>>4083462
The lights go out, and you’re bathed in the shadows generated by complete and total darkness.

Penguin’s paranoia is legendary amongst the Gotham crime lords, and it’s likely made its mark on his men. With any luck, they’ll be jumpy and unbalanced, maybe even expecting the Bat.

Regardless, if they’ve got any sense they’ll get their paying customers out the door. That way, they don’t scare off the future clientele by splattering half their guests in a gunfight.

You’re no stranger to skullduggery, but keeping the civilians out of it is a professional standard.

So far, the plan’s been going swimmingly.

Step 1, accomplished successfully. Now comes the hard part. You need to clear out the guards so that you can get a clear shot with the gas truck. Having a stray round blow it sky-high would be inconvenient, so securing the area takes priority.

Therefore, you…….

> Signal Bane’s men to storm the building, speed is of the essence.

> Start clearing the building yourself. Slower, but if you do it right you might be able to keep it quiet.

> Other?

>>4083465
>> Start clearing the building yourself. Slower, but if you do it right you might be able to keep it quiet.

>>4083465
>Start clearing the building yourself. Slower, but if you do it right you might be able to keep it quiet.
Also enable thermal vision

>>4083477
>>4083494

Writing.

>>4083465
You’ll try to handle this yourself. If you can avoid making a racket and bringing the GCPD or the Bats down, that would be preferable.

Bane’s men will still be on standby, just in case it goes sideways.

You activate Shadow Cloak and Thermal Vision, just in case somebody tries to pull a sneaky maneuver.

This floor has been mostly cleared already, but there is the matter of the suspicious moaning coming from the hallway you didn’t enter.

You could make a quick detour and investigate, but time is of the essence.

You…..

> Check it out. It could be important.

> Ignore it. Clearing the building takes priority.

> Other?

>>4083533
>Check it out. It could be important.

>>4083533
> Check it out. It could be important.

>>4083539
>>4083548

Writing.

>>4083533
You’ll check it out. You’d be remiss in your duties if you didn’t investigate.

For all you know, it could be anything from Penguin’s private sex dungeon to their armory. Either way, you need to check it out.

As long as you make it fast, you’ll still be able to maintain your momentum.

You leave the electrical room and quickly but quietly head down the unexplored hallway.

The moaning seems to have stopped, which is either a good or bad sign, depending on the source and what’s causing it.

The hallway is pretty short, with only one door at the end of it.

After focusing your Thermal Vision, you spot something peculiar.

Inside of the room is somebody tied to a chair, with two other heat signatures in the room.

You creep forwards and listen closely against the door.

You can hear two gruff voices arguing.

“I’m telling you, we should go check it out! The boss’ll be pissed if finds out we broke protocol!”

“And I’m telling you, we need to stay put. If he finds out we left this guy alone, we’ll be in that chair next!”

As they continue to argue, you piece it together. This is some kind of interrogation room. Knowing Penguin, it’s probably had more occupants over the years than most motels.

You…..

> Clear the room. Good opportunity to catch them off-guard, and you can check on their prisoner. (Specify which weapon to use: your MP5, knuckle-trench knife, or something else)

> Double-back and head down to to the next floor down. These guys don’t sound like they’re going anywhere, and you didn't sign up for a rescue mission.

> Other?

(I seem to be having problems with Captcha)

>>4083575
> Clear the room. Good opportunity to catch them off-guard, and you can check on their prisoner.
Bring out the MP5 - Simple breach and clear. They were going to get killed anyways, may as well be now.

>>4083575
>> Clear the room. Good opportunity to catch them off-guard, and you can check on their prisoner. (your knuckle-trench knife)

Rolled 1 (1d2)

In the interests of time, I'll just roll a d2 for weaponry.

1 = MP5
2 = Knife

Rolled 58, 31 = 89 (2d100)

>>4083575

Roll me some d100s + 35

Rolled 32 + 35 (1d100 + 35)

>>4083615

Rolled 48 + 35 (1d100 + 35)

>>4083615

>>4083617
First time I've rolled in weeks and it's less than the modifier.

Rolled 52 + 35 (1d100 + 35)

>>4083615
Ho boy.

>>4083625

Success. Probably should've specified that you aren't rolling to beat the total, but each individual. Writing.

>>4083575

Two less guards to cause trouble later seems like a heck of a bargain.

With your enhanced sight, it’s practically child’s play.

You breach the room and ventilate both guards with your silenced MP5 before they can even put up a fight.

Knowing their exact positions before kicking the door down sure makes it easier.

Now, to check on their unfortunate houseguest.

You pick up one the guards’ discarded flashlights, turn off your Thermal Vision, and turn on the light before shining it into his face.

With the added illumination, you see the face of Cole Thompson.

Interesting. You actually know who this guy is. Back when you first started jobs for MC&D, you caught wind of somebody tailing you. Turned out to be the GCPD.

You roughed them up pretty good, and scared them off of your trail. Cole here was a junior analyst, and judging from the fact that he’s in Penguin’s meatlocker, maybe doing his job a bit too well.

How do you want to handle this?

> Just leave him to his fate. You’re not about to potentially blow this mission just to rescue a cop.

> Come back for him later, once the building is clear. He could be a useful hostage if things get rough.

> Kill him. He’s a liability, and you can blame it on Penguin’s men if anybody ever asks.

> Other?

>>4083651
>> Come back for him later, once the building is clear. He could be a useful hostage if things get rough.

>>4083651
> Come back for him later, once the building is clear. He could be a useful hostage if things get rough.
Tell him to git gud

>>4083651
>Come back for him later, once the building is clear. He could be a useful hostage if things get rough.

>>4083651
>> Come back for him later, once the building is clear. He could be a useful hostage if things get rough

An inside man in the GCPD might be indescribably valuable

>>4083659
>>4083670
>>4083672
>>4083675

Writing.

Rolled 56, 70, 26, 82, 7, 28, 12, 72, 62, 89, 61, 9, 58, 31, 96 = 759 (15d100)

>>4083651

You’ll come back for him later. Besides the fact that it could make a hell of a peace offering / bargaining chip with GCPD, maybe he’ll be useful in other ways.

You turn Thermal Vision back on. Time to go hunting.

> Roll me some d100s + 45

Rolled 91 + 45 (1d100 + 45)

>>4083692
>Have to beat a 96

Rolled 23 + 45 (1d100 + 45)

>>4083692

Still need one more roll.

Rolled 93 + 45 (1d100 + 45)

>>4083692
That guy at the end has nightvision.

>>4083728
Success. Writing.

>>4083692

It’s almost pitiable.

You work your way through the building like the Grim fucking Reaper.

With a combination of blade and the occasional well-placed shot, you steadily work your way through Penguin’s increasingly terrified guards.

They know something’s wrong, but you never give them the chance to capitalize.

With the forewarning granted by Thermal Sight and the increased obscurity provided by Shadow Cloak, nobody has a chance to muster anything more than token resistance.

