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Gotham Intelligence - James Bond vs. The Batman (Completed)
Posted: 2010-09-02 10:27am
by Solauren
This was Inspired by a VS Thread way back some time ago.
Time Frame for James Bond; About 12 weeks after Quantum of Solace
Time Frame for Batman ; about 2 weeks after The Dark Knight
Chapter - Introduction
"Can I get you anything else, sir?" The stewardess asked, handing the passenger his martini.
"Nothing right now, thank you.” The passenger replied in a British accent, his voice hinting at what he was thinking. “Perhaps later on, when you're not busy, you could ask me again."
The stewardess blushed slightly. She was used to having passengers flirt with her, but never with the casual skill, or sex appeal, this man displayed.
"I just might."
Head turned slightly to covertly watch the stewardess head to the back of the plane, the passenger, Commander James Bond of her Majesty's Secret Service, smiled. The stewardess was attractive, and obviously found him to be so, given how she responded to his casual flirtation. She'd make for an enjoyable encounter.
However, right now, Commander Bond had more important things to worry about. Quantum's activities in Gotham City came to mind.
Bond relaxed more into his seat, and returned to reading the hardback novel he had on him. Actually, it wasn't a novel. MI6 had recently taken to putting intelligence reports for field operatives into a format that allowed them to pass as novels on airplanes and other travel arrangements, complete with academic sounding titles. It made them easier to conceal.
The topic of Bond's 'novel' was his destination, Gotham City, and it's rather, colorful, reputation.
Until about 6 months ago, Gotham City had been, and to a degree still was, a crime-ridden, cesspool of corruption. The local mob had paid off, turned, corrupted, or intimidated the right people into making them virtually untouchable by the law.
There was effort to clean up the city. Unfortunately, it had limited, if any, impact against crime.
That had changed 6 months ago, shortly after Quantum started taking an interest in Gotham City.
Wayne Enterprises, one of the worlds largest commercial and industrial enterprises, was headquartered, and largely centered in and around Gotham City, and 8 months ago, had begun the process of becoming a publicly traded company.
According to the information that had been supplied to him, Bond knew this had drawn Quantum to Gotham City, with the intention of eventually buying a majority of Wayne Enterprises stock. Combined with there other resources, and an infiltration or elimination of Gotham's underworld, Quantum would effectively control the city. With their resources, it would be a simple matter to expand outwards.
However, this had been derailed with the return, seemingly from the dead, of one Bruce Wayne. Bruce Wayne's story was well known in the circles it traveled. Unwilling to let his family's company be mismanaged or put into danger, he managed to regain control of the company by buying most of the shares. This was looked upon as a rebirth of Gotham City and Wayne Enterprises, especially when taken in view of other events that had started shortly after the return of Mr. Wayne.
The Batman.
A few things his informant had said about Quantum’s further interest in Gotham City had Bond wondering if they were backing the Batman. Certainly, Batman’s efforts would make it easier for Quantum to end up in control of Gotham's underground, while they slowly acquired Wayne Enterprises. It would also explain the Batman's apparent resources, and his apparent destruction of Gotham City’s monorail system.
Also, with Quantum’s recently MI6 + CIA inflicted set-backs, it would explain why the Batman had suddenly committed a number of murders. It would also explain his recent 'apprehension' of a Hong Kong businessman with mob connections. A businessman who's activities could be seen as clashing with Quantum’s.
A business Quantum was now in position to take control of.
Bond paused for a moment, considering the implications of this. Batman was, by all accounts, a highly trained martial artist and combatant, with some interesting resources at his disposal. If the Batman was working for Quantum, Bond would have to be ready for a possible encounter with this growing urban legend.
James Bond allowed himself one of his half-smile/smirks. Was he really worried about a man who had mental problems serious enough, that he dressed up like a bat?
No, of course not. James Bond had other, more serious, things to worry about. Such as were that lovely young stewardess had wandered off to.
Carefully putting his 'novel' into his locked briefcase, and securing that to his seat with a disguised hand-cuff, Bond went off to find the young lady in question. Although he was a charter member, it was always a good idea to assist with initiations into the 'Mile High Club'.
- - -
Characterization Note for Bond;
I'm seen all the James Bond films (except the original) from the start, up to the first Pierce Bronson film. I also have enjoyed the Daniel Craig version.
I've attempted to portray Bond as a mix of the two. He's in the 'process' of transforming both himself, and his style, to more like that of the original pre-Bronson Bond. Hopefully, I've gone a good job with this portrayal.
I'll post 'Act 1' tomorrow.
Re: Gotham Intelligence - James Bond vs. The Batman
Posted: 2010-09-02 04:18pm
by Darth Paxis
Very nice. I had thought about doing something like this a while back, never got around to it though, so I'm glad someone else did.
Bond was characterized pretty well. He had a hint of Connery to him which I liked.
I look forward to reading more.
Re: Gotham Intelligence - James Bond vs. The Batman
Posted: 2010-09-02 07:36pm
by The Romulan Republic
Interesting. I remember the thread in question (I started it), and your suggestion of turning this into a fanfic. I'm glad to see you followed up on it, as I think its a very interesting premise and one I don't recall having seen done as a fanfic before.
