwing, AND that he knew his secret identity. Now Walker was straddling a chair, his arms resting against the back of it as he leaned towards Nightwing, awaiting a response.

"Let me get this straight, you kidnap me, injure a young boy whom I consider a brother to me, and you expect me to roll up my sleeves and ask how I can help you? I suggest that whatever you're smoking you should really quit as it's really screwing with your brain."

He waited to see what kind of reaction he would get from Walker. Surprisingly, there was very little. Walker simply sat there and his lips formed a completely insincere smile for a so brief a time that if you blinked you might miss it. He then checked his watch and frowned slightly, apparently time was not on Walker's side.

"Allow me to be frank with you...." he began.

"You can be whoever the Hell you want to be spy boy but I am getting out of here right now and you and your goons won't stop me." Nightwing replied and he got up to walk out of the room. Of course, he had no idea where he was but he knew he wasn't going to play Walker's little game. It was then that The General played his trump card.

"And what about Alfred? What about Miss Barbara Gordon? What of Bruce Wayne? Will you turn your backs on them too by walking out of here?" He asked in a deadly calm voice. Nightwing's hand was only an inch from the doorknob and there it stopped. They both knew it, Walker had him dead to rights. He would have to listen now. Ever so slowly Nightwing turned and walked back to The General.

"What do you want?" Nightwing asked, his voice almost a whisper. Walker gestured for the younger man to sit down, at first Nightwing did nothing, he gestured again with an almost sincere smile and finally he sat down opposite Walker on the small cot on which he had woken up. When he began speaking again it was in a very pleasant conversational tone that one might use when discussing the big game the night before.

"I'm not the evil man you seem to think I am Nightwing. Yes I know your secret identity but you can rest assured that I am the only one in our organization who does and as long as you cooperate I see no reason to tell anyone else who you really are. Secrets are the currency of my stock and trade and I don't give them away for free. I'm sorry I had to threaten you by mentioning your friend's names but I think it was the only way I could get you to listen to me."

Nightwing had to chuckle at that remark, "Oh yeah you're all heart. Well I'm listening so hurry up and get to the point."

Walker proceeded with his commentary in an even tone the instant Nightwing stopped talking.

"The simple truth is, I command a platoon of men and women that are utilized by the United States Government in covert operations worldwide. Their code name is Impact Squadron. Believe me when I tell you they are the best that there is. For two and a half years we have been trying to eliminate a threat to the security of the entire world."

Walker paused for a moment to allow for some drama but it was clear by his arched eyebrow that Nightwing was not impressed. Nightwing had heard those words used before. Walker continued after a moment's silence in his deadly serious voice.

"The threat is because of a single genetically engineered man who was originally code named The Darwin Experiment. We have since changed his code name to Judas. Judas has gained access to several different types of atomic warheads and biological weapons that he has been buying from the crumbling Russian Empire. Worse than that however, he has access to a special kind of knowledge that seems to help him predict the future, it is a knowledge that we can barely understand. I'm not lying when I say that Judas is the pinnacle of human genetic achievement. He is faster, stronger, smarter, and more resilient than any man alive save perhaps Superman who, to be fair, isn't of this planet. He was created to be the ultimate covert agent before he went rogue. He began to see the entire human race as a lesser species than himself, as a virus to be wiped out and when he has the rest of the weapons he needs he intends to eliminate the entire human race and repopulate the Earth with men and women like himself. He is quite insane, which may or may not be a result of his genetic engineering, we simply don't know."

Walker stopped talking then, allowing Nightwing to take in all of this information. The silence in the room began to grow heavy and cling to both men like a fog. Walker was becoming impatient.

"Well? Don't you have anything to say?" He finally asked with more than a trace of irritation in his voice.

"Why me?" Nightwing asked, "Why not Batman? Hell why not Superman? Why shanghai me into this?"

A smile blossomed on Walker's face when asked the question, "Obviously we could not involve a being like Superman. He is far too honest and would more than likely make full reports of such a being to his friends at The Daily Planet such as Clark Kent or that Lois Lane woman. Such a highly moral being as Superman would make sure that Judas was brought into the public light where we have no wish for him to be. We want Judas eliminated quickly and quietly. Not to mention the fact that Judas has come across some quantities of Kryptonite, which he keeps close to him at all times. As for Batman, I never truly considered him. He isn't a team player like you are with your Titans friends. Not to mention that he too would insist on bringing Judas to the public's knowledge. However, more than all these factors put together, you have been chosen because of a combination of skills that you possess which makes you perfect for this assignment."

Nightwing was becoming weary of this conversation and sank his head into his hands which were resting on his knees. Walker seemed to have a way of telling you things without really giving you any pertinent information.

"What skills are those?"

"Put succinctly, you have tremendous acrobatic skills, which we will need. You're hand to hand combat and detective training is without peer and we will need that. You work well in a team situation."

"Meaning I work and play well with the other children." Nightwing interjected.

Walker continued without missing a beat, "You have superior computer skills and you are quite the master of disguise when you need to be, all of those talents we will need to make use of in order to eliminate the threat of Judas."

Before Walker even knew what had happened he found himself pinned up against the wall, his feet dangling in the air several inches above the ground. When he looked back on the event later he realized that Nightwing had moved so fast that he had no clear recollection of it happening. One minute he was sitting on a chair briefing the costumed vigilante on his plans, the next he was pinned against the wall with the wind knocked out of him and Nightwing's rock hard fists around the lapels of his coat. The next thing he was aware of was the yong man's voice, barely a rough whisper.

"Don't forget the main reason you picked me as your patsy Walker. You know my identity and you threatened the people I hold most dear. I ought to tear you in half right now and save this Judas character the trouble. I don't like being anyone's puppet and working with you would make me exactly that...... a puppet. You can take your plans for me and stick them straight up your assho......"

At that very second the door to the room was kicked in with a loud thud and several armed men trained their weapons on Nightwing. Walker innocently held up a small device in his hand that he used to summon them. "When I'm done showing you what you need to see, I guarantee you will work with us of your own free will." Walker said with absolute confidence.

"Put The General down or we will be forced to open fire!!" The lead man yelled. Ever so slowly Nightwing lowered Walker down to the floor and released his hold on the man's lapels. The armed men at the doorway began to relax and lowered their weapons as the tension eased. In a split second Nightwing again grabbed Walker and pinned him to the wall, proving that he was not going to go along quietly as the lamb to slaughter. The men at the door instantly brought their guns back up and aimed at Nightwing, who leaned in close to Walker and whispered in his ear.

"If anyone I love is hurt by you junior James Bond's than I will come looking for you Walker. You know me well enough to know I don't kill, but that could be worse for you in the long run. Just because I don't kill doesn't mean I can't cripple you for life and leave you in a wheelchair, or even worse, on a respirator. You remember that." And with those final words he let go of Walker and put his hands up in the air to signal that he was done acting up for now. This time the armed squad at the door did not lower their weapons until after Nightwing had taken several steps away from Walker.

The General simply smoothed out his coat as if nothing of consequence had actually happened and began to walk out the door, gesturing for Nightwing to follow him.

"I think it's time you met the people you will be working with Nightwing. Allow me to introduce you to Impact Squadron."

The next half hour was taken up by Walker showing Nightwing around the area they were using as a headquarters. Nightwing guessed that they were still in Bludhaven, even though he had no proof of that yet. The construct he was in had no windows and there were no sounds emanating from the outside. They began with a large room filled with computers and monitoring equipment. Two young men were overseeing them and both greeted Walker with stiff military salutes. Walker introduced Nightwing and they greeted him with barely sincere smiles and weak looks coupled with suspicious glances. Their names were Duane Johnson and Robert Styles. Johnson was a broad shouldered black man with handsome features and the well muscled body of a fighter. Styles was a much taller and ganglier man who also greeted the outsider with a barely concealed look of suspicion.

Just down the hall from the computer room Nightwing was introduced to three more agents of Impact Squadron. In a much larger room was what Nightwing recognized as the ammunition stores for Walker and his men. The three men were busily cleaning and oiling the various weapons and loading the magazines. Their names were Luke Francis, Glen Murrant, and Brad MacQuarrie. Francis was a compact stocky man who seemed friendlier than the rest, greeting Nightwing with what seemed to be a sincere smile and a firm handshake. MacQuarrie was a large framed man with jet black hair and blueish eyes much like Nightwing's. His handshake was very firm but it didn't seem very friendly, it was more like he was testing his own strength against Nightwing's own. Murrant seemed rather blas� about the newcomers presence but was reasonably friendly. Nightwing guessed that Murrant was something of a loner.

Further down the hall a large room housed an impressive area of all terrain vehicles and even a few motorized flying devices that would have impressed even Batman. Four men were there performing maintenance on the vehicles. There he met Roger Dixon, Lucas Romaine, Terry Brooks and Miller Sito. Dixon, Romaine and Brooks all seemed too busy to give him much of a notice and gave him quick handshakes and "hello's". Only Sito, a young Asian-American man seemed very friendly and treated Nightwing as if he were welcoming home one of the boys. "At least there's one friendly face." Nightwing thought to himself.

Finally, Walker led Nightwing across the garage area to a command post of sorts where two men stood conversing, one was a tall well muscled man with leonine features and blonde hair. He was talking to another man who was writing on a clipboard.

"This is Lt. Cortez and Colonel Phillip Young. Colonel Young is the field commander for Impact Squadron and a true American hero." Walker said as they approached the duo. Young and Cortez turned to face Walker and Nightwing. Young was the first to extend his hand, "Sorry about the way we had to recruit you but I think....." He was stopped short by Nightwing's fist flying into his face in a punishing jab that snapped out so quickly Young's knees instantly buckled and he fell to the ground.

Both Cortez and Walker jumped on Nightwing and held him down, Nightwing offered no resistance.

"What the hell are you doing?" Cortez yelled as Dixon, Romaine, Brooks and Sito came running over from across the garage.

"Stop!!" Young yelled as he pulled himself to his feet and rubbed his jaw.

"I told you I would remember you." Nightwing said as Cortez and Walker held him back. He instantly remembered the voice from his apartment saying, "That's enough!!! Stand down Nightwing!! We have your partner."

To his surprise, Young began to smile as he rubbed his jaw and offered his hand to Nightwing. "I think that makes us even." After a moment of silence Nightwing extended his hand and the two shook hands. Maybe this one wasn't so bad after all.

Nightwing turned to Walker, "I have to let the people I love know where I am." He said, both he and Walker knew that he meant Batman/Bruce Wayne but he wasn't about to say their names in front of these men.

"We'll contact your loved ones as soon as possible Nightwing but we're about to move out. Tell me..... what do you know of the underground death match circuit?"

Kane sat in his lounging chair with his book open before him. Angelica walked into the room carrying two glasses of wine on a tray. As usual, she was barely clothed in a tiny red negligee that was cut very short to reveal as much leg as possible. Kane had to admit he liked her that way. She was his most loyal personal bodyguard and his lover. Kane, much like his strength, reflexes and intellect, had the sexual appetite of at least 10 men and Angelica did her best to make sure Kane had access to as many women as he needed. Few of the women were strong enough to survive his sexual tastes however. Only Angelica was strong enough to be his lover on a nightly basis. She was the best the human race had to offer he often thought. She had survived many death match tournaments with barely a scratch and she killed all her opponents (most of them men) with extreme prejudice while she barely received a scratch. He knew then that she would be his choice to be his closest aide and together they would build an army, and together they had.

"I wish I could read the code as easily as you do my love." She said as she bent over to place the glass of wine next to him, the tiny negligee falling in just the right places to let him see her well endowed body in all its glory. He smiled knowingly at her and she returned the smile.

"One day when I have the time I will show you how to read the code. It is not easy and I myself didn't even discover it. It was actually a mere human, admittedly a brilliant human, who first realized the code existed." He said as she sat on his lap and looked at the book with him.

"It would help if I read Hebrew I suppose." She said.

"It only took me a few minutes to learn Hebrew, I will teach it to you eventually."

Kane thumbed the pages of the most sacred Torah as he read. To millions worldwide the Torah was the word of God as told to Moses. To Kane and a handful of others, though, it was the key to the future. Early in his existence Kane was instructed by his creators to learn as much as possible from all possible sources. That was when he came across information about Dr. Eliyahu Rips and The "Bible Code". Dr. Rips was one of the world's leading experts in group theory, a field of mathematics related to quantum physics. He found that using computers to develop a sophisticated mathematical model confirmed that the text of The Torah was encoded with information, the code also seemed to exist only in the original Hebrew version.

"The entire idea has to do with equidistant letter sequences basically," Kane explained. He went on to tell her of a Rabbi in Prague who, over 50 years ago, discovered that if he skipped 50 letters, then another 50, and then another fifty and so on, the word "Torah" was spelled at the beginning of The Book Of Genesis. The same effect was found in The Book Of Numbers and in The Book of Deuteronomy. Digging into the past, it was discovered that Sir Issac Newton also suspected a hidden code in the Bible and spent half his life searching for it, only to fail.

Dr. Rips had found coded information in the equidistant letter sequences foretelling the assassination of Yitzhak Rabin, which Rips and his colleagues tried to warn Rabin about, and failed. The code in the Bible foretold both Kennedy assassinations, the Oklahoma City bombing, the assassination of President Lincoln (and the name of his assassin... Booth), World War II and Watergate. It also foretold of the Shoemaker-Levy Comet colliding with Jupiter BEFORE it actually happened. It was suspected that there were endless layers of coded information in The Torah and that it contained the names and fates of everyone that was ever born or will be born, this of course, remained unproven. Similar attempts to find the code in secular books like the Hebrew version of War and Peace had failed. The code was indeed real and existed only in the Hebrew Bible. Who had encoded it 2000 years ago with this information? Religious scholars said the author was obviously God. Secular scholars suggested it was proof of alien life influencing our own history. Kane did not know who had encoded it nor did he particularly care. He saw the code as a tool and nothing more. A mean to an end.

"Basically my dear," He continued, "A computer divides the entire Bible into a giant crossword puzzle. One strand of 304, 805 letters into 64 rows of 4772 letters. If the skip sequence for the letters is 10. Then each row would be 10 letters long, if the skip was 100, then each row would be 100 letters long and so forth."

Angelica listened intently as she ran her fingernail seductively across his broad, hairless chest. Kane stopped for a moment and sighed with annoyance, her sex drive was almost as strong as his.

"Each time the rows are re-arranged a new set of interlocking words, which appear much as a crossword puzzle, can be seen. It is said that the code can only show a possible future, not one set in stone, but it hasn't failed me yet."

It was then that Angelica finally spoke as she whispered in his ear as if she was whispering sweet nothings, "I take it my love that you have taken this code further than those who discovered it."

Kane smiled proudly at her remark, "Using my superior intellect I have been able to train myself to read the code without benefit of a computer. I can read it right off the pages as an average worm would read the Sunday Times. It warns that the word of God cannot be used for evil, but it hasn't failed me yet."

"And what does it tell you now lover?" She asked as she slipped out of her negligee, revealing some healing cuts and bruises from their past encounters.

He eyed her hungrily as she undressed for him, "It tells me that Walker's newest recruit, this Nightwing, will be brought before me very soon, masquerading as someone or something else. He won't live long enough to realize I knew every move he was going to make before he did"

"Well Dorothy, you're not in Kansas any more...." Nightwing muttered to himself. Barely two days ago he was Nightwing, self-appointed vigilante to the city of Bludhaven. Now he was in the Indian Ocean not far from the coast of Antarctica on a small island known as The Kerguelen Archipelago preparing to fight in a death match. The island lay between 48 and 50 degrees south and 68 and 70 degrees east. There were actually over 300 islands, islets and reefs in the group but the largest island by far was Ile Kerguelen. The weather on the tiny island seemingly matched the souls of the small crowd of people he saw there in the shadow of the glaciated Mount Ross. Grey and dismal. According to most travel guides, rain, sleet or snow falls on over 300 days a year and strong westerly gales are common on the bleak uninhabited island, making it an undesirable place for anyone in their right minds to visit for any reason. This made the sight perfect for it's current inhabitants. A small crowd of approximately 50 or 60 people gathered around a small staging area placing bets and shouting odds on who would be killed in the upcoming fight. This was where the lawless men and women gathered from every nation on Earth to witness the tournaments of death matches that were illegal in most corners of the world. The fighters, their managers, and the people who bet (sometimes millions of dollars) on the outcomes of the fights made their way to Kerguelen Island on a regular basis to compete and make money. It was no wonder, Nightwing thought, that this place was nicknamed "Desolation Island".

He stood on the makeshift staging with Colonel Young by his side. Nightwing had shed his costume and mask and wore a simple pair of blue jeans and sneakers. Despite the cold winds and roiling mists he wore no shirt, as were the rules of the fight. General Walker had given him access to a variety of disguises so that he could remove his mask and still maintain his anonymity. He decided that the simple approach was best and he slicked back his hair with gel, inserted contact lenses that changed the color of his eyes to brown, applied a false goatee and moustache, a false tatoo of an eagle on his right arm, and a false scar on his left arm. No one would know that the adopted son of Gotham Cities wealthiest man stood in their midst. Young had also adopted something of a disguise. Acting as Nightwing's manager, he was dressed in a thick (and warm looking) black leather jacket, grey sweat pants and wore a patch over one eye. Across the stage from them was a very deadly looking combination of fighter and manager. The fighter was a black man about 6 foot 4. He was lean and well muscled, he had no bulk whatsoever and Nightwing guessed that he could move as quickly and quietly as the wind that whipped around them even now. His face was expressionless as he stared straight at Dick. Dick realized that his opponent was actually looking through him as if he wasn't even there, perhaps not worth his attention. His knuckles were taped up, as were Dick's and he wore similar denim jeans and sneakers with no top. Beads of sweat dripped off his body despite the temperature. His manager was a short, greasy looking man with a long, wiry beard. Despite his diminutive size the small man had a look in his eyes that indicated he would easily cut his own mothers throat if it meant that there was a dollar in it for him.

Walker's words from 48 hours ago were still ringing in Nightwing's ears, "What do you know of the underground death match circuit?" Within fifteen minutes of asking the question the entire Squadron had boarded a plane and were winging their way southward. As they took off Nightwing realized that Walker and his cronies had been housed in a large forgotten 1950's era atomic bomb shelter just 10 miles outside of Bludhaven. Their small plane took off almost noiselessly with very little of a runway to speak of. Two hours into the flight, Nightwing took Walker aside and confronted him.

"You don't have any intention of letting me contact my loved ones do you?" He asked.

Walker took him aside and spoke in a hushed tone, "To be honest...... no. I can't risk Batman tracking you down and trying to liberate you so to speak."

At first Nightwing didn't react to such an honest answer from a man with such a permanently forked tongue. He expected at least some non-committal misinformation or some kind of runaround. Instead he got the truth.

"Come with me Nightwing, I told you that when I was done explaining everything to you that you would stay with us of your own free will. Now is as good a time as any." The two retreated to the aft cabin of the plane and shut the door, they were alone. They sat down around a small table facing one another. Walker steepled his fingers and began to speak matter of factly. He explained the threat of Judas in detail. He explained how Judas regards the human race as we would regard a cold virus. An annoyance that is to be wiped out as quickly as possible.

"What do you think he has biological weapons for? The warheads he has obtained are only for his protection. The biological weapons are designed to infect human flesh only. The effects are basically that of an Ebola virus. They don't effect anything else............. so that when we're all dead......"

"He has a fresh planet to start over with. With infrastructure and animals intact." Nightwing finished the thought for him.

"Exactly. He doesn't have enough yet, but he will soon if we don't stop him." Walker confirmed. He went on to explain that even though he was forced to use his knowledge of Nightwing's secret identity to get him to listen, if Nightwing were to turn away from them now, the possible holocaust Judas could unleash would be just as much Nightwing's responsibility as anyone's, because he turned away from a danger that he could have prevented. At that last remark Nightwing raised a skeptical eyebrow.

"My responsibility?" He asked.

"And mine as well. I have asked for your help to save the entire human race from extinction, how can a man of conscience like yourself turn your back on me?" As much as Nightwing reviled Walker's methods, he had Dick dead to rights. He knew the man Dick Grayson/Nightwing very well, he probably had a file on Dick as thick as a phone book. He used his knowledge of the good man Dick Grayson to appeal to his sense of right. No matter who his current allies were, Dick Grayson/Nightwing could never stand by and do nothing while such a danger existed. For better or worse, he would now work with Walker, Young and Impact Squadron to bring down Judas.

"I won't kill him. I'll help you stop him, but I won't kill him." Nightwing blurted out, the tone of his voice indicated that there was no room for debate on the subject.

"He may not give you a choice Nightwing."

Walker then went on to explain their current goal and Nightwing's role in his plan. They were on their way to The Kerguelen Archipelago where death match tournaments were held regularly. Colonel Young would act as his "manager" and several members of the squadron, mainly Murrant, Sito, Johnson, and Styles would be disguised throughout the crowd. He also informed them that the eleventh member of Impact Squadron would be hidden in the crowd as well. Apparently Major Summers was already there and enrolling Nightwing in the tournament as well as scouting the other contestants. The entire reason for the fights was to get a lead back to Judas.

Apparently Judas always had a trusted agent in the crowd at these tournaments. Judas often recruited the winners into his personal cadre of bodyguards. If Nightwing can win the tournament, he should be approached by Judas' recruiter. Walker admitted that he had entered two of his soldiers in the tournaments before and both were killed before the third round. There was one catch however, to win a death match, one obviously had to kill his opponent.

"I told you already Walker. I don't kill."

"You're resourceful, you'll find a way around that." Walker said as he got up and reentered the main cabin. Behind his back, Nightwing extended his hand and gave Walker the finger.

As Walker passed through the cabin and entered the cockpit Colonel Young stuck his head in the door, catching Nightwing giving Walker the finger. Much to his surprise, Young smiled and suppressed a chuckle. He entered the room and took Walker's seat across the small table from Nightwing.

"I sometimes do that to him myself." Young said. Nightwing had to laugh out loud at that.

"The General and I don't always agree on how to do things Nightwing," He continued, "I didn't agree with how we recruited you, and I don't know what The General said to you or has on you to make you cooperate with us......." His voice trailed off as he seemed to be choosing his next words carefully. "Whatever he said to you I think you should know that I do believe Judas is a threat to every life on Earth and if what The General says is true, that you may be the man we need to stop him....... then I want you to know that I'm proud to have you as a member of my Squad, and that I will personally watch your back as best I can. You're too important to us. Too important to everyone on Earth." And with that he extended his hand across the table to Nightwing. At first Nightwing didn't know what to make of Impact Squadron's field leader. He scanned the Colonels face for signs of deception. He found none. Young's eyes seemed totally sincere. Finally, he too extended his hand shook Young's firmly. A pact sealed.

"And don't you worry about these death matches, if you can't kill them I'll have a sniper hidden about half a mile away, it'll probably be Romaine as he is the most talented sharpshooter. His ammunition will be small knock out darts. The effect simulates death for at least two hours. More than long enough for you to finish this tournament and for you to make contact with Judas' talent scout."

The rest of the flight went without incident. Most of the other members of the Squad either slept on the flight or were busy outfitting themselves for duty on Desolation Island. Walker allowed Nightwing to use the small rear compartment to remove his mask and costume, which he placed in a small locker. He then took a few minutes to apply the disguise so that no one would recognize his true face when this was all over.

Hours later, here he was. On a tiny island in the Indian Ocean. Preparing to engage in a battle to the death.

"Ok remember," Young whispered to him, "Work this guy around for a bit. When the time is right grab him by the throat and hold him as still as you can. That's when my guy can take him down." Nightwing nodded in affirmation.

"And don't get myself killed in the process?" He added.

Young smirked and nodded again, "That's the plan my friend. You have to make it through three fights AND make it seem like you killed them all. Good luck."

"Is that all Colonel? I've got two hands you know."

The bell rang cutting off Walker's intended reply. Before Nightwing could even turn his head to face his opponent he felt strong hands grab him by the shoulders and flip him across the stage. He landed hard on the wooden staging and skidded over the mist covered surface. Before he had even stopped skidding he felt a flurry of punches of kicks assault him. This was a death match, he reminded himself. This man wanted to kill him as fast and as he possibly could. Unlike The Bludhaven criminal element, they were not going to be intimidated by a costume or a fright mask. In this world, he was just another fighter who had to be killed so that his opponent might take the prize money. He was not Nightwing any more, he was just another fighter with no reputation and no special weapons. It was a true test of his mettle.

Trying his best to block the devastating blows, Dick did a leg sweep, knocking his opponent off of his feet. Dick back flipped to his feet and somersaulted backwards a few times to put some space between him and his foe. He wasn't a killer, and yet he had to act like he was doing his best to kill this man. How was he going to do this? He had to somehow pretend that he wanted nothing more than to kill this man. That was when the answer came to him. He looked at the face of his opponent, who was charging at him now. He no longer saw the man's face as it really was. Instead he saw Jean Paul Valley, otherwise known as Azreal. The man who Bruce Wayne choose to replace him to face Bane instead of Dick. Valley was a disastrous choice for Batman and for all of Gotham, and he was the one man whom Dick could honestly say he disliked enough to call it hate. He would pretend that his opponent was Azreal. Nightwing kicked the oncoming man straight in the knee and watched as he stumbled and fell. Leaping high in the air, he came down and delivered a series of brutal chops to the man's neck. Nightwing watched as his opponent fell to the ground, dazed. He realized he would have to be careful, thinking about Valley like that could get this man killed, and he didn't want that at all. Dick backed off and back flipped away again, allowing his opponent to regain his senses, much to the chagrin of everyone in the audience who were yelling for blood.

Dick nodded at Young, giving him the signal. Young nodded his understanding and spoke quickly into a button on the collar of his jacket, giving the signal to his sniper. Nightwing's opponent got to his feet and charged once again, enraged by the fact that Dick had not seen him worthy to kill when he had the chance. Much to his surprise, he was not met by the kick that he was expecting. Instead Dick grabbed the man by the throat and stopped him dead. To the blood crazed onlookers it seemed as if Nightwing were about to choke the life out of him. Both men gritted their teeth as one tried to escape and the other tried to hold him still. Beads of sweat burned Nightwing's eyes as he held on to the man's throat with both hands. The crowd around them was going wild with appreciation for the violence.

Dick began to think that he would have to let go of his opponent before he did any serious damage when suddenly a tiny dart only Nightwing could see hit his foe in the neck. Instantly, the man knew something was wrong and he sank to his knees. Inwardly, Nightwing gave thanks to Romaine and his excellent aim. With a quick slight of hand move Dick grabbed the small dart and pocketed it before some anonymous henchmen dragged off the "body" and dropped it just outside the crowd in a heap. Within two hours he would regain consciousness but by then they would all be long out of there. Assuming he wasn't killed first.