A few of the better prepared ones with NVGs give you a challenge, but some simple misdirection gives you all the opportunity you need to shuffle them from the mortal coil.

Judging from the lack of frenzied activity, you’ve taken care of most (if not all) of Penguin’s forces in the area.

Unfortunately, the boss himself wasn't at court tonight.

You take a moment to wipe the sweat from your brow, and clean your knife off on the nearest corpse.

So far, the plan is going better than expected. Apart from the initial panic when the civilians were evacuated, the raid has been mostly quiet so far.

It’s far from the warzone of gunfire and explosions that could’ve sparked if you’d chosen a more direct course of action.

Step 2 complete, now for Step 3. Of course, you could also take a slight detour.

You…..

> Just get Thompson out and blow the building. Every second you waste increases the chances that something could go wrong.

> Signal Bane’s men to move in covertly and help ransack the building for anything valuable. You’ve been quiet enough that the cops shouldn’t have noticed anything wrong yet.

> Other?

>>4083748
> Just get Thompson out and blow the building. Every second you waste increases the chances that something could go wrong.
Check in with our men as well. Don't want to run into the Bat if he's around.

>>4083748
> Just get Thompson out and blow the building. Every second you waste increases the chances that something could go wrong.

>>4083748
>Just get Thompson out and blow the building. Every second you waste increases the chances that something could go wrong.
>Set up the thermite charge on the gas truck just to make sure it will go up.

>>4083748
>> Just get Thompson out and blow the building. Every second you waste increases the chances that something could go wrong.

>>4083752
>>4083753
>>4083754
>>4083765

Sensing a trend. Writing.

Rolled 4 (1d20)

>>4083767
Pay no attention to this roll.

> DC 7

>>4083770
Somehow, whenever I see these rolls, it's extremely unsettling no matter the DC and no matter the amount rolled.

>>4083748

It’s for the best that you just get Thompson and accomplish your mission.

Hard experience has taught you that the longer you tempt fate, the harder it’ll end up biting you.

You head back up to the top floor and hoist Thompson’s lanky frame over your head with a fireman’s carry.

It’s a bit cumbersome, but you make good time.

As you head back down towards the main entrance, you decide to check in with your men.

They’re probably bored, given that you’ve been doing all of the heavy lifting tonight.

Still, it’s a good idea, just to make sure that everything is kosher.

> “Hammer, this is Anvil. How copy, over?”

It’s a pretty simple code. You’re Anvil, Hammer is Bane’s strike force. Little obfuscation, in case your comms are compromised.

“……..”

No response. Could be equipment on the fritz, or something more sinister.

> “Come in, Anvil.”

“…….”

Shit. You stationed them in a disguised chop-shop nearby where they stored the truck. Looks like you’ll have to make your way there and figure out why they’re radio silent.

(TBC)

>>4083805
Welp. Best bring out our beretta. We still have thermal vision on?

>>4083805

It’s a pain to cart Thompson around, and every second of the way you’re hyperaware of how suspicious this looks.

Thankfully, the streets are deserted this time of night.

You make it to Hammer’s last known position, Thompson in tow.

The chop-shop looks normal, but something about this has your hackles up.

You….

> Enter normally. You’re just being paranoid.

> Go in guns-blazing, just in case,

> Use Thermal Sight and scan your surroundings.

> Other?

>>4083805
>>4083770
>Pay no attention to this roll
>Strike Team not answering
Panic Mode Initiated

>>4083815
>> Use Thermal Sight and scan your surroundings.

>>4083815
> Use Thermal Sight and scan your surroundings.
Thermal sight and luck drain. This stinks.

Need to take a quick break for dinner. Voting is open until I return.

File: 61E19268-D845-4E2C-A75F-6(...).jpg (38 KB, 800x450)

38 KB JPG

I-I’m sure it’s just a communication issue, right anons?

>>4083844
>tfw one of them went to take a leak
>tfw the other was taking a nap to be ready for big action
>tfw the rest were playing fuckin yahtzee to keep entertained while waiting
They never stood a chance.

>>4083815
> Use Thermal Sight and scan your surroundings.
Enter and clear

>>4083815
Leave Clayton unconscious in an alley with his hands wrapped around one of our Gunsmoke business cards that we may or may not have.
Might open up contracting for the GCPD if we want to go that route?

>>4083815
>Use Thermal Sight and scan your surroundings

>>4083825
>>4083838
>>4083868
>>4083878

Writing.

>>4083877
It's a bold strategy, Cotton. Especially since you probably mean Thompson.

>>4083885
oh

>>4083877
But anon... we are Clayton.

>>4083877
You're probably thinking of Dresden as well considering Gunsmoke is a known criminal persona.

>>4083815

Something’s fishy in the state of Denmark.

You activate Thermal Sight, and Luck Drain for good measure.

Sure enough, you spot a dozen heat signatures lying on the floor, with 3 others standing in various points around the room.

Okay, not great, but workable. Either your team is very recently dead and still warm, or they’re unconscious.

If they’re dead, you’re probably looking at something special hired by Penguin.

If they’re napping, it’s probably the Bats or somebody else in their little club.

Either way, it’ll be a fight.

Your plan is to……

> Storm the building, guns blazing.

> Enter carefully, using Thompson as a hostage.

> Take the kid gloves off. Bring out the Claw and bulldoze through the wall.

> Other?

>>4083908
> Enter carefully, using Thompson as a hostage.

>>4083908
> Enter carefully, using Thompson as a hostage.
"Who goes there?"

>>4083908
> Storm the building, guns blazing.
We should surprise them while we still can, hopefully take one or two out and make the following fight a bit fairer.

>>4083908
> Storm the building, guns blazing.

>>4083908
Can we get a quick mspaint map of the situation so we can make more specific decisions?

>>4083924
Sorry anon, I can't draw for shit.

>>4083926
Just like a square for the building, red dots for standing figures, and blue dots for the floored guys green dot for us, and brown line for doors

>>4083933
I'll see what I can do.

File: ChopShop.png (16 KB, 640x643)

16 KB PNG

Sorry, if it's bad, never much of an artist.

>>4083954
For reference, orange is the truck.

>>4083911
If this isn't the bats, we're going to get shot to shit. Even if it is, we would have the upper hand with a surprise attack. I change to guns a blazing

>>4083954
Can we shoot through the walls? Or doors?

That is an option, yes.

There seems to be a bit of discussion going on, and since I added an extra layer of complexity, I'll give another 5 - 10 minutes to vote / strategize.

>>4083954
>>4083961
Shoot the guy closest to us through the door on the left, pop a smoke in, and go in through the door in the back?

>>4083954
>>4083967
Bust in on the backside of the building, better chance of taking down 2 people and the truck divides the building so the remainder can't immediately shoot us?

