The Batman: Downfall Ch. 10

Phone lines had been cut prior to the raid and so had the power, though the police had forgotten about the backup generators, but they would not last forever, Juliana had to work fast she had started the download earlier that day prior to the police turning up, the power cut had slowed things down, the screen showed her ninety eight percent completed but it had been stuck that way for the past ten minutes.

The horn blast from the street below pulled her away once more from Carlos' personal computer. Juliana showed her first sign of annoyance as her fist slammed hard on the glass panel. The Americans had finally turned up a mix of CIA and homeland security no doubt, one thing was certain they were more focused than the local police. Juliana watched them access the building in little less than two minutes, her time here was up.

She pulled the memory stick with little care for file corruption at that point, she sat down on the leather office chair and spread her legs, the memory stick slipped inside her and she gave it a final push to make sure it was secure. She stood up feeling a little peculiar as she walked out of the office and headed first for the lift then changing her mind she turned right and headed for the stairs.

Juliana had given the American agencies a little too much credit, she had moved steadily down the stairwell, pulling her hair into a pony tail as she went and donning a pair of thick rimmed black glasses, she stepped out into the foyer and was met by a dozen or so agents and police. Juliana screamed hysterically when an overzealous agent pointed a Sig -Sauer in her direction, she adopted her practiced dialect of Chiapaneco and began to babble while repeatedly crossing herself, it had been something she had seen on television and had amused her.

Her display attracted attention and the agent was quick to push her towards the rotating doors at the front of the building and escorted her out onto the street. Juliana continued her act as she walked away, one had held to her head as she went a few more meters she reached the stone steps and beyond Juliana was lost in the crowd.

The limousine was waiting only a block away, a small group of street children had gathered close by and were eyeing up the vehicle daring each other to go close and ask for money, each one of them declining the dare. Juliana walked steadily to the car refusing to look over her shoulder, she reached the rear of the car and one door opened and she stepped in.

The only other occupant of the car sat in still silence, his eyes scanned the small computer tablet in his hand he made no motion to say he had noticed Juliana enter the car. Juliana parted her legs and removed the USB device. She found a napkin and cleaned herself from the sleek plastic casing before placing it next to the man, "It is all there, all of Carlos' files and emails. The virus is also in place, by the time the Americans get to the files there will be nothing left for them to sift through." Juliana removed the glasses and pulled her hair loose from her pony tail. She could thank her father, the man who sat motionless before her for her long black hair and sun kissed complexion.

The man lowered the tablet and looked briefly at the USB stick then turned his attention to his daughter, "The loss of Carlos is perhaps a blessing in disguise Talia, his vision was not one that I was ever comfortable with."

Talia Al Ghul nodded in agreement, "The young man that once shared your vision, died a long time ago when corporate greed took hold."

Ra's Al Ghul agreed and felt sad for the loss of one that had been such an ardent follower, "what has been done cannot be undone, not for the likes of Carlos atleast." Ra's smiled grimly, he looked at his tablet quickly, checking the time. He tapped the intercom to speak to the driver, "The airport."

Talia picked up the tablet and looked at her father's appointments, "Doctor Jonathan Crane? He is weak, unskilled, what use is he?"

Ra's shook his head smiling knowingly to himself, "Wait and see my Daughter, do not judge a book by its cover."

The End

*****

A Thank You

Thanks to everyone who has commented on the chapters and have emailed me with thoughts both positive and negative. I have listened to it all and on my next fan fiction work will use what I have learnt here with Batman and grow.