Nina Stenet
"Great acts are made up of small deeds." - Lao Tzu
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Player: Avalikia ~
Registered On: Nov 4, 2010 0:01:40 GMT -5 ~
Posts: 696
~ Relationship Status: Single
~ Character Profile
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Post by Nina Stenet on Feb 23, 2012 22:19:59 GMT -5
It's hardly a surprise to Nina when Edward tells her that they're leaving. She's seen Edward's paranoia about Batman at work before. She simply nods as she gets up and grabs her book from where she left it on the coffee table before heading into the room she shares with Edward to gather the rest of her things. One advantage to being a practical person with no real attachment to possessions (aside from her laptop, safely hidden away in Gotham), is that it doesn't take her more than a couple minutes to get her things together, even slowed down by crutches. And then she simply waits in the front room for Edward to finish what he's doing.
She purses her lips when she sees what he's doing. Really? Blow up the place? It's that necessary? But she knows better than to voice any of that. Instead she voices something else. "If you ask me, if someone makes you go somewhere to talk about a problem you don't want to discuss, that counts as them asking you for help. It's a compliment... sort of," she says quietly. In fact she's a bit surprised that Edward didn't instantly take it that way. But then, he's a little stressed right now.
She says nothing else but simply follows Edward's lead right now - she's feeling more than a bit over her head right now. She'd really like to find a spare moment to simply think all of this over, but until all this other stuff is taken care of she won't have it.
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Post by grimknight on Feb 26, 2012 2:51:59 GMT -5
A suggestion of meeting back at their establishment of choice in Beijing, China within a 95 minute time frame now seemed like a generous one. The Bat had gauged about how much time he would need to get a makeshift set up for his high-tech equipment to patch into the Beijing police department’s radio frequency as well as establish a secure link to Batcave’s super computer. Not to mention, he had to give a quick and secretive check-in with Dick over the favor he had requested of his crime fighting partner. He made sure that things were sailing smoothly with Dick acting as Bruce Wayne, using a specialized facial mold compound to create the most realistic prosthetic mask to look like Bruce and a few wardrobe secrets to ensure Dick portrayed the same height and build of Bruce. So, while rare but quickly spread rumors of Batman sightings were starting to occur in Beijing’s criminal underbelly, Bruce Wayne was seen out and about, cavorting stylishly through Gotham’s posh scene of wealth and beauty. Then there was the specialized Chinese Zodiac themed riddle that Nigma had created which was why Batman travelled to China in the first place.
He had decided to have Catwoman accompany him to act as something of a distraction to Riddler given her ever-shifting liaison rogue status between Gotham’s vigilantes and villains. Though he wasn’t certain over the possibility of Catwoman actually being involved with Riddler’s current scheme, he bluffed the highly skilled thief—needing her for her talents in smooth talk and distraction so he could buy a little more time to crack the rest of Nigma’s riddle and track down the Riddler himself. The Bat’s detective genius didn’t fail to live up to its reputation as in his re-working of the riddle he was able to find a questionable path of informants within Beijing’s criminal world reeking of involvement with the Riddler. Dealing with Beijing’s thugs, gangs, and scum was like taking a vacation to Disneyland in comparison to the seedy criminals that plagued Gotham’s streets. Then again, China had never had a Batman to deal with before—so when the Bat’s tactics of interrogation made Chinese water torture appear like nothing more than getting a massage at some luxurious day spa, desired information started to flow from the lucky criminals of choice. The Bat got answers to his questions over components of the riddle, spikes in uncharacteristic supply demands over weapons, bomb building parts, and drugs, as well as involvement with any Americans—specifically a rather ingenious, intellectually compulsive American known as the Riddler.
Though his information over Riddler’s scheme was still convoluted at best, Batman was able to follow the twisted path of information through informants, picking up more clues in solving the Zodiac riddle until he finally narrowed down the top executioner of Riddler’s scheme—a Chinese government employee named Wu Jing. It wasn’t hard to track the treacherous government official down given his highly respected status in office. After basically turning Jing’s clean cut face into a pile of raw hamburger meat (a brutal version of Bat’s knuckle punch given for each time Jing defied the Bat’s pummel of questions) as well as leaving the man with a broken rib, fractured collar bone, and deviated septum, the Bat now knew of the bomb Nigma had planted in a highly populated section of downtown Beijing by official government office buildings. Where the bomb was specifically located would remain unknown to the Bat either because Jing had decided that he didn’t care over what measures of fear, pain, and loss of freedom Batman had yet to inflict upon him, or he had taken one hit too many and managed to slip into a minor, temporary, semi-conscious coma. Either way, he had what he wanted—well before the 95 minute time frame he allotted to Catwoman and now had taken back to piloting the Batwing, storing a badly beaten, tightly bound and gagged Wu Jing in the passenger seat of the silent hover jet’s cockpit.