One mild critique: I think the timeline may be a little off. For some reason, I thought
Batman Begins was a full year prior to
The Dark Knight, though since I'm not sure where I heard that I can't be absolutely sure. I'll have to look it up.
I'm somewhat amused at the CIA/M16's epic intelligence fuck-up regarding Batman's motives. Presuming Batman and Quantum exist in the same universe, and that Quantum is at odds with elements of the Gotham underworld, its not a bad guess. However, Batman will no doubt be both surprised and pissed to find out he's suspected of being a Quantum agent.
Anyway, I look forward to seeing where this goes.
Re: Gotham Intelligence - James Bond vs. The Batman
Posted: 2010-09-03 09:16am
by Solauren
Act 1 - Jackets and Flying Vermin
007 held on tightly, waiting for his victim to pass out. The guard struggled once more, then slipped into unconsciousness. Bond released the choke hold, and dragged him out of sight beside a surprisingly clean dumpster. A moment later, he re-emerged, wearing the guard’s jacket, his keys and pass-card in hand.
A moment later, Bond was inside the building, suppressing a look of distaste. Drug-processing centers was something for local law enforcement or psychopathic vigilantes to deal with, not members of her Majesty’s Secret Service. He would leave them an anonymous tip on his way out of Gotham.
However, there were probably files in the office of this warehouse that would point him to the local Quantum safe house, where he’d find the head of Quantum’s operations in Gotham City.
And if there were no such files to be found, monitoring of the warehouse would eventually net him his target, even if the past few days had not.
Making sure the door was secured behind him, Bond headed deeper into the building.
This late at night, there was no one here. Looking around casually, Bond noted that Quantum had gone all out to disguise the true purpose of the warehouse. Everything was very, very clean. As clean as the dumpster out back. To anyone that inspected it, it was simply a chemical storage facility. After all, the propane and other chemicals stored here had a variety of legitimate uses, some of which fairly profitable.
Obviously, Quantum was taking no chances. Typical of them. The only time they’d ever made a mistake was leaving Bond alive.
He’d see to it that mistake cost them, and would cost them dearly.
Bond reached the office’s without incident, and wasn’t surprised to find his pass-card accessed it. Carefully, he slipped in and secured the door, and began searching the offices. The desks were all clean, and the cabinets were all locked. None of the computers were laptops, but full sized sever towers, even the monitors were older, heavier models.
Quantum obviously didn’t want anything just ‘walking off’.
Fortunately, Bond wasn’t planning to just walk off with them. Bond quickly located the main server. It was the only computer on in the place, and the only one inside a locked room within the office’s.
Bond quickly unplugged the server. Taking out a pocket tool, hoping the device he’d been given would work, Bond removed the cover to the server, and plugged the device in as he’d been instructed. A moment later, part of the computer’s insides lit up, as did the device.
Bond moved to the door to wait. Depending on how much data was on the hard drives, this could take anywhere from a few minutes to several hours.
It didn’t take very long. 15 minutes later, the device light turned green, and Bond carefully removed it, and put the cover back on the server.
He was about to turn the server back on when he heard movement outside the room.
Bond quickly moved beside the door. If it was opened, it would conceal his presence for a moment.
“Yes sir, I’m at the room now. I’ll check on it…”
Bond scowled for a moment. Someone had noticed the server go off.
The door opened up, and a man walked into the room, a cell phone in hand.
“Yes, I’m there now sir. Yes, I know sir. I assure you…”
The would-be repair man never finished this sentence. Bond brought his gun down into the back of his head, and sent him to the floor.
Quickly, Bond slipped out of the room.
Only to be punched by a security guard. Not expecting the punch, Bond stumbled backwards into a desk, and dropped his gun. The guard raised a baton and brought it down, but Bond rolled out of the way.
“And here I thought this would be easy.”
Bond tackled the guard, driving him towards the office door. The guard, for his part, clamped a head-lock on Bond’s head, and they ended up on the floor trading punches.
One of those punches snapped Bond’s head to the right, where he noticed his gun had landed. On instinct, Bond reached out and grabbed it, and put a bullet into his opponents head behind his left ear.
Bond got up, and checked his lip. He was bleeding, but nothing serious.
Bond headed out of the office to leave, to find out the guard had friends. Several friends in fact.
Swearing softly to himself, Bond jumped off the catwalk leading to the offices, landing behind some crates. He’d have to fight his way out. This might attract attention, he didn’t have a lot of choice.
* * * * *
Not once did Bruce Wayne ever think that what he was doing would be easy.
This was underscored by the recent events in Gotham revolving around ‘The Joker’, which ended in the deaths of Harvey Dent and Bruce Wayne’s love, Rachael Green.
Lesser men would have found those events over-powering, and would have retreated from his duty, no matter how self-imposed that duty was.
However, he was not a lesser man. He was the Batman.
The Batman, now wanted for several murders. The Batman, in silent conspiracy with the new Police Commissioner to have the Batman accused of those murders to protect the truth, that Harvey Dent had been driven insane by the Joker, and committed those murders to avenge the death of Rachael Green, who Harvey also loved.