Don't really know desu

>>4083967
Alright then. I vote we shoot the two on the right of the truck through the big door (I assume it's a metal slider of some kind) and then switch to the last one. If it's penguins men that should do it, if it's the Bats, well, we're screwed whatever we do.

Rolled 3 (1d3)

>>4083977
>>4083981
>>4083989

Alright, storming the building wins, but method seems a bit fragmented. I'll role a d3 to determine whose doctrine is implemented.

1 = Left door shot, smoke, backdoor
2 = Backdoor
3 = Big door

Rolled 45 + 20 (1d100 + 20)

>>4083995
Alright, roll me some d100s + 10, since I'll classify this as Combat.

Enemy #1 roll

Rolled 62 + 10 (1d100 + 10)

>>4083997
Okay, that doesn't look like a bat roll.

Rolled 83 + 25 (1d100 + 25)

>>4083997
And for Enemy #2

Rolled 66 + 10 (1d100 + 10)

>>4083997

Rolled 84 + 10 (1d100 + 10)

>>4083997

Rolled 9 + 10 (1d100 + 10)

>>4084000

Rolled 75 (1d100)

>>4083997
>>4083999
>>4084000
I don't like where this is going but will vote for Option 1

Rolled 11 + 30 (1d100 + 30)

>>4084007
Forgot to roll for #3

>>4084007
Alright, #1 and #3 success, #2 failure. Writing.

File: ChopShop2.png (17 KB, 645x647)

17 KB PNG

>>4083908
You unceremoniously dump Thompson in the alley. He’ll be fine there. Probably.

With your Thermal Sight, you pick out your targets, carefully approach the garage door, and unleash a volley of fire. Your target to the furthest right crumples in a heap after being caught by your barrage.

Unfortunately, your second target dives for cover behind the truck and makes it before you can get a solid hit.

Your last shots are aimed at the figure to the furthest left, who takes several shots to the vitals, but remains standing.

That’s……not great.

Gunfire seems to spook the one that went for cover, but their pal shrugged if off like it was nothing.

You might have to bring out the heavier artillery for this one.

> Bring out the Claw and get in there (Specify entrance, or make your own)

> Cast a spell (Specify?)

> Keep firing, maybe more shots will do the trick.

> Other?

(The maroon indicates downed foes)

>>4084054
Cast a spell luck drain

>>4084062
I typically let support spells like Luck Drain be a free action. The range doesn't extend far enough, while you're outside the building at least.

>>4084071
ok

>>4084054
> Other?
Go around the building, bust in the back door, guns up.

>>4084093
Supporting. Keep an eye on what these guys do though, don't want to be surprised.

Rolled 31 (1d100)

>>4084093
>>4084114

Roll me some d100s + 20

Rolled 15 + 20 (1d100 + 20)

>>4084122

Rolled 29 + 30 (1d100 + 30)

>>4084122
And for the other guy.....

Rolled 24 + 20 (1d100 + 20)

>>4084122
Ah shit the bell's tolling.

>>4084125
I really should stop rolling.

Rolled 78 + 20 (1d100 + 20)

>>4084122
Good job on the map btw; looks good.

Rolled 54 + 20 (1d100 + 20)

>>4084122

>>4084131
Clutch, anon. And thanks. Writing.

Rolled 64 + 25 (1d100 + 25)

>>4084054

Flanking them seems like the best option. Even if lead isn’t enough to put one down, the other seems to have no such resistance.

You quickly cross the garage door to the right side of the building, managing to avoid the hail of gunfire the hostile behind the truck sends your way.

Huh. Either he’s got a really weird gun or something else is up, because he fired like 30 times without stopping, but they all sounded like pistol shots.

Even further adding to the weird factor is what you see when you spot something behind you.

A swarm of spiders flows from underneath the door, headed your way.

Fuck. That.

You make a mad dash for the back door, kick it in, and unload on both targets.

> Roll me some d100s + 10

(Rolling for Hostile #2)

Rolled 87 + 30 (1d100 + 30)

And #3

Rolled 28 + 10 (1d100 + 10)

>>4084153
This only seems to be getting worse

Rolled 80 + 10 (1d100 + 10)

>>4084153

Rolled 44 + 10 (1d100 + 10)

>>4084153

>>4084163
#2 goes down, #3 still stands. Writing.

>>4084172
We should really pack incendiaries for these or something.

>>4084183
We have 2 incindiaries, a thermite charge, and a smoke.

>>4084183
Not while the truck we were going to use to detonate the Iceberg Lounge is still there.

File: hostile#3.jpg (30 KB, 360x450)

30 KB JPG

>>4084153
Your sudden repositioning caught the hostile behind the truck by surprise.

He makes a valiant effort to escape your line of sight, but you manage to get him with a headshot.

After he goes down, you target your last remaining foe. Once again, you get a solid shot on him, but i has no real effect. He stumbles a little, but is otherwise fine.

Now that you’ve got a better view of the inside of the chop-shop, several things become evident.

First, the target you initially downed was a woman, wearing some kind of black jumpsuit and a few pouches containing god-knows-what.

Next, the man you just smoked had some kind of strange apparatus, where he had four artificial arms jamming out of his chest, each with a pistol.

In grimmer news, the entire strike team is dead. The lucky ones are dead from gunshot wounds, while The less fortunate ones look like they’ve been horribly poisoned or mangled by those spiders you saw.

Lastly, your final opponent is dressed in some kind of weird outfit, maybe a robe or a cloak or something? He also doesn’t have any guns, just a pair of sickles.

He’s also got a nasty looking smirk on his face, indicative of the kinda sick fuck that weaponizes spiders.

You…..

> Keep hammering him with shots from your MP5. Whatever’s protecting him will give eventually

> Hit him with an offensive spell (Specify?)

> Bring out the Claw and wipe that look off his face

> See if you can torch his spiders with an (Incendiary Grenade / Fire Bolt) without blowing the truck

> Other?

>>4084206
>Hit him with a hex bolt.
Let's put this fucker more than 10 ft under.

>>4084222
Backing this option >>4084222
Clayton has bad luck with strike teams.

>>4084206
Sorry for double post, but also turn on luck drain

>>4084206
>>4084222
Also turn on luck drain

>>4084206
>>Hit him with a hex bolt.

>>4084222
Supporting

>>4084237
I think we already have it on?
>>4083908

Yo holy shit it's Spider-Man

Rolled 8 (1d10)

>>4084222
>>4084229
>>4084240
>>4084242

Hex Bolt it is.

> Roll me some d100s

(Rolling for the Luck increase for you, and loss for him)

>>4084246
We do, but this is the first time anybody's been in range.

Rolled 91 + 15 (1d100 + 15)

>>4084249
And here's his roll to dodge.

Rolled 26 (1d100)

>>4084249
rip

Rolled 2 (1d100)

>>4084249

Rolled 5 (1d100)

>>4084249

>>4084256
>>4084265
>>4084274

A failure, writing.

>>4084274
Right, well, first post in, and I'm done rolling for this session.