Upon making plans to split up for a short while so he could work on uncovering Riddler’s scheme and she could work on uncovering Riddler’s hideout, he had taken to syncing her comm-link frequency up with his comm-link giving them long distance communication on a secure line if need be. It also gave him the ability to track her down should he need to… Given their set up of trust and temporary partnership, at first he made it a point to let her slink off and go on her own way—trusting her to contact him should she happen to find Riddler. But… Now that the Bat had Riddler’s head wing man detained as well as the information of a bomb set to go off in a highly public and government based area of the city, the rules had changed. He’d drop Wu Jing off at a police precinct later, the man was detained and a non-threat—however, Riddler’s bomb was a different story. He needed to find Catwoman now, using the Batwing’s tracking computer to hone in on her comm-link—hoping she wasn’t unwittingly located in the same area as the bomb when/if it goes off before he had a chance to defuse it.
Using his hover jet’s undetectable, fail-safe cloaking device, Batman silently flew the bat-shaped black craft high above the city, using the fortunate overcast cloud base as visual cover. The closer he got to Catwoman’s signal, the higher connection the frequency became and suddenly he was able to tap into comm-link, making it into a two-way mic. He heard her speaking… his attention snared as he suddenly realized that she was conversing with Edward Nigma and Nigma’s current female consort of choice, Dr. Nina Stenet. So his suspicion had been confirmed! Catwoman was involved with Riddler’s scheme! Well, from what he gathered based on the conversation he was now privy to, she knew of Nigma’s stay in China, though she didn’t seem to know what for or why. Then again, he was strained to hear clearly all that way stated as interference would cut in and out. Batman was able to deduce that Catwoman was involved in another plot of Riddler’s—something involving Agent Tiffany and the FBI. Such information was locked away into the steel trap that was his mind; the Bat would deal with this newly learned evidence later. Right now? Riddler was his primary objective. Within mere seconds and while still listening to the exchanged conversation between Catwoman, Riddler, and Dr. Stenet, Batman now lurked about the highly secured premise of Riddler’s little hideout. Easily avoiding the lookout scouts Riddler had patrolling the grounds, the Bat managed to procure a clear view within the penthouse-type setting. He spied Edward Nigma, appearing to look distraught over Catwoman revealing the fact that the Bat’s presence was in China. He saw Dr. Stenet catering to an injured leg, providing something of a detached interest in the shared conversation. Then he saw a woman clad in stylish Asian themed attire, looking to have freshly come from taking a shower or bath—it was Catwoman he knew for sure, but interestingly without her masked cowl. Again, the frequency would cut in and out, allowing him snippets of their conversation though his focus was now on trying to catch sight of Catwoman’s true face. The curiosity of wondering who the woman behind the cat was suddenly burned through him in a volcanic eruption of obsessive need. Years, they had been formidable allies and enemies for years. The game of cat and mouse (or as she aptly put it, “cat and flying rat”) had been shrouded in mystery as each one would wonder just who it was beneath the carefully donned cowl. This very second, right now, Batman was presented the answer to his ponderous question—who is Catwoman?
The moment the dark haired woman turned, her lithe curved form clad in that wrap dress exposing her silken pale flesh in the most alluring way, he saw her face... “…Selina…”
The static spoken voice of Riddler suddenly came in on the intermittent frequency of Catwoman’s comm-link. Selina Kyle. Selina Kyle, the business woman, the animal activist, the stylish, well-mannered-when-you’re-on-her-good-side debutant. Selina Kyle, the world renowned and highly skilled thief; Selina Kyle was Catwoman. Shock washed over him, the mystery revealed in the guise of the most unexpected answer… Everyone had their secrets, the Bat obviously no exception especially given his secrets were in a league all of their own. Now Selina Kyle’s/Catwoman’s shared that same league as his—truly sealing the ideal of their mirrored connection to one another: truly two sides of the same coin. Though his mind was buzzing over this newly unveiled fact about Catwoman and Selina Kyle (as well as the kind of consequences and leverage that could now be had) he couldn’t ignore Riddler, nor Riddler’s deadly little bomb scheme.
Shifting gears, he now focused back on the situation of capturing Riddler—yet, he quickly then decided that he definitely didn’t want Catwoman knowing, or anyone else knowing for that matter, that he was aware of her true identity being Selina Kyle. That was leverage and power he wanted to maintain and use at his discretion when he felt it was needed. Now was not the time. A fast change of plans was made—and in over hearing Nigma’s restlessness to leave after having learned that Batman was in town, the Bat made his own move of quickly plotted semi-spontaneity. Grappling back up to the Batwing which silently hovered above the penthouse, he grabbed the scarcely conscious, still tightly bound and gagged Wu Jing and glided back down to an allocated spot of choice.