A lesser man would have quit.
But he was not a lesser man. So would he quit?
No, the Batman had to endure and carry on, despite the increased dangers of doing so.
No, Gotham City was very much a city of the Batman’s making now, and he had to finish what he’d started.
And what the Joker had changed.
Now, instead of series small mob-bosses co-operating with each other, thanks to the Joker, the mob bosses had all been killed, and new people were rising to take over their organizations and attempt to take control of Gotham City’s underworld.
Things would likely turn violent. The odds are those replacements, unlike the previous incarnations of the mob, had no idea of the value of co-operation, and keeping things relatively peaceful, outside of the occasional, and required clashes with the police. To the Mob, crime was a business. To their replacements, it might seem like a game.
Batman shook his head as he continued towards the warehouse and industrial district. At least some of the cops that had been under the mob’s thumb would be out of the picture now. That was something.
Hopefully, with a little luck, and a lot of effort, the police would be able to contain the coming ‘mob violence’.
With a grace and ease that only came from the highest levels of training and physical conditioning, Batman landed on a roof across the street from a warehouse there had been signs of suspicious activity at over the past few days. His instincts told him tonight was the night something would be going down, and he needed to be there to stop whatever was happening, secure the criminals, and make sure there was enough evidence around that it didn’t matter that the criminals had been stopped by a masked vigilante now suspected of several murders.
In other words, business as usual, except now the police would be shooting at him, to kill.
Batman prepared to move towards the warehouse, when his suspicions were confirmed.
A man ran out of the warehouse, towards an alley, just as it exploded.
Without hesitation, Batman soared after his new prey.
* * * * *
Bond stopped to catch his breath, patting himself down for injuries. Miraculously, the only injuries he’d sustained were from his fist fight with the first guard, and an assortment of minor cuts and bruises. He checked the device in his pocket. It appeared to be intact.
“Well, that was certainly an explosive encounter.” Bond thought to himself.
Taking another deep breath, Bond removed the security jacket he’d ‘borrowed’, and tossed it into a trash can. Fortunately, he had his own jacket on underneath it.
“It’s cold out tonight” a voice said from nearby. “I’d have kept the other jacket.”
Bond turned towards the voice, drawing and aiming his gun as he did so.
“Well, two jackets are a little much.” Bond replied. “Then again, looking at you, you prefer to overdress.”
“Maybe”.
Bond fired a shot as his opponent leaped, cape billowing behind him. The shot hit his opponent in the chest, but didn’t slow him down.
As Bond suspected, The Batman’s costume was also body armor.
Batman ignored the gunshot as typical of someone from the underworld. He noted it wasn’t a typical handgun. Perhaps this one was custom made. This in turn indicated the man not some typical thug. Probably a hired contract killer or saboteur. No matter.
Body armored shoulder meet stomach, and above-average target or not, he still went down.
Bond stifled a curse as Batman tackled him. Batman hadn’t managed to knock the wind out of him, but it was close. His body armor was impressive.
In reflex, Bond rolled with the impact, and brought his feet up into Batman’s stomach, tossing him over his head.
Bond was surprised when the Batman turned in mid-air and landed on his feet. He quickly got over that surprise, and grabbed his gun from the ground, firing two shots at the Batman before he could react.
Again, the shots were stopped by the Batman’s body armor.
“Do you think bullets are going to stop me?” Batman said, reaching out and grabbing his opponent by his jacket, hauling up and forcing him to his knees.
“Not, but this will.”
Bond moved faster then Batman expected, and drove the butt of his gun into Batman’s exposed mouth. He followed this up immediately with a punch to the other side of Batman’s exposed mouth.
Batman released him, and stumbled backwards for a moment.
“Not so tough against someone that knows you’re in body armor, are you?”
Batman’s response was direct and to the point. He punched Bond hard, in the jaw.
Bond stumbled backwards and over a trash can, as the Batman closed in. Batman leapt again as Bond tried to get to his feet.
Bond was expecting it this time. Grabbing the trash can with his feet; he brought it up like a shield.
Unfortunately, Batman was expecting Bond to do something with his legs, and instead used the trash can as a vaulting horse, coming down behind Bond.
“Now, then, let’s talk.” Batman said, stepping on Bond’s forehead. “Who are you working for?”
Unlike his previous opponents, Bond was trained to react to interrogation in two ways; ignore the pain and aggravate your opponent if you’re restrained, or fight twice as hard.
Bond fought. Taking the tool he’d used to remove the cover from the computer, he jammed it into the Batman’s ankle.
“This man is more then a hired thug” Batman thought, backing off in response to the unexpected and sudden pain in his ankle. Clearly, he’d have to be beaten down more before he’d co-operate.
“Freeze, Gotham PD!” The alley was flooded with light.
“Some other time.” Batman said, racing into the alley.
“Count on it” Bond said, getting up.
“I said Freeze!”
With a sigh, Bond dropped his weapon and raised his hands. He wasn’t about to get shot. Not now, when he was sure he had what he needed to take down Quantum in Gotham City.