>>4084274
>>4084265
>>4084256
At least it didn't critfail.

Rolled 6 (1d10)

>>4084249

You channel a Hex Bolt, and aim it at that smug little fucker.

He’s faster than he looks though, and dodges it with ease.

“Nice parlor trick. Here’s one of mine.” He says, suddenly springing your way with both sickles flashing through the air.

> Roll me some d100s + 20

(Rolling for the drain)

Rolled 73 + 20 (1d100 + 20)

>>4084285
Gonna give it one more go, and if this one's shit then it's up to the rest of you.

>>4084282
We've had too many of those.

Rolled 52 + 30 (1d100 + 30)

>>4084285
And here's his roll....

>>4084288
You've had some pretty cool crit successes as well, to be fair.

>>4084294
True, true. We have been very lucky (and unlucky) so far.

Still need 2 more rolls, in case of aforementioned crits.

Rolled 94 + 20 (1d100 + 20)

>>4084285
You're approaching me? Instead of running away you're coming closer?

Rolled 100 (1d100)

>>4084290

File: radgif.gif (2.99 MB, 600x338)

2.99 MB GIF

>>4084309
OH HO

>>4084309
You were saying.......

>>4084309
Me and my big mouth

>>4084285

His leftmost sickle comes arcing for your midsection, likely trying to gut you.

The other sickle is directed in a winding arc destined to rip open your throat.

At least, it would’ve if you didn’t stop him dead in his tracks.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KN9XjiOiuoA&list=RDswuzh5nOP4Q&index=45

You draw your knuckle trench-knife and instead of wasting time with petty matters like dodging, cut the Gordian Knot.

In this case, that translates into delivering a bonecrushing haymaker to this punk’s face using the brass knuckle part of the knife.

He staggers back, dazed from the brain-damage that would make a veteran NFL running back wince.

You’ve got a free, uncontested shot on him.

What do you do?

> ???

>>4084340
>Take a shot at him

Can't beat a good bullet to the skull when it comes to killing power.

>>4084340
Impale an eye and use it to hold him steady for a shot with our Beretta.

>>4084355
+1
Bang to the head.

>>4084355
>>4084374
This guy has proven to be pretty tough so far, let’s see how he handles something special.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AavRk7w19hw

As he’s busy trying to regain his wits, you take the opportunity to quickdraw your .44 Magnum, and fan the hammer into his no-longer-self-satisifed mug.

Judging from the pulpy mess left behind and the spiders skittering back to wherever they came, whatever protected him from your MP5 shots couldn’t handle the Callahan Special.

Prick. That was a faster death than him and his buddies deserved.

All that’s left now is to figure out what to do with Thompson, and finish the job back at the Iceberg lounge.

But waste not, want not, after all. Let’s see what you can find on them first.

> Roll me some d100s + 20

(DC 60 / 80 / 100)

Rolled 54 + 20 (1d100 + 20)

>>4084397
LOOOOOOT

Rolled 99 + 20 (1d100 + 20)

>>4084397
You can leave the murderhobo life, but it never really leaves you.

Rolled 50 + 20 (1d100 + 20)

>>4084397
give me the goods

>>4084408
JESUS. Writing.

>>4084397
A cursory search of your now-deceased foes yields some interesting results.

First, a brief check the dead woman reveals that she was very much into the business of poisons. Guess she’s responsible for inflicting those some of the nastier casualties to the strike team. She either used all her poisons, or they fractured when you filled her full of holes, but you do find a recipe book of sorts for poisons. Who knows, maybe it’ll be a nice gift for somebody if you aren’t interested.

However, the coup de grace is found on mostly-headless Spiderboy. According to a set of research notes hidden in his pockets, his whole spider-manipulation schtick isn’t a superpower; it’s magic. And the cherry on top, is that he was also carrying his journals on how to learn it.

> Book Acquired: The Exterminator’s Cookbook (Poisons)

> Book Acquired: The Webs of Intrigue (Spider Control)

You also swipe his sickles, as a souvenir if nothing else.

Jesus, your life was a lot simpler back when all you had to fight were disgruntled farmers and goat herders.

>>4084436
> FIN

That's all for tonight folks. As always, I'll be here for a while to address comments, concerns, or just shoot the shit.

Also, because I spazzed out and pressed the button too fast, I forgot to mention I have a bit of bad news. As it stands, I won't be able to run this Friday. I'll let everyone know if it suddenly becomes open.

>>4084442
Thanks Axis! Been very good so far.

>>4084436
>Book Acquired: The Webs of Intrigue (Spider Control)
Are you guys thinking what I'm thinking?

>>4084436
Oh cool, spider control, that's....great, I guess. Really looking forward to learning how to....control spiders. Squeamishness aside, that's probably got some decent utility. Wonder if we can see through their eyes or something like that? Would be good for recon. And creeping people the fuck out.

>>4084437
Thanks for running Axis. Guess we've got to set the truck off ourself. Should probably do it quick though, what with how long the Lounge has been out of commission. Expect someone's going to show up soon. Out of curiosity, can we nick that apparatus you mentioned the Doc Oc ripoff having as well?

>>4084455
What're you thinking anon?

>>4084461
Sure, since you got a high success. I just didn't think anyone wanted the thing.

>>4084468
Ehhh, it sounds pretty goofy looking, but since we're already looking for somebody to juice up our suit, we may as well see if we can integrate it in in a less absurd capacity. Maybe get them to deploy from a backpack like Doc Oc limbs or something. Would make for a decent trump card. Maybe we can even integrate them with the Apokoliptian carbine or something with enough money, get the limbs firing some lasers. Even if not, we can probably give it to one of our new mooks or something, boost their combat power a bit. I imagine they wouldn't care that much about how silly it looks.

File: TheSpiders.jpg (516 KB, 841x1280)

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>>4084455
Honestly, I'm mostly just remembering this.

>>4084485
That might've been my exact thought back at.....
>>4084247

>>4084206
Anyone recognize this schmuck, by the way? Can't say he's ringing any bells for me.

>>4084515
He's some dude that works for the Council of Spiders or something. Like a discount League of Assassins.

>>4084577
Right, found them. Looks like we took out Wolf, Sac, and Funnel. Guess the rest of them coming after us could be a concern, but eh, they don't seem too tough. Doesn't seem like the others would have any good loot though, unfortunately, unless Wanderer and Goliath's abilities are magical in nature like Sac's were, which seems...unlikely.

>>4084609
It's scary how well you people do at finding relatively obscure characters.

>>4084466
>>4084485
New alter egos.

>>4084611
Don't underestimate my hunger for loot. It is insatiable. On that note, it seems like Tangle at least has some kinda nifty looking gadgets, though the others are still criminally lacking in loot unless you're in the market for Kukris or Tekko Kagis.

>>4084618
Anon, we can't just take the identities of everyone we kill, there isn't enough time in the day.

