Read Online Batman Arkham Knight by Marv Wolfman - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Marv Wolfman
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Batman,”
Gordon said,
“but we need more of it. We’ve spotted a transport deploying more tanks around Panessa Studios.”
Panessa Studios?
Batman thought with a frown.
Coincidence, or does Scarecrow know?
But he just nodded to Gordon. “Not to worry. I’ll deal with them, Jim.”
Gordon responded with an exasperated smile
. “It’s been non-stop all day, and I keep thinking everything’s getting worse instead of better. It’s hard to keep going. How do you do it?”
“By keeping my eyes on the goal,” Batman replied. “We want Gotham City safe from fear, and if Scarecrow is anything, it’s fear. We have to take him down. Everything else is extraneous.”
Gordon nodded.
“You know, I never questioned going on the offensive against the Joker. I mean, he was insane, deadly and, God, every bad thing I can put on the list, and then probably more. But even if his tactics were unpredictable, they were still the strategies of a human being. I can’t even begin to understand what Scarecrow is about.”
“Scarecrow is human, too, Jim. And we’ll stop him the same way we stopped the Joker.”
“I know he’s human. But his weapons aren’t bullets and subterfuge—they’re chemical and toxic. Shields can stop bullets. A well-laid-out plan can skirt almost any deception, but how do you stop airborne poisons? It scares the piss out of me.”
“I may have the solution here with me,” Batman said, turning briefly to Poison Ivy. She was humming that same song again. “And I’m bringing her to you now.”
* * *
Gotham City lockup was filled beyond capacity. Gordon was used to that. Whenever the police force showed any sign of weakness or discord, the city’s worst tended to make an appearance. They may have been cowards, but a lot of them were smart enough to smell opportunity.
Batman held onto Ivy’s handcuffed wrist and pulled her inside a large room filled with cops and the few civilian personnel who had decided to stay in the city to help. Working as hard as any of the police, these people were why he continued his mission to save the city. They were Gotham City’s hope and future.
Gordon was on the phone, screaming at whoever was on the other end.
“Civil unrest? No kidding! Look, there’s a war on the streets, and we don’t have the manpower or the equipment to stop everyone everywhere,” He paused for a moment to listen. “Vale, you’re a damned good reporter, and I know you’ve got a job to do but so do I. Still, if you want a quote, fine, here’s one. ‘Against overwhelming odds, the Gotham City Police are doing the best goddam job we can. If people want to help, they should get the hell out of the city before the bad guys close it down, and they’re trapped here.’ That good enough for you?
“And, Vale, why the hell are
you
still in town?” He slammed down the phone and growled. “Do they really think I’m just sitting around clipping my toenails?” He glanced up and saw Batman walking into the office, pulling Ivy along with him. “Well, well, look who the bat dragged in,” he snorted. “One less crazy for us to worry about.”
“Is the isolation chamber ready?” Batman asked.
“WayneTech’s finest.”
Ivy shook her head. “Oh, good. Another cell. I’m sure you’ll all feel much safer once dangerous me’s been locked away.”
* * *
Batman returned to the Batmobile and pulled away.
With a little more than five hours to go before Scarecrow followed through on his threat, the city was overwhelmed. Those who had been unable to leave Gotham City, or hadn’t made the attempt, were out in the streets, running wild and directionless. There wasn’t a window on Broadway that hadn’t been shattered, a store that hadn’t been looted, or car that hadn’t been overturned then set afire.
The few police who remained were trying to maintain peace, but they only numbered in the hundreds. For every success there were dozens of failures.
Fewer than a thousand firemen
Gordon said,
“but we need more of it. We’ve spotted a transport deploying more tanks around Panessa Studios.”
Panessa Studios?
Batman thought with a frown.
Coincidence, or does Scarecrow know?
But he just nodded to Gordon. “Not to worry. I’ll deal with them, Jim.”
Gordon responded with an exasperated smile
. “It’s been non-stop all day, and I keep thinking everything’s getting worse instead of better. It’s hard to keep going. How do you do it?”
“By keeping my eyes on the goal,” Batman replied. “We want Gotham City safe from fear, and if Scarecrow is anything, it’s fear. We have to take him down. Everything else is extraneous.”
Gordon nodded.
“You know, I never questioned going on the offensive against the Joker. I mean, he was insane, deadly and, God, every bad thing I can put on the list, and then probably more. But even if his tactics were unpredictable, they were still the strategies of a human being. I can’t even begin to understand what Scarecrow is about.”
“Scarecrow is human, too, Jim. And we’ll stop him the same way we stopped the Joker.”
“I know he’s human. But his weapons aren’t bullets and subterfuge—they’re chemical and toxic. Shields can stop bullets. A well-laid-out plan can skirt almost any deception, but how do you stop airborne poisons? It scares the piss out of me.”
“I may have the solution here with me,” Batman said, turning briefly to Poison Ivy. She was humming that same song again. “And I’m bringing her to you now.”
* * *
Gotham City lockup was filled beyond capacity. Gordon was used to that. Whenever the police force showed any sign of weakness or discord, the city’s worst tended to make an appearance. They may have been cowards, but a lot of them were smart enough to smell opportunity.
Batman held onto Ivy’s handcuffed wrist and pulled her inside a large room filled with cops and the few civilian personnel who had decided to stay in the city to help. Working as hard as any of the police, these people were why he continued his mission to save the city. They were Gotham City’s hope and future.
Gordon was on the phone, screaming at whoever was on the other end.
“Civil unrest? No kidding! Look, there’s a war on the streets, and we don’t have the manpower or the equipment to stop everyone everywhere,” He paused for a moment to listen. “Vale, you’re a damned good reporter, and I know you’ve got a job to do but so do I. Still, if you want a quote, fine, here’s one. ‘Against overwhelming odds, the Gotham City Police are doing the best goddam job we can. If people want to help, they should get the hell out of the city before the bad guys close it down, and they’re trapped here.’ That good enough for you?
“And, Vale, why the hell are
you
still in town?” He slammed down the phone and growled. “Do they really think I’m just sitting around clipping my toenails?” He glanced up and saw Batman walking into the office, pulling Ivy along with him. “Well, well, look who the bat dragged in,” he snorted. “One less crazy for us to worry about.”
“Is the isolation chamber ready?” Batman asked.
“WayneTech’s finest.”
Ivy shook her head. “Oh, good. Another cell. I’m sure you’ll all feel much safer once dangerous me’s been locked away.”
* * *
Batman returned to the Batmobile and pulled away.
With a little more than five hours to go before Scarecrow followed through on his threat, the city was overwhelmed. Those who had been unable to leave Gotham City, or hadn’t made the attempt, were out in the streets, running wild and directionless. There wasn’t a window on Broadway that hadn’t been shattered, a store that hadn’t been looted, or car that hadn’t been overturned then set afire.
The few police who remained were trying to maintain peace, but they only numbered in the hundreds. For every success there were dozens of failures.
Fewer than a thousand firemen
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