* * * * *
Commissioner James Gordon walked up to the man his men had just arrested, who had apparently been fighting with the Batman. Batman, of course, had escaped.
Just another night in Gotham City.
Looking at the nearby burning warehouse, now surrounded with fire trucks setting up to fight the fire, he had a pretty good idea what they’d been fighting about.
“And what do we have here?” Gordon said, looking at the man in handcuffs.
“Just a tourist out for a stole, that ran into a problem.” Bond deadpanned. “This city seems to have a real issue with flying vermin.”
“That’s your story?” Gordon replied. “Get him out of my sight.”
“You might want to tell the fire fighters to be careful going in. There’s an awful lot of propane stored in that building, as well as some what looked like LSD and PCP.”
Gordon regarded the man for a moment. “I’ll let them know. Take him down to lock up.”
“So long as I get my call.”
Because of Joker’s rampage, that line would always make Gordon cringe.
Re: Gotham Intelligence - James Bond vs. The Batman (Update
Posted: 2010-09-03 09:32am
by Darth Paxis
The fight was very well handled. Just a couple nitpicks:
1. Rachel's last name is Dawes
2. Shouldn't Batman have at least noticed Bond's accent.
Othar than that it was a most enjoyable chapter.
Re: Gotham Intelligence - James Bond vs. The Batman (Update
Posted: 2010-09-03 11:03am
by The Romulan Republic
A couple other comments:
1. Batman and Bond both seemed a little more casual in their conversation than I would have expected. Maybe that works for Bond, since you're going for more of a Connery/Craig hybrid by the sound of it. But Batman is very much a get down to business sort of guy. Consider his interrogations in
Batman Begins and
The Dark Knight. He cuts right to the chase, no chit chat at all.
2. Batman should probably have won a melee fight. Obviously, he can't win too decisively if its going to be an interesting story. But it would have been more credible if Bond had been basically beaten down and was saved by the GPD showing up. Not to denigrate Bond's abilities, you understand, but simply because Batman is both at least as well-trained a fighter as Bond, and has the advantage of heavy body armor. Best way to rationalize it is that he just underestimated Bond. After all, he basically views him as a mob goon, not a Secret Service Agent. So I guess it works that way.
That said, I think you have Bond's fighting style down pretty well. Nice mix of marksmanship, good old-fasioned punching, and improvised weapons.
And Gordon makes his debut.
Very nice, he's one of my favorite characters.
Re: Gotham Intelligence - James Bond vs. The Batman (Update
Posted: 2010-09-03 12:41pm
by ray245
There's something about Bond that just make me wished Batman would really beat him up. He is just too arrogant for me to like him as a protagonist.
Re: Gotham Intelligence - James Bond vs. The Batman (Update
Posted: 2010-09-03 04:54pm
by Teebs
I like the concept and I am enjoying your writing. Please continue!
Re: Gotham Intelligence - James Bond vs. The Batman (Update
Posted: 2010-09-03 06:01pm
by Darmalus
Very nice, I am looking forward to the international incident poor Gordon is going to have to deal with, and Batman's reaction to finding out he just traded punches with an MI6 agent.
Is Quantum from Quantum of Solace? I haven't seen that one yet.
Re: Gotham Intelligence - James Bond vs. The Batman (Update
Posted: 2010-09-03 07:09pm
by LadyTevar
Very nicely done. I will be watching this thread
Re: Gotham Intelligence - James Bond vs. The Batman (Update
Posted: 2010-09-03 08:03pm
by The Romulan Republic
Darmalus wrote:Very nice, I am looking forward to the international incident poor Gordon is going to have to deal with, and Batman's reaction to finding out he just traded punches with an MI6 agent.
Is Quantum from Quantum of Solace? I haven't seen that one yet.
Yup, that's the one. They're basically an international criminal syndicate, with operatives working in M16, the CIA, and so on. They were behind the villain of Casino Royal, and are responsible for the death of Bond's lover in that film. Quantum of Solace is him out for revenge against them.
Re: Gotham Intelligence - James Bond vs. The Batman (Update
Posted: 2010-09-04 09:51am
by Solauren
Act 2:
James Bond sat in the interrogation room, trying to be comfortable despite his minor injuries. Idly, he was wondering what was taking so long. He’d called the number he was supposed too, and gave the proper code words.
So why wasn’t, as the saying went, he being ‘sprung?’
Commissioner Gordon came in, carrying a parcel, and sat down in front of Bond.
He started taking things out of the parcel. The identification Bond had been carrying, the device he’d used to download the data from Quantum’s computers, his pistol, and a few other things.
He noted the tool he used to remove the computer’s cover wasn’t with his items. Had he they overlooked it? Or had the Batman taken it?
Probably the later. That wasn’t good. That could tip off Quantum that someone was on to them, and not that the warehouse had been destroyed in a spectacular botched robbery, as Bond had convinced his capturers.
“It appears we have a problem” Gordon said after a moment.
“Really?” Bond replied.
“We’ve gone over your identification, and it’s all completely fake. Identification, Driver’s License, and all the rest of it. The Credit Cards are real enough, but when we tried to trace them, we get stonewalled. Imagine that, a police department getting stonewalled running a simple credit card trace.”