>>4084634
that's quitter talk

>>4084485
we need to do this

>>4084611
can we loot some guns and their wallets?

>>4084634
we can and we will

>>4084461
>>4084468
Soon my pretties, soon... The war with the flies and mosquitoes will be over, and we shall stand victorious over our porch in Florida enjoying our iced tea!

Just to make sure, can we please shoot the female combatant through the skull? Poisons and antidotes are two sides of the same coin, and if her brains aren't already scattered across the floor there's a chance she might come back.

>>4084699
weapons yes, but leave the wallets that belong to banes men alone.

>>4084723
Is there an antidote for bullets?

>>4084723
Anon, we shot her. And she’s a poison specialist, not a “Magical bullet hole healing antidote” specialist. I imagine Sean would notice if she wasn’t dead anyways, considering he searched her corpse.

>>4084730
Plot armor and bad aim.

>>4084723
But yes put a few extra in all the dead guys we just killed in the head.

File: clever.gif (2.39 MB, 504x273)

2.39 MB GIF

>>4084723
>tfw "AHA, I knew I was right in drinking my 'antidote for massive internal hemorrhaging and organ trauma' I am a genius!"

>>4084634
We keep on stealing them until we become every criminal in Gotham. Then we can comfortably retire in peace.

>>4084785
Could you imagine how paranoid bats would get if the crime rate dropped to 0% overnight with no identifiable reason? Like it isn't Christmas, there's no world ending threat scaring the globe, the entire justice league isn't in town. But the crime just stops. Even if only temporarily.

>>4084807
He would go nuts....

Damn, I almost want to suggest this to joker for no other reason than he might actually make that happen just to screw with batman

Good news, anons! Circumstances have changed, and I should be able to run on Friday. The session will be a bit later than usual, probably at 5:30 EST instead of 5.

>>4085675
woo

>>4085675
Great. See you then, Axis.

Can we train the spiders to all group together and fill out a set of clothes and teach them martial arts making a spider conglomerate combat abomination?

File: 7865386537564.gif (1.28 MB, 343x255)

1.28 MB GIF

>>4086024
>a trenchcoat full of spiders doing karate
Jesus fuck dude

File: 1578044503348.jpg (79 KB, 600x404)

79 KB JPG

>>4086075
>When you hit it, it feels like hitting hanging cloth, only now you've got your fist covered in spiders skittering under your sleeve and up your arm.

File: aaaaaaaaa.gif (786 KB, 460x403)

786 KB GIF

>>4086091
Dress up the spider-thing with a big coat, gloves, a full face mask, bigass boots so you wouldn't be able to see any skin and when people try to fight it thinking it's some goon they just get coated in spiders. This is absolute nightmare fuel.

>>4086112
>shoot the spider goon
>see a hole
>he knits back together

>>4086112
Just dress it up like us. Give Babs nightmares the next time she fights “Gunsmoke”.

>Finally recovered from that asshole Gunsmoke stabbing me in the kneecap
>See him while I’m out on patrol, probably about to commit a crime
>He opens fire, but I’m too quick, and I’m up in his face before he can get a bead on me
>Finally about to pay him back with a fist in the face
>Instead of a crack when I punch him, I hear a fucking squish
>Spiders start pouring out of the hole my fist made in his mask and skittering up my arm and ohgodohfuckthey’reeverywhere

That’s some Scarecrow level fuckery right there.

>>4086262
HAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHA hohoho HAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

>>4086262
>this happens
>bats tracks down scarecrow to discover how to identify and combat this new strange toxin
>scarecrow is just chilling in his lair feeding his roaches and keeping to himself while trying to think of a new plan
>scarecrow gets the shit beat out of him for something that had nothing to do with him
Sure sucks to be Crane.

I think its great that whenever Sean has to pull out magic as a trump card, every witness to it dies. Nobody knows Gunsmoke's nuclear option.


I have a bad feeling that if we ever get to fight bats, its gonna either end the quest or make it legendary.

Could we combine the spider spell with an electrical spell? So every time you try to, say, stomp on one of the buggers you get a paralytic shock? Sounds like a good GTFO option, portable moving landmines.

Honestly though i think Sean needs to start training on using the alien carbine/more mundane fighting skills. Magic is great, but as a character he is starting to lean on it a little too much.

>>4086941
Eh, it's not like we neglect our basic skills. We train frequently with Genghis in unarmed combat and knife-fighting, and we JUST won a fighting tournament without employing any magic besides Roll the Die. We've undergone detective and deception training with Bobo, and we practiced our normal, non-magical stealth with Cortez. Our magic certainly enhances our abilities, but I'd hardly say we're using it as a crutch. We've won most of our major fights without resorting to it, besides the giant MAGIC abomination, where I think using it was justifiable. We did use a Hexbolt for the Sac fight, but I mean honestly, it basically did jack and we mostly just relied on our mundane skills. We're hardly Doctor Fate here, magic just gives us a slight edge over the competition where we'd be fairly evenly matched otherwise. Only thing I'd suggest to change up our usual training schedule is maybe fitting some marksmanship training in there somewhere, though that'll probably improve naturally with time, considering how often we make use of firearms. Probably see if we can do some training with Bane as well now that we're working together, he is a master martial artist for all that plenty of media makes it seem like he relies on brute strength.

As a reminder, session will begin a half-hour later than usual today. A little under 4 hours from now.

>>4087169
Remember that your classwork comes before the quest lad. We appreciate the quest, but if it really comes down to it, we can wait an extra day or two.

>>4087177
Your patience is appreciated, but no need to worry, anon. I'll get it done in time.

Hope we can pull a sneaky on Bruce one day with the spiders.

"It's time to pay for what you've done Gunsmoke."

*removes mask to reveal a mass of shifting chittering spiders*

>>4087249
>Batman tries to hit Gunsmoke with a Batarang
>It goes right through Gunsmoke and out the other side
>The hope it leaves sews itself up

>>4087327
>tfw people think gunsmoke is actually made of smoke until they get close and its spiders

>>4087338
>What's your backstory?
>We are Man Spiders
>What?
>We was many spiders bitten by a radioactive man
>We now take the form of the man who bit us and pretend to be him.

>>4084436
> Perk Improved: Spring-Heeled Jack (2): Your agility and coordination makes you a terrific second-story man. +20 to any dodge or agility roll.

Before you forget, you handle a few miscellaneous tasks before moving on.

You reload your .44 and put a couple in the head of the probably-but-now-definitely deceased poisoner woman and the others. After all, if it’s worth shooting, it’s worth shooting twice.

You inspect a few of the weapons belonging to Bane’s strike team, but they’re nothing special. A smattering of modern Western hardware, about equivalent to the gear in Jack’s arsenal. Maybe if they packed something heavier, they’d still be alive.

A sobering thought, you think to yourself as you steal the wallets belonging to your fallen foes. A bunch of fake IDs, which doesn’t surprise you. Still, you take them anyway, maybe Bane’ll appreciate a look at them. Also, you swipe a combined hundred bucks. Hey, every little bit helps.