There was a 10 minute intermission as the next competitor readied himself. Young took the opportunity to give Nightwing a quick once over to make sure that he was not injured. The man seemed genuinely interested in Dick's well being and he appreciated it.

"Two more buddy, and then you're done." He said.

"Let's hope Judas' talent scout thinks I'm worth recruiting." Dick added.

"Keep up these quick kills and you'll impress everyone in the crowd. Not to mention take all their money."

Opponent number two stepped up on the staging and the bell immediately rang signaling that the fight had begun. Number 2 was a mammoth man of Asian decent. He no doubt had a background in Karate and perhaps Sumo wrestling. He was certainly big enough. Like the first one, he charged Nightwing immediately. His tremendous bulk hit Dick like an oncoming freight train. The impact sent Dick flying off of the stage and into the crowd where he was caught in the arms of several onlookers who promptly threw him back onto the stage again.

"Ok stud.... it's show time, time to show em what you got." He muttered to himself as he rubbed his ribs, which he imagined were quite bruised from the blow.

He felt his opponents strong hands pick him up and throw him threw the air. Utilizing all his aerialist skills Dick managed to twist himself around and land on his feet, much to the chagrin of his opponent, who closed rapidly on him. Dick threw several punches and kicks at number two, snapping his head back and dazing him. Once again Nightwing grabbed the huge man by the throat and gave the signal to Young. Seconds later, a small dart hit the Sumo in the neck. Dick was glad Romaine's reaction time was a little quicker in this fight. Unfortunately, the size of the man kept the serum in the dart from affecting him as quickly as his first opponent. Nightwing let go of him and was rewarded by a straight roundhouse to the jaw, spinning Dick totally around. Using his own momentum Dick came around with a roundhouse kick to the side of the head and knocked his opponent out.

In the crowd, Sito couldn't help but yell, "YES!!!! KICK ASS!!"

The timekeeper came out of the crowd and checked for a pulse on the fallen Sumo. He could find none and it took thirteen men to drag the man's body over to where number 1 lay prone. Nightwing went back to his corner again.

"We have a problem." Young began.

"Just one?" Dick asked as he wiped the blood from his mouth.

Young continued unabated, "Romaine had to move, there was a security patrol coming and they were about to find him. He can't get a clean shot any more."

"Don't tell me that Colonel."

"You may have to kill your last opponent I'm afraid." Young told him with sincere regret in his eyes.

"That's not an option."

"Well, General Walker says you're resourceful. I guess now's the time to pull a rabbit out of your hat.

Just then a shadow fell over them. Dick thought it must have been an eclipse. When he looked up he found it was his final opponent. A man taller than Bane himself, and almost as thick. He bared huge metal capped teeth at Dick and growled. For the final time the bell rang signaling the beginning of the match. Without taking a step the man reached out and grabbed Dick by the neck. His reach was astounding. Dick was pulled off of his feet as he now felt the giant hand squeeze around his neck and cut off his air supply. Repeatedly the huge man hammered Dick in the face as he held him by the throat with the other hand. Much more of this and Dick would pass out, leaving him at the mercy of this man who fully intended to kill him. Despite themselves, the disguised members of Impact Squadron in the audience were impressed by Nightwing's fighting ability and tapped their toes nervously as they watched Nightwing being beaten.

Suddenly, Dick wrapped his hand around the long arm that held him tight. He swung his body up using his opponents own arm as a kind of balance beam and repeatedly began kicking number three in the face. The members of Impact Squadron in the audience all let out a cheer and began a series of high fives, clearly impressed. Young was also impressed. He felt his foe's grip loosen due to the kicks and he dropped to the ground and kicked the giant in the mid section, doubling him over in pain. A leg sweep brought him down to the ground and Dick crawled on top of him. They all watched as Dick took a deep breath and brought his fist down in a horrid punch that made a wet crunching sound. He had driven the man's nose back into his brain. Effectively killing him instantly. Young and the members of Impact Squadron were stunned into silence.

"I thought he never killed." Walker muttered to himself.

The crowd erupted into a wild ovation for the newcomer. He had killed all three of his opponents in record time. The members of Impact Squadron still could not react. From the crowd, yet another set of very calm eyes watched Nightwing as he was brought back to his corner by his manager.

"Yes. He might do nicely." Neil Anderson thought to himself. He was a former bounty hunter who now served as a recruiter of sorts for Kane. He began to work his way through the crowd toward the stage.

"Tell me you didn't just kill that man." Young said under his breath to Nightwing.

"Of course I didn't, it looked like a death blow but he'll regain his senses within the hour.

"Where the hell did you learn that?" Young asked.

"From my own teacher. He fooled me with it once. Let's hope whoever we're looking for makes contact with us before those guys all wake up."

Just then a large bundle of money fell at Nightwing's feet. Both he and Walker looked up to see a rather unsavory looking man smiling through yellowed teeth down at him.

"There's more where that came from. If you and your manager are interested in talking to my employer." The man said.

Before either of them could answer, another voice, a female one this time, broke through the din. "Oh he's interested all right." They all turned their heads in the direction of the newcomer and saw a truly amazing sight. A tall well muscled woman dressed in a skin tight black leather outfit, her hair also as black as night, was down to the middle of her back and tied in a ponytail. She had piercing crystal blue eyes and her body was the shape of an hourglass. She was one of the sexiest women Nightwing had ever laid eyes on. The woman boldly came over to Nightwing and kissed him deeply, she then ran her tongue over the cuts on his face, impressing both the newcomer and Colonel Young. Nightwing was stunned into silence as she turned around to face the recruiter again.

"But you're not brokering any deals for his service without his wife being in on the negotiations. And pal, you're looking at her."

Colonel Young bent down to Dick and pretended to clean the cuts on Nightwing's face as he whispered, "I'd like to introduce my second in command Major Stacy Summers."

Nightwing looked up at the statuesque brunette towering over him, she looked back at him and winked knowingly.

"Wow."

"Not much to go on in the way of clues is there?" Robin asked. Beneath his cape and cowl, Batman had been keeping his own council for the entire trip to Bludhaven. He had already arranged for the windows In Dick�s apartment to be replaced by a Wayne Foundation subsidiary before anyone noticed they had been broken, especially Clancy. They had been combing the apartment looking for clues and Batman had to admit there were few, but that didn�t mean there were no clues at all.

"Look over here Robin." He said pointing to the floor as he inspected a footprint. It was basically the clear outline of a work boot of some kind. "I recognize this foot print. Or at least foot prints like it. This is a standard combat boot worn by military types on operations where silence was required. They are tough steel toed boots but they are almost like tennis shoes in the makeup of their soles, quiet and tough......and they make exactly that print."

Robin was astounded. Batman�s wide array of knowledge covered areas that Tim had never imagined. Bruce Wayne would have made a top level FBI agent or criminologist, but Wayne�s life path was forever altered when his parents were killed in front of his eyes in a Gotham alley.

"I suspect that whoever has taken Dick wishes to keep him out of the mainstream population and therefore wouldn�t take him to an military base or anything like that. Do you have the map I asked you to bring?" Robin nodded and handed a small data pad to his mentor. Batman thumbed a small button and an LCD map of Bludhaven appeared there. The cowled crime fighter scanned the map intently as he used directional buttons to scroll the map in different directions across the screen. Tim had no idea what Batman was looking for. He noticed that Bruce had stopped scrolling the visual display and tapped a spot on the southeastern section of the map, the location seemed to be several miles outside of the city borders.

"There. That�s our next stop." He said in an icy calm voice.

He handed the map to Robin, his eyes narrowed as he saw what Batman had found. An old Atomic bomb shelter. Of course, the perfect hideout for military types hoping to stay out of the limelight. Of course, the old shelter wouldn�t appear on any normal maps of the city, but he was Batman, and he had special resources.

"Let�s check it out."

"Hang on Dick, we�re coming for you." Robin whispered to the shadows.

The Boy Wonder replied as he clipped the device back on his belt.

And with a rustle of their capes the dynamic duo disappeared into the Bludhaven night, on the hunt for their missing comrade.

"Don�t get me wrong, I enjoy showering with a beautiful woman..... it�s just that usually I like to know their names first.......... usually." The hot steamy needles of water lashed out from the showerhead and caressed Dick, who relaxed against the wall and let the heat take the ache out of his muscles. Behind him, Major Stacy Summers of Impact Squadron took a large sponge in her hand and began to rub Dick�s muscles. Dick�s back was aching from the three death matches he had cheated his way out of only a few hours ago. He leaned on the tiled wall for support and let the beautiful woman run the soapy sponge over his body, he was far too sore to refuse her efforts.

Only a few hours ago he had met Summers for the first time. He had ignorantly assumed Major Summers was a man, a rookie mistake he mentally chided himself for making. His surprise at seeing the ravishing beauty for the first time almost gave them all away. This type of subterfuge was not something he had a lot of practice at. Summers covered for him though, indicating that her "poor husband" had taken one too many shots to the head. Judas� recruiter, Neil Anderson, seemed to believe the story easily enough. Anderson led Summers, Young, and Dick to his waiting seaplane where they were promptly flown to a secluded spot in the Aegean Sea. Once there, they boarded a yacht that whisked them off to one of the most elegant sights Dick had ever laid eyes upon.

In a secluded inlet along the coastline of Crete, Nightwing couldn�t believe his eyes as the yacht parted the morning mist and revealed a huge breathtaking castle perched at the edge of a sheer cliff. Anderson informed them that the castle was once used by an order of warrior monks that had disappeared into the mists of time. Dick had seen a lot in his time, but he doubted he had ever seen anything quite as breathtaking as this. Huge stained glass windows depicting saints and prophets twinkled in the morning sunlight. Turrets covered in ivy reached up toward the sky, complete with armed guards patrolling each one. The side of the building that faced the sea was unapproachable, protected by the sheer two story rock face. The remaining three sides were also well defended by a high wall topped with razor sharp glass and roving cameras. There was no doubt that anyone who tried to attack the inhabitants of this castle would not get far before Judas could release his warheads or even his biological weapons..... wherever he was keeping them. On top of all that security, the area was one of the most beautiful and pristine that Dick had ever set eyes on.

The ship docked at a small pier at the cliff base and the three of them were escorted to a series of steps that led up the cliff face to the top. They couldn�t believe they were being asked to climb all the way to the top. Anderson joked that if they had changed their minds they could always swim back to Desolation Island. No one had any doubt that he was totally serious about the threat. Finally they had reached the top, Dick was especially sore after what he had been through in the death match tournament. Neither Summers nor Young had been given a chance to speak to Nightwing alone since their time on the island. As they walked through the courtyard Dick was amazed at the stunning gardens and artificial waterfalls that had been so carefully arranged to please both the visual and olfactory senses. Flowers and shrubs of every kind blossomed all around him in every color of the rainbow. Reds, whites, greens, and blues shot in every direction in a kaleidoscope of color that only nature could provide. They walked through a small path through the gardens towards a set of open french doors. They were obviously expected by the master of the house.

Anderson led the trio up a spiral staircase to a long hallway with marble floors and heavy oaken doors. Anderson offered Young the first suite to refresh himself. There was nothing the Colonel could do but accept the offer and cast a quick glance to Dick and Summers, indicating to them that he would be all right. Dick couldn�t help but wonder if that were true. Young was now on his own. Separated from the group. Divide and conquer was the oldest trick in the book.

"I suspect you and your wife will enjoy this suite." Anderson said with a chuckle as he led the two into a huge room with a large king size canopy bed. Their feet sank into plush carpeting as they entered. Sunlight was now beaming through the windows illuminating the fresh cut flowers that filled the room. They had no choice but to play along without blowing their cover of a married couple.

"I will be up to get you in a few hours when you will have an early dinner with my employer and we can discuss things. The appropriate clothes are supplied in the closet." Anderson said, "Until then, relax and enjoy." He said as he shut the heavy door behind him, they both heard the lock being turned from the outside. They both knew that the entire room was no doubt bugged. Perhaps they were even being watched on video. They quickly realized there was only one place they could communicate without being seen or heard, and that was in the shower.

Summers stripped off her leather outfit without a trace of modesty, knowing that cameras were watching them, Dick tried his hardest not to let his eyes bulge out of his head as her nude form padded across the thick carpet to the adjoining bathroom, seconds later the shower was running and steam blossomed throughout the room. Dick knew that he had to join her in the bathroom and get into the shower with her, but his mind was running rampant with images of the other women in his life. Kory, Barbara, and Clancy. All women he cared for deeply, he could imagine their faces if they knew what he was about to do. He felt dirty somehow, but there was little he could do about his current situation.

"For Queen and Country...." he muttered as he stripped off his clothes and stepped into the shower with the beautiful young woman. It was beyond uncomfortable for Dick, but he had faced far worse duties in his life. Finally, the two could speak freely.

"This is one hell of a honeymoon....." he said as the hot spray began to wash over him.

"Sorry for springing this on you Nightwing, but this is my cover and I am supposed to watch your back.... and that�s exactly what I�m going to do."

"Listen lady, thanks for your help and all but I don�t need you to watch my back. I�ve been doing this type of thing since before I was old enough to shave."

Summers began to wash shampoo into her own luxurious mane of dark hair. "No you listen, I have never failed on a mission yet and I don�t intend to start now. My orders are to pose as your wife and protect you whether you need it or not. You�re too important to the success of this mission not to have a bodyguard and mister, that�s me.... like it or not. You�re going to have to start calling me Stacy by the way if you want to keep our cover from getting blown And just what do I call you?"

He thought about that for a minute. Just what was she supposed to call him? He couldn�t give her his real name that was out of the question. He thought about it for a few minutes, letting the hot water soak his pain away. He turned to face her in and looked in her sparkling blue eyes. He still couldn�t quite believe that he was standing nude before her in the shower trying to think of a name for himself that he could share with her. The answer came to him all at once and he smiled as he remembered the face of a friend long gone.

You can call me Todd............ Jason Todd.

She smiled at him, "Ok Jason. Of course you can call me Stacy." She again began to soak his chest with the soapy sponge. Feeling uncomfortable about the whole thing, he reached out to stop her and his hand grabbed hers, Summers froze and their eyes locked. For several seconds they both held the gaze, finally Dick broke off and turned away from her, finishing up his shower.

"Before we get out of here, do you have any suggestions as to how we proceed? Any kind of game plan?"

"No one has ever made it this far Jason. I�m sure you know that. So a lot of this is going to have to be playing it by ear. This much we can do, you act as the quiet street fighter, I�m your wife and the Colonel is your manager. We�re supposed to be here to negotiate a deal for you to work with Judas. Let us carry the conversation."

"The ball is in your court my dear." Dick said as he turned off the water. He felt much better despite the circumstances. The hot shower helped his aching body immensely and he felt better knowing Summers was a more than competent individual. He toweled off quickly and opened up the large walk in closet looking for the promised clothes. He was only mildly surprised to see a tuxedo hanging there. Next to that was a strapless blue dress for Major Summers.

"Apparently it�s going to be a black tie affair." He muttered to himself. The only other pieces of apparel in the closet were two terrycloth robes, both a scarlet red. It was far too early to dress for dinner seeing as how it was still the middle of the morning so he donned a robe. It was then that Dick finally felt the wave of exhaustion hit him. He had been going nonstop for hours and he had fought for his life three times in the past 24 hours. Dick felt his limbs become heavy and his eyelids began to close despite himself. He wandered over to the large bed and fell on top of it, face down. He felt Summers climb on top of him and begin an expert massage of his back. Before he knew it he was too tired to even thank her for her efforts and falling into a deep sleep.

Kane stood before Angelica as she brushed some lint from his tuxedo jacket. He had spent the day watching the newcomers on hidden cameras. Unfortunately there was little he could learn. He watched as this new fighter and his wife showered together and both had fallen asleep almost immediately afterwards. He had sent Angelica up to their room to wake them up and soon afterwards they were both dressing in the clothes Kane had supplied to them. He had supplied Nightwing with a tuxedo identical to his own. It was a simple black tuxedo with white collarless shirt. The man�s so called 'wife' looked quite ravishing in her strapless blue gown, both Kane and Angelica noticed that and said so. Kane wondered how she would stand up to his virile needs. Both of them admitted that it would be interesting to find out but probably quite impractical.

"Shall we meet our guests Angelica my love?" He said as he took her arm in his. Angelica was, as usual, wearing as little as possible. Her dress revealed far more than it concealed. She wore a black dress that ended at the ankles but was slit almost obscenely high on her leg. The neckline plunged deep and revealed much and the back of the dress plunged further than her neckline did, revealing a muscular back and a few scars as well.

They entered the room together arm in arm while Nightwing and Summers entered from the opposite end also arm in arm. They were in a high ceilinged room with a large chandelier at the apex, twinkling in the late afternoon sun. Copies of beautiful paintings by Monet, Van Gogh, and many others covered most of the walls. Stacy and Dick noticed that there was no sign of Colonel Young, and it made them both feel dread. Whatever Dick was expecting of Kane this wasn�t it. Kane was about 6 foot 4 inches tall and had perfect bone structure. His body was well muscled and perfectly proportioned, his skin healthy and tanned and his blonde hair tied back in a ponytail much like Nightwing used to have. His teeth and smile were of course perfect. He could pass for any well bred company chairman or all American politician. He didn�t look threatening as he played the part of diner host. Dick knew however that this man was lethal in the extreme.

"Welcome to my home!!" Kane smiled broadly and shook Dick�s hand vigorously. He then kissed the back of Summers� hand like a true gentleman would. Nightwing did the same, kissing Angelica�s hand, she almost purred as his lips touched the back of her hand.

"Allow me to introduce myself, I call myself Kane and this is my most cherished confidante and mate Angelica. I�m sorry but your manager is feeling a bit ill and won�t be joining us until after dinner."

Dick opened his mouth to speak but was cut off by Stacy. "I am Stacy Todd and this is my husband Jason. Thank you for having us. Your home is stunning." From a side door a very large and dark featured man appeared dressed in a grey suit and escorted them all to the dining room, both Dick and Stacy noticed that their silent escort was eyeing Major Summers hungrily. Dick could only guess what this man could do to her if given a chance. He could be a rapist and murderer for all they knew. If he was working for Kane, he was certainly no Boy Scout. They were led to their seats and the large man insisted on seating Summers, he moved his own body as close to hers as he possibly could, Summers instantly felt dirty just being near him but revealed nothing.

"I assume you know something of why I have brought you here Mr. Todd." Kane asked as Dick and the silent man exchanged a look of warning. The silent man smiled arrogantly at Dick as if he were not a threat. Dick returned his attention to Kane.

"Not much really. I only know I�ve been offered a lot of money."

Kane laughed in response, "Money is the least of what I offer you my boy. I offer you power and a chance to be in the vanguard of the new humanity I intend to create." Nightwing arched his eyebrow and shook his head to imply he didn�t comprehend. Summers spoke up again as well.

"The new humanity? Mr. Kane what are you talking about?"

Kane continued to talk as they were served a succulent roast beef dinner cooked and seasoned to perfection with a wide selection of vegetables. The silent man served them and always took the opportunity to lean in close to Summers just to smell her or touch her briefly. Kane was completely forthright with them and explained everything as if he were planning his summer vacation.

"My dear please allow me to explain. I am a genetically engineered man. From head to toe my DNA has been written and rewritten by human scientists to achieve the pinnacle of genetic development. Created by the government of The United States of America as cannon fodder for the wars to come. I am faster, smarter, stronger, and more resilient than any normal human. In fact, the difference between myself and normal humans is as vast as the difference between yourself and an ape."

"You mean less than 10 percent?" Dick spoke up suddenly.

"What did you say?" Kane asked.

"Well surely a man as smart as yourself knows that there is less than a 10 percent difference in the DNA of a human and an ape. They are intelligent and loving creatures with family and social structures. They take only what they need and harm no one."

Kane was silent for a moment. Dick, Angelica, and Stacy could all see that Kane was fuming inside at Dick�s remarks. Was there that much difference between Kane and a normal human? Kane seemed to think so and having his beliefs questioned at his own dinner table obviously angered him greatly. Summers knew Nightwing was testing him.

"Apes may be just as you say Mr. Todd, but mankind is not. Mankind is decadent, stupid, hate filled and weak. People starve daily and mankind does nothing to help them. Why? Because the hungry masses don�t have money that�s why. How can anyone go to bed at night with a full stomach and not feel guilty that others are starving and they do nothing about it? A colony of apes would never allow that to happen. Mankind will however. That�s why I have need of your special talents Mister Todd. To be blunt, things need to change and I am just the man to instigate that change. My plan is simple. I am going to eradicate the human race as we know it."

Both Dick and Stacy were silent at Kane�s announcement.

"What?" Dick asked.

Kane smiled proudly. "I am in the process of gathering enough biological weapons to kill off the entire human race and begin anew my friends. I plan to repopulate the Earth with my own siblings, which I am even now in the process of creating. The strain of virus is a mutated strain of Ebola which is called Ebola Omega. It just so happens that I and others like me that I create are immune. We will begin again and no one need ever go hungry or homeless again in my world. Of course, I may be the pinnacle of human development but even I only have two hands. I need an army to carry out my wishes. An army comprised of men and women such as yourself to gather the biological weapons I need."

"You plan on using people like my husband as cannon fodder such as you yourself say you were meant for?" Stacy interjected.

"You�re playing God." Dick said as the silent man reached down to take Summer�s empty dinner plate and rubbed himself against her back. In one brief flash dick reached out and grabbed the man by his silk tie and pulled on it with enough force to smash the mans face into Summers� dinner plate and he fell backwards clutching his face.

"Hands off the lady scum bag."

The man was silent no more. His nose bleeding profusely, he cursed at Dick in several languages and produced a knife, before he could use it Dick kicked the knife from the would be killers hand and sent it sliding across the floor. With cat like agility the enraged killer jumped to his feet and took a swing at Dick, again Dick grabbed the man by the tie as he ducked the punch and pulled the man to the ground, pinning him to the ground with his foot on the man�s throat.

"Enough!!" Kane yelled, his voice like a thunderclap. Returning to his feet, the silent man froze where he was standing. Dick took the opportunity to strike his attacker in a nerve cluster in the shoulder and the man fell to the ground unconscious.

The room fell silent as all eyes were drawn to Kane who dabbed at the corners of his mouth with a napkin and rose to his feet calmly.

"Don�t concern yourself with him Mister Todd. He was very expendable. I think it�s time we drop this charade don�t you Nightwing? I was using Emil here to test you and you failed miserably sir. I think it�s time your manager joined us don�t you?" Angelica rose to her feet and turned walked over to the far wall. She touched a panel on the wall and a large painting began to slide away revealing a large viewing screen. As soon as the painting had slid away into a recessed compartment it shimmered to life and Dick and Summers gasped in shock. There on the screen was Colonel Young, bound to a table and surrounded by men and women dressed in surgical gowns and masks. The room was pure white and was no doubt some form of operating theater.

"You do call yourself Nightwing yes? And I must therefore assume that your wife and manager are key members of a constant thorn in my side known as Impact Squadron. As you can see, I have known your true identities all along. Even now I have a select group of my best men ready to descend on the remaining members of Impact Squadron and eliminate them as well."

For the first time Summers spoke in a way that broke her cover, "What?"

"I am always three steps ahead my dear." He responded with a smile.

Summers turned to Nightwing, her eyes pleading, "We have to get out of here....now."

"What about Young?" Nigthwing asked.

"He�d agree with me. We�ll come back for him."

Dick turned back to Kane and pointed his finger accusingly as he spoke. "You are one sick puppy you know that Kane or Judas or whatever you call yourself? You�re a science experiment gone wrong. You�re a circus freak with a test tube for a father."

Kane fell silent and closed his eyes. Rage flaring within him. Angelica gasped with shock hearing Dick�s words. No one had ever talked to Kane in that manner. As he did Dick turned back to Stacy. "Get out of here, I�ll keep him busy."

"He�ll kill you." She replied with real concern in her voice.

"Go!" Dick said as he pushed he towards the door. Angelica suddenly broke into a run and chased Stacy out the door way.

Slowly, Kane opened his eyes and looked straight at Dick, a cold hatred in his eyes.

"I�m going to enjoy killing you Nightwing."

"I�m going to enjoy watching you try."

"Ok out with it Sito what�s with all the Nightwing hero worship anyway?" Romaine asked as he threw a poker chip on the table and sucked on his cigarette. Eight members of Impact Squadron were sitting in an old farmhouse just up the coastline from Nightwing�s current position, awaiting further orders. Murrant had been teasing the younger Sito for days about his fondness for the Bludhaven vigilante and the others were curious as well. Here in this farmhouse surrounded by fields and the chirps of crickets and frogs they had nothing to do but wait. They could either talk and pass the time or go stir crazy. They wisely chose conversation.

"I can�t tell you because you�ll all laugh at me." He replied as he lobbed some poker chips at Murrant.

"We laugh at you anyway so you might as well give up the big secret."

Sito was quiet for a minute and finally began to speak. "If anyone laughs at this I swear I will kick your tails so hard..............."

"All right we promise we won�t laugh just tell us." Johnson interjected to a round of agreement from the rest of the squad.

"A few months ago my sister was traveling with a friend to New York and they stopped in Bludhaven to visit an old friend. She was on her way home from a party and she was attacked by this gang. They�re known as The Misfits in Bludhaven and they rule all the other gangs in the city. They�re also a bunch of rabid psychos who would rape her and leave her in a ditch just as soon as look at her. I know this happened because she told me this herself. Apparently this guy comes out of the shadows and kicks all their tales pretty hard. He even got her to a police station to assure her safety. She asked him what his name was but he didn�t answer."

"So what makes you think this was Nightwing? Bludhaven is full of psychos." Francis said as the others chimed in with their agreement.

"Yeah but remember this guys, my sister has a photographic memory. She not only described this guy to a tee, but she drew a picture of him." Sito reached into his wallet and pulled out a folded piece of paper which he proceeded to unfold and throw on the table for all to see. The room fell silent as they all examined the paper with its slightly faded drawing.

"I�ll be damned.........." Francis was the first to find his voice.

"It IS him." Stiles remarked.

"No doubt about it." Brooks agreed.

"Damn right it is" Sito confirmed. "So cut the guy some slack. He may not be one of us, but he�s one of the good guys."

Without warning Sito sat up, his body tense and fully alert. "Wait just a damn minute. Listen. What do you guys hear?"

The other men strained their ears to listen. "I don�t hear anything." Murrant admitted.

"Exactly." Sito replied as he pointed towards the open window, "What the Hell happened to the frogs outside?"

"Ohhhhhhhhhhhh shit."

"MOVE!!! MOVE!!! MOVE!!!" Brooks yelled as they all overturned the table and scrambled for their weapons. It was then that all Hell broke loose.