As Nigma grabbed a few last minute items with Nina and Selina Kyle now left the building as Catwoman once again, the Bat methodically placed the badly beaten wing man of Riddler’s right before the hotel room’s front door. It was a feat of ease, sneaking in and handling the so-called “security” the Riddler had set up, for Batman—he dealt with villains and their protective measures on a nightly basis. Wu Jing would serve as a very menacing sign to Riddler that yes indeed the Batman was here and yes indeed the riddle had been solved; the government official had even been “gift wrapped” and all. But as for any visual sign of the Bat? There was none to be seen…
Instead the was a chillingly foreboding scene of unconscious henchmen around the penthouse level floor of Riddler’s hotel room, complete with the main lights of the hotel having suddenly been shut down, leaving just the security lights to dimly shine. A single batarang was tucked into Jing’s mouth gag, left as a stylized parting gift for the Riddler.
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Deleted Member
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Registered On: May 1, 2024 22:21:56 GMT -5 ~
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Last Edit: Feb 26, 2012 11:15:20 GMT -5 by Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Feb 26, 2012 11:14:09 GMT -5
Italics=Chinese
The Riddler's eyes were still on his phone as he continued to hack into the hotel security system. He certainly knew the Batman would not be stopped by a simple blown up room. He needed something that could occupy the man's time as he pushed distance between him and the man. His skin was on edge, and he kept waiting for Batman to bust through the window, so he could start the second part of his plan. When he still didn't, Edward was beginning to think that possibly the Batman hadn't followed Selina.
None the less, the destroyed pent house hotel room would be a message to the Batman.
As Allen opened the door to leave the hotel room, the power went off. Edward frowned immediately. Batman was here, and he just destroyed his connection into the security system. He glanced at his phone that read error. No matter, every expensive place had back up generators, he would have to talk himself into time.
"Boss," Allen stated in a surprised way.
Edward was about to ask what when his eyes turned upwards as Allen moved out of the door. There on the ground sat a bounded beaten up obviously in pain Wu Jing....with a batarang. Edward frowned deepened as he stared at the man who seemed to have barely held onto conscious. Edward pulled his gun from his waistband, switching his phone to his caned hand. It was amazing what Batman could do to Edward's adrenaline. He usually ended up using his cane less when the Batman was close. He walked slowly to the door, and then checked the darken hallway for his presence.
Dropping Wu Jing outside his door could merely be a message of a fear tactic. Batman had an obsession with fear that was comparable to the Scarecrow.
"Boss, you think he's here?" Allen asked with his own gun in hand.
Edward thought of it. His mind dancing through the possibilities. Batman liked to lurk and surprise him at any moment, but he also had Selina to meet. To not meet that woman on time could be disastrous as well. He smirked at that thought.
He brought his eyes back to Wu, and like someone switching a light switch a light bulb turned on. It was similar to his plan with the security, but why not evolve it. Batman might know that Wu was involved with his scheme, but Batman did not understand how corruptive the Chinese government was. It was comparable to Gotham before Batman, but the Chinese police department does not have a Jim Gordon lying around.
"It doesn't matter," Edward stated as he dialed the police number into his phone. "Pick up Wu. We got to get down to the first floor," Edward stated hoping the back up generators would work so he didn't have to climb down the stairs.
"Beijing Police Department, How can we help you with your emergency?" a voice on other side of the phone asked.
"Yes, Government Leading Advisor to the President Wu Jing is outside my hotel room in terrible shape. I have received a threat saying that there is a bomb somewhere in this building. I saw the man who did this, but I don't think you will believe me when I tell you," he said in a fake panic in chinese.
"Wu Jing is with you? Sir, calm down. You need to leave the building immediately. We will be there as soon as we can. Can you move the Advisor?" the police officer asked.
"Yes.Yes," he continued in the same rushful voice.
"Get out of the building then sir. We will be there," the voice reassured before ending the conversation.
Edward smirked. If Batman thought Wu Jing was the only one corrupted in the Chinese government, he would sorely be punished for that mistake. Wu Jing had power through all the departments, and it would take more then some connections to thugs and bomb equipment to get the man out of office, but Batman was always the idealist. Edward walked up to Wu and bent down to look the man in his dull eyes.
"I quite apologize for my fellow Americans brutish ways," he stated as he plucked the batarang from out of his mouth, "But I must remind you before you get angry that I did warn you." Edward stood up and put the batarang in his pocket. "It's quite okay though, I have handled the situation." Edward started walking towards the elevator. "Allen, pick up Wu," he ordered, the lights went back on as he moved. Back up generators, thank goodness, but maybe next time, Edward should stay closer to the ground. Less chance of elevator failure.