“Imagine that.”
“So, do you want to tell me who you really are, and how you knew about the contents of the warehouse?”
“Not really.”
“I didn’t think so.” Gordon said. “By the way, you might have saved some of those fire fighters lives. One of the PCP tanks was breached before the fire was brought under control. If you hadn’t warned us, and they didn’t have the proper filters in, well, you can imagine what would have happened.”
“Glad I could help.”
“So, let me tell you what you’re facing. Right now, we can treat your warning as a confession, and get your for arson. There’s also the fact you knew about illegal drugs in the warehouse, which will bring trafficking and manufacturing charges in. Then we have the people in the warehouse. No one was killed, but that’s 6 counts of attempted homicide.”
“That’s a lot of charges.”
“And that’s just for starters. So, how about we you make a deal. I’ll get the DA in here. You tell us what’s going on, and we do what we can to reduce those charges, out of respect for you warning those fire fighters and saving their lives.”
Bond saw movement through the door’s window. “That won’t be necessary.”
A woman in a patrolman’s uniform came in. “Commissioner Gordon? You’re going to want to see this.” She handed Gordon a file. Gordon read it for a moment, and then looked over at Bond in shock.
“From, Director, CIA. To, James Gordon, Commissioner, Gotham City Police Department.”
“You have in your custody a man that was arrested with a Walther PK semi-automatic pistol. A picture follows.
This man is Commander James Bond, an intelligence operative with the British Government, operating under co-operation, and with the full permission and authority of the Government of the United States and CIA.
He is to be released immediately, all equipment returned, and all records regarding his arrest and the incident involved with his arrest are to be classified.
Further, Gotham PD is instructed to co-operate fully with Commander Bond in the course of his investigation and activities in Gotham City. Expect additional agents from both the CIA and MI6 to arrive shortly. Commissioner Gordon is here by granted special access to Mr. Bond’s activities, and all related clearances, under the joint CIA-MI6 operations agreement, 2005”
Gordon turned to the patrol man. “You didn’t hear that, read that, or know anything about it, and neither does anyone else, is that understood?”
“Yes sir.” The patrolwoman said. “I’ll, go check the front desk.”
Gordon walked over to Bond as the patrolwoman left. “If you’ll give me your wrists, commander, I’ll get those handcuffs off you.”
Bond waited patiently.
“Sorry about that.” Gordon said, clearly still in shock. “Now, can you tell me what the hells is going on?”
* * *
“Master Wayne, is this really necessary?” Alfred said from the front of the car. “Sitting outside the police station, waiting to see if the man that hurt your ankle is released?
Bruce didn’t look up from the newspaper he was reading. Strangely, there wasn’t a lot in the paper about the explosion at the warehouse, just a small mention of it. There was nothing about the fight in the alley, his adversary’s arrest, or Batman’s involvement.
“Yes Alfred, I do.” Bruce replied. “Whoever that man was, he’s dangerous.”
“Another Joker, sir?”
“Maybe, maybe not. This man, I don’t know how else to explain it.” Bruce said, looking up from his paper again. “He felt, different. The Joker and his men, and criminals in general, aren’t as focused, as determined, as, well, able, as this man. It was closer to fighting Raz Al’Ghoul, and I didn’t realize that until I was into the fight with him. He could be a problem, British accent not withstanding.”
“That can be said about anyone that blows up a warehouse, sir.” Alfred replied.
“Wait, that’s him.” Bruce said, leaning over and pointing out the window.
* * *
For some reason, Bond wasn’t surprised as to who was waiting for him as he exited the police station. His apparent ‘chaperone’ was waiting in a grey suit, with a playful smile on his face. Clearly, he’d been amused by the idea of Bond in jail.
“Felix” Bond said, reaching out and shaking his hand. “I heard you were in South America.”
“After your little stunt last night,” Felix said, indicating a nearby parked car. “our superiors decided you needed someone you trusted here to keep an eye on you, and maybe even watch your back.”
“Oh? I never thought I needed a handler.” Bond deadpanned, getting into the car.
Felix slipped in the other side, and nodded to the driver. “M doesn’t completely agree. She’s got orders for you.”
Felix handed Bond an envelope, which he opened and read.
“I see you picked up our friendly Quantum member.”
“This morning. We already had him under surveillance, and he tried to leave the country after you blew up his warehouse. When M contacted us to spring you, we phoned Gotham PD and got the data from that little portable hard drive, and he sang like a canary when we confronted him with that.”
“Then what took so long to get me out?” Bond said aloud. “And why did Gordon try to make me deal with the District Attorney?”
Felix smiled. “Oh, I thought you needed some time to relax. You’re a busy man after all. The deal part was M’s idea. A reminder of what could happen to you if you slip up.”
“Well, I guess I owe you something.” Bond said, slightly annoyed with M’s handling of him. “Hmm, looks like you and I are going hunting Felix.”
“Hunting?” Felix replied, trying to sound curious. “Not a lot of game in Gotham City.”
“Depends on what you’re hunting” Bond replied. “We’re going after Bats”
Felix shook his head. “I had a feeling you were going to say that.”