"They were here all right." Robin said as he went through the discarded food tins and miscellaneous bits and pieces of evidence that suggested that Dick and his captors were here. Batman was topside, examining the tracks left in the dirt by several vehicles. He took his communicator from his belt and spoke to Robin as he ran his fingers through them, making mental notes as he talked.

"They took off in a very special kind of military aircraft Robin. I see evidence of that in the tire tracks and the machinery that�s been left lying around. A Typhoon 313 B I suspect. Very fast and capable of long flights carrying a great amount of passengers and cargo without needing a runway an longer than the average driveway." Robin shook his head in amazement, "How can even you possibly know that?" He asked.

"Wayne Enterprises has a government contract to build the engines for them. There should only be about nine in existence right now." He added, a brief smile passing over his lips and then disappearing.

"Get in contact with Oracle Robin, we�ll need her special talents on this one. No one can make a move these days without making waves on the information highway and this plane is one high tech venture. It needs special parts and fuel. If anyone can find it, she can."

They closed the connection and Batman rose to his feet, his cape rustling in the night wind. He looked up at the full moon and wondered where on Earth they had taken Dick. Where under the moon was his adopted son? Russia? Turkey? Canada? Brazil? Zaire? Just down the road even? He pulled his cape around him and walked back to the waiting Batmobile. He would find Dick, and then he would make whoever had kidnaped him feel the wrath of Batman.

"It looks like I have your military aircraft here boys." The pixilated version of Barbara Gordon's face appeared on the huge main screen of the Batcave's cray computers. It had been over ten hours since Batman and Robin had returned to Gotham and requested information reports of any Typhoon 313 B parts or service requested worldwide. Barbara was the best of the best when it came to cyber detective work but a request that big would take even the mighty Oracle time to correlate all her incoming data. When she finally contacted the cave she had even more information than Bruce, Tim, or Alfred had ever hoped for.

"What have you found Ms. Oracle?" Alfred asked.

"I have an actual picture of your phantom Typhoon aircraft. Chauncy. Am I the best or am I the best?"

"How did you manage that Barabara?" Batman asked, even he was clearly impressed by the black and white image that appeared on the monitor. It was indeed a picture of a Typhoon 313 B military aircraft, taken from above, it looked like a grainy satellite photo showing the aircraft on the ground in a large field with only one building nearby.

"Trust me when it comes to how I got these satellite photos, what you don't know they can't prosecute you for. Let's just say that Oracle is now wanted by the U.S. Government for illegal use of certain satellites."

"You're right I don't want to know."

"How do we know that this aircraft is the particular one we're searching for?" Tim asked. It was Batman who answered him as he looked at a printout of information that Oracle had sent them.

"Because every other Typhoon 313 B is currently on assignment in the Middle East according to this information. This has to be the people we're looking for."

"When do we leave?" Tim asked, obviously itching to resume the hunt for Nightwing. Batman rose from his seat at the computers and turned to his junior partner, placing a hand on Tim's shoulder.

"We aren't going. I am going ....... alone." Tim started to protest but was cut off before he could mouth a single word, "I know you want to help Tim, but this is something I have to do alone. These people are dangerous in the extreme and there are too many unknown variables in this situation. Not to mention I am trusting you with the task of looking after the streets of Gotham while I'm gone."

Robin couldn't protest any further. Bruce was right on all accounts and he was also leaving Robin in charge of the streets. This was a significant show or trust in the young man, one Robin didn't want to turn away from. Batman then turned back to Alfred, "Alfred I need a plane ready to take off in 90 minutes and my hunting gear." Alfred's lips formed a thin, knowing smile when Bruce mentioned his hunting gear and immediately began his duties.

"At once sir."

The picture of chaos could easily be found at this moment in a farmhouse in Crete......

"It's Judas!!! It's gotta be!!!!!"

"Where's the General???? Anybody seen the General????"

"I'm pinned down over here!!!"

Mere seconds ago the members of Impact Squadron were enjoying a friendly game of poker and discussing the merits of the Bludhaven vigilante known as Nightwing. Sito had just made them see the stranger in a brand new light. Maybe he was a hero after all, maybe he was the one to finally finish this mission and get them back to regular duty. The constant pursuit of Judas and his small army of psychopathic thugs had left them all weary and ready for early retirement. They had been so weary in fact they had failed to notice that they were being advanced on by an unseen group of Judas' best men. Without warning, bullets began to tear through the farmhouse they had been holed up in. Ripping the flimsy walls to shreds. Impact Squadron was lucky this time, they had overturned the card table and dropped to the floor, scrambling for their weapons. Most of them had managed to arm themselves, except for Brooks and Sito who were trapped together in a corner of the room, pinned down by a steady spray of bullets.

"RETURN FIRE!!!!!" MacQuarrie yelled over the din. At that command the men who had who had been able to arm themselves thumbed off the safeties from their Heckler & Koch G3A3Z assault rifles and returned fire through the small holes in the barn walls and through the now shattered windows. The G3A3Z was no lightweight weapon, it fired large 7.62mm NATO rounds which could reduce a person to shreds in seconds. The spent shells whistled throughout the small barn as they ejected from each man's weapon. Nonetheless, they were useless until they actually hit the target. They were in a well lit barn and their enemies were cloaked in the coal black night outside. They were on a bulls eye, completely pinned down, their enemy unseen. Until they could change the circumstances of their situation, all the spent shells on the dirty floor merely staved off their inevitable deaths.

"Romaine!!!" Cortez yelled, "Light up the night!!!" Romaine nodded to indicate that he understood the command and dove across the room for their weapons locker avoiding a hail of bullets by only inches. With the adrenaline coursing through his veins, the young man practically ripped the door off of the locker and pulled out a large long barreled flare gun. Bullets zipped and whistled past all of them, continuing to rip the walls to shreds. If something wasn't done soon, the old farmhouse would disintegrate around them and there would be no cover for them ti hide behind at all.

Cradling the large gun in the crook of his elbow Romaine rolled across the floor and crawled on his belly through broken glass up to the shattered window. Resting the barrel against the windowsill, he pointed in the general direction of the open sky. Romaine pulled the trigger and the gun made a hollow throaty sound as it fired. The seconds that passed felt like hours to the pinned down members of Impact Squadron as they waited for the flare to ignite and explode. Finally the charge exploded and light seared the night sky. It was time for Impact Squadron to give as good as they got.

"GO! GO! GO!" Romaine yelled as he threw the flare gun to the side and reached for his own G3A3Z. One by one the members of Impact Squadron popped up into the frame of the window and began firing and one by one they jumped through and out into the night. In the distance, behind an ancient stone fence it was easy to see their attackers in the light now being cast by the descending flare. They had about 40 seconds to get out of the farmhouse and off the bulls eye. Precious seconds ticked by as they jumped through the window and rolled to safety behind their parked jeeps. Spent brass shells dropped around their feet as bullets sang a song of death, whipping past the ears of every man in the squadron.

"I need grenades now!!" Cortez yelled, "MacQuarrie, Murrant, Johnson run around the other side of the barn and flank them!! When I give the command, we're gonna turn these guys into shit chowder!!"

At his command the three men broke into a run around to the other side of the barn. Within seconds they were out of sight. Dixon produced 3 grenades and handed them to Cortez. One by one, Cortez pulled the pin and lobbed the grenades towards the wall. The first he threw with enough force to land past the estimated location of their attackers. The second landed just a little short of the wall. The third landed at the feet of their attackers, who instantly recognized what it was and stopped firing. Suddenly the night was silent again with only echoes of gunfire rolling across the hills.

"Fire in the hole!!!"

Mere seconds later the silence was again shattered by three explosions timed only milliseconds apart. One behind Judas' men, one in front, and one dead center on their location.

"Alpha and Beta teams engage!!" All at once the combined members of Impact Squadron charged the wall, firing all the way. Their H & K G3A3Z's tearing apart anyone who had survived the blast. It was over in seconds. Few had survived the three grenade blasts and the few that did put up very little fight as the members of Impact Squadron charged forth shooting to kill. When it was over, the silence compared to the gunfire and explosions only seconds ago was almost as deafening.

"Looks like they're all dead." Dixon reported as he examined the bodies.

"What's our status?" Cortez asked.

"Where the Hell is the General?" Francis added.

"Anybody seen Sito?" Johnson asked. They suddenly realized that their friend was no longer among them. Dread rushed in to replace the feeling of triumph as Sito stumbled into the open light through the shattered farmhouse door, blood running down his shoulder. He leaned against the door frame to support himself and looked at his friends with a smile, almost as if he was trying to reassure them that he was all right. He then promptly slumped over and fell to the ground.

"Man down!!! We need a med-kit over here double time!!!"

The picture of chaos could also be found inside the monastery turned castle that Kane calls home several kilometers down the coastline as Major Stacy Summers somersaulted forward and landed with both feet against the chest of a guard who had been looking in the opposite direction. The burly man turned towards Summers milliseconds too late and found the breath knocked from his chest and his body careening backwards down the hallway. Summers actually managed to snatch the man's gun from his hands as he fell and immediately released the safety and whirled around to fire blindly down the hall in the direction she had just come. Bullets chewed up the hallway as Angelica rounded the corner and immediately jumped into an alcove to dodge the hail of bullets.

"Damn!! I ripped my dress!!" Summers swore as she fired another burst down the hallway. When the echo died she heard Angelica's voice coming from the alcove, her tone was light and teasing as if she were discussing the Saturday night dance with a girlfriend.

"Come on now honey.... the guys are gone now it's just us gals. I know Kane and I would be real kind to you if you were to put down the gun and say.... come to the boudoir with us? Don't make me snap your neck like a little twig honey you are way too cute for that."

Summers felt her skin crawl as she fired another burst to keep the disgusting woman at bay. "I gotta get out of here."

Summers threw off her high heel shoes and sprinted down the hallway slinging the machine gun over her shoulder. Despite her concern over her own situation, Summers felt more than a pang of regret. She felt regret over what may be happening even now to her comrades in arms that comprise Impact Squadron. And she felt regret at leaving Nightwing alone with Kane. She had seen the records on Kane compiled back when he was known as "The Darwin Experiment". He was designed to be the ultimate killer. He knew all types of self defense and offense as well. He was proficient with every known type of weapon. On top of all that he could use any household item to kill a person from a candle to a kitchen fork. When he had decided that he was above the human race as a whole he escaped a maximum security army laboratory, killing thirty seven people on his way out with extreme prejudice. No one man had a chance against Kane. And yet General Walker had insisted that Nightwing was the man for the job. Summers could only barely tolerate The General at the best of times, but Colonel Young had taken a shine to the young man, and the Colonel's instincts she trusted completely.

Suddenly another large man jumped out from behind a marble statue firing an automatic weapon. Without hesitation Summers dropped to one knee and fired her own weapon. The attacker danced as if a puppet as the bullets hit him in the chest before falling to the ground. Summers took a moment to breathe a sigh of relief when she felt two strong hands seize her by the neck and pull her to her feet.

"Here kitty kitty." Angelica said as she thrust her knee into Summers back.

"You must be very good to have breached my defenses like this Nightwing. The General chose his agents well this time." Kane said as he removed his jacket and tossed it nonchalantly to the floor.

"It wasn't that hard Kane believe me. For a genetically engineered man with superior intellect you have a lot to learn. How old are you anyway? Four or five years? You should be in kindergarten not in charge of armies. You're an infant, and not a very smart one at that. I'm going to put you over my knee and spank you." Nightwing replied as he too removed his tuxedo jacket and tossed it away. Both men then started to roll up the sleeves of their shirts as they prepared for battle.

"Do you have any idea what I do to people who speak to me as if I were their equal?"

"Don't talk about it Kane. Just try it. I'm standing right here and I'm not going anywhere."

At first Nightwing thought Kane could actually fly. The genetically engineered man seemed to actually defy gravity as he jumped high in the air with seemingly little effort. He didn't know how Kane got from the point he was standing at the head of the table to having his hands around Nightwing's throat. It happened so fast his brain didn't actually have time to register the movement, Kane was simply there, his insane eyes twinkling with fury and his hands tight around Nightwing's throat. That was when Nightwing realized there was more to Kane than his appearances belied. He may have looked like any other man who took part in moderate physical exercise, but he was at least as strong as Bane or The KGBeast. Of course, that was how he was designed, to look just like anyone else. Bulging muscles attract attention, and Kane was designed to operate covertly. Reacting on pure instinct Nightwing brought his knee up with as much force as he could muster into Kane's chest. The blow drove the air from Kane's lungs and loosened his grip. Nightwing brought both feet up to Kane's chest and pushed with all the strength his legs could muster. At the same time Kane was pushed backwards into the table and Nightwing was able to somersault backwards and land on his feet across the room.

Kane regarded Nightwing with something akin to respect, his lips actually formed a smile. "No one has ever done that to me before."

"You mean you didn't foresee this happening in your crystal ball Kane? You're like The Wizard of Oz, all smoke and mirrors. Not nearly the perfect God like creature you present yourself to be."

A feral growl came from somewhere in the back of Kane's throat as he once again charged Nightwing with such speed that the Bludhaven vigilante barely had time to react. The two men grappled and fell to the floor, each managing to dodge the others blows. How long this could go on neither man knew for sure. Eventually one of them would get the upper hand, Kane smiled as he threw a punch at Nightwing which the vigilante evaded by only a hair. With his superior conditioning and genetic superiority, Kane knew he would eventually wear Nightwing down and kill him. Despite himself, Kane was impressed by this young man who had the gall to insult him not only in his own home, but in front of Angelica as well. Kane had never before experienced a challenge in this manner, everything had always been very easy for him. He found himself enjoying this encounter.

Nightwing dodged a kick from Kane and leaped in the air attempting a roundhouse kick on his foe. Kane blocked it as he had most of Nightwing's other attacks and redoubled his own efforts to break through Dick's defenses. The two men moved as if they were on a film moving at double or even triple speed. Punching, kicking, spinning and whirling almost as if they were in an intricate dance rather than trying to take each others lives. Nightwing knew that he was taking a risk staying here in the dining hall to face Kane alone, but he knew that this was the risk he had to take in order to get Summers to safety. Kane began throwing dinner plates and ripping paintings off the wall to throw at Nightwing, luckily he managed to avoid most of the thrown objects and back flipped further away from the rampaging madman. Dick counted off the seconds in his head, if Summers was as competent as she seemed she must be well away from the dining hall by now and hopefully out of the building. It was time to lead Kane on a little chase in the opposite direction. Just as Kane was about to throw a platter of food at Dick, he somersaulted high over Kane's head and landed behind him, the two men were back to back now and Dick knew he had to seize this split second opportunity before the impossibly fast Kane could turn around. Dick reached back with his hands and grabbed on to Kane's ponytail. Summoning all his strength, he pulled and Kane was lifted off his feet and flipped over Nightwing's back by his own ponytail. Kane landed in a heap screaming in pain.

"I thought you were supposed to be fast..... I don't think The Flash needs to worry about you stealing his reputation as the fastest man on Earth." Nightwing taunted.

Kane reached back and grabbed the hairs that had been pulled out of his head by Nightwing, examining them in his hand. "I'm going to eat your heart......."

"IF you can catch me." Nightwing replied with a smile as he broke into a sprint down the main hallway. Kane immediately followed.

"You're playing God Kane." Nightwing called over his shoulder, "No one can do that."

"Who says I'm playing God? I am a God compared to you." Kane replied.

"Funny how I just whipped your tail, not very Godlike is it?"

Kane jumped with all his might and covered over fifteen feet in one leap, he landed on Nightwing's back. The two toppled to the ground and skidded along the marble floors trading bone crunching blows as they went. Nightwing rolled onto his back and landed several kicks against Kane's chest. Dick knew that here in closed quarters, Kane had the advantage and he would use it to his full ability. Kane was pushed back by the impact of Nightwing's kicks and Dick again leaped to his feet. Kane retaliated by moving with his blinding speed and grabbing Nightwing by the throat once again. Nightwing reached out with both hands and grabbed his foe by the wrist in his own iron grip. Kane refused to let go of Nightwing's throat and continued to apply pressure. Dick felt his air supply being cut off and in desperation he pulled on Kane's wrist with both hands, pulling the man off his feet once more. Nightwing had no idea where he was throwing Kane, he had assumed it would be into a wall. Instead, Kane was sent through a stained glass window depicting Jesus with several children at his feet bathed in sunlight. The glass shattered at Kane's impact and he fell through into an adjoining room. Dick expected that the impact would make Kane release his grip on his throat, he was surprised to find that Kane had no intention whatsoever of letting go of him and was pulled through what remained of the window by his own throat.

Nightwing landed with as much weight as he possibly could on Kane, driving a wedge of shattered glass into the genetically engineered man's arm. Kane howled in agony as he finally let go of Dick's throat. Dick scrambled backwards and his chest heaved as he fought to fill his lungs with much needed air. Without even stopping to pull the glass from his arm Kane charged Nightwing and tackled him once more. The two stumbled backwards into another stained glass window which they shattered together. This time Dick felt a piece of glass pierce his own skin and he yelped with pain as the two fell into an adjacent hallway. Both men paused when they noticed they had come upon Major Summers and Angelica exchanging karate kicks.

"I thought you were leaving!!!" Nightwing yelled to Summers.

"I thought you were keeping him busy!!!" Summers responded as she punched Angelica in the mouth.

"Men!!!" Angelica exclaimed in frustration as she back kicked her opponent in the ribs, sending Summers reeling.

"All is ready Master Bruce. Your hunting gear and anything else you may require is in the cargo hold." They were gathered at Flanders Airfield, a small recreational landing strip seven miles outside the Gotham city limits. Bruce's plane was a commercial version of the Typhoon 313 B that they had been following, recently purchased by Wayne Enterprises. The small airstrip suited their needs perfectly and had been mostly abandoned since the quake. Bruce wore a leather jacket over a dark blue shirt and black cargo pants, his Batman uniform was stored in the cargo hold. Alfred, Tim, and even Barbara Gordon had gathered there in the wee hours of the morning to wish him luck.

"Bring him home to us.... and be careful." Barbara said with more than a hint of worry for both Dick and Bruce in her voice.

"Ditto from me." Tim said as he handed Bruce his sunglasses and gloves.

"Godspeed sir." Alfred added.

Bruce climbed up into the cockpit and put on his gloves as he spoke. "Don't worry, I won't come back without him."

He shut the cockpit hatch and started the engines as Barbara, Tim, and Alfred moved back to a safe distance from the plane. Bruce looked out the window one last time at his friends and gunned the engines. The plane raced down the short runway and seconds later lifted off. Barbara, Tim, and Alfred watched as the plane went airborne, silhouetted by the rising sun. Finally Bruce was alone with his thoughts, he banked the plane out towards The Atlantic Ocean and straight into the rising sun. He forced himself to relax his tense muscles as he settled in for the long flight. Dick could be in serious danger at this very second, and there was nothing he could do to help. He had spent his entire life being in control of everything. Every situation, every detail was put under a microscope to prevent what happened to his parents from ever happening to anyone ever again. This situation was beyond his control and he hated it. He reviled it. There was nothing Bruce Wayne liked less than when fate choose to remind him that he couldn't control everything.

He reminded himself that Dick was trained at his feet. As Robin, he had become a hero, as Nightwing he had become a man. Bruce had been forming a theory about why Dick had been kidnaped. Tim was right, they didn't mean to harm him. They needed him. For what Bruce didn't know yet. He knew however that the task they would need Dick's talents for would be dangerous in the extreme, something no one else could do. He felt rage well up inside him as he thought of Dick being put in danger for someone else's purposes, to fulfill someone else's agenda. Dick had become everything Bruce had hoped for him and more. He was a detective, a fighter, a friend, and a son. When he arrived in Crete he would hunt down Dick's captors and make them wish they had never heard of Nightwing..... or Batman.

At first Nightwing counted his blessings that the majority of Kane's men were out attacking Impact Squadron but then he realized that some if not all of The Squadron would be injured or even killed by the attack. Whatever they had done to him personally, they didn't deserve that. Nonetheless there were only a few interruptions by gun toting guards which either Summers or Nightwing dispatched with ease. The real threat was Angelica and Kane, who fought like demons possessed. The entire plan was to escape Kane's stronghold and come back for Colonel Young as soon as they could get some backup and come up with a plan. Now that Summers was fighting Angelica and Nightwing more than had his hands full with Kane, all they could possibly hope for at this moment was to survive.

Without a floor plan of the castle they were in they had no way of knowing if they were fighting their way to freedom or if they were fighting their way to a dead end hallway. Something had to be done. Dick knew their chances would improve greatly if they could get outside. The foursome battled their way towards another large area of stained glass windows and Nightwing decided it was time to take a chance. Snapping out a quick one two punch at to Kane's nose, he somersaulted backwards and threw a vase of flowers at Angelica. The vase connected with her leg and the voluptuous redhead fell to one knee. Seizing the opportunity, Nightwing grabbed Summers, her weapon from the floor, and threw the major over his shoulder.

"Get back here little man!!!" Kane bellowed as he ran for Nightwing and Summers. Nightwing hurled himself at the window and heard it shatter in a dissonant symphony as he shielded Summers from the breaking glass with his own body. The next instant they were airborne, two stories above the ground.

"We're gonna die!!" Summers yelled.

"No..... we're not." Nightwing replied calmly as he twisted in midair. "Just go limp. I've got you."

The pair tumbled for what seemed like an eternity to Summers. She was well trained in weaponry, explosives and mortal combat but this was completely new to her. Nightwing moved through the air as if he was a fish moving through water. Completely at home, and his fighting skills impressed even her. He had battled Kane to a standstill, something no one had ever done. This handsome man was obviously far more than his appearances indicated. He could be deadly if he choose to be, and he could have left her there at Kane's mercy and escape on his own. But he didn't. Nearby there were several locust trees, Summers swore that they were too far out of reach and that they would fall to their deaths. Amazingly, Nightwing's arm reached out and grasped a branch firmly. Together they dropped down branch by branch until they hit the ground. That was when she noticed the shards of glass sticking out of Nightwing's back, blood was running profusely now.

"Oh my God.... your back!!!!" She exclaimed as he finally set her on her on the ground on her own two feet.

"It's going to be a lot more than my back unless we keep moving.. COME ON!!!"

Above them, Kane and Angelica were watching them land. Once again Kane's lips formed into a smile. Unlike earlier, this smile was not devoid of joy.

"Impressive." He whispered to Angelica.

Angelica whirled around to shout orders to the remaining guards, taking one of their automatic weapons for herself. Together they all broke into a run for the main doors. Nightwing and Angelica would not get far.

"What are we doing?" Summers whispered to Nightwing as they broke into a large secondary building on Kane's compound. The building was much newer looking in appearance than Kane's castle and Nightwing assumed there must be some form of transportation within.

"We're getting out of here. We have to regroup with Impact Squadron and think up a new plan. Kane knew we were coming."

When they entered the darkened room they both could feel that the air temperature in the room was much lower than it was outside. The room was being refrigerated. Nightwing found a switch and turned it on. One by one a series of lights flicked on and they saw what they had hoped to see... and more. Sitting there besides several helicopters, jeeps, trucks and cars, sat barrels stacked three high. Each one marked with the universal sign of the skull and crossbones, meaning that this was where Kane was keeping at least some of Ebola Omega Virus here.

"Am I correct in thinking the best way to destroy this stuff is burn it?" Nightwing asked.

"Yes."

"Then we need to burn it."

Across the compound, Kane, Angelica, and eight armed guards burst through the main doors to the castle, weapons firing.

"We don't have much time and this might not be all of it."

"It's a start anyway!!" Nightwing replied as he started to syphon gasoline out of a nearby jeep using a hose he found in the emergency equipment locker in the jeep's cab and sprayed the barrels with it. Summers popped her head out the door and fired off two three round bursts at Kane and his group as they ran across the compound, causing them to run for cover.

"My weapon is about to run dry here!!!" Summers called to him. Nightwing emptied the contents of the gas tank on the barrels and looked around for an appropriate vehicle to get away in. His eyes immediately feel upon the Bell AH-1W Twin Engine Super Cobra Helicopter. It had been far too long since he had used his piloting skills but it was there best chance for escape. He rushed over to the panel of switches where he found the lights and turned them all on. As he suspected, one of them retracted the roof. He heard a sharp metallic snap as if locks were being undone, which was followed by a loud hum as the roof itself began to slide away. He ran to Summers and took her by the hand.

"It's time to go." Kane, Angelica, and the oncoming guards were only a few feet away.

"Any idea where Kane gets these great toys?" Nightwing asked as he belted himself in and started the engines.

"The man's a genius as well as a killer. He invests his money with more skill than the best stockbroker and he buys a lot of this stuff on the black market."

Kane and Angelica burst through the door just as they were about to lift off. From inside the cockpit they couldn't quite hear what Kane was saying, but the look on his face said it all. Kill them. The helicopter lifted off the ground and straight into the air. Angelica aimed her weapon and fired not at the cockpit, but at the fuel tank. A small light on the main board started to blink, telling them what they already knew.

"We�re losing fuel." Summers said.

"That�s ok they�re too late to stop us and we have enough fuel to get out of here. Not to mention this..." Nightwing replied as he banked the aircraft forward and thumbed the safety off of the trigger on the main firing switch. Seconds later, two rockets hurtled away from the helicopter and towards the cavernous garage. Below them, Kane, Angelica, and the guards all ran as quickly as they could for safety. In the blink of an eye the garage erupted in a conflagration that was noticed on spy satellites miles above. Flames billowed high in the air, aided by the gasoline Nightwing syphoned from the jeep. What stores of Ebola Omega that existed in that garage were now being swept up in flames, destroying it completely. Nightwing guided the helicopter out over the sea. He planned on flying straight down the coastline to rendezvous with whatever remained of Impact Squadron. That was when Kane played his final hand of the evening.

On the ground, Kane fumed with anger. He would have Nightwing�s head on a platter for his amusement. He would perform his operations on Nightwing without using anaesthetic. He would show him his own heart just before it stopped beating. Regaining his control, Kane grabbed the guard nearest to him. He reached down and undid the man�s webbed ammo belt. As a rule, Kane insisted that each guard patrolling the perimeter carry a flare gun to warn others that an attack was imminent. He grabbed the flare gun and aimed it directly at the fuel tank for the helicopter, which was now well over the two story drop down to the rocks below. Kane pulled the trigger.

Once again on the main board a light started flashing with more urgency than even the fuel light had a moment ago. Below the light a small panel lit up with one word, "Incoming"

"We have to get out of here!! I hope you know how to swim!!!" Nightwing yelled as he freed himself from the belt restraints and opened the cockpit door. Summers� eyes widened as she opened the cockpit and looked down at the churning water below.

"Are you crazy?" She yelled over the wailing wind.

