"I will kill Batgirl", Batman announced. Now it was time to see how sincere he was.
Mesmera knew that Batman could break her spell at any moment. She played her cards very carefully. She said nothing for a moment after he finally caved. Instead, she stared at him in silence. She let the importance of his words, of his decision, register with him. After all, this point of this exercise was not to have Batgirl killed, but to have Batman do it himself under the command of Mesmera. After a minute or two of silence, it was clear Batman was committed to carrying out her will.
Mesmera voiced her approval, "You have done well Batman. You have pleased me", she said slowly and authoritatively.
Mesmera reached into the pocket of her mink coat. She pulled out a gun. Batman watched her every move, yet made not one move of his own.
"I want you to use this gun Batman. It is already loaded. Just aim and pull the trigger.", Mesmera instructed. She did not try to console him, or rationalize that Batgirl would feel no pain, or claim it would all be over quick.
Meanwhile Batgirl stood silently. She knew she was going to die in a moment. It was ok though, it was what Mesmera had commanded. She had no intentions of running, or trying to get away. She was glad to die for Mesmera. Batman was the key to Mesmera's glory, and Batgirl was happy to play her part
to secure Batman's dedication to the cause.
"This gun has armor piercing bullets Batman. They will instantly penetrate Batgirl's kevlar body suit. Aim for her heart.", Mesmera instructed coldly. She watched Batman line up his sites.
"Get ready Batgirl", Mesmera said. Batgirl raised her arms as if to make a better target. Batman's breathing was getting erratic, Mesmera feared he might be breaking.
"Batman, you will do this for me. You know what you are doing, and you choose to do it to serve me. You do it because I have commanded it, and you will obey my commands", she reaffirmed. Batman's breathing steadied again, the direct approach seemed to work.
"On my word Batman, I want you to fire", she instructed. Both heroes were ready to serve her at such great costs.
"Now", she said. Without hesitation, Batman pulled the trigger. The noise was loud. Batgirl catapulted back instantly. He had done it. Batman had shot Batgirl. He belonged to Mesmera now!

 

Chase relaxed in her penthouse. Her servant had drawn a perfect bath. This particular assistant was a very quick study. Two nights had passed since the unpleasantness on the rooftop with Batman and Batgirl. The night ended shortly after the sound of gunfire alerted all the local patrolmen. It was good for Chase to get sometime to regroup anyway.

The first part of her plan was complete, and a total success. Batman belonged to her now. He had been seen fighting crime the last two nights, but it was at her command. She didn't want anyone catching on that his priorities had changed.
"How is your bug bite doing?, it still looks quite tender",

Chase asked her bath drawing attendant, Barbara Gordon.
"Oh, I can't even feel it. Does it really look bad?", Barbara asked, unaware that a post hypnotic suggestion was keeping the pain away.
"Not at all, just keep your blouse buttoned up, you'll be fine in a few days.", Chase said. The "bug bite" on Barbara's chest was the mark of a bullet, not an insect.... a rubber bullet that is.
Chase was not a murderer, nor was she a fool. Barbara had many talents, and would be invaluable as Chase's personal attendant. It would be crazy to have her killed. Nonetheless, she needed an intense act for Batman to overcome, and killing Batgirl fit the bill perfectly. There was no need to burden Barbara with the idea that Mesmera was going to have her

killed though. Chase had removed that fact from Barbara's consciousness. What Barbara did know was that Mesmera had captured Batman once and for all on the police rooftop two nights ago.
"Will Batman be arriving here again tonight?", the young girl asked.
"Yes, he will be here at nine."
"Will he be staying the night?"
"No, not yet. He is not ready for that. I must still keep our meetings brief. Leave him always wanting more"
"But he is yours now, isn't he?"
"Batman is mine, that's true. But Bruce Wayne is not. In fact Bruce Wayne doesn't even know that I exist."

"But the Wayne fortune would be a fantastic cornerstone for your empire.", Barbara said, surprised Chase hadn't taken Bruce.
"Of course it will be sweety, but this all must be accomplished in good time. I have to defeat Bruce Wayne's free will as I defeated Batman's. The plan is divide and conquer. I've taken quite a few billionaires in my time. There are certain techniques that need to be followed. For instance, I like to make sure the man's support staff, butlers, maids, etc., are actually in support of me first."
"Brilliant", Barbara said.
"Indeed. Now why don't you slip off those clothes, grab that big fluffy sponge, and slip in here to wash me down.", Chase instructed. Barbara was happy to comply.

 

The next day, watched Batman's heroics with amazement in the on the limo TV on her way to the office. She had instructed Batman to perform his heroic deeds in the most high profile places possible, so that the press could see he was still in action. Her mouth was open in awe as she watched him fly through the air with the greatest of acrobatic ease. She couldn't focus on that now though, she had to prepare for the day's events.
"Arliss", she called to the driver.
"Yes Madam?", he replied. Arliss Hothwait was Dr. Mendelson's
butler and chauffeur for years. Chase had acquired him when she took everything else Mendelson owned last month.
"Who works for Wayne Manor?", she asked. She knew that people in Arliss' industry all knew each other, so he was sure to have the inside track on the Wayne Staff.
"Just one man, Madam, Alfred Pennyworth"
"Bruce Wayne only has one man on the house staff?", Chase asked.
"Yes. They hire additional people from time to time as necessary, but they never keep anyone on for too long. They are very private", he told her.
"That makes sense", Chase said. It did. Alfred was obviously trusted with the knowledge that Bruce was Batman, but having too many staff members crawling around the house would put that secret in jeopardy.

 

Chase spent the morning strategizing. Barbara sat attentively as her boss paced back and forth in the morning light.
"You must know Alfred Pennyworth, don't you Barbara?", Chase asked.
"Yes, quite well, he is a wonderful man"
"Have you told him you've left school to come work for me full time?"
"No, I haven't spoken to him since I've joined you"
:"Good. I want you to call him. Tell him that you have may have an opportunity to get into a special new criminal psychology program at the University. Tell him it is a very exclusive program and that there is a very lengthy candidate screening process. Tell him that you have put him down as a character reference, and that a member from the admittance committee would like to meet
with him this afternoon for a quick interview", Chase said, once again devising a brilliant scheme.
"Right away", Barbara said. She called Alfred immediately. She confirmed through quick small talk that Bruce was at work all day, and that Alfred would be alone. He instantly agreed to the interview. He was excited to have the chance to help Barbara out. He always thought the world of her.

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