"Going somewhere?"
Selina spun. Sovereign stood on the rooftop behind her. Gray and black tactical suit. Full helmet. Arms crossed.
"You again," she said. Her voice carried amusement despite the surprise. "Following me?"
"Stopping you. This operation is under investigation. You can't hit it tonight."
"Can't?" Selina smiled. "That's a strong word."
"Will be compromised if you proceed," Sovereign said. His modulated voice stayed calm. "There are bigger things in play than your profit margin."
"Bigger things?" Selina moved closer. Studied him through her goggles. "You mean your investigation with the Bat. I'm not stupid, Sovereign. I know you two are working together."
"Then you know this is important. Walk away."
"And miss out on millions of dollars worth of alien tech? Not likely." She tilted her head. "Unless you're offering compensation for my loss of income."
Sovereign reached into his belt. Pulled out a small device. The same kind of power cell she'd given him two nights ago.
"This is worth more than anything in that warehouse," he said. "Take it. Stay away from Intergang for the next forty-eight hours. After that, I don't care what you steal."
Selina caught the device he tossed to her. Felt the warmth. The energy radiating from it. This was genuine Apokoliptian technology. Worth a fortune to the right buyer.
She looked at Sovereign with new appreciation. "You're bribing me with stolen alien tech to protect your investigation. That's actually pretty smart."
"I have my moments."
"Most heroes would just threaten me or tie me up for the police."
"I'm not most heroes. And you're not most thieves." Sovereign's stance relaxed slightly. "You're smart enough to recognize a good deal when you see one. Two power cells for one night of patience. That's fair."
Selina turned the device over in her hands. He was right. This was a good deal. Better than risking her life against whatever security Intergang had prepared.
"Okay," she said. "I'll stay away from your warehouse. For now. But this doesn't mean I'm on your side."
"I'm not asking you to be. Just asking you not to interfere."
"Fair enough." Selina pocketed the device. Moved toward the roof's edge. "You know, you're more interesting than Batman. He would've just lectured me about the law."
"Different approaches to the same goal."
"Maybe." Selina paused. Looked back at him. "Thanks for the gift, Sovereign. And for the save the other night. I do pay my debts."
"I'll remember that."
She smiled behind her goggles. "I'm sure you will. See you around, hero."
Selina grappled away into the darkness. Disappeared into Gotham's shadows with practiced ease.
Sovereign stood alone on the rooftop. Watched her go.
"AEGIS, threat assessment on Catwoman?"
"Subject has been successfully neutralized as interference risk. Cost: one Apokoliptian power cell. Assessment: acceptable trade given mission parameters. However, subject now possesses two devices of significant value and danger. Recommend continued monitoring of her activities."
"Agreed. Keep her on the surveillance rotation. If she tries to sell those devices, I want to know."
James checked the time. Twenty-three hours until the raid. Catwoman was handled. The investigation was secure.
He grappled back toward his factory base. Tomorrow would be intense. A full-scale assault on a fortified position. Multiple Justice League members involved. Alien weapons. Unknown enemy strength.
Everything he'd been building toward since arriving in Gotham.
Time to rest. Time to prepare.
Tomorrow, Sovereign would prove himself worthy of standing among heroes.
---
In Metropolis, Bruno Mannheim sat in his office reviewing the latest reports from Gotham.
Two security breaches. One power cell stolen. One facility destroyed. The vigilante called Sovereign was proving to be a persistent problem.
And now his intelligence suggested Batman was involved. The Dark Knight had been making inquiries. Tracking energy signatures. Coordinating with other heroes.
Bruno pulled up a holographic display. Showed the ten-city distribution network. Hundreds of weapons. Thousands of potential buyers. Millions of dollars in profit.
But more than profit, this was about establishing Darkseid's influence on Earth. Proving the New Gods' superiority. Creating chaos that would weaken human civilization.
The Gotham operation was the linchpin. If it succeeded, the other cities would follow. If it failed, the entire network would collapse.
Bruno made a call. Encrypted channel. Heavily shielded.
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