"No time to argue!!" And they both leaped from the vehicle only seconds before the flare found the fuel tank of the helicopter, which was promptly engulfed in a ball of flame.

Major Stacy Summers was not in the best of shape as she stumbled down the deserted dirt road that led to the farmhouse where she had last seen Impact Squadron alive. If the circumstances were different she would be enjoying herself immensely as she walked through the countryside at night. Frogs were chirping, the weather was warm and inviting, and the magnificent coastline which the road followed could be breathtaking under normal tourist circumstances. These were, however, not normal circumstances by any means. She paused for a moment to rip away another tatter from the dress she wore which was supplied by Kane earlier in the evening, after what she had been through in the past two hours the garment was completely ruined. She had torn away the ripped areas making the ankle length dress now end well above the knee.

"Someone's going to think I'm a hooker if this dress gets any shorter." She mumbled to herself as she tossed the ripped piece of dress to the side of the road and continued on. She could now see the farmhouse in the distance and she broke into a brisk jog as she took in the scene. There were no sounds of gunfire, and the lights were on. She hoped that was a good sign. As she ran her she reviewed in her mind all the things that had happened in the past several hours. She had met this Nightwing character, who had saved her life several times in just one day. With his aid, they had surpassed anyone else's efforts to get at Kane and his supply of the biological weapon known as Ebola Omega. They had destroyed a great supply of the vile bug, but they had no way of knowing if that was the extent of Kane's deadly cache. She marveled at Nightwing's fighting ability as she remembered seeing him go one on one with Kane and actually survive. No one had ever done that before. Then she remembered going up in the helicopter with him, which exploded only minutes later as they were over the sea. That was when she heard the footsteps rushing out of the nearby woods and the voices she knew all too well. Her face broke into a smile as she heard them, she knew if Impact Squadron was alive, someone would be doing a perimeter patrol.

"FREEZE!!!" It was Johnson's voice.

"Stand down Johnson, it's Major Summers!! Clearance code Alpha-Charlie-Nine-Nine-Omega!!" She yelled as she raised her hands in the air.

"Major?!? Damn we thought you were dead!!!" At the proper clearance code from Summers Johnson holstered his weapon and removed his communicator from his belt which he used to signal ahead, informing Impact Squadron that Summers was alive and he was escorting her in. Erupting from the farmhouse in an excited crowd, the men of Impact Squadron ran out to meet her, they were obviously shocked to see her, but pleasantly so.

"I don't believe it!! You're alive!!!" Cortez whooped in triumph as he hugged Summers, obviously thrilled to see her alive. When he was done hugging her he let everyone else in the Squad do exactly the same thing as he yelled over the triumphant din, "Captain Emilio Cortez relinquishing command to you Major Summers!!" He then gave her a stiff military salute, which she felt ridiculous returning in a tattered evening gown, nonetheless she did so.

"You're returning command to me Emilio? Where is General Walker? Is he hurt?"

"We don't know where The General is Major. It's like he disappeared into thin air." Cortez replied. This spiked Summers curiosity, but first she wanted to attend to the men under her command.

"Is everyone okay here?" She asked, "What is our status?" At this question the crowd of men became silent.

"I think you better see this Major." Cortez replied as he put his hand on her elbow and guided her into the building. When they were inside she saw Sito, lying on the floor, his side covered in blood soaked bandages. He was conscious, but just barely. She rushed over to him and dabbed a cold cloth on his forehead as she examined his wounds. She asked Cortez what had happened, Cortez replied in an efficient manner that did not betray his concern for his fallen comrade.

"A small army of Judas' men hit us pretty hard. It was Sito who heard them first. We were pinned down here and Sito was unable to get his weapon. He was caught in a crossfire and a couple of bullets chewed up his right side pretty bad. Corporal Murrant really had his medic training put to the test but he managed to patch him up." Summers turned her attention to Murrant, "Will he live?" She asked.

Murrant stepped forward and cleared his throat before he spoke, "I managed to get him stabilized but he needs more than I can do for him here with this equipment. He's out of any immediate danger but he will die if don't get him to proper facilities."

Summers closed her eyes and rubbed her temples at this, even more bad news. "Damn."

Cortez was the next one to speak, "Major, may I ask, where's the Colonel and Nightwing?"

Summers sighed as she recalled the details of the last few hours before she responded to the question. "Emilio, Colonel Young is currently a captive of Judas, who is now calling himself Kane. He was alive and apparently unharmed the last time I saw him, but just barely. As for Nightwing....." She paused before she answered, almost physically injured by the memory. "Nightwing and I managed to destroy a supply of Kane's Ebola virus, but when we tried to get away in a helicopter, Kane destroyed it. We were forced to jump into the sea, we were separated after that. I couldn't find him when I broke the surface of the water, I think he must have died when he hit the water, probably broke his neck. Although it seems strange that the fall would kill him, he moved through the air like a trapeze artist, but there was no net to break our fall here."

Silence hung over the room like a funeral procession as they realized the implications of her news. Nightwing was supposed to be the man who would bring down Kane. Walker believed it, Young was beginning to believe it, and Impact Squadron was beginning to believe it. With him dead, what hope there was for the mission to succeed died as well.

"And now the General is missing? What the hell is going on Major?" Cortez asked as he handed her a spare uniform to replace her tattered dress.

"I don't know Cortez....... I just don't know."

Kane slammed shut his copy of The Torah as Neil Anderson entered the room, his gun in hand and a smile on his face. The entire complex was buzzing as Kane's remaining men packed all his necessary belongings in crates and barrels, obviously preparing to leave the abandoned monastery. Kane sat in a leather massaging recliner specially outfitted to massage his muscles more vigorously than a normal massage chair one would buy on the retail market would.

"Sorry to interrupt." Anderson offered.

"What is it?" Kane asked.

"You have a visitor. He just showed up at the front gates and asked for you. He is unarmed." Anderson stepped aside and their visitor stepped into the room. Kane smiled and jumped from the chair as he rushed to greet the man. General Douglas Walker, dressed in full Class A military dress uniform, entered the room and embraced Kane while Anderson left the room.

"Judas, it has been too long my son." Walker said as they embraced.

"You still think of me as a son? After all I have done General? You humble me, and please call me Kane. I much prefer it to Judas." He replied as he led Walker to a bar where he poured them both a glass of wine and offered one to The General, which he accepted.

"Always with the Biblical references Kane?" Walker asked as he took a drink of wine, "We code named you Judas because he is seen as history's greatest traitor. I did feel betrayed when you left us. I didn't think you capable of turning on the man who gave you life."

Kane smiled even more broadly at The General's reasoning, "You were indeed in charge of the Darwin Experiment which gave me life General, but you did not specifically give me life. You're teams of lab technicians did that for you. I killed them all when I left you because they saw me as nothing more than a lab rat, when I was quickly becoming their superiors."

Walker walked across the room and sat down in the massage chair where he noticed the copy of The Torah on the table beside the chair. He picked it up and examined it as he sipped the wine. "Have you perfected your ability to use The Bible Code to see the future? You were only beginning to experiment with it when you left me."

"Indeed I have father. I have taken it to new levels only imagined by scientists. How do you think I knew when and where you and your men would attack? I can see the future just by looking at the pages. I don't need computers like Dr. Rips did."

Walker shook his head in amazement at Kane's accomplishments, " I sometimes wonder what part of me is inside you Kane. We both know some of the DNA fragments in your genetic makeup belong to me. I can't help but wonder if that part of me which is in you caused you to do brilliant things like this, or if it is because of me you have become an unprincipled killer?"

Kane took a sip of wine and walked to the other side of the room as he admired an Escher painting hung on the wall. "Yes it is true, there is no one else who is closer to being my father than you General. For all intents and purposes, I am your son. You headed the project that created me, some portions of my own DNA are modeled on yours. I suppose that's why I can't understand why you keep hunting me down and trying to kill me."

"Son you must understand, I have people I must answer to. People who see The Darwin Experiment as a complete failure and hold me responsible. I had two choices, kill you or bring you back. That's why I'm here."

Kane walked around behind Walkers chair as he continued to sip his wine, "You have led Impact Squadron to me father, you did that. They tried to kill me here tonight, they must have done that under your orders."

Walker actually began to laugh at Kane's statement, "As good as they are, Impact Squadron never had a chance against you my boy and you know it. You're too smart for them."

"And this Nightwing character?"

"You have to understand, I was under pressure to bring in a special operative to finish the mission. He was very very good, but still no match for you. I understand that you have probably slaughtered the remaining people under my command. Nightwing is probably dead as well. The entire mission is a total failure because I made you TOO well. Now I'm here, in person, asking you to come back with me. I swear you will never be treated as a curiosity or lab rat ever again. You will be my most prized operative, and a son that I am very proud of."

Kane dropped his glass of wine to the floor and reached out, grabbing Walker with both hands on either side of his head. Walker immediately panicked and tried to get out of the chair, but Kane's awesome strength held him in place. Walker felt Kane start to apply pressure on his skull and he struggled to get away.

"I'm sorry father, there's nothing you can offer me that would make me forget how I was treated. Nothing could make me see the human race as anything but a virus to be eliminated."

In his chair Walker squirmed and thrashed around as he tried to escape Kane's grip and the increasing pressure on his skull, "Please!! Let go....... I can help you......" he pleaded as tears began to stream down his face.

"Don't you see father? You have helped me. You created me, you taught me how to do what I do best. Allow me to demonstrate." Kane applied even more pressure and felt Walker's skull implode, blood gushed from The General's eyes, mouth, and nose as he went limp. Whatever spark of life existed in Douglas Walker left him and his body slumped over in the chair. Kane released his grip and wiped his hands on a towel. Once again Neil Anderson entered the room, this time joined by Angelica, who was dressed in camouflage attire similar to the rest of Kane's men. They both grimaced slightly at the sight of the dead man in the chair.

"What are your orders my love?" Angelica asked as she removed several of Walker's medals from his uniform jacket and pinned them to her own uniform. Kane thought a moment and turned to face them. "I have consulted The Torah, and it cannot tell me whether this Nightwing is alive or dead. Have we recovered their bodies?" Anderson informed them that they had not recovered any bodies and were not likely to for some time considering the strong currents in the water. Kane continued, "I have a hard time believing they survived the fall. Even I would be hard pressed to survive it. Call off the search for their bodies, we don't have time to deal with that right now. We are vulnerable here, but fortunately my superior intellect has allowed for me to continue on according to schedule. Continue loading everything we need onto the planes, we'll leave in an hour for the rock and our new home. Nightwing managed to destroy some of my supply of Ebola Omega but not all. We have enough in the basement storage room to carry out the main objective of my plan. We just won't be able to carry out the second objective but in any case, the second objective is only a safety measure, to make sure the human race is destroyed. Overkill on my part really. Sedate our captive and take him with us, he will make a valuable informant and hostage." Kane continued as he pulled a large map and a ruler our of a nearby desk and started to line up the ruler with certain coordinates. "Do you have the currency I requested?" Kane asked Anderson. Anderson nodded and left the room only a moment later to return with a large suitcase which he placed on the table next to Kane.

"Excellent. Should we have any problems with locals we'll certainly be able to smooth them over with this. Load the planes and hurry, I want to be set up and running at our new home by this time tomorrow, when no one can find us, no one can stop us. Oh and have somebody get rid of.... that." he said as he indicated the former General Douglas Walker. Having received their orders, Angelica and Anderson left the room and started shouting orders to their men. Kane finished his examination of the map and looked across the room at his creator. After a moment's contemplation he sneered in disgust and left the room, closing the door behind him.

Nightwing could not believe his eyes as he watched Kane leave the room. As he peered in the window he could plainly see the former General Douglas Walker dead in the chair which continued to massage his dead body. The scene was macabre to say the least. Still, he had no regrets about his chosen course of action. After leaping from the exploding helicopter he managed to hit the water cleanly, just barely avoiding a spinal injury. Luckily the water was deep enough that both he and Major Summers could survive. The currents posed another problem, the tide was going out and he was hampered by the glass still embedded in his flesh. Thrown against a rock outcropping by the waves, the Bludhaven vigilante was momentarily stunned and separated from Summers by the currents. He recovered consciousness to realize he was drowning, gasping for air he made his way to shore. In the distance he noticed Summers sprinting down the coastline and into the nearby woods. Good. At least she survived the fall. One of Kane's armed search parties prevented him from yelling out to her and he quietly made his way up the cliff face once again and approached the house under cover of darkness.

Ripping away the rest of his tuxedo shirt he managed to remove the shards of glass without passing out from the pain and wrapped the garment tightly around his wounds to slow the bleeding. He noticed the buzz of activity around the courtyard and noticed several of Kane's men in the distance removing a camouflage tarp from three medium sized aircraft bigger than the plane Impact Squadron had been using. Kane was obviously bugging out now after the dent he and Summers had put in his operations. Luckily everyone was too busy to even notice Nightwing. When he came across the window where he found Kane, he hid behind some nearby shrubbery as he watched and listened. What he learned was very enlightening. Kane did indeed have more of his Ebola Omega virus in a basement storage area. Across the yard he noticed several men in containment suits carrying out similar barrels to the ones he destroyed earlier on a medical trolley of some kind. He knew that each barrel probably only contained a few vials of the foul virus surrounded by a coolant and containment fields, but there was more than enough to cause a plague of global proportions. His skin crawled at the thought of people exposed to the virus, their skin melting and their bodies in spasms so violent they broke their own backs. He had some experience with the plague unleashed on Gotham City months ago, but this would make even that disaster seem like an outbreak of the flu.

He also learned that Colonel Young was, thankfully, still alive and would remain relatively unharmed for the time being. "He's a good man," Nightwing thought to himself, "Too good to be harmed by Walker's betrayal." He made a silent resolution to himself to somehow get Young out of Kane's clutches. How he would do that he didn't know quite yet. As Kane left the room Nightwing popped the window open silently and climbed into the room. Ignoring Walker's dead body he walked over to the desk where Kane had been working. The map and suitcase where Kane had left them. He had heard Kane mention their "new home" which he referred to as "the rock". That still gave him little to work with. If Kane got away now they would lose him forever. He could strike at any time. Nightwing knew Kane thought he and Summers were dead. Walker was dead and Young was his hostage. All the senior officers of Impact Squadron were eliminated in his mind and who knows what remained of Francis, Cortez, Sito and the others? Surely they were not all dead, but enough of them to reduce Impact Squadron to an ineffectual part of the equation. At least, so Kane assumed. He and Summers were dead to Kane, and that gave them some breathing room. You don't hunt someone who is already dead.

Nightwing examined the map, it was a map of the entire globe. They could be going anywhere. He remembered Kane's referral to their new home as the rock and looked at the map again. There were several possibilities. He then noticed the ruler with which Kane was triangulating coordinates. It was a standard metric ruler with a metal edge, an edge that would leave an impression on the map if he was lucky. He picked up the map and held it up to the desk lamp, his eyes straining to see what was barely visible. Time was running out he knew. Kane would be back very soon. That's when he saw it. A straight line starting from their coordinates in Crete in a Southwesterly direction. He followed the line downwards to Australia. Mentally he made a note of the latitude and longitude where the indentation ended. It was a location in an area known as the Great Sandy Desert in Northern Australia. It was then that the picture crystallized in his mind, suddenly it all began to make sense. "Oh my God....."

"Kane would need huge crowds of people from all over the world. A multinational event." He whispered aloud as he mulled the idea over in his head, it made more and more sense as he thought about it. "The Summer Olympics in Australia...... he could release it in airports, Olympic pavilions, even concession stands, tourists and athletes would take it back to their home countries." He realized that the supplies of Ebola he destroyed earlier were probably backups. A smaller store of the disease to be released on other continents perhaps, to ensure the fall of humanity. Kane was correct, it was overkill to be sure.

At that moment Nightwing heard the doorknob turning. Someone was entering the room, he had only seconds to hide. Coiling the muscles in his legs, Nightwing jumped backward toward the bookshelf along the wall and with catlike agility scaled it to the top. Beneath him Neil Anderson entered the room and unlocked the suitcase. He opened it to reveal that it was stuffed to capacity with Australian currency, confirming all of Nightwing's suspicions. Anderson let out a low whistle as he surveyed the case full of money and carried it with him as he left the room. Seconds later two men came in and carried out Walker's body. As they left he dropped to the floor. He had learned all that he could here. He was in no shape to take on Kane right now, he had to get away and find Major Summers and whatever remained of Impact Squadron. Together they had to come up with a plan to defeat Kane and eliminate the threat his Ebola virus stores presented to the entire world. Silently he climbed out the window just as Kane entered once again with Angelica.

"Make sure the charges are set Angelica. I want this place completely destroyed, and make sure we have enough warheads on board so that no one will dare try and stop us should we be discovered." She acknowledged his orders and ran out of the room. Nightwing spared a moment for one final glance at Kane and disappeared into the garden. Before long he was climbing back down the sheer cliff and on the shore. He began a steady jog down the coastline where Summers and the rest of Impact Squadron would be. When he was almost a half a mile away he heard the roar of jets and he watched as three silver painted military type aircraft roared out over the water followed seconds later by an ear splitting explosion at what once was Kane's compound. He knew from the size of the explosion that the place would be leveled leaving little or no clues to be found. He was glad he had taken the opportunity to get information on Kane's destination when he did. If he had not, they would have virtually no chance of finding him.

"See you down under Kane." He said softly as he resumed his jog down the coastline. He was beginning to feel weak, no doubt from the blood loss earlier. He had to make it back to Impact Squadron, Nightwing quickened his pace.

45 minutes later......

Stacy Summers didn't like doing what she was doing but she had no choice. They had lost their two top ranking officers and their special recruit on whom all their hopes for a successful mission were pinned. On top of all that, Sito was wounded and needed medical care. Sito was one of those men that comprised the backbone of any group. Easygoing, dedicated, talented, and reliable, she had always liked Sito as did everyone even if they made fun of him. Sito always knew it was good natured ribbing. She wasn't about to let yet another person be killed thanks to Kane and his men. Impact Squadron was now hers to command and her first priority was the well being of those under her command. She knew that Colonel Young would agree with her. His first concern would be the men. Get them to safety, see to their well being, and them come after him. It was difficult for her, she admired and respected Colonel Young. He was a born leader, when his men felt pain, so did he. When they bleed, he bleeds as well. He was also proud of them, they all knew that he saw them all as his children and if they were to die, he would be proud to die by their side. That's what made it so tough for her to leave him in Kane's hands while she got the men to safety.

"No one ever said command would be easy." She thought to herself.

She watched as they loaded the plane with their weapons and other gear, they had already stretchered Sito onto the plane where he was resting in relative comfort. They would have to get new orders and find Kane all over again, or so she thought. That was when she heard MacQuarrie, who was walking perimeter, "YO!!! Stop your grinnin' and drop your linen, somebody's coming in along the road. Identity unknown!!"

Within seconds they had all armed themselves and took up firing positions around the farmhouse. The silhouetted figure ran up to the farmhouse and collapsed in a heap just as Impact Squadron jumped out from their places and prepared to fire. "Hold your fire!!" Summers yelled. Her jaw fell in surprise as she laid eyes on a totally exhausted Nightwing, still bleeding from the cuts on his body. With extreme effort, he raised his head from the ground and smiled at her, "Glad to see you found something else to wear, not that the dress was all that bad.........." he said as he faded in and out of consciousness.

Nightwing floated back to consciousness and allowed his vision to adjust to the minimal lighting of his surroundings. He slowly became aware of several things, first that he was on a stretcher inside Impact Squadron�s aircraft, the second was that he felt much better, and thirdly Stacy Summers was sitting beside him.

"Are you all right?" She whispered to him.

"Australia....... he�s gone to Australia." His voice was hoarse and his throat sore.

"Are you sure?" She asked.

"Yes.... we have to get there as soon as possible. General Walker is dead too. He showed up while I was watching the place, Kane killed him." He choked out the words.

"It sounds like you have a plan." She replied as she gave him a drink of water from a canteen to soothe his throat. "But we have an injured man here. Sito has been shot and I need to get him to a medical facility as soon as possible. We�re prepping for takeoff right now. As for The General, he abandoned us in our time of need and The Colonel is in Kane's hands now thanks to Walker. I can't say he's at the top of my priority list right now, you and Sito surviving are my main concern. I need to get you to a hospital facility."

Nightwing tried to sit up and immediately fell back again, his head throbbing. "Take it easy, you lost blood and you need to rest." She cautioned him.

"How bad is Sito?"

"He�s stable but he needs more help than we can give him here."

"We�ll only get one chance to capitalize on this Stacy, he thinks we�re dead. I know what his plans are now, I think I know how to stop him."

Summers was quiet for several minutes as she considered their situation, Dick could tell that she was weighing the pros and cons of the situation. As ranking officer it was her decision to make. The burden of command fell directly on her shoulders and no one else�s. Sito was a good friend, but he was one man, the fate of the entire human race was at stake. Finally, she lowered her face to Nightwing�s and pressed her lips to his in a soft, tender kiss.

"What was that for?" He asked when she broke off the kiss.

"That was for surviving. We�re going to need you in Australia." She smiled as she turned her attention to Cortez in the main cabin, "Captain Cortez!! Once we�re in the air get us to Australia ASAP. Have our finest medics ready as soon as we touch down for Sito and Nightwing, and get Professor Quartermane to meet us there too. We�ll have need of him and his toys when we get there."

"Aye Major." He replied as he shut the pressure door and the engines began their startup process.

"Feel free to kiss me again anytime." Dick whispered to her.

"Don�t make me give you a sedative."

Barbara Gordon wheeled her chair across the floor so fast that she ran into her work desk with enough force to almost knock her to the floor. Her haste was a result of the flashing icon on her computer desktop indicating that she had an incoming message. A small window popped up on the screen informing her of the callers identity, when she saw who it was she dropped her cup of coffee that she was in the midst of pouring to the counter top and wheeled herself across the floor with all the strength in her arms. Her chair hit the desk hard and pushed her backward slightly, causing her to curse under her breath as she scrambled for the keyboard and opened the line. If Batman was contacting her he must have news of Dick and his whereabouts. She hadn't been able to sleep properly since she was informed of his kidnaping, and any news was preferable at this point to not knowing anything about his fate. Dick and Barbara had become much closer over the past months, culminating in a passionate kiss in her apartment. She often wondered what would have happened if that kiss had not been interrupted by The Huntress, Petit, and his squad of goons looking to raid Oracle of her knowledge and resources in No Man's Land. She had admitted to Dick that her feelings for him were stronger than that of simple friendship, and they always had been. She also told him that she wasn't ready to give in to those feelings due to her disability. Now that Dick was missing, she wished with all her might to have that time back so that she might tell him she did love him, and that she wanted him more than any other. She sighed in despair over the precious time wasted as the line opened. The message was audio only, and within seconds Batman's deep resonant voice filtered in over her speakers, interrupting Barbara's thoughts.

"Oracle?"

"Did you find him?" She asked with no preamble.

There was a moments silence on the line as he tried to form the words he needed, immediately her heart began to sink, it was bad news. Please don't let him be dead.

"I'm in Crete, I just landed twenty minutes ago. Nightwing isn't here, and neither is the Typhoon 313 plane they were using. I missed them." For a moment, Oracle allowed relief to wash over her entire body. There was at least a chance that he was still alive. He wasn't dead. Thank God he's not dead.

"What's your plan?" She asked.

"I'll need you to find that plane again. I know it's a huge favor to ask. They could be anywhere." Oracle immediately brought up another window and initiated her search as she spoke to the cowled crime fighter. "I can do it, I found it once I can do it again. It's going to take some time though. What are you going to do in the meantime?"

"Nightwing may be gone but there are lots of clues left in his wake. There are some dead bodies here, and wherever they came from they left tracks leading up the coastline. I'm going to backtrack them and see where they lead. I think there is plenty I can learn here while I wait for you to find them again." Oracle sighed with relief as she began her search, obviously wherever Nightwing was he was giving as good as he got. "Okay my search is initiated, I'll let you know the moment I have something, do you want me to pass on this news to the manor?"

"No reason to alarm them until we know something concrete Oracle. Contact me the instant you have the information we need."

"Will do. Good luck."

"To us both Oracle." And as Oracle began yet another search program, an ocean away, Batman broke into a sprint along the coastline, following the tracks left by Kane's henchmen, his mind on constant alert, his body ready for action at a moment's notice. Dick may be gone from this place, but he was determined to use this time to learn as much as he could about the current situation. He had learned that whoever these dead men were, they were not the men that kidnaped Dick. They did not wear the same footwear as that which left the footprint on the floor of Dick's apartment, and yet those same footprints could be found in the area surrounding the farmhouse at which he had landed. There was also a copious amount of spent shells from many weapons. Whatever had transpired here, the forces that kidnaped Dick seemed to come out on the winning side. In the distance he noticed a small fire around a series of buildings that looked both modern and ancient. He picked up his pace and ran at full speed toward the scene of destruction. The tracks seemed to lead directly back to the scene of destruction in the distance.

When he got there he saw that the buildings were surrounded by a large wall which he easily scaled. As he alighted on the other side he saw what remained of the buildings, they were all burning to the ground and he quickly determined by the patterns of the explosions that the destruction was caused by a series of explosive charges throughout the buildings, no doubt set deliberately. Despite himself a quick smile passed across his face, this has Dick's fingerprints all over it he thought to himself. He scanned the debris and could see only one body which he cautiously made his way to through the flaming debris. As he turned the body over he felt the bile rise in his throat and willed himself to keep from vomiting. It was a disgusting sight to say the least. The first thing that struck him was the man's face. It was completely misshapen and dried blood had been pouring from his eyes, nose, and mouth. His exposed flesh had been charred by the explosion. Someone or something had literally squeezed this mans head like a grape until it literally exploded. Even Batman had rarely come across a death so gruesome. What truly intrigued Batman was the remaining clothing that hadn't been burned away. The man had been laying face down when the explosions had been set and the front of his clothes survived the explosion. Batman recognized the military dress uniform immediately. He searched the mans pockets and found a wallet, it contained a partially melted identification card, according to the card his name was Douglas Walker and he held the rank of General. In the upper right corner of the card there was an insignia exactly like the one Nightwing had ripped off the uniform of one of his attackers in Bludhaven, a skull with a knife through it. The lower half of the card was melted in several spots and poked with soot and grime. The remaining legible words read:

Colonel Phillip Young awoke with a start from a slap across his face. He couldn't remember where he was or how he had come to be here. There was nothing about his surroundings that were familiar. He tried to get up and found he was in leather restraints which bound his wrists and ankles to the metal bed. His back ached from laying on the thing, which he assumed he had been doing for quite some time. The walls were covered in white tile, devoid of any pictures or decorations other than a detailed map of the human body. In a far corner of the room three people dressed in surgical gowns and masks worked over instrument trays. Around them were heartbeat monitors and all manner of surgical equipment. Most of all however, he noticed Kane's face, only inches from his own. Inspecting him throughly. When Kane noticed that his captive was awake he smiled.