“Sir, we’re being followed.” The driver interrupted. “There is a Rolls Royce a few car lengths behind us. It’s been following us since we left the police station.”
Bond and Felix both glanced at the mirrors. “I see it.” Felix said. “Lose them.”
“Yes sir. Dialing now.”
“Dialing?” Bond said.
“A new trick. All CIA cars in a given city, look the same now, and include rotating license plates. In a few moments, ah, there they are.”
3 cars, all similar to the one they were driving pulled into view. Each one had two people in the back seat. With a little positioning, and changing of license plates, it would be easy for someone to lose them.
“I’ll have to remember this one” Bond said.
* * *
“Drop back Alfred” Bruce said.
“Sir?”
“3 more of the exact same cars appearing at an intersection, with the same number of people in them? They know they’re being followed. This is something big Alfred. Something bigger then the Joker. We need to fall back and think about this.”
“Maybe that tool you acquired last night will shed some light on the subject.”
“I already examined it. It’s high quality, but nothing you couldn’t find over the counter. That’s why I wanted to follow him. Turn here, let’s go get breakfast.”
Re: Gotham Intelligence - James Bond vs. The Batman (Update
Posted: 2010-09-04 09:53am
by Solauren
And as a F.Y.I
The entire story is actually finished. I'm posting it one 'Act' at a day so I can make 'baby changes' as I post. i.e Clarify dialogue, etc.
And if someone brings up a point, and it's not in the story, and it would work, I'll slip it in.
Re: Gotham Intelligence - James Bond vs. The Batman (Act 2
Posted: 2010-09-04 01:07pm
by LadyTevar
Now this is going to be an interesting game of bat & mouse.
Re: Gotham Intelligence - James Bond vs. The Batman (Act 2
Posted: 2010-09-04 01:24pm
by Agent Fisher
LadyTevar wrote:Now this is going to be an interesting game of bat & mouse.
God, Tev, what a terrible pun.
Re: Gotham Intelligence - James Bond vs. The Batman (Act 2
Posted: 2010-09-04 01:30pm
by tedisbest
Alfred used to be a British agent, didn't he? How long before he figures out what is going on?
Re: Gotham Intelligence - James Bond vs. The Batman (Act 2
Posted: 2010-09-04 03:47pm
by The Romulan Republic
I can't help but be curious as to who this new DA is (ie, who had a big enough pair of balls to take the job after what happened to the last one?)
Nice to see some more of the Bond characters being brought in, as well.
Edit: As to Alfred's past, the only thing I can recall from the films was his having worked to catch a bandit in Burma, which I think he might have said was for the British Government. Can't really recall.
Re: Gotham Intelligence - James Bond vs. The Batman (Act 2
Posted: 2010-09-04 04:26pm
by Deebles
Alfred's past
depends on continuity. In the original, pre-crisis version, and a few others, he was a former British intelligence agent. In the post-crisis version, he'd always been a butler. In the films, he was ex-SAS instead (Michael Caine's idea, apparently).
Re: Gotham Intelligence - James Bond vs. The Batman (Act 2
Posted: 2010-09-05 12:39pm
by LadyTevar
Deebles wrote:Alfred's past
depends on continuity. In the original, pre-crisis version, and a few others, he was a former British intelligence agent. In the post-crisis version, he'd always been a butler. In the films, he was ex-SAS instead (Michael Caine's idea, apparently).
I've seen Alfred as a British Agent working with the French Resistance in WWII (namely the comic heroine Mlle. Marie). Personally, I think it makes much more sense with his abilities to have been some form of military or intelligence operative. His medical skills alone show good training with battlefield injuries.
Re: Gotham Intelligence - James Bond vs. The Batman (Act 2
Posted: 2010-09-05 02:02pm
by Night_stalker
tedisbest wrote:Alfred used to be a British agent, didn't he? How long before he figures out what is going on?
In the comics, I think they hinted at it, but in the Nolan movies, he's supposed to be former SAS, as previosuly stated. The odds of him recognizing Bond as a MI6 agent on assignment are slim to none. Think about it, there's no evidence that says that Bond can't just be a foreign hitman called in by a Mob family, or some relatively sane person (coughJokercoughcough) from Arkham. Hell, the only way for Alfred to finally find out Bond's employers is if Bond flat out says who he's working for, and those odds are unlikely, givne that Bond doesn't strike me as the kind to give up info like that. At least, not willingly...
Hmm, round two of the fight ought to be interesting to say the least. My money is on a draw: Let's face it, Bond in this continunity is I think hinted at being SBS prior to his transfer to MI6, and Bat's been beating the living shit out of thugs for some time now. This fight is not going to be easy or quick for either side.
Re: Gotham Intelligence - James Bond vs. The Batman (Act 2
Posted: 2010-09-05 05:55pm
by jpdt19
Intriguing
Very interesting, and well written thus far. I think you've got Craig's 'voice' down well, so i hope you manage it
. It doesn't help you that 'this' craig is one whose mental position is not one we've got any on screen hints at. We know what happens in Quantum, and we can to an extent guess what Bond's state of mind will be (i'd go for emotionally like ice personally, but perhaps more on the level). but you're stepping into new territory here. I like it, and am intrigued.
