He patrolled the Bowery district, using his new enhanced senses to monitor a six-block radius. AEGIS processed the sensory data, identifying threats and persons of interest.
"Anomaly detected," AEGIS reported. "Rooftop, three buildings northeast. Single individual. Heat signature indicates elevated body temperature. Movement pattern suggests combat training."
James focused his enhanced vision. Through the darkness, he could make out a figure on the distant rooftop. Watching him.
Not trying to hide particularly well. Wanted to be noticed.
A challenge.
James changed course. Grappled toward the watcher's position. As he approached, his enhanced senses gathered more data.
Female. Late twenties. Heart rate was elevated but controlled. Breathing was steady. No fear response. She was confident.
The scent was interesting. Exotic oils. Desert dust. Steel and leather. Not Gotham smells.
James landed on the rooftop thirty feet from the watcher.
She stepped into the moonlight. Tall. Athletic build. Dark clothing designed for stealth and combat. Her face was partially covered but her eyes were visible. Cold. Professional. Evaluating.
"Sovereign," she said. Her voice had a slight accent. Middle Eastern. "You've attracted attention."
"Apparently." James kept his stance ready. Not aggressive but prepared. "Who are you?"
"A test." She drew two short swords from sheaths on her back. The blades gleamed in the moonlight. "My master wants to know if you're as capable as reports suggest."
"Your master?"
"That information will be earned. If you survive."
She moved.
Fast. Incredibly fast. Not superhuman, but elite-level human speed honed by years of training.
Her swords came at James from two angles simultaneously. High and low. Coordinated to limit his evasion options.
James's enhanced reflexes kicked in. He sidestepped the high blade and blocked the low one with his reinforced forearm guard.
Clang!
Sparks flew. The woman pressed her attack. She flowed through forms that James recognized from his martial arts training. Some kind of Middle Eastern sword art. Precise. Economical. Deadly.
James countered with his own blade work. He'd trained extensively with knives and short swords through the Neural Interface. Thirty-seven martial arts included multiple weapons systems.
They exchanged strikes for ten seconds. Fast. Technical. Neither gaining clear advantage.
Then the woman changed tactics. She feinted with her left sword and attacked with her right. James blocked. She used the momentum to spin and deliver a devastating kick to his midsection.
Thump!
The kick connected. James's enhanced durability absorbed most of the impact, but it still drove him back three steps.
'She's good,' he thought. 'Really good.'
AEGIS provided analysis. "Opponent demonstrates master-level blade work. Style consistent with League of Assassins training. Threat assessment: high. Probability of victory with current approach: sixty-two percent."
League of Assassins. Ra's al Ghul's organization.
That explained the skill level. Also explained why someone was testing him. Ra's was known for evaluating potential recruits and threats.
James needed to end this quickly. Demonstrate overwhelming capability so the report back to Ra's would be clear. He wasn't someone to mess with.
He activated his enhanced senses fully. Let his hearing track her breathing pattern. Her heartbeat. The micro-sounds of her muscles tensing before strikes.
Let his vision pick up the subtle shifts in her stance that telegraphed her next move.
The tactical advantage was immediate. He could predict her attacks a fraction of a second before they came.
The woman lunged with both blades. James dodged perfectly. Countered with a palm strike to her solar plexus.
Thud!
His enhanced strength sent her flying backward. She rolled with the impact and came up in a defensive stance.
Her eyes widened slightly. First sign of surprise.
James pressed the advantage. Used his superior speed and strength to overwhelm her defenses. She was skilled, but he had superhuman attributes.
Another exchange. This time James disarmed her. Sent both swords clattering across the rooftop. Closed to grappling range. Used a judo throw to put her on the ground.
She tried to escape. He pinned her with a knee on her chest. Not his full weight, but enough to keep her controlled.
"Yield," James said quietly.
The woman stopped struggling. Evaluated her situation. Nodded once.
James released her and stepped back. Let her stand.
She retrieved her swords and sheathed them. Then studied him with new respect.
"You're enhanced," she observed. "The reports mentioned unusual strength and speed. They understated the degree."
"Who sent you?"
"My master observes many things. Gotham has two guardians now instead of one. He wanted to know if the second was worthy of attention."
"And your conclusion?"
"You're formidable. Well-trained. Enhanced beyond normal human capability. You fight with discipline and intelligence." She paused. "My master will be interested in you."
"Tell your master I'm not looking for recruitment. I work alone."
"Everyone says that. Until they don't." She moved toward the roof's edge. "You'll hear from the League again, Sovereign. Whether as allies or enemies depends on your choices."
She jumped. Vanished into the night with practiced ease.
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