Next, you approach the dead multi-armed gunman, and with a bit of effort, rip his artificial arms out of their sockets. Who knows, maybe you’ll be able to incorporate them into your own gear or something. Or maybe sell them, if that doesn’t pan out. Either way, they’re yours now.

You stick your head out the left door, and thankfully Thompson is still alive. You never know, might’ve been hit with a ricocheted shot, or that swarm of spiders might’ve dogpiled him.

Eugh. You’re not afraid of spiders, but that is a bad way to go.

Back to business. You’ve got an unconscious police analyst to deal with.

You decide to….

> Wake him up and attempt to turn him into a mole inside the GCPD (Specify Persuade or Intimidate)

> Write a quick letter to the GCPD as Gunsmoke and leave it on him. A peace offering of sorts.

> Write a quick letter to the GCPD as Dresden and leave it on him. Some bullshit story about how you were staking out the Iceberg Lounge, saw him get dragged in the back, and rescued him.

> Other?

>>4087538
>Set up the thermite charge on the truck and finish the job. Then collect Cole and gtfo before enough time passes for anything else to happen

> Write a quick letter to the GCPD as Gunsmoke and leave it on him. A peace offering of sorts

>"You're Welcome. - Gunsmoke"

>>4087538
>> Write a quick letter to the GCPD as Dresden and leave it on him. Some bullshit story about how you were staking out the Iceberg Lounge, saw him get dragged in the back, and rescued him.

>>4087546
We are in our gunsmoke outfit. If there are any security tapes or witnesses we will give ourselves away.

>>4087545
I'll switch to this, but we have to get done fast.

>>4087545
>>4087559

> Roll me some d100s + 20

No DC, this'll just be for flavor.

>>4087545
Supporting. We're on a timer here, no need to bother with eloquence.

Rolled 62 + 20 (1d100 + 20)

>>4087572

Rolled 25 + 20 (1d100 + 20)

>>4087572

>>4087572

Rolled 85 + 20 (1d100 + 20)

>>4087572

>>4087611
Writing.

Rolled 5 + 10 (1d20 + 10)

>>4087538
You don’t have a whole lot of time, so you grab a sticky note from a nearby bulletin board, find a pencil, and scribble a quick message.

Should be convincing enough, you think to yourself as you absentmindedly conclude with “You’re Welcome - Gunsmoke”

And because you’re already fucking with them, you put a little smiley face next to your name. Why not?

You stick it on Thompson’s face, and get back to business. He’ll be found when the cops investigate the explosion, so you have nothing to worry about.

To ensure that your candygram for Penguin causes some irreparable damage, you set a time-release thermite charge on the fuel truck. Just in case, you give yourself more than enough time in case something goes wrong.

Still, if your initial ramming doesn’t do the job, this certainly will.

After grabbing a conveniently placed nearby cinderblock and loading it into the passenger side of the truck, you open the garage door, and drive to the Iceberg Lounge.

After carefully positioning the truck, you pick up the cinderblock and weigh the gas pedal down with it.

The truck bellows forward at full steam, crashing directly through the Lounge’s front entrance.

>>4087628

Unfortunately, the crash itself wasn’t enough to set the truck alight.

It’s a tense handful of minutes until the timer on the thermite runs out, but your fears are misplaced.

The truck explodes in a brilliant firestorm of shrapnel, shredding the building.

However, this is only the precursor to the much louder explosion when the flames reach the underground gas mains.

Suffice to say, Penguin better hope he has insurance.

You’d rather keep Jack out of the nitty-gritty of your side operations, so you proceed to the extraction point you designated with Bane before the op began.

Sure enough, a car with a pair of militiamen are waiting to transport you to Bane’s HQ.

Overall, how do you feel the op went?

> Well. You got the job done, and nobody who didn’t deserve it get caught in the line of fire. Can’t ask for much more.

> Poorly. Sure, you accomplished your objectives, but lost your backup. Can’t really call that a victory.

> ???

>>4087645
> Poorly. Sure, you accomplished your objectives, but lost your backup. Can’t really call that a victory.

>>4087645
> Poorly. Sure, you accomplished your objectives, but lost your backup. Can’t really call that a victory.

Definitely lost more than we're used to on our average outing. Not something we want to become a trend.

>Could have gone better. Sure, you accomplished your objectives, but lost your backup. Can’t really call that a victory. Lets go over the mission later and think about what we could improve on.

>>4087645
>> Poorly. Sure, you accomplished your objectives, but lost your backup. Can’t really call that a victory.

>>4087655
>>4087656
>>4087684
Writing.

>>4087645
> Poorly. Sure, you accomplished your objectives, but lost your backup. Can’t really call that a victory.
Buy the goonies a round of beers in memory of their lost associates. Also free beer.

Lets just make sure when we debrief Bane we tell him this usually isn't how our assignments go and promise better results in the future.

>>4087645

The ride back is tense, but eventless. You can’t help but feel that maybe if you’d been faster, planned better, maybe it wouldn’t have gone down like that. Your silent mantra reinforces itself.

> “You need to be better.”

A while later, and you’re back at Bane’s fortified office building.

Just like before, you’re escorted to the elevator and up to Bane’s office.

Curiously, they don’t bother disarming you. It’s either a statement of trust, or a display of power.

This time, Bane’s door is already open, and you head inside. No Bird this time, probably out leading another of the strike teams.

“Gunsmoke. I could almost hear the blast from here. Fine work, but I would still like to debrief you. Even seemingly useless information could become very valuable in the coming battles.”

You break it down for him, the infiltration, your fight at the chop-shop, and the fate of your strike team. For good measure, you let him have a good look at the fake IDs of the freaks you smoked.

“Regrettable, but victory cannot be achieved without sacrifice. Still, you honored their memory by butchering the ones who struck them down. For this, I thank you.”

Bane reaches under his desk and retrieves a large suitcase.

“Your reward, as promised. 400,000 dollars well spent.”

> “Job was for 300.” You carefully say.

“And consider it a bonus for eliminating several enemy VIPs and your cut from that business at the docks.”

He slides it your way, and a brief check confirms that he’s telling the truth.

“Now, I’m afraid that we need to have a difficult talk.” Bane says, clasping his hands together.

“War is inevitable. Your actions tonight can result in no other reasonable option. There is still a mole in my organization, and if Cobblepot discovers that you are responsible, you will be a walking target. Frankly, any mission I send you out on could be compromised, solely by your presence. Therefore, for now, we will need to part ways. Don’t take this as a condemnation of your performance, merely a temporary separation. Once things are settled, feel free to come back and we will talk again.”

You see his point. Penguin’s going to be out for blood after this, and it’s not impossible to imagine him sending a considerable amount of his forces to harass you.

When you leave, Bane has one last piece of advice.