"Welcome back to the land of the living Mr. Phillip Young. It is entirely up to you how long you remain living."

Young rolled his eyes as he tried to get up and felt pain wash over his entire body like a tidal wave, "I have no idea what you're talking about or who this Phillip Young is." he lied as he strained against the leather to no avail.

"Your fingerprints say otherwise sir." Kane said as he reached to a nearby surgical instrument table and produced a printout that had a small picture of Young's face from several years earlier and data concerning the important statistics of his life.

"General Walker was smart enough to bury your military file as he did with all members of Impact Squadron, but your fingerprints are still on file from your days many years ago as a police officer with the New York Police Department. You were quite the hero back then so I have read. From there you were recruited into the service and rose through the ranks I imagine, but your files after leaving the force are of course, nonexistant. I'm content to know your name, and I am assuming your rank is rather high considering that you're here after breaching my defenses. Young was suddenly blinded as a surgical light was turned on directly over his head. "Not that it matters but the rank is Captain." It was a lie, but he wasn't giving up any information without a fight.

"A Captain you may be sir but you must understand, I cannot take your word for it. I need to know all the information that is locked up in your head." His body betraying his fear, Young swallowed hard as he listened, he was in this operating theater for an obvious reason. Torture. Skilled torture at the hands of experts and under the watchful eye of Kane There was no point in dignifying Kane's words with a reply.

"How much pain you experience Mr. Young is entirely up to you but you must understand, some pain will be necessary so that I know you are telling me the truth." Kane said as he put on a surgical mask and scanned the instruments, deciding which one he should use first. "Shall we begin?"

"This mission began with one objective, now there are several. When you began the hunt for Kane, it was simple, kill him and be done with it. That's no longer the extent of it however. Kane has Colonel Young, he has a small army behind him, and a supply of a deadly virus that could wipe out the human race. Kane thinks Major Summers and myself are dead, I saw him kill General Walker, and he sent even more of his men to kill you. He believes Impact Squadron is leaderless and without a clue as to his whereabouts. That gives us a very small window of opportunity. We have to move fast. He's going to want information from the Colonel and he won't be playing truth or dare to get it. If we don't move within the next twenty four hours Young may be dead or at the very least damaged beyond repair. I don't want that, and having served with him longer than I have I'm sure you don't want that either.

What we're going to have to do is split into two groups, myself and Major Summers on one team and the rest of Impact Squadron led by Captain Cortez on the other. The Major and I need to take point and enter Kane's compound covertly, where we will find and rescue the Colonel and disable his control over any warheads he has in his possession. We will also mark the location of his virus stores with a laser beacon, when it's activated, that's the go ahead for team two under Captain Cortez to hit the place with everything you've got and blow the place to hell while Summers and I get Young to safety."

"I have a question." Romaine said as he put up his hand in mock schoolboy manner.

"What's the question?" Nightwing asked.

"Who the fuck put you in charge?"

The question was crudely put, but very worthy of an answer. They had only been in Australia for an hour and a half when Summers, along with Nightwing, had begun issuing orders. They had arrived in the coastal town of Roebourne, Kane's Australian compound (they still had no idea what type of stronghold it was) lay directly west of them according to Nightwing's information. Murrant had stitched up his wounds and disinfected them while Summers had graciously nursed Nightwing back to health during the flight with blood transfusions, vitamin compounds injected straight into his bloodstream, and a massage (which took place in the same rear cabin Nightwing had used to talk with Walker and apply his disguise) behind closed doors. Dick couldn't believe how well this woman took care of him. She told him back in Kane's compound that she was under orders to take care of him and she was still doing it. As he lay face down on a stretcher with Summers straddling him and massaging the ache from his muscles, he smiled ear to ear with satisfaction. This woman knew what she was doing when it came to ridding a body of pain.

"I'm going to miss this treatment once the mission is over." He said as she kneaded his back muscles.

"You mean there's no Mrs. Nightwing back home to do this for you?" Dick swore he could detect a note of apprehension in her question. Was she that interested in him?

"There's no ring on my finger if that's what you mean. Usually I just sleep my aches and pains away."

"I'm amazed. A man as handsome as yourself. You should have women falling all over you."

"What about yourself? Is there a Mister Summers?" Dick asked, trying to steer the conversation away from himself.

She laughed at that and the laugh had more than just a hint of strain, "No there's no Mr. Summers except for my father. I was recruited into the Squadron from the FBI actually. I've never had time for much of a social life, much like yourself I guess. Can I ask you a question?"

Beneath her he mumbled an affirmative, she smiled at his total relaxation under her ministrations, "I do this for a living, but I don't wear a mask, I don't have a secret identity. I don't have to hide what I do and pretend I'm someone else during the day. What do you do when you're not being Nightwing?"

"Actually..... I'm a cop. Newly graduated from the academy and looking for a permanent posting."

Suddenly she began laughing, throwing her head back and filling the room with a full bodied musical laugh that was entirely genuine. "What's so funny?" he asked. It took her several minutes of laughter before she could finally answer him.

"Surely you're aware of the irony of that. By all rights you should be putting yourself in jail. Vigilantes are illegal and you enforce the law." Her laughter was infectious and he began laughing himself. He managed to turn around on his back so that he was facing her, Summers was still straddling him and her face beamed as she laughed with him.

"Maybe I should arrest myself. I can testify for the prosecution and the defense." She broke out in a renewed fit of laughter and he joined her. It was a wonderful respite from all the action and serious nature of the last several days. After a time the laughter died away and they looked into one another's eyes, not knowing what to say next.

"You know, we may be dead in the next few hours. Once Kane and his men find out we're alive they won't play nice, they'll want to make sure we're dead."

"Reminds one to live every day like it's their last doesn't it?" Again she fell silent. Dick could feel that she was trying to get up the nerve to ask him something.

"Your name really isn't Jason is it?" She asked. He was silent for a few minutes as he considered her request.

"No. I can't tell you my real name. Not that I don't want to, but if you know my name, others may be at risk, people I care for."

"I can tell you care for them a great deal." She said as she traced a finger along his shoulder, "Do you think that if you and I met under different circumstances, we could be.... close? Maybe even... more than friends?"

Nightwing reached out and traced his index finger along her cheekbone and down across her chin, making her smile. "You are..... so incredibly beautiful. Not to mention intelligent, capable and independent." He replied.

"And that means?"

"It means absolutely."

She leaned forward and kissed him passionately. Despite himself and his better judgement, he kissed her back with equal force. They pressed their bodies together as their hands roamed one another's bodies freely. Dick kissed her hungrily as she chewed on his lower lip. Summers began kissing Nightwing's cheeks and forehead as he took tiny nibbles on her chin and ran his tongue to the base of her neck. Dick felt his body start to give in to lust. He had been through a lot in the last few days and this beautiful, courageous woman was the only bright spot in the entire affair. As he kissed her again and their tongues searched each other out, one lone image flashed into his mind. A beautiful redhead he had known since childhood, one he had trusted with his most intimate secrets. An image of Barbara Gordon's beautiful visage filled his mind and would not go away. He knew why. It felt like cheating on her. Although there was no spoken commitment between them, the bond between Dick Grayson and Barbara Gordon went far deeper than the spoken word, the bond was spiritual. This woman, no matter how beautiful and perfectly suited for him she might be, was not Barbara.

He broke the kiss and gently eased her away from him, an apologetic look on his face. For several seconds she merely looked at him, wondering what she had done wrong. "It's not you Stacy. It's me. I told you there is no Mrs. Nightwing back home and that's true, but there is someone I care for a great deal. A woman I feel more than friendship for, and we've just recently found our way back to one another. It wouldn't be fair to her." He looked deep into her eyes, "I would be all over you in a second otherwise, but she deserves better." She was silent for a time and he worried that she might be angry with him, he worried that it might affect their usefulness as a team. "Please don't be offended." She finally smiled at him.

"Believe it or not, I think this makes you even more adorable."

She leaned over and kissed him on the forehead as she rolled off of him and strapped on her ammo belt. Dick rose to his feet and donned the remainder of his Nightwing uniform. It felt good to be wearing it again. Before they went to brief the rest of the team, he took her hands in his and asked her again if he had offended her. She assured him that he didn't and that she respected his devotion to his loved ones. The two exited the rear cabin and began a through briefing of the others with all the information Nightwing had uncovered. Summers informed them of General Walker's death at Kane's hands and how Nightwing had discovered Kane's destination. She also informed them of Nightwing's hypophysis regarding the release of the Ebola Omega virus at the Summer Olympics in Australia. They all agreed that while there was no proof, the theory was sound and if true, the results would be disastrous.

After landing in Roebourne they received even more bad news. Three medic teams were standing by to take Sito into their care, one of the medics passed Summers an encoded communique. After decoding it and reading it over three times she swore and threw the communique to the ground. She informed them that with General Walker dead and Colonel Young missing they were being given this one last show of support with medical care before they were completely disavowed. The government was cutting them off from further resources such as weapons, current intelligence on the area, and military backup. Summers was infuriated by the response from her superiors and regretted ever sending Washington an update on their condition during the flight.

"Well at least they had the good taste to tell us we were being cut off." MacQuarrie joked as he set up his computers in the main area of the warehouse they had rented as a safe house. Summers, Cortez, and Nightwing were not amused. Some backup would have been nice, a lot would have been even better. Now they were completely on their own as the medics finished their work on Sito within two hours and left, leaving him in the care of Impact Squadron. The one member of the team who didn't leave with the medics was a rail thin man with thinning hair and a disinterested look. Summers introduced the man to Nightwing as the chief armourer for Impact Squadron, his name was Professor Quincy Quartermane.

"Just what in the hell are you supposed to be?" Quartermane asked him as Nightwing reached out to shake the man's hand. Passing behind them with an armload of weapons, Cortez answered the question, "He's our last best hope professor."

"Dear God we're in more trouble than I thought." He replied.

"Nice." Dick mumbled under his breath as Summers tried unsuccessfully to suppress a smile.

"Now pay attention Nightwing I would like you and the rest of these hooligans to take extra special care of my equipment if you please." Quartmane went on to explain how the laser beacons worked and informed them that no matter what jamming devices may be in the area, Impact Squadron's computer expert MacQuarrie would be able to pick up the signal on his computers. Nothing could block the signal sent out by the beacons. He also presented Nightwing and Summers with special wrist units that, when attached to the a computer panel, would instantly fry the operating system no matter what security systems would in place and no matter what the operating system was. Nightwing knew he would have to inform Oracle of this piece of equipment the next time he saw her, if he saw her again. Despite his gruff demeanor the professor was obviously very talented at what he did.

After an hour of explanation of the inner workings of the devices he was giving them, Quartermane packed up his things in an overstuffed briefcase and left knowing that he had already spent too much time with the now disavowed Impact Squadron.

That brought Nightwing back to the present and Romaine's "Who the fuck put you in charge?" question. Thankfully, Summers answered the question for him.

"I am in charge Romaine and if it wasn't for Nightwing we wouldn't even have a chance to finish this mission successfully and get ourselves off of the disavowed list. He has risked life and limb for us and he doesn't even know us. He could get up and leave right now but he doesn't. He even volunteered to go into Kane's Australian compound with me. So heed this order from the ranking officer in the room and stow it!! We can't save the Colonel without him." Throughout the room everyone in Impact Squadron nodded in agreement. Dick couldn't help but feel more at ease around these men as they accepted him more and more into their ranks. He even noticed Johnson elbow Romaine in the ribs to shut him up. Under pressure from the rest of the group, Romaine did indeed shut up.

"What's next Major?" MacQuarrie asked as he flipped open a laptop and booted the computer up.

"Nightwing and I are changing into street clothes and renting a jeep, we're going to drive out to the coordinates he indicated and just do some simple recon."

Colonel Young opened his mouth and tried to scream but found that he could no longer had the strength to make any noise. He looked down at his blood soaked leg and tried again to scream as he watched Kane take off a sliver of skin with his scalpel. Kane let the sliver of skin fall to the floor in an increasing pile of flesh that collected at his feet. Kane spoke for the first time since the torture had begun as he prepared for another incision.

"I have become quite well read in my short life Mr. Young. I'm particularly a fan of Shakespere. Tell me, are you familiar with The Bard's work The Merchant Of Venice? The infamous pound of flesh? I am drawing my inspiration from that very play with you now. Of course I'm sure you will tell me what I need to know before I come anywhere close extracting a pound of flesh from you don't you think?"

Young tried to lift his head again and decided that he couldn't take the sight of his bleeding leg and merely stared at the ceiling as his body trembled. "I prefer the sports section." he responded in a weak voice.

"Why am I not surprised? Well you'll soon tell me what I need to know Mr. Young. As soon as I start removing skin from a less fleshy area like your face for instance, I think you'll be telling me everything I need to know."

"And if I don't?"

"Well I won't let you die before I get the information I need from you to be sure. If this particular method doesn't work, I have a special mixture of curare and certain other drugs that will guarantee an honest answer to my every question. However, it will render you quite brain dead. I may have need of hostages some time in the future if the governments of the world try to stop me again and I would prefer a hostage with a fully functioning brain. Now, in a very short while, I will be asking you some questions, I do suggest that you answer them to the best of your ability. If you don't, things may become......" He paused and smiled as he removed another sliver of skin and let it drop to the floor as blood streaked the Colonel's leg. "Rather nasty."

A single tear escaped Young's right eye as he felt the sliver of skin rip away from his leg. He had never felt so alone and in so much pain, and yet he hoped with every fibre of his being, that Impact Squadron would not try and rescue him. He would rather die than see any more of the people under his command suffer this fate.

"Damn, Kane gives the term living in the lap of luxury a whole new meaning."

Major Summers and Nightwing were dressed in casual clothing and peering out across the desert at Kane's compound through powerful binoculars. Through an optical linkup the magnified image was being fed through to MacQuarrie's computers back in Roebourne. Anyone who saw the duo of Summers and Nightwing (who had resumed his disguise that he wore on Desolation Island) would be tourists driving the only road through the arid desert. Nightwing drove the black Jeep they had rented and immediately stopped the vehicle when he noticed the huge building on the horizon. It appeared as if it was made of crystal as the huge structure glistened in the sunlight. MacQuarrie sent them all the available information he could find on the structure back through the link and the data scrolled along in one corner of the binocular display so that both Summers and Nightwing could see it.

"According to this," Nightwing began as he read the information, "it's a biosphere. Designed and built to be completely self sufficient by a firm known as Buckley's Drugs Incorporated, a pharmaceutical company that sponsored the whole thing in 1994. The company was bought out by another larger company in 1996 and the project was abandoned. The inside of the place is a maze and houses a three story high jungle like arboretum. The pane glass has the ability to become completely opaque to simulate night and day environments. It's completely self sufficient."

Summers shook her head as the data streamed in. "I suppose it was easy for him to buy after the project was abandoned."

Over her headset, she heard MacQuarrie confirm that this was indeed the case. Kane had purchased the biosphere with the money he had made using his significant intellect on the stock market.

"How do we get into that thing?" Summers asked, "According to this information, the place is impenetrable and even removing a pane of glass will cause alarms to go off.

Dick pointed to a small structure to the left of the immense cathedral like building. The small grey building was tiny compared to the huge biosphere and went almost unnoticed. "It's the water supply for a large pool in the arboretum. According to this data it wasn't part of the original plans but the new owner had it installed merely because he liked the way it looked. If we can get in there and follow the main pipes, we should emerge in the middle of Kane's own personal jungle." Over his own earpiece, Dick heard MacQuarrie quite clearly questioning his sanity and the possible success of his plan.

"Negative thinking we don't need," Summers interjected, "Impact Squadron, it's time to lock and load."

"I have him!!" The sound of Oracle's excited voice coming over the speakers startled Batman, which was no easy task to be sure. He had gathered all the clues he possibly could in Crete and had returned to his aircraft, removing his cape and cowl and settling down into a deep meditation. When he came out of his trance to the sound of Barbara Gordon's voice, he felt completely relaxed and rested. In the primary stages of his meditation he had first cleared his mind of all worry over Dick and the situation he found himself in. After a time he had completed his "mind cleansing" technique and he began going over all the clues he had gathered up to this point, a complete theory had formed in his mind as to what Dick was doing with these people. His hand snapped out and touched a switch that opened the comm line on his end.

"Where is he?" He asked.

"In Australia. A small coastal town called Roebourne. I have it on satellite imaging right now, and I'm not going to take my eyes off it again until you find him. I have the satellite image updated every sixty seconds so I can inform you immediately if they move again."

Even as Oracle spoke to him, Batman was firing up the engines and strapping himself into the pilot's seat. Seconds later he was airborne, heading towards Australia. "Thank you Oracle." He replied in a soft voice. Barbara was speechless, Batman was not an especially emotional man and he was certainly not known for thanking people for simply doing their jobs. For Batman to openly thank her, she knew then that Dick's disappearance was weighing on him heavily, as it was on her and everyone else who loved him.

"Just bring him home to us safe and sound." She whispered as she picked up a photograph from her desk and ran her fingers over it, the picture was of herself and Dick Grayson, taken several years ago, before The Joker, before he had cost her the use of her legs. In the picture they were laughing and smiling and loving life. She hoped with all her heart that Dick was all right, and she sent her prayers out to both him, and to Bruce Wayne, the only man who could bring him back. Tears welled up in her eyes and fell down to the pane of glass in the photograph as she imagined a life without Dick Grayson.

Aboard his aircraft, Bruce Wayne went over the facts as he had organized them during his meditation. Dick had been kidnaped, but not killed by his captors. They had the opportunity to kill Tim Drake, and went out of their way not to, despite the fact that he was a witness to the entire event. They were wearing footwear used by special covert operatives, he had discovered a dead body with an identification card that read "Special Operations Division", there were no other dead bodies wearing that special footwear. The dead bodies he did discover he had taken fingerprints of and run through the computer, many were known mercenaries. The picture painted by these facts told Batman several things. Firstly, whoever had kidnaped Dick did not wish to do him any specific harm. It seemed far more likely that his ward had been shanghaied into the service of some covert government operation against some well organized and well funded threat.

Bruce Wayne also knew Dick Grayson better than almost anyone alive. He certainly knew Dick's talents and skills better than most for he had trained the young man from childhood in crime fighting, detective work, the martial arts, and several other areas of expertise. Dick could have escaped from them, he was sure of that. Yet he didn't. He was beginning to believe that Dick did no longer wished to escape his captors. He saw this threat he had been recruited to battle as bigger than the fact that he was kidnaped in the first place. There was also the possibility that someone was coercing Dick into fighting on their behalf but he didn't think that likely, Dick Grayson doesn't respond to threats very well. Soon he would know the truth.

They approached slowly and stealthily, under the cover of the desert night. Nightwing and Summers crawled on their stomachs across the sifting desert sand, their goal now within reach. The temperature had plummeted after the sun dipped behind the horizon and a cold wind wafted over them, sending a chill down both their spines. Nightwing was glad to have the comforting warmth of his uniform surround him, despite the fact that this was not the uniform he was so used to wearing on the mean streets of Bludhaven. With Summers by his side as they crawled towards their goal his mind drifted back to the circumstances that led him to wear the Impact Squadron uniform instead of his own.

He recalled his own amazement at the efficiency with which Impact Squadron worked together. MacQuarrie set up his computer array in the large warehouse back in Roebourne while the rest of the team prepared their weapons, vehicles and tools for the coming assault while he and Summers coordinated their actions with MacQuarrie, who would be guiding the entire operation from his "Crow's Nest" utilizing video displays from shoulder mounted fibre optic cameras on every member of the team, an open comm line shared by every member of the team, and Global Positioning Locators which would tell him anyone's position at a glance. It soon became apparent that Nightwing's uniform, as good as it was, would not interface properly with MacQuarrie's computer systems. Dick's computer interface was designed specifically by Barbara Gordon for use with her own personal operating system, a fact that impressed MacQuarrie to no end, nonetheless, Nightwing's uniform could not be used without two days worth of computer work. The suggestion that Dick wear an Impact Squadron uniform came from an unexpected source.

"He can wear my uniform." Sito's weak voice caught the attention of everyone in the room as he stumbled from his makeshift recovery quarters into the main combat control area. The fact that the young man was up and walking about was a testament to his iron will and definitely a good sign but Summers made it clear as she took his arm to help him walk upright that she did not want him risking his health.

"He needs a uniform Major, " Sito explained, "I can't go, I wish I could but I can't. So let him wear my uniform, we're about the same size. He's earned it in my opinion. A couple of times over." There was a moment of silence in the room as they all considered Sito's words and a look of obvious respect passed between Nightwing and the wounded man. Summers glanced around the room at the eyes of those under her command. She noticed one or two uncomfortable glances at the floor, but the rest held her gaze and approved of Sito's suggestion. Nightwing had indeed earned their respect, from the first moment he tried to fight them off in his apartment to the death matches on Desolation Island to the their encounter with Kane in Crete, he fought by their side even when he didn't have to. When the threat of revealing his secret identity died with General Walker, he stayed. He did the right thing without having to be coerced. He fought for them and for every human life on the planet. How could they not make him one of them? When her eyes met those of her own second in command Captain Emilio Cortez, he smiled slightly and nodded, affirming her decision.

"Brad?" Summers said, addressing MacQuarrie at his many laptops.

"Yes Major?"

"Get Nightwing into Sito's uniform ASAP. Work up a profile for him and tie him into the computers. His code name: Demolition Man."

"Aye Major."

"I see you're familiar with my work." Dick replied with a grin.

"After the way you laid waste to Kane's compound I can't think of a better name for you." She joked while the rest of the Squad chuckled at the remark.

His mind raced back to the present. They were within 10 feet of the small pumping station that supplied water to Kane's arboretum and the large pond that lay at it's center. Two armed guards patrolled the perimeter of the small building. They knew someone with Kane's intelligence would position guards at that vulnerable point but even Kane didn't know that Nightwing and Impact Squadron were still alive and that he was still a hunted man. Had he known that the threat of Impact Squadron still existed, the genetically engineered man would no doubt have the place teeming with enough armed guards to repel any attack.

Nightwing and Summers communicated only through hand signals, not daring to utter a single word. They had been watching this pair as they approached, watching them check in on their communicators every hour on the hour. Within minutes they were due to signal again. That would leave them one hour to get into Kane's biosphere, find Colonel Young and the stores of Ebola Omega, not to mention disable any warheads Kane had at his disposal. All in all, they had a very small amount of time to complete their assigned tasks. The activation of the laser beacons would be the signal for the rest of Impact Squadron to descend on the place as, in Captain Cortez's words, the hounds of hell and destroy Kane's virus stores for good, ending his threat to mankind. What Nightwing couldn't help but wonder was what would become of the man? He knew Walker had drafted him with the initial plan of using Nightwing to kill Kane, but even now Dick refused to kill him. Would Summers or Cortez kill Kane? He knew they probably wouldn't get the chance to pull a trigger before Kane killed them. And what would Colonel Young want if indeed he was able to give orders upon his rescue? Young was a good man but even the best of men are capable of killing under certain circumstances. Nightwing had no doubt that if Kane had hurt Young badly, Young would want his revenge. There were still a lot of wild cards yet to be played in this scenario, and Dick didn't like that one bit.

They listened intently as they heard the swish of static on the guard's radio which was neatly clipped to his belt. The voice that filtered out over the speaker was instantly recognizable to both Nightwing and Summers. It was a female voice, Angelica:

"Sentries three and four hourly check in."

"Sentries three and four checking in. All is clear." The two men reported and then the taller one returned his radio to his belt clip. Before the belt radio could even be switched off Nightwing and Summers emerged from the shadows and leaped into action. Nightwing ran toward his prey with all possible speed making only a slight swishing noise as his feet kicked up the sand. By the time the guard heard the noise and turned to confront it he was already too late. Nightwing launched himself into the air and extended his leg, his boot heel hit the guard square in the chin and spun him around several times before he collapsed in the sand. At the same time Summers also broke into a run for her target and with a powerful judo chop and a flip dropped the man, who happened to be almost twice her size, to the desert floor with his companion.

Once again the desert was silent but for the whisper of a slight wind. Just beyond the horizon, Impact Squadron was awaiting their signal which would, for a short time at least, put an end to the desert silence. When the laser beacon was activated, Impact Squadron would come over the horizon, weapons blazing, with every intention of destroying the virus cache in a blazing conflagration, it was up to Nightwing and Summers to get themselves out just in case the explosions took them apart as well. Destroying the stores of the Ebola Omega virus were of primary importance. The duo slipped inside the metal door and quietly shut it behind them. Once inside they took in their surroundings. Like the outside of the tiny building, the inside was very spartan. A control panel filled one wall, covered with displays that informed the user of water pressure going through the pipes and of any possible leaks. A small stool sat in front of it. The loud thrumming of water pumps filled the small room. Playboy centerfolds and a single fire extinguisher adorned the rest of the walls. In the center of the room, recessed into the floor, was a hatch that led to the water pipes, it was barely large enough for Nightwing to squeeze through. Wasting no time, Nightwing ran to it and began to turn the handle on the hatch.

"Well, we're inside." Summers whispered.

"Unfortunately that's the good news." Nightwing replied.

"Should I ask what the bad news is?"

"The bad news is that it only gets harder from here. We have no idea what to expect beyond that pipe. Kane could have this entire place wired to explode like his place in Crete. We'll have to be very careful."

"Then that's what we'll do." She smiled at him as she spoke. He returned the smile but he couldn't help but feel as if he were walking on a razor's edge. The moment it was discovered that those guards were not reporting in, he fully expected Kane to react swiftly and violently. It would take all his years of training to pull off this mission. He pulled the hatch open and they heard the rush of water beneath. Summers handed him a re-breather supplied by Professor Quartermane back in Roebourne. It was a small tube like device that was placed in the mouth, it supplied air for only eight minutes. They had to get to the end of the pipe and to the surface of Kane's indoor lake within that time or they would indeed drown.

"Think dry thoughts." Nightwing said as he put the re-breather between his teeth and took a breath to make sure it was working. When he was assured that it did he lowered himself into the pipe, he felt himself being surrounded by the water. As his eyes disappeared beneath the surface he realized just how dark it would be. There was no light of any kind inside the length of pipe, and with barely enough room to move, he felt more like he was in a coffin than a pipe full of running water. Summers followed and shut the hatchway behind her, cutting off the light supply entirely and immersing them in the inky blackness. With no light to guide him, Nightwing began to feel his way forward, the thrumming of the pumps and the rushing water filling his ears. It was a disconcerting sensation to be sure, it was not a place for anyone with claustrophobia to be. Nightwing inched himself forward, his shoulders pressing against the sides of the pipe, he didn't even have enough room to turn around if the need should arise. Not that it would matter if they could turn around, they both knew the hatch locked immediately behind them. Even his infra red lenses were of no help as the small tube offered not one ray of light to amplify. He thought he felt something brush against his leg and he reached down to touch whatever it was, there was nothing there. Again he thought he felt something brush against his right shoulder, once again, there was nothing there. His imagination was running away with him in the pitch blackness. He had never been in a situation quite like this.

