Voices

Chapter IV: The Showdown
Back at the bat cave Batman and The Shadow are deciding on the strategy to be adopted to nail the Bullet as Max prepares the data collected.
" The drone tailed the copter right up to The Bullet's hideout in the city. And you won't believe where the trail ended: Wayne towers! The Bullet went straight from the roof to the top penthouse, the one done up like a tropical jungle. I checked out who owned that particular floor and guess who has a permanent lease for the penthouse: Paxton Powers!"
" That real nice Max. Now we have to deal with Mr. Nuclear's son too. What about the chap at FoxTech Labs, the one who really wanted give KOBRA' s fashion designer's a run for their money?" said Terry.
" That was a criminal known only as the Adder who specializes in stealing valuable bio-toxins. The particular strain of sea snake venom he stole belonged to a certain Dr. Ira Kane, who was researching the use of the toxin into reversing the ageing process until The Bullet killed him. I believe that The Bullet has used his research to guarantee his own immortality. I feel that he contracted the Adder. No use going after the Adder. He will have probably disappeared by now," said the shadow.
" So let's go after The Bullet"
Later that night a shadowy figure hung on the top of Wayne Towers. Below him a tropical jungle hung like a vast emerald in the concrete surrounding it. The jungle was filled with tropical plants of all types, whose cultivation was made possible only due to recent advances in hydroponics and climate control. Batman dropped into the jungle. Somewhere in between this a large bald headed man sat working on a computer. He had oriental features. He spoke into mike connected to his portable computer.
" Mr. Powers, I have failed you this time, but our plan was a success to a great deal. Next time Wayne won't be so lucky", he spoke into the mike.
" There won't be a next time, if you fail me again. I want Wayne dead. Understood? Good", spoke a harsh voice from the image on the webcast link. Batman froze. He had heard that voice before. The tone was unmistakable. It was that of a man used to getting his way by any means. The voice could belong to only one man: Derek Powers! That was odd thought Batman, as Powers had died with the sinking sub in his last encounter. Somehow he had survived the incident. And there was only one way to find out how- The Bullet. Batman crept slowly towards the bullet unseen through the tropical foliage. His cloaked Batsuit ensured that he wasn't detected.
" Batman, there's no need to hide", said the Bullet. Instantly Batman dived into the foliage.
" Come out, come out wherever you are. There is no need to hide really!"
Unseen, part of the foliage slid aside to reveal a large laser cannon. It had some sort of a digital camera atop the barrel. The camera relayed an image to the Bullet's computer. Using the joystick control the Bullet zeroed in on Batman using an infrared mode. The sights closed in on Batman. Just as he fired, batman moved. The Bullet started firing the gun in a rapid-fire mode at Batman.
'Where is the shadow? ', Thought Batman.
Behind The Bullet, the elevator opened. There was no one in it. Footsteps approached the man known as the Bullet, unheard over the din of the laser. Just then one of the lasers hit Batman on his chest and sent him sprawling towards the glass windows. The Bullet picked up his PSG-1 rifle and advanced towards Batman.
"Today I will rid the criminal world of another pesky thorn, just as I did years ago by killing the Shadow." As he aimed the rifle at Batman ready to pull the trigger, a voice spoke from the end of the room.
" Question, Question! If you killed me years ago who am I? Haa… haaaa.haaaa"
The laughter seemed to come from all around the room.
" No, it can't be. I killed you years ago. You were Lamont Cranston. I found you by using an infrared scan and then I shot you. This isn't possible."
" Then how am I here walking, talking, and invisible? And don't bother scanning for me I won't show up on the scanner."
The Bullet started firing blindly into the air and into the jungle. He ran out of bullets very soon. Then the blow came. It was swift and quick. It sent the Bullet crashing into the glass and out into the air. Batman was up in a flash and just managed to catch the Bullet by his leg.
The Shadow was gone.
Sirens filled the night as the Gotham Police stormed the penthouse, only to find a neatly wrapped present and a note:
That's twice in a day -Batman.

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