Gotham Knights #10
"Check Out"

by Kasz



The Gotham skyline was dotted with hazy lights and steam rising in steady columns to the clouds. The moon shone, but its light seemed afraid to touch the dark city, illuminating only the topmost rooftops and quickly fading before ever reaching the streets. It was on the edge of one of these buildings, resting on a corner outcropping of gargoyles and drainage gutters that two females in dark costumes sat, looking over their city with keen eyes.

Batgirl and Spoiler had had a slow night, so far. One robbery foiled, two attempted rapes, and a mugging - barely a drop in the bucket next to the slime they usually dealt with. It was a relief, but it carried a different set of feelings. They’d never admit it, and felt guilty about it, but they were bored.

“Say, uh-- Batgirl?” the younger girl asked, nonchalance covering her hesitation. Spoiler was a little more than five years younger than Batgirl, and though she was proving herself to be something of a crimefighting prodigy, her youthful attitude still reminded the redhead of the differences between them.

“Yeah?” Batgirl responded inquisitively. She kept scanning the city with her binoculars, pretending not to be interested in the coming question.

“Have you uh-- I mean, have you, like, ever had a boyfriend?”

“Well, yeah,” the older girl answered, lowering the binoculars with a knowing grin and sliding back to the wall to sit by Spoiler. “Why do you ask?”

“Well I was just wondering, you know, no biggie. But, uh-- how do you know if a guy’s, like, into you?”

“Why so curious?” Batgirl pressed, her sly smile growing. “Got your eye on anybody in particular?”

“Oh, uh, no-- no, not really,” the masked blonde said, embarrassed. Her black mask covered her entire head underneath a purple hood, so her face was completely hidden - but Batgirl could hear the blush in her voice. “It’s just, you know, having, like-- a supervillain for a father? Not really getting much by way of ‘daddy-daughter talks,’ you know?”

“Right, sure,” Batgirl said, sympathizing with the girl and remembering her first crush. “I definitely know what it’s like to have a busy father. And with boys, you can never really know, you know? It‘s something you‘ve got to trust your gut on. Don‘t listen to what anyone else says on the matter too, ‘cause that’s a losing game.”

“Yeah, totally.”

“Whatever you do, don‘t be afraid to make the first move. We‘re well past women having to wait to be asked out, and let’s face it-- we can’t trust the boys to ever say anything.” Batgirl laughed, and Spoiler joined in after a second of nervousness. “Seriously, if you like a boy, you’ve gotta be kinda obvious about it. The good ones are usually blind, and the ones that’ll chase after you are usually the jerks and losers.”

“Right. Thanks. Make the first move-- got it.” Spoiler gave a large, resolute nod and patted her knees. Batgirl laughed at her, covering her mouth.

“What’s so funny?” Spoiler asked, confused.

“You’re more nervous about this then you were when we stopped those armed robbers,” Batgirl said, smiling. “Relax, will you? You’re adorable, you’re fun, you’re hot and you’re blonde - you’ve got nothing to worry about. Robin won’t know what hit him.”

“Yeah, I guess-- hey, wait-- how did you know it was--“ Suddenly the girls’ communicators flashed on, interrupting Spoiler’s surprise.

“We need you… both,” Batman’s voice came into their ears. “We need everyone for this one. We’re going to hit checkmate. Hard. No more playing catch-up - we’re going to get some answers from one of their Bishops. It’s time we got to the heart of our problem.”
_________________________________________________

Another abandoned warehouse, just outside of Gotham’s Victoria Place and the Industrial Park. Night on the docks meant fog, and fog meant Batman was in his element. Like a demon out of the shadows, he swooped down on a pair of guards as if from nowhere, and when his shadow lifted, they were gone. He swept his cape behind him and vanished into the mists.

“All in position,” Batman said, an order not a question. “Everyone knows their assignments. Team one comes with me - we take out the guards inside. Team two takes out any perimeter defenses and deflects any reinforcements. They won’t be getting any help.”

A series of comm-clicks indicated his team was in position and ready. “They moved into our city,” Batman said, his gravely voice set with grim determination. “Now we break them and remove the cancer before it can grow. Move in.”
_________________________________________________

The Gotham Knights:

R HT Batman* - 85
R Katana - 37
R Black Canary - 21
R CD Manhunter - 37
E Nightwing - 53
E Unl Batgirl - 41

* w/ Pounce - 15

Total: 289

Vs.

Checkmate Knights:

E Ult Captain America - 89 (Checkmate Bishop)
V Shield Agent - 29 (Checkmate Knights)
V Shield Agent - 29
V Sentinel Trooper - 28 (Checkmate agents in power suits)
V Sentinel Trooper - 28
V Sentinel Trooper - 28
V Checkmate Medic - 19
V Checkmate Medic - 19
R Checkmate Agent - 11
R Checkmate Agent - 11

Total: 291

Map: Marvel 4

Scenario Notes:

 The villains may use Laser turrets instead of regular objects if they wish.

 The bishop has a powerful personal force-field device and is a master of the martial arts.

i - 7 (6,1)
o - 5 (4,1)

anyone?