He reached out into the darkness intending to inch himself forward and suddenly felt something solid directly in front of him. He let the currents of the water carry him closer and he reached out again. Again he hit something solid. He removed his gloves and dared to feel the structure, it was a metal mesh wall which allowed water to pass through, but served as a barricade to keep fish in the artificial lake, and unwanted visitors out. Four minutes had passed since they had entered the pipe. They had four more minutes to get past the grating and inside. Behind him he felt Summers tap on his shoulder, obviously wondering what was wrong. He hoped he would live to tell her as he began to test the strength of the grating. They had four minutes of air left......

"Why have you abandoned me?" Kane screamed at the heavens as he threw his copy of the Torah to the floor of the operating theater. He had been consulting it for over fifteen minutes and it told him nothing. He could see no interlocking pattern as he had been accustomed, The Torah was silent. Beside him, Colonel Phillip Young coughed out a weak chuckle as blood streamed across his legs.

"Problem Kane?" He asked in a weakened voice. In response, Kane whirled to face his captive and spoke in a furious, almost feral voice. "Watch your tongue or I swear I will pull it out with my bare hands!!" Young merely smiled, mocking him silently. Standing in the doorway watching him was Angelica, her face a mask of worry. Kane noticed her immediately and crossed the room to confront her.

"What is your problem?" He asked. When she replied it was in a hushed, almost respectful voice.

"The Torah, you can't read it any more?" She asked.

"What of it?" He replied in a tone dripping with barely concealed annoyance.

"Back in Crete, you told me that The Torah itself said it could not be used for evil. Don't you find it strange that all of a sudden it doesn't work?"

Kane considered the idea. It had merit. Whoever had encoded The Torah with such information was even smarter than he himself was. Even Kane had admitted that a vast intelligence was responsible for the encoding of this particular book. Was it possible that The Torah had given him just enough information to lead him to his own doom? He refused to believe that.

"Does that idea frighten you? Do you think �God' is punishing us now for all our sins?"

Angelica looked at her feet as she answered, "I don't know lover. It does have me...... frightened."

Kane snorted in disgust, "How very human of you." She looked him in the eye with that remark, her eyes filled with hurt. Kane found her accusing stare too much for even him. He didn't mean to hurt her. Frustrated by his failure to read the code and this encounter with Angelica, he glanced back on at Colonel Young. His patience had run out.

"Prepare the Curare solution, the good Colonel will give us all the information we need when I pump him full of chemicals, and send six of our best men down to the storage rooms to prepare the virus stores. I want the first batch put in place within twenty four hours at the airports and train stations. We'll put the rest in place at the Olympic Pavilions by the end of the week. People are already starting to flood into the country for The Summer Olympics. When they leave, I want them all to bring the virus home with them."

Angelica nodded and turned on her heel, going off to carry out Kane's orders without saying a word to him. Back in the operating theater, the medical personnel had begun to prepare the solution that would be injected into Young's veins, causing the man to answer any question put to him while simultaneously wiping his brain clean. Young shuddered at the thought of giving up the secrets buried in his mind. He consoled himself with the fact that he didn't know anything about Impact Squadron's fate. What he didn't know he couldn't tell Kane against his will. Wherever they were and whatever they were doing, Kane would learn nothing of it from him.

Their time was rapidly running out. Counting off the seconds in his head, Nightwing knew that approximately two and a half minutes had passed since they had encountered the metal mesh barrier that blocked their path. Unlike other men, Dick Grayson was born to a life on the trapeze and that training from childhood paid off now, Nightwing had managed to manipulate his incredibly supple body around inside the pipe so that he could kick the barrier with all of his strength. His first strike sent him back against Summers, who caught on to the situation quickly and moved in behind Dick to brace his body with her own. He struck the metal grating repeatedly, praying that no one would hear them over the noise of the water pumps. Summers had begun to feel the cold fingers of panic grip her as Nightwing continued to batter the grate with his boots. If he couldn't get them past it, they would indeed drown here a few minutes from now, their bodies may never be found.

His ankles were beginning to ache, but he had refused to give in at this late date. Nightwing aimed his kicks at the side of the grating, hoping to kick in just enough to allow them to swim by. As time was beginning to run out on them, he felt one corner of the grating begin to give way slightly. Nightwing redoubled his efforts on the area of the mesh that he had felt weaken. Kicking repeatedly with both feet, he finally felt the mesh bend. Another kick - it gave way even more. He decided to risk begin overheard and kicked several more times in quick succession. He reached out and felt the metal wall. He had successfully beaten one corner of the grate so that it bent backwards, allowing the passage. He managed to maneuver his body around again so that he was going through the pipe headfirst and, taking Summers by the wrist, wiggled through the hole in the grating and onwards. They had maybe thirty seconds of air left.

The pipe finally opened up into a large pool and they finally noticed a few rays of light stabbing down through the darkness. Nightwing's eyes widened as a squid of some sort moved past his face. He indicated to Summers that he wanted her to wait there for him at the opening of the pipe while he scouted ahead. He swam up towards the surface, which he estimated was somewhere between fifteen and twenty feet deep. He stopped swimming as he reached the surface and watched as two figures, their images distorted by the refracting light, paced back and forth at the edge of the pool. They were clearly armed, he expected no less from Kane's henchmen. He waited several seconds as tropical fish of all colors and sizes darted past him, regarding this alien visitor to their watery domain. He knew they had only a few precious seconds of air left. Finally his chance arrived as the two guards turned their backs to the pool and he jumped from the water with all his might. The two guards looked back at him, obviously stunned by Nightwing's sudden appearance and certainly not expecting someone to leap from the pool. He used their moment of hesitation to his advantage and grabbed both men by their necks and slammed their heads together, sending them both to the ground unconscious. He whirled about, scanning the area for other guards, he saw none. Behind him, he noticed Summers emerging from the pool, gasping for air.

"You okay?" He asked.

"Oh sure," she panted, "who need lungs anyway?" She replied, making him smile with her levity.

"We don't have much time. I suggest we find Kane's missiles and disable them first. Then we find the Ebola stores and attach the laser beacon."

"What about Colonel Young? He's in here somewhere." He had already considered Young and the precarious position he was in. Unfortunately, he knew that disabling Kane's missiles and virus stores was top priority. The fate of humanity had to come first, Young certainly would agree with them. He placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder as he spoke, "I know he is. I guarantee you I'll do everything in my power to find him, but first we have to eliminate Kane's threats. We'll get him, I promise."

She returned his smile and together they took in their surroundings. They had indeed emerged in the arboretum and for the first time they appreciated the work that went into Kane's indoor jungle. It was like a cathedral dedicated to worshiping nature. They were surrounded by lush jungle foliage, vines stretched in every direction. The pool they had emerged from was indeed deserving of the term "lake". It was at least forty feet across and thirty feet wide. Fish of every possible color could be seen zipping by. The fading sunlight beamed in through the glass walls, reflecting and refracting across the water sending dazzling colors and patterns throughout the water and across the jungle walls. Above them, there were two walkways joined by spiral staircases that hugged the outside walls from which an observer could enjoy the view below. Both Nightwing and Summers thought they could hear the cry of an animal somewhere in the dense jungle. The only exit from the arboretum was fifty feet away, a small translucent sliding door that led to the rest of the biosphere. Together they broke into a sprint for the door and emerged in a hallway that reminded them both of a hospital. There was no one in sight. Nightwing took point and led the way down the hall to the right. Summers followed with a silenced Heckler & Koch VP 70 at the ready. Around the next corner was an elevator which they entered. Summers glanced at the control panel on the wall.

"Going down?" She asked. Nightwing couldn't help but smile at the innuendo behind the comment but he didn't mention it.

"Definitely. His warheads have to be in some underground launching area somewhere. I hope the basement levels are reasonably small."

She stabbed a button on the panel and the door slid shut with a "ding" followed by the usual muzak one found on elevators worldwide. After several seconds of a clarinet version of "I Will Always Love You" the elevator whisked to a halt and the doors opened into a storage room. Several more stops brought them similar sights, storage rooms filled with food, water, and clothing supplies. Finally the elevator door whisked open and both Nightwing and Summers were stunned by the sight they were confronted with, in a cavernous basement area stood three atomic warheads on launch pads. Across the room were several white coated technicians, Nightwing noticed that they were engrossed in playing computer solitaire. No one had noticed their entrance into the grand room.

"I'll take care of them." He whispered to Summers, who nodded in agreement. He bolted out of the elevator compartment and toward them with all the speed he could muster. The technicians never knew what hit them. In less than thirty seconds, the men had been knocked unconscious with a minimum of effort. One spin kick and a judo throw followed by a series of Shaolin Gung Fu moves and they were all down. Recognizing the control panel for what it was - the computer system that accepted the launch codes and controlled the rocket's firing mechanisms - Nightwing whirled around and placed his wrist unit provided by Professor Quartermane that was designed to fry the operating system on the main control panel. The unit magnetically latched onto the panel and Nightwing activated it by depressing a switch on the side of the unit. All the panels and screens went black as the CPU's fried. Professor Quartermane was as good as his word. Summers ran past Nightwing and over to the three missiles, she placed disruptor units on each of them, effectively disabling the entire system. That particular threat was over.

Nightwing and Summers shared a sigh of relief. The stolen missiles had been rendered useless. That particular threat had been almost as large as the threat of Kane's Ebola stores, which was next on their list.

"We better hurry up. Things are going a little too well and it's making me nervous." He told her as he ran back to the elevator doorway with Summers on his heels. They were far from completing their task.

"We have a problem." Angelica said as she poked her head into the doorway leading to the operating theater. Kane was watching intently as his physicians prepared the solution of Curare and other psychedelic compounds that would cause Young to sing like a bird while simultaneously wiping his mind clean. The solution was almost ready, Young's life was in dire straits and he knew it. He had shut up tighter than a clam. Annoyed by the constant interruptions, Kane whirled around to face her.

"What is it?"

"I thought it might be best to put a few more guards on each shift due to your inability to....."

"My inability to read The Bible code?" He finished the thought for her.

"Yes. I thought it might be best."

"So what's the problem?"

"At least four of our men are not reporting in. Dimitri and Louis at the pumping station and two more in the gardens. I think something may be wrong."

Kane's eyes immediately widened as she told him this. "Are you sure? The comm system is working properly?" Angelica replied that she had indeed checked the system and everything was working perfectly.

"He's here." Kane whispered to himself.

"Who's here?"

"Nightwing. The Torah would not tell me if he was dead. He survived. I know he did. He's here." Behind them, they heard Colonel Young chuckle, his voice was growing weaker by the moment. "Sounds like all you managed to do was piss the kid off Kane. He's back to kick your ass now."

Kane's nostrils flared with anger at the taunt but he otherwise ignored it, his mind racing as he calculated his next move. "Get all our available men down to the virus storage area, make sure they are well hidden. Do not fire on them until you receive my orders. I will join you momentarily. If Nightwing isn't there yet he soon will be, and when he arrives no one touches him but me. The rest of you can take care of his companions, let them walk into their own deaths."

"Good evening."

Brad MacQuarrie whirled his chair around and instinctively reached for his SIG P-228. He no sooner felt the reassuring grip of the gun with its sixteen round magazine in his hand than three bat shaped darts lodged themselves in his forearm, causing him to drop the weapon to the floor. From the darkness, all he could see was a shadow coming alive, white eyes boring, not at him, but rather through him. The shadow also seemed to fly across the room rather than walk or run. Strong hands gripped both MacQuarrie's wrists and spun him around toward his desk full of laptops. He craned his neck around to get a good look at the shadow that had attacked him and so easily disarmed him. His eyes caught a quick glimpse of a yellow oval encircling a bat and a fearsome cowl that covered all of his attackers face with the exception of a small portion around his mouth. MacQuarrie had never seen a picture of him, but given his current allies on this mission, he immediately knew the man who had immobilized him. This was no mere shadow or childhood nightmare come to life. Batman had finally arrived.

Batman grabbed MacQuarrie's right arm and twisted it up and around until it was almost between his shoulder blades. Impact Squadron's computer expert felt fire shoot up his spine as Batman leaned into the man and put his weight on the man's arm. "I will only ask you this question once. Where is he?"

MacQuarrie gasped with pain as his arm was pushed further up his back by impossibly strong hands. "Jesus Christ!!!!!! My arm!!!"

"I guarantee you I will break it if you don't cooperate. Don't make me ask the question again." The rough voice reminded MacQuarrie of someone who had swallowed sandpaper. There was no doubt in his mind that this man was very angry and very capable of breaking his arm if he so desired.

"You're looking for Nightwing right?" MacQuarrie felt even more pain shoot through his body as Batman jabbed the young man in the kidneys. "You just answered a question with a question. Now, I've come a long way to find Nightwing and I am not in the best of moods. This is your last chance, where....... is....... he?"

MacQuarrie pointed at the laptop in the center of his desk which was flanked by two others, two more computers lay off to the side monitoring life signs. There were several applications open on the main screen, one window displayed a list of names he did not recognize, each name was followed by two 6 digit numbers which he did recognize as Global Positioning coordinates. Another screen showed a group of armed men lying in wait, weapons at the ready.

"He's out there."

Batman immediately memorized the GPS coordinates and threw another punch into MacQuarrie's kidney area. The computer expert fell to his knees as The Caped Crusader turned on his heel and started for the door. Through clenched teeth and biting pain MacQuarrie turned to address the departing vigilante. "Wait!!"

Batman immediately stopped in his tracks, not even bothering to turn and face MacQuarrie. "If you're going out there, there's a few things you need to know."

"Such as?" Batman replied.

"You need to know what Nightwing is doing out there. You need to know what he's up against, and exactly why he's helping us. If you go bumbling out there without listening to what I have to say, he's as good as dead."

With a rustle of his cape Batman finally turned back to face MacQuarrie and lowered his face down to within inches of the younger mans.

"Talk to me."

Nightwing ducked his head around the corner of a hallway, Summers by his side with her weapon at the ready. So far, he had managed to take the lead and no one had been killed. He had a sinking feeling in his gut that before this operation was over lives would be lost. He was determined to do everything in his power to keep it from happening but in his soul he knew that the only way to deal with Kane may be to kill him. Nightwing never thought that he would be put in a situation that made him remember trying to make his way through the twisted web of corruption and crime that was Bludhaven as a relatively simple task. Nevertheless, here he was, in a biosphere in The Great Sandy Desert of Australia, a stunningly beautiful government operative by his side, hunting down a cache of biological weapons and a genetically engineered killer who in every way deserved the title of Homo Superior.

"Stay alert Stacy, I have a feeling that we're about to hit the mother load." He whispered as he edged closer to a series of black and yellow double wide bay doors, a �caution' symbol painted across them and the same skull and cross bones symbol beneath it that they found on the virus containers in Crete. A control panel of some sort was fixed to the wall to the right of the doors, no doubt a lock down mechanism of some kind.

"We might have to blow these doors open. That's gonna bring guards by the bucketful." He said as he stepped closer. To Nightwing's surprise, the doors whisked open as he approached, no doubt due to some unseen motion sensor. Peering inside, Nightwing could see that this was indeed their goal. Cold air rushed out from the parting doors, Nightwing remembered that the air in the storage areas in Crete was also below normal. No doubt a coolant of some kind was also being used here to keep the virus inert. In the center of the room they could see the same virus containers as they had before in Crete, only far more. Rows of containers could be seen inside, each with its own skull and crossbones symbol, certainly enough to help Kane achieve his goal. Each vial, placed strategically through the busiest areas of Australia during the Summer Olympics, would effectively carry the Ebola Omega virus to all corners of the Earth. Along each wall they could see rows of computer banks and monitoring stations, above that a second floor composed of metal grating could be seen along the outside walls of the makeshift laboratory with even more computers, monitoring stations and an unobstructed view of the virus stores below. Nightwing found it odd that with all these rows of computers, there was not a single soul in sight. Over the years, he had developed a sixth sense for danger, formed in Gotham and honed to a razorsharp edge in Bludhaven, the acute awareness of nearby danger rarely failed him, and he was feeling it now.

"Come on let's go." Summers whispered as she strode past him and into the cool storage area.

"Something's wrong. I'm not sure about this."

"The clock is ticking," Stacy said as she entered, her voice filled with urgency, "let's do this before those guards are discovered missing. We still have to find the Colonel."

Nightwing started after her, his eyes scanning the area wearily. Why was there no one here? Surely Kane would want this virus of his monitored at all times. What was it Stacy had said? �Let's do this before those guards are discovered missing." Then it hit him, he felt the weight of of the realization almost as if it were a physical blow, they were expected, it was a trap. "Stacy wait!!!"

Before Summers could turn to address Nightwing strong hands reached out from behind a monitoring station and gripped her by the wrists. Summers felt her VP 70 knocked from her hand as she was pulled up into the air and slammed back to the floor with a loud, sickening thud. At the same time, over a dozen men leaped out from concealed positions behind the monitoring stations along the elevated monitoring area above them, automatic weapons trained on Nightwing and Summers. In the space of three seconds Nightwing realized that Angelica had disarmed Stacy and over a dozen men had their sights trained on him. Angelica produced a revolver and settled it against Summers' temple. At that moment, Kane stepped out from behind the same monitoring station Angelica was hiding behind, a smile etched on his perfect face. Nightwing regarded the genetically engineered man, he was clad in a bright red silk robe adorned with Japanese icons, he wore no shirt, his broad chest openly displayed. A pair of loose fitting jogging pants and a pair of sandals completed his ensemble. Angelica wore a camouflage outfit similar to those worn by Kane's henchman. Summers immediately noticed the medals pinned to Angelica's uniform and recognized them as belonging to General Walker.

"I have to hand it to you Nightwing, and to your beautiful friend here. You are both credits to the human race. How you managed to survive our encounter in Crete I'm not sure, but obviously you are made of sterner stuff than most of your race. You have cost me money, time, and personnel. I am afraid however, that it will stop here. I have you completely covered from an elevated position, I would advise you to remain perfectly still." To help Kane make his point, Angelica pulled back the hammer on her revolver. There was nothing he could do, no action he could take that would not result in their deaths. Even Nightwing would not be able to move fast enough to avoid all the bullets that would come his way. He had to buy them some time, outsmart Kane as well as draw his henchman from the area. There was only one option left, he had to bluff. Nightwing raised his hands in the air to indicate his surrender.

Kane circled Summers and regarded her with a wary eye, he then turned to address Nightwing. "Is this all you have? Yourself and a woman?" Summers snorted in disgust at his remark, she also noticed that Angelica noticeably stiffened at his comment.

"I don't think you're quite the big bad wolf you make yourself out to be Kane. The two of us are all that's needed to kick your tail. That....." he paused as he removed his belt and flipped it over to reveal the black box that housed the laser beacon, "and this." All eyes converged on the laser beacon, to the untrained eye the unit was basically a rectangular black box made of a molded plastic with a webbed belt strap, a singular red button was positioned in the exact center of the box. To activate the beacon, Nightwing need only depress the button in the center, identifying the location of the target and bringing Impact Squadron down around Kane's ears.

Kane arched an eyebrow as he regarded the unit. "What is that?"

"It's a bomb Kane." he immediately noticed the guards on the level above stiffen at his announcement, "This thing is packed with a powerful explosive that would cause a blast big enough to be seen from space." It was a lie of course, a bluff intended to buy them time, one that immediately set everyone in the room on edge. Upon his announcement that it was a bomb Nightwing noticed that every guard above him had released the safeties on the weapons, a small group of laser dots gathered both on his chest and on his forehead. Sweat began to bead on the foreheads of some of the guards, despite the chilled air.

"It doesn't look like any kind of bomb or weapon I've ever seen."

"I guarantee you that's what it is. If this goes off they'll find pieces of all of us spread over a one hundred mile radius. Shoot me. Go right ahead. This thing is armed, the smallest impact and it could go off. Are you fast enough to get over here and catch it before my dead body hits the ground? Even with your genetically engineered body I seriously doubt it. So go ahead and shoot me. I may die Kane, but you can guarantee I'll be saving you a seat in Hell."

Kane calmy held out his hand. "Give it to me. Give it to me or I will see to it that your girlfriend here is raped repeatedly by my men before she dies."

The bluff was all that was keeping Nightwing alive and he knew it. "So her choices are get killed quickly now or slowly and painfully later? You'll have to give me a better choice than that."

There was a moment of silence as Kane regarded Nightwing, trying to ascertain his mettle perhaps? Trying to judge if Nightwing had what it took to kill them all. In reality only forty seconds of silence had passed but to everyone in the room it felt like an eternity. When Kane spoke again, it was in a soft, almost soothing tone.

"You're not going to do it Nightwing. We both know you won't. You don't have it in you. You're a hero, born and bred. You won't commit suicide and take all these lives with you. You could have done that in Crete if you wanted to but you didn't. Especially not with your delightful girlfriend here, not when there's a chance you can live to fight again later. Not when there is a chance you can still get out of this alive. Tell me I'm wrong."

Feigning defeat, Nightwing lowered his head. "You're right."

"Now end this. Give me the bomb. I may be many things Nightwing but I am a man of my word, if you give me the bomb you're female companion will be treated well and given a quick, painless death, as will you. I am not a barbarian."

Nightwing began to cross the distance between himself and Kane, his boots echoing on the tiled floor. The room was excruciatingly still as Nightwing approached him. All eyes watched the exchange between the two men, including Summers who was giving him a confused look. No one dared to even draw a breath while Nightwing held what they believed to be a bomb.

Nightwing stopped an arms's length from Kane. Everyone in the room stiffened, including Kane. Gripping the unit with his right hand, his thumb on the activation button in the center, Nightwing extended his arm, apparently ready and willing to hand it over to Kane.

"You made the right choice." Kane reached out and took hold of the unit. Nightwing released his grip and felt the activation button under his thumb depress. The laser beacon had been activated. To Kane's surprise, Nightwing actually chuckled, his face broadening into a smile.

"I don't see the humor here."

"Oh you will. Congratulations Kane."

"What do you mean?"

"Things may become a little," he paused for effect, ".....intense. You've just been painted with a laser beacon. I suggest you run for cover right now. You have just become ground zero."

"That's the signal." Cortez yelled to the rest of Impact Squadron. "Francis, make a hole!!"

Francis acknowledged the order and immediately lined up the sights of his APILAS light anti-tank rocket launcher on the nearest wall of Kane's biosphere. Seconds later, he fired the weapon and a devastating rocket launched itself across the desert floor towards its target. The resultant explosion as the rocket hit the foundation of the biosphere shook the entire basement area and caused the power to blink out momentarily.

"Impact Squadron!!! Move in!!!"

Kane stumbled as the impact of the rocket came close to knocking them all off of their feet. Nightwing, who had been expecting the concussion, lashed out at Kane with a spinning kick to the side of his head. The impact of the kick sent Kane reeling backwards, the laser beacon still in his hand. Nightwing had barely landed on the tips of his toes before he launched himself fluidly into the air and landed with both feet against Angelica's chest, driving her backward and skidding across the floor, freeing Summers.

"Get out there and destroy the intruders!!!" Kane howled even before he had stopped skidding across the floor, "Angelica and I will take care of these two!!!" Responding with military efficiency, the guards broke into a run for the exits along the upper level, ignoring Nightwing and Summers. Kane rose to his feet as did Angelica. Kane's eyes were devoid of all emotion other than barely suppressed hatred, all of it directed at the black clad hero standing before him. When he spoke, his voice was poison itself.

"I'm finally going to get the enjoyment of rendering you limb from limb Nightwing."

"Why don't you shut up already Kane? You've tried that remember? There's a long line of people who want to kill me, take a number and head to the back of the line because as far as I can see, you're no better than any of the other psychos who've tried and failed. How does failure taste to a genetic superman like yourself? We both know I bitch slapped you once and I'll do it again."

Kane growled deep in his throat and assumed an attack position from a school of fighting Dick was unfamiliar with. Nightwing knew from experience how dangerous this man was and pressed his attack, leaping at Kane. Nightwing's outstretched arms grabbed Kane by the neck and forced him back to the floor with Nightwing's body pinning his arms down. At the same time Angelica attacked Summers with a flurry of kicks and punches, forcing Summers out through the main doors, driving her and Nightwing apart.

Nightwing landed several hard punches to Kane's jaw, which only managed to daze his opponent for a few seconds. Fueled by rage, Kane smashed his forehead into Nightwing's face, sending him sprawling across the room. Kane and Nightwing both leaped to their feet as if they were mirror images of one another. Both men momentarily froze as they saw the look on each others faces. Kane looked into Nightwing's face as another explosion rocked the building and sparks flew from a nearby console, showering them both. His eyes hidden behind the one way lenses of his mask, Kane contented himself to reading Nightwing's face, he was adept enough at psychology to see that the young man was tensed, but not nervous. He seemed fully confident in his own abilities and completely prepared to defeat Kane. Kane realized that this vigilante turned government operative was quite used to facing superior odds and managing to overcome them every time. Although he stood completely still and belied little emotion, Kane was impressed. Nightwing had the odds against him once again and he knew it, nonetheless he was standing his ground, completely oblivious to the possibility of failure. Nightwing would not allow it, through sheer will if need be.

On the opposite side there was Nightwing, who enjoyed a complete view of Kane's face. Ever since the moment Nightwing had handed him the activated laser beacon, Kane's eyes were pure malevolence personified. Nightwing knew that given the chance, this genetically engineered superhuman would do everything in his power to bring him to the most painful, tortured, lingering death possible. Kane was not used to failure and he had failed in killing Nightwing and Summers back in Crete. It was readily apparent that he would do anything it took to rectify the mistakes he had made. Nightwing had forced Kane's back into a corner, and like any predatory animal, that was when he was most lethal.

The power was constantly kicking in and out with the force of Impact Squadron's attack, bathing the two combatants first in light, then darkness. Sparks continued to illuminate the darkness as they flew from overloading consoles. With no preamble, Nightwing launched his attack. Whipping himself through the air at his opponent and snapping out punches almost faster than the eye could follow. Reacting with enhanced reflexes, Kane managed to avoid the blows and countered with his own punch combination. Nightwing was fast, but not as fast as Kane, yet he had managed to block the punches rather than duck them completely. Neither man had yet to do any damage to the other. The two continued a lethal dance with neither combatant doing any real damage to the other.