I like the fact you're following up on the Quantum angle too. I felt that came slightly out of left stump in the films, and then the events depicted didn't really tally with the drama and underlying threat of the first half. The fact you're following up on it, showing M16 looking at them in earnest is nice. I stilll think they should seem very shadowy though, even if M16 & the CIA inevitably manage to expose some elements following the clusterfuck that was South America. Don't downplay their sneakiness and guile
Anyway....i hope i didn't sound at all pushy or patronising there, simply offering my opinions, take them as you will
.
Keep up the good work
jp
Re: Gotham Intelligence - James Bond vs. The Batman (Act 2
Posted: 2010-09-06 09:09am
by Solauren
Delay in posting of further acts.
My thumbdrive crashed, and I need to recover it. I have a copy of the Fic, however, and it's not at risk.
I'm just in no mode to do anything 'creative' that doesn't involve finding the people behind Scandisk and a Sledgehammer...
Re: Gotham Intelligence - James Bond vs. The Batman (Act 2
Posted: 2010-09-07 09:33am
by Solauren
Act 3 -
James Bond, Felix, and 2 other CIA agents were going over the records they had on the Batman.
“Not a lot to go on.” One of the agents said. “At least nothing you didn’t learn from your fight with him Commander. Ruthless, aggressive, wear’s body armor designed for psychological intimidation, appears to hate criminals, extremely well trained martial artist, and extremely skilled at avoiding capture. And with the exception of the three recent homicides credited to him, resistant to using lethal force.”
“No one knows much about his equipment. Recently, his tank-like vehicle was heavily damaged, and self-destructed afterwards. Identification of the remains proved impossible. Apparently, he was willing to drive around with several pounds of C4 and some of the more extreme thermite compounds to insure his car couldn’t be traced.”
“He’s thought to be friends, or at least to communicate with the local police commissioner, and apparently supported the now deceased District Attorney. No one has ever found a blood or hair sample from him at any of his known encounter points. There has been evidence, however, of bleach and other cleaning compounds at a few locations he’s been known to be injured at.”
Bond got up from his place at the table, took a step, and looked out the window of the hotel they were in, his gaze sweeping over Gotham city.
“What are we dealing with Felix? What kind of man dresses like a Bat, drives a tank full of explosives and thermite for self-destruct purposes, and is so, meticulous, his fight’s are cleaned up with bleach afterwards?”
“I have no idea. Whoever he is, he’s obviously extremely intelligent, or has extremely intelligent support.”
Bond turned back from the window. “Okay, that’s our law enforcement summary. What about the media?”
“He’s been very good at avoiding direct imaging by the media. There are some shots of his tank-vehicle, and his recent cycle-vehicle, but not much of him.”
“Damn” Bond said. “A country obsessed with movie stars and the famous, and no one has managed to take a single picture of this man?”
“No, but I think I have something.” One of the agents smiled. “Look at this transcript. It’s from a recent Television interview.”
Bond took the offered sheet of paper, and skimmed it over. He smiled, and checked out the associated information.
“Felix, care to go for a drive?”
“Where are we going?”
“I think I need a new accountant.” Bond replied. “But first, I’ll need something new for my gun…”
* * *
Bond walked down the hallway of the apartment building, noting the exits and signs of current occupation of each apartment as he walked past. At this time of day, not a lot of people were home, which was probably for the best.
He noted two people standing in the hallway having a conversation, but nothing to be concerned about.
Bond stopped in front of the apartment and knocked on Coleman Reese’s apartment door. From what they’d learned, he was taking a stress related vacation after the recent events involving the Joker. The police had him under surveillance, for his protection from the Batman.
That, and they were probably waiting for Reese to tell them who the Batman was. Without probable cause, there was not a lot local law enforcement could do, legally, to get that information.
Fortunately, James Bond didn’t operate with those same restrictions. With a smirk, Bond knocked on the door three times, then counted to two, then knocked again.
“Who is it?” came a voice from the inside. A voice that Bond could only described as cautious, and perhaps afraid.
“The Gotham City PD called you about 5 minutes ago to expect me. The password is ‘Nightfall’.”
Bond waited as the door was unlocked, and allowed Reese to motion for him to enter.
“Mr. Reese, I’ll get right to the point. My name is Bond. James Bond. I work for MI6. I’ve been ordered to bring you in for questioning.”
Reese did a double take, and his complexion paled considerably. “MI6? Isn’t that?”
“Her Majesty’s Secret Service.” Bond said. “British Intelligence.”
Reese took a step towards the window, away from Bond. Clearly, he realized what Bond’s presence meant. “Why?”
“A recent intelligence operation in Gotham City was disrupted by the Batman.” Bond said. “I’ve been ordered to either capture or eliminate him. And you claimed, rather publicly, that you know who the Batman is. A smart man like you has probably made arrangements so that if something happens to you, that information gets released. And I’m guessing that’s why Batman has not removed you as a threat, yet.”
