Sovereign's first night of operations was carefully planned.
James had spent two weeks surveilling potential targets. Gotham had no shortage of crime, but he needed something specific for his debut.
Something visible enough to establish his presence. Something dangerous enough to prove his capability. But not so high-profile that it would draw immediate scrutiny from Batman.
He'd settled on Victor Zsasz.
The serial killer had escaped from Arkham Asylum three weeks ago. GCPD was actively hunting him, but Zsasz was good at hiding. James had tracked him through careful analysis of crime patterns. Four new bodies in the past two weeks. All in the East End. All displaying Zsasz's characteristic tally marks.
AEGIS had analyzed the kill sites and predicted Zsasz's hunting ground. A six-block area where the killer felt comfortable. Where he could find victims and escape routes easily.
James stood on a rooftop overlooking that area, watching through his helmet's enhanced optics. The time was two thirty-seven AM. Most of Gotham was asleep. The streets below were nearly empty except for a few homeless people and late-night workers.
"AEGIS, status," James said quietly.
"All systems operational," the AI responded through his helmet speakers.
"Environmental scan complete. Fourteen individuals detected in surveillance area. Cross-referencing known Zsasz victims for pattern analysis. Three potential targets identified based on vulnerability profiles."
Red outlines appeared in James's vision, highlighting three people AEGIS thought Zsasz might target. A woman walking alone. A homeless man sleeping in an alley. A teenager taking a shortcut through a dark street.
"Monitor all three," James ordered. "Alert me if anyone approaches them."
"Acknowledged."
James waited. Patience was crucial. Zsasz would strike eventually. Serial killers couldn't help themselves.
Twenty minutes passed. The woman reached her destination safely. The homeless man continued sleeping. The teenager made it home.
"New potential target detected," AEGIS announced. "Male, mid-twenties, walking west on Moench Street. Currently alone. Matches victim profile."
James watched as a young man walked down the street below, oblivious to danger. He was looking at his phone, not paying attention to his surroundings.
Movement caught James's attention. A figure emerged from an alley ahead of the young man. Thin. Bald. Wearing dark clothes.
"Facial recognition confirms: Victor Zsasz," AEGIS said. "Threat level: extreme. Subject is armed with blade, estimated six-inch length. Approaching target from blind angle."
James moved. He ran across the rooftop and vaulted to the next building. His enhanced strength made the twenty-foot gap trivial. Landed silently. Sprinted to the edge.
Below, Zsasz was closing in on the young man. The killer moved with practiced ease, blade held low and ready.
James dropped.
Thirty feet straight down. He tucked and rolled on landing, absorbing the impact through his enhanced legs. The sound of his landing made Zsasz spin around.
The killer's eyes widened. Then narrowed. He assessed James in a fraction of a second. The tactical suit. The helmet. The ready stance.
"Another one," Zsasz hissed. "Another masked fool."
The young man finally noticed something was wrong. Saw Zsasz. Saw James. Ran.
Smart kid.
Zsasz smiled. His face was covered in tally mark scars. Hundreds of them. Each one representing a victim.
"I haven't killed a vigilante yet," Zsasz said.
"You'll make an interesting addition."
He lunged. Fast. Blade aimed at James's throat.
James's enhanced reflexes kicked in. He sidestepped smoothly. The blade passed inches from his neck. Countered with a palm strike to Zsasz's elbow.
Crack!
The killer's arm bent wrong. He dropped the knife with a scream.
"Target's primary weapon neutralized," AEGIS reported. "Secondary threats: possible concealed weapons, extreme close-quarters combat skills, high pain tolerance."
James didn't wait. He followed up with a leg sweep. Zsasz went down hard. Tried to roll away. James caught him with a knee strike to the ribs.
Thud!
Zsasz gasped. Reached for something in his jacket. Another knife.
James stomped on his wrist. Bones crunched. The second knife fell free.
The entire engagement lasted maybe eight seconds. Zsasz lay on the ground, both arms disabled, struggling to breathe.
"Target neutralized," AEGIS confirmed.
"Recommended action: restraint and notification of GCPD."
James pulled zip ties from his belt. Bound Zsasz's hands behind his back despite the man's broken bones. The killer screamed in pain.
"You're finished," James said quietly. His voice came out modulated through the helmet, deeper and more mechanical than his natural tone.
Zsasz laughed through his pain. "There's always another one like me. Gotham breeds us. You can't stop it."
"I don't need to stop all of it. Just you."
James pulled out a burner phone and dialed 911. Gave them the location. Told them Victor Zsasz was restrained and waiting for pickup.
Then he grappled to the nearest rooftop and disappeared before the police arrived.
From three buildings away, he watched as GCPD units surrounded Zsasz. Watched as they verified his identity. Watched as they called in the capture to headquarters.
"Operation successful," AEGIS noted.
"Target apprehended with zero civilian casualties. GCPD response time: four minutes thirty-two seconds. Your identity remains secure."
James allowed himself a small smile behind his helmet.
First mission complete. Zsasz was back in custody. A dangerous killer off the streets.
And Gotham had a new vigilante.
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