This could take forever. Nightwing thought to himself. Whatever Kane's thoughts on the encounter, he was keeping his own council.

Again the basement area shook from another explosion and Nightwing saw his opportunity as Kane stumbled for barely a second from the impact. Coiling the muscles in his legs and releasing, Nightwing launched himself forward and through the split second drop in Kane's defenses. Kane had barely blinked with the momentary distraction of the missile impact when he suddenly felt pain shoot through his chest as Nightwing's fist rained down upon his upper torso. Nightwing landed the punches and immediately broke into another manoeuver, spinning on his heel and bringing his right foot up against the back of Kane's head, landing on his right foot the masked hero continued with his momentum and let his left leg fly in a perfectly executed spin kick to the exact same spot behind Kane's right ear. Kane found himself momentarily dazed by the spin kicks, Nightwing was a whirling dervish in those few seconds and even Kane's superior eyesight saw nothing but a blur of movement before the pain shot through his well muscled neck. Kane felt himself grow momentarily dizzy from the blows to his head and without actually seeing it, he felt Nightwing take advantage of the situation and push him back to the floor.

Kane landed awkwardly in a heap and hit the back of his head on the tiled floor. He had been bred for moments like this. Moments when would be assassins would try to take his life during some covert operation. His DNA had been engineered to serve him in times like this. Glands pumped out adrenaline into the man's bloodstream faster than a normal humans. Brain synapses fired more quickly than any other mortal man could possibly dream of. Instantly, Kane's blurred vision cleared and his brain instantly registered the threat of Nightwing's devastating martial arts kicks coming towards him. Superior reflexes shot Kane's hand out like a coiled snake attacking its prey and rock hard muscles grabbed Nightwing's ankles and with a quick throw, Nightwing found himself dumped to the ground just as he had done to Kane.

Kane leaped across the room at his foe, fully intending to choke the life from Nightwing, who actually managed to roll aside at the last minute and, taking hold of Kane by his ponytail, instead rammed Kane's face repeatedly into a nearby console that continued to shower both of them with sparks. After four consecutive impacts with the console at Nightwing's hands, Kane managed to lash out with an elbow to Nightwing's stomach, driving his foe backward, driving the air from his lungs. By now the two had become oblivious to the sounds of distant gunfire and the more prominent rumblings of explosions. They both knew that only one man would walk away alive from this confrontation.

Neil Anderson swore as he replaced the clip in his Keckler & Koch MP5K and sprayed the horizon with more bullets. Despite the best efforts of Anderson and his men, Impact Squadron continued to advance on the biosphere with weapons blazing. He had watched, almost with awe, as the men of Impact Squadron appeared over the horizon in specially converted jeeps with CETME MG42 belt fed automatic assault weapons mounted on a raised platform on the back of each vehicle, spraying death in the form of .223 caliber shells at 850 rounds a minute. Emerging first as tiny specks and growing larger as they approached their goal, some of Anderson's hand picked men had decided that discretion was the better part of valor, dropping their weapons and running in the opposite direction into the desert night.

In the distance, Anderson noticed the brief flash and immediately recognized it as yet another anti-tank rocket coming their way. He dropped behind the barricade he had erected out of Kane's very expensive furniture and waited until the blast hit. It didn't take long, the entire foundation rocked once more. Impact Squadron was finding out that the transparent material used in the construction of the biosphere was not glass, but a type of Armor-Lite three inch thick blast plate that could take severe beatings from concussion missiles. Anderson knew however, that if his enemies continued their assault with such heavy weaponry, they would soon weaken the material enough to punch a hole straight through it. He had only one chance. Reaching into his pocket Anderson pulled out a small device that looked like a remote control unit. He entered a number combination into the unit and watched with a smirk as remote operated machine gun nests emerged from the sand in front of the biosphere and began unleashing a hail of bullets at the incoming Squadron. One jeep exploded and rolled several times before coming to a stop under the punishing rain of destruction. Anderson smirked as he witnessed the event.

On the sand dunes below, Captain Emilio Cortez barely had time to react as he witnessed the mechanized machine gun nests emerge from beneath the sand and begin spilling out death. Sitting in the front passenger seat of his jeep, he heard the windshield crack as bullets tore through it and ripped into Murrant, who was driving the vehicle. The jeep shuddered under the impact of the bullets and left the ground, rolling across the dunes. Cortez managed to leap from the vehicle and noticed that Johnson, who had been firing the machine gun on the rear platform of the jeep, had also fallen from his perch to the desert floor. He helped his comrade to his feet and the two ran for the only cover available to them, the overturned jeep. The two other jeeps that had been following Cortez's lead both swerved to a stop and the members of Impact Squadron poured out of their vehicles and jumped behind them for cover. The gas tanks had been enclosed in a special bullet proof casing that would protect them from ruptured gas tank explosions for the time being. However, they were trapped and they knew it. Unable to go forward into the lethal spray of bullets, unable to go back beyond the horizon without being shot, there was nowhere to go. Cortez desperately wanted to climb into the jeep and see if Murrant was still alive, but the hail of bullets made that impossible and his guts turned to water thinking of his friend trapped in the vehicle, possibly riddled with bullet holes. Trapped behind a very precarious cover that was slowly being ripped to shreds by the machine guns. That was when he heard MacQuarrie's voice over the open comm line. He turned up the volume on his earpiece and shouted for their computer expert to repeat his message.

"HANG ON CAPTAIN!! BACKUP IS ON THE WAY!!!! Were MacQuarrie's exact words. Backup? What backup? They were disavowed. No one would be coming to their rescue. He yelled into the tiny microphone on his collar, demanding to know the identity of their backup.

"TRUST ME!! WHEN HE GET'S THERE, YOU'LL KNOW WHO IT IS!!!" Was MacQuarrie's only reply. Over the din of the combat, Cortez looked back over the horizon from which they had come. The distinctive roar of a Typhoon 313 B began to fill their ears.

Batman had set the plane on automatic pilot as he donned the �Hunting Gear' Alfred had loaded on the plane for him. He opened the equipment locker to reveal a modified version of his own Batman uniform. Instead of being manufactured from a triple weave nomex fabric, the cowl, which still retained its trademark bat visage, was made of a space age metal, more a helmet than a cowl. The eyepieces revealed the users entire surroundings in infrared, radar / sonar, and digital readouts as well, whatever he desired. This enabled him to target enemies from a great distance with pinpoint accuracy. The computer in the helmet was linked to a special launcher attached to his right gauntlet that fired limpet mines. Originally designed for knocking out the reinforced doors to crack houses, he knew it would be useful on this mission as well. Batman also attached a special device to his belt that sent out multiple �ghost' images to any device trying to get a read on his position. A special body armor molded to his physical specifications completed the modified uniform. He found the outfit too heavy and bulky for his everyday operations in Gotham City, not to mention that it reminded him too much of Jean Paul Valley's modified Batman uniform, but he knew it would come in handy with people such as this.

The computer inside his helmet counted down the seconds before Batman should make his jump. The plane would set itself down two miles to the south, leaving the Caped Crusader to attend to Nightwing without worrying about his transportation. The display in his head piece counted down to zero and Batman launched himself through the main hatch, his modified cape acting as a glider and catching the air currents, allowing him to descend at a regulated pace.

Peering into the sky overhead, the assembled members of Impact Squadron stopped firing their weapons and felt their collective jaws drop as, silhouetted by the moonlight, Batman descended toward them. Seconds later, The Dark Knight landed silently on the desert sand.

"I believe you people are in need of assistance." Without waiting for a reply, Batman ran past them and towards the machine gun nests. The computer display in his helmet showed him a digital readout of the scene before him and the exact distance to the automatic weapons that pinned down Impact Squadron. The computer tracking system locked on to their targets and Batman raised his right gauntlet, two limpet mines leaped forth from the wrist mounted launcher and attached themselves to the gun emplacements. The automatic targeting systems on the weapons momentarily confused by Batman's devices, fired indiscriminately, but in the wrong direction. Pushing a button on his utility belt, the limpet mines exploded, destroying the weapons. Without waiting for Impact Squadron, Batman broke into a run for the biosphere.

"Impact Squadron!!! Move Up!!!" Cortez yelled to his troops as he broke into a run after The Dark Knight.

Stacy Summers spun around from a right cross to her jaw from Angelica. The two women had battled fiercely along the now abandoned hallways of Kane's basement levels. They had long since left behind Kane and Nightwing, who were involved in a pitched battle of their own. Angelica was a deadly warrior, every bit as dangerous as Kane himself. Summers blocked a knife edge chop form her opponent and executed a perfectly placed kick in Angelica's mid section, knocking her backward. Summers realized she was lost, she didn't recognize the hallway their battle had taken them to nor did she know of how to get back to an area she was familiar with.

Angelica rose to her feet once more and charged Summers, who sidestepped the attack and brought her knee up into Angelica's stomach. The air exploded out of Angelica's lungs as she impaled herself on Summers' knee. Summers then grabbed the woman by her long hair and put all her weight behind her, shoving Angelica toward what she thought was a wall. However, the wall was another of the translucent doors that dotted the hallway. Angelica crashed through the door in a brittle symphony of sound and skidded on her stomach along the floor.

Summers leaped into the room after her and instantly came to a halt. The sight that greeted her eyes stopped her in her tracks. Twenty five bodies, encased in individual cigar shaped cryogenic chambers. Twelve males, all exact replicas of Kane, lay side by side. Each body had slightly misshapen bone structure, Summers assumed that these clones were not yet fully developed. Summers also noticed that the thirteen females in their casings looked exactly like Angelica, the thirteen female bodies also appeared as if they were not fully formed.

The real Angelica leaped to her feet and began a charge toward Summers.

"STOP!!!!" She yelled.

Angelica did indeed come to a halt. Her entire body on edge, ready to attack at a moment's notice.

"Haven't you noticed something strange Angelica?"

Her foe raised an inquiring eyebrow, "What the hell are you talking about?"

Summers spread her arms out, indicating the entire room and its contents. "There are twelve replicas of Kane in this room. He told us he was creating more individuals like himself, but there are thirteen replicas of you. Why do you figure that is Angelica? One for each replica of Kane, and one more? Who do you think that's for Angelica? Could it be Kane is making you as obsolete as the rest of the human race? An enhanced replica of you for when he kills you with the Ebola Omega virus? Maybe he's planning on killing you along with the rest of us."

Angelica shook her head, as if she were trying to keep the truth of the situation from entering her mind. Summers waited for Angelica to attack her again, but no attack came. She considered pressing her advantage and attacking the young woman, but she rejected it. Better to have her stop fighting on her own.

Suddenly, Angelica turned and looked at the contents of the room, her body began shaking, Summers thought the young girl may actually have been crying.

"It looks like Kane is a threat to us all Angelica," Summers said in a soothing tone, "Even you."

Angelica turned back toward Summers, tears streaming down her face, she walked up to, and past the dark haired woman, through the now shattered door. When she was in the hallway, Angelica turned to Summers, "Come with me."

"Where are we going?"

"My lover has a friend of yours in the operating room. I'll take you to him before this place blows up."

"You're doing the right thing." Summers assured her as she placed a hand on the woman's shoulder.

"Then why do I feel dead inside?" Angelica responded as her lips trembled with repressed sorrow.

Kane reeled as another blow rained down upon his chest. Nightwing had proven himself to be a worthy foe indeed. The first he had ever encountered. He felt something he had never felt before, challenged. In his short lifetime Kane realized that he would be a slave to boredom for most of his life. He was a genius and he had a perfect physique, there was little he could not do if he put his mind to it. Until the creation of his family was complete, he resigned himself to the fact that he would never find an equal to challenge his abilities. Yet here was this man, this Nightwing, a masked vigilante recruited by the late General Douglas Walker in a futile attempt to stop him from eradicating the human race and starting over with his genetically engineered family. This young man actually had him reeling from attack after attack.

Kane actually felt excited as Nightwing again landed a blow on Kane's stomach, feeling something crack within him. Nightwing had challenged all his assumptions as to what the human race was capable of. There was nothing more Kane wanted than to continue this fight until he could find an opening in Nightwing's defenses and beat him into submission. Realistically, he knew he could not wait until that moment. Nightwing was a formidable foe to be sure, but there were more factors to consider than his joy at finding a challenge in Nightwing. Impact Squadron was practically on his doorstep, threatening his stores of Ebola Omega. The keen analytical side of Kane's mind kicked in and told him that finishing this fight by any means necessary was in his best long term interest. To that end, Kane turned on his heel and began running from Nightwing.

"Who gave you permission to leave?" Nightwing yelled as Kane ran from the virus storage room and down the hallway. Of course, Nightwing knew that this was Kane's way of giving himself time to recuperate and perhaps lead him into a trap of some sort. Nightwing broke into a sprint with all possible speed and gave chase. Kane was extremely fast despite the beating Nightwing had handed out, by the time Nightwing had spotted Kane he was opening a door which appeared to lead to a stairwell. Nightwing immediately ran down the hallway and into the stairwell, he spotted Kane, already several floors up, darting up the stairs. Taking the stairs three at a time, Bludhaven's avenging angel continued to chase. Nightwing heard a door opening ahead of him, Kane had left the stairwell. Bounding up the stairs Nightwing saw a door slowly sliding shut and followed the trail. He emerged in a hallway that lead to what he recognized as the entrance to the arboretum, summoning his energy reserves, he ran through the entrance and skidded to a halt.

Immediately the translucent door behind him slid shut, followed by another metal door that looked like a blast shield. Kane was nowhere in sight. Nightwing noticed that the stars in the sky and the emerging dawn were slowly being blacked out. The panes of glass were becoming opaque. The lights went out completely. From an unseen sound system strains of Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata began to fill the air. Nightwing knew instantly that the advantage had just shifted back to Kane. He had music to cover the sound of his movements in the darkness of this man made jungle which he no doubt knew his way around far better than Nightwing. Somewhere in the darkness, Nightwing heard the distant sound of a sword being removed from its sheath. Finally, Kane's disembodied voice addressed him:

"Now Nightwing, you will feel the wrath of a truly superior man."

"Potete vederli? Posso vederlo. Forse conoscerete la mia posizione quando la mia spada fende il vostro cranio." The pillow soft whisper from the darkness could have been the musings of one lover to another, if it had been anyone other than Kane who had spoken the words, in perfect Italian no less. Kane's voice hardly rose above the melancholy and haunting strains of Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata. Nightwing found himself wishing for just the briefest glimmer of moonlight by which to see. The words were still hanging in the humid air when Nightwing felt, rather than heard the rush of sudden movement. Unable to see even the faintest hint of light, Nightwing couldn't possibly have noticed Kane, a broadsword in one hand, running at full speed from behind a grouping of vines and launching himself into the air, legs outstretched. Pain exploded across Nightwing's back as Kane hit his foe with both feet and just as suddenly disappeared back into the thick artificial jungle. The strains of Beethoven's haunting Moonlight Sonata covering the sound of his movements, not to mention the sounds of gunfire elsewhere in the compound, Kane could attack Nightwing almost at will. Switching to infra red lenses, Nightwing found his vision improved little. The pitch black that permeated the arboretum was akin to the complete lack of vision he and Summers had experienced earlier in the water pipes that led them inside the biosphere.

Instantly Nightwing's thoughts filled with images of Summers. In the resultant confusion in Kane's virus storage room, they had been separated, leaving her to fight the deadly Angelica on her own. He couldn't help but feel worried for her. She had accepted him into their ranks and looked after him from the moment they met, exactly as she said she would. He hoped with every fibre of his being that she would be all right and somehow manage to defeat Angelica and still be able to rescue Colonel Young, wherever he was in this maze and whatever condition he was in. Nightwing reminded himself that he needed to keep his attention in the here and now as he heard another rush of movement and more pain shot through his right arm as Kane struck him once more.

Nightwing rolled with the impact of the blow only to stumble over an outcropping of roots, falling to his knees. Earlier he had been beating Kane almost into submission, only to have him lure Nightwing into this faux jungle, which gave Kane the full advantage once again. Now Kane was free to attack him from any direction, hit and run, while whispering threats to throw him off guard. Kane was a superb combatant, but Nightwing had learned much in the past few years, about himself and about his abilities, he would give as good as he got. Straining to hear any possible sound, Nightwing heard the sound of running water somewhere off to his right. He realized then that he must be near the artificial lake Kane was so fond of. That knowledge at least gave him some idea of where he was.

"Todav�a le asustan? Cuando banqueteo en sus innards usted sabr� miedo." Now in Spanish? Kane was certainly showing off his command of languages. Once more a sudden rush of movement through the jungle caught his attention. Nightwing dropped to one knee and raised his arms in a defensive posture. Nightwing felt a brief rush of wind across his face as Kane ran past him, his attack finding nothing but open air. He instantly realized that dropping to one knee may have saved his life. Kane could easily have taken off his head. An unexpected impact on the back of his head caused Nightwing to swear aloud and roll again. Kane wasn't fooled for long.

"Votre mort est actuelle." Now some French? Nightwing was quickly becoming fed up with the situation. He could probably escape, he knew that, but he knew that the best bet for Impact Squadron's success was to keep Kane occupied. The only way he could think of accomplishing that task was to keep Kane focused on killing him rather than protecting his Ebola Omega virus. Nonetheless, this situation was becoming intolerable. He knew that sooner or later, Kane would become tired of these games and go for the kill, Nightwing needed to regain the upper hand before then. "Those Berlitz courses are really paying aren't they you son of bitch? Was I beating you so badly that you could only take me on in the dark? That's weak and we both know it."

"La mort." Nightwing wasn't as fluent in languages as Kane but he knew how those particular words translated. �Death'. Kane was toying with him, he had no doubt about that. At any time Kane could leap from behind his cover and cleave his skull wide open. Kane himself had told him so, speaking in Italian of course. Seconds later, the blade of Kane's sword whistled through the air. Acting on instinct, Nightwing dropped to the ground, flat on his stomach. Once again he felt a rush of wind as the sword cut through the air and just as quickly Kane disappeared into the artificial night. It was then that Nightwing formed a plan of action. He was done with waiting for Kane's attacks. The instant Kane disappeared into the jungle again Nightwing leaped to his feet and broke into a sprint. He didn't intend to stop until he had reached the outside wall of the Biosphere. He knew that somewhere along the wall lay the spiral staircase that led up to the catwalks above. If he had to fight, he would use Kane's own strategy, fighting from an elevated position and making Kane come to him.

Stumbling in the darkness with branches whipping him in the face, Nightwing heard the distinctive footfalls of Kane pursuing him. Despite the dire seriousness of the life and death situation, Nightwing couldn't help but smile as one thought repeatedly screamed through his mind. "Now I know how those Blair Witch kids felt."

A wave of relief washed over Colonel Phillip Young when he felt the entire building shake, drawing everyone's attention away from him. In fact, the Colonel was alone in the makeshift operating room, leather restraints still holding his arms and legs in place. Young's legs pulsed with pain, every beat of his heart caused a new kind of agony to shoot through his legs, almost paralyzing him. If he ever lived beyond this situation, he knew he would be lucky if he would ever walk again. Even if the damage was repairable, his legs would be scarred for life. Nonetheless, his smile would not fade.

The explosions and gunfire that rocked the building immediately told the Colonel that Nightwing had not perished in Crete. He had followed Kane, as Young secretly suspected he would, and he had brought Impact Squadron along with him. From the beginning Young had been impressed with the young man they recruited under orders from General Walker. He wasn't in favor of the way they had gone after Nightwing when the mission had begun. If Young were in charge of things, Nightwing simply would have been approached and simply asked to join their team. Walker was one of those men that enjoyed stacking the deck in his favor however, no doubt a result a living too long in the world of covert operations and espionage. If they lived to see this mission through, Young wanted nothing more than to take The General to task about his handling of The Nightwing situation, demanding that the Bludhaven vigilante be left alone when they go their separate ways, and whatever dirt Walker had on the young man be destroyed. Suddenly he noticed movement in the hallway beyond, Walker had seen a lot in his life with and without Impact Squadron, but nothing could prepare him for the sight that greeted him.

An unholy din crashed its way toward him followed by three guards hurtling through the doorway headfirst, the fact that they were followed by Major Summers and Angelica caused his jaw to drop. Apparently, Angelica had reached the limit of her tolerance for Kane's plans and was now assisting Summers. He hardly believed it possible for the sensuous woman to aid his personnel, he would have bet his retirement fund that the woman was hopelessly in love with Kane. Perhaps that was indeed the reason for her turn. For the first time since he had been abducted from his quarters in Kane's compound and awoke on an operating table, Young started to believe that he might get out of this alive.

"Major," He said in a weakened voice, "I've never been happier to see anyone in my entire life." Summers and Angelica both brandished automatic weapons, shooting to kill if necessary.

"Thank God you're okay sir." Summers felt relief flush through her entire body as she saw her good friend and trusted commanding officer alive. Immediately she noticed Young's scarred legs and her face became a mask of shock and disgust. She ran to his side and immediately started to undo his restraints, Angelica ran to the other side of the table and mirrored Summers' actions. Within seconds Young was free.

"I don't think I can walk Major. Maybe it's best if you leave me here and go on yourself."

Summers would have none of it. "We are getting you out of here Colonel. No arguments. So with all due respect, shut up sir." Young chuckled at her remark. Summers' gaze shifted to Angelica. "I'll need your help to get him out." Angelica immediately moved to Young's side and draped his arm over her neck, saying nothing. Young turned to Summers and addressed her in a hushed voice, though he had no idea why. "Can we trust her?" Summers looked Angelica in the eye and the two shared a brief smile.

"Yes sir, I do believe we can. Can you lead us out of here?" She asked Angelica.

"Yes I can." She responded.

And with that Summers handed Young her weapon and took his other arm over her shoulder. Together, the three exited the room.

Neil Anderson swore a litany of curses as he and his men sprayed the hallway before him with gunfire. He had always been a little psychotic when fighting an enemy, he craved the adrenaline rush that killing and fighting for his life gave him. The feeling was better than any drug he had ever found. For several moments he had witnessed the turn of events that led him here to the basement area once again. The individual who had descended from an overhead aircraft was familiar to Anderson. Gotham City was one of the many places across the globe he had visited in his travels, and he had seen Batman from a distance once before. He was unaware of Batman's connections to Nightwing but the facts at this point were irrelevant. The moment Batman had hit the ground and blown up the automatic defenses, Anderson pulled his men back to the most vital area of the compound, the virus storage room.

"You motherfuckers are all gonna die!!! I'm gonna skull fuck every one of you cocksuckers!!" He screamed at the top of his lungs as he sprayed the hallway again. From around the corner at the end of the hallway the men of Impact Squadron ducked around it to return fire, Batman stood with them, his cape draped around him. The Dark Knight had barely spoken a word to Impact Squadron since his arrival. Using his limpet mines, Batman blew a gaping hole in the armored glass on the ground floor of the biosphere, allowing access for Batman and The Squadron. Back in Roebourne, Brad MacQuarrie filled him in on the facts he so desperately needed. The computer expert was far too frightened to lie. He now knew of the threat of Kane and the weapons he held at his disposal. He also knew the plan Nightwing had conjured up, at great personal risk to himself. Batman knew that Impact Squadron would lead him straight to the laser beacon Nightwing had activated, therein lie his best hopes at retrieving Dick. Captain Cortez seemed happy to receive the help and didn't question The Caped Crusaders assistance in the least. He only wished that Batman had arrived before he had lost Murrant trying to get into this hell hole. After checking their medic's pulse, he realized immediately that there was nothing they could do.

The air was filled with bullets, and Batman's patience were running short. "Can't you do something about them?" He asked Cortez impatiently as the current commanding officer of The Squadron ducked around the corner once more and fired blindly in the direction of his foes.

"What did you have in mind? Pistols at dawn? Slingshots and harsh language?" Cortez asked as he put a fresh clip in his weapon.

Batman's response was immediate, he broke into a run and vaulted over the members of Impact Squadron who were kneeling and reloading their weapons. Cortez and Romaine exchanged horrified looks as Batman leaped into the hallway. Batman's gloved hand disappeared momentarily into the folds of his cape and produced a small capsule which he immediately threw to the ground in front of him. Scant milliseconds later, a cloud of smoke plumed throughout the hallway, concealing Batman entirely. Anderson and his men fired indiscriminately where they had last seen Batman. Neil Anderson hadn't felt fear in many years, he had seen death, hunger, torture, strife, and suffering in areas both urban and rural. Suddenly fear welled up inside his stomach as Batman erupted from the billowing smoke unharmed, his cape fluttering behind him as if it were the cavalry at his back and the occasional bullet ricocheting across his body armor. Anderson's eyes widened with panic as a bat shaped throwing star lodged itself in his forearm, causing him to drop his gun to the floor.

Anderson heard more throwing stars sing past his ears as yet more weapons clattered to the floor beside him. He had been in battles all over the world, in the mud and the urban jungle, and yet Anderson merely stood there, his feet seemingly nailed to the ground as Batman raced toward him. Batman reached out and grabbed the mercenary with an iron grip around his throat, when he spoke, Anderson felt himself lose control of his bladder and wet himself.

"I think we have heard enough from you."

The mercenary's thoughts raced back to the first time he had laid eyes on Batman in Gotham City. He and some fellow guns for hire had been working in Gotham on unrelated business and decided to get together over a beer and discuss old times. Their revelries were interrupted by Two-Face and Batman, who battled throughout the bar and along the street outside. Anderson always wanted a chance to face Batman one on one, knowing that he would wipe the floor with the man who dressed as a flying rodent. Now, faced with the reality of this imposing Dark Knight, Anderson had to fight back tears. "Jesus Christ!!!!" he exclaimed, "Please don't kill me!!"

Batman merely sneered at the man in his grip. A superstitious cowardly lot indeed. A single right cross to Anderson's jaw shut him up and sent him sprawling to the floor as Impact Squadron filed into the virus storage room.

"Let's move!!" Cortez shouted, "Romaine!! Brooks!! Johnson!! Get those explosives set double time!! Set the timers for five minutes!! The rest of us will provide cover fire if more guards show up!!" Romaine, Brooks, and Johnson immediately set about their task of setting the high explosives as Batman stormed into the room and addressed Cortez. "Five minutes isn't long enough. I still need to find Nightwing."

"Look, we have a job to do here." Cortez told him, "This virus will kill millions if it's not destroyed and that makes it my top priority. Nightwing understood that and set it up so that we can get in here and destroy it. If it makes you feel any better I know how you feel because two of my people are in here somewhere too. I have to trust that they are going to get out on their own. This place is crawling with guards and I could really use your help to get my men out of here safely. I think what you're going to have to do what we did pal, which is trust Nightwing."