“If I were you, I’d settle whatever business you have in Gotham in the next few days, and leave the city. Or the country, if you can manage it.”

As you depart Bane’s HQ, you request a pickup from Jack nearby.

>>4087745
Before you can clear out of town, you need to….
- Run down both those leads Index gave you
- Make a handoff for Jack
- Meet your new “friends” from Bludhaven
- Get your reward from MC&D

A fair bit of work to do, but so long as you get it done quick, you should be fine.

Tonight though, you’ll settle for…….

> Getting hammered at the Oblivion Bar. You need a stiff drink or several.

> Just get some sleep. You won’t be able to, but you might as well try.

> Researching those freaks you threw down with. If there’s more, they might want revenge.

> ???

>>4087750
>Read part of the spider book and go to sleep

>>4087750
buy the goonies beer!

>>4087750
>> ???
You beat my butt I’m going for the mystery box

>>4087778
That's not the mystery box, anon. That's my indicator that you could submit a write-in.

>>4087750
> Getting hammered at the Oblivion Bar. You need a stiff drink or several.
And one round for the goonies.

>>4087750
>> Getting hammered at the Oblivion Bar. You need a stiff drink or several.
We lost a squad. Didn't know em, but they were allies, for the moment. Drink.

>>4087767
>>4087785
>>4087788
Writing.

>>4087783
Well I’m an idiot
>Getting hammered at the Oblivion Bar. You need a stiff drink or several

Man Bane is such a bro. He gets it.

>Sean raises a drink, his voice slurred
>”rest in pieces to goons 1, 2, and however many”

Can we get detective chimp to drink with us?

>>4087750

After dropping off your various spoils, you ask Jack for a lift to the Oblivion Bar.

He must’ve recognized that something isn’t quite right, because he insists on accompanying you inside.

In his own words, “Drinking oneself into a stupor is more enjoyable with company.”

Your pal and sometimes mentor Bobo is also nursing his own brew at the bar.

Either he’s a telepath, you’re less composed than you think, or Jack signaled him somehow, because he joins in with your steady drinking.

> Roll me some d100s, no DC

Rolled 17 (1d100)

>>4087806

Rolled 2 (1d100)

>>4087806

Rolled 39 (1d100)

>>4087538
SHould have gone as Dresden since there was magic spiders involved.

When we do the magic spider suit trick, Babs will come running to us for help.

It also helps hide or conceal our involvement with the explosion since there would be no one there alive that knew we were there.

>>4087832
dice

>>4087843
>>4087839
>>4087847

Alright, your options are.....

> Get blackout drunk

> Get reasonably drunk

(Not a serious vote, so I'll close it after 10 minutes)

>>4087855
> Get reasonably drunk

>>4087855
>Get reasonably drunk

>>4087855
>> Get blackout drunk
The only reasonable option

>>4087855
>> Get blackout drunk
If you're going to go drinking with your drinking buddies, do it RIGHT.

>>4087855
> Get reasonably drunk
respectful

>>4087855
>> Get blackout drunk
What do you mean this Tequila is literally from Hell? Pft.

Rolled 2 (1d2)

>>4087855
Can't believe I have to roll a d2 on this.

1 = Drunk
2 = MEGA DRUNK

>Blackout Drunk

Lets tell the story of how we kneecapped Batgirl for the thousandth time

>>4087855
> Get reasonably drunk

>>4087855
Jack orders you all a few rounds of drinks, one of which you leave untouched.

For the men under your command that found themselves in an early grave. Again.

You get a good buzz going, before Bobo gives you a glance.

“Rough night?” He asks, gently.

You don’t bother answering, and just down another one of whatever the bartender levitates in front of you.

“Ouch. That bad?”

You give him a nod, and quietly resume your drinking.

“I know that you probably can’t talk about it, but whatever it is, don’t beat yourself up over it. If I know you, you everything you could.”

It’s a nice platitude, and you appreciate that Bobo’s trying to cheer you up. Still doesn’t change the facts, though.

Bobo notices your lack of cheer, and gives a deep sigh.

“Time to bring out the big guns. Eddie? Bring out the Blackhammer Special.”

Jack stiffens, and asks “Are you certain this is a good idea, Bobo?”

“No. But here we are. Thanks, Eddie.”

A glass of pure black liquid floats to a stop in front of you, and only you.

> “Anybody else want to join in?” You slur out.

“Trust me, you need it the most. By the way, You’re going to want to get it all down in one gulp.”

> “Down the hatch!” you hear yourself say.

It’s sour, incredibly so, but you also feel very relaxed. So relaxed in fact, that you’re just going to take a quick nap on the floor.

The next morning, you come to in Jack’s mansion with a surprisingly mild hangover. He fills you in on what you missed. Apparently, the drink Bobo recommended is a potent alcohol that doubles as a sleep aid.

Apparently, Bobo figured that you weren’t going to stop or get some rest anytime soon. Thoughtful bastard.

But anyways, you file the inconvenient thoughts plaguing your mind away for another time.

The clock is ticking, and you’ve got business to settle before the city erupts into a gang war.

It just keep getting dirtier, but that’s the nature of this business for you. Things have to get a whole lot worse before they can get better.

>>4087918
>FIN

Sorry for the early conclusion tonight, anons, but I've got some stuff to take care of. I'll be around for a little while for questions, comments, concerns, or general shitflinging. Next session is Wednesday at the regular time, barring unforeseen events.

>>4087921
Are we getting the interludes before the next session? Could we just make a new persona/switch personas to stay in the city? Non canon Dresden/Barbara Valentine's day interlude when?

>>4088226

In order,

Interludes will come before the next session, I just had a burst of creativity so I need to revise a few things. Trust me, I think you lot will like what I have planned outside the city. Probably never, I'm garbage at romance.

>>4088371
>the valentine omake is just dresden and babs sitting in a cafe being awkward until something goes wrong and they team up to fight it
troo wuv

>>4088459
No kidding, I kinda want to see this.

>>4088459
>D “So, uh, you like those Gotham Knights” *holy shit did I just ask her about the fucking LOCAL FOOTBALL TEAM, JESUS CHRIST WHY*
>B “Oh, I don’t really pay attention to them” *ohgodohgodohgod JUST FIND SOMETHING TO TALK ABOUT BATGIRL wait, did I just call myself Batgirl in my head? OH GOD I’M LOOKING OFF INTO SPACE WHILE PURSUING MY OWN INTERNAL DIALOGUE DISENGAGE I REPEAT DISENGAGE* “So... Dresden... do you like things?” *SMOOTH MOVE THERE EXLAX, WHAT’S NEXT? ‘Have you ever noticed the sky is blue?’ REAL ORIGINAL YOU DUMB BITCH*

>>4087921
Shiet, can’t believe I slept through the live. Thanks for running Axis, even if I missed most of it. Seems like things went well, in any case. Feel like the op went fine personally, we got in and out as quick as we could and there’s nothing we really could’ve done to prevent those deaths, but I guess Sean would be the type to beat himself up over the deaths of comrades. Guess we’ll be putting Gunsmoke to sleep for the time being. Maybe do some stuff as Jonah I guess? Or break out that Egyptian themed identity we kept talking about but never actually made. We succeeded on the objective MC&D gave us pretty fucking quick, in any case. I guess that we’ve got a good use for those goons, now that we’re clearing out of the city for a few weeks.