Bond took a step towards Reese. “I need that information, Mr. Reese, and I have a lot of discretion on how to get it. So, you can come with me into protective custody, or I can toss you out the window, and wait for your lawyer to tell me what I need to know.”
Reese stopped, seemingly defeated.
“All right, I’ll co-operate. The Batman is…”
Reese was interrupted by the sound of glass breaking.
“Right here.” came the gravelly voice. Batman reached over and grabbed Reese by the back of his pants.
Bond didn’t wait. He wasn’t about to be rattled by scare tactics designed for common thugs. His pistol was already in hand, and he fired two shots.
This time, they had an effect. To Bond’s brief surprise, they didn’t penetrate the Batman’s body armor, but they certainly got his attention. Batman stumbled backwards from the impact against his shoulder, and Bond closed in to pistol whip him again.
Batman was prepared for that this time. He raised an arm, and the throwing wedges imbedded in them launched, catching Bond by surprise, and knocking his gun out of his hand.
“Looks like you’ve got a few surprises up your sleeve.” Bond said. He swung a punch at the Batman.
“So do you.” Batman replied as he blocked. Bond noted that Batman’s forearms were reinforced.
Batman grabbed Bond by the jacket, and attempted to toss him over the couch. Bond responded by grabbing him in a headlock to block the move, and noticed something.
There was a high tension wire attached to the Batman’s back.
Bond grabbed it and yanked. Both men were suddenly pulled towards the window.
Batman braced himself against the wall, Bond on his back. Taking advantage of the situation, Bond attempted to put the Batman in a sleeper hold.
An armored elbow into Bond’s stomach, followed by a toss. Bond hit the couch with enough force the back gave out, and the frame broke apart.
Bond got up, surprised Batman had thrown him off, but relieved to see Reese had bolted from the apartment. Bond had a fair degree of unarmed combat training, and was considered fairly competent, but Batman, he was more then competent.
The man was, quite simply, that damn good.
“Looks like Mr. Reese got away.” Bond said.
“Looks like” Batman replied, as the two men faced off.
“I don’t suppose I can get you to turn yourself in.” Bond said calmly.
“Do you think I’m turning myself over to the mob?”
“Who said I’m with the mob?”
The door to the apartment burst open. Three men with guns were already in firing position. Bond dropped down to his knees to give them a clear shot.
“Freeze!”
Batman spared the briefest of glances at the door, before activating a control on his belt. This time, the high tension wire acted properly, and pulled him out of the path of the weapons trained on him. Several shots were fired, but none appeared to connect.
“Did you get Reese?” Bond said as he jumped towards the window.
“Yeah.” Felix said after a moment, starting towards the window. “He’s just down the hall, surrounded by 10 of the best agents in the state. I’m glad you kept your cell phone on.”
“With it being recorded” Bond said off-hand, as if it wasn’t important. Felix and Bond walked over to the window, and looked around, but saw no sign of the Batman. Or any sign of where he might have came from.
“Damn. Who is that guy?” Felix said aloud.
“Let’s go see if we can figure that out.” Bond said.
* * *
In a nearby vacant apartment that had been rented out for the sole purpose of keeping an eye on Mr. Reese, the Batman smiled. The tracking device he’d slipped in behind Mr. Reese’s belt was working perfectly.
His British advisary’s backup was of concern to him. He’d looked into their eyes briefly, and none of them showed a hint of fear or hesitation. Whoever was involved with this, they were clearly professionals. An international cartel perhaps? Something to consider.
But right now, the Batman had bigger concerns. First, he had to get Mr. Reese out of the country, then he’d worry about how to handle this.
Perhaps the Batman would have to ‘fly under the radar’ for a little while. Once he'd secured Mr. Reese.
Re: Gotham Intelligence - James Bond vs. The Batman (Act 3!
Posted: 2010-09-07 09:41am
by Vehrec
If I were Reese, I wouldn't be talking. If I were Bruce Wayne, I'd be burrying that accountant inside the Wayne industries accounting offices, and paying him well enough that he'd never dream of squacking.
If I were the Joker, I'd have a squad of escapees from Blackgate hunting him down with automatic weapons.
Re: Gotham Intelligence - James Bond vs. The Batman (Act 3!
Posted: 2010-09-07 10:36am
by Solauren
Vehrec wrote:If I were Reese, I wouldn't be talking. If I were Bruce Wayne, I'd be burrying that accountant inside the Wayne industries accounting offices, and paying him well enough that he'd never dream of squacking.
If I were the Joker, I'd have a squad of escapees from Blackgate hunting him down with automatic weapons.
If you were confronted by a man that just said he has the legal authority to kill you, I'm sure you'd start talking.
The way I see it, Bruce Wayne didn't make any movements towards 'containing' Reese yet to avoid tipping people off he's batman. Reese would be under alot of scruttiny right now, and Bruce Wayne suddenly offering him a nice, cushy job would be a tip off.
As for the Joker, I figure he doesn't care. He wants to be the one that unmasks batman now. Mind you, Joker is not in this, so that's a mute point.
After all, I'm quite sure the first thing James Bond would do if faced with the chance would be to put a bullet in the Joker and call it 'dealt with'.