DC Technomancer Chapter 17: Introduction Pt.4

Victor stared at Stella as tears streamed down her cheeks and her chest heaved with quiet sobs. For the longest time Victor believed his heart had been bled dry, but a sea of emotions stirred buried deep inside him. 

“What if I told you that I can make a change?” Victor asked, his voice barely above a whisper. Stella shook her head slowly and hugged her shoulders in grief. 

“What do you plan to do? Kill every criminal in gotham?” Stella spat, “If even you somehow manage it, almost everyone in Gotham has some kind of criminal record. And those who don’t have loved ones who do.” 

Victor held up his hands in mock surrender, “I’m not so short sighted that I believe violence is the only solution.  What this city needs is change, systemic change that gives people the opportunity to succeed and live the lives they want to.” 

Stella's posture softened and Victor saw a glimmer of something in her eyes. Seeing that he was reaching her Victor kept talking, “But there will be people who fight against that change, or make it impossible for others to live peacefully. Diego was one of those people, he was a rabid dog that needed to be put down.” 

Stella bit her lip clearly thinking over Victor’s words, “S-so you’re just going to kill everyone who you think is a threat?”

“No,” Victor responded firmly, “Tonight is the last time I want to do something like this. But I can’t promise there won’t be bloodshed down the line.” 

Stella shook her head in disbelief, “I can’t believe this is happening, I’ve known you for less than a month but here you are turning my life upside down. Just who the hell are you, Victor?” 

An easy going smile spread across Victor's face, “I can’t tell you that unless you join me Stella. What I’m aiming to do will make a lot of enemies.” 

Taking a step closer Victor stood less than an inch away from Stella and looked down at her, “And I won’t paint a target on your back, unless I’m sure I can step in front of any threat that comes your way.” 

A blush spread across Stella’s cheeks and she slapped Victor’s chest, “Stop flirting with me damnit, this is a serious conversation.”  

“Sorry,” Victor apologized with an amused tone, “So what do you say? Do you trust me?”

Stella stared up at Victor for a long moment before her face fell and she took a hesitant step back, “I-I’m sorry, but I can’t…not yet.” 

Victor tried to keep the look of disappointment off his face and forced himself to smile, “I understand.” 

Reaching into his pocket Victor took out a pair of keys and held them out to Stella, “Here take these.” 

Stella blinked, staring at the keys like they would come to life and attack her, “Y-you don’t seriously think I’m staying over?” 

Victor shook his head, “Please, I would rest easier knowing you at least have a roof over your head. Besides, I have another place to stay.” 

Stella hesitated for a moment before she slowly reached out and took the pair of keys, “Thank you.”

Victor dipped his head, “It’s the least I could do…goodbye Stella.” 

Turning around Victor walked over to the door and turned the handle, “If you change your mind, feel free to call.”

Walking out before Stella could respond Victor closed the door behind him and let out a long sigh. 

[Are you alright Victor?]

“To be honest Nex, I have no idea,” Victor replied as he started walking towards the elevator, “I haven’t been this attached to someone in a long time. Hopefully she changes her mind once she sees our work. But who knows?”  

[If you want I could repress your emotions for a brief period of time]

Victor shook his head, “Thanks for offering Nex but I’ll wallow in my feelings for a bit longer. Besides, I'm not so distraught that I can’t function. Arrange the meeting.” 

[Very well Victor]

--- 

On the roof of the GCPD’s main office, Jim Gordon stared up at the symbol illuminating the night sky, ‘He’s taking longer than normal.’ 

As if on cue the flap of fabric in the wind caught Gordon’s ear and he turned around to see the familiar menacing figure that blended into the darkness making him seem larger than life , “You know sometimes I have a hard time believing you're just a man.” 

“Why have you called me?” Batman asked in his usual gruff no nonsense tone. 

Reaching into his jacket Gordon pulled out a manilla folder and offered it to the caped crusader, “You’ve probably seen the news. Thought you might want a bit of additional information.” 

“Hmm the six hands gang was taken out… you don’t  normally bother me with things like this. What’s different?” Batman asked as he reached out and took the folder without opening it. 

Gordon exhaled his breath turning into a cloud in the cold air, “Thirty two men died tonight, which isn’t usual in gang takeovers. But all of our evidence points to a single attacker.” 

Batman frowned as he stared at Gorgon, “You believe one person was responsible for all of this?” 

Gordon nodded, “I know it seems far stretched, but yes. And this guy isn’t some run of the mill hitman, every one of the kills we linked to the suspect was either a headshot or hit a vital organ.” 

“Meaning he could have killed everyone but didn’t,” Batman stated as his eyes narrowed, “Why?” 

“We don’t know exactly, but one of my detectives noticed a pattern. Every gang member that died was a repeat offender with multiple violent felonies.” Gordon explained as a grave look spread across his face, “We aren’t dealing with some psychopath, but a highly trained killer that sticks to a moral code.” 

“I see,” Batman responded plainly as he stashed away the folder, “I’ll look into it.” 

“I’m sure you will,” Gordon said with a smile as he turned around, knowing that if he looked back there would only be empty space.