015 VOICE LIST FIVE

[deadliestviper]

Backdated to evening, day 1 of the London port:

[Private to Selina Kyle]

Let's meet. I've got a present for you.

[Private to Bruce Wayne]

I've located a certain someone who may have connections to an old friend of mine.

[To Kon and Steph]

Hey guys, want to get brunch tomorrow morning?

Comments

[deadliestviper]

Exactly. [Her own work clothes are a lot more mundane – motorcycle boots and more leather than is strictly fashionable, but not out of place on the street. She hesitates.] No offense, but while you're wearing that it'll be really hard for me to take you seriously.

[theonlyresponse]

It'll have to do for now. [He does intend to change it, or at least modify it.

He studies her suit.] Do you want something that can better withstand bullets and knives?

[deadliestviper]

In the long run, yes. Right now I want to get to work.

[theonlyresponse]

[He takes out a few small smoke pellets, and then gestures to the door.] Ladies first.

[deadliestviper]

[Beatrix smiles politely before turning and kicking the door open and ducking inside, knife drawn and hugging the wall.]

[theonlyresponse]

[Smokescreen is a go.

Bruce heads for the goons, easily avoiding the gunfire.]

[deadliestviper]

[Slash to the throat, one down – thrown knife to the chest, two down – boot to the head, three. They were clearing the room fast, cutting out the fat before getting down to brass tacks. She'd promised Sarah she wouldn't kill the crime lord but never said anything about the hired muscle.]

[theonlyresponse]

[By the time the smoke clears, all the goons are down and everyone else has fled.

Bruce is standing over their boss, but he catches Beatrix's eye, and throws him over to her.]

[deadliestviper]

[She stands by as the man falls to the floor, then grabs him by the tie and hauls him up. He's only allowed breathing room after she drags him to his knees and slams a fist into his face.] Who's your contact in Tokyo? [He doesn't even get time to answer before she punches him again across the mouth.] Who's on the other end of this little operation? Tell me!

[theonlyresponse]

[Bruce approaches, just close enough to intervene if things go south.] I'd talk if I were you.

[deadliestviper]

[The man, stuck somewhere between terrified and bewildered, insists he doesn't know who she's talking about and she shows her displeasure with a kick to the face.] Not good enough. Spill secrets and name names, or I spill blood.

[theonlyresponse]

[Bruce is still standing nearby. She hasn't gone too far yet - he also wants to see what kind of interrogation techniques she uses.]

[deadliestviper]

[Slowly, the man gives a name – of a small-time Yakuza unassociated with any of the major bosses.] Now why don't I believe that. [Grabbing the man's hand, she flattens it against the ground and stabs the knife downward without looking. The man screams, but looks down in astonishment – the knife is stuck just between two fingers, barely slicing into the webbing of his skin.] Anyone trafficking as many women into this country as you do will have better connections than that. I am here for the truth or your blood, and since you seem so hesitant to give me the first, let me loosen your tongue. Each time you lie to me or refuse to answer, we're going to play a game of Five Fingers. Then four, then three, two, one.

What's it gonna be, big guy?

[theonlyresponse]

[At this, he steps in. Much as this crime boss had it coming, Bruce had a code to stick to. The process would be quicker if nobody lost fingers.] Allow me.

[deadliestviper]

[She stands, slowly withdrawing the knife and wiping the little smear of blood off on the hem of her shirt.] By all means.

[theonlyresponse]

[It doesn't take long for his Bat interrogation techniques to start yielding results. He knows when they've hit a dead end.

Disgusted, he knocks the man out.] He knows nothing.

[deadliestviper]

No, but I have a better idea who's who in the business. [But no mention of Sofie Fatale. What a disappointment.]

[theonlyresponse]

Any of the names he mentioned?

[deadliestviper]

No, not her.

[theonlyresponse]

There's still a few more places. [He turns towards the door.]