Just read the entire quest through the archives. Great work Axis! I look forward to following this as it continues.

Actually, I don’t think I’ve ever thanked you for running the quest axis. So, good job. Been here since thread one, and will keep on going.

>>4088459
would be cute

I'm curious.

If we meet Batman and by the grace of god actually best him. Do we kill him?

If we beat Bruce once he will only come after us harder than ever before, we will have to use magic and if he gets away we would have to deal with league interference, our identity getting out, having to fight Batman in (god forbid) a fair fight where he knows our tricks. Killing him and burning the identity we do it with really is seeming like the only option that isn't going to end in inevitably being shoved in Arkham or just a meta-jail.

>>4090901
I think killing him would lead to massive retribution. Every hero under the sun would end up trying to capture/kill us.

>>4090948
I mean we aren't doing anything with any of our other identities, if they dont exist to give us that barrier for when we have to make the hard call then why do we even have them?

>>4090901
>kill batman
>twelve seconds later superman flies through the wall and clotheslines us

>>4090950
You imply that nobody will ever be able to connect those identities to us, which is certainly possible but also unlikely. It would be stupid of us to just say "Heh, because it was Adjutant Tango and not Gunsmoke who killed the Bat, nobody will ever find out!"

I think the best course of action would be what we're doing right now: Beat him, then run like the wind until the fallout blows over. If starting a gang war is enough for Bane to recommend that we leave the city, then defeating Batman is probably a good reason to hide for the next month or three.

>>4090901
All of the Gotham underworld would explode if we beat the bat. Bruce keeps the more blatant crime in check through fear, but if we best him then the fear is gone. He'll have his hands very full because the city will be burning. All we have to do is keep strategically stoking the fires and keep him stretched thin. Eventually Gotham will break or the bat will.

>>4091486
I'm still waiting for Question to show up and scream his conspiracy theories about how all of this is connected. And be right, as usual.

Alright, I'm tired, sore, and possibly delirious,so apologies in advance for any spelling errors. Enjoy.

>>4092520
THE AFTERMATH, BARBARA GORDON

Tonight’s been a mess. There have been whispers for a while, that a war between Bane and Penguin were on the horizon. All the signs were there of course, an increasing number of skirmishes on the borders of their respective territories, the stockpiling of heavier weapons, and now……tonight.

You, Bruce, and Tim have been trying your best to stop anything like this from happening, but this slipped though all your fingers.

Bane fired the first shots of the war by launching a series of coordinated strikes against a number of Penguin’s businesses, legitimate or otherwise.

For the major bosses, that’s almost to be expected. After all, it’s business.

But as you survey the still burning remnants of the once glitzy Iceberg Lounge, you realize that this has all the makings of a genuine blood feud.

You’ve tangled with Penguin enough over the years to know that he’s a vicious, spiteful little man that cares only about making a quick buck and his questionable family name.

This attack plunges a dagger into both of those.

“Batgirl. There’s been a development. There’s a crime scene a few blocks from here.” You hear Bruce say via your communicator.

> “Heading there now.”

It’s gotta be something important to pull Bruce’s attention away from the Iceberg Lounge situation. You’ll make it snappy.

It’s not hard to spot the crime scene Bruce mentioned, the wall of police tape and nearby detectives makes it quite easy.

You glide in, low and slow. Once they recognize your outfit, the cops let you inside.

The contents of the garage are….unsettling. There are more than a dozen body bags laid out, with a haggard looking young man being interviewed by Detective Bullock and Bruce.

Bruce notices your presence and excuses himself to come and brief you.

> “What happened here?”

“Not entirely sure yet, but the initial investigation points to this being the staging point for the attack on the Iceberg Lounge.”

> “Then the bodies-“

“12 are confirmed members of Bane’s personal army. The other 3 are currently unidentified, but I’m running their details through the Batcomputer.”

> “Do we have any idea who did this?”

“Yes. And you’re not going to like it. According to my crime scene reconstruction analysis, all 12 men were killed by a combination of an unidentified poison, gunfire, and spider bites likely stemming from the other 3 bodies.”

File: batgirl.jpg (24 KB, 280x432)

24 KB JPG

>>4092521
> “Spider bites?”

“You’ve seen stranger. Not long afterwards, a lone individual entered the property and engaged the trio in a firefight, killing all 3.”

> “Whoever it is sounds pretty tough, maybe Bane hired some higher-grade muscle to back his play. It’s alarming and all, but what about this is am I supposed to hate?”

“Because, that man over there is Cole Thompson, a junior analyst for the GCPD. Whoever raided the Iceberg Lounge rescued him, and dropped him off here.”

> “Again, so what? It’s weird, but that sounds like a good thing.”

“He had a message on him.” Bruce says, passing you a sticky note.

You skim it, but when you get to the end, you barely manage to stop yourself from crushing it.

Gunsmoke did this.

> “Are you sure that it’s him? Maybe it’s some kind of trick tha-“

“I already ran a ballistics report on his three victims. Whoever did this used the same .44 Magnum that was used against you. It has to be him. Additionally, tire tracks indicate that the fuel truck used to destroy the Iceberg Lounge came from this location. Gunsmoke has to be connected with the attack, which means he’s also linked with Bane.”

Your thoughts begin to race.

This is your fault. If you had stopped Gunsmoke earlier and brought him into custody, maybe this war between Bane and Penguin wouldn’t have been sparked. At the least, it might’ve bought some time to prepare a response.

A question strikes you.

> “Then why did he bother rescuing a GCPD analyst? Seems counterproductive, especially for a mercenary.”

“I have a few theories. The most likely of which, is that he has a code of professional standards. Out of curiosity, I read his note, and I think he may be genuine in his own way. So long as he’s allowed to fulfill his business, he doesn’t plan on involving innocents or the GCPD.”

> “Really? A killer with a conscience? You can’t be serious.” You scoff.

“A conscience? Unknown at this time. Standards? Almost definitely. Did you know that not a single one of the guests tonight was injured in the blast? According to a few interviews conducted by detectives on the scene, a power-outage occurred shortly before the explosion. They evacuated because they feared my involvement, thereby clearing the scene of collateral damage.

The facts add up. He has risked his own freedom to free a fellow criminal from our custody, avoided civilian casualties at every turn, and rescued a GCPD asset. The real question now is a matter of motive. Is it pragmatism, or something deeper? Need to do more research.”

And you need to keep up with your training. Gunsmoke won’t slip through your grasp again, not after something like this.