News of Zsasz's capture spread quickly through GCPD and eventually to the media.
The Gotham Gazette ran a story two days later. "Mystery Vigilante Captures Escaped Serial Killer."
The article was light on details because GCPD didn't have many. An anonymous 911 call. Zsasz found bound and injured. No witnesses except the intended victim, who'd only seen a figure in a dark suit before running away.
No name. No clear description. Just reports of someone new operating in Gotham.
James read the article from his factory, satisfied. The debut had gone exactly as planned. He'd proven his capability.
Established his presence. Remained mysterious enough to avoid immediate identification.
Batman would investigate, obviously. But there wasn't much to find yet. One incident. One target. Nothing that revealed James's identity or capabilities.
He needed to establish a pattern. Show that this wasn't a one-time thing. Prove he was a serious operator, not an amateur playing hero.
Over the next two weeks, James conducted six more operations as Sovereign.
Operation two: Stopped an armed robbery at a convenience store. Three assailants with guns. James disarmed all three in under ten seconds. Left them unconscious for GCPD.
Operation three: Intercepted a drug deal in the Narrows. Eight gang members exchanging product and cash. James struck from darkness, taking them down systematically. AEGIS's threat assessment made it easy. Identify the most dangerous target. Neutralize them first. Work through the rest in order of threat level.
Operation four: Rescued two kidnapped children from a human trafficking ring. Five traffickers. James didn't hold back. Broke bones. Left them in conditions that would require long hospital stays. The children went home safely.
Operation five: Stopped Scarecrow from releasing fear toxin at a public event. Dr. Jonathan Crane trying to conduct a mass terror attack. James found him before the release, destroyed the toxin canisters, and delivered Crane to GCPD with evidence of his plans.
Operation six: Dismantled a weapons smuggling operation. Twelve criminals. Crates full of military-grade hardware. James systematically worked through the facility, using AEGIS to track all hostiles. Nobody escaped.
Operation seven: Prevented Firefly from burning down an apartment building. Garfield Lynns in full costume with flamethrower. Close-quarters combat against a pyrokinetic was risky. James used his grappling gun to stay mobile. Kept distance. Targeted Lynns's fuel tanks until they ruptured. Firefly went down.
Each operation was carefully selected. Each one increased Sovereign's reputation. Each one demonstrated different capabilities.
Enhanced strength. Check. Superhuman speed. Check. Advanced tactical awareness. Check. High-tech equipment. Check.
By the end of two weeks, Gotham knew Sovereign was real. The media was speculating about the new vigilante. GCPD was cautiously grateful. Criminals were getting nervous.
And Batman was definitely investigating.
James had caught glimpses of him twice during his operations. A shadow on a rooftop. A figure watching from distance. Batman was observing the new player in his city. Evaluating. Deciding whether Sovereign was ally or threat.
Time for a direct meeting.
James chose his moment carefully. He'd been tracking a major arms deal scheduled for the twenty-third. Black Mask's organization selling stolen military weapons to several buyers. The deal would happen at midnight at an abandoned warehouse near the docks.
Perfect opportunity. Large-scale crime. High-profile villain. Exactly the kind of thing Batman would investigate.
James arrived at the warehouse at eleven forty-five. Fifteen minutes early. He scouted the location using AEGIS's sensors. Confirmed twenty-three hostiles inside. Black Mask himself was present, supervising the deal.
The buyers were various smaller gangs. Each one bringing cash and taking delivery of weapons. Enough firepower to start a small war.
James waited on a rooftop across from the warehouse. Watching. Planning his approach.
At eleven fifty-three, Batman arrived.
James spotted him immediately. The Dark Knight perched on a water tower overlooking the warehouse. Black cape billowing slightly in the wind. Completely still. Watching the same scene James was.
"AEGIS, analysis on the figure at two o'clock, elevated position," James said quietly.
"Target identified: Batman based on silhouette match and movement patterns. Threat assessment: extreme. Recommended action: avoid confrontation."
"Noted. Hold position."
James waited to see what Batman would do. Would he move immediately? Wait for backup? Call GCPD?
Batman moved. He fired a grapple line and swung down toward the warehouse.
Approached from the south side. Preparing to enter through a skylight.
James moved too. He approached from the north. If they hit the warehouse from two sides simultaneously, they could trap the criminals between them.
He reached the north wall and prepared to breach. AEGIS was already mapping the interior based on thermal imaging. Twenty-three targets. Black Mask in the center.
Weapons crates stacked throughout.
"On my mark," James muttered. He counted down. Three. Two. One.
Crash!
He kicked through a window and dove inside. Rolled to his feet. AEGIS instantly painted threat outlines in his vision.
At the same moment, Batman came through the skylight on the opposite side.
The criminals reacted with shock. Guns swung toward both intruders.
James moved. Enhanced speed carried him across the floor. He reached the first gunman and delivered a spinning kick that sent the man flying into a stack of crates.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Gunshots erupted. Muzzle flashes lit up the warehouse.
James's enhanced reflexes let him track the bullets. Dodge. Weave. He caught one gunman's wrist mid-shot and broke it with a twist. Disarmed another with a knife-hand strike to the forearm.
Across the warehouse, Batman was working with brutal efficiency. Taking down criminals with precision strikes. Moving like a shadow. Each movement perfectly calculated.
"Eleven hostiles remaining," AEGIS reported. "Batman has engaged seven. Suggested target: group of four on your left, attempting to flank."
James spun. The four gunmen were trying to get an angle on him. He grabbed a metal pipe from the ground and threw it like a spear.
Whoosh!
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