Trust Nightwing? There was no one he trusted more in this world. The two men had fought side by side against overwhelming odds in Gotham City since Dick Grayson was a child. In later years he had even entrusted the mantle of the Bat to Dick, even after the disastrous choice of Jean Paul Valley as his temporary replacement. Nightwing had even stepped out from beyond the shadow of the bat, possibly the hardest task of his life, to build his own life with his own friends and enemies. Trust Nightwing? He would always trust Nightwing. Yet here was this man asking for his help, asking him to help save lives. It didn't matter that these people meant nothing to him, a life is life. The shadow of the bat was far reaching indeed, long ago Bruce Wayne swore that no more innocent lives would be lost if he could possibly help it. Despite the way these men had conducted themselves in recruiting Dick, he was now in full possession of the facts and he knew that these men were fighting to save the entire human race. How could he turn his back on them? Damn the curse of the bat. "All right. I'll help you and your men get out of here, but the minute you're clear I'm coming back in for him." Batman replied.

"Whatever you say cochise it's your ass and you're not under my command."

At that very moment Romaine, Brooks, and Johnson all confirmed that the explosives were in place and the timers set. They had five minutes and counting to get out before the biosphere, Kane, the Ebola Omega virus, and possibly even Nightwing, were blown to pieces.

Cortez cupped his hands around his mouth to amplify his voice, "Impact Squadron!! Full retreat!!! Let's get the hell out of this shithole right now!!" As Batman followed the members of Impact Squadron back into the hallway he reached out and jabbed a fire alarm panel. Instantly the entire area was bathed in a red glow as sirens began to blare. Hopefully Kane's guards would have the sense to get out of the building rather than fight. Somehow, he wasn't counting on it.

Luck was with him. Nightwing's outstretched hands blindly fell on the spiral staircase before him after only a few minutes of searching along the outer wall of the arboretum. Kane's hurried footfalls could be heard only a few feet behind him. Nightwing immediately started to ascend the stairs three at a time, his heart racing. That was when he heard the whistle of the sword cleaving through the air once again. Instinctively leaping high in the air, the sword hit the stairs where Nightwing was standing only moments before with a metallic �clang', sending a brief shower of sparks through the air that just as quickly died out. At that moment Nightwing knew Kane's location as the sparks illuminated the surrounding area just enough for his infra red lenses to pick out the genetically engineered man's form. Seizing the opportunity, Nightwing leaped down from the stairs above and felt his boot heels connect solidly with Kane's jaw followed by the sound of air forced from his enhanced lungs. Kane immediately tumbled back into the pitch black, making it impossible for Nightwing to find him, he turned and immediately began vaulting up the stairs once more.

Kane didn't take long to recover from Nightwing's attack. Seconds after Nightwing reached the metal catwalk he could easily hear Kane bounding up the steps in pursuit. Timing his attack perfectly, Nightwing balanced himself on the catwalk railing with his hands and, utilizing the railing as a balance beam, whirled his well muscled legs about to strike Kane full force in the chest. Kane, caught unaware, fell backward down the spiral steps.

Kane managed to arrest his fall partway down the stairs and charged back up, slashing and swinging with his sword. Surprised by Kane's sudden recovery, Nightwing felt the blade of the sword slice through his specially reinforced uniform and into his left shoulder. Nightwing fell backward and screamed as the pain lanced through his arm.

"You've pushed me to far Nightwing," Kane hissed through his teeth and the heavy breathing of physical exertion, "now I will carve out your heart and feed it to you before you die."

Nightwing backed his way down the catwalk as he heard Kane approach. "I'm not dead yet Kane, you want to kill me? I'm damn sure gonna make you work for it." Kane slashed thrice more at Nightwing, the first two slashes slicing nothing but air. The third slash tore open the front of Nightwing's uniform. Luckily, the slice was not deep and Nightwing's chest remained intact. An few inches closer and Dick's chest would indeed have been ripped open, his heart readily available for Kane to carry out his threat if he wished. Clutching his arm tightly to slow the bleeding, Nightwing continued to move backward along the catwalk while Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata, punctuated only by sounds of Kane's parries and trusts, continued on.

Nightwing felt himself being forced back further and further as Kane continued to slash and thrust with his sword. Immediately he realized that if this situation played itself out, Kane would eventually kill him either with the sword or he would lose enough blood from the wound on his arm to make him pass out and leave him at Kane's mercy. So much for luck being with him. Time was running out, he needed to gain a definite advantage over Kane. Nightwing's mind raced back to the first time he and Summers arrived in this arboretum, the sprawling lake and the catwalks above. Catwalks? Suddenly he remembered the second catwalk above the first, providing an even better view of the jungle below. Another spiral staircase must exist somewhere on this level to take him up to the next, but he had no idea of its location. Kane swiped his sword through the air once more and, trusting in his gymnastic abilities, Nightwing leaped as high in the air as he could and reached out blindly. His gloved hands curled around something metal. Struggling to get a solid grip, Nightwing scrambled up to the next level just as Kane thrust with his sword and, expecting the sword to impact with Nightwing, fell to his knees as he cleaved through nothing but air.

"You've got to do better than that to keep up with me Kane." Nightwing called into the darkness.

It wasn't difficult to hear Kane swear under his breath and break into a run for the next set of stairs, his sword occasionally scraping against the metal railing as he ran, occasionally causing sparks to fly. Nightwing scanned the area below as he followed the trail of sparks and the sound of footfalls along the catwalk below to where the second set of stairs led up to the level where Nightwing awaited him. He knew that this would be his last chance to defeat Kane. He had run out of room and tactics. The minute Kane stepped foot on this catwalk, Nightwing would hit him with everything he had left. Hopefully, that would be enough.

Angelica grabbed her automatic weapon and pulled the trigger. The pane of glass blew out of the wall instantly. Turning to Summers and Young, she smirked, "This pane's a fake, just regular glass for an easy escape." Suddenly her voice turned wistful, "Kane always has a plan." Together, Summers and Angelica helped Young out into the open desert air. The minute her boots hit the desert floor Summers spoke into the comm unit on her uniform collar.

"This is Major Summers to all units, I have Colonel Young and we have just exited the biosphere."

Almost immediately Cortez's voice responded over her earpiece. "Acknowledged Major. That's great news. The explosives have been set and we're on our way out on this end. What's the Colonel's status? Is he okay?"

"He's injured but it looks like he'll make it Cortez. Anyone know where Nightwing is?"

"No. I thought he was with you." Cortez responded.

Fear gripped Summers as she realized that Nightwing was alone, without backup. Immediately she addressed their computer expert back in Roebourne, "Brad, what are Nightwing's vitals?" After a moment of silence, MacQuarrie's voice filled her earpiece, "He's alive Major. Heart rate is up, blood pressure slightly up, looks like he's doing some pretty heavy aerobics to me."

"Captain, how much time to detonation?" Summers said again to Cortez.

"Less than two minutes major. Ninety seconds at most." Cortez responded.

"We can't just leave him." Summers said, mostly to herself.

"I can't get him clear of the blast by myself he's too heavy and too badly hurt." Angelica told her, referring to the injured Colonel.

Resigned to her duty, Summers looked back at the biosphere as they carried Colonel Young to safety. "Hurry up. Get out of there." She whispered, sending all of her prayers and thoughts to the Bludhaven vigilante she had come to feel more than friendship toward.

Francis had fallen to stray fire from panicked mercenaries, so had Brooks. Cortez led the way out of the biosphere as he carried Francis over his shoulder. Batman followed on his heels carrying Brooks over his shoulder. All around them Kane's guards ran wild. Some tried to stop the retreating Squadron with hails of bullets. Most simply gathered what equipment they could like the vultures they were and blasted holes in the armored glass, fleeing into the desert. Batman knew they probably had less than a minute left. The Dark Knight handed Brooks' wounded body over to Romaine and addressed Captain Cortez.

"I'm going to find Nightwing. You and your men are on your own from here."

Cortez turned and placed his hand on Batman's massive shoulder, "You won't make it. This place is gonna blow big in one minute. Come with us to safety."

Batman removed Cortez's hand from his shoulder and made his point quickly and efficiently. "If he doesn't survive, then I would rather die by his side." Batman spun around and ran off in the opposite direction. He had traveled half way around the world, he wasn't about to give up now. Somehow, he would get to Nightwing and together they would beat the odds just as they had always done before. He had always known that when he and Dick worked together, nothing could stop them, no task was impossible when they worked as a team. He felt it in his gut, this was not the time for them to die.

Cortez couldn't find it within himself to argue with Batman. He knew how it felt to have men stranded behind enemy lines. He almost wished he could go with the vigilante, he had grown to respect Nightwing and his abilities. Major Summers and Colonel Young seemed to share that feeling as well. Cortez hoped that both Batman and Nightwing somehow found a way to survive the explosion they all knew was imminent. Impact Squadron finally emerged from the biosphere through the hole in the armored glass Batman had created for them and ran for safety. In the distance, Summers, Colonel Young, and a woman he didn't immediately recognize waited for them.

"MOVE!!! MOVE!!! MOVE!!!"

Batman charged at full speed down the myriad hallways of the biosphere. He knew that he had only seconds to find Nightwing in this maze and the odds were against his success. Seconds later, he came to a dead halt, his prayers possibly answered. Taking in every detail as he scanned the area, Batman noticed that one doorway was different from the rest. The doorway ahead of him was composed of a thick opaque metal while all the rest seemed to be composed of the same translucent material he had seen throughout the biosphere. Acting solely on his detective instincts and praying for a little luck, Batman charged toward the door. He was surprised when the door did not slide open at his approach as all the others in the compound did. He would have to use his remaining limpet mines to blow it open. He only hoped that he would find Nightwing beyond this door, and that somehow the two of them could survive the blast that was now only seconds away.

As Kane charged up the stairs toward him, Nightwing readied himself for the actions he was about to take. The genetically engineered man sprinted up the stairway towards him, broadsword at the ready. This time there would be no mistake. Lashing out into the darkness with a devastating kick, Nightwing's boot impacted on Kane's forearm, causing his foe to drop the sword. They both heard it clatter over the stairs and into the darkness.

"That won't help you Nightwing," Kane yelled as he leaped into the darkness, hands outstretched, "You're already a dead man, you just don't know it yet."

Nightwing felt Kane's immensely strong hands close around his throat. Summoning his fading strength, Nightwing began to batter his fists against Kane's chest, who growled with pain as one rib after another splintered under the force of Nightwing's blows, nonetheless, Kane refused to loosen his grip on Nightwing's throat. For his part, Nightwing felt his air supply cut off as if a vise were clamped around his neck. Unable to hold back, he continued to rain punches down onto Kane's chest.

"I've got some bad news for you Kane....." he coughed as the air supply in his lungs dissipated. Nightwing reared back and put all his strength into one final blow, his fist landed square on Kane's jaw, causing him to release his grip on Nightwing's throat and stagger backward only to fall on the catwalk floor. It was then that they both felt the entire structure shudder. The explosives set by Impact Squadron. Somewhere deep in the biosphere's basement, Kane's Ebola Omega virus had gone up in flames. They only had a matter of seconds before the entire building was engulfed by the explosion.

At the same time, a smaller explosion engulfed the door to the arboretum below them, finally allowing some light into the cavernous room. Nightwing instantly recognized the cowled figure that emerged from the light. Batman. There was no time to ask how. There was no time to wonder why. Nightwing instantly galvanized himself into action. He had been willing to die if necessary to see the Ebola Omega virus destroyed. The fate of the entire human race may have depended on it. It was amazing how things could change in a split second. He was willing to die, but he wasn't willing to see Bruce Wayne die with him. Together, they had but one chance to survive the conflagration that was split seconds away.

Nightwing jumped up to the railing and balanced himself there, looking back toward Kane who was just now getting back to his feet. "The bad news is that you're plans are going to die with me." Kane lunged for Nightwing, who pushed himself off of the railing with all his strength. Batman looked up to see his partner falling from the sky.

"The water!!!!" Nightwing yelled as he toppled toward the floor of the biosphere. Intuition borne of years working with Dick Grayson allowed Batman to immediately understand and react accordingly. Both Nightwing and Batman knew about the imminent explosion, Dick was trying to make a dive for the lake. Instantly judging his trajectory, Batman knew that Nightwing wasn't going to make it. He was too far from the center of the large pool of water he now saw in the middle of the jungle. Instantly Batman broke into a run and removed a jumpline from the folds of his cape. Like many of his jumplines, the grapnel hook was mounted inside a pneumatic powered launcher. Pressing the launch button Batman felt the jumpline shoot out and lodge itself in the Biosphere wall. Thumbing the retraction button, Batman felt himself lifted into the air. Behind them, fire welled up through the hallways and into the biosphere jungle, milliseconds behind The Dark Night and Nightwing.

Nightwing tumbled through the air, somersaulting forward for maximum distance, he would hit the water, but too close to the shore, meaning it would be too shallow to break his fall. The seconds passed like days as he watched Batman rushing up from the ground to meet him. Suddenly, Batman's arms wrapped around his waist and Nightwing felt the weight of his mentors body crash into him, giving him the extra momentum he needed. The two moved as one now, using Batman's extra momentum from his jumpline to carry them out over the center of the lake. They fell together, side by side once again, like a well oiled machine.

They hit the water simultaneously, each man taking a deep breath as they broke the surface. The fire and the power of the blast rushed in to greet them. Above them, Kane howled in frustration as the armored glass shattered from the force of the blast and blew out toward the dawn sky. The searing heat and concussion from the blast reached him and began ripping his skin from his body just as he witnessed Nightwing and Batman disappear beneath the surface of the water.

Nightwing and Batman felt the blast shake the very earth in which the lake sat, they heard the blast render the biosphere from its very foundations. Fire shot across the surface of the lake, lighting up the eternal darkness that existed underwater. Debris of all shapes and sizes began to rain down on the pair, despite the relative safety cushion of the water. Indicating that Batman should follow him, Nightwing dove down toward the pipe he and Summers had entered through. Batman readily followed and produced two rebreathers from his utility belt, handing one to Nightwing and placing the other in his mouth. Together they waited there for the destruction to cease. Despite their precarious situation, Nightwing breathed a sigh of relief knowing the Ebola Omega virus was destroyed.

"Dear God." Colonel Young muttered under his breath as he and the rest of Impact Squadron looked on from a safe distance. Fire shot out from the top of the biosphere and the sound of shattering armored glass could be heard even from this distance. Summers especially felt her stomach turn. Watching the display from a laptop back in Roebourne, both MacQuarrie and Sito found themselves uttering the same word in an awed voice simultaneously.

"Whoa."

Summers immediately heard Sito's and MacQuarrie's exclamation over the open comm channel, but instead of chastising them for unnecessary chatter on an open frequency, she activated the small microphone clipped to her collar, "MacQuarrie, what readings are you getting for Nightwing's vital signs?" There was a moment of silence as they all awaited MacQuarrie's findings.

"Well?" Young shouted into his own comm unit.

"I don't know how, but I'm getting strong vital signs from that crazy bastard. I don't know how he did it, but he's still alive."

A collective cheer rose up from the members of Impact Squadron as they realized that somehow, Nightwing had survived. All of them clasped one another on the back and smiled, all except for Angelica. A sullen look on her face, the young woman watched as the man she loved and all the plans they had made together went up in smoke. He never loved her, she realized. He was planning to replace her all along with a newer, �improved' version of her. He was going to discard her just like he intended to do to the entire human race. Grief overwhelmed her. Reacting out of hurt, Angelica reached out and grasped Romaine's Beretta nine millimeter and in one swift movement it flew from his side holster to her hand.

Summers witnessed Angelica's actions and immediately realized that the woman's intentions were not malevolent. "NO!!!" She screamed as she lunged for Kane's former girlfriend. She was too late. Angelica pulled back the hammer and, pushing the barrel of the weapon to her temple, pulled the trigger. Seconds later, the once beautiful and vivacious woman fell to the ground. Cortez managed to catch her and arrest her fall as Summers ran to her side, tears streaming down her cheeks. She had considered what would happen to this woman, she was an excellent fighter and loyal, almost to a fault. She wanted to help Angelica make a new beginning as Angelica had helped her rescue Colonel Young. Now, Angelica was beyond help.

"I'm sorry Major. There's nothing we can do." Cortez whispered as he cradled Angelica's body, her blood flowing freely across his arms and dripping down into the desert sand. Summers could only turn away as tears flowed freely down her face. Surrounded by destruction, Summers watched as the explosion in the biosphere subsided and the shards of glass embedded themselves in the sand. Fires continued to rage throughout Kane's former compound however, Nightwing was still not out of danger. Fortunately for her, Young took command, which was fine with her, because despite her feelings for Nightwing her heart just wasn't in it.

"Okay Impact Squadron," Young shouted, "We've got men down in there and it's our responsibility to get them out alive."

The assembled men of Impact Squadron dropped their weapons to the sand and rolled up their sleeves, "Just give the word sir." Romaine said.

"Get him out of there." Young ordered, and with that command the men of Impact Squadron all broke into a run for the flaming ruins of Kane's biosphere.

Together they broke the surface of the lake, their rebreathers running out of air, the original dynamic duo gulped down oxygen only to inhale harsh smoke and debris with it, causing them to choke slightly. Batman grabbed Nightwing by the wrist and helped him to the edge of the lake. Together they avoided the steel beams and panes of glass that embedded themselves in the ground and lay strewn throughout the lake. Fires burned all around them. Together they reached the shore and pulled themselves from the water. For the first time, Nightwing regarded Batman with an appraising eye, taking in Batman's armor like uniform.

"You came for me." Nightwing said as he lay on one side in the shallow water, the tone in his voice almost making it a question.

"You expected something less?" Batman replied, his lips forming a thin smile. "I had no choice chum, you were in danger. Anyone who threatens you will always have to answer to me."

Dick smiled and reached out to Bruce, clasping his mentors shoulder and giving it a squeeze, "Thank you."

"No need for thanks. Any man would do as much....." He paused as he searched for the appropriate words, "For his only son."

"Listen, can you tell me who won that Survivor thing? I missed the last few episodes." Nightwing winced with pain as he spoke, Batman had produced a small medical kit from his utility belt and began to treat the worst of the younger man's wounds. Dick wondered if there was anything Bruce didn't keep in that all purpose arsenal around his waist.

Beneath his cowl, Batman shot a skeptical look at Nightwing. "I....... didn't follow the series. I believe Alfred taped it though. I'll have him send you a copy."

Nightwing pulled himself to his feet with Batman's assistance after he had stopped the bleeding caused by Kane's sword and bandaged the area. "I have no idea how you found me, but I should have known you would. How's Tim?"

"He's fine. They didn't hurt him."

Nightwing was visibly relieved. "Thank God for small miracles. Clancy is gonna have my butt in a sling for disappearing like I did. Does Barbara know about all this?"

From the edge of his vision, Batman noticed the men of Impact Squadron approaching with all possible speed across the sand, heading for the wreckage of the biosphere. He knew his time with Dick was drawing to a close. Soon they would find The Dynamic Duo among the wreckage and they would no longer be able to speak freely. "Yes Barbara knows. She helped me find you. I think one of us should take her out for dinner, and I think she would prefer your company to mine."

Nightwing smiled appreciatively at his former mentor, his thoughts turning melancholy as the events of only minutes ago began to sink in. "You saved my life. If you hadn't arrived when you did, I would have snapped my neck when I landed."

Batman shook his head and dismissed the thought immediately, "No. If I hadn't come along you would have saved yourself somehow. That much I'm sure of."

Nightwing's face became deadly serious. "Maybe, maybe not. The point is I didn't have to. You came out of nowhere as you always do, looking out for me as you always have. I won't forget what happened here today. Ever. Someday I'll return the favor."

"I hope you never have to chum." Batman simply looked into Nightwing's eyes, allowing him to see the emotions that lay within. Nightwing knew that Bruce Wayne was not the most comfortable man he had known, but he knew that he could always count on Bruce for anything he needed. It was at times like this that he was reminded of that. As strange as his upbringing was, as driven and cold as Bruce Wayne could sometimes be, Dick was reminded that his mentor was a man of deep feelings. Bruce loved his family, his mother and father, and his extended family just as deeply. He never spoke the words aloud, he didn't dare. It had become obvious to Dick that Bruce always feared that the minute he admitted to loving anyone that they would be taken from him forever, just like his parents. Batman was created to keep anyone who came within his purview from ever experiencing that dreaded feeling ever again. Bruce never spoke of love, but his actions said more than any words ever could. He had followed Impact Squadron to the other side of the world, leaving Gotham and its myriad worries behind. He had risked life and limb in a blazing explosion to save Dick. What good were mere words compared to that?

"Even if I never get the chance to pay you back for this. I won't forget it." Batman merely nodded. Attempting to lighten the mood, Dick finally mentioned Batman's modified uniform. "By the way, have I mentioned what you're wearing? That is one bad outfit."

"I try to stay fashionable." Batman replied.

Nightwing was almost aghast, "Did you just try to be funny?"

"I admit I don't have much practice, let's just say I'm relieved to see you and I;m making an effort."

At that moment Captain Cortez, Styles by his side, came crashing through the debris and localized fires, "We found them! They're over here!" Nightwing waved to the members of Impact Squadron and, assisted by Batman, began making their way out of the debris field. Nightwing listened on as he heard Cortez telling his men to spread out to search for survivors, and most especially, for Kane's body. Batman addressed Cortez and practically demanded that he be able to speak to Cortez's commanding officer. Cortez helped both men past the fires and out into the open. Colonel Young and Major Summers were waiting on the horizon with the other injured members of Impact Squadron and Angelica's dead body, which was now covered by Summers' jacket.

The relief on Summers' face at seeing Nightwing alive was obvious, as was the confusion when she saw Batman beside him. She hadn't witnessed The Dark Knight's dramatic entrance into the fray. As they approached both Nightwing and Batman noticed them talking into the comm units clipped to their uniform collars, no doubt hearing MacQuarrie explain Batman's arrival to them. When they finally reached the group, Batman crossed the last few steps to Young quickly, allowing Cortez to assist Nightwing, and pointed an accusing finger at The Colonel. "You people have some explaining to do Colonel. What gives you the right to abduct citizens from their homes for your own purposes?" Batman's voice was as hard and cold as granite.

"Sir," Young said as he struggled to his feet, "I assure you if it were in my power things would have been handled differently. Major Summers has informed me that the man who ordered Nightwing's abduction, General Douglas Walker, died in Crete at Kane's hands. With him died whatever secrets he had on Nightwing. None of us have ever seen his true face."

"You know where he lives. It wouldn't be hard for people with your resources to find out his true identity." Batman countered.

Young's response was immediate and seemingly sincere, "Sir, I owe Nightwing my life. Even after General Walker died he continued to help us, for no reason other than the fact that helping us helped the entire world. With The General dead, I am in command now, and I guarantee you this, we will respect Nightwing's privacy. I think it's time Impact Squadron started playing by the same rule book as the rest of the world and to hell with the consequences."

At this point in the conversation Nightwing decided to interject. "I believe him." He said to Batman, indicating by the tone of his voice that his mentor should push the subject no further. Batman cast a glance back at Nightwing and considered Dick's tone and body language. Finally he relaxed his accusing finger and relented. Apparently Dick's words were good enough for him. Letting the subject drop, Batman turned back to Nightwing. "I have a plane two miles South. I'll be waiting for you over here." He said as he pointed towards the horizon, with that be began a slow jog due south.

"It might be wise for you to leave son," Young said, "MacQuarrie has already summoned the authorities. They'll be here within ten minutes I suspect. It wouldn't do to have you around."

"What will happen to you folks?"

"I suspect we will be welcomed back with open arms now that we've completed our mission." Summers interjected.

"Well then, I better get going."

"One other thing son, I want to give you something before you go." Young said. Nightwing was silent, wondering what Young could possibly give him. He realized what Young had in mind when The Colonel snapped out a stiff military salute. Cortez and Summers both followed his example. Young, Summers, and Cortez were giving him the only thing they could, their respect. Having some familiarity with saluting in the police academy, Nightwing returned the salute. Before he left, Nightwing turned to Summers. After all they had been through together, after what they had shared, he felt that he had to say something. At first, both of them began to speak. Just as suddenly both of them stopped talking. After a few seconds silence, they both tried to speak again, only to cancel each others words out. Finally, Summers insisted that she allowed to speak first.

"I can't thank you enough for all you've done for us. If you and your girlfriend ever call it quits, I'd like it if you considered me next in line."

Nightwing smiled at her, "If we ever called it quits, how would I find you?"

"Don't worry, I'll find you. Remember, I know where you live."

He had to laugh at that remark. Nightwing regarded the beautiful woman before him, she had done exactly what she had promised from the beginning. She had healed his wounds, fought by his side, and listened to his plans. He knew his love life was complicated enough, but he need not deny the facts. Stacy Summers was everything he could have possibly wanted in a woman, and yet he may never see her again. Without considering his actions, Nightwing stepped in close and kissed her. Surprised at first, Summers eventually relaxed into the kiss and melted into Nightwing's strong arms. The kiss was lingering, both participants felt time slip away as Cortez, Young, and the wounded Francis and Brooks stared at the ground uncomfortably. The sound of sirens could be heard approaching, the authorities were drawing near. Reluctantly, Nightwing broke the kiss and stepped away from her.

"Take care of this bunch." He told her.

She smiled, "I will."

Cortez handed Dick a duffle bag containing his original uniform and Nightwing finally bid them farewell, sprinting after Batman who could be seen just over the horizon waiting for him. A tear escaped Summers' eye as she watched him go. Within minutes, they were gone. Their reverie was broken by the sound of Dixon's voice coming over their comm units.

"Colonel, I think we found Kane's body in the wreckage here."

Summers handed Young her comm unit and he activated it, "Report Lieutenant, what is Kane's condition?"

"He's dead sir. He barely has any skin left on his body." Dixon's statement was followed by the sound of several of his comrades in the area vomiting with revulsion.

Young was silent for a moment. Cortez and Summers were also silent. Kane didn;t deserve to die, he was exactly as they made him. Treated like an experimental lab rat from the beginning of his existence, Kane eventually came to see the human race as evil. Was it just possible he had every right to? Scientists had toyed with human evolution all in the name of politcs and their dispicable black ops. Perhaps Young should have felt triumphant, but all he could feel was sorrow. "I understand Lieutenant. Have MacQuarrie send a coded message to Washington. �Mission Acomplished.'"

Barbara Gordon squealed with delight as she returned home from getting her groceries to find her entire apartment littered with long stemmed red roses. Immediately she knew who had breached her security. Wheeling her chair over to the coffee table, she noticed a small note in the largest bouquet in the room. It was a small handwritten note, she recognized the penmanship immediately. The note read:

"I'm told you had a lot to do with Bruce finding me. Consider this a down payment on me owing you my life. I'll be back in Gotham this Saturday to pay you back in full."

See you then

- Dick -

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