He kept his gun out, still waiting for Batman to appear, but if he would have, he would have done it in the darkness. Batman was truly just giving him a message. Edward smirked, well if Batman wanted to play message in a bottle, Edward would make sure his next message was delivered on CNN and BBC news. When they reached the lobby, Edward had hidden his gun back in his waist band. He reached his hand into his pocket and pressed the button on the detonator. The building shook, and all guest within the hotel looked up. The hotel staff tried to inform everyone to be calm and that the police had already called informing that there had been a terrorist threat. The hotel security staff on the bottom floor greeted Edward and his group, and lead them outside the building to wait for the police and an ambulance for Wu Jing.
Edward planned to inform the police of Batman's description that would only be confirmed by Wu when he became more conscious. Edward would then leak this information to CNN and BBC news, declaring a terrorist plot by the Batman.
Edward stood quietly next to Jimmy, Nina, and Allen who held Wu Jing in his arms. Edward was not finished with his game, and if the Batman wanted to stop him, well he would have to stop the entire Chinese government who would now label him a terrorist.
Edward pulled out a lollipop and unwrapped it. You'll never solve my riddle.
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Nina Stenet
"Great acts are made up of small deeds." - Lao Tzu
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Player: Avalikia ~
Registered On: Nov 4, 2010 0:01:40 GMT -5 ~
Posts: 696
~ Relationship Status: Single
~ Character Profile
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Post by Nina Stenet on Feb 26, 2012 12:02:17 GMT -5
It isn't until the power goes out that Nina becomes in any way concerned. And even then, it's more nerves and worry than something as acutely strong as fear. She's not sure what's happening, but if it's Batman then she's not nearly as concerned for herself as she is worried about Edward. While she's not sure what Batman will make of her more recent doings and therefore what he'd do with her, she has a few guesses about what would happen if he gets his hands on Edward and none of them are pleasant.
That feeling worsens when Allen points out something on the other side of the door, and when she moves closer she sees the man hanging up outside. Having never met the man she doesn't know of his importance, but it's easy enough to tell based on Edward's reaction that this isn't a good thing at all even without the batarang as evidence of who it was from. Her eyes shift from whoever that man is to Edward, wondering what this means. Will Batman suddenly show himself? Or is this a warning of some sort? Unlike Edward she sees no reason for Batman to delay in stopping him, but she can guess by the smirk that comes to his face that he thinks otherwise. And, trusting his judgment on the matter, she finds herself quietly breathing a sigh of relief - whatever confrontation these men get into won't happen yet.
She waits silently as Edward makes a phone call, but all she can gather from it is that he evidently has some sort of a plan for dealing with this since she doesn't understand a word of Chinese. Well, except for the small handful she's picked up during this trip, but that's hardly enough to help her understand the nature of the phone call. And what he says to the man is hardly enlightening at all. She'll debate with herself at a more opportune time whether she wants to ask about it or if she'd rather not know.
One thing that she knows that she doesn't want to know is just how big the explosion that rocks the building when they reach the lobby was. Big enough to destroy the suite, she's guessing, but big enough to hurt anyone near it? Yep, definitely doesn't want to know. Yet the next time she gets the chance she gives Edward a small smile, hoping that he knows what she means by it - she'd been worried for a few moments there and she's glad that, for now at least, her worries are unfounded.
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Post by grimknight on Feb 26, 2012 15:10:43 GMT -5
Being true to the ever allusive and grim questioning nature the Dark Knight’s reputation possessed, his presence was nowhere to be found within the hotel – just as Riddler had suspected. But, for just as well as Riddler was able to gauge how Batman would possibly respond to a situation, was just as well as the Bat was able to predict how the Riddler would conduct himself in any given scenario. As for this specific scenario of Riddler escaping the hotel? The Bat had guessed Nigma would weasel his newly “allied” muscle with the corrupt members of the Chinese government and place something of an S.O.S. message to other crooked government officials via phone call or text.
A signal tracer bug had been placed within the batarang left behind in Jing’s gag, now connecting to Riddler’s signal and was able to track the number he dialed, informing the Bat of which other Chinese government officials to target next as well as giving the Bat access to Riddler’s approximate location. And then of course were the EMP generators he had placed atop the hotel’s roof upon departing the premise back to his awaiting hover jet. The EMP generators sent out an incredibly powerful pulse, rendering all digital devices, bombs included, useless within a 300 square foot radius. He knew the Riddler liked to make an impression where ever he went… so did the Batman. Now, there was Selina—Catwoman to catch up with and of course the unknown location of a powerful bomb to find… Such was a typical day in the life of the Batman.
((OOC: To be continued in the thread titled: “Checkmate”…))
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